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Scheduled Refurbishments

None scheduled right now.

• Check all known refurbishments
• Yacht Club Resort Maps
• Pros and Cons of on-site Walt Disney World Resort hotels

Yacht Club Trip Reports

• Christine from Hawaii’s WDW Trip Report – PREP309
• Kat from Australia’s 3 week adventure – PREP300
• Amanda’s Long May Trip – PREP278

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Updated: April 22, 2024

Yacht Club Highlights:

• Great location! The Yacht Club is walking distance to Epcot and Hollywood Studios (which is also easily accessible by boat or Skyliner.)
• Stormalong Bay! This gorgeous water complex includes a sand bottom pool, pirate slide, and lazy river.
• A diner’s paradise! In addition to two theme parks, the Yacht Club is also walking distance to the Beach Club, Boardwalk Inn, and Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin. Being so close to four additional deluxe resorts provides extensive dining and entertainment options.

What is the Yacht Club like?

The Yacht Club (YC) is a five-story, 630 room resort, slightly larger than its sister resort, the Beach Club (BC), located along the shore of Crescent Lake, opposite the Boardwalk Resort . Themed after seaside New England hotels of the late 1800s, the Yacht Club has a stately, nautical look and feel; hardwood floors and brass accents enhance this feeling. Guests staying at both the Yacht Club and Beach Club have the exclusive use of Stormalong Bay, a 750,000 gallon pool/mini-water park complete with water slide, sandy bottom, whirlpools, and water currents.

Why stay at the Yacht Club?

Three very important reasons: Location, Location, Location. The Yacht Club is one of the most conveniently located resorts on Disney’s property. The Yacht Club is within walking distance of Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the Boardwalk, the Swan, and the Dolphin hotels. If you don’t feel like walking you can choose a short boat ride to any of these places instead.

If you like fine dining, you will be in the center of it all. Not only do the Yacht Club, Beach Club, and Boardwalk all have terrific choices, you are also just minutes away from the international flavor of Epcot’s World Showcase. If you like to swim, one of the best hotel pools, Stormalong Bay, is right under your nose. There are several other recreational activities available at the Yacht Club (described below).

Transportation – How do I get there from here?

• EPCOT – EPCOT can be easily reached by foot via a short 10-minute walk along the water way leading to Epcot’s International Gateway. If walking isn’t for you, there is a boat to ferry guests from all the Epcot resorts (Swan, Dolphin, Boardwalk, Yacht Club, and Beach Club) to the International Gateway, but the walk is faster and a bit more scenic. To board the boat, simply exit the lobby on the rear side of the hotel and walk straight down to the dock – just look for the lighthouse. Be sure you’re in the Epcot line (left side facing the water), not Disney’s Hollywood Studios line (right side facing the water) line.Epcot resort guests CAN use the International Gateway entrance to Epcot even though World Showcase may not yet be open for the day. Cast members will help usher you toward Future World in Epcot. The International Gateway also offers full-service ticketing and purchasing of annual passes. The guest services window usually opens 30 minutes prior to park opening.

• You can take a leisurely 15 to 20 minute one-mile stroll along the path that follows the waterway connecting the Epcot resort area with the Hollywood Studios.
• Take the Friendship boat f rom the right side of the boat dock. You can meet the boat at the dock just as you would the boat for Epcot, by exiting the rear of the hotel and walking straight down to the lighthouse. Again, make sure you catch the right boat. The CMs will surely let you know which boat you’re getting on. The boat usually stops by the Swan and Dolphin and Boardwalk via the Studios. The trip takes about 20 minutes.
• Take the Disney Skyliner. Walk to International Gateway and climb aboard the most Magical Flight on Earth! You will need to transfer to the Disney’s Hollywood Studios at the Caribbean Beach Station.

