Things to do at Disney’s BoardWalk

The BoardWalk area has become one of my favorite places to stay. There is a lot available to do in close proximity and it has entertainment at night.

It doesn’t come close to the size of Disney Springs, but they have shopping, dining, entertainment, and more. Here is list of things you can do while you are visiting Disney’s BoardWalk.

Sitting and Watching the Boats

Disney’s BoardWalk is a good place to grab a drink or a snack and just sit and watch. You can sit right by the water and watch as the boats make their way across the Crescent Lake. The bridge that you have to cross to get to Epcot is a good place to watch boats too.

In addition to the outdoor tables on Disney’s Boardwalk, there is also seating on an outdoor patio off the lobby of the Boardwalk Inn. There you will find comfy chairs to sit in and relax.

You can also people watch, which is always fun to do, and Disney is a good place for that. So grab a DOLE Whip from Boardwalk Joe’s Marvelous Margarita’s, find a seat, and relax on the Boardwalk for a little bit.

---

Check out the Lobby of the Boardwalk Inn

The lobby of the Boardwalk Inn has lots of interesting pieces. The roller coaster model and the miniature working carousel model were pretty fun to see.

They also have an interesting chandelier in the lobby. It hangs over the display of the miniature carousel and you can’t miss it.

There are other decorations in the lobby to check out as well, but two of them give most people the creeps. You will find them on either side of the fireplace and they are the creepiest chairs you will ever see. I’ve heard that they are called “Nanny Chairs,” but whatever they are called doesn’t make them less creepy. Though I don’t think the lobby would be the same without them.

---

Get a Pressed Penny

Along Disney’s BoardWalk (in Screen Door General Store) and also in the BoardWalk Inn they have pressed penny machines. They have some cute designs to choose from and they go along with the theme of the hotel.

---

Watch Luminous from the Bridge

One of the best parts of Disney’s Boardwalk is the location. It is such a short walk to EPCOT, which means that you can view the fireworks without having to enter the park. There is a bridge that you cross as you head to EPCOT that is a great place to see the fireworks without the crowd. You won’t get the full impact of the fireworks show, but it’s a good way to see them without the crowds.

---

Shopping

If you are in a shopping mood you can check out the several shops along Disney’s BoardWalk. There are a bunch that are connected on the inside, like the Emporium and all the stores on that side of Main Street U.S.A. So that’s helpful on hot days.

---

Dining

Whether it’s table service or quick service you are looking for, you can find it on the BoardWalk.

Here are the table service restaurants:

• Flying Fish Cafe – This is a popular restaurant on the BoardWalk and it serves steak and seafood.

• Trattoria al Forno – This is an Italian restaurant that serves breakfast and dinner.

Here are the quick service options:

• Boardwalk Deli – This is where people staying at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn and Villas get their refillable mugs and where a lot of guests of the hotel get breakfast. This is mostly a sandwich shop for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but they do also have some salads available for purchase. Baked goods like Mickey cinnamon buns and other pastries are also available.

• Boardwalk Joe’s Marvelous Margaritas – This is a good place to stop for drinks and a quick snack. Of course they have margaritas and other alcoholic drinks, but they also have snacks like Mickey pretzels at this stand.

• Pizza Window – Looking for a quick slice of pizza? This is the place. You can order your slice right from the BoardWalk. Find the Pizza Window by Tratorria al Forno.
• AbracadaBar – Looking for a fun lounge with magical sounding drinks? Look no further than AbracadaBar. The theme of this lounge is that it was the former hangout for famous magicians, illusionists, magician’s assistants.

• BoardWalk Ice Cream – What’s a BoardWalk without an ice cream shop? This is the place to go to get a cone, cup, or sundae to go. In addition to ice cream cones and sundaes, this shop also has milk shakes and the specialty Mickey Kitchen Sink Sundae.

*There are other dining locations that are currently not open yet. The Cake Bake Shop Bakery and Restaurant has been under construction in the old EPSN restaurant for a while now. Also, the Funnel Cake Cart is unavailable at the moment.

---

Games and Entertainment

In the evening there are usually games available to play (weather permitting and operational times can vary). Games like Hoop Toss, where you have to make a basket, keep guests entertained.

The evening is also the time when you can catch the BoardWalk performers (weather permitting and performing times can vary). It’s fun to walk around Disney’s BoardWalk and catch their shows. You never know who you might see. There might be a magician or there might be a juggler, who knows! That’s the fun. They are big on audience participation, so just be prepared for that.

---

Ride the Disney Skyliner

Disney’s newest form of transportation, the Disney Skyliner, has a station near the back entrance of EPCOT. So it is just a short walking distance to get to that station from the BoardWalk. The Disney Skyliner also has stops at Hollywood Studios, the Riviera Resort, Caribbean Beach (this is the hub for the Skyliner), and there is a station shared between Pop Century and Art of Animation. So if you have a day where you are not visiting parks, taking the Skyliner around to the different stops can be a fun way to spend the day.

---

Dancing

Disney’s Boardwalk has a pretty nice nightlife. Besides the performers, the dining, and the games, you can also go dancing at Atlantic Dance Hall. You will hear music from the 80s, 90s, and today at this dance hall. This is an adults only venue that is located at the end of Disney’s BoardWalk. You can find it near Jellyrolls, which is another good entertainment spot. Jellyrolls is a dueling piano bar and the piano players take requests!

---

Surrey Bikes

When visiting the BoardWalk area you will see guests riding these around the lake. You can rent a single or a double bench surrey bike. Disney’s BoardWalk connects with the Yacht and Beach Club and circles back around. They have bells on them that you can ring to signal people that you are coming down the path.

---

Close Proximity to Yacht and Beach Club

As mentioned above, the BoardWalk area connects to the path by the Yacht and Beach Club. Being so close to those resorts also gives guests the opportunity to visit the shops and dining locations at each of those hotels. It’s nice to have so many options in such close proximity.

Dining at Yacht Club:

• Ale & Compass Restaurant
• The Market at Ale & Compass
• Crew’s Cup
• Yachtsman Steakhous

Dining at Beach Club:

• Beach Club Marketplace
• Beaches & Cream Soda Shop
• Cape May Cafe
• Martha’s Vineyard

---

This is also a great area to just sit at night. With all the lights on the hotels, the area looks really pretty at night.

What is your favorite thing to do in the BoardWalk area? Thanks for reading!

Liz

---

Join the fun in our Facebook group, follow us on Instagram, and subscribe to our YouTube channel!

Contact me today to book your trip and get FREE concierge level planning included with every booking.