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The Family Vacation Guide

Disney’s Beach Club vs Yacht Club: Which Should You Choose?

posted by James Brockbank on September 3, 2022 // last updated on September 19, 2022

One of the best parts of planning a family vacation to Walt Disney World near Orlando, Florida , is choosing where to stay.

Disney owns and operates more than 20 resorts and other accommodations on their central Florida property, in addition to the dozens of others nearby.

If Disney’s Beach Club Resort and Disney’s Yacht Club Resort are among your options, you might be wondering which is better. After all, they’re located directly next door to each other, and the theming is similar. 

Despite having much in common, these two hotels have some key differences that make them distinct. Below, we’ll talk about the perks of staying in one of Disney’s hotels and what the Yacht and Beach Clubs have in common. Then, we’ll dive into what makes them distinct. That way, you can make the best choice for your family vacation.

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Experienced Disney vacationers will tell you that staying “on-property” has many advantages that can help you get the most out of your time in the most magical place on earth.

Each day, the four theme parks in Walt Disney World– Magic Kingdom , EPCOT , Hollywood Studios , and Animal Kingdom –open 30 minutes early for resort guests. That means you can get to the park in the morning and head to a couple of your favorite attractions without worrying about crowds.

At times in the past, Disney had offered “Extra Magic Hours” when parks opened even earlier or stayed open late in the evening for resort guests. While Disney isn’t offering them now, it certainly could return in the future.

Genie+ is the paid reservation system that allows guests to reserve times to visit top attractions. Time slots become available to park guests when the park opens for the day. 

However, guests with resort reservations linked to their accounts can make their first selections at 7 AM. That’s a distinct advantage over everyone else. What’s more, reservations for some of the most popular rides sometimes go quick.

Disney provides regular, reliable transportation from all of its hotels to its four theme parks, two water parks, and Disney Springs shopping and entertainment district. Buses run to each destination from every hotel about every 30 minutes.

In addition, there are boats and water taxis, the Skyliner gondola system, the monorail, and walking trails from several resorts. Below, we’ll talk about what’s available at the Yacht and Beach Clubs.

An often-overlooked advantage of staying at a Disney hotel is on-site guest relations. You can visit this desk to take care of a range of questions and issues before visiting the parks. You can purchase or verify tickets, make and confirm park and dining reservations, and schedule tours and special events.

Of course, guest relations is available at the entrance to all theme parks and water parks. However, there can be long lines, especially at the beginning of the day. What’s more, visiting the desk in the park takes away from your time enjoying attractions.  

What Do the Yacht and Beach Clubs Have in Common?

If you’ve done your research, you may already know that the Yacht and Beach Clubs are next to each other. They’re also often discussed together since they share so many amenities and features. 

Before we discuss what makes them unique so you can choose between them, it’s helpful to look at what they share. That way, you can get a total picture of what it would be like to spend your family vacation there.

Both the Beach Club and Yacht Club are Disney Deluxe Resorts . This is the top tier of hotels on Disney property, ahead of value resorts like Art of Animation and All-Star Sports and moderate resorts such as Coronado Springs and Port Orleans Riverside.

As you might expect, deluxe resorts have the best of everything. The rooms tend to be larger, the hotel lobbies and fixtures more opulent, and the theming is more detailed. There are better pools (with slides), more amenities (such as spas and shops), and more dining options.

Deluxe resorts have several unique features and perks. Sometimes, Disney parks stay open late for guests of deluxe resorts. They tend to have great locations with better access to the parks and transportation options. Of course, it all comes at a price. Deluxe resorts start at around $450 and increase sharply from there. 

The location is one of the best things about staying at the Yacht or Beach Club. They are two of the three resorts located directly near EPCOT. 

If you enjoy the thrilling attractions in Future World or a leisurely stroll through the World Showcase, you might like the Yacht and Beach Clubs even more than the Magic Kingdom monorail hotels–The Grand Floridian, Polynesian Village, and the Contemporary.

Let’s zoom in on the three things that make this location spectacular.

The Yacht and Beach Clubs are about a ten or 15-minute walk from EPCOT . One of four theme parks in Walt Disney World, EPCOT has so much to offer. It’s split into two major worlds, and they almost feel like two separate worlds.

Future World has some of the most thrilling attractions in any of the parks, including Soarin’ , Test Track , and the brand new Guardians of the Galaxy roller coaster, Cosmic Rewind . 

Then, there’s the World Showcase, with pavilions from 11 countries around the world. Sample food, drink, merchandise, and culture without leaving central Florida.

The new Skyliner transportation system is just before you reach the World Gateway entrance to EPCOT. The Skyliner is a gondola system that connects several popular spots around the “world,” including Hollywood Studios, Riviera Resort, and several other hotels.

The Skyliner has revolutionized how people get around Walt Disney World. Many guests hated waiting for and riding buses to and from the parks, but the Skyliner has turned that experience into a ride in itself.

Guests at the Yacht and Beach Club can easily walk to the Skyliner. The Beach Club is a bit closer, but it only takes about ten minutes from the Yacht Club lobby.

The Boardwalk Hotel is on the same walking trail as the Yacht and Beach Club. In addition to the hotel is the Boardwalk entertainment area. While it’s much smaller than Disney Springs, you can find shops, restaurants, and entertainment. 

One of the Boardwalk’s favorites is Jelly Rolls, a dueling piano bar. The Atlantic Dance Hall opens nightly for drinks and dancing.

Most room accommodations at the Yacht and Beach Club are the same. Standard rooms include one king or two queen beds, and some have a pull-down bed under the television. 

Daily housekeeping is included, and guests can choose from water, pool, and garden views. In addition, both hotels have suites and a club or concierge level.

The best part of staying at the Yacht or Beach Club is arguably the main pool. The most popular on Disney property, Stormalong Bay encompasses three acres of space. There’s a lazy river, three whirlpool spas, and a life-size replica of a shipwreck with a 230-foot waterslide. It’s partially sand-bottom, and there’s a sandy beach to play on.

If you prefer a quieter poolside experience, there are three more leisure pools for use by guests at the Beach and Yacht Clubs: the Admiral Pool, Dunes Cove, and the Tidal Pool. All three have whirlpool spas and other amenities.

The Yacht and Beach Club share transportation, and the great news is how easy it is to get around Walt Disney World from both of these hotels.

The bus stop is located outside the main lobby of the Yacht Club. Buses run about every 30 minutes to the parks, water parks, and Disney Springs. The bus is the best way to get to Animal Kingdom, Disney Springs, and the Magic Kingdom.

There is also a boat launch behind the lobby of the Yacht Club on Crescent Lake. The boats take guests to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios and are a leisurely way to get to both parks.

As mentioned above, the Skyliner is about a ten-minute walk from the Yacht and Beach Clubs. The Skyliner takes guests to Hollywood Studios and is the fastest way to get there. 

We mentioned walking into EPCOT from these resorts, but you can also walk to Hollywood Studios. The path winds for about one mile around the water.

Finally, while the Yacht and Beach Clubs aren’t located on the monorail, you can access the monorail through EPCOT. You will need a theme park reservation at EPCOT or a park hopper ticket (useable after 2 PM) to access the monorail. However, it can take you to the Magic Kingdom.

The two resorts also share much of the same entertainment and recreation options. Moreover, guests at either hotel are almost always welcome to use amenities at the other one.

The resorts jointly host nightly campfires (weather permitting) and movies under the stars (indoors in inclement weather). There are tennis courts, volleyball courts, jogging trails, arcades, boat rentals, and fishing. There’s also a full fitness center and salon at Ship Shape Massage Salon Fitness. 

What Makes Disney’s Beach Club Different?

Now that you know all the things that Disney’s Yacht and Beach Clubs share, we can look at meaningful ways that they differ. 

One of them is written right into their names. Even though the themes at the resorts are similar, they are distinct from each other. The Beach Club is reminiscent of classic Atlantic and New Jersey seaside resorts around the turn of the 20th century. 

It’s bright and cheerful, with light pastel colors throughout. You’ll notice elements of gingerbread-style and Victorian architecture, almost like an upscale beach cottage. The atmosphere is designed to be more relaxed and calming.

There are several other important ways that the two hotels differ. Here’s what’s unique to the Beach Club.

One thing that makes the Beach Club distinct is the presence of Disney Vacation Club villas. Disney Vacation Club is a vacation ownership company that sells timeshares in select Disney resorts worldwide. It also offers exceptional experiences, excursions, and reciprocity with RCI for members in good standing to use their annual allotment of points.

There are only 282 villas at the Beach Club, making it among the smallest in the collection. There are studios with kitchenettes and one, two, and three-bedroom villas with full kitchens.

You don’t need to be a DVC member to book the villas. In fact, many non-members love the villas for family reunions and space to spread out. They typically cost more than standard rooms per night.

You don’t have to be a guest at the Beach Club to dine in any of its restaurants. Anyone can make a reservation or drop in for table availability, but guests of this resort will be closer and find it easier to eat at these.

Cape May Cafe is a popular buffet spot for breakfast and dinner. Beaches and Cream Soda Shop has diner offerings for lunch and dinner and is known for its incredible ice cream. Martha’s Vineyard serves lunch but is best known for its bar service and wine selection. Finally, the Beach Club Marketplace offers counter-service and grab-and-go dining options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. 

Some guests prefer the Beach Club’s location because it is closer to EPCOT and the Skyliner. It takes about five or ten more minutes to get there from the Yacht Club, depending on where your room is situated. However, most of the rooms at the Yacht Club are closer to Stormalong Bay than at the Beach Club.

Even though guests of either resort can use all the amenities, it’s worth mentioning the ones that are located at the Beach Club:

• Dunes Cove Pool
• Volleyball courts

What Makes the Yacht Club Different?

Several elements distinguish the Yacht Club from the Beach Club, and the first is the theme. While the Beach Club is designed to look and feel like a relaxed yet refined seaside resort, the Yacht Club is more stately.

The Yacht Club is reminiscent of a grand, exclusive New England yachting or boating resort, visited by titans of industry, politicians, and some of the oldest families in America. It is elegant, plush, and nautical. In contrast to the whimsical pastels at the Beach Club, you’ll see dark blues and wood tones against white finishes. 

Perhaps because of the prestige, the Yacht Club’s prices tend to be slightly higher than the Beach Club’s, though not substantially. The rooms at both resorts follow their themes but are around the same size.

While the Beach Club has Disney Vacation Club villas, the Yacht Club has a convention center, which frequently contributes to the more formal atmosphere at the Yacht Club. In fact, the resort itself was designed to host conventions, and its setup is conducive to that.

The convention center has more than 100,000 square feet of flexible meeting and event space. The hotel has almost 2,000 guest rooms, most of which are standard. Nearly 140 are located on the club level, perfect for executives. Couples also often hold weddings at the Yacht Club, and the nearby wedding gazebo is a convenient ceremony space. 

There are several dining options at the Yacht Club, and true to its theme, most of them are more formal than the ones you’ll find at the Beach Club. The main restaurant is the Yachtsman’s Steakhouse , a traditional New England steakhouse. It is one of the more formal restaurants in Walt Disney World and is only open for dinner. 

In addition, the less-formal Ale and Compass restaurant is a gastropub serving Yankee comfort food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The Marketplace at Ale and Compass offers counter-service and grab-and-go dining options.

Finally, two bars offer drinks and light snacks: the Ale and Compass Lounge and the Crew’s Cup Lounge. 

These are the recreation and amenities offered at the Yacht Club:

• Admiral Pool
• Tennis courts
• Ship Shape Massage Salon Fitness

If you plan to spend the bulk of your Florida vacation in Walt Disney World, we strongly recommend staying at a Disney hotel for all the reasons discussed above. But which is better–the Beach Club or Yacht Club?

As you can see, Disney’s Beach Club Resort and Yacht Club Resort have a lot in common and share many of the same amenities and perks. However, they have distinct themes that create different atmospheres. The Beach Club is more relaxed and refined, while the Yacht Club is more stately and elegant.

Regardless of where you and your family decide to stay, the most important thing is that you enjoy your time together at Walt Disney World. And don’t forget to check out Stormalong Bay–it’s the best part of either hotel!

More about our TFVG Author

James Brockbank

A seasoned traveller, Dad, and avid sports tourist, James foundered The Family Vacation Guide to share his expert vacation experiences- especially when it comes to being a travelling family man.

Featured in Travel articles such as Travel + Leisure, TripSavvy and SFGate, you know you're reading some of the best vacation tips online.

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Where Should I Stay? Disney Yacht Club Vs Beach Club Comparisons Guide

So you’re planning your 2024 Walt Disney World vacation and stuck between the Disney Beach Club vs Yacht Club. Both the Disney Beach Club Resort and Disney’s Yacht Club Resort are deluxe hotels found on the Walt Disney World Boardwalk. These two resorts share the shame building space and are commonly confused as the same Disney Resort, especially with their similar themes. That’s why we have taken the time to break out everything you need to know about both Disney’s Beach and Yacht Club.

