A Quick Guide to the Disney Boardwalk

The Disney Boardwalk at Walt Disney World, is one of the best ways to spend a day in Orlando. Whether you’re vacationing at Disney World, or just passing through, you can find restaurants, shops, entertainment and resorts to lounge the day away. Featuring carnival games, margarita stands and little beaches to dip your toes in the sand, you’ll be glad you found this hidden area of Walt Disney World. Here are all the details of everything you can do, see, and eat while you’re there.

Disney Boardwalk Details

What is the Disney BoardWalk? The Disney World Boardwalk Area is a part of Walt Disney World that is disconnected from the parks. As such, you won’t find it on a park map. Themed to the 1930s Atlantic City seaside this  boardwalk area circles Crescent Lake. This EPCOT Resorts area includes restaurants, resorts, and shops. Spanning a quarter mile, this promenade helps you go a little slower, admiring the views, the water, and in the evenings, the lights. Sometimes you can even see the Fireworks from the Disney BoardWalk! 

Located just outside of the EPCOT International Gateway Park gates, unlike the theme parks, the Disney BoardWalk does not require a ticket and is free to visit for the public. Much like Disney Springs, you can come and go as you please. And it’s one of the nicest places to visit in the Orlando, Florida area. 

Disney Boardwalk Hours

Places on the Disney Boardwalk are typically open from 8 AM- 11 PM Since the Disney BoardWalk doesn’t really have a gate, it doesn’t necessarily have an opening and closing time. It’s just a wide walkway connecting resorts, restaurants, and shops.

• 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

However, the shops, resorts and restaurants on the Disney BoardWalk have hours that are typically between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m. The exception here are Jellyrolls Dueling Piano Bar, the Lounges, and Atlantic City Dance Hall, which can be open sometimes as late as 2 a.m., depending on the day and the season. 

Disney Boardwalk Location

Tucked between Hollywood Studios and EPCOT Park, this area includes all the BoardWalk Resorts and sits adjacent to the Disney Swan and Disney Dolphin Hotels. The Disney World BoardWalk does have an “entrance” which is noted by a little BoardWalk sign arched over the pathway. But, it’s not necessarily where you will enter the area as it’s nestled in between the larger BoardWalk Resort Areas. 

How to Get to the Disney Boardwalk

To get here, you can depart the Disney Skyliner at the Epcot International Gateway. Take the walking path that flanks the river from Hollywood Studios. Or simply grab a Disney Bus to the Disney Boardwalk Inn Hotel, which has a lobby that steps right out onto the Disney Boardwalk. If you’re driving you can book a meal at a restaurant at any of the Disney Boardwalk Hotels for a 3 hour parking pass. But we recommend you simply Uber, or use Disney’s Complimentary Transportation instead.

Disney Boardwalk Hotels

The Disney Boardwalk Area at Walt Disney World, includes three main hotels, that line the boardwalk, surrounding Crescent Lake. It also is situated right next to the Disney Marriott Hotels courtyard, which includes another three hotels. Since all of them are walkable and expand the amount of thigs you can do in the area, we’ve included all six hotels here.

Yacht Club

The Yacht Club is the more grown-up of the Club resorts. It is known for a pool that has sand on the bottom and wide deep porches with rocking chairs. The Yachtsman’s Steakhouse and Ale and Compass are both grown-up food options here and can add extra elegance to your vacation. The resorts also share a poolside quick service restaurant, called Hurricane Hannas which offers a pretty decent lunch option filled with options like falafel and fries.

Disney’s Beach Club

Disney’s Beach Club Resort is known for a lobby that smells like aloe and cucumber. And if you can pull yourself away from the beach smelling lobby long enough you can visit the plethora of restaurants that these two resorts share. You can try Beaches and Cream Soda Shop, an ice cream parlor and restaurant, or Cape May for a buffet meal with seafood and pasta at dinnertime. If you’re up for a drink, the Crews Cup Lounge is old money style, just off the hallway that connects the two resorts.

