News Disney's BoardWalk Inn to Undergo Refurbishment Through 2026

[TrainsOfDisney]

Right??

It was cool when the Braves played there. But what now?

Bananas

 

[UNCgolf]

Right??

It was cool when the Braves played there. But what now?

I think it sees regular use in terms of youth, high school, etc. sporting events, but it doesn't have anything for a random guest to do. At one point it actually had activities if you visited.

 

[castlecake2.0]

There is work happening in those shuttered locations which leads me to believe something is planned. If not Disney would take their usual route of forgetting it exists.

 

[JMcMahonEsq]

This is not an accurate statement.

How is it not an accurate statement?

What about the location, and WDW's actions surrounding it would lead you to believe this isn't accurate.

WDW doesn't allow public parking for the BW.
WDW doesn't provide bus transportation to the board walk itself, like it does say the parks, or Disney Springs.

WDW doesn't provide late night transporation back/forth from the boardwalk to other resorts.
WDW doesn't provide any access to the BW from the TTC or other "public" WDW transportation.

WDW isn't activity marketing the area to outsiders. It has been removing things like Jelly Rolls, hang out type locations. It isn't putting in entertainment shows like the drones at Disney Springs or other acts to DRAW people to the area.

It is not filling up the empty locations with options that are readily excessable or spur of the moment QS type locations. You are getting things that require reservations to use, like the Bake Shop and Sit down restaurants, much more akin to a resort setting than a general public area.

So, given all those things, what is inaccurate about Penquin's statement?

 

[mattpeto]

WDW long ago stopped advertising BWI's boardwalk as a general pop destination.

The actual boardwalk is a feature of the deluxe resort as mach as the much-vaunted Storm Along Bay is a deluxe feature of Yacht. If you're not a guest of Yacht, you're not welcome to their mini-water park.

BWI takes most of the features and amenities you would find inside a deluxe resort and places them outward-facing toward a boardwalk. If you're not a guest of BWI, then the boardwalk and its stores, food service, and entertainment is not for you, with the exception of the table service restaurants. All table service restaurants welcome and want 'outsiders.' This is why you can park at BWI if you have a TS reservation.

When the boardwalk was once advertised as a gen-pop destination, they had issues with late-night noisy and drunk outsiders hanging out loudly on the boardwalk keeping their paying guests from getting some sleep. And so, they stopped that.

The boardwalk's 'problem' is that is an open-air throughfare for all the Crescent Lake resorts, and for those visiting DHS and Epcot who can walk there or take the boats or Skyway... and therefore, it also has easy access from CBR and Pop and ArtofA guests. This still gives some guests the feel that the boardwalk is a WDW-wide destination when BWI doesn't want it to be that anymore.

Anyhoo, this is just to point out that BWI is happy to turn away anyone from their parking lot who doesn't have a reservation for their restaurants in order to keep the boardwalk from being a hangout for outsiders. Additionally, it deters people from parking there as free parking to EPCOT or DHS, which WDW, as a whole, clamps down on, especially for the Seven Seas resorts for the same reason.

And any complaints about "I just want to hang out at the boardwalk" is met with an implicit "well, if you're not a guest of BWI... we'd prefer you didn't... we exist for our paying guests."

I do think while what you are saying is mostly accurate, they do post hours of the Boardwalk at their app (6:30 AM to 10:00 PM) which makes that outdoor unique from other resort offerings.

EDIT - @surfsupdon beat me to it.

 

[JMcMahonEsq]

I think it sees regular use in terms of youth, high school, etc. sporting events, but it doesn't have anything for a random guest to do. At one point it actually had activities if you visited.

A lot of the High Schools around us use ESPN for a spring training destination for their Baseball and/or Softball teams, (which given the 2 feet of snow hanging around NJ right now, makes alot of sense.)

