Disney’s BoardWalk Inn at Walt Disney World Resort [In-Depth Hotel Review]

^{The author stayed as an invited guest of Walt Disney World Resort. All opinions are the author’s own, and Walt Disney World Resort had no input in any part of this review.}

The experience of staying in a Disney Deluxe Resort hotel — the pinnacle of luxury accommodations at Disney World — differs from that of vacationing at other Walt Disney World hotels.

For starters, these hotels offer guests extra benefits that Disney Value Resort hotels and Disney Moderate Resort hotels do not. Furthermore, Disney Deluxe Resort hotels are conveniently situated on or near Walt Disney World Resort park grounds, making them an ideal choice for Disney enthusiasts.

Typically, on family vacations to Orlando, I prefer to stay off-site to maximize the value of my hotel points rather than spend a boatload of cash to stay closer to the parks.

However, on a recent work trip, I stayed on-property at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn with colleagues Chris Hassan and Carissa Rawson. The staff at Walt Disney World Resort extended an invitation to us so that we could learn about the company’s most recent enhancements and new features.

Let’s have a peek at my 4-night February 2024 stay, as well as what you might expect during your visit to Disney’s BoardWalk Inn.

Location

Disney’s BoardWalk Inn is 1 of 8 Disney Deluxe Resort hotels.

Atlantic City’s early 20th-century boardwalk served as inspiration for the design of this property, which is near EPCOT.

It’s great for those seeking easy access to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios since it is close to both parks.

The resort also has a real boardwalk, which is fitting given its name, with a bustling waterfront promenade filled with shops, eateries, and entertainment venues.

Orlando International Airport (MCO) is around 20 miles from the resort and, without much traffic, the travel time from the airport to the resort is around 25 minutes.

Guests staying at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn receive complimentary parking. If you prefer to avoid renting a car, various transportation options are available to reach Disney’s BoardWalk Inn.

Visitors flying into Orlando International Airport can arrange a ride-share to the resort, with fares typically starting at approximately $35 for the one-way trip, depending on traffic.

Another option is to schedule a shuttle service, such as Mears Connect’s airport shuttle. I picked this mode of transportation because I had no intention of leaving the Walt Disney World Resort area during my stay, and I would happily use it again.

Signs for the Mears shuttle were everywhere at the airport, with buses allocated for various resorts. Booking this airport shuttle service one-way costs $16 for adults and $13.50 for children 3 to 9.

Booking

Since I was attending a Walt Disney World Resort event, Disney provided the lodging at no cost. But if I were considering staying at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn for my next Disney visit, I’d be looking at nightly rates ranging from $600 to $1,000, depending on the time of the year. Being one of the Disney Deluxe Resort hotels, BoardWalk Inn often commands high rates.

I expected the prices to be on the very expensive side since I was in Orlando in February, at the peak of the Florida snowbird season, and my expectations were realized. During my visit, the average nightly rate for a resort view room with 2 queen beds was $956.

Apart from peak travel periods, you can still regularly expect nightly rates north of $500.

On the bright side, Disney’s resorts don’t have any hidden fees, so you don’t have to worry about any resort fees!

Had I been paying the cash rate, I would have used my Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card, which earns 2x on all travel-related purchases, including Disney hotels.

Hot Tip:

Fortunately, there are ways to reduce the cost of your Disney vacation trip, or at the very least, earn some valuable points or cash-back on your spending with the best credit cards for Disney and Universal vacations.

Check-In

Unless booked on a Mears Connect bus, as I was, most guests arrive by car or ride-share.

When I reached the exterior entrance of the resort, a security officer asked for my name to verify my reservation.

After passing the security booth, guests had 2 options: complimentary self-parking in the resort’s lot or leaving their belongings curbside at the resort’s valet circle with the valet (more on this service later).

Finally, I had arrived at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn.

When I got there on a Wednesday afternoon, the lobby was nearly empty.

At this time of day, I assumed that most guests were either in the parks or by the pool.