Disney’s Boardwalk Inn

The main Disney Boardwalk hotel is known as The Boardwalk Inn and is decked out with Coney Island-type decor, stripes, and a feeling of the county fair. It also has a lawn that routinely fills with kids playing frisbee or people lounging about reading. We absolutely loved this resort when we stayed here. It’s classic and low-key. And so close to everything! Inside this resort you’ll find the Belle Vue Lounge for evening drinks to old time radio, and Carousel Coffee for specialty drinks and grab and go food just off the lobby.

Walt Disney World Swan

The Swan Hotel at Disney World is a wonderful boutique hotel just off the pathway that connects Disney BoardWalk and Hollywood Studios. As part of the suite of three Disney Marriott Hotels, the Swan offers a cute coffee counter, with food to go, and a quiet lobby, complete with seating to get away if you need it. You can take advantage of the shared amenities like the outdoor games, pools and sun lounge areas. This resort is just a 10-15 minute walk to both Epcot Park and Hollywood Studios.

Walt Disney World Dolphin

The Walt Disney Dolphin Hotel is a massive building, with a lobby on the second floor, accessible by a grand escalator. Designed by renowned architect Michael Graves, this one features dolphin fish fountains and an avenue of trees that light up in the evenings to music. Home to Todd English’s Blue Zoo, Rosa Mexicana, The Fountain, and other restaurants and lounges, there are plenty of places to eat here. Rooms here have views of the Boardwalk, and the courtyard spaces. And there are multiple beaches, and pools across the property.

Disney Swan Reserve

Across the street from the Boardwalk, and sharing a parking lot with Fantasia Gardens Mini Golf, is Disney’s Swan Reserve Hotel. Very upscale, this resort is within walking distance of Hollywood Studios and Epcot and offers calm away from the Disney crowds. Serving up fancy drinks and coffees, you can take a dip in the pool, or head to Amare for a nice dinner. Room views here oversee the Boardwalk area and you can sometimes even see the Luminous show at EPCOT. Read our Walt Disney World Swan Reserve Review for all the details.

Disney Boardwalk Restaurants

One of our favorite things about the Disney Boardwalk is the wide array of restaurants available both inside the resorts and outside on the boardwalk. Everything from classic Italian to corndogs can be found here. You can also check out the Resort Restaurants inside each Boardwalk Resort for even more options.

Trattoria Al Forno

Perfect for breakfast or dinner, Trattoria al Forno serves cuisine with an Italian twist. This is one of the best restaurants on the Disney BoardWalk and serves an amazing breakfast menu that includes a breakfast pizza, french toast bread pudding and more. Check out the Trattoria al Forno Menu. 

AbracadaBar

This bar is open from 4:00 pm to 12:00 am and offers magic at the ready. Check out the AbracadaBar Lounge Menu for a look at drinks and bar basics, like pizza, fries, and charcuterie. This bar is open from 4:00 pm to 12:00 am and offers magic at the ready. 

BoardWalk Ice Cream

One of our favorite places to grab a snack, this ice cream place features specialty desserts like the bayside brownie a la mode, and the shoreside sundae. You can also grab milkshakes and cones. This ice cream shop serves ice cream cones, sundaes, and milkshakes in fun flavors and offers outdoor seating. 

BoardWalk Joe’s Marvelous Margaritas

A fan favorite, Boardwalk Joe’s is home to marvelous margaritas and soft pretzels. 

Pizza Window

Serving up a large slice of cheese or peperoni pizza, the Pizza Window on the boardwalk is perfect for families wanting to grab a quick bite. There are tables and chairs on the boardwalk, and you can also get salads and soda here too.

Boardwalk Deli

Previously known as Boardwalk Bakery, this restaurant got an overhaul late in 2022 and is now the Boardwalk Deli. Featuring classic deli fare. Specialty breakfast and lunch sandwiches, with plant-based options make this an excellent place to grab an early breakfast before heading into the parks. Or a lunch during a much-needed break. 

Blue Ribbon Corn Dog

Blue Ribbon Corn Dog has some favorites from Disneyland Resort alongside brand-new options exclusive to Walt Disney World. Here are some of the menu items shared so far! Mexican Street Corn Dog, Pickle Dog, Lemonade and Strawberry Lemonade, and Fresh Spun Cotton Candy.

