Staying at BWV- rent a car?

[Ashlotte]

Hi,
We did an II exchange into BWV (we are non-DVC owners, but own a different company). We have never stayed there, so I wanted some advice from the experts. If staying at BWV, is there a benefit to renting a car? We are traveling with a 5 & 3 year-old and will be going back to the room midday for naps. We will also be lugging around a double stroller and backpack. What to do?

Thanks!

 

[hakepb]

For a stroller, there's nothing easier than rolling onto a friendship boat to EPCOT and DHS. (No folding needed!!! They are HA available, I'm not sure if double-wide all fit, double-long certainly would), You can walk also, EPCOT is easier than DHS.

For MK, it's usually quicker to bus to the MK bus-stop (than drive to TTC parking, take a tram (Never again do I want to fold up a stroller for a Tram!) to TTC, then boat or monorail to MK)

The disadvantage to bus service is the buses are usually shared with the Swan and Dolphin and often shared with YC/BC(V)..

The greatest advantage of a car would be going to a non-EPCOT area resort for a meal or non-WDW locations

 

[jade1]

BWV is great for EPCOT and DHS-you can push the stroller all the way to your room if you want, or as said-roll onto a boat and off. No taking down the stroller for the car or bus. For AK/MK you have the bus to contend with, but at least is just those. If it were me and we had hoppers-we would do MK/AK a few mornings (maybe one night for Wishes/Spectro) and leave before they are too tired and the buses are not as busy. Then do evenings at EPCOT/DHS.

 

[5forDiz]

If you plan to stay just onsite at WDW you can probably do without car. But if you find while you are there that you would prefer to have one it's an easy walk around Crescent Lake from BWV to Dolphin Resort which has onsite car rental located there ( there are couple other car rental locations on property and most will pick you up as well ).

BWV is really a great location if you don't have a car because you will be an easy walk to many restaurants not only at BWV, but also at YC-BC, Swan & Dolphin and it's a quick boat road of walk to the International Gateway entrace to Epcot's world showcase where each country's pavillion has table & counter service options. You can take monorail from Epcot to Transportation Ticket Center & cross platform over to MK monorail as an alternative to bus from BWV.

 

[DebbieB]

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2141037

 

[las3888]

We are DVC members and often stay at BWV. We always rent a car when we go. We have DS (3) and like to make a grocery run and get breakfast items, milk, etc. The hotel stores have such a limited selection and of course it's very expensive. We have heard mixed reviews of Magical Express, so we like getting a car and going on our own. We like having the car for Animal Kingdom for BWV. We use the boat or walk to EPCOT and HS. We have taken the bus to MK, but found it to be a pain with all the stops. Good luck with your decision!

 

[tjkraz]

I love BWV...but the transportation can be a real headache no matter which route you choose.

For Epcot and DHS you're either going to walk or take the boat. No cars/buses there. But the other two parks, waterparks and Downtown Disney you'll need the buses. The BoardWalk shares bus service with the Dolphin and Swan so there's no direct service. And some of the bus loops are even longer. I still have bad memories of the bus trip that included two stops at Downtown Disney, Typhoon Lagoon, Dolphin and Swan before arriving at BW.

The Animal Kingdom bus loop often includes Blizzard Beach so even that one can be long.

On the flip side, if you drive you need to deal with the Transportation and Ticket Center when going to the MK. Also the self-park lot is not terribly convenient at BWV, but valet is available. Depends a lot on where your room is located.

Someone mentioned folding up strollers to ride on trams. Been there, done that. But I'm not sure that folding up the stroller for a bus ride is any improvement--particularly when you've got an over-loaded bus full of people forced to stand who are shooting you dirty looks over the space the stroller is occupying.

We usually lean toward driving because of the flexibility. Using buses to dine at other resorts can be difficult. You can't go from the Animal Kingdom straight to Downtown Disney on a bus. If you buy a few groceries at a local supermarket and eliminate a few meals from your trip budget, the car can pretty much pay for itself. Also it's worth checking out the local Disney outlet stores to get souvenirs at 1/2 off.

 

[The Red Head]

BWV is where we usually stay. We always took the Disney transportation. Then one year we rented a car because we were going to go to Universal on that trip as well. We loved having our car, so now we always rent a car. Disney transportation is very good. But when we need to get to dinner reservations somewhere else or are just tired and want to get back to the room, we don't like waiting for the buses. We drive to a grocery store on the way to the hotel to load up on water and snacks, and it works out very well for us.

 

[ScottDW]

We stay at BC and always have a car. We use it whenever we are not going to a park: groceries, downtown disney, hotel restaurants, Hop Dee Do, etc.

 

[crisi]

We don't have a car - we don't enjoy driving. We find bus service to be adequate, and suppliment with cabs where we need to (resort to resort travel, running late). But we don't have a stroller to contend with.

Epcot and DHS are easy to get to from BWV by walking or boat (it is a longish walk to DHS from the BW). MK has, as others have mentioned, the additional hassle of parking at the TTC, taking the tram to the ferry/monorail then taking the ferry/monorail to the MK - a lot of Disney regulars who drive everywhere use Disney transportation when going to the MK. From the MK, we often take the monorail to Epcot and walk back from Epcot - its a LONG walk, but we polish off a ride in Future World with each stop through and pick up Fastpasses for an evening trip on Test Track or Soarin after dinner. That leaves Animal Kingdom - our most likely candidate for "oh, lets grab a cab" - getting back from AK isn't too bad - if the BW bus is pulling away and the DHS bus is pulling in, we grab the DHS bus and walk back from the Studios.

Note that we have no problem putting MILES on our shoes at Disney. And I think little kids adds a lot to the hassle, not only the stroller issue but waiting for the bus is never popular with little kids.

