Boardwalk area….. who’s running this dumpster fire?

[maxiesmom]

It needs it very badly. People always say to just go to Epcot but sometimes you just want a lazy day at the resort or a quick bite that doesn’t involve going to a park. I didn’t find BC or YC much better tbh, though in fairness I stayed at BC pre pandemic before the Marketplace refurb. My stay at YC early this summer convinced me I will likely go back to my family roots and stick to S/D for future Crescent Lake stays.

I was pricing out the Boardwalk for next fall, and wowza! I will stick to the Swan and Dolphin too.

 

[BK2014]

We went to Disney springs one evening during our recent trip. Simply overwhelming. It’s like salmon swimming upstream to go anywhere. It rivals the parks for overpopulation. I remember how nice it was 15 years ago. It’s not enjoyable in any way at this point. But to bring back to the thread topic. Every store, every restaurant was open and packed. So if the excuse for boardwalk is they can’t hire, it’s a pandemic, etc…. Well DS surely proves that’s not the issue.

Just because every store and restaurant at Disney Springs was open and packed doesn't mean they weren't also understaffed and having difficulty hiring/keeping employees.

 

[Brett Wyman]

It has long been known that Boardwalk was lacking in the QS area way pre-pandemic. This would be a great opportunity to repurpose the ESPN club space to something more favorable than going through the bakery to refill drinks and expand the QS food options in the area.

They may be struggling to hire cast members, but all of the open restaurants in the rest of the WDW complex show it is possible...if they wanted to.

Yeah I was going to say this. Boardwalk was hurting for QS waaaay before Covid. Breakfast there is nigh impossible unless you want pastries or a breakfast sandwich. Before park pass was a thing we’d just pop into Epcot to eat.

But Trattoria is one of the best restaurants on property and Big River is great if you want a beer and a burger. We also eat at the pizza window at least once when staying BCV or BWV.

The festive atmosphere is sorely missed though. It’s hard to tell how much of that is lack of workers or Chapek cutbacks.

 

[DizneyFamof4]

The subtlety that still seems to be missing is that we are in the middle of a global pandemic and things are not normal. If your world view is so narrow that you can't see that, great! Must be easy street being you! But Disney is doing what every other company and every other human is doing right now - struggling.

And yet WDW keeps raising their resort/park prices but NOT their employee salaries to get/keep workers. Some people's views may be narrow but at least they are not wearing WDW rose colored glasses. And if you're okay with over paying for less, then I think it "Must be easy street being you!".

 

[maxiesmom]

And yet WDW keeps raising their resort/park prices but NOT their employee salaries to get/keep workers. Some people's views may be narrow but at least they are not wearing WDW rose colored glasses. And if you're okay with over paying for less, then I think it "Must be easy street being you!".

Saying people are ok with paying more for less is a narrow view of it. Are you still ok with what you are getting, that is the question. I ask myself that every time I buy groceries, or go out to eat. Disney isn't alone in raising prices while offering less than what they used to.

 

[DizneyFamof4]

Saying people are ok with paying more for less is a narrow view of it. Are you still ok with what you are getting, that is the question. I ask myself that every time I buy groceries, or go out to eat. Disney isn't alone in raising prices while offering less than what they used to.

Sorry but your sentence just reiterates my point. You are getting less and paying more, and if you're okay with what you are getting than isn't that the same thing? So not really a narrow view. I guess our difference is that I think $500+ per night with less amenities is over paying.
Plus, there's a BIG difference between a necessity like groceries and a WDW trip. Also, going out to eat benefits the servers because their tips have increased, where at WDW the CM's are still paid the same even though WDW has raised resorts and parks. I guess we will have to agree to disagree.

 

[maxiesmom]

Sorry but your sentence just reiterates my point. You are getting less and paying more, and if you're okay with what you are getting than isn't that the same thing? So not really a narrow view. I guess our difference is that I think $500+ per night with less amenities is over paying.
Plus, there's a BIG difference between a necessity like groceries and a WDW trip. Also, going out to eat benefits the servers because their tips have increased, where at WDW the CM's are still paid the same even though WDW has raised resorts and parks. I guess we will have to agree to disagree.

My point is nobody is every happy to pay more. I don't run around going goody goody gas went up, or my favorite chips are now 50 cents more and the bag is smaller. But I also factor in, how much do I really want those chips? Or can I make do with less driving around?

Am I happy to be paying more for a trip to WDW? No. But do I still think it is worthwhile product? Yes.

 

[Beer Me]

The subtlety that still seems to be missing is that we are in the middle of a global pandemic and things are not normal. If your world view is so narrow that you can't see that, great! Must be easy street being you! But Disney is doing what every other company and every other human is doing right now - struggling.

But they are packing in guests at $800+/night. It’s hard to reconcile with cheap entertainment and cleanliness issues.

 

[Lisann]

I understand the OP’s overall feeling of all that is not happening or functioning at the Boardwalk. And, honestly it should be better. I agree. Disney is under delivering way too much.
I own a business and can’t under deliver on anything…no excuses of Covid, lack of workers, etc. If WDW is open, they need to step up a little more. I agree with the OP.

