Disney’s Boardwalk Inn & Villas
By Jessica Martin, Rope Drop Travel Gold Advisor
As an avid Disney adult, Walt Disney World Annual Passholder, and a travel advisor with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner travel agency, one of the questions I get most often is “What is your favorite resort to stay at?” While I am the first to say that Disney resorts are not one size fits all and each travel party has different needs, I myself have a major frontrunner. And that frontrunner is Disney’s Boardwalk Inn and Villas. Whenever I walk through those doors, I feel like I am home. Now let’s explore everything about this property and why I love it so much!
In the words of Disney, “timeless elegance meets old-fashioned charm at this waterfront resort hotel.” Guests staying at Disney’s Boardwalk can go back in time to the early 20th century and transport themselves to Atlantic City and Coney Island. I love sitting in the gorgeous lobby and relaxing feeling like I have gone back in time. You will find unique touches throughout, like a model of Lucy the Elephant- a New Jersey landmark. With a full boardwalk right outside your door, there is so much to do, see and eat. With a variety of restaurants and entertainment, the Boardwalk has something for everyone. The close proximity to both Epcot and Hollywood Studios simply cannot be beat.
This resort is split into two parts- Disney’s Boardwalk Inn and Disney’s Boardwalk Villas. I have stayed on both sides in a variety of room types and love everything that this resort has to offer. It is important to note that regardless of where you stay, the Inn or the Villa, you will have access to all of the same amenities. So let’s dive into the Inn rooms. Guests can choose from a variety of views- standar view, garden view, or water view. Any of these three room types can sleep up to 5 adults and will feature a king bed or two queen beds and a daybed. This daybed makes for the perfect sitting area when relaxing in the room. Guests also have options to book club level rooms, which includes access to the Innkeeper’s Club Lounge. Here guests can find a curated assortment of foods, drinks, and desserts to enjoy throughout the day. At the Boardwalk Inn, guests can find suites in addition to the standard hotel rooms for those looking for a bit more luxury.
Disney’s Boardwalk Villas are styled so beautifully, guests will not want to check out. The first room option here is the Deluxe Studio. The studios sleep up to 5 adults This room comes equipped with a kitchenette with a small fridge, microwave, sink and coffeemaker. These features are perfect for those who want to try and enjoy their own quick meals or snacks in the room. Guests can also book a 1 Bedroom Villa. This is an amazing option for families, larger groups, or those looking for some extra space to relax. The 1 Bedroom Villa has a master bedroom, a split bathroom with 2 sink area, a living room, and a full kitchen. That’s right- a FULL kitchen. We are talking stove, oven, full sized refrigerator and dishwasher here. This room type gives guests flexibility to prepare some of their meals in house, store some of their favorite late night snacks, or just a great setup for coffee or cocktail making. Guests can also book a Deluxe Studio and 1 Bedroom Villa together to create their own 2 Bedroom Villa (this is what my family likes to do when we stay at this resort).
Pools are one of the most important resort features to Disney World guests. The Boardwalk has a carnival themed pool called the Luna Park Pool equipped with a waterslide, hot tub, and poolside bar that offers salads, sandwiches, small snacks and drinks. Younger guests can enjoy the Luna Park Crazy Play Area and splash around as much as their tiny hearts desire. In addition to the main pool, guests will find two leisure pools on property to take a dip in throughout their stay.
The Boardwalk offers a variety of activities for guests to enjoy. To me, this is what makes the resort feel like home. Right outside of the main lobby on the boardwalk, guests can rent a surrey bike. This is such an incredibly fun activity to do! Guests can ride the surrey about Crescent Lake and soak up views of the Beach Club, the Yacht Club, and the Swan and Dolphin hotels. When I did this activity in the past, we laughed the whole time! I highly recommend finding time to rent a surrey, even if just for one loop around the lake. Another favorite activity of mine is Movies Under the Stars. A huge projector is set up on the main lawn outside of the lobby and guests can enjoy their favorite Disney classics with a beautiful backdrop. I like to grab a funnel cake from the boardwalk before the movie starts to enjoy a treat throughout the movie- highly recommend. Guests can also enjoy other amenities like tennis lessons, fishing excursions, boat rentals on crescent lake, and an arcade. There is also a gym on the property for guests who like to get a good workout in before their park days.
