Parking at the Boardwalk is NOT a problem

[gdrj]

That's why there is Bell Services! Bell Services is also great if you don't want to haul luggage and groceries and strollers, etc. up stairs to your villa at OKW!

Agree 100%

 

[Deb & Bill]

That's why there is Bell Services! Bell Services is also great if you don't want to haul luggage and groceries and strollers, etc. up stairs to your villa at OKW!

Eh, I'm cheap. Don't use bell services.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Eh, I'm cheap. Don't use bell services.

Me too.

But at BWV it crossed my mind but I couldn't even fathom what would be the appropriate tip for Bell Services if I had them carry up the 10-12 plastic bags that the grocery store had loaded my stuff into - some with 1 or 2 items I think. So I schlepped as usual. And that was the beginning of my 1.5 mile/2.5 trips to the car late one evening in December. And I was parked as close as possible and used the stairs.

 

[gdrj]

Walking a long distance uphill with luggage or groceries, plus down a long, narrow, confining corridor is a pain. It's the same reason I don't like MK during Christmas time - too confining with 90,000 guests all walking down Main Street at the same time.

That's why there is Bell Services! Bell Services is also great if you don't want to haul luggage and groceries and strollers, etc. up stairs to your villa at OKW!

And we have a winner!!!!!

Eh, I'm cheap. Don't use bell services.

Hmmm. that explains a lot. Can't blame The Resort if you don't choose to take advantage of the service they provide. That's your prerogative, but as I wrote as the OP, "Parking at Boardwalk is NOT a problem"

The issue is that someone who is looking for advice on the resort see a comment from you or others that parking is horrible... it's not exactly accurate.

Bell Services/Valet has always allowed me to leave my car for a few minutes to either check-in, bring groceries in, run up the room for a minute (they direct me where to leave it for the 5 minutes). There are always options if you want to find a solution. Personally I think the parking lot at your home resort VWL would give you the same issues with luggage and groceries. As far as the well-lit quiet hallways (the further from the elevator the better!) that's for another thread.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Hmmm. that explains a lot. Can't blame The Resort if you don't choose to take advantage of the service they provide. That's your prerogative, but as I wrote as the OP, "Parking at Boardwalk is NOT a problem"

haha - just because they provide an option to alleviate the bit that parking is a distance away doesn't make the parking any closer.

Nor is choosing to not pay for such service a bad thing nor change the distance to parking.

The parking lot at BWV is further away than several other DVC resorts. Also, the distance to parking varies at each resort depending on what room you are in. Whether it's a "problem" will vary for each person.

 

[crisi]

Bell services doesn't need to shelp - you can unload and they can hold it for you, then you shelp. You should still give a nominal tip, but you don't need to be tipping $1 a bag for "I did most of my own unloading and shelpping and you watched my bags."

For us, when we stayed at BW, we each had one carry on sized bag to shlep. My kids are definitely old enough to handle their own bag - and pulling it from the parking lot to the room was definitely shorter than pulling it through the airport.

But since we seldom drive - we don't need to park that often. No matter where I am at Disney if I'm on site, a car is far less convenient than the combination of my feet, Disney transportation and a cab. And a few cabs for the week have never come to more than the rental.

 

[Deb & Bill]

haha - just because they provide an option to alleviate the bit that parking is a distance away doesn't make the parking any closer.

Nor is choosing to not pay for such service a bad thing nor change the distance to parking.

The parking lot at BWV is further away than several other DVC resorts. Also, the distance to parking varies at each resort depending on what room you are in. Whether it's a "problem" will vary for each person.

 

[bumbershoot]

Me too.

But at BWV it crossed my mind but I couldn't even fathom what would be the appropriate tip for Bell Services if I had them carry up the 10-12 plastic bags that the grocery store had loaded my stuff into - some with 1 or 2 items I think. So I schlepped as usual. And that was the beginning of my 1.5 mile/2.5 trips to the car late one evening in December. And I was parked as close as possible and used the stairs.

That sounds miserable. BS would have hung those bags up on the hooks on the cart and would have had it to you quickly. You could have tipped what you bought was fair. I doubt there's anyone that expects $1 per grocery bag.

