Boardwalk Area or Disney Springs (for a night away from parks)

[aprilbabes]

We pretty much follow the same routines each time we go to Disney. This year I wanted to experience something new. We've never been to the Boardwalk area or to Downtown Disney (now Disney Springs.) We'll be traveling with my DD (7) and DS(5). Is it worth it to spend time away from the parks/resort and visit either of these spots? Which one? I'm leaning towards evening since we can use any extra time during the day to take advantage of the resort pool (Poly).
Any feedback would be appreciated! TIA!

 

[MrDisneyphile]

I would say is depends on what your family likes. DS is (basically) a lot of shopping and a whole ton of eateries. There is a plenty to see and do including live entertainment at various locations. The Boardwalk is much smaller scale on the eateries, a little shopping, and some free live entertainment. It also has a nice walk around the lake past the Beach and Yacht Clubs. There is always the Beaches and Cream ice cream shop as well. I love both areas and would feel like they would both be worth the time to visit.

 

[magicaldisney]

I would chose Disney Springs without a doubt. We love the Boardwalk area as well, but there is more to see and do at DS, especially for the age of your children.

If you would like to check out the Boardwalk, on one of your Epcot days, just head out the back door (International Gateway located between UK and France) and check it out.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

With a 5 and 7 year old, I would do the Boardwalk. DS is like a really big, outdoor shopping mall. The only way I've been able to keep my DS (who is now 8) entertained there is to take him to T-Rex, shopping at the Disney Store, toy store and lego store. There's really not much more to do there IMHO.

The Boardwalk is lovely, but you need to go at night when the entertainment starts. They usually have two acts a night that rotate - usually a magician and juggler. They also have a few carnival games (bring cash as they don't accept credit cards or magic bands at the games), plus you could rent a surrey bike, get some ice cream or some good QS food at Boardwalk Bakery or the food booths. You could even ride the friendship boat around, catch a movie on the beach at BC or even walk over and play mini-golf at Fantasia which is right across the street from the Swan. Boardwalk just has a calmer atmosphere than DS. My DS loves it!

 

[MandiC]

Personally I'd go with Disney Springs. There is a ton to see and do there. They have T-Rex which is all but perfect for most little boys (and girls! but I know my boys enjoy dinosaurs even more than my girls did). They have a Lego store...and even if you aren't planning on buying anything they have lots of neat life-size disney figurines made out of legos...and a giant one in the water. They have the amphibious vehicles, World of Disney (a store yes, but it is so fun to walk around if you like Disney...they have EVERYTHING), lots of great places to eat. We really enjoyed it, and when I was in Florida this winter I chose to drive from Tampa to Orlando to visit Downtown Disney on a day that wasn't supposed to be a Disney day

 

[Crystal824]

With children those ages, I would do Boardwalk. In my experience, DS is often too crowded to have an enjoyable experience at night with little kids. If you taking a day off from the parks and doing lunch, I would say DS. At night, I would say Boardwalk. It is much more relaxing at Boardwalk. There is also shopping and a bit of entertainment at Boardwalk too. During our last trip, we went to DS in the evening. We have kids 5 and 1. We could barely navigate our stroller through the pathways it was so crowded. While our kids enjoyed some of the stores, I felt tense the entire time we were there due to the crowds. Our kids fell asleep during our ridiculously long wait to order at Wolfgang Puck Express. While DS seems cool, DH and I made an agreement that we wouldn't be visiting DS at night anymore until our stroller days are over. We would much preferred the relaxing atmosphere of the Boardwalk or even just watching the movie at the pool.

 

[Minnesota!]

We love both. However, Boardwalk is more compact, and they have some unique things there - usually a magician or street performer, less crowds, benches for you to take in the scenery/sip a cocktail.

DS, we love, too, but it is definitely not stroller friendly at night, and it is a more harried pace.

 

[pa. dad]

There's more to do at disney springs.

 

[Thing 1]

Very different places. We are not huge fans of the Boardwalk. It is much like a imitation of a beach boardwalk but it, at least to us, just sorta missed the mark. It is however, a really nice place to just walk around and enjoy some ice cream. It is harder to get directly to, using WDW transport that DS. DS is big, busy and loud with a ton to do. Its not a place to relax. DS 9 really likes it there and did when he was younger too. He loves the Lego store and the World of Disney and the toy store that I can't remember the name of. There are very cool places to eat and yes T-
rex is a huge hit for him and most kids. There is a bowling alley and Movie Theater and as you can guess....they are a notch or two up from a typical version of these. Another choice is Fort Wilderness. They have a campfire every night followed by a movie. Love the place and its easy to get to as well. We also love to resort hop. You can spend an evening touring the monorail resorts and have dinner at one of then. Our favorite way to spend a laid back evening is the WS at Epcot. No future world, just walking around and taking in all the sites and entertainment and munching your way through tons on yummy foods.