Best Disney Villas – Ranking Disney Vacation Club Villas at Disney World

When it comes to accommodations at Walt Disney World, there are plenty to choose from. It can sometimes be overwhelming with so many great options! One of the most luxurious accommodation types is the deluxe Disney Vacation Club (DVC) villas.

Unsurprisingly, there are many different types with varying styles, sizes, and overall amenities. Our Disney villas guide is going to rank them all so you can get a better sense of what they each have to offer and how they stack up against each other. I stay at DVC Villa accommodations often and can speak to personal experience on what staying at these deluxe villa resort options are like!

Disney Villas: What is a Disney Vacation Club Villa?

Before jumping into the different villas, it's important to understand what exactly a vacation club villas is. Disney Villas are the accommodations that are found in Disney Vacation Club resorts. They are located at most of the Disney Deluxe Resorts and are typically larger than regular hotel rooms with amenities such as kitchens and dining rooms. If you want to learn more about the Disney Vacation Club, including how to rent a stay, be sure to check out our complete guide!

If you're not familiar with Disney accommodations, they are broken up into three categories:

• Value Accommodations
  • Best for budget stays that still offer Disney perks!
• Moderate Accommodations
  • A step up from the value accommodations, these resorts have a little bit more to offer such as more diverse dining options!
• Deluxe Accommodations
  • The best Disney has to offer. They are expensive, but certainly worth the experience as they are gorgeous resorts with top-of-the-line accommodations and comforts!

For reference, there are a total of 17 Disney Vacation club resorts. They are located in Florida, Hilton Head Island, California and Hawaii. They include the following:

• Disney's BoardWalk Villas
• Disney's Beach Club Villas
• Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
• Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa
• Disney's Old Key West Resort 
• Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
• Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
• Disney's Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
• Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House
• Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village
• Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa
• Riviera Resort
• Disney's Grand Californian Resort and Spa 
• The Villas at Disneyland Hotel 
• Aulani 
• Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort 
• Disney's Vero Beach Resort 

For our Disney Villas guide, we're going to focus on the ones at Walt Disney World in Florida. Let's now explore what makes the villas unique!

Disney Villas: Amenities

The Disney Vacation Club  (DVC) Villas are luxurious accommodations that make for some incredible vacations! So what exactly makes them different? Well, for starters, they are larger than a typical Disney hotel room. A typical Disney hotel room is about 260 square ft whereas a villa room starts at around 350 square ft and can go as big as 2,800 square ft! Yes, that's bigger than a typical home in some cases! Room types include tower/duo studios, deluxe studio villas, 1-bedroom villas, 2-bedroom villas and 3-bedroom grand villas. So, no matter the size of your party, you are sure to find a villa that suits your needs!

The second biggest difference you'll find is that DVC villas include kitchenettes or full-size kitchens. This is a great feature as it allows you to cook some meals in your room if you're hoping to save some money! I know, I know, some of you might be thinking that you would never want to cook on vacation! However, the DVC villas are meant to replicate a more homey vibe so a home-cooked meal helps create that vibe.

And just like all other Disney hotel stays, you'll still get the same benefits of staying on a Disney property resort such as housekeeping services and Early Theme Park Entry.

Disney Villas: Transportation Options

Getting around Walt Disney World is important since it's so large! So, you might be wondering what the different types of transportation are among the DVC resorts.

There are essentially four types of complimentary transportation options at Walt Disney World: bus, Monorail, Skyliner, and friendship boats. Each of these options is a great way to get around the resort, but not all are offered at every resort and some make more sense to use depending on the location of your resort.

So, let's take a look and see what the options are at each of the DVC resorts.

