(CLOSED) Disney's BOARDWALK INN and VILLAS INFORMATION THREAD

[The Sunrise Student]

We always get the Park Hoppers, but I'm thinking they'll be really great to have while staying at the BWI. I envision us walking over to Epcot probably once every day! The walk to Hollywood Studios is pretty close as well, right?

The walk or boat ride is super easy between BWI, DHS and EPCOT!

 

[Deb & Bill]

...
I do have some questions. First, Boardwalk view isn't available for all four nights so we are reserved for garden view. I requested Village Green, high floor. Is this a good choice? I am hoping we'll get a little Boardwalk view from here! The DVC member we rented from has noted these requests on our reservation, but should I call (who/where/when) prior to arrival so they are hopefully considered? Also… if we don't get this view, will they consider JUST garden view, or will they do water view, also?

Village Green is pretty much all dedicated studios. Meaning no connection to a one bedroom villa. We had one on the secon floor, first room on the left as you head down the hallway. Our balcony was big, but open to the balcony just off the lobby. So no privacy. But Village Green is probably the best for a studio. If you get a water view, it will be a pool view. No Boardwalk view unless you booked it.

Like someone else said, you don't own the reservation, so there is no calling. DVC doesn't want members (or renters) to call the hotel anyway. Just get your request noted on the reservation. If you do online check in, you might be able to make a few requests there as well. But it will be limited.

Second… Am I correct in understanding that, with a 4 night stay, we'll have no mousekeeping service at all? Not even to make beds and empty trash? It's fine- we always bring our own bath sheets when we travel- just want to know what to prepare DH for in terms of service. (I'll just think of it as saved tip money!)?

You get your trash removed and towels replaced on day 4. No bed making, no cleaning up. They just take out the trash and replace your towels. You'll have four bath towels, two hand towels and four face cloths.

Third… Sofa bed. Is it comfortable? DD will be sleeping there, and it'll be a really crappy birthday for her if her bed is poking her in the back all night. Also, I think I read that egg crate foam is available. Who should I ask about this, and when? I am also considering bringing the aerobed, just in case (flying Southwest, so no baggage charges!)....

Sofa bed isn't bad, it flip open from the back. The cushions stay attached and help support the foot of the bed. The pillows and blankets are are stashed in a pocket in the bed that you see when you flip it open. I think they don't provide egg crate foam any more. Sleeper sofa will be double sized. Bed is queen sized.

Tell me about the sleeping space at the BWV studio. Is it bigger than the sleeping area at a value, or are we going to be crammed in together? I know the square footage of the studio, but how much of that is bathroom/ kitchenette?...!

When the sleeper sofa is open, there isn't much space in the room, enough to get around the bed and a bit to get to the patio. The sink is outside the tub/toilet room. The kitchenette is opposite that. You might also get the deacon's bench if you have a dedicated studio. It's a good place to stash your suitcase. If you close the sleeper sofa each day, you'll have good space in the room.

 

[polyfor4]

Thank you WDWKOOK! That'll be so much more peaceful to take a quick walk and have the tickets ready ahead of time. I have another very random question- does anyone have any information about the entertainer/ side show Coney Island Chris? We got so cracked up over his performance in November that I would love to see it again in June! Has anyone else seen him before or know if he's a regular? I'm so cheesy- I'm almost in tears just thinking about his tongue/ mouse trap skit!

 

[Pete W.]

Sofa bed isn't bad, it flip open from the back. The cushions stay attached and help support the foot of the bed. The pillows and blankets are are stashed in a pocket in the bed that you see when you flip it open. I think they don't provide egg crate foam any more. Sleeper sofa will be double sized. Bed is queen sized.

During our last visit in April 2013 we requested and received the egg crate mattress topper for our DS17 who is 6' tall and he slept very comfortably in the sofa bed. You simply call housekeeping when you get to your room and ask for it (unless something has changed in the past 9 months and they no longer have the egg crate foam).

 

[Janed]

When did you begin the rental process to rent points at BWV for your trip? We rented points to stay at BWV for our June 2013 trip. I really would like to stay here again by renting points. Our next trip will probably be October 2015. I know this is during the food and wine festival and rooms get booked up quickly. So I was wondering what the time frame is when I need to start looking at renting points. Thanks

We have a 2 bedroom suite reserved for October 27 through November 2. I contacted a few owners back in July, picked the one I wanted to work with, gave her our trip information. She called the morning of the first day possible to make reservations (11 months out). We are reserved for the exact type of suite I wanted. It's worth getting a head start on finding who you want to work with especially for during the Food and Wine Festival. Good luck!

