When selecting a luxurious lodge inside strolling distance of EPCOT and Hollywood Studios and likewise on the Skyliner at Walt Disney World, trip planners have a number of choices, however we’ve discovered the 2 hottest Deluxe Resorts on this space are Seashore Membership and BoardWalk Inn. This head-to-head comparability weighs the professionals & cons of every, choosing a “winner” in theme, eating, transportation, swimming pools, and different classes. (Up to date August 6, 2024.)
This continues our Walt Disney World Resort Comparability Collection, which incorporates a number of different tough dilemmas you would possibly face when making an attempt to choose a lodge. Different versus posts embody Animal Kingdom Lodge vs. Wilderness Lodge, Port Orleans Riverside vs. French Quarter, and even Caribbean Seashore vs. the Poly. It additionally compares lots of the different resorts within the Crescent Lake or EPCOT space (Swan, Dolphin, Swan Reserve, Riviera, Yacht & Seashore Membership, BoardWalk) to 1 one other.
With that stated, this focuses on the 2 Disney resorts that rank the very best in our Rankings of ALL Walt Disney World Lodges from Worst to Finest. That record takes worth and quite a lot of different variables under consideration. In the event you’d choose to learn that for a rundown of how all resorts rank–from price range motels to monorail loop, have at it. However, spoiler alert, each Seashore Membership and BoardWalk rank very extremely. In the event you’ve already selected a Disney resort close to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios and are having a troublesome time deciding between the 2 greatest choices, this could assist you slender it down…
Theme: BoardWalk – Each lodges are related in theme. DisneyWar comprises an anecdote about former Disney CEO Michael Eisner’s obsession together with his childhood holidays within the seaside communities of the Northeast, which at the least partially drove the design of those Crescent Lake resorts. On the plus facet, Walt Disney World acquired a cool resort ‘district’ out of it. On the draw back, the three Disney lodges within the space are very related in type.
Of those resorts, BoardWalk Inn has essentially the most distinct theme, and goes the furthest to execute it. Past the precise Atlantic Metropolis-esque boardwalk, there are design references all through the resort to Luna Park, Coney Island, and so on., and turn-of-the-century items of decor pulled from these locations.
Seashore Membership is extra generalized, meant to recreate the seaside resort cottages scattered round New England within the early twentieth Century. In the event you’re judging strictly primarily based upon thematic execution, BoardWalk wins. Nevertheless, for most individuals, that is most likely going to come back right down to how they digest every theme, and the way it makes them really feel. Lots of people–us included–choose the vibe we get from Seashore Membership, however this subjective “really feel” from the theme goes to range from individual to individual.
Rooms: BoardWalk – By way of structure, measurement, and options, there aren’t any noteworthy variations between the usual rooms in every. No less than, not that I’ve observed. With that in thoughts, let’s flip to type. I’ve spent a number of time on this weblog not too long ago harping on the steadiness of theme and luxurious.
Particularly, what number of resorts at Walt Disney World used to skew (too far, in my view) in the direction of theme on the expense of luxurious, however have sense overcorrected and now don’t incorporate a enough quantity of theme. Seashore Membership’s new rooms are arguably Exhibit A on this regard. Other than a number of prospers and Donald Duck artwork, it’s tough to differentiate Seashore Membership’s rooms from a stylish, modern-day lodge on the seashore. I view that as an issue.
BoardWalk’s rooms have a number of extra design particulars, from the artwork on the partitions to the Minnie Mouse lamp and extra, that assist them do higher with the steadiness. Additionally they don’t really feel like they’re making an attempt to be trendy or fashionable, and but nonetheless handle to really feel subtle and good. On that foundation, they’ve the sting.
There’s a photograph of the brand new BoardWalk rooms above, however in order for you a radical look, see Good & Unhealthy of BoardWalk Inn’s New Rooms. In terms of the lodge as an entire, the multi-year reimagining can be largely completed–however to be sincere, most of this isn’t noticeable.
Eating: Seashore Membership – Each resorts have highs and lows in relation to eating. Being a lodge that doubles as an leisure district, BoardWalk has a diverse eating lineup with one thing for everybody on the desk service entrance. No less than, in principle (and previously). Nevertheless, BoardWalk misplaced ESPN Membership and its alternative, Cake Bake Store, continues to be beneath development. BoardWalk additionally misplaced Ample Hills Creamery, and its alternative is a generic ice cream store. Huge River Grille & Brewing Works additionally closed with out alternative…and nothing of worth was misplaced.
On the plus facet, BoardWalk nonetheless has Flying Fish and Trattoria al Forno, each of that are implausible. In terms of desk service eating places, Seashore Membership technically solely has Seashores & Cream and Cape Might Cafe. With that stated, the eating places all through Crescent Lake are so extremely simple to entry–particularly those in Yacht Membership–that desk service eating is hard to contemplate a promoting level.
As a substitute, it’d (ought to?) most likely come right down to the higher, handy counter service choices at every lodge. Each are actually weak. If you need counter service at BoardWalk, you’re caught heading exterior to BoardWalk Deli, which has a restricted menu along with the baked items.
The scene at Seashore Membership is barely higher, as Seashore Membership Market has improved lately and now has a extra sturdy menu and big selection of seize and go choices. Hurricane Hanna’s is an honest choice, however you need to exit to the pool–and that’s a trouble.
For now, we’ll give the slender edge to Seashore Membership, however that may change inside the subsequent 12 months or so when Cake Bake Store (hopefully) opens and Disney finds a alternative for Huge River Grille & Brewing Works.
