WL or Boardwalk for our group *UPDATE new question, please help*

[bengalbelle]

I'm sure ya'll get tired of people asking which resort to stay at, but I appreciate any advice...

DH, DS (4), my mother and I are going to WDW late September - early October. This will be my mother's first visit to WDW and her 70th birthday. We are currently booked at WL because both DH and I have wanted to try it out and because of the proximity to MK.

BUT...

If someone asked me which resort I most wanted to stay at, I think it would be the Boardwalk. We visited there on one of our recent trips and I fell in love with it. It would cost us about $400.00 more to stay there. Normally not too much of a problem but this is not our only vacation this year, and we're planning one for early next year. If I'm going to "present" this option to DH, I need some reasons other than I really want to stay there.

Does anyone see any advantages to staying at BW over WL considering the ages of our group? We will be visiting all parks.

TIA

 

[zurgswife]

I'm a DVC member who owns at the Boardwalk and i stayed this past july for a week at WL. BW is great because you can walk/short boat to Epcot or MGM. I know you have a 4 yr old and magic kingdom would be really fun but with 3 adults you might like to have the flexibility of having the other 2 parks right there....I love being able to pop over to MGM or Epcot. And there are still quite a number of things for the young kids to do at each park.

And MK is only a bus ride away....i'd pick BW because the walking distance to 2 parks argument...

 

[johnsonet]

Sounds as though the trip is to celebrate your mother's birthday. If this is the case, I would definitely consider switching to BWI. Odds are, the theming of the hotel will be more to her liking. Walking/boat to both Epcot and MGM will be very convenient. Proximity to lots of dining and nightlife options will be helpful.
The main thing would be the comfort and decor. The quiet Villa Pool at BWI would be a welcomed respite for her vs. the "Clown" Pool or the pool at WL (although WL has its own quiet pool...)
I must say, walking out to the dock and waiting for the boat at WL and then riding over to MK isn't as appealing as strolling to your gorgeous room at BWI from World Showcase after IllumiNations.
P.S. I LOVE WL...

 

[bengalbelle]

Bumping up for the evening crowd?

Any votes for WL?

 

[bengalbelle]

OK, we've agreed we'd like to move to BWI, but to do so, we might have to drop a day to stay in budget. This is not our first trip (nor will it be our last) but as stated before we're taking my mom for her first trip to celebrate her 70th birthday.

So...new question: Would you move from WL to BWI if you had to drop 1 day from your stay? We'll be going from 6 days to 5. If an AP rate or code comes out, we wouldn't have to drop the day. OR, I can come up with the extra $400.00 outside of our regular income to make up the difference.

Is it worth moving??

 

[Skroops]

Something to think about is the walk. Is your 70 yr old mom up for the walk after the day at the park? It is a beautiful walk in the evening at the BW, but the resort is spread out a bit. You'd be walking more at the BW than the WL. Will you take advantage of the location of the BW by dining and hanging out...or will you just see it on the way to the room?
You can't go wrong with either resort. They are both gorgeous! If I had to drop a day to do it, I wouldn't. I never want to leave when the vacation is ending. The W.L. is a great choice too!
Good luck! Have a great time!

 

[MiaSRN62]

I've stayed at both and think they're both wonderful resorts, but to me, the WL just has that "wow" factor. Also, with a child as young as yours, I'd think you'd want to spend most of your time in the MK ? Can't beat the WL for the boat trip over there.
While I agree it's nice to be at BWV for it's proximity to Epcot, it is a good 10-15 min walk to Epcot on top of all the walking around the park itself. I agree with Skroops about your 70 yr old mother doing so much walking. We used to take my mil to WDW all the time before she passed away last summer and she had major limits on how much walking she could do. Just a thought ? You know her better than any of us, but you've got to factor in 10-15 going and then also returning on top of all day walking around Epcot which is a pretty spread out park itself.
Just another thought about WL---it's got a small food court (Roaring Forks) which BW does not which I feel makes it a little more convenient and affordable for meals ? The BW does have the Big River Grille on the boards, but again, depending on your room assignment, u could have a bit of a walk here too. The WL's food court is closer in proximity to the rooms and you don't have to go outside to get to it---a thought for inclement weather ?
And last but not least.....for me personally, I'd want that extra day in the World ! It's a tough call because these are two great resorts, but I just think the WL is so beautiful.
Good luck with your tough decision ! I'm sure you'll be happy either way

