6 Reasons Disney’s Boardwalk Inn is My Favorite Epcot-Area Resort

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy for more information.

If you’re looking for a Walt Disney World resort that has easy access to Epcot, you really can’t go wrong with Disney’s Boardwalk Inn. Since we’ve begun our Disney adventures, we’ve also stayed at The Beach Club. While The Beach Club is a wonderful resort, I think the Boardwalk edges it out a little for being the favorite for our family.

Our family’s favorite resort overall is Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. To read about our stays there, click here.  We often do split stays so we can reap the benefits of different resorts while trying different Disney experiences. If you’re into split stays or you love Epcot, keep reading.

Click here to read more about renting DVC points to save on deluxe stays at Disney.

To help you plan your next Disney vacation, I’ve outlined 6 reasons that Boardwalk Inn wins in the Epcot-area resorts category.

1. Location, Location, Location!

It is so easy to get to Epcot from the Epcot resorts. Disney’s Boardwalk Inn and The Beach Club are the closest resorts to the International Gateway entrance that will put you right between the UK and France in the countries of World Showcase.

If you’re worried about doing rope drop at Epcot since World Showcase opens later than Future World, well don’t! You can still enter at International Gateway and walk to the front of the park. On our past visits, we’ve gotten a Fastpass for Frozen Ever After while heading straight to Soarin’ to get a ride in before the crowds come in. The lines at International Gateway for ticket scanning and bag check are much shorter, too!

The International Gateway is also amazing at night when you’re ready to leave the park after the night show. Instead of waiting for a bus or the monorail, simply walk back to your resort.

You don’t have to walk, though.  This brings me to the next benefit…

2. You Can Use the Friendship Boats

We often travel in the summer because I am a teacher, so sometimes it is HOT. Though the walk from the Boardwalk to the International Gateway isn’t particularly long, it can get warm. If the wait is not long, we’ll take the boat to the International Gateway. By the way, the boat is air-conditioned.

The boats also service The Beach Club and the Yacht Club. You can also use boat transportation to get to Hollywood Studios. There is a walkway to Hollywood Studios, but since it’s about a 20-minute walk, we haven’t done it. Summer travelers, remember?

You could also access The Dolphin and Swan Hotels from this area. You can see the Dolphin in the background.

Here is The Yacht Club across Crescent Lake from the Boardwalk.

And here’s The Beach Club.

Another cool thing about taking the boats at night, or just walking around Crescent Lake, is that you may catch glimpses of fireworks in the distance from different parks. The shows are staggered so they aren’t all happening at once.

3. The Boardwalk Has a Fun Vibe–Day or Night

The Boardwalk has shops, restaurants, entertainment, and recreation options. The idea is the resort is like an East Coast boardwalk with plenty of fun.

You can rent a surrey bike and ride it completely around Cresent Lake.

You’ll find plenty of yummy treats.

Be sure to check out the shops.

The Boardwalk even has a character breakfast, probably my favorite character dining place on property–Trattoria al Forno. They also serve dinner without characters. To read more about the character breakfast, click here.

The fun continues as the sun goes down. You may see some entertainers.

And the lights make the whole resort seem magical.

If you’re on an adults-only trip or have a babysitter, you may want to go dancing or check out the dueling pianos.

Or maybe take in a movie out on the lawn.

4. The Studio Villas Are Nice

We rent points to stay in Disney Vacation Club resorts. As a party of three, a studio is the perfect size for us. We usually stay standard-view to save money to put towards other things, but for this resort, it would be tempting to have a Boardwalk view. There are rooms over the Boardwalk.

Our room faced the front of the building. Here is a general view of where our room was located.

We were on the second floor. Here is our balcony.

The layout of the studio villa is nice. Here is the queen bed and the pullout sofa.

Here is another view of the sofa.

The room also has a table and two chairs. You can also see where the kitchenette is in relation to the main part of the room.

Across from the kitchenette is the vanity. It’s outside of the bathroom, so that is nice in the morning.

5. Luna Park Pool Area is Really Fun

The pool and slide are nicely themed, but some people don’t like the clown. We didn’t mind it. As I’m writing this, the word is that the clown has been removed. We’ll have to see what happens after the refurbishment. This picture may become vintage, but that’s okay.

You’ll definitely be able to get your snack on here at Luna Park Pool. We didn’t do much more than swim on this afternoon because a summer thunderstorm rolled in. It turned out to be our only swim at the Boardwalk. We spent two nights here before moving on to Bay Lake Tower. By the way,  the property also has two quiet pools if those are more your speed.

After we explored the Boardwalk one evening, we noticed the kiddie pool and a playground. Your little ones will be able to get some energy out.

6. Disney’s Boardwalk Inn is a Beautiful Resort

One of the best things about this resort is the attention to detail. Just like all Disney resorts, the details make the magic happen. You can’t help feeling you’re in an Atlantic City resort as you explore. The lobby is relaxing and inviting.

You’ll definitely feel like you’ve stepped into another time and place.

The details are gorgeous.

Be sure to make some time just to walk around the resort and check it out.

You never know what you’ll find.

I hope I’ve made a case as to why Disney’s Boardwalk  Inn is a great choice for anyone who wants to spend time at Epcot. If you have parkhopper passes, you can have dinner at Epcot every night of your stay, if you wish. We’ve even had lunch in Mexico and The Seas and brought our leftovers straight back to the room. No worries, it’s nearby!

Disney’s Boardwalk Inn is simply a beautiful resort in a beautiful area. I hope you’ll book a stay soon!