We’ve shared a lot about the Disney BoardWalk at Walt Disney World. Mainly because as a FREE Disney experience, we find it to be one of the best places across Walt Disney World Resort to relax, grab food, dip our toes in the sand, window shop, and watch the classic boardwalk entertainment. For us, heading to the BoardWalk makes any Disney trip feel more like a vacation and less like a giant checklist. That said, there’s no harm in making sure you don’t miss a thing. Here’s our Disney BoardWalk Checklist for you to peruse, so you can add a few things to your next Disney vacation.
Contents
- 1 All About the Disney BoardWalk at Disney World
- 2 Disney BoardWalk Hours
- 3 What’s the Best Day to Visit Disney’s Boardwalk?
- 4 Disney BoardWalk Parking and Transportation
- 5 Everything to Do at the Disney BoardWalk
- 6 Can you go to the Disney Boardwalk for Free?
- 7 Disney BoardWalk Attractions and Recreation
- 8 Disney BoardWalk Shopping
- 9 Disney BoardWalk Resorts
- 10 Disney’s BoardWalk Restaurants
- 11 Disney Boardwalk Restaurants at Resorts
- 12 Disney Boardwalk Checklist Printable
- 13 Disney BoardWalk Map
- 14 Disney BoardWalk Details
All About the Disney BoardWalk at Disney World
To level set the Disney BoardWalk is a small resort area just outside of EPCOT Park. Filled with a few Disney Deluxe Resorts, and the Disney Marriott Bonvoy Hotels, you can find a variety of restaurants, gift shops and beaches in this area. Accessible via the Friendship Boats that travel between EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, you can also reach this area by Disney Skyliner, and walking. The Disney BoardWalk also includes activities like Surrey Bikes, Midway Fair games, and movies on the lawn at the resorts. This area additional features the Disney adult-only dueling piano bar, Jellyrolls, the Atlantic Dance Hall and Disney Lounges at each resort. Check out everything we’ve written so far about Disney’s BoardWalk Area.
Disney BoardWalk Hours
The shops, restaurants and Disney BoardWalk itself has varied hours depending on the place, and season. While the Disney BoardWalk itself doesn’t have gates and doesn’t necessarily “open” or close at any particular time, it is monitored somewhat like a park. The shops on the BoardWalk are typically closed by 9:00 PM, while both Jellyrolls and Atlantic Dance Hall close between 1:00 AM- 2:00 AM, when open. Scroll the post for each locations information.
- Disney BoardWalk Shops Hours:8:30 AM to 11:00 PM
- Disney BoardWalk Hours: 6:30 AM to 10:00 PM
- Disney BoardWalk Restaurant Hours: Varies, See Below
What’s the Best Day to Visit Disney’s Boardwalk?
The best time to visit the Disney BoardWalk is during the week. The best days to visit the Disney BoardWalk are Mondays through Thursdays. While this area doesn’t get crowded, weekends and evenings are naturally busier. That said, if you’re planning on dining at a restaurant on the Disney Boardwalk, be sure to make Advance Dining Reservations. While these restaurants are some of the easiest to make Last Minute Disney Dining Reservations, at certain times of year find reservations harder to get.
Disney BoardWalk Parking and Transportation
The Disney BoardWalk is centrally located in Orlando, Florida and is a free open to the public space. The BoardWalk is situated between EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. Home to three Disney World resorts, you can find resort parking lots nearby. However, we recommend parking at Disney Springs, nearby, and taking the Disney Boardwalk Inn bus to the BoardWalk Area. This allows more flexibility with your day plans, since Disney Springs Parking is free, and accessible to all.
How do you get to the Disney BoardWalk?
You can get to the Disney BoardWalk by Driving, Disney Bus, Disney Skyliner and Walking.
If Driving: Head to Disney Springs and Park for FREE at Disney Springs. Then grab a Disney Bus to any Disney BoardWalk Resort. This is by far the BEST method if you choose to drive. Otherwise, you may be turned away at the parking lot at the resort parking lots. Even with a dining reservation at a BoardWalk Restaurant, staff have been stringent about keeping resort parking for resort guests, and not BoardWalk visitors.
From EPCOT Park: If you’re visiting EPCOT Park you can leave through the back gate of the park, the International Gateway, and head to the Boardwalk, which loops the lagoon.
By Disney Bus From Any Park: If you’re trying to get to the Disney BoardWalk from a Disney Park, you can simply take a bus going to any of the following resorts, which all open out onto the Boardwalk; Disney’s Beach Club, Boardwalk Inn, Yacht Club.
By Skyliner: The Disney BoardWalk is accessible via the Skyliner stop at the EPCOT International Gateway. As such if you are staying at a Disney Skyliner Resort, the Boardwalk is easy to visit. Once you exit the Skyliner, simply turn right towards the BoardWalk, instead of left, towards EPCOT.
