WWYD - Disney Springs or Boardwalk

[GillianP1301]

I normally don't post WWYD type questions, because I know there are so subjective, but I'm stumped so here it goes...

We have an off day Disney day on our upcoming 10 day trip to go to Kennedy Space Center, myself and my 10 year old son. I plan on being back to Disney around 6:30. My first thought was to drive straight to Disney Springs and grab a QS meal, probably D-Luxe Burger since we haven't been there yet. Then I thought, it might be nice to throw in a nicer meal and relax for the evening.

Pros/Cons:
Flying Fish is a restaurant I've been wanting to try for awhile now.
We are staying at YC, so it's nice and close to Boardwalk.
DS is not a must do for us, so no biggie if that gets missed, we have been before.
On the flip side, we have not been to DS for nearly 2 years so I feel like we are due.
Having a QS meal takes away any stress of making it back in time for an ADRR
$ wise, both options will fit into my plan
My son loves steak and I've read the filet at FF is amazing.
We have never been to the Boardwalk to even look around.

What to do, what to do....

 

[Lisa F]

I normally don't post WWYD type questions, because I know there are so subjective, but I'm stumped so here it goes...

We have an off day Disney day on our upcoming 10 day trip to go to Kennedy Space Center, myself and my 10 year old son. I plan on being back to Disney around 6:30. My first thought was to drive straight to Disney Springs and grab a QS meal, probably D-Luxe Burger since we haven't been there yet. Then I thought, it might be nice to throw in a nicer meal and relax for the evening.

Pros/Cons:
Flying Fish is a restaurant I've been wanting to try for awhile now.
We are staying at YC, so it's nice and close to Boardwalk.
DS is not a must do for us, so no biggie if that gets missed, we have been before.
On the flip side, we have not been to DS for nearly 2 years so I feel like we are due.
Having a QS meal takes away any stress of making it back in time for an ADRR
$ wise, both options will fit into my plan
My son loves steak and I've read the filet at FF is amazing.
We have never been to the Boardwalk to even look around.

What to do, what to do....

I'd go to FF and you may have just convinced me to do that on my next trip. It was on our "new signature" short list and my son loves filet as well, hearing it is amazing (and I am pretty sure I have seen fries as a side available too there) elevates it.

Disney springs is not a relaxing thing to me. You fight traffic to get there and then have to look for a spot and then it's big and it's packed with people. Even though on the surface QS SOUNDS like an easier option, to me the DS sounds like way more hassle at the end of the day.

I'd go back, park the car, freshen up a bit and stroll over to the BW and have a nice dinner where they serve me and clean up after me. That sounds way more relaxing. If you were saying just QS at resort I might be tempted but the overhead of going to DS is quite high IMO

 

[GillianP1301]

I'd go to FF and you may have just convinced me to do that on my next trip. It was on our "new signature" short list and my son loves filet as well, hearing it is amazing (and I am pretty sure I have seen fries as a side available too there) elevates it.

Disney springs is not a relaxing thing to me. You fight traffic to get there and then have to look for a spot and then it's big and it's packed with people. Even though on the surface QS SOUNDS like an easier option, to me the DS sounds like way more hassle at the end of the day.

I'd go back, park the car, freshen up a bit and stroll over to the BW and have a nice dinner where they serve me and clean up after me. That sounds way more relaxing. If you were saying just QS at resort I might be tempted but the overhead of going to DS is quite high IMO

Thank you, that's exactly where my thinking is right now. Even if I changed to a TS at DS, it is still way more of a hassle transportation and crowd wise and as much as I always want to love DS, I just don't.

Also, this is our first time staying at an EP area resort, so it seems like the right time to hit up FF. We'll be doing YS as well, but I know my son will not have any issue with two high quality filets in one vacation.

 

[KenHutch]

Go to the Boardwalk and FF. On our recent trip in the first 2 weeks of this month my daughter and I went to Disney Springs which used to be one of her favorite places to go to. No more she has told me we are never going back there. The World Of Disney store was gutted and she has a strong aversion to booze or people who drink to excess and in our 3 hours there we saw not just happy people but several obnoxious drunk people. It very load, chaotic and not the place we remember. I am working hard to get her to go in the afternoon on our next trip so I can eat at Morimoto (which is worth the trouble).

