BWI Club Level Questions

[jaycns]

What do you think of the club level at BWI? How do you like the club level lounge itself? The food offerings? The pool? How is the IPO? Did you find the on site staff friendly?

We are currently booked at the WL in a deluxe concierge room but we could snag a better rate at BWI in a deluxe concierge room with the free dining offer. Both WL and BWI allow us to try out another WDW deluxe. It is my goal to stay at all of them. So far we have stayed at GF, CR, Poly and AKL. We enjoyed each of them but AKL and the CR are tied for the the top spot. The GF in the main building is not far behind. If any of you have stayed at the BWI and the GF, AKL or the CR, how do you think they compared?

Thanks for any input!

 

[tiger4me2]

What do you think of the club level at BWI? How do you like the club level lounge itself? The food offerings? The pool? How is the IPO? Did you find the on site staff friendly?

We are currently booked at the WL in a deluxe concierge room but we could snag a better rate at BWI in a deluxe concierge room with the free dining offer. Both WL and BWI allow us to try out another WDW deluxe. It is my goal to stay at all of them. So far we have stayed at GF, CR, Poly and AKL. We enjoyed each of them but AKL and the CR are tied for the the top spot. The GF in the main building is not far behind. If any of you have stayed at the BWI and the GF, AKL or the CR, how do you think they compared?

Thanks for any input!

The BWI Club level is great. The staff goes out of their way to make you happy. Food was good though I think they need more tables to sit at WL is good as well as the Yacht Club & the Poly. Trying the AKL this May so will get back. I didn't care for the GF main building nor would I ever stay there again too many problems (major) that wasn't solved nor even try to solve. Poor management on their part. Food was okay some like it but we didn't. Have fun trying each of them ! The deluxe room at BWI is facing the Boardwalk & a great view & on same floor as lounge where the deluxe room at WL is on different floors

 

[sfbank]

One word-AWESOME! I can't wait to be there next month again! The staff is great. They are the best! Just like another family to us-our home away from home!! Can't give you a comparison because we can't drag ourselves away from the Boardwalk to try anything else! We did try the Wilderness Lodge our second trip down and we were homesick for the Boardwalk. Did not stay Club Level though. You can't go wrong with the Boardwalk. Good luck on your decision!

 

[paladin]

Here's another thumbs up for the BWI club level We will be there again come December and can't wait. The staff is fantastic and the food offerings are very good (though it does get quite crowded at breakfast). We especially love going to the lounge for desert and cordials to watch Illuminations.

I can't comment on the pools; we never use them, though they look good. I have found the IPO to be very responsive and helpful. We just love the location of the BWI in general (we've stayed the the villas and the Inn) and staying club level is just the enhancement for us - we love it!

We have never stayed at any other club level, though we have stayed at other resorts. We have stayed at WL, though just in a standard room. We love WL (it's actually my DH's favorite), but we love the location at BWI since we can walk/boat to two parks.

 

[johnsonet]

Haven't stayed there in at least 3 years, but have stayed BWI CL twice and it was great.
Since you haven't tried the Epcot resort area yet, you should go for it! Especially if you're a big fan of World Showcase at Epcot Walking over there is a great perk

 

[hiwaygal]

It's been awhile since we stayed there but the BWI Club Level is awesome!!

We loved the food offerings at different times of the day (I couldn't get enough of that cappucino maker!) and "watching" Illuminations from their balcony while having dessert and wine

The staff was friendly and VERY VERY helpful. They really went the extra mile before and during our stay. I also remember them helping out another DISer while we were there.

The only "complaint" is that depending on where your room is located, it could be a bit of a walk to the lounge. If you can request a room on the 4th floor, I would recommend that.

 

[PoohBearFreak32]

My husband and I love the lounge at BWI. Staff is helpful and friendly and will go above and beyond to help. A bit crowded around breakfast but you can't beat the free food and not having to stop for food in the parks

 

[jaycns]

Thank you all so much! Do you have any pictures of a deluxe room at BWI? Do you have any pictures of the concierge lounge? Or anywhere else at BWI? From the responses here, I think I might just bite the bullet and switch. BWI was one of our top choices after we had narrowed our choices down earlier. The reason I steered away from BWI was I had read about "beat up" furnishings, walls, etc and moldy areas. I know it's FL and mold is at EVERY resort...but is it overly present at BWI?

THANKS!! You guys rock!!

