Disney’s BoardWalk Inn vs. Beach Club Resort
When choosing a luxury hotel within walking distance of EPCOT and Hollywood Studios and also on the Skyliner at Walt Disney World, vacation planners have a few options, but we’ve found the two most popular Deluxe Resorts in this area are Beach Club and BoardWalk Inn. This head-to-head comparison weighs the pros & cons of each, picking a “winner” in theme, dining, transportation, pools, and other categories.
This continues our Walt Disney World Hotel Comparison Series, which includes several other difficult dilemmas you might face when trying to pick a hotel. Other versus posts include Animal Kingdom Lodge vs. Wilderness Lodge, Port Orleans Riverside vs. French Quarter, and even Caribbean Beach vs. the Poly. It also compares many of the other resorts in the Crescent Lake or EPCOT area (Swan, Dolphin, Swan Reserve, Riviera, Yacht & Beach Club, BoardWalk) to one another.
With that said, this focuses on the two Disney resorts that rank the highest in our Rankings of ALL Walt Disney World Hotels from Worst to Best. That list takes price and a variety of other variables into account. If you’d prefer to read that for a rundown of how all resorts rank–from budget motels to monorail loop, have at it. But, spoiler alert, both Beach Club and BoardWalk rank very highly. If you’ve already decided on a Disney resort near EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios and are having a tough time deciding between the two best options, this should help you narrow it down…
Think of this as a follow-up to our Yacht vs. Beach Club and Beach Club vs. Swan & Dolphin match-ups. Collectively, this trio of posts should collectively help you determine which Crescent Lake Resort is right for you. Although the resorts within walking distance of EPCOT’s International Gateway entrance might seem similar on the surface, there are actually a lot of differences among them.
This one is tough and, like many of the comparisons, will ultimately hinge in large part on personal preference. Still, we’re hoping to help the undecided to decide, with a comparison that strives for some degree of objectivity. Both represent some of the ultimate in theme and luxury at Walt Disney World. Really, you cannot go wrong either way here.
As with all posts in this ‘versus’ series of Walt Disney World hotel comparisons, we use 6 elements of two different resorts to determine which is “the best.” It’s time to compare and contrast…
Theme: BoardWalk – Both hotels are similar in theme. DisneyWar contains an anecdote about former Disney CEO Michael Eisner’s obsession with his childhood vacations in the seaside communities of the Northeast, which at least in part drove the design of these Crescent Lake resorts. On the plus side, Walt Disney World got a cool resort ‘district’ out of it. On the downside, the 3 Disney hotels in the area are very similar in style.
Of these resorts, BoardWalk Inn has the most distinct theme, and goes the furthest to execute it. Beyond the actual Atlantic City-esque boardwalk, there are design references throughout the resort to Luna Park, Coney Island, etc., and turn-of-the-century pieces of decor pulled from those places.
Beach Club is more generalized, meant to recreate the seaside resort cottages scattered around New England in the early 20th Century. If you’re judging strictly based upon thematic execution, BoardWalk wins. However, for most people, this is probably going to come down to how they digest each theme, and how it makes them feel. A lot of people–us included–prefer the vibe we get from Beach Club, but this subjective “feel” from the theme is going to vary from person to person.
Rooms: BoardWalk – In terms of layout, size, and features, there are no noteworthy differences between the standard rooms in each. At least, not that I’ve noticed. With that in mind, let’s turn to style. I’ve spent a lot of time on this blog recently harping on the balance of theme and luxury.
Specifically, how many resorts at Walt Disney World used to skew (too far, in my opinion) towards theme at the expense of luxury, but have sense overcorrected and now do not incorporate a sufficient amount of theme. Beach Club’s new rooms are arguably Exhibit A in this regard. Aside from a few flourishes and Donald Duck art, it’s difficult to distinguish Beach Club’s rooms from a trendy, modern day hotel at the beach. I view that as a problem.
BoardWalk’s rooms have a few additional design details, from the art on the walls to the Minnie Mouse lamp and more, that help them do better with the balance. They also don’t feel like they’re trying to be modern or trendy, and yet still manage to feel sophisticated and nice. On that basis, they have the edge.
There’s a photo of the new BoardWalk rooms above, but if you want a thorough look, see Good & Bad of BoardWalk Inn’s New Rooms. When it comes to the hotel as a whole, the multi-year reimagining is also mostly finished–but to be honest, most of this is not noticeable.
Dining: Beach Club (For Now) – Both resorts have highs and lows when it comes to dining. Being a hotel that doubles as an entertainment district, BoardWalk has a varied dining lineup with something for everyone on the table service front. At least, in theory (and in the past).
However, BoardWalk has lost several restaurants in the last few years. This started with fan-favorite Ample Hills Creamery, which was replaced by a generic ice cream shop. More recently, both Big River Grille & Brewing Works and Jellyrolls also closed without replacement.
