The SECRET Reasons People Are Booking This Disney World Hotel -- Boardwalk Resort

[@kriscynical]

Boardwalk has been our DVC home resort since 1998 and we absolutely adore it. It's literally our home away from home! We've known one of the bellmen there for just as long, and he said we're not just friends at this point, we're family (and we agree wholeheartedly)! He gave us his cell number years ago so we can text him to let him know we got home safe since we always drive there from Texas, and our families text holiday well wishes to each other as well. Our trips just wouldn't be the same if we stayed anywhere else!

[@katyannaharris6131]

I'm so sad that the clown pool has gone! Was it the thing of nightmares? Sure. Did it cause daily trauma to guests of the BWI? Absolutely. Was it really fun to spring on unsuspecting family members who hadn't done their research? You bet your sweet bippy.

[@debbabe2254]

🤡🤡🤡🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@kristina5747]

Although this reply is my favorite, I am still glad to see it go!!!! 🚫🤡

[@wrongteous]

I would rather go to the Beach and Yacht club resorts. You'll get access to the best resort pool on DW property. At the same time, due to the Beach/Yacht club being close to the Boardwalk, you can easily walk over to it's shops/restaurants and walk along the boardwalk. The Beach and Yacht club are also closer to Epcot (But consequently, further away from Hollywood Studios but the difference isn't huge tbh), plus both resorts are close to the skyliner at the international gateway. None of what the Boardwalk offers is exclusive so you can get all of the Boardwalk and even more amenities by going to the Beach/Yacht club resorts.

[@himynameiscorey]

same goes for the swan and dolphin, at a more affordable price, they too are just an arms reach away from the boardwalk amenities.

[@davidfitchet432]

My wife and I were Disney Vacation Club Members for 16 years, and Boardwalk was our home away from home. Those were some of the happiest times of our lives. Boardwalk was our favorite hotel that we ever stayed in.

[@bensilberman4912]

Love these resort breakdowns...well actually I love everything you do on this channel :)

[@nickkampf8870]

the vintage style of the boadwalk rooms is something that should never leave. Being one who spends a lot of time in cape may a key area of inspiration for the boadwalk, it is the type of archetecture there.

[@pazzariatv]

Hi A.J. I would like to make a correction, where Celebration is concerned. I live here. Anyone can buy any property that they wish here, as long as it's for sale. Thank you kindly.

[@OnlyOneKenobi]

Shame about that Swan & Dolphin in the background.... right? TOTALLY spoils the time period & theming of this resort! Pity it's so close and/or it couldn't be blocked out/blended like Tower of Terror is by the Morocco pavilion! 😏👌🏼 O.O.K P.s a beautiful resort though!

[@fayevalentine5688]

It’s our home resort 🤗 Going in a month! I love that it’s not heavy Disney themed. The ambiance is relaxing and charming. If there are shower curtain animations or figurines everywhere, it feels too gimmicky for my taste. I’m excited for this ‘refresh’.. but hoping it isn’t too far off center from what I’ve always loved about it.

[@devonbaltz7032]

Just stayed at Boardwalk last July. The rooms although dated were still clean and felt nice. I liked the VIctorian theming. Would have preferred Yacht/Beach but both were like 1k+ more and just didn't feel worth it when we basically were in there to sleep.

[@tiffprendergast]

I enjoyed it there

[@johnnyhan3170]

After the room refurbishment, I believe boardwalk inn will be officially in the top 3 Disneyworld resort competition.

[@LizBethTeague]

I have been going to The Cake Bake shop for years here in Indiana and I think this is a good place for it. My number 1 pick would be The Grand Floridian, that would be perfect. I'm thrilled about this and will visit this location each time I visit Disney. The success story behind Gwendolyn and The Cake Bake Shoop is a wonderful one to hear. Much success to her and to her shop. You get what you pay for, yes, the slices of cake are $14+ but she purchases the best ingredients from around the world to make the best cakes and it shows.

