With the Magic Kingdom being the main theme park destination for many guests, DVC resorts along the monorail loop are often considered the premier resorts at Walt Disney World. These include the Grand Floridian, Polynesian, and Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. However, there is a case to be made for the EPCOT DVC resorts around Crescent Lake, the BoardWalk and Beach Club. Despite being further from the Magic Kingdom, they have a lot to offer from their incredible location to their low points charts.
Prime Location
The BoardWalk and Beach Club are located close to EPCOT. Not only can you walk to EPCOT from these resorts, but you can enter EPCOT through International Gateway, the back entrance to the park. None of the Disney World resorts have private theme park entrances like the Grand Californian does for Disney California Adventure or the MiraCosta has for Tokyo DisneySea, so this is about as close as you can get. International Gateway is often quieter than the main entrance at the front of the park. It’s also closer to the World Showcase, which is more convenient during festivals than entering through the main entrance at the front of the park.
Aside from its proximity to theme parks, the Crescent Lake area is simply picturesque. It’s peaceful in the morning and beautiful to see the boardwalk lit up at night.
Multiple Modes of Transportation
If you don’t want to take the walkways to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, you always have the Friendship boats. These ferries take you to the two theme parks and the resorts along Crescent Lake, including the BoardWalk, Beach Club/Yacht Club, and Swan and Dolphin. For Hollywood Studios, you also have the option of taking the Skyliner from International Gateway and then transferring at Caribbean Beach for the Skyliner to Hollywood Studios. Despite the transfer, you still get there in a matter of minutes.
As a bonus, strollers don’t have to be folded on the Friendship boats or the Skyliner unless you have a double stroller. You do have to fold double strollers before boarding the Skyliner.
Great Dining Options
There are lots of restaurants between the BoardWalk and Beach Club like Flying Fish, Trattoria Al Forno, BoardWalk Deli, Big River Grille, Cape May Cafe, Beaches and Cream, and the Beach Club Marketplace. In the next coming year, the BoardWalk will also have the Cake Bake Shop by Gwendolyn Rogers.
In addition, there are so many neighboring resorts that add to your dining options. The Yacht Club offers Ale & Compass Restaurant, Ale & Compass Lounge, The Market at Ale & Compass, Crew’s Cup Lounge, and Yachtsman Steakhouse. Among the Swan and Dolphin and Swan Reserve, you also have options like Il Mulino, Shula’s Steakhouse, Rosa Mexicano, The Fountain, and Amare.
If you take the Skyliner to Riviera, you could also dine at Topolino’s Terrace, Primo Piatto, or Bar Riva. With EPCOT so close by, it’s also easy to dine there when staying at the BoardWalk or Beach Club.
Nightlife Beyond Bars
At most resorts, the main options at night are bars or lounges. While the BoardWalk and Beach Club have bars and lounges, the BoardWalk adds some unique entertainment, such as the side shows along the boardwalk. You’ll find jugglers, magicians, and more! Over at Jellyrolls, you can sing along and enjoy the dueling pianos. There’s also Atlantic Dance Hall if you want to dance the night away.
Low Points Charts
With the BoardWalk and Beach Club being among the older DVC resorts, they both have low points charts compared to those of the newer DVC resorts, including those along the monorail. At the BoardWalk, points per night range from 9 points a night for a Deluxe Studio in the cheapest travel period to 145 points per night for a Three Bedroom Grand Villa in the most expensive travel period. At the Beach Club, points per night range from 14 per night for a Deluxe Studio in the cheapest travel period to 71 points per night for a Two Bedroom Villa (the largest accommodation there) in the most expensive travel period. These low point values can make a huge difference over the length of your stay.
If you have stayed at the BoardWalk or Beach Club, what are some of the best parts about staying there?
Rick
March 21, 2024We have been owners at Boardwalk since 1997! Cannot beat the location. Easy walk to Epcot and Skyline station. Also the walk to Hollywood Studios is not bad. Friendships are a great way to go as well. We added on at BLT and now do split stays. Boardwalk for Epcot area and BLT for MK. That way we don’t have to hassle with the MonoRail to do Epcot from BLT. Disney transportation to Disney Springs and other locations is not bad. Our latest trip was 12/2023 and we never had to wait long for a bus.
The rooms at Boardwalk are great. Very roomy. They are a little worn, however. I have not seen the latest refresh, however if history is a predictor of future, the rooms will be top notch.
The lobby area is fantastic. I love the Decor. The bell station is very well staffed. We never had to wait for help with anything. The front desk is also well staffed and very efficient.
Availability at Boardwalk is also pretty good. We always go for a 1 bedroom. We almost never fail to get a room.
Downside. (mostly little things) Boardwalk facing rooms can be fairly noisy at night. The resort is showing its age a bit. There are not nearly as many dining options as in the past. Boardwalk used to be a destination for night time entertainment in the past. Sadly not so much anymore. The closure of ESPN, etc has hurt that a bit. Food options can be a hike and outside tables can be hard to get. Parking can be a problem. We almost always fall back to Valet which can be pricy for long term stays.
DVC/Disney is starting to show Boardwalk a bit of love, so I am excited to see what the future holds.
momeja
March 21, 2024What are the best parts of staying at our family’s beloved home resort, the Beach Club Villas? Where do I begin?! Here are 10 of the many magical reasons why we love our home resort:
Stormalong Bay and the wonderful Flying Jib waterslide
SAB Pool parties in the afternoon!
Lovely quiet pool for when you’re not in the mood for Stormalong Bay
Beaches and Cream, especially the No Way Jose Sundae (it’s a must-have every trip)
4th & 5th floor views of Spaceship Earth. Nothing says Disney to us like waking up to SSE.
Being able to roll out of bed and still be inside Epcot within minutes via the secret back passsageway
Same as above but on the Skyliner within minutes
Grabbing a coffee at the Beach Club Marketplace on the way to the parks in the morning
Experienced, competent and attentive Cast Members who go out of their way to make your trip better
I could go on and on and on and on about my favorite resort on property. Best decision we ever made Disney-wise, was to buy there early. We’ve never regretted it.
Chris
March 21, 2024Didn’t the Big River Grille close a few months ago?
Robert Hill
March 21, 2024Shhhhhh.
disneydaddy001
March 21, 2024100% right!