Trip Report - Boardwalk 1/1 - 1/5

[mickey's bud]

Hi all...just thought I'd let you know how our recent visit to Disney and the Boardwalk Villas went. We arrived on 1/1 and left on 1/5.
We got there early (10:00), and our room wasn't ready, but I didn't really expect it to be. So we packed up the strollers and took a leisurely walk to Epcot for the day. It was pretty empty until late in the day, and we enjoyed ourselves.
Around 4:00 we went to the hotel and were assigned room 2051 - a 1-bedroom boardwalk view (which is what we reserved). The balcony off the family room was small and didn't have a great view, so I was initially disappointed. But after looking in the bedroom, found the balcony off that room to be huge with a nice view. It is winter, so the leaves on the huge crape myrtle tree in front of the balcony had fallen, so keep that in mind - in the other seasons, the view won't be as nice. At night, this room is not high enough to enjoy the fireworks, so also keep that in mind. The noise level at night was not bad, but I recommend a sound machine. Our DS (3) and DD (1), slept fine - with the sound machine, the noise was not an issue at all - even the fireworks.
We found the room, service at check-in, and during our stay to be fantastic. The baggage delivery, pick-up, and valet were all incredibly fast, and the person that checked us in was incredibly friendly. Were there things that could have been better? Yes. But they were minor. The room was clean, and everything else was great. I'm beginning to believe that those on this discussion board that bad-mouth the DVC resorts truly look for things to be wrong. I understand there are legitimate complaints, but many of the others are a case of "you get what you expect". Anyway, we had no complaints our entire trip.
The only thing I would change is our experience with Spoodles....I keep trying that place in an effort to like it, and there are things on the menu to like, but I just don't buy in to the hype. It's good, but not great - especially for the price.
Everything else on the trip met or exceeded expectations. I love the Boardwalk Villas and the area in general...after staying at other DVC resorts, I'm glad I chose that as my "home"....it has everything we could possibly want...from the boardwalk shows for our young kids now to proximity to 2 parks, to dining and bar options, and things as the kids grow older and even when my wife and I have time to ourselves.

Enjoy your next visit!!

 

[PBader]

Glad that you enjoyed your stay!

 

[CarolynK]

Thanks for the report....I agree with the Spoodles comments. Like you, I want to like it, because of its location, but we will stick with Flying Fish as our BW restaurant of choice (we NEVER order the potato-wrapped snapper!).

Also, we never travel without our sound machine. Our kids (10 and 8) can't sleep without one, even at home.

Keep in mind that Swan/Dolphin has some great restaurants a quick stroll away. We go to Kimonos every trip - the kids love to sing Karaoke!

When your kids get older, you can leave them in the room (or let them go to Community Hall) while you and your wife enjoy dinner out. We recently started doing this (we have a second cell phone that they have with them).

 

[MiaSRN62]

We found the room, service at check-in, and during our stay to be fantastic. The baggage delivery, pick-up, and valet were all incredibly fast, and the person that checked us in was incredibly friendly.

Glad this all went well for you and you had a nice stay at BWV. Sounds like the check-in process at OKW, on this same day, was horrible (from another recent thread on these boards). Was everyone staying at OKW on Jan 1 ?
As for Spoodles, we tried it once and my kids don't care for it so we've never been back. The only sit-down place on the BW that we all seem to agree on is Cape May.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I'm glad to hear that you had such a great time at BWV, we'll be there next weekend! We like Spoodles for breakfast very much, of course, breakfast is the main meal that we usually eat "in" so, maybe it's just the treat of being served that we really like.

Bobbi

 

[Daitcher]

Thanks for the report....I agree with the Spoodles comments. Like you, I want to like it, because of its location, but we will stick with Flying Fish as our BW restaurant of choice (we NEVER order the potato-wrapped snapper!).

Also, we never travel without our sound machine. Our kids (10 and 8) can't sleep without one, even at home.

Keep in mind that Swan/Dolphin has some great restaurants a quick stroll away. We go to Kimonos every trip - the kids love to sing Karaoke!

When your kids get older, you can leave them in the room (or let them go to Community Hall) while you and your wife enjoy dinner out. We recently started doing this (we have a second cell phone that they have with them).

Flying Fish!!!!


DAVE

 

[byoung]

Seems like you had a good trip. Thanks for the report.

 

[jiggerj]

Thank you for the report! Love to read about the Boardwalk!

 

[westjones]

We love Boardwalk too (but we also love Beach Club which is our home resort). I love the lower points for the standard view at Boardwalk, and we are staying there this summer because we have invited our family to join us and there are 5 of them (3 adults, 1 teen, and 1 five year old) and the studios at BWV were the only option we had for 5 in a room (but we were fine with that since we love the resort).

My ONLY complaint is that I would like to see a 'self serve' mug refill station at the pool area. I don't like having to go up and ask for my mug to be refilled so we don't get them at BWV. I love the mug refill area at Vero Beach, and wish they had something like that at BW for guest to use.

