(CLOSED) Disney's BOARDWALK INN and VILLAS INFORMATION THREAD

[WDWKOOK]

Drawing a complete blank! We were just at BWI SV in May at received a view of Epcot. When requesting an Epcot view room, is it a "garden view" or a "courtyard view" room? I requested one for May, but now can't remember which it is!!

Garden View is fine, but Epcot View would be best if you're only requesting one thing. Otherwise, "Epcot/Garden View, please" is perfect. You also might want to add "high floor" or "5th floor" for a non-CL room.

We are so excited for our first stay at BWV! We'll be there in 32 days We have friends staying the same week at BWI. We both have standard rooms. I have a few questions... How far apart could we be in reality? Also, I have a package for their sons first trip. I'd like it to be a surprise at check in. We arrive 2 days prior to them. Would it be best to take it to the desk on their arrival day? Finally, are there different check in areas for the villas and inn or are they the same? Thanks

Welcome! Your trip is coming up soon

What villa size did you book? Did your friends book a BWI STD View or a Club Level STD room? I have a link to BWV locations in the BWV section on the first page. In theory, you and your friend could be far away from each other. When you check-in, the CM should be able to see where your friends are assigned and tell you how far away you are. You could also link your reservations by calling the WDTC with both reservation numbers and asking to be close to each other.

Best to ask when you check-in how to get your package into the friends' room prior to their arrival.

The BWI and BWV check-in area is the same.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We are so excited for our first stay at BWV! We'll be there in 32 days We have friends staying the same week at BWI. We both have standard rooms. I have a few questions... How far apart could we be in reality? Also, I have a package for their sons first trip. I'd like it to be a surprise at check in. We arrive 2 days prior to them. Would it be best to take it to the desk on their arrival day? Finally, are there different check in areas for the villas and inn or are they the same? Thanks

If your friend is in the Inn and you are in the Villas, you are on opposite sides of the complex. Did you book standard through DVC or through Disney Reservation Center for cash? Standard through DVC is along the front drive, facing out towards the parking lot. Standard through DRC is what DVC calls Preferred, non-BW View. So basically pool/garden view.

 

[Sandi]

We are so excited for our first stay at BWV! We'll be there in 32 days We have friends staying the same week at BWI. We both have standard rooms. I have a few questions... How far apart could we be in reality? Also, I have a package for their sons first trip. I'd like it to be a surprise at check in. We arrive 2 days prior to them. Would it be best to take it to the desk on their arrival day? Finally, are there different check in areas for the villas and inn or are they the same? Thanks

I think your plan for leaving the package on your friends' arrival day is best. The CM should make a note on their reservation that there is a package waiting for them and the CM checking them in should go get it. Don't be terribly surprised, however, if this falls through. I've tried this on a few trips with friends and family and the success rate is about 50%.

There is only one check in area for both the villas and the inn. It is located in the lobby area between the two sections of the resort.

Hope you and your friends have a great stay.

 

[Scott MC]

So excited to say this....

We're coming back to The Boardwalk!

We'll be there to experience the holidays at WDW for the first time, from Dec. 4-8.

This will be our third BWI stay, and our first non CL stay, which is making me a bit nervous, if I'm being honest. We've got a standard view booked, but if a decent discount (public or AP) comes out, there's a slight possibility of ugrading to a water view or CL. If that doesn't work out, I'm going to have to think a lot about what kind of room request to make. Are there some standard view rooms that overlook the back courtyard, and look sideways at the lagoon? I feel like I've read that somewhere. If we wanted that view, along with a balcony, what would the request look like?

TIA!

 

[stormer]

If your friend is in the Inn and you are in the Villas, you are on opposite sides of the complex. Did you book standard through DVC or through Disney Reservation Center for cash? Standard through DVC is along the front drive, facing out towards the parking lot. Standard through DRC is what DVC calls Preferred, non-BW View. So basically pool/garden view.

I have a similar question. We have a 1 bedroom standard view booked thru DVC using our points. My mother has a studio standard view booked for cash thru the regular Disney reservation phone number. When I made my mother's reservation the CM I spoke to gave me the hotel phone number and told me to call directly two weeks before our trip to ask to be near each other. Is there any chance we will get rooms close by? Based on what is above it sounds like we will have to be far apart.

