BWI views and locations

[JungleMansion]

My 14 year old DD and I are thinking about staying at BWI and simply can't decide between a water view or a garden view. Is the water view noisy at night after a long day at the parks? Are you missing out by staying garden view, or does it have its advantages as well? How is the bus ride from the BWI to the Magic Kingdom? We love that park and would hate to hold back on going there because of the hassle. Do you think that splitting it up between the BWI and a Magic Kingdom resort would be better? Thanks so much for any advice you can give!

 

[Janet2k]

I have stayed in the BoardWalk Inn and the BoardWalk Villas. The BoardWalk is my second favorite resort. I have had boardwalk views, pool views, and garden views. The noisiest views were the boardwalk and pool views, but noise doesn't bother me, so both of those views were just fine. However, noise does bother my parents, and they found the boardwalk view a little too much to their liking.

Please go here to the Dreams Unlimited Travel's "BoardWalk Villas" Webpage and Dreams Unlimited Travels' "BoardWalk Inn" Webpage. I gave you both of those links since those two resorts are sister-resorts and I want to make sure that you know everything about that combined resort location.

 

[Janet2k]

Okay, taking the bus from the BoardWalk to the Magic Kingdom is a piece of cake. I can't remember how long it takes, maybe 15 minutes (someone here will probably post more accurate info about the time).

 

[Janet2k]

I just checked the "driving distances" chart that is found here on the Dis. It states that it is 6 miles from the BoardWalk to the Magic Kingdom. Here's the chart.

 

[wdwfan]

We love staying at the BWI! We have tried both the garden view and the boardwalk view. The boardwalk view can be noisy with the water taxi horns (all day and in the evening) and people noise, the garden view was peaceful and absolutely silent. It really will depend on what you like. Next time, we'll go for the garden view because we like the quiet at night. Have a great time! You'll love the Boardwalk Inn no matter which view you choose!

 

[JungleMansion]

Thank you so much for your replies. We're new to posting on the boards but have always read them for great advice. We have stayed at Disney many times and have tried CBR, GF, BC, AKL & almost always the Poly. I'm making this trip with my youngest DD as our oldest DD is completing her 7 month College Program in August & we didn't want her to have to leave Disney right away or travel home alone. I'm sure it won't be easy for her to leave. Sounds like a Boardwalk view would be fun & the bus ride sounds great, just didn't want to disappoint my youngest by spending too much time getting around. She's looking forward to our first trip alone & has a very full schedule planned!

 

[vicb]

We had our first stay at the BWI this past Feb. and since it was our first we really wanted a BWview room. We were glad we did as we enjoyed the atmosphere of overlooking the BW at night. The french doors were surprisingly sound proof and noise was not an issue at all for us. That said, next trip we plan to stay in a standard room solely to save $$. In Feb. we were there during value season and thus felt we could splurge on the BW view but next trip will be regular season so we'll go for a standard room.

We took the bus to MK several times on that trip and getting there was no problem as BWI was the last stop before going straight to the MK. But coming back it was the last after S/D, Y/BC so we learned to get off at S/D and do the short walk to BW, saved a lot of bus time.

Have a great trip. The BWI is a wondrful resort!

 

[DeeP]

I am a DVC member with my home resort at BWV and I absolutely love this resort. The boardwalk views are beautiful at night time it is so nice to sit on the balcony and look at the water, the lights, the people on the boardwalk, etc it is truly a top notch vacation resort. Once you close the doors you will not be disturbed by any noise outside and also by 11:00 PM pretty much everything will be closed on the boardwalk except Jellyrolls (which is fantastic place BTW) and Atlantic Dance Club. The bus service to MK and AKL is wonderful from the Boardwalk but as another poster said on the way back get off at the Swan stop and just walk over the bridge it is much faster than waiting for the Boardwalk stop. Enjoy!!!

 

[drusba]

There is a little unclarity. Water view might not necessarily mean boardwalk view (which would also be of the lake). If you want boardwalk view ask for it. Note the garden view is actually very nice as the area there is very well done (in fact there are a number of "garden suites" -- 1BR units -- on the ground floor that all have their own gardens. I don't think you will be disappointed by either. The bus is fast to MK and slower coming back. It is shared with YC/BC (and depending on when you go also with Swan/Dolphin). BW is the last stop when going to MK and thus a direct shot to MK (about 15 minutes); it is the last stop coming back and thus you stop at the other resorts first and time coming back can go to 30 to 35 minutes.

 

[vicb]

Drusba is right, when I booked our room CRO said a waterview could be of the quiet pool (at the Inn side of the resort) or the BW/Cresent Lake. If you specifically want a Boardwalk view you can request one. I was never clear if the price would have been the same for a view of the quiet pool or BW/Cresent Lk. Does anyone know for sure?

Next time I was thinking of requesting a standard room, upper floor with an Epcot view... does that sound like the right wording??? I don't really want a standard view of the parking lot if it can be avoided.