First BWV visit. Any pointers?

[SusanWasHere]

Heading to WDW on 12/15-12/20 and staying at the Boardwalk Villas. Have never stayed there before. Anyone have any good advice or pointers? I've stayed at the Beach Club, Animal Kingdom, Coronado, and Pop. Anything good I should know about BWV? Looking forward to it - can't wait!! Hope everyone has a great holiday. Thank you!!!!!!!!!

 

[catheren]

BWV are GREAT! Are you in a studio of a 1-bedroom?
We use www.gardengrocery to have our food delivered. The BW puts all food that needs refrigeration in their refrig and brings it out at check in.
Make sure you walk around the BW at night lot of things going on. The restaurants are great. I love getting up early, and going to the BW bakery.

 

[DebbieB]

Which view do you have booked? DVC points or through CRO?

 

[MommaSnowwhite]

We just returned from a week at BWV. They are really nice - we had a 1 BR villa and loved the space! One thing we didn't like was the total lack of decent counter service - you can get pizza, hotdogs and the like but we really wanted something better and hot (not a cold sandwich). After we discovered the lack of counter service we just knew that we would eat before we came back.

Have a great time!

 

[abubu919]

Definitely walk around the boardwalk at night...wonderful and sometimes depending on view you can see Illuminations. Also rooms wise try to ask for one close to the elevator halls tend to be long. One bedroom is lovely though. We stayed in one in October and we loved it as always

 

[bradisgoofy]

... One thing we didn't like was the total lack of decent counter service - you can get pizza, hotdogs and the like but we really wanted something better and hot (not a cold sandwich). After we discovered the lack of counter service we just knew that we would eat before we came back....

Boardwalk is a deluxe area so there is no demand for counter service per say. BWV is our home resort and probably has the best variety of food choices of any area. Did you check Beaches and Cream? How about the deli at the Beach Club? You can't beat the ESPN Club for sandwiches like the world class Home Run Hot Dog and the pulled pork. And there are several top quality sit down restaurants on the Boardwalk and over at the Yacht/Beach Club area plus Cape May Bay for buffet dinning.

 

[NMAmy]

Boardwalk is a deluxe area so there is no demand for counter service per say.

Lots of deluxes have a counter service option and it is disappointing that the BW area itself doesn't have a lot of choices in quick service options. The Boardwalk Bakery is good but always has a long line and a very limited menu.

We tend to just walk over to the Dolphin and go to Picabu's for a large selection of hot and cold quick service items. If the parks are open, we hit one of the WS counter service options.

 

[spodie]

Boardwalk is a deluxe area so there is no demand for counter service per say.

The Boardwalk is the resort we usually stay in and would LOVE a good counter service place there. Yeah, the pizza window is OK and the Boardwalk Bakery is too, but I would really like to see a place that is close that we can run right up to and grab something when we're on the run.

Anyway, back to the main question - I love the Boardwalk! Make sure you check out the quiet pool that is off the lobby. You may have to look at the resort map to get to it because it's so tucked away, but since not many people know about it, it is a great place to relax for awhile.

 

[SusanWasHere]

Thank you all for your responses! We'll be in a studio, boardwalk view. It's a short trip and with the weather hopefully not being oppressive, we'll be in the parks most of the time. We also have plans to eat in EPCOT every day, so won't really miss the lack of counter service. Plus, being Beach Club fans if we really had to, we could go to the Marketplace or Hurricane Hannah's. I can't wait to go!!! I did request near an elevator as my mom has a cane and trouble walking, we'll see how that works out Happy holidays everyone! 20 days until my trip!!

 

[Mea]

We just arrived at BWV today staying in a one bedroom villa. It is beyond my expectations. WOW what a tub. The room we are in has been refurbished and i Did not realize we would have a balcony off the bedroom and living room.
Beautiful flatscreens, spotless, nice , nice nice. Right now my two year old and 7 month old and DH are all sleeping and my 17 year old is on the boardwalk....( ESPN CLUB ) we had dinner at Kouzzina Thanksgiving buffet was great. We are in room 2034 and my parents are in 2032 with views of the pool

 

[Deb & Bill]

Thank you all for your responses! We'll be in a studio, boardwalk view. It's a short trip and with the weather hopefully not being oppressive, we'll be in the parks most of the time. We also have plans to eat in EPCOT every day, so won't really miss the lack of counter service. Plus, being Beach Club fans if we really had to, we could go to the Marketplace or Hurricane Hannah's. I can't wait to go!!! I did request near an elevator as my mom has a cane and trouble walking, we'll see how that works out Happy holidays everyone! 20 days until my trip!!

