Down on the Boardwalk

Annette Miller1.19.19Recently I had the opportunity to stay at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn as I attended Wishes Family Travel’s annual agency meeting. We booked a Garden View Room but were upgraded to a Water View Room when we arrived. One of the agents in my room is part of a military family, so we received the discounted military pricing that is generally available to military families. This discount and the room upgrade do not influence the opinions I am about to share.The room (3213) featured two queen beds and a fold-out sofa, so there was plenty of room for the three of us. The décor was gorgeous, and I loved finding all the hidden Mickey touches throughout our stay. The view of the BoardWalk from our balcony was breathtaking, and the aromas from Ample Hills Creamery, directly below us, were divine. (When we opened our balcony door, our room instantly filled with the smell of fresh waffle cones.)The most difficult part of our stay was our room’s location. From the lobby, we had to walk down a hallway to the elevator and then down three halls before arriving at the room. In addition, our room was just three doors down from ESPN Club. This meant that we could clearly hear the play-by-play of whatever game they were featuring that night. They stayed open until 11pm or midnight, so getting to sleep early was difficult. These broadcasts were also clearly heard by our families when we called to chat with our kids before bed. The lights along the BoardWalk create a beautiful, romantic atmosphere but stay on all night. Keeping the room dark enough to sleep was challenging since the light came in around the edges of the drapes.The hotel also has very limited dining options – especially for breakfast, and they all require you to leave the hotel and walk out onto the BoardWalk. If you include Disney’s Dining Plan in your vacation package, you will need to walk to the BoardWalk Bakery to fill your mug. (From my room, this was about a half-mile walk.) The Resort bus stop is also a bit of a hike from the front of the hotel and the ferryboats are located behind the hotel. If you drive down to Walt Disney World, the Guest parking lot is about a quarter-mile walk from the hotel entrance and spaces are limited.If you are considering a stay at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, I don’t want to discourage you. In fact, some Wishes agents love it and consider it “home.” (Personally, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is “home” for me.) However, there are some important factors to consider. Dining options, walking distance, and room location could make or break your stay here. The room I stayed in might be great for night owls or sports fans but would probably not be a good fit for a family with young children. In my opinion, your Wishes agent will be crucial in helping you select the room type that best fits your wants and needs at this hotel.