Gumbo was visiting Walt Disney World. Specifically, he was visiting the “Epcot Resort” region which surrounds Crescent Lake, including the Beach and Yacht Club resorts and Disney’s Boardwalk. Congratulations to the following who solved our puzzle in this order: Jeanette Burghy (via Twitter), Traveling Canuck and Jonathan L.
(Disney’s Beach Club)
Few places do a better job of creating false realities than Disney World. From most of the photos I put up as clues, I would have thought I was at an northeastern coastal resort, as several people suggested. Instead we were in Orlando, Florida, and at a place that gave us the very carefully crafted impression we were somewhere else. It’s one of the many aspects of the Disney parks I really enjoy.
(Disney’s Beach Club)
(An explorable shipwreck at Disney’s Beach and Yacht Clubs)
The Beach and Yacht Club resorts are designed in the New England style and feature the top quality amenities you’d expect when staying at Disney — comfortable rooms, pools, a variety of eateries — but also has a sandy beach, beach volleyball, a firepit on the beach, a lighthouse, and a carefully crafted shipwreck you and your family can explore.
(Lighthouse at the Disney Yacht Club)
It’s a short walk from Epcot Center …….
and a boat will take you to Disney’s Hollywood Studios if that’s where you’d like to spend a day.
On the other side of the Crescent lake is Disney’s Boardwalk. Like Disney Springs, it doesn’t require an admission fee to visit and you can stroll this boardwalk and enjoy the recreated feel of walking beside the cool Atlantic. There are a variety of games and arcades, fine places to eat, pubs and a sports bar, and a dancing hall. The Boardwalk really comes alive when the sun goes down and is a popular place to be able to enjoy the Epcot fireworks for free.
(Disney’s Boardwalk, viewed from across Crescent Lake)
I didn’t stay at any of these properties, but they were beside the Disney Swan Resort where I attended a medical meeting. Everyday during our lunch break I’d walk the one mile or so loop around the boardwalk and enjoy the craftsmanship and feeling that I was somewhere else. It was a welcome and most pleasant distraction.
More scenes of the Boardwalk follow:
(The massive Disney Dolphin resort dwarves the Boardwalk’s Dance Hall)
