Our First Deluxe Stay! A Review of the BoardWalk

[EclecticWAHM]

We also just returned from a stay at BWI and I have to agree that it's wonderful!! I found all the cast members there to be just terrific. The transportation was GREAT. We never waited more than 10 minutes or so for a bus or boat. The short walk to Epcot was lovely. Our view was AMAZING - we were lucky enough to get upgraded from standard view to Boardwalk view and LOVED LOVED LOVED it! We will absolutely stay there again.

 

[rie'smom]

Thanks for the great review! Just wanted to add that in nice weather, the walk to DHS is very nice. W walk there on most of our trips.

 

[Stitch2244314]

We also just returned from a stay at BWI and I have to agree that it's wonderful!! I found all the cast members there to be just terrific. The transportation was GREAT. We never waited more than 10 minutes or so for a bus or boat. The short walk to Epcot was lovely. Our view was AMAZING - we were lucky enough to get upgraded from standard view to Boardwalk view and LOVED LOVED LOVED it! We will absolutely stay there again.

Glad that you had a great trip and that you loved the Boardwalk too!

 

[Stitch2244314]

Thanks for the great review! Just wanted to add that in nice weather, the walk to DHS is very nice. W walk there on most of our trips.

You're welcome! We did walk to DHS from what I remember, at least twice, and we thought it was a very enjoyable walk as well!

 

[WDisneyMom]

Great review! I'm actually curious as to what you love about CBR? We have only stayed at CSR (in Nov) and although it's a beautiful resort, we felt it was way too big which kind of turns me off to CBR for the same reason. However, we would like to eventually stay at all of the resorts!!

 

[rentayenta]

for the review. The BWV are one of my top 3 to stay at during the second part of our December 2011 trip.

 

[kennedyandkailey]

First, I'm very glad to hear that you enjoyed your stay at the BWV. We've only stayed on the Inn side, but it is our favorite resort, no question.

Second, your beautifully composed post gives me hope that the younger generation(s) can type something besides three letter abbreviations.[/QUOTE]

I second this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Stitch2244314]

Great review! I'm actually curious as to what you love about CBR? We have only stayed at CSR (in Nov) and although it's a beautiful resort, we felt it was way too big which kind of turns me off to CBR for the same reason. However, we would like to eventually stay at all of the resorts!!

We've just had really great experiences the three times we've stayed at CBR-- I think the whole bright, tropical beach theme really works for us, plus the pools are excellent. We've also had great bus service, experienced friendly CM's, and found the food court to be very convenient. Now technically CBR is even bigger than CSR, so if a big resort is not your thing, then perhaps CBR is not for you. However, you can pay extra for a preferred room which will guarantee you a room location that is close to the food court/main pool. I know CBR is not for everyone (no resort really is), but it's our favorite!

 

[Moms]

I so enjoyed your trip report1 Now I am more excited than ever as I look forward to our trip to the Boardwalk Villas in September! Like you, we generally stayed in moderates (POR and CBR are our faves) but splurged and stayed in a 1BR villa at SSR in 2008. We will have a 1BR at BWV this time. I coud easily get used to all the space, the kitchen and washer and dryer!

 

[Stitch2244314]

I so enjoyed your trip report1 Now I am more excited than ever as I look forward to our trip to the Boardwalk Villas in September! Like you, we generally stayed in moderates (POR and CBR are our faves) but splurged and stayed in a 1BR villa at SSR in 2008. We will have a 1BR at BWV this time. I coud easily get used to all the space, the kitchen and washer and dryer!

Oh I'm sure the 1BR will be fantastic! Have a great trip!

 

[goofyfordisney]

Also, anyone who has any questions please feel free to ask! I'm currently experiencing vacation withdrawal so I'd be more than happy to answer questions.

I really enjoyed your review of BW...I especially like reading reviews written from a 20 year-old's perspective. I have 2 sons (22 & 17) and I'm always trying to think about what they would enjoy at a resort. They are not super picky about the resorts--they are just glad to go to WDW!

I did have a question about the decor of the rooms and the resort...do you think its 'beachy' or would you describe it more as 'girly'? I don't really think my sons would even notice if it was girly...just wondering!

It was nice to read what you said about the pool. I've always wondered if older kids/teens would enjoy the pool theme. We've stayed at BC (when my sons were much younger), but the pool was really so crowded that we mainly hung out at the quiet pool.

Did you like the location of the Boardwalk area better than CBR? Was it benefit to be able to walk to 2 of the parks instead of having to take the bus everywhere?

I'm currently trying to find a good place for our upcoming family trip to WDW in 2011. I was leaning towards Poly...but, I was also considering BWV too.


TIA!

 

[Stitch2244314]

I really enjoyed your review of BW...I especially like reading reviews written from a 20 year-old's perspective. I have 2 sons (22 & 17) and I'm always trying to think about what they would enjoy at a resort. They are not super picky about the resorts--they are just glad to go to WDW!

I did have a question about the decor of the rooms and the resort...do you think its 'beachy' or would you describe it more as 'girly'? I don't really think my sons would even notice if it was girly...just wondering!

It was nice to read what you said about the pool. I've always wondered if older kids/teens would enjoy the pool theme. We've stayed at BC (when my sons were much younger), but the pool was really so crowded that we mainly hung out at the quiet pool.

Did you like the location of the Boardwalk area better than CBR? Was it benefit to be able to walk to 2 of the parks instead of having to take the bus everywhere?

I'm currently trying to find a good place for our upcoming family trip to WDW in 2011. I was leaning towards Poly...but, I was also considering BWV too.


TIA!

