Resort Thread Disney's BOARDWALK INN Resort

[NH-to-FL]

As a side note, Ample Hills doesn't open until 2. We wanted ice cream for (a nice healthy) lunch yesterday, but it wasn't open yet, so we went for the Bakery instead. The old Seashore Sweets was always open earlier, so we could do the ice cream lunch after an early park morning. Oh well. The bakery salad/sandwich were good as always.

Yes, we noticed that the last time we wandered over to the Boardwalk. We ended up getting ice cream out of the freezer at the General Store.

 

[gometros]

Uh oh, we have a boardwalk view studio. Wonder if we'll be affected.

 

[psac]

Uh oh, we have a boardwalk view studio. Wonder if we'll be affected.

We have a 1BR, so maybe they have less of those to work with?

 

[kace08]

I am curious about this, too! We usually take some downtime in the afternoon and I hope it's possible to do this then. We leave in 2 days. Would love to hear if anyone has spied this happening and where. This is all I've found on the Disney Parks blog:

• New at Disney’s BoardWalk Resort is the “Gingerbread Academy” that lets guests build gingerbread houses to take home, along with complimentary hot chocolate and apple cider for sipping. Cost is $125 for up to four guests. If you prefer to decorate a gingerbread cookie, cost is $8.95 per ornament, with proceeds to benefit Give Kids the World. And a chance to work with one of the pastry chefs to create holiday cupcakes is $10.95 per person. Make sure to walk through the lobby to take in the beauty – and delicious scent of gingerbread houses decorated by the pastry chefs of Disney’s BoardWalk Resort.

I called today and was told the cookie decorating is from 1 to 3 in the lobby. The cupcake decorating isn't every day and it is from 2 to 4:30. I'm planning to try it on Saturday

 

[AGoofykindagirl]

As a side note, Ample Hills doesn't open until 2. We wanted ice cream for (a nice healthy) lunch yesterday, but it wasn't open yet, so we went for the Bakery instead. The old Seashore Sweets was always open earlier, so we could do the ice cream lunch after an early park morning. Oh well. The bakery salad/sandwich were good as always.

Love that you call ice cream a healthy lunch. I call it my calcium supplement! Got to keep those bones strong.
Seriously, thanks for the info on the opening time.

 

[meliscan]

Apologies if this has already been answered but we are in a preferred view using DVC points. It doesn't say boardwalk or garden view just preferred view. Does that mean we could have either view? I am happy to just be going but I would like to know what to expect.

 

[Tess]

Apologies if this has already been answered but we are in a preferred view using DVC points. It doesn't say boardwalk or garden view just preferred view. Does that mean we could have either view? I am happy to just be going but I would like to know what to expect.

Preferred view at BWI usually translates to pool or garden view, i.e., Clown pool, Community Pool, Village Green or the garden area overlooking the canal at the Jelly Rolls end of the building. Boardwalk is a specific view.

 

[Disneytam]

Very rainy day today. They're doing construction on the villas side on the Boardwalk during the day. It looks like some of the rooms above the shop (right under the lit Boardwalk sign) are out of commission. Which is why they called us the day before we arrived and actually offered us a credit to move from our BW view booking to the Village Green area, which we did. It's actually a nice change of scenery, and the credit will pay for a few nice meals.

Speaking of which, we tried the new Flying Fish menu for the first time on Sunday. It was a very good meal, but I would still put Yachtsman's above it. (We have YS on Thursday.). It's VERY different from the old menu, and much more upscale. The pork belly appetizer I had will probably win the award for best app of the trip, because it was crazy good. The waygu filet I had for main course was very good, but not even close to one of the best steaks I've ever had, as some other reviews have said. My wife really liked her fish dishes, but they were very rich. (And even upset her tummy.) The desserts were really artistic, I don't think the pictures capture how pretty they were. Overall I would probably give it a 8.5 out of 10, and expect to pay over $100 pp. We always do a number of signatures, so we'll go back again next year.

View attachment 209200 View attachment 209201

The G was broken.
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But they fixed it the next day.

View attachment 209203

Thank you so much for the review on the Flying Fish. We will be dining there tomorrow night.Sometimes very rich seafood dishes can upset my tummy so It's good to get the heads up. We had dinner at the Yachtsman on Monday night and I think that was the best steak I have ever had!

