There are EPCOT resort area resorts and there are EPCOT resort area resorts—those select few within walking distance to the theme park. Of that bunch, Disney’s Boardwalk Inn and Villas Resort is certainly the flashiest, and after my recent stay I fully understand the appeal. Read on for my guide to Disney’s Boardwalk Inn and Villas Resort—with tips for parents! Updated June 2025 with information about recent closures on the Boardwalk.

About Disney’s Boardwalk Inn and Villas Resort

Disney’s BoardWalk Resort opened in 1996 during the 25th Anniversary Celebration of Walt Disney World (the year Cinderella Castle was dressed as a birthday cake). Located along Crescent Lake, the resort sits perched between EPCOT and other Disney Resorts—the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, and Disney’s Beach Club Resort.

Resort Theme

Themed to a seaside BoardWalk from yesteryear, the resort is described by Disney as having “the charm and whimsy of turn-of-the-century Atlantic City.” The resort consists of two connected buildings, one with standard rooms (which I will refer to as the BoardWalk Inn), and the other, Disney Vacation Club (DVC) Villas. (Remember, you do not need to be a Disney Vacation Club Member to book a stay in DVC Villas.) The back side of the resort that abuts Crescent Lake features a functioning BoardWalk with shops, dining, and entertainment options that draw in visitors from around the Orlando area.

The BoardWalk is heavily inspired by turn-of-the-century theme parks and amusement from that era. Gold and crystal chandeliers hang in an ornate lobby filled with amusement park decor, including a model wooden roller coaster and black and white photos of amusement parks. The theming extends beyond the lobby, too; for example, at the Luna Park Pool, the bar area is shaped like an old-fashioned carousel.

On the Boardwalk

The BoardWalk Resort truly comes alive in the nighttime. Golden lights dot the waterfront, basking Crescent Lake in a certain glow. Signage to shops and restaurants illuminate the Boardwalk, making each night feel like Summer. Carnival games and street performers draw crowds, cheers, and music. The lawn between the buildings fills with families, children running around as a Movie Under the Stars screens in the background.

The BoardWalk, perhaps more so than any other Disney World resort, wears its adult offerings on its sleeve. A cocktail lounge and a dance hall (and previously, a dueling piano bar) coexist with quick-service and table-service restaurants normally filled with families. This certainly gives the BoardWalk more of a late-night vibe; it’s perhaps the one resort clearly intended to cater to guests of all ages, and not only the Monorail crowd.

Layout and Parking

Long time readers of this blog know I can’t resist a bit of way finding. Think of the BoardWalk R as two horseshoe-shaped buildings that connect in the middle. Upon entering the resort, you drive between two relatively small parking lots (one for self-parking, the other for valet) before arriving at the entrance, which sits between the two buildings that effectively acts as one large complex. As mentioned, one building houses the DVC Villas, the other–the Boardwalk Inn—houses the standard rooms. The lobby sits to the left of the entrance, technically part of the wing that houses the DVC Villas.

The entrance and lobby area are on the second floor of the resort. Each wing contains a set of elevators that service the upper floors as well as the Boardwalk itself, on ground level, where you can find the entertainment.

Once on the BoardWalk, the options are seemingly endless. In one direction you quickly reach a fork just before the Swan and Dolphin Resorts; from there, a left will take you to Disney’s Hollywood Studios; a right will take you towards Disney’s Yacht Club, Disney’s Beach Club, and eventually the International Gateway entrance to EPCOT (which features a Disney Skyliner station).

Back at the center of the BoardWalk, the opposite direction leads you past more shops and restaurants and just over a bridge to the International Gateway entrance to EPCOT (and the aforementioned Disney Skyliner Station). Essentially, the Boardwalk Resort places you within walking distance to two Walt Disney World theme parks (EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios) and both Disney’s Yacht Club and Disney’s Beach Club. That’s in addition to all of the things to do on the BoardWalk. That is a lot of options!