We hope you find this post helpful, and if you are planning a trip to Disney World be sure to check out our other FREE vacation planning tools. Our goal at The Park Prodigy has always been to help you save time and money on your next vacation. This includes helping you find the best time to buy Disney World tickets  as well as book amazing  Walt Disney World vacation packages!

So if you’re ready to decide if you would prefer to stay at the Disney Yacht Club or Beach Club read on!

SPECIAL NOTE: If you’re looking for the best time to visit Walt Disney World be sure to check out our Disney Crowd Calendar! 

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Disney’s Yacht Club Vs Beach Club

When deciding between the Disney Yacht Club and Beach Club for your vacation, it’s essential to understand their unique features and the subtle differences that might influence your choice. Both resorts offer luxurious accommodations with a nautical theme, sharing many amenities, including the acclaimed Stormalong Bay pool. However, their distinct styles, room options, and proximity to Disney parks set them apart.

Thematic Differences

• Disney Yacht Club: Features a more formal, sophisticated theme inspired by the seaside cottages of the Northeast, with a color palette of modern greys and whites. It’s designed to offer an elegant experience reminiscent of a yacht club.
• Disney Beach Club: Boasts a relaxed, cheerful vibe with a design influenced by New England-style family resorts of the 1920s. Bright colors and a playful atmosphere make it feel more casual and family-friendly.

Location and Proximity to EPCOT

• Beach Club Advantage: Closer to EPCOT, making it a shorter walk (about five to ten minutes) from the majority of its rooms to the park entrance.
• Yacht Club Proximity: Slightly further from EPCOT than the Beach Club but offers closer access to shared amenities like Stormalong Bay. It’s also marginally nearer to Disney’s BoardWalk area, enhancing its appeal for guests prioritizing this entertainment district.

Room Types and Accommodations

• Both resorts offer rooms that are similar in size and start at a standard rate of approximately $522 per night . The main distinction comes in the form of Beach Club Villas, which are designed to accommodate larger groups and families, offering amenities like in-unit washers/dryers and fully equipped kitchens.

Dining Options

• Each resort houses unique dining experiences, with about five restaurants each, ranging from casual bites at Beaches & Cream Soda Shop at the Beach Club to fine dining at Yachtsman Steakhouse at the Yacht Club.

Shared Access: Guests of both resorts enjoy easy access to additional dining options on the Disney World BoardWalk , alongside quick walks to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios.

Why should I choose the Beach Club or Yacht Club?

• For a Vibrant, Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Choose the Beach Club for its lively colors, casual ambiance, and villas suited for larger groups.
• For Sophistication and Elegance: Opt for the Yacht Club if you prefer a more refined environment that echoes the luxury of a yacht club experience.

In conclusion, while both the Yacht and Beach Club Resorts offer exceptional service, amenities, and convenience for visiting Disney World, your choice might ultimately come down to personal preference regarding the theme, atmosphere, and specific accommodation needs. Whether you’re drawn to the elegance of the Yacht Club or the playful charm of the Beach Club, both promise a memorable stay.

Related Post: Complete Guide to the Walt Disney World Boardwalk 

Difference in Rooms at Yacht and Beach Club Resort 2024

If comparing the room size is part of your deciding factor for the Beach Club vs Yacht Club, we will have to call this a tie.  The rooms at the Yacht and Beach Club are pretty much identical when it comes down to size.

We will say the one advantage that the Beach Club has that the Yacht doesn’t is the addition of the Walt Disney World villas . If you are looking to enjoy a room that’s accommodating for larger groups you’ll want to take a look at having your very own villa. Having a villa can provide many benefits, if it fits in your budget. For instance, most villas have in-unit washer/dryers along with a fully equipped kitchen and living room. Villas are not for everyone, so if you don’t require one and don’t otherwise care for the color and pop of Beach Club, perhaps the Yacht Club will be a better choice. 

What is the difference between Disney Beach Club and Beach Club Villas?

As a general rule of thumb the Beach Club Villa rooms are located in a completely separate building when compared to the regular Beach Club or Yacht Club. This is actually the set up for a majority of the villas located at Walt Disney World as they are all part of the Disney Vacation Club.

Related Page: Guide to the Virtual Queue at Disney World

Location When Comparing Beach Club Vs Yacht Club 

One of the aspects that everyone should look at before picking out a hotel at Walt Disney World is the location. Location is key. Thankfully, when deciding between the Beach Club vs Yacht Club the location should not be  a factor. Both resorts are relatively close to Epcot, however, there are some advantages to each resort over the other.

For instance, the Beach Club Resort is a few minutes closer to Epcot. With this in mind, you are also that much closer to the Disney Skyliner Station which can then take you over to Hollywood Studios.

While the Yacht Club Resort is not that much farther away, if you have young ones or even elderly people with you who may need to do less walking, the Beach Club Resort may be the best option. Depending on where you stay at the Yacht Club Resort, you might be closer towards Disney’s Boardwalk than the Beach Club may be. This may not be true for all rooms, but certain rooms are indeed closer. If having quick access to the Boardwalk is a requirement for you, then maybe the Yacht Club is the best option. 

Related post:  The Complete Guide to the Disney Skyliner Route

Dining at Beach and Yacht Club Resort 2024

Is having access to the best Disney World restaurants your deciding factor between the Disney beach club vs Yacht club? You’ll be happy to find that both resorts provide an array of dining options. As we discussed though given that the resorts are essentially connected, you’ll have a ton of options close by.

When you look at the resorts separately each resort would have about five restaurants each. One thing that might be useful in deciding where you want to stay is where the restaurants are actually located. If there is a particular restaurant your family wants to eat at, maybe consider the resort that is closer towards that particular restaurant. Below is the complete list of restaurants at each resort. 

What are the Disney Beach Club restaurants?

• Cape May Cafe
• Martha’s Vineyard
• Beaches & Cream Soda Shop
• Hurricane Hanna’s

What are the Disney Yacht Club Restaurants ?

• Yachtsman Steakhouse
• Crew’s Cup Lounge
• Ale & Compass
• Market at Ale & Compass

Related post:  Complete Guide to the Disney World Boardwalk in 2022

Disney’s Yacht Club vs Beach Club – In Conclusion

In conclusion, there are not a lot of differences between each resort. The pool for instance, is shared between both resorts. While very subtle, they do have certain advantages/disadvantages over one or the other. When deciding on whether or not to stay at the Beach Club vs Yacht Club , hopefully these factors can benefit you in deciding which resort to stay at!

We think that either Disney’s Yacht Club or Beach Club would be a wonderful choice for families looking for incredible dining and entertainment, or even couples looking for a romantic night out on the BoardWalk. We love how close both the Beach Club and the Yacht Club to EPCOT, and only a boat ride away from Disney’s Hollywood Studios .

Related post: Disney Memory Maker Guide : Disney World Pictures and Disney PhotoPass

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Our   Disney  World Crowd Calendar  is the best tool to help you get the most out of your time in the parks. We break down park crowds, park hours of operation, ticket prices, and average temperature. We also break down   the best time to visit Disney World   based on specific times of the year and special events.

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Yacht Club v. Beach Club

Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts are two Crescent Lake hotels at Walt Disney World, both within walking distance of Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios and across the water from Disney’s BoardWalk Inn. In this post, we’re going to continue our ongoing Walt Disney World hotel comparison series with an entry featuring these two so you can decide which is a better option for your vacation.

Yacht and Beach Club are sister resorts that are physically connected to one another, but this does not mean they should be viewed as a pair. Debunking this “myth” of sorts is basically our main motivation for writing this comparison. In fairness, their interchangeably does apply in some regards, such as transportation, location, dining, and amenities; in terms of theme, they are stark contrasts.

We think this is very important. When you stay in a Walt Disney World resort hotel, you’re paying a significant premium over a real world venue, and that’s largely for two things: location and theming. Given that, we think choosing a theme and resort atmosphere that appeals to you is incredibly important…

Setting aside the general ‘nautical-ness’ of each resort, the theme and ambiance of Yacht Club and Beach Club and significant departures from one another. If anything, Beach Club is more comparable to BoardWalk Inn from an atmospheric perspective, whereas Yacht Club is (arguably) more like a nautical Grand Floridian.

Suffice to say, the resort theme (and by extension, the room theme) should be a significant deciding factor in this showdown. As such, the first two variables in this Walt Disney World hotel comparisons. Unlike our other entries into this series, we do not use all six elements of two different resorts to determine which is “the best.” In fact, this comparison seeks less to crown a definitive champion and more to compare and contrast…

Theme/Atmosphere: Beach Club – While technically sister resorts, I think the theme and tone of each resort is dramatically different. Beach Club has a theme resulting from former Disney CEO Michael Eisner’s obsession with his childhood vacations in the seaside communities of the Northeast. Its theme is meant to evoke the seaside resort cottages scattered around New England in the early 20th Century.

Beach Club is very laid back; both in the substance of the theme, and the styles used. There are a lot of light colors and pastels, and this makes for a relaxing environment. The only thing slightly at-odds with this is that the lobby is sometimes noisy and chaotic, moreso than the Yacht Club lobby. All things considered, though, I’d say Beach Club shares more with BoardWalk Inn in terms of theme and atmosphere than it does with Yacht Club.

By contrast, Yacht Club feels like an actual high-society yachting club set in turn of the century New England. If I were to describe it in a single word, I’d call it “stately.” The color scheme is much more muted and darker, and there’s also an abundance of deep woods, nautically-themed antiques, and rich furniture throughout the resort. The environment could pass for a place where the Kennedys and other elites might have met for liquid lunches and made power plays.

This environment can be off-putting for some families. While I think it stops well short of being stuffy or unfriendly to families, it’s definitely more sophisticated and less laid back. You’re also more likely to see business people and conventioneers around Yacht Club, since it’s adjacent to the (huge) Convention Center.

Our take is that both of these resorts offer exceptional attention to detail and do an incredible job of conveying their respective themes, and setting a tone for the resort via those themes. Which is “better” will largely be a matter of personal preference–whether you prefer refined or laid back. Our personal take is that Beach Club is a hair better from an objective perspective, and the exterior common areas (shared between the resorts) are also more in keeping with the vibe at Beach Club. Your mileage may vary.

Rooms: Yacht Club – Both resorts recently completed room refurbishments, replacing some fairly dated rooms for more modern ones. In our estimation, the end result at Yacht Club is dramatically superior. Not only is the room more well-appointed, but it does a much better job of offering a thematic extension of the resort’s common areas. As a result, the new rooms are much darker than the old ones.

Beach Club’s new rooms are nice, but bland. They remind us of mid-grade chain hotel rooms you could find pretty much anywhere, except with a light beach motif. They are not necessarily bad, but feel uninspired to us. (The Beach Club Villa rooms are better, but still not great.) Not quite what we expect given the price points of Beach Club.

With that said, both sets of rooms are very much an extension of the style of their resorts. If you find the lobby of Yacht Club ‘stuffy and drab’ you’ll feel the same way about the guest rooms. If you enjoy the ‘light and airy’ nature of Beach Club, you’ll find that extended into the guest rooms.

One caveat I figure I should mention up front, because I know it’s going to come up in the comments is that Yacht Club has a small number of dog-friendly rooms. Thus far, very few guests have brought their pets to Yacht Club, but this seems like a very big deal to some guests.

Transportation/Location: Push – This is a really poor basis for choosing between the two, but Beach Club is slightly closer to Epcot. On the other hand, that means Yacht Club is slightly closer to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. (Most people will probably take a boat there, though.) We’re talking a 1-5 minute difference, at most.

In terms of boat transportation, the two are equal as they share a boat dock. They’re also equal(ly bad) for bus transportation, with shared buses.

Amenities: Push – For this, we’re talking dining and pools, since those are usually separate categories. Since all pools and restaurants are shared between these two sister properties, there is no meaningful distinction between any of these.

With that said, it’s always worth noting that Stormalong Bay is awesome, and is a good basis for choosing either (or both!) of these resorts.

Cost: Push – Standard room rates are identical, with higher tiers seeing some differences.

Historical discounts show better offers for Yacht Club in the recent past, but that was also during the resort’s refurbishment, so we view that unlikely to continue going forward (especially with Yacht Club seeks to cater to more business travelers).

Verdict: It Depends – This is a first for us. Even in other hotel comparisons that were really close calls, we went ahead and crowned a winner. In some cases, that required really splitting hairs, or even a bit of subjectivity.

The problem here is two-fold. First, these resorts share so many amenities that it’s downright impossible to crown one victorious without splicing them down the middle and only counting those locations physically within each resort. That’s a nonsensical approach given the shared grounds, and the fact that some rooms in Yacht Club may be farther from that resort’s amenities than some Beach Club rooms (and vice-a-versa).

Second, this verdict ultimately comes down to your personal take on the atmosphere. While I would give Beach Club a slight hair in this regard objectively, the subjective side matters far, far more. A lot of families are going to dislike Yacht Club and love Beach Club, and perhaps some older couples will prefer the refined elegance of Yacht Club. (This is not to say the inverse won’t be true, too–as mentioned, it’s a lot of personal preference.)