 

[WDWKOOK]

So excited to say this....

We're coming back to The Boardwalk!

We'll be there to experience the holidays at WDW for the first time, from Dec. 4-8.

This will be our third BWI stay, and our first non CL stay, which is making me a bit nervous, if I'm being honest. We've got a standard view booked, but if a decent discount (public or AP) comes out, there's a slight possibility of ugrading to a water view or CL. If that doesn't work out, I'm going to have to think a lot about what kind of room request to make. Are there some standard view rooms that overlook the back courtyard, and look sideways at the lagoon? I feel like I've read that somewhere. If we wanted that view, along with a balcony, what would the request look like?

TIA!

Congratulations! I think there are only a couple of rooms at BWI that don't have a balcony, so I wouldn't bother requesting that. I don't know what the best wording for your courtyard/lake view would be. I didn't know there were rooms that overlook both. I know of a canal view, is that what you might be thinking of?

There are photos of BWI at Christmastime on the first page to get you in the mood. I'll add you to the BW Bulletin.

I have a similar question. We have a 1 bedroom standard view booked thru DVC using our points. My mother has a studio standard view booked for cash thru the regular Disney reservation phone number. When I made my mother's reservation the CM I spoke to gave me the hotel phone number and told me to call directly two weeks before our trip to ask to be near each other. Is there any chance we will get rooms close by? Based on what is above it sounds like we will have to be far apart.

Welcome! I'm going to leave your DVC/BWV question to our experts

 

[Scott MC]

Congratulations! I think there are only a couple of rooms at BWI that don't have a balcony, so I wouldn't bother requesting that. I don't know what the best wording for your courtyard/lake view would be. I didn't know there were rooms that overlook both. I know of a canal view, is that what you might be thinking of?

There are photos of BWI at Christmastime on the first page to get you in the mood. I'll add you to the BW Bulletin.

Thank you! This is the area I had in mind. Those rooms closest to the lake are water view rooms, but the ones a little further back are considered standard view (I believe), because they're not directly facing the lake.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Thank you! This is the area I had in mind. Those rooms closest to the lake are water view rooms, but the ones a little further back are considered standard view (I believe), because they're not directly facing the lake.

I didn't know there were STD View rooms (you're not thinking of a STD CL room?) on that side of BWI. I'll have to defer to someone else on that.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I have a similar question. We have a 1 bedroom standard view booked thru DVC using our points. My mother has a studio standard view booked for cash thru the regular Disney reservation phone number. When I made my mother's reservation the CM I spoke to gave me the hotel phone number and told me to call directly two weeks before our trip to ask to be near each other. Is there any chance we will get rooms close by? Based on what is above it sounds like we will have to be far apart.

That's not the way it is done. You'll just get the call center with that number.

With your DVC reservation, contact MS and ask them to put "traveling with" on your reservation and your mom's reservation number and name on the reservation. Do the same on her's with your name and reservation. They'll do the best they can.

You might be on one side of the hallway and she would probably be on the other side. Her "standard" view is what DVC calls pool/garden.

 

[fall08CP]

Thank you! This is the area I had in mind. Those rooms closest to the lake are water view rooms, but the ones a little further back are considered standard view (I believe), because they're not directly facing the lake.

This is called a "boardwalk greens" view. There are a limited # that are considered standard view, so don't get your hopes up, but they are just lovely.
-former BW front desk CM

 

[jontybfc]

Hi, I've booked to stay in October in a 2 bedroom standard view villa and am just wondering if there are some that have a better view than others?

 

[Nicole786]

This is called a "boardwalk greens" view. There are a limited # that are considered standard view, so don't get your hopes up, but they are just lovely.
-former BW front desk CM

Thank you so much! I stayed here my first trip to the Boardwalk, and was wondering what I could say to request it!

Actually, I would love anywhere just not reaaaaally far away from the lobby or facing the parking lot, so could i request "Close to lobby, not parking lot view?"

Thanks!