By Walking: Access to the Disney BoardWalk is also possible by walking. If you’re at Hollywood Studios you can walk to the BoardWalk by a walking path. Or if you’re staying at the Swan, Dolphin or Swan Reserve Resorts you can walk to the Boardwalk as well. Additionally, if you’re at EPCOT Park, you can simply leave the park via the International Gateway exit at the back to enter the BoardWalk from there.
Everything to Do at the Disney BoardWalk
No matter when your next visit to Walt Disney World is, get started with this list of attractions, restaurants, touring plans, and more. Everything you need to build the perfect Disney Vacation. Traveling Soon? Check out everything happening at Walt Disney World in the next few years.
- Disney BoardWalk Attractions, Resorts, and Restaurants
- What’s New at Walt Disney World in 2024? Everything to Know before you Go!
- Walt Disney World 2024 Calendar of Events
Can you go to the Disney Boardwalk for Free?
Yes. Disney’s Boardwalk just outside the gates of EPCOT Park is FREE to visit and includes a variety of resorts, restaurants, and attractions unique to that area! Themed to the early 20th-century Atlantic coastline you can expect to find all sorts of nods to Coney Island, NY, and the Jersey shore. From the crumb cake at the BoardWalk Deli to the carousel horses at Disney’s Boardwalk Inn to the beaches surrounding the lagoon, there is plenty to do, see and eat here.
Disney BoardWalk Attractions and Recreation
One of the best parts about heading to the Disney BoardWalk is that there is so much to do. And many of the things are free! From strolling the boardwalk to watching movies under the stars at the BoardWalk Resorts, you can even catch street performers in the evenings on the weekends. The Disney Boardwalk has a variety of shops, and entertainment options along the boardwalk. Note that you can find performance times in the recreation guides of each resort, as well as in the My Disney Experience App.
▢ Street Performers
▢ Midway Games
▢ Surrey Bikes
▢ Movies Under the Stars
▢ Fantasia Gardens and Fairways Mini Golf
▢ Campfire Activities
▢ Friendship Boat Rides
▢ Atlantic City Dance Hall
▢ Jellyrolls Dueling Piano Bar
Disney BoardWalk Shopping
Another great reason to visit the BoardWalk is the Shopping. With gift shops to browse, filled with Disney souvenirs, and vacation essentials there is plenty to see and window shop. Shops here include apparel, accessories, snacks and more. Here are the main shops directly accessible from the boardwalk, and there are even more inside the resorts as well.
▢ Disney’s Character Carnival
▢ Screen Door General Store
▢ Thimbles & Threads
▢ Wyland Galleries of Florida
Disney BoardWalk Resorts
The BoardWalk area resorts all have one thing in common; they are Disney Resorts Within Walking Distance of EPCOT Park and Hollywood Studios. These resorts offer a great place to take a break at Walt Disney World, you can also find that each has its own theme, atmosphere, and restaurants. Included in these are also the Disney Marriott Resorts within walking distance of Disney World. While these are Disney Deluxe Resorts, and are often some of the most expensive at Disney, remember that you don’t need to stay here to visit them. Plus, at certain times of years there are even special displays you can see during certain times of year; Easter Egg Displays, Christmas Trees, and Gingerbread Displays all can be found at some of these resorts.
▢Beach Club
▢Boardwalk Inn
▢Swan Reserve Hotel
▢Yacht Club
▢Swan Hotel
▢Dolphin Hotel
Disney’s BoardWalk Restaurants
The atmosphere of the BoardWalk lends to easy and breezy, coastal dining options at the Beach and Yacht Club while honoring the American, Italian, and Jersey shore cultures you’d find in the northeast states. Check out all the Best Restaurants at Disney’s Boardwalk so you can find your new favorite place to eat. Note that, additional Restaurants are located inside the resorts that surround the BoardWalk. Read the Reviews: Disney Boardwalk Restaurants.
Disney BoardWalk Quick Service Restaurants
GUIDE LEGEND: ( TS)= Table Service, Reservation Recommended (QS) = Quick Service, Walk-Up Counter. (S) = Snack
▢Blue Ribbon Corn Dog( S)
▢BoardWalk Deli (QS)
▢BoardWalk Ice Cream ( QS)
▢Joes Marvelous Margaritas ( S)
▢The Cake Bake Shop Bakery (QS)
▢Funnel Cake Cart (S)
▢Pizza Window (QS)
Disney BoardWalk Table Service Restaurants
The Restaurants on the Disney BoardWalk sometimes change, but there are a few we absolutely love! Trattoria al Forno is one of the best restaurants at Disney World. And the resorts in this area, also have even more restaurants to try!