Getting Around the Boardwalk

The BoardWalk Resort boasts several transportation options. In addition to the Disney bus system, guests can take Friendship Boats and the Disney Skyliner without leaving the resort area. Let’s discuss the Disney Skyliner and the Friendship Boats.

Using the Disney Skyliner at the Boardwalk Inn and Villas Resort

As mentioned, a Disney Skyliner station is located just outside the International Gateway. The Skyliner travels straight to Disney’s Riviera Resort (my ultimate guide is here), home to Topolino’s Terrace, among other hotspots like Le Petit Cafe, my favorite coffee bar. From there, you can continue riding the Disney Skyliner station to Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort station (as the hub for the Disney Skyliner), and then transfer to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. (You can also walk from Disney’s Riviera Resort to the station at Disney’s Caribbean Resort.)

Friendship Boats

If you are more interested in navigating Disney World waters, you can always ride the Friendship Boats. There are two “launches” for these water transportation options on Crescent Lake. One is on the BoardWalk Resort side, and the other, at the lighthouse in front of Disney’s Yacht Club Resort (check out my review of Disney’s Yacht Club here). Either stop will take you to your choice of Disney’s Hollywood Studios or EPCOT.

(Note that there is also a stop at the Swan and Dolphin Resorts, too; those resorts are technically not owned by Disney but they are affiliated with Disney and they offer much of the same perks.)

Boardwalk Dining and Shops

There are a ton of options for shopping and dining at Disney’s Boardwalk, such that it feels like its own little universe. Here is every dining and shopping option, organized by type, and location.

Food and Drinks

Flying Fish

This sophisticated restaurant—Disney stresses a dress code here—offers fresh seafood in a luxury setting. It is located at the center of the Boardwalk, but closer to the Boardwalk Inn side of the resort.

Trattoria al Forno

This casual table-service restaurant offers Italian favorites; it is located on the Boardwalk Inn side of the resort.

Big River Grille & Brewing Works (Update: The Big River Grille & Brewing works quietly shuttered in early 2024. No word on its replacement yet, so stay tuned.)

Boardwalk Deli

Inspired by the Northeast, this relatively-new deli offers sandwiches, bagels, and desserts. Note that this is the only quick-service option at the BoardWalk and it is located closer to the BoardWalk than the rooms. While there are many dining options at the BoardWalk Resort, most are table-service, meaning it can be difficult to grab a quick meal in a pinch—for parents: plan ahead and mobile order!

Pack your comfortable shoes: because it is located on the actual Boardwalk and not inside the resort, it can be quite a walk to get there.

Boardwalk Ice Cream

This ice cream parlor serves–you guessed it–ice cream and beverages, and is located on the Boardwalk Inn side of the resort.

Carousel Coffee

This coffee shop is one of the few options actually located within the Boardwalk Resort, just off the lobby in the wing where the DVC villas are located. It replaced Dundy’s Sundries, a small gift shop.

Leaping Horse Libations

This carousel-themed bar services the Luna Park pool (more on that below) on the DVC side of the resort.

Belle Vue Lounge

This quaint, low-key lounge is the other option actually located inside the BoardWalk Resort, in the BoardWalk Inn section of the resort.

AbcracadaBar

This lounge themed to magic and optical illusions is located on the BoardWalk Inn side of the resort.

The Caked Bake Shop

The Cake Bake Shop (an Orlando outpost of the successful restaurant and bakery) opened in 2024, replacing the ESPN Club. I’ve yet to try it, but it offers table service dining, including high tea requiring a reservation, and a bakery filled with famous cake slices.

Nightlife

Jellyrolls: after thrilling Disney World guests for 29 years, it quietly shuttered on April 19, 2025. No word yet on a replacement. Stay tuned.

Atlantic Dance Hall

This is a 1940s-themed nightclub that plays “hits from the ’80s, ’90s and today” located on the DVC villas side of the resort.