Unfortunately, a BW view studio near the elevator isn't likely since there is only one elevator and it's near the center of the building, pretty far from the actual BW.

Have you thought about renting a wheelchair or scooter for your mom? The DISabilities Board has info on that.

 

[DebbieB]

Unfortunately, a BW view studio near the elevator isn't likely since there is only one elevator and it's near the center of the building, pretty far from the actual BW.

Have you thought about renting a wheelchair or scooter for your mom? The DISabilities Board has info on that.

I've had a BW view studio over the store. It's not right off the elevator, but not that far.

 

[matt and beth]

We stayed there last year and loved the location. Did not care for the unrefurbished room. It boardered on nasty.
1. You can walk to to DS or Epcot. No problems. Did it with a four year old daughter.
2. We actually liked the quick service at the bakery. It was a nice change from the usual the poor kids have to endure at the parks.
3. The bakery has nice breakfast rolls.
4. Watch the seagulls if you eat outside.
5. Get the refillable mug. They give you a fresh disposable cup for your drinks. Coffee in the morning at the bakery and coffee or pop in the evening from the bakery.
6. Enjoy the magic or comedy shows after the parks in the evenings. My kids loved them.
7. The buses make lots of stops. Dolphin, Swan, and BC at times. So do not be in a hurry to get where you are going.

 

[heimlichfan]

I will be staying at BWV for the first time in January and am looking for pointers and info as well.

The fam and I will be staying in a 2bdrm villa for five days. It would be ideal to be "close" to everything, priority being the elevators and bus. Are the 2bdrms all spread out, or are they grouped together? Any room request recommendations would be much appreciated!

 

[DebbieB]

I will be staying at BWV for the first time in January and am looking for pointers and info as well.

The fam and I will be staying in a 2bdrm villa for five days. It would be ideal to be "close" to everything, priority being the elevators and bus. Are the 2bdrms all spread out, or are they grouped together? Any room request recommendations would be much appreciated!

Which view do you have? CRO or DVC points? For boardwalk view, most of the 2 bedrooms are at the far end. For standard or pool/garden, they are spread out in different areas.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I will be staying at BWV for the first time in January and am looking for pointers and info as well.

The fam and I will be staying in a 2bdrm villa for five days. It would be ideal to be "close" to everything, priority being the elevators and bus. Are the 2bdrms all spread out, or are they grouped together? Any room request recommendations would be much appreciated!

A two bedroom at BWV is just a one bedroom with a studio connected. There are no dedicated two bedroom villas. There is only one set of elevators in the building, right in the center, so there can be some long walks to the elevators through the corridors.

You catch the bus over by the convention center on the BWInn side of the BW. Or you can take the bridge over to the Swan and catch a bus there. Often the Swan bus can be quicker - as long as the bus isn't hitting all five Epcot resorts (Swan, Dolphin, YC, BC/BCV, BWI/BWV).

If you have a car, the parking lot is a nice little hike to the villas and to the Inn. And if you have to park at the overflow parking, that's even a longer hike. Wear your most comfortable shoes when you stay at the BWV, because you'll be doing a lot of walking.

Enjoy your stay.

 

[SnackyStacky]

Unfortunately, a BW view studio near the elevator isn't likely since there is only one elevator and it's near the center of the building, pretty far from the actual BW.

Have you thought about renting a wheelchair or scooter for your mom? The DISabilities Board has info on that.

Agreed.

Stayed there and the walk to our room was extreme. On a GOOD day! I would definitely look into something for your mom. The resort does offer wheelchairs - but they're a first come first served basis. So I think Deb & Bill may be on to something with looking into a rental.

 

[fla4fun]

If you have a car, the parking lot is a nice little hike to the villas and to the Inn. And if you have to park at the overflow parking, that's even a longer hike. Wear your most comfortable shoes when you stay at the BWV, because you'll be doing a lot of walking.

Enjoy your stay.

Parking is the only thing I don't like about BW/BWV. I usually just park my car on check in day and don't move it until check out day. Coming back in the evening and trying to find a space can be a real challenge sometimes, so it's not worth driving to the parks.

That being said, I actually prefer the BWV location to BCV. It's more central for walking to both Epcot and DHS, it has the boat dock right there if you decide not to walk (instead of having to walk from BCV to YC for a boat). I've stayed in studios and 1 BR villas and enjoyed both. I prefer the pool view rooms to the boardwalk view - I find it more serene (I usually request an upper floor). I don't feel the walk to the rooms is any longer here than if you get a room at the end of the hall at BCV (and I've been at the end of both).