FAQ Overview

Is there any information available regarding features of specific rooms at the BoardWalk Villas?

DVCNews.com has created a series of searchable databases listing very detailed information on most of the Disney Vacation Club resort guestrooms. The database allows you to search for rooms by their size (Studio, One Bedroom, etc.), class (Value, Standard, etc.), floor and many other criteria.  We even have photos of the actual balcony/patio view from many DVC guest rooms.

To access the database, click on the link below:

BoardWalk Villas Guest Room Database

 

Why is the Resort divided into two different halves?

BWV is the first DVC resort to have been built simultaneously with a Disney Deluxe Resort on the same property, namely the Boardwalk Inn.  DVC members can use their points to book only at the Villas.  Cash guests can book accommodations at either half of the resort. 

What is the theme of this resort?

Disney's BoardWalk Villas is reminiscent of two resort areas located on the east coast, Atlantic City, NJ and Coney Island in Brooklyn, NY.  These areas both still exist today, but “our” boardwalk is modeled on the resorts as they existed during the early 1900s.

What accommodations are there? How are the rooms set up?

Disney's BoardWalk Villas has Studios, 1 and 2 Bedroom Villas and Grand Villas.  Studios and 2 Bedrooms sleep up to 4, 2 Bedrooms up to 8, and Grand Villas up to 12 guests.  Studios and 1 Bedrooms have a choice of standard, preferred or Boardwalk view, all Grand Villas have a Boardwalk view.  

The studios have a pull out sleeper/sofa and a Queen sized bed. All one bedrooms have a King sized bed in the Master bedroom and a Queen size sleeper sofa in the living room.  There are some dedicated studios and 1 Bedrooms. There are no dedicated 2 Bedrooms at BWV: ALL 2 Bedrooms at this resort are a Studio (with the usual sleeper/sofa and queen sized bed) combined with a 1 BR. 

What do they mean by Boardwalk view, Preferred view and Standard view at BWV?

Preferred and Boardwalk view are the same amount of points to book.  Standard view rooms are a few points less a night. 

Boardwalk View will give you a view of the boardwalk itself,  Spaceship Earth, The Beach Club and CrescentLake.  Unless you book the “Boardwalk Category” you will not get a Boardwalk view.

Preferred View will give you a view of either the quiet pool, the Luna Pool or the canal that leads to Disney Studios. 

Standard View rooms face either the entranceway to the resort/front lawn/front driveway or a combination of the lawn/parking lot/canal to the studios (depending on which direction you look). 

Where is the bus stop?

If you exit the lobby from the main entrance follow the path on your left and it will lead you to the bus stop.

How many pools are there? Do they have whirlpool spas?

There are three adult pools, each with its own whirlpool spa. 

The main pool, called the Luna Park pool, has a slide that looks like a roller coaster on the outside. The slide empties you into the pool through the mouth of a clown who’s been painted onto the slide. 

There are two quiet pools, one on the Villas side of Boardwalk, one on the Inn side. There is no lifeguard at the quiet pools.

There is a separate kiddie area in the Luna Park pool area. 

The Pool hours may vary, depending on time of the year, but generally they are open from 10AM to 10PM. 

Can I rent a bicycle at BWV?

There are standard bikes to rent just outside of community hall, you pay for them inside.  On the Boardwalk just outside the resort you can rent surrey bikes that will fit up to 6 people. 

Where can I find adult beverages at BWV?

The Belle Vue Lounge, located on the Inn side of Boardwalk, is open in the afternoon until late into the evening. 

Where is the health club? Is there a fee?

The health club is on the boardwalk level (first floor), just opposite the elevators.  They have all the latest fitness equipment, and offer massages as well.  There is a discount on the massage fee for DVC members. 

Use of the gym equipment is free to all resort guests. 

Where can one do laundry when staying in a studio? (1BR and up have washer/dryers in the villas)

On the 1st floor, just opposite the elevator look for a sign that says Laundry. It can be tricky to spot. Although the machines will have places to put coins, it is not necessary to put any money in, they are free for members.  You will need to or bring or buy detergent/softener. (they sell the small individual boxes there).

Where can I get supplies and groceries?

There is just about everything a traveler needs and more found in the row of stores on the Boardwalk.  Although the outside of the store has signs showing different names, in reality the store is one long continuous building.  When you enter you can find clothing, souvenirs, snacks, beverages, groceries and more. 

Inside BoardWalk Villas there is a store located just off the lobby on the villas side where you can find DVC and BW souvenirs, as well as some other supplies (ie stamps, medication). 