I too was disappointed that we couldn't get ice cream on the Boardwalk at noon,Im on vacation so I see nothing wrong with having ice cream for lunch

 

[BlueSkies]

Just a quick pop in to say that we had yet another wonderful BWI stay ...Got to see NPH in the CP..which was amazing...my DD was absolutely thrilled!

The weather was warmer that I can ever remember for a December..and we have been every December for a many years...This made it extra nice for enjoying Epcot at night...and all of those holiday food offering that they have all around world showcase...as always its about the food....

Some of the nicest times were meeting up with pas130 and her adorable kiddies!! ..and meeting up with disneytam too ...I didn't realize that so many folks from the boards were there at the same time...we could have had a big old DISmeet......maybe next time....

KerryCM Sounds like you are having a wonderful birthday trip!! ..many happy returns to you!

psac Great pics...I was a bit disappointed about there not being that festive gingerbread house in the lobby this year...but the displays..and cookie decorating did look like a nice replacement....

I did take lots of pics...will be happy to share....but being back to reality means limited time to hang around here at the moment....lol...Be back to share some soon though....

 

[WDWKOOK]

Only 10 more days until our stay at the BWI, and I am so very excited to finally be going back. I have missed staying at the Innkeepers Club our last few stays. So very excited to see everyone there!!!

I hope you're having a wonderful time, @KerryCM.

Hi it's our first stay BWV standard view. Sept.23-30.

Welcome to the thread, @brnrss34! I'll add your dates to the BoardWalk Bulletin

Checking in for our first Boardwalk stay in 18 days...We don't usually plan our trips so far out, but we booked this at around 488 days out. Never again! I've been losing my mind with the waiting! I thought our summer trip to Disneyland would hold me over, but I was wrong. SO HAPPY to finally cross the Boardwalk off our list of "to do" resorts, and I can't wait to get this trip started!

This trip is a looooong time in the making! I hope you have a magical stay

We just returned Saturday night. No signs of construction while we were there around the villas or village green area (I never went into the center courtyard area of the inn). There is one of those big machines that the painters use tucked in the corner as you come down the stairs and out onto the boardwalk but we never saw it being used (even during mid-day) and there was scaffolding on all floors of the Villa side opposite the Swan/Dolphin waterway - directly facing the waterway, but again no construction taking place. Nothing around the clown or quiet pools. The croquet lawn was ripped up and new sod was being put down, but no big deal.

The boardwalk area was all open. No scaffolding there. Not sure if they are done or took a break for Thanksgiving week.

I didn't even know about the gingerbread decorating. I did notice that the gingerbread house was not set up in the lobby and thought that was interesting. Wonder if that is the reason they did away with it. It usually went up the Tuesday or Wednesday before Thanksgiving.

Thank you for filing a mini TR with us.

Hello all!

We've been here a couple of days now and it's a warm 86 degrees. The studio is fantastic! Plenty of room for us and nice views of the DHS canal and the Swan and Dolphin. Much better than I was expecting as a standard view!

No gingerbread house. It's apparently been replaced with the build it yourself and take home variety. The impression I got is you build it in your room but as always I could have misunderstood. It doesn't start until December.

We arrived just before 6 pm and parking was nonexistent. DH chose to valet park.

Belle Vue lounge is open at 6:30 for coffee and continental type breakfast. They had a bacon egg and cheese croissant as well. The bakery outside has a much better variety including biscuits and gravy.

We did eat at Ohana! The grilled shrimp and chicken were delicious. DH said he didn't want dessert, but I wanted to try a bite so I asked for it. Good thing I only wanted a bite because after his first "taste" he devoured it! Not an every trip visit but definitely going back!!

Let me know if I can answer any questions!

Liz

Thank you for the update, Liz and I'm glad you didn't skip 'Ohana's dessert

Yee Haa! Just booked my first stay at The Boardwalk June 18-23 to celebrate our 20th anniversary. It will be a trip of a lot of firsts...First time at an Epcot resort, first time staying club level, and first time without our kids.

So between now and then I am going to devour every post in this thread!

I just love a good trip of firsts. Congratulations and I'll log your dates.

Only 2 more days!!!!! I am so very excited! My grandchildren cannot understand why we are going without them. Little do they know they are going the end of January, it is their Christmas present! So looking forward to seeing all my friends in the lounge and celebrating my birthday.

That must be one hard-to-keep secret! Hope you're having tons of fun.