The front desk personnel took good care of me right away and explained all the amenities and extra benefits I received as a Walt Disney World Resort guest.

I was given a room key card and a property map and told that I could use my MagicBand+ and the My Disney Experience app to access my room digitally if I chose to (which I did).

I dropped off my things in the room (room 2331) at the farthest end of the property, about a 5- to 7-minute walk from the front desk, before heading to EPCOT, right next to Disney’s BoardWalk Inn.

Hot Tip:

Before your upcoming trip, download the My Disney Experience app to access Disney Genie (the new FastPass+ service).

Amenities

As one would anticipate from a Disney Deluxe Resort hotel, Disney’s BoardWalk Inn offered numerous amenities to entertain the whole family.

Extra Hours

Staying at Walt Disney World Resort hotels grants guests an additional benefit: extended hours at Disney parks. Guests staying at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn can enjoy early theme park entry and extended evening hours at select parks on select nights.

Early entry access for eligible guests means they can enter any of the 4 Orlando-area Disney theme parks 30 minutes before they open to the public, giving them a head start on their day in the parks.

Guests staying at a Disney Deluxe Resort hotel or Disney Deluxe Villa Resort can take advantage of extended evening hours for the duration of their stay. Disney’s BoardWalk Inn guests can stay at select parks until 11 p.m. on certain days, allowing them extra time to enjoy attractions with shorter lines.

Pools

Disney’s BoardWalk Inn offered guests 3 unique pools during my stay.

Luna Park Pool

Luna Park is the main pool at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn.

Old-fashioned carnival decorations lined the perimeter of the pool to go along with the resort’s boardwalk theme.

The Luna Park Pool had a waterslide called the Keister Coaster that was 200 feet long and looked like a lot of fun.

With temperatures in the 60s during my stay, this Floridian skipped the pools, which meant I missed out on the chance to ride the waterslide. However, Disney pools are heated year-round to 82 degrees if you want to take a dip.

Right beside the pool was the Leaping Horse Libations bar that resembled a merry-go-round.

There was also a designated area for younger children to play in and release some energy, complete with a playground.

Next to the playground was a small, shallow pool, ideal for families with toddlers.

The Luna Park pool is open for guests from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. each day.

Community Hall Pool

The pool at the Community Hall was in the Disney’s BoardWalk Villas area (an adjacent Disney Vacation Club property), a short distance south of the Luna Park pool.

There were only a few guests in the pool when I visited, offering a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of Luna Park. There was also a small Jacuzzi that was empty.

The Community Hall Pool is open for guests from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. each day.

Leisure Pool

At the opposite end of the other 2 pools, this leisure pool was in the Rose Garden courtyard, closer to the walkway to EPCOT.

The pool seemed more popular for lounging on chairs than for actual swimming during my visit.

The Leisure Pool is open for guests from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. each day.

Resort Transportation

Bus

As is common while staying on-site at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel, guests could take advantage of free buses between the hotel and the Disney theme parks and Disney Springs.

The buses operated often, and I used them to get from the hotel to the parks and back several times. At no time was the wait for a bus more than 15 minutes.

Bus service begins 45 minutes before the parks open and stops 1 hour after they close. For guests visiting Disney Springs, the service begins at the same time as operation hours and finishes 1 hour after closure.

Boat

Guests staying at Disney’s Boardwalk Inn could take a boat to either EPCOT or Hollywood Studios.

However, considering the hotel’s closeness to EPCOT, I figured it was better to walk to that park — at most 10 minutes at a leisurely pace.

The boat stopped at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort and Disney’s Beach Club Resort across the lake and the Walt Disney World Swan and Walt Disney World Dolphin hotels.

Therefore, it wasn’t the most time-efficient mode of transportation if you weren’t staying at those hotels.

Arcade

There was an arcade area next to the main pool.

This room was stocked with several different games and a card-charging station where you could purchase points to play games.

