BoardWalk Inn Resort Reimagining: Spring 2023 Construction Update
BoardWalk Inn is currently in the midst of construction and changes part of a resort reimagining. This post shares details about what’s on the horizon and work that Walt Disney World has already completed at this iconic inn. (Updated April 27, 2023.)
About one year ago, Walt Disney World announced that they’d be making “a seaside splash at Disney’s BoardWalk!” The multi-year project would see Walt Disney World reimagining elements of the beloved turn-of-the-century promenade and inside the Deluxe Resort, iwith a charming new lobby design, nearby coffee bar, delectable dining options, refreshed guest rooms, and other special touches.
This follows reimaginings of Disney’s Contemporary and Polynesian Village Resorts last year, which brought with them a range of enhancements including character-inspired guest rooms (Incredibles and Moana, respectively). It also comes after lobby overhauls to a number of resorts, and as Walt Disney World converts a number of guest rooms at Grand Floridian to Disney Vacation Club villas. Expect elements of those enhancements to appear at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, too.
Inside Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, light and airy touches will reinvigorate the lobby, lounge, and guest rooms. Just off the lobby, a new coffee bar is now open that offers artisanal beverages and quick bites. One major addition offering storybook sweet treats and dreamy desserts is The Cake Bake Shop by Gwendolyn Rogers, a new table service restaurant and bakery.
Expected to open in Late 2023, the Cake Bake Shop replaces ESPN Club and will offer both savory and dessert menus. The restaurant will also serve afternoon tea service in a whimsical atmosphere that complements the magic of the idyllic charm of Disney’s BoardWalk Inn that guests know and love.
During the construction, all other venues at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn remain open. This includes the inventively-named BoardWalk Ice Cream. (Hey, at least it’s better than “BoardWalk Ice Cream: An Edy’s Eating EXPERIENCE! ~ at Disney’s BoardWalk Resort.”)
I’ve poked fun at BoardWalk Ice Cream (only because I still miss Ample Hills), but I do have to give Disney credit–they replaced the temporary signage with a nice, dimensional one. I’m not sure when this happened, but it’s not new. I noticed it a few months ago and didn’t have anywhere to mention it until now. Didn’t seem worthy of its own post. Also to Disney’s credit, at least this venue isn’t sitting empty. (Ample Hills’ downfall wasn’t Disney’s fault.)
Inside Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, it’s hard to tell whether work on the lobby is finished.
Earlier in 2023, the lobby was under construction. When the walls came down, the biggest change was that the uninterrupted check-in desk (singular) had been replaced by smaller kiosks that allow Cast Members to more freely move around them. This is consistent with other resorts, and isn’t really a material change. Unless you were specifically looking for it, you probably wouldn’t notice anything is different.
To the best of my knowledge, nothing else has changed. Maybe they swapped out a couple pieces of furniture (as a few items did look fresher), but even that I doubt. In comparing my old versus new images side by side, I can’t spot any material changes.
As such, I’m skeptical that the lobby work is finished, and will continue to pop in for to keep checking. Every time we’ve been in the Crescent Lake area lately, I’ve popped into the lobby for one last look “just in case.” I have no idea when work here will begin, and am hoping some advance notice will be given. From my perspective, this is unnecessary. BoardWalk’s lobby is a thematic gem with quirky charm and character.
Hopefully the lobby project is finished, as no matter what Disney does here, there’s no way it’ll have the same personality. The lobby is already the perfect mix of charming, well-appointed, and exquisitely themed. It’s not dated in a 1990s way, and is unlikely to benefit from any reimagining.
I fear that any changes to the lobby will amount to introducing design flourishes touches that signal it’s a modern luxury hotel, but are at odds with the underlying themed design. That’s already happened at other Deluxe Resorts, with the refreshed Yacht Club lobby probably being the best example of the changes that’ll come to BoardWalk Inn.
I also worry that some of the quirky (and frankly, creepy) details will be lost. There’s minimal upside that can come from Imagineering messing with BoardWalk’s lobby, and a lot of downside.
If further changes are made, they’ll likely replace the carpet with something that signals “modern” (splashes of paint or broad brushstrokes) along with the removal of whimsical details (creepy clown chairs) and replacement of furniture with contemporary couches from Wayfair. That has been the Walt Disney World playbook on this type of project.
And in fact, that’s precisely what we’ve seen happen with the reimagining of Belle Vue Lounge.
