Disney’s Boardwalk Inn Review (By Resorts Gal)

“Welcome Home.” Those words are my first-ever memory of staying at Disney’s Boardwalk Inn many years ago. I fondly remember cast members greeting us in this manner as they opened our car doors the moment we pulled under the Boardwalk’s porte-cochere. 

We were treated as though we were Disney royalty. But in reality, we were just an average family who had splurged on a trip to Walt Disney World and had been upgraded to a deluxe hotel. We even received a room assignment with a view of the Boardwalk. Back then, we didn’t realize that was a big deal. Since that first stay, we fell in love with the entire Epcot Resorts area and have returned to the Boardwalk numerous times. This stay was planned during the week of the 4th of July.

This review of Disney Boardwalk will provide an account of that say. We’ll preview some of the resort’s more recent renovations, including the new rooms. We’ll also discuss dining options, recreation, the pools, and other amenities.

We arrived early on the first day of our trip. Since I live nearby, I like to see how early we might receive a room assignment. Like clockwork, after verifying our reservation, we drove past the guard shack and began receiving texts that our room wasn’t ready. These texts invited us to enjoy the rest of the resort while we waited. 

It was only 9:30 a.m., and my plan was to leave the luggage with bell services, park the car, and get photos of the pool when it opened at 10:00 a.m. I didn’t expect the room to be ready that early. So I packed a swimsuit and a book in my backpack. After the pool pictures, I was going to relax.

Disney’s Boardwalk Inn has three pools: a feature pool and two leisure or quiet pools. The feature pool is the Luna Park Pool, where you’ll find Leaping Horse Libations, the pool bar. This pool has a hot tub, a kiddie pool, and a separately fenced playground. 

Additionally, this pool is home to the Kiester Coaster waterslide, a slide shaped like a wooden roller coaster. This Mickey and Friends panel replaced the Boardwalk’s clown slide a while back now.

Here is a photo of the water slide. It’s a fun aspect of the pool. For the sake of this review, I won’t elaborate on the pool’s specifics. If you want to learn more, we have a separate article that discusses the pools at Disney’s Boardwalk. 

After taking photos, I located the pool’s restroom to change into a swimsuit. Unfortunately, the restroom only had a few stalls and no changing area or shower. Of all the times staying at the resort, I was unaware of this issue. I had to change in one of the stalls, and by the time I was finished, several other ladies were complaining about the same thing. This is a big deal for anyone who arrives early or has a late flight out and wants to use the pool area. I was appalled by the lack of a place to shower or change. Most hotel pools have changing rooms, toiletries, towels, hair dryers, and similar items so guests can freshen up if needed. 

Anyway, I changed and found a seat under an umbrella a few feet from the pool. By this time, it was 10:15 a.m., and the pool was already busier than I expected. So, I took a quick dip and returned to my seat. After my swim, I was pretty thirsty and realized Leaping Horse Libations, the poolside bar, didn’t open until 11:00 a.m. Sure, it wasn’t long, but I would estimate that at least a hundred guests were already at the pool area. Did they not think a few of us might want a $5.00 soda or something? 

Not long after 11:00 a.m., the pool bar opened, and a server brought us menus. By this time, all the chairs immediately surrounding the pool were taken. I couldn’t help but notice when someone would leave, another family would jump up and take their seats.

We had excellent service from the cast members working in our pool deck area. Throughout the day, someone would stop by to see if we needed anything. When it came time for lunch, a server told us to check the My Disney Experience app for food items at Leaping Horse Libations. These were our options:

• Pre-made Poolside Salad
• Pre-made Greek Salad Sandwich
• Cheese or Pepperoni Ciabatta Pizza
• Pretzel Dog
• Kid’s Ham and Cheese Sandwich or Ciabatta Pizza

Needless to say, lunch looked dismal. Meanwhile, the smell of burnt pizza hovered over us in the sauna-like heat. So, I thought about nearby alternatives. Unfortunately, those options were the Pizza Window and Boardwalk Deli. I’ll give the Boardwalk this: they have several excellent table service restaurants. No one will argue that. But the pickings are slim if you’re in a pinch and need a quick, decent meal.

