(CLOSED) Disney's BOARDWALK INN and VILLAS INFORMATION THREAD

[MAO]

I think it depends a lot of how you define "technically"
While they may be part of other chains, they are on property and get pretty much all of the same perks that staying at any 'Disney' property would give.

You don't have to be staying at a specific resort to use their bus pickup, by the way. If you think it would help, walk the extra bit over to the Swan or Dolphin bus stop and see if the bus to MK is less full that way. I often get off at whichever stop the bus makes for any of those resorts at the Epcot area and just walk to the Boardwalk from that resort. Depending on how close my room is to a stairway close to the other resort, it can be faster than going from the Boardwalk's bus stop through the lobby and then through the hallways.

 

[psac]

I agree the bus situation is annoying, not for sharing with Swan and Dolphin in particular, but for sharing with so many! In mid-days the bus often shares with BC and YC, too, so five stops is crazy. I think no Deluxe should share, really, but if so, one other should be the limit.

We've also found it takes an hour to get from Downtown Disney to any of the Deluxes. We always take a cab back.

Having said that, we're there in 11 days! Woo hoo!! Can't wait. I made our room request today, hopefully not too late.

 

[AirGoofy]

I'm really shocked you have to share a bus with the swan and dolphin, aren't they not technically disney hotels?! Paying for a deluxe, it irritates me that you do need to stop there. It took us almost an hour it get back to BWI from DTD last night. Insane. Next time will take a taxi. Also, we have had 2 times where the MK bus pulls up but it's almost completely full so kind of a bummer that BWI is the last stop. That alone may be enough to sway me back to the poly next time. I do love being able to walk to Epcot. Took us 6 minutes. Haven't walked to HS yet, will do that tomorrow. The boardwalk area is pretty cool and lots of food choices.

You don't have to be staying at a specific resort to use their bus pickup, by the way. If you think it would help, walk the extra bit over to the Swan or Dolphin bus stop and see if the bus to MK is less full that way. I often get off at whichever stop the bus makes for any of those resorts at the Epcot area and just walk to the Boardwalk from that resort. Depending on how close my room is to a stairway close to the other resort, it can be faster than going from the Boardwalk's bus stop through the lobby and then through the hallways.

I agree the bus situation is annoying, not for sharing with Swan and Dolphin in particular, but for sharing with so many! In mid-days the bus often shares with BC and YC, too, so five stops is crazy. I think no Deluxe should share, really, but if so, one other should be the limit.
.

Agreed, those can be long bus waits. Walking to DHS & catching the bus from there to another resort is not bad, but that doesn't help with DTD. Maybe a walk to DHS, bus to SSR, walk to DTD?

I have really tried to plan around our resort stay. Thus, for this Spring Break trip, we are only going to Epcot or DHS, & will only be eating at the Boardwalk or Beach Club restaurants.

 

[shan136]

Paying for a deluxe, it irritates me that you do need to stop there. It took us almost an hour it get back to BWI from DTD last night. Insane. Next time will take a taxi. Also, we have had 2 times where the MK bus pulls up but it's almost completely full so kind of a bummer that BWI is the last stop.

We just came back from BWI on Saturday and the only bus we had an issue with overcrowding and excessive stops was from DTD. Although we did stop at Swan & Dolphin on our way to and from AK and MK they were quick since there weren't many people boarding and on the way home we were usually the first stop.

As for sharing transportation, as the Sheraton leases the land from WDW and the hotels were built in partnership with WDW, I think that sharing the buses is only fair. There is a lot they don't get to participate in: dining plan, ME, Magic Bands and merchandise transfers. If you think transportation takes too long, the walk from Swan to BWI is much faster than the bus or boat so you can always elect to use their stop instead.

 

[LisaCM614]

I think the best advice coming home from DTD is to take a cab if you don't have a car. The bus situation, the two stops, the horrible traffic until Disney Springs is done I'm avoiding DTD all together. We too had an hour plus ride home at 8:30pm on a Thursday.

If you were to take the bus to SSR from DHS and walk - isn't that walkway closed? I thought it was while the Disney Springs construction was going on?