 

[johnsonet]

Here is a pic from our 4th floor deluxe concierge room at BWI

Here is the "Deluxe" part - the sleeper couch and armoire with extra television

Here's a pic of the Concierge Lounge

 

[nascargirl]

BWI is the best place to be We are heading down in 5 short weeks and staying CL once again. We have stayed BC and there is no comparison. The staff go far and beyond the call of duty. They make you feel special and treat you like part of their family. We have become quite close with most of the staff up in the Club Level. The food comes from the ESPN, Spoodles, Flying Fish and the the Boardwalk Bakery. You will enjoy your trip their if you take the opportunity to switch you reservation.
While we have never used the big pool, the quiet pool is very relaxing. The Boardwalk offers nightly entertainment. you can walk or take the boart to Epcot or DHS. Rumor has it, the BWI will be going under a major refurb starting with the Lounge this coming July. Enjoy your trip

 

[Sazzo'sMommy]

Sazzo'sMommy says that the BWI CL is AWESOME! All aspects are wonderful...the lounge, the cast members, the IPO, the food, the location! You can't beat walking to EPCOT and DHS! We have stayed there three times on the CL! We are going for our 4th stay this fall for my 40th BDay! DH has been in constant contact with the IPO arranging all sorts of fun things!

We have only stayed in a standard room, but even they are huge!

Bite the bullet and stay BWI CL! I like it better than AKL CL!

Good Luck planning!

 

[AllyGirl_79]

We stayed 3 nights at the BWI concierge level in January - New Year's Day to Jan 4. This was my first concierge stay, and I picked the hotel because my mom wanted to use the Int'l Gateway entrance to Epcot. We loved everything about our stay!

I had booked a deluxe concierge room because I wanted the extra bed and the Boardwalk view. But I guess they overbooked, because a couple days before we got there, I got an email confimation that had me in a garden suite - lovely, but not what I wanted. Called the 800# and come to find out that they've given us two garden suites. I couldn't believe it! When we checked in, they sent someone to meet us at the door (must have called up from the gate). We had a wonderful and easy checkin, handed off our bags, and were off to Epcot. When we came back in the afternoon, we had cottages 1208 and 1209 - right by the quiet pool with beautiful gardens. So, my parents got one cottage and my brother and I took the other.

It was a little walk to the lounge, but we were very impressed with the food selection and the service. Scott was great! We ate breakfast there each day, and really enjoyed the hors d'oeuvres. It was lovely to finish the night with chocolate covered strawberries! We didn't make any out-of-the-ordinary requests, but every thing we could have wanted was provided.

The IPO were excellent before the trip, too. I got very timely emails, and they got every reservation I wanted, including dinner at Le Cellier and an Illuminations cruise on New Year's Day.

We're really MK-area people, but I would go back to the BWI in a heartbeat, particularly for CL!

 

[jaycns]

Johnsonet- Amazing pictures!! Thanks for sharing them!

BWI is the best place to be We are heading down in 5 short weeks and staying CL once again. We have stayed BC and there is no comparison. The staff go far and beyond the call of duty. They make you feel special and treat you like part of their family. We have become quite close with most of the staff up in the Club Level. The food comes from the ESPN, Spoodles, Flying Fish and the the Boardwalk Bakery. You will enjoy your trip their if you take the opportunity to switch you reservation.
While we have never used the big pool, the quiet pool is very relaxing. The Boardwalk offers nightly entertainment. you can walk or take the boart to Epcot or DHS. Rumor has it, the BWI will be going under a major refurb starting with the Lounge this coming July. Enjoy your trip

The whole major refurb can go either way in my book. It's either great cause you get a wonderful new room or it's a bummer due to inconvienences. Hmmm...thanks for letting me know that's in the rumor mill!

Sazzo'sMommy says that the BWI CL is AWESOME! All aspects are wonderful...the lounge, the cast members, the IPO, the food, the location! You can't beat walking to EPCOT and DHS! We have stayed there three times on the CL! We are going for our 4th stay this fall for my 40th BDay! DH has been in constant contact with the IPO arranging all sorts of fun things!

We have only stayed in a standard room, but even they are huge!

Bite the bullet and stay BWI CL! I like it better than AKL CL!

Good Luck planning!

WOW...that is high praise (better then AKL CL, I love it there)! Thanks for the input and say hi to Little Sazzo from my little "Stitch".

 

[jaycns]

We stayed 3 nights at the BWI concierge level in January - New Year's Day to Jan 4. This was my first concierge stay, and I picked the hotel because my mom wanted to use the Int'l Gateway entrance to Epcot. We loved everything about our stay!

I had booked a deluxe concierge room because I wanted the extra bed and the Boardwalk view. But I guess they overbooked, because a couple days before we got there, I got an email confimation that had me in a garden suite - lovely, but not what I wanted. Called the 800# and come to find out that they've given us two garden suites. I couldn't believe it! When we checked in, they sent someone to meet us at the door (must have called up from the gate). We had a wonderful and easy checkin, handed off our bags, and were off to Epcot. When we came back in the afternoon, we had cottages 1208 and 1209 - right by the quiet pool with beautiful gardens. So, my parents got one cottage and my brother and I took the other.

