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Possibly about to change my current reservation from BC/CL to a water view room/ non CL at Boardwalk. I have never stayed at the BW but have at BC a few times. I'm OK with missing the BC pool because I do feel like my kids will like the dang clown slide better..........I however am not loving that clown. My questions is about the stores and QS and TS restaurants ............can you access them from inside the hotel or is everything accessed from out on the boardwalk itself?? I feel like the crowds hanging around could get annoying, like say in the morning trying to grab a quick bite and maybe find a table, or bring back to the room??
Aside from the pools, is the difference between BW and BC really all that different ? I'd appreciate any feedback.
Thank you
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All of the restaurants and shops along the Boardwalk are accessible only from outside, so you're right that the vibe is a bit different from Beach Club. During the day, Beach Club is busier outside because of the pool, but at night, Boardwalk is busier and noisier. Inside, though, I find the resorts comparably quiet.
The Belle Vue Lounge inside the Boardwalk Inn does serve light breakfast items such as bagels, fruit, juice, and coffee. When we stay at the Boardwalk, we usually send someone there in the morning to buy food to bring back to the room.
There is a small gift shop inside off the lobby. The big shop (which has a good selection of food) is on the Boardwalk.
I find the time it takes to get to Epcot to be similar from Boardwalk and the Beach Club. If you want to walk to Hollywood Studios, it is quicker from Boardwalk.
The Belle Vue Lounge inside the Boardwalk Inn does serve light breakfast items such as bagels, fruit, juice, and coffee. When we stay at the Boardwalk, we usually send someone there in the morning to buy food to bring back to the room.
Melissa
Belle Vue Lounge is one of my favorite spots in WDW, but I never knew it served breakfast. Thanks!
Boardwalk has lots of food options, but it doesn't really have a classic QS place. You can get sandwiches and things and the BW Bakery, and there's the pizza window. But I don't know if there's anywhere you could get a burger or pasta to go. So if you like your food served on a tray, BC could be better.
The downside to the Boardwalk is that all the food options are outside of the hotel. If it's raining or hot as Hades, that becomes a problem. Otherwise it's very similar to the BC (except for the clown).
The BWV is my home resort. I love it. The location is wonderful. I usually get a boardwalk view unit and I have never been disturbed with night noises once the balcony doors were closed. The boardwalk view is stunning. The daybreak and sunset over Crescent lake are amazing....and just watching the "friendships" crossing the lake is picture perfect. I have stayed right over the general store 4 times and hope to get that same suite this year.
Yes, all the restaurants (except for the lounge) are outside of the building ..... out on the boardwalk. I really don't understand the issue in that. When we stayed at GF or Poly...or even OKW...we had to leave our building to get food or refill our mugs. Maybe because it was something we always did...I never thought it was a problem.
We always start our day by going to the BoardWalk Bakery and filling our coffee mugs and getting a danish and eating right on the boardwalk. I have never had a problem getting a table. The lines can be long...but...they move very fast, This is one of our "favorites". And,,,,the lobster sandwiches are delicious.
The clown pool can be a put-off to some...but...it is one of the best slides in all the disney resorts.
The only venue accessible from the inside is the Belle Vue lounge which, as Melissa said, offers breakfast items. We stayed at BW last year and didn't do any of the quick serve. We thought about it for our arrival day, but when we realized they don't have any seating, we decided to do Big River Grille, which turned out to be a great choice!
We thought the pool was great. It's not as extensive as BC, but the slide is awesome! And after a while, you get used to the clown! We also enjoyed the quiet pool on several occasions.
We just returned from a stay at the BWV and loved it! We had a standard view this time for most of the trip, but when we stayed there last January with a Boardwalk view, we thought it was so great to sit on our balcony and have our coffee watching the friendship boats go by! The food offerings aren't all under one roof since you have to go outside for most but we didn't find it bothersome. I think you'll enjoy your stay there if you decide to switch! Also, the rooms just went through a rehab and they are new and clean!
I'm going to be staying at the Boardwalk late June - first week of July and am looking forward to it. Got a one bedroom, and it will be great to walk back to the room after fireworks on the 4th instead of waiting for a bus.
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All of the restaurants and shops along the Boardwalk are accessible only from outside, so you're right that the vibe is a bit different from Beach Club. During the day, Beach Club is busier outside because of the pool, but at night, Boardwalk is busier and noisier. Inside, though, I find the resorts comparably quiet.
The Belle Vue Lounge inside the Boardwalk Inn does serve light breakfast items such as bagels, fruit, juice, and coffee. When we stay at the Boardwalk, we usually send someone there in the morning to buy food to bring back to the room.
There is a small gift shop inside off the lobby. The big shop (which has a good selection of food) is on the Boardwalk.
I find the time it takes to get to Epcot to be similar from Boardwalk and the Beach Club. If you want to walk to Hollywood Studios, it is quicker from Boardwalk.
Happy planning!
Melissa
Thank you for that info...a huge help!
Quote:
Originally Posted by JoanneS
The downside to the Boardwalk is that all the food options are outside of the hotel. If it's raining or hot as Hades, that becomes a problem. Otherwise it's very similar to the BC (except for the clown).
Ugghh, the clown
Quote:
Originally Posted by rella
The BWV is my home resort. I love it. The location is wonderful. I usually get a boardwalk view unit and I have never been disturbed with night noises once the balcony doors were closed. The boardwalk view is stunning. The daybreak and sunset over Crescent lake are amazing....and just watching the "friendships" crossing the lake is picture perfect. I have stayed right over the general store 4 times and hope to get that same suite this year.