 

[gharter]

We stay at Board frequently for that reason. We really like FF and then strolling around the Boardwalk at night, watching the performers.
We can walk over to EPCOT if we want to see Illuminations. Often we can see some of the fireworks from HS.
We haven't made it there yet, but Jellyrolls is on the list for this fall.
Makes for a nice evening.

 

[mustinjourney]

We stay at Board frequently for that reason. We really like FF and then strolling around the Boardwalk at night, watching the performers.
We can walk over to EPCOT if we want to see Illuminations. Often we can see some of the fireworks from HS.
We haven't made it there yet, but Jellyrolls is on the list for this fall.
Makes for a nice evening.

I had a lot of fun at jellyrolls. But be aware that the drinks there are 20-30% higher than other places on property. I got three drinks (2 crowns and 1 old fashioned) and the bill was around $50 before tip. There's a cover charge as well -- but the popcorn is included!

 

[DaisyDuck001]

but the popcorn is included!

Probably because it makes you thirsty for more drinks.

 

[loves to dive]

I'd do FF if those are my two choices, especially staying at YC. I would probably walk over to Epcot and have something there since it's so easy to stroll over there but if you don't want to pay for a ticket, FF would work.

 

[castle1]

I would definitely eat at FF, explore the Boardwalk area and then maybe go to Ample Hills Creamery for ice cream!

 

[upbeatred]

I guess I am in the minority here, but I just got back from the Yacht Club last week. I do not think a ten year old would like flying fish. And really the Boardwalk is not all that entertaining. I would vote for just staying at the Yacht Club and letting him swim. The pool stays open really late, and the food by the pool is good and there are lots of quick service options there. If you want something else I think the food and the entertainment at Disney Springs are 100 times better than the Boardwalk. Even the ice cream at Beaches and Cream is better than Ample Hills Creamery. Also we went to the Yachtsman and the steak was delicious. They also let you split everything, including the steak without a charge, which might be good for a mother and son.

 

[JerseyJanice]

If it were my husband, myself and my 10 year-old son, I would spend the afternoon at Storm-Along-Bay, have a nice leisurely dinner at Flying Fish, then do some strolling around the Boardwalk.

You do so much rushing around the parks during a WDW trip that it’s nice to spend a day enjoying the area near your resort.

FYI Ample Hills Creamery ice cream is made there in the back of the shop. Beaches and Cream serves Edy’s or Dreyer’s as it is called west of the Mississippi. Nothing wrong with either, but these are the facts.

 

[Lisa F]

I guess I am in the minority here, but I just got back from the Yacht Club last week. I do not think a ten year old would like flying fish. And really the Boardwalk is not all that entertaining. I would vote for just staying at the Yacht Club and letting him swim. The pool stays open really late, and the food by the pool is good and there are lots of quick service options there. If you want something else I think the food and the entertainment at Disney Springs are 100 times better than the Boardwalk. Even the ice cream at Beaches and Cream is better than Ample Hills Creamery. Also we went to the Yachtsman and the steak was delicious. They also let you split everything, including the steak without a charge, which might be good for a mother and son.

Just so you know, I have a picky 10 year old who loves signatures, and reviews look good at FF for picky kids. They have fries on the kid menu and my child (and the OP's child) loves filet, which is also on the menu. A filet with fries would make him very happy and it's an opportunity for mom to try something more adventurous. Do not discount Disney signatures' ability to cater to picky kids just because the menu is more adventurous. It's one of the best things about Disney!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

As a mom of a 10-year old boy who travels alone with him frequently to WDW, I vote for just going to the Boardwalk that evening. KSC is a big day. DS would be complete sensory overload for both of us after that trip.

If you are concerned about making the FF ADR, maybe consider Shula’s at Dolphin instead. You could make a reservation there without putting down a cc hold, so there’s no risk there.

