Boardwalk Preferred - always facing water?

[dcibrando]

My wife and I are thinking of celebrating our 1-year anniversary at Disney World and are considering Boardwalk Villas - Preferred.

My question is... what are the big differences in standard and preferred? Also, are the preferreds always facing the water (looking toward Beach Club)?

Is it worth in your opinion an extra $100 to do preferred?

tks!

 

[Slakk]

My wife and I are thinking of celebrating our 1-year anniversary at Disney World and are considering Boardwalk Villas - Preferred.

My question is... what are the big differences in standard and preferred? Also, are the preferreds always facing the water (looking toward Beach Club)?

Is it worth in your opinion an extra $100 to do preferred?

tks!

It really depends on if you can get standard rooms as they go fast. My preference for BWV would be a preferreds since they have nicer views than standard yet I do not have to listen to the noise of the BW (I am one of those strange people who get annoyed at hearing drunks scream until the bars close).

 

[dcibrando]

so you're saying if I went preferred I might be near the 'drunks' at night that are loud?

 

[Slakk]

so you're saying if I went preferred I might be near the 'drunks' at night that are loud?

Sorry, no the BW nightlife drove me insane (we had BW view). My parents had a fantastic preferred view over looking the pool. We tried to talk them into trading but they would not budge...

If I were to stay at BW again the preferred would be our choice. I think the views are lovely.

Standard view with a chance of getting a really bad room is too much of a concern for me. I would rather spend a few more points and get a better chance of a good view.

 

[Inkmahm]

Preferred view won't be Boardwalk view, which is what faces the Beach Club. Personally, I LOVE the BWV and heard no loud drunks outside at all when we were there in December.

 

[crisi]

Boardwalk View will face the Beachclub. They can be noisy (I could hear people with the doors closed - but the big problem is the boardwalk games and the boat), but the view is considered very nice. (The whole BW is actually kind of noisy). You can see a little of Illuminations from almost all rooms - and from high rooms at the end of the hall you get a better view. Approximately 20% of the resort is Boardwalk View - including all Grand Villas. Generally, you will need to book these earlier, although people have gotten lucky with calling after the seven month window - occationally even within a few months - or using the waitlist. Its a great bargain - a guarenteed view for the same number of points that could have you with the WL dumpster view.

Standard View generally face the drive. We've stayed standard view and found it perfectly acceptable - its a great bargain in point use - walking distance to Epcot and MGM for a point or so more a night than OKW. They are also about 20% of the resort and book even faster than the Boardwalk View. Although, once again, people have booked them after the seven month window - just not dependably. At certain times of year (October - December) they book very quickly at eleven months and people are on the waitlist at nine months or sooner.

The other 60% of the resort is preferred view. These rooms will generally be on the side of the resort facing the Swan/Dolphin. You will likely overlook Luna Park or the Community Pool, though some rooms have non-pool views. Generally, when people say they had no problem booking the Boardwalk on short notice, they get preferred view rooms. These are perfectly nice rooms - although some standard view rooms have nicer views (in at least some people's opinion) - and are the same number of points as any room at VWL or BCV.

Most people will book either standard view (to save points) or Boardwalk view (for the wow factor) if available - taking preferred view if that is all that remains. The view situation is the big advantage to owning BWV and booking early.

 

[goalie5hole]

My wife and I are thinking of celebrating our 1-year anniversary at Disney World and are considering Boardwalk Villas - Preferred.

My question is... what are the big differences in standard and preferred? Also, are the preferreds always facing the water (looking toward Beach Club)?

Is it worth in your opinion an extra $100 to do preferred?

tks!

Preferred is overlooking the Boardwalk or the pool. I think it is worth it, it's not that noisey IMO.

 

[Slakk]

Preferred is overlooking the Boardwalk or the pool. I think it is worth it, it's not that noisey IMO.

You may change your mind if you stay on the 2nd floor right over the DVC sales office. I am one of those hallways too long BW too loud people who thought they would LOVE BW and found it was not their cup of tea.

Probably why I do not own at BWV and would only stay there as a last resort.

 

[dcibrando]

Most people will book either standard view (to save points) or Boardwalk view (for the wow factor) if available - taking preferred view if that is all that remains. The view situation is the big advantage to owning BWV and booking early.

So is the Boardwalk view considered "standard" or "preferred" when renting with points?

 

[Ms. WDW]

I prefer the Borardwalk View if it's available. I've never had a noise problem. Now to say it's never noisy on the boardwalk would be a lie. But for me personally, with the balcony door closed it was fine. Preferred Views for us were usually overlooking the pools and each standard room was overlooking the parking lot with the exception of......3123. The infamous corner room that's larger than the standard room. This overlooks the canal and you can see a good part of Luminations. It's a great location if you don't mind the l-o-n-g walk that goes along with it. But then again there are the stairs which are right there.

 

[crisi]

So is the Boardwalk view considered "standard" or "preferred" when renting with points?