• Magic Kingdom – The Magic Kingdom can be reached by taking a bus from the front of the hotel. Another longer, but more scenic, journey is to take the monorail from Epcot’s front entrance, transfer at the TTC, and then continue to the MK. Traveling this way does take some time and some walking, but you get to see a little bit more, and it lends to resort hopping if the mood strikes. Keep in mind this route will likely taste at least an hour.
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom – Disney’s Animal Kingdom can be reached by taking a bus from the front of the hotel.

• Typhoon Lagoon, Blizzard Beach, and Disney Springs – Buses take you directly from the hotel to these locations after picking up passengers from the Beach Club and Boardwalk Inn. Travel times vary to each of these locations, but many of these attractions are relatively close to the Yacht Club, so you never have to wait too long.

Note that when using the buses, they will usually stop at the Beach Club; however sometimes it will also stop at the Boardwalk, the Swan and the Dolphin resorts. The tends to happen during the middle of the day or during low crowd times.

• Disney’s Boardwalk – The Boardwalk faces the Yacht and Beach Clubs on the opposite side of Crescent Lake. There are two foot bridges, one in the direction of the Swan/Dolphin hotels, and one in the direction of Epcot, allowing you to walk to this entertainment complex and hotel.
• For all other locations, including Fort Wilderness , and resort hotels, buses to Disney Springs will allow you to connect with other transportation to your final destination. You can also take the monorail from the Future World side of Epcot to reach the TTC. Travel times vary widely here. You can time it just right and have a short, efficient trip, or have a trip lasting over  an hour. Hope for the best! Hint: When in a hurry, it usually takes only 5 minutes to get a taxi. Go to the valet station at the front of the Yacht Club and they will call a taxi for you. Trips to destinations on property range in cost from $16 to $24. For example, the typical taxi fare from the Yacht Club to the Grand Floridian costs about $20 (not including tip). It’s usually significantly cheaper to take a Rideshare such as an Uber or Lyft from the front of the Yacht Club to anywhere on property.

What are the rooms like?

Most rooms feature two queen-size beds, a table and chairs, color TV w/remote, a ceiling fan, double sinks in the dressing area, and refrigerator. Some rooms have a daybed that will accommodate the maximum 5 guests allowed per room at the Yacht Club. There are also pet friendly rooms. Of the 539 regular guest rooms at the Yacht Club, 483 rooms have queen-sized beds, 56 rooms have king-sized beds, and there are 10 disabled access rooms. Most rooms have a balcony that have a table and two chairs. Standard Rooms are for all guests, including Concierge Club. Deluxe rooms are larger and are only available on the Concierge level.

The rooms at the Yacht Club have been thoughtfully stocked with many extras. Rooms have a small safe, located in the closet, in which you can store your valuables such as jewelry, airline tickets, passports, travelers’ checks, etc. For bigger items, storage facilities may be available at the front desk.

Another nice feature is having the bathtub/toilet separated from the rest of the room. The double sinks are located outside the true “bathroom.” In the vanity area, you will find a hair dryer, as well as a make-up mirror mounted on the wall.

The Yacht Club does have a Club Level and club-level/service rooms. All Club Level rooms are located on the hotel’s 5th floor, which requires your Magic Band to gain entry from the elevator. There are 71 concierge suites and 20 “true” suites in a variety of sizes. See the Concierge page for more information about the concierge level.

Walt Disney World Resort has complimentary Wi-Fi service available in all of its hotels and parks. See our Internet Access page for details.

A room with a view, but which one?

There are three views available: The Standard view, the Garden or Woods view, and the Lagoon or pool view.

Standard view rooms overlook the garden, rooftop or parking areas around the hotel. Garden or Woods view rooms typically overlook the slightly nicer areas around the quiet pool, or even the wedding gazebo. Lagoon or pool view rooms have a direct view of Crescent Lake and the Boardwalk. Some of the Lagoon or Pool view rooms are located just above Stormalong Bay and may be a bit noisy during the day. Note also that not all Lagoon or Pool view rooms offer a direct view of the lake and the Boardwalk. Many are at right angles to the lake, making it often difficult or impossible to see the Boardwalk. If you should book a Lagoon or Pool view room, don’t be disappointed if you don’t have a direct view of the lake.

