What to do on Boardwalk?

[IBLarsen]

After multiple trips to WDW we have NEVER been to the Boardwalk area. We have 2 kids, DS14 and DD12, plus DH and Myself. We are adding on a few park days to our cruise this summer and I'm thinking we should at least visit the boardwalk, but what are your favorite things to do for families? Is this a must do? I'm usually so focused on fitting in as much park time as possible, but thinking this may be good on arrival evening as opposed to DTD that I would usually do.

 

[Farro]

Eat dinner. If you aren't already going there for dining, I wouldn't suggest trying to make an evening out of it. We've stayed at Yacht/Beach a few times and we love the area since we stayed there, but wouldn't bother making a trip there unless we had dining reservations.

There's a few shops, some entertainment during the evening (street performers), snacks and some carnival games.

It's just my opinion, but I'm right.

 

[bryanb]

There's a lot less going on at Boardwalk than Disney Springs, but it is a very nice area. Personally, I don't know that I would specifically schedule time to be at the Boardwalk, but if you're a frequent WDW visitor and enjoy resort hopping, it is worth a stroll, especially in the evening when the area is lit up. The theming and atmosphere on the waterfront are excellent. People rent surrey bikes (for up to four) and pedal them around the circle around Boardwalk, Yacht/Beach Clubs, and the Swan/Dolphin. I've seen people occasionally playing the carnival games or stopping to see a street entertainer. There's a pizza window that serves up okay slices. The shopping isn't particularly unique. That said, I haven't ever spent time at Jellyrolls or Atlantic Dance Hall... so someone else might make a case on whether those are good for families.

Disney hasn't really planned for the Boardwalk to receive a lot of visitors. Or at least they haven't planned it to be its own "destination" within the property. It doesn't have its own parking and transportation options are limited to the area hotels, so it's a challenge with or without your own car. On most nights it's rather dead compared to Disney Springs. To best enjoy the Boardwalk, I would either combine it with dinner reservations at a restaurant or as part of a stay in one of the Epcot area hotels. Or perhaps you can take a break from Epcot to stroll out for some ice cream at the excellent Ample Hills Creamery.

 

[Farro]

@bryanb - Jellyrolls is a 21 and over bar. Not sure about Atlantic Dance Hall.

 

[anniemae]

I personally would not make a special trip there. Not much to do. Takes about 10 minutes to see it all. Shops sell same merchandise as other stores. There are a couple restaurants, a bakery.

 

[IBLarsen]

Thanks! I kept feeling like maybe I was missing out by not seeing the Boardwalk. I like the IDEA of it I should have stated in my opening post that since we are adding on to the cruise we are staying at the Swan hotel rather than our normal on site hotels. Having never stayed in that area, I thought we should take advantage of something different for dinner, but wanted to know if the Boardwalk was a better way to spend the evening rather than staying on property at the Swan Or going to DTD (Disney Springs...have to retrain my brain!) I'll have to take a closer look at dining at the boardwalk but would love to know if you all have favorite dinner places around there

 

[Farro]

@IBLarsen Now that I know you are staying at the Swan, it is easy to just walk on over! You can do both - go visit the Boardwalk for a bit, then head to Disney Springs!

Flying Fish on the Boardwalk is really good. We liked it. For a more casual spot, we really enjoy Crews Cup Lounge in the Yacht Club - kind of like a pub, with good food!
There is an Italian place on the Boardwalk we haven't tried, but it gets pretty good reviews.

I have not eaten at the Swan/Dolphin, but I do know people enjoy Blue Zoo (sp?), Il Mulino and Shula's.

 

[runwad]

We just went to the Boardwalk for the first time last week while we were there. We really liked it. And I liked that it wasn't so crowded! It was nice without all the people around. That said we just strolled around, stopped and got ice cream and just enjoyed walking around.

I've always seen the Swan & Dolphin but never knew exactly where they were, now I do! We would've rented some bikes but the ones for 4 were all gone :-(.