The good news is that Walt Disney World has finally announced replacements for these vacant venues along the BoardWalk. Later in 2026, the new Hurly-Burly bar will open, bringing live music and light bites to the table. Also on the horizon is a new counter service restaurant concept to replace Big River. These are both big wins, and should lift BoardWalk above Beach Club by sometime in 2027.
In the here and now, BoardWalk still has Flying Fish and Trattoria al Forno, both of which are fantastic. Other relatively recent additions are Blue Ribbon Corn Dog, which we think is overrated but others love.
Speaking of overrated, that’s how many fans feel about Cake Bake Shop, which replaced ESPN Club, but we love that. Both of these locations are hugely popular, so regardless of how any individual fan feels, the guest consensus is that they’re winners.
When it comes to table service restaurants, Beach Club technically only has Beaches & Cream and Cape May Cafe. With that said, the restaurants around Crescent Lake are all incredibly easy to access–especially the ones in Yacht Club–that table service dining is tough to consider a selling point.
Instead, it might (should?) probably come down to the better, convenient counter service options at each hotel. Both are really weak. If you want counter service at BoardWalk, you’re stuck heading outside to BoardWalk Deli (for now), which has a limited menu in addition to the baked goods.
The scene at Beach Club is slightly better, as Beach Club Marketplace has improved in recent years and now has a more robust menu and wide range of grab and go options. Hurricane Hanna’s is a decent option, but you have to go out to the pool–and that’s a hassle.
For now, we’ll give the narrow edge to Beach Club, but that will almost certainly change once Hurly-Burly bar opens later in 2026. And if the new counter service restaurant is good, it could become a decisive victory. For now, it’s hard to give BoardWalk the edge given the vacancies, even if we do like Cake Bake more than most!
Transportation/Location: Push – Location is one of the biggest selling points of these resorts, as it’s easy to stumble home after a day of Drinking Around the World or enjoying some wine seminars during the EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival. Both are walking distance to Epcot via the International Gateway and also walking distance to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
The differences in the walking times are negligible, and influenced by the location of your room, anyway. BoardWalk is closer to Disney’s Hollywood Studios (on average) and Beach Club is closer to EPCOT (again, on average).
The Skyliner station at International Gateway is also closer to Beach Club, and that’ll take you to Disney’s Hollywood Studios or a range of other resorts (in particular Riviera and Caribbean Beach, where you might want to eat). We don’t view this as a real advantage, as walking to DHS is faster.
Boat service is also available to these two parks. Bus service is similar at both, although the close proximity of these resorts makes it easy, on the way back, to just hop off wherever the bus stops first.
Pools: Beach Club – Ranked #1 by us and everyone else, Stormalong Bay is the gold standard of Walt Disney World pools. This sprawling pool complex 3 acres in size with sand at the bottom and a lazy river is in a league of its own. It also has a 230-foot ‘shipwrecked’ water slide, ample lounging space, and an engaging environment that makes it fun to explore.
Just as the sand in the pool will literally stick to you and get all over your room, it will also stick in your memory and be one of the highlights of your trip (or at least, your kids’ trip). Stormalong Bay rivals Animal Kingdom Lodge’s savanna is the single most compelling amenity in all of Walt Disney World. This will be the reason you’ll find your family spending inordinate amounts of time at the resort, and BoardWalk Inn has nothing even remotely comparable.
Over at BoardWalk Inn, there’s Luna Park Pool. This used to be known informally as the Creepy Clown Pool due to a clown face that spit out guests from the water slide, but Disney killed the clown (none of that is a joke). Now it’s just a boring Mickey Mouse slide that doesn’t spit or creep out anyone. Sad.
Even if you think Stormalong Bay is slightly overrated, it’s difficult to contend that Luna Park Pool is superior to it in any way. And since there’s no pool hopping to Stormalong Bay, you have to stay there to enjoy that pool. Meaning that is far and away Beach Club’s biggest selling point. Stormalong Bay is the difference-maker, and why you should stay at Beach Club over BoardWalk. If you’re not a “pool person,” the outcome here is likely to be very different than if you are.
Cost: Beach Club – These are both pricey Deluxe Resorts that are among the most expensive in all of Walt Disney World. However, prices are consistently lower at Beach Club. It’s less than a 5% difference on average, but it all adds up. (Discounts and room availability can change the equation, but based on published rack rates, Beach Club is cheaper on average when making an apples to apples comparison of standard rooms.)
The gap grows as you move to nicer view tiers–no surprise since the BoardWalk view rooms are among the coolest at Walt Disney World and Beach Club has nothing that compares in that regard. Same story with the respective Club Level rates, although you probably aren’t quite as cost-sensitive if you’re thinking about booking concierge, as those rooms are just varying degrees of very expensive.
