Walt Disney World’s BoardWalk Dining and Entertainment Area

25 February 2025 by Steve Bell Leave a Comment

Disney’s BoardWalk is an entertainment, dining, and shopping complex located behind Disney’s BoardWalk Inn in Walt Disney World’s  EPCOT Resort Area.

The BoardWalk offers great restaurants, clubs, shopping, and nighttime impromptu outdoor entertainment. It is a great place to spend a few hours or an evening.

There is no admission fee to Disney’s BoardWalk itself, but certain venues may have cover charges.

Disney’s BoardWalk is located on the backside of Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, between the resort and Crescent Lake. All of Walt Disney World’s EPCOT Area Crescent Lake Resorts are located on the shores of the lake. This resort area is adjacent to EPCOT’s World Showcase and Crescent Lake is connected to The World Showcase Lagoon.

Just like in Atlantic City, the BoardWalk is actually a wide, wood-decked walkway and the look and feel of the area is old-timey Atlantic City!

BoardWalk Dining

Flying Fish is a table-service restaurant that specializes in seafood but also features oak-grilled steaks and vegetarian dishes. It is only open Wednesday through Sunday evenings.

Steve says: “I absolutely love the Flying Fish! The cast members there say it’s the best restaurant on property, and they just might be right! The menu of nine entrees is heavily weighted toward seafood, plus a couple of excellent steaks. There are not a lot of options for those who do not care for either; currently, it is just a chicken and mushroom dish. The service here is Excellent as is the food. Reservations fill up fast 60 days out, but there is often room at the bar, where you can dine on the full menu. Well worth the splurge if their 5-night-a-week schedule fits into your plans!”

Trattoria al Forno is a table-service restaurant that spotlights Italian cuisine at breakfast and dinner. Enjoy lasagna, seasonal risotto, or steak Florentine. Before the Covid closure, a character breakfast was offered, but this is yet to return.

Steve says: “Trattoria is a good (average) Italian restaurant. It pales in comparison to the predecessor in this location, Kouzina which was operated by celebrity Chef Cat Cora. Under Chef Cora the food and atmosphere were superb! Whether breakfast with the sweet potato hash or dinner featuring Mediterranean favorites, you could not beat it. We dined there as much as we could, at least once a trip. Trattoria is a good option for a decent meal and reservations are often available on short notice.“

This location has had three Medeterainian restaurants over the years, Disney operated Spoodles from July 1996 to August 2009, Chef Cat Cora operated Kouzina from August 2009 to September 2014, and Disney began operating Trattoria Al Forno from December 2014 to present.

The Cake Bake Shop Restaurant by Gwendolyn Rogers is the BoardWalk’s newest restaurant. Discover an array of sensational dishes and desserts—along with afternoon tea—in this beautiful table-service dining room and bar. Bar Service and a takeout counter-service shop are also available!

Steve says: “This is the new thing on the BoardWalk! The restaurant opened in late 2024 after seemingly 3-years of remodeling from the former ESPN Club. The initial impressions shared online when the menu was released before opening was shock over the prices. However, reviews since opening have been highly positive. We tried it twice on our last WDW trip and loved it! We had lunch on our arrival day and had a fantastic meal. I had the Shrimp Po Boy sandwich which was awesome (and the most expensive entree on the menu) and it could have easily been shared with another person to leave more room for the huge cake slices. Later in the trip, we stopped by the counter-service portion to grab a sweet treat and a coffee, we then grabbed a table outside and people watched those passing by on the BoardWalk.”

AbracadaBar is located between Trattoria and Flying Fish, a great place to wait for your table! “Curious Cocktails,” “Worldly Wines” and “Baffling Beers.” Travel back in time to the golden age of magic as you step inside this curious cocktail lounge.

Steve says: “We love this location! This small, dark, magic paraphernalia-filled bar offers wonderfully creative mixed drink concoctions. Pop in while waiting for your table at the two restaurants that bookend the bar, or stop by to try a few drinks.”

AberacadaBar seating with server service is also available on the BoardWalk in front of the Bar.