 

[katallo]

We rent a car, but I think it's a matter of choice. We like the option of not waiting for buses and ging to the grocery store. Also, when are you going? I'd rather have a car if it's extremely hot.

 

[Ashlotte]

We are going in early/mid-May. Okay, time aside, will I save a lot of walking by renting a car? It sounds like the car could go either way, with many people getting it or not. We aren't really planning on going to the other resorts for meals and will have a car to get to the park to stop at the grocery store, but we'd have to guesstimate a week's worth of food.

 

[tjkraz]

We are going in early/mid-May. Okay, time aside, will I save a lot of walking by renting a car? It sounds like the car could go either way, with many people getting it or not. We aren't really planning on going to the other resorts for meals and will have a car to get to the park to stop at the grocery store, but we'd have to guesstimate a week's worth of food.

I hate to stay it but you are going to do a LOT of walking whenever you stay at the BoardWalk. Epcot and DHS are only serviced by walking paths and the boats. Boats are nice because you don't have to fold up the stroller, but I just despise waiting for them to arrive.

The walks are about 15 minutes to Epcot and 20 to DHS. And if you're headed to Future World at EP, figure on another 5-7 minutes of walking once inside the park just to reach the attractions.

Pushing the stroller those distances is no treat. When going to Epcot there are two noteworthy hills on the path--one just beyond the ESPN club and the other once you are inside of the park.

Unless you're on the ground floor or don't mind hauling the stroller up and down the stairwells, you will have to walk to the lobby each time you arrive or depart as there is only one elevator in the building.

My kids were about the same ages (5, 3) when we once stayed at the BW with a stroller and it was not a lot of fun. Honestly we did better at SSR with the car parked right outside the building. We drove to every park and the stroller stayed folded-up in the trunk until needed. Now that the kids are older and they can walk to the parks, BWV is much more manageable.

Hope that doesn't ruin your day but I'm just trying to give you realistic expectations. I'm a pretty healthy dude and a Disney vet, but I was icing my knees by Day 3 after pushing those kids on the double-stroller from BWV!

Technically you could drive to both EP and DHS. DHS is practically a straight-shot from BWV while you have to take a more circuitous route to get to Epcot. It will take you more time to reach those parks by car but it should be less hassle (leave stuff in the car) and will require less walking--particularly if you valet park at the resort.

 

[Ashlotte]

I hate to stay it but you are going to do a LOT of walking whenever you stay at the BoardWalk. Epcot and DHS are only serviced by walking paths and the boats. Boats are nice because you don't have to fold up the stroller, but I just despise waiting for them to arrive.

The walks are about 15 minutes to Epcot and 20 to DHS. And if you're headed to Future World at EP, figure on another 5-7 minutes of walking once inside the park just to reach the attractions.

Pushing the stroller those distances is no treat. When going to Epcot there are two noteworthy hills on the path--one just beyond the ESPN club and the other once you are inside of the park.

Unless you're on the ground floor or don't mind hauling the stroller up and down the stairwells, you will have to walk to the lobby each time you arrive or depart as there is only one elevator in the building.

My kids were about the same ages (5, 3) when we once stayed at the BW with a stroller and it was not a lot of fun. Honestly we did better at SSR with the car parked right outside the building. We drove to every park and the stroller stayed folded-up in the trunk until needed. Now that the kids are older and they can walk to the parks, BWV is much more manageable.

Hope that doesn't ruin your day but I'm just trying to give you realistic expectations. I'm a pretty healthy dude and a Disney vet, but I was icing my knees by Day 3 after pushing those kids on the double-stroller from BWV!

Technically you could drive to both EP and DHS. DHS is practically a straight-shot from BWV while you have to take a more circuitous route to get to Epcot. It will take you more time to reach those parks by car but it should be less hassle (leave stuff in the car) and will require less walking--particularly if you valet park at the resort.

Okay, I think I'm sold on the car. I enjoy walking, but after a day walking around WDW any additional walking really put me over the top. If I can save some of that energy by driving, I'm all for it. And the point about lugging the stroller up and down to the room is an excellent one.

 

[Melani]

How would you compare the walk
from Contemp's Garden Wing to MK gates &
from BWV to Int'l Gateway

Me getting in shape for Memorial Day Week!

 

[crisi]

I hate to stay it but you are going to do a LOT of walking whenever you stay at the BoardWalk. Epcot and DHS are only serviced by walking paths and the boats. Boats are nice because you don't have to fold up the stroller, but I just despise waiting for them to arrive.

You do a lot of walking at Disney regardless of where you stay - but walking when you are at the BW/BC becomes something you do without even thinking about it. As you said, you look at the boat leaving and think "I can get there faster walking" (and you can if the boat just left - I think you can going to Epcot regardless of how you time the boat - those boats are not speedy modes of transportation) and you walk.

Our first BW stay was when our kids were 4 and 5 - and we never brought a stroller - only rented them once we were in the parks. So we had the fun in those early years of getting tired children to walk back to the resort - or giving them piggy back rides....and yet somehow we still didn't bother to wait for the boat!

 

[ceejay13]

We always rent a car and are BWV owners. We do it for convenience for everywhere but Epcot and the Studios. We don't have kids, however. It is so nice not to have to depend on the bus system.

 

[Mich Mouse]

How would you compare the walk
from Contemp's Garden Wing to MK gates &
from BWV to Int'l Gateway

Me getting in shape for Memorial Day Week!

About the same distance, though the walk from BWV is much prettier. We really loved being able to walk out our room at CSR on to the beach and proceed directly to the MK. And the sunrise over the lagoon from the Garden View Wing....Beautiful!