One of the best options for families without kids at Walt Disney World
Welcome to one of the most classic resorts at the Boardwalk, mostly because it shares a name with the… uh… Boardwalk. Original, I know. The Boardwalk Inn is located around Crescent Lake, much like the Yacht Club Resort and Beach Club Resort, which we previously reviewed here on Famvia. While Yacht Club and Beach Club are basically located shoulder to shoulder, to the north of the lake, the Boardwalk Inn is situated to the southeast, in what many consider a quieter and more peaceful location.
The Boardwalk Inn is a great hotel. It doesn’t have a swimming pool as gorgeous as the one at Yacht/Beach Club, but it offers overall better rooms, and its location is the best in all of the Boardwalk area.
This is not a cheap hotel by any means, considering that rooms start at $690, but it’s also a great option for families without kids and adults who want to focus on good restaurants, bars, and staying within walking distance of Disney World’s most adult-oriented theme parks - Hollywood Studios and Epcot.
What we like about Boardwalk Inn
The best thing about the Boardwalk Inn is also the best thing about every hotel located around Crescent Lake: it’s within walking distance of both Epcot and Hollywood Studios. Overall, the Boardwalk Inn might have the best location of all the resorts at the Boardwalk. It’s a seven-minute walk to Epcot (compared to five minutes from Beach Club), but it’s only a 15-minute walk to Hollywood Studios (compared to 20 minutes from Beach Club).
The location is also great because there is a boat launch service right in front of the hotel, which can cut travel time to Hollywood Studios to just 12 minutes. The Boardwalk Inn is also conveniently located next to some of the best bars at the Boardwalk, like AbracadaBar, and unlike the Yacht Club, it doesn’t have a convention center, which can make that hotel feel noisier and more crowded than usual if a special event is taking place.
The Boardwalk Inn also has some excellent rooms. We’re not saying that the Yacht Club or Beach Club have bad rooms, but the Boardwalk Inn’s rooms were recently updated in 2023, with nearly everything replaced, from the floors to the old desks and TV stands. The overall vibe of the rooms is quite minimalistic and lacks that distinct Disney touch, which could be another reason why this is a great hotel for adults and families without kids. They’re spacious, bright and smell fresh. Two thumbs up!
The main pool is the Luna Park Pool, and it’s a pretty good one. It’s not often regarded as the best pool at the Boardwalk, since the Yacht/Beach Club Resort pool - Stormalong Bay - is considered the best one at all of Disney World, so it’s hard to compete with that. Still, the Luna Park Pool has a big waterslide, is quite large, and even has a cute carousel next to it. It’s a great option for those who want to relax and take a quick swim; it just doesn’t have the small waterfalls or lazy river you’d find at Stormalong Bay.
What we don’t like about Boardwalk Inn
Boardwalk Inn has very few cons, and many people consider it the best hotel at the Boardwalk. It has a great location, is next to some amazing bars, and also has a pretty good swimming pool. So, what could be a negative?
Well, this is a fantastic resort, but mostly for families without children. This isn’t necessarily a negative, since it’s great to have hotels like this at Disney World, but it’s good to keep that in mind. However, I do think the price could be a bit of a disadvantage. A night here starts at about $690, while a night at Beach Club starts at $615. Sure, the rooms at Boardwalk Inn are slightly better, and the location is a little bit better as well, but is the $75 price difference justified? That’s up to you.
BoardWalk Inn FAQ
How much is a room at the BoardWalk Inn?
Although room rates depend on the dates and room category, prices at the BoardWalk Inn typically start at $690 per night.
Is the BoardWalk Inn within walking distance of Epcot?
Yes! It takes only about 7-12 minutes to walk from the BoardWalk Inn to Epcot.
Is the BoardWalk Inn within walking distance of Hollywood Studios?
Yes! It takes about 15 minutes to walk from the BoardWalk Inn to Hollywood Studios.
Is there a boat service available at BoardWalk Inn?
Yes! Boats run every 15 minutes and can take you to either Hollywood Studios (12-minute ride) or Epcot (about 7 minutes).
Is the BoardWalk Inn within walking distance of Magic Kingdom?
No, the BoardWalk Inn is not within walking distance of either Magic Kingdom or Animal Kingdom. To reach these parks, you’ll need to hop on a complimentary bus or drive there.
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