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TheMouseForLess members review Walt Disney World resorts.
BoardWalk Villas
Family Name: The Waite/Ellis Families
Date Of Stay: October 19-25, 2008
Type Of Resort: Disney Vacation Club Villas
Rate Paid During Your Stay: Used DVC Points.
Room Sleeps : A Studio sleeps 4 plus 1 infant/toddler under the age of 3 in a pack `n play.
Please Rate The Following On A Scale From 1-10 (10
being the best):
Theming: 10 – Who doesn't love an Atlantic City-themed Resort? Bright and Cheerful. Love the Decorative Carousel in the Lobby. The view of Crescent Lake from the Resort is a huge plus.
From this point on, I skipped the rating system. I would probably rate everything a 10 – so I just thought I'd share my insight and some highlights about this Resort.
Room Size: My studio was just the right size for me. When I had my daughter, her SO and my granddaughter in the studio for one night, I felt it was a little crowded, but I like having my own space. I think it would be perfect for two adults and maybe a couple of kids, but for 3 adults and an infant, I felt a little crowded. But if you're not planning on spending too much time in the room, then it would be okay for sleeping, showering, etc.
Amenities: Loved having a Kitchenette in the studio – fridge, microwave, coffee maker and toaster. DVC members get free Internet usage. The soaps and shampoos are a very nice brand. DVC members also get free valet parking at their Resort. It was so nice to pull up to the "front door," hand a Valet the tip money and walk into the resort. Guest parking at the Boardwalk Villas/Inn is quite some distance from the main entrance. It was also nice to call down to the Valet desk and ask to have my rental brought around and by the time we got to the Valet desk, it was already there waiting for us.
There are carnival-type games on the Boardwalk itself, but most don't seem to open until late afternoon or in the early evening. There was a bicycle riding piano player who made the traveled up and down the Boardwalk. We didn't really spend any money (or much time) on the carnival games, so we're not experts on that. We just enjoyed the surroundings and the ambience of it all.
Quality: We love staying at deluxe and DVC units. It's really hard for us to go back to a Value or even a Moderate for more than a couple of days. We're not Park commandos, so having the option of having a nice room/studio to go back to in the middle of the day and enjoying our surroundings is a big plus for us.
Cleanliness: We didn't have any issues with cleanliness in our 2-3 studios. One family had to stay in 3 different studios (due to the way the points played out) during our stay and each one was as clean as could be. Staying in a DVC unit on DVC points is different than a cash stay. Housekeeping does not visit your room/studio on a daily basis. So you make your own bed (if you choose to), re-use your towels (if you choose to), and take out your own trash for the first 3 days (once again, if you choose to). Trash & Towel days are on the 4th day of your stay. On that 4th day, you get clean towels and all your trash is emptied. We received a new bottle of dish washing detergent and additional soaps/shampoos on that day as well.
Transportation: You can take the Magical Express from the Orlando Airport (if you choose). There are WDW buses that will take you to the Theme Parks. And there are Friendship Boats that will take you to Epcot, Disney Hollywood Studios, the Yacht/Beach Club Resorts (across Crescent Lake), and to the Swan/Dolphin Resorts. We only used the Friendship Boats during our stay (to DHS and the Yacht/Beach Club Resorts). We walked to Epcot via the back-door entrance near the International Gateway. I am not a huge fan of either the Magical Express or the Disney bus system. I prefer the convenience of having a rental vehicle.
Recreation: There are two quiet pools and the Luna pool which has a roller-coaster-type Clown slide (which sort of looks like Bozo the Clown). If you have a fear of clowns or someone in your party does, this may not be the Resort (or pool) for you. You can rent surrey bikes and ride along the sidewalk/path that circles Crescent Lake taking you past the Swan/Dolphin Resorts and Yacht/Beach Club Resorts. Movies were held nightly on the beach at the Yacht/Beach Club Resorts. When we were there, they were located next to the boat dock. I believe you can rent some watercraft from the Yacht/Beach Club Marina.
Value: Obviously, my idea of value could be different than most others. If I had to pay full rack rate for the room, I would have to think long and hard about it. If I could get an AP rate, depending on the time of the year – Flower & Garden Festival, Food & Wine Festival, etc. – then I would definitely consider it for the location. Using DVC points (or if you can find someone to rent points to you at a price you can live with), is definitely the best way to go. If renting points, Sunday – Thursday nights use the least amount per evening and then there are different "seasons" throughout the year to consider when renting points. Of course, the holidays are going to "cost" you more points. While the slower times are going to "cost" you less.
