Staying at Disney’s Boardwalk Inn!

[Once.Upon.A.Time]

Hi all,

I made a post a little while back while trying to choose between GDT/AKL and POFQ. Well, with the Disney Plus promotion we were able to swing staying at Disney’s Boardwalk Inn. We booked a Garden View room. Any advice is greatly appreciated. We are a couple in our 30’s with no kids. We will be going to MK and Epcot and it’ll be July. Is there any section I should request? Again, thank you all!

 

[TammiMcMan]

Without kids, we like the area by the quiet pool, closer to the main lobby. It’s sort of a contained courtyard space. There’s a pretty large wing and it can be a long walk, that’s why I like closer to the lobby. Ground floor rooms have a lovely patio, upper floor rooms can get you a view of the Eiffel Tower and spaceship earth. We typically use the quiet pool anyway so it‘a a convenient location for us.

 

[Once.Upon.A.Time]

Without kids, we like the area by the quiet pool, closer to the main lobby. It’s sort of a contained courtyard space. There’s a pretty large wing and it can be a long walk, that’s why I like closer to the lobby. Ground floor rooms have a lovely patio, upper floor rooms can get you a view of the Eiffel Tower and spaceship earth. We typically use the quiet pool anyway so it‘a a convenient location for us.

Thank you! We don’t mind walking longer if the location is better.

 

[AnnabelleTheTalkingTree]

You're going to have a great time. Boardwalk is a great resort, and particularly for the child-free. There are lots of choices right at the resort to grab a drink, and being able to walk over to Epcot for food/drinks at night (and then easily walk right back) is a huge plus. If you don't have hoppers, it's worth looking into for that reason. The Crescent Lake area in general is great.

 

[ktink]

You're going to LOVE BWI! DH & I stayed in January, just the 2 of us. We loved everything about the resort! We had drinks at Belle Vue Lounge a couple of nights, I just can't say enough about this resort! We ended our split stay at GF & we both preferred BWI over GF.

We booked the Disney+ offer too. I was hoping for YC, just to try another resort but we ended up with BWI again during our September split stay. We will be ending our trip at BWI this time.

 

[DduzDis]

There are lots of choices right at the resort to grab a drink, and being able to walk over to Epcot for food/drinks at night (and then easily walk right back) is a huge plus.

Just make sure you drink them before you try to walk back to your room (from EP). Ask me how I know....

It is one of our most favorite areas in WDW. Have a great time!

 

[Once.Upon.A.Time]

Thank you all. I am super excited now to go!

 

[Once.Upon.A.Time]

You're going to LOVE BWI! DH & I stayed in January, just the 2 of us. We loved everything about the resort! We had drinks at Belle Vue Lounge a couple of nights, I just can't say enough about this resort! We ended our split stay at GF & we both preferred BWI over GF.

We booked the Disney+ offer too. I was hoping for YC, just to try another resort but we ended up with BWI again during our September split stay. We will be ending our trip at BWI this time.

Excited to hear you enjoyed BWI over GF.

 

[Mynamewastaken]

You're going to love it!

 

[DANAW]

We love the Boardwalk and hope to stay there again this fall. We love the Boardwalk view, but I could see how that may be a little noisy/busy for some people. However, I am a little worried about the renovations coming. Does anyone know when they will begin there?

 

[Once.Upon.A.Time]

I heard there’s no QS options. Would the bakery be a good alternative? We aren’t big breakfast eaters. A pastry or something quick will do.

 

[Denise W]

Actually there are two quiet pools. One is right next to the main pool and the Community Hall. The other one is in the Inn wing, near the cottages.

 

[TammiMcMan]

I heard there’s no QS options. Would the bakery be a good alternative? We aren’t big breakfast eaters. A pastry or something quick will do.

The Bellevue lounge by the lobby offers pastry and coffee in the morning. You can also mobile order from the bakery. Both are pretty convenient, but the lounge is definitely faster. If you aren’t in a hurry, you can take your pastry and coffee out on their patio.

 

[Nabas]

I'm a kid at heart. With this in mind, there's a few things to consider:

