Boardwalk Villas-What not to miss?

[MomsOf2boys]

We are heading to BWV for the first time in February...staying in a 2bed lock off garden/pool view. We are very excited but know very little about the Boardwalk.

Please give me any tips you might have?
Any don't miss this or thats?
And anything else you think we might care to know as we will be a little out of our element as we are used to AKV.

 

[Disneypubgal]

Enjoy the evening entertainment on the Boardwalk, ice cream in the sweet shop, a ride down the big water slide at the pool, surrey bikes.... and just the wonderful atmosphere of the Boardwalk! Has been our home resort since '98!

 

[cvjw]

We really enjoyed the quiet pool on our last stay. Most days we were the only people there. Our kids enjoyed bingo by the clown pool, they were even winners one day. Our favorite thing from our last stay was enjoying the boardwalk from our balcony. It was just priceless.

 

[natt]

Depending on your circumstances, if you can do a date night I recommend an evening at 'Jellyrolls' (dueling pianos/sing along). There is a cover charge but it's alot of fun and you will be hoarse the next morning from singing(might want to plan this the night before an 'off' park day)

We also enjoy Big River Brew Pub. The restaurant is decent food. DH and I happen to be big microbrew fans, but that's a matter of personal preferance to some. We just enjoy the bar and eat apps/burgers there.

Have fun... the entire Epcot resort area holds alot of options to get away from the park scene!

 

[Disneypirate85]

My DW and I love a simple late stroll around the Lake. Usually after everything has calmed down, we just take a very slow midnight walk and just soak in everything. The atmosphere is just amazing that late in the evening....Shawn

 

[robhawk]

Dinners at Epcot & Illuminations are so easy at BWV. I also love just walking around the lake. Last winter DD had a college softball game in Kissimmee. We had a couple hour break and we drove over just to soak in the atmosphere!

Rob

 

[AKV707]

Enjoy the phenomenal BWV, Take a walk around the lake, enjoy the great access to Epcot. And if you can, eat at the Flying Fish. One of the best on property!

 

[eyeheartgoofy]

Hmmm ... we stayed there for the first time last April. These are my tips for first timers.

Our room was located on the same floor of the lobby (the first room down the hall from the lobby actually). This was way too close to the elevator (main floor elevator just off the lobby = lots of traffic, lots of noise) and way too close to the clown pool (pool noise). Also, the view was obstructed by a tree right in front of the balcony ... we could see a bit of Leaping Libations through the branches and that was pretty much it. My parents had a room further down the hall but on a much higher floor and their view was FANTASTIC! They had a great panorama of the pool complex, the river and Hollywood Studios (it was very pretty lit up at night). So, I'd request an upper floor next time I visit.

Second, there is no quick service restaurant. I knew this ahead of time, but I was really surpised by how much I missed this when compared with our stays at VWL. I guess it has become part of my evening routine to wander down to the quick service to refill my mug, check out the offerings and get a late night snack. Roaring Forks at VWL is not a huge quick service place, but you can always count on some hot soup or a sandwich, etc. I walked over to BCV a couple of times just to have an evening snack (clam chowder, yum).

My kids really liked the night time entertainment on the boardwalk. There were entertainers every night ... not sure if there always are or if it was b/c we were there over the Easter holiday. The boardwalk is kind of a fun and lively place at night ... during the day, it was surprisingly peaceful.
We liked the location. We liked walking to DHS and Epcot.

 

[The Rivers' Rats]

We will be staying at the Boardwalk Villas in June and all of these activities sound great. I can't wait!!!!

 

[buzz5985]

The Boardwalk Bakery has some nice panini's and wraps, so I would consider it a small counter service.

If you get a room at the end of the long hallway - don't fret. Your closer to the BW bus stop and to DHS. We love being at the end of the hall. LOL

Or if you like to take the boat to DHS, and just happen to miss it - like we did last trip - we had DS 13 BF with us. Slow poke, and tired easily. So we just missed the boat. We walked over to the Swan/Dolphin boat dock - and beat the boat by a good 5 minutes.

Have fun!!!!

 

[tiggerrifficheidi]

We just got done with two nights at BWV. We own at BLT, and we got BWV, because I made a last minute change to our dates and BLT wasn't available the whole way through, so we did a split-stay.

I REALLY loved the BWV, so I think you're in for a treat. We loved being able to walk to EPCOT AND to the Studios (a little further, but we like to walk).

I agree that the absence of Counter Service is a big minus, but the bakery is good. You can also grab some quick continental style breakfast food at Bellevue Lounge.