Really, the single element of the two resorts where we think there’s a decisive advantage is in terms of room quality, where Yacht Club prevails. However, even there, we’ve encountered a lot of people who prefer the new rooms at Beach Club because of their vibe and atmosphere. So once again, even that will largely be decided by subjectivity.

Just in case you’re really indecisive, here’s our normal poll so you can see how other Walt Disney World fans feel about these two resorts:

Considering theme, atmosphere, rooms (and probably nothing else since the rest is shared), which of these two Walt Disney World hotels do you prefer: – Disney Tourist Blog (@DisTouristBlog) December 11, 2017

We’re predicting a decisive victory for Beach Club. It seems to be Disney fans’ cup of tea much more so than Yacht Club, and the new dog-friendly policy of Yacht Club will certainly cost it a few votes, too.

Ultimately, for us, Beach Club is the winner. We really enjoy both–but prefer the Yacht Club rooms–but the vibe at Beach Club is more to our tastes when on vacation. Read our full Disney’s Yacht Club Review and Disney’s Beach Club Review to see more photos of each, which can help determine which will appeal more to you.

Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews . To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!

Your Thoughts

Which resort do you prefer, Yacht Club or Beach Club? Any other considerations we didn’t take into account? Do you agree or disagree with our verdict? Any questions we can help you answer about these hotels? Hearing feedback about your experiences is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!

Written by Tom Bricker

What about the pervasive seafood smell in The Beach Club lobby? I’ve read that the smell can be very strong, and I am not a seafood (or seafood smell) lover.

Yacht club is a very nice place awesome rooms . Would recommend it

We had reservations at the Yacht Club. We arrived very early and was not allowed check in until almost 2 p.m. :-(. When we entered the room it was a train wreck! The door to the nightstand fell off, the room faced a bunch of dead trees and brush and it had wall safe with a key (ancient). We went to the front desk and asked for a better room. The manager was extremely nice and found us a water view room at the BC. It was great! The pool and restaurants are difficult to get around in/to. We always stay at the Grand and love it!

They accommodate early check ins when possible but the stated check in time is 3pm. Getting to check in an hour early is hardly something to be upset about.

Do you have any opinion or comparisons on the concierge lounges at these two resorts? I’m hoping to spend two nights at either in the near future. I’m finding it harder to find info or comparisons to the comfort, ambience, and offerings in the club lounges of these two resorts in particular.

First off, they are both excellent, so we really splitting hairs. That said, a few things to consider. Both were renovated in the last few years, but YC is newer having been completed within the last year. As mentioned in the general review, YC tends to attract a somewhat older crowd, so slighty fewer kids there. YC is also influenced a lot by conventions. If there is one at YC, the concierge level sees more activity – especially in the evening. The staff at both Clubs is excellent however YC’s is very experienced having been there a long time. Both clubs, and for that matter all of Disney’s concierge levels, have worked hard to improve the food offerings in the last year or so. I personally think the BC chef is excellent and very creative. In the end for us at least, it comes down to availability and what we have planned for that particular trip. For what it’s worth, we will be at BC Club level next week 🙂

First off, they are both excellent, so we really splitting hairs. That said, a few things to consider. Both were renovated in the last few years, but YC is newer having been completed within the last year. As mentioned in the general review, YC tends to attract a somewhat older crowd, so slightly fewer kids there. YC is also influenced a lot by conventions. If there is one at YC, the concierge level sees more activity – especially in the evening. The staff at both Clubs is excellent however YC’s is very experienced having been there a long time. Both clubs, and for that matter all of Disney’s concierge levels, have worked hard to improve the food offerings in the last year or so. I personally think the BC chef is excellent and very creative. In the end for us at least, it comes down to availability and what we have planned for that particular trip. For what it’s worth, we will be at BC Club level next week 🙂

First, I think that one point you mentioned in passing that I feel influences these resorts quite a bit is YC and the convention center and BC and DVC. My feeling ( I have stayed at both and will be at BC next week) is that this affects both the clientele and the atmosphere to a significant degree at each resort. I agree with your conclusion that with many essentially shared areas, it is a matter of taste. Second, while in this case I think you would have another tie, I feel that evaluating the Club levels at the Deluxe resorts is an significant delineator. They are an important, and with the continued blurring of lines between hotel categories, perhaps one of the few distinguishing characteristics of the deluxes. I know your argument about expenses, but your reviews would be a lot more complete if you included the Club levels. I know it’s a tough job, but somebody has to do it.

I will probably never stay at YC because of DVC, so I’ll give BC my vote, lol.

As a couple with no kids, we always choose Yacht because it feels so much quieter and relaxed, with a serene atmosphere similar to that of the Grand without the (often excruciatingly) high price point. This offers a great reprieve from the parks while still being themed exquisitely, and there’s something to be said for a Disney resort that is geared toward adults while still maintaining a perfectly Disney vibe. The Beach is great, but I’ve never found it to be all that “beachy” – I suppose maybe it’s because when in Florida, I don’t want to feel like I’m on a New England beach; I much prefer a tropical vibe a la Old Key West. I also don’t find that the Beach’s theming “transports” the guest to another time or place quite resorts such as the Boardwalk, AKL, WL, OKW or even the Yacht, and this is key for us when choosing a Disney resort. One more point – the bus system at the Yacht for us has always been consistently better than the Beach at all times of year because the Yacht is picked up first. I can’t count how many times we have had a full bus by the time we get to the Beach and there is no room left for Beach guests. Both resorts have their place but I’d take the Yacht any day!

Good point about the busses! I’ve had that happen on other busses and am glad to know YC gets 1st pick up, which can make for a better experience. I am going next month on our first solo trip without the little ones and we’re staying at the YC for the same reasons you describe. Fingers crossed and thanks for the review. It helped ease any small concerns I had!

We just stayed almost 2 weeks at BC. One note about the bus transportation. They pick-up at the YC first. Then BC. With that said. There were many times that the Bus would show up at BC basically already full from the YC. This made it difficult to make it to reservations/fast passes on time, even when you showed up at the bus stop on time or ahead of time. If fact we didn’t want to “lose” our Be Our Guest reservation one night and had to use the Minnie Van service. (Which I might add was excellent!) We actually joked that we should catch the bus at YC.

I am older now, and opt for the serenity of the Yacht Club. (Although, even when younger, I was drawn to the Yacht Club’s subdued atmosphere more than The Beach Club). My son and daughter-in-law, however, who have six year old triplets and an eight year old, stay in a two bedroom Villa at The Beach Club, mostly because they need the room. I guess sometimes it’s more a case of need than want. Plus, they feel the location is perfect because they can hit three theme parks without taking buses.

Tom – You wrote “Yacht Club has a small number of dog-friendly rooms”. I thought I had read somewhere, perhaps on your site, when the new policy came out recently, that dog-friendly resorts could potentially have any resort room used as a dog-friendly room. However, you seem to be indicating that only specific rooms, or perhaps specific parts of a resort, have been set aside. Do you know which is actually true? This can be an issue for those who can stay in a resort that is dog-friendly but cannot necessarily stay in a room that a dog has lived in.

Separately, while we have been to the Beach and Yacht Clubs numerous times due to the wonderful Cape May buffet, we have never actually stayed there nor seen the guest rooms. We decided a long time ago that if we were to stay there, we would only stay at the Beach Club, due to a strong preference for the light pastel colours over the dark colours at the Yacht Club in the public areas.

I can’t believe you did not point out the highly localized potentially dangerous weather on Stormalong Bay outside these resorts. This is, of course, where Hurricane Hanna hit many years ago and caused that big shipwreck on the Beach Club’s beach that Disney still has not cleared away (unlike the non-imagineered Hurricane Irma which you actually encountered earlier this year). Always a handy excuse if you are late to an ADR at the two resorts.

I’m pretty sure that only a few hotels have dedicated dog friendly rooms now. So it’s not an “any room could potentially have had a dog” situation.

Yes, it is an any room could have a dog situation. Our friends stayed at POR and arequested a dog free room/bldg. They were told that would happen. When they got to POr they were put in bldg 24, which is the designated dog bldg. They were moved to the 30’s. Then they spotted a dog dong it’s business right outside their non dog bldg room. When they went to guest services and asked why? they were told “well, those guests booked online and wanted that bldg, so…… It states that any room or bldg could have dogs in them in the test resorts. And apparently the designated dog rooms/bldgs is not really true when it comes down to it.

We have booked Yacht Club for our June 2018 visit (crazy time of year, but only time we could coordinate with my cousin’s family when all our kids are out of school, etc), and I’m really looking forward to it. Based on the photos of the rooms, we like the look of Yacht Club better, and we can easily hang in the lobby & public areas of either resort if we feel like it. So we chose the nicer rooms. Decision made, as we view all else as being equal. Can’t wait to get a chance to play at Stormalong Bay! Given the weather in June, we figured a hotel with a good pool was vital! Thanks for all your great posts on this blog! Cheers.

The opening of the (really, really good) C&A Lounge must surely give a further nod to YC’s lobby. It has an incredible sense of atmosphere, and puts the “Club” in club, if you will.

Now, a more interesting comparison (although totally useless) would be to throw NPB into the mix. It really feels like a “boutique” version of YC.

I’ve stayed at BC and BCV only. I have visited YC’s lobby many times plus I have had drinks at Crew Cup Lounge. I love both resorts theming and atmosphere, my pick is BC/BCV because I prefer the dining (Cape May is one of my favorite buffets whereas Yachtsmen Steakhouse is too pricey) , closer proximity to Epcot and Boardwalk, and I love the Solarium, Drawing Room, and Breezeway areas of BCV.

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Disney Yacht Club vs Beach Club: A Comparison of Amenities and Atmosphere

If you’re planning a trip to Walt Disney World and trying to decide between a stay at the Disney Yacht Club or the Disney Beach Club, you’re in the right place. Both resorts are located in the Epcot Resort Area and share many similarities, but there are also some key differences to consider.

One of the biggest differences between the two resorts is their theming. The Yacht Club has a nautical New England feel, while the Beach Club has a more relaxed, beachy vibe. This difference is reflected in the decor, with the Yacht Club featuring dark wood and brass accents, and the Beach Club featuring light colors and beachy touches like seashell-shaped lamps.

Another important factor to consider is location. Both resorts are situated on Crescent Lake and offer easy access to Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. However, the Beach Club is closer to Epcot’s International Gateway entrance, making it a great choice for guests who plan on spending a lot of time in that park. On the other hand, the Yacht Club is closer to Disney’s BoardWalk, which offers a variety of dining and entertainment options.

Table of Contents

Location and Accessibility

When it comes to location, both the Disney Yacht Club and Beach Club Resorts are situated in an ideal location for park enthusiasts.

Proximity to Parks

Both resorts are within walking distance of Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The walk to Epcot’s International Gateway from the resorts is approximately 5-10 minutes, while the walk to Hollywood Studios is around 15-20 minutes. This makes it easy for you to get to the parks early in the morning and return to your resort for a mid-day break before heading back to the parks.

Transportation Options

If you don’t feel like walking, there are also transportation options available. The Disney Skyliner is a gondola system that connects the resorts to both Epcot and Hollywood Studios. This provides a fun and unique way to travel to the parks while enjoying the views. Additionally, there are boat services available that can take you to Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s BoardWalk Inn.

Overall, the location and accessibility of both the Disney Yacht Club and Beach Club Resorts make them a great choice for those who want to be close to the parks and have easy access to transportation options.

Accommodations and Pricing

When it comes to accommodations, both Disney’s Yacht Club Resort and Disney’s Beach Club Resort offer a variety of room types and views to choose from.

Room Types and Views

At the Yacht Club Resort, you can choose from standard view rooms, water view rooms, and club level rooms. The standard view rooms offer views of the resort’s gardens or parking area, while the water view rooms offer views of Crescent Lake or Stormalong Bay. Club level rooms provide access to the exclusive Club Level Lounge, which offers complimentary food and beverages throughout the day.

Similarly, at the Beach Club Resort, you can choose from standard view rooms, water view rooms, and club level rooms. The standard view rooms offer views of the resort’s gardens or parking area, while the water view rooms offer views of Crescent Lake or Stormalong Bay.

In addition to these rooms, the Beach Club Resort also offers Beach Club Villas, which are ideal for families or larger groups. These villas come with a kitchenette, a separate living area, and a private balcony or patio.

If you’re looking for a truly luxurious experience, you might want to consider the Newport Presidential Suite at the Yacht Club Resort. This 2,000-square-foot suite features a nautical theme and offers stunning views of Crescent Lake.

Cost Comparison

When it comes to pricing, both resorts are similar in cost. Standard view rooms at the Yacht Club Resort and the Beach Club Resort start at around $500 per night. Water view rooms and club level rooms are more expensive, with prices starting at around $600 per night.