Fitness Center

Guests staying at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn had complimentary access to Muscles & Bustles Health Club, which was open 24/7.

I found a comprehensive gym facility equipped with treadmills, bicycles, ellipticals, free weights, and weight machines.

I knew I’d get my steps in at the parks, but I could’ve worked on strength-building here with plenty of equipment to choose from.

Movies Under the Stars

Disney’s BoardWalk Inn guests (and all Walt Disney World Resort hotel guests) could enjoy complimentary evening movie screenings. The movie screen was set up at night in front of the lawn and boardwalk.

Movie screenings were held every evening, and many families used the grassy area to watch a movie under the stars.

Community Hall Game Room

Disney Vacation Club resorts offer Community Halls, and Disney’s BoardWalk Inn has one near Disney’s BoardWalk Villas.

This location was open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and seemed like a great spot for teenagers and preteens seeking entertainment beyond the parks. This space offered a variety of seating, including a cozy sofa, beanbag chairs, and gaming chairs.

Additionally, there were large-screen TVs hooked up to PS5s. To round out the offerings, there was a foosball table and various arcade games.

There was also an outdoor Ping-Pong table and a pool table by the pool.

These amenities were available to all Disney’s BoardWalk Inn guests, not just those staying at the Disney’s BoardWalk Villas side of the resort.

Wi-Fi

During my entire stay, the Wi-Fi at the property was excellent. I strolled along the boardwalk multiple times and waited for Disney bus transportation at the front of the resort without encountering any service interruptions. The Wi-Fi speed remained consistently fast.

Parking

As of January 2023, all guests staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel receive complimentary parking. The parking lot at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn is right in front of the valet.

Based on the number of cars parked there, I guessed most guests self-parked in the lot because it’s free and the resort entrance is only a few steps away. If you use the valet, the fee is $39 per night, tax included.

Shopping

At Disney’s BoardWalk Inn and on the Boardwalk, there were a lot of good places to shop.

A general store consisted of various small stores in a shared space.

This general gift shop sold Disney items, snacks, and everyday things like milk, bottled water, and quick treats like cookies and pastries.

You could also buy Disney stuff here.

The store also sold apparel, toys, accessories, and plush Disney characters.

The Room

The hotel assigned me to room 2331 on the resort’s second floor.

I had yet to learn how spread out the property was, and it took me approximately 6 minutes to get to my room, in one of the resort’s wings, from the lobby.

If you or someone in your party has mobility issues, keep this in mind and request a room closer to the lobby.

Upon opening the door, I noticed the room had a good amount of space and wasn’t as tight as some other rooms at other Disney properties I’ve experienced.

As my family was joining me later, I’d requested a room with 2 queen beds.

For our group of 5, we got a room with 2 queen-size beds and a daybed that was a good-sized sofa that transformed into a bed.

Having a toddler and twin preteens meant I didn’t use the daybed, but I did request a pack-and-play to be brought to my room, and the staff was happy to provide it (not pictured).

The queen beds were exceptionally comfortable, with crisp sheets that smelled fresh.

The beds also featured a plush headboard perfect for leaning back while reading or watching television. They also had plenty of space below to store bags.

Between both beds was a nightstand with a drawer and plenty of counter space.

Beside 1 of the beds was a cozy chair and shelf.

I utilized this space for a few hours each day to get work done because there were ample power outlets conveniently beside the chair.

Attached to the walls beside each bed was a slab of marble that served as a small counter. There were numerous outlets on the wall just above these bedside counters, convenient for charging electronics.

In the center of the room was a dresser and a wall-mounted television. The dresser offered ample storage for clothing and personal items. There were also multiple outlets and USB ports above the dresser.

The walls were adorned with charming artwork of Mickey Mouse and his friends, which my toddler frequently admired throughout our stay.

The room’s foyer had a spacious closet equipped with a steamer, a hair dryer, and an in-room safe.

The closet space in the room was substantial, with numerous sections to hang your clothes or store folded garments.

