We just booked Boardwalk Villa for Christmas 2008!! We are so excited! Does anyone have any pro's and/or cons for us? Any particularly good room or view we should request? Any help would be great! We have never stayed in that area before...

Well for starters, you are within walking distance between DHS and Epcot. Location, location, location is wonderful!

Congrats on the snag!

Good morning and congrats on your Christmas trip!!!! We've been fortunate enough to stay at the Boardwalk Villas numerous times and will be there again in 32 days (but who's counting). Like tdelany_98 had stated you are within walking distance of EPCOT (very quick walk) to the normally not so crowded back entrance to the countries. (a great benefit) Now, the walk to DHS is a pretty good one, don't get me wrong, it's doable but if you're travelling with children who require strollers or if you're not up for a good stroll in the morning, my suggestion would be to simply use Disney transportation. Also, in my opinion, there's nothing like the Boardwalk in general at night, the atmosphere, the smells, the sounds. It's truly my favorite place. Take a walk to the Yacht and Beach, relax, grab an ice cream, watch a juggler or a magician. Oh yeah, and did I mention the pool? The slide? The very good poolside drinks? (have tilt-a-whirl for me). There's also a quiet pool and a recreation center with some video games and a ping pong table and various arts and crafts things for the kids.

In a nutshell, you'll love it! :)

Bobcat

Thanks! That makes me feel like we made the right choice! The "children" are 20 (not quite old enough to enjoy all the festivities for New Years Eve haha, 9 days short! ...I guess no "tilt a whirl" for her!) and 16 so the walks should be fine. The CM that booked our room said we could take a boat ride to MK, is that right? I couldn't figure that out... Do you have a room preference? Or a floor preference?

The CM that booked our room said we could take a boat ride to MK, is that right? I couldn't figure that out... Do you have a room preference? Or a floor preference?

I've never taken a boat ride to TMK from the BW and I didn't think that was actually possible. I may be wrong, but I'm pretty sure that access to TMK from the BWV is through the TTC or the monorail hotels. We have a young son who really likes the pool so we try (with no guarantees of course) to grab a room near the pool. Where you're interested in possibly walking to DHS, a room near the quiet pool or Community Hall may work out a bit better, the walkway to DHS is just off of the quiet pool area. This will save you some time. The walk is roughly 20 minutes or so and my feeling is that if you time it, you'd actually beat the water shuttle if you walk at a reasonable pace.

[QUOTE= The CM that booked our room said we could take a boat ride to MK, is that right? I couldn't figure that out...

There is no boat to MK from Boardwalk. There is a boat to the Studios. I'm sure that is what the CM meant. To get to MK you can take a bus or walk through Epcot out the front entrance and take the monorail to TTC and another to MK. It's quite a walk through Epcot but nice because it is so quiet in the morning. You can do a ride and hit the shops before they get crazy. It makes for a very different view of Epcot however you won't be at MK when it opens if that is of interest to you. If so take the bus.
Boardwalk is the best and your kids will love the entertainment in the evenings. You can get pizza takeout from the window at Spoodles. It's a great inexpensive lunch or dinner. We take the pizza to the pool and eat poolside.:D
Have a geat time! We'll be there for New Years Eve! :D

You can take a boat to Epcot and to the Studios from the Boardwalk -but not to the MK. The CM mis-spoke.

Even if you have no wait, a reasonable person would beat the boat to the Studios, because it still has to stop at the Yacht/Beach club and the Swan/Dolphin. If there is no wait, I think the boat would win to Epcot, but only because the Boardwalk is the last stop before Epcot.

I was switching hotels one time. From Pop I took the bus to the Studios, then got on the boat, rode to the Swan/Dolphin. Got off there, and walked to the Boardwalk and checked in (my bags were being transferred by luggage services, so just my park-bag with me) and was able to catch the same boat at the Boardwalk to go into Epcot. The boat had to stop at the Yacht/Beach while I was checking in, and there was absolutely no line when I was checking in, but I was still kind of surprised at that.

