Secrets of BWI/BWV?

[Her Dotness]

Recently, we bought a small contract at BWV, pretty much sight unseen but for YouTube tours.

While we've eaten at BW's restaurants and strolled up and down the BW itself, we haven't an insider's view of BWI or BWV from staying at either. Have only briefly walked about BWI's lobby and shops along the BW. Never been in BWV.

We're a bit limited in that DH uses a powerchair.

What are the secrets and quirks of BWV and BWI? You know, cozy nooks to settle into until your room is ready. Great mocktails or snacks. Attractive garden spots. The not-so-obvious features of either, in other words.

What hints and tips can you offer us for lowkey fun at BWI/V for 1-2 nights there? (Not interested in going elsewhere in the area)

 

[kmorlock]

The area facing the Boardwalk & water has a super huge outdoor balcony with chairs and rockers. Lots of seating around the lobby too. Belle Vue lounge is a great quiet place along with both the Inn and Villas “Quiet” pools. You can often see Epcot and Hollywood Studios fireworks from BWV. You can walk or boat easily to Beach/Yacht Club, Swan/Dolphin. The sky liner is close so, if that’s an option, you will have great views. The Boardwalk usually has shows at night but, not sure if they are 100% back. Every night there is a marshmallow roasting and movie outside. Lots of table service dining is right there too. Big River has really good beer flights and Leapin’ Libations is one of the best pool bars around.

 

[crisi]

I really like the gardens over on the Inn side - that pool is really underused and quiet - an oasis - its one of the hidden gems of Disney. BWV is short on quiet nooks - it isn't the resort for that (I am not a BCV fan, but they do have quiet nooks over there). And the powerchair makes some of the best secrets not applicable (that would be the stairs - due to the single bank of elevators at the end of the hall, knowing how to use the stairs throughout the resort makes getting from here to there easier - if you can take stairs and don't have strollers, a ton of stuff, bad knees, or a powerchair.) The Bellevue Room is nice and quiet in the afternoon - and has been stocked with games in the past (though I don't know if they are still there in our post Covid world), but if you are looking for quiet, you want to be out of there by 9pm.

 

[Dizzydizney]

The Inn side is quite beautiful outside. There is a bank of elevators right past the Bellevue Lounge that will take you down to the bottom level. The little cottages and gardens are in a courtyard along with the quiet pool.
The BWV rooms are not as fancy as Grand Floridian, but they aren’t meant to be. There is a nice place on the 4th level (I think) all the way at the end by JellyRolls called The Attic. If it isn’t being used for a private party, you can sometimes go out on the deck there. Be aware, though, I remember reading somewhere about the lobby being refurbished sometime soon, don’t have the timeframe, I’m sure it’s out there somewhere.

 

[E2ME2]

Recently, we bought a small contract at BWV, pretty much sight unseen but for YouTube tours.

While we've eaten at BW's restaurants and strolled up and down the BW itself, we haven't an insider's view of BWI or BWV from staying at either. Have only briefly walked about BWI's lobby and shops along the BW. Never been in BWV.

We're a bit limited in that DH uses a powerchair.

What are the secrets and quirks of BWV and BWI? You know, cozy nooks to settle into until your room is ready. Great mocktails or snacks. Attractive garden spots. The not-so-obvious features of either, in other words.

What hints and tips can you offer us for lowkey fun at BWI/V for 1-2 nights there? (Not interested in going elsewhere in the area)

I stayed at BWV for a night prior to my SWGS stay, in March. I had stayed there before, but on a typical 1-Week DVC stay, and most of our time revolved around parks and dining schedules. On this 1 Nighter, however, I had time to relax & explore the resort, and I stumbled onto 2 new experiences. The first was early morning coffee in the Belle Vue Lounge. This is a nice, quiet, well-appointed area to sit & have a relaxing coffee and pastry. Then I met a friend for Brunch (ie - Breakfast # 2 ) at the Trattoria al Forno.
I have walked by this place hundreds of times, over all of our WDW trips, but this was the first time inside. I was impressed with the size of the place, and the furnishings, and it was a bonus that the food was great & the service was fantastic. The other benefit of a BWV stay, is that you are close to the Swan/Dolphin, and their restaurants, and its a nice walk to the Miniature golf, if you're so inclined!

