Boardwalk Help.. first timer

[Tinky]

We are Poly fans but we're thinking of shaking things up a bit this time and trying the Boardwalk. Problem is we've never even been to the property. Can some of you Boardwalk vets help! There are 4 of us, myself, DH and DS 5 and DD 3. We would like a little space, a place to relax after the kids crash. We will be going in early Feb. HELP!!
Thanks!

 

[TerriBelle]

We have stayed at the BWV twice and the BC/YC many times. We have 3 kids. We love it because ...

1) Being able to walk/boat to MGM & Epcot is great! This works really well in the off season because Epcot is the only park open late. We enjoy going to MK on an afternoon and then taking the monorail back to EPCOT and heading back to the resorts.

2) Epcot also has fireworks every night that the kids enjoy watching. Off season MK only has the fireworks some nights.

3) My kids (3, 3, 8) LOVED last trip the performers at the BW. They liked the juggler, musicians, and magician. We watched them form our balcony or on the BW. This was an added feature since the parks closed early. They also have a wonderful face painter and the hair wraps.

4) We love the VILLAS! It is great to have separate rooms for the kids. We also like being able to eat a few quick meals or snacks in the room.

5) The pools are great! Stormalong bay is wonderful. My kids couldn't wait to get out to the pool every day. My younger ones loved the beach area and the small slide on the pirate ship. Last year we pool hopped here from the BW as DVC members. This Thanksgiving we are staying at the BCV so we will be able to use the pool! The BW pool is also nice with a "roller-coaster" slide.

 

[Aunt Jo]

Gotta tell you, Boardwalk is my favorite resort . Sounds like a 1 bedroom villa would be ideal for your family. Having a separate bedroom, a kitchen and a washer/dryer is downright luxurious. But I must warn you that it will spoil you for any other accomodations. At least that's what happened to us and we have stayed at both the Poly and Beach Club. We have never stayed at the Inn so maybe someone else can give you info about that.

 

[zurgswife]

Another Vote for the Boardwalk Villas....we are DVC owners and the villas are the way to go....I suggest a one bedroom....if you rented points from another DVC owner (check out the dvc rent theard http://disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=29)...the cost for a week in a one bedroom in feb. would be about $2520. That is a fantastic deal for a deluxe hotel

You could also have the choice of the Beach Club Villas which are new and part of the Beach club hotel across the lagoon from the Boardwalk

Good Luck

 

[Tinky]

Thank you for the wonderful ideas! DH wasn't to keen on the idea of staying anywhere but the Polynesian but all of your input helped a lot! I think he is actually getting excited about staying at the BW. One question about the villas... do you only get maid service once every four days? No big deal just want to make sure I understand this correctly. I think the 1br villa is a perfect solution.
Thanks again!

 

[DebbieB]

If you make a regular cash reservation through CRO, you get daily maid service just like any other resort.

If you rent points from a DVC member, maid service is limited. For stays of 7 or less nights, you get a "trash & towel" on day 4. Which means they come in and change the towels, take out the trash and replace the soaps. For stays of 8 or more nights, you get a full cleaning on day 4 and a trash & towel on day 8 (check-in counts as day 1). You will have a washer & dryer in the 1 bedroom unit. You can also purchase full cleanings at $30 per day requested (you don't have to have it everyday).

 

[Patsy1969]

Hi Another reason your DH might enjoy the boardwalk area is the ESPN Restaurant. It is one of our favorite places to go for a relaxing time. While you are there check out the DVC. If you love Disney, it might be something you will be interested in. As far as the maid service, we enjoy not having it every day. The polls in the boardwalk area are great! Have fun. Patsy

 

[littlenicky]

I love the poly. For years my folks took us there and we became poly snobs. But, now that we have kids of our own, we fell in love with the area around the boardwalk, and the resort itself. We bought our DVC there and love it. Short walk to everything(Studios and Epcot). Good bus schedule to MK and AK(Can be a wait at closing time at MK-but I've had worse). The DS loves the games outside and the performers. My wife and I love tking a walk around the water(usually with our favorite drinks).

Love it there
rock on
littlenicky

 

[vicb]

Another vote for BWI. We had great interactions with all the staff we encountered. The lifeguards at the pool learned my children's names the first day and greeted them by name each day. One day a lifeguard game my kids splash balls to keep! The pool will be nice for your age kids as it is brightly themed, large enough to feel spacious but contained enough to see your kids easily (as opposed to SAB). The pool bar has kid's meals and juice boxes as well as adult offerings.

THe evening entertainment on the BW is really family friendly and don't forget evening desserts from the Bakery... it is awesome!

 

[joepoe]

After reading these helpful posts, I want to point out that the BWI is more like the other deluxe Disney resort hotels (ala the Poly) while BWV (right across the lobby) are the DVC studios, 1BR, 2BR and 3BR. You can book at either. If no availability at BWV you can rent points from a member (see the point rental board).

Our girls (8 yr old twins and 5 yr old) LOVE the ESPN club, so it's easy for me to drag them over there. Being able to walk to Epoct via the International Gateway is a huge plus, and the boat to MGM is nice. You can also walk to MGM via the path, although that's about 20 minutes.
ENJOY!