You’re Staying at Disney’s BoardWalk Villas. What Is There to Do?

When you stay at a Disney Vacation Club resort, you know that you’ll find plenty to do. Disney’s Deluxe Tier properties offer the finest amenities in the hospitality industry. 

Sometimes, you’ll find so much to do that you may experience paralysis analysis. Then, once you’ve stayed at a place several times, you may seek out unusual offerings. So, you’re always searching for something fun to do.

Let’s say that you’re staying at Disney’s BoardWalk Villas. What is there to do?

Drink the Most Magical Way

When you’re visiting BoardWalk Villas, you should know something about the hotel and its amenities. Disney intentionally designed many of them to intertwine with the adjacent entertainment district, Disney’s BoardWalk. So, the line blurs between things to do at the resort versus the Boardwalk. 

I’m acknowledging that in advance because many of the best things to do here aren’t technically onsite. Instead, you’ll walk down the stairs from the resort and be standing on the BoardWalk. 

For example, one of the most unique bars on the Disney property is on the Boardwalk.

You can guess the theme of AbracadaBar by the name. This is a magical place, the kind where you should expect surprises throughout your visit. Disney has styled the bar after a magical mansion, and many of the drinks perform tricks. You’ll order a potion and then a magician will come to your table, pour your drink, and cast a spell. It will make your cauldron, aka glass, bubble or emit smoke.

When you’re on vacation, you should always be a tourist. AbracadaBar is one of the purest tourist spots in Orlando.

Eat Some Pricey Cake 

The Cake Bake Shop recently opened on the Boardwalk, albeit to an icy reception. Still, customers haven’t complained about the food. Instead, it was the sticker shock around the pricing that created viral headlines about the new Table Service restaurant. And yes, it is a restaurant despite the name.

Disney has combined a bakery with a dining room, and management knows that both sides of the establishment are exceptional. So, the Cake Bake Shop’s menu prices reflect its quality. While you may raise an eyebrow the first time you notice the prices, remember that the reviews thus far are glowingly positive. Plus, what’s better than cake on a Disney vacation?

Enjoy a Corn Dog

A Disneyland institution recently debuted at the Boardwalk. Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs is another restaurant that is exactly what it sounds like. For that matter, “restaurant” is overstating it. This is a snack shack, which is one of the most popular types of food service at the Boardwalk.

The vibe of the place is like an EPCOT festival kiosk. You walk up to the shack’s counter and order either a gourmet corn dog or some cotton candy or both. You’re probably wondering what the big deal is, but Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs is a Downtown Disney legend. For years, Disney World fans begged for their own version. We finally got it in the Fall of 2024.

As far as comfort food goes, this place rivals Earl of Sandwich. You can grab it on your way to the hotel and save yourself a fortune. Its pricing is anti-Cake Bake Shop.

Lament the Creepy Clown While Swimming

Once upon a time, there was a creepy clown. IYKYK. For many years, the joke at Boardwalk centered on the Luna Park Pool. Disney has styled this charming pool after a Boardwalk-era roller coaster, complete with roller coaster-themed water slide. Fans often overlooked the greatness of the water slide because there was a creepy clown face at the end of the pool.

When Disney introduced the Disney Skyliner in 2019, management rethemed the pool artwork to the modern version of Mickey and Minnie Mouse cartoons. So, now there are adorable pictures of your favorite Disney characters instead of a creepy clown. To Boardwalk Villas loyalists, this is a lateral move at best. I do not miss the clown at ALL, but I get it if you do.

Listen to the Dueling Pianos

You’ll find two nightclubs at Disney’s Boardwalk, which explains why the area can grow quite loud at night. Some vacationers definitely drink and dance the night away, and one of their favorite places is Jellyrolls. This bar has a large seating area that faces the stage. On this platform, two pianists go to war, playing some of your favorite songs, many of which require audience participation. Jellyrolls is a very popular night spot, so you should arrive early. Please remember that since it’s a drinking establishment, guests must be 21 or older.

Play Miniature Golf

You may not know this secret about Boardwalk Villas. You can exit the resort, head toward the end of the Boardwalk, and follow the path up the hill. Should you follow this path for about one-third of a mile, you’ll reach Fantasia Gardens.

This is one of two miniature golf courses on the Walt Disney World property. You can exit the resort and be playing golf in 15 to 20 minutes, depending on how fast you walk and whether there’s a line at the check-in stand.

Trip Advisor reviewers have given this golf course an aggregate score of 4.5 out of 5. The high score reflects the fact that Imagineers have designed the place. And yes, you’ll spot numerous Fantasia references on every hole.

Watch a Live Performance 

When you visit the Boardwalk on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, you’ll find live entertainment from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Please note that the days and hours sometimes change, but that has been the general schedule for many years now.

Entertainment troupes, collectively known as the Boardwalk Buskers, perform anything from gymnastics to juggling to magic tricks. You’ll also find a few strolling musicians, just like at Disney Springs on the weekends. However, you can usually get a much closer view of the performances on the Boardwalk, making it the preferable option.

The vibrant novelty of each night at the Boardwalk underscores how each of your visits will include a new to-do list.