Can I see Fireworks from BWV?

The Boardwalk View rooms have a good view and audio of Illuminations, the higher up, the better the view.  Additionally, guests on the top BWV floors will be able to see the Magic Kingdom fireworks, although you won’t be able to hear them very well, if at all.

Standard view rooms that face the parking lot can see  Illuminations, and some can see the high fireworks from Fantasmic!  Most standard view rooms along the front lawn will be able to see the Illuminations, but some are blocked by trees.

If your room doesn’t have a fireworks view you can stand on the bridge just past the ESPN club for an excellent view of Illuminations. You can see them from the Boardwalk if you stand near the Big River Brewery, but the view from the bridge is better.

Where can I get something to eat?

Flying Fish Café, Big River Grille and Brewery, ESPN Club and Spoodles are the sit down restaurants.  Spoodles also offers pizza to go.  Other take out includes:  Hot dog stand, Boardwalk Bakery (which, in addition to baked goods, offers sandwiches and salads, Seashore Sweets (sells candy and ice cream).

Are there any Hidden Mickeys at BWV?

• There is a miniature carousel in the lobby. The pinto horse has a mickey head on it’s rump.
• There is a miniature roller coaster in the lobby.  Look for Mickey’s head on the side of the coaster.
• The large rugs outside of the elevators have the footprints as well as the hats of the “fab four” (Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Donald).
• The center of a number of the flowers on carpet in the hallways is a mickey head.
• The lamps in the living room portion of the 1 BRs have Mickey stenciled onto the lamp shades.
• The curtains in the studios have Mickey shaped balloons on them.

How do I get to the theme parks from BWV?

Magic Kingdom:  Bus, which will take 20-30 minutes depending on the route used. Buses are shared with Swan/Dolphin and on occasion (though rarely) also with Beach Club.  Usually they stop at Swan and Dolphin on the way to the Magic Kingdom, and stop at BWV first on the way back—but this route does vary. If you have a car you can drive to the Transportation and Ticket Center and take the monorail or ferry to the MK.

Epcot:  10 minute walk or boat ride.  Catch the boat on the boardwalk, just outside the resort. 

Disney's Hollywood Studios:  15 minute walk or ~20 minute boat ride.  TIP:  On the return trip, exit the boat at Swan/Dolphin and follow the signs to Boardwalk, you will arrive faster that way.  Also, if you just missed the boat on the way to the studios from BWV, you can walk over to Dolphin and catch up with it.

Disney's Animal Kingom:   Bus, which will take 20-30 minute.  Buses are shared with Swan/Dolphin and on occasion (though rarely) also with Beach Club. 

What else should I know about BWV that will make my stay more enjoyable?

One word: Staircases!!  If you are far from the elevator you may be close to something else—ie the bus stop or the path to the Disney Studios.  Sometimes it is faster to walk down/up the steps than it is to use the elevator.  Look for the signs in the hallway that say “exit”. Find the one closest to your room walk down and see where it takes you.  Often you save a lot of legwork and doubling back if you use the stairs. 

The spa at the Luna Pool is almost always crowded.  If you walk over to the quiet pool by community hall it’s almost always empty—especially in the evening.

There is a mail slot to send letters or postcards in the BWV lobby right next to the bell services area.

Each night there is FREE entertainment on the boardwalk.  There are jugglers, clowns, musicians, magicians and more, generally starting about 8 and ending about 10, but this will vary seasonally. 

There are a number of other things available on the boardwalk for a fee. Not everything is open at the same time, so inquire when you are there if you don’t see any of the following:

• Hair Wrapping
• Face Painting
• Caricatures
• Take-Your-Own Photo Booths
• Midway Games
• Pin Cart

In the morning if you are in the mood for a pastry but don’t feel like walking to the bakery, head to the Bell Vue Lounge.  The bar is closed, but they have a fairly good assortment of pastries from the bakery for sale up until about 11 AM. 

What is the Community Hall and where is it located?

Community Hall is located next to the quiet pool on the Villas side of the resort.  There are video games, air hockey, ping pong and some board games, all free of charge for DVC members to use.  This is where to pick up sports equipment so you can play tennis or croquet on property. There are some planned activities for children; these are listed daily by the front door. Some have a small fee.  You also can borrow DVDs here at no charge. 

Where are the Trash/Recycling rooms at BWV?

There are a few of them on each floor.  You look for the signs with arrows pointing in the direction of the trash/recycle rooms in the hallway to find the one closest to you. They are marked with a small sign outside the door to each trash/recycle room.