[@HaileyJulia]

This is my parents home resort for their DVC! We're obsessed with it! We're going in June, so excited. I LOVE the Boardwalk, I literally grew up there!

[@msboyle13]

We actually just stayed here last week. We had a great time and ended up with an amazing view of epcot from our 5th floor garden view room. Only real downside was the lack of a real quick service restaurant with indoor seating. Plus the price, but we planned for that. Overall a great stay and watching the video made me want to go back soon. That and the snow here at home. 😋

[@bdunleavful]

How thin are the walls compared to Yacht and Beach? We stayed at beach and could hear normal volume level conversations of our next door neighbor

[@msboyle13]

@@bdunleavful We've never stayed at Y&B, so I can't compare. I will say that we didn't have any issues with sound through walls, just in the hallways a couple evenings as people came back from the parks.

[@ariannageorge4765]

I LOVED staying at Boardwalk as a kid. It’s one of my favorite memories. Before Covid times, the night life was great for children and adults. There were always games and fun things to do/see. I remember every time we stayed I’d always win the hula hoop contest. My sister and I always looked forward to sitting on that unicorn carousel seat to get our face painted. Several times over the years, my parents used the babysitting service for date night and my sister and I always had a blast. One visit we met Mohammad Ali with his wife and twin daughters who were also staying there!

[@carolynnettles3767]

Thank you for doing this! I’m seriously thinking about staying here my next trip since I’m going to Epcot more than once. The fact that it’s with in walking distance to Beaches & Cream is awesome too ;)

[@richardmercer2337]

FWIW roughly HALF of the table service restaurants at Disney World are within walking distance of Boardwalk (and the other nearby hotels). This includes the restaurants in Epcot and Hollywood Studios.

[@daniesabourin6373]

Boardwalk is my family's ride or die hotel!! We rent Vacation Club points to get Villa suites for a fraction of the normal price! We stayed in a suite with the full kitchen, master bedroom and sleeper sofa in December, plenty of space for 4 adults. We've also gotten the two-room option that is the full kitchen suite plus an adjacent room with a queen bed (and I believe a sleeper sofa) for when our full family of 6 went in 2019. Keep in mind that the lake view rooms can get noisy, but we also loved being able to see the fireworks from our room and watch shows on the Boardwalk from above! There is a magic show and some guys who do a jump rope routine (weird but so cool!). We love being able to pop into Epcot for a drink or to hop on a ride we missed on our designated Epcot day! And being able to mobile order breakfast and coffee at the bakery was a super great way to make sure we were caffeinated and had full bellies by rope drop! And probably a lot cheaper than breakfast in the Parks! Overall, our all time favorite resort!

[@lesleystephenson1868]

I'm not happy at the aspect of losing the bakery. It is a great breakfast spot so I'm hoping it'll stay and then provide the sandwiches starting at lunch.

[@beverlyh3822]

I personally love staying at the Boardwalk because it is so close to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. It is not a fancy, updated hotel and depending on what room you get, you walk down a mile of corridor to get there. There are places to eat everywhere. It is very quiet and peaceful. I love staying there and would recommend it if you don't mind that walk to the parks. I am a teacher and this is my big trip for the Summer so I save up so I can just do my thing. Stay at the resort, because I am one of those people that when I pay for the room, I use the room. There is also a gym. I think it is great for couples without kids because of the lack of fancy and the Disney feel.

[@melissatreeck]

You can carve out a really great running loop - tagging EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, Swan & Dolphin and a loop around the boardwalk pathway itself.

[@teddym2808]

That price is insane for somewhere you'll sleep in, especially if you are only there to see the parks. Stay close by and get a free shuttle. I mean I can stay at the Bellagio and the Palazzo Versace here in Australia for less than that, and they are actual 5 star+ deluxe hotels, especially the Palazzo. I don't know what Disney are smoking, but you have to be crazy in these tough times to throw that sort of money at them, unless you are a multi millionaire or higher who has plenty of disposable income. That's like lighting hard earned and setting fire to it, seriously. (BTW I am speaking as someone who usually travels and stays alone in his own room, so a one person cost).