Preferred view points, but its a guarenteed category. To get it when renting points, I would recommend dealing with an owner 10-11 months away from your reservations. Make sure you specify Boardwalk View - don't even use the words preferred view or you could find yourself looking at the clown. If I were renting points for Boardwalk View I'd offer a premium to the owner as well, I wouldn't expect to rent for $10 - but offer $12. If you are renting for October - December 2007 now, don't be surprised if it isn't available already. During peak seasons, they will book up day by day, and it would be a fairly flexible owner willing to call day by day for a renter - that's one reason why I'd recommend expecting to pay more - although I'd just expect to pay more now - owners are starting to catch on to the value of their points - particularly BWV and BCV points.

Same thing with standard view during that period, BTW. They'll book day by day and may not be available already.

 

[Mahusky]

Preferred is overlooking the Boardwalk or the pool. I think it is worth it, it's not that noisey IMO.

I have had the BWV several times and it has never been noisy enough to bother me! BWV RULES!!! IMHO!

 

[Deb & Bill]

My wife and I are thinking of celebrating our 1-year anniversary at Disney World and are considering Boardwalk Villas - Preferred.

My question is... what are the big differences in standard and preferred? Also, are the preferreds always facing the water (looking toward Beach Club)?

Is it worth in your opinion an extra $100 to do preferred?

tks!

You are talking about this May? You won't get standard view, probably already booked. You won't get Boardwalk view, probably already booked. You'll be left with the preferred view, ie, Luna Park, Leisure Pool, other water view.

 

[Inkmahm]

You may change your mind if you stay on the 2nd floor right over the DVC sales office. I am one of those hallways too long BW too loud people who thought they would LOVE BW and found it was not their cup of tea.

Probably why I do not own at BWV and would only stay there as a last resort.

I was on the 5th floor pretty much over the DVC sales office- room 5011. It was great!

The hallways are about half as long as I expected based on all the complaints I've read here. I'm guessing most of the complainers have never stayed at AKL and been in the 5th building from the center. THAT is a long walk. Worth it to me for the views of the animals, but still a much longer walk than any walk at BWV.

 

[Christopher5927]

QUOTE: The hallways are about half as long as I expected based on all the complaints I've read here.

I couldn't agree more. We were in 4006 in August and found the walk from the elevator no problem. We were expecting it too be much longer after reading all the comments on these boards. I appreciate someone who has difficulty walking would find it too far, but everyone else I think should see it as a tiny part of the miles they will walk in the parks each day. Also, we found the Boardwalk noise not too bad, even on a Saturday night.

 

[fishermouse]

So is the Boardwalk view considered "standard" or "preferred" when renting with points?

To clear up your confusion here there are three views Standard usually ok but you may get a less than wonderful view, also cheaper, Prefered has pool views usually very nice although I have heard people say some of the standard views are better than some prefered views. Boardwalk views overlook the boardwalk and BC, lots of good illuminations views possible, could be a little noisy for some but I stay up late and am probably one of the ones out making noise.

 

[lisaviolet]

I prefer the Borardwalk View if it's available. I've never had a noise problem. Now to say it's never noisy on the boardwalk would be a lie. But for me personally, with the balcony door closed it was fine. Preferred Views for us were usually overlooking the pools and each standard room was overlooking the parking lot with the exception of......3123. The infamous corner room that's larger than the standard room. This overlooks the canal and you can see a good part of Luminations. It's a great location if you don't mind the l-o-n-g walk that goes along with it. But then again there are the stairs which are right there.

The "21s" standard is right next door to that infamous room. And have an amazing view and are very peaceful. Without thought I said coming back to the FD to thank them for the room, "I can't believe it is a standard room..no way!!". I was so excited to be given this room I forgot that maybe they shouldn't know my thankful thoughts and get any ideas in their head.

 

[1000th happy haunt]

BWV actually has three views, Standard, Preferred, and Boardwalk. If you ask for and get Boardwalk view, you will be looking out on the Boardwalk and Crescent Lake.

Boardwalk view and Preferred view take the cost the same number of points.

 

[Boardwalker]

The BWV have three view options.... one standard, and two preferred... water or boardwalk. I always choose Boardwalk view because I enjoy the balcony overlooking the games and street performers. You also get views of the Beach Club and EPCOT and can see some of the fireworks from Illuminations, and some rooms you can even see a bit of the Wishes fireworks.
The boardwalk does get noisy with ringing bells from the surrey bikes and the carnival games, and the applause for the entertainment. The games and noise end at 11, with the occasional drunken reveler making an idiot of themselves in the middle of the night.
If you are an early to bed kind of couple, go with the waterview or standard. Some of the waterviews are over the main pool, some over the quiet pool, some just the canal between the Boardwalk and the Swan.
Just leave the beautiful view of the Spaceship Earth for me.

 

[mbhoxsie]

We've always had either the Preferred or Standard views.. (Never had the chance to board BW..)

Quick breakdown of definitions..

Boardwalk View - View of the Boardwalk.. Facing the lagoon..

Preferred view - View facing canals, Swan/Dolphin, Luna Park pool, Quiet Pool, etc...

Standard View - Everything else left over.. (Usually of the circle drive and parking lot..) Actually this is the view we always shoot for... Points are cheaper, and if you get a first floor room, it's a quick walk to MGM and the BW bus stop.