But we liked it and will go again, we liked the area. Not a lot to do right, but it's a nice place for an hour and half or so.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Thanks! I kept feeling like maybe I was missing out by not seeing the Boardwalk. I like the IDEA of it I should have stated in my opening post that since we are adding on to the cruise we are staying at the Swan hotel rather than our normal on site hotels. Having never stayed in that area, I thought we should take advantage of something different for dinner, but wanted to know if the Boardwalk was a better way to spend the evening rather than staying on property at the Swan Or going to DTD (Disney Springs...have to retrain my brain!) I'll have to take a closer look at dining at the boardwalk but would love to know if you all have favorite dinner places around there

I would definitely head over to the Boardwalk for the evening, especially since you are staying right next door at the Swan!!

Swan/Dolphin has some of the best restaurants in WDW, so, depending on what you like to eat, I would highly recommend Kimono's (great sushi), Il Mulino (great Italian) and blue zoo (seafood and other dishes). If you would rather eat on the Boardwalk, we like Trattoria al Forno (casual Italian), but Il Mulino's food is better. In the evening, you will find magicians and jugglers performing outside on the Boardwalk. Sometimes they play movies on the Village Green and there are carnival games (bring cash if you want to play them). If you like ice cream, I would highly recommend going to Ample Hills for dessert - best ice cream in WDW, IMHO. You can also rent surrey bikes and ride around the Boardwalk and see some of the fireworks from the bridge that connects to Boardwalk area to the EP entrance area. As others have said, it's more subdued than DS, but, personally, I like that. DS gets a little crowded for me and unless I really want to shop, I tend to avoid it.

 

[jsbowl16]

Ample Hills Creamery=best ice cream on property.

 

[IBLarsen]

I would definitely head over to the Boardwalk for the evening, especially since you are staying right next door at the Swan!!

Swan/Dolphin has some of the best restaurants in WDW, so, depending on what you like to eat, I would highly recommend Kimono's (great sushi), Il Mulino (great Italian) and blue zoo (seafood and other dishes). If you would rather eat on the Boardwalk, we like Trattoria al Forno (casual Italian), but Il Mulino's food is better. In the evening, you will find magicians and jugglers performing outside on the Boardwalk. Sometimes they play movies on the Village Green and there are carnival games (bring cash if you want to play them). If you like ice cream, I would highly recommend going to Ample Hills for dessert - best ice cream in WDW, IMHO. You can also rent surrey bikes and ride around the Boardwalk and see some of the fireworks from the bridge that connects to Boardwalk area to the EP entrance area. As others have said, it's more subdued than DS, but, personally, I like that. DS gets a little crowded for me and unless I really want to shop, I tend to avoid it.

Thanks! I know absolutely nothing about the Swan and Dolphin, just decided to book there today on a whim when I realized I could use Starwood points. Good to know the restaurants are good

 

[LoopyDoopy]

Ample Hills Creamery=best ice cream on property.

This is EXACTLY why I'm going there. Just for Ample Hills ice cream.

 

[JerseyJanice]

Thanks! I know absolutely nothing about the Swan and Dolphin, just decided to book there today on a whim when I realized I could use Starwood points. Good to know the restaurants are good

Just want to tell you that the Swan is my favorite resort. The rooms are sumptuous, and the pool area is spa like. No screaming kids running around--just beautiful relaxing with 4 hot tubs and countless pools. Hope you enjoy your stay.

 

[EdmondD]

Ample Hills Creamery=best ice cream on property.

Yep, yep, yep.

Also, we really enjoy renting the surrey bike. You can do about three laps in 30 minutes. Good fun! Then eat some ice cream.

 

[kimieko]

We will be staying at The Boardwalk Inn for our stay in November. The more I hear about Ample Hills, the more I think I won't try it until my last night there so I don't eat it every day! If you are staying at The Swan, definately take a stroll over.

 

[bryanb]

Thanks! I kept feeling like maybe I was missing out by not seeing the Boardwalk. I like the IDEA of it I should have stated in my opening post that since we are adding on to the cruise we are staying at the Swan hotel rather than our normal on site hotels. Having never stayed in that area, I thought we should take advantage of something different for dinner, but wanted to know if the Boardwalk was a better way to spend the evening rather than staying on property at the Swan Or going to DTD (Disney Springs...have to retrain my brain!) I'll have to take a closer look at dining at the boardwalk but would love to know if you all have favorite dinner places around there

Gosh, I didn't realize you were staying at the Swan either. I love the Swan too. Stayed there more than any other Disney resort (at first because of my Starwood membership, and later because it's just such a great location!). But I wouldn't want to hang out at the Swan all night though. There are too many nice places to visit nearby.