The Cake Bake Shop on the Disney Boardwalk 

This “whimsical table service restaurant and bakery” created by Gwendolyn Rogers serves up beautiful cakes in a delightful atmosphere on Disney’s Boardwalk. Offering up both a Bakery and a Restaurant you can delight in cakes, tea service, and savory sandwiches with French flair. The Cake Bake Shop Bakery offers grab-and-go cake slices, cupcakes, and treats perfect for a light and decadent treat. The Cake Bake Shop Restaurant serves a variety of beautiful simple foods perfect for brunch, high tea, and any fancy meal you desire. 

Flying Fish

A higher-end seafood restaurant, this place feels like old New England in the 1920s. This is a fancy place and worth 2 credits on the dining plan. If you’re toting kids, you may want to check the menu first. This seafood restaurant also offers up steak and contemporary American cuisine. Check out the Flying Fish Menu.

Funnel Cake Cart

For a sweet treat, you can head to the funnel cake cart and feel like you’re really enjoying the carnival on the Atlantic BoardWalk of the good old days. 

Disney Boardwalk Activities

As a turn-of-the-century Atlantic City-themed playground you can experience a dueling piano bar, a dance hall, street performers, and a photo booth. Along with midway carnival games, and places to test your fair game skills. There are beaches and little boats that take you from one side to the other. You’ll find shops, restaurants, and a calmer atmosphere than you’ll find anywhere else at Disney. We love going here to walk, grab cupcakes or ice cream, and browse the shops. The Boardwalk is often the closest place we can go to get sand in between our toes.

The Beach and Yacht Clubs both have little beaches that are perfect for lounging, or an afternoon lunch. We also love this area at night. The Boardwalk Inn also has jugglers and magicians, and other street performers as part of weekend evening entertainment. And at night you can see the fireworks from Hollywood Studios right over the water.

Visit the Resorts

Each with their own charm, the Disney Boardwalk Hotels are great places to kick back and relax. You can brose the giftshops, grab a meal or a drink, and lounge at the beaches.

Grab a Bite at a Restaurant

Whether you’re looking for ice cream, a wood fired pizza or your next steak, the Disney Boardwalk has restaurants both on the Boardwalk and inside the resorts. Serving up amazing food at pretty great prices, we most like Ale and Compass inside the Yacht Club Resort, and Trattoria al Forno right on the boardwalk. And if you’re really looking to stay on a budget, the resorts have refillable mug stations and grab and go food inside the gift shops at both Beach and Yacht Club. The Boardwalk Deli also offers quick counter service meals, and a refillable mug station as well.

Enjoy the Entertainment

One of the perks of visiting or staying on the Disney Boardwalk is all the classic entertainment. From hula hoopers to dancers, to jugglers, and magicians, Disney pulls out all the stops to add a little more magic to the experience. The schedule for these entertainers isn’t usually posted anywhere, but are always worth the stop. You’ll find these performers typically just outside the Boardwalk Inn Hotel in the evenings, and especially on Friday and Saturday nights.

Atlantic Dance Hall

Not hugely popular, if you’re looking for a reason to kick off your shoes, you can head to the Atlantic Dance Hall. This dance hall, themed in the Art Deco style, is typically open Tuesday-Saturday nights, 8:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. for guests 21 and up. And it’s FREE. 

Jellyrolls Dueling Piano Bar 

A popular place on the weekends, for grown ups, this bar draws locals and vacationers alike. The Dueling Piano Bar has a $10 cover charge and is open from 7:00 p.m. to 1:45 a.m. For guests 21 and up, you can visit, enjoy the free popcorn, and grab a drink while you listen to the piano players duke it out on the ivories.

Carnival Games

Typically about $2 each to play the Disney BoardWalk is lined with old-school carnival games. Shooting games, basketball games, and more await with loads of prizes to be won at each. So if you want to win a big stuffed animal, you can do that here. Be sure to check them all out when you visit. 

Shopping

You can find gift shops inside the resorts as well as on the Boardwalk itself. While the resort gift shops feature additional merchandise honoring each resort, the main giftshop along the boardwalk includes resort wear, Mickey ears, specialty collections, treats, apparel, toys and more. If you’re looking for a Disney souvenir, you can find them here. We love that you can see new Disney merchandise without heading into the parks. And they have seasonal merchandise too, so you never miss out. Always worth a browse.

