Disney Springs vs Boardwalk

[MyAgentCam]

Hi all. I have read around and can't make out the differences between these two locations. It seems they both have shopping, restaurants, and entertainment.

What are the differences? Am I being dumb, and they are actually the same place? If it's really 2 places, is there a preferred place to go for a few hours one evening?

 

[PSUGuy]

Board Walk is a resort based on the Atlantic City BW circa 1920. There are 'boards' to stroll featuring jugglers, magicians etc in the evening, surrey bike rentals a micro brewery/pub, the ESPN Club sports bar, restaurants and the Belle Vue Lounge. We love the place and stay there every trip.
Disney Springs is a glorified shopping mall featuring over priced Disney crap, we go there once per trip to hit Raglan Road, a great Irish pub with entertainment and Jock Mahoney's bar. We spend our evenings at BW.

Bill From PA

 

[Hikergirl]

Go to Disney Springs, more restaurants, more shopping, more entertainment. Boardwalk is nice to go to if you are staying at one of the Epcot resorts. IMO it isn't worth a trip over there if you are looking to do something for a few hours in the evening.
There is Jellyrolls at the Boardwalk which is great for later night fun.

 

[DOOM1001]

The Boardwalk is located between DHS and Epcot by the Boardwalk,Y&B club and Swan and Dolphin resorts,its nice but there's nowhere near as much as there is to do at DS.Disney Springs is a glorified shopping center but with all the recent additions to what was already there you can easily spend 3-4 hours or more there.

 

[CAS239]

Like others have said, they are completely different.

Boardwalk is nice to stroll through once a trip as we're walking inbetween HS and Epcot, but it is tiny in size compared to Disney Springs. And the only place we've eaten at on the Boardwalk was ESPN restaurant and it was way too overpriced for the amount and quality of food you get.

Disney Springs is huge and has a ton of shopping and restaurants. It's disneys place for an all around merchandise and food stop for guests that Disney can keep in their bubble. With the newest additions it's much like an outlet mall type look, which isn't a bad thing at all. It's very nice. Also at Disney Springs you have the AMC movie theater, Cirque Du Soleil, and Disney Quest

 

[Farro]

Boardwalk takes about an hour to walk through, and that's stopping at every shop. I suppose you can add more time if you watch every single entertainer, but even they aren't always out. A few restaurants that can extend your time.

We've stayed at Beach Club numerous times, and while we love the area while staying there, I would NEVER recommend taking time out of your trip to visit unless you have a dinner reservation or are passing through on your way somewhere else.

Definitely Disney Springs. Especially for the evening.

 

[yulilin3]

Hi all. I have read around and can't make out the differences between these two locations. It seems they both have shopping, restaurants, and entertainment.

What are the differences? Am I being dumb, and they are actually the same place? If it's really 2 places, is there a preferred place to go for a few hours one evening?

To your last questionit depends on what you want to do.
Boardwalk is way less packed with stuff to do. One store and about half a dozen restaurants, a couple of entertainment acts
Disney Springs has a lot more to offer, a bunch of stores, restaurants and about a dozen entertainment acts that start after 7pm. There is a movie theater, balloon ride, bowling, disney quest.

 

[Dan Murphy]

https://www.disneysprings.com/

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/destinations/boardwalk/

 

[MyAgentCam]

Thank you for all the replies. Very helpful! Sounds like it'll be DS for us.

 

[BigredNole]

Disney Springs can take hours to get through. Boardwalk can be done in an hour. They are not the same by any means. Both are great for their own reasons.

 

[anniemae]

Disney Springs is awesome, so beautiful and tons of stuff to do. Not much at Boardwalk, probably just a half hour or so to do it.

 

[Super 27]

They are very different. Boardwalk is a resort entertainment area. A couple bars and decent restaurants, two great nightlife spots (Jelly Rolls & Atlantic), and some typical Disney shopping options. Disney Springs is basically an overpriced outdoor shopping mall with mostly chain stores and a few touches of Disney scattered throughout. Food and drink options are typical chain fare, with several notable exceptions (Hangar Bar, for instance).

Bottom line is there are more options to consume your time (i.e. empty your wallet) at Disney Springs. Personally, I think it's worth a visit, but I never stay long enough to eat there - I think there are more unique dining options in the parks and resorts.