Tell me what you love about BWI - pretty please!!!

[Mousemommy1]

We take annual family trips to Disney. Every year, we try a new resort in a quest to try them all. Well, we are getting towards the end of the list, LOL. BWI and AKL are the ones left for us.

We are booked for next summer at BWI, because as a family of 5, we need a 1 bedroom villa at AKL and won't know about availability of those until probably January I guess. Plus we are booked under a free dining BB, so our ability to switch to AKL will depend on the availability of discounts too.

That being said, GF is my absolute FAVORITE resort, but it's not in the budget for this trip. Our kids sports are sucking us dry. I feel like BWI has the same "feel" as the GF, but I just want to be super excited about it.

Help me out!!!

 

[kimieko]

I will in 3weeks if you can wait.
I think what I will love the most is the location. Walking to 2 park I saw going to be awesome and just being so close to EPCOT is a huge plus! I will definately post when I get there and when I get back!

 

[Shellyred8]

I love the fun and whimsical feeling of the resort and the boardwalk area. I love the boardwalk area at night with the lighting reflecting off the lake. I love the chocolate chip cookies from the Boardwalk Bakery (best on property IMO). I love being able to walk to HS and EPCOT. I like that it's within walking distance to Fantasia Gardens mini golf. Two ice cream shops within walking distance!!

Have a great trip!

 

[dansdad]

The theme.
Being able to walk to 2 parks.
It has THE best pool slide on property.
Great food options close by.
Just a really fun, whimsical vibe.

 

[DaisyDuck001]

1) Unlike YC and BC, the rooms still have noticeable theming.
2) It's near Jellyrolls.

 

[Mousemommy1]

We definitely like being able to walk - it's what we love most about YC and BC.

I like the look of the rooms at BWI, so I think I just need to quit whining and get over it!

 

[Disneytam]

We are long time lovers of the BWI though we mostly stay CL. Location is a big reason. We have AP so can park hop at will and it's wonderful to go to maybe MK in the morning and then return to the hotel in the afternoon and then stroll over to EPCOT in the evening for a bite to eat or a drink and a stroll around the lake. If were tired at the end of the day then we take the boat back to the hotel, BWI is the first stop on the return trip.

The night life around the BWI is fun as well with the busers out at night doing magic tricks and mind reading acts. Jellyrolls is a fun nighttime place with the dueling pianos, and the miniature golf course is also a short walk away and it stays open late. When our son was young he loved the slide at the main BWI pool and now that he is grown and we do adult only trips the quite pool and hot tub are wonderful and half the time we are the only ones there! Of course the view over the lake towards the YC&BC is ,I think one of the best nighttime views at Disney.

We have stayed a couple of different times at the GF (RPC only) and I would say they have the same vibe but the BWI is a little more subtle about it. It doesn't have the same in your face wow factor in the lobby but if given a choice we would always stay at the BWI over the GF. This year we added a few days to our upcoming trip to Universal and are staying at the BC DVC because after months of searching it was the only EPCOT area hotel that we could find. So I guess I will get to see if I like the view over to the BWI as much as I love the view of the Y&BC.

For what it's worth we have stayed once at the AKL and though it's a lovely resort I have no interest in staying there again. The main reason being that you are so far away from everything that sometimes we felt really isolated with it taking so long to get anywhere. I like the activity around the BWI area much better and since we don't rent a car while at Disney the location is such a time saver for us. Hope you have a great trip!

 

[Dakota731]

Location, location, location! And I liked the bakery for quick mornings. I wasn't impressed with the theming but loved the area!

 

[Mousemommy1]

We are long time lovers of the BWI though we mostly stay CL. Location is a big reason. We have AP so can park hop at will and it's wonderful to go to maybe MK in the morning and then return to the hotel in the afternoon and then stroll over to EPCOT in the evening for a bite to eat or a drink and a stroll around the lake. If were tired at the end of the day then we take the boat back to the hotel, BWI is the first stop on the return trip.

The night life around the BWI is fun as well with the busers out at night doing magic tricks and mind reading acts. Jellyrolls is a fun nighttime place with the dueling pianos, and the miniature golf course is also a short walk away and it stays open late. When our son was young he loved the slide at the main BWI pool and now that he is grown and we do adult only trips the quite pool and hot tub are wonderful and half the time we are the only ones there! Of course the view over the lake towards the YC&BC is ,I think one of the best nighttime views at Disney.

We have stayed a couple of different times at the GF (RPC only) and I would say they have the same vibe but the BWI is a little more subtle about it. It doesn't have the same in your face wow factor in the lobby but if given a choice we would always stay at the BWI over the GF. This year we added a few days to our upcoming trip to Universal and are staying at the BC DVC because after months of searching it was the only EPCOT area hotel that we could find. So I guess I will get to see if I like the view over to the BWI as much as I love the view of the Y&BC.

For what it's worth we have stayed once at the AKL and though it's a lovely resort I have no interest in staying there again. The main reason being that you are so far away from everything that sometimes we felt really isolated with it taking so long to get anywhere. I like the activity around the BWI area much better and since we don't rent a car while at Disney the location is such a time saver for us. Hope you have a great trip!

This is awesome, thank you!!! We are AP holders as well, and DH has always loved our stays at YC and BC because we could walk to Epcot at night. He's excited for BWI for this reason.

 

[Tink-osophy]

I haven't stayed at BWI (yet!), but I'd love to stay at one of the cottages. The garden area there, with the quiet pool, looks so pretty and tranquil. BWI, generally, seems like a nice contrast of bustle and activity at the front and peace and stillness behind.

Plus, it has that great position by Epcot and HS; all the bars and restaurants on the BW and inside Epcot; that lovely lake view; and I have heard great things about the main pool slide (as someone else mentioned) and the bakery.