Thanks for all the help everyone!!

Any more suggestions are always appreciated! We only have until June to decide on our dinner reservations and since we will be there at the busiest time of the year we need back up plans! Where to spend Christmas Eve and New Years Eve? Will we be able to park hop on Christmas Day or is it best to pick a park and spend the entire day?

Over the years we've stayed at a number of places, both on and off Disney property, both hotels and DVC villas. By far the Boardwalk is our favorite. The rooms are bigger, the action is closer (both on the boardwalk and the two theme parks), and the amenities top notch. Now I don't think its the best unit for small children, but since that's not the case for you, you should have a great time. And being so close makes early entry or late stays at Epcot and Hollywood Studios a snap.

I've never stayed at Boardwalk, but I have visited a few times and I really like the theming. I'd like to stay there someday.

As for suggestions, I highly recommend Yachtsman Steakhouse nearby at the Yacht Club. It's expensive, but it's worth it! (It's two table service credits on the dining plan.)

The lobby of the boardwalk regularly features entertainers. They're a hoot.

Be sure to browse the art gallery store at your resort. Again, it's expensive, but you're just looking and the pieces on display there are stunning.

Cathy is spot on about the boats. Unless your dogs are barking loudly, you're better off walking. Although, if you're not in a hurry, it's a pleasant ride.

Since your youngens are just 20, try to visit the Adventurer's Club. It's a very unique and very entertaining place. Although kids are welcome there, I think you have to be at least a young adult to appreciate it. It has an adult atmosphere without being too "adult".

We are getting more excited about staying at the Boardwalk everyday! Thanks for the Yachtsman Steakhouse idea...what is the view? We are still up in the air about what to do Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.

The view from the Yachtsman Steakhouse isn't too spectacular - just the people walking by outside. But it is a very nice place, and the steaks are yummy!

If you want a view, California Grill is the place to be!

Combine that view with world class sushi and the best hunk of beef in the universe, and you have a pretty spectacular meal at the California Grill!

Ok I need help...so Christmas Eve if we have dinner at California Grill, provided I can get reservations, will we be able to go back to the park in the after fireworks or will it be full? Do they have the snowfall on Main Street Christmas Eve?

We have stayed at the Boardwalk Inn four times now and absolutely love it. Last year we went for Thanksgiving and were able to enjoy all the fantastic Christmas decorations. You will love it. Spoodles is just out the front door and is a great place for Breakfast. I don't know if I would upgrade for water view again or not. We've done it every time and we have never been front and center. We are always down at one end where you have to almost lean out on the balcony and look to the left to see the lake. However, down at the end you can use the side end door and be 100 yds closer to the Epcot that if you'd gone out the front door. At night the Boardwalk is filled with excitement. There are jugglers, mime's, magicians, it is just great. They also open the food stands at night for hotdogs, corney dogs, pretzels, funnel cakes, the really healthy stuff, but the kids love it. Have a great time. You made the right choice.

Castle Crazy

If you have a choice I'd say get a room with a Boardwalk view and as high up as you can get. With that you can actually see the fireworks in both MK and Epcot.

It may be difficult getting certain rooms during certain times of the year. The Boardwalk is a DVC resort and have heard that the preferred views over the Cresent Lake and higher floors especially during the holidays are usually reserved for DVC members with home resort priority. 

Thanks to everyone for your positive feedback...now I need more help...Our 26 year old nephew is joining us for the first week of our holidays and, of course, we need more room. I have kept our Boardwalk Villa for our second week of holidays and had to switch our first week to Old Key West 2 bedroom villa! The price was good but is the villa?? :(

Key West the first DVC resort and has larger bedrooms.  I very lay back and relaxing place. You can take a boat to DD which could be a bit chilly during the holidays.  The hotel restaurant is very good. 

ijust got a wait list for 3 nights next week at bw. Why is it bad for small children?