Boardwalk Villas Tips Needed

[exchanger]

We'll be staying at Boardwalk Villas for 2 weeks.

I'll be working remotely most days (say 7 of the 10 weekdays we will be there), while my wife goes with our three children to the parks. We are thinking that they'll try to do early mornings (to avoid the worst of the heat), and go until around lunch time. They can cool off, eat lunch, go to the pool, and then I'll join them at the parks (my wife will probably end up getting a break some days as well).

I'm looking for any tips you have. I'm focused mostly on any tips related to staying at boardwalk, but would love any general advice you can give for our trip in general.

Thanks!

 

[Nabas]

We stay at Boardwalk Villas at least once a year.

Since you're staying at the Boardwalk for 2 weeks, you'll have lots of time to experience everything the Boardwalk has to offer. A few things to consider:

1. Make sure that you get a schedule of activities at the front desk when you check-in.
2. The Boardwalk Inn/Villas has 3 pools: the main pool and 2 quiet pools. The kids most likely will enjoy the main pool (Luna Park) but try each of the other pools at least once.
3. The water slide at Luna Park pool is, IMO, the best water slide at any of Disney's WDW hotels.
4. The Community Hall (next to one of the quiet pools) has games for kids during the day.
5. Movies are shown on the courtyard every night.
6. Take some time to explore the boardwalk after sunset. The boardwalk tends to get more active in the evening, especially near Epcot's closing time. It really can be lovely.
7. The boardwalk has a pizza window.
8. The Boardwalk Bakery has some fun baked goods the kids should enjoy. It also has some food. My spouse particularly likes the soup and sandwich.
9. The Boardwalk's main store (called the General Store) has pastries and sweets too. Plus other food items you might find at a convenience store.
10. Stop at least once at the Boardwalk Ice Cream shop.
11. The boardwalk has some carnival games at night that the kids might enjoy playing. Also cotton candy and funnel cakes.
12. The boardwalk offers bike rentals. (These are 4-wheel bikes the seat four or five.)
13. Entertainers are back at least some nights on the Boardwalk. Ask at the front desk for a schedule.
14. Take a stroll around Crescent Lake (the lake in front of the Boardwalk) and explore the other hotels (Swan, Dolphin, Yacht Club, and Beach Club).
15. Book at least one nighttime reservation at Beaches & Cream for some ice cream. (Beaches & Cream is located across Crescent Lake at the Beach Club.) Beaches & Cream also has a walk-up window.
16. Trattoria al Forno (the table service restaurant on the boardwalk) is known for Italian food. However, it also serves breakfast, which is pretty good. Reservations are required.
17. The Big River Grille is a good choice for burgers & beer for lunch or dinner. They have an outdoor patio, which can offer a beautiful view around sunset and is comfortable if it's not too hot. They take reservations through Google.
18. The boardwalk's two other restaurants (Flying Fish and ESPN Club) have not been open since the start of the pandemic.
19. Even though Disney's Hollywood Studios (DHS) is within walking distance, try riding the Skyliner to DHS or one of the other hotels at least once.
20. Also try riding the boat to DHS at least once for a different experience.
21. You can take the Skyliner to the Riviera (a DVC resort), Caribbean Beach Resort (CBR), Pop Century, and Art of Animation (AOA). It's a bit of a walk from the CBR Skyliner stop to the main CBR building, which has its food court. However, the food courts at Riviera, POP, and AOA are not as far from their respective Skyliner stops. Consider exploring those hotels or even having a meal at one of their food courts.

 

[starry_solo]

Ask for close to lobby if possible. That walk is so so long........

 

[Nabas]

Some images:





Lobby:



Luna Park pool:



The boardwalk as seen from Big River Grille:



The walkway to Disney's Hollywood Studios:



Walkway to Epcot:

 

[DisSurfer878]

We stay at Boardwalk Villas at least once a year.

Since you're staying at the Boardwalk for 2 weeks, you'll have lots of time to experience everything the Boardwalk has to offer. A few things to consider:

1. Make sure that you get a schedule of activities at the front desk when you check-in.
2. The Boardwalk Inn/Villas has 3 pools: the main pool and 2 quiet pools. The kids most likely will enjoy the main pool (Luna Park) but try each of the other pools at least once.
3. The Community Hall (next to one of the quiet pools) has games for kids during the day.
4. Movies are shown on the courtyard every night.
5. Take some time to explore the boardwalk after sunset. The boardwalk tends to get more active in the evening, especially near Epcot's closing time. It really can be lovely.
6. The boardwalk has a pizza window.
7. The Boardwalk Bakery has some fun baked goods the kids should enjoy. It also has some food. My spouse particularly likes the soup and sandwich.
8. Stop at least once at the Boardwalk Ice Cream shop.
9. The boardwalk has come carnival games at night that the kids might enjoy playing. Also cotton candy and funnel cakes.
10. The boardwalk offers bike rentals. (These are 4-wheel bikes the seat four or five.)
11. Entertainers are back at least some nights on the Boardwalk. Ask at the front desk for a schedule.
12. Take a stroll around Crescent Lake (the lake in front of the Boardwalk) and explore the other hotels (Swan, Dolphin, Yacht Club, and Beach Club).
13. Book at least one nighttime reservation at Beaches & Cream for some ice cream. (Beaches & Cream is located across Crescent Lake at the Beach Club.) Beaches & Cream also has a walk-up window.
14. Trattoria al Forno (the table service restaurant on the boardwalk) is known for Italian food. However, it also serves breakfast, which is pretty good. Reservations are required.
15. The Big River Grille is a good choice for burgers & beer for lunch or dinner. They have an outdoor patio, which can offer a beautiful view around sunset and is comfortable if it's not too hot. They take reservations through Google.
16. The boardwalk's two other restaurants (Flying Fish and ESPN Club) have not been open since the start of the pandemic.
17. Even though Disney's Hollywood Studios (DHS) is within walking distance, try riding the Skyliner to DHS or one of the other hotels at least once.
18. You can take the Skyliner to the Riviera (a DVC resort), Caribbean Beach Resort (CBR), Pop Century, and Art of Animation (AOA). It's a bit of a walk from the CBR Skyliner stop to the main CBR building, which has its food court. However, the food courts at Riviera, POP, and AOA are not as far from their respective Skyliner stops. Consider exploring those hotels or even having a meal at one of their food courts.