Verdict: Beach Club – Even though we’re declaring Beach Club the winner–and if you value all of the variables we’ve set forth here, it is–this is ultimately a case of “it depends.” Most categories here could be overridden by personal preference, except one: pools. Stormalong Bay is objectively better, and by a significant margin.
The question thus becomes, does that matter to you? If you’re planning a trip for December, January, or some other time of the year when the pools might be too cold for you to use, or if your party just doesn’t really care about the pool, that factor should be taken off the table.
Without Stormalong Bay serving as the trump card, BoardWalk has advantages in theme, rooms, and dining, but your personal preference might differ. Maybe you like the old timey Atlantic City atmosphere, giving BoardWalk the edge. Or, perhaps you prefer the airy, laid back style of Beach Club and are fine with its chic but bland rooms. Maybe not having to go outside to access Beach Club Marketplace is the difference-maker for you.
So where, exactly, does that leave this? It depends. If you’re a first-timer, especially one with kids, we would recommend erring on the side of Stormalong Bay pool being a deciding factor. Kids tend to love this pool, and Beach Club is usually cheaper, so that’s the safer bet. If you’re not a first timer but are still having trouble deciding…it probably still comes down to the pool.
As for us, it really depends upon the time of the year. If it’s a warmer month, Beach Club–no question. I love Stormalong Bay and think that plus a progressive dinner throughout the area makes a perfect ‘resort day.’ Plus, the whole atmosphere of the resort just feels right for summer…at least to us. If it’s a colder time of year, we prefer BoardWalk. (Although realistically, colder usually means Christmas, and I’d prefer to stay elsewhere completely then.) If you’re still having trouble decide and want more photos & thoughts, we suggest supplementing this with our full review of Disney’s BoardWalk Inn and our Disney’s Beach Club Resort Review.
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Does Stormalong Bay provide enough value for you to be the difference-maker? Is money the deciding factor for you, or is theme, counter service restaurants, rooms, etc? Are we missing a key variable that could, potentially tilt the scales in BoardWalk’s favor? Do you agree or disagree with our picks? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
I’ve stayed at all three. Waterview on the boardwalk. The runner’s feet start hitting those boards before dawn and it continues endlessly pounding and I’m not talking about marathon weekends just those who get out for exercise. It pounds right into the rooms. It was one and done. We left after one night and moved to the yacht club.
I’ve done all the Crescent Lake resorts now except Swan Reserve, 99% of my WDW trips are split stays between one of these and a monorail resort, and I don’t even look at Beach or Yacht anymore unless the discount is too good to ignore. Boardwalk’s theming is so much more fun and interesting, and Swan & Dolphin have superior rooms and amenities for way less $$$. I never understand people knocking Swolphin for not being “Disney” enough because at least the Michael Graves architecture is distinct and creative, Beach and Yacht are basically just interminable hallways of very lame rooms attached to a severely overcrowded and overrated pool. Especially post refurb—Yacht’s rooms are hideous now and got rid of the most fun Disney theming (the constellation drapes, which I bought on eBay) and Beach room has always looked like a Marriott to me with an occasional Mickey picture on the wall. Boardwalk feels more Disney than both of them put together. And if you’re one who enjoys walking the grounds of a resort like me you’re SOL because the pool IS the grounds at YC/BC.
Pool days at SAB are just a nightmare, if you’re not basically rope dropping it then good luck getting a seat between the rampant chair hogs and enormous families camped out all day. Throwing money at it doesn’t even help because cabanas there are just as impossible to book as the ones on Castaway Cay. Every “plus” about that pool is actually a minus to me. The much ballyhooed lazy river is insanely deep and thus a no go for poor/non swimmers like me, and is always packed to the gills anyway. I couldn’t imagine being a parent and trying to keep an eye on kids there. The one bright side is that thing sucks up so much oxygen that most people don’t even know there’s quiet pools there and they’re always dead empty.
I realize I’m very much in the minority but I vastly prefer the Grotto Pool at the Dolphin, not only is it never nearly as crowded so you don’t have to deal with chair hogs, they also have QR codes on the chairs that allow you to order food and bev. No flagging down a CM required. I even like Luna Park pool better since they got rid of the creepy clown. But I’m more of a quiet pool person. Even at Poly I prefer the Oasis pool to the Lava. Take the pool out of the equation and all Beach has going for it is walking distance to theme parks that can be had at way better resorts imo.
Aurora, thank you for expressing exactly how I feel about BC/YC. So overrated. If you want a beach vibe vacation + WDW, stay at the Conrad at Evermore and take the excellent shuttle to the parks instead.
Hi. Nice review. My first wife and I were actually charter members of the Boardwalk part of DVC. I know your review was comparing the hotels, but some of my memories may still apply. We owned DVC for a number of years, then sold it when funds got tight, then bought again into Saratoga Springs. Over the years we’ve stayed in a number of the resorts including Beach Club and, of course, Boardwalk.
