Boardwalk or OKW with 4 year old ?

[julia & nicks mom]

I would like to thank all of you for attacking for my personal opinions!

the OP asked opinions - since my DD is just about her child's age - I thought I would have a good point of view and could say what I prefer about BWV - I did not say I didn't like OKW - I just said I thought BWV was more manageable with a child

Busses go fast through OKW ? Never experienced this either.

last week a lot of people were shocked at how fast the busses were pulling through the turnarounds - I heard it on more than one bus

okay - so you don't like the walk to Epcot and MGM - we enjoy it - there is a big difference walking to a park - my point with the bus stops being away from the buildings was that you are in an area where there is traffic - never the case at BWV - I like to let my kids run a little bit at the end of the day and call me crazy but I am just not that comfortable letting them run in the street - it is easy to let them run around and play at BWV - no where convenient to run at OKW

I love OKW but at this stage with my kids I really think BWV is a better choice - I would appreciate if you would respect my opinions on the matter and not criticize how I feel - I never attacked OKW or what you all felt about them - I simply stated whY I prefer BWV

 

[MiaSRN62]

I love OKW but at this stage with my kids I really think BWV is a better choice - I would appreciate if you would respect my opinions on the matter and not criticize how I feel - I never attacked OKW or what you all felt about them - I simply stated whY I prefer BWV

I hardly feel I "attacked" your opinions. You stated one thing.....I felt there were inconsistancies....so I stated mine ? I respect your opinions---just don't agree. I stated things as I saw it. Sorry you feel this way Julia & Nicks Mom. If the busses went through the OKW neighborhoods a little fast, it was def an isolated incident and I didn't want the OP to think that was a regular thing. I've stayed at OKW numerous times since '95. Never witnessed what you stated (though I believe it must have happened during your trip). If it does happen, I don't think it does on a regular basis and I'd bet it could happen anywhere in the World depending on the bus driver.

I also didn't want the OP to feel it was such a hassle with getting to the bus stops---it's not---I feel some express their version and I just decided I would share my experiences. I felt it was giving the OP a one-sided view of the busses there. I simply "questioned" (not attacked) why some feel walking 2-3 min to the bus stop at OKW is so long and tedious, yet walking 15-20 min to Epcot or MGM is a wonderful perk ? If one wants to say the walking distance to the two parks from BWV is terrific/convenient/relaxing or whatever, fine, then on the same hand, to be fair, how can some of these same people put down OKW for maybe having to walk 2 min to a bus stop ? I just simply didn't (and still don't) get this ? I just voiced my opinion. You're more than happy to state yours. And the OP when they get to OKW (or whichever resort) will form their own opinions. As for your kids being the same age and you being able to give a good point of view, I can understand that completely, but my kids were that age once and I've already had experiences with toddler and strollers in tow in WDW. Just because they're not little any more doesn't mean I cannot speak from my experiences ? You are disagreeing with my opinions just as much as I disagreed with yours. If one posts a reply on these boards I feel they need to anticipate that there will be a vast amount of differing opinions. You voiced your opinion about the bus system being a "total pain". I highly doubt everyone would agree with that but you're free to state you feelings. You pretty much didn't say one positive thing about OKW---and this is fine---but know that others may disagree. No harm done. Just friendly debate ?

no where convenient to run at OKW

My kids get to run around OKW too. There are plenty of playground areas and they love to feed the ducks in the lake right outside our patio/balcony. It's a tradition with us at this point. The paths running throughout OKW are safe (we ride bikes around as well)....my kids (even when they were small) knew not to run out into the street. Just a varying opinion here......not attacking you. You can feel how you do about the resorts and I can feel the way I do. Just felt we should all give the OP the two sides of the coin that's all. Hope you understand where I'm coming from now and we can move on in a positive direction.

 

[SoCalKDG]

If you don't mind walking 15-20 minutes to get to a park instead of waiting 5 minutes and taking a 10 minute bus ride, then you have that option. If you can't or don't want to walk, you can take a boat or a bus. BTW, I find the boats from BWV and BCV to be maddeningly slow. I do understand why folks walk instead of taking the boats. When we have gone that route, we can always get to our destination walking long before the boat has even completed half the route.

The boat to MGM from BWV takes approx. 15-20 minutes, thus walking will beat this time(12-15 minutes), the boat to Epcot from BWV goes directly, thus taking only 5 minutes, with a walk of approx. 8 minutes. From BCV the walk to Epcot is less than 5 minutes, and the boat ride takes about 12-15 minutes to MGM, with the walk about 15-20 minutes.

We were lucky on our last trip and usually only waited 5 minutes for a bus, but it should be noted that many people have experienced 15-20 minutes waits for the buses from all resorts.

What is forgotten here is the general thrill of taking a monerail or a boat into a park. This is a ride that most of us don't take every day, while a bus is a bit more familiar. I'd be willing to wager that if I ask 100 kids if they want to take a boat or a bus, they will choose a boat.

