Getting that GR8 View at BWV

[millettesinbend]

Okay, we've heard it all from the fellow DF's (Disney Freaks) about you need to get the Boardwalk view at the Villas. What is the secret to securing that great view? We went to DL's Grand Cali over the holidays and requested a resort view well in advance and got what they called a resort view but it was more like a view of the rooms that had a resort view. Help us out?

 

[jel0511]

Unless you're a DVC member or rent points from a DVC member, it's almost impossible to secure a BW view room at BWV, as a cash paying customer. The BW view is a separate room category that can be booked by DVC members and sells out to members MONTHS in advance. DVC members have first priority in any view booking at BWV. If you rent points, you can book this view directly and have it guaranteed. If you're staying at BWI, you have to book a water view room, and then place a request for a BW view.

 

[webray]

We are not DVC members, and we have always secured a BW view everytime we have stayed..and that is a lot of times at the villas.

We always request, boardwalk view when I make the reservation, directly through 407WDISNEY...and we wait and see what happens.

I know it is always luck of the draw...and the Boardlwalk Villas is always on top of our list to stay in.

 

[mikesmom]

Boardwalk View was pretty much luck of the draw in the past. You paid for preferred view and REQUESTED Boardwalk view. Sometimes you get it, sometimes not.

Now they have changed the system. Boardwalk View is a guaranteed room. As jel0511 said, it will be very difficult to get unless you are renting from a DVC member early out. The view is highly sought after and is pretty much locked down by members early.

The up side is that if you reserve it and it is on the reservation it is guaranteed. You will get that view. It may depend on the time of year you are going. Some times are more popular for DVC than others, and they are not usually when the rest of the parks are busy.

Good luck.

 

[BabyFigment]

I always request BW view, but also other requests in case they cannot give me the BW view. If you really want fireworks view, put that. Some non BW view rooms have great views of fireworks. If you want a view of the pool, put that. Don't forget your smoking/non request.

If you do request a BW view, expect not to get it. Then if you do get it, GREAT!

 

[eclipseSD]

Booked 2 bedroom villa at BWV a few months before our late-July stay. Used DC discount, not DVCers.

Faxed room request for Boardwalk/Epcot view and unobstructed/extra long balcony about 2 days before we left. Did not note request with WDTC.

When we arrived at 11AM, the room was not yet ready. Went to parks, at 3 came back and were sent to (I think) rooms 1517 and 1519. Long walk from the elevator, but the view was magnificent.

From this room I could see Spaceship Earth, Eiffel Tower and other WS buildings, all of the boardwalk, MK fireworks (I think), YC/BC, and Illuminations (obviously).

Just goes to show you that with a carefully worded fax, a little luck, and a nice room assigner, you can get the nicest rooms/views possible.

Of course my family is a bit older, so the views didn't really make or break our vacation. But it was interesting to wake up from bed (in the studio) with Spaceship Earth staring you in the face.

Hope this helps.

 

[jel0511]

Booked 2 bedroom villa at BWV a few months before our late-July stay. Used DC discount, not DVCers.

Last July this would have worked fine, since at that time there was no BW View category to be booked directly by DVC members. This is a relatively new practice, I think around October 2003 DVC instituted this. Now, most, if not all, BW view rooms are pre-booked in advance by DVC members, as we can do this. I have a BW view 1 bedroom booked for this July, and it is guaranteed, since I booked that room category. This room category sells out FAST to DVC members, so I'd expect any non-DVC member to get a standard view (view of front of BW, valet area, front drive) or a prefered pool/garden view (view of Luna Park, quiet pool, canal between BW and Swan/Dolphin).

Edited to add: DVC resorts no longer accept fax room requests. You need to have all requests noted on your reservation, these will be the only requests considered during room assignment.