Need to know (for early May 2023) if BWI lobby/public area refurb is done (allergy concern)

[Her Dotness]

DH is so allergic to paint that he reacts to fresh or recently dried paint just going past it quickly. Fumes in the air, despite not being near where we are, would affect him, too.

We'll be at WDW in early May so may be worrying unnecessarily about the lobby/public areas being done.

Won't be a concern if we can book Trattoria al Forno on one of our Epcot or DHS days. Easy enough to get to the BoardWalk itself from either park. However, we're considering the Trattoria al Forno for the weekend we arrive, won't use park tickets until Monday.

Because DH uses a powerchair, we'd drive to BWI. You must go through the central portion of BWI to get to the elevator that goes down to BoardWalk level.

Would anyone who knows when the lobby area is done post here, please?

 

[ShirikiUtundu]

I would keep a respirator with an organic vapor cartridge on hand

 

[gottalovepluto]

Disney paints outside of refurbs too so have a plan for if he does encounter it.

Last May I heard noise in the hallway at BWI and a note was slipped under my door they were currently painting so don’t touch my exterior door or hallway trim. We left shortly after and there was an army of painters working through the hall. No prior notice was given, the refurb had not yet commenced.

 

[Her Dotness]

Where we're staying isn't a concern as we'll be in VGF1. That refurb is thankfully nearly a year out from completion.

 

[focusondisney]

Can you drive to Studios & take the boat or Skyliner to BWI? Then you won’t have to deal with inside at all.

 

[Her Dotness]

We'll probably end up doing that if we find out the refurb isn't done yet. Not the simplest way to get there but workable, I agree.

We'd like to see the refurbed lobby if it has been completed well before our arrival and no longer is a fume source.

As ever, how much you want to do vs. what's possible is a tossup at Disney oftentimes.

 

[mrsap]

Another option is you can park on the Boardwalk Villas side. You will see there is a little restricted driveway area that leads to behind the villas building - it’s also alongside the path that you would take if you were walking from BW to HS. If you continue along that path, it will take you behind the Main pool - follow the path along the right side of the pool and it will bring you out by the village green/boardwalk. A lot of walking, but it will also serve the same purpose. Enjoy.

 

[Her Dotness]

Oh, that IS a good idea. Hadn't thought of parking there.

Thanks much!

 

[CarolynFH]

Oh, that IS a good idea. Hadn't thought of parking there.

Thanks much!

To answer your earlier question, when we were at BWV January 24-31, they were painting the lobby. They also had a large section of the front desk behind a construction wall. So they’re actively working on the lobby now — but of course that doesn’t mean they’ll be finished by May. So parking at DHS and taking the walkway to BW might be your best bet, whether you go all the way to the BW or wend your way past the Luna Park pool area. Or as mrsap says, park in the BWV lot near the tennis courts. On the map below you can see that lot. The two or three rows closest to the roadway are reserved for valet, but the rows nearer the canal are open to self parking, and you can see the little driveway that runs from the corner of the lot to the canal walkway.

 

[Her Dotness]

Very helpful! Another thanks much.

We're new owners at BWV and had planned a 1-nighter there (BW view, doggone it!) but switched to add a night to our longer VGF stay because of this concern. No refurb issue in VGF1. "Whew!" we thought.

Yesterday, we got the "know before you go" email that the GF main building refurb will likely be underway then. <whine! moan!> Potentially same issue since we use the monorail a lot. And now, the GF to MK pathway will also be closed. We use that often, too, because it's such a lovely, relaxing walk/roll.

MS said no other DVC resort has availability because of MM Thursday that week, which is largely why we and zillions of other DVCers are going then, of course.

Best laid plans and all that, huh? Oh, well. I'm glad we've enough WDW experience to figure out workarounds, with the help of fellow DISboarders, that is.

 

[ak517]

Just thinking outside the box, will a mask help? Sometimes smells bother me a lot but I find that a KN95 will help. Depends on how sensitive your husband is, but it could be another level of precaution while traversing through the space!

 

[Her Dotness]

Just thinking outside the box, will a mask help? Sometimes smells bother me a lot but I find that a KN95 will help. Depends on how sensitive your husband is, but it could be another level of precaution while traversing through the space!

He has a pandemic-wooly beard he's still growing out (almost 3 years' worth!). Plans to get a professional trim at Harmony Barber Shop in MK.

Fitting one of the 95s tightly enough to do much good would be a fool's errand, so avoidance and diversionary tactics are the plan. We're accustomed to sudden, unanticipated detours due to paint encounters and will just adapt as necessary.

 

[ak517]

He has a pandemic-wooly beard he's still growing out (almost 3 years' worth!). Plans to get a professional trim at Harmony Barber Shop in MK.

Oh my gosh I love this! What a great plan. Glad this isn't a new sensitivity you have to adapt to, and that you have the WDW expertise to maneuver quickly if necessary.