Sell me on BWV- why will we love it?

[Sharene0724]

Check Touring Plans, there are some garden view villas at BW that have a view of HS fireworks if you get the right one! Its worth sending in a request for a particular room, its obviously not guaranteed but you never know.

 

[kam1011]

I live on the Jersey shore and Boardwalk is my favorite resort! I wouldn't compare the Boardwalk resort to a real boardwalk, however, but I love the resort because of it's proximity to Epcot and just the look and feel of the area. I prefer Boardwalk view rooms and I like to look out on the lake and people watch. You can actually see some of the fireworks from Epcot. We enjoy grabbing a pretzel or ice cream on the boardwalk late at night and bringing it up to the room. My kids love the clown pool (even though I will admit it's certainly not one of the BEST pools in WDW). Parking is annoying because it's so far away. I really love the decor inside the rooms. It's low-key, but very nice.

 

[iluveeyore]

The OP never mentioned BCV, the question was about the BWV. Plus...
1) BCV is closer to Epcot than BW by about what, 5 minutes or less. How do you know they wont take the boat to Epcot, making any walking distance irrelevant. You didn't mention that BWV is closer to Hollywood Studios.
2) Don't assume that the OP will have a car, so parking is not an issue. Given their location near the Jersey Shore they will probably fly and use Magical Express.
3) People spend the day walking the parks, but " hiking up a hill to get to the building" is a deal breaker. I assume you don't mind walking up the stairs to your room at OKW assuming you don't have a first floor room, but the hill at BWV is a real problem.
3) Not everyone has an irrational fear of clowns. I also remember you posting that you were not a fan favorite of SAB, so how can you recommend BCV?

Just an FYI regarding #1 "BWV is closer to Hollywood Studios", it actually isn't. It took us 12-15 minutes to walk to DHS, and only about 5 min to walk to Epcot from BWV when we stayed a couple of weeks ago - wanted the OP to be given the correct advice

 

[DisneyRegulars]

I live on the Jersey shore and Boardwalk is my favorite resort! I wouldn't compare the Boardwalk resort to a real boardwalk, however, but I love the resort because of it's proximity to Epcot and just the look and feel of the area.

This! OP, don't go into your stay expecting Boardwalk Villas to mimic the Jersey Shore. It won't. You will be highly disappointed if you expect that. BWV is just a nice hotel with some essence of beachy boardwalks thrown in. I live relatively close to Saratoga Springs, NY, and if I tried to compare SSR to the actual Saratoga Springs I would be miserable, they are nothing alike. However, when I just enjoy SSR for SSR it is a lovely resort. I think BWV can be enjoyed in a similar manner.

I love BWV because:
1. The location is great.
2. The Boardwalk is fun at night and has yummy food options which I think includes the Boardwalk Bakery and Ample Hills Creamery. The pizza window is a nice touch for a quick cheap meal as well.
3. The slide at the pool is great.
4. The decor and overall ambiance reminds me of Hampton Beach, NH or just general beach vacations which I find very relaxing and fun, so it is nice to add that relaxing feeling to a sometimes hectic Disney vacation.

 

[Pete W.]

Just an FYI regarding #1 "BWV is closer to Hollywood Studios", it actually isn't. It took us 12-15 minutes to walk to DHS, and only about 5 min to walk to Epcot from BWV when we stayed a couple of weeks ago - wanted the OP to be given the correct advice

lbv7 was saying that BWV is closer to DHS than BCV, meaning it would take 20-25 minutes to walk to DHS from BCV but only 15-20 minutes to walk from BWV to DHS. The point is that BWV offers the best blend of walks since it is more equidistant from the two parks.

 

[DSLRuser]

Depending on what room you get, it could absolutely be quicker to walk to HS then Epcot.

 

[BK2014]

It is hard to explain why I love the BWV so much. I have been going to WDW all my life, did the College Program etc. DW and I are both mid-30s. Our first trip to WDW together was December 2016. On a whim, we rented points at BWV. We enjoyed it so much that we bought a DVC contract as soon as we got back. We had our second stay there last month. When I used to plan my trips to WDW, I always pictured my arrival at the Magic Kingdom as my official arrival at WDW. Now I look forward to walking into the lobby of the Boardwalk just as much, if not more. It is just such a nice, relaxed atmosphere. Having been there in both December and January, it never feels that crowded or busy, but plenty of things to do there. Also, plenty of places to just sit and relax.

For a pool/garden view, I would suggest requesting a room overlooking the village green area. That will put you relatively close to the elevators with a nice view. I strongly suggest eating at Trattoria al Forno, it is very good. We also enjoy the ice cream at Ample Hills Creamery and the pastries from the Boardwalk Bakery.

Personally, we have always had good luck with Disney buses from the Boardwalk to MK, Animal Kingdom and Disney Springs.

 

[chainkid]

I guess like most DVC resorts , there is something that appeals to Boardwalk people. I fell in love the minute I drove up back in 1998 . At the time had no idea about DVC because I was a cash customer . By luck we got a room overlooking the village green area and my favorite memory is watching my son and his then girlfriend run around the lake . I only found out about DVC in 1999 and bought my first contract to enjoy a second trip. Now I own 5 contracts because I just love the whole location and the views. I have stayed at almost all the resorts and while I enjoy everyone , there is nothing that compares to Boardwalk for me. Walking back from Epcot at night is so romantic, ESPN club for sports nuts like our family is a must do on game nights, watching fireworks from the balcony of a grand villa is priceless.

 

[DisneyTravelers2008]

Its a great resort and one of my favorites. I love the location and decor.

Pros; Recently renovated / great decor.....walk to short boat to Epcot and HWS...Abracadbra Bar at night on the BW....decent point value for garden or pool or BW view....great point value for standard view

Cons; Clown Pool is kind of weird...the BW is not as fun at night as I would have hoped

 

[lishie]

BWV is one of our homes. We love it for the location. I love AKV for resort heavy trips, but when we're planning a lot of park time I'm all about Boardwalk. My kids are younger, and they enjoy what they think is their private community hall with the video games, ping pong, etc. The pool is not my favorite, but it never seems crazy busy either, which is nice.

We enjoy walking to both epcot and Hollywood, and with Toy Story opening this summer, the ability to walk or boat there will be a nice perk.

We also like the Boardwalk .performers in the evening when we get back.