If you’re traveling with a larger group or family, the Beach Club Villas might be a more cost-effective option. These villas start at around $1,000 per night.

Overall, both resorts offer a range of room types and views to suit your needs and budget. It’s important to note that prices can vary depending on the time of year and availability, so be sure to check with Disney for the most up-to-date pricing information.

Amenities and Recreation

When it comes to amenities and recreation, both Disney’s Yacht Club and Beach Club offer a variety of options to keep you and your family entertained during your stay.

Pools and Water Features

One of the most notable features of the Beach Club and Yacht Club is their shared pool area, Stormalong Bay. This three-acre water wonderland includes a lazy river, a sand-bottomed pool, and a 230-foot-long waterslide. The pool area also features three whirlpool spas and a variety of leisure pools for guests to enjoy.

If you’re looking for a more low-key pool experience, both resorts offer several quiet pools throughout the property. These smaller pools are perfect for relaxing and soaking up the sun without the crowds.

Additional Facilities

In addition to the pools and water features, both resorts offer a range of other amenities and facilities. Guests can take advantage of the on-site arcades, rent a private cabana for the day, or gather around the campfire for s’mores in the evening.

If you’re looking to stay active during your vacation, both resorts offer a variety of recreational activities. You can rent a fishing pole and cast a line in the resort’s lake, or rent a boat and explore the waterways. The resorts also feature tennis courts, volleyball courts, and a jogging trail for guests to use.

Overall, whether you’re looking to relax by the pool or stay active during your vacation, both Disney’s Yacht Club and Beach Club offer a wide range of amenities and recreational activities to keep you and your family entertained.

Dining and Culinary Experiences

When it comes to dining and culinary experiences, both Disney’s Yacht Club and Beach Club offer a range of options to satisfy any palate. Let’s take a closer look at the dining options available at these resorts.

Signature Restaurants

If you’re looking for an upscale dining experience, both the Yacht Club and Beach Club have signature restaurants that are sure to impress. At the Yacht Club, you’ll find the Yachtsman Steakhouse, which is known for its delicious cuts of meat and extensive wine list. Meanwhile, the Beach Club is home to the Cape May Cafe, which offers a seafood buffet that’s perfect for seafood lovers.

Casual Dining and Snacks

If you’re looking for something more casual, both resorts have plenty of options. At the Yacht Club, the Ale and Compass is a gastropub that offers a variety of comfort foods, while Martha’s Vineyard is a cozy lounge that’s perfect for enjoying a cocktail or glass of wine. Meanwhile, the Beach Club has the Crew’s Cup Lounge, which is a great spot for a quick bite or a drink, and Hurricane Hanna’s, which is a poolside bar that offers snacks and light meals.

For something sweet, head to Beaches and Cream, which is a classic soda fountain that serves up ice cream, sundaes, and other treats. And if you’re looking for a quick snack, both resorts have several options, including the Beach Club Marketplace and the Yacht Club Galley.

Overall, whether you’re looking for a fine dining experience or a quick bite, both Disney’s Yacht Club and Beach Club have plenty of options to choose from.

Comparative Analysis

When it comes to choosing between Disney’s Beach Club and Yacht Club, there are several factors to consider. In this section, we will provide a comparative analysis of both resorts, highlighting their thematic differences and guest experiences.

Thematic Differences

The Beach Club has a New England-style theme, with pastel-colored buildings, white picket fences, and a whimsical atmosphere. On the other hand, the Yacht Club has a nautical theme, with a more formal atmosphere that takes its inspiration from the Northeast.

While both resorts have intertwining themes of the ocean, the Beach Club is more family-friendly, with a relaxed vibe that encourages guests to unwind and enjoy their vacation. The Yacht Club, on the other hand, has a more upscale feel, with a focus on luxury and service.

Guest Experiences

Both resorts offer top-notch service and amenities, but the guest experience at each resort is different. The Beach Club is known for its family-friendly atmosphere, with plenty of activities for kids and adults alike. The resort features a sand-bottomed pool, a lazy river, and a pirate-themed water slide.

The Yacht Club, on the other hand, is more quiet and romantic, with a focus on couples and adults. The resort features a full-service spa, a fitness center, and a more upscale dining experience. The Yacht Club also offers access to the exclusive Club Level, which provides guests with additional amenities and services.

In terms of location, both resorts are situated in the Epcot Resort Area, with easy access to Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The resorts are also connected by a boardwalk, which offers plenty of dining, shopping, and entertainment options.

Overall, the choice between Disney’s Beach Club and Yacht Club will depend on your personal preferences and vacation goals. If you’re looking for a family-friendly resort with a relaxed atmosphere, the Beach Club is the way to go. If you’re looking for a more upscale, romantic experience, the Yacht Club is the better choice.

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How to Choose Between Disney’s Yacht Club and Beach Club Resorts

by Stephanie Shuster | May 7, 2020 | Walt Disney World , Walt Disney World Resorts

Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts are unique at Walt Disney World—while most hotels stand on their own, these two sister resorts are more like twins—side by side with lots of shared features and a few distinct personality traits all their own.

You can use the amenities of BOTH resorts if you stay at either one , which makes these properties a great value since you have more to enjoy!

It also lets you escape for date night or to a pool party just for a few hours if you want a taste of something new.

But if you’re going to stay here, how do you choose between the #YachtSide or the #Beachside (okay, that’s not quite as catchy as Light Side/Dark Side, but let’s toll with it young padawans… I mean, sailors!).

Captain Hook’s Pirate Crew location. Photo by Danny Shuster.

Who’s going with you?

If you’re traveling adults only, consider the Yacht Club —it’s quieter, more romantic, and has a conference facility with added business amenities.

If you’re visiting for work, on a trip with your spouse, traveling solo or in an adult group, this is a great choice.

Families will probably prefer the Beach Club —it’s got more easy/casual dining options, extra amenities for kids, and if you’re a DVC member this is where you’ll want to stay to use those points!

Adults may prefer this side too, based on personal taste, DVC status, and whether you’re planning to walk to and from the Epcot festivals on your trip.

Where are you eating?

Dining options are quite different at the resorts.

Over at the Yacht Club, imagine fancy steak dinners, a sleek gastropub, and a dark bar that makes you feel like you’re in the hull of a ship. There’s also a simple grab-and-go option here, but if service is what you’re looking for you’ll have some of the best.

It’s cool and cozy in the Ale & Compass Lounge. Photo by Danny Shuster.

Beaches and Cream decor. Photo by Danny Shuster.

Over at Beach Club, you’ll find quick service spots at Beach Club Market Place and Hurricane Hannah’s, an ice cream window and full 50s diner experience at Beaches and Cream (including GIANT sundaes!) , and a casual buffet that serves seafood (and more) in the evening and hosts a character breakfast in the morning.

What’s your pool plan?

The main pool complex is shared between the two resorts, but it’s vast and your room location could put you much closer (or further) from the poolside you seek.

Stormalong Bay cabanas. Photo by Danny Shuster.

Cabana rentals are available at Yacht Club for the most serene experience, plus the marina is steps away if you prefer sailing on Crescent Lake to floating in a pool. 

Beach Club offers more energy with a lazy river, pool games, and a pirate ship waterslide that exists into a beach front pool.  Plus as the sun goes down, it’s closer to the beach front campfire—roasted marshmallows after an afternoon at the pool, anyone?

What it boils down to:

Are you looking for a quiet, refine seaside escape with adults in mind, or an easygoing getaway to the beach?

This chart will help you compare the amenities at each resort— but remember, you can use any of them even when you’re staying at the other property!

So, which is right for you? Disney’s Yacht Club Resort with its sophisticated atmosphere and gourmet dining options, or Disney’s Beach Club Resort with its relaxed family vibe and pool fun proximity?

Truth be told, they’re both lovely properties, and it’s easy enough to stay at one while enjoying the amenities the other offers only steps away from your room.

Thanks to Disney for hosting us on a 3-night Resort Showcase where we got to tour and experience many of Walt Disney World’s resorts and restaurants, including Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, Disney’s Beach Club Resort, and Ale & Compass Restaurant. #wdwresorts #deliciousdisney

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Authored by Stephanie Shuster

Disney Yacht Club vs Beach Club – what’s the difference?

W hen traveling to Walt Disney World, one of the first things you need to decide is where you’ll stay. But there are so many options, how do you choose?! We have so many posts about Disney resorts and choosing the right one . So, we decided to dive a little deeper into some of the resorts that guests sometimes have a hard time choosing between to help you find the right resort for you. Today we are comparing Disney’s Yacht Club vs Disney’s Beach. What’s the difference and which is right for you?

Disney Yacht and Beach Club

Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club are often considered one in the same. Which is easy to see why. But they’re actually different resorts, with different room types and different vibes. Yes, they share many things. Their famous pool complex, Stormalong Bay, is a big reason why many guests choose to stay here. Transportation is exactly the same as are many of their other amenities like the arcade, resort gym and Movies Under the Stars. Situated right next to each other, their lobby doors are no more than 5 minutes away from each other. Making it easy to enjoy all that both resorts have to offer when staying at either location. 

So let’s take a quick look at each one and compare these two deluxe resorts at Disney World . 

Disney’s Yacht Club

Disney’s Yacht Club is the series of gray buildings with the little red awnings on Disney’s Boardwalk. Known for a more upscale theme than its sister resort, the Beach Club, the Yacht Club is sometimes considered a bit stuffy. We don’t find that to be the case at all, but it definitely has a more high-end vibe than Beach Club. It’s themed to a New England Yacht Club, which makes sense that it would feel a bit more elite. 

Yacht Club is home to Ale and Compass Restaurant and Yachtsman Steakhouse. And also has Ale and Compass Lounge and the Marketplace at Ale and Compass. Though guests staying at either resort can easily take advantage of the quick service and lounges at both resorts since they are so close together.  

Disney’s Beach Club  

Disney’s Beach Club Resort is the closest resort to Epcot Park. Located about a 5-minute walk from the International Gateway and the Skyliner, you just can’t get any closer. Known for its dreamy blue buildings and laid-back vibe, this resort tends to be a guest favorite. Disney’s Beach Club technically has beaches, and Yacht Club technically does not.  But we don’t really consider that, as the beaches aren’t really resort specific, as anyone can use them, and they are still quite close to Yacht Club. Beach Club is also a DVC property, which means it has a lot of room types to offer. Standard rooms, along with studios and villas give guests a lot more options here. 

Beach Club houses its main dining, Cape May right off the lobby. This is both a good thing and a not-so-great thing in our opinion. For guests visiting, it’s easy to find. Which is great! But generally, when the main restaurant is in a resort lobby at Disneyworld, we notice that the lobby tends to be more chaotic for guests staying there. And while anyone is welcome to visit any resort at Disney, resorts with popular restaurants on the main floor will almost always be more crowded than those without, or with their restaurants in a different location. 

What’s the difference? Disney Yacht Club Vs Beach Club

First and foremost, the biggest difference between these two is the theming. They are generally about the same distance to Epcot. Though Beach Club is definitely closer, the amount is minimal. And since it is larger than Yacht Club, the location of your room can make a big difference in terms of how long it may actually take you to get to the Park Entrance. 

Aside from this, the vibe and atmosphere is another determining factor. Beach Club is going to be more kid focused, with its character restaurant Cape May right in the lobby. And a more fun and whimsical theme. Yacht Club, though still good for families, is a more grown up feel and has no character meals that would draw families from outside of the resort. 

One of the big differences we noticed between these two resorts is the room layouts. For their standard rooms, Yacht Club is set up with the beds in one area, and the ability to close off the area with the vanity, bathroom and shower. This is not the case with Beach Club. Their rooms don’t close off the vanity section, which is a bit odd and can make getting ready in the mornings a bit more difficult. 

The things that are exactly the same between the two resorts are the bigger considerations, like the price, pool, food courts, location and transportation. 

Yacht Club vs Beach Club: Which is best?

For us, Yacht Club feels like a more elevated experience and feels more “worth it” as a result. It’s quieter, in better upkeep and has better room layouts for its standard guest rooms.  We like the food court here better than at Beach Club, as it offers more hot foods. Though the quick service restaurants at either resort are not super impressive, Yacht Club’s choices are better. 

We love a laid-back vibe, but due to Beach Club’s closer location and having one of the best character breakfasts on Disney property , the lobby here can often get a little crowded and feel somewhat chaotic. The same goes for Christmastime when the Beach Club puts up their stunning Gingerbread Carousel for the holiday season at Disney . And unfortunately, the resort is in some serious need of TLC. The room layout at Beach Club was also not our favorite. And we think it has one of the worst quick service options at Disney. Which isn’t a big deal because you have easy access to food anywhere on Disney’s Boardwalk . But it also can be really inconvenient when you’re just trying to find food quickly. 

As you can see, it all comes down to personal opinion. For many people, Beach Club takes the cake. For us, we think Yacht Club has a slight edge and will likely tend to choose it over Beach Club in the future.  Do you have a favorite? 

