We have our first look at a fully refurbished deluxe studio at Disney’s BoardWalk Villas!
Disney’s BoardWalk Villas have long been a favorite among Disney Vacation Club (DVC) owners for their unique charm, vibrant colors, and nostalgic atmosphere. However, the current refurbishment process has left many of us feeling somewhat disappointed.
The resort is currently undergoing a full hard-goods refurbishment that was expected to breathe new life into the resort while preserving its quintessential Disney charm. Unfortunately, the finished product seems to be leaning more towards uniformity than uniqueness.
The New Design
Those familiar with the recent room refurbishments on the BoardWalk Inn side of the resort will find the new design all too familiar. It appears that the current trend in refurbishments at resorts that share a cash/hotel side is to make the rooms look identical. This was also observed in the refurbishments of Big Pine Key and other adjacent buildings at Disney’s Grand Floridian.
Most notably absent are the vibrant colors we’ve come to associate with the BoardWalk Villas. The exteriors of the DVC buildings that exhibit a colorful charisma, no longer mirror what Guests can expect inside the rooms.
Inside the room, the beautiful blue/green color scheme, which even inspired Amy and me to repaint part of our home, has been replaced with a drab tan. The whimsical feel once evoked by the accents and pops of red in the artwork and throw pillows is now noticeably missing.
The Silver Lining
Despite these changes, there are still some positives to be found in the refurbished rooms. The best features of the newly refurbished BoardWalk rooms are the addition of the Murphy pull-down bed, replacing the previous couch bed, and the single pull-down Murphy bed. These beds feature some of the rooms’ most colorful artwork, providing a small reminder of the resort’s former vibrancy.
We would like to thank Aaron for sharing photos of the refurbished rooms. We look forward to exploring these new rooms in person and sharing a full review with you on an upcoming trip.
A Change of Heart?
As owners of the resort, we resonate with many who feel that the Disney character is slowly being removed from these properties throughout the refurbishment process. This time, it has hit too close to home. We hope Disney reconsiders this trend and brings back the unique charm and character that make Disney Vacation Club properties so special.
Until then, we will continue to cherish the memories of the BoardWalk Villas as they were, while looking forward to making new ones in their refurbished state. Despite the changes, we can’t wait to experience these newly remodeled villas on an upcoming trip and share more with you all. Thanks to Aaron Holst-grubbe for sharing these photos in the Boardwalk DVC Facebook Group!
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I absolutely hate the single pull-down Murphy beds that Disney is putting into all their studios. Only because they take away much needed drawers. Where are we supposed to put our clothes now? I guess keep them folded in the suitcase, because the closets don’t usually have enough hangers / space to accommodate everyone’s shirts, shorts, bathing suits, underwear, socks, sweaters, pjs, etc.
I would much rather they did the bed chairs for the sort-of-twin-sized extra bed so we wouldn’t lose our storage space.
Totally agree the Disney character is being erased from the DVC and other resorts! Trying to save money and losing the Disney brand. Probably paying my dues this year for a large trip next year and then selling all my contracts at DVC due to much higher prices, losing the Disney brand and service along with all the wokeness. Love Disney, mostly the old Disney. You used to go and it was a luxury vacation. Now you pay so much more and get so much less! I can go to any hotel and and get the same thing with the tiny bit of Disney character that is now thrown into the rooms and that includes the 2 and 3 bedrooms.
Well at least new furnishings etc. I do find it kind of cookie cutter. Don’t know why they have moved away from more Disney specific decor . It was more fun to be immersed in the theme. Thanks Amy and Paul for the photos❤️