Epcot to Disney’s Hollywood Studios Photo Walk via the Walt Disney World Boardwalk 2015

August 9, 2015 Denise

Hi everyone!

Today we are walking from Epcot to Disney’s Hollywood Studios for our photo walk, past Disney’s Boardwalk Resort. I didn’t time the walk yet as I usually do because of how hot it was outside, but I will add the timed portion later (it takes me 20-25 minutes usually to do this walk). This is my third time posting a photo walk between the two parks (the first being 2007), but the other two times I started at Disney’s Hollywood Studios – in 2007, it was called Disney’s MGM Studios. This walk includes about 120 photos on 2 pages.

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Our most current photo walks are of Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter Resort, Port Orleans Riverside Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort and Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. All of those have been updated for 2015 so far.

We are at the International Gateway, just outside of Epcot between the UK and France. I still remember the first time I walked out through this exit nearly 20 years ago, and was wowed by what I saw once I walked up the hill. Even though the Walt Disney World Yacht and Beach Club Resorts opened in 1990, I don’t think I saw them until Disney’s Boardwalk Resort opened in 1996. The resorts here are in a prime location when staying onsite for the Epcot Flower & Garden Festival, Epcot Food & Wine Festival, or Holidays Around the World. I spent 6 years as an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner and these resorts really filled up during the Food & Wine Festival (and Super Soap Weekend, if you remember that event).

The Eiffel Tower and a Friendship Boat are in view.

For many years, I thought this was a spider. I even overheard a guest recently who wondered if it was Charlotte from Charlotte’s Web. It is supposed to be a butterfly, or so I’ve been told.

Walking to Disney’s Hollywood Studios is usually faster than taking a boat, since the Friendship Boats make several stops. I can probably count on one hand how often I have ridden on the boats here through the years, but I did on the photo walk day (on the way back) due to the intense heat.

We are walking from the International Gateway.

Guests can walk to the various Epcot Resort Area resorts or to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

We will be heading up the hill.

The Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel is in view past the bridge.

Disney’s Beach Club Resort is the closest resort to Epcot, and can be seen to the right.

We will be turning left and onto the bridge. Some of this walk has been rebranded as one of the New Balance Running Trails on property, but I didn’t see a sign at all on the path I took.

This bridge crosses Crescent Lake, which is the lake that the resorts are nestled around.

The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin are not owned by Disney, but are very nice and well located. I used to recommend them when I was an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, especially due to some special discounts during off-peak times (including AAA, teachers, and Florida resident discounts).

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort is in view here. We won’t be passing Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club, though you can walk that way to get to Disney’s Hollywood Studios as well. It would be a little longer of a walk.

We are passing over the bridge.

Once off the bridge, we are walking down toward Disney’s Boardwalk Resort.

Signage can be found along the way.

A Friendship Boat can be seen through the trees.

The Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel is the bigger of the two hotels (the Walt Disney World Swan is smaller), and contains most of the dining and shops.

On the right hand side is Sea Breeze Point, which was being used for a party (or I’d have walked through). It is also used for small weddings.

In front of us, the first building on the left will be the ESPN Club.

I’ve been just a few times to the ESPN Club, but I will eventually post a photo walk of the individual resorts around Crescent Lake and those will include some interior photos.

While hot, it was a beautiful morning and not too busy.

A Friendship Boat glides across Crescent Lake.

Here are some views across the water.

We are passing by ESPN Club, with the Arcade and Boardwalk Bakery coming up next.

I have walked through the Arcade a number of times in past years.

Across the way, guests can have photo strips taken in a booth.

The Boardwalk Bakery was remodeled in an expansion a couple of years ago, you can read about that here.

Trattoria al Forno is next. We haven’t dined there, though I did have a meal at Kouzzina by Cat Cora in this location and dined many times at Spoodles before that.

The pizza window has been a favorite in the past.

Tables overlook Crescent Lake.

Breakfast is served in this location as well.

The boat dock is coming up on the right.

Seashore Sweets offers candy and ice cream.

It has been nearly 20 years since I’ve dined at the Flying Fish. We don’t visit the signature dining restaurants too often, and there are so many other favorites on property that it is easy to overlook other restaurants.

Promenade Pier is where guests can catch a Friendship Boat at the Boardwalk.

Snacks can be found nearby.

Jeff and I tried a surrey bike elsewhere – once. That was enough. I prefer regular bikes, though it is always fun to watch guests trying to climb a hill in one (but watch for them as they speed down!)

This courtyard is used for the yearly Christmas tree and some events.

The Screen Door General Store is coming up on the left. There are several shops under one roof, and the Screen Door features housewares, drinks, microwavable items and such.