4. Transportation

This aspect of your travel itinerary has already been discussed a bit. Staying further away from the main Disney theme parks offers some benefits. Generally, resorts like Old Key West and Saratoga Springs are quieter, because they exist outside the maelstrom of the heart of Walt Disney World. Similarly, Animal Kingdom is the significantly less trafficked than Epcot and Walt Disney World, and Animal Kingdom Villas provides a once-in-a-lifetime visitor experience, especially for children. Staying at any of these resorts requires more reliance on transportation, though, presuming you do not rent a car. And let’s be honest that transportation at Disney is a mixed bag.

If you have never traveled to Walt Disney World before, you should research your travel options moving from park to park/resort and vice versa. We’ve been stuck waiting for enough buses and boats to believe that the crowds and the noise closer to Walt Disney World are worth the aggravation. There is nothing more frustrating than sitting idly by awaiting transportation that starts to feel imaginary after a long time. The good news is that Disney is reportedly testing transportation updates, and that should negate some of the issues with travel delays. Since you will own DVC membership until at least 2042, travel should not weigh as heavily as some of the other concerns. In the short term, getting from point A to point B with minimal hassle should still be a consideration.

5. Expiration Date

Speaking of expiration dates, don’t overlook this issue. If you are younger or plan to pass your deed along to other family members, the length of time you own at your DVC resort matters a great deal. Some properties such as Beach Club Villas expire as early as 2042. Polynesian Villas lasts until 2066. That’s almost a quarter century worth of additional vacations your family can enjoy thanks to the later expiration date.

6. Restaurants

A lot of the advice listed here is flexible. You will probably sample most of the DVC resorts at some point. Still, the little things can be become large contributors to your overall enjoyment of your various DVC trips. Personally, I consider the quality of onsite restaurants to be one of the underrated keys to a nice trip. After a tiring day at the parks or shopping, it’s sometimes nice to just walk down from your room to enjoy a high quality Disney meal. If you agree with this premise, establishments such as Olivia’s at Old Key West, Boma at Animal Kingdom Villas, and Artist Point/Whispering Canyon Café at Wilderness Lodge add value to those memberships. Similarly, Grand Floridian offers a trio of exquisite dining options, while Boardwalk Villas has the entirety of the Boardwalk restaurants at its disposal. For that matter, if you choose Polynesian, you can enjoy Spirit of Aloha whenever it's convenient. You would not be the first person who chose a home resort based on the cuisine.

Determining your home resort is a choice you'll have to live with for decades to come. As long as you evaluate each of the topics above, I am confident you will love your Disney home away from home.