Our Boardwalk experience

[GC&S]

This was our first time staying at the Boardwalk (9/28-10/4). It really is a beautiful hotel. We had a great view BUT our room was on the third floor, the Bellvue Lounge is on the second floor. Unfortunately it was right underneath us. They stay open until 2 a.m. Lots of people like to party at the Bellvue until 2 a.m (especially on the balcony). We didn't get to sleep until well after 2 a.m. They could have been right in our room as loud as it was. We considered moving but didn't want to pack everything up so we dealt with it. Really only bothered me because I'm a light sleeper. We were also right across from the housekeeping room and service elevators so I guess we weren't in the quiet part of the hotel

The room was a standard room, really not much different from the mods we've stayed at, except it had a mini fridge which we didn't use.

What we missed the most was not having a food court. DH has low blood sugar and has to eat something substantial for breakfast, not just a muffin. We went to Spoodles twice for breakfast and each time, the service was awful, the food mediocore. And it was expensive. Our first waiter there gave us the eyeroll when we asked for some fruit for our 3 yr old.

The pool was gorgeous (we only swam in it once). Everyone was very friendly and our housekeeper was just a hoot. We left her a generous tip.

Wasn't thrilled with the transporation. The bus stopped at the Swan and Dolphin so it took a while to get anywhere. The boats didn't run very much in the evening so a couple times we waited over 1/2 hr for a boat to go to MGM. And it also stopped at the Swan/Dolphin. It was slightly raining so we didn't walk to MGM. We did walk to Epcot almost everyday which was really nice.

We had fun at night walking around the Boardwalk and renting the surry bike. We didn't eat at any of the other restaurants but we did get ice cream at the candy shop. DD loved the jugglers and DH loved the magician.

I'm glad we experienced it but we'll probably go back to the mods with our young child (3).

 

[Tinkbell]

Thanks for the review. Were you in a standard view room or a Boardwalk view room?

 

[The Edge]

I have had the same experience at Spoodles. The food was OK, but the service left a lot to be desired. As for the BWI staff, I think they are the friendliest of all the resorts we've stayed in.

I've often wondered about those rooms right above the lounge. In the summer, the balcony is always packed. I've always noticed those balconies that are right above the lounge and wondered what the people thought of the location. I bet you could have heard many a conversation. I'm glad to hear that you made the most of it and enjoyed the hotel.

 

[GC&S]

We were in a standard view. From our balcony you could see the courtyard and the main veranda right off of the lobby. We could also see the boardwalk and the boat launch area.

The thing I remember most about being above the lounge is one woman's laughter. It was like a screech and to me it was nails down a chalkboard. I think she had one too many cocktails! And it seemed like she was there everynight!

 

[jackmac]

If you liked the Boardwalk area but had some issues with noise and no place for breakfast then try the Villas. A one bedroom villa has a kitchen for breakfast, a dining area / living room with a pull out couch, a bedroom with a king sized bed and a whirlpool tub and shower. It is much larger than a room in the Inn. It does not have daily maid service, but I don't miss that.
The grocery store on the boardwalk has breakfast foods there, it's more expensive than going to a grocery store, but more convienent. You can also get a standard view or a preferred view. If you want a view of the boardwalk you can also get that.

 

[Schmeck]

You mention the boat and buses stopping at Dolphin/Swan, and the boats too, but I thought they had the BC and YC in the loop as well? Has that changed since August?

 

[goofy4tink]

When we were at BCV in June, they didn't share very much with BW and the S/D. We found that to be true when we stayed at BWV for Thanksgiving also. I really don't think the transportation is all that different from the other resorts. If you take into account the many stops a bus can make at a moderate resort, then it comes out about the same.
We love the BW....we own DVC there. And yes, it can get rowdy at night. But, that's part of the attraction for dh and myself. We also miss having someplace to grab a quick bit. I'm hoping that BW adopts the same type of spot that BC has with their marketplace. Not as extensive as a food court, but you can get something decent to eat quickly. More like one of the 'grab and go' spots. I don't even bother with a refill. mug at BW anymore. It's just too much hassle to refill it.

 

[treehugger]

Another suggestion for breakfast would be Tubbie's at the Dolphin. They have a great cook to order breakfast menu along with the usual fare of hot and cold cereals, Krispi Kreme donuts and Starubucks Coffee. Their prices are very reasonable and because it is a buffeteria, service is quick and also very friendly. Also, they are open 24 hours.

 

[GC&S]

You mention the boat and buses stopping at Dolphin/Swan, and the boats too, but I thought they had the BC and YC in the loop as well? Has that changed since August?

Our buses only went to Swan/Dolphin. The BC and YC had their own bus. We made the mistake of getting on a YC bus the first night trying to get home as we thought it would go to the BW. But it didn't - driver said they separated the routes because they were too long with adding the swan and dolphin. Coming back, the bw bus usually stopped at the Swan/Dolphin first so we would get off there and walk back to the boardwalk. I guess I thought that a deluxe hotel would have faster bus service. We were used to many stops at the mods but I wasn't prepared for that at a deluxe. Learn something new all the time!

Thanks for the info about the villas - we may look into that. As far as it being rowdy, again, we expect that anywhere, just not right underneath our room every night. Before we had kids, we'd be right there partying with everyone but having a 3 year old put a damper on that!

We didn't even see the mugs for the bw (not that we would have bought them). We didn't see anyone carrying them either.

 

[byoung]

The buses for the Epcot hotels change with the seasons.