BWI - Buyers remorse

[mouserrificmom]

I booked the BWI with the summer discount....I really wanted the Poly, but the only rooms available for my dates were Club Level TPV which was MORE expensive than a standard at Rack Rate.....my 2nd choice would be Beach Club, but alas there are absolutely NO ROOMS available, discounted or not for our dates
(8/12 - 8/20) . . . I got what I think is a good deal at BWI but I am feeling a little buyers remorse. Please sell me on the Boardwalk! I was looking around at some of the other resorts, and I can get a Preferred Room at CSR for more than 1k less than what I am paying at the Boardwalk . . . and was assured that the construction happening there is far from the preferred area of the resort so shouldn't affect a stay at all.

The cost really isn't the only factor here - I have budgeted for and can pay for the Boardwalk, I am just worried because it isn't a resort I ever really wanted to stay at - and so close to the Beach Club that I adore that I may be disappointed and the kids really wouldn't know the difference. Please tell me it will be totally worth it to stay there!! I am sitting on the reservation until the AP discounts are released, but I am totally expecting that nothing will be available with the AP at either Poly or Beach Club.

 

[jenjersnap]

I am following. I am trying to get enthused about BWI too. Our dates are similar...I booked the free dining bounceback back in October and neither of our preferred YC&BC were available with the discount. We have spent at least part of our stay at either YC or BC every year since 2006. I imagine my kids staring longingly across the lagoon at Stormalong Bay, their favorite thing in all of Disney, LOL. We have water parks & more, hoping that will cool the pain.

That said, we always spend a lot of time strolling the BW and often walk over to grab breakfast from BWB. We love the public spaces of the BWI. The convenience of any Epcot resort is highly valued by my family (which is why we chose it, ultimately). I am excited about the new character breakfast at Trattoria Al Forno. I am hoping this will be a new place for us to love.

Good luck with your decision. CBR has never appealed to me even before the construction, but $1k is a lotta Dole Whips.

 

[soniam]

I just cancelled a reservation at CSR for early August. I had already booked a good bounce back rate at AKL. Once I found out about the construction at CSR and CBR, those resorts came off the table. We experienced some of the construction at Poly. It was awful. There's a current thread about construction at YC. I would read that before I decided to stay at CSR. I just don't know if you can guarantee that the construction won't affect you. Plus, you can view it as staying at a place you have never stayed before. Eventually, you can say you have stayed everywhere.

I also was wanting to stay at Yacht Club for my birthday trip in November for the Wine & Dine run. I never could get a room for the entire trip. I was able to get Beach Club though. So after hearing about the construction at Yacht Club, I decided that I would risk not getting a balcony and stay at BC.

 

[siestakeys04]

Is there something specific you are worried about like location or the theming/pool or restaurants?

 

[auntfrannie]

I love BWI! Its location is perfect for Epcot and Hollywood Studios. I like the theming and think the lobby is beautiful. I enjoy sitting outside on the comfy wicker chairs looking out over the boardwalk. I love the Poly as well but I would go with BWI with a better price every time.

 

[GPC0321]

Take this with an entire bag of salt since I've never stayed at either, but on "paper" the only thing I see about Beach/Yacht that is better than Boardwalk is Stormalong Bay. And I know that IS a huge draw, and rightfully so.

Boardwalk is adorable to me though. I love the theme of the place and the fact that there is entertainment, etc.

But yeah, as someone else said, if you're used to that awesome pool and have to settle for the clown pool (eek!), I can understand that being a bit of a downer.

I wouldn't go to CSR over it though. CSR is the only resort on property I've stayed at thus far (only two on-property stays), and I love it and have a soft spot for it, but the location and "deluxeness" of the Boardwalk still make it a better choice if it's already in the budget, IMO.

 

[rn448698]

For what it's worth, we've stayed at multiple resorts (see my signature) and we're going to be at BWI this April/May for the first time. We'e booked stays at BWI a couple of times before, only to later move to a different resort when we've been able to get AP or last minute discounts.