What it's like staying at Disney's Beach Club Resort — and why it's now my favorite place to stay

• Every hotel at Disney World has something special to offer, but it's hard to beat Disney's Beach Club, which is within walking distance of two theme parks and has what is essentially a miniature water park.
• Stormalong Bay is shared with neighboring Yacht Club but easily comes in as the nicest pool at Disney World with waterslides, a sand bottom and a lazy river.
• On top of all of that, it also has some of the most entertaining places to eat, including an on-site character meal experience and an ice cream shop with sundaes as big as the kitchen sink.

Walt Disney World Resort has more than 20 on-site hotels, and each one has its own brand of Disney magic. I've loved my stays at value resorts like Disney's Art of Animation Resort with its movie-themed rooms and massive "Finding Nemo"-themed pool. I've also equally loved staying at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort for its proximity to the Magic Kingdom and abundance of Dole Whip.

However, after my most recent Disney World vacation, you'd have a hard time convincing me to go back to any of those hotels rather than my new favorite Disney hotel: Disney's Beach Club Resort.

What is Disney's Beach Club Resort?

Disney's Beach Club Resort is one of Disney World's top-tier Deluxe resorts. Disney Deluxe resorts are often in prime locations, have larger rooms and offer more activities and amenities than other Disney resorts. This resort is designed to resemble a classic coastal New England-style resort, with Colonial architecture, a muted color scheme and a nautical flair.

When you stay at Disney's Beach Club Resort, you also have access to the restaurants and amenities at Disney's Yacht Club Resort , which is just next door. The resort is also within walking distance of both Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios, as well as the dining and nightlife along Disney's BoardWalk.

How to book Disney's Beach Club Resort

As with other Disney World hotels , it's sometimes best to book direct through Disney. You can do this through Disney's website, over the phone or by using an authorized Disney vacation planner . Disney vacation planners can help you get the best price by searching for available discounts at the time of booking and up until your trip.

FOR NO-COST ASSISTANCE WITH PLANNING AND BOOKING YOUR NEXT DISNEY VACATION, CHECK OUT TPG'S DISNEY BOOKING PARTNER, MOUSE COUNSELORS .

In addition to booking through Disney or a vacation planner, you can also use miles from your Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card or the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card .

As a Walt Disney World annual passholder, I took advantage of a special offer of 30% off the regular room rate for a resort view room at Disney's Beach Club Resort. I paid $391 per night (plus taxes and fees) instead of the regular rate of about $660 per night (plus taxes and fees).

This is near the high end for a standard room at Disney World, and the rate can climb even higher during holidays or busy times of the year. Disney's Beach Club Resort also offers club-level rooms with lounge access.

But notably, it is also bookable for studios, one- and two-bedroom suites via Disney Vacation Club . Even if you aren't a DVC member, you can rent DVC points at a rate that can be much lower than what you'd pay in cash by booking through Disney. Studios here start at 14 DVC points per night, which would be $294 to $322 using points rented from David's Vacation Club, depending on how far in advance you book.

Related: Rent DVC points via David's Vacation Club

Easy access to Disney's theme parks and more

Disney's Beach Club Resort is conveniently located between Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios. From the hotel lobby, you can walk to the Epcot International Gateway (near the back of the park) in about five minutes or head in the other direction and be at Hollywood Studios in 10 to 15 minutes.

With all the walking you do during a day at Disney, it's also worth noting Disney's Beach Club Resort offers complimentary boat transportation to Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios, too, plus bus transportation to the Magic Kingdom, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Disney Springs and Disney's water parks. There's also a Disney Skyliner station near the Epcot International Gateway, which can get you to Disney's Hollywood Studios or to four of Disney's other resort hotels if you want to sample the dining and amenities across Walt Disney World.

Spacious, upscale rooms

I've stayed at every tier of Disney resorts, and you definitely get what you pay for when it comes to room size. Our room at Disney's Beach Club Resort was spacious enough for our family of five, with plenty of storage for our luggage and a sofa bed where we could relax during the day and one of our children could sleep at night.

Related: How Disney renovated more than 22,000 hotel rooms in 5 years

The Disney theming was limited to a few paintings on the wall that portrayed Disney characters enjoying the resort. Otherwise, the room had a "lived-in luxury" vibe with comfortable, understated furnishings. Outside, there was a wrought-iron patio set where we spent many mornings and evenings before or after a day of Disney fun.

The bathroom had a large double vanity with a door that separated the vanity area from the shower and tub combo and the toilet. In the entryway, there was a minifridge, a coffee and tea station and a closet with an iron and an ironing board. The flat-screen TV sat atop a large dresser with plenty of storage for our three-night stay.

A variety of dining options

Disney's Beach Club Resort has dining options that range from character meals to poolside dining to the best ice cream shop at Disney World (and probably beyond). Character dining takes place during the breakfast buffet at Cape May Cafe ($45 per adult and $29 per child, plus tax and gratuity). Cape May Cafe also serves a seafood-forward, New England-inspired dinner buffet without character appearances.

The Beach Club Marketplace is a quick-service dining location with staples like eggs, bacon and Mickey waffles for breakfast and soup, salad, sandwiches and pasta for lunch and dinner. The marketplace also sells snacks and alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks. It's adjacent to the hotel gift shop, where you can stock up on souvenirs or forgotten necessities like swimsuits, sunscreen and toiletries.

Related: The best restaurants at Disney World in 2023

Outside by the Stormalong Bay pool, you can grab a drink at Hurricane Hanna's Waterside Bar and Grill or have your food and libations delivered to your pool chair. I had the grilled chicken sandwich with provolone and an avocado spread ($12.29) and a frozen pina colada ($15.50). It was just what I needed to energize myself for an afternoon of swimming.

The highlight of our many meals at Disney's Beach Club Resort was Beaches & Cream Soda Shop. This is the most popular ice cream spot at Disney World because of its unique ice cream creations and old-fashioned soda shop vibes.

At Beaches & Cream, I had the No Way José peanut butter and hot fudge sundae ($11.50), but for the ultimate Beaches & Cream experience, you must get the Kitchen Sink sundae ($36). It has eight scoops of ice cream, tons of toppings and a whole can of whipped cream. What's really fun about it, though, is the show the server puts on when you order it. I don't want to ruin the surprise, so just take my word for it and give it a try.

Take your pick of fitness and recreational activities

Guests of Disney's Beach Club Resort can use the 24-hour fitness center next door at Disney's Yacht Club Resort. It's only about a five-minute walk from the Beach Club lobby and has a variety of fitness equipment, including strength machines, cardio machines, free weights, medicine balls and kettlebells.

Related: 8 Walt Disney World experiences that don't require a park ticket

Disney's Beach Club Resort has a lot of other fun fitness opportunities, too. There's a sand volleyball court, tennis courts (tennis and pickleball equipment is available at the front desk) and a nearly 1-mile-long running trail. Disney also recently added on-demand fitness videos for kids that you can watch on the TV in your room.

The best pool at Disney World

Aside from a room that sleeps five, the 3-acre Stormalong Bay pool complex was the reason we stayed at Disney's Beach Club Resort.

Stormalong Bay is shared between the Beach Club and Yacht Club resorts and features a sandy beach area for kids, a lazy river, a hot tub, an activity pool with a volleyball net, swirling whirlpools, a 230-foot-long shipwreck-themed waterslide and two smaller waterslides for kids.

Related: Splash into fun: The 14 best hotel pools in Orlando

The hotel provides complimentary life jackets for kids to use at the pool and free tubes for the lazy river. The activities team also hosts daily poolside games and, in the evening, poolside movies under the stars. We spent an entire day swimming and playing in the water and went back for more after dinner. It's almost like having a small water park just for hotel guests.

During our visit, getting somewhere to sit in the shade wasn't a problem, thanks to the number of trees in the area to supplement the umbrellas. That said, getting there early is always a good strategy if you want first dibs on a good spot.

Family fun outside Disney's theme parks

Another bonus of staying at Disney's Beach Club Resort — or any Deluxe resort — is the wide variety of activities you can enjoy during your time away from Disney's theme parks.

Pick up a monthly activities guide when you check in to see exactly what's on offer during your stay. Guests can make crafts, attend a painting class, make s'mores at the nightly campfire, rent a boat or fishing equipment (or both) and more.

From the resort, you can easily walk to Disney's BoardWalk, where you'll find restaurants, a dueling piano bar, bicycle rentals, carnival games and other downtime activities.

Accessibility

All Disney hotels strive to be accessible to guests with disabilities.

Disney's Beach Club Resort offers both wheelchair- and hearing-accessible rooms. Additionally, public areas of the hotel also have accessible paths between the lobby area and restaurants, shops, meeting rooms, pools, fitness centers and laundry facilities, and pools have wheelchair lifts.

Checking out

After staying at Disney's Beach Club Resort, it moved to the top of my "favorite Disney hotels" list. I loved that my family had enough space to spread out in our room and that there was so much to keep us busy around the resort.

I have no problem staying in one of Disney's more budget-friendly hotels when we are going to go hard in the parks or water parks. However, if I want to splurge for a hotel that has just as much fun (and good food) to offer as Disney's theme parks, you'll find me booking another stay at Disney's Beach Club Resort.

Related reading:

• Are the Disney Visa credit cards worth it?
• Can you really save hundreds of dollars at Disney World by renting DVC points? We tested it to find out
• How to use points to buy Disney tickets
• New swan on the block: A review of the Walt Disney World Swan Reserve

Disney's Yacht Club Resort

View Gallery 

While Guests may see or hear construction work during daytime hours, most Resort hotel amenities will remain available.

What Makes This Resort Hotel Unique

Disney Skyliner Transportation

This gondola system offers a bird's eye view as it whisks you and your family away to EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios.

Outdoor Water Recreation Area

Discover a life-size shipwreck, pools, lagoons and more at Stormalong Bay—a 3-acre water wonderland. Read More

Discover a life-size shipwreck, pools, lagoons and more at Stormalong Bay—a 3-acre water wonderland.

Climb the mast and zip down one of the highest hotel waterslides at Walt Disney World Resort. Catch currents on an inner tube in the lazy river, unwind in one of 3 whirlpool spas and relax on the elevated tanning deck. Children can wade into the main pool from a gentle slope and splash about in 2 kiddie pools—including one with a miniature waterslide.

Prefer a more tranquil experience? Explore 3 all-ages quiet pools—each with a whirlpool spa—located throughout Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts.

Learn more about recreation at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort.

Yachtsman Steakhouse

Savor mouthwatering steaks, seafood and more at this sophisticated, family-friendly restaurant.

Ship Shape Health Club

Enjoy a workout or indulge in a massage at this full-service fitness center.

Dog-Friendly Accommodations

Bring your pampered pooch to stay with you at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort. Read More

Bring your pampered pooch to stay with you at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort.

Here at Walt Disney World Resort, we know that dogs aren’t simply pets—they’re members of your family. And since family is at the heart of everything we do, for a limited time, your furry friends are welcome to join you at select Disney Resort hotels. Let the tail wagging commence!

Note: Limit 2 dogs per room. Restrictions and fees apply.

How to Book Bring your dog along on your upcoming visit by calling (407) 939-5277. Guests under 18 years of age must have parent or guardian permission to call.

Services for Guests with Dogs During your stay, Best Friends Pet Care can provide assistance with day care and other pet services (fees apply). For details, please call (877) 4-WDW-PETS or (877) 493-9738, or visit bestfriendspetcare.com . Guests under 18 years of age must have parent or guardian permission to call.

Some restrictions on certain pets may apply. Before you arrive, be sure to download the official dog policy PDF .

Need More Room?

Consider booking a Disney Deluxe Villa with just-like-home amenities like a kitchen, washer, dryer and private bedrooms. Read More

Consider booking a Disney Deluxe Villa with just-like-home amenities like a kitchen, washer, dryer and private bedrooms.

When you stay at Disney’s Beach Club Villas , you’ll enjoy the same benefits offered at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort—along with spacious Disney Deluxe Villa accommodations. It’s an outstanding home base for your Walt Disney World vacation.

Discover the Villa Difference Disney’s Beach Club Villas and other Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts offer accommodations with just-like-home touches that go beyond the traditional hotel room.

Choose from 1-, 2- and 3-Bedroom Villas—as well as Cabins and Bungalows at select Resort hotels—with the following features:

• A full kitchen , so you can prepare meals and snacks from the comfort of your villa
• Spacious living and dining areas where your family can share even more quality time together after you return from the parks
• Separate bedrooms that offer space, privacy and tranquility – so it’s easy to rest, relax and recharge your spirit after each exhilarating vacation day
• A washer and dryer , so you can pack lightly and avoid airline baggage fees

A little more than you need? Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts also feature Deluxe Studios, which feature a kitchenette and sleeper sofa—a great option for smaller travel parties and shorter stays.

Reservations and Rates Check availability and nightly rates at Disney’s Beach Club Villas.

More Magic for Your Stay

A More Magical Stay Starts with "Hey Disney!”

