My Stay at Disney's Boardwalk Inn Club Level: Is It Worth It?
Ahh, I can still taste that POG Mimosa. After countless Walt Disney World vacations, there was one thing my family had never done: stay Club Level.
So when my family spent 10 nights at Walt Disney World last April, we decided to finally try it. We stayed at Disney's BoardWalk Inn Club Level, and I went into the trip curious about one thing: Would Club Level actually be worth it?
The short answer? I don't know how I'm supposed to go back to “normal Disney”.
Arriving at Disney's BoardWalk Inn Club Level
We had an early morning flight into Orlando. After landing at MCO, collected our luggage, and taking Mears Connect to our resort, we arrived at Disney's BoardWalk Inn before standard check in time.
Our bags were taken care of for us, and we were greeted by Jeremy from the Concierge team, who escorted us up to the Club Level floor while we waited for our room to be ready.
Club Level guests have access to a private lounge and dedicated concierge team. At the BoardWalk Inn, the lounge is located on the fourth floor, behind a secured hallway that requires a MagicBand or Key to access.
The lounge is called the Inkeeper's Club. The moment we arrived, we were made to feel completely at home; and honestly, that is what I think Club Level does best. It makes you feel taken care of!
The Club Level Concierge Team
The food and drinks are wonderful, but the concierge team is one of the most underrated parts of the Club Level experience. During our stay, we needed a few things to make our room more comfortable, including a fan, extra blankets, toiletries, and towels. The team was quick to accommodate us.
They can also assist with things like helping you navigate Lightning Lane planning, checking availability for dining reservations and other experiences, and assisting with vacation logistics when they can. Having someone knowledgeable there to help you troubleshoot, check options, and assist with planning is an incredibly valuable perk.
And sometimes, they simply notice what would make your stay easier. One of our favorite Cast Members, Shelby, became a friend during our stay. One night, we jokingly asked her to save us some leftovers because we were going to miss dinner. That quickly became a trend.
Then one evening, she brought us an entire microwave. Did we ask for it? Nope. Did she know it would make our stay more convenient? Yes! So she did!! The next night, a whole table of the dinner course that night just for us while they set up for dessert. And that is exactly the kind of service that makes a Disney vacation feel special.
What Is the Food Like in the Club Level Lounge?
Let's talk about the food because I think this is one of the biggest questions people have when considering Club Level. During our 10 night stay, we used the lounge for essentially every meal.
Yes, every day.
The lounge offers food throughout the day, with offerings changing depending on the time. We typically enjoyed breakfast in the morning, had our dining reservations or other meals during the midday period, and returned to the lounge for dinner and dessert.
While Disney refers to their offerings as "small plates," we never left feeling like we needed to find another meal afterward. The short ribs were my absolute favorite! They were so tender they practically melted in your mouth. We loved that the food allowed us to slow down and enjoy the resort rather than feeling like we had to constantly rush from one reservation to the next.
We only ate at one traditional table service restaurant during our 10 night stay: Tony's Town Square Restaurant. That is not because there is anything wrong with Disney dining. We love Disney dining! But Club Level gave us the flexibility to enjoy our vacation much differently this time.
We weren't constantly trying to fit a breakfast reservation, lunch reservation, dinner reservation, Lightning Lane, park time, transportation, and everything else into one day. If anything we were rushing back in the evening to make it back before dessert ended & so we could say goodnight to our quick found friends!
Breakfast at the Inkeeper's Club
One of my favorite parts of our stay was waking up in the morning, putting on my complimentary robe and slippers, and walking down to the lounge for breakfast. You feel at least 10 times fancier doing this! My typical breakfast plate included scrambled eggs, fresh fruit, and my favorite offering: churro muffins. There were also bagels, danishes, oatmeal, yogurt, and rotating protein options. & then there was the Nespresso machine. I am not exaggerating when I say it was one of the fanciest Nespresso machines I have ever seen.
No stopping to purchase an iced coffee before heading to the parks. No waiting in line. Just walk to the lounge, make your coffee, grab your breakfast, and start your day!!
