A hidden gem that not everyone knows about is the Boardwalk and Crescent Lake area of Walt Disney World.  This area is located between EPCOT Center and Disney’s Hollywood Studio, and is connected by the Friendship Fleet of ferry boars on Crescent Lake.  The area is filled with shops, restaurants and entertainment venues for the entire family to enjoy. The Boardwalk is a quarter of a mile long promenade designed to look like a quaint Mid-Atlantic seaside village from the early 1900’s – some say it evokes a Cape May, New Jersey feel while others say that there it reminds them of Coney Island; either way, it is simply charming.  And best of all there is no admission to get there.

One of the best aspects of being a hidden gem, is that the crowds are not large and it is easy to browse the shops and entertainment.  This makes it a great place to visit on the “Free” Disney tours.

Getting to the Boardwalk:

  •  Exit Epcot through the International Gateway (World Showcase). There are signs for this easy ½ mile walk.
  • There is a 1 mile path from the Disney’s Hollywood Studios parking lot to the Boardwalk.
  • You can also take Disney transportation to the closest theme park, water park, or Downtown Disney and catch a bus to the Boardwalk Inn and Villas.
  • Friendship Boat Transportation is available from Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot. Boats are also available from the Swan, Dolphin, and the Yacht Club Hotel and Beach Club Hotel.

Taking your car to the Boardwalk:

  • Like every other resort, you will need to either stay at the resort or have dinner plans somewhere on the boardwalk.  There are parking lots at the Beach Club, the Yacht Club, the Dolphin Resort, the Swan Resort and the Boardwalk Inn.
  • Another great option the  is for those with season passes to go the Disney Hollywood Studios and park (it would be free then).  Take the tram to the main entrance of Hollywood Studios and instead of entering the park take the Friendship ferry that is off to the right on the water.

Once into the Boardwalk and Crescent Lake Area:

This is a fun area to walk around and enjoy.  You can also take a tour of the area by Ferry, which will take you to the international entrance of EPCOT and the main entrance to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.  From this area you can see both the aerial fireworks from both parks at night.  However, you will not be able to view the show on the ground during the fireworks.

(Tip: If you have a Disney Resort Refillable Mug that is good for your current stay, you can use it at the refill station at the Bakery Fountain, even if you are not staying at the Boardwalk Inn and Villas.)

 

Boardwalk Restaurants & Lounges:

  • Belle Vue Lounge at Disney’s Boardwalk Inn – cozy furniture and antique radios playing classic radio shows.
  • Boardwalk Bakery
  • Boardwalk Hot Dog Cart
  • Boardwalk Joe’s Marvelous Margaritas
  • Boardwalk Pizza Window
  • Big River Grille & Brewing Works – Pub/restaurant that even makes its own beers.
  • ESPN Club – Sports bar/restaurant with over 100 televisions. American food.
  • Funnel Cake Stand
  • Flying Fish Café – Seafood restaurant with a classic rollercoaster theme. Vegetarian, game dishes, and great desserts also available.
  • Trattoria al Forno – Italian restaurant featuring fresh, handcrafted Mozzarella, house-made Cavatelli and Neapolitan-style Pizza baked in the restaurants own wood-burning oven. Open for breakfast & dinner. Bon Voyage Adventure Character breakfast featuring Ariel, Prince Eric, Rapunzel and Flynn Rider. Advance reservations required.

Boardwalk Entertainment:

  • Jellyrolls – an uproarious dueling piano bar & sing-along. Opens at 7:00PM with non-stop live entertainment from 8:00PM to 2:00AM. Rowdy, waterfront atmosphere. Cover charge applies. Jellyrolls has earned the tripadvisor Certificate of Excellent with over 4.5 out of 5 on the popularity index.
  • Atlantic Dance Hall – This spacious dance venue features DJ’s playing your favorites from the 70’s through today. 9:00PM – 2AM Tuesday through Saturday. Ages 21 and over.
  • Street Performers – On Thursdays – Saturday evenings, you’ll find street performers like balancing acts, a juggler, or street musicians that give the Boardwalk a fun, street festival feel; especially after dark with the lights are on.
  • Caricature Artist
  • Hair Wrappers
  • Surrey Bike rental
  • Midway-type Carnival games.
  • Boat Rentals & Fishing Excursions available at the Marina
  • Yard Arcade
  • Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf – two mini-golf courses with a fun Fantasia theme. While not technically part of the Boardwalk Entertainment area, it is within walking distance. From the Boardwalk Resort: go between Atlantic Dance Hall and Jelly Rolls Piano Bar and take the bridge towards the Swan and Dolphin Resorts but continue on to the street. There will be tennis courts to your right and Fantasia Gardens will be to the left TIP: Fantasia Gardens has lower crowds during the day but gets busy in the evening.

Boardwalk Shopping:

  • Disney’s Character Carnival – Adult clothing and golf apparel and Disney Character merchandise
  • Pin Station – Disney collectors’ Olympic style pins
  • Screen Door General – Disney items, sundries, and a limited selection of groceries.
  • Thimbles & Threads – Disney character plush toys and clothing for women, children, and infants.
  • Wyland Galleries: Showcasing works by Wyland and other artists, mostly marine life themed.

The Boardalk Inn

The Boardwalk Inn is broken into two sides, one is for the Disney Vacation Club and the other is a resort open for everyone.  The Bellevue Lounge, the Lobby and the large porch are the only areas open to the public, but the inn is beautiful.  Below is a video going over the entire Boardwalk and the Boardwalk in, done by Resort TV1.

The Crescent Lake Tour

On the Friendship ferry ride around Crescent Lake it will make a stop at every resort along the way.  The following resorts have a unique theme and great restaurants and lounges to visit.  Resort TV 1 gives a great presentation fo the tour around the lake.

Disney’s Beach Club Resort

This is a beautiful Beach Club themed resort bordering Crescent Lake.  There are not a lot of dining options here, but there are great shops for beach apparel and supplies.  The beach chairs stationed inside and outside of the resort are a great pleasure to relax in.

  • Beaches & Cream – Fun little 1950’s Soda Shop inspired restaurant
  • Cape May Café – characters at breakfast & seafood at dinner

Below is the ResortTV1 tour of the Beach Club Resort:

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort

The Yacht Club offers a more formal setting, with deeper colors and has been done in the theme of an exclusive Yacht Club that exists around the world.  If you’ve never been invited or visited an exclusive Yacht Club, this give a great atmosphere (Disney style) of that theme.

  • Captain’s Grille – serves breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Ale & Compass Lounge – serves specialty coffees, drinks and snacks
  • Crew’s Cup Lounge – serves breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Yachtsman Steakhouse

Below is the ResortTV1 tour of the Yacht Club Resort:

Christmas Decorations at the Beach and Yacht Club

This is a great presentation of Christmas Time at the two resorts done by Resort TV1.

Dolphin Resort – (not Disney-owned)

  • Shula’s Steak House
  • The Fountain Sweet Treats
  • Todd English’s Bluezoo

Swan Resort – (not Disney-owned)

  • Garden Grove Cafe
  • Il Mulino New York Trattoria
  • Java Bar
  • Kimonos Sushi Bar

Christmas Decorations at the Dolphin and Swan Resort

This is a great presentation of Christmas Time at the two resorts done by Resort TV1.

The time at the Boardwalk can be a special adventure.  The crowds are usually small, the food is great and the entertainment is fun.