Should You Stay at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn?

Selecting the perfect Walt Disney World hotel can be challenging.

Because so many official Disney resorts fit all your vacation needs, you may experience paralysis by analysis.

You’ll want to pick several different resorts and have trouble deciding which one.

So, in an attempt to make your life easier, MickeyBlog wants to help. We’re breaking down the pros and cons of various hotels.

Today, we’ll answer a simple question. Should you stay at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn?

About BoardWalk Inn

The concept of the boardwalk hotel dates back to 1870, when an enterprising Atlantic City government official had an idea.

This individual correctly deduced that if the city hosted a centralized spot by the water, tourists would flock there.

Atlantic City remains a popular tourist destination to this day, which is a credit to the boardwalk concept.

On Disney theme park campuses, the company hosts several meticulously themed tributes to popular premises.

That’s why you’ll find Disney’s take on the boardwalk hotel right beside EPCOT’s World Showcase.

The BoardWalk Inn’s theming will transport you back to a simpler time when families vacationed together by the water.

And yes, there is a lake right by the BoardWalk! So, the theming is pitch-perfect in tone.

The Lobby

The moment you enter this hotel’s lobby, the theming will transport you back to a…stranger era.

You’ll encounter some of the oddest hotel décor ever, and I mean that in a good way.

One of my favorite things to do is take someone to the BoardWalk for the first time.

Then, I watch their face as they see the clown chairs for the first time. Here they are if you’re unfamiliar with them:

That touch is but one of the delightful eccentricities on display at the BoardWalk’s lobby.

Disney wants to show BoardWalk visitors what hotel visits were like 150 years ago.

In fact, you’ll find something called a Clamshell Mutascope here. It’s this.

During the late 19^th century, this is how people “watched movies,” if you can even call it that. You can check it out at the BoardWalk.

Obviously, you’ll find countless modern amenities as well, as you’d expect at a luxury Disney resort.

The classic stuff defines the vibe at this hotel, though.

The BoardWalk

Something else you’ll love about the BoardWalk Inn is that it’s a stairway away from Disney’s BoardWalk.

In case you’re unfamiliar with this place, it’s an entertainment district chock-full of drinking, dining, and even dancing options.

The BoardWalk resides in a relatively confined space. So, you can walk from end to end in five or ten minutes.

However, you’ll relish the opportunity to explore this area.

The BoardWalk features Disney World’s hottest new restaurant, The Cake Bake Shop.

Plus, you’ll find a dueling piano bar name Jellyroll’s and an 80s/90s nightclub called Atlantic Dance Hall.

There are several other restaurants, lounges, and shops in this area as well.

Plus, you’ll discover a few permanent kiosks that sell things like corn dogs, margaritas, and pizza.

Best of all, you’ll often find street entertainers performing here.

They’ll show off their odd combination of skills in a crowd-pleasing way. It’s a VERY popular activity, especially at night.

The Convenience

Remember earlier when I said the hotel was right beside EPCOT’s World Showcase? That’s not an exaggeration.

Here’s a video of someone walking from the BoardWalk Inn’s stairs to EPCOT’s International Gateway:

Yes, that took them about four minutes. And you should pay attention to the gondolas soaring above the area.

During this walk, you’ll encounter the entrance to the Disney Skyliner before you reach EPCOT’s International Gateway.

This means you can ride a gondola to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and save yourself some walking.

Those who prefer a tranquil walk can follow the trail from BoardWalk Inn to Hollywood Studios instead.

So, you’re a five-minute walk from the back entrance to EPCOT, which will deposit you near the France pavilion.

Basically, when you stay at the BoardWalk Inn, you’re staying only a few minutes away from two of Disney World’s theme parks.

You simply cannot beat that sort of convenience.

The Dining

You’ll eat like royalty when you stay at the BoardWalk Inn.

I already mentioned the proximity to the Cake Bake Shop, but that’s merely scratching the surface of your dining options.

Trattoria al Forno resides close to the staircase at the hotel. And the Pizza Window and BoardWalk Deli connect to the building!

These places are so close that some of the hotel rooms are directly above the restaurants!

Should you prefer other options, you can cross the street to Disney’s Yacht & Beach Resort.

This place technically consists of two hotels, but they’re often grouped together since they’re adjacent to one another.

In fact, I’ve gotten lost at Beach Club while walking to my room and wound up in Yacht Club.

That wasn’t a bad thing at all, as I could smell the Yachtsman Steakhouse from here. It’s in the conversation for best steak at Disney.

At Beach Club, you’ll find two long-standing favorites. Cape May Café is a seafood buffet at night…and a VERY good one at that.

At breakfast, Minnie Mouse hosts a character meal here. It’s a standard Disney buffet with no seafood.

So, this meal is an excellent option for families with children who are picky eaters…which is most kids. Right, parents?

One of my favorites is here as well. It’s the iconic Beaches & Cream Soda Shop, home to this bit of this ridiculousness:

Should you prefer even more options, you can head to the World Showcase instead.

The world is your oyster there…and some World Showcase restaurant probably serves oysters, too.

The Reasons You May Prefer Other Hotels

One of the best parts of the BoardWalk Inn is also one of its primary weaknesses.

Some of the rooms feature BoardWalk View. They’re the ones I referenced earlier that reside above the BoardWalk’s restaurants.

The “problem” with these is that nightlife activity at the BoardWalk is so vibrant that the rooms are often loud.

Those who are heavy sleepers will never even notice it. However, light sleepers should definitely do one of two things.

You should pick a Standard View room that’s not facing the noise or book a different Disney hotel instead.

The other reason you may prefer somewhere else is that this is a Deluxe Tier resort.

These hotels represent the best of the best at Disney. So, they cost a bit more.

Then again, you definitely get what you pay for. Disney provides Deluxe Tier resort guests with an exclusive amenity.

On two days per week, Disney will provide you with private access to a specific Disney World theme park for two hours.

You can ride the best and most popular attractions when the parks are closed to 99 percent of Disney guests.

So, there’s a hidden positive within the perceived negative.

I realize there’s plenty to consider here. So, I’d recommend that you speak with a MickeyTravels agent.

They’re the foremost experts on Disney hotels, and they provide their services entirely free of charge. It’s too good an offer for you to pass up!

The other suggestion I’ll offer is that if you’re on the fence about the BoardWalk Inn, you should visit the BoardWalk on your next trip.

I suspect you’ll fall in love with the area and want to stay at the hotel. It’s so charming and timeless and one of Disney’s best.

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Feature Photo: Disney