(CLOSED) Disney's BOARDWALK INN and VILLAS Information Thread ~2012~

[ClareH37]

I was soooo tempted by the CR CL to tag on a couple of nights for my December stay, the walk to the MK really appeals and I love the look of the rooms, but I'm afraid my trusty old friend the BWI CL won out - only booked it earlier this week and on Wednesday I had a lovely 'welcome back' email from the IPO - not only are the BWI CMs the best but the YC/BC/BWI IPO are right up there too, they're also like family.

Purposely doing a split stay this time, first part non CL as I'm on the dxdp and doing lots of tours so will be spending more time out of the resort than in it, but my last couple of days will be spent relaxing and catching up with friends, so BWI here I come

Now, here's my question ..... although I've stayed at the BWI CL for the past few years I've never taken the 'secret' staircase, can you actually walk down to the gardens from the 4th floor as opposed to taking the elevators?

 

[WDWKOOK]

We stayed at BWV from Jan 17-23 and had a wonderful time. We had a Grand Gathering so had 24 of us in in 6 rooms. Everyone was happy with the rooms! Our 2 bedroom and SIL's 2 bedroom were next to each other on the 4th floor overlooking the quiet pool and community hall. We could see Tower of Terror. We used the community hall so much this trip!Just used the stairwell down from our room to pop right out by there. We got DVDs everyday and the kids played Foosball, air hockey and an old arcade game all for free! They all colored and for $1 made buttons. We did the Mickey tie dye shirts one day and they turned out great, the best part was all the mess stayed at Disney! The kids all loved the pools! One BIL had a studio overlooking the green common area on the Boardwalk, not sure what to call that area, but it had a HUGE balcony!! It was like half the size of the room! The CMs were wonderful everywhere! We loved the enertainment on the Boardwalk at night! Great place to stay!

24?! 6 rooms?! WOW! Sounds like you had a wonderful GG! Just curious, how many tables were you seated at when you ate at a restaurant?

subscribing!

Nice to have you around, Missy Mousie!

Just want to say how thrilled I am to see so much activity on the BWI/BWV thread!

I'm thrilled, too and welcome to the new thread, jujube!

Great job on the new thread!!

We are super excited about our 1st stay at BWI (Dlx CL) in Dec for 9 nts

Thank you and welcome, debrapagliasotti! I hope you'll post a TR after your trip and congratulations on booking the Deluxe Room

Thank you SO MUCH for posting this!!!
My fiancé and I are starting out our honeymoon at the Boardwalk Villas, then we will be whisked away on the Dream, and then we will finish off our adventure at Wilderness Lodge. Your hard work on both is much appreciated...

Congratulations on your upcoming marriage, lovenerds81112! I'm so glad you've found the threads useful and of course, I think you're chosen two wonderful resorts for your honeymoon. Best wishes to you and your soon-to-be DH

I was soooo tempted by the CR CL to tag on a couple of nights for my December stay, the walk to the MK really appeals and I love the look of the rooms, but I'm afraid my trusty old friend the BWI CL won out - only booked it earlier this week and on Wednesday I had a lovely 'welcome back' email from the IPO - not only are the BWI CMs the best but the YC/BC/BWI IPO are right up there too, they're also like family.

Purposely doing a split stay this time, first part non CL as I'm on the dxdp and doing lots of tours so will be spending more time out of the resort than in it, but my last couple of days will be spent relaxing and catching up with friends, so BWI here I come

Now, here's my question ..... although I've stayed at the BWI CL for the past few years I've never taken the 'secret' staircase, can you actually walk down to the gardens from the 4th floor as opposed to taking the elevators?

Oh, I was peeking at the Atrium Club, too Clare, so I know what you mean. That Tower, Bay Lake and the walkway are always calling to me. I even love the rooms! But, you went with BWI and the great level of CL service and I think you made the right decision. The CR, IMHO, just doesn't excel in customer service and making the (repeat) guest feel "at home."

I know you'll have a great trip and I'll bet you'll even get "your" favorite room

 

[sto6917]

Hello! Is there a map if BWV with room numbers? I'd like to see where the 2 bedroom lock off rooms are located. Thanks WDW Kook for all of this great info!!

 

[tree320]

24?! 6 rooms?! WOW! Sounds like you had a wonderful GG! Just curious, how many tables were you seated at when you ate at a restaurant?

It was wonderful! I think we really only got one TS meal with all of us at once and that was Germany and we took up a whole raised sections at the back. At other times we could take up 3-4 long tables or a bunch of small ones at CS places. It was funny because it took forever to get anything done! Some of us packed lunches and others would order. It is so different doing the parks with that large of a group. Most of the time we just broke up in smaller groups. We did one matching t-shirt day for some pics. It was nice that if the little ones(or big ones) needed to go back to nap, we could keep the other kids with us to get to play at the parks. Even got couples night out. BWV was perfect because it was so easy to get back and forth to the rooms!

