I think when most of us go on a vacation to the Walt Disney World Resort, we think of the parks, we think of the rides. The complex itself is massive with so much more to it than just the parks but we tend to think in terms of Space Mountain or Tower of Terror. With many recreational activities offered all around the resort, it makes a Disney vacation a very active one.
The Boardwalk Inn, located just outside of Epcot’s World Showcase, is one of Disney’s Deluxe resorts but it is one of the few that you can find so much to do at even if you aren’t a guest there! With a brief walk from the entrance/exit of World Showcase near France or a boat ride from Hollywood Studios, this is a nice change of scenery and has so much to offer – off the beaten path, so to speak.
Disney’s website describes the “common” areas of the Boardwalk as:
Disney’s BoardWalk contains more than 90,000 square feet of shops, restaurants and nightclubs. It encompasses Crescent Lake and is “a village on the water” near many Disney Resort hotels in Walt Disney World Resort. This quarter-mile entertainment, dining and shopping area is also conveniently close to 2 Disney Theme Parks.
With sherbet-colored building facades, striped awnings, rising columns and archways, Disney’s BoardWalk is designed after the boardwalks that were famous during the turn of the 20th century along such coastal cities as Coney Island, New York and Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Stroll along Disney’s BoardWalk during the day to explore the unusual shops and restaurants. When the sun cools down, the nightlife heats up with street performers, food vendors, midway games and lots of live entertainment. There is no admission to Disney’s BoardWalk area—where live evening entertainment can usually be found— but some venues may have a cover charge.
Whether you are looking to shop or to eat, the Boardwalk area has you covered! There are bicycle rentals that will allow you to pedal your way around the boardwalk and around Crescent Lake and over to the Yacht and Beach Clubs. You can enjoy live music and entertainment after h ours or stroll in the moonlight while enjoying ice cream and sweet treats from Seashore Treats.
Back in 2002, I stayed at the BoardWalk Inn for the very first time. I think that between the magnificence of the resort and then all that there was to see and do just outside our door, it was probably the one trip where I spent less time in the parks! During the day, we explored the shops, at night we tried the restaurants and afterwards, we even went out for a little “clubbing”. It felt a little like having Downtown Disney right in our own resort back yard, but with less travel time.
There is something for every wallet and every palette as you tour the boardwalk area. If you want a break from the pace of the parks and want to experience a little something extra, then sneak on out of World Showcase and tour the beautiful scenery of the boardwalk area.