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Boardwalk Inn
- Thread starter Mr Toad
- Start date
ParentsOf4
Well-Known Member
What days? What's the size of the party and the ages of the children, if any?
ParentsOf4
Well-Known Member
The Boardwalk Inn (BWI) is located on Crescent Lake, near the Swan, Dolphin, Yacht Club, and Beach Club hotels. It's perhaps WDW's most beautiful area, especially early in the morning or at night.
As you probably know, BWI is within walking distance of both Epcot and DHS.
The walk to Epcot is reasonable (perhaps 10 minutes) but you enter through the International Gateway, located between the U.K. and France Pavilions in the World Showcase (WS). If you are heading over to Future World, it's probably about another 10 minutes of walking. It's great walking back at night after Illuminations.
From the BWI side of the resort (vs. the DVC side), the walk to DHS is pretty far, at least 15 minutes. We tend to take the boat when heading to DHS, although we sometimes walk back at night if the boat is crowded.
Bus service to MK or DAK is only so-so; on par with other WDW hotels. It really depends on timing. If you just miss a bus, it can be a long wait.
BWI's pool has what some consider to be the best waterside at a Disney hotel, although some are freaked out by the clown at the slide's exit. (Think Pennywise from It.) Lots of children activities throughout the day. They'll give you a schedule when you check-in.
The Boardwalk itself can be fun, especially at night after Epcot closes and everyone is returning to their rooms. It has several restaurants, games of chance, bike carts to rent, and one or two street entertainers.
If you have a meal plan, it's a little inconvenient since you either need to walk down to the Boardwalk Bakery (located on the Boardwalk itself) for a cup of coffee or sodas or, the Belle Vue Lounge within the BWI. (The Belle View Lounge is open for lite breakfasts or evening drinks.)
The Belle Vue Lounge is cute. They have a radio playing old-time shows (think 1930s and 1940s) and the bartender is always friendly.
I suggest searching the Internet for maps of BWI so it you can get your bearings.
Is there any reason you picked BWI over the Yacht & Beach Club?
surfsupdon
Well-Known Member
You'll enjoy BWI.
Instead of following the BoardWalk and signage to get to Hollywood Studios, do this instead:
Head to the lobby and head outside towards the boardwalk.
Make a sharp left and head towards the main pool.
When you get to the pool, keep heading left, around the pool, past the waterslide and big "pygmie horses sign" lol.
You will connect to the walkway to HS, and shave off a good amount of time.
The back courtyard, the rose garden area, is another beautiful peaceful spot. As hustled and bustled as the boardwalk itself is, the courtyards on the interior of the Resort are amazingly serene.
Instead of following the BoardWalk and signage to get to Hollywood Studios, do this instead:
Head to the lobby and head outside towards the boardwalk.
Make a sharp left and head towards the main pool.
When you get to the pool, keep heading left, around the pool, past the waterslide and big "pygmie horses sign" lol.
You will connect to the walkway to HS, and shave off a good amount of time.
The back courtyard, the rose garden area, is another beautiful peaceful spot. As hustled and bustled as the boardwalk itself is, the courtyards on the interior of the Resort are amazingly serene.
jlsHouston
Well-Known Member
Wow that's a spread in the ages. I've stayed twice at BW, just recently and first I really like EPCOT area resorts and second the BW rooms are very roomy and clean. We had 2 adults, 3 kids in ours and never felt crowded with a 8, 6 and 4 year old. I loved the big pool even though the clown is kind of freaky. Probably my most favorite slide. Was much easier to track the kids at the pool at BW than over at BC. Liked where the pool bar is set up too at BW versus BC. And the quiet pool near our room was really nice and the hot tub awesome. Darn near spa quality as far as those jets go.
We loved the pizza from the pizza window and we loved the bakery. My biggest complaint though about the BW than say BC is the QS places are accessed outside and there is no inside dining. Last August was not only a HOT summer but a rainy one too. Luckily we had a car so we would just drive to POLY or GF and eat at their QS if we didn't want to spend the money for TS food.
Taking the boats to EPCOT or HS is fun and usually the wait at the BW for the boats is not too bad. @ParentsOf4 of is correct about the buses, it is kind of hit or miss, since the buses sometimes do BC/YC/SWAN/DOLPHIN properties they can be crowded at times and sometimes more than a 10 minute wait at the resort bus stop.
I think you will love BW. I mean really what is not to love. The CM's at BWI are some of the nicest you will find at any of the Disney resorts.The lobby is nice, the pools are great, the rooms are big and you can boat to EPCOT or HS or even walk.
It's a great resort for a family.
I've stayed at the Boardwalk 6 times and I love the turn of the century decor! I've been in the standard rooms through the deluxe concierge rooms. I always walk to Epcot since it's a lot faster than the boat. I'm not a huge fan of the boat although I will take it to HS. I call it the slow boat to china... oy The Big River grille is great if you want a burger while you are staying there, I've never had a problem walking up and getting a table. You can walk around to the Beach Club to see if they have availability at the Cape May cafe for their character breakfast, which I think is one of the best on property. They also have the surrey bike rentals which we did with my girls when they were younger and my husband and I ended up doing all the pedaling. THAT was a lot of fun and we still talk about it to this day! One thing I will tell you is that if it rains, the boardwalk itself can get very slick. I was wearing crocs and took more than one spill on it.
