Resort Thread Disney's BOARDWALK INN Resort

[NobodyNew]

This April, we are doing a split stay BWV / AKL

we ended up with boardwalk view and we are both pretty excited to stay at BWV for the first time. Being able to walk to and from Epcot is awesome!

Can’t wait

 

[minster22]

Anyone know if the business office is open at the Boardwalk? We always ship a box home at the end of our trip. Last year it was still closed.

 

[Kirsti]

Being able to walk to and from Epcot is awesome!

And not just Epcot... HS too! We just missed a Friendship boat to there one morning, waited for a few minutes at the dock, and then decided to walk. And we arrived there pretty much at the same time as the boat that we missed catching - and certainly well before whichever boat we would actually have been on. Plus it's a really pretty walk along the waterside.

 

[Sarahslay]

And not just Epcot... HS too! We just missed a Friendship boat to there one morning, waited for a few minutes at the dock, and then decided to walk. And we arrived there pretty much at the same time as the boat that we missed catching - and certainly well before whichever boat we would actually have been on. Plus it's a really pretty walk along the waterside.

And staying on the villa side we had a shot cut down to the walk way from our room. Just down a set of stairs and out a door right by the walking path by the water past the quiet pool. It cut out a ton of walking, and wait time for a boat (which I only ever used for Epcot since it was the next stop), a nice quick walk....or not if you want to walk slow and really enjoy it.

 

[Kirsti]

And staying on the villa side we had a shot cut down to the walk way from our room. Just down a set of stairs and out a door right by the walking path by the water past the quiet pool. It cut out a ton of walking, and wait time for a boat (which I only ever used for Epcot since it was the next stop), a nice quick walk....or not if you want to walk slow and really enjoy it.

Yeah, we tried to figure out if there was a shortcut through the pool area or something to get to the Inn side, but never had the time to explore properly... maybe someone on here does know and can mark it out on a map or something!

 

[Nabas]

And not just Epcot... HS too! We just missed a Friendship boat to there one morning, waited for a few minutes at the dock, and then decided to walk. And we arrived there pretty much at the same time as the boat that we missed catching - and certainly well before whichever boat we would actually have been on. Plus it's a really pretty walk along the waterside.

Yes, it is a lovely walk when the weather is nice and is considerably faster than the Friendship boat, which stops at the Y&BC as well as the S&D before continuing to DHS.

 

[Nabas]

Yeah, we tried to figure out if there was a shortcut through the pool area or something to get to the Inn side, but never had the time to explore properly... maybe someone on here does know and can mark it out on a map or something!

If you are on the Inn side, the quickest path is to walk across to the other side of the lobby and follow the long Boardwalk Villas hallway. Either take the BWV elevator to the first floor or stay on the second floor and take the stairs at the end of the hallway to the first floor.



But it's a very long hallway, so keep walking until you reach the end.

 

[Sarahslay]

Yeah, we tried to figure out if there was a shortcut through the pool area or something to get to the Inn side, but never had the time to explore properly... maybe someone on here does know and can mark it out on a map or something!

There is a bit of a short cut near the pool by the gym, but I haven’t been through that area since January 2020 so I don’t have a great way to explain it

 

[Kirsti]

Thank you @Nabas - that's really helpful. Because we definitely plan on being back so will save that for next time. The closest we got was figuring out that taking the path into the parking lot, over the bridge and up to the front doors was quicker than walking onto the Boardwalk past Jelly Rolls. But your way looks a lot more manageable!

 

[Mrs.AMC]

Thank you @Nabas - that's really helpful. Because we definitely plan on being back so will save that for next time. The closest we got was figuring out that taking the path into the parking lot, over the bridge and up to the front doors was quicker than walking onto the Boardwalk past Jelly Rolls. But your way looks a lot more manageable!

I've done both and if you are on the Inn side, yes it's faster to walk through the pool area, coming out to join the walking path near the BWV Community room. Walking around the other end of the building by the parking lot wasn't quicker.

 

[Mrs.AMC]

And not just Epcot... HS too! We just missed a Friendship boat to there one morning, waited for a few minutes at the dock, and then decided to walk. And we arrived there pretty much at the same time as the boat that we missed catching - and certainly well before whichever boat we would actually have been on. Plus it's a really pretty walk along the waterside.

I tested it one trip, when staying at YC. I got on the boat and my husband and granddaughter took off to walk. They were walking in the door to the YC building before my boat docked at the YC dock. BWI is even quicker. About the only resort it's quicker to take the boat is Swan/Dolphin, since you have to walk out, up and over the bridge vs. it being the first/last stop.

 

[Nabas]

I tested it one trip, when staying at YC. I got on the boat and my husband and granddaughter took off to walk. They were walking in the door to the YC building before my boat docked at the YC dock. BWI is even quicker. About the only resort it's quicker to take the boat is Swan/Dolphin, since you have to walk out, up and over the bridge vs. it being the first/last stop.

Yes, Swan/Dolphin is the first/last stop. So if you are staying there, it definitely makes sense to take the boat to DHS.