Very rainy day today. They're doing construction on the villas side on the Boardwalk during the day. It looks like some of the rooms above the shop (right under the lit Boardwalk sign) are out of commission. Which is why they called us the day before we arrived and actually offered us a credit to move from our BW view booking to the Village Green area, which we did. It's actually a nice change of scenery, and the credit will pay for a few nice meals.

Speaking of which, we tried the new Flying Fish menu for the first time on Sunday. It was a very good meal, but I would still put Yachtsman's above it. (We have YS on Thursday.). It's VERY different from the old menu, and much more upscale. The pork belly appetizer I had will probably win the award for best app of the trip, because it was crazy good. The waygu filet I had for main course was very good, but not even close to one of the best steaks I've ever had, as some other reviews have said. My wife really liked her fish dishes, but they were very rich. (And even upset her tummy.) The desserts were really artistic, I don't think the pictures capture how pretty they were. Overall I would probably give it a 8.5 out of 10, and expect to pay over $100 pp. We always do a number of signatures, so we'll go back again next year.

Thanks so much for posting all those photos, @psac. Tomorrow is YS Day!! Almost STEAK TIME!

Love that you call ice cream a healthy lunch. I call it my calcium supplement! Got to keep those bones strong.
Seriously, thanks for the info on the opening time.

Exactly and plus, you're on vacation - anything goes and it's always 5:00 somewhere.

Just a quick pop in to say that we had yet another wonderful BWI stay ...Got to see NPH in the CP..which was amazing...my DD was absolutely thrilled!

The weather was warmer that I can ever remember for a December..and we have been every December for a many years...This made it extra nice for enjoying Epcot at night...and all of those holiday food offering that they have all around world showcase...as always its about the food....

Some of the nicest times were meeting up with pas130 and her adorable kiddies!! ..and meeting up with disneytam too ...I didn't realize that so many folks from the boards were there at the same time...we could have had a big old DISmeet......maybe next time....

KerryCM Sounds like you are having a wonderful birthday trip!! ..many happy returns to you!

psac Great pics...I was a bit disappointed about there not being that festive gingerbread house in the lobby this year...but the displays..and cookie decorating did look like a nice replacement....

I did take lots of pics...will be happy to share....but being back to reality means limited time to hang around here at the moment....lol...Be back to share some soon though....

Thanks for checking in with us post-trip, @BlueSkies. Are you booking GF or BWI for your next rip?

 

[KerryCM]

I am having a fantastic trip. I will say the evening offerings in the lounge are amazing. There is a chef who cooks right in the lounge and what we have sampled so far is so good. Last night we had, cooked by the chef, pork belly on a crostini with a cranberry relish on top,and bang bang shrimp and grits. Also available was a cheese fondue with yummy bread, potato cups with boneless short rib, warm spinach and artichoke dip, cheeses and veggies.

Tonight was pumpkin risotto, and chicken and waffles. The risotto was soooooooo good. I am so very happy to be here. The cast members are like family to us and I have missed staying here. I have a feeling it is going to be very difficult to get reservations here in the future as well. Jim and I were lucky enough to meet Bob Iger yesterday, I posted a picture in the concierge thread, and he was so nice to talk to. So, I guess you could say my birthday trip is off to a very successful start.

 

[gometros]

Sitting in the airport, waiting for our flight. Anyway received our room ready notification. It was 3007, all the way at the end of the hall. I called the number included in the notification and after being transferred to the front desk, a very helpful cast member was able to switch rooms for us. I know room requests aren't guaranteed, but it was nice of them to make the change.

 

[psac]

I am having a fantastic trip. I will say the evening offerings in the lounge are amazing. There is a chef who cooks right in the lounge and what we have sampled so far is so good. Last night we had, cooked by the chef, pork belly on a crostini with a cranberry relish on top,and bang bang shrimp and grits. Also available was a cheese fondue with yummy bread, potato cups with boneless short rib, warm spinach and artichoke dip, cheeses and veggies.

Tonight was pumpkin risotto, and chicken and waffles. The risotto was soooooooo good. I am so very happy to be here. The cast members are like family to us and I have missed staying here. I have a feeling it is going to be very difficult to get reservations here in the future as well. Jim and I were lucky enough to meet Bob zinger yesterday, I posted a picture in the concierge thread, and he was so nice to talk to. So, I guess you could say my birthday trip is off to a very successful start.

