Boardwalk Villas - having regrets! Help!

[Goldilocks07]

We have an upcoming trip (March 3) and are staying at the Boardwalk Villas. I am now regretting my decision to stay there! Waaaa!!! I just feel like I made the wrong hotel choice. And I know at this point there's nothing I can do about it, but I was hoping some people could make me feel better about it? Maybe give me some pointers/tips/advice about the resort? Should I request a certain room/area? FYI I am traveling with Grumpy and my 3 year old daughter (who's celebrating her birthday there )
We always stay at BLT, but I don't LOVE the hotel- we only stay there for the convenience, but it's that convenience that I'm starting to feel I made my mistake. We ARE going to EPCOT one day, so I know we can at least walk over.

Thank you----

 

[cleophus12]

I can't imagine why you would regret the decision to stay at BWV. We just returned from our first stay there and loved it. We are partial to the Epcot resorts anyway and have stayed at BC and at the Dolphin. We thoroughly enjoyed the BWV. Had a pool view on the fifth floor, close to the elevators, and the convenience to Epcot and DHS cannot be beat. Also we love the evening vibe in the BW area.

 

[abner1776]

Given a choice of BLT or BWV, for me it's a no brainer...BWV is far better.

I have never liked the theming at BLT and other than the access to the monorail, it has no appeal to me.

BWV are really nice with the easy access to all of the stores and food services along the Boardwalk and easy access to not only Epcot but DHS as well. I liked the clown pool at BWV more than the pool at BLT but that's a personal choice.

Since I am assuming you probably have a pool/garden view room and not a standard or Boardwalk room, I would request one on a higher floor and one not too far from the elevator as the hall ways can get long and lonely at Boardwalk.

I would not be concerned at all about your choice of resorts.

 

[abk96]

I agree with what the pp said about the resort.

The BW has a beautiful porch that has rockers and chairs out and we love to grab some ice cream from Seashore Sweets and bring it up there to enjoy. Very peaceful and a great way to end a night.

Go in with an open mind and you might be surprised. Have a great trip.

 

[wdisneyaholic]

I have never stayed the Boardwalk, we always stay at the YC. This is our favorite area. So nice to stroll around the Boardwalk in the evenings. Plus, you are close to the studios and Epcot. It's a fun area, I think you will really enjoy it!!

 

[davedmaine]

I guarantee that BW will become your favorite resort.

 

[EasternShoreGal]

Never ever regret a stay at the Epcot Resorts area. We won't stay anywhere else. As DVC members, we are partial to the BCV over BWV because of Stormalong Bay, but we used to stay at BWV all the time when our DD was younger and I worried about the vastness of Stormalong. The clown pool is fun although I can't remember them having a smaller slide. You will need to take the bus over to MK. I also think you will have access to Community hall where there are games and fun activities for kids.

The Boardwalk area is entertaining at night with street performers and they have the bike rentals on the boardwalk as well.

Try to request a boardwalk view. We loved it and the noise didn't bother us. We liked the rooms with the oversized balconies on the 2nd floor overlooking the courtyard with a view of the boardwalk.

 

[mcbailey]

We stayed at the Boardwalk in September and LOVED it! Walking distance to two parks and lots of restaurants. They had kids activities for your little one around the main pool in the afternoon. Sitting on the porch and relaxing is so nice! We never had a problem with the bus to MK or AK! ENJOY!

 

[Goldilocks07]

Given a choice of BLT or BWV, for me it's a no brainer...BWV is far better.

I have never liked the theming at BLT and other than the access to the monorail, it has no appeal to me.

BWV are really nice with the easy access to all of the stores and food services along the Boardwalk and easy access to not only Epcot but DHS as well. I liked the clown pool at BWV more than the pool at BLT but that's a personal choice.

Since I am assuming you probably have a pool/garden view room and not a standard or Boardwalk room, I would request one on a higher floor and one not too far from the elevator as the hall ways can get long and lonely at Boardwalk.

I would not be concerned at all about your choice of resorts.

That's really it- I am concerned about the convenience. I also agree and think that the theming at BLT is (sorry) awful. There's no Disney charm!

Ok, I already feel SO much better about it. Thank you all so much.

 

[Wood Nymph]

I'm not sure when the Flower and Garden show starts, but it is really convenient to go to it from the BWV's. They have a kids playground at F&G, a butterfly house, and lots of cute topiaries. Your 3 year old will be enchanted.

BWV are really nice. We love that area.

 

[epsmith921]

We stayed at BWI in September and even with our 2.5 year old we seriously loved it. We would take the bus to MK in the morning for rope drop and then come back to the boardwalk via the monorail and a walk through Epcot around lunch.

We did have park hoppers for the grownups and then would go to HS, Epcot or MK in the evening.

Walking to two parks is just lovely for us. We also liked that the boardwalk area has lots to look at for the kiddo. On arrival night we just rode the boat around and it was nice and relaxing.

I don't think you'll regret your choice.

 

[jeffbear]

Not sure what the OP's concerns/regrets are in particular, but my crowd has stayed at Boardwalk in the past and really enjoyed it. The location is convenient to Epcot and we end up doing a lot of dinners in International Showcase, so being able to stroll home after a nice dinner is a plus. For anybody who's ever tried to fight through the throngs heading for transportation out of Epcot after Illuminations ... being able to walk home after the fireworks is a HUGE plus.

