Reviews of Boardwalk Villas (Disney Vacation Club)
Reviewed by xxjess10 Review Date: 08/21/2014
Rating: (9) Recommended
We LOVE the Boardwalk! After staying in the Inn for many years, we decided to try a villa as non-DVC members. It did not disappoint! We quickly got used to the kitchen that we used to house our breakfast and snacks, and we constantly used the washer/dryer that is in the villa. Our villa provided us with a viewing of Fantasmic and the Frozen fireworks, which we watched almost every night! We liked the DVC pool that was just a short walk from our room, although we prefer the Inn's quiet pool. The Boardwalk in general just helped us feel at home, from the "movies on the beach", to the delicious treats at the bakery, and more. We are sure to come back.
Pros:
Size of villa, kitchenette, laundry facilities in room, proximity to DHS and EpcotCons:
Only one toilet/showerReviewed by emix Review Date: 04/26/2014
Rating: (10) Recommended
Our stay at the Boardwalk Villas (4/12 to 4/19) was excellent! We had a one bedroom that was clean and comfortable and you can not beat a boardwalk view!
The staff here is friendly and helpful. Our magic bands were a pleasant surprise too. No more fumbling around in bags or pockets to look for your key/card.
I do wish there were some different choices in restaurants but perhaps that will happen in the near future. ESPN is our go to place for good food and a fun atmosphere.
Pros:
Atmosphere, locationCons:
noneReviewed by bellebookworm9 Review Date: 03/31/2014
Rating: (10) Recommended
I have always wanted to stay at the Boardwalk and through a random series of events and delayed flights, my friend and I were given the opportunity to stay in a villa for one night, 3/29-3/30, courtesy of a DVC member friend.
The reservation was booked and transferred to my name about an hour before we arrived. Upon arrival to the resort around 8pm, there was no line at the check in desk. Christine at the front desk was very friendly and helpful, despite battling a case of the hiccups! She printed us a rare Key to the World card, since our Magic Bands could not be linked to the hotel reservation, as it had originally been booked by someone else.
James at the Lobby Concierge desk tried his best to link my current Magic Band to the reservation, but eventually I deemed it too much of a hassle for a 14 hour reservation and told them we'd just use the KTTW card. James was able to print my Magical Express voucher with no problem.
We were assigned studio 4050. Thankfully it was not too far from the elevator bank-I can't believe there's one bank for the entire villas building! This turned out to be a wheelchair accessible/hearing impaired room, so it was larger than usual, which I originally attributed to it being on an angle in the building. It was certainly larger than similar studios I've stayed in at Kidani Village and the Beach Club Villas. We had an amazing view of Luna Park Pool, with Tower of Terror and the Earful Tower in the background.
I slept in the bed and found it very comfortable; my friend took the pullout couch and had no complaints. I went out to the pool, and could hear Fantasmic. There were maybe five other people swimming at that time. Alice in Wonderland was playing on a blowup screen. I love the slide at the Boardwalk, and I also indulged in the hot tub for a few minutes.
I really appreciated the little things, like a soap dish for hand soap in the vanity area, which was not available at All Star Movies. I didn't like the low hanging light above the table; it was so low that I (and room service) hit my head on it when standing up.
The lack of breakfast options was disappointing. I ended up ordering room service, and the continental breakfast was very good. I loved sitting on the balcony, sipping hot chocolate and watching the resort wake up.
I left my bags with bell services for a short while before my Magical Express pick up. Mousekeeping was so patient with me when I ran back up to the room twice: once because I forgot my bag of confectionary treats in the fridge and once because I realized I'd left my treasured Mickey ring on the nightstand.
This resort was everything I hoped it would be and I would not hesitate to stay there again.
Pros:
Extremely friendly and helpful staff, amazing room location, huge villaCons:
One elevator bank, lack of breakfast options, light over the tableReviewed by wattage Review Date: 02/18/2014
Rating: (10) Recommended
We stayed in a deluxe studio for two nights starting February 11, 2014. We are DVC members and stayed on points. We used on-line check in from my tablet while we were in the airport. Check in was quick as we already had our Magic Bands and had previously made our FastPass+ selection. If you don’t do this before check-in, you will be at the front desk for a while.
Our room had a queen bed and a sleeper sofa. The bed was firmer than I, or my wife likes, but for two nights it was OK. The bathroom was very clean as was the kitchenette and the rest of the room. The resorts best feature is its location – you can walk to Epcot or DHS. We enjoyed our stay and would gladly come back.
