Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The BoardWalk Inn is near the back entrance to Epcot, the International Gateway, and
is as near Epcot as is the Beach Club, and nearer to Disney's Hollywood Studios. You can
walk to either park from it, though most take the boat to the Studios. The other theme parks,
water parks, and Downtown Disney are reached via shared buses that can take a while. The
BoardWalk Inn is well located for trips centered on Epcot and the Studios, but not so well
located for a Magic Kingdom-focused trip.
From its interior courtyards, the BoardWalk Inn is the loveliest and most compact of the
Epcot resorts, and is highly popular with honeymooners. Kids don't get its theme, and the
main pool, while fine, isn't at the standard of the pool at the Beach Club, making the Beach
Club a better choice for most families. But adults love it, and the resulting demand means
BWI is typically a little more expensive than the Beach Club.
Standard guest rooms at BWI, with about 370 square feet, are similar to those in the
Yacht Club and Beach Club, mid-sized among the deluxes but well-proportioned and ap-
pointed, sleeping four on two queens or five with an added couch. Rooms also have a desk
with a small rolling table underneath, a desk chair, mini-fridge, TV, dresser, closet, and a
coffee-maker. The divided bath includes two sinks and a hair dryer, and a toilet and tub in
a separate room. Four-person rooms have the same size, omit the couch, but add an easy
chair. Of the four room types at the Villas, studios are most comparable to standard BWI
rooms. They sleep four in a similar space on a queen and fold-out couch, but can be quite
a hike. (A fold-down fifth sleeping spot is expected to be added in a 2015 refurb.) Rooms
have balconies or patios, and are accessed from interior corridors. Like the other deluxe
resorts, you can also reserve concierge-supported rooms (Disney call these “club” rooms)
and suites, and BW also has larger “deluxe rooms” that sleep six, and Garden Cottages best
suited to couples.
The BoardWalk Inn itself has next to no dining, but several restaurants with zero kid
appeal are right outside on the BoardWalk itself. These include the sports-bar style ESPN
Club; the new Italian restaurant Trattoria al Forno; high-end, expensive seafood at the Fly-
ing Fish Café; and the brew pub Big River Grille. There are no character meals, nor any
real counter service. More table service dining is at the Yacht and Beach Clubs, and dining
in Epcot is an option, but may be impractical for families without hopper tickets. There's a
great bar inside and another at the pool.
Among them, the three Epcot resorts—the Beach and Yacht Clubs, and BoardWalk
Inn—provide within walking distance access to almost any amenity, including beaches,
nightly movies, campfires, jogging trails, playgrounds, a pirate cruise, boat rental, fishing,
a spa/fitness center, tennis, hot tubs, volleyball, a business center, and arcades.
At the BoardWalk Inn you can pay extra for views. Standard view rooms are $455/night
on weekdays and $491/night on Fridays and Saturdays during the 2015 Fall season. 2015
peak prices for these rooms are $683 and prices bottom out at $419/night.
Jim's Gems
by Jim Korkis
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