The Belle Vue Lounge is technically located in the BoardWalk Inn and not part of the BoardWalk area, but it is adjacent and well worth a try! Step into this quaint 1930s-style sitting room where radios play programs from the era. In the evening, enjoy a cocktail in a comfy chair or on the verandah. A continental breakfast is served here in the mornings.

Steve says: “Another family favorite! We are partial to this very low-key lounge as we are DVC owners here at the BoardWalk, it’s like kicking back in our living room! But I think everyone would love the relaxing atmosphere here after a long park day. Megan makes a killer Old Fashioned!”

The remainder of the BoardWalk locations offer counter or walk-up service.

Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs has Big classic corn dogs and some with crazy twists on the traditional, as well as cotton candy.

BoardWalk Deli, this counter service location offers overstuffed sandwiches, deli favorites, and Disney bakery items.

BoardWalk Pizza Window, grab a slice or a whole pie and sit at the nearby tables and chairs overlooking Crescent Lake. Italian Salads are also available.

BoardWalk Ice Cream features ice cream and sundaes to go. Enjoy menu items such as the Shore-Side Sundae with SNICKERS®, Bay-Side Brownie a la Mode and the Strawberry Splash Shortcake

BoardWalk Joe’s Marvelous Margaritas offers frozen concoctions, including margaritas, piña coladas, and specials. Mickey pretzels and nachos are also available.

BoardWalk Shopping

Shopping here at the BoardWalk is not too extensive, really it consists of the general merch and snack shop for the BoardWalk Inn and a cool Art Shop.

The first three locations listed below are actually three non-divided sections of the same long shop. More like departments than different stores. The names are simply what is over the entry door in that section from the BoardWalk.

Screen Door General Store, with a variety of Disney merchandise, as well as sundries and some grocery items.

Disney’s Character Carnival features adult and golf apparel, accessories, plus Disney character merchandise. attached

Thimbles & Threads has ladies’, children’s, and infant apparel, plus Disney character plush, toys, and accessories. attached

Promenade Fine Art Galleries – Disney and other fine art. The gallery represents a number of artists, each with various styles, mediums, and methodologies.  They have two galleries on Walt Disney World Property located in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. This is their flagship gallery and a second gallery is located at the Walt Disney World Wilderness Lodge Resort. See their website

BoardWalk Entertainment

Street Performers – This is what’s so fun at the BoardWalk in the evenings!

Periodically during the evening, street performers will set up shop on the BoardWalk fairly close to the Village Green (the astroturf area right behind the lobby exit from the BoardWalk Inn). As they start setting up, guests will gather around to watch these talented folks who have varied acts. Most involve juggling or tricks, there is even a hula-hoop act.

Inclement weather doesn’t stop these folks, they will move their act into the BoardWalk lobby (in a limited fashion).

There are other entertainment options besides the BoardWalk Performers.

Atlantic Dance Hall

Enjoy dancing and drinks at this stunning Art Deco ballroom. Check out the stars twinkling on the ceiling above the dance floor.

The second floor overlooks the dance floor on three sides and the balconies offer spectacular views of Crescant Lake and the Yacht and Beach Club Resorts on the far shore.

Atlantic Dance Hall is a nightclub for those who are 21 years of age and older. Operating hours are typically Thursday through Sunday nights, 8:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. No Cover Charge.

Jellyrolls

This soon-to-close piano bar is unique in that it has two baby grand pianos on stage. The players take turns dazzling the audience with their showmanship and easy rapport. It’s a great time all around!

Jellyrolls is a popular nightspot in the Orlando area and fills up fast, so arrive early to get a table. Enjoy drinks and free popcorn while you enjoy the show!

Jellyrolls serves Guests 21 years of age and older and there is a nightly $22.00 admission fee to enter.

Jellyrolls is open Every Night of the Week! Doors Open: 7:00 PM. Entertainment: Begins at 8:00 PM and continues non-stop until closing at 1:45 AM.

