And the Oscar Goes To… Your Favorite DVC Resort!

Posted:  DVC Rentals Entertainment Resorts

Every year, most of us gather around our televisions to watch as the Oscars celebrate the best of the best in film, from heartwarming dramas that tug at your heartstrings to laugh-out-loud comedies. But what if the movie magic extended to Disney Vacation Club, and instead of directors and actors, it was the resorts themselves walking the red carpet? Each resort brings its own genre, personality, and style to the stage, making every guest the lucky audience in the front row of a performance of a lifetime. A trip to talk about for years to come!

A carved Tiki statue is seen outside the entryway to Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows. There is tropical foliage in the background as well as a torch lit with fire and a stone pathway leading into the resort.

This awards season, we’re celebrating what makes each DVC resort at Walt Disney World truly unique. Which resort would take home the golden statue for “Best Picture,” “Best Director,” or even “Best Cinematography”? Grab your popcorn buckets and refillable mugs, as we roll out the red carpet and find out which resorts are taking home the top awards for the best in vacation magic and holiday memories!

 

Best Costume Design goes to…. Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Bay Lake Tower has long been known for its modern design, with forward-thinking, futuristic, urban theming built into its original vision. Over the past year, Disney has worked hard to renovate these rooms to bring them into the future and make them feel fresh and new! With recent upgrades and renovations to the rooms, the resort looks sleeker than ever!

The curved exterior of Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort is seen under a blue sky during golden hour.

These updates have removed the pull-out couches previously found in the rooms and replaced them with newer, comfortable pull-down Murphy beds, maximizing both style and functionality. Updated designs and refreshed artwork push the aesthetic firmly into the future, giving the rooms a cool, contemporary look that guests will be excited to experience. They have a renewed air of excitement and style that makes Bay Lake Tower well deserving of the Best Costume award!

A Deluxe Studio at Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. The room is decorated with neutrals, pops of multiple bright colors, and Disney parks-inspired artwork.

 

Best Animated Feature goes to… The DVC Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort

This resort option, a fairly recent addition to the DVC family, wows guests with its playful, colorful, and outdoorsy feel. With so much to do around the resort, such as horseback riding, archery, bike and boat rentals, and more, guests will be endlessly entertained as they explore all that Fort Wilderness has to offer! Plus, you can enjoy time with one of the most animated Disney duos, Chip ‘n’ Dale, as they perform their Campfire Sing-A-Long!

The primary bedroom in the One Bedroom DVC Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort. Above the king bed there are wooden art pieces featuring Chip ‘n’ Dale, and Disney characters are seen in the murals behind the bunk beds on the other side of the room as well.

And if that isn’t animated enough for you, be sure to stop over at the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue to see a cast of lively and enthusiastic performers while enjoying dinner and a show. Cap off the night by catching the Electrical Water Pageant from the beach, as it glides by each evening with a colorful, music-filled light show on the Seven Seas Lagoon.

Characters Chip ‘n’ Dale and their cowboy host lead a Campfire Sing-A-Long under the stars on a wooden wagon-themed stage.

 

Best Supporting Resort goes to… Disney’s BoardWalk Villas

Not unlike Fort Wilderness, one of the many great things about the BoardWalk Villas is the array of entertainment you can find right outside your door. Guests can take a leisurely stroll along the BoardWalk to pick up a pie from the Pizza Window or stop into the Cake Bake shop, before stumbling upon acrobatics performances, juggling, games, and other entertainment along the Crescent Lake backdrop!

A performer dressed in a silver suit designed to look like a statue entertains guests under a night sky at Disney’s BoardWalk Villas.

Disney’s BoardWalk Villas is the perfect supporting companion to an already great park day. Whether you’re walking back from EPCOT or Hollywood Studios, or arriving from Magic Kingdom or Animal Kingdom by bus, coming back to your home-away-from-home at the BoardWalk will always elevate your day, making it the Best Supporting Resort!

The colorful buildings of Disney’s BoardWalk Villas are seen under a blue sky as they line the waters of Crescent Lake along the wooden boardwalk.

 

Best Comedy goes to… Disney’s Beach Club Villas

If laughter is the measure of a great vacation, then Beach Club delivers every time! With its bright, breezy atmosphere and laid-back energy, this resort offers a contagious, fun energy that makes guests return time and time again.