Over All Rating: 10+
Don't Miss: Anything. The resort was beautiful. The Cast Members were super nice. I can't say enough great things about this Resort. I would stay here again without any hesitation.
Room Location Suggestion: All three of our studios were on the second floor and near the elevator. It was the best location. We did not have "Boardwalk" views, but two had "preferred" views, with each balcony overlooking the gardens of the main back-side entrance. We could even see some of the fireworks from Illuminations – not a lot, but some. We certainly could hear them. Our third studio was a standard view and had a view of the parking lot/main drive – which wasn't a real issue to the group staying there as they were only there to sleep and shower. The standard view, obviously, takes fewer points than a preferred view.
The Mouse For Less Tip: As I stated earlier, if you can find someone to rent their DVC points to you, then by all means, I would definitely recommend that – unless, of course, you're already a DVC owner with the Boardwalk as your home resort.
Comments: The location is very convenient to both Epcot and the Disney Hollywood Studios. This was our first stay at the Boardwalk and we hope to stay here again sometime in the future.
We were pleased with the locations of our studios. We had read several horror stories about long hallways and having to walk great distances to your `"room," so we were very pleased to have studios on the second floor (same floor as the lobby) and so near the elevators. It made it convenient to head down to the Boardwalk Bakery to refill our refillable mugs and pick up some sandwiches for our trip back to the airport. It was also convenient for trips to the laundry room on the first floor. While our studios didn't overlook the Luna Pool, it was just a short walk away. We were also a short walk away from the shops on the Boardwalk itself.
Family Name: Judy Yeddo
Date Of Stay: 8/22 – 8/27, 2008
Type Of Resort: Home Away from Home
Rate Paid During Your Stay: DVC member stayed on Points.
Room Sleeps : 4
Please Rate The Following On A Scale From 1-10 (10
being the best):
Theming: 10
Room Size: 10
Amenities: 10
Quality: 10
Cleanliness: 10
Transportation: 10
Recreation: 10
Value: 8
Over All Rating: 10
Don't Miss: The lobby of this building is simply beautiful and you have to
take a walk on the Boardwalk, they have these great little side shows that
are simply hilarious.
Room Location Suggestion: Chose a preferred view room near the quiet pool
and I was at the end of the hallway, which was great, this also left us
close to Community Hall. Room 1136 which was a studio room.
The Mouse For Less Tip: This is a great resort to stay at using DVC
points, loved the extra space, and the small kitchenette. The room was
decorated nicely and was plenty of room for myself and DD who was 12, I
would not hesitate to get a Studio for me and my two kids, there is a sofa
bed which seemed to be comfortable, although we did not open it since me and
DD shared the Queen bed.
Comments: We walked to DHS on our last day and it was a very nice walk and
did not take long at all (this is a great option when staying at this
hotel). We did not get a chance to walk to Epcot. We rented a surrey bike
on our last day, although we rode it back and forth on the Boardwalk. Next
time I stay at the Boardwalk we will rent it later in the evening, when it
is not so hot and probably due the full route around the lake.
Family Name: The Blank's (Pam 42, Alex 16, Nick 11)
Date Of Stay: 3/1/06 thru 3/5/06
Type Of Resort: Home Away from Home
Rate Paid During Your Stay: DVC member stayed on Points.
Room Sleeps : 4
Please Rate The Following On A Scale From 1-10 (10
being the best):
Theming: 10
Room Size: 10
Amenities: 10
Quality: 10
Cleanliness: 10
Transportation: 10
Recreation: 10
Value: 8
Over All Rating: 10
Don't Miss: The Luna Pool.
Room Location Suggestion: We had a 1 bedroom villa, number 1083. It
was a few steps to the Luna Pool.
The Mouse For Less Tip: This is a Deluxe Resort, but we did have a
kitchen, which was great for breakfast and snacking.
Comments: This was our first trip on our DVC points. It was to
celebrate my oldest's 16th birthday, which so happened to coincide
with ESPN weekend at MGM Studios. WE were within walking distance
of Epcot and MGM. Boats also run to these 2 parks, but walking is
faster, if you don't mind the walk. The boat driver told Alex that
it is about 3/4 of a mile to either park.
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