When selecting a luxurious lodge inside strolling distance of EPCOT and Hollywood Studios and in addition on the Skyliner at Walt Disney World, trip planners have just a few choices, however we’ve discovered the 2 hottest Deluxe Resorts on this space are Seaside 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 Sequence, which incorporates a number of different troublesome dilemmas you may face when attempting to choose a lodge. Different versus posts embrace Animal Kingdom Lodge vs. Wilderness Lodge, Port Orleans Riverside vs. French Quarter, and even Caribbean Seaside vs. the Poly. It additionally compares lots of the different resorts within the Crescent Lake or EPCOT space (Swan, Dolphin, Swan Reserve, Riviera, Yacht & Seaside 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 Inns from Worst to Greatest. That listing takes worth and a wide range of different variables into consideration. If you happen to’d choose to learn that for a rundown of how all resorts rank–from funds motels to monorail loop, have at it. However, spoiler alert, each Seaside Membership and BoardWalk rank very extremely. If you happen to’ve already selected a Disney resort close to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios and are having a tricky time deciding between the 2 finest choices, this could show you how to slender it down…
Theme: BoardWalk – Each accommodations are comparable in theme. DisneyWar accommodates an anecdote about former Disney CEO Michael Eisner’s obsession along with his childhood holidays within the seaside communities of the Northeast, which not less than partially drove the design of those Crescent Lake resorts. On the plus facet, Walt Disney World bought a cool resort ‘district’ out of it. On the draw back, the three Disney accommodations within the space are very comparable in fashion.
Of those resorts, BoardWalk Inn has probably 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 many others., and turn-of-the-century items of decor pulled from these locations.
Seaside Membership is extra generalized, meant to recreate the seaside resort cottages scattered round New England within the early twentieth Century. If you happen to’re judging strictly primarily based upon thematic execution, BoardWalk wins. Nonetheless, for most individuals, that is in all probability going to return 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 Seaside Membership, however this subjective “really feel” from the theme goes to differ from individual to individual.
Rooms: BoardWalk – By way of structure, measurement, and options, there are not any noteworthy variations between the usual rooms in every. A minimum of, not that I’ve seen. With that in thoughts, let’s flip to fashion. I’ve spent a number of time on this weblog just lately harping on the stability of theme and luxurious.
Particularly, what number of resorts at Walt Disney World used to skew (too far, in my view) in direction of theme on the expense of luxurious, however have sense overcorrected and now don’t incorporate a enough quantity of theme. Seaside Membership’s new rooms are arguably Exhibit A on this regard. Except for just a few prospers and Donald Duck artwork, it’s troublesome to tell apart Seaside Membership’s rooms from a stylish, modern-day lodge on the seaside. I view that as an issue.
BoardWalk’s rooms have just a few further design particulars, from the artwork on the partitions to the Minnie Mouse lamp and extra, that assist them do higher with the stability. In addition they don’t really feel like they’re attempting to be trendy or fashionable, and but nonetheless handle to really feel refined and good. On that foundation, they’ve the sting.
There’s a photograph of the brand new BoardWalk rooms above, however if you would like an intensive look, see Good & Dangerous of BoardWalk Inn’s New Rooms. In terms of the lodge as an entire, the multi-year reimagining can also be principally completed–however to be sincere, most of this isn’t noticeable.
Eating: Seaside Membership – Each resorts have highs and lows in the case of eating. Being a lodge that doubles as an leisure district, BoardWalk has a diversified eating lineup with one thing for everybody on the desk service entrance. A minimum of, in principle (and previously). Nonetheless, BoardWalk misplaced ESPN Membership and its alternative, Cake Bake Store, remains to be underneath development. BoardWalk additionally misplaced Ample Hills Creamery, and its alternative is a generic ice cream store. Large 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 unbelievable. In terms of desk service eating places, Seaside 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 think about a promoting level.
As a substitute, it’d (ought to?) in all probability 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 Seaside Membership is barely higher, as Seaside Membership Market has improved in recent times and now has a extra strong menu and big selection of seize and go choices. Hurricane Hanna’s is an honest choice, however you must exit to the pool–and that’s a problem.
