Dining at the Boardwalk...

[bamamom]

What is there at the boardwalk (shopping, etc...) We plan to go to Mk in the a.m. then hop to either Epcot for a little while then go to the boardwalk to eat dinner around 5 at ESPN club on our first day. What is there to do there after we eat, (how much time do we need to allow for boardwalk) and can we get back to our resort ASMu from there or do we have to go back to Epcot and catch a bus? How late can you stay at the boardwalk before there isn't anymore trans out? Can you see MGM's or Epcots fireworks/lighting shows from the boardwalk? This will be our first day in Disney we are planning on getting there at 7am and checking in and then starting our adventures....this is our first family trip and DH and I haven't been since 1992, just trying to get all the info I can so we don't waste time on buses etc...

 

[crisi]

Jellyrolls, the piano bar is 21+. There are a few bars and restaurants, some midway style games (bring your wallet) and often (but not always) street performers - though I'm not sure what the timing is. You can also rent surrey bikes and take them for a ride around the lake, which is fun, but the bikes are NOT easy to peddle. There is a store (of course) of the regular "hey, lets sell more souviniers" sort and an art gallery. You can see some of the Illuminations and Fantamic shows, but not all of them as most of both those shows happen low to the ground - you can see the high fireworks over the buildings. You can certainly hear them though! The Y&BC has a marina for renting mouseboats. You will have to transfer somewhere to get back to AsMU - I'd recommend leaving the Boardwalk area before MGM closes and walking to MGM (about 1/2 a mile, but much closer than the bus stops at the other end of Epcot).

 

[Aimeedyan]

Crisi really already told you just about everything. I will add that during the day, there isn't much there. The street vendors and performers don't come until nighttime, and the Boardwalk is usually just full of people coming to and from the parks and their hotels. We rented those bikes one year and they are HARD to peddle! You won't be able to see much of either nighttime show, either, from the buildings and also because they are both low to the ground shows with few high fireworks (unlike Wishes which has a lot of high fireworks). There are very few stores there, as well.

IMO, unless dining there, there isn't a whole lot to merit the trek over there. There are some great dinner locations there, so if you already want to eat there then it's worth walking around the Boardwalk after dinner, but I wouldn't give a lot of time. There is MUCH more to do at DTD, West Side, & Pleasure Island area later at night. That's free as well.

You would have to walk to MGM to catch a bus back. Or take the boat to MGM, if it's still running.

 

[Aimeedyan]

I just reread your post. If you are coming from Epcot, I would leave in time to hit your dinner reservation, walk around the boardwalk until you've seen it all and are content, then go right back into Epcot for Illuminations and such. Illuminations is great and a MUCH better show from inside Epcot. Even if you opt to not see it, you could do some more things at Epcot while it's going on.

 

[jennypenny]

I think the BW has a lot of stuff, but only after 9pm. That's when most of the people arrived and the street performers are in full swing. If you ate around 7 and then walked around you would enjoy it more. We always go after illuminations or fantasmic. That's when it's hoppin'.

Jenny

 

[Lewisc]

Since it's a family trip you probably won't be going to Jellyrolls. I second the suggestion of returning to EPCOT to view Illuminations and then just take the EPCOT bus back to your resort.

If this was an adult trip I'd suggest going to Jellyrolls and then taking a cab back to your resort. It would take forever to take a bus to DTD and then back to your resort and you'd be at Jellyrolls after the buses from MGM and EPCOT stopped running.

 

[matt&jakesmom]

We ate at the ESPN Cafe last month. The food and service was great and there are TV's everywhere, including the bathroom. I thought my boys would never come out. There is pictures and memorabilia all over the walls. There is a gift shop attached along with some video games to play. Everynight around 6:30 they have a sports figure whether an actual player or a coach. They are on a small stage and have a question an answer session with the guests. They record it as if you are on TV. It was a lot of fun.

Unfornately the night we were there it was downpouring so we saw no outdoor entertainment. I was disappointed in that.

As for busing. We walked backed through Epcot to get our bus for the POP.