Happy 20th birthday BWV!
On July 1, 1996, Disney’s BoardWalk Villas opened as the 2nd DVC resort at Walt Disney World and the 4th DVC resort overall. It was the 1st mixed-use DVC – the first attached to a deluxe hotel.
In a first for Disney, the BoardWalk Resort complex, designed by renowned architect Robert A.M. Stern, combined a deluxe hotel, timeshare units, restaurants and entertainment and shopping elements in a single location – Disney’s BoardWalk. It was the first major entertainment district to open in Central Florida since Disney opened Pleasure Island in 1989.
Besides the BoardWalk Inn hotel and BoardWalk Villas, it had a 20,000-square-foot conference center, shops and the usual mix of pools, tennis courts and other amenities. The complex also had a lakefront entertainment district with restaurants, nightclubs and a ”brewpub” serving beer made on site – all located on a wooden boardwalk fronting Crescent Lake.
This hotel was designed to be reminiscent of the boardwalks that were famous along Atlantic City and Ocean City, New Jersey in the 1920s–1940s. The sherbet-colored facades, flagged turrets, striped awnings, and “Keister Coaster” water slide resembling a wooden roller coaster were all inspired by that by-gone era.
The complex, was originally planned to have an antique carousel and a Ferris wheel. However, the plans were scaled down and became more modest.
Below are some of the plans for a Boardwalk resort from late 1993.
Our complete Boardwalk Villas information page is located HERE
Over the past 20 years, people have enjoyed staying at the Boardwalk due to it’s closeness to both Epcot and Disney’s Holiday Studios. So please join me in celebrating this milestone anniversary.
Happy 14th birthday BCV!
Across the lake, the Beach Club Villas is celebrating it’s 14th anniversary, having opened on July 1, 2002.
Like its sister resort, Disney’s Beach Club Villas were designed by noted architect Robert A.M. Stern, best known for his East Coast seaside houses. The new ownership resort was inspired by the casual elegance of Cape May oceanfront homes built in the early 20th century, reflecting a light, comfortable ambiance as characterized by the use of whimsical “stick-style” architecture, pastel colors, porches and other decorative elements.
Our complete Beach Club Villas Villas information page is located HERE
We stayed at Boardwalk on July 1, 1996 and bought the timeshare that week, we loved it then and love it now 20 years later, no regrets!!
We purchased in 1998 and added a few more points also at Boardwalk, We love it!!