Jellyrolls at Disney’s Boardwalk will officially close on April 19, 2025

Surrey Bike Rental

Disney offers Bike Rentals at several of its resorts. Here at the BoardWalk, you can rent a 2-person or 4-person Surrey bike to take a spin around Crescent Lake. We’ve done this in the past and it’s fun, but be aware that there are a couple of hills that you’ll have to pedal up as you make your way around the lake.

Prices are about $25.00 per half-hour for a two-seater rental and about $28.00 for a four-seater rental.

Movies Under the Stars in the Village Green

While not an actual BoardWalk Area entertainment option, Movies under the Stars is a nightly (weather permitting) at all Disney Resorts, and the BoardWalk Inn hosts theirs on the Village Green. Everyone is welcome!

Grab dinner or a snack on the BoardWalk, then grab a spot on the astroturf, and enjoy a Disney kid’s movie. Movies rotate nightly.

Luminous The Symphony of Us

The fireworks portion of EPCOT’s nighttime spectacular Luminous The Symphony of Us can be seen from the BoardWalk. We love grabbing an ice cream and standing by the railing or grabbing a bench in front of the Screen Door General Store.

Steve says: “This is a great way to end the evening! Especially if you don’t want to get mixed up in the big crowds all trying to leave EPCOT at the same time after the show.”

Getting to the BoardWalk

There are several ways of getting to the BoardWalk:

• Walking
• Disney Friendship Service
• Disney Bus Service
• Disney Skyliner Service and walking
• Driving yourself
• Minnie Van and Ride-share

Here is more information on each mode of transportation.

Walking

Obviously, the easiest and quickest commute is stepping right out of your resort if you happen to be staying at the BoardWalk Inn as we often do as BoardWalk Inn DVC owners.

The next closest would be the other Crescent Lake Area Resorts which are located around the lake. A nice, wide promenade circles the lake to facilitate walking.

The walking Distance from Disney’s Beach Club and Disney’s Yacht Club Resorts from their lobbies to stepping on the BoardWalk is roughly a third of a mile; while the Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels are about a quarter mile. The Disney World Swan Reserve is 0.40 miles.

It is also possible to walk from two of Disney’s theme parks and one of its Mini Golf Courses. The walk from EPCOT’s International Gateway, which is the rear exit for EPCOT and where the EPCOT Skyliner Station is located is 0.20 miles. The walk from Disney’s Hollywood Studios clocks in at 0.80 miles. Disney’s Fantasia Gardens Mini Golf Course is just steps past the Swan Reserve, so about 0.40 miles.

Guests arriving at EPCOT’s Skyliner Station can also walk the 0.20 miles to the BoardWalk.

There are however alternatives to walking from all of these locations, so read on.

Links

• Walk Between Disney’s Hollywood Studios and the EPCOT Resort Area
• Walk to Disney World’s Fantasia Gardens Mini Golf

Disney Friendship Service

Disney’s Friendships are water taxis that operate on The World Showcase Lagoon, Crescent Lake, and the canal between Crescent Lake and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Guests bound for the BoardWalk who are traveling from EPCOT’s International Gateway, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, or the other Crescent Lake Resorts can save the steps and ride these pleasurable boats!

The Friendships operate in two separate areas, within EPCOT on the World Showcase Lagoon, and on the EPCOT Resorts Area’s Crescent Lake and its connected waterways.

Here we’re concerned with Crescent Lake and its connected waterways, which lead to Hollywood Studios and the EPCOT International Gateway. Two Friendship routes connect Crescent Lake’s three docks with EPCOT’s International Gateway and Hollywood Studios. The docks are located at the BoardWalk, at the Yacht Club, and between the Swan and Dolphin.

EPCOT Resort Area Routes:

• EPCOT International Gateway – BoardWalk Inn – Yacht Club Resort – Swan and Dolphin Resorts – Disney’s Hollywood Studios
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Swan and Dolphin Resorts – Yacht Club Resort – BoardWalk Resort – EPCOT International Gateway

It’s really just one route which is then reversed.

