Boardwalk or WL?

[TOTguest1127]

I know they are two very different themed resorts, but I am dying to stay at both of them. To anyone that has stayed at both, which do you suggest for my trip in September? This will be my first time in a deluxe resort. I usually stay at POFQ, but I'm ready for an upgrade, haha.

 

[fredtom]

We've stayed in the villas at both resorts and love them both, and would definitely go back. I would suggest splitting your stay between the two resorts if you're planning five nights or more. It's better, though, if you can spend at least three nights at one place rather than two. Transferring is easy too-- just call Bell Services when you're ready to check out and let them know where you'd like to transfer your luggage-- unless your transporting yourselves.

Hope you have a great time.

"An Adventurer's life is best!" :lol:

 

[shoppingnut]

It depends. If you really like going to Epcot, then I would say Boardwalk, since you can walk to the back gate in like 5 mins. It's also a very happening area at night. The Jellyrolls night club is a blast, they have duling piano players and you can request songs. There is also a dance club.

 

[Computer Magic]

Wl...

 

[Kingdom Konsultant]

I've stayed at both resorts and like them both. I would suggest WL for your first time. It has wonderful theming with the geyser that goes off every hour and the waterfall. Whispering Canyon Cafe is a great restaurant and the overall atmosphere is just majestic.

Enjoy your trip!

Pam

 

[ExBellhop]

Having stayed at both (Boardwalk the night I got engaged, Lodge for the first nights of our Honeymoon), I much MUCH prefer the Boardwalk. Lots going on around you, super quick access to Epcot and MGM, Mini Golf is *right* there, fun stuff along the boardwalk through the early evening - and Jellyrolls is a blast (esp Sundays for CM night :animwink. And, unless they've changed things at the WL, better bus service. As I recall, a trip to the TTC was necessary to get to some locales from the WL. That may have changed - regardless, you're still pretty far out, compared to the Boardwalk...

I dunno... just some thoughts and opinion

-ExBellhop

 

[justducky78]

I vote Boardwalk. WL is fun, great theming but it feels more like a moderate to me. Boardwalk has a great location/restaurants and you can walk to Epcot, boat to MGM.

I love the WL but the transportation drove us crazy! And we are very laid-back (no worries) type of people. We split our trip, 6 days at WL and 4 days on the Epcot side (YC) and just prefer staying on that side.

Especially if you don't have kids, it's just more relaxing at Boardwalk or any of the hotels in that area. Either way, you'll have a blast...

 

[Braves323]

If you want a hotel that will allow you time to relax I would suggest the WL. In my opinion the theming is better. Great fireplaces. It is a quieter hotel. The transportation is an issue there.
The Boardwalk offers more activity with Jellyrolls, more resturants (ESPN club is great if you liek sports). The transportation is easier with a very short walk to the back of Epcot. If you have kids I would recommend the Boardwalk. They have more for the kids with midway style games, arcade, bike rides, face painting, ice cream shops.

 

[tigsmom]

I've stayed at both and I would have to say WL, hands down!

While the Boardwalk Inn is very nice it is also very large (not too homey), all the restaurants are out on the boardwalk (no running for a quick snack) and the bus transportation bites.

The WL is smaller and very cozy (I've seen people sleeping in the lobby), has some great restaurants, great atmosphere and you can take the boat to the MK or the Contemporary to hit the monorail if you want to. We have never had an issue with the bus service there either. It also costs less.

 

[Love Mickey 18B]

I've stayed at WL many times. It is our favorite, love the atmosphere. We normally go during the beginning of December and love the Christmas Decorations and the fact that we can get to MVMCP easily. And you can go over to the Contemporary via boat and start the Resort Christmas viewing via monorail. And take the monorail over to Epcot after transferring.

With all that, we stayed at Boardwalk one April/May visit and loved the easy access to the Flower and Garden happenings. It took us 3 days to get onto a bus. We kept walking to Epcot and MGM. Also loved that we were back at our resort just 10 minutes after Illuminations. And there is always activity going on then on the Boardwalk.

We found BW to be a very quiet resort, except for the main pool area.

WL costs less to stay than BW.

You cannot go wrong with either. BTW - PO both RS and FQ are are fav mods.

 

[shoppingnut]

the bus transportation bites.

Nooooo, don't tell me that, we are staying at the BW for the first time next month. I'm taking my nephew and it's his first time at a deluxe which he picked out. I'm so looking forward to it since my nephew loves Epcot and thought it would be great since we could walk there. I do like going to MK which is my favorite park, but thought the buses wouldn't be bad.

 

[cdunbar]

I stayed in the WL right after it opened and found the rooms to be small, very small. I have not stayed at the boardwalk but know friends who have they have always enjoyed in imensley

 

[tigsmom]

Nooooo, don't tell me that, we are staying at the BW for the first time next month. I'm taking my nephew and it's his first time at a deluxe which he picked out. I'm so looking forward to it since my nephew loves Epcot and thought it would be great since we could walk there. I do like going to MK which is my favorite park, but thought the buses wouldn't be bad.

When we stayed there last August, the bus service was shared by the 5 EPCOT hotels. They were very crowded (to the point that it was packed even with people standing) and few & far between. We walked to EPCOT, took the boat to MGM, drove to AK and only took the bus to MK. It was horrendous after evening EMH.

 

[DigitalDisney]

WL wins hands down for theming. It's just awe-inspiring. The Electric Water Pageant also floats by WL at night.

However, Boardwalk has nice theming and has one of the best locations in all of WDW. It's across the lake from the Yacht and Beach Club, which are both incredible resorts. It's a short walk away from Epcot. It's also a decent walk / bus ride from MGM. Not only that, but MK and AK are equidistant from the resort.

The reason transportation is important is because WL isn't really close to anything. The MK is obviously the closest, but you will have to wait for a boat. Everything is only accessible via bus, with MGM and AK being pretty far away. If you want to use the monorail, you will have to take a boat to the Contemporary first.

You won't lose either way. It's just a matter of what your priorities are.

 

[ExBellhop]

When we stayed there last August, the bus service was shared by the 5 EPCOT hotels. They were very crowded (to the point that it was packed even with people standing) and few & far between. We walked to EPCOT, took the boat to MGM, drove to AK and only took the bus to MK. It was horrendous after evening EMH.

As of early June, the bus transportation is split - 1 bus takes Swan, Dolphin, BW, another bus takes Yacht and Beach. I find bus service is FAR more frustrating at WL...

-ExBellhop

 

[slappy magoo]

Not to be too blunt about it, but how much do you like to drink?

I personally prefer the theming of Wilderness, but staying at Boardwalk does give you more options for nighttime entertainment & libations, not only in the boardwalk itself, but with all the other resorts within walking distance and of course being close to Epcot's back door.

If you live in jersey, you might appreciate this (or, if you're a Jersey purist, you might not ). Many of the seaside "boardwalk"-type towns in Jersey had disappeared or fallen by the wayside for decades-think Asbury Park, Long branch, heck, even Atlantic Highlands used to have a boardwalk. Disney's Boardwalk is more an idealization of what the boardwalks used to be like, but now, with Monmouth County basically saying "Eminent Domain, Shmeminent Shmomain," boardwalks are popping up again in Long Branch, and they more closely resemble Disney's idealized boardwalk than an actual boardwalk! Very post-modern, like Frank Lloyd Wright & Kevin Williamson had a little baby.