[@Atheenah]

This is my home resort. We love it. We miss the creepy clown. I hope they don’t make it too modern bc it’s supposed to be set in a different era.

[@cvn6555]

Never stayed there but totally agree. Not everything at Disney has to have movie and character tie-ins. Retheming the Rock-n-Rollercoaster would be awful. At this point the Aerosmith theme is Disney to those of us that love it and there is no need to alter it. The Boardwalk is the same way and so is Beach and Yacht; they do not need to have characters plastered everywhere. At the end of very long days it can be nice to not be surrounded by the Fab Five.

[@DFBGuide]

🤡

[@Lordvader330]

I have been a DVC member since 1998. BW is my home resort. In all those years I have now booked the BW 2 times. The hotel is the best located hotel in WDW. It’s walking distance to 2 parks. It have the best restaurants at WDW. The entertainment at night is amazing. It is a great hotel.

[@SeedMoney8432]

I’m surprised you said the Pizza wasn’t that good from that Pizza Kiosk, my wife and I loved that little place as we bought a whole pizza and enjoyed it on the Astro Turf on the Boardwalk. One of my favorite pizza places outside the place in Italy on World Showcase

[@becschillaci3970]

Only 2 restaurants open now. Trattoria and Fish place. Make reservations mos ahead! We got take out at Trattoria and ate outside at a table there since did not have a reservation. The pizza window next door has huge slices. Only cheese and pepperoni. ESPN cafe closed and did not see the other one mentioned here. We rode the boat across to the Yacht Club food court and store. The new deli/bakery and Ice Cream place was very good at Boardwalk. The Hotdog/chicken fingers place across from Flying fish was good and a great value.

[@warrenposchman5037]

Agree about the chairs, so creepy. They used to live in a 1st floor hallway which seemed to be such an odd place! BTW, one of them is actually named "Kirk"!

[@-Bert-]

Boardwalk started as my favorite because it was the only resort I had been to but as an adult I love the convenience it gives you with 2 out of the 4 parks. Obviously its a plus seeing as though Epcot and HS are arguably the 2 parks driven towards adults more than DAK and MK. Having great places like Trattoria, Jelly Rolls, and Beaches and Cream is great as well.

[@daisycocoa2557]

Extended Evening Hours are few and packed. 40 waits to your favorite attractions.

[@jasoncataldi2053]

Call me biased but since it’s my “Home Resort” The family and I love the Broadwalk & all it’s amenities , one of the best resorts. We just can’t stay anywhere else.

[@kriscynical]

It's my family's home resort, too! It's our home away from home and we'd never want to stay anywhere else. ❤️

[@kiwisun529]

Boardwalk definitely has charm. The rooms are a bit dated so can't wait until they update those. I noticed the prices have really gone up ...along with everything else.

[@JCTakket]

FYI... you mentioned no opening date for the ESPN club... The ESPN club will not be reopening. That space is where the new cake shop (which you mentioned in the video) is going to be built.

[@660grzz]

Don’t tell all the secrets! Now everyone will want to stay there! 😫 good review though!

[@hayquesonar2896]

Looooove the actual boardwalk, but nothing tops OKW and SSR for us

[@mickeyfash3943]

Thanks AJ! We booked the Boardwalk on tour recommendation thru David’s DVC for August! Thanks for all the tips, keep ‘em coming

[@cxa340]

When walking around the Boardwalk I can’t help but thinking “they shoot horses don’t they?” Lol I am sorry DFB but you are wrong the pizza/Italian place on the boardwalk is actually very good, the pizza is actually excellent, and it can be a great option to grab a pizza while getting out of the rain

[@cataquackwarlord5389]

Actually, the talk about the refurbishment sort of worries me. I kind of find Disney character theming in resorts to be a little too tacky, and I'm worried they'll do that to the Boardwalk Inn. If so, that would decrease my interest in staying there.

