Some of the DVC resorts have really cool/unique theming and are a destination in their own right (e.g., AKV, Polynesian). We've stayed at the Treehouse Villas (all are 3BR), which are part of SSR, and I would put those in the same extremely cool/unique category. But that's not what you'll get and I can't comment much on the traditional SSR villas since we've never stayed there. They always struck me as being most similar to MVC villas without the park proximity, but you can walk to Disney Springs. Here's a
detailed thread on the resort from the Disney Boards that you may find useful.
Others have already commented that Lakeshore Reserve is probably the nicest MVC resort in the Orlando area, and I'd agree with that. But staying at a Disney Resort has other benefits that you don't get otherwise. First day complementary water park access, early park entry, extended hours, transportation, free parking (you also get that with an annual pass), etc.
More generally I'd say that we stayed at the Marriotts and Sheratons for many years, usually on cheap owner discount cash stays, until we bought DVC. We tend to be thrifty with the DVC points, and usually get studios. But now that we've seen the alternative of being "in the bubble", I wouldn't trade a DVC resort stay (even in a studio) for an MVC stay (even in a larger 1+ BR unit). The one exception to that really comes down to cost where DVC prices the Easter week like Christmas/New Year and I can get a 2BR at an MVC resort for ~$250/nt using owner discount (the MFs for points to book a DVC studio on Easter week may exceed that amount, and the points' rental value would be at least double). The other exception I can think of is having a larger party (like kids bringing friends to a park after hours event) and we may need a 2BR or 3BR unit for 1 night and we'd almost never set foot in the unit other than to sleep and have breakfast the next day - I'd say that's a cost-related consideration as well since a DVC stay would cost triple.