 

[tree320]

Hello! Is there a map if BWV with room numbers? I'd like to see where the 2 bedroom lock off rooms are located. Thanks WDW Kook for all of this great info!!

I think the 2 bedrooms are all over. There are only lock offs for the 2 bedrooms at BWV, 1 bedroom + studio. No dedicated.

 

[ClareH37]

Oh, I was peeking at the Atrium Club, too Clare, so I know what you mean. That Tower, Bay Lake and the walkway are always calling to me. I even love the rooms! But, you went with BWI and the great level of CL service and I think you made the right decision. The CR, IMHO, just doesn't excel in customer service and making the (repeat) guest feel "at home."

I know you'll have a great trip and I'll bet you'll even get "your" favorite room

The way I look at it, I'm trying somewhere 'new' with the Beach Club, but I have my old favourite which will be the cherry on the cake

 

[nascargirl]

Clare so glad you are staying at the BWI-CL if you catch my drift. We have taken the secret steps plenty of times out to the quiet pool and gardens.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I was soooo tempted by the CR CL to tag on a couple of nights for my December stay, the walk to the MK really appeals and I love the look of the rooms, but I'm afraid my trusty old friend the BWI CL won out - only booked it earlier this week and on Wednesday I had a lovely 'welcome back' email from the IPO - not only are the BWI CMs the best but the YC/BC/BWI IPO are right up there too, they're also like family.

Purposely doing a split stay this time, first part non CL as I'm on the dxdp and doing lots of tours so will be spending more time out of the resort than in it, but my last couple of days will be spent relaxing and catching up with friends, so BWI here I come

Now, here's my question ..... although I've stayed at the BWI CL for the past few years I've never taken the 'secret' staircase, can you actually walk down to the gardens from the 4th floor as opposed to taking the elevators?

Yes when you use the "secret staircase" that is just past the Sonora Suite you can walk all the way down to the area where the BWI quiet pool is located.

 

[wannabee]

just realized there is a Hess station near Boardwalk. Can you walk to it?

 

[ClareH37]

Clare so glad you are staying at the BWI-CL if you catch my drift. We have taken the secret steps plenty of times out to the quiet pool and gardens.

LOL, totally catch your drift Looks like I'll have to venture down the stairs this trip.

Yes when you use the "secret staircase" that is just past the Sonora Suite you can walk all the way down to the area where the BWI quiet pool is located.

Fantastic, thank you

 

[gojoe]

just realized there is a Hess station near Boardwalk. Can you walk to it?

You can walk to Hess but the sidewalk only goes so far. You need to be careful walking. It's safer to walk to the corner intersection then walk down the main entry but you need to be very careful. Drivers aren't looking for pedestrians. It's a lot cheaper for water, beer and milk. Take a good look at this link to HESS

 

[WDWKOOK]

just realized there is a Hess station near Boardwalk. Can you walk to it?

There is more HESS information and a link on the first page, post #12, under the heading "SHOPPING"

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Fantastic, thank you

You're welcome.

 

[momof4disneykids]

Hi everyone. I have been hanging around the boards for months soaking up all kinds of great tips. LOVE the boards! I decided to finally post to share my excitement of booking our first stay at BW with all those who love it. We have been to WDW several times but this will be our first stay in a deluxe! Not only that but we are really going all out and staying club level. I am so excited I hope you won't mind lots of questions over the next couple of months as I plan and prepare. Thanks for letting me voice my excitement! I knew you guys would get it.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Hi everyone. I have been hanging around the boards for months soaking up all kinds of great tips. LOVE the boards! I decided to finally post to share my excitement of booking our first stay at BW with all those who love it. We have been to WDW several times but this will be our first stay in a deluxe! Not only that but we are really going all out and staying club level. I am so excited I hope you won't mind lots of questions over the next couple of months as I plan and prepare. Thanks for letting me voice my excitement! I knew you guys would get it.

First I want to say welcome and that you made a wonderful decision to stay Club Level at the Boardwalk Inn. Their Cub Level Cast Members are one major reason why it has become my new favorite WDW Resort, because I think they are simply the best set of people you will ever meet. Finally ask all the questions you want because we are all hear to help.

 

[mlong2004]

Momof4 -- Glad you chose the BW. You will not be disappointed. We have stayed at BWV two times but never BWI. Honestly, I am not sure what the difference is rather than room location (if anyone can explain, please do). We also are splurging at the end of the month and staying CL. I read through the posts and see all of the "secret tips" from everyone, and I am so afraid I am going to miss out on something that BW has to offer.

