Disney's Boardwalk Villas captures the charm of a 1940s Atlantic City boardwalk right in the heart of Walt Disney World. Located on Crescent Lake in the Epcot resort area, this DVC property combines turn-of-the-century elegance with modern convenience. You can walk to both Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios, and when the sun sets, the boardwalk comes alive with street performers, live music, and the warm glow of carnival lights.
Location and Transportation
The location advantages at Disney's Boardwalk Villas are hard to beat. You're within walking distance of Epcot's International Gateway entrance, which puts you right in the World Showcase. The walk takes about 5-7 minutes depending on your villa's location. Disney's Hollywood Studios is equally accessible via the friendship boat or a 15-20 minute walk along the boardwalk.
For Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom, you'll take Disney transportation. The bus service runs regularly, though the commute takes longer than from some other DVC resorts. Many guests find the trade-off worthwhile given the unique atmosphere and dining options right outside their door.
Villa Accommodations and Point Charts
As a Disney Vacation Club property, Boardwalk Villas operates on the DVC point system. The resort offers four accommodation types: Deluxe Studios, One-Bedroom Villas, Two-Bedroom Villas, and Grand Villas. Each villa reflects the early 20th-century boardwalk theme with rich colors, vintage touches, and modern amenities like full kitchens in the one and two-bedroom villas.
Studio accommodations sleep up to five guests with a kitchenette, while the larger villas include full kitchens, in-unit washers and dryers, and separate living areas. The Grand Villas are some of the most spacious DVC accommodations available, sleeping up to 12 guests across three bedrooms.
Point requirements vary significantly by season and room type. If you're not yet a DVC member, you can browse DVC resale listings or use the DVC point calculator to estimate what you'd need for your preferred dates and villa size.
Recreation and Resort Activities
Pool Complex
The Luna Park Pool serves as the resort's main recreational centerpiece. Designed with a carnival theme, it features the 200-foot Keister Coaster waterslide that winds around a vintage-style carnival game. The pool area gets busy during peak seasons, especially with families.
If you prefer quieter swimming, the resort has two additional leisure pools. These smaller pools offer a more relaxed atmosphere and include whirlpool spas. The quiet pools are particularly popular with adults looking to escape the busier main pool area.
Unique Activities
Crescent Lake offers guided bass fishing excursions that few guests know about. These early morning trips provide a peaceful start to your Disney day and give you access to parts of the property most visitors never see.
Each evening, weather permitting, the resort shows Disney movies outdoors at the community hall. It's a nice way to wind down after park days, and the screenings are complimentary for all guests.
Fitness and Sports
Muscles and Bustles Health Club provides a full range of fitness equipment and services. The fitness center includes cardio equipment, weight machines, and free weights. You can also book massage services here.
The resort includes a tennis court and jogging path around Crescent Lake. The jogging path connects to other Epcot area resorts, so you can extend your run if you want more distance. Fairways miniature golf sits nearby between the Boardwalk and Beach Club resorts.
Dining Options
Boardwalk's dining scene offers everything from quick counter service to signature restaurants. The variety means you don't need to leave the resort for meals, though you're also walking distance to additional restaurants at the nearby Beach Club, Yacht Club, and Swan and Dolphin hotels.
- Flying Fish Café: This signature restaurant focuses on fresh seafood and serves dinner only. The menu changes seasonally, and reservations are essential. Signature dining dress code applies.
- Big River Grille & Brewing Works: A brewpub offering house-made beers along with American fare. The outdoor seating provides nice lake views, and it's one of the few places on property where you can watch the brewing process.
- Trattoria al Forno: Serves Italian cuisine for breakfast and dinner. The character breakfast features Rapunzel, Flynn Rider, Ariel, and Prince Eric, which makes it popular with families.
- ESPN Club: Sports bar with over 100 screens showing games and sports programming. The menu includes typical bar food, and it stays open later than most Disney restaurants.