We did not have any other bus issues from our trip a few weeks ago.
We didn't share with any resorts other than the Swalphin. When a bus was full an empty bus was right behind it.

 

[samnbilly]

Just checking in from BWI..
Checked in yesterday. Day was a blur because we were exhausted!

Quick thoughts on BWI-
Gorgeous resort! Still haven't even seen a lot of it!

We checked in @ 10:30 at CL desk-amazing service! Our room was ready. We are in 4216. We were fortunate to be upgraded to a 2bdrm suite because they re categorized Garden Cottage max occ.
It's magnificent! 1st bedroom has King bed, tons of storage, large walk in shower, huge jacuzzi tub & separate toilet area.
In between bedrooms is a nice sitting room. Big size. Has sofa, bar area, refrig, Keurig maker.
Separate bathroom in that room.
2nd Bdrm has 2 Queens-another full bath.
They have tons of storage as well.
We have more TV's to count, even one in the Master Bath!
We also have 2 safes.
Room is set up as 2bd lockoff
We had turndown service last night-she actually came in while we were unpacking which was fine We haven't even been to the pools yet.

CL has been great! All very nice CM's.
Only one issue. My daughter has severe Peanut/Tree nut allergy & they were supposed to get her food that was safe for her & that still hasn't happened. We usually have kids grab food for breakfast in lounge & she really can't have anything. 4 CM's later & hopefully it will be fixed later.

More to report later! .

 

[Tigger's ally]

Just checking in from BWI..
.

Only one issue. My daughter has severe Peanut/Tree nut allergy & they were supposed to get her food that was safe for her & that still hasn't happened. We usually have kids grab food for breakfast in lounge & she really can't have anything. 4 CM's later & hopefully it will be fixed later.

More to report later! .

Just checking, did you let them know ahead of time about the food alergy. Usually they are ahead of the curve on that. Hope they get it corrected for her.

 

[samnbilly]

Just checking, did you let them know ahead of time about the food alergy. Usually they are ahead of the curve on that. Hope they get it corrected for her.

Thank you. We noted it on the ressie and the CM at the CL said it was as well. Nothing this am & her choices were extremely limited. Everything else is great! We love it here!

 

[krb2g]

So, I have been pushing my way through this long thread

In the meantime, I have three questions about the Deluxe rooms:

1. All this talk about the Boardwalk view rooms being noisy has me a little worried. For those that have stayed in the Deluxe rooms, how was the noise? With the sitting area between the beds and the balcony, does that make it a little quieter for sleeping? (since the beds are a little removed from the outside area)

2. Based on some of the feedback I've read, I will probably request 4th floor to be closer to the lounge, even though these rooms have a smaller balcony. But, how small are these 4th floor balconies? How many people can sit out there at once?

3. I understand there are only 10 Deluxe rooms. Are there any of the 10 that I wouldn't want to get? (ie...far from lounge ,really bad location or view, etc).

Sorry if these questions have already been asked. I'm about 1/2 way through the thread

Just thought I'd chime in on the noise question and the location question. We have never had a problem with noise from the Boardwalk in the 3rd floor deluxe rooms (in three stays at different times of year). I can only imagine it would be even better on the 4th floor because you're higher up. We also did not find the walk upstairs from the third floor to the lounge on the fourth floor particularly onerous--especially once we found the staircase that is much closer than going back out to the elevators. We prefer the slightly larger balconies. But really I think you'll be happy in any of the deluxe rooms. I really love the Boardwalk view.

 

[samnbilly]

The Boardwalk quiets down a lot earlier than I thought. I'm here right now & most of it closes early except for ESPN Zone.

 

[WDWKOOK]

I shall return later for some multi-quoting Halloween madness...​

 

[heycher]

Hi all!

Hubby and I are going to be first timers at Boardwalk this winter.... I am trying to decide between a standard view room at BWI or a studio in the BWVs....can you help me weigh out the pros and cons? I don't know which of the two is a closer walk to Epcot either.

Thanks so much for any wisdom you can share with me!!

 

[LisaCM614]

Hi all!

Hubby and I are going to be first timers at Boardwalk this winter.... I am trying to decide between a standard view room at BWI or a studio in the BWVs....can you help me weigh out the pros and cons? I don't know which of the two is a closer walk to Epcot either.

