Question about Boardwalk Area Hotels...

[chrisandjulesmom]

Hi! In the process of planning my November trip to Disney with my husband and 2 kids (6 & 7.) We usually stay at the moderate hotels, but I would love to stay at the Boardwalk or Beach Club this time around. When I look at dining options at these places, I do not see a food court facility at either place - a place to use a counter service meal credit. I really like to use a counter service for breakfast at the hotel before we start the day. I see breakfast buffet options, but they would use up my table service credit. Is there anywhere in that area to use a counter service for breakfast? Thanks!!

 

[Tara]

Yes - there are pastries and breakfast sandwiches at Boardwalk Bakery (outside on the Boardwalk). At Boardwalk Inn there are continental breakfast items (fruit, yogurt, bagels, pastries) at the Bellevue Lounge. Similar continental breakfast is apparently available at the Ale and Compass at the Yacht Club, though I've never used it. Beach Club Marketplace has all of the above items.

 

[pixarmom]

Hello! Although we don't use CS very often, we really prefer the small CS locations in the Epcot resorts area over a large food court. Last year, over a few trips, I took several photos of Epcot CS menus - some may no longer be the most up-to-date, but they will give you an idea of some of the options: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2790281

This BC Marketplace thread may also be helpful - I took many of the photos, so I'm happy to zoom in on the photos and provide additional details if you need them: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2732402

 

[mickeynut1]

Hi! In the process of planning my November trip to Disney with my husband and 2 kids (6 & 7.) We usually stay at the moderate hotels, but I would love to stay at the Boardwalk or Beach Club this time around. When I look at dining options at these places, I do not see a food court facility at either place - a place to use a counter service meal credit. I really like to use a counter service for breakfast at the hotel before we start the day. I see breakfast buffet options, but they would use up my table service credit. Is there anywhere in that area to use a counter service for breakfast? Thanks!!

This is our problem with the Epcot resorts. We've stayed at the BC and while it is a fabulous resort, there just aren't enough CS options for us (mainly for breakfast). The Marketplace at the BC has a limited selection, but for those wanting a quick, hot CS breakfast (eggs, bacon, waffles, etc), that isn't an option at those resorts. We do love a TS breakfast every once in a while, but not every day. With that said, if you can get past the limited CS options, I don't think you would regret staying at an Epcot resort as they are all beautiful resorts. Good luck deciding .

 

[minniebride]

Take a morning walk or boat ride over to the Swan and Dolphin. They have great breakfast options.

 

[francie57]

The Swan/Dolphin are not included in the dining plan so you would have to pay for any food there. We love the Epcot resorts but we usually just do a quick breakfast in the room but if we want to get a quick breakfast we love the Boardwalk Bakery. They also have great lunches that count as a CS on the dining plan.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

First thing when it comes to the total amount of Quick Service locations the Boardwalk has the most among the Epcot Resorts. There is the Boardwalk Bakery, Boardwalk Pizza Window, Boardwalk To Go, Seahsore Sweets, Belle Vue Lounge and Tasty Sensations.

Now when it comes to using the Disney Dining Plan among those locations it's accepted at the Boardwalk Bakery, Boardwalk Pizza Window and Belle Vue Lounge.

 

[goofy4tink]

It is a huge drawback, that's for sure. It's the one thing I don't like at this group of resorts. And I own DVC at Boardwalk...absolutely my favorite resort. But it sure would be nice to be able to grab some quick breakfast someplace each morning. Yes, the Bakery offers some breakfast sandwiches, but the last few times I've had them they were not all that great. And a bagel just isn't what I want for breakfast...unless I have a late brunch meal planned someplace.

 

[kristin08]

Does any one know what counts as a quick service breakfast at the Boardwalk Bakery? Is it two pastries and a beverage like the Main Street Bakery? Do they have hot breakfast sandwiches? Thanks!

 

[chrisandjulesmom]

Thank you so much for the replies! We do like a hot breakfast before we hit the parks, and I agree, this does prove to be a check in the negative column. We are ultimately waiting to see what the November promotions will be before we make our decision. I admit, my heart was set on this location - have to get the husband's opinion. Thank you

 

[FunkyDuck]

Thank you so much for the replies! We do like a hot breakfast before we hit the parks, and I agree, this does prove to be a check in the negative column. We are ultimately waiting to see what the November promotions will be before we make our decision. I admit, my heart was set on this location - have to get the husband's opinion. Thank you

I'm still up in the air as to what resort we will stay at this November...and was looking at these resorts also...and now that I know there is no hot breakfast...that is a negative for us too.Hard to believe there is not one place to grab one there. Will definitely take that into consideration...I'm kinda bummed now.