Quick service options include BoardWalk Bakery for coffee and pastries, and several carnival-style snack carts along the boardwalk offering funnel cakes, ice cream, and other treats.
Boardwalk Entertainment District
The boardwalk itself transforms each evening into an entertainment district. Street performers juggle, play music, and interact with guests. The atmosphere feels festive but not overwhelming, with most activities winding down by 10 PM on weeknights and slightly later on weekends.
Atlantic Dance Hall occasionally hosts special events and dance nights, though it doesn't operate as regularly as it once did. Jellyrolls, the dueling piano bar, provides late-night entertainment for adults looking to extend their evening. Cover charges apply, and it can get quite loud, so it's not suitable for families with young children.
The shops along the boardwalk sell Disney merchandise, resort-specific items, and practical vacation supplies. Wyland Galleries features marine-themed art, while other boutiques offer clothing and gifts.
Purchasing Considerations
Boardwalk Villas contracts on the resale market typically cost less than purchasing directly from Disney, though you won't receive certain member benefits like discounts on Annual Passes or Disney Cruise Line. The resort's use year runs from October to September, which affects when your points are allocated each year.
If you're considering Boardwalk as your DVC home resort, remember that you get booking priority at your home resort starting at 11 months out. Given Boardwalk's popularity and relatively small size compared to other DVC properties, this booking advantage can matter, especially for holiday periods and larger villa sizes.
We've helped hundreds of families purchase DVC contracts at Boardwalk Villas. The resort consistently holds its value well in the resale market, partly due to its unique location and the limited number of available contracts.
Working with DVC Sales
When you work with DVC Sales, you'll pay our standard $500 buyer admin fee, and we charge sellers a 6.9% commission instead of the 9.5% industry average. This lower commission often means better prices for buyers since sellers have more room to negotiate.
If you're not ready to purchase a membership, you can still experience Boardwalk Villas by renting points from current owners. Point rentals let you stay in DVC accommodations without the long-term commitment of ownership.
What to Expect During Your Stay
Boardwalk Villas attracts guests who appreciate both the resort's quieter villa atmosphere and the lively boardwalk entertainment. The property feels more intimate than Disney's larger resorts, but it can still get busy during peak seasons.
The villas themselves show some age compared to newer DVC properties, but Disney maintains them well. Room locations vary significantly in their proximity to elevators, the boardwalk, and the pools. If you have specific preferences, mention them when booking, though room assignments aren't guaranteed.
Transportation to Magic Kingdom requires either a bus ride or a combination of monorail and boat from Epcot. This adds time to your Magic Kingdom days, but many guests find the trade-off acceptable given the resort's other advantages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I rent points to stay at Disney's Boardwalk Villas?
Yes, point rentals offer a way to experience DVC accommodations without purchasing a membership. Current owners rent out unused points at rates typically lower than Disney's cash prices. Learn more about this option in Why DVC Members Still Rent Points.
Q: How does Boardwalk's location compare to other DVC resorts?
Boardwalk offers the best walking access to two theme parks of any DVC resort. You can reach both Epcot and Hollywood Studios on foot, which saves significant time during your vacation. Other resort location factors are covered in Choosing the Best DVC Home Resort.
Q: Is Boardwalk Villas suitable for families with young children?
The resort works well for families, offering spacious villas with full kitchens and washers/dryers. The main pool provides plenty of entertainment, and the boardwalk activities generally appeal to kids. The evening entertainment runs family-friendly until about 9 PM. For budget-conscious families, DVC on a Budget offers strategies to maximize your vacation value.
Q: What's the best time of year to visit Boardwalk Villas?
The resort shines during Epcot's festivals, particularly Food & Wine Festival in the fall and Festival of the Arts in winter. These events are walking distance from your villa, making it easy to pop over for short visits. Spring and fall generally offer the best weather for enjoying the outdoor boardwalk activities, though summer's longer daylight hours extend the evening entertainment.
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