It was a little walk to the lounge, but we were very impressed with the food selection and the service. Scott was great! We ate breakfast there each day, and really enjoyed the hors d'oeuvres. It was lovely to finish the night with chocolate covered strawberries! We didn't make any out-of-the-ordinary requests, but every thing we could have wanted was provided.

The IPO were excellent before the trip, too. I got very timely emails, and they got every reservation I wanted, including dinner at Le Cellier and an Illuminations cruise on New Year's Day.

We're really MK-area people, but I would go back to the BWI in a heartbeat, particularly for CL!

Thanks for the feedback. Being MK-area people, did you miss being in one of those resorts? Incredible!! Two suites! Thanks again for your feedback!

 

[AllyGirl_79]

We really didn't miss it at all. We moved to the Poly when we checked out of the BWI, so we knew we'd have both, but I have to say I enjoyed the BWI so much I wouldn't have minded staying there for the whole trip!

My biggest worry was getting from there to the MK, as I'd heard bad things about the buses. We took the bus one evening because we wanted to take advantage of EMH at MK. It took a while, but was better than expected. I really didn't consider how long it would take to stop at the other resorts, but the bus ride wasn't that long. I was pleased, all in all.

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

Jay BWI is fantastic. It is tied with AKL for me and I know you love AKL. It is tough to choose between the two. Our room at the Inn and Villas were both immacualte. Never had mold issues or banged up furniture. I think it is tied for the best CL on Property with AKL so far. I did alot of research before we stayed there and 99% were great reviews.

 

[Dis Ohana]

LOVE BWI CL!! We stayed at BWI, GF and AKL CL on our last trip, BWI CL staff was by far the best. The staff is very helpful and friendly, they went out of their way to make our family feel a part of theirs.

Here's our comparison of the three resorts:
- We loved the BW area. It's awesome to be able to walk from the hotel to Epcot or MGM. I have two teenagers and they always found something fun going on at the boardwalk.
- Food offerings and the lounge at BWI was better than AKL. Food is brought in from Spoodles, FF and ESPN. The lounge area is comfortable but we ended up taking our food back to our rooms several times for lack of tables in the lounge. We enjoyed watching Illuminations from the balcony. We preferred the selection and lounge area at the GF.
- Pool was great. We preferred the BWI pool to the GF, didn't go to the AKL pool so I can't comment on that. I thought everyone would hate the clown face (we all suffer from clown-a-phobia ) but the slide was a lot of fun.
- IPO at AKL was far superior to GF or BWI. AKL IPO planned the entire trip for us.
- BWI staff is THE BEST! GF staff was very efficient and accomodating, but you definitely feel like you're a guest in their hotel. At BWI I felt like I was visiting family, and whatever you asked of them was really no problem. The whole attitude of the staff really made the trip for us.

I'd say you can't go wrong. Have a wonderful vacation, wherever you end up!

 

[donaldndaisy]

I would go for it We stayed at BWI-CL, a few times, including during the NY holiday. The staff was wonderful!! First off, they managed to get us ADR's at CRT, for dinner, within 24 hours. Then, we were stuck in traffic, with only 1 hour before our ADR, in Magic Kingdom. I, immediately, called the concierge lounge and explained and they took care of everything. By the time we arrived at the BW, we told them we were checking in to concierge, gave them our name and in, literally, 3-5 seconds they were whisking us away to our room. I went to the Concierge Desk and gave them my name, they ALREADY has us checked-in, just needed our id As one checked us in, another called over to CRT, to let them know we were coming over. I don't know what they said, but when we arrived at the check-in podium at CRT, we were told our table was ready and that they were already notified of our arrival

I will love that concierge staff, forever Also, the lounge is really comfortable. The staff was really laid back and great to talk to. I spent a lot of time, just hanging out and having great conversation with them. I felt like I was at home

The only weird thing...was a lot of the other guests seemed a little
snooty . I don't know if this was their true personalities or if they were just really feeling important, but when people stay concierge and they seem to be a little on the "snoot" side, it really gets under my skin.

 

[tiger4me2]

we had cottages 1208 and 1209 - right by the quiet pool with beautiful gardens. So, my parents got one cottage and my brother and I took the other.

AllyGirl_79
What was the laout of these cottages? the loft view or enclosed main bedroom. We are staying there in September & want one in a quiet area. Thanks !

 

[wildirishrose]

Thanks for the info everyone, I was going to post a question about a similiar topic and all you wonderfull pp answered my question as well. I guess I wil keep my club level BWI ressie instead of switching to the Poly