We just got back after a 9 day trip to WDW. We spent the first 5 nights at the Boardwalk Villas in a one-bedroom apartment and the remaining 4 nights in a one-bedroom apartment in the Key West section of Sheraton's Vistana Villas. The Vistana was the winner in terms of price AND amenities. We had an extra half bathroom, a full formal dining area and better/more convenient drawer/closet space. Parking was also a breeze.
At both hotels we had a pool view--Luna Park at Boardwalk and the Key West quiet pool and water features at Vistana.
We got home yesterday, and today, we were talking about next year's visit for Food and Wine and will probably spend the whole week at the Vistana. We had a good rate ($99/night) using a
Dreams Unlimited offer code, so the four nights at the Vistana cost about the same as 1 night at the Boardwalk. I have an annual pass, so I don't have to pay for parking when we drive to Disney ourselves, so no need to add in that as an additional cost.
The advantages to us for staying at the Boardwalk are Extra Magic Hour Evenings (we are lame and never use the Extra Magic Hour Mornings), walking distance to World Showcase and all of the Boardwalk, stumbling distance from the Belle Vue Lounge, Resort delivery of purchases, key to the world for charging to the room, and availability of the WDW resort transportation system.
The downside for staying at the Boardwalk, we've now seen better rooms (at the Vistana), PRICE, $9.95/day for internet, $12/day to valet park, availability and PRICE. Did I say price twice?
The advantages to us for staying at the Sheraton Vistana Villas are easy access to car with free parking, short/direct routes to WDW theme parks, PRICE, easy access to 528 to get to Kennedy Space Center, gorgeous/functional rooms, PRICE, FREE WiFi, and a 24-hour Walgreen's about half a mile down the road.
The biggest downside at the Sheraton Vistana Villas is loss of the Extra Magic Evening hours. This time of year Park Hours are short with closings of the AK at 5pm, Studios and MK at 7pm, and Epcot at 9pm. I travel on business a LOT, so staying in an apartment vs. a standard hotel room is important. An oddity was the extra swampy quality of the tap water at the Sheraton. The Boardwalk required only a single trip through the Brita filter to be palatable. The water at the Vistana Villas took two, and you really need to scent the water in the Jacuzzi there or the whole apartment can take on a swampy odor.
We'll see what next year brings, but until then, Sheraton Vistana Villas is a winner!