Why are Boardwalk villas so popular?

[Deb & Bill]

Parking is terrible at BWV and is much easier and closer at BCV. I'd prefer BCV without any view to BWV with the endless corridors, poor parking, noisy villas from the BW and pools.

 

[chicagodisneyguy]

We've owned since 2009 and for us it's 100% about the location. Being able to get to our two favorite parks by a quick walk was the big selling point. Spending the evening at F&W and not having to worry about Disney transportation or driving back to the resort is nice.

As we use these points for our adults only trips, we really like the quiet pool. It is usually pretty deserted and feels more relaxing. I also think the Boardwalk area, including BCV and Swan/Dolphin have some of the better restaurants on property.

I think the standard view rooms here are some of the best values in the system based on points per night and what a similar cash room would go for. obviously there is a lot of demand for those rooms so not a given, but I am 4/4 for my last four trips.

 

[Ms.Minnie]

BW is our home resort and we LOVE it. My DH doesn't want to stay anywhere else. Pretty much all the good things have been said about this resort by previous posters. Primarily the location can't be beat, I would say the best on property. Looking out at the lake with the Epcot ball in the distance and all the activity on the lake just can't be beat. In the evening watching the fireworks from two parks and some of the standard view rooms can see the fireworks from HS. The standard view rooms can have really good views. Two years ago we had a standard view room with a view of Morocco in Epcot, the Epcot fireworks at night, the balloon at DS and the Skyliner, can't get much better than that for a standard view...

There's so much good to say about the BW and most has been already said, no point in saying it all over again. I guess the bottom line is that if you didn't get it when you stayed there you probably won't get it with someone trying to explain it to you. That's ok, to each his own. That's why DVC has so many different resorts, there is something for everyone.

 

[Ms.Minnie]

Parking is terrible at BWV and is much easier and closer at BCV. I'd prefer BCV without any view to BWV with the endless corridors, poor parking, noisy villas from the BW and pools.

I don't think the parking is bad at BW but maybe that's because we drive down from NJ, when my DH gets there he wants to park the car and not see it again until we leave. Maybe you use your car more often while on property, maybe that's why you think the parking is terrible? Again to each his own.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Thanks everybody for the input. I guess location to the parks is a big factor for many people.

Yes, I expect this is one of the top factors - locations and a bit less points much of the time. And with the growing popularity of the EPCOT festivals, the location becomes even more valuable.

As others have stated, we each have our favorites. For us, BW is very low on the list and we seldom stay there. Our favorite is AKL, with BCV a very close second, and I know I've seen posts from people who will never stay at AKL! And that's OK! I guess it's a really good thing we don't all have the same favorite - it would make getting a room very tough!

 

[Ms.Minnie]

Everybody has different tastes but BWV is in our bottom three of DVC properties at WDW. This is based on traveling with two young kids. We have stayed in all WDW DVC resorts except OKW.

What we don’t like?
1. Pools. And nothing to do with the clown slide, but they are just underwhelming. The feature pool feels dated with no beach entry and no splash area for young kids. The playground is a plus but still we don’t care for this pool.

2. Quick service. Again young kids with us so we need great QS and BWV has the worst quick service options of any DVC resorts, tied with OKW. (But it has great sit down options). We had to walk to Beach Club for breakfast several times, which is just sad as Beachclub’s QS is nothing to write home about. Add the length of that walk to the walk from your room, see below, and no thank you.

3. THOSE DAMN HALLWAYS. Man the architect should be flogged for those hallways. It’s like living in the Shining trying to get to your room. (But that location is great for walking to Hollywood Studios).

4. Taking stairs or elevator to get to “main level”. Minor complaint but a pain with a stroller.

5. All shops, minus a secondary gift shop, are outside accessible only.

6. Aesthetically it just doesn’t do it for us. I’ve never had the urge to visit a Jersey style boardwalk.

Really these are all minor complaints in the grand scheme. We’d still stay here in a heartbeat over any offsite property, but with so many other great DVC properties BWV villas just doesn’t do it for us.

If we wanted the location benefits we’d choose BCV or now Riviera. We LOVED our stay at the Riviera in February.

1- Agree, I really do wish that BW would update the kids area of the pool. I especially love the pool at WL.

2- Did you try the bakery?

3- This struck me as funny. The first time I stayed at the BC (actually the resort not DVC) that's exactly thought of "The Shining", the halls were really creepy and they go on forever. Funny where can you go at WDW and not have a long walk?

6- That's the beauty of DVC, there is something for everyone. I happen to like the architectural theming, the landscaping, the interior décor and the color scheme in the foyer and lobby of the BW. Again, to each his own...

 

[sethschroeder]

lack of convenient quick service

Quick service. Again young kids with us so we need great QS and BWV has the worst quick service options of any DVC resorts, tied with OKW. (But it has great sit down options). We had to walk to Beach Club for breakfast several times, which is just sad as Beachclub’s QS is nothing to write home about. Add the length of that walk to the walk from your room, see below, and no thank you.

I stayed at AKV and I have to say going to the QS there was no different than just walking in to Epcot to be honest and grabbing something.

I think people overlook the sheer volume of options within a short walk that pretty much only SSR can come close to replicating with DS.

 

[skittles67]

Boardwalk is our home. We purchased because of the location. Being able to walk to Epcot and Hollywood Studios, dance hall, Jellyrolls, and restaurants. The views at night from the boardwalk are amazing.
Now what I don't like:
1. Creepy clown pool. I do not like clowns! (thanks Stephen King, lol)
2. Those looooong hallways.

 

[BillPA]

Mainly because of the standard view point costs. This out ways the long halls, poor parking, noise, lack of a dedicated 2 BR and poor dining options. I still like OKW best.

