Just Back from BWI-

[Eeyore2003]

The only other place I've stayed so far is the Contemporary, so here's some of my comparison thoughts for what they're worth---

I think the Contemporary is great for families with school age kids. The convenience of parking, the monorail, and especially the snack bar right there when you walk in are unbeatable plusses. The coffee bar is also right there. For a tuckered out family, it's so nice to just drop by for a lemonade or coffee on your way to "dropping" in your room. The bright decor and large rooms are perfect and the views can't be beat. It has the largest game room, conveniently located on the first floor, and for the older kids it's a perfect get away while you relax. The pools are not fancy, but very nice. Basically, everything is conveniently located and at your fingertips for a busy young family.

The Boardwalk Inn, had a very different atmosphere, and at first I really didn't like it, but as the week went on, I realized how perfect this location and resort was for us. It was only hubby and myself this trip. I think it's perfect for families with teens, young couples without children and "empty nesters". It's a MUCH more sedate, quiet atmophere. We went for a swim in the "quiet pool" and I realized I was "whispering" as we walked along the path by the garden suites. It was just so quiet and peaceful. The easy access to MGM, EPCOT and the Boardwalk are perfect for couples and teens to just casually wander around and enjoy whatever is going on. The main drawbacks I thought, compared to the Contemporary, is the "far" parking and for any type of refreshment, you had to go somewhere on the Boardwalk. Also, the "day bed" in the Contemporary is nice and large, almost the size of a large twin. (Easily large enough for my teen-age son). The day bed in the Boardwalk in was fairly small.

I have to say we had an absolutely wonderful time and I'll be looking forward to staying at both of them again in the future. That's AFTER I try, the others on my loooonnnnggg list!!!! Hope this might help someone in making a decision. I think it depends what parks you really like and what you're looking for in the certain vacation.

 

[Candice30]

i'm glad you had a nice trip. i have been to disney uhh....i think i have lost count. anyway, i haven't been to contemporary or boardwalk yet. i always thought that contemporary was too old of a resort so it is nice to hear from someone who doesn't think so. as for the boardwalk, it has definitely been on my list because the kids (my niece and nephews) want to try the pool. i am taking them away with me this year and was thinking of boardwalk but the 2 that i am taking will be 7 and 11 years old and i just didn't want to deal with finding places to eat on the boardwalk. anyway, i decided to take them to universal and stay onsite there since neither of them have been there yet.

if you are looking for other resorts to try, both alone or with the kids, i went to animal kingdom lodge this past august and loved it. i took my older 2 nephews (ages 12 and 16), along with my sister and they loved it. they were able to do their thing at the pool or arcade and we had quiet time. the resort is so beautiful. i have also stayed at CBR and CSR. have fun trying all of the resorts. i am off to GF in August 04!!!!!!!!

 

[Eeyore2003]

Candice, AK has REALLY moved to the top of my list!!! We ate at both Boma and Jiko. It was the first time we were even in the resort and it was JUST AWESOME!!!!!!!!! I LOVED it. We also ate at WL and personally, I think AK was much more striking. Just gorgeous, we are off to OKW in July with my brother and family. It will be their first time and my neice and nephew are 11 and 8. I just can't wait to see their faces. It will be a much more "busy" vacation than this one was.

 

[Lexxiefern]

Glad you had a good time! We absolutely love the BW (both the Inn and the Villas). We think it is wonderful with small children also, no folding up strollers to go to Epcot or MGM. Definately our favorite resort!

Thanks for the comparison with the Comtemporary. We would like to stay there someday

 

[Candice30]

lexxiefern: how was the food situation with you with the kids at bwi? that is really the only thing hold me back on going there with the kids. i am used to food courts at the resorts and thought that feeding them at odd times would be a hassle at bwi? is it? they are my sister's children and when they are not with their parents, they do get a little wild and i try to stay away from restaurants when i take them away.

 

[vicb]

re: food at BWI

I had my concerns before we stayed at BWI with our then 6 and 9 year old. But our fears were relieved the first day there. We just thought of the BW as an outdoor lobby to the resort and used it as such. It seemed no worse then when we stayed at a far out building at Poly. Here are the places we ate that worked great for the kids (we ate at regular meal times and some off times)

ESPN: great for kids, good choices, noisy, kid friendly, mine loved it.