• Disney's BoardWalk Villas
  • Bus
  • Skyliner
  • Friendship Boats
• Disney's Beach Club Villas
  • Bus
  • Skyliner
  • Friendship Boats
• Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
  • Bus
  • Skyliner
  • Friendship Boats
  • Monorail
• Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa
  • Bus
  • Friendship Boats
• Disney's Old Key West Resort 
  • Bus
  • Friendship Boats
• Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
  • Bus
  • Friendship Boats
• Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
  • Bus
  • Friendship Boat
• Disney's Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
  • Bus
  • Friendship Boats
  • Monorail
• Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House
  • Bus
• Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village
  • Bus
• Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa
  • Bus
  • Friendship Boats
  • Monorail
• Riviera Resort
  • Bus
  • Skyliner

As you can see, each resort offers different types of transportation options. This is where you should really think about your and your family's needs. If you're trying to avoid buses and such, you might consider a resort that is within walking distance of a theme park such as Disney's Beach Club Villas. Alternatively, if your children are older and you're not worried about it, then you can choose any of the resorts. Just be sure to look at a map as some of the resorts can feel a bit further away from the action (here's looking at you Animal Kingdom Villas!) and leave you with longer-than-usual bus rides at the end of the night.

Disney Villas: How Much do Villas Cost?

Alright, I know we're making the villas sound great and so you might be wondering: how much do they cost? As mentioned, DVC villas are expensive as they are part of the deluxe Disney accommodations. This means that they come with deluxe price tags! However, we've got a great way of saving you some money so don't click away just yet!

Since the villas are part of the Disney Vacation Club, this means that they are eligible for rentals! Yes, you read that correctly, rentals. Renting DVC points allows you to enjoy the wonderful accommodations at a fraction of the cost and without having to buy into the membership!

Our partners at the DVC Rental Store and David's Vacation Club Rentals can help you secure a reservation at any of the Disney Vacation Club resorts for much less than booking through Disney direct!

Disney Villas: Pricing Example

Let's take a look at a hypothetical model to show you just how much you could save with our partners.

We're going to assume a family of 4 wants to stay at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge-Kidani in March in a 1-bedroom villa for four nights. Let's compare the different prices:

• Direct through Disney: $6,047
• DVC Rental Store: $3,040

As you can see, the Disney direct price tag is hefty, but if you book with one of our partners, you can save almost 50% off! In this case, this is a saving of $3,007! 

So, if you're looking to still enjoy villa accommodation, be sure to think about our friends at the DVC Rental Store or David's as they'll save you a lot of money for the same experience you'd get by paying directly!

Disney Villas: The Rankings

Alright, now for the good stuff! Let's dive into these rankings and see which resorts we think stand out as the best of the best. Now, let's be clear, this is simply one take on rankings. We LOVE each and every one of the DVC resorts, so it can be tough to rank them. However, we're doing it based on our experiences and what they each have to offer. Our last place ranking could easily be someone else's first place so please keep that in mind as you read along.

Lastly, remember that we're only ranking the resorts found in Walt Disney World. We did this because it's hard to rank resorts that are in different areas of the world! Disneyland has its own thing going that is different from Walt Disney World. Therefore, we chose to stick to the Florida resorts so that it can be an apples-to-apples comparison.

With that said, let's start at the end with our number 11 resort.

#11: Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa

Location: Disney Springs Area

Year Opened: 2004

Accommodations: Deluxe studios, 1-bedrooms, 2-bedrooms, 3-bedroom grand villas and Treehouses

Starting Point Value: 9 points

Our last place pick goes to the largest DVC resort, Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa. While it recently underwent a beautiful refresh, it takes the last place simply because of it's size. For us, a large resort can be a bit overwhelming and we tend to not like the fact that long bus rides are part of the experience. Additionally, this resort feels more like an apartment complex given that there are no indoor hallways. Instead, all of the villas are accessed from exterior halls.

The resort does not have the best dining out there so that's another reason we ranked it last. That said, it is the place to be if you're looking for golf as it's right on the course. It's also within a short walk to Disney Springs so it makes shopping very convenient. Overall, it's a beautiful resort with many pools, but not our favorite.

What we aren't crazy about?

• Size
• Building style
• Long bus rides around the resort

What we love? 