 

[MiaSRN62]

What is forgotten here is the general thrill of taking a monerail or a boat into a park

I do agree with you here.....from a kid's point of view, getting on a boat or monorail is more fun most times. My kids have always loved this form of transportation.
But from a standpoint of being more of a hassle or quicker, I just don't see a huge benefit in time saved via using the boats from BWV/BCV vs the busses from OKW except for the "fun factor". We've had 10 min waits for the boats same as we have for the busses (one time we waited 20 min for the WL boat). If people site stroller difficulty with the busses, I've seen & experienced the same difficulties with loading the strollers on & off the boats and monorails. So, yes, I agree that boats will most likely appeal to kids more.

 

[tjkraz]

I'd be willing to wager that if I ask 100 kids if they want to take a boat or a bus, they will choose a boat.

By-and-large that's probably true, but I doubt all 100 would give you the same answer. To many a bus is just as foreign as a boat or train. The fact that it has wheels, seats and an internal combustion engine doesn't necessarily mean that kids view a bus as being virtually identical to the car they ride in daily.

In all honesty, I heard "Daddy, I want to ride on the bus" just as often as I heard "Daddy, I want to ride on the boat" during our last trip.

 

[abeyst]

Mine say they want to ride the 'Mickey Bus'!!

I am a believer in the waitlist, too. We had ours come through for December @ BWV. I originally booked it in October at SSR. Have faith! (trust & pixie dust, too!!)

 

[thelobstershanty]

Something else that is being forgotten is that the walk or boat ride from one of the Epcot resorts, may take the same time as taking a bus from OKW; but once you get off the boat or end your walk to the park, you are there at the entrance. When riding the bus you still have a of bit of walk from the bus stop to the park entrance. This adds on more time and should be considered when estimating the travel time from your villa to actually being in a park. If your destination is WS, the walk from the bus stop is really a hike. The distance from the bus stops to park entrances is longer at Epcot than at MGM.
A big plus for us is that we do not have to take the kids out of their strollers. Quite often they are asleep and we just walk them back to the resort or roll them right on the boat and then back to our villa and into bed, many times they never wake up. We have found that if you get the last rows of seats on the boat, before the outside seats, there is a large space that is perfect to park a stroller with a sleeping child, diaper bags and everything else in it. Enter the boat from the back entrance, it is easier. My DW has even done this by herself with both kids in a double stroller and thinks it is very easy.

 

[MiaSRN62]

but once you get off the boat or end your walk to the park, you are there at the entrance. When riding the bus you still have a of bit of walk from the bus stop to the park entrance. This adds on more time and should be considered when estimating the travel time from your villa

It's not that much of a walk.....and also we felt there was more of a walk to the entrance of MGM using the boat vs the busses. I know with the boat to Epcot you are let off in the World Showcase (International Gateway)entrance. When my kids were small and in strollers they didn't care much for the Showcase anyway......I like that you enter via Future World with the busses because that's where my kids like to spend most of their time. While I enjoy the Showcase and walking around to the different countries and all, my kids prefer Test Track, Mission Space, Figment, HISTA, Spaceship Earth etc. I know when they were 4, they preferred these as well. So when we enter via the International Gateway we end up walking all the way around to Future World anyway---so we can tack on extra traveling time going this route as well. So again, if one took a poll I think there would probably be mixed results as which entrance is the preferable. Just stating the facts from my family's perspective.

 

[Aneille]

The whole walking/non walking and how far is good information, ie knowing how far it really is in approximate minutes. But some people prefer to walk and others don't.

With my kids who both will ride in strollers within parks in Disney (oldest is 3.5) walking or taking a boat is easiest for me. I don't like to close up my stroller and take my stuff out etc while trying to keep track of my roaming 1.5 year old and anxious 3.5 year old. For me keeping track of my kids is easier if they stay in their strollers especially if its crowded.

When they are older buses will be different. We still took the bus from MK during our last trip and it was fine too.

The transportation is good at Disney. For me having the ability to walk to 2 of the parks is a plus. I don't always like waiting if I can be moving.

I am sure you will have a great trip no matter the resort.

 

[MiaSRN62]

With my kids who both will ride in strollers within parks in Disney (oldest is 3.5) walking or taking a boat is easiest for me. I don't like to close up my stroller and take my stuff out etc while trying to keep track of my roaming 1.5 year old and anxious 3.5 year old.

I can totally relate to some people feeling walking is more advantigious (and those who don't) with a stroller. It's a preference. But as far as the boat goes, my only point was we always had to fold up the strollers for them and the monorail anyway ? So not sure how the boats are easier ---though admittedly more fun for some maybe ?
Then to get back to the ease of walking to Epcot. My kids, when they were in the 3-6 range, much preferred the MK over any other park---particularily the World Showcase ? I'm assuming most toddlers and preschoolers would---didn't think my kids were unique to this. If we were in WDW for 7 nights, at least 4 of those would be spent in the MK. I actually have one of my kids when she was 3 or 4 begging to go "home" (meaning back to the hotel) on video while we were in the Showcase ! lol This is why I felt the VWL might be best for the OP.