1. Make sure that you get a schedule of activities at the front desk when you check-in. There usually is a sign posted and sometimes it's just easier to take a photo of that.
2. The Boardwalk Inn/Villas has 3 pools: the main pool and 2 quiet pools. If you have time, give each one a try.
3. The water slide at Luna Park pool is, IMO, the best water slide at any of Disney's WDW hotels.
4. Take some time to explore the boardwalk after sunset. The boardwalk tends to get more active in the evening, especially near Epcot's closing time. It really can be lovely.
5. The boardwalk has a pizza window.
6. The Boardwalk Bakery has some fun baked goods. It also has some food. My spouse particularly likes the soup and sandwich.
7. The Boardwalk's main store (called the General Store) has pastries and sweets too. Plus other food items you might find at a convenience store.
8. Stop at least once at the Boardwalk Ice Cream shop.
9. The boardwalk has some carnival games at night that I have seen adults enjoy playing. Also cotton candy and funnel cakes.
10. The boardwalk offers bike rentals. (These are 4-wheel bikes the seat four or five.)
11. Entertainers are there most nights on the Boardwalk. Ask at the front desk for a schedule.
12. Take a stroll around Crescent Lake (the lake in front of the Boardwalk) and explore the other hotels (Swan, Dolphin, Yacht Club, and Beach Club).
13. Book at least one nighttime reservation at Beaches & Cream for some ice cream. (Beaches & Cream is located across Crescent Lake at the Beach Club.) If you cannot get a reservation, Beaches & Cream also has a walk-up window.
14. Trattoria al Forno (the table service restaurant on the boardwalk) is known for Italian food. However, it also serves breakfast, which is pretty good. Reservations are required.
15. The Big River Grille is a good choice for burgers & beer for lunch or dinner. They have an outdoor patio, which can offer a beautiful view around sunset and is comfortable if it's not too hot. They take reservations through Google.
16. Even though Disney's Hollywood Studios (DHS) is within walking distance, try riding the Skyliner to DHS or one of the other hotels at least once.
17. Also try riding the boat to DHS at least once for a different experience.

 

[CrystalClear82]

We'll be at BWI in a few weeks. I was a little hesitant as we too don't have any children and it's a staycation for us.
It's not our usual place to stay so I'm going in a bit blind as well... I can report back.. We're there from May 6-9.

 

[Once.Upon.A.Time]

I'm a kid at heart. With this in mind, there's a few things to consider:

1. Make sure that you get a schedule of activities at the front desk when you check-in. There usually is a sign posted and sometimes it's just easier to take a photo of that.
2. The Boardwalk Inn/Villas has 3 pools: the main pool and 2 quiet pools. If you have time, give one a try.
3. The water slide at Luna Park pool is, IMO, the best water slide at any of Disney's WDW hotels.
4. Take some time to explore the boardwalk after sunset. The boardwalk tends to get more active in the evening, especially near Epcot's closing time. It really can be lovely.
5. The boardwalk has a pizza window.
6. The Boardwalk Bakery has some fun baked goods. It also has some food. My spouse particularly likes the soup and sandwich.
7. The Boardwalk's main store (called the General Store) has pastries and sweets too. Plus other food items you might find at a convenience store.
8. Stop at least once at the Boardwalk Ice Cream shop.
9. The boardwalk has some carnival games at night that I have seen adults enjoy playing. Also cotton candy and funnel cakes.
10. The boardwalk offers bike rentals. (These are 4-wheel bikes the seat four or five.)
11. Entertainers are there most nights on the Boardwalk. Ask at the front desk for a schedule.
12. Take a stroll around Crescent Lake (the lake in front of the Boardwalk) and explore the other hotels (Swan, Dolphin, Yacht Club, and Beach Club).
13. Book at least one nighttime reservation at Beaches & Cream for some ice cream. (Beaches & Cream is located across Crescent Lake at the Beach Club.) If you cannot get a reservation, Beaches & Cream also has a walk-up window.
14. Trattoria al Forno (the table service restaurant on the boardwalk) is known for Italian food. However, it also serves breakfast, which is pretty good. Reservations are required.
15. The Big River Grille is a good choice for burgers & beer for lunch or dinner. They have an outdoor patio, which can offer a beautiful view around sunset and is comfortable if it's not too hot. They take reservations through Google.
16. Even though Disney's Hollywood Studios (DHS) is within walking distance, try riding the Skyliner to DHS or one of the other hotels at least once.
17. Also try riding the boat to DHS at least once for a different experience.

Thank you! It sounds like a blast!

 

[Once.Upon.A.Time]

We'll be at BWI in a few weeks. I was a little hesitant as we too don't have any children and it's a staycation for us.
It's not our usual place to stay so I'm going in a bit blind as well... I can report back.. We're there from May 6-9.

Thank you! That means no parks, right? This trip we are only doing MK and Epcot.

 

[grannyminnie]

I have my first stay at BWI coming up in a few weeks too, and really looking forward to the experience of the lounge. (I blame all of you who rave about it being the best CL on the property!) Staying in a cottage.

 

[CrystalClear82]

Thank you! That means no parks, right? This trip we are only doing MK and Epcot.

Correct no parks. We picked up Club Level since we'll be there a good bit.

We typically stay at the WL or YC. The dated rooms at BWI have me a little apprehensive but I'm sure it will be fine.

 

[CrystalClear82]

I have my first stay at BWI coming up in a few weeks too, and really looking forward to the experience of the lounge. (I blame all of you who rave about it being the best CL on the property!) Staying in a cottage.

Will we be there at the same time?! May 6-9th for us!!