Disney's BOARDWALK INN and VILLAS Information Thread ~2012~

[Jasperann]

Originally Posted by kwitcherkicken99

I would honestly walk to the launch at the Swolphin and get on there if you are close enough. The boat will pick up at BWI then go to Swolphin THEN on to DHS. Maybe 25 minutes on the water total. If you get on at the Swolphin, it may cut down the wait by 10 minutes.

Thanks for the tip. I'm not sure how close we will be to the Swolphin, we will be in CL near the Bakery area (I think). I've never stayed at any of the Epcot resorts so it is all new. I did read where someone else got off at the Swolphin and beat the boat back to the dock at the BW, so I would think it would be the same going the other way. I also read that cutting through the clown pool is a short cut to the walkway to DHS.

I am so glad I have 4 months to figure things out. There seems to be a lot to know.

[MUFFYCAT]

Can't believe we're only 13 days away!
The one thing that worries me is room location. It's our first time at BW Club and only second time at the resort. I don't really know anything about the layout as well as our usual Polynesian.

[Kerrio929]

Originally Posted by Jasperann

Thanks for the tip. I'm not sure how close we will be to the Swolphin, we will be in CL near the Bakery area (I think). I've never stayed at any of the Epcot resorts so it is all new. I did read where someone else got off at the Swolphin and beat the boat back to the dock at the BW, so I would think it would be the same going the other way. I also read that cutting through the clown pool is a short cut to the walkway to DHS.

I am so glad I have 4 months to figure things out. There seems to be a lot to know.

We always cut through the pool when we went to HS.

[TigrLvsPooh]

Originally Posted by Jasperann

With the Boardwalk Bakery being closed for referb soon, do you think that they may add a drink station to the bakery? That would be awesome.

I did have another question that I am sure that someone on here will know. How long is the boat ride from the BW to HS if you get on at the BW? We have already decided that one day one of us (adults) will walk with our oldest DD while the other rides in the boat to see which one gets there faster.

Not that it would matter to our youngest. I just don't see him walking that distance and then walking in the park all day. Or walking in the park all day and then walking back to the resort.

When is the bakery closing??? I just got my letter in the mail today about the pool, I had no idea! What else is closing in that area???

[Jasperann]

Originally Posted by TigrLvsPooh

When is the bakery closing??? I just got my letter in the mail today about the pool, I had no idea! What else is closing in that area???

I don't remember when it is closing but I know that it is suppose to open Mid April. I think it said that it was closed during March too. But I'm not positive the only reason that I remember the reopen date is because we arrive at the end of April. They will have a cart to sell some bakery stuff while it is closed though. (At least that is what the post on the Restaurants boards said)

[disneychic33]

Originally Posted by Sandi

I think no one will really know until the pool is actually re-opened. Right now, all we know is that it will close January 2 and re-open in early March -- there are a couple of sites (including wdwinfo.com) that report the pool will re-open on March 1. We are arriving at BWI on March 3 and I will post whether the pool is open then.

Thank you, my kids will be so upset if it is closed.

[AirGoofy]

Just how bad is it during Easter Week? We are booked to arrive on the Saturday before. We already have our ADRs and only planned two park days (DHS & Epcot) during the week (Mon and Wed). We have been at different times of the year, mostly during F&W, but never during a holiday week.

[TigrLvsPooh]

I just emailed with the BWI IPO and they are telling me the pool doesn't close until 1/28. (good news for us because we arrive 1/6!!) Pool will reopen 3/1. Bakery is closing 1/2 and reopening on 4/12. Limited bakery items will be set up in a tented cart. Hope that helps anyone who is wondering about the dates.

[LisaCM614]

Originally Posted by AirGoofy

Just how bad is it during Easter Week? We are booked to arrive on the Saturday before. We already have our ADRs and only planned two park days (DHS & Epcot) during the week (Mon and Wed). We have been at different times of the year, mostly during F&W, but never during a holiday week.

Those are the two parks we did during Easter week this year! As long as you are there for rope drop and have a touring plan you will be fine ! The biggest struggle was how early the parks opened, but we made RD and were fine! We saw massive lines for the headliners as we walked out at lunch. We went back to BWI swam and enjoyed evening entertainment on the boardwalk. It was lovely

[AirGoofy]

Originally Posted by LisaCM614

Those are the two parks we did during Easter week this year! As long as you are there for rope drop and have a touring plan you will be fine ! The biggest struggle was how early the parks opened, but we made RD and were fine! We saw massive lines for the headliners as we walked out at lunch. We went back to BWI swam and enjoyed evening entertainment on the boardwalk. It was lovely

Thanks.

[kwitcherkicken99]

Originally Posted by Pete W.