 

[Linleedo]

I would choose the Boardwalk( which is why we have stayed at the Yacht Club over and over). There are a lot of delicious filet options in that area. Our favorite is Shula's steakhouse at the Dolphin. We have also loved the same steaks at Yachtsman Steakhouse, and Flying Fish. When we have taken the grandchildren, they absolutely loved the pool. So much to do- the slide, the volleyball game, the lazy river, the whirlpool, the sandy beach area. Getting ice cream at Beaches and Cream is delicious, as is the newer option at Ample Hills. Enjoy! Check out the options:
http://allears.net/dining/menu

 

[Nancyg56]

Just so you know, I have a picky 10 year old who loves signatures, and reviews look good at FF for picky kids. They have fries on the kid menu and my child (and the OP's child) loves filet, which is also on the menu. A filet with fries would make him very happy and it's an opportunity for mom to try something more adventurous. Do not discount Disney signatures' ability to cater to picky kids just because the menu is more adventurous. It's one of the best things about Disney!

At ten YO my DGD would have loved FF too. She was dining out with us from an infant and was ordering from the adult menu as soon as she was able to articulate a preference. Personally, I think that our best decisions for dining in WDW when she was younger were the signatures that offered her a respite from the stimulation that never seemed to dim. She is 16 now and still appreciates a perfectly cooked filet (her favorite cut) and fries or mashed potatoes. )And then the next meal will order a kids portion of mac and cheese! LOL!!!

OP- if I was coming home from a long day offsite I would choose to go to the Boardwalk to dine and relax. FF would be my choice, or consider Tratorria al Forno. I think right now al Forno is noisier and more crowded, but it is very good. The servers are outstanding. FF is very good as well, and if your child appreciates good food, it is a solid choice. IF you can, get a table next to the kitchen. WE had a wonderful time observing the cooks, and by the end of our meal they were interacting with us. I think we were seated where the old chefs table was.

The Boardwalk is a fun place to walk around after dinner. If you choose to skip dessert you can stop at Ample Hills for a cone.

 

[Lisa F]

At ten YO my DGD would have loved FF too. She was dining out with us from an infant and was ordering from the adult menu as soon as she was able to articulate a preference. Personally, I think that our best decisions for dining in WDW when she was younger were the signatures that offered her a respite from the stimulation that never seemed to dim. She is 16 now and still appreciates a perfectly cooked filet (her favorite cut) and fries or mashed potatoes. )And then the next meal will order a kids portion of mac and cheese! LOL!!!

OP- if I was coming home from a long day offsite I would choose to go to the Boardwalk to dine and relax. FF would be my choice, or consider Tratorria al Forno. I think right now al Forno is noisier and more crowded, but it is very good. The servers are outstanding. FF is very good as well, and if your child appreciates good food, it is a solid choice. IF you can, get a table next to the kitchen. WE had a wonderful time observing the cooks, and by the end of our meal they were interacting with us. I think we were seated where the old chefs table was.

The Boardwalk is a fun place to walk around after dinner. If you choose to skip dessert you can stop at Ample Hills for a cone.

That is awesome to hear, it is officially on our ADR list. Kiddo LOVED sitting by the open kitchen at CA Grill, I will request it here too!

 

[Nancyg56]

That is awesome to hear, it is officially on our ADR list. Kiddo LOVED sitting by the open kitchen at CA Grill, I will request it here too!

We had no idea, but boy did we have fun!

 

[crabbygal902]

I’d take advantage of the Boardwalk area! After several (okay, many) WDW vacays I have learned that my group is much happier when we explore all that our resort has to offer. Spend your evening soaking it all in: go to your ADR that you have made with plenty of buffer time for traffic and such, stroll the Boardwalk and enjoy the entertainers, maybe jump in that spectacular pool if there’s time before bed.

In my experience, time at the Boardwalk always trumps time at DS for my kids. They see DS as one big, outdoor shopping mall which is totally boring to them.

Lisa F is right: DS parking, especially at dinner, is going to be frustrating as all get out.