The "Hey Disney!" voice assistant experience features tons of character fun plus a helpful host, who can order you extra towels and answer lots of your park questions.

Disney Signature Services

Guests staying in Club-level rooms and suites are eligible for personalized vacation-planning support.

Enhance Your Stay with the My Disney Experience App

Simplify your arrival, access your room and discover a world of fun with this helpful app. Read More

Simplify your arrival, access your room and discover a world of fun with this helpful app.

Be sure you have the latest version of the My Disney Experience app to enjoy these handy features during your stay.

Check In and Check Out with Ease

Enjoy a simplified arrival at your Disney Resort hotel! Use the app to begin the check-in process , view your room number and even unlock your door .

At the end of your stay, there’s no need to stop by the Front Desk if you have a valid payment card on file or a zero-dollar balance on your account. Instead, check out of your room via the app by visiting My Reservations or your Hotel Account.

Plan, Play, Dine and Unwind

There are many more ways to enhance your stay! With the app, you can:

• Make vacation plans during your stay—and review existing plans
• Enter the theme parks (with a valid park reservation and valid admission) using Disney MagicMobile service
• Order food and beverages with mobile order service
• Check park schedules
• Get directions
• Explore transportation options
• View your Disney PhotoPass photos

And that’s only the beginning!

Learn more about the My Disney Experience app .

Available for iPhone®, iPad® and smartphones for Android™. Message, data and roaming rates may apply. Availability subject to handset limitations and features may vary by handset or service provider. Coverage and app stores not available everywhere. If you’re under 18, get your parents’ permission first. Apple, the Apple logo, iPhone, and iPad are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. Android and Google Play are trademarks of Google Inc .

Lightning Lane Passes

Plan ahead and save time in line for select attractions and experiences! Guests staying at Disney Resort hotels or other select hotels can purchase Lightning Lane passes—and choose experiences—up to 7 days in advance of their stay.

View Rooms and Prices

Hotel Address

(407) 934-7000

Check Availability

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Your Guide to Disney’s Beach & Yacht Club Resorts

in Hotel , Walt Disney World

Welcome, Disney vacation planners! If you’re looking for a complete guide to a deluxe resort with Walt Disney World’s BEST pool, amazing proximity to EPCOT, and all the pixie dust you can expect from the top category in Disney resorts, you’ve come to the right place! BONUS, we’re discussing TWO adjacent resorts in this complete guide.

So, stay with us as we cover all the details you need to know as you plan your stay at Disney’s Beach and Yacht Club Resorts.

Related: Disney’s BoardWalk Inn: A Complete Guide

In this Complete Guide we will cover:

An Overview of Disney’s Beach and Yacht Club Resorts

Disney’s beach and yacht club resorts pros and cons, accommodations at disney’s beach and yacht club resorts, dining at disney’s beach and yacht club resorts, amenities and activities at disney’s beach and yacht club resort.

• Transportation at Disney’s Beach and Yacht Club Resorts

Disney Extras

If a beach vacation is what you usually dream of, but you want to get some Disney magic for your next vacation, Disney’s Beach and Yacht Club Resorts will give you the best of both worlds!

During your stay at either of these Deluxe Disney Resort Hotels, you’ll feel like you’ve escaped to a New England seaside wooden cottage, with sandy areas, a BoardWalk nearby, and fireworks views. It doesn’t get much better than that!

Disney’s Beach and Yacht Club Resorts are located in the EPCOT resort area. This means you can easily walk over to EPCOT and to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. In no time flat, you can be enjoying a croissant at Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie in the France Pavilion at EPCOT’s World Showcase or rushing over to join a boarding group for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.

Related: Here’s Everything You Need to Know Before You Experience Rise of the Resistance

Across the water, you can enjoy views of Disney’s BoardWalk Inn. A short walk will have you enjoying Midway games, dinner at any one of the many dining options at the BoardWalk , or even just for a quick ice cream treat.

Both Disney’s Beach and Yacht Club resorts offer comfort and all the Disney Deluxe Resort touches you can expect to make your magical vacation extra special. Disney’s Beach Club is also part of the Disney Vacation Club family, offering villas that can fit larger families or groups!

It’s hard to choose a favorite. But follow along as we keep on swimming and learning more about why these resort hotels might be the perfect choice for your upcoming Disney World visit.

• Walking distance to EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s BoardWalk
• Walt Disney World Resort’s BEST pool on property- Stormalong Bay
• Great dining options
• Deluxe Amenities
• Recently renovated rooms
• Childcare on location – Captain Hook’s Pirate Crew
• Beautiful Grounds
• Convention hotel
• Can feel stuffier than other resorts on property
• Can be difficult to locate rooms upon arrival

Disney’s Beach and Yacht Club are home to over 1400 Guest Rooms, more than 275 Villas, and over 20 Suites and you!

Rooms at Disney’s Beach Club Resort

Standard Rooms at Disney’s Beach Club Resort sleep up to 5-adults. They offer a combination of either two Queen Beds and a Day Bed, one Queen Bed and one Day Bed, two Queen Beds or one King Bed and one Day Bed.

Guests can pick from Standard views which offer views of Disney’s Beach Club Resort Rooftop or Parking areas,  Garden/Woods views which offer views of Disney’s Beach Club Resort, or Water views, which offer views of Stormalong Bay, Crescent Lake or the resort’s quiet Pool.

Need a little more room? Choose the Deluxe Room. These rooms sleep up to 6-adults and are larger than the standard rooms. They offer two Queen beds and a Queen sleeper sofa with views of Stormalong Bay, Crescent Lake, the quiet pool or the resort’s parking area.

Looking for an even more deluxe experience? The Club Level rooms will offer a variety of additional services to make your stay a very luxurious one!

Rooms & Suites with Club-Level Service offer the following Amenities:

• Access to Concierge service at the Stone Harbor Club
• Complimentary fax assistance
• Complimentary health club access
• Complimentary newspapers in Club Level lounge
• Evening turndown
• Personalized Front Desk and Guest Services
• Secured key access to the club-level lounge, serving refreshments 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily

It’s important to note that the Club Level rooms only sleep up to 4-adults. These rooms are available in standard, water, and garden view options.

Also available, a one-Bedroom Club Level Access Suite that also sleeps up to 4-adults. This suite offers additional privacy with the separation for the bedroom and comes with one King Bed and one Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa.

Have additional guests? The Two Bedroom Club Level Access Suite will sleep up to 7-adults. Offering views of Disney’s Beach Club Resort Gardens, Woods or Crescent Lake, this two-bedroom suite has 2 Queen Beds, one King Bed and one Day Bed.

Disney’s Beach Club Villas

Disney’s Beach Club Villas are part of Disney’s Vacation Club or DVC. Offering ample room and all the comforts to make you feel right at home, if you want a little more legroom and additional amenities, these larger accommodations might be the perfect fit for your family or group.

Offering Deluxe Studios, One-Bedroom Villas, and Two-Bedroom Villas.

The Deluxe Studios sleep up to four guests, plus one child under age 3 in a crib. They offer a kitchenette, one queen-size bed, a double-size sleeper sofa, and a private porch or balcony, perfect for that quiet morning coffee!

The largest accommodations available at this resort are the two-Bedroom Villas which can sleep up to eight guests, plus one child under age 3 in a crib. Like the one-bedroom villa, you’ll have a fully equipped kitchen for memory-making meals together, a master bedroom, a second bedroom, two full bathrooms, in-room washer and dryer, and a private porch or balcony.

Rooms at Disney’s Yacht Club

Disney’s Yacht Club rooms recently went through a lovely refurbishment updating all the furnishing and style giving this resort a nice updated look.

Similar to Disney’s Beach Club Resort’s rooms, Disney’s Yacht Club offers Standard, Garden/Woods, or Water views.

Each room sleeps up to 5-guests plus an additional child under 3 in a crib.

Each Standard Room has a combination of the following:

• 2 Queen Beds and 1 Day Bed
• 1 Queen Bed, a Twin-Size Sleeper Chair, and Day Bed
• King Bed and a Day Bed

Room Amenities

• Coffee Maker
• In-room safe
• Internet – Free WiFi Service
• Iron & ironing board
• Mini refrigerator
• Telephone with voice mail

Disney’s Yacht Club also has Club level rooms available. These rooms also only sleep up to 4-adults and offer these additional services:

Some of the best, hidden gems when it comes to restaurants are found at these resorts. The best part of them being a hidden gem is that reservations are not difficult to come by. But most importantly, the food is real Disney magic!

With options from Quick Service to Signature Dining, these resorts will have something for whatever you are in the mood for! And you don’t have to go too far to enjoy a really wonderful dining experience.

Disney’s Beach Club Resort Dining

Table service.

Beaches & Cream Soda Shop

Lunch and dinner featuring snacks and a classic American soda fountain. Care to try and finish the Kitchen Sink? We dare you to try!

Disney Character Dining

Join your best girl Minnie at Minnie’s Beach Bash Breakfast at Cape May Café. An all-you-care-to-enjoy breakfast buffet with beachy vibes and Disney Character fun.

Related: Chef Mickey’s at Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Cape May Café also offers a delicious and filling seafood dinner buffet!

Quick Service

Beach Club Marketplace

Offering Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and Late-Night snacks! Enjoy a hot, made-to-order meal and stock up on snacks before heading out for a day of fun in the parks.

Hurricane Hanna’s Waterside Bar and Grill

Lounging by the fabulous Stormalong Bay Pool area is hard, appetite-building work. But, no worries. You don’t have to lounge hungry! Enjoy lunchtime favorites like burgers, nachos, chicken nuggets for the kids and more!

You can’t be in the warm Florida sun without some refreshments, and tasty cocktails, right?  Hurricane Hanna’s Waterside Bar and Grill will quench your thirst for some frosty beverages and beautiful bay views at this not-so-blustery walk-up bar.

Disney’s Yacht Club Dining

Signature dining.

Yachtsman Steakhouse

This dinnertime restaurant specializes in oak-grilled steaks, poultry, seafood, vegetarian entrées and more. Fans rave that this is the absolute best steakhouse on property! So, make those reservations soon and don’t miss it!

Table-Service Dining

Ale & Compass Restaurant

This Breakfast buffet is one of the best bangs for your buck on property! So good! Also offering lunch and dinner comfort food and seafood classics.

Quick-Service Dining

  The Market at Ale & Compass

Hot and cold offerings with grab and go convenience, perfect for those quick mornings you’re running out to play at the magic!

Room Service

Room service at Disney’s Beach & Yacht Club offers breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night offerings available to order until 2 am.

Breakfast is served from 6 am-12 pm. The menu offers breakfast favorites like continental breakfast, omelets, and of course, Mickey waffles! Muffins, bagels, kids meals, and beverages make up a very complete menu. Adult beverages like Mimosas are also available.

Lunch is served from noon to-5pm. Offering appetizers, special seafood options like lobster and corn chowder to keep with the theme, and entrees like burgers, sandwiches, steaks and more.

Pizzas with choice of toppings are also available for lunch, dinner, and late-night orders.

A $3.00 delivery charge, 18% gratuity, and any applicable sales tax and will be added to all orders.

Stormalong Bay

Probably the number one reason guests choose one of these resorts is the incomparable Stormalong Bay aquatic playground. This three-acre water park is chock full of  SPLASHtastic fun for the whole family!

Don’t miss the 230-foot-long waterslide, one of the highest hotel slides at Disney World.

Want a more relaxing experience? Stormalong bay has it! Float down the lazy river on an inner tube, unwind in one of 3 whirlpool spas or simply relax on the elevated tanning deck.

For your tiny Mouseketeers, there is a large sandy beach area with shallow water where they can build sandcastles to their heart’s content! Parents can also take their tiny tots over to Shipwreck Pool for more swimming fun. There’s even a miniature waterslide.

The resort also offers three additional leisure pools and adult whirlpool/hot tubs for more relaxing swim time.

Disney Movies Under the Stars

Watch your favorite Disney movies under the stars with your whole crew! Oh, the memories you’ll make! Check with the front desk for times and movie lists. This activity is weather permitting.

Want to stay in shape even after enjoying all those Mickey-shaped snacks? This resort offers a Health Club, Tennis courts, and a gorgeous jogging trail to burn off all those pixie-dusted calories!

Marina Watercraft Rental

Enjoy the water up-close and personal with one of the marina watercraft rentals. This will turn your resort day into another super fun day!

Surry Bike Rental

Explore the resort grounds on wheels when you ride around with your crew on a Surry Bike! They are so much fun!

Disney’s Beach & Yacht Club Transportation

Guests staying at the Walt Disney World Resort have access to complimentary transportation throughout the resort. During your stay, you will have access to several transportation options that are conveniently located to the resort hotel and will transport you to all the theme parks, Disney Springs and more!

Boats, Buses, and Disney’s Skyliner

Disney Buses and Disney’s Magical Express

You can hop on a Disney Bus to take you to your destination. From Magic Kingdom to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, you never have to worry about how to get to the magic. Disney’s complimentary buses will take the guesswork out of resort transportation.

