Each Walt Disney World DVC Resort In A Word

Friends, I had the opportunity to tour each DVC Disney resort on WDW property…including room models of the new Riviera! What is this life? If you are trying to decide which Disney Resort to book reservations at, then this is the blog for you!

So…I borrowed something I did a few years ago when I traveled through Europe and chose one word to describe each city we visited. Yep, you guessed it, I’m going to try (notice I said try) to describe each resort in one word. Friends, this is hard. If you have never tried it…start doing this on your adventures! It’s also a fun way to examine and recap your travels.

As a side note, I love a good debate and listening to others’ opinions; so I highly encourage all readers to let me know what words YOU would choose to describe these resorts – please feel free to comment below!

Grand Floridian – Opulence

Alright, I couldn’t use the word luxury, I mean it’s all luxury when we’re talking about Disney resorts. Let’s be real though, if you want to sip lavishness and tread among affluence, this is the place for you. It is dripping in a plethora of luxurious goodness and it may be the closest thing to staying in Cinderella’s Castle. Not only that, but it is the last stop on the monorail before you get to the Magic Kingdom.

Not only is the Grand Floridian beautiful, but every cast member I met was chipper and dapper and gave that true southern flare!

Bay Lake Tower – Classy

They keep it classy at the Bay Lake Tower with modern architecture and elegant furnishings. To top it off, Bay Lake is only a hop, skip and jump away from Magic Kingdom (10-15 minute walk if that’s what you prefer). I met a young couple with two children who said they always book at Bay Lake because it’s so close to Magic Kingdom!

Their pool and outdoor games area is impressive! And…there’s nothing like waking up in the morning and having a beautiful view of either Bay Lake or the castle!

Polynesian Villas & Bungalows – Breathtaking

This resort may be every mother’s dream come true! It’s close to Magic Kingdom, it’s a 5 minute walk away from the monorail to Epcot. You can watch the fireworks at Magic Kingdom from your resort! It has Ohana’s (only one of the best Character meet restaurants for your kiddos), and you feel like you are on a tropical island with all the wonderful sights, smells, and tastes! This is where practical & magical meet, making every mom wish she could stay here forever.

Beach Club – Leisure

Ok – so I picked leisure because the three top words underneath it in the thesaurus were convenience, recreation, and relaxation. That is Beach Club. It is conveniently close to Epcot (my favorite park). As for recreation, it boasts the best WDW pool; and concerning relaxation…even the colors of the walls and carpets speak rest to my soul. It is truly one of a kind, and my family’s home resort!

Boardwalk – Enthralling

Boardwalk, you had to be enthralling. The first time I met you, it was dark outside and the lights were shimmering, and you had me at hello! I absolutely love the lobby of Boardwalk – there’s all sorts of cool things, like a miniature carousel, a miniature roller coaster, complete with miniature people.

Even the large outdoor pool has a clown slide and the Leaping Horse Libations, which is a poolside quick serve that looks like a carousel also!

Boardwalk is also close to Epcot and Hollywood Studios! The bakeries and restaurants on the boardwalk offer great breakfast and lunch options! In fact, even when we stay at Beach Club, you can often find us over at Boardwalk for breakfast before we head into the parks!

Riviera – The Newb

Yes. Yes, it gets the title “The Newb”, because really- it is the newbie on the block…and honestly, I’m not going to give it a different word until I walk into its lobby and spend some time in its presence. This past week, I did have the privilege to view two room models of the new Riviera coming in December 2019! So I will share with you, my friends, some of those pictures!

(Model of the new Riviera coming in December 2019)

The theme to Riviera is European Mediteranean as an homage to Walt’s love of this region! There will be two pools, one for adults only (the one on the left), and one for kids and adults alike(the one on the right) with a special area for the kiddos called S’il Vous Play. See what they did there?

On the rooftop above the pool is going to be Topolino’s Terrace where not only can you enjoy yummy food, you will also get to enjoy the night shows from Epcot and Hollywood Studios! Fun Fact: Topolino means Mickey Mouse in Italian!

The two room models we viewed were the Deluxe Studio and the One Bedroom Villa. There will also be a tower studio that sleeps two and prices will start at 11 points a night. A Two Bedroom Villa will sleep up to 9, and a Three Bedroom Villa will sleep up to 12!

Deluxe Studio – sleeps 5

You can see the bed (sleeps 2) and the murphy bed behind the couch that turns the couch into another bed (sleeps 2). Below is the pull down single bed (sleeps 1).

They offer a nice galley kitchen in the one bedroom villa.

Check this out! The hiding murphy bed appears!

Not only is Riviera new, but the Disney Skyliner gondola system (also being built) will be accessible at the Riviera and guests may travel to either Epcot or Hollywood Studios by gondola!

(one of the new skyliner gondolas being tested)

Copper Creek & Boulder Ridge at Wilderness Lodge – Uninhibited

The word for Copper Creek & Boulder Ridge is uninhibited – or as the definition says, “free and easy – without constraint” This is truly the best of both worlds! It’s where luxury meets nature! You are free to go boating, free to go sailing, free to bike, free to hike, free to head over to Magic Kingdom with minimal lines for the boat ride over! Free to build a campfire and roast some s’mores, free to sit and smell the wonderful outdoors, take in the gorgeous waterfalls, geyser, and nature in general as it happens. Free. Free to be wild!

Old Key West – Charming

Old Key West, you are, in a word, charming. The colors alone at this resort are just beautiful, and make me think of slow summer days. Old Key West is close to Typhoon Lagoon, Disney Springs, Epcot and Hollywood Studios.

And you can’t forget, they have Olivia’s, a fan-favorite place to eat!

Saratoga Springs – Delightful

Saratoga is much like the sister to Old Key West; both are surrounded by Disney’s Lake Buena Vista Golf Course and beautiful water, both have a slow paced atmosphere, both are just relaxing. Saratoga has been themed after the famous 1800’s New York Resort called Saratoga Springs, and much like its namesake it has a wonderful spa area as well as horse racing decor! One of the best parts of Saratoga Springs is its proximity to Disney Springs, you can walk there or take a short boat ride!

Animal Kingdom Lodge – Magical

The first time I ever experienced a Deluxe Disney Resort, we had room reservations at Animal Kingdom Lodge. Maybe that’s why it holds a special part of my heart. Or maybe it’s the wonder of waking up to safari animals right outside my window?! Either way, this place is magical!

This resort is a must stay if you have children! Who am I kidding, I’m in my early 30s, and it’s magical to me too!! It’s a good thing they don’t have an age limit to this place! As Walt once said, “Adults are only kids grown up, anyway.” On a side note, Animal Kingdom Lodge is very close to Animal Kingdom Park in the event you were wanting to spend lots of time there…or get there early to ride Flight of Passage.

Whew! We made it through all the WDW DVC Resorts! Now it’s your turn to tell me what words you would use for each resort!

Also – there are hidden Mickey(s) in four of these pictures, and a hidden Minnie in one picture! Hint – none of the hidden Mickeys are in the picture of the Bay Lake Tower pool…that’s an obvious Mickey 😉 Let me know if you find the hidden ones!