Guests enjoy the water and sand features of the Stormalong Bay pool at Disney’s Beach Club Villas under a sunny, blue sky.

From lazy days, spent splashing around Stormalong Bay (which is rightfully considered the best pool on Disney property in my opinion), to casual walks over to EPCOT or evenings spent unwinding with friends and family, Beach Club is all about fun without a schedule. There’s no pressure at this resort, just plenty of space to relax and laugh together.

A Deluxe Studio at Disney’s Beach Club Villas. The room is decorated with neutral blues and greys with pops of artwork featuring Donald Duck and his nephews.

 

Best Visual Effects and Cinematography goes to… Copper Creek Villas & Cabins and Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

At this resort, it feels like Visual Effects and Cinematography go hand in hand with the stunning, cozy, wooded atmosphere that immerses you from the moment you step through the front doors of the lobby. Wilderness Lodge feels like a cinematic experience in itself, with its towering timbers and scenic views of the landscape, waterfalls, and the rustic lodge.

The log-cabin style lobby of Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is seen from an upper floor as guests enjoy the seating areas, dining, and art and artifacts found inside.

Every angle feels intentional, from the grand lobby to the quiet paths along the water. The resort gives the joy of a vacation spent enjoying the fresh, open air, while still keeping the comforts of a cozy, warm bed to relax in after your long park days. It’s a setting that feels perfectly framed, making every moment look and feel like a scene from a beautifully shot film.

The golden hour sun shines through the wooded landscaping along the pedestrian pathways outside Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.

 

Best Sound goes to… Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa

At Saratoga Springs, this award isn’t just given out for the best music, but for the harmonious vibes the resort offers. Inspired by the historic charm of Saratoga Springs, New York, this resort treats guests to a soundtrack of calm and comfort. From the gentle rustle of trees along the quiet paths or the soft swings as you play a round on the golf course, to the splashes from guests enjoying the pools and the relaxed hum of life just beyond the resort at Disney Springs, every sound adds to the resort’s peaceful rhythm.

The pastel-colored exterior buildings of Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa are seen along a walking path under a sunny blue sky.

Whether you’re enjoying a quiet morning wandering around the many pathways of the resort, unwinding on your balcony, or making your way to and from Disney Springs, Saratoga Springs offers a soothing experience that feels perfectly composed.

The High Rock Spring pool at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa is seen from an upper rock-based water feature while the pool and surrounding landscaping are shown below under a sunny sky.

 

Best International Feature Resort goes to… Disney’s Riviera Resort

Inspired by Walt and Lillian’s own Parisian and Italian getaways, guests visiting this resort experience the charm and elegance of the Mediterranean as the resort blends European design with Disney magic. With little travel-inspired touches and hidden Mickeys and Minnies to spot throughout the resort, Riviera creates a vacation that feels worldly.

The exterior landscaping, walkways, and quiet pool at Disney’s Riviera Resort are seen under a blue sky.

From the intricate architectural details and boutique-style furnishings to the artistic murals and rich color palettes, every corner of the resort offers an ambience of the Riviera coast. With an on-property Skyliner station that will take you to EPCOT’s International Gateway (or Hollywood Studios!), and multiple dining experiences such as eating at Topolino’s Terrace, sipping coffee at Le Petit Cafe, or popping over to Bar Riva, guests can experience the feeling of an international adventure without even leaving Florida!

The view from a balcony at Disney’s Riviera Resort. On the balcony is a metal chair with the resort’s “RR” logo included in the back of the design, as well as hidden Mickeys that can be spotted in the railing.

 

Best Original Screen Play goes to… Disney’s Old Key West Resort

This award rightfully belongs to the original DVC resort, the one that started it all! As the opening scene in the DVC story, this resort has stood strong through the years, remaining a consistent favorite even as new resorts have joined the DVC family franchise.

A sign reading “Disney’s Old Key West Resort, a Disney Vacation Club Resort, Family Tree” is seen in the sand with landscaping and resort grounds in the background.

With its relaxing, calming energy, this resort warmly invites guests to come and stay awhile. Whether you’re grabbing a bite at Olivia’s Cafe, biking around the resort, or unwinding in the dry sauna in the lighthouse at the Sandcastle Pool, Old Key West has written itself as a true home-away-from-home.

