Boardwalk Questions

[Emagine]

We just got back from a week at OKW where we have stayed the most over all the DVC resorts. Ease of bus, low crowds at off times etc. But DH and I are debating in a year or so adding on. We went to tour BW and just explore the resort. We found we really did like it. The kids swore it was the best Pizza ever, was funny.

Now we are thinking about switching our Oct trip from OKW to BW and try it out.

How hard is it to switch from your home to another for a stay? Were going Halloween Week.

Someone said it was not kid friendly, esp at night because of the night clubs. What exactly does that mean? We were there till around 8-9 Friday night for the second time exploring the BW and had no issues.

I am very leary of the transportation. They only use boats to Epcot and HS, or walk. If it were just DH and I this would be no issue. How does this work for crowds? I do not see my kids eagerly wanting to walk, esp after the park. We normally leave at odd ball times with the exception of Illuminations, Wishes etc. All other times were back, bathed and cooling it for dinner in the room or somewhere off the parks.

I also noticed the buses had 3 places listed on them. Swan and Dolphin etc.. How are the buses as far as seats. We are one to always let ppl pass us if it is standing room only because of my boys needs and a Service Dog. This is what takes us to OKW, we never have had an issue.

Is it hard to use the transportation at BW? Does it crowd etc? Any pros, cons, tips???

We are wanting so badly to explore more places and we like the BW feel. Already been to AKV.

 

[jekjones1558]

We just got back from a week at OKW where we have stayed the most over all the DVC resorts. Ease of bus, low crowds at off times etc. But DH and I are debating in a year or so adding on. We went to tour BW and just explore the resort. We found we really did like it. The kids swore it was the best Pizza ever, was funny.

Now we are thinking about switching our Oct trip from OKW to BW and try it out.

How hard is it to switch from your home to another for a stay? Were going Halloween Week.

October is one of the hardest months to book at BWV. You can check at exactly 7 months out to see what is available. Odds are that there will be no standard view or BW view rooms but you might get lucky and get a preferred pool/garden view. 1 bedrooms are easiest to book.

Someone said it was not kid friendly, esp at night because of the night clubs. What exactly does that mean? We were there till around 8-9 Friday night for the second time exploring the BW and had no issues.

I think the BW is very kid friendly. The roving entertainers always bring kids into their acts and kids love the surrey bikes, games, etc.

I am very leary of the transportation. They only use boats to Epcot and HS, or walk. If it were just DH and I this would be no issue. How does this work for crowds? I do not see my kids eagerly wanting to walk, esp after the park. We normally leave at odd ball times with the exception of Illuminations, Wishes etc. All other times were back, bathed and cooling it for dinner in the room or somewhere off the parks.

We almost always walk back from Epcot because it is only about a 7 minute stroll, but the boat is also easy and BWV is the last stop before Epcot and the first stop leaving Epcot. I also enjoy the walk to/from DHS, but it is about 20 minutes so tired kids might balk. When we take the boat to/from DHS we walk across the bridge to/from the Dolphin boat stop because the Dolphin is the first stop from and the last stop before DHS.

I also noticed the buses had 3 places listed on them. Swan and Dolphin etc.. How are the buses as far as seats. We are one to always let ppl pass us if it is standing room only because of my boys needs and a Service Dog. This is what takes us to OKW, we never have had an issue.

Buses at BWV do stop at Swan/Dolphin. Some people have reported that they also stop at BC/YC but in my many trips to BWV that has never happened to me. Maybe it is only during very slow parts of the day or times of the year?? We drive to AK, but I think that the AK bus also stops at Blizzard Beach. Every time we have taken the bus to MK we have gotten a seat because BWV is the first stop, then Swan/Dolphin. On the way back the bus has always stopped at BWV first, then Swan/Dolphin. But others have had different experiences. Coming back to BWV from MK the buses are always full after Wishes/parade, but otherwise I have never had a problem getting a seat.

Is it hard to use the transportation at BW? Does it crowd etc? Any pros, cons, tips???

We are wanting so badly to explore more places and we like the BW feel. Already been to AKV.

If you decide to give BWV a try I hope you have a great time. Good luck with your decision!

 

[DebbieB]

When my mom was alive, she was not in great health and we always used the boats to Epcot & DHS. It was never a problem. The busses in the morning to MK always seem to come quick and BW is the first stop so seats are not an issue. I always drive to AK and DTD.

 

[hakepb]

I've always thought the BWV pizza window was an acceptable pie (which is a huge compliment for a Disney pizza)

DS enjoyed the boat transportation. Sometimes you have to wait for the next boat. Overall I loved the variety of transportation (instead of bus only)

I experienced some of those shared busses to MK in a Nov trip. The MK bus stopped at S/D after leaving BW. And on the way back from MK it stopped at YC then BC then BW. But were not rope drop people so they may share busses on less peak times of the day, but have dedicated busses at rope drop. (I remember the all stars doing that, peak hour=dedicated bus, other times=shared)

Overall, DS asked to go back to BWV, so we are

 

[RAD]

If you do decide to try BWV you might want to mention the service dog and ask for a 1st floor room by the quiet pool. That way you could just take the dog out the patio door to do its thing. Just a thought.

 

[TLSnell1981]

October is a very popular month, at the Boardwalk. The Food & Wine Festival is in full swing. But, if you are persistent, you may get lucky. You might also consider a split stay.

BWV is our family's favorite DVC resort and we love the nightly activities. The kid's really like Community Hall, the Keister Coaster and Clown pool.

One of our favorite features, the ease of walking to EPCOT and DHS. You can also walk through EPCOT and catch the monorail to MK. Of course, boats are are available for EPCOT and DHS. I hate being dependent on buses and BWV gives us other options.