Yes, all the restaurants (except for the lounge) are outside of the building ..... out on the boardwalk. I really don't understand the issue in that. When we stayed at GF or Poly...or even OKW...we had to leave our building to get food or refill our mugs. Maybe because it was something we always did...I never thought it was a problem.
We always start our day by going to the BoardWalk Bakery and filling our coffee mugs and getting a danish and eating right on the boardwalk. I have never had a problem getting a table. The lines can be long...but...they move very fast, This is one of our "favorites". And,,,,the lobster sandwiches are delicious.
The clown pool can be a put-off to some...but...it is one of the best slides in all the disney resorts.
I think my only issue with having to walk outside to get to CS places is the fact it's not "within" the resort. I've stayed at Poly and Gf and walking to the QS wasn't an issue because it's mostly just resort guests.............now knowing all or most dining options are out ON the boardwalk seems like it could get really busy, but now knowing this I can plan for some longer waits on food or tables.
Quote:
Originally Posted by DMA
The only venue accessible from the inside is the Belle Vue lounge which, as Melissa said, offers breakfast items. We stayed at BW last year and didn't do any of the quick serve. We thought about it for our arrival day, but when we realized they don't have any seating, we decided to do Big River Grille, which turned out to be a great choice!
We thought the pool was great. It's not as extensive as BC, but the slide is awesome! And after a while, you get used to the clown! We also enjoyed the quiet pool on several occasions.
I believe I can get use to the pool for sure..........the clown, nope
I'm actually looking forward to having a meal at BRG!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by xwewhisper
To address your other concern, the Boardwalk is typically pretty quiet in the morning. The entertainment etc doesn't come out until later in the day.
I'm thinking I will be OK with that, or at least willing to give it a go.
Quote:
Originally Posted by TLCdisneyfan
Belle Vue Lounge is one of my favorite spots in WDW, but I never knew it served breakfast. Thanks!
Boardwalk has lots of food options, but it doesn't really have a classic QS place. You can get sandwiches and things and the BW Bakery, and there's the pizza window. But I don't know if there's anywhere you could get a burger or pasta to go. So if you like your food served on a tray, BC could be better.
I don't have a real preference on food being served on a tray or not, the BC QS isn't all that stellar either, so I think knowing all of this ahead of time, we will be good.
Quote:
Originally Posted by lindawdw
We just returned from a stay at the BWV and loved it! We had a standard view this time for most of the trip, but when we stayed there last January with a Boardwalk view, we thought it was so great to sit on our balcony and have our coffee watching the friendship boats go by! The food offerings aren't all under one roof since you have to go outside for most but we didn't find it bothersome. I think you'll enjoy your stay there if you decide to switch! Also, the rooms just went through a rehab and they are new and clean!
Thank you- I'm starting to look forward to staying here now.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Donald_Quackers
I'm going to be staying at the Boardwalk late June - first week of July and am looking forward to it. Got a one bedroom, and it will be great to walk back to the room after fireworks on the 4th instead of waiting for a bus.
I'd love to hear your feedback, have a great trip!!
We did a split stay one year at BC & BW, and although we preferred to pool at BC, I think I liked everything else more at BW. We had a BW view, and loved that. Mornings are actually very quiet - I think it was mostly resort guests heading to the bakery (YUM, the bakery!!!).
And I second the recommendation of the lobster rolls.
I stayed at BWI last May for my 50th and it was just Beautiful! It was a solo trip and it was one the only one I could find to stay for my Birthday. Plus it was so close to Epcot which is my favorite park. I was tired of taking buses everywhere, but I adored taking the boats to Epcot & DHS.
One of the nice things is walking around Epcot, then getting on the boat and BWI is the 1st stop! My feet were saved every time! However my arrival day, I did walk to the YC for dinner and even that was so nice to walk. The landscapes of the BC & YC were just so appealing, the sand, the water..etc.
I was on the 5th floor and my view was the front of the resort, I could hear the noises from the front, but I guess I tuned them out. The view was just incredible because I could see the Tower of Terror in the distance, I could see the Swan & Dolphin and if I turned my head I could see some of the lake. But just having a balcony was good enough because eating my cereal every morning out on the balcony started my day on a High note! I even saw some of the fireworks from DHS at night.
Yeah the restaurants are outside, but this resort's name is Boardwalk, so that is the theme. But I did like the theme of the Boardwalk in the 20's. It was quaint. I would go back in a heartbeat. I did notice the Belle Vue Lounge, but did not use it. I actually liked that because since this resort and most of the deluxes do not have a "food court", this was a nice offering.
I am sure you will have a Magical time at the Boardwalk. You can't go wrong by staying on property!
__________________
Kate in PA All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them- Walt Disney
We have also stayed at both resorts and prefer the BC. I thought the BW was too spread out (long hallways) and I did not like going outside for my coffee in the morning, but that is also because I didn't know about the lounge until the middle of our trip. After that it wasn't a huge deal. The lines in the morning for the bakery can get long. I think people take the boat or walk from the Swan and Dolphin and get food at the BW. No biggie, but like others have said if it's hot and raining I don't want to deal with my children in those scenarios. If if was just me and DH then that's a different story: ) I think you should stay there just to say you've experienced it once. Yes the clown slide is creepy looking LOL, but it is a fun resort!
I've stayed at both and I love BWI. I don't get the hubbub over the clown slide and honestly think it's a waaay better slide then SAB. It's faster and easily accessible and you don't lose site of your kids when they're on line. Is stay in BWI over BC if given a choice and I'm pretty sure my kids (12,15) would too!