Disney's BOARDWALK INN Information & Questions

[Tiggerette]

Apparently the refurb will not be done shortly as I just received an email regarding our April trip that there will be work going on along with exterior and balcony painting. I wonder if they restrict your use of the balcony during the day if they are working on it?

We have two villa stays in April (boardwalk view and grade/pool view). We received the email with the notice. When I called DVC member services to follow up, I was told we could still use the balconies. We should plan not to leave items on the balcony, and to close the drapes for more privacy. The construction plans involved exterior work. What concerned me more during the conversation was the member service notification that water service could be interrupted overnight.

 

[Pink Pajamas]

Just made a reservation at Boardwalk Villas for February 1-9, 2017. Its our first time in a villa.
Just got back from Beach Club. Not even unpacked yet but can't wait to go again.

 

[Dave006]

So excited!!! On Thursday morning at 7 am I called WDW, not expecting to be able to modify my 2 rooms at YC to a 2 BR villa cash res at 10 months out, and guess what? I was!! So, KOOK, please put me on your list!! Oct. 15-22, 2017, first F&W, first MNSSHP, and first time at BW!! It's very exciting to have so many firsts after going to WDW for so many years. My DD's first choice was BCV, but they only had deluxe studios available. I was actually OK with that. I had a feeling we were going to end up at the BW and I had already started spending more time on this thread, and have spent any available "research" time looking at photos and reading about it. It felt meant to be.
Only standard view was available, any suggestions? I like top floor and quiet and don't want to look at a parking lot, but at this point, I am just happy to have a 2BR during F&W!!

Congratulations on getting into the BWV! All cash reservations are only listed as a Standard view in the Disney reservation system.

The 2BR's at the BWV are scattered between the two buildings. Building 1 (North), Building 2 (South). Building 2 has the all the official "Standard" view 2BR units. Note that a cash reservation will very often be upgraded to a Garden/Preferred view. I would suggest that you request BLDG 1 (North) as your only request to have your best chance of avoiding any view of any parking lots.

Dave

 

[Pink Pajamas]

Congratulations on getting into the BWV! All cash reservations are only listed as a Standard view in the Disney reservation system.

The 2BR's at the BWV are scattered between the two buildings. Building 1 (North), Building 2 (South). Building 2 has the all the official "Standard" view 2BR units. Note that a cash reservation will very often be upgraded to a Garden/Preferred view. I would suggest that you request BLDG 1 (North) as your only request to have your best chance of avoiding any view of any parking lots.

Dave

Is this true for the 1 bedroom villas as well?

 

[shb5007]

It sounds like you had a great stay! Can't wait to get there!!

What items were you able to choose on the menu with the breakfast CP package? I know with lunch and dinner packages it is appetizer, entree and dessert but I am curious how it works with breakfast at Trattoria

Any "entree" and non-alcoholic beverage.

 

[bluecastle]

Congratulations on getting into the BWV! All cash reservations are only listed as a Standard view in the Disney reservation system.

The 2BR's at the BWV are scattered between the two buildings. Building 1 (North), Building 2 (South). Building 2 has the all the official "Standard" view 2BR units. Note that a cash reservation will very often be upgraded to a Garden/Preferred view. I would suggest that you request BLDG 1 (North) as your only request to have your best chance of avoiding any view of any parking lots.

Dave

Thanks Dave! I like to request top floor and quiet. I guess you're saying I could end up with a top floor that is quiet with a lovely view of a parking lot if I do that? I have read some reviews of standard villas with partial parking lot views that had some other redeeming feature, like being able to see fireworks. I just want to make sure I am not near the baggage drop-off area. Would just putting Building 1 assure me of that? Thanks! I feel like I have to re-read this entire thread with new eyes!

 

[DebbieB]

Thanks Dave! I like to request top floor and quiet. I guess you're saying I could end up with a top floor that is quiet with a lovely view of a parking lot if I do that? I have read some reviews of standard villas with partial parking lot views that had some other redeeming feature, like being able to see fireworks. I just want to make sure I am not near the baggage drop-off area. Would just putting Building 1 assure me of that? Thanks! I feel like I have to re-read this entire thread with new eyes!

I've been a DVC member at BWV for 17 years and never heard of building 1 and building 2. On the first floor, there is a breezeway near the pool entrance that requires you to go out one door, cross the breezeway and re-enter on the other side. Floors 2 to 5 are connected, there's no break. The official map makes no mention of building 1 and 2.