The rooms are nice, the location is fun, the access to food is terrific. The only downside being the potential for a VERY long walk down the hallways to your room and the potential (not always realized) waits for buses to MK, AK and Studios. As always, bus service is a hit or miss time issue.

 

[johnnyf0614]

We have an upcoming trip (March 3) and are staying at the Boardwalk Villas. I am now regretting my decision to stay there! Waaaa!!! I just feel like I made the wrong hotel choice. And I know at this point there's nothing I can do about it, but I was hoping some people could make me feel better about it? Maybe give me some pointers/tips/advice about the resort? Should I request a certain room/area? FYI I am traveling with Grumpy and my 3 year old daughter (who's celebrating her birthday there )
We always stay at BLT, but I don't LOVE the hotel- we only stay there for the convenience, but it's that convenience that I'm starting to feel I made my mistake. We ARE going to EPCOT one day, so I know we can at least walk over.

Thank you----

I'm confused.... What is your actual regret???

 

[TillyMarigold]

We're hoping for a stay at BWV next winter and our only concern is that there's sometimes bus sharing between BWV and the other Epcot resorts for MK and AK. I've heard advice that it's easier to get off at the Swan and walk across the bridge to BWV if the Swan drop-off is before Boardwalk, so we're planning to do that on the way back. You can also walk to HS for a bus to AK or MK, although that depends whether you'd rather spend the time sitting on the bus or walking (it's definitely not a short walk, although we did it several times on our last trip and got used to it).

 

[kP72]

Not a DVC member nor have I stayed at BWV, but our favorite resort is BWI. We would be staying there again but my cousin hates clowns (swimming pool theme would freak her out!), but when we do plan another trip to WDW, we will be staying at BWI!!

 

[robinb]

You were looking for some tips?

* Ask for a Scary Clown pool or Dolphin view to be close to the main entrance.
* When you come back on the bus, get off at the Swan and walk over to the Boardwalk. Make sure that you walk along the canal on the BWV side and then cut through the pool for the quickest way to the BWV elevators.
* Don't be afraid to walk to DHS. The boat can take a really long time and the walk is only about 15 minutes.
* Your DD can wear a lifevest down the slide if she's brave enough to try.
* The Community Hall has movies that you can borrow for free.
* Big River Grill will pack a meal for take-out if you are too wiped out after a day in the parks.
* There are many CS restaurants close to the International Gateway.
* It's fun to take the monorail back from the MK and then walk through Epcot on the way home.
* There is no real CS or quick service at the Boardwalk. Picabu over at the Dolphin is open 24-hours.
* You can order a birthday cake from the Boardwalk Bakery.
* It's a quick walk over to the Hess station for cheaper snacks, soda, beer and wine.

 

[AlohaAnnie]

We like to stay at different resorts every trip and check them out.

It has made each of our trips seem different.

Hopefully this happens for you.


.

 

[North of Mouse]

We have an upcoming trip (March 3) and are staying at the Boardwalk Villas. I am now regretting my decision to stay there! Waaaa!!! I just feel like I made the wrong hotel choice. And I know at this point there's nothing I can do about it, but I was hoping some people could make me feel better about it? Maybe give me some pointers/tips/advice about the resort? Should I request a certain room/area? FYI I am traveling with Grumpy and my 3 year old daughter (who's celebrating her birthday there )
We always stay at BLT, but I don't LOVE the hotel- we only stay there for the convenience, but it's that convenience that I'm starting to feel I made my mistake. We ARE going to EPCOT one day, so I know we can at least walk over.

Thank you----

Regrets?? Why on earth for??

That's our dd's home DVC and we've stayed there - is our favorite place to stay!

 

[TDC Nala]

I'm also not sure why the OP feels they have made a mistake booking at the Boardwalk Villas...they cite convenience, but this resort is the only one that is a relatively easy walk to two different theme parks (Epcot and DHS). I can only assume the OP is interested in concentrating on the Magic Kingdom, but she doesn't want to stay at BLT, which is the DVC resort that is convenient to the MK. So no matter which other DVC resort you choose, it's not going to be so convenient to the MK.

there's sometimes bus sharing between BWV and the other Epcot resorts for MK and AK.

MK will share with the Swan and Dolphin. I am relatively certain it does not share with all 5 resorts on that route.

Not sure about AK, if they do share with any resorts other than the Swan and Dolphin it will be at midday and not at peak travel times (remember there will be a stop at Blizzard Beach too, if it's open)

The big inconvenience is Downtown Disney. All five resorts share and Boardwalk is last. However there is the option of getting off at the Swan and walking over.

 

[wonderlandaddict]

We were just there in January and LOVED it! We have gone alomost every year for 15 yrs and usually try a new place every visit, but entire family agree we are staying BWV from now on if possible.
My family really enjoyed the Boardwalk Pizza Window and they loved the food stand that is right in front of the Villas. We also walked to the Studios and Epcot (maybe we took a boat back from Epcot). The Bakery was also good. Since you have a young child the Community Center is something you should visit. We walked over there on the last night and it is filled with games and toys. They were having a marshmallow roast while we were there. We did ask to be close to lobby to avoid the long dreaded walks. Its was a fun place for us to stay, hope you enjoy as much as we did!