The Boardwalk Inn Information Thread

[lovesdumbo]

My sister and I have a trip planned for June 8-16, 2012 with her 4 children. They will be 7,5,2,1 when we go. My only other trip was CR November 2010, which I loved. We did do a short offsite trip for a shuttle launch 3 years ago and walked around BW one day just because my sister had heard about it and wanted to see it. We had planned to do a 1BR AKV next year which I was very excited about. However, we can save approx. $1500 by staying in a deluxe room and she loved the boardwalk so now we may end up staying at BWI.

We were pretty set on AKV but last night we somehow maybe decided to for sure switch to BWI?? I see pros and cons to staying there and wanted to ask opinions of others who've stayed there what they would do in our shoes.

Cons-we lose full kitchen not being in villa, 1BR villa at BW won't accomodate us, no dedicated counter service to feed 4 kids breakfast before parks, clowns kinda creep me out. That's the big things I see.

Pros-we will save $1500 which would pay for all travel expenses (we drive) and lots of fun extras for the kids, I love the idea being able to walk to Epcot to eat, I love the pics turningleaf posted of that huge balcony. I can so see myself sitting out there with the kids.

I have already changed my signature to BWI for next year and I know I can be content there and $1500 may push me into pure happiness...

When you say "deluxe" room do you mean a true deluxe room at BWI that sleeps 6? Those rooms come with club level service so easy access to breakfast there.

You would fit in a "regular" room at BWI.

I have struggle with a very simular choice. We are a party of 5-me, DH, DD(12), DS(10) and DD(8). I have often thought I would really enjoy all the room of a 1BR at AKV-especially the washer/dryer. I've been able to get a better discount at BWI so last summer and this I have booked BWI CL room for less than 1BR at AKV. I just can't spend more and give up club level service and ability to walk to 2 parks for the washer/dryer at AKV.

I too worried about quick service dining options at BWI before I stayed there but we never had trouble finding food when we wanted. Staying CL does help with that but we also got take out pizza and used the kiosks for things like pulled pork sandwich, hot dogs, chicken fingers...

I don't have an issue with clowns so it never bothered me-in fact I barely notice it. There are also 2 quiet pools you could use.

Good luck with your choice. You have to wait to see where you can get the best deal next year.

 

[TT4Dis]

No, I didn't mean a deluxe club level room, I meant a room at a deluxe resort. Doing the deluxe club level would cost about the same as the 1BR at ABV and if we were paying the same amount, I would want the villa over the deluxe room. We would just do a standard room at BWI next year. Sorry, I didn't make myself clear.

 

[Gina35]

Tough choice b/c of the counter area mostly, but you can always take a quick bite outside to the balcony or sit at a table or on a bench at the boardwalk itself. It really is wonderful to stay in the BW/BC area and be able to walk right into Epcot. As soon as you go through the gates, you enter the whole atmosphere of World Showcase, which is really special. The only other thing for you to consider is that the pool slide lets out into the pool via a big clown mouth. Only you will know how much that would bother you. There really aren't a lot of other clown things around.

 

[pixarmom]

My sister and I have a trip planned for June 8-16, 2012 with her 4 children. They will be 7,5,2,1 when we go.

no dedicated counter service to feed 4 kids breakfast before parks,

TT4Dis, we are staying at BWI for the first time next month, but we've stayed at BC multiple times and Dolphin once, so we have lots of experience with the Epcot resort area breakfast options. We also have three kids and love to be at rope drop, so we know how it goes! I agree that CL is really one of the easiest ways to feed kids before the parks in the morning, but most of our previous trips have been non-CL.

So for counter service breakfast, you'll find lots of options if you click the link in my signature below. Some of our favorites are BC Marketplace, Boardwalk Bakery at BWI and Picabu at the Dolphin.