Was that an autocorrect on Bob Iger? I had read somewhere else that he was at Jingle Bam Jam (whatever) on Monday.

 

[KerryCM]

Was that an autocorrect on Bob Iger? I had read somewhere else that he was at Jingle Bam Jam (whatever) on Monday.

Yes it was!

 

[disneynutz]

Apologies if this has already been answered but we are in a preferred view using DVC points. It doesn't say boardwalk or garden view just preferred view. Does that mean we could have either view? I am happy to just be going but I would like to know what to expect.

DVC preferred view will be the pools, rooms on the back side opposite the boardwalk. Boardwalk views are a separate category and the reservation will state boardwalk view. Standard views are along the driveway and facing the parking lot, those rooms will be listed as standard on the reservation.

 

[gometros]

We're here. The room we were switched to is right inside the construction zone, but that's okay, don't plan to be in the room much during the day.

 

[gometros]

Lol. Sitting on the couch waiting for my wife to get ready and there's a guy on my balcony getting ready to paint.

 

[jolene63]

Lol. Sitting on the couch waiting for my wife to get ready and there's a guy on my balcony getting ready to paint.

Are you on the inn side or the villa side? We will be on the villa side in 10 days and wonder if we will have to deal with construction.

 

[psac]

Lol. Sitting on the couch waiting for my wife to get ready and there's a guy on my balcony getting ready to paint.

Were you at least a good host and did you offer him a beer?

I hope you don't change in front of the balcony often!

 

[100acreHiker]

Thought I'd stop in to report how our first stay at BWI went. We did 5 nights last week (just returned Monday). We've stayed at GF, CR, and BC, and just loved BWI. My kids actually prefered the slide and pool complex at BWI to Stormalong Bay (which we find too crowded and my little one didn't like the covered/tube part of the slide at Stormalong).

Our experience and thoughts: We were initially disappointed when we arrived that our Touring Plans fax request wasn't granted (I know it's not a guarantee). Not only did we not get a garden or Epcot view room, we got a parking lot view, which we specifically asked not to get. We were a party of three rooms, and the first to check in, and they noted that the reason we didn't get our request (the only room in our party to make a request) was because they put the three parties with the same last name next to each other. I found this interesting since I did not request we be next to each other. In fact, I really did not want to be next to our family, and I managed the other reservations so I know no one else in our party requested this. So I was bummed that the only request I did make was denied, but another I didn't want at all was issued in its stead. I expressed disappointment, so they switched just our room to the other side of the hall and it was absolutely a perfect view. Fifth floor and a perfect view of the geodesic dome and Illuminations. I was so grateful and thanked her profusely. As an aside, the CM checking us in made a point to say that I booked a standard room and that those are only of the parking lot and that if I wanted a garden or Epcot view, I'd have to pay significantly more. Not true, I pointed out. On the Inn side, the only view categories are Water/Boardwalk or Standard, which includes garden. When I kindly mentioned that, she checked some paperwork and said, "Oh."

The resort was absolutely gorgeous with all of the holiday decorations! We didn't mind having all (or most) food options on the Boardwalk. We took breakfast in the Bellevue Lounge in the mornings. They DO have hot breakfast sandwiches, as well as my new favorite: greek yogurt with chia seeds, raspberries and granola. It was lovely out on the deck in the morning, and the fire was going in the lobby and it was quiet and peaceful and absolutely stunning. We passed on the gingerbread ornament activity. Toilet in our room broke but engineering was quick to fix it. Housekeeping was spot-on, kind and thorough. DH says Boardwalk is his favorite of all the resorts we've stayed in, and I agree, though I will always love GF. However, our kids (12 and 8) are sort of "over" Magic Kingdom and much prefer EP & HS, so this makes sense for us. DH also prefers the vibe to BC (which was louder with more kids and crowds at the pool) and also that we were more or less guaranteed a balcony. Great meal at Trattoria al Forno. Easy walk to Epcot. Bus and boat service was excellent with direct service to MK.

The one thing that was disappointing in comparison to the other resorts we've stayed in was the quality of the mattresses. Notably harder and just overall worse and less luxurious. That would really be my only room-specific complaint. We loved everything else about the resort! This is our 5th trip in 4 years so I don't know when we'll get to return, but I do hope when we do that it will be to the BWI.