We're excited about our upcoming stay at BWI for a handful of reasons. We're excited to be within walking distance of both Epcot and DHS. We've enjoyed our stays at BC/YC, but DHS was always just a little too far away. We've also heard great things about the CL at BWI, so we're excited to try that. We've also had horrible, horrible service at BC CL (actually got many hundreds of dollars refunded without asking), so we're probably never going back there. We also experienced a Saturday afternoon at Stormalong Bay and decided we'll never subject ourselves to that again. Would I love to stay at Poly, GF, of the Contemporary? Yes, but I have a hard time stomaching the price.

That said, our best service has been at POR, POFQ, and CS. At these resort, we've personally experienced the friendliest CMs and best service at check-in/stores/restaurants, with our last trip at POFQ as an exception (bad CMs at the QS). We're not super fans of the pool location at CS, but it wouldn't be a deal breaker for us.

Without knowing the parks you visit the most or whether you spend a lot of time at the resorts, only you can can determine whether $1k is worth it to you. You also haven't said whether you've stayed at CS before. $1k can pay for a lot of experiences at WDW if you're not sold on the hotel. Generally speaking, I would save the money if you're not sold on BWI.

 

[Sandi]

BWI is my resort of choice. We love it for a number of reasons -- stayed there 3 times last year and are heading back in May and December this year. That said, you're going in with an attitude that will be tough to overcome if you have your heart set on BC. Not every resort appeals to every person. Stay where you think you'll be happy and you're more likely to be happy. If I couldn't get a room at BWI or Poly, I think I'd choose POFQ as that is my next favorite.

 

[Scott MC]

No worries staying at BWI! It's a favorite of ours. If I'm being brutally honest, yes, our favorites are BC/YC, but we'd be delighted to stay at BWI if those weren't available or in the budget. The seaside theme carries over, it's more elegant feeling than BC, and on par with YC, and Flying Fish is our favorite restaurant on property. What I also like is that the majority of standard views are of a lovely garden area, and many can see some of the Illuminations fireworks, whereas the vast majority of BC/YC standard views are of parking lots or rooftops. I also believe that all but about 4 rooms at BWI have a full balcony or patio. There are plenty of food and drink options, the BW is lively and beautifully lit at night, and we really love the pool as a 1st runner up to SAB. The slide is my favorite at WDW!

I think you'll be fine. Give it a chance!

 

[kiford]

I love the BWI. It's my favourite (BC is second, GF is third). The location is great with easy proximity to Epcot, lots of restaurants (Boardwalk, Y&BC, Epcot, S&D) and close to HS. I like that it's quieter than BC because fewer children - at least it seems that way to me. For some reason, although I like the BC and there are some decor simlarities, the BWI just appeals to me more aesthetically. One time we got a king room on the ground floor looking into the rose garden. The room was a little smaller but the doors opened onto a patio with table and chairs and it was a short walk from there to the quiet pool where no one ever seemed to be but us. If you have a room up higher you can get one that faces Epcot and watch a good portion of the fireworks from the balcony or window. DH likes to ask for those rooms - I think they're just standard rooms. We'd go into the lounge for a drink in the evening. Practically unoccupied so nice and quiet. I don't know why, but I just felt so enveloped in the atmosphere of the hotel like I wasn't in a theme park resort but really like I was seaside somewhere. Even more than with the BC. Probably because of the quiet environment. But BC/YC/BWI can't be beat for location.

 

[mouserrificmom]

Thank you everyone for your insights! We have NOT ever stayed at BWI .... and we LOVE Beach Club. My girls are huge Magic Kingdom lovers (hence the reason I REALLY wanted the Poly and MIGHT even swallow the rack rate prices as this is a "girls only" trip......) but they also love DHS, which is why when I couldn't get Beach I settled on BWI. Swan/Dolphin really don't appeal to me - and honestly Magical Express is one of the girls favorite things when we land to get ready to hit the parks!

We do have reservations for the new breakfast at Trattoria, so the convenience of being THISCLOSE to the restaurant is very appealing, especially since it is early and we would have some hurdles getting there on time without staying in the Epcot area.....

