Disney's BOARDWALK INN Information & Questions

[Best Aunt]

Planning a family vacation for 2022. Looking for lodging for 9-11 adults, plus 1-2 toddlers. We are looking at Boardwalk's Grand Villa, but realize there are only seven of them. Has anyone had better luck reserving these on a specific day of the week more than others (i.e. is Wed-Sun have a better chance than Sun-Thur)?

Are you hoping to book a Grand Villa with DVC points or make a cash reservation with Disney? What time of year are you looking for? Those things might make more of a difference than day of the week.

 

[AFVChic]

Are you hoping to book with DVC points or make a cash reservation with Disney? What time of year are you looking for? Those things might make more of a difference than day of the week.

Cash reservation for mid to late September - hoping for either an annual passholder, Florida resident, or military discount as well.

 

[stitchfan18]

Can anyone confirm that the DVC laundry room is open lately? I'm packing assuming it is but I know weird things are closed because of Covid so I thought it was worth checking!

We used it last Tuesday. Only 1 washer was working then, but someone from maintenance was there that day. The laundry view website wasn't showing info about the machines, so I had to walk down there a couple times to catch it open.

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

Thank you for the pictures!!!!!

 

[Best Aunt]

OK, to recap: OP @AFVChic wants to make a cash resie for a Boarwalk Grand Villa in September, and is hoping for either an annual passholder, Florida resident, or military discount. OP wondered if the first day of the trip makes a difference in how easy it is to get a reservation (Wed-Sun versus Sun-Thur).

I have never tried to book a BWV Grand Villa and I have never been to Disney in September so I cannot speak from personal experience.

I can say that pre-COVID, September was a popular time for BoardWalk because of Epcot's Food and Wine Festival. People liked to be able to walk to and from Epcot. Getting a BWV room in September was more difficult than at other times of the year.

I also can say that the latest edition of the Disney Files Magazine for DVC members has a one-page article about getting cash reservations. It says:

a) The company owns some inventory, including yet-to-be-sold inventory at new resorts, which is available for cash reservations.

b) Sometimes a member uses their DVC points for something other than a stay in a DVC resort. For example, a member uses their DVC points to book a Disney cruise. Those points are converted into hotel inventory which can be made available for cash reservations.

c) Sometimes there is availability within 60 days of check-in. Those accommodations can be made available for cash reservations.

d) "It's worth nothing that we carefully restrict the rental of accommodations with particularly high Member demand and low inventory. Most Grand VIllas, for example, are typically available exclusively to Members, and at The Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, we don't currently rent any of our villas to guests."

There are people on this thread who will be able to address OP's question better than I can.

 

[Marionnette]

Cash reservation for mid to late September - hoping for either an annual passholder, Florida resident, or military discount as well.

I think it will be in the difficult-to-impossible category. Grand villas, if they are available for cash reservations, are almost always excluded from discounts.

But aside from that, I'm not seeing much in the way of available nights in September 2021 for BWV GVs on the member website. Typically, Disney does not use its limited number of DVC points to book grand villas (they can sell a lot of 1BR villas for cash easier). So far it doesn't look like members are going to leave the ones at BWV unreserved by 60 days out, which is when unreserved villas are offered by DVC to Disney CRO for cash bookings (referred to by DVC as breakage), as described by @Best Aunt. We're not even 7 months out (when members who do not own at BWV can begin booking there) and only random stays of 2-3 nights are open. Those remaining nights will be snagged up soon. BWV has one of the lowest point requirements for GVs in all of DVC. And DVC members are flush with points due to COVID cancelations. This is pretty typical of BWV even in a non-COVID year. The difference being that even those membets who do not own at BWV will probably not be able to get a GV there this year or next.

As awesome as the BWV GVs are, you might want to set your sights on a different resort -one which has a large number of GVs.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Planning a family vacation for 2022. Looking for lodging for 9-11 adults, plus 1-2 toddlers. We are looking at Boardwalk's Grand Villa, but realize there are only seven of them. Has anyone had better luck reserving these on a specific day of the week more than others (i.e. is Wed-Sun have a better chance than Sun-Thur)?

You'd have the best luck by getting with a DVC owner who could make that reservation for you exactly at 11 months out. If you would be considering a busier DVC time (not the same as regular hotel busy times), you might even need to have the owner start walking that reservation at 12 months out. Plan to pay a premium for the extra work required. Otherwise, your best bet is for each family to book their own lodging. If you do have nine adults and two toddlers, at least one of those children would need to be under the age of three. You are limited to 12 people in a grand villa. Whatever you do, ignore any private messages offering you a points reservation or offering you points. That is how people get scammed.

 

[The Mayor]

I would definitely check out the Rent/Trade Board and try to hook up with someone to rent points. If not, then check out A rental company like Dave’s.

 

[Shellyred8]

So I've spent the last few hours reading this thread. I was not aware that BWI was not open yet and sadly enough, all the reading and research on BWI that there is no date specified for opening (unlike BC for the end of May). I did this extra research on BWI because I didn't realize everything that isn't opened at BW that seemed to be the highlight from some of the older posts (2014 up to Pre-Covid) like all little mentions of games and jugglers etc. Surray bikes rides and all the different restaurants/bars. I am happy to hear that the Pizza Window and Bakery are open. But sad that there is no real Quick Service location on site for B,L & D. If I missed that, then please update me!
I read about the new slide and very happy that it is now open! Can't comment on the clown vs. new design since I'm sure seeing pictures vs. in person would make a difference.
All in all, I'm thankful for getting a 1 BD Villa and in a location that we can walk to two of the four theme parks PLUS money back....so I'm sure we will have a great time...it IS DISNEY of course! Oh one question I wasn't sure about....do all villas have balconies to sit out on? Thanks for letting me know!