Shopping

Screen Door General Store, Disney’s Character Carnival, Thimbles & Threads.

Though technically three different shops, they are all connected internally, sort of like how the Emporium extends along the entirety of Main Street, U.S.A. at the Magic Kingdom. Each has a separate entrance, but you need only enter at one point to access everything inside, which mostly consists of apparel and souvenirs. Screen Door General Store is akin to the typical convenience store found at most Disney World Resorts, and that is where you will find food, beverages, and snacks.

Wyland Galleries of Florida

This is a quaint art gallery located next to Screen Door General Store, but unlike the shops mentioned above, it is not connected to Screen Door General Store.

Pools & Recreation

There are two pools at the BoardWalk; the larger of the two is the Luna Park pool on the DVC Villas side. The pool features the Keister Coaster, a large slide themed to look like a wooden roller coaster. (This is also where Leaping Horse Libations is located.) The other pool, which is more of a leisure pool, is located on the BoardWalk Inn side of the resort.

Luna Park Crazy Play Area

Also in the Luna Park area is the Luna Park Crazy Play Area, a kids playground which includes a kiddie pool. While relatively large, it lacked shade or protection from the sun. I visited with my children in September, and most of the park surfaces being too hot to play on during most of the day.

The gym, Muscles and Bustles Health Club, is located on the ground floor on DVC Villas side, next door to Side Show arcade.

Is it Kid-Friendly?

Ultimately, yes, but with a few caveats. As you may have gleaned, there is much to do at the BoardWalk, much of which caters to families. The sheer size of the place makes it perfect for letting your kids run free to get their energy out. There is also a dedicated kids playground, though as mentioned, it’s not suitable for the summer months. And the transportation options cannot be beat; the fact that you can walk, ride boats, or take the Disney Skyliner to two theme parks makes the Boardwalk Resort rival the monorail resorts in terms of convenience. As a parent to three young kids, time is everything. The ability to walk to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios without loading the stroller and kids in a car, or waiting for a bus or boat, makes my park days feel like actual vacations. Double points that I can walk the kids back to the resort for nap time. Add in the Disney Skyliner access to Disney’s Riviera Resort, which features the best Character Dining on Disney World property, and there is an argument that this truly a parent’s delight.

But, there are some downsides to such bustle. The BoardWalk is busy, at all times of day, but especially at night. There are bars, lounges, and dance halls, which attracts a mature crowd. My children sleep early, so I would be concerned if placed in a room overlooking the noisy BoardWalk.

Further, though it wasn’t an issue for me, I couldn’t help but notice the age differences between the younger kids and the adults entering the nearby bars and lounges; I don’t think I would want my kids so close to such venues while on a family vacation. These observations may not be a deal breaker for you, but I figured they would be worth mentioning if you prefer a quieter, family-friendly resort

The Verdict

Disney’s BoardWalk is easily one of the best resorts on Disney World property. It’s showy, loud, boisterous, and fun. There are so many dining options, though they are quite a walk from the resort rooms. It is perhaps the most centrally located resort within WDW. It is served by buses, boats, and the Disney Skyliner. It offers walkability, allowing you to fully escape inside a resort bubble within the Disney World bubble.

Sure, there are a few downsides—you will walk a lot when you stay there, which can be a negative for some people. (I prefer to walk most places, even at home; at the BoardWalk, I felt those long walks between my resort room, my car, and between the resort and theme parks.)

It is popular, meaning it is busy, and it is clearly a resort filled with non-resort guests, which can give it an energetic feel. There are few elevators, which often had long lines throughout the day. The lone quick-service option may leave you wanting for a quick meal during your stay, especially if you need quick eats because you have kids or you are prioritizing as many parks and activities as possible. You may prefer a resort with less things to do, if only for a quieter atmosphere.

That said, Disney’s BoardWalk Resort is a true standout that makes the case for staying at an EPCOT area resort instead of staying along the coveted Magic Kingdom Monorail Loop.

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