What are the BADS of BWV,...

[macosx]

I like lots of trees, so I would have to say not enough landscaping for my tastes. It just seems so sparse there.

Also, the obnoxious views of the Swan and Dolphin. I hate those monstrosities. All the Epcot resorts have a view of them, but some of those BWV rooms are so close to them.

I second the obnoxious views, particularly for the huge scale. It's not a fair trade that those in BWV have an unpleasant view of a neighbor, while the neighbor has a picturesque of the Disney resorts.

 

[TDC Nala]

I have a room booked at BWV during a Star Wars weekend ONLY because of the ability to walk to the Studios.

I don't have anything at all against BWV but that was my selling point.

 

[nuts]

Thank you CRISI.

If you remember from a previos post, you and I went back and forth with the "advantage" of the extra 12+ years at SSR and AKV. I was a HEAVY propenent of the extra years, years that could be passed down to children.
Gotta remember that huh?!

Anyway,...I think that I have to change my mind now. SSR looks really nice, but it's just to spread out for me. Having to walk from the farthest bldg back to the main pool with the kids and then back to eat would get old FAST. Cranky 4 yr old crying all of the way in the background.

Remember, your cranky 4 year old won't be four forever. My teens won't let us stay anywhere else but SSR.

 

[WALTSAGOD]

So for ALL of the scary *****ing and moaning that I have read about in other threads that were just general threads, there doesn't seem to be much to complain about in a direct, "Tell me about the superbad stuff that you hate about BWV"! Interesting,....

I thought for sure that I has read about some type of funky smell in a few
other threads.

As far as the lack of a food court type of eatery, aren't there many food choices just right next door in many of the BW establishments? I understan what some posters mean when they say, in the resort, being under the same roof I guess, but you can go right next door or right down the strip and get something, correct?

Being so close to EPCOT, if you're on either of the dining plans you could just walk over there to eat also, correct?

 

[crisi]

Yeah, there is a lot to eat around Boardwalk - there just isn't a "food court" - grabbing a quick burger there isn't really possible. And everything has doors that face the Boardwalk itself, so if its raining, you are darting outside (or ordering room service, which is really extensive at BW). Unless the Bellevue Room is serving food (they do sometimes).

Actually, none of the DVC resorts enable you to get food from inside the DVC resort other than room service. But for BCV and VWL the walkway between the DVC units and the resort proper is covered. BWV is integrated into the resort proper, no outside walkway, but all the restaurants face the Boardwalk.

And Epcot is walkable (so are the other Epcot area resorts and - although I think its pushing it for most families - the Studios) so getting food isn't exactly a challenge - if you don't like water and tend to travel at the height on the rainy season, it might be more difficult to do so comfortably.

 

[goofy4tink]

So for ALL of the scary *****ing and moaning that I have read about in other threads that were just general threads, there doesn't seem to be much to complain about in a direct, "Tell me about the superbad stuff that you hate about BWV"! Interesting,....

I thought for sure that I has read about some type of funky smell in a few
other threads.

As far as the lack of a food court type of eatery, aren't there many food choices just right next door in many of the BW establishments? I understan what some posters mean when they say, in the resort, being under the same roof I guess, but you can go right next door or right down the strip and get something, correct?

Being so close to EPCOT, if you're on either of the dining plans you could just walk over there to eat also, correct?

I've never smelled any funny smell at BW, not once.
As far as the dining options...for me, it's a pain to not have a grab and go area. There have been a lot of times I have been at BWV, and wanted to just grab something quick, not have to eat a slice of pizza or go to a table service spot. Just a sandwich and my soda. But, right now, the only option we have is the Boardwalk Bakery. And their offerings are not all that terrific or varied. Yes, I love that I am close to Epcot and WS and all those terrific restaraunts. But sometimes I just don't want to go to a park in order to eat. Yes, I can go down to the boardwalf proper, but even then, the offerings aren't all that terrific. You have ESPN Club, Spoodles, Flying Fish and Big River Grill. But sometimes I just want something really quick, I don't want to have to make an ADR or have to go in, sit down, order, and eat there.

 

[WALTSAGOD]

So all of the eating places on the walk are actual sit down and order, not grab and run?

