How to Enjoy the Perfect Disney Vacation at Disney’s BoardWalk Resort

If you plan a day to kick back and relax at your Resort during your Walt Disney World vacation, choose a Resort that really delivers luxury and fun. BoardWalk Resort is an excellent choice!

Located near EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, this Resort is a great choice for Guests interested in a short commute to either of these parks. That said, this fun Atlantic City-inspired Resort is such a stunner you will want at least one day set aside to enjoy the amenities at the Resort during your vacation. Here is how we would spend a day at Disney’s BoardWalk Resort.

Morning Exercise on the BoardWalk

If you want to get active and choose not to sleep in, hit the Disney BoardWalk for a morning run. You will get to enjoy the solitude of a near-empty Resort as the fog lifts on the water on Crescent Lake. If indoor exercise is more your speed, hit the Muscles and Bustles Health Club.

Free weights, elliptical machines, treadmills, and more are available for Guests to use in the health club. If your Resort day plan falls on a Monday or a Wednesday, you can join other BoardWalk Guests for a complimentary morning yoga class on the Village Green Lawn. This 30-minute class begins at 8:15 a.m. Mats and towels are provided, but the class can accommodate 20 people maximum and is first-come, first-serve.

Tour the Resort & Shop

Take some time to explore BoardWalk Resort. The vintage Atlantic City theming is so beautiful you will not want to miss any detail of this Resort. Check out the jogging trail and lobby theming. Browse the bars, shops, and eateries and stop by Side Show Games Arcade to enjoy classic arcade games.

Shoppers will enjoy various shops at BoardWalk Resort and within walking distance at other EPCOT area resorts around the Disney BoardWalk. Do not miss a visit to Thimbles and Threads to shop for beautiful Disney branded apparel and classic American clothing brands. Drop by Wyland Galleries of Florida to browse beautiful art or Disney’s Character Carnival for classic Disney merch like t-shirts, mugs, and Park accessories.

Poolside Fun

The pool at this Resort is a showstopper. Think early 1900’s BoardWalk Carnival motif, and you have the Luna Park Pool. This pool is surrounded by fun elephant statues spraying water streams onto swimmers. A 200-foot-long waterslide atop an antique wooden rollercoaster lattice tower above.

A nearby whirlpool is a perfect place to kick back and relax your muscles after several busy days in the Park. If you are craving a snack, head over to the pool bar Leaping House Libations to buy a fresh goat cheese and apple topped salad or a Mickey Premium Bar to cool off with. Some sweet sips at this eatery include the Tilt-A-Whirl citrus cocktail or the Piña CoLava frozen cocktail.  If you are looking for a quieter swimming experience, check out one of the two quieter leisure pools at the Resort. Both have a nearby whirlpool and are perfect for peaceful swims and sunbathing. 

Ice Cream

Ice cream lovers are in luck. There are several excellent ice cream shops within walking distance of this Resort to satisfy your sweet tooth. BoardWalk Ice Cream serves up yummy sundaes like Thundering Surf Peanut Butter and Chocolate Sundae and Strawberry Splash Shortcake.

If you are looking to share a dessert with several friends- The beaches and Cream Soda Shop is the place to go. This soda shop at Beach Club is a short walk away and serves up the famous Kitchen Sink ice cream sundae. This creation boasts 5 scoops of ice cream and loads of toppings like hot fudge, whipped cream, and Snickers pieces, just to name a few. Enjoying the Kitchen Sink is a Walt Disney World must-eat for Disney Fanatics.

Stroll the BoardWalk

Staying at a Resort on the loop of the BoardWalk means you get to enjoy the beautiful view of other resorts across Crescent Lake and watching boats drift back and forth, ferrying Guests to and from parks. Take the time to enjoy the ambiance of the Disney BoardWalk by strolling around and exploring resorts, shops, bars, and restaurants.

Snag a margarita from BoardWalk Joe’s Marvelous Margaritas and relax on a bench as the Friendships sail across Crescent Lake. Take a self-guided tour of other nearby resorts, stopping to check out theming and shop at Yacht & Beach Club Resort and the Swan & Dolphin Resorts.

Hit the Court

Squeeze in some exercise while having a great time at the BoardWalk Resort’s tennis courts. Located near the Resort’s Community Hall, Guests can practice their game on a first-come, first-serve basis. Tennis equipment can be rented for a fee at Community Hall; Disney Vacation Club members receive complimentary equipment rental.

Sip Around the BoardWalk

If you are a sucker for a tempting cocktail, you have to take some time to sip around the Disney BoardWalk! Take a happy hour stroll before dinner or sample drinks at resorts around Crescent Lake when you explore resorts and shop. Do not miss a Storm Chaser cocktail at Hurricane Hanna’s at Yacht Club pool and a 1565 Tiki cocktail at the Dolphin Resort’s Phins Lounge.

Save the best for last and wrap up your walk at BoardWalk’s AbracadaBar. This speakeasy plays to the Resort theme seamlessly, hearkening back to the days when illusionists and magicians toured the United States’ amazing patrons with sleight of hand. You cannot make a bad cocktail choice here. Delicious beverages like Pepper’s Ghost, the Magic Mirror, and the Conjurita will not disappoint as you unwind during your Resort day.

Dinner at Big River Grille and Brewing Works

End the day with a delicious dinner at Big River Grille and Brewing Works. This BoardWalk Resort restaurant takes the prize as the only working brewpub at Walt Disney World. Big River Grille and Brewing Works serves up delicious dinners like Blackened Creole Salmon, Wagyu Burgers, Baby Back Ribs, and gourmet Mac and Cheese.

It’s no surprise that Guests love to visit to sample the in-house made brews. We recommend you try the Big River I.P.A. The good news is that the beers are seasonal so that you could sample different craft beers on each visit! Do not forget to save room for dessert; you cannot miss tasting the decadent Oreo chocolate mousse dessert known as the Chocolate Confusion.