Surrey Bikes

A favorite activity for families and friends on the Disney BoardWalk is renting the Surrey Bikes. These bikes are available in a 2 or 4-person version and are available for $25 per 1/2 hour. If you’re headed to the boardwalk and want to see the sights by bicycle then these bikes can help you get around. While the Disney BoardWalk isn’t too large for walking, it still takes about 20 minutes to make the loop. So a bike experience can feel like a ride and is a great way to add a little more fun to your day. 

Beaches 

While a beach is just a beach, the beaches at the Beach Club are worth the visit. With views of the boats, BoardWalk, and hotels in the area this beach includes a wooden swing, loungers, plus a large connect four and tic-tac-toe game. Hardly ever crowded, we love this beach for taking breaks at Walt Disney World. The proximity to the Disney Mug Refill station at Hurricane Hanna’s is a bonus. And if you’re looking for something to eat or a Disney treat, the Beach Club Marketplace and Gift Shop are just inside the resort. Absolutely one of our favorite ways to spend an afternoon.

Take a Boat Ride

Grab a boat ride for free as the Friendship Boat makes little stops along the Boardwalk, Resorts, and at the park entrances. You can grab the boat at the EPCOT International Gateway for the longest trip to the Hollywood Studios dock. Or grab any of the boat docks along the way. The Swan and Dolphin, and Yacht Club Resorts also have docks, if you’re looking to just sail a bit of your day away. 

Fantasia Gardens and Fairways Mini Golf

Located right next to Disney’s Swan Reserve Hotel, is the Fantasia Gardens and Fairways Miniature Golf Course. Perfect for an afternoon at Walt Disney World you can grab a golf club and play a round. It lasts about an hour to an hour and a half and brings back the good old days of mini golf. The Fairways course is more difficult, and “less Disney,” so if you have kids, or are just looking for fun, be sure to choose Fantasia Gardens instead. During busy times you can expect a waitlist, but it’s always worth it for some extra fun. 

Disney Boardwalk FAQ

Still have some questions? Check out the frequently asked questions about the Disney Boardwalk. This area of the Walt Disney World Resort is often missed, and overlooked, since it’s not really “connected” to any of the parks. But you needn’t stay in the dark on this one! It truly is one of the best places to visit at Disney World. Here are some more answers to questions you may have.

Does the Disney Boardwalk have Parking?

The Disney Boardwalk does not have designated parking. As such, if you have a car, we recommend using the Complimentary Disney Transportation for your Disney Boardwalk day instead. While you are able to park at any of the Boardwalk Resorts with a Disney Dining Reservation at one of those resorts, the limit is 3 hours, and no where near enough time to eat and explore. That said, you can also park your car at Disney Springs and take a Disney Bus to Boardwalk Inn. From there, just walk through the lobby, out onto the boardwalk. Disney Springs Buses typically run between 9 AM- 12:00 AM each day.

Is the Disney Boardwalk Free?

Yes! You can visit the Disney Boardwalk in Orlando, Florida for FREE. It’s an area Open to the Public. You can take advantage of the views, beaches, window shopping, and whatever else catches your fancy in this resort area of Walt Disney World.

Do you have to be staying at Disney Resort to Go to the BoardWalk?

No. Anyone is allowed to visit the Disney BoardWalk, much like Disney Springs, is a free, public space for all to enjoy. 

Do you Need a Disney Park Ticket for the Disney BoardWalk?

No. Disney’s BoardWalk is FREE, and you do not need a park ticket. You can simply grab a Disney bus to any of the Disney BoardWalk Resorts and enjoy your Disney day in this free area. No Ticket is required.

Disney Boardwalk Review

There you have it! A roundup of most everything you can find on the Disney Boardwalk and nearby, for the perfect Non-Park Ticket Day at Disney World. We typically try to visit this area at least once every trip, mainly for the food. If you’re planning your trip, consider heading there in the morning for a wonderful breakfast and a calm start to your day. Or add a little more fun to your trip with an evening trip, to grab pizza at the Pizza Window, play the carnival games and watch the performers. We absolutely love this area, and we’re sure you will too!