Leaping Libations (at the pool): a real find, offered kids meals (hot dog, chips, juice box etc...) also chix ceasar salad for the adults. Also bought bags of pretzels, juice boxes and beer (for the adults of course ) for snacks. Several sandwiches were available.

Hot Dog Cart: great dogs and grilled sausages

Boardwalk Bakery: OMG our total favorite spot! Everything is good here, had breakfast goodies almost everyday (muffins, bagels, donuts, egg sand., yogurts etc.), bought juice boxes and fresh fruit cups for kids several times and dessert every night! I think they have some sandwiches at lunch but we didn't try them.

Spoodles take out: Calzones good and pizza adequate. Length of time for food sometimes varied.

General Store: could get all kinds of snacks, drinks, even microwaveable stuff in there.

Room service: didn't use it but have read good reviews.

Now all that doesn't even mention the "real" resturants like Flying Fish, Spoodles and BRG plus all the resturants at YC/BC and in Epcot and S/D!!

Incidently, when we let our kids now 8 and 11 pick the resort for upcoming trip... they picked BWI over BC! Don't be afraid to do this resort with kids!

 

[Eeyore2003]

I am not a "real" expert on going there with kids, as it was just DH and myself this time. I DO know, (and I don't really know how to put this), that there were allot more of the polo shirt type and business people there than at the Contemporary, also older couples, maybe it was just the time of year, but when we ate at the AKL and WL, the lobbies were noisey with kids running all around, much more like what we were used to at the Contemporary.

Like I said, IMHO, the atomsphere, restaurants on the Boardwalk, access to EPCOT and MGM, seemed perfect for "couples" of any age and teen-agers looking for more adult things to do. I rate is as one of the two best times I've ever had at Disney World.

I KNOW people will disagree, the pool is very nice for kids, and there are lots of fun things for them too on the Boardwalk, but it's just my "general feeling" after staying at the two places, that the restaurants and activities at the BWI are just geared for an older crowd.

My kids always choose the Contemporary because it has the largest game room of all the resorts. I stated some of the BIG plusses I feel over the two. Some nights we'd get in just before Chef Mickey closed and could just grab a nice, quick, fun meal, the Concourse Grill is a little fancier, but still fine for kids, fairly quick, and just plain good food. Then of course there's the snack bar, just about as convenient as you can get, right next to the game room, on your way to the rooms, and if you're tired and just want to pamper yourself, on your way to the elevator is the Coffee Bar where you can grab a nice cappuccino or latte. Then there's my favorite!!! Sitting on your deck watching the 10:00 Electrical Water Pageant. (we always stayed on the lagoon side) My kids always thought of it as their Disney "good night", when they were little. The room decor is bright and cheerful, and like I've stated they are nice and large. Also having the monorail drop you off literally on your doorstep after YOUR muscles are already aching and the kids just want to "chill out" or "crash" is just WONDERFUL. We NEVER had to park WAAYYYYY out in some parking lot. Most of the time it was right near the doorway. Contrary to what others have stated, once in your room it is not noisy at all. The monorail is actually very quiet and we never heard the "activities" going on at Chef Mickey, unless we were in the lobby areas. For the age kids you're talking about, I think Ijust didn't find the BWI had anywhere near the activities and conveniences of a place like the Contemporary. I would also imagine AKL and WL would be kind of the same, since they are all in one building also, and I noticed a snack shop, at least in the WL and lots of kids running around in both. I really DO love the Contemporary for all the reasons I've stated, and the pool is very nice too and just a few steps out the back door from the elevators. Hope this helps you and I'm sure others would dispute this. It's just MHO.

I'm not cutting down the BWI at all, and if it was just hubby and myself, I can't think of a better setting, we had an absolutely WONDERFUl time, and loved it for all the reasons I've stated. It was very nice to just hop on the boat and be at EPCOT in a few minutes, the Big River Grille and Brewing Works was great for a burger and brew. This got a little long, but I think both are equally nice, just good for different circumstances.

 

[vicb]

I've always thought that was the great thing about WDW, so many resorts for everyone's different tastes!

 

[Eeyore2003]

Those are my sentiments exactly, and I"m so excited to stay at other places to find out what makes them special too. Next it's OKW for us in July with my brother and family. Just back home last night and I can't wait to go back!!!