As far as questions, there is A LOT of knowledge on this thread. A LOT!

Welcome!!

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

Hi everyone. I have been hanging around the boards for months soaking up all kinds of great tips. LOVE the boards! I decided to finally post to share my excitement of booking our first stay at BW with all those who love it. We have been to WDW several times but this will be our first stay in a deluxe! Not only that but we are really going all out and staying club level. I am so excited I hope you won't mind lots of questions over the next couple of months as I plan and prepare. Thanks for letting me voice my excitement! I knew you guys would get it.

You will not be disappointed. We have stayed at several other Deluxe Resorts, but this was by far our favorite. Dh even admitted to me that he loved it over WL. We have not stayed club level yet.

Momof4 -- Glad you chose the BW. You will not be disappointed. We have stayed at BWV two times but never BWI. Honestly, I am not sure what the difference is rather than room location (if anyone can explain, please do). We also are splurging at the end of the month and staying CL. I read through the posts and see all of the "secret tips" from everyone, and I am so afraid I am going to miss out on something that BW has to offer.

As far as questions, there is A LOT of knowledge on this thread. A LOT!

Welcome!!

We just did a split stay between BWI and BWV and to me there definitely is a difference. BWV was more homey to me, like a small apartment and BWI was very special, very classy feeling, very upscale. I think really it's just the difference in the decor from one side of the resort to the other.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Hi everyone. I have been hanging around the boards for months soaking up all kinds of great tips. LOVE the boards! I decided to finally post to share my excitement of booking our first stay at BW with all those who love it. We have been to WDW several times but this will be our first stay in a deluxe! Not only that but we are really going all out and staying club level. I am so excited I hope you won't mind lots of questions over the next couple of months as I plan and prepare. Thanks for letting me voice my excitement! I knew you guys would get it.

to the DIS and the BWI thread, momof4disneykids!

How exciting that you've booked your first Deluxe AND CL stay - you have a lot to look forward to. Feel free to ask all the questions that you can think of. Everyone is very friendly and helpful here - enjoy your new home

 

[momof4disneykids]

Thank you everyone for the warm welcome. When I read this thread I am always amazed by everyones knowledge and their willingness to share that knowledge! You are all so friendly and warm. Now for my first question. I have already made our ADR's. I have read that the IPO staff usually contact club level guests after they book. I have not received an email yet but is there a reason I need to make contact now other than dining ressies? We will be celebrating a birthday while there and our 2 youngest are very particular about their drinks, but I have also read that they don't necessarily help with special requests anyway. Just curious if I needed to send a "looking forward to our stay" email just to make contact, or not worry about it. I'm sure I will eventually get one from them. The only thing I would like to do is request a boardwalk view (I know it's not guaranteed and we will be happy anywhere, but I would be thrilled to wind up overlooking the boardwalk!). Thanks in advance for any and all opinions/suggestions. You guys are awesome!

 

[pixarmom]

Thank you everyone for the warm welcome. When I read this thread I am always amazed by everyones knowledge and their willingness to share that knowledge! You are all so friendly and warm. Now for my first question. I have already made our ADR's. I have read that the IPO staff usually contact club level guests after they book. I have not received an email yet but is there a reason I need to make contact now other than dining ressies? We will be celebrating a birthday while there and our 2 youngest are very particular about their drinks, but I have also read that they don't necessarily help with special requests anyway. Just curious if I needed to send a "looking forward to our stay" email just to make contact, or not worry about it. I'm sure I will eventually get one from them. The only thing I would like to do is request a boardwalk view (I know it's not guaranteed and we will be happy anywhere, but I would be thrilled to wind up overlooking the boardwalk!). Thanks in advance for any and all opinions/suggestions. You guys are awesome!

Hello and Welcome! We make all of our own ADRs, but I did work with IPO on a few things:

1) Requesting a boardwalk view. I sent my request to IPO for our BWI stay last August, and we would have also been happy anywhere, but we were thrilled to have a beautiful boardwalk view!

2) Arranging an in-room surprise for our kids. We worked with IPO to create and in-room pirate-themed surprise for our kids: swords, pirate ear hats, coins, treasure chests, beads, etc. We had a few ideas, IPO suggested a few items, we provided credit card information, they did the shopping and Jackie (an amazing CM in BWI CL) set everything up in the room after we checked in, but before we walked in for the first time. The kids were thrilled, and the cost was just the retail cost of the items from various stores around WDW.

If your kids like specific drinks, you might just want to ask about availability. I asked IPO whether juice boxes were available in the club lounge and IPO informed us that (at least at the time) they were not. (They offered to provide them at an additional charge, but we were fine with the beverages available in the lounge.)

Hope you love BWI CL as much as we do!!!