These are the maps I received on my last 2 stays:

http://www.plan-a-magical-vacation.com/images/boardwalk-resort-map.jpg
http://**************.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Map-Disneys-BoardWalk-Inn-and-Villas.jpg

 

[preemiemama]

Thanks Dave! I like to request top floor and quiet. I guess you're saying I could end up with a top floor that is quiet with a lovely view of a parking lot if I do that? I have read some reviews of standard villas with partial parking lot views that had some other redeeming feature, like being able to see fireworks. I just want to make sure I am not near the baggage drop-off area. Would just putting Building 1 assure me of that? Thanks! I feel like I have to re-read this entire thread with new eyes!

I would also like to mention that our last trip we asked for an upper floor, and got the 5th floor, which should have been quiet. For the most part it was, but there also happened to be a sweet 16 party happening a couple of the days we were staying there. The guests from the party were ALSO on the 5th floor. Although they were WAY down the hall, we had a couple nights in a row with 3 am knocks on our door. So upper floor is not always quiet...

 

[Liberator]

We wanted to add a night in a different resort after staying three nights at the Poly in upcoming February. I originally planned to stay at AKL and made a reservation for that particular night in a standard view room, but cancelled it after renting points and now we will be staying at BWV for that night in a garden/pool view studio. I was excited to see that it was no problem regarding availablity. My expectations are high after reading this thread

 

[Dave006]

Is this true for the 1 bedroom villas as well?

Yes. Note the 2BR is made up of a Studio and a 1BR at the BWV, aka 2BR Lock-off.

Dave

 

[Dave006]

Thanks Dave! I like to request top floor and quiet. I guess you're saying I could end up with a top floor that is quiet with a lovely view of a parking lot if I do that? I have read some reviews of standard villas with partial parking lot views that had some other redeeming feature, like being able to see fireworks. I just want to make sure I am not near the baggage drop-off area. Would just putting Building 1 assure me of that? Thanks! I feel like I have to re-read this entire thread with new eyes!

Yes BLDG 1 (North) has no view, access or sound from the baggage drop-off area. Just a reminder that all requests are just that "Requests" not guarantees. Please order your requests and make sure your primary request is first.

Yes there are a couple of good views in BLDG 2 (South) at the end of floors 1-4. The 5th floor is only a very short section on the BLDG 2 (South) with views of the Portico cornice and drive way / parking lot, feature pool or the quiet pool. So to avoid the baggage drop-off area you will need to be further down the hallway.


Dave

 

[Dave006]

I've been a DVC member at BWV for 17 years and never heard of building 1 and building 2. On the first floor, there is a breezeway near the pool entrance that requires you to go out one door, cross the breezeway and re-enter on the other side. Floors 2 to 5 are connected, there's no break. The official map makes no mention of building 1 and 2.....

The location you describe on the 1st floor breezeway is aka the building merge point. On floors 2-5, you will find this is where the first fire doors separate the BLDG 1 (North) building from the BLDG 2 (South) building which houses the main elevator bank.

Please note that in the Disney internal system the buildings are labeled: North and South. The North building runs from the building merge point, north toward the Swan / Dolphin and along the Boardwalk. The South building runs south from the building merge point along the drive and the feature (Clown) pool down past the quite pool.

There is no need for Disney to indicate that there are two buildings to resort guests as the buildings are directly connected.

Rooms numbered: x068 and higher indicate Building 2 (South) and Rooms x048, flr 1 and x066 on floors 2-5 and lower indicate Building 1 (North).

Dave[/QUOTE]

 

[Sandi]

Hello from BWI! We checked in Saturday late afternoon. We received a test with our room assignment while in flight. Went right to our room. I wanted 5th floor; we got 3rd floor. We are overlooking the Village Green, above the Belle Vue. It is fine for us - no loooong walk to our room this time!

From the bus view, the parking lot looks very full.

We had carolers on the green last night. Nice treat for the holidays.

No construction cranes in view, except for a smaller one near the quiet pool that we noticed when we used the hot tub (all by ourselves at 10:00 pm on arrival day).

We are loving the express transportation option. Very worth the cost. So nice to not have multiple bag checks.

Having a great time. I will try to check in here and answer questions.

 

[bluecastle]

I would also like to mention that our last trip we asked for an upper floor, and got the 5th floor, which should have been quiet. For the most part it was, but there also happened to be a sweet 16 party happening a couple of the days we were staying there. The guests from the party were ALSO on the 5th floor. Although they were WAY down the hall, we had a couple nights in a row with 3 am knocks on our door. So upper floor is not always quiet...