▢The Cake Bake Shop Restaurant (TS)
▢Flying Fish (TS)
▢Trattoria al Forno (TS)
Disney BoardWalk Bars and Lounges
One of our favorite things at Disney World are the Disney Lounges. Offering small plates, non alcoholic and alcoholic drinks you can find craft cocktails, and a reason to stay out a little later than usual!
▢ AbracadaBar
▢ Jellyrolls Dueling Piano Bar
Disney Boardwalk Restaurants at Resorts
In addition to all the restaurants on the Disney Boardwalk in Orlando, there are even more restaurants inside each Disney Resort. With some of the best Disney restaurants at Walt Disney World, here’s what you can find at each Boardwalk Resort.
Beach Club Restaurants
- Cape May Cafe: Cape May is a casual dining experience in a seaside-like atmosphere. You can get all three meals of the day here but be aware it is a seafood-heavy buffet dining experience. Check out the menu.
- Beaches and Cream Soda Shop: Beaches and Cream is one of those hidden gem restaurants that only the locals seem to know about. Hidden behind the pool at the Yacht Club this ice cream shop serves your typical burgers and fries lunch, and shakes and has a to-go option too. Check out the menu.
- Hurricane Hanna’s Waterside Bar and Grill: This is a fine option for a quick lunch on the go. As a quick-service restaurant, you can grab salads, sandwiches, and fries here. With views of the boardwalk. Check out the menu.
Yacht Club Restaurants
- Crew’s Cup Lounge: This place has a slightly more budget-friendly and kid-friendly atmosphere as a table service lounge and mock-tails to boot! You can grab rib sliders, cheese dip, and a “yacht dog”! Check out the menu to pick your favorites ahead of time.
- Yachtsman’s Steakhouse: Considered THE place to get a good steak at Walt Disney World, be prepared to pay a little more. This is your typical steak and fish-type table service restaurant. Not really a vegetarian option here. That said there are delectable sides, desserts, and drinks to add a little flair to your surf and turf meal. Choose your favorites on the menu.
- Ale and Compass: This is by far the poshest new bar we’ve found. The Lounge of Ale and Compass has an excellent atmosphere with gorgeous blue decor, consider this your grown-up escape. If you long for days gone past where you could sit in a velvet chair in front of a servant-cleaned fireplace and sip your favorite scotch, then you’ve found heaven. The menu is budget-friendly with options in the lowest price bracket of 14.99-34.99. You can grab salads, flatbreads and heartier dishes too. Read our review of Ale and Compass.
Disney’s Boardwalk Inn Restaurants
The Boardwalk Inn lays claim by proximity to almost all of the restaurants on this side of the Boardwalk. Here, you can find a complete list of restaurants at Boardwalk Inn accessible from the boardwalk itself, not from inside the resort.
- Belle Vue Lounge: Perfect for a quick breakfast, this little lounge is tucked on the second floor of the Boardwalk Inn. Complete with chess game tables, board games and a radio show in the background. You can grab breakfast sandwiches and coffee in the morning and drinks in the evening.
- Trattoria al Forno: If you need a Disney character fix, but aren’t going to Disney, you can grab a reservation for the Bon Voyage Breakfast to meet Ariel, Rapunzel, Prince Eric, and Flynn Ryder. We also love the regular breakfast, as it’s one of the best Disney breakfasts at Walt Disney World.
- Pizza Window: This pizza is by far some of the best we’ve had at Disney. It’s a large pie with tons of flavor at an OK cost. Note: You will not get the same pizza at Trattoria al Forno if you go inside as those are mostly small flatbread/wood-fired pizzas. For the best stuff, in a to-go box, order from the Pizza Window and enjoy it on the boardwalk.
- Boardwalk Deli: This little deli offers up breakfast and coffee, deli sandwiches and desserts. Head to the Boardwalk Deli for an easy morning if you start your day on the boardwalk early. Or take a break here for lunch. Seating on the BoardWalk next to the water is the best!
Swan Hotel Restaurants
The Swan Hotel is located just outside the Disney BoardWalk and is part of the loop around the lagoon. A more boutique hotel at Disney World, this resort is part of the Swan and Dolphin Trio of Hotels. For a complete list check out all the Swan and Dolphin Restaurants.
- Garden Grove: This restaurant is in a New York City Central Park garden setting and offers a buffet-style budget-friendly meal, complete with characters. The Garden Grove buffet menu focuses mostly on seafood, but there are other options offered as individual dishes as well like chicken and steak. Note: Garden Grove doesn’t take the Disney Dining Plan or accept magic bands as payment.
- il Mulino: Another of Disney’s many Italian restaurants il Mulino offers traditional Italian fare; think complex pasta dishes, risotto, meats and cheeses. This place is a little pricier than most but you can also grab the family-style option here to sample a bit of everything. Check out the il Mulino menu here.
