
Universal's Loews Sapphire Falls Resort
Best for Universal park access, a single large family-friendly pool, and Caribbean-style dining and bars.
Prices in other currencies are estimates. You’re charged in USD.
Universal's Loews Sapphire Falls Resort is a 4-star, Caribbean-themed hotel next to Universal Orlando with a large zero-entry pool and water taxi access to the parks. Disney's BoardWalk Inn is a classic-style Disney deluxe resort on Crescent Lake near EPCOT—good for travelers who want a Disney-flavored stay and easy access to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios.
Updated · about 12 miles apart

Best for Universal park access, a single large family-friendly pool, and Caribbean-style dining and bars.

Best for being inside the Disney resort area with easy walking/boat access to EPCOT and a classic boardwalk entertainment atmosphere.
When Universal's Loews Sapphire Falls Resort wins: choose Sapphire Falls if you prioritize walking or water-taxi access to Universal parks, want a large resort pool with a waterslide and white-sand beach, or prefer a Caribbean-styled hotel with rum-focused bars and family-friendly rooms including Kids' Suites.
When Disney's BoardWalk Inn wins: choose the BoardWalk Inn if you want to be inside the Disney resort area with short rides or walks to EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios, value Disney dining/entertainment along the waterfront promenade, and prefer the signature Disney deluxe ambience.
Bottom line: Pick Sapphire Falls for Universal-centric vacations and a resort-pool experience; pick BoardWalk Inn if your trip is Disney-focused and you want the Disney resort-district atmosphere and proximity to EPCOT.
| Category | Universal's Loews Sapphire Falls Resort | Disney's BoardWalk Inn |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Caribbean-inspired, relaxed family resort | Classic Disney seaside boardwalk, entertainment-focused |
| Location (closest parks) | Within walking distance / water taxi to Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, Volcano Bay | Short drive/boat/walk to EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios |
| Size | 1,000 rooms including 83 suites | 378 guestrooms |
| Ages / audience | All ages; family-friendly (Kids' Suites available) | All ages; family-friendly (not adults-only) |
| Pools / beach | One 16,000 sq ft zero-entry pool with white-sand beaches, water slide, hot tub, splash pad | Outdoor pool(s); waterslide Not published |
| Restaurants & bars | Amatista Cookhouse, Strong Water Tavern, Drhum Club Kantine, New Dutch Trading Co., 24-hour room service | 4 restaurants, a coffee shop/cafe, bar/lounge, room service (limited hours) |
| Spa & wellness | Fitness center with sauna/steam; no on-site spa (access to Mandara Spa at nearby Portofino Bay available) | Health club, sauna, steam room, spa treatment room(s) |
| Known for | Easy Universal park access, large resort pool, Caribbean theme and rum program | Boardwalk entertainment/dining near EPCOT, classic Disney theming |
| Transport perks | Complimentary water taxi and shuttle to Universal parks; early park admission with valid ticket | Complimentary shuttle to parks; within Disney resort area—short trips to EPCOT/Studios |
| Meeting & event space | Extensive meeting space and large ballrooms (tens of thousands sq ft) | Conference space and meeting rooms (smaller footprint than Loews complex) |
Loews Sapphire Falls sits inside Universal Orlando with short walks and a water taxi to the Universal parks.
Best pick for guests whose days center on Universal parks and CityWalk nightlife.
Disney's BoardWalk Inn is located on Crescent Lake in the EPCOT resort area, within short rides or walks to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios.
Best pick for guests who want to spend most of their time in the Disney parks and enjoy the waterfront promenade atmosphere.
Sapphire Falls offers roughly 1,000 rooms including themed Kids' Suites and a mix of standard rooms and suites.
Good choice for families who want dedicated kids’ accommodations and consistently sized standard rooms.
BoardWalk Inn offers 378 guestrooms, a mix of Resort View, Water View and Club Level room types and several accessible room configurations.
Best for travelers who want Disney-standard rooms, accessible room options, and Club Level choices.
Sapphire Falls focuses on Caribbean-inspired full-service and casual dining with a rum-focused bar.
Choose Sapphire Falls if you want Caribbean menus, rum tastings, and poolside dining.
BoardWalk Inn provides several restaurants, a coffee shop, and waterfront dining options tied to the boardwalk entertainment district.
Pick BoardWalk Inn for Disney-area dining variety and easy access to additional boardwalk restaurants and night spots.
Sapphire Falls' main attraction is its single large 16,000 sq ft zero-entry pool with white-sand beaches and waterslide.
If a big resort pool and waterslide are priorities, Sapphire Falls is the stronger option.
BoardWalk Inn features outdoor pool amenities and waterfront access to Crescent Lake and the boardwalk entertainment area.
BoardWalk Inn is best if you want the Disney boardwalk environment and proximity to Disney attractions rather than a single large resort waterslide complex.
Sapphire Falls provides a fitness center, sauna/steam room and a lively bar scene with themed evenings.
Good mix of fitness amenities and casual nightlife oriented to families and adults alike.
BoardWalk Inn offers health-club amenities, spa treatment rooms, and an entertainment strip with nighttime dining and bars nearby.
BoardWalk Inn suits travelers who want Disney-area evening entertainment steps from their room and in-house wellness options.

Short walk and water-taxi connections to Universal parks and CityWalk; early park admission with a valid ticket.

BoardWalk Inn places you in the EPCOT resort-area entertainment district with easy access to EPCOT and Studios.

A single 16,000 sq ft zero-entry pool with white-sand beaches, waterslide, hot tub and splash pad.

BoardWalk’s waterfront restaurants, promenade and nearby Disney dining options deliver a classic Disney evening experience.
Loews Sapphire Falls is inside the Universal Orlando complex and offers walking and water-taxi access to the Universal parks.
Disney's BoardWalk Inn is in the EPCOT resort area and is the more convenient choice for visiting EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios.
No. Both hotels welcome guests of all ages; neither property is adults-only.
No on-site spa is listed for Sapphire Falls; guests can access Mandara Spa at nearby Loews Portofino Bay Hotel.
Explore how Universal's Loews Sapphire Falls Resort stacks up against other hotels nearby:
vs. sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and other OTAs ·