The bus stop is conveniently located by the front entrance of the resort hotel.

Check your My Disney Experience mobile app for bus schedules.

Disney’s Magical Express is the complimentary service that takes guests from the Orlando International Airport to their resort hotel on Disney property. Once you’ve made your resort reservation, visit this link to request the service. 

Disney Water Transportation

Hop on a fun Disney boat to get to Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and the BoardWalk Inn.

The Disney Skyliner

Disney’s newest mode of transportation is conveniently located right outside Epcot’s International Gateway. The Skyliner station is within walking distance from the resort and will have you taking flight in no time to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Beach Club Resort, Disney’s Riviera Resort , Disney’s Pop Century Resort, and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort.

Related: Grand Floridian walkway to Magic Kingdom construction underway at Disney World

This transportation option is as convenient as it is fun! We recommend taking flight even if just to enjoy the ride and the views. Explore other resort and dining options on property via the Skyliner. It will add more magic and adventure to your visit!

Disney’s Minnie Van

Disney’s version of a ride-sharing service is adorable and convenient. Use the Lyft app to request a Minnie Van and see cost estimates for your desired ride.

Pro-tip! Minnie Van will get you closest to Magic Kingdom!

Guests at Disney Resorts, you can enjoy some extra pixie dust to make your stay even more magical!

Extra Magic Hours

Resort Hotel Guests exclusive playtime at the theme parks! Check the times on your My Disney Experience app so you can plan these times during your stay.

Early Access to FastPass+

Resort guests can make their FastPass+ reservations up to 60-days before they arrive.

PRO-TIP! Your FP+ booking window will open 60-days before you arrive plus the days you are staying (up to 10). So, lock in those popular attractions for your last days first to ensure you score those coveted FastPass+ for attractions like Slinky Dog Dash and Avatar Flight of Passage!

Complimentary MagicBands

Customize your MagicBand color before you arrive through your My Disney Experience. NEW options are now available to upgrade your complimentary MagicBand for a small fee . Availability is limited, so check back often.

Related: Resort Exclusive MagicBands Revealed for Grand Floridian and Riviera Guests

Childcare Program on location at the resort

Captain Hooks Pirate Crew

Enjoy some adult time while the kids have a blast being recruited by Captain Hook himself! Kids ages 4-12 can enjoy an evening of adventure, treasure hunting, and fun – dinner included- while the parents go enjoy a grown-up night out! The current price for this activity is $55 per child.

Disney’s Enchanting Extras

Celebrate a birthday with an in-room celebration, order a customizable cake, book a VIP tour to peek inside the magic, limited-time events, nature tours, and more! Visit the Enchanting Extras site to learn more about the magic you can add to your stay!

Related: 45 Secrets for Fabulous Family Vacations

We hope you found this information helpful as you plan your next visit to the Walt Disney World Resort!

If you need assistance planning that enchanted and unforgettable getaway, be sure to reach out to our friends at Academy Travel for a no-cost, no-obligation quote on your magical vacation.

See ya real soon!

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Disney’s Yacht Club, Beach Club, or BoardWalk: Which EPCOT Resort Is the Best?

The EPCOT-area Resorts  and hotels at Walt Disney World have achieved something of a cult status. They’re impeccably designed, feature some lovely views, and — best yet — they’re walking distance from not one but two Disney Parks. The Yacht Club, Beach Club, and BoardWalk are Disney-owned and operated Resorts with classic themes and more than their share of great dining and accessible entertainment. No matter which you choose, you’re ideally placed for fun and convenience. 

Still, we wondered which of these Resorts would come out on top if we took a (clearly subjective) look at their characteristics.

Come along as AllEars struggles to decide which EPCOT Resort or hotel is best! We’re going worst to first, so get those comments ready for when you reach the end of our list!

Disney’s yacht club resort.

We’ll start with Disney’s Yacht Club, the least beloved of the three. This hotel is sophisticated preppy-ness done right with posh nautical references and luxurious and stately ambiance. But that tone isn’t exactly a good fit for a lot of Walt Disney World guests, landing Yacht Club on the bottom of our (short) list.

Browse reader reviews of Yacht Club here!

The dining options at Disney’s Yacht Club are actually pretty great: Ale & Compass Restaurant is decent, Crew’s Cup Lounge  is fantastic, and the famous Beaches & Cream Soda Shop (shared with Beach Club and home of the No Way Jose and Kitchen Sink Ice Cream Sundaes and killer chili cheese fries) is a dining destination worth traveling for.

But Beach Club guests can also easily access the Yacht Club dining options, making dining kind of a moot point of comparison between the two.

Another shared amenity for the Yacht Club and Beach Club: arguably Walt Disney World’s best pool, Stormalong Bay .

Stormalong Bay isn’t just any ordinary Resort pool; it’s a complex and is more like a waterpark in many respects! We’re talking a lazy river, sandy bottom wading pools, and expansive swim areas with bridges and islands scattered throughout them. It even has its own massive shipwrecked boat for a waterslide!

Don’t think you’ll get in to Stormalong Bay if you’re not a guest of the Yacht & Beach Club. You need to scan your MagicBand for pool entry and Cast Members keep Stormalong Bay pretty well guarded at all times for stowaways.

But the decor and tone of Yacht Club — which is stuffier than its beachy sister — leave this (still pretty awesome) Resort at the bottom of our Epcot-area Resorts list.

Disney’s Beach Club Resort

Next we’re heading right next door to Disney’s Beach Club Resort. The theming of this Disney Resort draws its inspiration from the spirit of having fun in the sun!

Check out reader reviews of Beach Club here!

Disney’s Beach Club is a little closer than Yacht Club and BoardWalk to the International Gateway entrance for EPCOT. While the distance may seem negligible to the naked eye, the few extra steps saved at the end of a long night in the Park really makes a difference when our dogs are barkin’!

Outside of Disney’s Beach Club you’ll find serene white sand beaches with lots of swinging benches and chairs perfect for reading or relaxing.

Ultimately, Beach Club’s vibe is decidedly more relaxed than Disney’s Yacht Club. If you’re into a more laid back cottage feel than the super-luxe sporting man’s vibe over on the Yacht side, you’ll likely feel more comfortable with Beach’s equally gorgeous but more chilled out design.

Disney’s Beach Club Resort also has some great restaurants you’ll want to try. There’s Cape May Cafe with a character breakfast buffet and a seafood dinner buffet and the apropos Martha’s Vineyard  for wine.

Room rates between Disney’s Yacht Club and Disney’s Beach Club are pretty much the same, so with both having sharable amenities, the real deciding factor between the two is their unique stylish settings — and we give Beach Club the edge for this . And if you’re traveling with kids who are all about some pool time, you might bump Beach Club over our number one pick…

Disney’s BoardWalk Inn

Our number one pick for best EPCOT-area Resort is Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, a whimsical turn-of-the-century-style Resort with oceanside offerings. To us, the BoardWalk feels a lot less stuffy than Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts while still providing an elegant backdrop to a Disney stay.

Browse reader reviews of BoardWalk Inn and Villas here!

There’s lots to see and do when you stay at Disney’s BoardWalk. The boardwalk itself is a popular nighttime destination — like a mini Disney Springs with lively bars, restaurants, and street performers!

There’s nightly dueling piano performances and singalongs down at Jellyrolls , or you can trip the light fantastic at the Atlantic Dance Hall , a popular nightclub. These over-21 venues do leave out the littles, though, which is why parents with kids might not find they can make the most out of BoardWalk’s many nighttime offerings.

But it’s not just  about the grown-ups here. The Resort has lots of stuff for the kids, too, including nightly showings of movies on the lawn and Surrey bikes for rent!

The BoardWalk Inn knows it has stiff pool competition across Crescent Lake, and theirs doesn’t disappoint. It may not have all the bells and whistles that Stormalong Bay has, but it does have a giant waterslide that resembles an old-timey wooden roller coaster.

In the end, you can’t really go wrong with any of the three Resorts , so while BoardWalk landed on top for us, we can certainly see the virtues of Yacht and Beach Club, too. Luckily since all three are within easy walking distance from one another, you really don’t have to choose in some respects! You can enjoy most of what each of these Resorts has to offer in terms of nightlife, restaurants, bars and entertainment no matter which one you choose to lay your head down in.

Which of the three Epcot area resorts do you think is best? Let us know in the comments section!

Want to read more allears reader reviews or leave one of your own.

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11 Replies to “Disney’s Yacht Club, Beach Club, or BoardWalk: Which EPCOT Resort Is the Best?”

Can’t compare because we went to the Beach Club and will never go anywhere else (actually staying at the BC Villas in April)

I have stayed at the Boardwalk and also the Swan and Dolphin. I would like to stay at the Yacht and Beach clubs but they are really cost prohibitive in my opinion at this point. I stayed at those other resorts from 10 to 25 years ago when they were still affordable.

Definitely love Beach Club! When kids were younger, the pool was super important. Now that they are getting a little older though, we are preparing ourselves to try out Boardwalk in November. Wish us luck!!

Last December we stayed at the Beach Club but my DD (14) & I had breakfast at the Ale & Compass. When we walked in she looked around at the empty lobby, giant Christmas village train set and darker woodwork and asked, “Why are we staying here?!”. I had assumed my kids would prefer the Beach Club but the serpent at Yacht won them over. So next trip looks like we’ll be staying there. However, I agree that Boardwalk is pretty awesome. Except for the clown

My choice is Yacht Club for two particular reasons: Stormalong Bay puts it over Boardwalk, and every room having a full balcony puts it over Beach Club. Yacht Club is my favorite Disney resort of all!

I know I’m about two years late on this article, but a thousand times yes! However wrote this article definitely needs to go back and do more research. Boardwalk rating higher than Yacht club is laughable. I would dare say Yacht club ranks higher than Beach club for me. I happen to like the stuffy atmosphere but I also love that I get a full balcony.

In my opinion, for the amount of money these resorts cost…I’m in favor of the Beach Club! The POOL!! You can save money on park tickets for the family and just have a day dedicated to this pool. Walking ccess to the two parks is fantastic. The ability to see a little bit of the Epcot show every night from the bridge is fun too! Just walking around the circle is very pretty and good for little ones to walk..

Don’t forget Swan and Dolphin!!! Appreciate not Disney “owned” but offers everything I would expect from a Disney resort hotel. Have enjoyed many great holidays there.

Liz, thanks for your comment!

This is a pretty superficial comparison of the three resorts. Having stayed multiple times at each of these, I have to respectfully suggest a closer look in order to make a meaningful analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the three resorts. Yes, the dining is important, but what about the rooms? The friendliness and performance of the staff? The little details? For example, the Boardwalk is HUGE and many of the rooms are a long distance from the lobby. Those with disabilities may particularly have a problem with that. Also, there is a difference in noise level, because of the conferences held at the Boardwalk and, well, the boardwalk out front, which brings lots of foot traffic to the stores and restaurants there. You could also have addressed the differences in the reputations of the concierge levels at all three. I prefer the Beach Club’s concierge, but some rooms are not located on the same floor as the concierge lounge, which can be bothersome to those of us who like to dash down the hall for snacks, etc., at all hours. You didn’t mention the various resorts’ shopping options, either. I would rate Yacht Club higher than Boardwalk in that regard, for example. And then there are the holidays and the unique touches at each during that time. The amazing gingerbread carousel, which actually moves, makes the Beach Club tops for the holidays, in my book. Anyway, I’d love to see a more in-depth version of this article. There’s much to cover just in comparing these three resorts to one another, let alone in comparing them to other deluxe resorts on the property. (And you didn’t even mention the Swan and Dolphin, also in the Epcot-adjacent area!)

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Disney’s Yacht Club Resort Review (Is it worth it?)

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort is one of the most beautiful and convenient hotels in all of Walt Disney World. With its classy design, enormous pool, and prime location, it’s easy to see why the Yacht Club at Disney World is such a highly sought after place to stay.

My family and I have visited numerous hotels on Disney property, but the Yacht Club always keeps us coming back for more. We love the close proximity to Disney’s Boardwalk, Epcot, and Hollywood Studios.

The multiple transportation options are a huge plus, especially for those who don’t like to solely rely on Disney buses. And of course we have to mention the Yacht Club’s pool, Stormalong Bay. This elaborate resort swimming area is arguably the best pool at the Walt Disney World Resort!

If you’re still not quite sold on the Yacht Club at Disney World or if you would like more information, continue reading below. In this post, we will cover everything you need to know about this deluxe Disney resort , including the activities, restaurants, and rooms available at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort.

(This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, I may receive a small compensation at no extra cost to you. Please see my disclosure policy at the bottom of this page for more details.)

Yacht Club Restaurants

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort is full of all different types of restaurants. Since this hotel shares dining options with its sister resorts, you’ll find even more places to eat within a short walk of your room.