I can’t really say I’m up in arms about this, but I don’t really see the point of these changes. The new-look Belle Vue Lounge is mostly a half-measure. The eclectic and more antique-looking furniture was replaced with more modern and generic-looking furniture, as was the carpet and some items displayed on the walls.
I wonder, did this really move the needle for anyone who didn’t like Belle Vue Lounge before and thought it was too old fashioned? It still looks similar; only astute eyes are going to spot the changes–the exact kind of guests who are more discerning and appreciate well-themed designs.
For me, the biggest difference is that it’s lacking in thematic cohesiveness. The new furniture also looks cheap and lacking in durability–literally like someone went to the “popular” page on Wayfair and ordered items at random.
To be sure, the utilization and appeal of this lounge could definitely be improved, but Belle Vue does have a passionate fanbase as a ‘secret spot’ or ‘hidden gem.’ I can understand Disney wanting to give these spaces refreshes to give them new life and more mainstream appeal, but either do it right or don’t do it at all. The bland half-measures only alienate, and don’t attract new fans.
From our perspective, a good template here would be Barcelona Lounge at Gran Destino Tower. Obviously not in style–as pretty as that is, it obviously should not be replicated at BoardWalk. That has an iconic look and does a nice job of embracing café society, with a day-to-night espresso bar that transitions to a Spanish-style Gin Tonic hub in the evening. Granted, Barcelona Lounge was purpose-built with this in mind and it’s unlikely Belle Vue Lounge could be retrofit into something like this, but it’s the right idea.
Then there’s Carousel Coffee, which replaces the lobby gift shop.
This makes the reimagined Belle Vue Lounge look like a thematic exemplar by comparison.
Carousel Coffee is as bland as can be, with the only “theme” coming via selective color (???) photos on the walls.
This has been roasted online by Walt Disney World fans, and for good reason. While I don’t hate it as much as many people, it still boggles my mind that the design team looked at the lobby and other spaces at the BoardWalk and thought this was a good fit.
Obviously, it’s bland and generically modern. That this looks like something you’d find in the lobby of a Hilton Garden Inn is only part of the problem.
The bigger issue is that it’s totally incongruous with its surroundings. Even if you like this for whatever reason (hey, to each their own!), it’s impossible to claim that this is stylistically and thematically coherent with the rest of the lobby–or literally anything else at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn.
Then again, I hope it stays that way. I don’t want to see the rest of the lobby transformed to mesh with this (lack of) style. I’d rather it be the outlier and everything else remain well-themed.
The guest rooms at Disney’s BoardWalk Resort could definitely use a reimagining. The hotel side rooms are well-themed and have some great details, but they feel more and more like relics from the 1990s with each passing year. As much as I’d personally love themed-to-the-hilt hotel rooms, there’s also the practical reality of guest expectations, and these simply do not comport with the ~$700 nightly price point.
The room refurbishment is currently underway as of Spring 2023, and some rooms are actually finished. We have yet to stay in the new rooms, but they actually look decent from photos. We’ll withhold full judgment until seeing them in person, but preliminary impressions are positive.
Then there are the Disney Vacation Club rooms, which are among the dullest villas at Walt Disney World. These were refurbished at the start of the ‘modernization’ wave, before Imagineering hit its stride balancing theme, functionality, and high-end finishings. They’re underwhelming as compared to the newer rooms at Riviera, Saratoga, Grand Floridian, or the Poly Villas.
According to the 2023-2024 Disney Vacation Club Resort Refurbishments & Construction Timeline, these rooms will be updated during the BoardWalk reimagining. No word yet as to timing, but it should be within the next year.
Ultimately, it’ll be interesting to watch how work progresses around the promenade and inside the hotel over the next year or so. We’re big fans of Disney’s BoardWalk Inn and hope its quaint style is preserved through this reimagining and that whatever modernization occurs isn’t too jarring from a time period perspective.
However, we also realize that there’s a lot of room for improvement, with a lot of spaces that have stagnated for years and could use a shot in the arm. It’ll be nice to see some new dining options, and here’s hoping that others are refreshed. As a whole, I’m cautiously optimistic about the changes at the BoardWalk. Hopefully Imagineering uses a deft touch to bring BoardWalk into the 21st century while maintaining its (last) turn of the century personality.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you think of the construction and changes coming to Disney’s BoardWalk Resort? Sad to see ESPN Club removed, or ready for something new? Think this reimagining will work with the hotel theme, or is it unnecessary? Have you stayed at the BoardWalk Inn or Villas in the last few years? Do you think the resort is dated and tired, or still has a good look? Think the lobby, guest rooms, or both need an overhaul? Do you agree or disagree with our assessment? Other thoughts or concerns? 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!