Two add ons to yours! Big River Grille also used OpenTable which is great for booking

Also, Art of Animation is really, REALLY worth a tour. It's by far one of the most intricately *DISNEY* themed resorts!

 

[Nabas]

There's a grill next to the quiet pool. We have never used it but others have. I don't know if you have to bring your own stuff (I think so) or if Disney offers some sort of kit.

 

[Nabas]

The Boardwalk Villas quiet pool with the Community Hall behind it:

 

[Nabas]

Another view of Luna Park pool:

 

[Nabas]

Big River Grille, on the boardwalk:

 

[Nabas]

The notoriously long hallways at Boardwalk Villas:

 

[exchanger]

Wow @Nabas thanks so much for the tips. This was the stuff I was looking for.

I've spent a couple of hours researching but learned so much more in your posts than I did from the hours of reading.

This got me even more excited for our visit.

 

[GinnyBear's_mom]

As far as activities with the kids, we love community halls. Boardwalk has a nice one and you can take the skyliner to Riviera to to visit theirs. My kids love to do crafts, watch a movie, pin trade or play games at the DVC community halls. They are a great place when you need a break from the parks.

 

[AllisonLB1994]

You can check out free movies from the community hall! Comes in handy on rainy days or just to enjoy in the room.

Walking the loop around Crescent Lake is a highly enjoyable activity if you need a break from your work to stretch your legs!

Big River Grille is highly underrated in my opinion. We have always found great food and service there. And it's easy to get a reservation at or just walk right up.

 

[exchanger]

You can check out free movies from the community hall! Comes in handy on rainy days or just to enjoy in the room.

Walking the loop around Crescent Lake is a highly enjoyable activity if you need a break from your work to stretch your legs!

Big River Grille is highly underrated in my opinion. We have always found great food and service there. And it's easy to get a reservation at or just walk right up.

Great idea!

I definitely could see me grabbing a refill with my mug and doing a loop around Crescent Lake. This is getting exciting!

 

[RoseGold]

I did a lot of working at Beach Club. Beach club has a silly empty room no one is ever in that I used for calls when the room wasn’t going to work. There’s one in the timeshare side, and there’s also a big lobby/seating area kind of near the drop off toward the main entrance. That lobby is always quiet, but not private enough for calls. You can easily walk over to this from boardwalk.

 

[tracee22]

I "remote-worked" there in December for a few days and it was great. But I did get there before my room was ready and had to find somewhere to park myself. So I just wanted to share that the common areas are not great for conference calls because there is basically music everywhere. I did find a lounge in the middle that didn't have music but that had a lot of noise of comings and goings too.

Can't wait to "remote-work" there again!

 

[sndral]

Ask for close to lobby if possible. That walk is so so long........

I agree! We stayed at the Boardwalk one time & it was a very very long walk to get to our villa from the one bank of elevators, first time finding our villa we reached the end of a long hall only to find the hall turned & we had further to go & I think the hall turned again. The stairs were closer - but we were on an upper floor & going upstairs at night after a day on our feet in the parks .
The villa itself - a 1 br. - was lovely & I liked the view I had of the canal from the balcony.

 

[exchanger]

Fortunately, I am only in a couple of conference calls a week, and it shouldn't be a problem to turn off video if the situation doesn't allow.

It'll be hard working while the family is having fun, but I like the ideas everyone has thrown out.

My co-workers will be in mountain time, so I may even try to join on a few early mornings at the parks...I just need to figure out how to make up the time.

 

[Nabas]

Fortunately, I am only in a couple of conference calls a week, and it shouldn't be a problem to turn off video if the situation doesn't allow.

It'll be hard working while the family is having fun, but I like the ideas everyone has thrown out.

My co-workers will be in mountain time, so I may even try to join on a few early mornings at the parks...I just need to figure out how to make up the time.

The BelleVue Lounge is open for light breakfast and evening drinks. Between those hours it’s usually empty. I’ve done some remote work while there. It’s quiet and a change from working in the room.

 

[RoseGold]

If your headphones are good enough, consider the laundry room for calls. I’ve done it more than once, my AirPods do a good job blocking the ambient laundry noise and the background is neutral. You could test this before you left with some kind of loud appliance.

It’s not private exactly, but no kids (hard to come by at Disney) and the human interaction is minimal. I’ve done this when kids in the background would have been a big deal.