[@yakovhadash]

the peter griffin moana hanna montana good dinosaur boardwalk inn (tm) only $8,000/night

[@pdaddis]

Finally went to Jelly Rolls for the first time a couple weeks ago, and it was amazing! It jumped right up to the top of the list of my favorite places and things to do in Disney. Right next to Raglan Road.

[@georgeg.7124]

Good video, I really enjoyed it. I like these hotel reviews videos. This must have been filmed a few months ago as ESPN Club was announced as a permanent closure over 7 weeks ago.

[@johnadriano6258]

Boardwalk is a wonderful resort. Have stayed many times.

[@RealSB83]

You're awesome AJ.

[@kenechukwuegbuche9923]

Happy Easter

[@cyndiebirkner704]

With the promise of refurbished rooms and revamped lobby, I wonder if this hotel is going to lose the turn-of-the-century charm that fans really like. Kinda like the less than spectacular Wilderness Lodge redesigned rooms...

[@sarahchaplin4833]

I’ve got the boardwalk inn booked for my trip on September 29th-October 9th. First time going to WDW for me. Not the first for my soon to be husband. He’s been when he was a kid. It will be our honeymoon when we go. Can’t wait!

[@Found303]

It’s amazing that I was looking into this resort this morning.

[@dhrachth1]

I love the location but I've had problems at the Boardwalk. This was pre-pandemic, so it's been a few years. Hopefully things have changed, but... We were assigned a room that was over one of the restaurants and it reeked of stale grease and garlic. We complained and asked to switch rooms and the staff wasn't even apologetic about it. I had to full on throw a hissy fit in the lobby to get a room that didn't make me nauseated.

[@31SKY]

I didn’t know Jellyrolls was open till 2am !! What else at Disney is ???

[@TheWuffball]

Boardwalk is a fantastic resort. Y&B is the only one better, for me.

[@gregoryjohanek5832]

Since when has the Innkeeper's Lounge been a DVC offering? I've been a DVC member for 10 years and stayed here a dozen times and have never heard that...

[@kristinaleroux5111]

Came here to say this. It's not a "DVC Club Lounge"

[@lodaughtry6292]

Disney Boardwalk is a Classic Attraction an more comparable to Coney Island it's a expansion like Blizzard Beach...

[@bobbies4687]

Love all your reviews

[@justsayin7314]

So to sum up , Stay at the Swan or Dolphin and use the money you save to take a trip to Atlantic City. See you on the beach!

[@courtneymiller9785]

I think the boardwalk would be good for a weekend, but not a week. We stayed there for a week in 2019 and were really disappointed with no quick service breakfast. It also doesn't seem like a very magical place to stay. It doesn't really fit into the Disney theming. Im excited for the changes but still no QS breakfast.

[@stephaniemonsivais2131]

Can you make a review on Pop Century Resort?

[@jewishghost89]

The rooms blow nowadays

[@daniesabourin6373]

Also, walking from BWI to Hollywood Studios is hugely overrated! It's a super easy and scenic walk! But the boat ride is fun, too!

[@joeklarr8739]

first they took away Seashore Sweets, and now they wanna get rid of the Bakery? Boardwalk has always been our home resort but all of the dining changes are a major bummer. Ample hills is just not our favorite

[@anit_adventure]

I’m looking forward to seeing how the rooms look after the re-theme because right now they are hideous!

[@piilanichang5290]

Aloha AJ- Do you know the reason that we cannot book past December 2022? I have been trying to book Swan & Dolphin but can't get anything past the end of the year. thanks.

[@commonomics]

I love the decor, it’s so cute and vintage, so bummed they are going to change it. They’ll probably do ugly grey laminate

[@twotimes81]

My favorite place is across the water at The Yacht Club.