Can I Bring My Pet to Stay at the Yacht Club?

Walt Disney World has four hotels pet-friendly, one of which is Disney’s Yacht Club. Read our page on Pet-Friendly Hotel Rooms for more details.

Pets may also be boarded at the Best Friends Pet Care kennel across from Port Orleans Riverside.

Are there smoking and nonsmoking rooms?

All Disney resorts and guest rooms are smoke free . There are designated outdoor smoking areas. Check the resort map or with a Cast Member for locations.

What are the prices for a room?

The Yacht Club is considered a “Deluxe” resort hotel, and its prices are among the more expensive offered at Disney. These are regular rate prices and do not include the Florida Sales Tax nor the county resort tax. Most rooms have a maximum five-person occupancy per room. Prices are per room, and there is an additional adult charge of $25 per adult per night for more than two adults in a room.

Walt Disney World Resort rates vary by season (there are nine seasons now), and also by day of the week. The holiday season is the most expensive time of the year. It runs from mid-December to early January as well as during Easter Week.

The rates for a: — Standard View Room range from $443 – $762 — Garden or Woods View Room range from $484 – $787                                     — Lagoon or Pool View Room range from $561 – $851 — Club Level Standard View Room range from $661 – $1,052 — Club Level Garden View Room range from $676 – $1,075 — Club Level Pool or Lagoon View room range from $771 – $1,197 — Suites range from $1,863 – $3,071

Is there a fee to park at the Yacht Club?

There is a fee for overnight self-parking at Walt Disney World Resort hotels. Click HERE for current pricing and other parking-related information.

Are there any discounts?

There are many ways to save a few dollars on your accommodations at WDW. Disney offers several resort “seasons” throughout the year including a Value Season. Annual Passholders can save by visiting during annual Passholder specials. Florida residents get a break for living in the same state as the Mouse. Don’t forget holidays are the most expensive time to visit, along with most of the summer. Generally, planning your trip during the off-season can save you money right off the bat.

Please visit our Discount Summary Page for more information.

I hear that there are no more room key cards at Disney resort hotels. How do I get into my room?

Walt Disney World has converted their room keys and admission tickets from plastic cards to MagicBands, flexible plastic wristbands, resembling a watch or bracelet, that use Radio Frequency (RF) technology. Your MagicBand is linked to your My Disney Experience (MDE) account and acts as your Disney resort room key. Simply touch the Mickey symbol on your MagicBand to the RFID reader near your room door to gain entry. Read about using MagicBands for park admission, FastPass+ and more.

How does Check-in and Check-Out work?

Online Check-in  is available through the My Disney Experience App. Look for the special Online Check-in line at the resort’s front desk.

Check-in is at 3pm. Upon arrival head to the front desk to check-in. Rooms are not guaranteed to be available until 3pm, but you can request Early Check-in when you do Online Check-in.

Check-out time is 11am .  Express Check-out  is available to all guests paying with a credit card, arrange for this service at check-in. A detailed hotel bill is delivered to your door by 7am. If the bill is correct you simply leave. Your Magic Band serves as a  Disney  souvenir. Late Check-out of noon can be requested without additional cost (very limited availability). If you need Late Check-out, request it at Check-In and as soon as possible the morning of check out (the number of eligible rooms are limited).

Resort Airline Check-In Service  at your Disney resort is only available if you are flying domestically (includes Puerto Rico) on specific airlines It is a complimentary (free) service and allows you to check your luggage.

Restaurants?

If you’re looking for good food while staying at the Yacht Club there is plenty to choose fom! The Yacht Club has two very good full service restaurants of its own, and a brief walk along Stormalong Bay will take you to the restaurants of the Beach Club. Additionally, room service is available 24 hours a day.