Thanks for reading my review!
I would have to say that the rooms are a little bit "girly." I mean, not over the top girly, I'm a male and it didn't bother me at all. But there is a floral bedspread and some of the walls are pink. I wouldn't call it beachy, more "vacationy" if that makes any sense at all (it probably doesn't.) I don't know how to explain it, sorry! But like I said, I wouldn't worry too much about the girly thing, unless they really can't stand the pink and floral decor. Show them pictures and see what they think, maybe?

We never found the main pool overly crowded-- and we were obviously there at a very busy time. We really enjoyed the pool a lot- and like I said, the slide wasn't the fastest one in the world, but I couldn't complain. It was great to just have a big slide like that at our resort!

I did like the location of BW better than CBR-- Although CBR is very centrally located, I don't think you can beat the BW's location. Being able to walk to 2 parks was an awesome perk. Especially Epcot because it's so close-- We had lunch reservations in Italy and it was so easy to get to. And while we do enjoy the Disney buses, not having to take them everywhere was great as well. The walk to DHS is also very convenient-- couldn't have taken us more than 15 minutes, and that was at a pretty leisurely pace.

Now I'm sure you can't go wrong with the Poly either-- talk about location there too! I would be more than happy to try that resort someday. Good luck deciding, and have a great trip!

 

[WDWBW09]

Nice trip report...BWI IKC is our addiction and always wondered about the villa side of the resort.

Sorry about the your withdraw but are glad you and your family had a great vacation at the Boardwalk!

 

[goofyfordisney]

Thanks for reading my review!
I would have to say that the rooms are a little bit "girly." I mean, not over the top girly, I'm a male and it didn't bother me at all. But there is a floral bedspread and some of the walls are pink. I wouldn't call it beachy, more "vacationy" if that makes any sense at all (it probably doesn't.) I don't know how to explain it, sorry! But like I said, I wouldn't worry too much about the girly thing, unless they really can't stand the pink and floral decor. Show them pictures and see what they think, maybe?

We never found the main pool overly crowded-- and we were obviously there at a very busy time. We really enjoyed the pool a lot- and like I said, the slide wasn't the fastest one in the world, but I couldn't complain. It was great to just have a big slide like that at our resort!

I did like the location of BW better than CBR-- Although CBR is very centrally located, I don't think you can beat the BW's location. Being able to walk to 2 parks was an awesome perk. Especially Epcot because it's so close-- We had lunch reservations in Italy and it was so easy to get to. And while we do enjoy the Disney buses, not having to take them everywhere was great as well. The walk to DHS is also very convenient-- couldn't have taken us more than 15 minutes, and that was at a pretty leisurely pace.

Now I'm sure you can't go wrong with the Poly either-- talk about location there too! I would be more than happy to try that resort someday. Good luck deciding, and have a great trip!

Thanks for answering all of my questions! Like I said before, I really think its helpful to read viewpoints from your age group.

I'm trying to make this trip a little more about my sons' wishes this time...one son is graduating from High School and the other is graduating from college this coming December.

Sometimes, I tend to over-think these decisions...and, in the end, it really doesn't matter to my sons! Like you, I think that they like to try out new places and pools. And, the biggest thing for them is that they're in WDW!

Thanks, again!

 

[lovesdumbo]

I think the reason that there are so many different answers to your bus question is because the routes are not consistent. For the Magic Kingdom, the Boardwalk shares buses with the Swan & Dolphin only (the Yacht & Beach Club have their own bus.) The BW is the first to be picked up and the first to be dropped off. For Downtown Disney/Typhoon Lagoon, the BW, S & D, and YC/BC all share the same bus. That takes a while! (I believe our trip back to the BW took 35 mins. For DTD, I believe the BW is last on and last off). And I only went to AK once and the bus there I believe was the same situation as DTD. We didn't take the bus back to the BW because we had dinner reservations at the Poly, so I'm not 100% clear on how the AK bus situation was.

AKL bus also stops at Blizard Beach on the way back to the resort and then Swan, Dolphin, YC, BC and BWI last. We would get off at Swan (first stop) and walk from there.


BWV has a free laundry room for studios. I'm assuming you need your room key to get in.

BWI has a laundry room near the 3rd floor elevators. It was $2 to wash and $2 to dry but I had to do the dryer twice to dry the clothes so $6 per load. I brought my own soap-they do sell it there for $1/load.

 

[purpliequeen]

Thanks for the great review. We'll be there the week of Christmas and are so excited.

 

[Stitch2244314]

Nice trip report...BWI IKC is our addiction and always wondered about the villa side of the resort.

Sorry about the your withdraw but are glad you and your family had a great vacation at the Boardwalk!

Thank you! I guess I'm going to have to get over it!

 

[Stitch2244314]

Thanks for answering all of my questions! Like I said before, I really think its helpful to read viewpoints from your age group.

I'm trying to make this trip a little more about my sons' wishes this time...one son is graduating from High School and the other is graduating from college this coming December.

Sometimes, I tend to over-think these decisions...and, in the end, it really doesn't matter to my sons! Like you, I think that they like to try out new places and pools. And, the biggest thing for them is that they're in WDW!

Thanks, again!

Congratulations on the graduations-- both are big accomplishments!

I hope you all have a great time, and good luck deciding!

 

[Stitch2244314]

Thanks for the great review. We'll be there the week of Christmas and are so excited.

Congrats! What a great place to be for Christmas week!

 

[emmysmommy]

Thanks for sharing your experience. Sounds like you had an awesome room location/view.

I soooo look forward to grabbing something from the BW Bakery. Pizza and funnel cakes too?? Wow, I want one of everything!!