It's a really nice complex, has some good fields and facilities. Not sure how to properly really leverage that with a typical WDW vacation experience. We travel for all of the summer for baseball, and alot of the fall as well, so we would hit right into the demographic for it. But on a typical vacation that isn't for a tournament, we aren't going to be brining bats, equipment, ect., to make real use of any of their facilities. And i think its really too big, and not a huge amount of interest in just having it set up for batting cages or something like that.

Given the location I am a bit surprised it hasn't been looked at more to be leveraged for spring training and/or minor league games.

 

[KDM31091]

Apparently there is work going on on the Big River Grille site. Hopefully a real quick service or reasonable table service is coming.

 

[mastromjm]

I was over there yesterday and this is what the Big River site looked like. At least eight workers were working inside.

Other updates: Atlantic Dance Hall is now only open Friday-Sunday. Jellyrolls sits empty and from the very little peek you can get from the upper windows, looks completely untouched.

 

[castlecake2.0]

View attachment 908524
I was over there yesterday and this is what the Big River site looked like. At least eight workers were working inside.

Other updates: Atlantic Dance Hall is now only open Friday-Sunday. Jellyrolls sits empty and from the very little peek you can get from the upper windows, looks completely untouched.

Something definitely going on in there, Disney doesn’t renovate shuttered venues until they have to. Someone on FB staying at the boardwalk said they asked a construction worker what it was and was told "a hotdog place".

 

[Calmdownnow]

How is it not an accurate statement?

What about the location, and WDW's actions surrounding it would lead you to believe this isn't accurate.

WDW doesn't allow public parking for the BW.
WDW doesn't provide bus transportation to the board walk itself, like it does say the parks, or Disney Springs.

WDW doesn't provide late night transporation back/forth from the boardwalk to other resorts.
WDW doesn't provide any access to the BW from the TTC or other "public" WDW transportation.

WDW isn't activity marketing the area to outsiders. It has been removing things like Jelly Rolls, hang out type locations. It isn't putting in entertainment shows like the drones at Disney Springs or other acts to DRAW people to the area.

It is not filling up the empty locations with options that are readily excessable or spur of the moment QS type locations. You are getting things that require reservations to use, like the Bake Shop and Sit down restaurants, much more akin to a resort setting than a general public area.

So, given all those things, what is inaccurate about Penquin's statement?

Just curious... Given your interest in the subject, what do you believe Disney is aiming to do with the Boardwalk area in order to enhance visitor/guest experience? And what would you like them to do that you aren't already seeing?

 

[JMcMahonEsq]

Just curious... Given your interest in the subject, what do you believe Disney is aiming to do with the Boardwalk area in order to enhance visitor/guest experience? And what would you like them to do that you aren't already seeing?

First I don’t don’t think that’s even a question that is considered. The question is about revenue/profit generation, not guest satisfaction.

Second, it comes down to what is the purpose of rhe boardwalk. Is it being looked at as a seperate revenue generating source, like say Disney Springs? It could be in which case you are marking it as a place for all WDW guests/customers to visit. I think it’s clear WDW doesn’t want it/isn’t trying to make it such. Theres no independent parking, there’s no independent transportation. Theres no real access post park closer/after hours. I think they are looking at it as more of an extended lobby for the area hotels, including conventioneers who are staying at the S&D properties, which as a frequent hotel guest in that area, is what I would want. I wouldn’t be spending the money that a boardwalk park view room is, and expect to hear late night noise/partying coming from downstairs.

It’s not a perfect analogy but it’s the equivalent of the restaurants and shops that you see many times in the space between a casino floor, and the casino hotel elevator section. It’s means for people coming from the parks to have a spot to stop and spend before they get to their hotel rooms. Or for people stopping in because they want a break from the casino/park for awhile. As opposed to a signature restaurant that is attracting people to the site just to eat there, and not stay/gamble.

 

[Calmdownnow]

First I don’t don’t think that’s even a question that is considered. The question is about revenue/profit generation, not guest satisfaction.