Other than that, we really love that resort! Glad you had a good time!
DJ

 

[paults]

mickey's bud

was your rooma corner room? Did your balcony face the boardwalk and lake or were you facing the lawn area?

If you faced the lawn area they are suppose to be just preferred view. BW view is supposed to be facing directly above the boardwalk and lake.

 

[DebbieB]

I was in 5051 about a year ago, which would be 3 floors above. I think this room is "borderline" boardwalk view, I had a boardwalk view reserved. It did actually face the Village Green straight ahead, although you could see the boardwalk. This room did not have a balcony off the bedroom. One good thing it was about 5 doors from the elevators.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4cc30b3127cce9dcfec6c492000000036108AZOGTFq4ZtJ

 

[MiaSRN62]

a 1-bedroom boardwalk view (which is what we reserved). The balcony off the family room was small and didn't have a great view, so I was initially disappointed. But after looking in the bedroom, found the balcony off that room to be huge with a nice view. It is winter, so the leaves on the huge crape myrtle tree in front of the balcony had fallen, so keep that in mind - in the other seasons, the view won't be as nice. At night, this room is not high enough to enjoy the fireworks, so also keep that in mind.

Though the BWV isn't our favorite DVC resort, we think it's a very nice resort just the same. But this statement from Mickey's Bud suprised me ? How many "BW view" rooms don't have a view of the fireworks ? I thought by booking those rooms, it was a shoe-in for a view of Illuminations ?

 

[Lexxiefern]

I was in 5051 about a year ago, which would be 3 floors above. I think this room is "borderline" boardwalk view, I had a boardwalk view reserved. It did actually face the Village Green straight ahead, although you could see the boardwalk. This room did not have a balcony off the bedroom. One good thing it was about 5 doors from the elevators.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4cc30b3127cce9dcfec6c492000000036108AZOGTFq4ZtJ

We had this room last may. We also had reserved a BW view. I loved this room and would take it again in a heartbeat.

Thanks for the report, glad you had a great trip!

 

[Cruelladeville]

Actually, if you want a good view of Illuminations, you would want a standard view room on the front of BW. Many of the boardwalk rooms do have a view of Illuminations if you are higher up, but it depends upon the room location.

I don't understand why Atlantic Dance Hall isn't converted into a family restaurant, it's so under-utilized! I like Spoodles at breakfast, and their pizza is very good, but I think Spoodles should be more family oriented as a restaurant.

 

[MiaSRN62]

I don't understand why Atlantic Dance Hall isn't converted into a family restaurant, it's so under-utilized!

I agree. This would be a great idea. We're not crazy about Spoodles (as mentioned) and Flying Fish is unpractical for meals for a family of 5 (cost-wise). My kids didn't care for that one either. We love Cape May though, and it would be a welcome addition if they could do something like that (maybe buffet style) at Atlantic.

 

[JoeEpcotRocks]

Thanks to the OP and others for all the great news about BWV!

We are planning our first trip home to BWV in June, 2006.

 

[Judique]

Hi all...just thought I'd let you know how our recent visit to Disney and the Boardwalk Villas went. We arrived on 1/1 and left on 1/5.
We got there early (10:00), and our room wasn't ready, but I didn't really expect it to be. So we packed up the strollers and took a leisurely walk to Epcot for the day. It was pretty empty until late in the day, and we enjoyed ourselves.
Around 4:00 we went to the hotel and were assigned room 2051 - a 1-bedroom boardwalk view (which is what we reserved). The balcony off the family room was small and didn't have a great view, so I was initially disappointed. But after looking in the bedroom, found the balcony off that room to be huge with a nice view. It is winter, so the leaves on the huge crape myrtle tree in front of the balcony had fallen, so keep that in mind - in the other seasons, the view won't be as nice. At night, this room is not high enough to enjoy the fireworks, so also keep that in mind. The noise level at night was not bad, but I recommend a sound machine. Our DS (3) and DD (1), slept fine - with the sound machine, the noise was not an issue at all - even the fireworks.
We found the room, service at check-in, and during our stay to be fantastic. The baggage delivery, pick-up, and valet were all incredibly fast, and the person that checked us in was incredibly friendly. Were there things that could have been better? Yes. But they were minor. The room was clean, and everything else was great. I'm beginning to believe that those on this discussion board that bad-mouth the DVC resorts truly look for things to be wrong. I understand there are legitimate complaints, but many of the others are a case of "you get what you expect". Anyway, we had no complaints our entire trip.
The only thing I would change is our experience with Spoodles....I keep trying that place in an effort to like it, and there are things on the menu to like, but I just don't buy in to the hype. It's good, but not great - especially for the price.
Everything else on the trip met or exceeded expectations. I love the Boardwalk Villas and the area in general...after staying at other DVC resorts, I'm glad I chose that as my "home"....it has everything we could possibly want...from the boardwalk shows for our young kids now to proximity to 2 parks, to dining and bar options, and things as the kids grow older and even when my wife and I have time to ourselves.

Enjoy your next visit!!

Glad you enjoyed your visit! I love the BWV 1 bedroom most of all the resorts.....such a great room in such a convenient location!