The I Love BWV (yes, Hallways and Clown Pool too!) Thread

[2binak]

Just returned from a split stay at both BWV and AKV. We were in a one bedroom at BWV for 3 nights...we had a corner room on the ground level.

Would you mind sharing what area you stayed in at BWV? We'll be there next month and would love a quiet area, hopefully close to the parking lot.

 

[sleeperclan]

Would you mind sharing what area you stayed in at BWV? We'll be there next month and would love a quiet area, hopefully close to the parking lot.

Not at all! We were in room 1121 which is on the corner (had a very large patio) nearest the parking lot. We were able to walk from parking through the service gate and into the side entrance right to our room. When we checked in, it seemed like a very loooong walk to the room, until DH found the "quick" entrance/exit for us! DH liked the room, because we had a set of hedges in front of the patio for privacy, yet we could still see a good portion of the fountain from the villa. Although we did not use the bus system, the bus stop was right across the street from our room. When we booked, we did request a corner room

 

[2binak]

Not at all! We were in room 1121 which is on the corner (had a very large patio) nearest the parking lot. When we booked, we did request a corner room

Was it standard view or pool/garden view?

 

[sleeperclan]

Was it standard view or pool/garden view?

It was a standard view 1 bedroom. I don't know that I'd go for a pool view...my whole family thinks clowns are creepy

 

[horselover]

It was a standard view 1 bedroom. I don't know that I'd go for a pool view...my whole family thinks clowns are creepy:laughing:

If we book preferred view I always ask for a view of the quiet pool. That's not a bad view as long as you don't have a giant tree in front of your balcony (been there, done that). Sometimes you get a lovely view of the pool, canal, & ToT. I have no problem with standard view if I can get it. I'm hoping to get one of those corner rooms one of these days. I'm excited to finally be trying the BW view on our next trip. I just wish it was for more than 1 night.

 

[Mister Incredible]

When we bought into the DVC 10 years ago it was based on a recommendation of a good friend. We never did a tour and the only time we talked to a DVC sales rep was when we told her how many points we wanted.
I remember telling my wife, this sound pretty cool, but the Boardwalk is in the middle of nowhere. However, if you want to do this, I'm in.

That was before I ever stayed at the Boardwalk. It took about a day or two for it to become my favorite hotel on property! When I realized you could walk to Epcot and MGM, I realized that it is far more centralized than most others. Actually the walk to MGM is probably one of my favorite things to do as it is so relaxing.

When the kids were young, my wife would go to bed early and I would sneak down to the ESPN club to catch a game. I just think there is far more to do there than most resorts.

I tell that story all the time and I chuckle every time I do as I can hear myself say, "I'm not going to like the Boardwalk!" Every family member or friend that we take LOVE it there too.

I'm not sure I would buy points at any other resort! OK, maybe BayLake..lol

 

[2binak]

It was a standard view 1 bedroom. I don't know that I'd go for a pool view...my whole family thinks clowns are creepy

Clowns ARE creepy!

We have pool/garden view booked so I know I'll be requesting a quiet pool view.

 

[Elise79]

We are checking in for our first stay at BWV on 9/23 for 4 nights before moving home to BLT.

Can I just double check - it is one check in for both Inn & Villas? I know that sounds silly as we have walked round the BW but never actually gone into the resort.

Secondly how easy is self parking?

Finally, I have read about people taking short cuts buy using the stairs to get out - were are they generally situated? As we only have 4 nights I want to try and get a head start! We did 4 nights at BCV in May and it took all that time to work out the shortest routes (Like cutting across past the Solarium to get to the main entrance )

Thanks

 

[gojoe]

Same desk for Villa & Inn. There are a ton on fire exits all over the place. Most are accessible with your room key card. Look for any Exit sign to get our. Self parking can be an issue. The nearest is for valet. I think too many non-guest park at the Boardwalk making parking tough. There is parking across the street, not on this map. It's up hill to the resort too. Still I love it.

 

[LSchrow]

how easy is self parking?

we have stayed at BWVs since it oped, 2-3x a year, 10-14 days at a time, in spring, summer and fall.
we have never had to park across the street, as there is always at least one spot in the resort guest lot .(across from the bus stop). they sometimes reserve the lot behind the valet for resort guests only .(we'v never had to use it tho).
btw, if you are a resort guest and cannot find a spot in one of those 2 lots, have one person go to the front desk and ask.
they will often offer free valet if the lot is full.
hth

 

[mecllap]

Elise -- not sure what all is included in your query about ease of self-parking. The parking situation was my least favorite part of staying at the BWV (Pretty much everything else was great).

I find the pretty-much mandatory use of car unpackers, and bell services at some of the DVCs to be very annoying. While just parking your car at BWV is "easy" -- you then have the partly (fairly long) uphill hike to your unit, which can feel like a really long way, if you are "schlepping" anything, or tired from a long day.