Links

• Set Sail with Walt Disney World’s Friendships: A Guide to Scenic Water Transport

Disney Skyliner Service and Walking

Walt Disney World’s Skyliner gondola system connects Disney’s Art of Animation, Pop Century, Caribbean Beach, and Riviera Resorts, Disney’s Hollywood Studios with EPCOT’s International Gateway.

If you are at any of these resorts or Hollywood Studios, you can ride the Skyliner to the International Gateway and walk the 0.20 miles or take a Friendship to the BoardWalk.

Minnie Van and Ride-hire

Besides walking, the Skyliner, and the Friendships taking a ride-hire service like Disney’s Minnie Van, Uber, or Lyft is the next easiest option. These services will pick you up at the location of your choice and drop you right at the main entrance to the BoardWalk Inn.

Links

• Using Uber, Lyft, and Minnie Vans at Walt Disney World

Disney Bus Service

Walt Disney World’s bus service operates between Disney’s Resorts and its major entertainment Options (theme parks, water parks, and Disney Springs), and within some resorts and at times within resort areas.

To arrive at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn via direct Disney Bus, you would need to be traveling from a theme park, water park, or Disney Springs. In most cases, you cannot take a bus between Disney Resorts. At times the Beach Club, Yacht Club, and less often BoardWalk will share a theme park bus, but there are easier and quicker options (walking, Friendship).

If you are at a non-Crescent Lake Resort and really want to take a Disney bus, you’ll need to wait up to 20 minutes for a theme park-bound bus at your resort, ride to the park, and then wait there for up to 20 minutes for a bus bound for the BoardWalk Inn (or other Crescent Lake Resort then walk).

If you are staying at Shades of Green, you would need to take the Shades of Green bus to a Disney park. Then a bus to the BoardWalk Inn. Note: Shades of Green’s buses to the Magic Kingdom and EPCOT drop guests at the Transportation and Ticket Center, not the parks; Disney buses do not stop here, you’ll then need to monorail or ferry to the parks to transfer busses. Ride-hire is the best option here.

Driving Yourself

If you have your car or a rental you could drive yourself. Most drives on Disney property are about 15 minutes long.

Self-parking is free for all guests, Valet Parking is $42 plus tax and tip.

Some resorts, including the BoardWalk Inn, have seasonal/attendance-based parking restrictions. In recent years, day guests (those not staying at that resort) have not been allowed entry to park without a reservation for dining or a reservable recreation option at the Resort. As a day guest, it is not guaranteed that you will be given access to the hotel parking lots, they may not allow it at all based on capacity.

Even when day guests are allowed to park, there is often a time limit of two or three hours of parking allowed. This is to prevent those who would park for free at Disney’s Resorts and then go to the theme parks thus bypassing the theme park parking fee.

Per Disney: “Parking at any of the Resorts to gain access to the theme parks (and thus avoid paying theme park parking fees) is not allowed. You must show a photo ID when entering any Disney Resort. Some Disney Resorts may also ask for an Advance Dining Reservation number (or scan your MagicBand) for guests who are dining at the Resort before allowing access to the Resort parking lot.”

If you’re planning to visit a theme park after dining at the BoardWalk, you will need to move your car and park elsewhere (at the park).

Wrap Up

Well, that’s everything that I have to share about Disney’s BoardWalk area.

Note that with JellyRolls closing and Big River Brewery closing in January 2024, the BoardWalk is down two locations. Disney really needs to get these turned over to something new quickly (not in three years like the Cake Bake Shop). For years folks have lamented the lack of a real counter-service location that would fix in the area between a slice of pizza or corn dog and an expensive table-service meal.

Having said that, my family loves spending time here! We enjoy the restaurants and quick service locations and watching the street performers is so much fun!

I encourage you to spend some time here on your trip!

Let me know if you have or are planning to in the comments section below, and be sure to ask questions if you have them!

Other Links for This Post

• Disney World Transportation Overview
• Shades of Green Transportation Options
• Walking at Walt Disney World
• Best Disney World Resorts for EPCOT Fans
• Disney’s Official BoardWalk Page

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