 

[mickeynut1]

Thank you so much for the replies! We do like a hot breakfast before we hit the parks, and I agree, this does prove to be a check in the negative column. We are ultimately waiting to see what the November promotions will be before we make our decision. I admit, my heart was set on this location - have to get the husband's opinion. Thank you

We found out the hard way about no CS at the Epcot resorts. Our BC stay was our 3rd trip to Disney but only our 2nd stay on property and we had no idea that there wasn't any CS there (I didn't know about the Disboards back then and there was no Marketplace yet). We ended up eating almost every breakfast at Spoodles on the boardwalk (which has since closed). The meals were good, but they were also quite expensive for a regular sit down order-off-the-menu kind of breakfast. We love the Epcot area and will someday stay over there again, but for now we need a good CS variety; so we will stick with the MK resorts for now. Good luck with deciding on a resort as I understand how you feel about CS......I would love to see the Epcot resorts add more .

I'm still up in the air as to what resort we will stay at this November...and was looking at these resorts also...and now that I know there is no hot breakfast...that is a negative for us too.Hard to believe there is not one place to grab one there. Will definitely take that into consideration...I'm kinda bummed now.

I am always saying I wish the Epcot resorts had more CS options. I was surprised when they added the Marketplace at the BC that it didn't include CS like that of the other deluxe resorts. The BWI is at the top of our list of resorts to try, but every time I bring it up for a trip, my DH's response is always "but there's no CS there". With having 2 teen boys, a good CS is always a must for us.....at least for now .

 

[JJSWDW]

We know it's not convenient for most but when we stay in that area we consider Epcot to be our food court. Usually we will hit sunshine seasons in the land a couple times plus several of the CS venues. For breakfast we normally keep cereal or donuts in the room since we like to stay out late and sleep in, so this eliminates the need for a food court for breakfast.

 

[elaine amj]

We know it's not convenient for most but when we stay in that area we consider Epcot to be our food court. Usually we will hit sunshine seasons in the land a couple times plus several of the CS venues. For breakfast we normally keep cereal or donuts in the room since we like to stay out late and sleep in, so this eliminates the need for a food court for breakfast.

But World Showcase doesn't open until 11am. So that means a LONG hike over to Sunshine Seasons and then back to your hotel to head to whatever park you want to go to. This does seem like a major con to staying in an Epcot Area resort - which otherwise is full of amazing food options. It's a pity Disney hasn't addressed this.

I'm not staying there so breakfast isn't the issue - but would like to head over for dinner to stroll the Boardwalk on our Blizzard Beach day - but with no real CS options (we're out of TS credits) we might just have to eat at Blizzard Beach before heading over - which seems nuts to me.

 

[Tara]

But World Showcase doesn't open until 11am. So that means a LONG hike over to Sunshine Seasons and then back to your hotel to head to whatever park you want to go to. This does seem like a major con to staying in an Epcot Area resort - which otherwise is full of amazing food options. It's a pity Disney hasn't addressed this.

The deluxe resorts aren't known for their QS options...and that isn't an accident. I don't think you'll see this addressed anytime soon.

 

[kandb]

I never realized that deluxe hotels didn't have good CS options. We have only stayed in 2, GF and AKL. I wasn't impressed with GF CS options but thought AKL had a pretty good CS selection.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

The lack of breakfast CS was my biggest issue with my BWI stay. I loved the resort, loved the location, hated the breakfast sandwiches at the Boardwalk bakery.

I ate a nice CS breakfast at Sunshine Seasons on the day I was in Epcot. The rest of the time after trying the 2 icky breakfast sandwiches, I ended up eating a bagel and banana for my breakfast the last 2 mornings and having a mickey ice cream bar mid-morning.

I would love to stay at the Beach Club sometime but the lack of good breakfast CS is holding me back.

 

[Mousemommy1]

Lucky for my family I guess, we are not big breakfast eaters. A bowl of cereal, or a bagel and we are good to start the day. . I think the availability of all the other dining options in the area FAR outweigh the breakfast issue, but obviously, that's just my opinion.

 

[Tara]

I never realized that deluxe hotels didn't have good CS options. We have only stayed in 2, GF and AKL. I wasn't impressed with GF CS options but thought AKL had a pretty good CS selection.

I don't usually eat much QS at all, but I agree that GF and AKL have ok choices. Really, most of the deluxe resorts have some QS...usually it's limited to a few hot food choices...like flatbreads or an entree or 2, plus assorted pre-made cold sandwiches and sides/desserts in the fridge cases. But compared to what is offered at values and moderates, the deluxe QS options are paltry. If you usually stay at a mod or value, I can see where this would be a noticeable difference. Those resorts have food courts which are like several QS locations together offering different types of food (grill, pizza/pasta, specialties, carving station, bakery, etc).

 

[MartyM]

I believe that the Deluxes don't have the massive food courts because it would take away from the atmosphere at the resorts. There's an increased orderliness (each in their own way) at the Deluxes that would be negatively impacted if a large food court were inserted.

I don't travel to WDW with children, so I appreciate the absence.