For the future, what amount of money would you pay to avoid the 1.5 miles of trips and potentially sore arms? Tip that amount.

 

[cdtommie]

totally agree
the main lot is not far at all, and we always get a spot. if we park near the convention ctr, it is a (mostly covered) 3m short walk to the lobby. if the car is nearer the main road, it is a pretty, and about 3-4 minute walk to the lobby - even when laden with many grocery bags.

btw, we have never been told to use any lot other than the main resort guest lot (across from the convention ctr), until this past october - i wasn't happy about it, either.

when we walked into the lobby, concierge announced "WELCOME HOME!!!".... i replied (yes, with a bit of smile), "it's not home if we have to park in our neighbor's driveway!"
the concierge CM called us over, and i told her we were turned away from the main lot, and had parked behind the valet lot.
she called a manager out.......bottom line: BWI/BWV guests are never, ever to be refused access to the main lot because of another event!! apparently, the guards change (from other resorts, and even outside co's), and they may not remember the correct policy.
all were incredibly apologetic, and insisted on giving us a room credit (we refused, & asked them to use it toward water & drinks for the outside guards - they said they would do both, and the credit was going on no matter what ).
& yes, i wrote a letter saying how fantastic they were

sooooo.....have the guard call if you are ever disallowed parking in the lot across from the convention ctr and are staying at the BWV/BWI - simply, BWV/BWI resort guests have priority over convention, wedding, etc guests who might wish to park there.

Interesting, back in Oct 2012 I called the front desk and complained about being directed to park behind valet (even started a thread here on it)...received no satisfaction from management (but did get a lot of calls to my room) and once again in October 2013 we were directed to the lot behind valet. This has only happened to us during F&W and only on weekends. Back in the days after free valet was discontinued we did have issues several times finding any spaces available in the lot and as a result I would valet and refuse to pay (this always worked).

Thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3010637

 

[LSchrow]

And we have a winner!!!!!
Hmmm. that explains a lot. Can't blame The Resort if you don't choose to take advantage of the service they provide. That's your prerogative, but as I wrote as the OP, "Parking at Boardwalk is NOT a problem"
The issue is that someone who is looking for advice on the resort see a comment from you or others that parking is horrible... it's not exactly accurate.

but then again, i (as well as others who have PMed me) don't understand continually posting only negative opinions (whether founded or not) on every thread about a resort.
each resort has its charms, and what we might intensely dislike (e.g., cars outside our villa), others may love.
everyone has their favorite(s) - nobody's kid is cuter

Interesting, back in Oct 2012 I called the front desk and complained about being directed to park behind valet (even started a thread here on it)...received no satisfaction from management (but did get a lot of calls to my room) and once again in October 2013 we were directed to the lot behind valet.

Thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3010637

we were told this in oct 2013 (F&WF) - and they were VERY adamant that BWV/BWI "guests should NEVER be turned away lot!!" (i think they were more upset than we were).
management said that all guards are informed of the correct policy (printed, as verbally), but that many are "borrowed" or rented during busy times & apparently "make their own rules".
btw, we didn't have any problems using that lot (with proper BWV ID, of course) in the 12 days following our discussion with them. we don't anticipate any problems for our april/may trip, but will certainly have the guard call, if necessary (and hand him/her some bottled waters - it gets HOT out there!)

 

[Deb & Bill]

opinions[/B] (whether founded or not) on every thread about a resort.
each resort has its charms, and what we might intensely dislike (e.g., cars outside our villa), others may love.
everyone has their favorite(s) - nobody's kid is cuter ...

That's why we all get to express our opinion. When someone asks a question about a DVC or WDW resort, we get to tell our opinion, right?

But my kid is cuter.

 

[Judique]

You will have to walk miles from the parking lot at BWV! That is if they let you in the parking lot. They may make you park over by the Hess Gas Station.

The halls are way too long.

The rooms are too far from the lobby.

There is only one bank of elevators.

There are not enough quick service options.

The rooms are too small (compared to OKW). (One comment was that you could sit on the balcony and reach into the fridge for a beer!)