• Close to golf
• Walking distance to Disney Springs
• The Treehouses

#10: Disney's Old Key West

Location: Disney Springs Area

Year Opened: 1991

Accommodations: Deluxe studios, 1-bedrooms, 2-bedrooms, 3-bedroom grand villas

Starting Point Value: 9 points

Truth be told, we find this resort very similar to Saratoga Springs. It is similar in size, similar in building styles and therefore similar in what we aren't crazy about when it comes to DVC resorts. The resort is the first DVC resort and pays homage to the pastel colors and vibes of the Keys in Florida. Because of its age, it means that the resort boasts larger accommodations with larger balconies. This does make them a lot roomier and is perfect if you're looking for more space. Even so, the main pool is underwhelming and there aren't many dining options. For these reasons, we're giving it the number 11 spot.

What we aren't crazy about?

• Size
• Building style
• Underwhelming pools

What we love?

• Close to golfing
• Larger accommodations

#9: Disney's Bay Lake Tower

Location: Magic Kingdom Area

Year Opened: 2009

Accommodations: Deluxe studios, 1-bedrooms, 2-bedrooms, 3-bedroom grand villas

Starting Point Value: 13 points

Our ninth-place resort goes to Disney's Bay Lake Tower. While the walking distance to the Magic Kingdom makes it a standout location, we're not crazy about the ultra-modern style of this resort. Plus, it's really in dire need of refurbishment as the once-modern touches are now very dated. The pool and recreation area are not the most glamorous and give concrete-jungle vibes. On the plus side, the top of the resort boasts a beautiful rooftop lounge that offers perfect views of the Magic Kingdom fireworks. This is a great perk if you're staying here! Since it is connected to Disney's Contemporary Resort, it is technically a Monorail resort and that's also a nice addition. Otherwise, we don't find much else that we feel is very special about this resort.

What we aren't crazy about?

• Ultra-modern style
• Concrete vibes everywhere
• Underwhelming pool

What we love? 

• Walking distance to the Magic Kingdom
• Rooftop lounge and fireworks view
• Monorail access

#8: Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village

Location: Animal Kingdom Park Area

Year Opened: 2009

Accommodations: Deluxe studios, 1-bedrooms, 2-bedrooms, 3-bedroom grand villas

Starting Point Value: 7 points

Our next ranking goes to Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village. As a disclaimer, Jambo House is coming up, but we decided to rank the two resorts separately even though they share amenities. We did this because these resorts are so large that they feel like two. They also each boast great dining, so in our eyes, they can stand alone.

When it comes to Kidani Village (and Jambo) the greatest thing we love is the savanna room views from which you can see the many animals! Nothing beats having your morning coffee and seeing a giraffe from your balcony! It's a lot of fun and makes for special memories. That said, the rooms are also in need of a refresh as they are starting to show their age. They are also full of rich and dark woods which may not be everyone's cup of tea. Additionally, Kidani Village is notorious for its very, very long hallways that can feel brutal at the end of the night. The location of this resort is also not the greatest. Unless you're coming from Animal Kingdom park, the bus rides can feel very long.

What we aren't crazy about? 

• Location
• Outdated decor
• Transportation options

What we love? 

• The savanna views
• Dining options

#7: Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House

Location: Animal Kingdom Park Area

Year Opened: 2001

Accommodations: Deluxe studios, 1-bedrooms, 2-bedrooms, 3-bedroom grand villas

Starting Point Value: 7 points

Jambo House comes in next and is unsurprisingly very similar to Kidani Village. However, there are a few differences. To start, Jambo House shares the grand lobby of the hotel and gives you the grand vibes you get from a massive entryway. Next, the pool is also much larger with some great water features. Lastly, the resort is a tad closer on the bus loop (but not by far!). That said, this resort shares similar pros and cons, but we have to say that the dining here is more robust and boasts some of the best dining in Walt Disney World. So, while it's not our absolute favorite, we do love it. 

What we aren't crazy about? 

• Location
• Dated room design

What we love?

