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

[MUFFYCAT]

Our 1st trip without kids since our Honeymoon 1989.

1st stay at the BWI.

1st CL stay anywhere else besides the Poly.

1st time flying to WDW (we always drive) since our Honeymoon.

DH is so busy with tax season that he hardly has time to talk about our plans but is very excited!

You will have such a good time. We went alone for our 25th anniversaty in 2009.

Like you, the Polynesian was like our home untill I stayed at BW with a friend last year.
Brought the family in January for their 1st BW trip and they loved it also. So I have to say we moved. Still love the Polynesian CL lounge, but BW was was great too!

 

[bltman]

Recently switched from staying at the Swan to staying at BWI (Standard View). Online check-in gives me the option of requesting what floor I would prefer to be on. Any floor better than any other? I presume for a standard view it probably does not make much of a difference. Thoughts?

 

[abk96]

Recently switched from staying at the Swan to staying at BWI (Standard View). Online check-in gives me the option of requesting what floor I would prefer to be on. Any floor better than any other? I presume for a standard view it probably does not make much of a difference. Thoughts?

Well this is what we do as far as requests for a floor. I always prefer the higher floors and never want a 1st floor so we just make note of that on our reservation.

Of course it's just a request and not guaranteed but we usually get top floor or 2nd to the top.

Not sure if I answered your question though.

 

[Sandi]

Recently switched from staying at the Swan to staying at BWI (Standard View). Online check-in gives me the option of requesting what floor I would prefer to be on. Any floor better than any other? I presume for a standard view it probably does not make much of a difference. Thoughts?

We had a standard view when we were there earlier this month. Based on recommendations from this thread, we requested highest floor; 5th floor. We had a wonderful room on the 5th floor overlooking the garden. At night, we had an excellent view of Illuminations. I loved that room. On the 5th floor, you never have that long of a walk to the elevators. There is no 5th floor for most of the BWI building. While we were there for 5 nights, we rarely saw other people on the floor and rarely had anyone else on the elevator with us -- never all the way to the 5th floor. Also, while I'm sure they move CMs around for housekeeping, that floor was always **** and span and our room was always well cared for.

 

[WDWKOOK]

There is a hot spa at the quiet pool for the Villa side. Here is a link to a photo I found: http://allears.net/acc/bw41.jpg

The photo WDWKOOK posted was of the BWI quiet pool. It is so beautiful and quiet over there.

Thank you for finding the other photo I couldn't find

Recently switched from staying at the Swan to staying at BWI (Standard View). Online check-in gives me the option of requesting what floor I would prefer to be on. Any floor better than any other? I presume for a standard view it probably does not make much of a difference. Thoughts?

Congratulations on switching to BWI. A Standard BWI View can be a Garden and/or Epcot View which is what I would request. Online Check-in has only pre-set prompts, but that doesn't mean you can't have a Garden and/or Epcot request placed in your reservation. As long as it's in there at least 3-5 days prior to arrival, the room assignor should see your request. OCI limits what you can request, but doesn't negate any requests already in your reservation. So if you do request a Garden/Epcot view, you might want to also request a high floor so you have a potentially better view of Illuminations

 

[PolyAddict]

You will have such a good time. We went alone for our 25th anniversaty in 2009.

Like you, the Polynesian was like our home untill I stayed at BW with a friend last year.
Brought the family in January for their 1st BW trip and they loved it also. So I have to say we moved. Still the Polynesian CL lounge, but BW was was great too!

So glad to hear this! I still get a little sad about not staying there but hopefully we will love it too.

 

[WDWKOOK]

From MousePlanet and I heard this on DIS Unplugged 3/19:


Walt Disney World annual passholders can now trade in their paper cards for plastic cards equipped with RFID chips to allow entry through the new turnstile-free gates. Passholders can make the exchange at the Odyssey in Epcot anytime before May 20, and as a bonus there are some props on exhibit there while you wait your turn. Premier passholders still need to wait for more information before exchanging passes.

 

[TaraPA]

From MousePlanet and I heard this on DIS Unplugged 3/19:


Walt Disney World annual passholders can now trade in their paper cards for plastic cards equipped with RFID chips to allow entry through the new turnstile-free gates. Passholders can make the exchange at the Odyssey in Epcot anytime before May 20, and as a bonus there are some props on exhibit there while you wait your turn. Premier passholders still need to wait for more information before exchanging passes.

"props on exhibit".....interesting! My AP expires TOMORROW (a sad event, I know). I have 30 days to renew, and I'll be back 4/21 so I will just make it. HOWEVER, I think I'm just going to buy a new one & not renew, since the start date would revert back to 3/22. It will cost me $40 more but I also gain 30 days in extension for next year. If that makes sense to anyone. BUT I want to see the props - so maybe I wil get in line with my current expiring paper AP, acting like I'm renewing....then change my mind when it's my turn. If they send me to Guest Relations oh well, then at least I saw the props.

WAIT A MINUTE!! This won't work, I can't get into Epcot with an expired AP!

