Just back from the Boardwalk Villas - a few observations

[Desnik]

Thanks OP for posting your review!
We love the BWV and have stayed there many times and I agree with your observations. The 2 things we dislike about this resort is the lack of a counter service place and the bus sharing. For our trips where we will be spending a lot of time in the parks we overlook these 2 issues because the proximity to Epcot (our favorite park) is worth it!

 

[lissawynn]

There's some kind of health law regarding the refillable mugs. They are not allowed to take them behind the counter, that's why they put it in a paper cup for you to put in the mug. If they had a self serve like the food courts, too many people would take advantage. I agree that Boardwalk needs more quick service.

That policy must not be consistently enforced. It seemed to depend on the CM filling the mug. Some filled them; others did not.

 

[lissawynn]

You will have a 20-30 minute wait at any resort for a bus, whether they are shared or not. That is how they are scheduled. The main issue with shared buses is whether they get over crowded or not. I have not had that issue staying at any of the Epcot resorts, but I tend to travel at less busy times, and I'm not usually on the bus for rope drop or closing. So I wouldn't base a stay at any Disney resort on just the bus system.

We usually stay at VWL or WL, and we have never waited that long for a bus. I also dislike the fact that the WL buses pick up at the campground because that usually make the buses extremely overcrowded. It was a beautiful resort, but I think they should expedite tranportation for guests at these resorts. I have stayed at value resorts twice, and while they were clean and the room served its purpose, I was very unhappy feeling like I was being transported like cattle to and from the park, especially at park closings.

 

[lissawynn]

You really aren't supposed to climb through the shrubbery to get to the pool. It tends to damage the landscaping. Plus you can't lock your patio door from the outside. Please use the main door in the future.

Trust me when I say, I am the least likely person to damage landscaping or anything else. There was a well-traveled path through the hedge to the pool. Otherwise, we would not have used it. Typically one of the adults took the kids to the pool from the patio, after visiting with our duck and the squirrel friends. The others would lock up and leave from the exit at the end of our hallway.

 

[bicker]

That policy must not be consistently enforced. It seemed to depend on the CM...

I wonder if there is any policy that is truly consistently enforced, when compliance is dependent on CMs physically applying the enforcement. I think that's why we see so many changes applied that take enforcement out of the hands of human beings and encodes it in computer systems.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Trust me when I say, I am the least likely person to damage landscaping or anything else. There was a well-traveled path through the hedge to the pool. Otherwise, we would not have used it. Typically one of the adults took the kids to the pool from the patio, after visiting with our duck and the squirrel friends. The others would lock up and leave from the exit at the end of our hallway.

You see, that "well-traveled path" wouldn't have been there if people didn't climb through the shrubbery. Enjoy your patio, but use the main door to go to the pool.

 

[maxiesmom]

You see, that "well-traveled path" wouldn't have been there if people didn't climb through the shrubbery. Enjoy your patio, but use the main door to go to the pool.

I find it kind of odd that to use that "well traveled path" they had to "hop over a very short hedge". And then we wonder why resorts get into the state of disrepair that they do.

 

[fla4fun]

We usually stay at VWL or WL, and we have never waited that long for a bus. I also dislike the fact that the WL buses pick up at the campground because that usually make the buses extremely overcrowded. It was a beautiful resort, but I think they should expedite tranportation for guests at these resorts. I have stayed at value resorts twice, and while they were clean and the room served its purpose, I was very unhappy feeling like I was being transported like cattle to and from the park, especially at park closings.

Perhaps I should have worded it differently. The buses are scheduled to run at 20-30 minute intervals, so if you just missed a bus, you will wait 20-30 minutes for the next one. Generally, you don't wait that long because you didn't just miss the last bus, but it can happen. Some trips I seem to hit the buses spot on, and some trips I'm walking up when they're pulling away. Also, my experience has been that the DTD buses take about 10-15 minutes longer. I can usually see at least two buses to the same theme park before a DTD bus will arrive. DTD is the only area I am tempted to drive to instead of taking Disney transportation (plus I can load up all my shopping in the car instead of schlepping it on the bus ). But my point was that BW/BWV doesn't experience any longer waits than the rest of the WDW resorts, even though the buses are shared. They don't always share between all of the Epcot resorts either. Sometimes YC/BC have their own bus and BW/Swan/Dolphin share. Sometimes all five are on the same bus. The OP's experience with bus wait times was not anything unusual - in fact, fairly typical.

 

[goofy4tink]

It is a misunderstanding that the second pool is an adult pool. It was supposed to be a "quiet" pool, but that is not observed or enforced. It's less noisy than the main pool most of the time though.

