Standard vs. Preferred at Disney Vacation Club

When you are staying at a Disney Vacation Club resort, sometimes you need to decide between a standard vs.a preferred studio/villa.  Here is what is the same and what is different so you can decide if the price increase is worth it for your vacation.

What is the same?

The studio or villas inside will be exactly the same.  Same layout, same amenities, same amount of bedrooms and bathrooms. Nothing would be upgraded inside your room if you choose a preferred villa over a standard.

Need to stay at two resorts- click here for our tips on a split stay at Disney

what is different?

Depending on the resort, a preferred will have either have a better view, better location or both. This depends on the resort.  Scroll down to view each resort and what a preferred room would be.

What is the view of a standard?

If you have the option of a standard view, it will most likely be a view of parking.   At Aulani in Hawaii, your view will be either the parking garage or the roof of the convention center. In the case of Saratoga Springs, a standard studio or villa will be farther away from either the main pool/restaurants or farther away from Disney Springs.

Here are favorite Disney Vacation Club resorts

Value Disney Vacation Club resorts for Large groups

Disney Vacation Club Resorts and their preferred view category names

Aulani – preferred view categories are island/garden (either of the garden where the luau is held or of the island) and ocean view, preferred location would be the poolside category (lower floors).

Bay Lake- theme park view (just know that this is also a view of the parking lot)

Boardwalk- boardwalk view and pool/garden

Animal Kingdom Lodge- preferred view is savanna

Polynesian- lake view (but know that there is a drawback as this is close to the Magic Kingdom ferry and it’s horn)

Grand Floridian- lake view and theme park view

Riviera- preferred is a lake view- see our review here

Old Key West- preferred location category is called “near hospitality house” and is closer to the main pool/restaurants Interesting that it the only resort where the preferred location category is the same price as a standard.

Saratoga- Preferred location will be  near Disney Springs or Main building/pool- Congress park and the Springs areas

Grand Californian- theme park view overlooking Disney California Adventure

Disneyland tower- better view, pool view

Vero Beach- view of ocean

If the resort is not listed, it doesn’t have a distinction between rooms/villas.

Trying to decide on a resort to rent?  See which resorts are getting renovated

We have stayed in many standard rooms, and have also upgraded and stayed in the preferred categories.  You can’t go wrong if you prioritize what is important to you on your trip. Use the point chart for each resort to see how much an upgraded view/location will  cost.  Some will only be around $40 extra per night.

Need to learn more about what each resort is like?  Click here for a list of all DVC destinations.

Want to learn more about how to rent Disney Vacation Club for your next vacation?  Click here