[@cmspusa]

I was a GSM at the BW and one night I received a call the Belle Vue Lounge ran out of alcohol. In my day this lounge was not used much, but I went to get the more alcohol. To my surprise every NFL Quarterback at the time was in this lounge, after asking the bartender who these gentlemen were, but the best part was on my way to the lounge I rode the elevator with the Manning Family and did not even know who they were, great conversation, but no clue.

[@Sillyzombie666]

i went there when i was a kid still in the 90s maybe early 2000s and wow the rooms look the same lol we had a timeshare room when that was a thing

[@sharonh4784]

The first time I stayed at boardwalk I felt like I was in The Shining as I walked down the halll, omg sooo looong😳

[@justsayin7314]

Yah, it was really annoying when the guy broke thru our door and said “Here’s Johnny”

[@SydneyB]

Hi! You mentioned all-you-can-eat seafood in the area. Where is that? Do you mean Cape May Cafe, whose menu has changed since the pandemic? Or is there somewhere else? That would be a great Mother's Day dinner! 😍

[@slaymaker28]

So you said “the Inn Keepers Club is a Disney Vacation Club lounge” which is 100% wrong. No DVC, just club level, wouldn’t that be nice though if there were that option like at AKL. BWI is one of my favorites, but generally because of the Inn Keepers Club, they are my favorite club level lounge on property.

[@MommyNancy1979]

Pass.... I live in NYC, close to Coney Island - and I've been to AC a few times. Disney's Boardwalk is a hell of a lot nicer, but it's still not something that grabs my attn to go to.

[@mattbalfe7148]

We stay at the Boardwalk hotels and Boardwalk is our favorite, hands down. Warning: Abracadabar is very average to below average. The last three visits we have gone their multiple times and their cocktails are below average, food is just okay, and the staff (though nice) have no interest in playing in the theme. All instances involve the night staff -5 to 9pm

[@JMutzfeld]

Cake Bake Shop isn't a chain per se but is a local bakery based in Indianapolis. Gwendolyn Rogers is on record as being an old-school Disney fan and chose WDW as her first location outside of Indy because, like a lot of us, she has fond memories of the park from childhood. Awesome cakes too- be sure to visit!

[@traceyzielinski4114]

Do you have to use a park reservation if you’re going in from Epcot?

[@tiffprendergast]

No

[@tiffprendergast]

@@dean5473 no

[@nancybilcheck6368]

The 19th century? Really?

[@TheRealBlkButterfly]

Mac & Cheese is "pub eats" in the USA?? THATS freaking wild...... In australia that is absolutely NOT something you will find in a pub at all lol

[@missluckystar100]

Getting married and staying at the Boardwalk this June 😍

[@orokanaangel9907]

DFB, so you have any new updates on Cinderellas Royal table!? I managed to get a reservation for my birthday and I was hoping if you guys had time to make a video about it (with the new updates)~~. TY!

[@somibonne1716]

I love the epcot area resorts ✔️🤗

[@alexdean2109]

Eat late in World Showcase most nights, easily walk back to room.

[@thesocaltrojan]

I don’t get the point of spending so much to say on property when you spend most of your time at the parks. I would rather stay at a nearby Marriott and Hilton for 1/5 of the price and spend my money on food, treats, and merch. Disney to me is about the parks experience, not sleeping on property. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@dwainavance]

That clown looked like John Wayne Gacy

[@hexidecml]

Boardwalk inn is my favorite

[@hexidecml]

Great location. Alternate transportation via skyliner, boats and walking distance to Epcot and Hollywood studios. Plus bars and great food and the night club. Can’t be beat

[@hexidecml]

I go fkr because of the lack of kids and families lol

[@stephenhosking8150]

So im a DVC memberand im pritty sure that cant use the innkeepers club

[@cjwestside]

Stayed in 2017. Amazing!!

[@timkunk3498]

Hear they are going to lose Reedy Creek? Wonder how much that will cost a year.