 

[EpcotPhoenician]

Here now and I must say that the Boardwalk really comes alive with the entertainment. Without it, it’s just sad.I asked the act (Skip Easy) and they said they’re back for at least a couple of months!

 

[patty57]

I was pricing out the Boardwalk for next fall, and wowza! I will stick to the Swan and Dolphin too.

Agree with sticking to the Swan and Dolphin, unless I get a studio rental at BCV or BWV. I actually have two BCV studio rentals on my horizon, but otherwise, I'm happy happy to stay at the Swan and Dolphin.

 

[BroadwayHermione5]

When we were there in September there was a lot less open then there is now (bikes came back the day before we left, Jelly rolls reopened weeks after we were there, little to no entertainment, limited hours for games and food stands).
And as others have said, it’s not just Disney (or universal for that matter), it’s everywhere. You could have hit it on an off day, or a transition day where people were checking in or out.

 

[Nabas]

The Flying Fish now has an announced opening date of January 27.

With this, the only place still closed on the Boardwalk is ESPN Club.

 

[disneydreamer781]

We just recently came back from a stay at the Boardwalk and had no problem finding something to eat at any time in that area. Flying Fish is not a Disney-owned restaurant so that decision is not up to them. Note: It was just announced that FF will be opening later in the month.

You can also take a walk or boat over to Yacht Club or Beach Club where there are also options. We ate our first night at the Marketplace and got a couple of yummy grilled sandwiches. We did to-go at Ale & Compass and Trattoria. We had way more difficulty finding food at Hollywood Studios one night as everything but a couple of drink kiosks were closed up. The only place open we could find was the Commissary and that even closed about an hour before the park did.

 

[xipetotec]

We own at Beach club and just checked in for our first stay in a year. Walked over to the boardwalk area. Now I realize, we’re still suffering the pandemic, and in a challenging environment to hire people. But the whole area is a train wreck. ESPN, closed. Flying Fish, closed. The pizza window had a two hour wait. The food kiosk, closed at 8….with a line of people wanting food. There are a handful of tables and chairs, with people hawking any that free up. At least there is some entertainment, but I don’t think the acts stack up well to those performing in recent years. Nice people trying to entertain, but nowhere near the number that used to stop and watch.

1 open the restaurants! Put a counter service mini mall in the espn building with self seating. open flying fish!
2. hire jugglers and magics that have 2-3 acts. A singing group and jump rope crew will not attract enough viewers.
3. place 30-40 tables and chairs up and down the boardwalk.
4. bring a few food trucks to either end of the boardwalk, keep something open until 10pm.

Great... painting a fun picture for our stay Feb 26th.

We even have dining at Big River that night, was hoping for some nice boardwalk atmosphere for the kids who will be with us.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I’m kinda surprised Disney hasn’t jumped on the upscale food hall trend though, seems like it would be a no brainer to replace something like Atlantic Snooze Hall.

Food Hall was my thought as soon as I saw this thread. Many WDW QS are fairly bland, but something needs to replace ESPN. Even with the pandemic, it should be possible in a place like WDW. Marriott has opened a number of new hotels during the pandemic. Near WDW, the Flamingo Crossings development has been slowed, but it is still coming along.

I would love if WDW added....well a couple of local eateries near me feature awesome make your own salads, but everything is fresh/local. The set up is a little like Blaze (only WAY better than the salads at Blaze). The dressings are all homemade and that is key. Another is that you can get fresh fruit on your salad, like apples.

Another company WDW would do well to import is one that is in St. Augustine. They make frozen fruit bars using fresh fruits, fresh herbs, and some crazy blends of flavors. I'm sure their popsicles, or similar, would be very popular at WDW. Think flavors like Mango Mojito, dragon fruit, papaya pineapple, and blackberry ginger.

And why not open a hot kettle corn popcorn place. I think it is crazy WDW doesn't sell fresh kettle corn anywhere. And if they sold it in a fun Disney-themed plastic bucket, and maybe changed the buckets every few months...

 

[Nabas]

Great... painting a fun picture for our stay Feb 26th.

We even have dining at Big River that night, was hoping for some nice boardwalk atmosphere for the kids who will be with us.

Big River Grille is a fun place to have a burger & beer outdoors at night. But since you are staying February 26, check the weather before you head over. It can get a chilly after the sun sets so take a light jacket or sweater just in case.

 

[carlbarry]

Here now and I must say that the Boardwalk really comes alive with the entertainment. Without it, it’s just sad.I asked the act (Skip Easy) and they said they’re back for at least a couple of months!

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I was there a few days ago and was very disappointed. All I saw was two women doing a Hula Hoop act, and an acapella singing group. I miss Sasha and the other great acts!

 

[CarolynFH]

Came back from Epcot tonight to find the BW a lot more lively than it was a few months ago. More people about, the carnival games are working, and there were two different acts performing in different locations. Life is slowly returning! Now if we only knew about the ESPN Club!

 

[mrsap]

Came back from Epcot tonight to find the BW a lot more lively than it was a few months ago. More people about, the carnival games are working, and there were two different acts performing in different locations. Life is slowly returning! Now if we only knew about the ESPN Club!

I hope you have a great trip!