Second, it comes down to what is the purpose of rhe boardwalk. Is it being looked at as a seperate revenue generating source, like say Disney Springs? It could be in which case you are marking it as a place for all WDW guests/customers to visit. I think it’s clear WDW doesn’t want it/isn’t trying to make it such. Theres no independent parking, there’s no independent transportation. Theres no real access post park closer/after hours. I think they are looking at it as more of an extended lobby for the area hotels, including conventioneers who are staying at the S&D properties, which as a frequent hotel guest in that area, is what I would want. I wouldn’t be spending the money that a boardwalk park view room is, and expect to hear late night noise/partying coming from downstairs.

It’s not a perfect analogy but it’s the equivalent of the restaurants and shops that you see many times in the space between a casino floor, and the casino hotel elevator section. It’s means for people coming from the parks to have a spot to stop and spend before they get to their hotel rooms. Or for people stopping in because they want a break from the casino/park for awhile. As opposed to a signature restaurant that is attracting people to the site just to eat there, and not stay/gamble.

Thanks for your response. It interests me that you think dvc member, other guests and conference participants want to be in bed pretty soon after park closure. As a European visitor, the concept of "everyone needs to bed down once the parks close" is a bit odd and leaves "money on the table", particularly given summer temperatures when wandering around at night is more comfortable than spending time outside during the day. I would have thought that the Boardwalk area with a distinct post-closure offering could be a selling point in a tight conference hospitality market. In other words, Disney potentially could re-purpose the Boardwalk to add value to it's conference pitch (without taking any money away from Disney Springs).

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

The boardwalk features live entertainment until 10:00 pm - the Abracadabar is open until midnight and the dance hall is open until 1:00 AM.

So if they don’t want people enjoying the boardwalk past 9:00 PM they have a strange way of showing it!

 

[surfsupdon]

The boardwalk features live entertainment until 10:00 pm - the Abracadabar is open until midnight and the dance hall is open until 1:00 AM.

So if they don’t want people enjoying the boardwalk past 9:00 PM they have a strange way of showing it!

I agree. They want you there, they just have a terrible way of understanding how to tell you they want you there. The people that run these Resorts and Parks are not fans. They haven't a clue.

I recently had a discussion with an upper manager at CBR who had no idea that the bus stops still had signs for bike and boat rentals after more than 5 years of not having them. They were shocked. These managers have no idea about the grounds they are in charge of, except when it comes to money. They do not have a clue.

To your point, the BoardWalk needs people to purchase and buy items (food and merch), so the more they get the better it is. Atlantic Dance could be crazy fun and busy with a Disney coverband on weekends (hello The Little Mermen), and the other venues would be more popular with guidemaps placed in the Skyliner Hotels showcasing the afterdark fun that can happen after the parks close. Keep Skyliner open till 12/1230 to monopolize on the fun. But they truly do not understand how great it could be.

 

[Calmdownnow]

The boardwalk features live entertainment until 10:00 pm - the Abracadabar is open until midnight and the dance hall is open until 1:00 AM.

So if they don’t want people enjoying the boardwalk past 9:00 PM they have a strange way of showing it!

I have stayed at the Dolphin, the Boardwalk Villas and the Beach Club and never once seen any promotional information telling me that the Dance Hall even existed, let alone what the opening hours are. And, as you know, if you've ever been in it, the Abracadabar bar is tiny inside. Let's face it. Disney just wants guests to be tucked in and putting the Zeds out by 10.30 every night. Which is weird given that so many visitors no longer live by those hours. As I said, money is being left on the table

 

[JMcMahonEsq]

Thanks for your response. It interests me that you think dvc member, other guests and conference participants want to be in bed pretty soon after park closure. As a European visitor, the concept of "everyone needs to bed down once the parks close" is a bit odd and leaves "money on the table", particularly given summer temperatures when wandering around at night is more comfortable than spending time outside during the day. I would have thought that the Boardwalk area with a distinct post-closure offering could be a selling point in a tight conference hospitality market. In other words, Disney potentially could re-purpose the Boardwalk to add value to it's conference pitch (without taking any money away from Disney Springs).