The villas do have balconies to sit out on.
On our last two trips (oct and dec 2020) we did breakfast ADR's at Tratoria al Forno. This was our first time eating there and discovered they have great breakfasts! So, this would be one of my recommendations for your trip.

 

[kimmar067]

Thank you for the pictures!!!!!

...always glad to oblige!

 

[imktdqt810]

I've been looking at pictures and room locations. We have a 1 BD- Standard View. How can you put in a room request prior to arrival ,do you call or email the resort directly? Has anyone ever had a Standard View and got a pixie dust upgrade to a boardwalk view or water view (either pool?). Just curious on those, so figured I would ask while I'm browsing the boards. TIA!

 

[Tess]

I've been looking at pictures and room locations. We have a 1 BD- Standard View. How can you put in a room request prior to arrival ,do you call or email the resort directly? Has anyone ever had a Standard View and got a pixie dust upgrade to a boardwalk view or water view (either pool?). Just curious on those, so figured I would ask while I'm browsing the boards. TIA!

Are you booked on points or direct through Disney? A standard view on points booking is just that. A standard view booked through Disney will be a garden/pool view.

 

[imktdqt810]

Are you booked on points or direct through Disney? A standard view on points booking is just that. A standard view booked through Disney will be a garden/pool view.

I am booked directly through Disney. When I viewed what they have as a Stand View for the 1 BD is states "Views of Resort Grounds or Parking Area". Our plan is to go to Epcot every night (DH wants to try different beers this trip I told him if we are doing another park most of the day I don't have a problem walking over there for him to get some exotic beer while DS and & find a few rides that have shorter lines). So I was thinking a Boardwalk view or Pool view would put us closer towards Epcot then HS.

 

[Tess]

I am booked directly through Disney. When I viewed what they have as a Stand View for the 1 BD is states "Views of Resort Grounds or Parking Area". Our plan is to go to Epcot every night (DH wants to try different beers this trip I told him if we are doing another park most of the day I don't have a problem walking over there for him to get some exotic beer while DS and & find a few rides that have shorter lines). So I was thinking a Boardwalk view or Pool view would put us closer towards Epcot then HS.

Since you are booked through Disney, your view will be pool or garden view. If you want Boardwalk, that is a separate category and rarely available since that view is snatched up quickly. Standard views are typically booked by DVC members due to the lower points required.

If it is your plan to make a request, I would look at the pool/garden view 1 BRs and make it based upon the location you prefer.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Boardwalk view is a booking category for DVC points stays. So if you booked through Disney Reservation Center, plan on a pool/garden view and not a Boardwalk view. The leisure pool is usually quieter than the Luna Park view.

 

[imktdqt810]

Thank you guys for the info on the standard view, I appreciate it. I had no clue the boardwalk views are normally for DVC members!

I have another one, I searched this board for a "Business Center" so we can print out our boarding passes for our return trip home. It's referenced but I'm not sure where it is. And yes, I know we can do "mobile passes" but I don't do that since one time my phone wouldn't connect at the gate to get it (before someone told me to take a screenshot of it) and that time I DID a screenshot my phone kept shutting off. Talk about stressful when I was at the gate, time to board and I had to go to the counter at the gate to explain the situation. I was the LAST one on the plane JUST because I didn't "have" my boarding pass. This was years ago but I ONLY travel with paper passes now, and I prefer getting them in advance rather then waiting to get to the airports. Thanks again for the help!

 

[PCFriar80]

Thank you guys for the info on the standard view, I appreciate it. I had no clue the boardwalk views are normally for DVC members!

I have another one, I searched this board for a "Business Center" so we can print out our boarding passes for our return trip home. It's referenced but I'm not sure where it is. And yes, I know we can do "mobile passes" but I don't do that since one time my phone wouldn't connect at the gate to get it (before someone told me to take a screenshot of it) and that time I DID a screenshot my phone kept shutting off. Talk about stressful when I was at the gate, time to board and I had to go to the counter at the gate to explain the situation. I was the LAST one on the plane JUST because I didn't "have" my boarding pass. This was years ago but I ONLY travel with paper passes now, and I prefer getting them in advance rather then waiting to get to the airports. Thanks again for the help!
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The front desk/concierge will print your boarding passes for you. If you do want to do it yourself the Business Center is located in the Convention Center.

 

[imktdqt810]

The front desk/concierge will print your boarding passes for you. If you do want to do it yourself the Business Center is located in the Convention Center.

Thank you, excellent to know!

 

[Bucknut2710]

We are staying at the Boardwalk for a few nights after resort hopping from SSR in May. Is there any restaurant/nightlife recommendations that we can do during COVID times? We have only ever stayed at SSR and CBR, just myself and my wife.

 

[WillJenDisney]

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/boardwalk/boardwalk-bakery/menus/

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/boardwalk/pizza-window/menus/

Here are links to their menus. When we were at WDW recently, most of the menus online seemed accurate.

ETA: I also think that Leaping Horse Libations is also open at the pool

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/boardwalk/leaping-horse-libations/menus/

Is the menu limited because of covid and limited attendance, or is this just what the Bakery menu is now? You used to be able to get a lobster roll, a blackened salmon salad, a brownie/cheesecake thing, etc. This makes me sad.