How old is the BWI and would small kids enjoy it?

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

Hi there,

We returned from a WDW trip last month and I'm planning the next one! I'd like to try a Disney Epcot resort and am leaning toward the BWI. My kids would be 2 & 6 on our next trip - would this be a good place? Do they have a deluxe room or junior suite type room? Can anyone tell me about the kid's pool and anything else small kids might like? I've read some posts where people thought it was easier to watch kids in the BWI pool than SAB.

Just curious, does any one recall when it opened? Has it had any recent refurbishments?

Thank you!

 

[vicb]

The Luna Park pool is great for kids... total kid themed! The pool is large enough to not feel overcrowded (like the old Poly pool) but self-contained enough that you can easily keep you eye on your children. Your older child may love the Keister Coaster slide. Both will like the spraying elephants. The tile work is very colorful. There is a kiddie pool and play area off to one side. The lifeguards were very friendly, even learning names of my kids and greeting them by name each day! There were some organized activities like water balloon toss. The poolside bar is kid friendly with its juice boxes, snacks and kid meals.

As for the Inn itself, my children loved it and felt very welcomed there by the staff. THe CMs were friendly and helpful. It definately had a different feel than the Poly where we stayed previously. We liked the Poly very much but now we prefer the BWI.

The BW has wonderful free entertainers each evening that is very family oriented.

Don't know how old the resort is.

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

Thanks vicb!

The pool sounds wonderful. I wish we could go soon!

I was just wondering if everything looked well kept up. You know how some people will come back and say a resort is in need of refurbishment, carpet looks worn, that kind of thing? What did you think?

Thanks again.

 

[vicb]

The Inn side had been recently refurbished so our room was clean and fresh. The only thing slightly worn was the bathroom tile... and the bathroom area could have been better lite but the room was fine. We had a wonderful housekeeper who was timely each day, always had a pleasant greeting for us and did the cutest things to our stuffed animals.

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

Oh, that's good to hear. Thanks for the reply vicb

 

[vicb]

There is another good thread for you on this board right now, but I don't know how to post a direct link for you... sorry. The post is titled... "Just back from BWI...any ?s". If you find and read that you will get more info.

 

[erikthewise]

Nobody has said anything about opening date yet.
We stayed at the Dolphin in Nov 94 and they were just beginning construction on the Boardwalk area. So I'd guess early 1996.

This information seems to be hard to come by. I did find one reference that verified that BWV opened in early 1996, and it would make sense for BWI to have opened at the same time.

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

Thanks you all! I wondered how old it is because I didn't know if it had been refurbished since it opened or might be due for one. We just stayed at CBR and our room was perfect having recently been redone.

erikthewise - I think you're correct. 1996 sounds about right. Thanks.

 

[MNT568]

The BWI opened in July 1996, we stayed there shortly after it opened. It's a great place!

 

[ducklite]

LOL! I think many that were booked into the BWI for it's opening week would rather forget about it. It got off to a more than very rough start with LOTS of lost ressies, new cast that didn't really know the computer systems, some common areas not quite finished, etc.

That same summer I think was the Tupperware convention at the YC that many guests decided to overstay their ressies, causing an unprecendented number of walks, and many very, very unhappy guests.

Thank goodness since then it's turned into one of Disney's finest resorts in terms of service, amenities, location, and decor.

Anne

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

Yikes ducklite what a nightmare! I've kinda decided from past experience too that most times it best not to be among the first guests at a resort, cruise ship, that kind of thing. I like to see those bugs worked out first (and that everything is actually finished)!

And thanks MNT568

 

[PamOKW]

If you're interested in the junior suite type arrangement, you could consider the studio or one-bedrooms located in the BWV section. When looking at the resort, the BWI is the white part -- the BWV is the colored (mostly red) area.

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

Thanks PamOKW, the villas might be what we want for more space. It's so nice with little kids to have a separate bedroom. I will probably check out renting some points in that case