Disney’s BoardWalk Inn & Villas: A Resort Reminiscent of an early-20th-century Atlantic coast boardwalk
If you are looking for an upscale stay at Walt Disney World one of the resorts I like is Disney’s BoardWalk Inn & Villas. Nestled on Crescent Lake the BoardWalk Inn is a Walt Disney World Deluxe resorts. The complex is a detailed replica of an early-20th-century Atlantic coast boardwalk.
The facades of the resort, restaurants, and shops create an inviting and exciting waterfront skyline. Behind the facades, the Boardwalk Inn & Villas are a single integrated structure. Restaurants and shops occupy the boardwalk level, while accommodations rise up to six stories above.
I love the lobby of the resort, it is huge and offers plenty of quiet areas to sit and relax, always surrounded by plants and flowers.
Make sure you check out the fabulous chandelier.
Also in the lobby admire the absolutely stunning miniature carousel and a reproduction of the Flip Flap Railway roller coaster.
The resort is nicely decorated evoking the boardwalk theme throughout the public areas and the rooms.
I stayed in a recently renovated room with a terrace overlooking the main entrance to the resort.
Small Disney touches such as a Mickey Mouse carved in desk legs, or on the back of a chair, did blend nicely with the sophisticated decoration of the room.
Rooms with balconies overlooking the BoardWalk and Crescent Lake offer fabulous views and you can get a glimpse of the nightly fireworks over Epcot and Disney Hollywood Studios. I personally like the lively atmosphere of the BoardWalk but keep in mind that the BoardWalk shopping and dining district is very busy and can be noisy at night.
The inn and villas share one pool with an old-fashioned amusement-park theme and also have two quiet pools. The 19,000-gallon Luna Park pool has an awesome slide called the Keister Coaster, reminiscent of the Coney Island roller coaster.
Kids will love spending time at the pool, and grown-ups will enjoy the Leaping Horse Libations, a poolside bar shaped like a giant carousel. A smaller quiet pool is also available.
The resort is in walking distance to Epcot’s International Gateway and Disney’s Hollywood Studios and offers boat service to both parks.
I love taking the boat to the park, it is relaxing and kids will love the ride. Just keep in mind that the boats won’t run during a thunderstorm. Bus service is also provided to the Magic Kingdom, the Animal Kingdom, Disney Springs, and the water parks. Disney will also provide buses to Epcot and Disney Hollywood Studios during inclement weather.
Being on the BoardWalk offers lots of fun dining and entertainment opportunities including a character breakfast at Cape May, all in walking distance.
For fine dining there is the Flying Fish Café, which will undergo a major refurbishment as of February 1, lasting through November 2016. While the restaurant and kitchen will be updated the overall concept of the restaurant and it’s signature dish, potato-wrapped snapper served with creamy leek fondue and a red wine-butter sauce are here to stay.
Also on the waterfront is the Big River Grille & Brewing Works, a family-friendly microbrewery and restaurant serving award-winning beers, and American pub favorites.
If you are in the mood for Italian cooking try the Trattoria Al Forno.
For something quick there is the BoardWalk Bakery, the BoardWalk Pizza Window, or Seashore Sweets.
Weather permitting it is really wonderful to watch the world go by on the BoardWalk while enjoying an Espresso and a yummy Tiramisu.
For ice cream lovers make sure to order the famous Kitchen Sink from the Beaches & Cream Soda Shop located a short walk away at Disney’s Beach Club Resort.
My favorite after dinner entertainment on the BoardWalk is Jellyrolls, a bar with dueling pianos and audience sing-alongs for guests 21 years of age and up. Jellyrolls even has a Facebook page listing who is playing nightly.
Disney’s BoardWalk Inn and Villas underwent a resort-wide interior and exterior refurbishment project in 2015. When booking the resort I recommend you insist on staying in one of the refurbished rooms.
Have you stayed at any of the BoardWalk properties? We would love to hear from you.