But when we aren't staying CL, we often just buy lots of bagels, cereal, fruit, juice, milk, etc. at the BC Marketplace (Screen Door at BWI has some of these items, too) and the kids eat breakfast in our room. We'd also bring back breakfast items from Norway or France the night before! This was particularly helpful for us when our kids were younger and all needed assistance with dressing and getting ready. One of us would be in charge of handing out breakfast items and getting the kids set up with breakfast, and the other would get the kids dressed and ready. Then we'd have an early lunch in the parks. We've stayed at deluxe resorts with more breakfast offerings (Poly, WL, AKL) but honestly, we rarely bring all the kids down to the CS location in the resort to eat a full breakfast before the parks. That would take a long time!

As for the difference between AKL and BWI, we've stayed at AKL and enjoy it for a non-parks visit, but BWI will be so convenient for your group - especially with four kids! The ability to walk or boat to two parks is a huge benefit when traveling with children!

Have a great trip!!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

My sister and I have a trip planned for June 8-16, 2012 with her 4 children. They will be 7,5,2,1 when we go. My only other trip was CR November 2010, which I loved. We did do a short offsite trip for a shuttle launch 3 years ago and walked around BW one day just because my sister had heard about it and wanted to see it. We had planned to do a 1BR AKV next year which I was very excited about. However, we can save approx. $1500 by staying in a deluxe room and she loved the boardwalk so now we may end up staying at BWI.

We were pretty set on AKV but last night we somehow maybe decided to for sure switch to BWI?? I see pros and cons to staying there and wanted to ask opinions of others who've stayed there what they would do in our shoes.

Cons-we lose full kitchen not being in villa, 1BR villa at BW won't accomodate us, no dedicated counter service to feed 4 kids breakfast before parks, clowns kinda creep me out. That's the big things I see.

Pros-we will save $1500 which would pay for all travel expenses (we drive) and lots of fun extras for the kids, I love the idea being able to walk to Epcot to eat, I love the pics turningleaf posted of that huge balcony. I can so see myself sitting out there with the kids.

I have already changed my signature to BWI for next year and I know I can be content there and $1500 may push me into pure happiness...

Well one thing I love about the Boardwalk in general is being able to walk right over to Epcot and Hollywood Studios, plus it's easy when visiting the Yacht Club, Beach Club, Swan & Dolphin. I also personally think their overall location and theme is a lot better then the AKV.

Now even though the Boardwalk doesn't have a traditional Quick Service location like the other resorts the closest they have is the Boardwalk Bakery and a lot of people seem to like it.

 

[Scott MC]

Can anyone tell me about the laundry situation at BWI?
Last year we were spoiled at BLT by having laundry in our room/unit and now we want to once again only pack enough clothes for 1/2 the trip and do laundry mid way.

So, can someone tell me where laundry facilities at BWI are located, and the cost etc? We figure it'll be a pool afternoon for us. Put laundry in...swim....switch to drier...swim....PRESTO! clean clothes!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Can anyone tell me about the laundry situation at BWI?
Last year we were spoiled at BLT by having laundry in our room/unit and now we want to once again only pack enough clothes for 1/2 the trip and do laundry mid way.

So, can someone tell me where laundry facilities at BWI are located, and the cost etc? We figure it'll be a pool afternoon for us. Put laundry in...swim....switch to drier...swim....PRESTO! clean clothes!

Their laundry facilities are located on the 3rd floor right where you come off the Boardwalk Inn elevators. The only thing I can't say is the cost since my family and I don't bother to do laundry while we are on vacation.

 

[lovesdumbo]

$2 to wash/$2 to dry. I find I need to do a 2nd dryer to get some clothes dry. So if I'm doing say 3 loads of laundry I may only do 1 or 2 for a 2nd dry cycle.

 

[jackemail]

$2 to wash/$2 to dry. I find I need to do a 2nd dryer to get some clothes dry. So if I'm doing say 3 loads of laundry I may only do 1 or 2 for a 2nd dry cycle.

There are 5 washers, and twice as many dryers. There is a change machine, and vending for soaps, etc. Their dryers don't dry very well--I always ended up splitting the loads so they could all dry at the same time, rather than load one dryer and then have to put in more quarters for a second cycle.