Now the Beach Club is newer, but both sites have had very good upkeep, so that didn’t make much of a difference. Also, we really aren’t pool people so can’t evaluate that difference. As for restaurants, they all are available no matter which you stay at, so I can’t see that as a deal-breaker. Same with all the shops at the Boardwalk. Same with location. Yes, being close to the tram is kind of a plus, but we walk all the time, so again, no big deal.
The size of the buildings are something to consider. At the Boardwalk the walk from the elevators to the farthest rooms is huge! Nothing at the Beach Club compares! It seems like the walk to the Studios is shorter. On the other hand, the views from the Boardwalk range from nice to superb. There is always something going on at the waterfront walk, so just sitting out on your balcony and taking it all in is a lot of fun, any time night or day. But the best can be in the other direction. About ten years ago my wife and I were going over the Christmas/New Years holiday. When making reservations I asks if we could get a room that could view the fireworks at the Studios. What we got was a corner room closest to the Swan/Dolphin and near the top of the building. Not only could we see the Studios fireworks, but the corner unit had a side window from which we could also see those at MK! What a bonus!
So the big downside of the Beach Club is no real views. But a very nice resort otherwise. On the other hand, the Beach Club has what I would say are some rooms at the opposite end of the scale. I saw this when staying in the DVC section of the BC. If you’re heading toward Epcot, there is a walkway from the DVC rooms to the International Gateway, and that walkway is literally right up against the east wall of the BC. Anyone with a ground floor room facing the west has absolutely no privacy when sitting on their outside patio. I would highly recommend anyone making a reservation make sure they do not get a room on the first floor facing east.
So there you have it. We enjoyed our stays at both locations, but never went back to the BC. I don’t remember how many times we’ve stayed at the BWV – probably four or five. But as far as the general ambiance of the setting, we prefer Saratoga Springs.
We just got back from our first stay at the Crescent Lake area. We stayed at the Beach Club Villas. Stormalong Bay was a hit for us and one aspect of the pool that’s not really mentioned anywhere that was utilized a lot by our family was the whirlpool cove. So much fun!
We were looking to stay potentially a BoardWalk Villas next year but when walking over to check out the lobby and viewing the crowded and small pool, we were very underwhelmed. We decided that we’re not going to stay there next year… maybe in the future but the scene wasn’t really our vibe at all.
While there still true that Beach Club’s rack rates are generally a bit higher than Boardwalk’s, it’s worth noting that Boardwalk is one of two deluxe resorts (along with Animal Kingdom Lodge) is ALWAYS in the highest percentage discount tier. This has been the case going back years. While it is possible that Beach Club may also be in this tier (and in fact is in the most recently released discounts), it has often been discounted at a lower percentage historically. So at any given moment it may be that discounts put Boardwalk significantly cheaper than Beach Club
Not sure you have a comparison between Boardwalk and Yacht Club but I would be interested to read it.
I am currently ambivalent about a choice between these 3 resorts. I prefer the overall Boardwalk ambiance, but the pool is in the equation. And then I cannot say I am a fan of the nondescript rooms of the Beach Club which look very boring to me – on the contrary I really like the Yacht Club rooms !
We have recently stayed at both Yacht Club and Beach Club and our whole group from kids to adults preferred Yacht Club. We liked the rooms better with more storage and better theming at Yacht club. We also preferred the marketplace/quick service restaurant at Yacht Club better and would walk there from Beach Club to get food and especially iced coffee drinks which weirdly are available at YC and not BC. Another minor point in YC’s favor was the bus was always shared between the two resorts with YC picking up and dropping off first. Can mitigate this by walking to the other stop but with kids and strollers and whatnot, it was more convenient to stay at YC for the buses. Cannot speak to Boardwalk since we have not stayed there, but with Stormalong Bay we are not likely to any time soon.
Thank you very much for that review ! It is very useful, especially the bus info.
To echo Rachel S., we just stayed last week at Yacht Club and loved it, and I was surprised this review said “Bus service is similar at both.” In our limited experience, when the Yacht and Beach shared a bus, it looked like Beach Club guests often couldn’t get on the bus if they weren’t at the front of the line. I sat next to a frequent guest (DVC owner) on one crowded bus, who said that they walked to Yacht Club to get the bus, because it could be 3+ buses before they’d get on at Beach Club. Following Extended Evening Hours one night, we ended up taking the Boardwalk Bus back because the Yacht/Beach Club line was so long, I had no confidence we’d get on the second bus (it was obvious we wouldn’t get on the first). The shared bus was probably my only complaint about our stay, and it was more of a second-hand complaint for Beach Club Guests, because I felt bad for them. The walkability to EPCOT and HS was amazing though!
I agree! Trying to plan a vacation for 2022 and not sure how current the information is.