 

[Her Dotness]

...early morning coffee in the Belle Vue Lounge. This is a nice, quiet, well-appointed area to sit & have a relaxing coffee and pastry.

Oh, this is good to know. What time does it open for that?

DH is a devout early riser. He still misses going to the GF RPC lounge before it opened for continental breakfast to have a coffee and chat with the CMs.

Me? Well, as I used to warn students when teaching high school, I don't even get civilized until after 9:30.

Then I met a friend for Brunch (ie - Breakfast # 2 ) at the Trattoria al Forno.

The "Tratt" is a favorite of ours, though we miss the character breakfast with its princely characters--Flynn/Rapunzel and Eric/Ariel. Cindy with her Charming, too, but he's not so rare as the others.

The breakfast is still YUMlicious, though not as much fun.

Breakfast #2, eh? I'm fond of "breakfast dessert" myself, usually something sinfully sweet never seen on a traditional breakfast table. (Mickey head krispie treats, anyone?)

 

[E2ME2]

Oh, this is good to know. What time does it open for that?

DH is a devout early riser. He still misses going to the GF RPC lounge before it opened for continental breakfast to have a coffee and chat with the CMs.

Me? Well, as I used to warn students when teaching high school, I don't even get civilized until after 9:30.

The "Tratt" is a favorite of ours, though we miss the character breakfast with its princely characters--Flynn/Rapunzel and Eric/Ariel. Cindy with her Charming, too, but he's not so rare as the others.

The breakfast is still YUMlicious, though not as much fun.

Breakfast #2, eh? I'm fond of "breakfast dessert" myself, usually something sinfully sweet never seen on a traditional breakfast table. (Mickey head krispie treats, anyone?)

1) The lounge is open from 7am to 11am, and then again from 5pm to 11pm. I love the "1930s" style seating area!
2) I didn't realize that there used to be character breakfasts here. Thanks for the info.

 

[Her Dotness]

I told DH of your info about the early hour coffee-plus which perked him up to watch a Boardwalk Inn video. I suspect Belle Vue will be on our list for the early hours. Thanks much for mentioning that.

Yes, the Trattoria character breakfast was good, too. Family-style with choice of entree and shared pastry platter.

DH particularly liked the donut twists drizzled with chocolate and vanilla. The year we went for his birthday, he asked could he please have another. Our server brought him a plate of FOUR.

By that point, he was too stuffed to eat more than one more. The rest went home with us and promptly into the freezer along with others of the original platter.

Even stale+freezer, they were pretty daggone tasty weeks later.

We really hope that character breakfast returns. It was such fun to see characters that rarely if ever appear elsewhere. With very good food besides.

 

[kungaloosh22]

While enjoying your morning coffee at the Belle Vue lounge, sit in the tables beside the book shelves. Check out some of the books. In many of them, people have left notes on papers and napkins, sharing greetings, fortunes, or favorite tidbits of wisdom. Maybe you'll want to leave a note or 2 as well.

 

[Her Dotness]

While enjoying your morning coffee at the Belle Vue lounge, sit in the tables beside the book shelves. Check out some of the books. In many of them, people have left notes on papers and napkins, sharing greetings, fortunes, or favorite tidbits of wisdom. Maybe you'll want to leave a note or 2 as well.

We watched a tour video that showed the library this past weekend. A lit geek paradise!

What an endearing custom. And a very Disney one, too.

Thanks for that suggestion.

 

[BLLB]

We have owned at BWV for years. On our non-park days, we enjoy picking up breakfast at the Boardwalk Bakery (lots of breakfast "dessert" options) and either sitting at the tables outside and enjoying breakfast, or taking it back to the resort and enjoying it on the large patio off the lobby, or on our balcony. You could also take it up to Bell Vue. Another new favorite is taking the Skyliner to Riveria and enjoying lemon/blueberry pancakes at Primo Piatto (counter service).

I also agree with the suggestion to explore the gardens of BWI.

I think BWV has a great Community Hall if those amenities are things you are interested in.