 

[5 for WDW]

I stayed at BWV with two of my friends in December for a couple of days. It was just Mom's, kids and husbands stayed home.

The only big drawback for me was the bus service. I did not like that the buses shared with other resorts. We stopped at the Swan on the way to AK and MK. I think they sometimes stop at Dolphin and Beach Club too, I am sure someone else knows for sure. It made for very crowded, standing only buses. I hated that at the Value resorts. That was one of the biggest reasons we joined DVC...to get away from really crowded buses. I will say though, we were there the week before Xmas so that might be why the buses were so busy. I was very thankful my kids were not with me. I never let my 4 year old stand so, I would have been waiting for a second bus on both days we used the buses. Having a stroller on the buses when we were there would have been a nightmare. Thankfully, our 4 year old barely used ours on our last trip so it will be staying home for our trip this December.

One other little negative was the walk to the one bus stop. I am one of the odd ones that prefer a few stops in a resort vs. one.

Being able to walk to Studios and Epcot are HUGE plusses for me. My family loves to walk so, the resort is a good option for us for future stays.

The holiday decorations were beautiful.

My one bedroom was clean. Not as fresh as SSR. (Our favorite btw, even our kids who are 10, 8 and 4. Our youngest had no problem walking all around the resort for the ten days we were there in September, without a stroller). No funny smells at all that I noticed. The hallways are long but, was not an issue for me. The CM's we had dealings with were all very nice. We did not eat at the resort at all so I cannot comment on the food options. Since we did not have kids with us and were there such a short time, we ate in the parks and in our room. I am sure being so close to Epcot, we would have no problem going there to eat dinner.

It was not my favorite resort but, I did like it and look forward to staying there again.

Good luck with your decision!

Oh yeah...since I am not a clown fan, I was not thrilled with the pool...lol. I had seen many pics before my trip so I knew what to expect. I have to admit I was quite pleased to see that it was not as big in real life as it looked in all of the pics!

 

[BWV Dreamin]

So for ALL of the scary *****ing and moaning that I have read about in other threads that were just general threads, there doesn't seem to be much to complain about in a direct, "Tell me about the superbad stuff that you hate about BWV"! Interesting,....

I thought for sure that I has read about some type of funky smell in a few
other threads.

As far as the lack of a food court type of eatery, aren't there many food choices just right next door in many of the BW establishments? I understan what some posters mean when they say, in the resort, being under the same roof I guess, but you can go right next door or right down the strip and get something, correct?

Being so close to EPCOT, if you're on either of the dining plans you could just walk over there to eat also, correct?

You can grab a sandwich at the bakery, I think ESPN has carry out (they serve burgers), and there is a kiosk on the boardwalk that serves hot dogs, etc.

 

[skoi]

Stayed at BWV for a week last September. No funky smells that I remember, and I'm really sensitive to smells. Some room service trays and trash bags in the hall, but that was quickly remedied. View is great on the Boardwalk side. The big kids (13 and 9) loved the slide but not the pool (go figure that one out). We eat in the room a lot, so the lack of counter service didn't bother us.

Biggest drawback was the bus service. It seemed like it took forever to get to and from Magic Kingdom, but being able to walk to EPCOT and boat to MGM (we didn't walk though we could have) was nice.

We're easy to please and have really liked every resort where we've stayed, and found pluses and minuses at each. We own at BCV, which we love for location and the pool. Our little ones like the zero entry, the bigger ones like the slide and whirlpool area. We were also torn between BCV and BWV when we bought, and dh (who was the hold out against DVC) thought BCV would be better for rental and resale if necessary so we went with that. Don't regret it. Wouldn't regret if we had bought at BWV or any other resort where we've stayed.

