Disney's BoardWalk Inn vs Disney's Riviera Resort

Disney's BoardWalk Inn

Photo: Ali F

Deluxe Epcot Resort Area
Disney's Riviera Resort

Photo: Disney's Riviera Resort

Deluxe Epcot Resort Area
Alex Young
Alex Young
· Updated · 5 min read

At a Glance

Tier

BoardWalk Inn

Deluxe

Riviera

Deluxe

Area

BoardWalk Inn

Epcot Resort Area

Riviera

Epcot Resort Area

Transportation

BoardWalk Inn

Walk, Boat, Bus

Riviera

Skyliner, Bus

Table-Service Dining

BoardWalk Inn

3 restaurants

Riviera

1 restaurant

Quick-Service Dining

BoardWalk Inn

10 locations

Riviera

1 location

Pool Amenities

BoardWalk Inn

Pool, Water Slide

Riviera

Pool

Extended Evening Hours

BoardWalk Inn

Yes

Riviera

Yes

Top Highlight

BoardWalk Inn

Iconic BoardWalk entertainment district steps from the hotel

Riviera

Disney Skyliner hub with direct access to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios

Overview

Disney's BoardWalk Inn

A deluxe Crescent Lake resort styled after early-20th-century Atlantic boardwalks, with walking access to Epcot and boat service to Hollywood Studios.

Disney's Riviera Resort

Enchantment awaits you at a Resort hotel that’s inspired by Europe and imagined by Disney. Here, you can delight in exhilarating activities, delectable dining and stylish accommodations—from cozy Tower Studios to spacious villas with up to 3 bedrooms.

Amenities

Disney's BoardWalk Inn

Recreation

  • Pool
  • Playground
  • Arcade
  • Running Trail
  • Tennis Courts
  • Water Slide
  • Bicycle rental available
  • Fishing excursions

Wellness

  • Fitness Center

Rooms

  • rooms and suites with club-level service

Other

  • Business Center

Disney's Riviera Resort

Recreation

  • Pool
  • a soothing bubble-jet bathtub
  • S'Il Vous Plait aquatic play area for kids 48 inches and under
  • Jogging Trail

Wellness

  • Spa

Other

  • Laundry Facilities
  • Gift Shop

Transportation

Disney's BoardWalk Inn

  • Walk

    EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios

  • Boat

    EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios

  • Bus

    Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Disney Springs

Disney's Riviera Resort

  • Skyliner

    EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios

  • Bus

    Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Disney Springs

Pros

Disney's BoardWalk Inn

  • Iconic BoardWalk entertainment district steps from the hotel
  • Walking distance to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios
  • Beautifully themed 1920s Atlantic City-style atmosphere
  • Excellent dining and nightlife options directly outside the door
  • Crescent Lake location gives easy access to Beach Club and Yacht Club

Disney's Riviera Resort

  • Disney Skyliner hub with direct access to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios
  • Elegant European Riviera theming unlike any other Disney resort
  • Topolino's Terrace character dining breakfast at the rooftop restaurant
  • One of the newest Disney-owned resorts with modern room quality
  • Skyliner connection to multiple resorts makes for easy park hopping

Cons

Disney's BoardWalk Inn

  • BoardWalk entertainment area can be noisy late into the night
  • Rooms are among the smaller at Deluxe tier for the price
  • No direct monorail access to Magic Kingdom
  • Pool options are not as impressive as Beach Club's Stormalong Bay
  • Parking can be limited and inconvenient

Disney's Riviera Resort

  • DVC resale restrictions limit booking flexibility for non-DVC members
  • Primarily a DVC property with limited cash room inventory
  • No dedicated table service for non-character-dining other than rooftop
  • Bus-only to Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom parks
  • Theming may feel generic compared to more strongly themed resorts

On-Site Dining

Disney's BoardWalk Inn

  • AbracadaBar

    Quick Service

    American

    snack

    View menu
  • Belle Vue Lounge

    Quick Service

    American

    snack

    View menu
  • Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs

    Quick Service

    American

    snack

    View menu
  • BoardWalk Deli

    Quick Service

    American, Bakery

    breakfast · snack

    View menu
  • BoardWalk Ice Cream

    Quick Service

    snack

    View menu
  • BoardWalk Joe's Marvelous Margaritas

    Quick Service

    American, Mexican

    snack

    View menu
  • Carousel Coffee

    Quick Service

    Bakery, American, Quick Service - Coffee

    snack

    View menu
  • Flying Fish

    Table Service

    American, Seafood

    dinner

    View menu
  • Leaping Horse Libations

    Quick Service

    American

    snack

    View menu
  • The Cake Bake Shop® Bakery by Gwendolyn Rogers

    Quick Service

    Bakery, American

    snack

    View menu
  • The Cake Bake Shop® Restaurant by Gwendolyn Rogers

    Table Service

    American, Bakery

    breakfast · lunch · dinner

    View menu
  • Trattoria al Forno

    Table Service

    Italian

    breakfast · dinner

    View menu
  • Trattoria al Forno To Go

    Quick Service

    Italian

    lunch · dinner

    View menu

Disney's Riviera Resort

  • Primo Piatto

    Quick Service

    American

    breakfast · lunch · dinner · snack

    View menu
  • Topolino's Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera

    Table Service

    French, Italian

    breakfast · dinner

    View menu

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