Getting around near the Boardwalk

[Rach3975]

We're considering spending our arrival evening exploring the Boardwalk. We'll take a bus from All Star Music to one of the parks that has boats, then a boat to the Boardwalk. We want to do Quick Service for dinner, but nothing listed on the Boardwalk or at the Boardwalk Inn sounds good. (We're a picky group--one won't eat pizza and another is a vegetarian!) Are any of the other resorts or areas (like ESPN) easily walkable from the Boardwalk? If not walkable, is there another form of Disney transportation to get us there? Thanks!

 

[Best Aunt]

We're considering spending our arrival evening exploring the Boardwalk. We'll take a bus from All Star Music to one of the parks that has boats, then a boat to the Boardwalk. We want to do Quick Service for dinner, but nothing listed on the Boardwalk or at the Boardwalk Inn sounds good. (We're a picky group--one won't eat pizza and another is a vegetarian!) Are any of the other resorts or areas (like ESPN) easily walkable from the Boardwalk? If not walkable, is there another form of Disney transportation to get us there? Thanks!

There really isn’t much to explore. A big gift shop, a gallery, and a bunch of restaurants which apparently don’t interest you. It’s all table service except the bakery and some kiosks. Sometimes entertainers after dark, like maybe a magician. Maybe look at Disney Springs restaurant menus instead?

 

[iheartglaciers]

The Dolphin has a quick service that is a short walk from Bordwalk. They’ll have more options.

 

[FCDub]

I agree: Disney Springs is going to be far more fun.

 

[joelkfla]

We're considering spending our arrival evening exploring the Boardwalk. We'll take a bus from All Star Music to one of the parks that has boats, then a boat to the Boardwalk. We want to do Quick Service for dinner, but nothing listed on the Boardwalk or at the Boardwalk Inn sounds good. (We're a picky group--one won't eat pizza and another is a vegetarian!) Are any of the other resorts or areas (like ESPN) easily walkable from the Boardwalk? If not walkable, is there another form of Disney transportation to get us there? Thanks!

The only park that has boats to BW that you can get to by bus is DHS. At Epcot, the boats are at the back of the park and the buses at the front, and the only way to get from one to the other is to enter Epcot and walk thru it.

All of the "Epcot area" resorts are within easy waking distance of one another, and are served by the boats. They are: BW, Swan, Dolphin, Yacht Club, and Beach Club. Beach Club has Beaches & Cream, a very popular table service ice cream parlor & grill; you would almost certainly need an ADR for it.

 

[dizneefan13]

We had never been to the boardwalk before, so we went a couple hours early before our Cape May seafood buffet ADR thinking there would be more to do there. We walked the loop one time, went into the gift shop, had a couple beers during a downpour and that was it. Really not much to do there at all.

 

[suemom2kay]

The Boardwalk has entertainers at night, and a carnival game or two. ESPN is at the Boardwalk (The Inn side). As a PP said, your best bet is bus to DHS and boat or walk to the Boardwalk. It is about a 15 minute walk from DHS to the Boardwalk. Not sure how close the buses are to the boat with the current construction at DHS.

Are you on the Dining Plan? There are some better Quick Service restaurants at the Swolphin but they don't accept the dining plan as far as I know. Beach Club also has a small quick service area. Honestly Boardwalk & Beach Club are my favorite resorts but not thrilled with their quick service. I do like the Bakery though

 

[Rach3975]

Thanks for the info and suggestions! Even though there may not be as much to do there as we were hoping, we may still give it a try, especially if we can walk to some of the other resorts. One of my kids is very into magic and juggling, so street entertainers are usually a hit with him. We're on the dining plan, but we'll need to do 1 QS meal OOP so it could be that night.

We're going to Disney Springs later in the trip, but I'm not sure we want to do it the first night. It will be a Saturday night during Food and Wine, the weekend of the marathon, and possibly the start of the Christmas tree decorations. We're thinking Disney Springs might be very crowded. Plus, Disney Springs looks like a lot of restaurants and shops, so unless I'm wrong I don't think we'd need more than one evening there.

 

[goofy4tink]

Head over to Picabu, ground level at the Dolphin. It's cafeteria style, with a lot of options. It's one of my go to places when at an Epcot resort! Not particularly cheap, but good variety, and pretty good quality.

 

[suemom2kay]

Head over to Picabu, ground level at the Dolphin. It's cafeteria style, with a lot of options. It's one of my go to places when at an Epcot resort! Not particularly cheap, but good variety, and pretty good quality.

Thanks for this. I couldn't remember which one was the cafeteria style or whether it was Swan or Dolphin. I also LOVE that salad place that comes with free dessert buffet. Such an oxymoron but perfect for vacation lol!

 

[suemom2kay]

Thanks for the info and suggestions! Even though there may not be as much to do there as we were hoping, we may still give it a try, especially if we can walk to some of the other resorts. One of my kids is very into magic and juggling, so street entertainers are usually a hit with him. We're on the dining plan, but we'll need to do 1 QS meal OOP so it could be that night.

We're going to Disney Springs later in the trip, but I'm not sure we want to do it the first night. It will be a Saturday night during Food and Wine, the weekend of the marathon, and possibly the start of the Christmas tree decorations. We're thinking Disney Springs might be very crowded. Plus, Disney Springs looks like a lot of restaurants and shops, so unless I'm wrong I don't think we'd need more than one evening there.

The Boardwalk is fun! I love the acts and it is usually low crowd so your son has a high chance of being chosen to participate.

 

[BLLB]

I agree with the Picabu suggestion, we have dropped by there as we are DVC at BWV. I have also been reading lots of great comments about the new CS at YC.

 

[suemom2kay]

I agree with the Picabu suggestion, we have dropped by there as we are DVC at BWV. I have also been reading lots of great comments about the new CS at YC.

Oh I forgot about that!

 

[Rach3975]

The Boardwalk is fun! I love the acts and it is usually low crowd so your son has a high chance of being chosen to participate.

That would make his day! When we go to any local magic shows, he insists we go early so he can sit in the front row and have a chance of being chosen.

 

[focusondisney]

I agree with the Picabu suggestion, we have dropped by there as we are DVC at BWV. I have also been reading lots of great comments about the new CS at YC.

The CS at YC really is more a grab & go, most options are premade & in the refrigerated case. Only a few paninis or sandwiches (like 3 or 4) that aren’t premade. Personally not anything I would go out of my way for.

 

[Ralph&Pam]

I agree with the Picabu suggestion, we have dropped by there as we are DVC at BWV. I have also been reading lots of great comments about the new CS at YC.

In addition to Picabu at the Dolphin, I would consider Hurricane Hannah’s at the Stormalong Bay Pool of YC/BC. They have a decent menu. There are tables that are adjacent to HH and you do not need to enter the restricted pool area to enjoy food and drink there.

 

[Rach3975]

In addition to Picabu at the Dolphin, I would consider Hurricane Hannah’s at the Stormalong Bay Pool of YC/BC. They have a decent menu. There are tables that are adjacent to HH and you do not need to enter the restricted pool area to enjoy food and drink there.

Thanks- I'll check their menu, too. I saw it was poolside and didn't even look.

 

[Mrs.Milo]

Also the Dolphin has The Fountain, kind of a “diner” type of place that serves soup, sandwich and great French fries. Ice Cream counter is adjacent. We like the hot dog stand on the Boardwalk, great coney dogs and onion rings, wings, sandwiches.