 

[WDWKOOK]

"props on exhibit".....interesting! My AP expires TOMORROW (a sad event, I know). I have 30 days to renew, and I'll be back 4/21 so I will just make it. HOWEVER, I think I'm just going to buy a new one & not renew, since the start date would revert back to 3/22. It will cost me $40 more but I also gain 30 days in extension for next year. If that makes sense to anyone. BUT I want to see the props - so maybe I wil get in line with my current expiring paper AP, acting like I'm renewing....then change my mind when it's my turn. If they send me to Guest Relations oh well, then at least I saw the props.

WAIT A MINUTE!! This won't work, I can't get into Epcot with an expired AP!

It's easy doing it at the IG since it's rarely busy, then you can get your TIW, too if it's expired. We like exchanging our military AP vouchers and getting TIW there.

 

[Disney-Kim]

if we do online check in do we still get to check in with a person? so I can be sure I am happy with the location of the room?

last time we did online checkin was 2009 I think....we still checked in with someone...it seems more automated now

just wanted to ask

 

[TaraPA]

It's easy doing it at the IG since it's rarely busy, then you can get your TIW, too if it's expired. We like exchanging our military AP vouchers and getting TIW there.

Thanks for the tip! We plan to hit Epcot as soon as we arrive so this will work out perfectly coming from BWV.

if we do online check in do we still get to check in with a person? so I can be sure I am happy with the location of the room?

just wanted to ask

Absolutely, you just go in a different line at the front desk, marked "online check-in." They give you a packet, give you quick info & off you go!

Is there a place to refill mugs at the temporary Boardwalk Bakery tent?

 

[DebbieB]

Recently switched from staying at the Swan to staying at BWI (Standard View). Online check-in gives me the option of requesting what floor I would prefer to be on. Any floor better than any other? I presume for a standard view it probably does not make much of a difference. Thoughts?

I would be more concerned about requesting a garden/courtyard view, you may have to call for that. Standard view can also face the front driveway, which I would try to avoid.

 

[Ziggy]

I would be more concerned about requesting a garden/courtyard view, you may have to call for that. Standard view can also face the front driveway, which I would try to avoid.

This is my worry, I was spoilt with the garden view last year and wouldn't want a driveway view, are there many of these driveway view rooms?

 

[fla4fun]

if we do online check in do we still get to check in with a person? so I can be sure I am happy with the location of the room?

last time we did online checkin was 2009 I think....we still checked in with someone...it seems more automated now

just wanted to ask

Yes, you do. However, if you have a room request that will make or break your vacation, it may be better to wait and check in at the front desk.

Online check in gives first priority to getting you into an available room. They will fill any requests they can, but if the choice is between giving you your request or getting you into a room based on your arrival time, arrival time wins out. Although you can change rooms, based on my experience watching others go through this process, it appears to take longer than if you had just waited and done regular check in anyway.

I've done online check in for every trip but one since it's been offered (they wouldn't let us use it opening day at BLT) and I haven't been disapointed in a room location or view yet. But I tend to make very general requests like "upper floor" or "near transportation". For my last BWV trip earlier this month, my request was "near lobby", I did online check in, and I was placed on the lobby level, three rooms down from the elevators - just far enough that it wasn't noisy, and close enough for the convenience I wanted.

 

[jsilvers]

So you will have a pool/garden view (that's standard for cash reservations through DRC).

Can you explain if this is based on experience, or something else? I have a cash villa reservation, but the confirmation is for "Standard View".

 

[TaraPA]

Where is the closest mug refill place from BWV? Bellevue Lounge? Or something on The Boardwalk itself?

 

[Disbug]

Where is the closest mug refill place from BWV? Bellevue Lounge? Or something on The Boardwalk itself?

Boardwalk Joe's Coffee Cart, Boardwalk Pizza Window, Seashore Sweets, and the Boardwalk Bakery (when it reopens).... I would think the pool bar would also refill these mugs? Someone else might need to confirm that last one, though!

 

[gometros]

Boardwalk Joe's Coffee Cart, Boardwalk Pizza Window, Seashore Sweets, and the Boardwalk Bakery (when it reopens).... I would think the pool bar would also refill these mugs? Someone else might need to confirm that last one, though!

Depending on where you are in the villas, I would argue that the Bellvue Lounge is closest if you are nearer the elevators. If you're in the low numbers, ducking down the stairs to Leaping Horse Libations,

 

[cruella4me64]

Is it embarrassing to ask if there is some sort of Crock-Pot Borrow/Pass Along List? Haha So excited to be staying in a studio villa this December, however, not much meal preparation equipment. Will be flying, assuming renting a car as usual. Obviously not planning on full meals, but a Crock-Pot would be very convenient. I've been a subscriber to this thread in anticipation of staying here, so, hey everyone!

 

[LSchrow]

Can you explain if this is based on experience, or something else? I have a cash villa reservation, but the confirmation is for "Standard View".

deb/bills answer was correct, as usual (except for any mention of how far the parking is - sorry, couldn't resist )
all DVC resort bookings thru DRC are called "standard view".
only when booking with DVC points or trade in from RCI are there any view options: standard (driveway, front of resort), preferred pool/garden, and preferred BW view.
btw, BWV BW view can only be booked on points (not even with DVC member cash discount - and yes, personal experience ). DVC standard and BW views account for only 20% (each) of the resort, and both are booked early by BWV owners.
the other 60% (preferred pool/garden) villas is what DRC refers to as standard.
hth