BWV positives & negatives

[NYGoofy1889]

Just returned from a 5 day stay at a 2 bedroom BWV. Room was on first floor close to pool which was nice. Positives include the BW location, cleanliness of the room, friendliness of staff, boardwalk entertainment, and activities for kids. One small negative was the pool slide was under renovation. However, the major downside to BW is the lack of a food court or marketplace. We had 3 lunches and 1 dinner unplanned and the only real option was pizza and the BW deli. The deli options were not great and one can only eat pizza so many times. The one night we didn't plan a sit down dinner, we went to the boardwalk and all the restaurants were booked and the Big River Grille told us it was a 90 minute wait. We walked to BW pizza and was told it would be a 45 minute wait for a slice of pizza!! I almost wish the former ESPN club was being transformed into a food court or marketplace. We would have loved to get a burger or chicken fingers one night. I can't think of any other resort that does not have a food court option.

 

[CarolMN]

Did you by chance check out the Swan and Dolphin? We've never had an issue getting into the Fountain over at the Dolphin. It's a hamburger/ice cream place with good food and they give DVC Members a discount. We also like Picabu - that's a combination cafeteria/snack place. Lots of options & no reservations needed. They also give DVC Members a discount.

 

[NYGoofy1889]

That is good to know for next time. Thank you. I didn't think of heading over that way. It was rough living on pizza. Even the booth that used to sell BW hot dogs now only sells drinks and snacks.

 

[RoseGold]

You can join the walk-up list at YC. That's a solid choice.

 

[Pinnochio]

You can join the walk-up list at YC. That's a solid choice.

what is this??

 

[CarolMN]

Probably means Ale & Compass.

 

[gregoryccc]

Any word on when the slide reopens?

 

[Sammie]

I like the Marketplace at both Beach and Yacht but I like the menu at BW Deli so it was not an issue for me. I don't eat fried food. You usually have to go to a bar to get burgers and such at those places.

 

[vacay77]

Did you by chance check out the Swan and Dolphin? We've never had an issue getting into the Fountain over at the Dolphin. It's a hamburger/ice cream place with good food and they give DVC Members a discount. We also like Picabu - that's a combination cafeteria/snack place. Lots of options & no reservations needed. They also give DVC Members a discount.

Thank you for the tips!

 

[vacay77]

Any word on when the slide reopens?

Wondering about this, too. We will be there in one week and one of the reasons I booked it (besides the low points chart and the location) is because of the slide for my son. We have one day that we are taking a break from the parks and the slide looked/sounded like a lot of fun. Now I'm worried that it won't be open by the time we get there.

 

[Bmramaut]

We stayed at BW recently. Huge storm developed at HS and we had to boogie quick (with the rest of the crowds too as it was essentially closing time). The boats and skyliner were not running due to the lightning. We ran back to BW and beat the rain! Huge pro in my opinion!

 

[c@tk!ng]

Just returned from a 5 day stay at a 2 bedroom BWV. Room was on first floor close to pool which was nice. Positives include the BW location, cleanliness of the room, friendliness of staff, boardwalk entertainment, and activities for kids. One small negative was the pool slide was under renovation. However, the major downside to BW is the lack of a food court or marketplace. We had 3 lunches and 1 dinner unplanned and the only real option was pizza and the BW deli. The deli options were not great and one can only eat pizza so many times. The one night we didn't plan a sit down dinner, we went to the boardwalk and all the restaurants were booked and the Big River Grille told us it was a 90 minute wait. We walked to BW pizza and was told it would be a 45 minute wait for a slice of pizza!! I almost wish the former ESPN club was being transformed into a food court or marketplace. We would have loved to get a burger or chicken fingers one night. I can't think of any other resort that does not have a food court option.

I think Disney should take a chunk out of Big River Grille and turn it into a Bobs Burger quick service restaurant.
It would fit perfectly on the boardwalk and help with the lack of non sit down options there

 

[matt and beth]

Boardwalk pool bar has food as well. Our last three stays were at BCV, AKL, and BWV. Honestly… none of them are amazing or over the top. Mara is okay, BCV market place isn’t memorable at all, Hurricane Hannah’s was meh at best, and BWV has the pizza, deli, and pool bar. Stay somewhere with options and enjoy yourself. If staying at Swan, Dolphin, BWV, BCV, and YC enjoy all the opportunities and find what suites you and your family best. You can find me sneaking into Beaches and Cream with a kitchen sink.

