Does anyone like the BWI??

[roozlilone]

Need some opinions, pleaseeeeeeeeeeee.......we are leaving this weekend for a last minute 4th of July weekend trip (and birthday trip, I turn 36 on July 1, woohoo) and I booked the BWI with an AP rate of $189. I've never stayed at the BWI...so I've been searching the boards for some info....it just doesn't seem like the BWI is anyone's favorite...not a lot is said about the BWI...other site reviews aren't very good...reviews of the rooms aren't very encouraging either....it's not a cheap resort, that is for sure....does anyone love the BWI? Availability just came open at the Beach Club for the same price.....should I switch to the BC? Or should I keep the BWI? I need some HONEST opinions! I can handle it... Please help! I want to have a great birthday trip! Rooms are a big deal for me, I know it has a great location (we love walking to Epcot) but I'm a room junkie and love NICE rooms!

 

[elaine88]

BWI is my favorite!

any specific concerns? questions?

 

[kbmag1]

We have stayed at the BWI and BC. Bwi was very nice, the CM's went out of there way to make our stay wonderful ( it was my daughters birthday). Our room was very clean and bright and cheery. The balcony overlooked the boardwalk so it did get a bit noisy, though we didn't mind we are always happy to be at Disney! Our stay at BC was also great, the pool there is unbelievable, much better than BWI. The rooms are about the same, clean and bright. We have stayed at all the resorts at Disney and can't really recall a bad stay. Just being there is fabulous. I think you can have a good time at either resort, if the pool is important pick BC. Have fun and Happy Birthday.

 

[zurgswife]

While I've never stayed in the BWI I'm a DVC owner so I've stayed at BWV many many times. I love the hotel, resort and the location. That being said if you are going to have any kids with you you might want to consider BC as I think that is the best pool for all age kids.

 

[4mykids]

We have stayed at many of the resorts. We really enjoyed BWI. The rooms are very nice. Very similar to rooms at BC, just diffent theming. We had a great room overlooking gardens where they sometimes have weddings. We enjoyed the location (love the Epcot Resort Area) with back entry to Epcot. Love the Boardwalk itself. We were steered away from the rooms overlooking the Boardwalk by the CM at the desk. He told us they are quite noisy at night especially at a busy time of the year.

I think you will be quite pleased with the BW. If you have a choice between BC and BWI, try BC due to the pool.

Enjoy!

 

[goofy4tink]

Love BW...that's where we own DVC. It's the only resort my dh would consider buying at. You don't hear too much about it because it is a smaller resort, and those of us that love it, try to downplay it so it doesn't get too crowded!!!!! I think you'll love it.

 

[noseybuddy]

I have stayed at the BWI and really liked it. The location is great. Loved eating breakfast at Spoodles and dinner and the Flying Fish. You have ESPN club there and it is great being able to just walk over to the Swan and Dolphin and Yacht and Beach Club. I really love this location and was torn on where to stay this August. I chose the Poly because I have never stayed there and I always like to try different resorts.

 

[SimbaNoodle]

If swimming is important to your trip, I would move to BC. Stormalong Bay is great and your only moving across the Lake.

Beach Club has become my favorite resort.

 

[Greg K.]

...and love it.

It's spiffy and fun and has a real nostalgic atmosphere to it. You really will feel like you are (as they say in Jersey) "down shore."

 

[Lives4Disney]

I wanted to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY! My older daughter's and my husband's birthdays are both on July 1, also! I am going to WDW on July 3 (YC/GF split)to celebrate my 40th which falls on July 8.

I think BWI is very pretty. The rooms are charmingly & cozily decorated. We enjoyed the overall resort look and location. We were there last Thanksgiving and experienced some horrid service issues. That's what is keeping us from returning. Hope housekeeping & management has improved since then.

Have a wonderful time,

Lives4Disney

 

[noseybuddy]

Funny, that was my experience with the GF and I haven't returned since. It's funny how one bad experience will keep us away from a resort.

 

[roozlilone]

BWI is my favorite!

any specific concerns? questions?