See the BW map here: http://www.wdwinfo.com/resortmaps/boardwalk.htm. The 'yellow' section is closest to the DHS walkway. Standard View will likely be of the valet parking lot otherwise you'll view the canal or quiet pool.

In all honesty, I'm not too worried about the view! We booked a standard room in BWI last December and ended up seeing ToT from our balcony. I actually prefer it to a water view.

Thanks for the link!

[kwitcherkicken99]

Originally Posted by Jasperann

Thanks for the tip. I'm not sure how close we will be to the Swolphin, we will be in CL near the Bakery area (I think). I've never stayed at any of the Epcot resorts so it is all new. I did read where someone else got off at the Swolphin and beat the boat back to the dock at the BW, so I would think it would be the same going the other way. I also read that cutting through the clown pool is a short cut to the walkway to DHS.

I am so glad I have 4 months to figure things out. There seems to be a lot to know.

If you are near the Bakery, I'd hop on the Friendship at the BW dock unless its en route to the Swolphin. It's not that much further to walk to the Swolphin, so grab a boat if it's there. I wouldn't recommend waiting if you just miss it. Hustle to the next stop.

My BFF and I needed to high tail it out of DHS to make our Behind the Seeds tour in EP on our last morning. I messed up our FP strategy and cost us about 15 minutes in DHS (I was sans caffeine and THAT'S my story... ). On the way back, I told BFF to get off the boat at the Swolphin instead of waiting to get the rest of the way to BW. We reached the outer garden area outside the main part of the building (where check in is) almost before the Friendship left the dock at the Swolphin. Got us right back on schedule.

[MUFFYCAT]

Originally Posted by TigrLvsPooh

I just emailed with the BWI IPO and they are telling me the pool doesn't close until 1/28. (good news for us because we arrive 1/6!!) Pool will reopen 3/1. Bakery is closing 1/2 and reopening on 4/12. Limited bakery items will be set up in a tented cart. Hope that helps anyone who is wondering about the dates.

Thank you! Darn, I knew about the pool but not the bakery for our trip in 2 weeks.

[gogo]

I know this has been discussed but I still am not 100% confident regarding the date of the pool closing. We are booked at the BWI beginning l/18 for 4 nights. We did receive the letter the other day indicating that the main pool will be closed beginning Jan. 2 until March. As a pp stated, the contacted the IPO and they stated the pool will not close until 1/28. Since we are booked for CL, I also contacted IPO by email to see what response I would receive regarding the pool closing dates. They emailed me back and said the pool will close beginning on 1/28.

I was all set to move to the BC when I received the IPO email indicating the pool will be open while we are there? Is this unusual that they would state in a letter that the pool is closing on the wrong date???? Now, I will probably stay put at the BWI, but I'm not 100% comfortable regarding those pool dates.

Anyone have any thoughts regarding this?

[pixarmom]

Originally Posted by gogo

I know this has been discussed but I still am not 100% confident regarding the date of the pool closing. We are booked at the BWI beginning l/18 for 4 nights. We did receive the letter the other day indicating that the main pool will be closed beginning Jan. 2 until March. As a pp stated, the contacted the IPO and they stated the pool will not close until 1/28. Since we are booked for CL, I also contacted IPO by email to see what response I would receive regarding the pool closing dates. They emailed me back and said the pool will close beginning on 1/28.

I was all set to move to the BC when I received the IPO email indicating the pool will be open while we are there? Is this unusual that they would state in a letter that the pool is closing on the wrong date???? Now, I will probably stay put at the BWI, but I'm not 100% comfortable regarding those pool dates.

Anyone have any thoughts regarding this?

Hi gogo. I have absolutely no inside information on this, and am only sharing thoughts based on past experience and my recent communications with BWI IPO. On many occasions in the past, I've received conflicting information from different WDW sources and in the end, it's usually that one department receives updated info first and another department receives it later. Based on the other threads, it seems like:

1) The closure was moved from 1/28 to 1/2 and IPO does not yet have the most updated information. When I e-mailed IPO earlier this month, they said they get all their info directly from the BWI front desk. That sounds good, but who knows who has the correct info! For example, BWI IPO once told me that I had to go through the Disney Florist for any in-room celebrations - no exceptions. When I mentioned that a friend recently went through IPO, another IPO CM said that of course they could help me. (And they did - it was great!)

OR

2) The department drafting and sending the letter confused the Boardwalk Bakery closure with the pool closure, just had the wrong date or the renovation was pushed back to 1/28 after they prepared the letter. That would be great for those arriving between 1/2 and 1/28, but not sure if that's the case.

Luna Park is definitely closed for our stay in late January, so I'd love accurate info on the possible ability to use SAB. Sounds like a pretty firm "no" right now, but there is some hope because IPO told me the quiet pools are the only options "at this time" and that other options may be "forthcoming."