Disney's BoardWalk: New 2026 Experiences and How to Prep

Published June 19, 2026 · Updated September 15, 2026

The short answer: The insider tip: Do not sleep on the Spiced Fries. Seriously, get them. They are one of the best savory snacks on the entire promenade and the perfect pairing for a drink.

Disney is officially prepping the BoardWalk for some major updates, with new experiences set to open in late 2026 to replace a few venues that have been sitting empty.

While the prospect of new additions is exciting, the BoardWalk remains one of the smartest tactical plays for your Disney World trip right now. Because it’s just a short walk or boat ride from EPCOT’s International Gateway and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, it serves as the perfect escape hatch when park crowds peak.

Here is how I’d actually tackle the BoardWalk right now, well before the 2026 additions arrive.

The Secretly Popular Dining Move

If you’re tired of battling for hard-to-get dining reservations inside EPCOT, walk out the International Gateway and head straight to Trattoria al Forno. This is a quietly popular fan-favorite among Disney veterans. It rarely has the overwhelming chaotic energy of an in-park restaurant, making it an ideal spot to decompress while getting a genuinely good meal.

The Cake Bake Shop: Know What You’re Getting Into

The Cake Bake Shop Restaurant is one of the newer additions to the BoardWalk, and the food is great—but the prices can cause genuine sticker shock. They famously offer a $75 Millionaire Sundae. If you want to check out the gorgeous interior without breaking the bank, skip the massive entrees and go for the afternoon tea, or simply grab a slice of their seasonal cake to split.

AbracadaBar: The Smart Evening Play

If you want a drink after the parks close, AbracadaBar is the move. According to the lore, this lounge was the secret haunt of 1940s magicians who mysteriously vanished over 70 years ago. It serves up signature “Curious Cocktails” in a heavily themed environment.

The insider tip: Do not sleep on the Spiced Fries. Seriously, get them. They are one of the best savory snacks on the entire promenade and the perfect pairing for a drink.

Hotel Perks: Skip the Character Lines

If you’re actually staying at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn (perhaps treating yourself to one of their incredible, albeit pricey, Club Level Garden Cottages), pay attention to the signage in the lobby. Disney has recently instituted scheduled character appearances at their resort hotels. You can check the signs to see exactly when characters will be greeting guests. It is an incredibly easy way to meet favorites without burning a Lightning Lane Multi Pass selection or standing in the sun for an hour inside the parks.

The SupaPark Takeaway

Don’t wait for 2026 to visit the BoardWalk. Whether you’re staying there or just using it as a mid-day EPCOT escape, use it for what it is: a tactical retreat with better lounges, solid under-the-radar dining, and a fraction of the park crowds. If you’re hunting for a last-minute table at Trattoria al Forno, remember to use SupaPark’s Drop Watch to get pinged the second a reservation opens up.

Go deeper — the full guides: Ultimate Guide to Character Meet-Ups, Shows & Entertainment at Walt Disney World · Hollywood Studios Deep Dive: Master Galaxy’s Edge, Rise of the Resistance, Toy Story Land & Shows · Disney World Secrets, Hidden Mickeys & Pro Hacks

SupaPark tracks live wait times and crowd forecasts, and pings you the second a hard-to-get reservation opens or a ride goes walk-on — free to start at supapark.com.

Keep planning: today’s crowd forecast · is Lightning Lane worth it