The décor was ________(fill in the blanks -worn, dirty, mismatched, no scarf on the new bedding, whatever!

The balconies - some were solid and you couldn't see unless standing.

Nobody gets to use the Attic without paying extra.

The pool has a scary clown.

The lobby has a set of scary chairs by the fireplace.

You can only go out the exit by the ATM machine. (Can't get back in this way)

There is a tree in front of my 4th floor window so I can't see Illuminations.

There is a big hedge in front of my patio on the ground floor so I can't feed the ducks and rabbits.

The Screen Door never has enough 2% milk.

This Xmas they changed the gingerbread display to selling it and making a Disney buck.

The boat is never there when I want to go to Epcot - it's always going to DHS when I want to go to Epcot!

If I get the standard room closest to the entrance I will be woken by noisy carts in the early morning.

Please read all of the above and book OKW or SSR or AKV instead. You will be much happier!

(Then I can get the room I want when I want it!)

 

[lbv7]

There is a big difference between expressing an opinion and constantly exaggerating negatives about what someone perceives to be a problem, such as parking at the BW. What I don't understand is if you don't like a resort, don't stay there. No need to constantly harp about the parking, the clown pool, etc.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Bell services doesn't need to shelp - you can unload and they can hold it for you, then you shelp. You should still give a nominal tip, but you don't need to be tipping $1 a bag for "I did most of my own unloading and shelpping and you watched my bags."

For us, when we stayed at BW, we each had one carry on sized bag to shlep. My kids are definitely old enough to handle their own bag - and pulling it from the parking lot to the room was definitely shorter than pulling it through the airport.

But since we seldom drive - we don't need to park that often. No matter where I am at Disney if I'm on site, a car is far less convenient than the combination of my feet, Disney transportation and a cab. And a few cabs for the week have never come to more than the rental.

Actually this trip I don't know if that would have helped - only bell service delivering to the room probably would have since we were down next to the Attic.

That sounds miserable. BS would have hung those bags up on the hooks on the cart and would have had it to you quickly. You could have tipped what you bought was fair. I doubt there's anyone that expects $1 per grocery bag.

For the future, what amount of money would you pay to avoid the 1.5 miles of trips and potentially sore arms? Tip that amount.

Then I'd have to overcome my stubborness! But an explanation - though there were sore arms from the groceries which I shopped for before everyone else arrived - that didn't quite make the 1.5 miles. That was first from leaving my phone in the car after I got back from grocery shopping and then accidentally leaving my wallet in the car when I went to get the phone! I was tired and not paying attention and it is absolutely the wrong resort to be doing that at. If I had known I'd be walking back to the car twice I could have carried fewer groceries and lightened the load - but that's hindsight on events that weren't planned.

Actually I was thinking about this earlier. It isn't that the parking lot is too far away - it's that the halls are too long.

And yes - I like BWV. I'm actually fairly amused by the long maze of hallways.

 

[Judique]

Actually I was thinking about this earlier. It isn't that the parking lot is too far away - it's that the halls are too long.

And yes - I like BWV. I'm actually fairly amused by the long maze of hallways.

I won't be staying BWV my next visit. I'm off trying out VGF and the club level at AKV Jambo House.

But, BWV is my main home resort and I stay there often.

I almost always have a car. Because I usually have a car, I like to get standard view rooms. I like to get the standard view, ground floor rooms near the tennis courts and the door that leads to the walking path to DHS. This is the quietest location I know of at BWV. (I don't require absolute quiet, just thought I'd mention for people who do.) Many people might consider these rooms 'too far away.'

From this location, I actually walk to DHS. When I go to Epcot or the Bakery or Flying Fish, I walk out the lower door that is near the pond and up the hill past bell services and down the stairs to the right. I rarely walk the hallways at all.

Every couple of years I will book a BW View room. Love the View!! Absolutely hate the hallways! Then I make a note not to book any thing but standard again. I've never stayed garden view in 14 years of ownership. I think if I didn't have a car and got dropped by ME, I would switch to only wanting boardwalk view, as I would have no need for the parking lot - well except to get the occasional bus to MK/AK.