 

[Brett Wyman]

I stayed at AKV and I have to say going to the QS there was no different than just walking in to Epcot to be honest and grabbing something.

I think people overlook the sheer volume of options within a short walk that pretty much only SSR can come close to replicating with DS.

Walking to Epcot may provide good food service but in ain't quick!

1- Agree, I really do wish that BW would update the kids area of the pool. I especially love the pool at WL.

2- Did you try the bakery?

3- This struck me as funny. The first time I stayed at the BC (actually the resort not DVC) that's exactly thought of "The Shining", the halls were really creepy and they go on forever. Funny where can you go at WDW and not have a long walk?

6- That's the beauty of DVC, there is something for everyone. I happen to like the architectural theming, the landscaping, the interior décor and the color scheme in the foyer and lobby of the BW. Again, to each his own...

2. Oh yeah we have stayed at BWV several times due to the low point cost. It has a few decent options but no full breakfast. Depending on the day that may be a big deal or not.

3. BC has the halls as well, but NOTHING like if you have to go past that second fork at BWV. Like I said its a great spot if you are walking to Hollywood Studios, but man the walk back to the "main" area is torture.

6. Yeah there charm in it for sure. Especially at Christmas.

 

[Heather07438]

The location and the energy vibe makes the studio cost a great value.

So much activity is close by. BWV has cool resort views, the Boardwalk, 2 parks, good access to Disney Springs, etc. For families with varied interests it makes a good home base.

 

[sethschroeder]

Walking to Epcot may provide good food service but in ain't quick!

Neither is going from AKV to Mara or getting from Tree House to the main building.

Boardwalk has the Bakery, Pizza Window, Pool Bar. Then you have a tiny walk to the Dolphin for Picabu or Yatch for Ale & Compass (similar distance as BCV walk to there).

Finally you have Epcot which is like 0.5 mile to the France/UK pavilions.

I just don't think BWV should be getting a strike for food especially with so many options within a 5-10 min walk. Especially when you consider how spread out AKV, OKW, SRR all are.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I love VWL so much, but those are the halls that remind me of the Shinning! BWV, not at all!!

 

[RanDIZ]

Like the majority here, I’d say l location trumps everything. Can’t beat distance to Epcot and HS. Outside of that though, it drops far down the list.

 

[4luv2cdisney]

We don't have a problem finding food at BWV except for breakfast. I really don't enjoy the line at the bakery for breakfast. However, no matter where we stay, we eat cereal or oatmeal most mornings anyway. Personally, we come from a lifetime of values/mod stays. So, any of the DVC resorts are a bit of a shocker when it comes to food, because DVC quick service options are not comparable to the food courts we were used to.

We don't do pools, so no problem there.

Guess we've been fortunate to never experience the unimaginably long hallways....?

Location and low point cost is #1, but we love it there in general.

 

[n2mm]

Bwv is also one of our homes. It feels like “home” to us. We bought for standard rooms. The parking stinks, plus mixed with F&W parking can be a nightmare if the guards get too lenient. We also own BLT for the standard room. Yes, I’m cheap or maybe thrifty would be a better word. Lol.

 

[pineapplepalms]

Not everyone's going to like or value the same things, so I'm not surprised that not everyone loves BWV. But I do.

Some of the positives:
- Easy walking distance to my two favorite parks
- Boardwalk atmosphere and entertainment
- Boat transportation is fun even if not the fastest
- So many dining options a short walk away, whether at a resort, on the Boardwalk, or in a park
- Great Community Hall that our kids love (and I get to go across to BC for a massage while DH and the kids play there)
- Love the view from Boardwalk view rooms (stayed in a GV last December and it was amazing)
- Just love the Crescent Lake area and it's a great loop for a run/walk, plus surrey bikes are fun too
- Now with the Skyliner, it's even easier to get around to visit some other resorts for dining
- Low point costs especially compared to monorail/newer resorts
- Have I mentioned easy walking distance to parks? It took us less than an hour to walk to HS with our double stroller (which is a pain on buses), get a BG for RotR, and get on the ride

Some of the negatives that just don't really bother us:
- Have to walk outside for dining/stores - has not been an issue for us
- Lack of plentiful breakfast options - we usually stay in a 1BR or larger and with young kids it's easiest for us to order groceries and have a lot of breakfasts in the room
- Long hallways - I don't find them that long, whereas our room at Kidani took ages to get to in comparison
- Lack of splash pad or more kid-friendly pool - it would be nice to have those options, but not a dealbreaker and the existing pool and playground have still been fun for our kids, plus we don't spend a ton of time at the pools
- Room decor - not my favorite but not the worst, and I like the way they've been doing the newer resorts (CCV, RIV) and refurbs (SSR) so maybe that will improve
- Lack of dedicated 2BR villas - I would definitely prefer dedicated 2BRs, but lock-offs can work for us and I just make sure to book early
- Parking distance/issues - we utilize Disney transportation and prefer it to a car at this point

We had an amazing trip planned for April that we had to cancel, with a split stay at RIV and BWV in a BW view room, and we were going to do the Star Wars races. One day I hope to mostly replicate that trip itinerary when we finally go again.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Location with easy walk to 2 parks.

Pool slide is actually more fun than the better looking but quite boring one at SAB.

It has a Community Hall.

If they stop placing construction stuff in the parking by the building then it's really good access to parking especially if you're standard view.

Nice views from a lot of the rooms.

Nice point charts.

I don't know exactly what else but I just like it.

 

[SwirlTheCitrus]

BCV is always booked so it's a good second choice.

...maybe you should hop over to JELLYrolls...

 

[wdwnut]

BWV just feels like home to me. We’ve stayed at most other resorts and enjoy different things about each. It’s great to have all the options.