My favorite part of this resort is the actual boardwalk that lies just steps away from the resort rooms. There is so much to do there from shopping to dining to entertainment. There is enough to keep guests busy and plenty of options for travelers to choose how they want to unwind in the evening. I personally love to hit the boardwalk after dark and walk the boards under the beautiful string lights. The vibes here in the evenings are relaxed but fun. You cannot miss shopping at the Screendoor General Store and Thimbles & Threads right on the boardwalk. These two stores are connected and are a great place to pick up your favorite Disney merchandise without the large crowds of the parks. I always enjoy chatting with the Cast Members here when shopping. Perhaps I am biased because this is my favorite resort, but they are some of the best of the best. Be sure to stop at the bakery counter and pick up a sweet treat, find a spot on a bench on the boardwalk, and soak up the view.
Aside from shopping, there is live entertainment on the boardwalk in the evening for guests to enjoy. Between around 7 to 10 pm, give or take, guests can find an assortment of street performing entertaining the guests. Here you will find jugglers, magicians, jump ropers, and other acts. These entertainers make their performance super engaging for the guests, so don’t be surprised if you are called upon to join them or lend a hand! Don’t miss the opportunity to play some traditional boardwalk games too. A little friendly competition with your travel party never hurts. And, there are plenty of special prizes to be won!
Along the boardwalk you can find a variety of snack stands to grab a quick bite or a meal to enjoy on the go. As I mentioned before, the Funnel Cake Cart is a must do. They are made to order and are just absolutely delicious. Guests can stop at the To-Go Cart for some boardwalk classics, like corn dogs and cheese dogs. And for those looking for a specialty cocktail, be sure to make a stop at Boardwalk Joe’s Famous Margarita stand. You can even get a spiked Dole Whip here!
As a foodie, the dining options at a resort are essential to me. While there are no restaurants “in” the actual resort, there are so many options to choose from on the boardwalk. The convenience of this for guests is fantastic. Knowing that you don’t need to utilize any Disney transportation to have a top notch meal is huge to me and my clients. Guests have three table service dining options- Flying Fish, Trattoria al Forno, and Big River Grille & Brewing Works. With a variety of cuisines and price points, there really is something for everyone. Flying Fish is known for their sustainable seafood. Trattoria al Forno specializes in Italian cuisine (this spot is always a hit for all meals, but I love the breakfast). Big River Grille & Brewing Works features an American style menu and is an actual working microbrewery! In addition to the traditional table service locations, guests can grab a pizza from the Pizza Window attached to Trattoria al Forno or pick up sandwiches from the Boardwalk Deli. The plethora of options really makes it easy for guests to eat high quality food in a way that works for them with their ever changing Disney schedules.
Aside from the restaurants, there are some amazing bar options for guests looking to extend their night. Guests can try a huge assortment of specialty cocktails at AbracadaBar. Those looking to dance the night away will find a great playlist and drinks at the Atlantic Dance Hall. Then there is my personal favorite bar on all of Walt Disney World Property, Jelly Rolls. While there is a cover fee, this dueling piano bar is absolutely worth it. For those who love dueling pianos and feel good singalongs, this is the spot for you. I highly recommend getting to this location early to grab yourself a seat because you will want to stay for the long haul! The musicians who rotate throughout the night are extremely talented and so funny. You will sing and laugh the night away here. I make this stop a priority nearly every trip.
Aside from the food and drink, the other major piece I think about when picking a resort is the convenience of the location. I want a property that gives me easy access to as many things as possible. That is why I love the Boardwalk Inn and Villas. The close proximity to Epcot and Hollywood Studios are just amazing. Guests can walk to either park, take the Friendship Boats (my personal favorite form of Disney transportation), or take the Skyliner over to Hollywood Studios. You can arrive at either park in just minutes from stepping out of your hotel room. I find this especially helpful when visiting Disney during an Epcot Festival. This makes it easier for me to pop back into Epcot to try as many of the festival plates as I can! Time is money, especially on a Disney vacation, so this is a major factor in why I return to this property over and over again. There is still bus transportation to Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom for guests to utilize throughout their stay. In addition to the parks, guests staying at the Boardwalk are so close to Disney’s Beach Club Resort, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin hotels and the Walt Disney World Swan Reserve. This gives the guests even more options for dining, shopping, and activities without needing to plan how they will be transporting themselves to another area of the Disney property.
The Boardwalk Resort will always feel like home to me. The resort is big and offers a ton of amenities, but still feels cozy and personal. There are room types to suit the needs of every type of traveling party. Knowing that there is access to so much food, entertainment, and the parks makes your stay extremely convenient. I will continue to come back to this property time and time again and will always recommend it when it suits the needs of my clients. For all of the extra offerings, it really is a great bang for your buck at the deluxe price point. I hope that after reading this, you are eager to try out this resort if you have not yet done so. You will not be disappointed!
If you are interested in learning more about Disney’ Boardwalk Inn and Villas, send me an email at [email protected]. Let’s make magic together!
