Boardwalk villas or wilderness lodge villas....which one is a "better" choice?

[cathicool]

I've got a choice between boardwalk villas (BWV) and the villas at the wilderness lodge (VWL). i'm looking at a 1 bedroom at either location. We are a party of 5-- my mom and me, plus my 3 kids- ages 6, 4 and 20 months. and we are going in late august
we are renting a minivan-- we have to visit family 1 day and i need to be able to get to a health food store for my special needs son who is also allergic to most foods.

1. so which resort would suit us better?

2. is there a particular thing i should request at one of these villas? such as at boardwalk i've heard it can be a real hike to the elevator.

3. does anyone have a particular room that they can tell me about? OR a particular room or area of the resort i should stay away from?

4. any other advice, info,help, etc...is much appreciated!

thanks in advance!

 

[Tigger031266]

First Choice would be BCV but between your two it is an exact tie.

I am thinking of the kids. Pools are about the same. Now normally I would say BWV because it is close to EPCOT and MGM but VWL is close to MK. So I would say pick the resort that is closest to your kids favorite park.

 

[Granny]

I think Tigger031266 provided some good advice. Actually, I think BWV has a better pool situation plus it has Community Hall and the activities there.

If you're expecting some hot tired little ones in that summer heat, I second the suggestion to stay at the resort closest to where you will be spending the most time.

 

[PVA]

We travel a little lighter...only one 6 year old... but we love BWV. The pool area is very kid friendly, there are a ton of activities at night just steps away from your door (strolling jugglers, singers, musicians, carnival games, several excellent restaraunts some with patio dining which allows the kids to get some energy out...). Access to Epcot and MGM is an easy walk or a quick boat ride and the other parks are of course easily accessed by bus. The hallways can be long but you get used to them pretty quickly. I can never remember room numbers but we have had rooms close and far from the elevators.

All that said, we have never stayed a VWL and I have only heard great things about it. I did hear it is similar in style and feel to Disneyland's Grand Californian where we have stayed and which was great.

No amtter what you decide have fun!

 

[PVA]

We travel a little lighter...only one 6 year old... but we love BWV. The pool area is very kid friendly, there are a ton of activities at night just steps away from your door (strolling jugglers, singers, musicians, carnival games, several excellent restaraunts some with patio dining which allows the kids to get some energy out...). Access to Epcot and MGM is an easy walk or a quick boat ride and the other parks are of course easily accessed by bus. The hallways can be long but you get used to them pretty quickly. I can never remember room numbers but we have had rooms close and far from the elevators. Also, the access to off site stores and shops is easy at BWV.

All that said, we have never stayed a VWL and I have only heard great things about it. I did hear it is similar in style and feel to Disneyland's Grand Californian where we have stayed and which was great.

No amtter what you decide have fun!

 

[Inkmahm]

BWV and VWL are the two locations I own points at- good choices!

I haven't stayed at BWV yet, our first trip there is in Dec for a Boardwalk view. We did stay at VWL and loved it- view of trees is fine with me.

If you want a "view" I'd say pick BWV. If "view" doesn't matter, VWL is closest to the MK. I like taking the boat there.

 

[debm]

We like both but with the ages of your kids I would think you would be spending more time in the MK so the proximity of VWL would be ideal I think. Plus you could even let them ride the monorail around a bit before just hopping back on the boat. Just a bit more convenient than BWV. We like BCV and so do our young kids but we spend a lot of time at the resort swimming and also at Epcot and MGM. It really depends on where you will spend your time I think. It is quite a hike at BWV if your room is far away from the elevators. There is only 1 set for the villas. We hated that but had a great room last time we were there. We haven't been back to VWL in awhile but are staying there in October. Good luck with your decision.

 

[SleepyatDVC]

I think you will be fine with either DVC resort.

I, myself, was faced with almost the exact decision to make - VWL or BWV. However, my kids are 5 & 7. I ultimately picked BWV because I wouldn't have to close the stroller (DD5 still needs it - she walks like a snail) to go to at least 2 of the parks. If its early enough in the day, we can even take the monorail from MK to Epcot and walk through the park back to the BW w/o having to close/open the stoller.

Even though we will be going to the MK the most ofter - 3 out of 7 days - we don't last the whole day. So, it would be nice to go back to the resort for a swim or nap and be able to walk over to the park for an hour so in the evenings. It's very relaxing to walk around the WS in the evening with the kids. If they fall asleep, you can roll them all the way back to the room without waking them up.

Now if you are not interested in Epcot or DS at all (although kids love Playhouse Disney at DS) and you will be going exclusively to the MK, VWL is perfect. I don't believe that you have to fold strollers for the boat.

Although when we stayed there a few years agos, sometimes when there was a lot of people waiting, they sent smaller boats to pick us pick and then we did have to fold our stroller. Maybe they have increased boat service now and no longer do this?

I believe they have also added bus service to the MK from VWL which will be faster than the boat especailly since the bus stop is much closer to the villas than the boat dock. Of course you will need to deal with the folding strollers situation on the bus then.

If easy access on and off of Disney property is important (if you need to stop at the store more than once), please take notice that the VWL will be the furthest from the complex exit and entrance since it is near the MK.

Good luck with your decision! You will have a great trip wherever you stay!!!

 

[nestlejean]

I don't know how may days you are going for but what about a couple nights at VWL to use MK and then to BWV so you have the benefit of close proximity to Epcot and MGM? If you aren't going to the parks much then either would be a good choice. I own at BWV but have gone to VWL. I guess the pool and boarwalk would be a little nicer with things to do than VWL but it is nice there too. I guess I would give BWV a small advantage over VWL but it's almost a toss up!

 

[mom2alix]

With younger kids, I would say VWL. Being close to the MK is really nice. It's also great to have such close access to all the monorail resorts for dining. I think MK area has more young-child friendly dining with all the character meals like CM, 1900 PF, Ohanas, plus WCC and Hoop de Doo! Epcot was always our fave park, but with our little ones we definitely spend more time at MK now and the VWL location is great for that. Have a great trip!

 

[byoung]

BWV get's my vote hands down.

 

[jmatias]

We own at both resorts and have enjoyed our stays there. As others have mentioned, VWL is very convenient for trips to MK. I loved that you could jump on the boat and head right on over to MK.

BWV is a ton of fun also and its nice to be near other resorts. The kids really enjoyed cruising the Boardwalk at night and watching the various entertainers.

You can't go wrong with either choice!

Jen