Getting a Boardwalk View

[ReneeQ]

We just returned from BWV last week. My husband and I are going on the 7 day cruise (Verandah room) this October. So points are low for a while. I'm planning a trip for Jan. 2002 with my best friend and her daughter (my godchild) and it will have to be in a studio because that's all the points I have.

Here's my question - I'm planning to book exactly at the 11 month window. Does anyone know my chances of getting Boardwalk view? If booking exactly 11 months in advance and requesting Boardwalk view doesn't get you that view, what on earth would? Since I have so few points, and I'll be borrowing from the next year for this Jan. 2002 trip, I'd really like to use as few points as possible. I was going to get standard view. BUT since we're having to get a studio instead of 1BR I thought I'd spend the extra points for Boardwalk view to make the trip a little more special, if I have a chance of getting it. If not, I'd just assume spend less points and go standard view.

I'm rambling. Does this make sense? What are my chances? Would you forget it and save the points and go standard view? Or do you think I'd have a good chance at Boardwalk view this far in advance and spend the extra points, chancing I'd just get a pool or canal view?

Thanks!

 

[Minnie*Mouse]

From past experience and what I've read on these boards the standard view at the BWV seems to book up far quicker than the preferred view. When I called to make my reservation, standard view wasn't an option for me, I had to take preferred view.

As far as what view should you get, it all depends on how special this vacation is. Is this their first time? Ahhhh, what the heck splurge a little--get the preferred view and request a view of the Boardwalk--you won't regret it.

M*M

 

[zurgswife]

Are all preferred view only Boardwalk???

I had a studio on the Boardwalk once and found it was a bit noisy for my tastes. I've had standard all the others and haven't minded it in the least.

If all the preferred rooms are boardwalk views they i would suspect that booking at the 11-month window would guarentee such a view. Other wise if they are not and there are other views that they consider preferred views then they assign the rooms between 3-5 days prior to arrival and one can only make a request and hope for a boardwalk view

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[PamOKW]

No, preferred view does not mean (or guarantee) a Boardwalk view. Consider the history of preferred vs. standard view. In the beginning, all views were the same amount of points just like at the other WDW DVC resorts. If you look at the building it has "arms" that stretch out. Some look at one of the two pools and MGM, some look out along the Boardwalk and/or the courtyard area and some look out the front which also includes the parking lot areas. Members expecting the Boardwalk who got the parking lot view complained and DVC established the "standard" view at a lower rate. Requesting at 11 months will help but it's still not a guarantee. It depends how people are checking in and whether a room is available. Preferred just guarantees you won't be looking out at the front entrance area.

 

[CarolMN]

Hi, Renee -

In additon to reserving at the 11 month window, I think the day you check in may make a difference in getting that popular boardwalk view. After all, even if you are at the "top of the list", if there isn't a boardwalk view studio available on the day you check in, you can't get that view. It appears that many DVC members prefer Sun - Thursday vacations. Can you arrange your trip to check in on a Friday or perhaps a Saturday? I think this could increase your chances of getting that boardwalk view - JMHO. If it were me, I'd go for a standard view and ask for a sudio plus. )It seems more roomy with that extra daybed and there's no connecting door / lock off to another room. Then I'd do a special meal or show to make the trip special for my guests. BUT, it's YOUR trip. Wishing you a wonderful trip - no matter what you decide to do.

Carol

 

[LauraS]

that room preferences are granted in order of the date that they are booked. At least that's how they set out to honor requests. Having said that, I have read many, many posts here on this board where members have booked a preferred studio at the 11 month window and have *not* gotten the boardwalk view that they requested.

We recently enjoyed a 5 night stay in a preferred studio (plus) this past November and got a beautful courtyard/Boardwalk view. I booked it five months out. I called the BWV Rooms controller 24 hours before check-in and reminded them of our request. I don't know if that call made the difference for sure, but it certainly didn't hurt.

 

[RobDoc]

Keep in mind that honoring requests is often dependant on what rooms will be available on the day you check in. Even if you have reserved 11 months ahead- if, on your arrival day, no one is checking out of the location/view you requested - there will be none available.
Everything is dependant on availability. Good Luck!

Doc
doc@wdwinfo.com

 

[PamOKW]

Also consider when you are going, reserving 11 months out at a busy time doesn't hold all that much weight since just about everybody else booked at 11 months as well. (A cry heard at the desk during Christmas Week.)

 

[tiggersnj]

We book the very first day of out eleven month window and ask for a boardwalk view. We book November every year and so far we have been lucky. There is one exception, when we took our family down who hadn't been there in 15 years, we ended up looking at the back of a building. We were there for nearly 2 weeks and they did change our rooms after four days to a boardwalk view. Good Luck and enjoy the cruise.