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exactly how jersey is "boardwalk"

litaljohn

litaljohn

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
I couldnt help but notice the new bakery opening and new menu listed in the wdw magic news and it had me thinking about boardwalk. Before I say anything else let me say I love the place and have stayed there at least three times. it's fun, tons of entertainment all around, and is an Epcot lovers fantasy with the short walk ought over to world showcase.

that said we know the theme is said to be an old school 1920s approach to a New Jersey boardwalk.... But is it?

I almost feel that the theme a most, is in spirit more than anything. I've always lived on the shore and all the shore municipalities I go to don't quite paint the same image looking at their records. Long Branch Nj was even kind enough to share photos and paintings of the time period in their 2013 municipality calendar of events. (it's so nice that it's a shame it's used mostly to remind people about trash pickup days)

looking at the menu on the just opened bakery also had me wondering as there was a "Jersey" crumb cake, which while I can say yeah crumb cakes are populer here, I've never once seen anything in my 27 years that distinguished one crumb cake as being Jersey. (except maybe that food boss guy who makes them but charges you like 75 bucks for it)

just has me wondering what other people's take on the theme was. to be completely honest the resort really reminded me more of modern day Jersey shore boardwalks like Jenkinsons that are made to look old than looking like the actual older boardwalks we've had in the past.

that said I think I should also point out I've never in my life heard of peanut butter banana and bacon pie, naturally I have to assume if it was jersey, christy somehow pushed it through Disney legislation. ( and sady it sounds so strange that now I am almost forced to try it now.)

so while fueled by a food menu I still am curious of what you guys all see when looking at the boardwalk. Jersey? World Showcase shortcut? Just an old boardwalk? something more, something less?

(also do you think I could get them to play Bon Jovi, if it's played through an old time phonograph? I figure it's worth a shot while I'm trying to get them to replace Aerosmith at rock n roller coaster anyway at guest services everywhere anyway)
 
JIMINYCR

JIMINYCR

Well-Known Member
I enjoy going to the Boardwalk on the afternoon or evening when we visit Epcot. But I think Disney could do a whole lot more to enhance the NJ Boardwalk theme. Give us some more sideshow games, small attractions, museum, outdoor food stands, strolling interactive street characters, magicians. Give me more to spend my time there than just ESPN, and a very expensive art shop where I look but never buy.
 
litaljohn

litaljohn

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
I feel like they did indeed at some point have what you were saying with street performing and boardwalk type games. I dot know of it was seasonal or something now gone due to budget issues but I definitely remember seeing things like jugglers and such out there when I first stayed. that was back when spoodles just opened up and it was still all really new.

as a hotel I do really like it, but I just honestly don't see the jersey part of the angle. ( I know somewhere out there a person is thinking, "that's a good thing" but it is odd when I look at the shore in the alleged timeframe and look at the resort)
 
BoarderPhreak

BoarderPhreak

Well-Known Member
I don't know about Jersey specifically, so much as I found it to be... A bit more of a modern and "generic" boardwalk. It could just as easily be Ocean City, MD or Coney Island, NY. The theming, architecture and paint schemes are definitely reminiscent and inspired by the old school style though.

There should be more games (think carnival - Skee Ball!) and performers. While I was there I did see a juggler and a magician, which were great! In any event, what a cool resort area! Easily the most interesting. Between the Yacht and Beach Clubs, Boardwalk Inn, Swalphin - and Epcot right there.
 
riess424

riess424

Active Member
I guess I don't put too much thought it if its exactly how the 1920's look because for one I think they took a 1920 theme and modernized it and if they didn't I don't think it would of been as successful.

In the first couple years of the boardwalk they had more going on at night with "street performers" and games. So I am not sure if they weren't getting enough people to make it worth it so they cut back but I think they could come up with some new ideas and performers. I also think if they would improve upon the times of games they have---pretty boring and stale

Disney's descriptions
"Timeless elegance meets old-fashioned charm at this waterfront Resort hotel. Delight in saltwater taffy-colored cottages, private courtyards and picturesque gardens—plus the ragtime sounds and carnival pastimes of the exciting Coney Island-style boardwalk. Reminiscent of turn-of-the-century Atlantic City, Disney’s BoardWalk Villas is located within walking distance to both Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. "

By their description I think they achieved it.
 
acishere

acishere

Well-Known Member
Maybe its the lack of rides, games, and fist pumpers, but I don't really see Point Pleasant when I visit Boardwalk. It reminds me more of the Pier Village in Long Branch. I like the idea of adding some carnival games. That along with the street performers would really make the place seem more like golden age of Asbury Park photos I've seen.

If they want to provide people with Jersey Shore food though, they need to start selling pork roll.