I decided to order a sandwich from the Deli using mobile order. That way, I could quickly grab it and bring it back to the pool. However, for whatever reason, this location doesn’t allow you to customize your mobile order. 

So I had to get dressed, gather my belongings, and walk to the Deli to order a sandwich. Then, I had to wait while it was being prepared. Some people will tell you that the Boardwalk Deli isn’t too far. But here’s the deal: I had to walk out of the pool area, across the large lawn, and down the Boardwalk to get a freshly prepared sandwich.

Say you were in your room during a rainstorm and decided to get something to eat. You would run into the same issue. You’d have to exit the hotel, walk across the lawn, and walk down the Boardwalk in the rain to get food. While the Boardwalk is an incredible hotel, these issues are a nuisance. It’s hard to conceive why they haven’t been addressed. 

Anyway, I got my sandwich and had a little picnic at the pool, which I did enjoy. When my soda ran out, though, I was going to have to walk back to the Deli to refill it. Thankfully, our server said not to worry about it, that he knew it was a problem, and brought me a fresh one. 

On a side note, if you buy a Rapid Fill mug at the Boardwalk, you must walk to the Boardwalk Deli to fill it. It’s your only option. Carousel Coffee is in the lobby, but they do not have a soda refill station. I was told they would refill them at the pool, but at this time, they do not have a self-service beverage station at the pool.

By 1:00 p.m., the pool was packed. Guests were walking around with their belongings. If you so much as moved, someone would ask if you were leaving and if they could get your seat. I was shocked. This was not turning out to be a fun day at the pool. At 1:30 p.m., I received a text with our room assignment. So I gave up my poolside seat, knowing it would be difficult to find another one if I decided to return.

Our room assignment was on the second floor, off the resort’s lobby. It was a corner room with two balconies, which means it was a little larger than the average room. But we had issues with light streaming in from the second balcony at night. Other than that, we loved the room. I couldn’t help but smile over the touches of Mickey Mouse and friends throughout the space. Here are a few photos of our standard room, which has one king bed and a couch that transitions to a day bed.

If you want to see every room detail, we have a separate Boardwalk room tour with a video and photos. That article discusses specific room types and the available sleeping arrangements. 

After taking photos and a video of the room, I revisited the pool. We didn’t have any plans for the day other than to see the holiday fireworks that are usually offered on the 3rd of July at Magic Kingdom (and the 4th). When I returned to the pool area, I decided I might have better luck at the Community Pool on the Disney Vacation Club (DVC) side of the resort. So, I continued around the outside path to the secondary pool. Unfortunately, no seats were available here either. But after a few minutes, someone left, and I found a quiet spot in the shade.  

Since it was hot, I decided to get in the pool for a few minutes to cool off. The concrete was so hot that I’m lucky I didn’t have blisters. Several guests screeched and jumped in the pool as soon as possible to avoid the burn. Here is a photo of the pool in the early morning shade.

Here is a photo of the other leisure pool on the opposite side of the resort.

It wasn’t too long until I decided to return to the room. On the way, I decided to pick up a cup of coffee at Carousel Coffee. If we were out late, I knew having a little extra caffeine would be a good idea. Unfortunately, when I arrived at 3:45 p.m., Carousel Coffee was closed. They closed at 3:30 p.m., which was frustrating, to say the least. So I had to settle for the coffee in my room, which was complimentary. But I would have preferred to pay $6.00 for a cappuccino since I was on vacation.

Not long after that coffee, we headed to Magic Kingdom, where we enjoyed a stunning sunset while waiting for the fireworks. After the fireworks, we waited around to let the crowds clear out and decided it was time for a bite to eat. I would have gladly returned to the Boardwalk for a meal at this point. But it would have been after 11:00 p.m. by the time we got back, and I realized there wouldn’t be any options. This is the part that gripes me the most. Both Magic Kingdom and Epcot were open late that evening, but everything at the Boardwalk closed up by 10:00 p.m. 