• The savanna views
• Dining options

#6: Boulder Ridge Villas & Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

Location: Magic Kingdom Park Area

Year Opened: 2000 (Boulder Ridge) and 2017 (Copper Creek)

Accommodations: Deluxe studios, 1-bedrooms, 2-bedrooms, 3-bedroom grand villas and Cabins (Copper Creek)

Starting Point Value: 13 points

For the number 6 spot, we're putting two resorts together. In contrast to Kidani and Jambo, we feel that Boulder Ridge and Copper Creek share too many things to be two fully distinct resorts. That said, we want to be clear that they are considered two resorts, but share a feature pool and grand main lobby attached to the Wilderness Lodge Hotel. Both of these resorts are absolutely stunning and take inspiration from the Pacific Northwest. If you like the great outdoors, then you're going to love this resort. Boulder Ridge just underwent a refurbishment and now looks gorgeous! Copper Creek isn't too far behind in decor as its recent touches also make it a very nice place to stay. The location to the Magic Kingdom park is great and you can get around by bus or boat. Don't forget to grab some food at Geyser Point while you're there!

What we aren't crazy about? 

• Can feel a bit remote

What we love? 

• Theming
• Refurbished rooms
• Geyser Point
• Grand Lobby

#5: Disney's Riviera Resort

Location: EPCOT Resorts Area

Year Opened: 2019 (Boulder Ridge) and 2017 (Copper Creek)

Accommodations: Tower Studios, Deluxe studios, 1-bedrooms, 2-bedrooms, 3-bedroom grand villas

Starting Point Value: 10 points

Our next resort is Walt Disney World's newest full DVC resort, Disney's Riviera Resort. Inspired by the Mediterranean, this beautiful resort has quickly become a favorite among Disney fans and has some high-end touches that make it feel incredibly luxurious. While the lobby is very underwhelming and can feel like any other non-Disney resort, the rest of the grounds make up for it. The resort has one of the best Disney dining options out there. Topolino's is located on the roof of the resort and serves some of the best food you'll find with an amazing view of EPCOT resort area. Plus, the resort was built with its very own Skyliner station so it makes getting around very simple!

What we aren't crazy about?

• Underwhelming lobby

What we love? 

• Topolino's
• High-end feel
• Skyliner

#4: Disney's BoardWalk Villas

Location: EPCOT Resorts Area

Year Opened: 1996

Accommodations: Deluxe studios, 1-bedrooms, 2-bedrooms, 3-bedroom grand villas

Starting Point Value: 9 points

Just shy of the top 3, we have Disney's BoardWalk Villas. We know this one is going to be controversial, so it must be said that this resort is absolutely stunning and it's going to be hard to critique it! Located on Crescent Lake near EPCOT, this resort is themed to a turn-of-the-century Atlantic City resort. You can expect to find lots of whimsical touches and, yes, a boardwalk with live entertainment! We gave this the number four spot because of its incredible location, lots of bars and dining options. However, and since we're splitting hairs at this point, the pool is not our favorite and it has been undergoing lots of construction recently. Additionally, the theming can be an acquired taste. It's not for everyone, so it might take some getting used to. Also, most of its dining options are located outside so it's not the best if you want to run down for something quick in the lobby. Still, it's a beautiful resort and we would gladly stay here!

What we aren't crazy about? 

• Underwhelming pool
• Mostly outdoor dining and options

What we love? 

• Location
• Boardwalk
• Access to lots of transportation

#3: Disney's Beach Club Villas

Location: EPCOT Resorts Area

Year Opened: 2002

Accommodations: Deluxe studios, 1-bedrooms, 2-bedrooms

Starting Point Value: 14 points

We've made it to the top three! This is where it starts to get really hard as our next three resorts are all stunning. In at number three is Disney's Beach Club Villas. Located across from Disney's BoardWalk and adjacent to the Yacht Club Resort, this boutique resort is an absolute beauty with lots to offer. Being that it's on the smaller side, it's incredibly difficult to book so you need to really plan ahead if you want to stay here. What makes this resort stand out is its enormous pool named Stormalong Bay. This quasi-water park has a lazy river, whirlpools, beach area and sand bottom pools. You won't believe how big it is! The resort is wrapping up a refresh and we are loving the new rooms. It's within walking distance to EPCOT and has a Skyliner station right next door. It's truly the closest DVC resort to any theme park so for its location and gorgeous decor, we're giving it the number three spot.