If they really want visitors to understand its supposed to be the Jersey Shore they can ship in some drunk New Yawkers and give them vuvuzelas.
 
litaljohn

litaljohn

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
JIMINYCR said:
Got to also throw in a variety of Sinatra, Bruce Springsteen, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, Frankie Valli, Whitney Huston, The Count, and other NJ famous sounds.;)
Click to expand...

very true! (especially south side johnny since Bobby is on permanent loan to Bon Jovi.) heck let's even toss in the Danny devito song from Hercules some he's also asbury park. "one last hope" I think it was?
 
lazyboy97o

lazyboy97o

Well-Known Member
litaljohn said:
just has me wondering what other people's take on the theme was. to be completely honest the resort really reminded me more of modern day Jersey shore boardwalks like Jenkinsons that are made to look old than looking like the actual older boardwalks we've had in the past.
Click to expand...
This is probably because the actual designing of the Boardwalk Inn was not a complete exercise in themed design. The lead architect for the project was Robert A.M. Stern who, albeit mostly forgotten, was at the forefront of the Postmoden movement. Unlike other Postmodernists such as Michael Graves (architect of the Walt Disney World Swan, the Walt Disney World Dolphin, Hotel New York and Team Disney - The Michael D. Eisner Building), Stern never embraced the exaggerated and abstracted forms that have come to typify Postmodernism, instead advocated a far more traditional architectural aesthetic. While Eisner envisioned himself a Postmodern architectural patron, Stern became a personal favorite who would even join the Board of Directors of The Walt Disney Company. The seaside was also a sort of fantasy of Eisner's appearing several times as a design motif during his tenure. I think by the time the Boardwalk Inn was in progress, the design was more about Stern's own design language fitting Eisner's own romantic images of the seaside.
 
litaljohn

litaljohn

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
acishere said:
Maybe its the lack of rides, games, and fist pumpers, but I don't really see Point Pleasant when I visit Boardwalk. It reminds me more of the Pier Village in Long Branch. I like the idea of adding some carnival games. That along with the street performers would really make the place seem more like golden age of Asbury Park photos I've seen.

If they want to provide people with Jersey Shore food though, they need to start selling pork roll.

If they really want visitors to understand its supposed to be the Jersey Shore they can ship in some drunk New Yawkers and give them vuvuzelas.
Click to expand...

haha I'm basicly going by peir village to go to work each weekend. to consider it a boardwalk hurts. it's one giant shady scheme the mayor used for election votes. my contractor buddy's loved it because until 2 years ago when they lost all the windows down there from a storm. ( thankfully a year before sandy) that entire area was given special exceptions in various degrees across all the different zoning to get it done cheaper and faster.

I do like the idea of a true jersey feel though, maybe have every cast member refer to every guest as "Benny"!
 
JIMINYCR

JIMINYCR

Well-Known Member
:D It sure would fit in many other Disney areas as well. :D
Benny is a derogatory term used by year-round residents of the Jersey Shore to describe rude, flashy, loud tourists from North Jersey and New York. Since local residents appreciate the tourists' economic contribution, the term "Benny" sometimes refers to only those unpleasant tourists that cut lines, drive recklessly, start fights, park on the wrong side of the street, harass women, or deliver other disrespect.
 
HouCuseChickie

HouCuseChickie

Well-Known Member
I grew up in NJ and set foot in Boardwalk for the first time this past Nov. It totally felt Jersey to me, but most definitely in the good way. It reminded me of childhood trips to Asbury Park with my grandfather and some of my really early trips to Atlantic City. I've been to places like Coney Island and Ocean City, MD...but BW screamed classic NJ shore to me...but that may just be the way my mind chose to see it. :)

Also love that they pay homage to Lucy...





I really regret choosing YC over BW...just loved the vibe in there.
 
MouseDreaming

MouseDreaming

Well-Known Member
Haven't seen Benny used in a while. Takes me back to my youth. I think the Boardwalk area is supposed to remind you of a Shore Boardwalk. But in a very clean and sterilized way, like POFQ. I love staying at POFQ, but wouldn't take my kids to hang out on Bourbon St. for Mardi Gras. Boardwalk area has all of the family fun, but my parents would have never taken me to the real Boardwalk in the evening.
 
englanddg

englanddg

One Little Spark...
Not from NJ (though I did do work in Union, NJ...and I once ran out of change trying to get off the Turnpike at 3a...)

But...what is "Benny"?
 
MouseDreaming

MouseDreaming

Well-Known Member
englanddg said:
Not from NJ (though I did do work in Union, NJ...and I once ran out of change trying to get off the Turnpike at 3a...)

But...what is "Benny"?
Click to expand...
A tourist. To put it in terms of WDW, you know the person who comes to a dead spot in the middle of the path between Peter Pan and IASW, pulls out there map, and blocks everyone's way? His name is probably Benny.
 

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