2. Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Image: DisneyThese villas are the smallest hotel rooms in the DVC lineup. Also, the actual hotel tower doesn’t have any expected amenities like restaurants or stores. It does have a pool onsite, and it’s a good one, too. Then again, the pool is on the small side. Since it’s only available to guests staying in the tower, Disney felt that intimate was better than massive. None of these statements sounds like a description for the second best DVC resort, does it?

A lot of what I’ve said is a matter of semantics. The wording’s right there in the title. Bay Lake Tower is at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, the hotel that has anchored Walt Disney World since October of 1971. It’s the one that has the monorail go right through its center, and there’s a monorail station inside the hotel.

Image: DisneyThat station leads down to the fourth floor of the Contemporary, and the fourth floor is where all the action is. Chef Mickey’s and Contempo Café, respectively among the best Table Service and Quick Service restaurants at Walt Disney World, are on this floor, as is Bayview Gifts, one of the best gift shops on the entire campus.

I mention all of these amenities because Bay Lake Tower’s connecting bridge leads straight to the fourth floor of the Contemporary. When you stay at Bay Lake Tower, you get all of the sublime amenities at the Contemporary as part of the package. Plus, the way the lobbies of the two resorts work, Bay Lake Tower is closer to the entrance of Magic Kingdom. When you stay here, you are as close as you can possibly get to the most popular theme park in the world.

1. Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows

Image: DisneyEvery DVC member has a favorite resort. I’ve never been subtle about mine. I recently reminisced with my sister about a conversation we’d had as children. When we first visited Walt Disney World, we mutually agreed to a dream that only a kid would have. We wanted to live at the Most Magical Place on Earth. Specifically, we wanted Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort to be our new home. Fast forward a few years later – I won’t say exactly how many out of respect for my sister’s age – and the idea is no longer ludicrous thanks to the Disney Vacation Club.

Since the illustrious Polynesian became the final monorail resort to join the program, I haven’t made the resort my home. Such a thing still isn’t quite possible. I have, however, made it my home away from home. It’s my go-to vacation spot out of anywhere on the planet. I literally count down the days until I get to visit it again. I’ll even make a confession here. I’m only a few days away from my next trip to Walt Disney World, and I’m frustrated that we couldn’t book the Polynesian this time. To me, ALL other Disney resorts are fighting for second place.

Image: DisneyWhat do I love about the Polynesian? I could go on and on about the food, particularly Capt. Cook’s, breakfast at ‘Ohana, and my favorite spot at Kona Café. I could rave about the Lava Pool, too, although I actually prefer the Quiet Pool that’s close to my favorite building, Tokelau. I could even mention the shops, particularly Boutiki, which features all sorts of Lilo & Stitch merchandise. My family collects it all.

In truth, the best part of the Polynesian is something else, though. It’s the multi-generational nature of the facility. When Disney constructed it, they lured cast members from other parts of the world to make the resort their homes. One of them famously declined the offer; she’d heard that once you leave Hawaii, you never come home. She now jokes that it’s true, because Auntie Kau’i has lived at Walt Disney World since its opening. If you’ve ever gotten a lei at the resort, odds are good that Auntie made and handed it to you. How many resorts have that sort of personal touch, a way to make you feel like a part of someone else’s ‘ohana? The Polynesian best reflects the ideas of the Disney Vacation Club, and that’s why it’s my favorite.