Help Me Decide! Grand Floridian or Boardwalk Inn??

[richard3330]

Hi,

Please help me I have stayed at GF Before but never the boardwalk inn, I can't decide wether on my next vacation I should stay at GF where I have been before and know it well or if I should have a change and try the boardwalk inn. There isn't too much of a price difference, so that isn't a deciding factor.

Please Help if you have stayed at both or even if you have just stayed at one!........................

 

[minster22]

Ah, what a wonderful choice to have to make!!! I have only stayed at the BWI and several times at that. We absolutely love both sides of the Boardwalk resort {Inn and Villas} and it is our first choice of places to stay at the world. There are so many options available within walking distance ,restaurants, MGM, Epcot, the Swan/Dolphin complex and the pools are great!! I think the quiet pool at the Inn is the prettiest pool on property and very few people are ever there.All the entertainment etc that is available along the Boardwalk makes for a very festive and fun atmosphere!! Another factor for us is that the standard views at the Inn that we have gotten have been fabulous with views of Illuminations each night from our balcony. All this being said....for our trip in 2004 we are splitting between GF and BWI.We are starting off at the GF{first time stay}for 4 or 5 days and will spend lots of time exploring the resort, spa, going to Poly Luau and MK while we are right there. Also want to use the water mice in Bay Lake.It will be so convenient to be right there to do all of this and then we'll move over to the BWI for the remaining 12/13 days. Don't know if your stay is long enough to split but it would give you the best of both. Our thinking is to stay at the new resort {new to us, GF} first, knowing that we will love the second resort. Sorry this is so long, it gets me so excited to talk about our Grand Stay!!Happy choosing!!

 

[richard3330]

Thank you so much for the info, minster22.

We are hoping to book within th next couple of days and we are hoping to go august next year for 2 weeks.

I think that I will use your kidea of splitting the vacation in half, I have done this before (I stayed in Portofino Bay for 1 week and skiped the lines on all the USF and IOA attractions) then moved to AKLodge at WDW.

I think I'll choose to have a week at GF and a week at The Boardwalk inn, I have only visited there once before (for the DVacationClub intro) and though it was quite a neat resort.

If you split your vacation between 2 WDW properties do WDW take your baggage from 1 resort to the other for you?

Also what 'special' rooms are there at The Boardwalk Inn do they have concierge rooms or suites?

Thanks again!

 

[minster22]

Richard3330, Yes, Disney will move all your belongings for you. We have not done this kind of a move yet but many here on the boards have said it goes very smoothly. You do have to checkin twice. There is a variety of "special" rooms at the Inn. On our last stay we had a tour of all the suites and deluxe rooms thanks to a cast member { cousin of one of our best friends and fellow Disney nut!!}. The Steeplechase Suite is the grand accomodation at the Inn and is truly magnificent. Of all the suites I have seen photos of, this would be my dream stay if finances ever allow!! I do not recommend the Garden Suites... very expensive, musty smelly and though th little gardens are very charming. I would always prefer a balcony. The concierge deluxe rooms have a little sitting area with a couch and look lovely. Someone on these boards has lots of photos of these suites, maybe someone can post the link for you. Also I think Deb Wills site, www.wdwig.com and www.ourlaughingplace.com has photos of the garden suites. And although only AAA discounts have been released for Aug2003, traditionally there are great discounts available during August.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

My two favorites!!

Basically it comes down to the monorail vs. nightlife. I love the GF, but lets face it, there is nothing going on there at night. When you're at the BWI you're in the middle of the excitement.

I love them both so you really can't go wrong. If you haven't stayed at the BWI before then give it a try.

 

[richard3330]

Thanks for all your help guys,

I'm just about to book it through virgin!

I'm going to have the first week at The Boardwalk Inn, hopefully concierge and the second week at GF in The Tower Concierge.

Now is the boring part..... waiting till the vacation begins!


thanks again

 

[Tara]

What a wonderful dilemma to face! I have in fact stayed at both AND I have split a stay between both.

If I had to choose one at this point in life, it would be GF because I have a child and the monorail ease is just the best. But BWI is such a close second that it's almost a tie.

I do prefer the fact that GF has a food court when I want a quick snack, the rooms are more plush, and there is more space to explore. Plus they have better recreation opportunities. But BWI has great access to Epcot and MGM, my favorite parks, a very fun pool and an atmosphere that is every bit as beautiful and what it lacks in grandness it makes up for in sophisticated whimsy.

When we switched, we didn't have a single problem at all...it was very easy.

I'm sure you'll have a spectacular trip!

 

[richard3330]

Thanks Tara