Boardwalk experts, lend me your ears (and knowledge!)

[skatalite]

I've always wanted to stay in a Boardwalk room overlooking Crescent Lake. You know...

What kinds of rooms are those, so I can check out some prices? We've a big family trip planned for 2015 and if we can swing it, I think we'd swing it!

Thanks!

 

[gwynne]

You'd want to book Water View for those rooms.
I love that view, too!

 

[BJSforVols]

Think you need to book water view and request a crecent lake view. Water view is also considered rooms with views of the swimming pools or the canal between The Swan and Boardwalk.

 

[skatalite]

Excellent. Thank you both!

 

[kapoof]

We were above cat Cora and had an awesome view. . Have a great trip.

 

[nalajms]

Those specific rooms are part of DVC, you'd search under Boardwalk villas with boardwalk view (not sure you can do that through the website). The corner ones I believe are the 3 bedroom grand villas.

 

[kathie859]

Those specific rooms are part of DVC, you'd search under Boardwalk villas with boardwalk view (not sure you can do that through the website). The corner ones I believe are the 3 bedroom grand villas.

Which specific rooms are DVC? I've stayed @ BWI 4 times--never using DVC--and had a view of the lake 3 x's and of the quiet pool once. I book standard club level.

 

[Sandi]

Which specific rooms are DVC? I've stayed @ BWI 4 times--never using DVC--and had a view of the lake 3 x's and of the quiet pool once. I book standard club level.

But if you look at the OP's photo of where she wants to be, she is on the Villa side of the complex. If you were over Cat Cora's restaurant, you were quite a ways to the left of what the OP's photo shows.

 

[skatalite]

But if you look at the OP's photo of where she wants to be, she is on the Villa side of the complex. If you were over Cat Cora's restaurant, you were quite a ways to the left of what the OP's photo shows.

Sorry, I should've been more specific: I'm down for any room as long as it has a Crescent Lake view. So, it's good to know the ones I pointed out are DVCs, while the ones above Kouzzina and such are non-DVCs. It just allows me more options to play with

There will be nine of us, and my brother wants to all cram into a room/villa together, so the only option would likely be the grand villa. I'm just trying to figure out options, in case we do book DVC so we can score something 11 months out.

Thanks, everyone!

 

[gwynne]

But if you look at the OP's photo of where she wants to be, she is on the Villa side of the complex. If you were over Cat Cora's restaurant, you were quite a ways to the left of what the OP's photo shows.

You are right. I didn't catch that in the photo he indicated the DVC side of the resort. When he said Boardwalk overlooking Crescent lake, I thought he meant, Boardwalk Inn overlooking Crescent Lake.

One other thing, I just checked the Disney website. As of now, there really isn't a lot of ambiguity about booking BWI Water view.
Under Water view it says: Views of Disney's BoardWalk or Crescent Lake.
Under Standard view it says: Views of Disney's BoardWalk Inn Gardens, Leisure Pool or Parking Area

If he wants that beautiful Crescent Lake view, I think booking BWI is the way to go.


When I go to Boardwalk Villas this is what the Disney site says for all categories of rooms:
Views of Resort Grounds or Parking Area

So, if he tries to book the DVC side, I don't really see how he's going to get a Crescent Lake view.

Maybe someone wiser that me about this stuff will chime in.

 

[TaraPA]

You cannot book a cash ressie for any Boardwalk View villas, they are all reserved for DVC members. So if you need a villa for your large group, you would have to rent points from a DVC owner, or settle for a non-Boardwalk view.

When are your dates? Grand Villas are booked solid immediately at the 11-month window by DVC owners, they are extremely difficult to get. So if you're more than 11 months out, contact at DVC owner that has enough points to rent NOW.

As far as the Inn side, there are Deluxe CL rooms & suites that all overlook the Boardwalk, but all are pricey. A Deluxe CL room will sleep 6 (2 queens & a sofa bed), so you'd need 2 of those. They are guaranteed BW view. We stayed in one last year & I just booked it again for this summer. Rack rate is abour $700-$800/nt but it is currently included in the 30% off summer discount, and also offered with the AP discount as well. So if that fits your budget, you may have to check those out.

You will love BW no matter what, it's one of my favorites! WDWKOOK runs a great thread on here, all about BW.

 

[goofy4tink]

DVC at Boardwalk has three types of views....standard (towards the entrance and the parking lot), preferred (pools, canal and gardens) and boardwalk view (those that you see in the OPs photo). To the best of my knowledge, the grand villas are towards the middle of that show and have a view of Crescent Lake. But....I think that only DVC members can book a boardwalk view.
It would seem that TaraPA posted the same info. She's right.