What we aren' t crazy about? 

• no grand villa options

What we love?

• Location
• Massive pool
• Tons of dining
• Lots of transportation options

#2: Disney's Polynesian Villas and Bungalows

Location: Magic Kingdom Area

Year Opened: 2015

Accommodations: Deluxe studios and Bungalows

Starting Point Value: 14 points

Just shy of the top spot we have Disney's Polynesian Villas and Bungalows. One of the original Disney resorts, this gorgeous classic has it all: location, theming, recreation, dining and lots of transportation options. We love that it's close to so many great resorts with easy access to the Monorail with its own station. This resort has views of the Magic Kingdom fireworks and even has over-water bungalows like the ones you'd see in Polynesia! We also love the mid-century nods that we see throughout the resort and the lush landscaping. It really feels like you're across the world when you stay here. For now, the resort only has studios and bungalows so it doesn't offer much there, but it makes up for it in great pools and iconic dining such as Trader Sam's and Ohana. We love this place and could stay here time and time again.

What we aren't crazy about? 

• Lack of accommodation types

What we love? 

• Dining options
• Extensive theming
• Pools
• Monorail access
• Location

#1: The Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Location: Magic Kingdom Area

Year Opened: 2013

Accommodations: Resort studios, Deluxe studios, 1-bedrooms, 2-bedrooms and 3-bedroom Grand Villas

Starting Point Value: 14 points

Drumroll, please! It's time for our top-ranking DVC resort. Without a doubt, it goes to the Flagship Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. This resort is the epitome of luxury and has everything you'd dream about in a Disney resort. It has views of the Magic Kingdom, a gorgeous grand lobby, high-end luxury, top-notch dining, a Monorail station, and newly refreshed accommodations.

We cannot say enough good things about this resort. It's for a reason that Disney calls it the Flagship resort as it's the best of the best. When you stay here, you feel yourself being transported to a Victorian dream of a time gone by. Even if you can't stay here, we recommend visiting and taking a stroll. It has beautiful landscaping and great photo ops. Plus, you can walk to the Magic Kingdom from the resort!

What we're not crazy about?

• Nothing at all!

What we love? 

• Location
• Exquisite elegance
• Monorail access
• Dining
• Theming

Disney Villas: Future Resorts

We thought we should mention that there are currently two new resorts coming to the Walt Disney World DVC catalog. That's right, despite so many existing options, Disney is building even more and we're not mad about it at all!

Disney's Polynesian Villas

Disney's Polynesian is currently building a DVC tower right next door to the existing resort. While we still don't know if this resort will be a part of the existing association or if it will be a new resort, it will nonetheless be a part of the grounds and share the existing name. The resort looks a bit different than what we're used to seeing, but we're hopeful that it'll be just as nice and be a favorite one day! We can't wait to hear more confirmed details.

The Cabins at Disney's Fort Wilderness

The other announced resort is the Cabins at Disney's Fort Wilderness. While these cabins technically exist already, they are being reimagined and will now be part of the Disney Vacation Club. Aside from a concept art image, we don't have many details, but they are currently being built and we can't wait to see the final product!

Disney Villas: Final Thoughts

Well there you have it! That is our Disney DVC villa's ranking. It wasn't easy to do, but we love describing everything we love about each one of them! Again, we would gladly stay at any of them, but we all have our favorites. Remember, you don't have to be a DVC member to enjoy these accommodations so don't think it's just for a certain few. If you want to see a similar ranking, be sure to check out our other guide here!

FAQ's