A spare pillow and blanket were in the closet. For additional items, guests could contact housekeeping.

Next to the closet was a Keurig coffee maker on the counter. The drawer below held the creamer, sugar, and stirrers, ideal for a morning pick-me-up.

I used the coffee machine daily for my caffeine fix, which was essential to kick-start my day.

Beneath the counter, a door swung open to unveil the room’s mini-fridge.

A neat room feature was the Disney-branded version of Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant, “Hey Disney!” It was on the nightstand between the 2 beds.

This new voice assistant answered questions using the voices of over 25 Disney characters. You could request additional towels or have Mickey Mouse wake you up in the morning. We didn’t utilize this cool in-room feature during my stay, but I imagine it would entertain families with young children.

Bathroom

The bathroom was in the foyer and across from the closet.

The open-space vanity area opened to the bedroom, with a separate space designated for the shower and toilet. This vanity included 2 sinks and ample counter space.

The H2O+ brand of bath goods, which included mouthwash, soap, lotion, and shower caps, was available in the bathroom, as is customary at Disney properties.

The bathroom featured a shower-tub combination with glass doors.

I always judge a shower based on the water pressure, and this one did not disappoint.

Body wash, shampoo, and conditioner, also by H2O+, could be found in convenient, large pumps in the shower.

Balcony

To top it all off, I was thrilled to see that our room had a balcony overlooking the resort’s gardens.

I always appreciate natural light and the option to enjoy fresh air without stepping outside the room.

My family and I are all light sleepers, so I was worried about light entering the room in the morning, but this was not a problem, as the balcony doors had heavy curtains that blocked out the light effectively.

Food and Beverage

Disney’s BoardWalk Inn offered a variety of dining options, from upscale restaurants to charming bakeries, as well as grab-and-go options. It was a popular destination for meals ranging from breakfast to late-night snacks.

AbracadaBar

Adjacent to Trattoria al Forno on the boardwalk was the cocktail bar AbracadaBar.

Inside, it had a speakeasy vibe mixed with vintage props and enchanting circus posters in the bathrooms.

People used the outdoor tables and chairs in front of AbacadaBar to eat pizza or snacks from the other eateries during the day.

By night, this space became a neat spot to enjoy an adult beverage after a long park day.

AbracadaBar is open from 4 p.m. to 12 a.m.

Belle Vue Lounge

At Belle Vue Lounge, the focus was all on the cocktails, and there were really good ones to sample.

This recently opened lounge, just steps from the lobby on the second floor, looked welcoming.

I walked by many times throughout the evening, and several guests were sipping cocktails while relaxing on the elegant chairs.

The Belle Vue Lounge served a variety of handcrafted cocktails, wines, and beers, as well as nonalcoholic cocktails such as the Agave Garden, prepared with Lyer’s Agave Reserva Spirit (nonalcoholic), cold-pressed lime juice, passion fruit-papaya green tea, and cucumber.

Belle Vue Lounge is open daily from 4 p.m. until 12 a.m.

BoardWalk Deli

BoardWalk Deli offered a variety of fresh deli sandwiches, baked breads, and bakery items.

I grabbed lunch here and brought my Italian sub back to my room to eat since there were no sit-down tables at this quick-service spot.

Many guests ate their takeout meals at a table overlooking Crescent Lake at the BoardWalk.

Guests could indulge in various delicious meals throughout the day, including house-baked bagels, Reubens, salads, and sandwiches.

BoardWalk Deli is open daily from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m.

BoardWalk Ice Cream

In the mood for ice cream or milkshakes? BoardWalk Ice Cream had you covered with sundaes and scoops of Edy’s ice cream.

One of the standout items on the menu was the Bayside Brownie a la Mode, a delicious combination of brownie, hot fudge, and vanilla ice cream topped with whipped cream, chocolate sprinkles, and a cherry.