These are the Yacht Club restaurants you will find just a short stroll away:

• Ale and Compass – sit-down restaurant in the Yacht Club that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner (also available to-go)
• The Market at Ale and Compass – quick service restaurant at Yacht Club with to-go items and menu options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• Yachtsman Steakhouse – fine dining restaurant at the Yacht Club that is open for dinner
• Crew’s Cup Lounge – bar at the Yacht Club that features a small dinner menu and full bar
• Cape May Cafe – offers a character meal breakfast buffet and sit-down dinner with no characters
• Beach Club Marketplace – features to-go items and menu options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• Beaches and Cream – available for lunch and dinner with reservations highly recommended
• Martha’s Vineyard – offers appetizers and full bar
• Hurricane Hanna’s Waterside Bar and Grill – pool restaurant with full bar and lunch/dinner options

Furthermore, the Yacht Club is located just a short walk away from Disney’s Boardwalk , where you’ll find additional restaurants and bars.

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort is home to the most popular pool on Disney property. It’s such a hit that you’ll find cast members handing out wristbands at the entrance so that only hotel guests can enter.

The main pool, Stormalong Bay, features a large sand bottom swimming area that’s super shallow and great for toddlers and little kids. There’s also a lazy river that’s a fan favorite in my household.

Guests can also enjoy other large swimming areas at Stormalong Bay, including an activities section where you’ll find games like pool volleyball. Stormalong Bay offers a large waterslide as well as a smaller slide that empties into a shallow pool.

In addition to Stormalong Bay, the Yacht Club in Disney World features a “quiet” pool that is seldom busy. This is a great spot to relax or swim laps.

Rooms 

My family and I love the nautical decor and ambience of the Yacht Club guest rooms. Additionally, we appreciate that the rooms offer full balconies. In our post on Disney’s Beach Club vs Yacht Club , you’ll read about why these balconies are a major pro for Yacht Club compared to its sister resort.

Disney’s Yacht Club features standard rooms and club level rooms. If you book a room with Club Level benefits, you get access to the Regatta Club. Here, you’ll find food and beverages offered at certain times throughout the day.

Guest rooms at the Yacht Club come with views of the lake, pool, garden, or hotel rooftop/parking lot. These rooms typically feature 1 king bed or 2 queens. Some of them also offer a daybed. This means that if you book a room with 2 queens plus a daybed, you can sleep a family of five!

Prices at Yacht Club

Since Disney’s Yacht Club Resort is classified as a deluxe hotel at Disney World, you’ll notice that the prices are higher than at some of the other hotels. This is because the Yacht Club offers deluxe room space, extra amenities, and a prime location.

We will explain all the significance of all of these perks in more detail below, but it’s important to note that Disney’s Yacht Club truly offers a deluxe experience. The updated guest rooms feature plenty of space, including private balconies. Plus, the hotel is conveniently located within walking distance of other Disney hotels, restaurants, theme parks, and more. 

If you would really like to experience the location, amenities, and entertainment at the Yacht Club without the hefty price tag, we suggest booking a room at the sister hotel through David’s Vacation Club Rentals. You will be blown away by the cost savings on David’s DVC rental site! We usually save hundreds of dollars per night by using this method to book a room at a deluxe resort.

Just use the cost calculator to see exactly how much a room costs at Yacht Club’s sister resort, Disney’s Beach Club Villas. These villas are located just a short walk away from the Yacht Club hotel, and they both share restaurants, pools, and activities. While you can reserve one of the villas on the official Disney website, we prefer to book through David’s DVC rental website . We have used this reputable company for years to rent timeshare points at Disney villas.

Things to Do at Disney’s Yacht Club 

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort sits on the same property as two sister resorts: Disney’s Beach Club Resort and Disney’s Beach Club Villas. These three hotels share restaurants, activities, amenities, and entertainment options with each other.

One of my family’s favorite things about the Yacht Club is that you don’t need to leave the property to have fun. So, if you’re looking for activities at Disney outside of the theme parks, the Yacht Club offers lots of great options. These are our favorite things to do at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort when enjoying a relaxing day at Disney:

See Epcot Fireworks

We recommend walking to the bridge that connects the Disney Boardwalk to the Yacht and Beach Club Resort to enjoy the nightly Epcot fireworks show. You can even grab some ice cream to enjoy during the presentation.

Take a Ride on the Skyliner

Since the Disney Skyliner sits just outside of Epcot’s International Gateway entrance, you can easily access it from the Yacht Club Resort. Just take the short (less than ten minutes) walk toward Epcot and hop on the Skyliner for free!

Book a fishing excursion on Crescent Lake for a truly unique experience while staying at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort.

Eat Ice Cream

Disney’s Yacht Club is home to one of our favorite WDW restaurants, Beaches and Cream . While reservations can be difficult to snag at this popular dining spot, you can access the walk-up window to order shakes and ice cream to-go.

Dine with Characters

Check out Cape May Cafe during breakfast/brunch when it becomes Minnie’s Beach Bash. Guests can meet Goofy, Minnie, and Donald while they dine at the breakfast buffet.

Float along the Lazy River

The Beach Club’s main pool, Stormalong Bay, offers many fun features. One of our favorite things to do at the pool is to grab (free) tubes to float along the lazy river.

Play Games in the Arcade

Lafferty Place Arcade offers lots of fun games for kids and adults to enjoy. This is a particularly great place to spend time at Disney World when it’s raining.

Ride the Friendship Boats

The Disney water taxi picks up visitors near the Yacht Club. You can ride this free boat to the Disney Boardwalk, Swan and Dolphin Resorts, Epcot entrance, and Hollywood Studios entrance.

Build Sandcastles

Did you know that Stormalong Bay features a shallow, sand bottom pool and beach area? Kids love digging in the sand and splashing around in this section of the pool.

Make S’mores

Visit the nightly campfire to roast marshmallows during your visit. You can even purchase S’mores Kits for a few dollars.

Rent a Boat

Spend time on Crescent Lake on your own private pontoon boat. Guests can rent boats from the marina near the Yacht Club.

Disney’s Yacht Club offers a large fitness center for guests to use during their stay. Ship Shape Health Club is even open 24 hours a day, so you can squeeze in a workout at any time.

Stroll along the Disney Boardwalk

The Disney Boardwalk is full of amazing activities and entertainment options and is just a short walk away from the Yacht Club. 

Play Volleyball

As you walk along the boardwalk in front of the Beach Club, you’ll notice a sand volleyball court. This is a great spot to pick up a game with friends or family. You can also often join a game of volleyball at Stormalong Bay Pool.

Enjoy an Evening Movie

Each evening, Disney Yacht Club guests can watch a movie under the stars. These family friendly movies are a great way to unwind after a long day.

Play Mini Golf

Stroll over to Fantasia Gardens and Miniature Golf Course where you’ll find two 18-hole courses. This fun spot is located near the Dolphin and Swan Resorts.

Swim Some Laps

If you’re looking for a quieter poolside experience to swim laps or relax, check out the leisure pool at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort. You’ll also have access to the quiet pools at Beach Club and Beach Club Villas.

If you’re not into running or jogging on vacation, you can spend time strolling along the jogging paths at the Yacht Club. You’ll find lots of great spots to take pictures and may even catch some surprises along the way.

Join a Kid Friendly Party at the Pool

Each afternoon, Stormalong Bay hosts fun poolside activities like hula hoop competitions and limbo. 

Play Tennis

Guests can find tennis courts near the Yacht Club’s quiet pool. 

Zoom Down Waterslides

Stormalong Bay features two separate water slides for guests to enjoy. The main waterslide stretches from the pirate ship and across the Beach Club boardwalk to the main pool.

You’ll also find a smaller slide that’s perfect for toddlers and small kids at the entrance to the main water slide.

Book a Fireworks Cruise

Take in the sights and sounds of the Epcot fireworks show from your pontoon boat on Crescent Lake.

Transportation

As mentioned above, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort sits in a prime location in the center of all the magic at WDW. If you’re planning to visit one of the theme parks, you’ll be happy to know that several of them are just a super short walk or ride away.

These are our preferred ways to get from Disney’s Yacht Club to other places in Walt Disney World:

• To Magic Kingdom – You can access the Disney buses in front of the hotel. The ride to Magic Kingdom should take 15-20 minutes. 
• To Epcot – Exit the back of Yacht Club (toward Crescent Lake) and turn left. Epcot sits just under a ten minute walk away!
• To Hollywood Studios – You have several options for getting to Hollywood Studios. We find the quickest option *usually* is walking. Hollywood Studios sits just a 15 minute walk away from the Yacht Club. You can also ride a Friendship Boat to Hollywood Studios. However, by the time you wait on the boat to make stops, this method can take longer than walking. You could also walk toward Epcot to catch the Disney Skyliner. With this method, you should be able to reach Hollywood Studios in around 25 minutes.
• To Animal Kingdom – You can hop on one of the Disney buses to get to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. This is roughly a ten-minute ride.
• To Disney’s Boardwalk – You can make the five-minute walk around Crescent Lake to easily reach the Disney Boardwalk. Guests can also take the Friendship Boat from the Yacht Club lighthouse and ride across the lake to the Boardwalk.
• To Disney Springs – You can take a bus to Disney Springs, which typically takes 15-20 minutes.

Is Disney’s Yacht Club Worth It?

Since Disney’s Yacht Club may be my personal favorite resort in all of WDW , I would definitely say it’s worth the cost! I love the classy guest rooms and bathrooms with their nautical decor.

The lobby seems to be quieter and calmer than that at other resorts, and the cast members are super friendly and helpful. My family and I enjoy the food at all the restaurants on site, and we appreciate the ability to easily walk from the Yacht Club to the Beach Club’s dining options.

The close proximity to Epcot makes the Yacht Club an ideal place to stay since there’s no rush to get to the park in the morning or back “home” at the end of a long day. Plus, you enter and exit through the International Gateway entrance to Epcot (near World Showcase), so the lines to enter are basically nonexistent.

Additionally, Disney’s Hollywood Studios is just a short walk, boat ride, or Skyliner ride away. And if you feel like venturing out, you can take the scenic stroll around Crescent Lake to the Disney Boardwalk.

Overall, we highly recommend the beautiful Yacht Club Resort! For additional information on Disney resorts, join the conversation on our Facebook page: Mom’s Guide to Disney Resorts ! Do you have a review of Disney’s Yacht Club Resort? Comment below to share your thoughts with us!

Shari is an experienced planner and organizer for Disney vacations, cruising, and U.S. travel. Her family vacation information, reviews, and tips provide insight for moms and dads everywhere. You can read more about her story, including her journey through breast cancer, in the about me page.

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What’s the Difference Between Disney’s Yacht Club and Beach Club Resorts?

Question: What’s the difference between Disney’s Yacht Club and Disney’s Beach Club Resorts?

Answer: The biggest difference in these two gorgeous resorts is the theming and location. Opened in 1990, they are considered “sister resorts” as they are literally next door neighbors. They even share a 3 acre water attraction and pool area called Stormalong Bay, which is currently undergoing an extensive refurbishment to be completed Spring 2015. The Yacht Club is designed to look like a grand New England style yacht club. The theming is beautiful and detailed, of course. The Beach Club is modeled after a Martha’s Vineyard club. The look is fairly similar in that respect, which is how the resorts are often confused with one another.

Because the resorts are so close together they share amenities such as the main pool area and dining. Just across Crescent Lake you can see Disney’s Boardwalk Resort . They are situated within walking distance to Epcot, you heard that right, walking distance! There is a path that will lead you right into the World Showcase! You are also very close to Hollywood Studios . You can walk if the extra activity doesn’t bother you or take a boat ride over. These resorts put you right next to the action. You are also so close to the Boardwalk and The Swan and Dolphin you will have a host of amenity options at your Mickey loving finger tips.

Some of the dining options on site include Yachtsman Steakhouse with steaks, seafood and a more family oriented atmosphere even for signature dining . You can also find the Cape May Café buffet style character dining and the famous Beaches and Cream Soda Shop. This soda shop is a retro style casual dining option that is the home of the legendary Kitchen Sink ice cream sundae- 8 scoops and covered in every topping they make!

When requesting a room if you have the desire to see fireworks from Epcot’s IllumiNations show you’d be better off at the Beach Club and requesting a room on the Epcot side of the resort. Another nice option is sitting on the beach to take in the sights. Both resorts offer quiet pools if you aren’t in the mood to be surrounded by activity in the sand bottomed pool of Stormalong Bay. If you are feeling competitive go play a round at Fantasia Gardens and Fairways Mini Golf.

The biggest difference that might affect your choice is this: Yacht Club is closer to the boat dock to take you to Boardwalk and Hollywood Studios while Beach Club is a shorter walk to Epcot and you have better chances of viewing fireworks from your room. Other than that both resorts offer a lot to their guests! Which will it be for you?

Hi, I’m Autumn! For information on these or any other Disney resorts contact me today! I’d love to help you plan your perfect vacation starting with the resort that suits your needs and wants best. Email me today at [email protected] or find me on Facebook !

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