 

[vacay77]

Does anyone think it’s worth it for me to put in a room request? This is the first time we will be staying at the Boardwalk - we have the standard studio view. The last time I put in a room request at VGC, it was a dud so I’m not sure if it even matters.

 

[CarolMN]

Does anyone think it’s worth it for me to put in a room request? This is the first time we will be staying at the Boardwalk - we have the standard studio view. The last time I put in a room request at VGC, it was a dud so I’m not sure if it even matters.

My advice is to request a dedicated studio, across from the bus stop. Dedicated studios do not have a connecting door to a 1 bedroom and are therefore more likely to be quieter than a lock off unit. Also, know that most all noise at the BWV comes from the hallways (unless you are unlucky enough to get very inconsiderate neighbors). Rooms closer to the elevators will be more convenient, but also noisier due to the guests traveling to and from. Rooms farther from the elevators are quieter for that reason and also tend to have better views. If your party can do stairs, you'll probably be happier with a room closer to the door across from the bus stop. These rooms are about midway between EPCOT and DHS if you walk rather than boat. .If you get a higher floor, you may have a view of the higher level fireworks from EPCOT. You will have a view of the Skyliner in the distance, from pretty much any standard view villa.

We can always find something to like about our standard view rom assignment, even if we don't get our request. We almost always stay standard view, but in 1 Bedrooms.

Enjoy!

 

[vacay77]

My advice is to request a dedicated studio, across from the bus stop. Dedicated studios do not have a connecting door to a 1 bedroom and are therefore more likely to be quieter than a lock off unit. Also, know that most all noise at the BWV comes from the hallways (unless you are unlucky enough to get very inconsiderate neighbors). Rooms closer to the elevators will be more convenient, but also noisier due to the guests traveling to and from. Rooms farther from the elevators are quieter for that reason and also tend to have better views. If your party can do stairs, you'll probably be happier with a room closer to the door across from the bus stop. These rooms are about midway between EPCOT and DHS if you walk rather than boat. .If you get a higher floor, you may have a view of the higher level fireworks from EPCOT. You will have a view of the Skyliner in the distance, from pretty much any standard view villa.

We can always find something to like about our standard view rom assignment, even if we don't get our request. We almost always stay standard view, but in 1 Bedrooms.

Enjoy!

Thank you!!

 

[dwg]

BWV has been our home resort for over 20 years. We love the resort and not having a food court is not really a negative for us. I understand it is designed that way because of the boardwalk feature. In addition to what is on the boardwalk there is always the BC/YC and Swan/Dolphin within a short walk. Also now that there is the sjyliner. You could always walk over to the skyline in front of EPCOT and visit Riviera. We did that on our last visit to BW and ate at the Riviera quick service which turned out to be no big deal.

We do miss the ESPN Club. Personally I do not know what the executives were thinking when they replaced the ESPN club with a "Deli" which has limited sandwhich selections and nothing like an East Coast Deli. It is Deli in name only. More likely to visit the Deli for the baked goods in the morning. Also we have no interest in The Cake Bake Shop which seems to be very expensive based on their menu from other locations. Probably even more expensive in Disney.

 

[Bucketfoot]

Frankly we just used the close proximity to head over to EPCOT to grab something to eat. That said, we were there during the Food & Wine Festival.

 

[Sammie]

BWV has been our home resort for over 20 years. We love the resort and not having a food court is not really a negative for us. I understand it is designed that way because of the boardwalk feature. In addition to what is on the boardwalk there is always the BC/YC and Swan/Dolphin within a short walk. Also now that there is the sjyliner. You could always walk over to the skyline in front of EPCOT and visit Riviera. We did that on our last visit to BW and ate at the Riviera quick service which turned out to be no big deal.

We do miss the ESPN Club. Personally I do not know what the executives were thinking when they replaced the ESPN club with a "Deli" which has limited sandwhich selections and nothing like an East Coast Deli. It is Deli in name only. More likely to visit the Deli for the baked goods in the morning. Also we have no interest in The Cake Bake Shop which seems to be very expensive based on their menu from other locations. Probably even more expensive in Disney.

The Deli did not replace ESPN club, the Cake Bake shop is replacing ESPN club.

 

[dwg]

The Deli did not replace ESPN club, the Cake Bake shop is replacing ESPN club.

Yes, you are correct. I misspoke. The deli replaced Ample Hill Ice Cream which was next to the ESPN club.