Pros:
Location, Dining choicesCons:
Long HallwaysReviewed by sparky Review Date: 02/08/2014
Rating: (4) Not Recommended
We have in the past stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge, Wilderness Lodge Villa's, Saratoga Springs Villa's and Beach Club Villa's. Comparing Beach Club (since so close) to Boardwalk we would stay at Beach Club again and not Boardwalk. Rooms were nicer, mug refill's very close to rooms, Pools nicer and working order. The parking lot at Beach Club was a lot more user friendly vs Boardwalk which appears more oriented to valet parking instead of regular parking and it was quite a walk to your car if you needed it. We stayed 9 days at the end of January the private pool heater was broke the entire stay. And the heated pool closed to early to use it. Very disappointing for as many trips we have taken and this resort was not up to our expectations. Also if you go to Downtown Disney from this resort you will stop at Swan, Dolphin, Beach Club and Yacht Club and are on the bus forever. It is a major plus being able to walk to Epcot and Hollywood Studio's and that is why we booked in this location. We asked for a pool view and we had a huge tree that was directly in front of the pool. Since we have been to other resorts that is why we are stating this one was a disappointment since we know there are better places to stay.
Pros:
location to Epcot and Hollywood StudioCons:
lots of ware /long walk to fill mug/no heat in pool/dirty stairwellsReviewed by lizzie1974 Review Date: 01/29/2014
Rating: (9) Recommended
Stayed in a studio from 1/18 - 1/26. Expected a garden view but the room ended up overlooking the Village Green and a small part of the boardwalk. We had a room right off the lobby so that meant it was just a short walk out to the boardwalk, laundry and pool area.
Walked to Epcot everyday. The walk to HS was about 15 minutes, which is insignificant when you figure how much walking you're doing in any given day at Disney.
Only cons: Since the room was on the 2nd floor and near a service entrance, we heard quite a few loud, rumbly carts being rolled in and out. Sometimes very early in the morning.
The DTD bus was a direct drop off for Boardwalk but on the way home, Boardwalk is the last stop after Swan, Dolphin, Yacht & Beach. One night it took nearly an hour because there was also a driver shift change required.
The pros far outweigh the cons though. We'd definitely stay again.
Pros:
locationCons:
very fewReviewed by Momof4 Review Date: 01/11/2014
Rating: (10) Recommended
Our family of 6 stayed 12/29/13 - 1/4/14. We are DVC members and this is our home resort so we stay here frequently. First and foremost, you can not beat the location especially when it is prime season. I love not having to wait for transportation to 2 of the parks. We thought the cast members were wonderful, always willing to help. This is a big improvement from our last few trips. We loved the recently renovated bakery. The service and food was outstanding!!! For those not wanting to walk down there the Bellevue Lounge is easy to get to and never crowded. It doesn't offer nearly as much as the bakery but it is great for snacks and drink refills. Our only complaints are the lack of storage space in the rooms and the lack of a full length mirror. ( I have 3 girls!) I highly recommend staying here! We love it!
Pros:
Location, cast members,Cons:
—Reviewed by MWS Review Date: 01/07/2014
Rating: (8) Recommended
Booked a 4 night stay in a studio room through Disney’s reservation system, it was cheaper than the Boardwalk Inn and the room had a small fridge, microwave, sink, plates and glasses. The room was large and had a queen sized bed and pull out sofa. The bathroom was very large, but was lacking storage space. The rooms at the Villa appear to be better soundproofed than at the regular resorts, we rarely heard our neighbors and never heard slamming doors or running toilets that we usually hear at the other resorts. As others have posted, there needs to be a mug refill station closer to the resort than the Boardwalk Bakery. After a long day at the park, we usually didn’t feel like walking to the bakery, but the hot chocolate was nice to have on chilly mornings.
The walk to Epcot and Hollywood Studios made this location idea, DHS is about a 10 minute walk and Epcot even shorter. The boardwalk has plenty of entertainment outside the parks for kids and adults and it’s nice to be able to walk to a restaurant without worrying about catching a bus. Speaking of buses, we never had to wait too long for a bus to the other parks and Downtown Disney, but the buses were often standing room only. The ride back from DTD took over 40 minutes, since Boardwalk was the last stop.
All the cast members we encountered were very friendly and helpful. The concierge desk printed out our boarding passes and provided helpful information about checking out and directions to the parks and bus stop.
Pros:
LocationCons:
—Reviewed by jessicahs Review Date: 11/11/2013
Rating: (9) Recommended
My parents, husband and DD stayed in a 1 bedroom DVC villa from 10/31 until 11/9. Room #2100. Great location, friendly staff, immaculate pool and Community Hall. The room we had was showing some wear - a missing drawer handle that we called about was never fixed during our stay. Fridge door was wonky and didn't shut right. Very minor things. Overall a great resort that we enjoyed very much and are happy to call HOME!
Pros:
location, ammenitiesCons:
showing some wearReviewed by lisacast Review Date: 10/04/2013
Rating: (10) Recommended
This was the very first time as a DVC member. My husband, four teenaged daughters and I stayed in a Two bedroom pool view room 8-17-8-24. I loved the full kitchen and laundry. The rooms were huge. There was plenty of room for all of us. I read a great deal about how long the hallways were in Boardwalk. I noticed but it didn't seem to bother any of us. Room was clean and well kept. No issues with any part of the stay in the afternoons the pool would be loud but never in the morning or night. I would recommend this place to anyone.