BWV is our home resort for DVC also. Agree with the OP about the valet situation; sloppy and annoying it is. Also agree that a better quick service solution is desperately needed... for dinner, too, as the table service restaurants also book up with no room for walk ins. (Walk over to the Swan and Dolphin, which have far better restaurant capacity and choices!)

I am more forgiving about the elevators and water damage. The elevators seem to keep up with usage and the water damage may have been very recent and you have to wait out some of those things to drain and dry.

The buses are actually far better than they once were. Before the Beach Club was expanded, some buses served all 5 EPCOT resorts... it was awful. many buses would arrive (last) at BW full.. or the driver would just skip it and the wait was sometimes an hour! They finally set it up so that during most times no more than 3 are served by a bus route (still 5 on some off peak times).

'quiet' merely means no slide, no theming. It does not mean 'adult' or technically a less noisy pool.

That policy must not be consistently enforced. It seemed to depend on the CM filling the mug. Some filled them; others did not.

It's a health regulation. CMs are not supposed to touch your refillable mug. If a CM does, they are in violation.

We usually stay at VWL or WL, and we have never waited that long for a bus. I also dislike the fact that the WL buses pick up at the campground because that usually make the buses extremely overcrowded. It was a beautiful resort, but I think they should expedite tranportation for guests at these resorts. I have stayed at value resorts twice, and while they were clean and the room served its purpose, I was very unhappy feeling like I was being transported like cattle to and from the park, especially at park closings.

I have had similar waits at WL/VWL for buses.

Truly, no resort has perfect bus service. And those that say deluxe resorts shouldn't be sharing buses?? Well, I can just imagine what the cost for rooms/villas would be if there were to be dedicated buses to each park from the deluxe resorts.

Yes, there are two sets of elevators at this resort. One set on the villa side and a second over on the Inn side. And you can also get a quick breakfast at Belle Vue lounge over on the Inn side each day. I would love to see a quick serve area at BW but it doesn't seem to be in the works.

 

[LSchrow]

i agree with pp's that the bus wait times are comparable to other deluxe and DVC resorts. the times have improved dramatically of late (a notable exception is the DTD buses; those are still hit or miss). btw, there have been CMs on many of our trips in recent years at the bus stop, noting waittimes on a clipboard and playing bean toss with the kids . they would make the call for an additional bus when a park bus didn't show and the crowd for it started getting too large
just to note: there is a phone at the bus stop if the wait gets excessive, and/or many buses have come but there is no room for additional passengers. personally, we've never had the need to use it as we don't do rope drop, hate early EMHs, and will change where we're going on a whim (hey, it's vacation )

i also wish the quiet pool was literally "quiet" (one of my favorite things is to lay there, read a book, take a nap). unfortunately i've found many use that pool as overflow for luna park (running jumps, screaming, etc) without looking around and noticing the many people who are reading or napping. they do have the same right to be there, i just wish they would be more considerate.
the Inn pool is almost always actually quiet, and a good option for hot days though

 

[Bishope2]

Greetings once again,

Just here to reply to a couple of things. As for the valet situation that happened to me, the extra charge was taken off by the valet at the valet stand. I did sit at the front desk for about 15 minutes waiting for the Disney CSA to take the extra valet charge off of my bill. Like I said, in the end she mentioned that the valets worked for a private company and their computer system was different. Thats all I can tell you. To me, as simple as I am I, it makes sense seeing that it is a different company. With that said, it took about another hour to remove the charge because the valet had to "investigate" the situation.

N2MM, hey, I might not be a DVC member and I can admit when I am wrong and apparently I was when I stated that the other pools at the Boardwalk were "adult pools". With that said, the one by the community center did have a sign stating "Quiet Pool". Quiet pool means QUIET! I don't consider 3 young boys playing football in the pool, jumping from the sides of the pool, yelling at the top of their lungs being quiet. If Disney's idea of a "quiet pool" is one without themes, then it should state that. There are folks young and old that at times don't want all of the drama that comes with a resort pool. The parents of these kids should have known better. Others besides me were getting annoyed. That is why my wife and I used the Inn's pool after that. If Disney can have adult pool area's on their cruise ships, they can have them at their resorts as well.

As for the bus, yes it sucks to wait but others have made great suggestions, such as walking from the Swan/Dolphin bus stop back over to the Boardwalk. Also, they could use a QS on the BW as well.