Olivia’s Café, resort landscaping and flowers, and the lighthouse-themed dry sauna are all seen under a sunny, blue sky at Disney’s Old Key West Resort

 

Best Production Design… Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas

With incredible theming and architecture, I don’t think anyone can deny this resort is the most deserving of this award! Inspired by traditional African villages and structures, the Animal Kingdom Villas bring an immersive blend of earth tones, rich colours, and textures that make this resort truly unique. From the remarkable lobbies to the incredible dining options to the sweeping savannas just outside your window, the resort comes together to tell a cohesive and compelling story.

The grand lobby of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas Jambo House. The lobby is decorated with warm tones and dark wood, and there are displays of African art and artifacts for guests to enjoy around the seating areas.

One of my favourite parts of this resort is that it is home to one of the largest collections of African artifacts outside the continent, with more than 800 pieces on display for guests. Right as you enter the lobbies of both Jambo House and Kidani Village, you can see display cases highlighting the beautiful array of pieces. The attention to detail, cultural storytelling, and the keen interest in sharing with guests are what make this resort a standout in production design.

African art and artifacts are displayed in the lobby of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas Kidani Village. The lobby is decorated in warm oranges, reds, yellows, and dark woods.

 

Best Director… The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort

When it comes to bringing together elegance, class, and Disney magic, few resorts can claim the level seen at the Grand Floridian. Like a masterful director guiding a cast and crew, every detail is orchestrated to create a seamless, unforgettable experience for guests.

Water lightly trickles from a stone fountain outside Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. The iconic white buildings with red roofing are seen in the background across a green lawn landscaped with red flowers.

From the main lobby’s grandeur to the refined design of the resort rooms, everything works in harmony to create a sense of timeless charm that ties the resort together. Every hallway, balcony, and garden feels intentionally planned and executed, just like a film scene, carefully framed to impress guests and blow them away. This resort showcases impeccable attention to detail, curated so flawlessly that every guest feels like a star!

A Resort Studio at the Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. The room features 2 queen beds and is decorated with blue tones and Mary Poppins inspired artwork and accents.

 

Best Picture…. Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows

Our big winner of the night is one of the most popular options among guests: the Polynesian! Shining brightly in its place at the top, the Polynesian is an ideal resort for families, as they get to experience a stay right near the Magic Kingdom, yet still get a taste of distant tropical shores.

The brown exterior buildings and green palm trees of Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows and the Island Tower are seen under a bright blue sky along the shores of the Seven Seas Lagoon.

The resort’s fun, playful theming, inspired by favourites such as Lilo & Stitch and Moana, makes it perfect for families with young kids as well as adults who are still kids at heart!  Every corner is filled with bright colors, sandy, relaxing beaches, and immersive details that create a vacation experience worthy of the spotlight.

The waterplay area of the Cove Pool at the Island Tower of Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows. There are water jets springing up from the ground as a figure of Moana is seen wayfinding in the background under a blue sky.

With the recent opening of the new Island Tower, this Best Picture award feels even more deserved, offering guests a fresh perspective and expanded options at an already fantastic resort! The Island Tower adds stunning new views, eye-catching themed rooms, and additional amenities that elevate the guest experience to blockbuster levels. It brings fresh excitement to a resort that has always been a showstopper!

The exclusive Lava Rock Terrance for guests staying in the Island Tower of Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows. The terrace features colorful murals on the walls, lots of seating, green foliage, and views of the monorail.

 

Now that all the awards have been handed out, and we’ve shone the bright lights on every Walt Disney World DVC resort, the DVC Oscars have come to an end. From breathtaking visuals to exciting adventures, each property brings its own charm and unique story, making them truly the best of the best. Every resort is an award-winner in its own right, but I hope these resorts enjoy their Oscar statues for all the things that make them individually great!

Golden fireworks shimmer in the night sky over the Magic Kingdom as seen from a Villa balcony at Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.

Whether you’re in the mood for a blockbuster adventure or a fun-filled family getaway, it’s now your turn to explore this year’s winners and enjoy an award-worthy vacation!

 

~Emma M.

 

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