[@RedUnited30]

I’m gonna be honest. Never stayed there. For some reason it doesn’t have the appeal for me. I may change my tune if I stay here. I understand it’s walking distance to Epcot and HS. Hopefully I’ll get a chance to stay one day. Keep working on my bucket list of staying at every WDW resort once. I’m 3 down. So many more to go.

[@alice-bt4pj]

does anyone remember who aj recommends to book through i forgot the name of the website

[@alice-bt4pj]

@@dean5473 thank you so much :)

[@michelecorrow836]

We are staying there in May. This video helps to build the excitement!

[@maryroberts2099]

I just want to stay at the resort and not bother going to WDW and Epcot !

[@patm95]

Just rent points. Way cheaper.

[@JJskiddy]

Personally i like the old Boardwalk Inn better....Updated is too sterile stark...i know rugs are out but i do love rugs under my feet....now its just greyish floor ...no character anymore

[@markthomas6236]

I love what you do

[@abigailforrester4338]

Can you do the beach and yacht club

[@rallyeo75]

We stayed there last year and I was very disappointed. The pool is awesome and the actual boardwalk was nice but the hotel itself was a letdown. I really don’t get the hype other than the proximity to Epcot. The basic rooms are nothing special, carpets were dirty and it’s way overpriced. We stayed at CBR in 2019 and had so much more fun.

[@tiffprendergast]

There are better rooms

[@carissaluttonmovietalk]

Every week I put some money aside to visit Disney world one day :)

[@artie4017]

I guess I don't know much about Disney. When I saw how lame the rooms look, I said, I guess I would shell out a hundred or two for the location. Little did I know ... Guess I'll stick to my "cheap" trips to Europe (as a US resident).

[@julianvega2677]

What place is at?

[@annemariez1053]

You mention that club level guests get access to the Innkeeper's lounge, a DVC member's lounge. I'm a new DVC member, and I've never heard this mentioned before. Are you saying DVC members can access this club level lounge? Thanks for clarifying!

[@danaw.822]

No, we’re DVC members and the Boardwalk is our home resort and we’ve also stayed Club Level at the Boardwalk too, and the Club Level is only for guests staying Club Level at the Boardwalk.I’m not sure why she said it was a DVC lounge.

[@tiffprendergast]

Yes

[@tiffprendergast]

@@danaw.822 club level is awesome

[@nicoledemartino2635]

Can you do contemporary

[@mariahill9667]

What is everyone’s fav resort?? Reply to this comment below!!😆

[@XieronDraxin]

We've only stayed at Coronado Springs so far, but we're staying at Port Orleans- Riverside in June and we're so excited! Coronado Springs was great though, perfect for the romantic anniversary trip we were on

[@wrongteous]

Beach and Yacht club! Best resort pool on property.

[@amydoran9987]

Wilderness lodge

[@netty1221]

I love POP! But I just booked Swan for the first time. I was gona stay at Boardwalk but I don't like the ascetics

[@cvn6555]

Yacht Club. Very convenient to get around. Best pool area on property. Wilderness is close second but transportation is not nearly as convenient. When our kids were in strollers we always stayed on the monorail loop since we didn't have to haul them out of the strollers and collapse them.

[@thelisarahman]

The side tables in the studios look like the ones from IKEA 😅 ETA: the espn club was taken off the dining option for boardwalk. So i assume it’s gone for good

[@oliviastephens5970]

I live* near 2 Cake Bake locations. Not that exciting honestly. VERY expensive. The cake is good but not worth $17/slice

[@makenalindblad455]

The last time I stayed at boardwalk, it was amazing and I had a great experience staying here. The rooms are themed well and i thought transportation was great because you had the skyliner to hollywood studios and you were able to walk to Epcot. You had to wait for the bus for Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom which wasn't too bad. You also had a good amount of restaurants on the boardwalk to keep you entertained after a day at the parks.