 

[delilah]

There is a big difference between expressing an opinion and constantly exaggerating negatives about what someone perceives to be a problem, such as parking at the BW. What I don't understand is if you don't like a resort, don't stay there. No need to constantly harp about the parking, the clown pool, etc.

I find it a bit rude to take exception to people stating a fact and expressing an opinion based on that fact. Earlier in the thread, I made the observation that while the hallways at Kidani, where I own points and have stayed probably 20 times over the past 7 years or so, are longer than at BWV, where I have stayed once, and was in the last room in the hallway near Jelly Rolls. I stated the fact that at Kidani, parking is under the building, and so it is nearer to the rooms even though the hallways are longer. I further make the observation that the quickest walk to get to my specific room was to walk around the outside of the building on a service road, which I don't think was designed for foot traffic. Alternative, I suppose, we could have trekked inside the building with our luggage and groceries. The worst would have been to walk the lobby from parking then to our room. I expressed the opinion that parking at Kidani is more convenient than at BWV. Doesn't mean we didn't like anything about the resort. It was lovely. Doesn't mean we'd never stay there again.

 

[LSchrow]

There is a big difference between expressing an opinion and constantly exaggerating negatives about what someone perceives to be a problem, such as parking at the BW.

And yes - I like BWV. I'm actually fairly amused by the long maze of hallways.

we can't be the only ones who enjoy walking down those hallways (still tick-ticking along the hallways' painted-over fences ), enjoying one another's company, stopping to look at those fantastic light fixtures, peek out a window, making friends out of strangers, taking a few minutes to hear all about a passing child's exciting day, following tink's pixiedust in the carpet.....).
we relish those moments enveloped in a resort's atmosphere (obviously, we're more stroll-stop-meander ppl than go-go-go ) - the amazing detail and atmosphere that most regular WDW resorts are known for, is alive & well at BWV, kidani/jambo and most DVCs.....

we can (& do) use the stairwells when we need to go quickly (perfect for quick park runs) , but greatly prefer the joy and relaxation of those meandering hallways and the amazing, eclectic lobby

 

[castle1]

I have to agree with OP. The parking at BWV is not that big a deal to us. We have stayed there numerous times and never had to park in the overflow lot. With all the walking that is done at the parks, this is nothing! And if we had groceries, someone is dropped off in front with the groceries, and someone else parks the car. I could never understand why this is always a complaint about the BWV.

 

[castle1]

You will have to walk miles from the parking lot at BWV! That is if they let you in the parking lot. They may make you park over by the Hess Gas Station.

The halls are way too long.

The rooms are too far from the lobby.

There is only one bank of elevators.

There are not enough quick service options.

The rooms are too small (compared to OKW). (One comment was that you could sit on the balcony and reach into the fridge for a beer!)

The décor was ________(fill in the blanks -worn, dirty, mismatched, no scarf on the new bedding, whatever!

The balconies - some were solid and you couldn't see unless standing.

Nobody gets to use the Attic without paying extra.

The pool has a scary clown.

The lobby has a set of scary chairs by the fireplace.

You can only go out the exit by the ATM machine. (Can't get back in this way)

There is a tree in front of my 4th floor window so I can't see Illuminations.

There is a big hedge in front of my patio on the ground floor so I can't feed the ducks and rabbits.

The Screen Door never has enough 2% milk.

This Xmas they changed the gingerbread display to selling it and making a Disney buck.

The boat is never there when I want to go to Epcot - it's always going to DHS when I want to go to Epcot!

If I get the standard room closest to the entrance I will be woken by noisy carts in the early morning.

Please read all of the above and book OKW or SSR or AKV instead. You will be much happier!

(Then I can get the room I want when I want it!)

 

[MiramarQE]

You will have to walk miles from the parking lot at BWV! That is if they let you in the parking lot. They may make you park over by the Hess Gas Station.

The halls are way too long.
.
.
.
.
Please read all of the above and book OKW or SSR or AKV instead. You will be much happier!

(Then I can get the room I want when I want it!)