We just got back from a two week stay at Boardwalk! They redid the concrete outside of Abracadbar and I believe were doing the same just to the left of Boardwalk Ice Cream. I am so devastated to see ESPN CLUB go. I have so many memories of chowing down on the massive hot dog or sharing a SuprBowl sundae with my family, as well as meeting amazing athletes and even seeing Drew Carey there in 2000 watching the Browns. Got his autograph and talked with him for about fifteen minutes, it was surreal as a 14 year old. Excited to see new energy coming to the Boardwalk though. We absolutely adore this resort and do everything we can to stay there on every trip we take. The cast members are amazing (shout out to Al and Laura in bellhop and at the front desk).
Absolutely love reading your blog Tom. We look for you every time we are down there from the Northeast hoping to see you with your camera. Keep doing the amazing work and reporting that you do!!!
They need to add a decent counter service spot. Husband and I just went for an overnight at the Vero Beach DVC after a week at Polynesian. Since we last stayed they added a wonderful counter restaurant… Such an improvement as the resort isn’t in a town. They had so much to choose from and we said over and over again “Why aren’t ALL Mickey’s counter service places like this?” The menu had Sandwiches, salads, burgers, personal pizzas, hot dogs, packaged goods, Dole Whip from a soft serve machine and bakery items. We realized that a good counter service spot is really a godsend when you’re too tired or lazy to go anywhere. It’s a wonderful amenity.
DVB counter service is just so so…what I really miss is the Orchard Island Pizza Meryl steps from the resort…better pizza than Disney!
Here’s the real question: what’s going to happen to the nanny chairs? I’m not sure if I’m hoping they stay or go.
Hi, we stay at Yacht Club every year and I was thinking of booking Boardwalk for summer 2023, for a change. I am wondering if the construction projects will interfere….
The BoardWalk has always been my favorite Disney resort. It’s very quaint. I also love the new changes that are going on with the common restaurant areas. But…will non-resort guests be able to visit, enjoy these new amenities and spend money? It seems that getting into Disney Resorts now without a reservation is impossible. I get the third degree at the security gate when I just want to spend money in their stores, restaurants, or just browse holiday decor. And what if I want to dine in a restaurant that’s not full service?
Been a DVC member since 1998 with Boardwalk out home. We loved ESPN as an easy place to go to who catered to the kids and where we could watch sports and get out of the crowd. It was a great change in pace and being located there was very convenient. I agree that Big River should’ve taken the hit before ESPN. The Boardwalk lobby is iconic and while some of the furniture can be updated and brighter the rest should stay as is. I hope they don’t change the boardwalk itself too much and lose its theme.
We love the Boardwalk. I do look forward to the deli. We’ve watched from our balcony the never ending stream at the pizza window and the beer stand. It’s a no-brainer for more boardwalk type of food and treats.
I’m with everyone else. What is there to change in the lobby? Nothing.
My big fear is changes to Belle Vue lounge, one of our favorite spots in all of WDW. I will be heartbroken if this ends up as some modern coffee bar lounge.
Question for the board, where else could they locate the coffee bar?
I spoke to the front desk staff on Thursday when I was there and they told me the concierge counter (across from Dundees Sundries) that hasn’t been used in years is the place the coffee bar will be installed. It makes sense. A lot of unused space.
I feel about GF’s looming lobby overhaul/desecration the way you do about Boardwalk’s…fingers crossed they’ll both end up better than feared.
I like the Boardwalk lobby a lot too, and definitely agree with you that the lobby that truly needs an overhaul is the Contemporary’s.
