Disney’s Boardwalk — Attraction in Bay Lake

We started our visit by parking at Disney Springs, in the Orange Garage. From there, it was actually quite easy (and completely free) to get to the BoardWalk. If you walk behind the Coca-Cola store, you’ll find the bus stops. We took Bus #10, which makes a few stops before its final destination: Disney’s BoardWalk.

The ride was comfortable and easy to follow, and again it’s worth noting that it’s all free, from the parking to the bus ride. Once we arrived at the BoardWalk stop, we walked toward the entrance of the resort, and right before the main entrance, you’ll notice a staircase that takes you directly down to the BoardWalk area.

The setting itself is very pretty peaceful, clean, and with lovely views of the water. You’ll find a few food spots scattered around. There’s a margarita stand if you feel like enjoying a cocktail, a hot dog cart, an Italian restaurant, and The Cake Bake Shop (which we visited separately). There’s also a small art gallery and a convenience store where you can buy everything from Disney souvenirs to toothpaste. It’s definitely convenient if you’re staying nearby or just need to pick up a little something.

You can also rent Surrey bikes, which looked like a fun way to explore. If I remember correctly, they’re about $35 an hour. A good option for families or couples looking for a fun and active way to experience the space.

That said, our visit was during the day, and to be honest, there wasn’t that much to do. The area is scenic and peaceful, but I was expecting a little more …maybe more shops, more dining options, or something that felt a bit more magical, especially being so close to Disney. It was basically a nice walk, a few places to eat, and that was it.

I imagine that coming at night might be a completely different experience. With the lights on, the reflection on the water, and maybe even the chance to see the EPCOT fireworks in the distance (I’m not entirely sure if that’s possible, but it seems likely), the atmosphere might feel a lot more special and immersive. During the daytime, though, it was pretty quiet and calm nice, but not quite what we were hoping for.

Still, if you’re already in the area or want a slower-paced Disney afternoon, it’s worth stopping by, especially since the transportation from Disney Springs makes it easy and accessible.

I wouldn’t say it was a bad experience at all, just more low-key than expected. I was hoping for a bit more Disney magic or excitement, but perhaps we simply visited at the wrong time of day. If you’re planning to go, I’d recommend doing it in the evening, when it’s likely to be more...

Let me tell you about one of the best-kept Disney secrets—Disney’s BoardWalk. No, it’s not a theme park. No, you don’t need a ticket. And best of all? It’s almost entirely free.

Think of it like this: Disney sprinkled a little pixie dust on Coney Island, added a lakeside breeze, and made it a perfect evening out for families, couples, and yes—even rabbis with a stroller and a coffee in hand.

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How to Get There for Free (No Hotel Reservation Needed)

Here’s the hack: Park at Disney Springs (it’s free!) and hop on a Disney resort bus to one of the BoardWalk-area hotels. I recommend grabbing a bus to Yacht Club, Beach Club, or BoardWalk Inn. Once you get dropped off, you’re right in the heart of it.

Bonus tip: If you’re already near EPCOT, just exit through the International Gateway and you’re basically there. No park ticket needed.

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Top Free Things to Do at Disney’s BoardWalk

Watch the Fireworks (for free!) You can see the EPCOT fireworks from the BoardWalk. Find a comfy bench, grab a snack, and enjoy the show—no FastPass, no crowds, no cost.

Street Performers Magicians, jugglers, musicians—they come out at night and bring the place to life. It’s totally free entertainment that’s actually good. Your kids (and you) will be mesmerized.

Movies Under the Stars Yup—Disney resorts play movies outside on big inflatable screens. Anyone can sit and watch, not just hotel guests. Just look like you belong. Bonus points if you bring your own popcorn.

Nighttime Strolls It’s romantic, peaceful, and beautifully lit. There’s a whimsical joy in just walking the loop around Crescent Lake—past the Beach Club, Yacht Club, Swan, and Dolphin.

Free Campfire and Marshmallows The resorts often have real campfires going in the evening with marshmallows to roast. Completely free, and the vibes? Immaculate.

Photo Safari Go on a little self-guided photo adventure—capture the lights, the boats, the architecture, and all the little Disney details. It’s...

How to file a complain to a shuttle bus driver?

I felt unsafe and being discriminated by a bus driver when I took the Disney shuttle bus back to the Boardwalk Resort from the Magic Kingdom Christmas event at Sunday 11/26 close to 12:00 am. The bus number was 5181 and the the driver name seems to be Manuel.

Here is the story. The bus wasn't crowded at the beginning when the even just ended, so my wife and I stood at front. The bus started getting crowded afterward, and the driver asked us to move to the back. We did move as far as I can but got blocked by other people behind us soon, so we couldn't move anymore. However, the bus driver kept asking us move but not asking other move first. Since we couldn't move, then the driver got impatient and stared at me with his impatient eyesight. I don't understand why he didn't ask other to move first to get some room first but only pointed us, two asians on the car. Since we didn't move anymore, he was angry, and then he went out and went around the bus from the front door to to the back door (because it's crowded in the middle lane) and stared at us from the outside with his threatened eyes. At the moment, I felt like I was about to be kicked out from the shuttle bus at the midnight (around 12:00 am) simply because we cannot move as he wished.

I believe this is not the way to treat people, not to mention the client who are supposed to be happy after enjoying the great event at Disney. I hope Disney can take some action on the bus driver and enhance employee training on equity. The driver seems to only targeting on asian and have some threatened "movement" (even just with eyesight), making people feel uncomfortable and unsafe. I don't think this is what it should be by the standard of a world-class...