 

[bengalbelle]

Something to think about is the walk. Is your 70 yr old mom up for the walk after the day at the park? It is a beautiful walk in the evening at the BW, but the resort is spread out a bit. You'd be walking more at the BW than the WL. Will you take advantage of the location of the BW by dining and hanging out...or will you just see it on the way to the room?
You can't go wrong with either resort. They are both gorgeous! If I had to drop a day to do it, I wouldn't. I never want to leave when the vacation is ending. The W.L. is a great choice too!
Good luck! Have a great time!

First, thanks for your reply.

She's very active and I don't think she'll have any problem with the walking. We do plan to take advantage of the location. My mom will not want to go commando in the parks so I see us spending more time at the resort or doing things we've never experienced before.
DH and I love the look of both resorts, but feel like the theming at BWI might feel more "magical" than WL for a family trip.

 

[akghutton]

If you are going to be in WDW in early October, I would choose BWV because it would be a short walk over to the Food and Wine Festival at EPCOT. Of course I would almost always choose BWV, as I own there, and it is my favorite resort, so I am pretty bias on the topic

 

[zurgswife]

Also, with a child as young as yours, I'd think you'd want to spend most of your time in the MK ? Can't beat the WL for the boat trip over there.

I suggest BWI for the same reason...while your DD will love MK..with 3 adults you will probably spend some wonderful time at Epcot or MGM.

And I hated the boat ride to MK...seemed to take for ever for us..I enjoy the bus from BW much more...

I think if you have AP's there is a really good possiblity that a AP code will come out. Just make sure that you keep your eyes out for one later this year.

 

[MiaSRN62]

And I hated the boat ride to MK...seemed to take for ever for us..I enjoy the bus from BW much more...

We personally love the boat ride from the WL....it's so pretty and scenic and most kids love to be in a boat. But I can certainly understand the draw to the BW too. I think the OP is probably leaning towards the BW, as I see she has since posted that her mom is healthy and active so it wouldn't be a problem for her with all the walking. I just have a soft spot in my heart for the Lodge
Akghutton does make a good point about the Food & Wine Festival. The BW would hand's down be more convenient for that. Also, while you won't get two "real" beds in a BWV room (the second bed in the studio is a fold-out couch---this might be a plus or negative to you ?), you would get a kitchenette at the BWV. This could be a plus for you also. --->I'm trying to be fair....but secretly I prefer the WL still But I'm not sure if the OP is looking to book the Villas or the Inn. If they go with the Inn, then they also would have 2 beds and no kitchenette, same as the WL.

 

[TXTink]

That is a hard choice! I would choose the BW over WL, especially with the food and wine, but at the cost of a whole DAY in a park? That's a hard call! We love the BW, staying there is awesome....but I also like to see as much as I can while I'm there....Yikes!

 

[johnsonet]

I think 5 days is still great. It's not as though you have to choose between 6 days and 3... 5 days in one room w/ your son, husband and mom will probably be plenty
If the trip was to celebrate your son's bday, I'd pick WL; but for your mom I still say BWI - even if it means staying 5 days instead of 6.
Good luck

 

[bengalbelle]

We are looking at a Standard Room at either BWI or WL. Views aren't really important to us. Typically we aren't in a room long enough to appreciate it.

DS would love to be in the parks 24/7. We have to drag him out of there! If my mom enjoys this, we probably will spend more time in the parks than I'm planning for. DS loves MK and Epcot. He can take or leave AK and MGM. We plan to spend time in all parks (no water parks) but will concentrate our time on MK and Epcot.

I've taken the boat ride from MK to WL when we had PS at Whispering Canyon. It did seem long, but we enjoyed it. When we booked WL, we considered the proximity to MK and Ft. Wilderness. We thought this trip we would do the campfire because DS loves Chip and Dale (because of our drawls, though, he thinks there is a Dale and a Chickendale-lol). We also love the theming there.