 

[jekjones1558]

Here is the menu for the Boardwalk to Go kiosk, courtesy of allears.net:

(Baskets include French fries and drink)
Meatball Sub $4.75
Meatball Sub Basket $7.75

Corn Dog $4.00
Basket $8.00

Sausage $3.50
Basket $7.50

Hot Dog $3.00
Basket $7.00

Foot Long Hot Dog $4.25
Basket $8.25

Chicken Fritters Basket $8.25

Grilled Chicken Sandwich $4.50
Basket $8.50

Breaded Chicken Sandwich $3.50
Basket $7.50

Mozzarella Sticks Basket $6.50

Nachos with Cheese $3.50
Deluxe (chili & cheese) $4.00

Chili Dog $3.50
Cheese Dog $3.50
Chili Cheese Dog $4.00

Onion Rings $3.00
Waffle Fries $3.00
French Fries $2.50

Cheese Fries $3.50
Chili Fries $3.50
Chili & Cheese Fries $4.00

Fountain Drinks $2.00

Bottled Drinks $2.50

Frozen Drinks $3.00

Frozen Specialty Drinks -- blue raspberry, lemonade, kiwi strawberry

 

[rogerram]

the biggest problem I have is morning bus service. They need dedicated bus service in the A.M. that doesn't share at the end of the bus route to the other 4 resorts. You usually can't put anyone on the buses when they stop early because they are already full from beach club/yacht club/swan/dolphin. We end up last. I have waited almost 2 hours in the past and had many buses to MK stop and pick up maybe 1 or 2 people max(or not stop at all).

 

[crisi]

We've seldom seen "Boardwalk to Go" open when we are interested in eating. The Boardwalk Bakery has a pretty good selection of sandwiches that are quick serve and Spoodles has a pizza window that serves quick serve pizza. So that's three options, but nothing in the "food court" sort of way, and to get a burger you need to get one from ESPN or Big River Grille to go - both are table service restaurants, so it won't be fast food. There are a few more places open during the evening, too - a crepe stand, Boardwalk Joe's (coffee). And the Screen Door has some food - though its more grocery like.

 

[WALTSAGOD]

What and where is BW to go?

 

[tgj]

Idoes anyone else think that the design and decorating was possibly influenced by Stephen King?

Think about it... The long, long, long hallways, the chairs in the lobby (flower faced - very creepy), the clown at the pool slide (pennywise), the merry go round in the lobby, the marble floor of the lobby, the glass chandeliers, the promenade ballroom, the french doors, cast iron head boards. I realize it is designed after an old New England town and Stephen King writes primariliy of New England towns but it seems the similarities are many which we find interesting to say the least. Before my last trip with my neice her immediate reaction was "Oh cool, the place with the evil clown pool !!!"

I think a hedge maze would be a nice addition.
Long hallways--no problem--have your kid bring their Big Wheel.
It does kind of creep me out when the bartender keeps saying "Welcome back Mr. Torrence -- your usual??"
The two creepy girls asking my son to come play with them gets annoying after a while.
And I won't even bring up the old lady in the bathtub.....(oops, I guess I just did...)
Other than that, no complaints!

 

[BWV Dreamin]

What and where is BW to go?

Walt, its on the boardwalk. I don't think it opens up until around 11:00a or 12:00p. It is a kiosk with to go foods, just like Jean posted. Scroll down, you'll see the items and prices.

 

[WALTSAGOD]

I think a hedge maze would be a nice addition.
Long hallways--no problem--have your kid bring their Big Wheel.
It does kind of creep me out when the bartender keeps saying "Welcome back Mr. Torrence -- your usual??"
The two creepy girls asking my son to come play with them gets annoying after a while.
And I won't even bring up the old lady in the bathtub.....(oops, I guess I just did...)
Other than that, no complaints!

I wonder how many readers other than myself know just what you are referring to? LOL

REDRUM!!!!!

 

[KandiB47]

I think a hedge maze would be a nice addition.
Long hallways--no problem--have your kid bring their Big Wheel.
It does kind of creep me out when the bartender keeps saying "Welcome back Mr. Torrence -- your usual??"
The two creepy girls asking my son to come play with them gets annoying after a while.
And I won't even bring up the old lady in the bathtub.....(oops, I guess I just did...)
Other than that, no complaints!

I always bring my typewriter so when I get bored I have something to do.

"ALL WORK AND NO PLAY MAKES KANDI A DULL GIRL"

 

[Mickey Fliers]

Add in the creepy music played in the bathrooms and it is enough to send you over the edge .

 

[WALTSAGOD]

Who has a shot of what those creepy chairs in the lobby look like that I keep reading about?