You may want to book two rooms on the Inn side, or try to rent points from a DVC member (or use Davids site) and try for a grand villa. Or possibly a two bedroom and a studio. But those grand villas are taken quite quickly, at the 11 month window.

 

[kP72]

Oct. 2006 we stayed in a water view room (with balcony) right above the bakery. It was perfect!
2008 trip I requested another water view balcony and they put us in a room with no balcony and a crappy water view that really didn't constitute as a "water view". Trying to get those great rooms with views can be difficult so don't hold your breath, especially during busy seasons.

 

[skatalite]

You cannot book a cash ressie for any Boardwalk View villas, they are all reserved for DVC members. So if you need a villa for your large group, you would have to rent points from a DVC owner, or settle for a non-Boardwalk view.

When are your dates? Grand Villas are booked solid immediately at the 11-month window by DVC owners, they are extremely difficult to get. So if you're more than 11 months out, contact at DVC owner that has enough points to rent NOW.

Indeed. My wife and I rent DVC points when we make Disney World plans, so we know the process and know this would be an aggressive grab even at 11 months out. I know the grand villas are limited with a capital L, and since my brother, parents and I haven't discussed in-depth where we'd stay for our June 2015 trip, I want to have all of the information available to them when we do talk within the next couple of months.

I think the hardest part would be getting my brother to be comfortable with paying pretty much up front for the rental, if we're able to secure one. It ain't cheap, as it would require about 1,100 points. His wife has her heart set on the Grand Floridian, so I've a feeling we'll end up all staying in different resorts.

The GF appeals to my wife and I, but not nearly as much as other resorts. We've stayed there before and like it, but overlooking Crescent Lake would be amazing.

But that's the thing: My brother and his wife have an idea of what they want (they also have three kids), my wife and I have an idea of what we want, and my parents are just along for the ride. As long as there are two or more bathrooms, my mom is happy.

As a side note: I really love the look and price of the Treehouse Villas at Saratoga, but man does the transportation situation just kill all incentive. With reports of 60- to 90-minute travel times, I'm just not comfortable with that and I know everyone else would feel the same way. Perhaps a rental van would be ideal if that is the case, and it's something I'll have an estimate for when I bring the details to the table.

Thanks again, everyone!

 

[TaraPA]

Glad you know the ins & outs of renting points for a Grand Villa. I always cringe when someone posts "we're going in 2 months & want to get a Grand Villa." Um....doubtful!

Have you considered the new Villas at GF? Also very hard to get, but they are amazing. I've stayed at almost every resort except GF - for some reason it holds no appeal for me - BUT we walked around the villas 2 weeks ago & now I want to stay there!

Also have you considered a split stay to make everyone happy? I'm a fan of split stays, but they're not for everyone. I love to have 2 different resort experiences in one trip. This might work to make everyone happy - GF/BW split.

Whatever you decide have a great trip!

 

[Denise W]

In the photo you posted, the grand villas are in the center "circle" in the yellow painted section. The other two circles are DVC studios, one and two bedroom units. All are boardwalk views, a specific booking class for BWV. We own at BWV and having been staying there at least once a year since 1998. We always book a boardwalk view.

Denise

 

[francie57]

If you were looking for a studio, 1 bedroom, or 2 bedroom villa you absolutely can book through Disney (we have done it numerous times until we bought our BW points). You won't be able to rent a grand villa through Disney since they are taken on points right away.

 

[TowMater92]

You want a Boardwalk view not a water view and you can get that view on either side Inn or Villa. If you want to stay in a 1br, 2br or studio villa you can rent points through Davids Vacation Club Rentals. They can save you money and are safe and easy to use. You just need to give them enough lead time to get your vacation booked. The villas are in the center under the Boardwalk sign on the roof but you'll never be able to book them they are taken right away by DVC members as soon as the phone lines open everyday.

 

[nalajms]

Here's a room layout courtesy of Shamus : http://photopost.wdwinfo.com/data/500/BWV_BoardwalkView.jpg

DH stayed at one of the corner GV 10+ years ago with his family and likes to point it out whenever we walk past them! We have yet to shell out the points for them. Another thing to consider is that the BWI side does not have a direct view of the fireworks, if that's important to you.

This might work to make everyone happy - GF/BW split.

I've only stayed at the DVC portions of these resorts and would recommend BWV first than VGF. VGF will make the BWV rooms look old and worn

 

[kapoof]

Oct. 2006 we stayed in a water view room (with balcony) right above the bakery. It was perfect!
2008 trip I requested another water view balcony and they put us in a room with no balcony and a crappy water view that really didn't constitute as a "water view". Trying to get those great rooms with views can be difficult so don't hold your breath, especially during busy seasons.

We stayed above the bakery area last trip and loved it! I didn't realize bwi had rooms with no balconies???