4Boardwalk Questions

[Dano1182]

Myfamily and I will be making our second visit to BWV at the end of March I have three questions


1.Can any one recommend a place between airport and BWV's to stop for food etc. We bought supplies at the store at Boardwalk last year and spent too much.

2.Have they fixed the plumbing?Last year we were kept awake by plumbing problems.Banging pipes.This almost ruined our first visit as members

3.We are thinking of using a babysitter this year,for a few hours so my wife and I can go out for dinner.One night Can anyone offer advice?We are a little concerned leaving our children with total strangers.We have two kids 18 month girl 4 year old boy.


4.What is the best way to rent a car?

 

[DVCinderella]

Here is a list of grocery stores in the WDW area:

http://www.wdwig.com/grocery.htm

During our last stay at the BWV, we asked at the front desk for directions to the nearest grocery store. They gave us a map and directions to "Goodings", which is located at the end of Hotel Plaza Blvd in the Crossroads Shopping Center near Downtown Disney. It was a large grocery store, and we found everything we needed.

I know what you mean about the grocery store at The Boardwalk...ah, the cost of convenience! We learned our lesson as well, and decided to buy our groceries off-site the next time!

 

[Bennet]

Goodings it way too expensive. Go to Wal*Mart.

Map to WalMart

Boardwalk has a kids club that can sit

 

[BuzzandWoody]

Can't help with the questions about BWV directly.

Can second the vote for Goodings being way overpriced. Still cheaper than eating out. But try $2.59 for a dozen eggs, $4.50 for a pack of hot dogs. Go about a mile further and there is Publix.


Babysitter. I know what you mean about the total stranger.
It depends on your kids and how you think they would do.
Your son is old enough for the in-house care they have. Don't know the name of it at BWV.

I think there is a 2 hour min for the in-room sitter.

I've done it twice. My youngest dd is almost 3. We had KinderKare. Would Mickey let anyone hurt your kids?
It worked out great for us and would easily do it again.
You can find out more info on the family board. Most I've found say no way. To each his own. We had heard good things and have only good things to say.

The night after the sitter was with her, she said she didn't want to go to a park she wanted to go to the playground with Miss Karen.

 

[DVCDAVE]

I see most of your questions have been answered, I'll add my 2 cents on a rental car. I see you have some small ones like we did not so long ago. We have used all of the rental car companies and have had very little problems. However, we have become creatures of convienance, as with children, their patience can run out quickly once you arrive at the airport, and they want to see Mickey. I have found that National Rental Car 'Emerald Isle' can't be beat. You literally walk across the street from luggage pick up at the airport, and choose your car and drive off. A clerk scans your card in the garage, as you leave. No waiting, no lines, no shuttle buses offsite, no crowds, can't be beat.

Apply on line for the 'Emerald Isle' card at the National Rental Card Website, and you are all set. I usually reserve my car on the website, and I can modify my ressies their too, should I get a discount coupon between visits.

 

[DaveH]

On the rental car. First do you have anything like AAA or DC? They both have special rates with certain car rental companies. Another thing you can do is use the internet and check on each companies sites. One time I search all the major car rental sites and found the best rate I could get. Then I went to priceline and bid below that price. Sometimes works sometimes don't. I Hertz lets the spouse drive also for free. Under priceline they do not. The net can be useful for this. If you don't mind a local car company not a national one. You could search for car rentals for Orlando and I have seen several of the local ones listed online. If you are looking for transportation to and from the airport and a grocery stop enroute, it might be better to get a towncar. They pick you up at the airport do a grocery stop if asked for ahead of time and take you to your hotel. No waiting to get to the car rental place. Most are not on the airport just a couple of miles from the airport. Good luck and have a great trip.

 

[DVCDAVE]

I agree 100% with everything DAVEH said in the above reply. My point, and it should be taken this way, is that when one is traveling with small infants and todllers, convienance sometimes outways saving a few dollars. I have found National Emerald Isle to be quite competitive, expecially when using a Disney Club coupon, and the convience of being on site at the airport, and no lines or paperwork can't be beat.

The straw that broke my back was with Hertz 3 years ago. My kids were 4 and 6. We had to take a bus to their off site location, then wait in line for 45 minutes. In the meantime, the kids were getting hungry, restless (after a 3 hour flight), and the 4 year old needed to take a nap. My wife and I were ready to shoot ourselves. It wasn't the kids fault, worse yet it was supposed to be vacation and my blood preasure was already through the roof.

A CM at check in suggested looking in to Emerald Isle with National, and to this day I swear by it. I have also recomended it to friends of ours with young children, and have gotten many thanks from them in return. Funny, National markets this torwards the business traveler, yet families with young ones should also be a target market.

 

[wdwnut]

hi: i like the emerald aisle too. it's much easier than the counter service from national. we generally stop at albertson's on the way to the bwv. it's about the same price as publix and a bit less crowded usually.

 

[Goofy Fan]

We have used the Neverland Club at the Poly and the Cub's Den at WL a few times. They will give you a beeper which you will carry if there ever is the need to call. Our kids had a lot of fun and were disappointed that their time was up when we came to pick them up. You can also arrange for them to have a meal.