DonaldDoleWhip
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 22, 2008
- Messages
- 3,608
We were sad to leave Wilderness Lodge because we had such a magical time there. Whenever we do a split stay, we try to arrange it so we move "up," and the original plan was to move from a Wilderness Lodge standard view to a Boardwalk Inn water view. Well, Wilderness Lodge had to throw a wrench in our plans and give us that darn upgrade. 
In all seriousness, we had such a great time at Wilderness Lodge, we didn't think Boardwalk could compete.
Sadly, we were right.
We arrived at Boardwalk at around 2 PM to check in. The CM didn't say happy birthday at all (even though it was listed on the reservation), and the CM didn't seem very happy or friendly. That was the first thing that put a slight damper on the stay.
We had called earlier in the week to request a direct view of the water (as opposed to one of the side views), and the CM said it would definitely be possible, especially since we were actually at Boardwalk on the day/night of my mom's birthday. Well, we were given one of the side views, which looks mostly at grass, with some water to the far right (you had to be right next to the window to see water). We were both really sad about it, and that seems to be an issue at all of the Epcot resorts (water view rooms that overlook grass and a little bit of water to the far left or right).
My mom called the front desk and we asked if we could be moved. We really wanted a room that directly faced water, and it's basically why we chose to spend her birthday there. The CM on the phone acted very rude, as if it was impossible, but after some prodding she admitted that there was a room available. She said that the room was a very far walk from the elevator, so she didn't think we'd like that. We said it was fine, since it was a very short stay anyway and we would rather have the view. We were told to wait in the room, and new keys would be brought right up.
About 30 minutes later, a bellman showed up with a luggage rack and keys. He said he was told to take our bags to the other room. We didn't have our bags yet (because we'd just arrived at the first room), and we told that to the person on the phone. Still, the bellman seemed annoyed that he brought the luggage rack all the way there and he didn't have any bags to move. Honestly, nobody at the Boardwalk seemed friendly or happy to help out.
I was expecting a long walk to our new room, since I knew that a longer walk meant a room that was actually facing the boardwalk and lake. Plus, the CM on the phone told us that our new room was a lot further away.
The new room was about 3 doors down, and it also faced grass.
Disheartened and not wanting to deal with Boardwalk's CM's anymore, we accepted the second room. While not what we wanted, the view from this room was at least better than our original room. But I can say we don't plan on booking another water view at Boardwalk (we'd rather book a standard view and be pleasantly surprised, than book a more expensive room and be disappointed), and I wouldn't choose this place for a special occasion.
Anyway, here's the view looking straight:
And right:
It was a really good view, without a doubt. But by that point, we were more upset about our interaction with 3 separate CM's than the room itself. While Wilderness Lodge went above and beyond to exceed expectations, Boardwalk appeared to not care at all. Like Narcoossee's earlier in the week, Boardwalk made us feel unwelcome, which should be the opposite intention of any place in the hospitality industry.
I didn't stay in the room for long, because my mom was hungry. For her birthday, I decided to make the trek all the way into France so I could bring her two of her favorite things from the boulangerie.
After buying the goods in France, I brought them (on the tray) all the way back to Boardwalk. Here they are in the room (I couldn't resist taking a bite of one on the way back):
The first thing she had was chocolate mousse. This was disappointing to her because it tasted more like pudding than mousse. She wanted a more natural chocolate flavor, and she said this was worse than it was a few years ago.
Fortunately, she still enjoyed the napoleon, which is probably her favorite item from Boulangerie Patisserie. Layers of creamy, custardy, and flaky goodness.
And for me, a ham and cheese tartine. I loved this. It was basically a crusty pizza with a salty flavor from the ham. What a great use of a snack credit.
While we weren't very impressed with Boardwalk's CM's, that wasn't going to stop us from enjoying the great food options of the Epcot resort area.
In all seriousness, we had such a great time at Wilderness Lodge, we didn't think Boardwalk could compete.Sadly, we were right.
We arrived at Boardwalk at around 2 PM to check in. The CM didn't say happy birthday at all (even though it was listed on the reservation), and the CM didn't seem very happy or friendly. That was the first thing that put a slight damper on the stay.
We had called earlier in the week to request a direct view of the water (as opposed to one of the side views), and the CM said it would definitely be possible, especially since we were actually at Boardwalk on the day/night of my mom's birthday. Well, we were given one of the side views, which looks mostly at grass, with some water to the far right (you had to be right next to the window to see water). We were both really sad about it, and that seems to be an issue at all of the Epcot resorts (water view rooms that overlook grass and a little bit of water to the far left or right).
My mom called the front desk and we asked if we could be moved. We really wanted a room that directly faced water, and it's basically why we chose to spend her birthday there. The CM on the phone acted very rude, as if it was impossible, but after some prodding she admitted that there was a room available. She said that the room was a very far walk from the elevator, so she didn't think we'd like that. We said it was fine, since it was a very short stay anyway and we would rather have the view. We were told to wait in the room, and new keys would be brought right up.
About 30 minutes later, a bellman showed up with a luggage rack and keys. He said he was told to take our bags to the other room. We didn't have our bags yet (because we'd just arrived at the first room), and we told that to the person on the phone. Still, the bellman seemed annoyed that he brought the luggage rack all the way there and he didn't have any bags to move. Honestly, nobody at the Boardwalk seemed friendly or happy to help out.
I was expecting a long walk to our new room, since I knew that a longer walk meant a room that was actually facing the boardwalk and lake. Plus, the CM on the phone told us that our new room was a lot further away.
The new room was about 3 doors down, and it also faced grass.
Disheartened and not wanting to deal with Boardwalk's CM's anymore, we accepted the second room. While not what we wanted, the view from this room was at least better than our original room. But I can say we don't plan on booking another water view at Boardwalk (we'd rather book a standard view and be pleasantly surprised, than book a more expensive room and be disappointed), and I wouldn't choose this place for a special occasion.
Anyway, here's the view looking straight:
And right:
It was a really good view, without a doubt. But by that point, we were more upset about our interaction with 3 separate CM's than the room itself. While Wilderness Lodge went above and beyond to exceed expectations, Boardwalk appeared to not care at all. Like Narcoossee's earlier in the week, Boardwalk made us feel unwelcome, which should be the opposite intention of any place in the hospitality industry.
I didn't stay in the room for long, because my mom was hungry. For her birthday, I decided to make the trek all the way into France so I could bring her two of her favorite things from the boulangerie.
After buying the goods in France, I brought them (on the tray) all the way back to Boardwalk. Here they are in the room (I couldn't resist taking a bite of one on the way back
):
The first thing she had was chocolate mousse. This was disappointing to her because it tasted more like pudding than mousse. She wanted a more natural chocolate flavor, and she said this was worse than it was a few years ago.
Fortunately, she still enjoyed the napoleon, which is probably her favorite item from Boulangerie Patisserie. Layers of creamy, custardy, and flaky goodness.
And for me, a ham and cheese tartine. I loved this. It was basically a crusty pizza with a salty flavor from the ham. What a great use of a snack credit.
While we weren't very impressed with Boardwalk's CM's, that wasn't going to stop us from enjoying the great food options of the Epcot resort area.
. Love your pix of the Boulangerie. It is a MUST DO for us everytime we go to EPCOT. I agree with your mom regarding the mousse. My dd13 and ds6 love it, but I think it tastes more like "american" pudding vs french mousse with a heavier chocolate taste. One question...is the cream in the napolean more of a bavarian or whipped? I have not ordered one there because it always looks like whipped cream to me. I really like more of a bavarian, and since they put chocolate in the eclair, I only have a few pastries to choose from.
