BoardWalk Inn Resort Reimagining: Spring 2023 Construction Update – Disney Tourist Blog

BoardWalk Inn is currently in the midst of construction and changes part of a resort reimagining. This post shares details about whats 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 theyd be making a seaside splash at Disneys 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 Disneys 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 Disneys BoardWalk Inn, too.

Inside Disneys 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 Disneys BoardWalk Inn that guests know and love.

During the construction, all other venues at Disneys BoardWalk Inn remain open. This includes the inventively-named BoardWalk Ice Cream. (Hey, at least its better than BoardWalk Ice Cream: An Edys Eating EXPERIENCE! ~ at Disneys BoardWalk Resort.)

Ive poked fun at BoardWalk Ice Cream (only because I still miss Ample Hills), but I do have to give Disney creditthey replaced the temporary signage with a nice, dimensional one. Im not sure when this happened, but its not new. I noticed it a few months ago and didnt have anywhere to mention it until now. Didnt seem worthy of its own post. Also to Disneys credit, at least this venue isnt sitting empty. (Ample Hills downfall wasnt Disneys fault.)

Inside Disneys BoardWalk Inn, its 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 isnt really a material change. Unless you were specifically looking for it, you probably wouldnt 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 cant spot any material changes.

As such, Im skeptical that the lobby work is finished, and will continue to pop in for to keep checking. Every time weve been in the Crescent Lake area lately, Ive 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. BoardWalks lobby is a thematic gem with quirky charm and character.

Hopefully the lobby project is finished, as no matter what Disney does here, theres no way itll have the same personality. The lobby is already the perfect mix of charming, well-appointed, and exquisitely themed. Its 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 its a modern luxury hotel, but are at odds with the underlying themed design. Thats already happened at other Deluxe Resorts, with the refreshed Yacht Club lobby probably being the best example of the changes thatll come to BoardWalk Inn.

I also worry that some of the quirky (and frankly, creepy) details will be lost. Theres minimal upside that can come from Imagineering messing with BoardWalks lobby, and a lot of downside.

If further changes are made, theyll 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, thats precisely what weve seen happen with the reimagining of Belle Vue Lounge.

I cant really say Im up in arms about this, but I dont 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 didnt like Belle Vue Lounge before and thought it was too old fashioned? It still looks similar; only astute eyes are going to spot the changesthe exact kind of guests who are more discerning and appreciate well-themed designs.

For me, the biggest difference is that its lacking in thematic cohesiveness. The new furniture also looks cheap and lacking in durabilityliterally 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 dont do it at all. The bland half-measures only alienate, and dont attract new fans.

From our perspective, a good template here would be Barcelona Lounge at Gran Destino Tower. Obviously not in styleas pretty as that is, it obviously should not be replicated at BoardWalk. That has an iconic look anddoes a nice job of embracing caf 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 its unlikely Belle Vue Lounge could be retrofit into something like this, but its the right idea.

Then theres 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 dont 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, its bland and generically modern. That this looks like something youd find in the lobby of a Hilton Garden Inn is only part of the problem.

The bigger issue is that its totally incongruous with its surroundings. Even if you like this for whatever reason (hey, to each their own!), its impossible to claim that this is stylistically and thematically coherent with the rest of the lobbyor literally anything else at Disneys BoardWalk Inn.

Then again, I hope it stays that way. I dont want to see the rest of the lobby transformed to mesh with this (lack of) style. Id rather it be the outlier and everything else remain well-themed.

The guest rooms at Disneys 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 Id personally love themed-to-the-hilt hotel rooms, theres 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. Well 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. Theyre underwhelming as compared to the newer rooms at Riviera, Saratoga, Grand Floridian, or the Poly Villas.

According to the2023-2024 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, itll be interesting to watch how work progresses around the promenade and inside the hotel over the next year or so. Were big fans of Disneys BoardWalk Inn and hope its quaint style is preserved through this reimagining and that whatever modernization occurs isnt too jarring from a time period perspective.

However, we also realize that theres a lot of room for improvement, with a lot of spaces that have stagnated for years and could use a shot in the arm. Itll be nice to see some new dining options, and heres hoping that others are refreshed. As a whole,Im 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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What do you think of the construction and changes coming to Disneys 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 feedbackeven when you disagree with usis both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!

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BoardWalk Inn Resort Reimagining: Spring 2023 Construction Update - Disney Tourist Blog