Disney's BoardWalk Inn vs Walt Disney World Dolphin
Photo: Ali F
Photo: Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort
At a Glance
| BoardWalk Inn | Walt Disney World Dolphin | |
|---|---|---|
| Tier | Deluxe | Deluxe |
| Area | Epcot Resort Area | Epcot Resort Area |
| Transportation | Walk, Boat, Bus | Walk, Boat, Bus |
| Table-Service Dining | 3 restaurants | 7 restaurants |
| Quick-Service Dining | 10 locations | 3 locations |
| Pool Amenities | Pool, Water Slide | Pool |
| Extended Evening Hours | Yes | Yes |
| Top Highlight | Iconic BoardWalk entertainment district steps from the hotel | Walking distance to EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios |
Tier
BoardWalk Inn
DeluxeWalt Disney World Dolphin
DeluxeArea
BoardWalk Inn
Epcot Resort AreaWalt Disney World Dolphin
Epcot Resort AreaTransportation
BoardWalk Inn
Walk, Boat, BusWalt Disney World Dolphin
Walk, Boat, BusTable-Service Dining
BoardWalk Inn
3 restaurantsWalt Disney World Dolphin
7 restaurantsQuick-Service Dining
BoardWalk Inn
10 locationsWalt Disney World Dolphin
3 locationsPool Amenities
BoardWalk Inn
Pool, Water SlideWalt Disney World Dolphin
PoolExtended Evening Hours
BoardWalk Inn
YesWalt Disney World Dolphin
YesTop Highlight
BoardWalk Inn
Iconic BoardWalk entertainment district steps from the hotelWalt Disney World Dolphin
Walking distance to EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood StudiosOverview
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.
Walt Disney World Dolphin
A large Marriott-operated convention resort on Crescent Lake with Disney benefits and direct access to the Epcot-area walkway network.
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
Walt Disney World Dolphin
Recreation
- Pool
- Tennis Courts
- Jogging Trail
- Arcade
- Playground
- Camp Dolphin for children ages 4-12 from 5pm to midnight with themed activities, video games, arts and crafts
- Swan paddleboat rentals on the white sand beach
Wellness
- Fitness Center
- Spa
Rooms
- Club Level
Other
- Laundry Facilities
- Child Care
- Business Center
- Boat launch courtyard between Swan and Dolphin; Friendship launches to Epcot and Hollywood Studios
- 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
Walt Disney World Dolphin
-
Walk
EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios
-
Boat
EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios
-
Bus
Magic Kingdom Park, 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
Walt Disney World Dolphin
- Walking distance to EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios
- Can be booked with Marriott/SPG hotel points for potentially free nights
- Crescent Lake location with boat service and BoardWalk access
- Shula's Steakhouse and Il Mulino are top-tier dining options on property
- Often cheaper than equivalent Disney-owned Deluxe resorts
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
Walt Disney World Dolphin
- Not a Disney-owned resort, so no Early Entry or advance booking perks
- Resort and parking fees are high in addition to the nightly rate
- Dated exterior design with the iconic dolphin statues divides opinion
- Rooms were historically smaller and less updated than Disney Deluxes
- Bus service to non-walkable parks is less reliable than Disney buses
On-Site Dining
Disney's BoardWalk Inn
-
AbracadaBar
Quick ServiceAmerican
snack
View menu -
Belle Vue Lounge
Quick ServiceAmerican
snack
View menu -
Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs
Quick ServiceAmerican
snack
View menu -
BoardWalk Deli
Quick ServiceAmerican, Bakery
breakfast · snack
View menu -
BoardWalk Ice Cream
Quick Servicesnack
View menu -
BoardWalk Joe's Marvelous Margaritas
Quick ServiceAmerican, Mexican
snack
View menu -
Carousel Coffee
Quick ServiceBakery, American, Quick Service - Coffee
snack
View menu -
Flying Fish
Table ServiceAmerican, Seafood
dinner
View menu -
Leaping Horse Libations
Quick ServiceAmerican
snack
View menu -
The Cake Bake Shop® Bakery by Gwendolyn Rogers
Quick ServiceBakery, American
snack
View menu -
The Cake Bake Shop® Restaurant by Gwendolyn Rogers
Table ServiceAmerican, Bakery
breakfast · lunch · dinner
View menu -
Trattoria al Forno
Table ServiceItalian
breakfast · dinner
View menu -
Trattoria al Forno To Go
Quick ServiceItalian
lunch · dinner
View menu
Walt Disney World Dolphin
-
Bourbon Steak - A Michael Mina Restaurant
Table ServiceAmerican, Steakhouse
dinner
View menu -
Bourbon Steak Lounge
Quick ServiceAmerican, Steakhouse
snack
View menu -
Cabana Bar and Beach Club
Table ServiceAmerican
snack
View menu -
Fuel
Table ServiceAmerican, Quick Service - Coffee
snack
View menu -
Phins
Table ServiceAmerican
dinner
View menu -
Rosa Mexicano
Table ServiceMexican
breakfast · lunch · dinner
View menu -
Rosa Mexicano Lounge
Quick ServiceMexican
snack
View menu -
The Fountain
Table ServiceAmerican
lunch · dinner
View menu -
Todd English's bluezoo
Table ServiceSeafood
dinner
View menu -
Todd English's bluezoo Lounge
Quick ServiceSeafood
snack
View menu
Community Discussions
Disney's BoardWalk Inn
- Boardwalk Inn : r/WaltDisneyWorld r/WaltDisneyWorld
- Boardwalk Inn & Villas : r/WaltDisneyWorld r/WaltDisneyWorld
- Boardwalk Inn Resort View - any room preferences? r/WaltDisneyWorld
- I'm staying at the Boardwalk inn for the first time! r/WaltDisneyWorld
- Is the boardwalk inn worth it? : r/WaltDisneyWorld r/WaltDisneyWorld
Walt Disney World Dolphin
- Dolphin or Swan : r/WaltDisneyWorld r/WaltDisneyWorld
- Dolphin Resort and Upgrades : r/WaltDisneyWorld r/WaltDisneyWorld
- Walt Disney World Dolphin : r/WaltDisneyWorld r/WaltDisneyWorld
- Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort Fees & Card Holds r/WaltDisneyWorld
Videos
Disney's BoardWalk Inn
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