Then there is the arguement for the Boardwalk. I also love the theming and the pool looks incredible! Honestly, I didn't consider the proximity to Epcot and MGM when we thought about changing, I've just wanted to stay there since we visited last year.

Whichever resort we eliminate this time, we'll try next time. The decision now really is which one to do with my mom. My father and brother both died in the past 14 months and she's having a really rough time. I'm hoping that experiencing this with DS will give her a little boost. I just want to make it as magical as possible!

 

[bengalbelle]

... 5 days in one room w/ your son, husband and mom will probably be plenty

No kidding!!

 

[johnsonet]

You know what bengalbelle? Your last post just made me change my mind (and the picture of your precious little boy!) Although you're celebrating your mom's bday, sounds like you're really celebrating Life and the magical wonder of Disney. I think the happiest thing for your mother will be to see the joy of your son and of his mom and dad. I think your DS would have the most magical time at the MK and so I think you should stay at the WL. He will be in Heaven ! And you all can spend HOURS at the MK :thewave: and then hop the monorail (either from the MK or the Contemporary) to Epcot.
Take care and have a wonderful trip no matter what you decide

 

[TXTink]

Sounds like you all had a bad year, sorry for your losses.

I would choose BW, I must admit I hadn't thought of you all being "together" that long. We simply love the BoardWalk! And, getting from there to Epcot and MK is very easy. Also, it's like you say, you can always go to the other one next time!

Off topic I know, but when you brought up MGM it made me wonder if you had thought of taking her to the 50s Prime Time Cafe? I wish I could take my mom there, I think she would like looking at the stuff there. It reminds me of our kitchen when I was a kid!

You know, I just thought of something...another off topic, sorry....but did you get the tickets with the hopper option? We always walk to Epcot then monorail to the MK, if you don't have the hoppers on your ticket that would sure change things!

 

[bengalbelle]

Sounds like you all had a bad year, sorry for your losses.

I would choose BW, I must admit I hadn't thought of you all being "together" that long. We simply love the BoardWalk! And, getting from there to Epcot and MK is very easy. Also, it's like you say, you can always go to the other one next time!

Off topic I know, but when you brought up MGM it made me wonder if you had thought of taking her to the 50s Prime Time Cafe? I wish I could take my mom there, I think she would like looking at the stuff there. It reminds me of our kitchen when I was a kid!

You know, I just thought of something...another off topic, sorry....but did you get the tickets with the hopper option? We always walk to Epcot then monorail to the MK, if you don't have the hoppers on your ticket that would sure change things!

I haven't thought about dining options yet other than character meals. I bet she would love the 50's Prime Time Cafe. I'll keep that in mind.

LOL-I would never do WDW without a Park Hopper! We hop almost every day! We're probably going to end up getting AP's this year. Right now we are trying to decide between Keystone in Colorado or DCL with a separate land stay next Feb. If we decide on Disney again, we'll definitely get the AP because chances are we'd end up at WDW again before they expired. So a total of 3 stays w/AP's.

Also, thanks for the kind words. It has been a rough year.

 

[bengalbelle]

You know what bengalbelle? Your last post just made me change my mind (and the picture of your precious little boy!) Although you're celebrating your mom's bday, sounds like you're really celebrating Life and the magical wonder of Disney. I think the happiest thing for your mother will be to see the joy of your son and of his mom and dad. I think your DS would have the most magical time at the MK and so I think you should stay at the WL. He will be in Heaven ! And you all can spend HOURS at the MK :thewave: and then hop the monorail (either from the MK or the Contemporary) to Epcot.
Take care and have a wonderful trip no matter what you decide

Thank you. That was very sweet of you to say

 

[MiaSRN62]

My father and brother both died in the past 14 months and she's having a really rough time. I'm hoping that experiencing this with DS will give her a little boost. I just want to make it as magical as possible!

Oh big hugs to you This has got to be rough for your mom and what a wonderful thing for you to do for her. My kids were always so close to their grandmother and we always took her to WDW and even on the Disney cruise with us. It's been 6 months since we've lost her and trips to WDW just don't feel the same. My deepest sympathies to your family on your recent losses.

I'm sure wherever you stay, you'll make wonderful memories and that's what matters most !