If you were walking to and from Epcot, you'd experience the Boardwalk twice from the Swan.

Since you're not going into the Epcot theme park, why not enjoy the best of both worlds of nighttime entertainment? Take a leisurely stroll from the Swan down to the Boardwalk and check out the atmosphere. You can eat here or wait until your next step. Then, when you're done, you can hop onto the bus from the front of Boardwalk Inn to Disney Springs.

 

[k8Davies]

Thanks! I know absolutely nothing about the Swan and Dolphin, just decided to book there today on a whim when I realized I could use Starwood points. Good to know the restaurants are good

I Love the Swan and Dolphin and has been my main place to stay on the last two trip and my up coming trip.

As we always get an amazing deal (compared to the other hotels in the Boardwalk Area) Know it's not official Disney but with the free transport, EMH and the in room purchasing delivery and the fact they do a character breakfast I think it's great.

Especially now as they are doing it all up, lovely, but in a few spots it was a bit dated.

Although one of the main reason we stay there is the Boardwalk area, I find it just so relaxing with all the benches and big open walkways, I feel I am able to Stroll there.

Sometimes with the madness of the parks and the really busy periods you can get at Disney springs it nice to have a little saunter along the promenade.

I find there is lots of stuff to do, from the shops, places to eat and places to drink, Love Joe's Marvelous Margarita Hut as I can get a beverage then keep on walking.

I also think, well for my family anyway, and to be fair we've only done this in Oct and Nov time so I'm not sure how it will transfer in the summer months, I find it much quicker to walk to either Epcot IG or HS rather than the Transport, even the boats.

Know you'll have a great trip as the Swan hotel is so handy, as at the end of the long day you can watch illuminations, then jump out of the IG, walk around the boardwalk stopping for Ice Cream, Slice of Pizza and a Margarita (for the over 21's) then back into your lovely room to rest up for another fun day ahead.

 

[P800aul]

After multiple trips to WDW we have NEVER been to the Boardwalk area. We have 2 kids, DS14 and DD12, plus DH and Myself. We are adding on a few park days to our cruise this summer and I'm thinking we should at least visit the boardwalk, but what are your favorite things to do for families? Is this a must do? I'm usually so focused on fitting in as much park time as possible, but thinking this may be good on arrival evening as opposed to DTD that I would usually do.

Hi

Our children DD x2 are 13 and 15 now so similar age frame, this is what we do which includes the Broadwalk and we really have a great evening.

We play golf at Fantasia Golf at about 5pm leave the car in the car park walk over to our ADR at Trattoria al Forno have a relaxing meal (from the UK so we take our time) then walk through to International Gateway and stand on the bridge between England and France to watch the fireworks. Clearly there is time in between to take in the Boardwalk, have a beer, watch some of the street performers and take in the view.

Regards

Paul

 

[PSUGuy]

There are performers on the boards nightly, magicians, jugglers etc, this guy is our favorite:

http://www.coneyislandchris.com/

The Belle Vue Lounge is a 30's themed bar with a 2nd story balcony perfect for people watching, it's kid friendly. The ESPN Club is the ultimate sports bar and the Big River is a micro brewery. One can see the aerials of Illuminations from a couple of spots and of course WS is a short stroll away. There are 4 wheeled surry bikes for rent, we usually circle the water a time or two each trip. We rarely stay anywhere else.

Bill From PA

 

[vicb]

You are getting great tips so I'll just add a few: I have stayed at the Dolphin twice and we always head over to Boardwalk for a low key evening. I would suggest eating dinner at one spot and dessert at another. My daughter has had her hair braided on the Boardwalk as it then doesn't take away from time in a park. The busker shows can be entertaining although a bit few and far between some nights. The BWI gift shop is nice to shop in. We have rented surrey bikes several times, fun! Don't forget you also have the Beach Club to stroll through, take the boat across if you get tired of walking. And if you time it right you can see some of the fireworks from Illuminations. BC and BWI have small video arcade rooms if your kids would enjoy a short stop there. The area is pretty at night and we always enjoy a visit. For casual meals we have dined at Big River Grille and ESPN. We also ate at Il Mulino. There is Beaches and Cream at the BC.