There is seldom anyone in the laundry room, so it is easy to put in loads, come back in a half hour to change loads to the dryer.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Looking at my countdown ticker for the Boardwalk Inn it says I will be arriving there one month from today. It's always around the 30 day mark that our trip starts to feel more real and it almost feels like yesterday I remember us making the reservation back on Jaurary 1, 2011

 

[SRUAlmn]

Looking at my countdown ticker for the Boardwalk Inn it says I will be arriving there one month from today. It's always around the 30 day mark that our trip starts to feel more real and it almost feels like yesterday I remember us making the reservation back on Jaurary 1, 2011

So exciting! We LOVED our Deluxe CL stay at the Boardwalk. I wish they'd do the Buy 4 Get 3 Free Promo again so we could stay there again

 

[Monorail Bob's dd]

Looking at my countdown ticker for the Boardwalk Inn it says I will be arriving there one month from today. It's always around the 30 day mark that our trip starts to feel more real and it almost feels like yesterday I remember us making the reservation back on Jaurary 1, 2011

We will be there a week from Tuesday!!! We leave for Naples, Florida on Saturday to spend a few days with my inlaws and then 5 days, 4 nights at the Boardwalk in the deluxe club level room - I am so excited to stay there! I stayed in the BWV 14 years ago and have not gotten the chance to stay there since. I am so excited to finally be there again.

 

[jackemail]

We will be there a week from Tuesday!!! We leave for Naples, Florida on Saturday to spend a few days with my inlaws and then 5 days, 4 nights at the Boardwalk in the deluxe club level room - I am so excited to stay there! I stayed in the BWV 14 years ago and have not gotten the chance to stay there since. I am so excited to finally be there again.

You are SO lucky. There is nothing better than a BWI deluxe club room! The "roomy room", the view, the lounge, the club cast members--it is all first class.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

We will be there a week from Tuesday!!! We leave for Naples, Florida on Saturday to spend a few days with my inlaws and then 5 days, 4 nights at the Boardwalk in the deluxe club level room - I am so excited to stay there! I stayed in the BWV 14 years ago and have not gotten the chance to stay there since. I am so excited to finally be there again.

I hope you have a great time.

 

[lovesdumbo]

Looking at my countdown ticker for the Boardwalk Inn it says I will be arriving there one month from today. It's always around the 30 day mark that our trip starts to feel more real and it almost feels like yesterday I remember us making the reservation back on Jaurary 1, 2011

See you there.

When I think of all the things I have to do for work before then it is pretty scary.

I think it is going to be a much needed vacation.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

See you there.

When I think of all the things I have to do for work before then it is pretty scary.

I think it is going to be a much needed vacation.

Oh that's right I forgot we are arriving the same day.

 

[lovesdumbo]

Oh that's right I forgot we are arriving the same day.

My DS(10) can't wait to go. He misses the lounge, the CMs, the boardwalk and just the whole resort.

My DD(8) can't wait to get to Disney. She likes BWI well enough but really wants to get to the parks.

My DD(12) is trying to act all cool but I know she can't wait to go too.

I promised the kids we would make tie died Mickey Ts. I guess I better get going on that.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

My DS(10) can't wait to go. He misses the lounge, the CMs, the boardwalk and just the whole resort.

We must think a like because I have thought the exact same thing.

 

[princssdisnygina]

Ok! Hello Boardwalk peeps! So I just booked one night in a Garden View Cottage Suite before we go over the the Poly! Can you tell me about it? Will 4 adults be comfortable in it? Is it part of the Villas? How far is the walk to the boat to EPCOT? Any details will be great! Thanks!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Ok! Hello Boardwalk peeps! So I just booked one night in a Garden View Cottage Suite before we go over the the Poly! Can you tell me about it? Will 4 adults be comfortable in it? Is it part of the Villas? How far is the walk to the boat to EPCOT? Any details will be great! Thanks!

I found the walk to the International Gateway entrance to Epcot was about 5 minutes.