Yikes! I guess that goes under the heading of be careful what you wish for! I know there are no guarantees and my DH keeps saying he doesn't care about views- he insists that anyone who goes to Disney with their first priority being the view from their balcony is nuts. Pretty funny though, since during our last stay at VWL he spent the most time on the balcony reading and relaxing!

 

[bluecastle]

Hello from BWI! We checked in Saturday late afternoon. We received a test with our room assignment while in flight. Went right to our room. I wanted 5th floor; we got 3rd floor. We are overlooking the Village Green, above the Belle Vue. It is fine for us - no loooong walk to our room this time!

From the bus view, the parking lot looks very full.

We had carolers on the green last night. Nice treat for the holidays.

No construction cranes in view, except for a smaller one near the quiet pool that we noticed when we used the hot tub (all by ourselves at 10:00 pm on arrival day).

We are loving the express transportation option. Very worth the cost. So nice to not have multiple bag checks.

Having a great time. I will try to check in here and answer questions.

I wonder if they will use this express transportation at other times of the year. Are the internal park bus stops easily found? Are they labeled on the park maps? Is there only one per park? I didn't realize I had these questions until I started typing!
Hope you are having a magical visit!

 

[bluecastle]

Yes BLDG 1 (North) has no view, access or sound from the baggage drop-off area. Just a reminder that all requests are just that "Requests" not guarantees. Please order your requests and make sure your primary request is first.

Yes there are a couple of good views in BLDG 2 (South) at the end of floors 1-4. The 5th floor is only a very short section on the BLDG 2 (South) with views of the Portico cornice and drive way / parking lot, feature pool or the quiet pool. So to avoid the baggage drop-off area you will need to be further down the hallway.


Dave

Thanks, Dave, for all this great info! It has been copied and pasted into my file. I realize my requests would be just that, and I am not looking for the best and most perfect view-especially booking a standard. I just want to avoid the baggage area and anything unpleasant, like car or truck noises and fumes or smoking areas. If I see a distant parking lot, but I also have some landscaping, I will be perfectly happy.

 

[smidgy]

We were in a villas srudio 1st floor standard room once. although I would have preferred a balcony to a pation, the view wasn't bad. the rooms were along the driveway going from the parking lot to the lobby, and there was a huge expanse of grass and some trees betwenn us and the driveway.

 

[psac]

Odd thing just happened. There was a knock at our door. I have the Do Not Disturb sign out. It was housekeeping asking what time we were leaving the room. Now I know it's the busy season and they want to turn over rooms quickly, but am I being too sensitive thinking I have until 11:00 and the DND sign should be respected?

I'm way behind, but no, you're not wrong. Before 11 the room is yours, and do not disturb kinda means you shouldn't ummm.... be disturbed.

 

[fla4fun]

I realize my requests would be just that, and I am not looking for the best and most perfect view-especially booking a standard. I just want to avoid the baggage area and anything unpleasant, like car or truck noises and fumes or smoking areas. If I see a distant parking lot, but I also have some landscaping, I will be perfectly happy.

Don't be afraid to ask for a change if you don't like the room you were pre-assigned either. My last stay at BWI I booked standard view and when they emailed my room number, I found that it was one of the lobby level rooms looking right out at the hotel entrance (if you could see through the lattice work). Not exactly what I was hoping for. Since I knew the room wasn't what I wanted, I just went straight to the front desk, explained that the noise level would be too high in that room, even at night, and asked if I could be moved to a quieter room. They gave me a wonderful corner room in a very quiet area that was absolutely perfect.

 

[Sandi]

I wonder if they will use this express transportation at other times of the year. Are the internal park bus stops easily found? Are they labeled on the park maps? Is there only one per park? I didn't realize I had these questions until I started typing!
Hope you are having a magical visit!

The drivers and CMs said it's in a testing phase. They need to have more riders to cover the cost. A few times we used it, my DD and I were the only riders. When you buy the service, they give you a map. I haven't looked at a regular park map on this trip, but I doubt they are labeled on those maps. The locations are not hard to find and there is clear signage. There is only one internal stop per park.

We figured we saved a good hour by using the service the first day. We hopped to 3 parks. Interestingly, we think we didn't come back to BWI as often as we typically do because of the express transportation.

We are having lots of fun. It was really warm our first few days -- and we were coming from 8 inches of snow and horrible cold. The 85 degrees felt great. This morning it is only 65 and the high will be 75. So a little chilly.