Although I loved eating in the lounge, one of my favorite mornings was actually spent in my room. I took my breakfast and coffee back to our balcony, sat outside, and watched the Skyliner in the distance. Another morning, I had breakfast in bed while watching The Parent Trap. Honestly? Best morning ever. That is something I don't think I would have done if we were rushing out the door to get to an early park opening.
The Snacks and Drinks
The lounge is stocked throughout the day with snacks and drinks, including things like:
Fresh fruit
Chips
Popcorn
Cheese-Its
Cookies
Candy
Uncrustables
Soft drinks
Coffee and espresso drinks
The team also works to accommodate dietary needs when possible.
For adults 21 and over, alcoholic beverages are available, including wine, beer and other options. And yes, you can ask about cocktails like the famous POG Mimosa. I am still thinking about that POG Mimosa!!!!
There is also a refrigerator/freezer just outside the lounge that is accessible 24/7 and stocked with Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bars and Mickey Ice Cream Sandwiches. This was dangerous for my self-control!
Desserts and Fireworks
Every evening, the lounge offers desserts and sweet treats.
But one of my favorite parts of the entire experience was being able to watch the EPCOT fireworks from the windows of the Inkeeper's Club. There is something so peaceful about watching fireworks from a comfortable lounge while enjoying dessert instead of standing in a crowded park.
And this is where I think Club Level really changed our vacation.
We spent more time enjoying our resort.
We spent more time at the pool.
We spent more time relaxing.
We spent more time enjoying the lounge.
We weren't constantly thinking about what we needed to do next!!
We could simply go with the flow.
& that is a luxury at Walt Disney World!!
Why Disney's BoardWalk Inn Was the Perfect Club Level Resort for Us
The location of Disney's BoardWalk Inn is hard to beat. You can walk to both EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios. We frequently walked to both parks because it was often faster and easier than waiting for a boat.
Being able to easily return to the resort for a midday break made a huge difference for us.
We could go to the parks in the morning, return to the resort, enjoy the pool or the lounge, and then decide what we wanted to do next.
We didn't have to plan every single minute of the day around dining reservations! We are typically the family taking time out of our park day to bus to a different Resort for a dining reservation! We love to try & see new places but this trip made us really appreciate the “home base” and now, I think the Boardwalk will always hold a piece of home!
Who Is Disney Club Level Best For?
I want to be honest about this:
I do not think Club Level is for everyone.
If your goal is to save money on food or try a bunch of new places, if you’re planning on spending most of your day in the park, I would not recommend booking Club Level.
Yes, we saved a tremendous amount of money on food during our stay because we used the lounge for breakfast and dinner almost every day.
But that is not why I would book Club Level.
I would book Club Level for the experience. Club Level is best for families who:
Have some wiggle room in their vacation budget
Want to slow down and enjoy their resort
Plan to return to the resort during the day
Want access to food and drinks without constantly making reservations
Appreciate personalized service
Want help with park logistics
Enjoy a more upscale, relaxed vacation experience
Don't want every day to feel like a race from one Lightning Lane to the next dining reservation
This is for the family who wants to feel like they are on vacation! The family who wants to feel taken care of!! The family who wants to wake up, grab coffee, eat breakfast, go to the parks, come back for a pool break, enjoy dinner, and watch fireworks without feeling like they have to sprint through the entire day.
Would I Stay Club Level Again?
Absolutely.
In fact, it is now hard to imagine going back to Walt Disney World without staying Club Level.
If I had to choose between a better view and Club Level, I would choose Club Level every time. I would rather have a standard view and the ability to enjoy breakfast on my balcony with a cup of coffee than have the best possible view and spend every day rushing from reservation to reservation.
Our 10 night stay at Disney's BoardWalk Inn Club Level was incredibly relaxing, upscale, delicious, and so convenient. It made us want to spend more time at our resort. It made our days feel less rushed. And it gave us the freedom to enjoy Walt Disney World at our own pace.
So if you have some wiggle room in your vacation budget and you are looking for a Disney vacation that feels a little more relaxed, a little more luxurious, and a lot more taken care of...
I highly recommend considering Club Level.
Just be warned:
You may not want to go back.
