Boardwalk with a Six Year Old?

[mmbrad02]

We are going to Disney fall break (Re: Busy time) and our Hollywood Studios day we think may end early. Our daughter didn't like Fantasmic (the scary parts truly scared her to the point she couldn't enjoy the rest) when we were there at four years old, so with the predicted crowds are leaning towards getting in early (we have PPO breakfast reservation), using our fastpasses wisely, and perhaps calling it a day in the mid afternoon. This is not for certain, as we have some character meet and greets and stuff we want to do and it's hard to predict the waits for those and my daughters stamina.

Would Boardwalk have any activities worth our while if we wanted something to do in the evening? It's Columbus (Day) night for what that is worth. Or is it more geared toward adults in the evening? We have also thought about Disney Springs but I'm thinking that will also be quite crowded, or maybe just swimming at our resort.

 

[PSUGuy]

Jugglers, magicians and Carney acts on the 'boards. Your gal may get picked to be in the act as my then 3 yr old grand daughter Sophia did in 2006:

Bill From PA

 

[Klayfish]

I think you'd get more out of Disney Springs than the Boardwalk. The boardwalk is restaurants, candy shops, there is some dancing but I think it's more adult oriented. Not a ton for kids to really "do". You can rent a surry bike there.

Disney Springs is mostly shopping and dining too, but probably will have more the kids would like...World of Disney, pin store, Lego, Marvel, and other toy stores.

 

[Mr. Drauer]

there is not really anything to "do" on the boardwalk, other than the restaurants and shops - some carnival games and a performer or two. DS has much more going on, but swimming at the resort is always a good option.

 

[biondagirl]

Boardwalk is a quick visit for us. Our kids were 9 and 12 last summer and were a little bored there.

 

[Accident]

In the evening it's more like the lawn games that most resorts have out, photo booth,some shops. The entertainers I've never seen out at night...

My daughter is grown but we love walking from epcot to boardwalk to get either ice cream or a cupcake/pastry from the 2 shops over there. Then we usually sit lakeside at a table enjoying them when the fireworks at HS and Epcot go off (although to see epcots you need to walk back towards epcot where you get a view of the lake from the bridge over the river (very close to the resort). The boat ride from hollywood might be a nice way to experience the boats going down the river if you've never done it beofre.. then end with ice cream and fireworks...

Something to note though, once fantasmic starts to get a line, TSMM turns into a walk on.. you might want to hang around during fantasmic and ride that a dozen times and then catch the star wars fireworks which is the largest projection and fireworks show disney has done so far.. just star wars themed..

 

[Baptist]

My vote is for the pool. Disney Springs is normally crowded and focused around shopping. I love staying at the Boardwalk because of it's location. But, I would not go out of your way for the entertainment.

 

[Accident]

Friday or saturday night springs can get a little congested but I don't find it crowded with the new room for people to spread out. not much for a 6 year old at night though unless you want to spend lots of money and constantly hear they want you to buy something else for them...

 

[gwek]

I love Disney and have been there for the past three years with my daughter (4, 5, and 6 at the time of her trips). Last year, we went to the Boardwalk on our first night in, and it was one of the very few disappointments of all three trips.

I'm sure the restaurants are lovely, but the food we had was "meh" (and didn't accept the Disney Dining Plan... an unpleasant surprise). My daughter got to watch (and I think participate in) some street entertainment. If I recall correctly, it was a juggler/magician. She enjoyed that. Eventually, though, she got so bored (because there was very little going on and the food took a while) that we got her a caricature to keep her happy.

I would say my daughter thought it was okay. We thought it was pretty weak tea. If I stayed at the hotel or nearby, MAYBE, but t definitely wasn't worth the trip. All things being equal, I think we would have had a better night at the Art of Animation food court and a night swim.

 

[mmbrad02]

The idea of just spending money at random at Disney Springs is one reason I don't want to go. It's not out of the question, but she will see plenty of things she "needs" in the park. However, I haven't not been there since it transformed from DTD to DS, so there is part of me that wants to see it. Plus, I do love a trip to Basin (but we also have two reservations at the Grand Floridian that week so that can probably help my Basin fix).

We did take a super quick stroll on the Boardwalk on our last trip, but DD was asleep in her stroller, it was mid afternoon, and there wasn't much going on. I thought maybe evening hours were better, but it sounds like we will probably swim at our resort, go to DS, or maybe go back to HS and see about the rides during Fantasmic instead of the show. We are staying at Coronado Springs so Boardwalk isn't super convenient in that regard.

Thanks everyone for the help!