Thanks so much for any wisdom you can share with me!!

The cost is considerably different - unless you have a good discount on the studio???
The studio does give you a bit more space and the mini kitchenette. This is handy for keeping breakfast things in the room.
The inn is closer to Epcot, the villas are closer to DHS. But we're really talking a few minutes either way.
The decor is different. I love the Inn for its elegance. I love the Villas because you feel like your visiting someone's cottage at the beach.
There is a map of the resort on the first page which helps you see where you can end up. Its not a tiny resort!
What a wonderful decision to make!

 

[heycher]

The cost is considerably different - unless you have a good discount on the studio???
The studio does give you a bit more space and the mini kitchenette. This is handy for keeping breakfast things in the room.
The inn is closer to Epcot, the villas are closer to DHS. But we're really talking a few minutes either way.
The decor is different. I love the Inn for its elegance. I love the Villas because you feel like your visiting someone's cottage at the beach.
There is a map of the resort on the first page which helps you see where you can end up. Its not a tiny resort!
What a wonderful decision to make!

I agree it is a wonderful decision to make! Thank you for your valuable thoughts.

Believe it or not, the studio comes out to be cheaper than the standard view room using the room only discount for this winter! (237 a night for the studio) --- I did want to be closer to Epcot, but you've given me valuable food for thought!! Thank you!

 

[elgerber]

I agree it is a wonderful decision to make! Thank you for your valuable thoughts.

Believe it or not, the studio comes out to be cheaper than the standard view room using the room only discount for this winter! (237 a night for the studio) --- I did want to be closer to Epcot, but you've given me valuable food for thought!! Thank you!

As far as Epcot the difference is pretty negligible. Both the Inn and the Villas share the same lobby, so if you are going through the lobby, it's pretty much teh same distance from either end.

 

[lindsroc]

Does anyone else find the BWI rooms to smell really musty??? We have 3 rooms and one was worse than the others but the other 2 rooms also have a musty mildew smell. We got all our rooms in a row so we don't want to move, and I'm assuming even if we did it would be the same issue. Has anyone else noticed this?

 

[Sandi]

Hi all!

Hubby and I are going to be first timers at Boardwalk this winter.... I am trying to decide between a standard view room at BWI or a studio in the BWVs....can you help me weigh out the pros and cons? I don't know which of the two is a closer walk to Epcot either.

Thanks so much for any wisdom you can share with me!!

I've stayed in both the BWV studio (with DD) and in the BWI standard room with DH and DD on different trips. DH and I are staying at BWI this coming March. I like the elegance of the BWI and it's just a better set up for me and DH. We've also lucked out and gotten the 5th floor with a garden view each time I've been at BWI and we really enjoy that view of Illuminations at night.

The studio is great because you get the toaster, microwave and a little larger fridge, not to mention the kitchen sink and dinner ware. So, if you were wanting those amenities, the studio can't be beat.

On our trips, we've actually paid less for the studio than the standard view at BWI. I priced out both for March, too. Even though the studio came out a little less expensive, I opted for BWI for DH and I.

With respect to the walking distance to either of Epcot or DHS, I just wouldn't factor that in. As a PP noted, it's negligible.

Happy deciding!

 

[Sandi]

Does anyone else find the BWI rooms to smell really musty??? We have 3 rooms and one was worse than the others but the other 2 rooms also have a musty mildew smell. We got all our rooms in a row so we don't want to move, and I'm assuming even if we did it would be the same issue. Has anyone else noticed this?

I never noticed that. Would it help to open up the glass door to let in some fresh air?

 

[lindsroc]

I never noticed that. Would it help to open up the glass door to let in some fresh air?

I have had our door open the whole time, one of the other rooms has small children so I know they haven't left their door open but it does help.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Hi all!

Hubby and I are going to be first timers at Boardwalk this winter.... I am trying to decide between a standard view room at BWI or a studio in the BWVs....can you help me weigh out the pros and cons? I don't know which of the two is a closer walk to Epcot either.

Thanks so much for any wisdom you can share with me!!

The studio has one queen bed and one double sleeper sofa. The inn room has two queen beds. That's the big difference.