Transportation/Location: Push – Location is among the greatest promoting factors of those resorts, because it’s simple to stumble dwelling after a day of Ingesting Across the World or having fun with some wine seminars in the course of the EPCOT Worldwide Meals and Wine Competition. Each are strolling distance to Epcot through the Worldwide Gateway and likewise strolling distance to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
The variations within the strolling instances are negligible, and influenced by the situation of your room, anyway. BoardWalk is nearer to Disney’s Hollywood Studios (on common) and Seashore Membership is nearer to EPCOT (once more, on common).
The Skyliner station at Worldwide Gateway can be nearer to Seashore Membership, and that’ll take you to Disney’s Hollywood Studios or a spread of different resorts (particularly Riviera and Caribbean Seashore, the place you would possibly need to eat). We don’t view this as an actual benefit, as strolling to DHS is quicker.
Boat service can be obtainable to those two parks. Bus service is comparable at each, though the shut proximity of those resorts makes it simple, on the best way again, to simply hop off wherever the bus stops first.
Swimming pools: Seashore Membership – Ranked #1 by us and everybody else, Stormalong Bay is the gold normal of Walt Disney World swimming pools. This sprawling pool advanced 3 acres in measurement with sand on the backside and a lazy river is in a league of its personal. It additionally has a 230-foot ‘shipwrecked’ water slide, ample lounging area, and an interesting atmosphere that makes it enjoyable to discover.
Simply because the sand within the pool will actually persist with you and get throughout your room, it can additionally stick in your reminiscence and be one of many highlights of your journey (or at the least, your youngsters’ journey). Stormalong Bay rivals Animal Kingdom Lodge’s savanna is the one most compelling amenity in all of Walt Disney World. This would be the cause you’ll discover your loved ones spending inordinate quantities of time on the resort, and BoardWalk Inn has nothing even remotely comparable.
In the meantime, over at BoardWalk Inn, there’s Luna Park Pool. This was once recognized informally because the Creepy Clown Pool attributable to a clown face that spit out company from the water slide, however Disney killed the clown (none of that may be a joke). Now it’s only a boring Mickey Mouse slide that doesn’t spit or creep out anybody. Unhappy.
Even should you assume Stormalong Bay is barely overrated, it’s tough to contend that Luna Park Pool is superior to it in any method. And since there’s no pool hopping to Stormalong Bay, you need to keep there to get pleasure from that pool. Which means that’s far and away Seashore Membership’s greatest promoting level. Stormalong Bay is the difference-maker, and why you need to keep at Seashore Membership over BoardWalk. In the event you’re not a “pool individual,” the end result right here is more likely to be very totally different than if you’re.
Value: Seashore Membership – These are each expensive Deluxe Resorts which can be among the many costliest in all of Walt Disney World. Nevertheless, costs are constantly decrease at Seashore Membership. It’s lower than a 5% distinction on common, nevertheless it all provides up. (Reductions and room availability can change the equation, however primarily based on printed rack charges, Seashore Membership is cheaper on common when making an apples to apples comparability of normal rooms.)
The hole grows as you progress to nicer view tiers–no shock for the reason that BoardWalk view rooms are among the many coolest at Walt Disney World and Seashore Membership has nothing that compares in that regard. Similar story with the respective Membership Degree charges, though you most likely aren’t fairly as cost-sensitive should you’re serious about reserving concierge, as these rooms are simply various levels of very costly.
Verdict: Seashore Membership – Although we’re declaring Seashore Membership the winner–and should you worth the entire variables we’ve set forth right here, it’s–that is in the end a case of “it relies upon.” Most classes right here may very well be overridden by private choice, besides one: swimming pools. Stormalong Bay is objectively higher, and by a major margin.
The query thus turns into, does that matter to you? In the event you’re planning a visit for December, January, or another time of the 12 months when the swimming pools may be too chilly so that you can use, or in case your get together simply doesn’t actually care in regards to the pool, that issue ought to be taken off the desk.
With out Stormalong Bay serving because the trump card, BoardWalk has benefits in theme, rooms, and eating, however your private choice would possibly differ. Perhaps you just like the outdated timey Atlantic Metropolis environment, giving BoardWalk the sting. Or, maybe you like the ethereal, laid again type of Seashore Membership and are effective with its stylish however bland rooms. Perhaps not having to go exterior to entry Seashore Membership Market is the difference-maker for you.
So the place, precisely, does that depart this? It relies upon. In the event you’re a first-timer, particularly one with youngsters, we’d suggest erring on the facet of Stormalong Bay pool being a deciding issue. Children have a tendency to like this pool, and Seashore Membership is often cheaper, in order that’s the safer guess. In the event you’re not a primary timer however are nonetheless having hassle deciding…it most likely nonetheless comes right down to the pool.
As for us, it actually relies upon upon the time of the 12 months. If it’s a hotter month, Seashore Membership–no query. I like Stormalong Bay and assume that plus a progressive dinner all through the realm makes an ideal ‘resort day.’ Plus, the entire environment of the resort simply feels proper for summer time…at the least to us. If it’s a colder time of 12 months, we choose BoardWalk. (Though realistically, colder often means Christmas, and I’d choose to remain elsewhere fully then.) In the event you’re nonetheless having hassle resolve and need extra photographs & ideas, we propose supplementing this with our full evaluation of Disney’s BoardWalk Inn and our Disney’s Seashore Membership Resort Assessment.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Study lodges on our Walt Disney World Lodges Evaluations web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Evaluations. To save cash on tickets or decide which kind to purchase, learn our Ideas for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets submit. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys submit takes a novel have a look at intelligent gadgets to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Journey Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the very best place to start out is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for all the pieces it’s essential know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Does Stormalong Bay present sufficient worth so that you can be the difference-maker? Is cash the deciding issue for you, or is theme, counter service eating places, rooms, and so on? Are we lacking a key variable that would, probably tilt the scales in BoardWalk’s favor? Do you agree or disagree with our picks? Any questions we will help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even while you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
