In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun.
Over the last nine years of my career, there have been a handful of times when planning vacations has overlapped with being on vacation, and in such cases I happily adhere to the Mary Poppins philosophy noted above. Sometimes this has meant doing research in Walt Disney World for Guests who had special circumstances, like timing how long it would take me to walk from a hotel room at the Contemporary Resort to the monorail platform. For a Guest recovering from a traumatic brain injury, equipping them with as much information as possible about how easily they could get to and from the theme parks would allow them to plan their days with more confidence. Sometimes it means bringing my notebook to dinner and jotting down our thoughts on the food we order, or learning from our mistake when we didn’t bring a rain cover for our stroller, or giving a Guest directions to the Baby Care Center. My goal is to help you vacation like an expert, no matter your level of experience, so every vacation I take involves some kind of research component (and so far, my family doesn’t mind it too much).
Other times, the work/vacation overlap is less about practical experience, and more about needing to answer as many emails as possible while still enjoying time with my family. And so, this post will be dedicated with much love, to my two favorite places to disperse electronic correspondence faster than Lightning McQueen in the Piston Cup. If you find yourself in need of a workspace in Walt Disney World, or if you’d like a quiet place to read a good book, here are my recommendations:
The Belle Vue Lounge, Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
Disney’s BoardWalk Inn opened in 1996, and is half Disney Vacation Club resort and half Disney Deluxe hotel. It is situated in the Epcot resort area bordering Crescent Lake, within walking distance of both Epcot and Hollywood Studios, and offers boat access to both of these theme parks as well. The resort is themed after the Atlantic seaside resorts of the early 20th century, and is appropriately adorned with vintage style furnishings and amusements. To find the Belle Vue Lounge, as you enter the BoardWalk Lobby from the front of the resort, turn right and you’ll pass through a corridor with windows on both sides that offers a pleasant view of the boardwalk area below. If you have a minute to spare, there is an antique nickelodeon in this hallway, ready to offer you entertainment in the style of days gone by. Continuing straight ahead, past the bank of elevators, you’ll find the Belle Vue Lounge, situated just beyond the stairs leading down to the boardwalk.
From 7 to 11 AM, the lounge offers a continental breakfast, and from 5 to 11 PM, there is a wide selection of beer, wine, cocktails, and mocktails served. If you’re seeking quiet, you’ll find it between these two service windows in the afternoon, when the lounge is not offering food or beverages. The seating is comfortable, the music is subdued but lively enough to encourage an efficient pace, and if you’re near the windows the view of the boardwalk below is lovely. The restrooms are conveniently nearby (you passed them at the end of the windowed corridor), and you have a bevy of dining options for lunch if your schedule allows. My choice for quick yet indulgent fare would be the Boardwalk Bakery, maybe a 2-3 minute walk from the lounge. Here you’ll find sandwiches and salads, but more importantly pastries. Yes, sometimes I plan my work day around the proximity of baked goods. No, I am not ashamed. If you are staying in the Epcot resort area, or your group is visiting Epcot or Hollywood Studios, this is a very convenient place to be on the job, but still on vacation.
The Carolwood Pacific Room, Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge opened in 1994, with the addition of the Boulder Ridge Villas opening in 2000. This resort is themed after the National Parks lodges of the American west in the 19th century, with the building that houses the Boulder Ridge Villas having an additional layer of theming dedicated to railroads. The soaring lobby in the main lodge building is architecturally stunning and a lovely place to pass time, but for the purpose of working I prefer the smaller, though still beautiful, common areas in the separate villas building. In the main lodge lobby, the check-in desk is on your right as you enter from the front of the resort. Between the bank of elevators and the gift shop, there is an exit to the bus transportation area. If you continue straight, down the covered walkway (rather than veering right for buses or left for boats), you’ll enter the villas building. Straight ahead, you’ll find the lobby with some seating and a cozy stone fireplace. It’s also home to one of my favorite hidden Mickeys (if you ask nicely, I’ll tell you where to find him).
If you take an immediate right upon entering the building, or if you pass through the lobby and turn right past the fireplace, you’ll enter the Carolwood Pacific Room. This room is named after Walt Disney’s personal 1:8 scale railroad from his home on Carolwood Drive. You’ll find comfortable seating, tables if you need them, a serene view of the surrounding trees, and also some memorabilia dedicated to Walt’s love of trains that includes an original train car from the Carolwood Pacific. From one of the stately leather chairs by the fire, you can see that even the fire screen is embellished with a train motif. You’ll be inspired by the beauty of your surroundings, but also by the majestic soundtrack, featuring great American composers like Aaron Copland. Restrooms are located just across from the entrance to the Carolwood Pacific Room, as you head toward the exit for the villas pool.
For the most expedient victuals to fuel your work day, Roaring Fork is located back in the main lodge building, about a five minute walk from the Carolwood Pacific Room. Or, if you have a little more time, Geyser Point Bar & Grill would be my personal choice for a meal. This restaurant is nestled on the shore of Bay Lake, just beyond the pool nearest the villas, and the view is nearly as delightful as the food. The cheesy brisket appetizer is so good you won’t want to share, but we have thoroughly enjoyed everything we’ve ordered here. You can’t miss. If you need some time to digest before returning to your toil, stop by the Fire Rock Geyser which erupts at the top of each hour, or maybe take a stroll through the Cascade Cabins or down to the boat dock.
Honorable Mention
If we’ve spoken in person about anything relating to Disney, you probably have a feel for how difficult it is for me to declare a “favorite” anything. So, while these two spots do hold a special place in my heart for the times I’ve spent there working with Guests or even finding a quiet moment on vacation, there are two others that I think are also worth mentioning. The first is inside the main lobby of the Wilderness Lodge. On the fourth floor, toward the front of the building, you’ll find sturdy craftsman-style writing desks where the kids and I like to fill out our post cards. If you don’t mind the hustle and bustle of the lobby below, and won’t be distracted by the tantalizing smells wafting from the Whispering Canyon Cafe, this is a fun place to check some items off your to-do list.
For a decidedly more exotic locale, the Library just off the lobby at Kidani Village is also a lovely “out of office” office. Floor to ceiling windows afford a view of the animals grazing on the Savanna, and though this is a picturesque venue, it is often unoccupied by other Guests. And listen, since you’re already there, you definitely need to go downstairs to Sanaa and try their bread service with a selection of five breads and nine different dips. It is a veritable feast that makes me hungry even as I type this.
I know that working while you’re on vacation may not be ideal, but in any of these locations, it might just be another thing you enjoy about your time in Walt Disney World.
