Disney's BoardWalk Inn Review

From the eclectic décor to the panoramic views of Crescent Lake, the BoardWalk Inn gives you the sense that you have stepped back in time.  That time being circa 1920-1940’s Atlantic City.  The exterior of the hotel is reminiscent of the seaside buildings that could be found along the Boardwalk from that bygone era full of old time glitz and glamour.  Driving through the port couture at the front of the building, surrounded by finely manicured gardens you are met with enthusiastic porters that are there to welcome you home as they take your bags and guide you into the hotel lobby.

Chandelier in the Lobby

Once inside, the eclectic furnishings are precise replicas of what you would expect to find in the grandest hotels from that moment in time.  As you enter the lobby, look up to see the beautiful chandelier made of antique carousel horses that sits high above the lobby with the check in desk located to your left as well as a small sundry shop and the hallway that leads to the villas and to the right is the hallway that leads to the aptly named Belle Vue Lounge* and elevators.  To one side of the lobby sitting high on a shelf is a miniature replica of Lucy the Elephant which is a famous 6 story hotel that still stands in Margate, NJ.  Oh and don’t let me forget my daughter's favorite chair that sits just inside the front doors!  She has always had to sit in the chair each time we stay there ever since our first time staying there 8 years ago and we have been back countless times since.

I absolutely love the décor of this hotel.  It definitely is one of my favorite places to stay at when I take my family to Walt Disney World.  You have a short walk to Epcot (8 minutes last time I timed it) and if you want to go the Studios you have the choice of walking which will take you approx. 20 minutes or you can take the boat which I lovingly call the slow boat to China!  The boat makes a loop of the area hotels including the Swan/Dolphin and the Yacht/Beach Club resorts as well as Epcot and the Studios.

Through the rear of the hotel you will find doors that open onto a porch where you can find a vast array of rocking chairs where you can sit and relax while looking out over the grounds.  Once you proceed down the stairs you can then follow the pathways that lead you to the BoardWalk.  You will pass the health club and pool entrance to your left on your way.  When you get onto the BoardWalk, to your left you will find a multitude of shops as well as Jellyrolls* (piano bar) and the Atlantic Dance Hall*.  To your right you will find the ESPN Club* where you can grab a fast bite to eat while watching your favorite game as well as a bakery, pizza shop and sweet shop.  There are also 3 restaurants located on the BoardWalk.  The Flying Fish*, Big River Grill & Brewing Works* and Trattoria al Forno. 

The main pool here is definitely cool and the kids will get a kick out of riding the “Keister Coaster” at Luna Park Pool which is a 200 foot water slide that is made to look like the old wooden roller coasters. There are also two quiet pools which are located in the Rose Garden and next to Community Hall.  We usually can be found at the one in the Rose Garden.

Back inside of the hotel, the beautiful hard wood floors lead you to the elevators as you walk past the Belle Vue Lounge.  Make sure that you check out the paintings in the hallway that replicate the boardwalk at the turn of the century.  They are absolutely one of my favorite things about this hotel.  If you have the chance, stop in at the Belle Vue Lounge and check out the old style radios that play the old radio shows from the olden days.  It’s very cool!!  They also offer a light breakfast in the lounge if you want a quick bite to eat in the morning.

The rooms vary from standard view to the garden suites that are located along the back of the hotel.  The standard view rooms will offer a view of the grounds, parking lot or the gardens.  The water view rooms offer you a wonderful view of Crescent Lake and the BoardWalk.  These rooms will have either two queen or 1 king bed and some will also offer a junior size sofa bed.  Please keep in mind that the sofa bed is meant for a small child under the age of 10.  My youngest who is 5’2 was too big for it so keep in mind that if that 5th person is taller than 46-48” they will not fit on that bed.

The hotel also offers concierge rooms which include the Garden Rooms.  The concierge rooms offer either 2 queens or a king, while the deluxe concierge room offers 2 queens and a queen size pull out in this very large room where you can sleep up to six comfortably.  The Garden Rooms are very popular for honeymooners at this resort.  These sleep up to 2 adults in the spacious two story cottage type building with one and a half baths.  All concierge rooms offer nightly turn down service, robes and access to the concierge lounge which offers refreshments throughout the day and into the evening with a wide variety of offerings from continental breakfast to cordials and desserts.  All of the rooms offer the normal dorm size refrigerators, coffee pot and coffee, wall mount hair dryers, iron and ironing board, alarm clocks and a small safe for your valuables.  Wi-Fi is also available at this resort.

If you want to vacation in style then this hotel is definitely a great choice.  It’s perfect if you are going to take advantage of either the Flower and Garden Festival or the Food and Wine Festival since you have such a short walk to get back to your hotel.  Oh and for a little romance, take the path along the water which is rarely used.

You can find more pictures of this resort by clicking here.

*Temporarily unavailable due to COVID-19 safety guidelines. 

Disney's BoardWalk Inn is currently closed however Disney's BoardWalk Villas is open for new reservations.

Pam VanSyckle

Pam is the owner of Kingdom Konsultant Travel and specializes in all aspects of Disney travel and many destinations beyond Disney. You can email Pam at pam@kingdomkonsultant.com.