Have a wonderful time!!!!
Pam
Have a wonderful time!!!!
Pam
BigTxEars
Well-Known Member
We are staying at the BW for the first time May 31st-June 7th. Really looking for to it. I switched from the CBR to the BW but the family does not know we switched. Not telling them till we get off the DME. My 16 year daughter does not like clowns, soooo looking forward to dragging her to the pool 
OOOHHHH you sneak you! I did that once to my husband. We had Riverside booked and I switched to the yacht Club! Make sure that you use the walkway close to the water at night got to and from Epcot. It's so pretty at night!!We are staying at the BW for the first time May 31st-June 7th. Really looking for to it. I switched from the CBR to the BW but the family does not know we switched. Not telling them till we get off the DME. My 16 year daughter does not like clowns, soooo looking forward to dragging her to the pool
Pam
HouCuseChickie
Well-Known Member
We are staying at the BW for the first time May 31st-June 7th. Really looking for to it. I switched from the CBR to the BW but the family does not know we switched. Not telling them till we get off the DME. My 16 year daughter does not like clowns, soooo looking forward to dragging her to the pool
What's funny...I'm also not a fan of clowns and was freaked out by Luna Park in pictures, but in person...it didn't bother me. Love how you're surprising them
ParentsOf4
Well-Known Member
Clown at the Boardwalk's Luna Park:
(From touringplans.com)
Pennywise from It:
"They all float down here."
(From Hell)
(From touringplans.com)
Pennywise from It:
"They all float down here."
(From Hell)
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ratherbeinwdw
Well-Known Member
That movie was the first thing that came to my mind when I saw the clown.
PartOfYourWorld
Well-Known Member
You'll love the Boardwalk! We stayed there for our Disney wedding/Honeymoon last May and it is my favorite resort! The whole EPCOT resort area is actually the BEST. The buses to AK/MK/DTD were hit or miss. If you just missed one it would be awhile until the next one came.
Being able to walk to two parks or take a boat is seriously the best perk there in my opinion. Unfortunately, we didn't get a chance to use the pool while we were there so I can't comment on that.
Have a great time!
Being able to walk to two parks or take a boat is seriously the best perk there in my opinion. Unfortunately, we didn't get a chance to use the pool while we were there so I can't comment on that.
Have a great time!
slappy magoo
Well-Known Member
Or perhaps better, walk through the hotel itself and exit at the very end door. Especially if the weather is crazy hot (June). Any time you can spend not in the unforgiving Florida sun is a good thing. I've only ever stayed in the BoardWalk Villas, and that was for only a few nights in a 1BR after a week in a studio at Wilderness Lodge. My wife needed a nap one day and I stuck around Hollywood Studios (then still Disney MGM) for a bit. This was in August. This was sweating just sitting around thinking weather. So when I started walking back, I wasn't getting tired but I was getting drenched. So as soon as I got to that end door, praying it wasn't locked, I walked in and thanked the gods of air conditioning.
NiarrNDisney
Well-Known Member
I can make some suggestions about food & nightlife:
Atlantic Dance Hall is a nightclub that is popular for dancing though you will find it doesn't get very packed unless there is a convention or two going on or and event. There is no fee to get in but be sure to check the times of operation.
Bell Vue Room - They do have a Continental breakfast consisting of what you would normally expect for a small fee but you can get much more filling options from the Boardwalk Bakery and a more rounded TS style at Kouzzinas. However it is one of my favorite places to get a drink (Bloody Mary's) on property
Big River Grille & Brewing Works - Though it doesn't get the best reviews it is still a great place for lunch or a couple of beers and some snacks as well as the ESPN Zone but be aware both of these locations become a more adult friendly atmosphere at night or during major games.
Boardwalk Bakery is the Boardwalks CS option and I can tell you its probably one of the best on property!
Boardwalk Joes makes a great margarita so on those nights you just want a slice or a snack (Boardwalk To Go and Pizza Window) and a cool drink so you can dine alfresco these three can't be beat
Flying Fish is a very popular signature dining spot so make sure you have an ADR made so you can enjoy the restaurant if you can't get in people have been known to walk in to Kouzzina with little to no wait
Hurricane Hanna's - Yes it is located across the lake but its only a short boat ride or brisk walk and they have a pretty good menu
JellyRolls - This is a must do experience for those of us who are of age (No one under the age of 21 is permitted) it is a $10 fee per person but it is worth it!
Leaping Horse Libations (Pool Bar) has some options (Sandwich's, Chips, Pizza) but you would be better off ordering from the Boardwalk Pizza Window or Boardwalk To Go where there are more options and the food is much better
Yes Beaches and Cream is a fan favorite but you can certainly get a great treat from Seashore Sweets
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Pumbas Nakasak
Heading for the great escape.
Potential damage to the family jewels if you are promenading on a wet and slippy Boardwalk.