For now, we’ll give the slender edge to Seaside Membership, however which may change inside the subsequent 12 months or so when Cake Bake Store (hopefully) opens and Disney finds a alternative for Large River Grille & Brewing Works.
Transportation/Location: Push – Location is among the largest promoting factors of those resorts, because it’s simple to stumble house after a day of Consuming Across the World or having fun with some wine seminars throughout the EPCOT Worldwide Meals and Wine Pageant. Each are strolling distance to Epcot through the Worldwide Gateway and in addition strolling distance to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
The variations within the strolling occasions are negligible, and influenced by the situation of your room, anyway. BoardWalk is nearer to Disney’s Hollywood Studios (on common) and Seaside Membership is nearer to EPCOT (once more, on common).
The Skyliner station at Worldwide Gateway can also be nearer to Seaside Membership, and that’ll take you to Disney’s Hollywood Studios or a spread of different resorts (particularly Riviera and Caribbean Seaside, the place you may need to eat). We don’t view this as an actual benefit, as strolling to DHS is quicker.
Boat service can also be accessible to those two parks. Bus service is analogous at each, though the shut proximity of those resorts makes it simple, on the best way again, to only hop off wherever the bus stops first.
Swimming pools: Seaside 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 house, and an enticing surroundings that makes it enjoyable to discover.
Simply because the sand within the pool will actually persist with you and get throughout your room, it’ll additionally stick in your reminiscence and be one of many highlights of your journey (or not less than, your children’ journey). Stormalong Bay rivals Animal Kingdom Lodge’s savanna is the only most compelling amenity in all of Walt Disney World. This would be the purpose 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 identified informally because the Creepy Clown Pool on account of a clown face that spit out visitors 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 troublesome to contend that Luna Park Pool is superior to it in any approach. And since there’s no pool hopping to Stormalong Bay, you must keep there to take pleasure in that pool. That means that’s far and away Seaside Membership’s largest promoting level. Stormalong Bay is the difference-maker, and why you need to keep at Seaside Membership over BoardWalk. If you happen to’re not a “pool individual,” the result right here is prone to be very completely different than if you’re.
Value: Seaside Membership – These are each expensive Deluxe Resorts which can be among the many most costly in all of Walt Disney World. Nonetheless, costs are persistently decrease at Seaside 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 revealed rack charges, Seaside 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 Seaside Membership has nothing that compares in that regard. Identical story with the respective Membership Degree charges, though you in all probability aren’t fairly as cost-sensitive should you’re eager about reserving concierge, as these rooms are simply various levels of very costly.
Verdict: Seaside Membership – Although we’re declaring Seaside Membership the winner–and should you worth all the 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? If you happen to’re planning a visit for December, January, or another time of the 12 months when the swimming pools could be too chilly so that you can use, or in case your celebration simply doesn’t actually care concerning the pool, that issue must 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 may differ. Perhaps you just like the outdated timey Atlantic Metropolis environment, giving BoardWalk the sting. Or, maybe you favor the ethereal, laid again fashion of Seaside Membership and are advantageous with its stylish however bland rooms. Perhaps not having to go exterior to entry Seaside Membership Market is the difference-maker for you.
So the place, precisely, does that go away this? It relies upon. If you happen to’re a first-timer, particularly one with children, we’d suggest erring on the facet of Stormalong Bay pool being a deciding issue. Youngsters have a tendency to like this pool, and Seaside Membership is normally cheaper, in order that’s the safer wager. If you happen to’re not a primary timer however are nonetheless having hassle deciding…it in all probability 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, Seaside Membership–no query. I really 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…not less than to us. If it’s a colder time of 12 months, we choose BoardWalk. (Though realistically, colder normally means Christmas, and I’d choose to remain elsewhere utterly then.) If you happen to’re nonetheless having hassle determine and wish extra pictures & ideas, we advise supplementing this with our full evaluation of Disney’s BoardWalk Inn and our Disney’s Seaside Membership Resort Evaluate.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Study accommodations on our Walt Disney World Inns Opinions web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Opinions. To save cash on tickets or decide which sort to purchase, learn our Suggestions for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets publish. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys publish takes a singular have a look at intelligent objects to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Experience Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the most effective place to begin is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for every little thing it is advisable to 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 many others? Are we lacking a key variable that might, doubtlessly 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 fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