 

[brittsmum1998]

We are a family of 3 w/ a dd. Since two yrs old she has always loved the BW. Nothing beats strolling on the boardwalk relaxing w/ an ice cream after the hustle and bustle of the parks. We love to people watch I say if you can get it, go for the bw.

 

[SoCalKDG]

I can totally relate to some people feeling walking is more advantigious (and those who don't) with a stroller. It's a preference. But as far as the boat goes, my only point was we always had to fold up the strollers for them and the monorail anyway ? So not sure how the boats are easier ---though admittedly more fun for some maybe ? OP.

Why did you have to fold up the stroller? The last two times we went(Ok, the only two times we went ) including as recently as last month, we just rolled the stroller right onto the boat or monorail, then locked it into place in the open spaces provided by both types of transportation. This included the boats at VWL and BWV. Its only on the bus that I had to grab the bags and fold up the stroller while my wife grabbed my daughter.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Why did you have to fold up the stroller? The last two times we went(Ok, the only two times we went ) including as recently as last month, we just rolled the stroller right onto the boat or monorail, then locked it into place in the open spaces provided by both types of transportation. This included the boats at VWL and BWV

It didn't fit....we had a full-size stroller. The monorail and boats were pretty crowded most times and we didn't want to run over people's feet or make less room for others around us. Honestly this is how I recall it (and recall others doing it as well).....I can say we've never felt we could roll them on. We've used the WL/OKW/POR boats, the Ferry to the MK etc. Even this past Nov, we saw people folding them up and holding their infants/toddlers on their laps. In fact, one couple on the monorail folded up their stroller and then had to stand and hold their daughter because it was that cramped. My husband gave up his seat to the mother so she could sit with her infant.
Don't know what else to tell you but this is what we have experienced over the years. But if some of you can roll right in, then more power to you. What works for one person, doesn't necessarily work for another. It's nice that the various DVC resorts have something to offer everyone's tastes.

 

[thelobstershanty]

Why did you have to fold up the stroller? The last two times we went(Ok, the only two times we went ) including as recently as last month, we just rolled the stroller right onto the boat or monorail, then locked it into place in the open spaces provided by both types of transportation. This included the boats at VWL and BWV. Its only on the bus that I had to grab the bags and fold up the stroller while my wife grabbed my daughter.

This has always been our experiences also. We never fold up the strollers when riding the boats or monorail. We just roll them right on with the kids and bags right in them. We sometimes use 2 strollers and sometimes a double stroller and have no problems. DW is a small woman, not even 115 pounds and she never has had any trouble getting the strollers with the kids in it, on or off the boats or monorail.

 

[CharlesTD]

Our kids prefer BWV over OKW but they like the close proximity to the bakery and Beaches and Cream.

 

[Aneille]

Granted I went in September and it wasn't busy but I have a double side by side stroller (31") I believe. It does fit through a standard doorway so its smaller than most side by sides, but I did not have to fold it up for the boats ever on that trip. I was there for 11 days I believe.

I did have to fold it up once on the monorail though going to the MK. I was a bit peeved about it since again it wasn't busy and there was plenty of room. And many have told me they never had to fold theres. But we did, and obviously it wasn't a big deal, but we didn't ride the monorail again that trip. If I have to fold it up, I'd rather take the bus since it drops me right at the door!

I am going again to BW next week. I'll let you know how many times I have to fold it up this time since it will be a lot busier!

 

[CharlesTD]

We were asked to fold up our side by side stroller on teh boat bus and monorail on our trip we had it no questions asked. We were asked by the drivers to fold them and this was a Dec trip and it was dead we had monorail cars to ourselves and boats to ourselves and busses with very few people on them.

 

[Aneille]

We were asked to fold up our side by side stroller on teh boat bus and monorail on our trip we had it no questions asked. We were asked by the drivers to fold them and this was a Dec trip and it was dead we had monorail cars to ourselves and boats to ourselves and busses with very few people on them.

Out of curiousity does your side by side fit through the door on the boat? I have no idea how wide that door is. We were always just sent to the back of the boat and got in there. Our stroller if I remember correctly did fit down the center aisle of the boats at BW and easily through the door.

Now I am really curious about what will happen when I go next week! If I can't wheel them on in that double I'd rather bring my 2 singles! Oh well, doesn't really matter, I'll be in Disney!

 

[thelobstershanty]

Our double stroller is the width of a single since the seats are one behind the other, so it fits very easily through the doors.

 

[CharlesTD]

It did fit through the door and down the centre isle but we were kindly and courteously asked by the cast members to fold it.