Resort Thread Disney's BOARDWALK INN Resort

[bluecastle]

The drivers and CMs said it's in a testing phase. They need to have more riders to cover the cost. A few times we used it, my DD and I were the only riders. When you buy the service, they give you a map. I haven't looked at a regular park map on this trip, but I doubt they are labeled on those maps. The locations are not hard to find and there is clear signage. There is only one internal stop per park.

We figured we saved a good hour by using the service the first day. We hopped to 3 parks. Interestingly, we think we didn't come back to BWI as often as we typically do because of the express transportation.

We are having lots of fun. It was really warm our first few days -- and we were coming from 8 inches of snow and horrible cold. The 85 degrees felt great. This morning it is only 65 and the high will be 75. So a little chilly.

Those temps sound lovely! When we were there in 2009, it was so cold we had to buy sweatshirts and gloves!
Thanks for the express bus info. I wasn't sure I'd be willing to pay extra for this, but it sounds totally worth it. Hope it is a successful test!

 

[gemax]

We booked a 1 br standard view at BWV for 12/17-12/22. I requested higher floor and close to elevators. We we're given rm 3023. We couldn't be much further away from the elevators. Not bad going to the pool taking the stairs but a long walk to the lobby.
Our view looks at the Swan and the canal. The room is super quiet though.

 

[gometros]

We booked a 1 br standard view at BWV for 12/17-12/22. I requested higher floor and close to elevators. We we're given rm 3023. We couldn't be much further away from the elevators. Not bad going to the pool taking the stairs but a long walk to the lobby.
Our view looks at the Swan and the canal. The room is super quiet though.

Yes you could. You could have had 3001

 

[gemax]

Yes you could. You could have had 3001

True, but it sure feels like we're at the end of the hotel.

 

[Murron]

Don't be afraid to ask for a change if you don't like the room you were pre-assigned either. My last stay at BWI I booked standard view and when they emailed my room number, I found that it was one of the lobby level rooms looking right out at the hotel entrance (if you could see through the lattice work). Not exactly what I was hoping for. Since I knew the room wasn't what I wanted, I just went straight to the front desk, explained that the noise level would be too high in that room, even at night, and asked if I could be moved to a quieter room. They gave me a wonderful corner room in a very quiet area that was absolutely perfect.

This does not always happen. I was very unhappy with my last room. We paid for pool/garden view and had a huge mature tree with no view whatsoever. (Some might claim this as "garden"). We do use the patio frequently. In any case, point is, we were told there would be a transfer fee if we wanted another room. I think (?) it was $45. I was livid. Because I had to make a fuss (which I never ever do), they waived the $45. (Another side note was that the manager would not show his/her face at all.) The room they gave us next was another room with an even bigger tree blocking the view. We decided not to move and made a commitment never to get anything but a standard view room after wasting all those points. The P.S. is that my husband is more persistent than I, and chased DVC until we got our points back - that is, paid for standard vs. pool/garden view. An aside is that all the cast members agreed the over mature trees to be a major issue there with many many guests complaining.

 

[fla4fun]

This does not always happen. I was very unhappy with my last room. We paid for pool/garden view and had a huge mature tree with no view whatsoever. (Some might claim this as "garden"). We do use the patio frequently. In any case, point is, we were told there would be a transfer fee if we wanted another room. I think (?) it was $45. I was livid. Because I had to make a fuss (which I never ever do), they waived the $45. (Another side note was that the manager would not show his/her face at all.) The room they gave us next was another room with an even bigger tree blocking the view. We decided not to move and made a commitment never to get anything but a standard view room after wasting all those points. The P.S. is that my husband is more persistent than I, and chased DVC until we got our points back - that is, paid for standard vs. pool/garden view. An aside is that all the cast members agreed the over mature trees to be a major issue there with many many guests complaining.

So sorry your experience was different. Perhaps it is the difference between booking with DVC points and booking a cash reservation. I only have experience with cash reservations, and have not had any issues being moved if the room assigned did not meet my needs. I have only had to change rooms a couple times out of dozens and dozens of trips. But if the OP books a cash reservation, I would expect them to be able to change rooms if necessary.

 

[Murron]

So sorry your experience was different. Perhaps it is the difference between booking with DVC points and booking a cash reservation. I only have experience with cash reservations, and have not had any issues being moved if the room assigned did not meet my needs. I have only had to change rooms a couple times out of dozens and dozens of trips. But if the OP books a cash reservation, I would expect them to be able to change rooms if necessary.

Most likely (and unfortunately) you are correct. I just realized that I was on the regular Disney Resorts page and not the DVC Resorts page. So yes, cash always seems to prevail over points!

 

[hill6]

True, but it sure feels like we're at the end of the hotel.

We had 2001. My request was near the lobby. I guess I missed the one that said by the Dolphin lobby. We walked over to the boat at the Swan/Dolphin.