Under some standards, being open until 10:00 p.m. might seem late enough. But if you are hitting the parks hard and want a late-night snack or a meal, you have no options. This is a hotel that was built to accommodate guests who are visiting said parks. 

For comparison, I stayed at the Drury Hotel at Disney Springs a few weeks earlier. They had a small Pizza Hut that was open until midnight. They also told me they opened the store for guests who arrived late to purchase food items. It just seems that if the parks were open late, the Boardwalk would leave at least one option open late enough to accommodate guests.

When the Boardwalk began its renovation a few years ago, I hoped a dining solution would be addressed. Just because the Boardwalk is considered a higher-end hotel doesn’t mean guests only want to enjoy table service meals.

I try to be as objective as possible and consider others’ perspectives. Some say you are next to Epcot and can enjoy their restaurants, too. Sure, you can–with a ticket. You might also need a park-hopper upgrade if you visit another park earlier in the day.

It is also likely that I might put more of an emphasis on food than some. However, I believe that food is an integral part of the vacation experience at Walt Disney World. These are essential factors whether you’re burning twice as many calories as usual or only want to enjoy something out of the norm. 

Anyway, with these negative factors out of the way, let me share a few things I love about the resort. As mentioned earlier, you will have excellent table service options at Trattoria al Forno (breakfast and dinner) and Flying Fish (signature dining).

A new restaurant called The Cake Bake Shop will eventually open. When it does, you can dine in the restaurant or pick up a slice of cake in a separate shop that adjoins it. 

Speaking of shops, when I went to pick up my sandwich at the Boardwalk Deli, I thought I would step in and check out the ice cream selections at the Boardwalk Ice Cream Shop. But they were closed. They are only open from 3:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. (They open at 12:00 p.m. on the weekends.)

When we returned from Epcot during the 4th of July fireworks, I thought I might get an ice cream cone. It was probably because of the holiday, but the line extended well outside the door. I would guess at least fifty people were waiting for ice cream. After being in the parks all day, I wasn’t going to stand in line for 30 minutes for an ice cream cone.

Boardwalk Joe’s Margaritas has a stand on the Boardwalk. They offer a variety of margaritas and a few snacks, including Mickey-shaped pretzels. Other lounges at Disney’s Boardwalk include Belle Vue Lounge and AbraCadabar. 

Disney’s Boardwalk formerly had a funnel cake cart and a To-Go Cart that sat on the Boardwalk. The To-Go Cart was popular and served quick service items like chicken fingers and sandwiches. Unfortunately, both locations are permanently closed. Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs will replace the former To-Go Cart. From my understanding, these particular corn dogs are a popular treat at Disneyland.

Boardwalk offers nightlife at Jellyrolls and Atlantic Dance Hall. Jellyrolls is open nightly and has a dueling piano bar where guests can sing along. Atlantic Dance Hall is open Thursday through Sunday evenings. Both venues are for guests ages 21 and older.

During the evening, several carnival games are available on the Boardwalk. Various performers offer live entertainment on most evenings.

Here is a novelty photo booth where you can have a photo strip made.

The Promenade Fine Art Gallery replaced the former Wyland Gallery.

Surrey bikes are available for rent on the Boardwalk.

You’ll also find the resort’s recreation calendar nearby.

Disney’s Boardwalk has a series of gift shops that appear to be unique shops from the outside. However, if you step inside, they are all connected.

An arcade is available near the pool.

Muscles and Bustles is the fitness center at Disney’s Boardwalk.

Here are a few of the aerobic machines. Plenty of free weights and other equipment are available.

Crescent Lake sits directly in front of Disney’s Boardwalk Inn.

