On this trip to Wally World, we decided to step it up in the accommodations department instead of the usual International Drive flop houses. I would say the step up was well worth it, as this happens to be one of the nicer Disney properties, without being a total budget buster. Most surprising was the fact that this is a 900 room property, but it only feels about 1/5 that size.
We decided to self-park, as the brother in law who arrived several hours before us said the valet guy had a major attitude. Self parking was easy, albeit a bit of a trek. We arrived well before check in time, and there was a greeter who ushered us to the check in desk. I was expecting a time share selljob, but I guess I'm a little jaded as this never happened. Check in was fast and friendly, and no issues with getting into our room 3 hours early. The room was uber-clean and updated, and free internet ( yay!). We had an inner view, but who cares as we didn't come to spend much time in the hotel. The view was fine, and the hotel is very comfy.
The best part is having the action right at your doorstep. The boardwalk brings you some good dining choices, and a 5 minute stroll brings you to the back exit of Epcot ( right by Jolly Olde England). This is the best way to enter Epcot, no lines, and no crowds. Buy your ticket and step right up. Just remember that the countries don't open until 11 am, although the park opens at 9am. If you come early, go up to the front and get your fast pass for Soarin, and then make your restaurant reservations at the Guest Services location by the big "golf ball". Make sure you reserve the new Italian place for lunch and Chinese for dinner. Both are reasonably priced and well staffed, with great food. If you try and show up without a reservation ( particularly between 12-2pm) you will likely not get in, and end up eating the usual fast food slop.
The best part is that once you've walked around the world a few times, you're just a short walk back to your hotel, or if you're really rubber legged, you can take a boat right as you walk out of Epcot and cruise straight up to your hotel.
Bus service to the Magic Kingdom is right out the front of the hotel, about every 20 minutes. The bus brings you right to the main entrance,and you really can't beat that.
If you can swing the extra money to stay on the Boardwalk, I highly recommend it. It is both relaxing and convenient, and will make your vacation that much more memorable!

I selected the Boardwalk for my stay because it was one of the two Deluxe resorts I had not stayed in yet and because it is within walking distance of Epcot and Hollywood Studios. The ability to go back to your room, say for a jacket in the evening, without it being a two hour process on Disney transportation is a huge advantage.
The Boardwalk decor makes me think of a well-to-do Great Aunt's seaside house (lots of antique knickknacks on display) but it manages to come across as cheerful and inviting. At the end of my hallway was a cute sitting area with chairs worthy of a curl up with a good book and a tea service cart. The main pool has a carnval theme with elephants spouting water, a carousel themed snack bar, and a water slide that exits through a clown face (personally, I find clowns kind of creepy but I'm sure the intention was cheerful). Even at the fitness center the walls have yellow and red stripes and the weight machines are upholstered in bright blue.
Speaking of the fitness center, it was fairly decent for a hotel gym. There were 4 elipticals, 4 treadmills, 1 stair climber, 3 cyles, 2 sets of free weights, and other various machines. There was also a sauna and a steam room but these (as well as the bathrooms) were locked when I was there at 5am. You can easily use the path around Cresent Lake or the path to Hollywood Studios for jogging.
My room was in the main building so I had easy access to the Boardwalk area, the bus service station, etc. When I went downstairs to check out the quiet pool for my area I found it in a peaceful courtyard surrounded by cottage suites that looked like they were specifically designed for honeymooners. Each had a picket fence with a trellis and a gate design with roses or doves. Very charming.
While there is not restaurant within the resort itself, you can get morning rolls and coffee at the Belle Vue Lounge. There are plenty of eating options on the Boardwalk or at the other nearby Epcot Resorts. The Boardwalk also has an area with carnival type games and street performers in the evening.
The only disadvantage I experienced was the shared bus service with other resorts. The multiple stops can really eat up time. It seems to me that if you are paying to stay in a Deluxe Resort, a bus service exclusive to your resort should be de rigueur.
Of all the Epcot Resorts, I found the Boardwalk to have the most character, the best access to Epcot and Hollywood Studios, and the most variety of entertainments. I find it highly likely that I will return.

A package deal is the way to go for all the seperate costs of dinning, park passes and hotel stays. We hadn't been to Disney in a few years and things had changed a lot, water shuttle to Epcot and Disney studios was a big help. Rooms were clean, spacious and comfortable with a patio. I would stay there again.

Had a great room with balcony view of epcot fireworks each night. We walked into epcot & took the boat back. We like this hotel better than yaht & beach club hotels because their hallways are dark, creepy & maze-like. The boardwalk is bright, cheery, & modern. Check in desk lady was blahh - not the usual really happy, friendly Disney employee. There was another disney guest at the desk with a problem & the desk staff wasn't very happy or friendly to him either. The self park is a pain, but most of these deluxe Disney resorts are - long walks & we drag our luggage along because it seems that trying to check in early that the rooms are never ready - leave luggage in car until room is ready. The quiet pool was WONDERFULL - went out to the pool every night - clean, quiet, towels available at pool, nice modern clean restrooms, warm water & had a jacuzzi too! ESPN zone was fun - but pricey - great grilled fish sandwich - no beer specials.