Sorry not the Contemporary’s lobby, meant the Grand Concourse
I have been a DVC member since 2000 and Boardwalk is my home resort. Just left there two days ago. I’m happy ESPN club will be changed for a new dining venue. It was a nice idea but I really only ate there twice in a 20 years so I can’t be too sad. The Bakery also needs a change. I found the options lacking most of the time so I’m interested in this update. The rooms need a change too. However, I can only speak to the Villas which are DVC (and likely not in the refurb) With their last refurbishment any true themeing was removed and I find them WAY too generic. What I love most about Disney is being transported to a different place and time. Please bring back in-depth themeing! However, I LOVE the lobby and Belle Vue lounge and choose to spend a lot of time in these areas during my visits. I really hopes the lobby keeps its strong turn of the century vibe. Don’t mess up these two areas Disney!
So when stuck on family Disney vacation, where can one go on Disney property to watch nfl on Sunday?
I watched football at the Crew’s Cup Lounge at Yacht Club once while staying at Beach Club. It’s funny because I found the Beach Club lounge/bar to be stuffy and the Yacht Club bar was loud and into football. Someone told me that it had to do maybe with the fact that Yacht is a convention resort, so they tend to get that type of crowd.
Rix Sports Bar at Coronado was also a great spot. Lots of TVs and the food is pretty good
I’m excited to hear of these changes, especially the demolition of the ESPN Club, a thematic monstrosity in both design and context. No issue with sports and bar food; just not in my face when I want to escape into another era.
And yes, by all means update the rooms but please leave the lobby alone. It may be my favorite space in all of Disney World. Every time I’m near Crescent Lake I make a pilgrimage to that cool, sun-splashed room, if only to sit for a time and hear the concierge greet guests with a genuine, “Welcome home.”
I’m happy for Boardwalk owners about this but selfishly annoyed for Boulder Ridge Villa owners still waiting on the delayed, much needed refurb!!
Unless I missed something, it doesn’t appear that the BoardWalk Villas are included in the overhaul. They very well might be, but I don’t think Disney has ever indicated that definitively.
I’ve asked multiple people about the Boulder Ridge refurb, and it’s supposedly still on track. As for a timeline, the best I can get is “soon.” I truly don’t know what the holdup is–to my knowledge, they settled on a room design almost 2 years ago.
Sorry Tom, you are right, I just meant the updates and construction in general going on at Boardwalk versus nothing at Boulder Ridge. Thanks for sharing what you’ve heard, that is good to know it’s on track!!
Very nice and interesting report, enjoyed.
Hopefully they will assign someone to walk the boardwalk at sunrise every morning and pound down the nails and screw down the screws that I always seem to notice that stick up to grab an unsuspecting shoe.
Boardwalk is our DVC home resort. I enjoyed ESPN Club but it is time for a change. The Cake Bake Shop should be a nice fit here and re-theming the current bakery to a deli sounds promising. I enjoy Big River’s beers and outdoor seating although the food menu is pretty tired and quality is average at best. I agree about the lobby. I still love its current state and hope for minor changes. Overall we’re happy to see refreshed areas and empty spaces disappear.
A DELI is an EXCELLENT idea ! visiting from New York it will be nice to get some good comfort food.
Tom,
Thanks for the Ample Hills link – very interesting reading! And hopefully Smith and Cuscuna learn from it and can have a successful new venture.
We have stayed at the boardwalk many times and I have always been disappointed in the Bakery. We had friends with us and she wanted to go, and just like me found nothing to buy that morning. I took her to France in Epcot and she said YES this is what I was looking for!
Really hope they improve the selection at the Boardwalk Bakery – Chocolate Croissants!!!
We love the BoatdWalk Inn & their one-bedroom suites. I enjoy most of the lobby there. Are me question, though. Are the creepy chairs still in the lobby? Those can go at anytime!
I have never stayed at Boardwalk, but I visited many times. I enjoy the lobby and the theming of the resort.
Like yourself as a kind in the 90s, I have fond memories of ESPN Club when I was a huge sports fan and loved SportsCenter. Now that my sports and SportsCenter fandom has subsided, I am not sad to see it closed. Hopefully, they will be replaced with something original or highly themed restaurant or experience similar to 50s Cafe, Ohana, Whispering Canyon, or Hoop-Dee-Doo-Revue.
We have been DVC member since ‘98. Our home resort is Boardwalk. We had points that needed to be used so we are going in September to Riviera. I hear it’s beautiful but to be honest a bit disappointed that we couldn’t get our HOME resort. I hope whatever renovations they have planned will not destroy the ambiance that we have been enjoying and coming home to. We will stop by the Boardwalk lobby during this visit to see it probably one last time before construction. Thanks for all the info.