We were excited to try Kouzzina, since we've lived in Germany and travelled to Greece, so we've eaten (and LOVE) lots of Greek food. I thought it was disappointing. Slow service, and not-very-Greek menu. The lamb burger was good, as were the Calamari, but nothing was show-stopping. I could have had an off night, but I'd stick with the recommendation of Flying Fish. It IS cool to take a quick stroll to your restaurant, though.

Don't forget the restaurants at YBC and the Swan and Dolphin are also within easy strolling distance.

We also walked into EPCOT to have dinner at Rose & Crown one night, thought...equally easy.

I don't know when you're going, but the Clown pool was under renovation, so they were shuttling guests to Stormalong Bay at YBC.

We walked past Yacht Club at night, and they were having a Movie on the beach. A very cool night-time event, if you ask me.

Enjoy!

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Love the funnel cake you can get on the boardwalk!

 

[photobob]

If you are used to staying at AKV the location of BWV can really spoil you. We really like Epcot and it is an easy stroll to the International gate. I enjoy getting up early and strolling around a bit and grabbing something for breakfast at Boardwalk bakery. We've really enjoy meals at Big River Brewery and ESPN Club and if you like high end restaurants there are plenty to choose from in the near vicinity. Flying Fish, Yachtsman Steakhouse, Kouzzina, Todd English's Bluezoo and all the restaurants at Epcot are all within walking distance. The atmosphere at night on the BW is super, street performers and it is a gorgeous sight across the water. My only regret in purchasing DVC was not knowing I could have purchased here!

 

[Halle]

Take a walk to the Beach Club and enjoy their takeout CS. The food we got there was excellent.

 

[rigsby25]

We're going to be at BC 1 night and BWV 2 nights. I can't wait! We've stayed in a studio at BC, but this time we have a 1BR for just the two of us. And then 2 nights at BWV where we've never stayed. I so can't wait.

 

[Tigger031266]

The community hall is great there as well. Love the little bar off the main lobby. Great lobby. Fireworks off the bridge going to BCV.

BWV is my favorite resort.

 

[UGAFan0829]

One of mine and my DH's favorite memories from our trip to BWV Villas last September was the night we didn't have any plans for dinner. So we headed down to the BoardWalk, found a table right by the water and ordered a pizza from the pizza window. It was such a nice relaxing night sitting there eating our pizza looking out across the water and just taking in the sights and sounds of our surroundings!

 

[lvanleer]

Thanks for all the great tips....my DH and I are spending a few days in April there at BWV on kind of a spur of the moment trip....I was surprised when our waitlist came through but now I'm really excited about being so close to EPCOT(probably will spend most of our time there) since our home resort is AKV.

 

[DeeCee735]

1) Welcome Home Wednesdays
Goofy (ah, pardon the pun )
Corny, but fun. Wednesday afternoons 4 pm at Atlantic Dance club on the BW. Deevy C is the host. Some refreshments, (popcorn, lemonade, water), an overview of DVC and the opportunities it offers.....and a take home DVC gift

We got hats, and although my husband wasn't thrilled with the "presentation" type event, he LOVED getting a hat! Also, one of the cast members traded pins with us, and gave us a pin that can only be obtained by trading with a CM, not for sale (each). I'm somewhat of a pin collector, I don't go crazy with them, but I do have what I consider to be alot - 100! so I was very happy with the trade only pin.

2) Dining outside at Big River Grille with their Pale Ale (yum!)
for the wonderful atmosphere!

3) Beaches and Cream (if you are with at least a few people!) for the kitchen sink! It's at Beach Club, an easy walk from BW.

4) Dessert from the Sweet Shoppe - yummy

5) Sitting on a bench in the morning with coffee, when it's quiet and pretty and makes you feel like you really are home. OMG I LOVE IT!

We've owned since 2000. We go as a family once a year, I go with DD or friends or cousins at least one other long weekend each year. Just got back a couple of weeks ago, it wasy FREEZING! Still, I can't wait to go back in June, and again in the fall, and again next year

We just love it there. Enjoy!

 

[tay72699]

We just love the atmosphere of the Boardwalk. Evenings are great with the entertainers and activities on the Boardwalk. Boardwalk Bakery is great for a quick snack...they even have sandwichs and wraps that combined with a side and a drink can be a counter service if you're on the DDP. They also have refillable mugs that can be refilled at the Bakery or Leaping Libations at the main pool. My DD loved to stroll down there in the morning for a bagel or pastry (they do have a small breakfast menu also).
ESPN also has an arcade...my DD spends more time in that one than the BWV arcade. Community Hall is great also.
Dining outside at Big River Grille is nice in the evening.

I could go on and on...we just love the Boardwalk!