 

[twinklebug]

the one by the community center did have a sign stating "Quiet Pool". Quiet pool means QUIET! I don't consider 3 young boys playing football in the pool, jumping from the sides of the pool, yelling at the top of their lungs being quiet. If Disney's idea of a "quiet pool" is one without themes, then it should state that. There are folks young and old that at times don't want all of the drama that comes with a resort pool. The parents of these kids should have known better. Others besides me were getting annoyed. That is why my wife and I used the Inn's pool after that. If Disney can have adult pool area's on their cruise ships, they can have them at their resorts as well.

There are times I'd love to have an adult pool around, but I'm not going to condemn boys for running around the quiet pool tossing a football. If what they were doing was dangerous to others or themselves, they should have taken it off onto a grassy area. I think I would have considered talking to the lifeguards at the main pool to see if one would swing by to make the suggestion to them. We all know that most boys would scoff at a random woman like myself making the suggestion to them & on vacation I don't want the backlash.

I think Disney knows the term 'quiet pool' is misleading, but they choose to keep it as yet another marketing device ("Look dear, there are quiet pools at the deluxe resorts!"). Why does it need a label at all?

 

[bicker]

Because customers generally resonate with succinct labels and reward providers for using succinct labels rather than longer and more precise descriptions.

 

[goofy4tink]

Greetings once again,

Just here to reply to a couple of things. As for the valet situation that happened to me, the extra charge was taken off by the valet at the valet stand. I did sit at the front desk for about 15 minutes waiting for the Disney CSA to take the extra valet charge off of my bill. Like I said, in the end she mentioned that the valets worked for a private company and their computer system was different. Thats all I can tell you. To me, as simple as I am I, it makes sense seeing that it is a different company. With that said, it took about another hour to remove the charge because the valet had to "investigate" the situation.

N2MM, hey, I might not be a DVC member and I can admit when I am wrong and apparently I was when I stated that the other pools at the Boardwalk were "adult pools". With that said, the one by the community center did have a sign stating "Quiet Pool". Quiet pool means QUIET! I don't consider 3 young boys playing football in the pool, jumping from the sides of the pool, yelling at the top of their lungs being quiet. If Disney's idea of a "quiet pool" is one without themes, then it should state that. There are folks young and old that at times don't want all of the drama that comes with a resort pool. The parents of these kids should have known better. Others besides me were getting annoyed. That is why my wife and I used the Inn's pool after that. If Disney can have adult pool area's on their cruise ships, they can have them at their resorts as well.

As for the bus, yes it sucks to wait but others have made great suggestions, such as walking from the Swan/Dolphin bus stop back over to the Boardwalk. Also, they could use a QS on the BW as well.

And yet another weird Disney definition. I realize that generally speaking 'quiet' means quiet. But not in Disney-speak. If you want a quieter pool at BW, head over to the pool by the garden suites...incredibly nice pool. And very underused..not many kids at all.

But you have to realize what Disney definitions mean if you're going to be at WDW. A WDW 'deluxe' resort doesn't come close to the normal, regular world definition of a deluxe resort. But, they are still considered, by Disney, to be deluxe resorts.

And adult's only pools?? Like the cruise ships??? Nope. Don't want to see that happen. They are incredibly small. And where would you have Disney put them??? And who is going to keep the kids out of them?? There are going to be kids being kids all over the place. You can always find a nice, relaxing chaise further away from the commotion if you choose. But if you choose to sit right next to the pool then you are going to have to listen to the kids.
I know that one time we were at the quiet pool by Community Hall...there were kids being kids, not overly so, but still. Well, there was an older woman who thought it would be a nice idea to sit on the edge of the pool, on the entry steps, and read a book. Well...she got more than a bit peeved when her book got splashed.
Or can we talk about the 'adults' who decided to take up residence on those same steps another time??? Had to be about 6 of them, all sitting there, on the steps, with their adult beverages all over the place..yelling at anyone who splashed water on them or their drinks. Made it a wee bit difficult to get into the water using the steps with them reclining all over them.

It's not always the kids that are causing the issues.

 

[twinklebug]

Because customers generally resonate with succinct labels and reward providers for using succinct labels rather than longer and more precise descriptions.

I was thinking of using the term "Pool". It's short, accurate and won't cause trouble.

It's not always the kids that are causing the issues.

Absolutely true.

 

[bicker]

"Pool" is too vague (and therefore not sufficiently accurate since vagueness leads to confusion, which absolutely is trouble). There are different pools and they have different natures.

 

[goofy4tink]

"Pool" is too vague (and therefore not sufficiently accurate since vagueness leads to confusion, which absolutely is trouble). There are different pools and they have different natures.

