This post is about our most recent trip to Disney World in May 2017 and will focus on our accommodations: Disney's Boardwalk Inn. This is our second foray into Disney's Deluxe resorts, and I hate to admit that we weren't exactly impressed. Perhaps the excitement of Contemporary Resort was still fresh in our minds but our expectations of Boardwalk Inn were squashed from the moment we arrived at the lobby and found that bell services could not find our Amazon Prime Pantry order. Allow me to set the scene for you....
The day started as all Disney arrival days do, with lots of anticipation and eagerness. Our flight was on-time, no delays with Magical Express, and we were very happy to find that we were the first stop from the airport. We nearly galloped with joy from the Magical Express to the beautiful entryway of Boardwalk Inn with roller suitcase and carry-ons galore. Our plan was to check with bell services for our groceries, grab some celebration buttons from the front desk, and ask the concierge to confirm our reservation for the Wishes Dessert Party at Magic Kingdom. We made it to the hotel around 2:15pm, still no room text, and waited in the lobby for 45 minutes after retrieving our celebration buttons. I also met with the concierge desk during this time and, after many confused questions from the Cast Member about the location of Wishes (really? she doesn't know?), finally determined that I was better off just finding my own answers. About 3pm we decided to walk down to the Boardwalk and grab some ice cream and at 3:15pm our room text arrived - not the exact room or view we had requested but it was close. King bed is all that really mattered anyway.
Upon arriving at our room, we found it to be quite spacious and relaxing. The bathroom and vanity area are separated enough from the room to make it feel like more than just a standard room. The balcony faced Hollywood Studios and the front of Boardwalk Inn so we had a birds-eye view of the action (and Hollywood Studios' Star Wars fireworks later that night!) I had almost forgotten the stress of the day when I realized I needed to call down to bell services for an update on the Great Grocery Goose Chase of 2017. The poor girl on the other end of the line had no idea what had transpired and said she would send a Cast Member to our room to discuss. The Cast Member showed up about 10 minutes later and he was the most unsympathetic, uncaring individual I have ever met. He proceeded to explain that the Boardwalk Inn is "not good" with packages and that bell services doesn't hold grocery packages so they probably sent them back to Amazon. He then proposed a solution to call Amazon and ask for a refund. This, folks, is an unacceptable response and definitely not the Disney way. First of all, I've not heard of any issues with bell services holding packages (groceries that need refrigerated, maybe, but not a boxed package without any markings on it). This is the very reason why some people choose to send their luggage ahead of them instead of taking it on the flight so that they can arrive to the parks directly instead of taking luggage to the hotel first. But I digress. I thanked the Cast Member for his help and stewed in our room a few more minutes. Finally, we received a call from bell services and they had found our package - 10 more minutes and it was delivered to our room without issue. Hallelujah!
The remainder of our stay at Boardwalk Inn was mostly pleasant although the hordes of wedding parties and photographers made the hallways and common areas quite crowded. We didn't have the opportunity to enjoy the pool but walked through the area and appreciated how serene it seemed. It's tucked away from the action on the Boardwalk so it doesn't feel quite so busy. There were a lot of activities held out in the courtyard area every day and the biggest perk of all is, of course, the proximity to the Boardwalk and Epcot. We really enjoyed the ability to walk down and grab ice cream or a drink, or stop by Big River Grille & Brewing without a reservation. If we ever stay at Boardwalk Inn again, it will be for its location alone.
I haven't stuck by a star or rating system throughout these review posts but I would give Boardwalk Inn a firm 4 out of 10. Service was terrible, food options are slim unless you want to walk down to the Boardwalk, and the crowded common areas were a nuisance. Let me know how you fared if you've experienced this resort! I welcome any opinions that could help us make the decision to give it another try.
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