- Kimonos: Classic Sushi, voted the best in Orlando, is the main feature here. At less than 35 bucks a place if sushi is your preference you can get it both cooked and raw here. Take a look at the Kimonos menu.
Dolphin Hotel Restaurants
The Dolphin Hotel at Disney World is known for its large triangular shape and dolphin features both inside and outside the building. Be sure to check out our Dolphin Hotel Resort Review and our comparison post for if you’re choose the Swan or Dolphin Resorts on your next stay.
- Rosa Mexicana: ” Take your senses on a culinary adventure to Mexico! Indulge in classic Mexican fare, as well as elevated cuisine that showcases the bold flavors of Mexico—but uniquely reimagined. Each delectable dish is crafted with care to celebrate Mexican heritage—and honor the culinary techniques, global explorations and inspirations of Chef Josefina Howard, who founded the original Rosa Mexicano restaurant in New York City in 1984.” Check out the Rosa Mexicana Menu.
- Todd English Blue Zoo Lounge: For an extra grown-up bar experience, check out this very classy watering hole. Award-winning, this restaurant features coastal cuisine. While kids are allowed, if you need a break from the little ones, they can head to Camp Dolphin during your dining experience. Check out the Todd English Blue Zoo Menu for details.
- Shula’s Steak House: Another of Walt Disney World’s award-winning restaurants, Shula’s is your basic steak house with surf, turf and a few chicken dishes. Much pricier with steak over 100 bucks, you’re going to want to check the Shula’s Steak House menu first if you decide to make your free day on the Disney Boardwalk a little more expensive.
- Fuel: Complete with handcrafted coffees, bakery goods, and snacks this little market shop is a great place to stop for breakfast or lunch. Or even if you just need a little something to sip as you meander through the boardwalk.
- The Fountain: Serving burgers, fries, salads and shakes, this quick service restaurant at Disney World is budget friendly and great if you’re looking for some variety. Offering Lunch and Dinner, check out the Fountain Menu at the Dolphin.
Swan Reserve Restaurants
The newest hotel to be added to the Swan and Dolphin section of the BoardWalk Area Resorts is the Swan Reserve Resort. This resort is a more upscale resort, with just a hint of Mickey. Views of the BoardWalk and EPCOT beyond are a huge draw at this hotel. As well as proximity to the Fantasia Gardens Mini Golf Course, jsut across the parking lot. Read our Swan Resort Disney Hotel Review.
- Amare: This Disney Restaurant offers up Mediterranean cuisine that is both adult and family friendly. Allowing casual attire, this budget friendly restaurant is a great place to grab lunch or dinner during your time in the Boardwalk area. Check out the Amare Menu.
- Grounds: The perfect palce if you’re looking for an easy grab and go lunch, specialty coffee or juice. This cafe at Swan Reserve Hotel is located just next to the pool and offers both indoor and outdoor seating. Check out the Grounds Menu.
- Stir: This Disney Lounge in the lobby of the Swan Reserve Hotel features small plates like flatbreads and calamari, alongside handcrafted cocktails and drinks of your choice. Check out the Stir Menu.
Disney Boardwalk Checklist Printable
If you’re heading to the Disney BoardWalk and want a quick look at the things you can do, grab the Disney BoardWalk Checklist PDF to download to your phone, or print out so that you don’t miss a thing. You can grab the full Disney BoardWalk Checklist PDF by clicking the link or image below.
Disney BoardWalk Map
This Disney BoardWalk Map includes the Swan and Dolphin Area as well as the walking path to Hollywood Studios, and the EPCOT International Gateway, hopefully giving you a full view of the area.
Disney BoardWalk Details
While we think you could spend days getting to it all if you’re more pressed for time you can tackle our Top 10 Things to Do on the Disney BoardWalk. Looking for your next Disney photo op? For Up to Date Hours and Event Schedules check out the Disney BoardWalk Hours and Calendar. READ MORE on the Disney BoardWalk page.
WALT DISNEY WORLD CHECKLISTS FOR EACH PARK
And if you’re planning all the Disney parks, check out our printable Disney checklists for each featuring rides, attractions, restaurants and tips.
- Hollywood Studios Checklist Walt Disney World
- EPCOT Park Walt Disney World Checklist
- Animal Kingdom Walt Disney World Checklist
- Magic Kingdom Walt Disney World Checklist
Rochelle Mariah is a writer, designer and photographer with an MLIS in Information Science and a B.S. in Arch and Design. Determined to make Planning a DIY Disney Vacation easier she makes lots of lists and drinks lots of coffee. When not designing apparel at Polka Dot Pixie Shop, she's watching old movies and planning the holidays. She has been traveling to Disney destinations since 2010.
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