You can't use their bell carts. The unloading process is two-part -- someone loads your stuff onto a cart, then when you're in your room, you have bell services deliver it. The unloader I had told me it was two separate services (ergo, two tips) -- and it can be the reverse when you leave. I had two wheeled carriers (my rollator, and a "box"-type cart) in my car on my last trip, so I was able to load the car back up (with excellent help from my grandson), since I had by then figured out the back exit, and it's downhill getting back to the parking area, and I had gotten my car situated closer to the Boardwalk building. I ended up not using my car once we had checked in because I didn't want to lose the closer spot -- some spots are a long ways back in the parking lot. But, also, I'm 66 and getting a little creaky (I use a Rollator part of the time, but don't yet have HA hangtag -- altho those spots aren't much closer). Younger people, who have 2-3 strong people in their group (or deeper pockets than I do), might consider it to be easier.

It was also a little annoying that a lot of the parking area is blocked off for valet parking, and most of it is empty most of the time. Seems to me that the valet parking should be in the back of the lot -- not the front (altho I did see one valet guy actually running back to the lot, so I suppose that's why they want it closer).

 

[sleeperclan]

Elise -- not sure what all is included in your query about ease of self-parking. The parking situation was my least favorite part of staying at the BWV (Pretty much everything else was great).

I find the pretty-much mandatory use of car unpackers, and bell services at some of the DVCs to be very annoying. While just parking your car at BWV is "easy" -- you then have the partly (fairly long) uphill hike to your unit, which can feel like a really long way, if you are "schlepping" anything, or tired from a long day.

You can't use their bell carts. The unloading process is two-part -- someone loads your stuff onto a cart, then when you're in your room, you have bell services deliver it. The unloader I had told me it was two separate services (ergo, two tips) -- and it can be the reverse when you leave. I had two wheeled carriers (my rollator, and a "box"-type cart) in my car on my last trip, so I was able to load the car back up (with excellent help from my grandson), since I had by then figured out the back exit, and it's downhill getting back to the parking area, and I had gotten my car situated closer to the Boardwalk building. I ended up not using my car once we had checked in because I didn't want to lose the closer spot -- some spots are a long ways back in the parking lot. But, also, I'm 66 and getting a little creaky (I use a Rollator part of the time, but don't yet have HA hangtag -- altho those spots aren't much closer). Younger people, who have 2-3 strong people in their group (or deeper pockets than I do), might consider it to be easier.

It was also a little annoying that a lot of the parking area is blocked off for valet parking, and most of it is empty most of the time. Seems to me that the valet parking should be in the back of the lot -- not the front (altho I did see one valet guy actually running back to the lot, so I suppose that's why they want it closer).

Agree...bell services was pretty much a must staying here! Along with 4 suitcases, 3 bags of food, and 2 coolers, the trek would have been a pain. We didn't have to tip twice, though when leaving. Bell services picked up our bags and the same gentleman loaded our car up. I also found it strange that the valet parking was in front and very empty, but no one asked my opinion when planning the resort

 

[jekjones1558]

We adore BWV and stay there 3 or 4 times a year. That said, the valet/bell services hand-off of luggage upon arrival is a pet peeve of ours. Valet, which also unloads your luggage from your car, is run by Bags, a private company while Bell Services is staffed by Disney employees, so I understand the reason for tipping twice. But that doesn't mean that I like it. As a previous poster stated, for some reason Bell Services is allowed to take luggage to your car upon departure, so only 1 tip is required then. We are good tippers, including tips for mousekeepers, but for some reason the double tipping issue for arrival at BWV really bugs us.
P.S. If your room is not ready when you check-in and you need to store your luggage, I wonder if a third tip for storing luggage is expected? Last time that happened to us we did give another tip when we dropped off the luggage with Bell Services for storage.

 

[yensid9111]

I just booked our first stay at BWV....while DVC planning, noticed that our Feb. vacation was during President's day, and decided we didn't want to visit during a holiday. We were booked at Kidani Village (our favorite resort); and decided while I was changing dates, to see if anything was available at BWV. We've stayed at: WLV; BCV; OKW; GCV; HHI; VB & AKV. I was surprised that for our trip (2/26-3/2) that standard, boardwalk & preferred were all available (1 bedroom is what we normally book). I went with standard...trying to save up some points for Aulani in Feb. 2013! I requested an upper floor. Excited to try a new (to us) DVC resort, but I have a feeling that we are really going to miss our beloved Kidani Village!

 

[jamerican]

I'm not sure how I missed this thread all these years--just finished reading it from start to finish today. We love BWV and after 14 years are still glad that it is our home resort at the parks. My goal is to stay at all the DVC resorts, but when it comes time to book, I almost always want BWV. We really enjoy being able to walk to the DHS and Epcot and feeling like we are in the middle of the action. We just booked an unexpected trip for late January and we are going to try AKV for the first time. We are excited, but I am wondering how much we will miss the boardwalk. We also have not yet stayed at OKW and BLT. We will get there one day.

Our first visit was in March to OKW! LOVE it - our next visit is a couple of years out Need to save DH is a saver anyway - we are thinking towards BWV for that trip - and I wonder if it can possibly top OKW

 

[Mousewerks]

We arrive tomorrow! Can't wait! Have a 2bd Garden/Pool view.