If you were feeling adventurous and had some family members or friends willing to share, you could try the $24.99 Mickey Kitchen Sink Sundae. It featured hand-scooped vanilla and chocolate ice cream with hot fudge, caramel, marshmallow topping, an ice cream cookie sandwich with sprinkles, whipped cream, white and dark chocolate shavings, and a cherry on top.

BoardWalk Ice Cream is open from 3 p.m. until 11 p.m. Monday through Friday and 12 p.m. until 11 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

BoardWalk Joe’s Marvelous Margaritas

BoardWalk Joe’s Marvelous Margaritas was reminiscent of an old-fashioned carnival stand on the boardwalk in Atlantic City. It served a variety of treats like Mickey pretzels, delicious margaritas, and the popular Dole Whip swirl.

Despite being a tiny kiosk on the BoardWalk, it had a sizable drink selection.

BoardWalk Joe’s Marvelous Margaritas is open daily from 12 p.m. until 12 a.m.

Carousel Coffee

Carousel Coffee debuted in December 2022 at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, just a few feet from the hotel’s front desk. I got my latte here whenever I craved something beyond in-room coffee. In addition to coffee, it had classic snacks like cookies, croissants, scones, and Mickey brownies.

Carousel Coffee is open daily from 6:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.

Flying Fish

BoardWalk’s Signature Restaurant, Flying Fish, is the property’s upscale dining establishment that serves delectable seafood dishes like Chilean sea bass and potato-wrapped red snapper, as well as filet mignon and other proteins and pastas from a fairly large menu.

Flying Fish would be a top choice for dinner at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn for a high-end dining experience — albeit at a cost.

Although I didn’t dine at this establishment, I did step inside to explore the restaurant, and it certainly left a lasting impression for its beauty.

Next time I visit Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, I plan to make a reservation to try out the dinner menu.

Flying Fish is only open for dinner, daily from 5 p.m. until 9:30 p.m.

Pizza Window

You can order pizza at the Pizza Window by the slice or whole pie. The line to order here was consistently long, day and night, and the pizza was pretty good.

Whether you are craving a cheesy slice or looking to share a whole pie, this pizza window is a convenient dining option on the property.

BoardWalk Pizza Window is open daily from 12 p.m. until 12 a.m.

Trattoria al Forno

The resort’s traditional Italian restaurant, Trattoria al Forno, doubled as the primary breakfast spot for resort guests.

Although this restaurant was convenient for guests of Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, reservations were still required for breakfast.

We got seated without any problems one day when we arrived before 9 a.m. and ordered from the breakfast menu.

The next day, we had a late start to our morning and didn’t arrive for breakfast until 10 a.m. No tables were available, and the wait was over an hour. The hostess said reservations for breakfast were a must, even for resort guests.

Other than breakfast, Trattoria al Forno has some of the best Italian food at Disney World. The interior design evokes the atmosphere of a traditional Italian eatery, with family-style tables and an open kitchen.

Classic Italian American and Italian fare like chicken Parmesan and lasagna al forno were on the menu. Tiramisù and homemade gelato were potential desserts to complete your meal.

Trattoria al Forno is open daily for breakfast and dinner from 7:30 a.m. until 10 p.m.

Service

Walt Disney famously stated, “Whatever you do, do it well. Do it so well that when people see you do it, they will want to come back and see you do it again, and they will want to bring others and show them how well you do what you do.”

You can expect that level of service consistency at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn. Every interaction I had with a cast member was greeted with a courteous smile. Each time I approached a cast member with a question, I received a clear answer before walking away.

When you stay at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel, you can be sure that the service will be very good. And it is at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn.

Final Thoughts

Spending 4 nights at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, one of the Disney Deluxe Resort hotels, was a pleasure. This is one of those hotels that lives up to the price tag for Disney enthusiasts, from the entertaining boardwalk to the Disney charm and the extremely close access to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios.

The next time I consider booking a family stay at a Disney Deluxe Resort hotel, this one will definitely make the shortlist.