 

[Deb & Bill]

During our last visit in April 2013 we requested and received the egg crate mattress topper for our DS17 who is 6' tall and he slept very comfortably in the sofa bed. You simply call housekeeping when you get to your room and ask for it (unless something has changed in the past 9 months and they no longer have the egg crate foam).

Yes, I had heard it had changed in the last few months.

 

[KerryCM]

Headed back to our favorite resort, BWI!!!! The past year we have made 4 trips, but were not able to get either a military rate or my cast discount at BWI. Well, my son really wants to take his oldest daughter, her mother would allow her to travel on our family trips, so guess what resort was the only one available with the new 60% off cast rate? So we will be there April 5-11 with my son and his family. Very excited to go.

 

[psac]

Headed back to our favorite resort, BWI!!!! The past year we have made 4 trips, but were not able to get either a military rate or my cast discount at BWI. Well, my son really wants to take his oldest daughter, her mother would allow her to travel on our family trips, so guess what resort was the only one available with the new 60% off cast rate? So we will be there April 5-11 with my son and his family. Very excited to go.

Awesome, congrats! Nice discount!

 

[Yahweh]

When did you begin the rental process to rent points at BWV for your trip? We rented points to stay at BWV for our June 2013 trip. I really would like to stay here again by renting points. Our next trip will probably be October 2015. I know this is during the food and wine festival and rooms get booked up quickly. So I was wondering what the time frame is when I need to start looking at renting points. Thanks

We started the process exactly 11 months out from out schedule trip (December 2-10th, 2014). We were trying to book two studio standard views for our trip. Unfortunately, dave's dvc rentals did not have enough BWV points for us and we got put on a wait list. A few days later, we got a message that there was no availability left for SV Studios. So we sucked it up and said that we'd do the preferred view if points became available. After two weeks or so, Dave's DVC rentals got the points and we were able to book them.

So I'd guess that if you are looking to book at a popular DVC time, as early December seems to be, you'd probably want to do it at the 11th month mark. I was very surprised at how quickly the standard view sold out.

Anyways looking forward to our trip. It will be our fourth trip with our girls to Disney world. We have stayed at the Coronado, AKL/Poly, and Beach Club/Contemporary in the past three trips.

 

[mastermind307]

We have a 2 bedroom suite reserved for October 27 through November 2. I contacted a few owners back in July, picked the one I wanted to work with, gave her our trip information. She called the morning of the first day possible to make reservations (11 months out). We are reserved for the exact type of suite I wanted. It's worth getting a head start on finding who you want to work with especially for during the Food and Wine Festival. Good luck!

I rented them just last/this week, so maybe Jan. 12th is when I first contacted a member. I started out renting through David's but they didn't have any points available; they could get the reservation but didn't have the points to secure it. They told me that BW view was unavailable, Columbus Day weekend is the 3rd busiest DVC time, and they could put me on a waiting list. I decided that, as I didn't have any other time available for this trip (university/school schedule, birthday celebration, F&W), I'd contact a DVC member and rent points. It worked.. and it was a little cheaper than renting from David, a LOT cheaper than renting from Disney!

Thanks for the replies. I was planning on getting everything figured out so that I can hopefully rent points 11 month out. That would be in November 2014 for my October 2015 trip. My in-laws are coming with us on this trip. I looked at renting a 2 bedroom, but it is more expensive than 2 studios. It would cost $1,050 more, or $525 more each. That is if we went through one of the brokers who charge $14/point. We don't plan on cooking so I think the studios would be the best bet. That's money that we could spend doing other things. Of course if might be more difficult to get 2 studios for that time frame. At least I have awhile to figure things out.
I'm just happy that my hubby told me we could go back in 2015, so it's never too early to start planning!!!!

 

[nascargirl]

KerryCM-What a deal for you and the family. Finally going back home.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Headed back to our favorite resort, BWI!!!! The past year we have made 4 trips, but were not able to get either a military rate or my cast discount at BWI. Well, my son really wants to take his oldest daughter, her mother would allow her to travel on our family trips, so guess what resort was the only one available with the new 60% off cast rate? So we will be there April 5-11 with my son and his family. Very excited to go.