What are the 'different natures' of pools at WDW??? The pool is either themed, or it's not. Truly, a pool is a pool is a pool. At least at WDW. Well, unless you head over to the S/D...they have a regular themed pool, quiet pools and a lap pool...so three 'types' of pools I guess.

 

[bicker]

What are the 'different natures' of pools at WDW??? The pool is either themed, or it's not.

You answered your own question. Also, in doing so, you expressed your preference for use of the terms "themed" and "not themed" to differentiate them. However, it is universally acknowledged by marketing experts that a label for a commercial offering shouldn't be negative in tilt. So while "themed" would work for those pools, "not themed" would not be appropriate.

Regarding "themed pool" - I think Disney uses the term "feature pool", and I don't see that being a problem. (I don't think anyone in this thread took issue with how they refer to those pools.)

So the challenge is to come up with a good term for the other pools, what you might call the "not themed" pools, that is attractive/positive/promotional. Disney uses the term "quiet pool". It's not the only possibility, but the question is whether or not there is a term that works better for Disney (i.e., not just better for the people who personally don't like the fact that they hold expectations based on the usage of the term "quiet pool" that are not fulfilled by what is actually provided by those pools).

I cannot think of a term that provides a better balance between the accuracy you seem to want and the promotional quality that Disney must have.

 

[goofy4tink]

Ahhh, I see what you mean now. You're right...it has to have a positive feel to it for Disney to use it. I guess just the 'pool' isn't going to work for Disney. Oh well. Perhaps, those resorts with more than one 'quiet' pool could designate one a family quiet pool and the other a more adult pool area..no horseplay allowed. You wouldn't have to say it was adults only but it could offer a more relaxed feel and atmosphere...without kids running around screaming.

 

[dzorn]

We stayed at the BWV from June 5-12 in a one-bedroom villa. Our villa was #1093. Our villa was facing the quiet pool. It was very clean, and the access to the pool (one hop over a very short hedge) was wonderful. The resort is beautiful, and it was our first time staying at an Epcot resort. We loved walking to DHS and Epcot. It was also great to be able to explore the neighboring resorts. The hotel is beautiful; we loved the lobby and appreciate the decor, as we've travelled to the south Jesery shore every year of my life. The quiet pool was wonderful, and we swam each day.
Some disappointing things - I do not believe deluxe resorts should share buses. It was 20-30 minutes between the arrival of MK buses. Also, we stopped at the Swan and Dolphin to pick up guests before arriving at the MK. We were told there are only two elevators for the entire resort. This wasn't too much of a problem since we often walked to the Boardwalk and accessed our room from there. There was a leaking ceiling in one of the hallways leading to our room for at least six of the days we stayed there. A hole was cut in the ceiling, and a plastic wastecan was placed underneath the leak to catch the dripping water. The carpet underneath was totally saturated with water daily. We couldn't believe a deluxe resort would have this left go for so long. Another issue was valet parking. My sister and I had the valet bring our car around on our first night to retrieve some water for the parks. After we got the water, we headed back to the room. We sort of waited to see if the car would be returned to the lot. It wasn't. It sat, running, for almost 10 minutes. I finally went to the valet stand and asked when the car would be returned to the lot. My sister was not happy. The car was eventually returned, but from that night on, she was hesitant to use the valet service. The folks in Disney management really need to consider the benefits of having a quick service restaurant at the Boardwalk. If you went to the bakery first thing in the morning, you could get your mug filled (in our case paper soda cups - they rarely filled our mugs). However, if you waited until later in the morning, the line snaked out the door and down the boardwalk. The breakfast offerning there were minimal at best. They need more options.
All in all, we had a great time at BWV and would probably stay there in the future.

I did find the quick service lacking at BWV. I would have liked at least a self service mug refill. I would not bother to get a mug here again.

I would suspect the repair on the ceiling they needed the water to completely drain and the area dry out before the sealed it back up. Where the water was comming from may already have been fixed, but they did not want to close up the ceiling until throughly dry to prevent mold problems.

The valet situation is not really a fault of the valet. Most people get there car to leave not just grab something out of it. Unless you told them that I would not have expected them to return it to the lot.

I can see sharing busing as less busy times but I wish they would limit it to just two resorts.

Quiet pool are not necessarily quite. I would suspect the one my the community hall to attact kids especially ones that do not like slides. It may not be the most accurate term but they play music at the themed pool and not at the quiet pools. So Disney could be refering to the noise they make not guests. (It was another poster that questioned this not the OP). OP though you should not be going over and through the bushes.

Denise in MI