BWI - water view worth it?

[FosterLovesMickey]

Hi! I'm doing a 2 night stay at BWI in April (split stay between BWI and CSR), and I'm currently booked in a standard room - but, with my AP discount, I can upgrade to water view for $209. This is my first time staying at BWI and I'm wondering if it is worth the extra $$.

Thanks!!

 

[BK2014]

You might ask your question in the dedicated BWI/BWV thread. The likely answer is it depends on how much time you spend in your room, on your balcony etc. We had a pool view last time, and our next trip we are staying in a Boardwalk view. We don't spend an incredible amount of time on our balcony, but it will be nice in the mornings and evening.

 

[rosiebean]

I can't talk about BWI, but last December, my family had a water view at BC that was amazing. The water view, even with a UOC, was a splurge for us. But it was absolutely amazing to sit and gaze at the view in the morning and during afternoon cocktail hour and even at night (even if we didn't have a full balcony, lol).

So if it's in your budget and you enjoy occasional down time in your room, go for it.

One thing I have heard, though, is that some rooms overlooking the boardwalk at BWI can be noisy if they're close to restaurants, bars, etc. below...but others who have stayed there can speak to that more than I can .

 

[xlsm]

We had a water view room in December. The view was beautiful, but the room was loud from the Boardwalk below (we were also right next to ESPN Club so that didn't help matters). It was our first time staying there after wanting to for a long time. It didn't end up being our favorite. If we ever stayed there again we'd book garden view and close to lobby.

But, the view really is something special.

 

[rwdavis2]

I would be more interested in getting a room closer to the lobby than a water view.

 

[FosterLovesMickey]

Thanks, everyone!

 

[sfbank]

We love our Boardwalk view. Would not stay anywhere else. It is our happy place.

 

[pixarmom]

I've stayed at BWI five times - three water view and two garden. I've never actually paid extra for a water view at BWI - we've either received a "luck of the draw" water view room when staying CL before they made boardwalk view a bookable category OR just received a complimentary surprise upgrade to water. I used to prefer water, but now I'm not sure.

Water: Boardwalk is lively and fun to watch. I like the music in the evenings and the sound of the boat horn. On the one occasion that the boardwalk partiers were out late, I was with a friend and attending a conference, so it was highly entertaining and not the least bit irritating. On a family trip, I may have felt differently. It's a nice view, but I'd rather save the $ to apply toward a better view on a non-Disney vacation.

Garden: Peaceful. Very serene. Great for race weekends when I need to get to sleep early. Great value because the view is quite nice for the price. When at Disney, my husband prefers a view that helps him to forget that he's at Disney. Garden view accomplishes that. Water view does not.

We do care about view, and we pay extra for a better view at some resorts - we pay for pool view at AKL (savannah once for the kids, but I still prefer pool.) We pay for courtyard view at WL. We pay for garden at BC and YC. But the standard views at BWI are usually nice enough that it's not worth the additional $ to upgrade. We feel the same about bay lake view at CR, standard at GF and standard at Poly - the basics are so good that we can't justify the $ for the upgrade.

 

[FosterLovesMickey]

I've stayed at BWI five times - three water view and two garden. I've never actually paid extra for a water view at BWI - we've either received a "luck of the draw" water view room when staying CL before they made boardwalk view a bookable category OR just received a complimentary surprise upgrade to water. I used to prefer water, but now I'm not sure.

Water: Boardwalk is lively and fun to watch. I like the music in the evenings and the sound of the boat horn. On the one occasion that the boardwalk partiers were out late, I was with a friend and attending a conference, so it was highly entertaining and not the least bit irritating. On a family trip, I may have felt differently. It's a nice view, but I'd rather save the $ to apply toward a better view on a non-Disney vacation.

Garden: Peaceful. Very serene. Great for race weekends when I need to get to sleep early. Great value because the view is quite nice for the price. When at Disney, my husband prefers a view that helps him to forget that he's at Disney. Garden view accomplishes that. Water view does not.

We do care about view, and we pay extra for a better view at some resorts - we pay for pool view at AKL (savannah once for the kids, but I still prefer pool.) We pay for courtyard view at WL. We pay for garden at BC and YC. But the standard views at BWI are usually nice enough that it's not worth the additional $ to upgrade. We feel the same about bay lake view at CR, standard at GF and standard at Poly - the basics are so good that we can't justify the $ for the upgrade.

Thanks for the very thoughtful, and information filled, response!! I'm really leaning toward NOT upgrading. Because of looking at some of the views from the 'standard' rooms on tour plans (as you said - very nice views!!).

Thanks!!

 

[AngiTN]

It is to us. Staying at BWI and having a water view is equal to staying at AKL and having a Savannah view. I won't bother staying at either without the view. It's that important to us for those particular resorts.

 

[Harambe]

We loved our Boardwalk/water view. Beautiful! Loved sitting out on the balcony at night to people watch, and in the morning it was a wonderful view to have while drinking coffee. But if you don't use your balcony, I don't know if it'd be worth the $$ for you.

 

[bluemoon9]

We are staying in a Boardwalk view room in December. Seeing those pictures and reading this thread is getting me even more excited! Whatever you decide it will be fabulous!

 

[Scott MC]

I'll agree, we love the Epcot resorts, but are only happy at BWI with a water view, whereas at BC/YC we're ok with standard or garden views.
Noise in BW was never a problem for us. I say go for it.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

No, not worth it! We always stay standard at BWI. Last time we were above the cottages with a view of the quiet pool. It was lovely. Save the $200!

 

[sfbank]

This is like the Seinfeld episode when Jerry is trying to decide on buying a suede jacket. He says he hears the dueling voices:
"But what about the money?"
"What's money?"
I am sure you will be happy whatever you decide. The Boardwalk is awesome all around.

 

[disnut8]

Our water view was of the canal and not of Crescent Lake. We loved the room but paying for the upgrade was nothing I would do again. I'd just do a request for something.

 

[loves to dive]

Is that per night or total? Personally, I never pay for a view as I've never really had a bad view at any of the deluxe resorts. I was at BWI last week with a standard view

 

[FosterLovesMickey]

Thanks, everyone. And, it is $200 in total (but, that is only 2 nights, so it is $100 more a night). I'm still trying to decide … these lovely pictures aren't helping!! hahaha