Congratulations and I'll add your dates to the Bulletin

 

[Deb & Bill]

Thanks for the replies. I was planning on getting everything figured out so that I can hopefully rent points 11 month out. That would be in November 2014 for my October 2015 trip. My in-laws are coming with us on this trip. I looked at renting a 2 bedroom, but it is more expensive than 2 studios. It would cost $1,050 more, or $525 more each. That is if we went through one of the brokers who charge $14/point. We don't plan on cooking so I think the studios would be the best bet. That's money that we could spend doing other things. Of course if might be more difficult to get 2 studios for that time frame. At least I have awhile to figure things out.
I'm just happy that my hubby told me we could go back in 2015, so it's never too early to start planning!!!!

Make sure you book that right at 11 months out. F&W is a very popular time for DVC members who own there. Hopefully ou are booking the preferred garden/pool view. Each studio has one queen bed and one double sleeper sofa and sleep four plus one under the age of three. The two bedroom is a lockoff with one king bed, one queen bed, one queen sleeper sofa and one double sleeper sofa.

 

[LifeontheDrupe]

Is there any "risk" with booking a Water View room at the BWI?

I've read Disneyworld.com's description: "view of Boardwalk or Crescent Lake" and presume that means a room directly above the Boardwalk. Is that correct?

I've looked at countless exterior images and am a tad nervous that there just simply isn't enough rooms (to be offering them to guests at 35% off!) when factoring in the 5th floor is Club Level and some Deluxe Rooms are located on the 4th floor as well.

Does Disney count the rooms that overlook the rear lawn between the Inn and Villas as "Water View" since some rooms offer a partial view of Boardwalk/Lake?

We're traveling during one of the slowest weeks of the year 9/8-9/13 but also checking in early (8am) on Monday morning which is probably where the bulk of my stress is coming from!

Is there such thing as a "bad" Water View room?

I feel much more confident spending the extra on a view at the BWI as opposed to the Y&BC... just want to make sure I have the best understanding!

 

[Disfanx4]

First time boardwalk visitor August 1-4 then on to old key west for 11 days, can't wait!

 

[Scrap_Vamp]

First time boardwalk visitor August 1-4 then on to old key west for 11 days, can't wait!

We will be at OKW for the last two days of your trip

 

[Scrap_Vamp]

Is there any "risk" with booking a Water View room at the BWI?

I've read Disneyworld.com's description: "view of Boardwalk or Crescent Lake" and presume that means a room directly above the Boardwalk. Is that correct?

I've looked at countless exterior images and am a tad nervous that there just simply isn't enough rooms (to be offering them to guests at 35% off!) when factoring in the 5th floor is Club Level and some Deluxe Rooms are located on the 4th floor as well.

Does Disney count the rooms that overlook the rear lawn between the Inn and Villas as "Water View" since some rooms offer a partial view of Boardwalk/Lake?

We're traveling during one of the slowest weeks of the year 9/8-9/13 but also checking in early (8am) on Monday morning which is probably where the bulk of my stress is coming from!

Is there such thing as a "bad" Water View room?

I feel much more confident spending the extra on a view at the BWI as opposed to the Y&BC... just want to make sure I have the best understanding!

I'd be interested to hear responses to this too as we also have water view booked

 

[Disfanx4]

It was pretty scary when we were eating by the water at Yorkshire County fish. There were two seagulls fighting and one of the seagulls had the other by the neck. It went on for a long time. Then as you said, we had this girl feeding some of the ducks and smaller birds. I got mad because we already had the other birds and squirrels coming right up to our chairs. I asked her to stop, a few times. Her parents did nothing!!! I can't believe other people around me did nothing. I got so angry I started shooing the birds at there table and said out loud to "go to the table that is feeding you". They pretended like they didn't hear me. I finally got so fed up and I went and found a cast member, one of the janitorial, and told them what was going on. She said she'd let management know. When I came back the girl feeding the birds started shooing them away. I said why are you shooing them away? You wanted to feed them. Her parents still say nothing and act like they can't hear me. I could tell they didn't speak English, but they knew what I was getting at. They then starting leaving, just as we were because they probably heard me say I let a cast member know they are feeding the birds. There are multiple signs saying don't feed the birds. I wish cast members would start going after people when they see them doing it.

I am golf ally in agreement with you , my 9 yr old daughter will not eat at any outdoor venue now because of those birds. Absolutely scared to dead. My hubby has to run them over even when we are walking around the park. Still people continue to feed them

 

[rebeccam31]

Changing our October reservation from Contemporary Resort to Boardwalk Inn! For pretty much the CR price we were paying, we are able to upgrade to CL!!! Very excited to give this resort a try. Dates are October 11-14.

 

[Rags]

Heading for our first stay at the Boardwalk today so excited! Can't believe it's here time to enjoy with my family