Editor’s Update: March 20, 2024
(A version of this article was shared on Pirates & Princesses, along with similar articles on other Disney Resort Pocket Guide pieces.)
Come one, come all, to the heart of America’s nostalgic carnival era. A visit to Disney’s BoardWalk Inn and Villas will bring you back to the days of corn dogs, carnival prizes, and waterfront walks. Can you smell the popcorn and funnel cakes?
BoardWalk is located in the Epcot neighborhood (which means it’s close to Disney Hollywood Studios as well). A five-minute walk will bring guests to Epcot’s World Showcase entrance, and a 15 to 20-minute walk will land guests in Hollywood Studios. Relaxing water taxis can briskly shuttle guests between the two parks and the other nearby resorts, including Disney’s Yacht Club and Beach Club resorts, and the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels. The Epcot stop on the Disney Skyliner will float guests to even more resorts (did someone say dinner at Disney’s Riviera Resort?). And of course, those tried-and-true resort buses can travel anywhere else on property.
The standard rooms (including deluxe level rooms) can sleep between two and five adults. If you have a larger party, or just want more space, consider a two-bedroom suite, which can sleep up to nine adults. If you have a super-sized travel party, the resort’s largest accommodations are gigantic Grand Villas, which can sleep up to twelve adults. As with most Disney resort hotels, preferred rooms and deluxe level rooms offer guests better views and more convenient placement within the resort area. The planDisney PDF Pocket Guide offers more details on the different room types.
Who’s hungry? The BoardWalk offers several enjoyable options. Flying Fish serves up a variety of signature dining options, specializing in seafood (as the name suggests) but also excelling at a full range of American fare. There is a requested dress code for Flying Fish, so check out their dining sight before heading over for dinner. Trattoria Al Forno will fill the stomach with savory Italian food, and serves up a nice breakfast as well. For what may be considered the best breakfast on-the-go, visit the BoardWalk Deli for a freshly baked mouthwatering treat, then take it with you when you walk to the park, or for a stroll along the grounds. Aside from the dining options at the BoardWalk, guests can also choose from so many other great dining options in the Epcot resort area. Why limit yourself?
The BoardWalk has a pretty nice shopping setup for small groceries and resort-specific merchandise. The primary shopping options come in one tidy package. Screen Door General Store carries most of the food, Thimbles & Threads offers a nice assortment of clothing, and Disney’s Character Carnival carries toys and kids items. All three shops have separate storefronts, but they are connected on the inside, similar to Magic Kingdom’s Emporium.
For fun in the sun, Luna Park Pool is the place to be. This recreation area echoes the amusement park vibe of the 1920s, with a roller coaster-themed water slide, carnival-themed snack bar area (Leaping Horse Libations), and water-spouting elephants. Sadly, the giant clown head at the outlet of the water slide was removed, so the pool can no longer be accurately referred to as the “clown pool.” Luna Park Pool also has a kiddie play area and a hot tub. Two other smaller pools are available for guests who wish to enjoy a more leisurely swim.
The BoardWalk offers nighttime campfires and movies under the stars, along with fishing in nearby Crescent Lake, tennis, and other activities at the Ferris W. Eahlers Community Hall. Runners and walkers will love the connectivity between the BoardWalk and other nearby resorts. A straight-up loop around Crescent Lake is a little under a mile in length, but add in trail journeys to the other nearby resort, or even the paths heading to Epcot and Hollywood Studios, and runners can easily rack up a half dozen miles. Don’t forget to hydrate!
Disney’s BoardWalk Inn feels like an old-fashioned American summer party, offering guests a ton of entertainment in the cozy confines of their nostalgic home away from home. This resort is a treasure not to be missed!
planDisney Pocket Guides are especially helpful to guests who are considering staying at a resort they’ve never before experienced. The Pocket Guides take the form of 5-14 page PDF slides, which are easily printable and savable to smart devices. They offer efficient snapshots of the resort basics, including:
- Transportation options
- Room sizes
- Food and beverage options and locations
- Pools and recreation activities
- Shopping
- Tips from the planDisney panel
Check out the full list of planDisney Pocket Guide summaries here.
In addition to Disney Parks Blog, planDisney also releases Pocket Guides via their Instagram page. Following their IG feed is a great way to stay updated on the newest releases.
If you enjoyed this article, feel free to reach out with a message on social: Instagram Facebook X