From the Y&BC, it is a long walk to DHS. Going to or coming from DHS, there's only one stop (Swan/Dolphin), so it also makes sense to take the boat to DHS from there. Even if walking is faster, taking the boat saves a lot of extra walking.

But the Boardwalk is the third stop going to or coming from DHS. Meanwhile, the Boardwalk is the closest hotel to DHS. Unless it's raining, we always walk from the Boardwalk to DHS.

 

[icompleteme]

We are staying for a week starting February 19th in a DVC "1 bedroom Villa garden or pool view". I was under the impression booking that we would have a boardwalk view but I guess not. Little disappointed but won't let it ruin the trip, especially since we will be out so much.

My question though - Was wondering if any of you pros had a suggestion on rooms to try and request? Traveling with a an infant and a 4 year old so maybe near an elevator? Thanks in advance on any pointers!

 

[CarolynFH]

We are staying for a week starting February 19th in a DVC "1 bedroom Villa garden or pool view". I was under the impression booking that we would have a boardwalk view but I guess not. Little disappointed but won't let it ruin the trip, especially since we will be out so much.

My question though - Was wondering if any of you pros had a suggestion on rooms to try and request? Traveling with a an infant and a 4 year old so maybe near an elevator? Thanks in advance on any pointers!

You could request "view of Village Green" - that's the lawn between the Inn and the Villas, on the Boardwalk side of the resort, so it has partial views of the Boardwalk although it's classified as G/P view. That area is also along the first section of hallway from the elevators, so it would help in that respect as well. There are mostly studios with that view, maybe only one 1 BR per floor (can't remember), so you might want to make "near elevator" as your second request.

OTOH if you're going to need quiet in the afternoons for naps, I'd forget the Village Green and the near elevator and request "view of quiet pool or activity lawn." The Village Green rooms can be noisy due to pedestrian traffic to and from the Boardwalk at all times of day and night, and villas with a view of the Luna Park pool can be very, very noisy in the afternoon when the CMs are leading activities there.

 

[Kimrlav]

Anyone know if the business office is open at the Boardwalk? We always ship a box home at the end of our trip. Last year it was still closed.

I do not know if the business office is open. If you are shipping Disney purchases home - save your receipts throughout your stay. You can ship your items home from the ScreenDoor General store on the Boardwalk with your receipts. Shipping is based on the dollar amount of the items, but it is very convenient and easy - also cheaper than checking an extra suitcase without the hassle of bringing to the MCO airport.

 

[minster22]

Kimrlav, I appreciate your reply but this box is full of stuff that we actually ship down making the return trip home! My best friend is a notorious overpacker !!

 

[Pooh12863]

You could request "view of Village Green" - that's the lawn between the Inn and the Villas, on the Boardwalk side of the resort, so it has partial views of the Boardwalk although it's classified as G/P view. That area is also along the first section of hallway from the elevators, so it would help in that respect as well. There are mostly studios with that view, maybe only one 1 BR per floor (can't remember), so you might want to make "near elevator" as your second request.

OTOH if you're going to need quiet in the afternoons for naps, I'd forget the Village Green and the near elevator and request "view of quiet pool or activity lawn." The Village Green rooms can be noisy due to pedestrian traffic to and from the Boardwalk at all times of day and night, and villas with a view of the Luna Park pool can be very, very noisy in the afternoon when the CMs are leading activities there.

All the DVC G/P view rooms on the Village Green I believe are dedicated studios the 1BR’s on the corner of the Village Green above the Wyland Gallery are BW view.

 

[CarolynFH]

All the DVC G/P view rooms on the Village Green I believe are dedicated studios the 1BR’s on the corner of the Village Green above the Wyland Gallery are BW view.

All of the rooms along that side of the building were originally categorized as BW view. We had that 1 BR a number of years ago when we had booked BW view and protested that it was not because of the poor view of the actual Boardwalk. Those rooms including the 1 BR were recategorized as G/P view a year or two later. Yes, most are studios, but that single 1 BR on each floor near the corner is included as G/P because the view of the BW is really very poor.

 

[Pooh12863]

All of the rooms along that side of the building were originally categorized as BW view. We had that 1 BR a number of years ago when we had booked BW view and protested that it was not because of the poor view of the actual Boardwalk. Those rooms including the 1 BR were recategorized as G/P view a year or two later. Yes, most are studios, but that single 1 BR on each floor near the corner is included as G/P because the view of the BW is really very poor.

If I’m wrong I stand corrected and apologize for any misinformation I’ve put forth. My understanding was from the room location map that’s posted in numerous threads on the forum.

 

[CarolynFH]

If I’m wrong I stand corrected and apologize for any misinformation I’ve put forth. My understanding was from the room location map that’s posted in numerous threads on the forum.

Well, I’m not sure you’re wrong either! When we had that room, it was BW view, and we asked to move because of the poor view. Those Village Green rooms were recategorized after our stay, and I’ve read a few reports over the years since then from people who booked 1 BR G/P view, got those rooms and were delighted with their “partial BW view.” But I don’t have personal experience, and since the points cost is the same, maybe the room assigners can flip them from G/P to BW view based on need!