 

[bluecastle]

I've been a DVC member at BWV for 17 years and never heard of building 1 and building 2. On the first floor, there is a breezeway near the pool entrance that requires you to go out one door, cross the breezeway and re-enter on the other side. Floors 2 to 5 are connected, there's no break. The official map makes no mention of building 1 and 2.

These are the maps I received on my last 2 stays:

http://www.plan-a-magical-vacation.com/images/boardwalk-resort-map.jpg
http://**************.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Map-Disneys-BoardWalk-Inn-and-Villas.jpg

Thanks for these links! I'm still feeling a bit confused on what to ask for because I only know what I don't want! Not the baggage area, not a low floor, not noisy, and not too far of a walk to Epcot! I think having a standard view is going to limit my requests anyhow. Maybe just "far from baggage area and high floor"? I know Dan recommended the north building, but I have read about some rooms in the South building that people have loved. Maybe they weren't standard? Must stop stressing. Thanks again!

 

[DebbieB]

Thanks for these links! I'm still feeling a bit confused on what to ask for because I only know what I don't want! Not the baggage area, not a low floor, not noisy, and not too far of a walk to Epcot! I think having a standard view is going to limit my requests anyhow. Maybe just "far from baggage area and high floor"? I know Dan recommended the north building, but I have read about some rooms in the South building that people have loved. Maybe they weren't standard? Must stop stressing. Thanks again!

Are you booked with points? If so, I always request top floor, across from the bus stop for standard view. If not points, you will likely get a pool or garden view.

 

[bluecastle]

Are you booked with points? If so, I always request top floor, across from the bus stop for standard view. If not points, you will likely get a pool or garden view.

It's a cash reservation listed as standard. That's why I am a little confused as to what I can and cannot request, or should request. I don't want to request too much and end up having it backfire on me in some way. We are going mid-October so I think the chance of an upgrade is probably pretty low. Thanks for any and all advice!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

It's a cash reservation listed as standard. That's why I am a little confused as to what I can and cannot request, or should request. I don't want to request too much and end up having it backfire on me in some way. We are going mid-October so I think the chance of an upgrade is probably pretty low. Thanks for any and all advice!

It isn't necessarily an upgrade for a cash reservation to end up in the pool/garden view category - that is pretty much what you've booked. I'd probably make the request high floor and pool view to stay away from the baggage area. Even if by some small chance you did end up in the standard view above the baggage area (and I think that chance is very very remote on cash) you'd at least be as high above it as possible. There are WAY more rooms that look at other things than there are that look at the baggage area. No rooms at BWV will get car fumes etc.

 

[bluecastle]

It isn't necessarily an upgrade for a cash reservation to end up in the pool/garden view category - that is pretty much what you've booked. I'd probably make the request high floor and pool view to stay away from the baggage area. Even if by some small chance you did end up in the standard view above the baggage area (and I think that chance is very very remote on cash) you'd at least be as high above it as possible. There are WAY more rooms that look at other things than there are that look at the baggage area. No rooms at BWV will get car fumes etc.

Thanks for the info and reassurances, Kat. I have gotten so comfortable over the years, staying mostly at the WL and the Poly, that it feels a little scary to move out of my comfort zone. It is also very exciting!!

 

[gemax]

Here are views from BWV room 3023 I tried to post earlier. it's a one br standard view made on a cash reservation.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Here are views from BWV room 3023 I tried to post earlier. it's a one br standard view made on a cash reservation.
View attachment 211690View attachment 211691 View attachment 211692 View attachment 211693

"Standard" for a cash reservation but that is actually in the pool/garden view category.

 

[bluecastle]

Here are views from BWV room 3023 I tried to post earlier. it's a one br standard view made on a cash reservation.
View attachment 211690View attachment 211691 View attachment 211692 View attachment 211693

Thanks for sharing!

 

[bolgers love wdw]

We just booked our very first stay here at the Boardwalk for our first night of our summer vacation!! We are only staying one night...we wanted to do two nights but with the new discount code that just came out we could only do one night. (We are there Saturday June 10th! Which happens to also be my birthday!!!)

We are staying standard view and I am wondering if there are any certain room requests that would be good for a first timer?? We are excited to be able to walk on over to epcot that day to "snack" around the world!!

 

[mlittig]

I just booked my Christmas Magic trip for 2017 at the Boardwalk Villas After spending time just sitting on the gorgeous veranda at the Boardwalk during my last trip this month, I am hooked on this resort and location I am booked with a garden/pool view with a waitlist for a Boardwalk view

 

[mlittig]

Please add my trip dates to the Boardwalk Bulletin for the Boardwalk Villas from 11/28 to 12/7/17

 

[mlittig]

Happy New Year, Boardwalk friends!! May 2017 be filled with good health, many blessings, peace, happy memories, special moments and lots of Disney Magic