Boardwalk Villas or Inn?

[theSurlyMermaid]

My husband and I cannot deny our raging desire to stay at the BW....we are planning a December trip and are as excited as can be. However, we can't decide whether we want to stay in a studio Villa or at the Inn. Their standard view cost at value season is the same (approx $289). So which is better? Does anyone have any advice you could offer us? (We think the kitchen in the villas is attractive to grab breakfast, etc., but there's no way we would utilize it for anything but a quick breakfast).

 

[tomi]

Definately the Villas especially if it is just the two of you. It is nice to have a couch in the room. It's much nicer than having to sit on the bed. The kitchenette really comes in handy. It is so much cheaper to stock up on drinks and keep them cold - much better than paying resort prices. The frig is also nice for leftovers from those great meals! Have fun!!

 

[theSurlyMermaid]

Thanks Tomi! Done, then! We were leaning towards the Villas anyway...just thought there might be some sort of "catch" because it seems that the Villas would clearly be the better choice, yet the cost is the same!

Thanks again!

 

[theSurlyMermaid]

OMG, no sooner do I type this than my travel agent tells us she can book us in the Boardwalk Inn for a discount and not the Villas! Looks like we'll be staying at the Inn after all!

 

[marksor]

There is a bit of a trade-off. We stayed at both the Villas and the Inn. At the Villas you get the refrig., sink, etc. and a washer/dryer (we had them anyway)- these are great extras you obviously don't get at a "hotel" room. What you don't get is daily housekeeping and fresh/clean towels unless you are willing to pay extra for it. Also, in general, the Villa rooms can look more worn than the average Inn room.

 

[theSurlyMermaid]

Oooh, thanks Marksor! I did not know that, and I'm so glad you told me...as I posted above, it seems we'll be staying in the Inn after all, but now I feel much better about it.

 

[disneycrazed139]

Actually, you will get housekeeping service at the villas, so long as you are a cash paying customer and not a Disney Vacation Club member.

 

[bengalfreak]

If you wanted to stay at the Villas, you can stay much more cheaply by renting a members points than using cash. We are staying at BWV for five nights in June for a total of $550. That's $110.00/ night.

 

[mikesmom]

You probably can't get a room at the Villas because although early to mid-December is a "low" season for WDW in general, it is a very busy season for Disney Vacation Club. The Villas are part of the Vacation Club, they are totally sold out, and some rooms become available for cash because members trade their points in for the Cruise, etc. (That's why Disney has some available to rent).

Because of low point costs, great weather and awesome decorations all the DVC properties tend to fill up in early december. You are even less likely to be able to find a rental than you were to get one for cash!

You'll love the Inn, anyway. Lovely place and awesome location.

 

[llrain]

Originally posted by bengalfreak
If you wanted to stay at the Villas, you can stay much more cheaply by renting a members points than using cash. We are staying at BWV for five nights in June for a total of $550. That's $110.00/ night.

just out of curiosity...how did the process for renting points go for you? Was it a smooth process? Did you rent them from the DVC board, from a member here?

We have always been hesitant of doing this thinking that things would fall through, we would get ripped off.

But it is true that you can get some good deals by renting points from a dvc member....
The only thing that stinks is that you cant get a silver, gold, etc plan added on to it. Nor can you get park passes like the traditional disney way.

 

[theSurlyMermaid]

Everyone here is so nice and knowledgeable....thanks for all these tips, they are great! Can you believe after weeks of researching the DVC, I totally didn't think about renting points? But you are probably right that they will not be available in December, however, its a GREAT tip for the future for us!

Yes, please let us know how the process of renting points works.

 

[caverill]

We are DVC owners at the BWV.

The above poster was right about December being very busy at DVC resorts due to the low number of points needed and the Christmas displays.

If you are a cash customer at the BWV, you will get daily maid service. If you are staying on points, you don't get daily maid service unless you pay for it. The maid will do a "trash and towel" day on day 4 of your visit with a full cleaning on day 7.

The studio's at BWV only have a mini-kitchen (Small Refrig, Microwave, Coffee Maker, Toaster). They don't have a washer and dryer.

All rooms larger then the studio have a full kitchen including dishwasher, washer/dryer, and whirlpool tub off the master bedroom.

To rent points, use the DVC Rent Board on this site. Members that have rented points have a good method of making sure both parties are protected from getting "ripped off".

You won't go wrong with either resort. IMHO, the location of the EPCOT hotels make them the best on property.

Good Luck,