 

[Stlhawkeye]

Wow this is quite the thread!

Sorry to post some questions that have probably already been answered, but here goes.

How long before gates to Epcot open does boat service start?

Do gates to Epcot open early at the back entrance since WS is not open yet? (Wondering about the race for FP.)

How long is the walk to Hollywood Studios? (From villas)

We are staying in a 1br standard view studio through DVC renting points, are those located in a particular area/wing? (By community center?). I'm trying to get my bearings.

Thanks in advance, I'm sorry to post questions that are probably repeats.

 

[abk96]

Wow this is quite the thread!

Sorry to post some questions that have probably already been answered, but here goes.

How long before gates to Epcot open does boat service start?

Do gates to Epcot open early at the back entrance since WS is not open yet? (Wondering about the race for FP.)

How long is the walk to Hollywood Studios? (From villas)

We are staying in a 1br standard view studio through DVC renting points, are those located in a particular area/wing? (By community center?). I'm trying to get my bearings.

Thanks in advance, I'm sorry to post questions that are probably repeats.

Standard villas face the front of the resort where the car port and parking lot are located.

I've never walked to HS but I hear it's about 15-20 min. depending on how fast you walk. You can exit out near the quiet pool on the villas side and that will bring you closer to HS and you'll still be in AC.

Last year when we were at the International Gateway Entrance for park opening they didn't start letting people in until exactly park opening.

I'm not sure when the boats to Epcot start because we always walk over to there. It's an easy walk. Maybe 5-10 minutes.

 

[Stlhawkeye]

Thank you!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Hi, I've booked to stay in October in a 2 bedroom standard view villa and am just wondering if there are some that have a better view than others?

DVC reservation or DRC reservation? It makes a difference.

You know you have a lockoff two bedroom, right? There are no dedicated two bedroom villas at BWV.

We are staying in a 1br standard view studio through DVC renting points, are those located in a particular area/wing? (By community center?). I'm trying to get my bearings.

DVC Standard view is along the front drive and parking lot.

DRC standard view is what DVC calls pool/garden because all the DVC standard view villas are booked at 11 months out.

 

[mickeyplanner]

We are officially booked for one night January 18, 2014 at BWV. I am know hoping our waitlist comes through for the rest of our week January 19-25, 2014. Otherwise we will remain at BLT for those days.

Does anyone have any experience with MLK weekend and crowds? I am trying to plan our days this trip and wasn't sure if we should opt for a pool day on Saturday, January 19th or opt to go to HS.

 

[tiger4me2]

Wow this is quite the thread!

Sorry to post some questions that have probably already been answered, but here goes.

How long before gates to Epcot open does boat service start?

Do gates to Epcot open early at the back entrance since WS is not open yet? (Wondering about the race for FP.)

How long is the walk to Hollywood Studios? (From villas)

We are staying in a 1br standard view studio through DVC renting points, are those located in a particular area/wing? (By community center?). I'm trying to get my bearings.

Thanks in advance, I'm sorry to post questions that are probably repeats.

Not sure about the boats but I assume around 7am. The back entrance getting into Epcot is the best way & quickness. You can get in & walk to Future World but you walk through England & Canada. The World Show case will open at 11AM and there will be a rope across the bridge going into France. But you can get into Epcot this way

 

[Sandi]

Not sure about the boats but I assume around 7am. The back entrance getting into Epcot is the best way & quickness. You can get in & walk to Future World but you walk through England & Canada. The World Show case will open at 11AM and there will be a rope across the bridge going into France. But you can get into Epcot this way

Just wanted to throw in that, with the new and improved France bakery opening earlier now, you can go over the bridge in the morning to get to that CS restaurant. It opens at 9:00 (at least that was the case in March).

 

[stormer]

That's not the way it is done. You'll just get the call center with that number.

With your DVC reservation, contact MS and ask them to put "traveling with" on your reservation and your mom's reservation number and name on the reservation. Do the same on her's with your name and reservation. They'll do the best they can.

You might be on one side of the hallway and she would probably be on the other side. Her "standard" view is what DVC calls pool/garden.

Thanks for the info.