Who said anything about everyone needed to be in bed right after park closes (although I think the majority of guests that isn’t too far off.) My point as for as the boardwalk area is that this location, built literally right under the bedroom windows of a large deluxe resort is not a viable location for a large late night entertainment location.

 

[JMcMahonEsq]

The boardwalk features live entertainment until 10:00 pm - the Abracadabar is open until midnight and the dance hall is open until 1:00 AM.

So if they don’t want people enjoying the boardwalk past 9:00 PM they have a strange way of showing it!

Its not a boolean decision matrix where its either the entire place is shut down by 8PM, or open to the general public and advertised as a revenue generating center. They clearly think the boardwalk serves some function, its a question of what they want that function to be. It is not something they are looking at to draw crowds. It's not set up for it, and no attempts have been made to make it as such. As other posters have mentioned here, thinks like the Dance Hall aren't really promoted all that much within the area hotels themselves, let alone outside the area to general WDW guests. They are viewing it as an extended lobby/amenity of the area hotels.

Like a hotel bar/lounge that is open past 10PM, its there, but its not meant to draw in crowds, outside a set customer base.

If you are staying in the boardwalk hotel, to you want that area inundated with late night crowds from outside the resort area? You are booking a deluxe resort, not looking to stay upstairs at Disney Springs. WDW has the Disney Springs area, which is perfectly set up to host a later night type setting, with numerous bars, restaurants, music, which also has its own dedicated parking structures, bus access, and isn't smack dab underneath deluxe guest rooms, why would you also look to host the same type of crowd at the boardwalk?

 

[monothingie]

Its not a boolean decision matrix where its either the entire place is shut down by 8PM, or open to the general public and advertised as a revenue generating center. They clearly think the boardwalk serves some function, its a question of what they want that function to be. It is not something they are looking at to draw crowds. It's not set up for it, and no attempts have been made to make it as such. As other posters have mentioned here, thinks like the Dance Hall aren't really promoted all that much within the area hotels themselves, let alone outside the area to general WDW guests. They are viewing it as an extended lobby/amenity of the area hotels.

Like a hotel bar/lounge that is open past 10PM, its there, but its not meant to draw in crowds, outside a set customer base.

If you are staying in the boardwalk hotel, to you want that area inundated with late night crowds from outside the resort area? You are booking a deluxe resort, not looking to stay upstairs at Disney Springs. WDW has the Disney Springs area, which is perfectly set up to host a later night type setting, with numerous bars, restaurants, music, which also has its own dedicated parking structures, bus access, and isn't smack dab underneath deluxe guest rooms, why would you also look to host the same type of crowd at the boardwalk?

I guess they didn't get your brief Mr. "Lawyer" since they have a new jazz lounge replacing Jelly Rolls for late night entertainment.

 

[Tuvalu]

If you are staying in the boardwalk hotel, to you want that area inundated with late night crowds from outside the resort area? You are booking a deluxe resort, not looking to stay upstairs at Disney Springs. WDW has the Disney Springs area, which is perfectly set up to host a later night type setting, with numerous bars, restaurants, music, which also has its own dedicated parking structures, bus access, and isn't smack dab underneath deluxe guest rooms.

You might want to avoid The Grand Californian at DL, where deluxe rooms are “upstairs” at Downtown Disney.

 

[MisterPenguin]

If you're not staying at a Crescent Lake hotel and you're at the boardwalk past 10:00 p.m., how are you getting home? None of those hotels will let you park there unless you have a reservation for a dinner. So if you're there late at night there is nothing that Disney provides for easy departure. There's No Buses taking you someplace else and the Skyliner is closing. So the number of people who will be hanging out there is pretty small past 10:00 p.m.