The Boardwalk

[CMLDisney12]

Is it like Downtown Disney where admission is free if you are a resort guest or would it require a paid admission if we want to go? We have a hopper but if I planned a trip for a day we aren't going to the park I don't want to waste an admission day.

 

[DebbieB]

Is it like Downtown Disney where admission is free if you are a resort guest or would it require a paid admission if we want to go? We have a hopper but if I planned a trip for a day we aren't going to the park I don't want to waste an admission day.

There's no admission fee for anyone (same as Downtown Disney). It's basically a scaled down version of Downtown Disney. The best time to go is in the evening, there are acts along the boardwalk like jugglers and magicians. Not much during the day. It's definitely not an all day place, without a meal you can come and go within an hour. If it's just adults, you can spend time in Jellyrolls or Atlantic Dance Hall in the evening.

 

[KrazeeK120]

There's no "gate" or anything to go through to get to the Boardwalk. It's just part of the Boardwalk resort.

I do know that Jellyroll's charges a cover. I'm not sure about the other bars/clubs.

 

[Minerva Mouse]

The boardwalk does not require admission and has it's own parking lot, much like DTD. You are free to then roam as you please.

 

[CMLDisney12]

Thanks!!

 

[KrazeeK120]

The boardwalk does not require admission and has it's own parking lot, much like DTD. You are free to then roam as you please.

It probably should be mentioned that the parking lot to get to the boardwalk is the same as the parking lot for the Boardwalk Resort. Therefore, if you're not a guest of the Boardwalk resort, you will only be allowed to park there for 3 hours.

 

[DOOM1001]

The Boardwalk is just that, the Boardwalk area of the Boardwalk resort.Admission is free for all just like at DTD but the Boardwalk is not anywhere as big as DTD.The Boardwalk entertainment basically consists of the Jellyrolls piano bar and the Atlantic Dance hall nightclub.Dining options are Kouzzina,Flying Fish cafe,ESPN Club,the Big River Grille,a bakery and candy shop and a pizza window.There's a couple of stores and an art gallery and my suggestion would be to visit the Boardwalk after either finishing the day at Epcot or DHS as you can reach the Boardwalk from both of these parks by walking or taking the boats from the entrance of DHS or from the International Gateway entrance of Epcot.

 

[jpeppers]

In my opinion the Boardwalk is the hidden gem in Disneyworld for a parent looking for a night outside of the park. As stated above the entertainment is free so it's already a bargain. Between 7:00 and 10:00 they have atleast 3 performers rotating and the shows are very kid friendly and very good. We have seen some of the same shows over and over but I still laugh and my 11 year old loves it. Since they shut down Pleasure Island I would much rather be at the Boardwalk than go to DTD. You can also see the fireworks from Epcot and the Magic Kingdom from the Boardwalk. If you want to walk to the other side of the lake the beach Club has a movie on the beach and roasted marshmallows. You can also rent bikes! I'm a huge fan of the Boardwalk!

 

[disnut8]

It probably should be mentioned that the parking lot to get to the boardwalk is the same as the parking lot for the Boardwalk Resort. Therefore, if you're not a guest of the Boardwalk resort, you will only be allowed to park there for 3 hours.

Actually, there are two parking lots for the Boardwalk - one for the resort guests and one for "overflow" which is where anyone just visiting the Boardwalk for the fun should park. The overflow lot is across the street and a much further walk but it is there for folks who want to visit Jellyrolls, the Atlantic Dance Hall, eat at Big River Grill, or go to the ESPN Club to watch football all day on a Sunday. If Disney limited people parking for three hours to do any of those things, they would lose a lot of business for those venues.

To the OP - to get a feel for the Boardwalk, you can always exit Epcot from the International Gateway and then walk over there during the day. It's pretty dead then but you can see the layout. In the evenings, everything will be open.

 

[KrazeeK120]

Actually, there are two parking lots for the Boardwalk - one for the resort guests and one for "overflow" which is where anyone just visiting the Boardwalk for the fun should park. The overflow lot is across the street and a much further walk but it is there for folks who want to visit Jellyrolls, the Atlantic Dance Hall, eat at Big River Grill, or go to the ESPN Club to watch football all day on a Sunday. If Disney limited people parking for three hours to do any of those things, they would lose a lot of business for those venues.

To the OP - to get a feel for the Boardwalk, you can always exit Epcot from the International Gateway and then walk over there during the day. It's pretty dead then but you can see the layout. In the evenings, everything will be open.

Ah, didn't realize that. I must not have been paying very good attention the one time I drove there. But...things tend to go over my head, so that's not too much of a surprise.

 

[Scrappy_Tink]

I love ordering from the pizza window in the evenings, and sitting and people-watching while eating it!! I really hope they never close the pizza window!

 

[pickles]

In my opinion the Boardwalk is the hidden gem in Disneyworld for a parent looking for a night outside of the park. As stated above the entertainment is free so it's already a bargain. Between 7:00 and 10:00 they have atleast 3 performers rotating and the shows are very kid friendly and very good. We have seen some of the same shows over and over but I still laugh and my 11 year old loves it. Since they shut down Pleasure Island I would much rather be at the Boardwalk than go to DTD. You can also see the fireworks from Epcot and the Magic Kingdom from the Boardwalk. If you want to walk to the other side of the lake the beach Club has a movie on the beach and roasted marshmallows. You can also rent bikes! I'm a huge fan of the Boardwalk!

if you enjoy the acts you can spend more than an hour there. like any carnival or boardwalk, there are games, but they will nickel and dime you to death