 

[gojoe]

It was love at first sight. My wife and I had dinner at Flying Fish. Wonderful dining experience. After diner we strolled the Boardwalk taking in all it has to offer. We never set foot in a DVC unit or stop at a booth but I came home determined to vacation there soon.
I'm not going to bore you with the details. It did take me a year to convince my wife to buy at Boardwalk. We took our first trip soon after closing. After the first night my wife woke up and the first thing out of her mouth was we need to buy more points. It's a perfect fit for us. We always say we're going to stat at another resort but just haven't been able to do it. Love The Boardwalk.

 

[lilpooh108]

We adore BWV and stay there 3 or 4 times a year. That said, the valet/bell services hand-off of luggage upon arrival is a pet peeve of ours. Valet, which also unloads your luggage from your car, is run by Bags, a private company while Bell Services is staffed by Disney employees, so I understand the reason for tipping twice. But that doesn't mean that I like it. As a previous poster stated, for some reason Bell Services is allowed to take luggage to your car upon departure, so only 1 tip is required then. We are good tippers, including tips for mousekeepers, but for some reason the double tipping issue for arrival at BWV really bugs us.
P.S. If your room is not ready when you check-in and you need to store your luggage, I wonder if a third tip for storing luggage is expected? Last time that happened to us we did give another tip when we dropped off the luggage with Bell Services for storage.

We're doing our first stay for F&W this October and I'm super excited but confused about the luggage info...

Is it possible to simply pull up the car to the front of the resort, drop people and luggage off, and roll your own luggage in without bothering Valet or Bell Services? We don't usually like to use Bell Services since we pack so light.

I also have a few more questions for the BWV experts here

1) We booked a garden/pool view. We'd love to have a quiet room with a nice serene view. Greenbelt or pool is fine. What requests should I make and what will the view be of? Are there pictures anywhere of the views?

2) I've read that the bus service back from MK is horrible, and that some people suggest getting off at the Swan and walking back since the Swan is the first stop. How many minutes is this walk? Is the pathway obvious? I've only walked from Epcot to BW, and never anywhere else.

3) We might need to rent a manual wheelchair for our trip....does anyone know the closest place to get a wheelchair by the International Gateaway?

4) Does BWV charge the $10 fee if we mail ourselves packages for pick up upon arrival? I thought I read this somewhere... Do they ever waive the fee?

Thanks in advance!!

 

[ajpruett]

Own at AKV and BWV was our first trip "home." I was absolutely blown away! We stayed in a 1Br and yeah, we were in 5002 - the last room from elevations. The halls did feel like being on Tower of Terror and I thought the Clown was eating small children, but I regret not buying here originally. Such a fantastic location. Can't wait to go back.

 

[jekjones1558]

We're doing our first stay for F&W this October and I'm super excited but confused about the luggage info...

Is it possible to simply pull up the car to the front of the resort, drop people and luggage off, and roll your own luggage in without bothering Valet or Bell Services? We don't usually like to use Bell Services since we pack so light.

I also have a few more questions for the BWV experts here

1) We booked a garden/pool view. We'd love to have a quiet room with a nice serene view. Greenbelt or pool is fine. What requests should I make and what will the view be of? Are there pictures anywhere of the views?

2) I've read that the bus service back from MK is horrible, and that some people suggest getting off at the Swan and walking back since the Swan is the first stop. How many minutes is this walk? Is the pathway obvious? I've only walked from Epcot to BW, and never anywhere else.

3) We might need to rent a manual wheelchair for our trip....does anyone know the closest place to get a wheelchair by the International Gateaway?

4) Does BWV charge the $10 fee if we mail ourselves packages for pick up upon arrival? I thought I read this somewhere... Do they ever waive the fee?

Thanks in advance!!

Yes, you can just wheel your own luggage to your room. No problem.

1) Here is a schemata originally posted by Granny:

If you are looking for "serene" then I would request "quiet pool view." That would be the the bottom red "u" shaped section.

2) During 95% of our 35+ stays at BWV the MK bus stops FIRST at BWV on the trip back from MK, then goes on to Swan and Dolphin. On the way to MK during 95% of our BWV trips the MK bus stops first at BWV, then Swan and Dolphin, then MK. It is not my favorite part of my WDW trip but not really that much worse than making multiple stops at OKW or SSR. If you are unlucky and your bus returning from MK stops at Swan and Dolphin first then you can get off at Swan, walk through the hotel and out towards the boat dock, walk over the bridge and you will clearly see the sign for BWV. You will save only a few minutes at best. This strategy is more often suggested when you are taking the boat back from DHS. Getting off at the Swan rather than riding the boat to BCV then to BWV will save 15 minutes or so.

3) We have used a BWV wheelchair for free for an entire stay. It was a little worn but worked fine for us. You can also rent one at the International Gateway or any theme park if you prefer. Here is a link:
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/wheelchair-rentals/

4) Can't help you with this one. Hopefully someone else will post.