By Sarah Fertsch
Staff Writer
Recently, I found myself donning Minnie Mouse ears and romping around Magic Kingdom like a five-year-old. Disney World has always held a special place in my heart. After a twenty-year hiatus, my mom and I did a women’s trip to the most magical place on Earth. It was everything I could have imagined and more! As we were riding carousels and singing “It’s a Small World,” I noticed something that reminded me of home. That’s right, Disney World has emulated our beach towns and their iconic landmarks to sell to their guests. The most magical place on Earth turns out to be the Jersey Shore.
Allow me to explain. I’m talking about Disney’s Boardwalk Inn. The moderately-deluxe resort offers great theming and its boardwalk. The Disney website describes the venue like this, “Experience the charm and whimsy of turn-of-the-century Atlantic City at this waterfront hotel.” Guests are made to feel like children ready to ride the Diving Bell or witness a heroic jump from a high-diving horse.
The boardwalk of Boardwalk Inn is impressive, although it could never compete with the longest boardwalk in the world, Atlantic City. The Disney structure sits alongside Lake Promise and offers various recreation options. On the boardwalk, you can grab drinks at Jelly Rolls, a cocktail bar that has live music every night (a dueling pianos show, similar to the one you’d find at Hard Rock Casino). The Abracadabra has some unique drinks and performers who visit every table. There’s a dance hall too, known as the Atlantic Dance Club, which unfortunately tends to be pretty empty even on the weekends. The Side Show Games Arcade welcomes families to play some old-fashioned skeeball or air hockey. Restaurants like the Flying Fish boast fresh seafood, and there are also ice cream parlors, candy stores, and gift shops.
As for amenities, guests can rent surreys and ride along the boardwalk, just like at the Jersey Shore. There are three pools, with the main pool themed around amusement piers like Luna Park or Steel Pier. The carousel structure is a bar named Leaping Horse Libations. The waterslide is long and grand (200 feet long), appearing identical to the Coney Island Cyclone. The pool is surrounded by friendly, colorful elephants that spray water, and guests can challenge each other to mini-golf at the Fantasia course at the resort.
You can find classic South Jersey food, like funnel cake, thin-crust pizza, fudge, saltwater taffy, chili dogs and corn dogs, and hand-scooped ice cream. At Disney’s Beach Club Resort, you’ll find rooms and amenities themed around New England beach towns, but the resort has one aptly-named restaurant: Cape May Cafe. This casual dining option offers character dining and Cape May classics like lobster, steamed clams, and “beach buns” (which are similar to Mallon’s sticky buns).
If you would like to stay at the Boardwalk Inn, room rates can be pretty expensive. It costs approximately $200 for the most standard room. Family suites are available, but this hotel seems more geared toward adults. The room theme is pretty cool, with a lot of beach elements like pinstripes, dark woods, and even pictures of Lucy the Elephant! You can always book a room (when there is a vacancy, which is somewhat rare), but to save some money, celebrate what our hometown has to offer. We have a rich history! So taste some saltwater taffy, ride a surrey, and visit a boardwalk. Our home is pretty magical!
Sarah Fertsch is a writer and artist who has recently moved back to South Jersey. She loves satire, a good cup of coffee, and exploring new places.