I've read the rooms are "outdated" and not well-maintained. I like the look of the resort from the pics I've seen, but you can't always go by a picture. How are the rooms? How hard is it to get a bite to eat...I know there isn't a restaurant in the hotel....is it a pain to have to walk to the boardwalk to eat. I'm use to the food courts in the other resorts, like AKL, CSR etc. Thanks for the help!

 

[goofy4tink]

I've read the rooms are "outdated" and not well-maintained. I like the look of the resort from the pics I've seen, but you can't always go by a picture. How are the rooms? How hard is it to get a bite to eat...I know there isn't a restaurant in the hotel....is it a pain to have to walk to the boardwalk to eat. I'm use to the food courts in the other resorts, like AKL, CSR etc. Thanks for the help!

I can't speak to the room conditions on the Inn side since I stay in a villa. But, I can address the eating issue. This is the one complaint I have with BW. I also like the convenience of a food court, and really miss it at BW. Sure, I have either a kitchen or a kitchenette in my villa, but sometimes I just want to grab something quick, rather than cook it myself. YC/BC actually put in a small food area over by the BCV area, as part of the gift shop area. I really liked that when we stayed there last year.
So, you can get something to eat fairly easily on the boardwalk itself. You can grab a quick bite at the pool, or at Spoodles window service. But, it's not the same as a food court area. I wonder why Disney hasn't put a small one in at BW yet....the other deluxes have one. Granted, it's a long walk from the YC over to the food area at BC, but at least it's there!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Funny, that was my experience with the GF and I haven't returned since. It's funny how one bad experience will keep us away from a resort.

Hi, Noseybuddy -Good service is a big deal with me. It's important on vacation!! I see from your signature that you haven't stayed at the GF since 2002. Just an FYI incase you may maybe give the GF another try, (I know it's hard when you've had a bad time) I know that the GF has had major management changes in the hotel as well as in concierge. The service there has been outstanding for us since 11/04 our first visit. We have stayed about 6 times since then, and at almost all the other WDW deluxes for the past 15 years, but we are hooked on that GF. It's our dream vacation when we stay at the GF RPC.

Lives4Disney

 

[kellyf2626]

We have only stayed at BWV....but love it!! The boardwalk is great, and the short walk to Epcot can't be beat!! I think you will really enjoy this resort. I wish I were going with you!! Have a blast!

 

[elaine88]

i've never heard that the rooms were considered out of date. was there just this past december and the rooms were as lovely and as clean as ever. we had a great view of the gardens. really, it was a pretty room.

now the food issue is big for a lot of people, but not for us. GF, CR, and WL are more convenient for this reason, but still this is not a deal breaker for us. we're not big snackers or lunch eaters though so keep this in mind.

it is not a pain to go to the boardwalk to get coffee or a dessert or a pizza. now this is one complaint i will never understand. it's actually quite nice in the morning. i always volunteer to do the food or beverage runs.

while the CR, GF, and BWI are my favorites, i don't think you could go wrong w/ the beach/yacht club either. i would stick w/ the BWI, but if you decide to go for the big pool w/ more convenient food options you'll still have a great time. and the boardwalk is just a 5 minute walk away. go w/ your gut or toss a coin!! you can't go wrong.

 

[Micca]

We liked it a lot. We are trying a variety of resorts and we'll happily stay at BWI again one day.

 

[antmaril]

We love the Boardwalk Inn. It is our favorite. We have stayed there twice and are planning to return again in January.

We love the location, the theming, the Boardwalk, EVERYTHING!

I particularly love walking back to the hotel from EPCOT after Illuminations.

Our rooms have always been lovely.

I can highly recommend.

 

[Greg K.]

Stop me if you've heard this. (I've posted it elsewhere...)

But to me, the Board Walk Inn is like the Grand Floridian, dressed in her play clothes, headed for a day at the beach . It's just that nice and airy and elegant. The old girl has traded in her heels and hoop skirts for sandals and bathing knickers.

 

[lillygator]

hey OP - I was just about to come ask the same question...we'll see you there, we check in on Saturday!