We have never stayed at Coronado Springs either - but we do love Port Orleans Riverside. We have stayed at Caribbean Beach and thought it was OK. Definitely prefer POR to CBR.....

Is there something specific you are worried about like location or the theming/pool or restaurants?

The girls LOVE Stormalong Bay....and have only ever seen photos of the "Clown Pool" at BWI and it creeps them out. I know that is really a silly reason not to stay somewhere.....The location is terrific - Beach Club is one of our favorite places on property. We actually visit the Jersey Shore and Atlantic City every summer, so I do think the girls will enjoy the theming....I think I am just overthinking things.

 

[mouserrificmom]

OK all, I just watched a few videos on YouTube about the Boardwalk and am definitely feeling better about it. . . .I am going to stop being a negative Nancy and LOVE IT!

 

[Tonyz]

I stayed at the Boardwalk Inn last year for the first time and fell in love with it.

I was a Beach Club person too. Adored that place and didn't think the Boardwalk would be as good. I was wrong... because I actually like Boardwalk better (BC is still incredible of course).

It is perfect. 10 minute walk to Epcot, 10 minute boat ride to HS. Beautiful scenery... the place is absolutely gorgeous. Great dining options, great nighttime entertainment at Jelly Rolls and the street performers. A nice bar and lounge. It's spectacular. You will feel totally and completely relaxed and happy there.

I just booked a split stay at The Poly and AKL for September. The Poly has been a dream to stay at for a while and AKL is my favorite place on earth. But before I booked I thought long and hard about just going back to the Boardwalk instead. That's how good it was.

You're gonna love it. I guarantee it.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I love the Boardwalk Inn Resort. It reminds me of staying with my Grandparents at their house next to the beach in Ortley Beach NJ and going to Seaside Heights with them all the time. I have such fond memories of those years.

The main pool is fun and I really love the decor in the room. Walking to Epcot and a boat to DHS or walk there as well is wonderful.

 

[monorailmom]

We love the Boardwalk...enough so that we are DVC and added on points there. Things we love: proximity to Epcot, of course, is the primary reason! Being able to walk or boat to DHS is also a huge, huge plus. I know people like to complain about the clown pool, but our pool loving DS will tell you it's one of the best on property. My DH and I can attest to the great bartenders at the pool bar, too! We love afternoons at the pool, relaxing and enjoying the pool games in the afternoon even though we aren't playing haha. The Boardwalk at night is just beautiful, be sure to go for a walk and take it all in. There will be entertainers like magicians and jugglers in the early evenings. The view of the lake in the morning as you walk to Epcot is just awesome. One of our favorites is on a beautiful day to get pizza from the pizza window and enjoy one of the outdoor tables by the water watching the boats go by. It's just perfect.

Enjoy your stay! Let us know how it goes!

 

[Micca]

BWI is very nice! We've stayed there as hotel guests and as DVC members and we'd happily return at any time (especially if we're spending a lot of time at Epcot like during F&W.) Give it a shot, at the very least it's a deluxe at WDW

 

[mouserrificmom]

Thank you for all of the positive reviews and information! I am definitely getting excited now....it really helps to hear perspectives from people who love it!

 

[danikoski]

Just as an FYI, Beach Club is available for 8/16-8/20...You could possibly do a split stay...

 

[karm12]

Keep trying, rooms become open all the time. I just cancelled a standard view Poly room for May.

 

[100acreHiker]

We have stayed at 5 deluxe resorts and BWI is our absolute favorite, tied only with Grand Floridian. While we liked BC, it wasn't great! It was pretty good! BWI was and is great! Most rooms at BC don't have balconies, and most at BWI do, so that's a huge plus. The views are generally much better, too. Transportation was way better! Food and entertainment was better! Love the Boardwalk Bakery, Trattoria al Forno. We liked the rooms more. The pool (I know not everyone loves the clown) was less crazy and wild and crowded, by far. My kids and my husband all feel it's our favorite. While we love the GF, we don't go to MK that much anymore, so BWI really makes sense for us, and we really feel happy there.