Disney’s Yacht and Disney’s Beach Club Resort sit across Crescent Lake from the Boardwalk. Disney’s Swan and Dolphin Resort is also part of the resort area. If you are considering the Boardwalk because of its location, you might like our other reviews of hotels in the area:

• Disney’s Beach Club Review
• Disney’s Yacht Club Review
• Disney’s Swan and Dolphin Hotel Review

One of the perks of the area is having access to so many table service restaurants. However, the counter-service issue we’ve discussed extends to the entire area.

Regarding transportation, a dock for the Friendship Boats sits on the Boardwalk. Guests can take the boat to the surrounding hotels, Epcot, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Disney’s Skyliner is available at the Epcot International Gateway. So it is within a short walking distance of the resort if you want to take it to another hotel.

Ultimately, the primary benefit of Disney’s Boardwalk is its location. In addition to the boat service, you can walk to both Epcot and Hollywood Studios. That means you don’t have to deal with transportation lines at the end of the day (or the beginning). You can skip all the hassle and walk. Make sure to see our shortcut between the Boardwalk and Hollywood Studios if you decide to stay here.

Bus transportation is available to Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney Springs, and the water parks.

Disney’s Boardwalk is a destination within itself. Initially themed after a turn-of-the-century Atlantic City Boardwalk, the resort attracts outside guests with its charm and table-service dining restaurants.

So far, we haven’t seen any significant updates to the lobby besides adding a new customer service counter.

Hopefully, we’ll see some updates to the lobby at some point.

In some instances, the lobby and surrounding area feel timeless.

I don’t know about you, but I would hate to see the half-horse, half-mermaid chandelier disappear.

New carpet and fresh paint were added to the interior stairwell that leads to the Boardwalk.

Belle Vue Lounge has been entirely updated. It is different, but I assure you the space is as comfortable as before. It turned out nicely.

You might find a hidden Mickey if you look for him.

Nightly Movies Under the Stars are outside on the Boardwalk’s lawn.

Key Benefits of Staying at Disney’s Boardwalk Inn

Before we wrap up, I wanted to point out a few of the key benefits of staying at the Boardwalk.

• Disney’s Boardwalk is within walking distance (or a Friendship Boat ride) of Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
• Disney’s Boardwalk Inn has newly updated rooms.
• Guests of all deluxe resorts and deluxe villas can enjoy extended evening hours at select parks on select evenings. These hours are typically offered at Magic Kingdom and Epcot, although Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom are added to the schedule from time to time.
• Guests of all Disney Resort Hotels are eligible to enter any theme park on any day 30 minutes before the park’s scheduled opening time. 
• Disney’s Boardwalk has excellent table-service dining locations.

Related: Benefits of Staying On-Property at Disney World

Final Thoughts

Overall, Disney’s Boardwalk is a beautiful resort. It’s one of those places I hate to find fault with because I enjoy staying there. However, as you may know, we have stayed at all the hotels at Walt Disney World and the surrounding area. Our experience allows us to identify issues that might be problematic for you.

Since this stay, I’ve wanted to put off writing this review of the Boardwalk. The new rooms are great, and you can’t beat the location. But when I stay at an expensive hotel, I want to feel like the resort has me as a guest in mind. I want to say, “Wow, they thought of everything!” That’s how I felt the first time I ever visited. To this day, I remember that “welcome home.”

So, while my nostalgia is strong for the Boardwalk, that wow feeling is missing. Hopefully, it will eventually return. It’s such a pretty resort.

Hopefully, this hotel review provided the information you need to decide whether this was the right resort for your next visit. For more information, try the Resorts Gal Guide to Disney’s Boardwalk, or you might enjoy the following articles:

• Disney’s Boardwalk Restaurants Guide
• Transportation Options at Disney’s Boardwalk
• Christmas at Disney’s Boardwalk
• Disney’s Boardwalk vs. Disney Springs

Or you can browse our entire list of Disney World Hotel Reviews.

In the comments

What do you think of this Disney’s Boardwalk Inn review? Do you agree with our issue of the lack of quick-service dining options? Do you think the positives outweigh the negatives?