Disney's BoardWalk Inn is my absolute favorite resort at Walt Disney World®. From the marquee lights on the front of the main building to the red planked siding, from the geraniums in the landscaping to the striped awnings over the storefronts along the boardwalk, I am madly in love with the Atlantic seaboard atmosphere. It feels like a vacation within a vacation. Sometimes I forget I'm even at Walt Disney World® - until I see the fireworks from Epcot® on the horizon!
(Photo credit: Magical Pix by Candi Clark)
I have spent a significant amount of time at Disney's BoardWalk Inn as a visitor over the years, until, finally, we stayed there as guests this past April in a lagoon view room situated right over Ample Hills Creamery. Disney Bucket List - check!
(Photo credit: Magical Pix by Candi Clark)
Aside from the unique and fun atmosphere, here are a few of my top reasons for why I love and recommend this deluxe resort to anyone who asks:
Proximity to Epcot® and Disney's Hollywood Studios. Being in the Epcot® resort area, Disney's BoardWalk Inn is a short 5-10 minute walk to the World Showcase entrance.
Disney's Hollywood Studios is a 20-25 minute walk. If you are trying to make rope drop at Hollywood Studios to race to Toy Story Mania or Jedi Training, I highly recommend leaving the boardwalk an hour before the park opens and walking there.
If you're not up for the walk or want to try out another mode of transportation, you can take a water taxi from the resort dock to Epcot®, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Beach Club Resort, or the Walt Disney World® Swan and Dolphin Hotels. Not having to rely solely on the bus system to get from place-to-place is a huge plus in my book.
There are so many food options. For Quick Service, you can visit the Trattoria al Forno pizza window, Ample Hills Creamery, Leaping Horse Libations, or my personal favorite, the BoardWalk Bakery. I recommend grabbing breakfast at the BoardWalk Bakery at least once before heading into the parks. The muffins are delicious and the coffee is free if you bring your refillable mug with you.
For Table Service, there is the ESPN Club, Big River Grille & Brewing Works, Flying Fish, and Trattoria al Forno. Your MousePros agent can help you secure reservations at any of these restaurants, and make sure you ask your agent about the new Bon Voyage Adventure character breakfast.
(Photo credit: Magical Pix by Candi Clark)
The view is incredible. Thanks to our MousePros agent, we were lucky enough on this last trip to snag a lagoon view room with a balcony. We were able to see Disney's Beach Club resort directly across Crescent Lake, and we had a great view of the entire boardwalk in both directions. In the evenings, we were able to sit on our balcony and watch the fireworks from Epcot® and Disney's Hollywood Studios. The string lights that lit up the boardwalk, the sounds of the nighttime performers and the sights of the people spending time on the boardwalk make this an incredible nighttime view.
There are plenty of options for spending a day at the resort without being bored. The carnival-themed Luna Park Pool is home to the clown faced Keister Coaster water slide. My younger son was three-years-old on our last trip, and once my husband walked him up the stairs, he was able to ride down safely by himself with water wings and a little bit of instruction from us to stay sitting upright. We also took a trip on the surrey bikes, took photos in the photo booth, visited the arcade, and did some shopping at the Screen Door General Store.
(Photo credit: Magical Pix by Candi Clark)
In the evening, we would watch the magicians and performers on the boardwalk and stop to watch a bit of the movie playing in the courtyard.
(Photo credit: Magical Pix by Candi Clark)
If you've stayed at Disney's BoardWalk Inn before, I'd love to know what your favorite part of it is! If you're still unsure, MousePros agents are here to answer your questions about Disney's BoardWalk Inn or any other Walt Disney World® resort. Contact us or visit our Facebook page to post your questions!