Ale & Compass — Serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a casual nautical atmosphere. Order a la carte morning meals from 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., or there is an all-you care-to-enjoy breakfast buffet from 7:30a.m. to 11:25a.m. Lunch is served from 11:30am to 2pm, and dinner is available from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Tables are almost always available during the day, but an Advance Reservation is recommended if possible.

Attached to the Ale & Compass Restaurant is the Ale & Compass Lounge. This is a full service cocktail lounge with specialty drinks and light bites.

Yachtsman Steakhouse – – This is the Yacht Club’s premier restaurant, serving tasty cuts of superbly aged beef, as well as poultry and seafood selections. An Advance Reservation is highly recommended for dinner. They are sometimes able to accommodate early (5:30-7:00) and late (9:00-9:45) walk up arrivals. A party of two is more likely to be seated more quickly than a party of six or more. Although this rule normally applies even to the busiest of seasons, there are no guarantees. Note that for this and other Signature Dining experiences, there is a dress code. Men should wear khakis, slacks, jeans or dress shorts and collared shirts. Women may wear Capri pants, skirts, dresses, jeans or dress shorts. No tank tops, swimsuits, cover ups, hats (for men), cut-offs, torn clothing or t-shirts with offensive language/graphics are allowed.

The Crew’s Cup , located near the Yachtsman Steakhouse, serves a multitude of beers, along with your favorite drinks and wines. Appetizers and finger foods are also available here, making the Crew’s Cup a nice place for lunch or a light evening meal.

For a Quick Service Meal, head to the Market at Ale & Compass . They are open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and offer a variety of made-to-order sandwiches, salads, and soups. The Market also has a selection of to-go options such as baked goods and pre-packaged sandwiches for a meal on the run!

Don’t forget right next door in the Beach Club is the Cape May Buffet , where you’ll find Goofy and friends for a breakfast buffet or a clambake dinner served family-style (buffet).Reservations are highly recommended.

Martha’s Vineyard is a lounge located at the Beach Club, that also serves appetizers, and is open in the evenings.

Also, shared between the YC and BC are two other dining locales, Beaches and Cream Soda Shop and Hurricane Hanna’s Grill.

• Beaches & Cream is open for lunch and dinner, and serves wonderful shakes and malts along with burgers and ice cream selections. Reservations are highly recommended!
• Hurricane Hanna’s  is located poolside at Stormalong Bay and specializes in great, quick eats such as hot dogs, hamburgers, sausages, and more.

What are Rapid Fill Mugs?

The Rapid Fill beverage program allows Disney Resort guests to buy (or receive as part of the Disney Dining Plan) a resort mug that can be refilled for a certain period of time as designated at time of purchase. These mugs are enhanced by an RFID bar code that enables the mug to deactivate when the designated time is complete.

I want to swim!

The Yacht Club has one of the best, if not the best swimming pools (at a hotel) in all of Walt Disney World. Stormalong Bay is a three-acre water playground shared between the Yacht Club and the Beach Club. It’s a great place to have fun or just relax. Stormalong Bay has many different sections that encompass its 750,000 gallons of water. There are shallow wading areas for the younger ones, complete with sand bottoms. There are also larger and deeper areas, some with sand, some without.

A “shipwreck” on the shore of Crescent Lake provides the entrance to an exciting water slide for the adventurous folks. There is a circular area in Stormalong Bay with water jets that create a current. All you have to do is float. the water will move you along! All around Stormalong Bay are lounge chairs where you can relax and catch some rays. Among other things, you’ll find a waterfall and a couple of hot tubs hidden amongst the scenery. Note, however, that life jackets cannot be worn when using the water slide. The water slide includes an enclosed tube and a child with a life jacket can get stuck. If your child requires the use of a life jacket, you can request to use the pool and slide at the Boardwalk Inn.

There is a quiet pool at the Yacht Club, found on the far end of the hotel away from the noise and excitement. The pool is located on the front/side of the hotel farthest from the Beach Club and closest to the Swan/Dolphin. There is also a hot tub in the same area as the quiet pool. These facilities are open 24 hours, as long as you are quiet! You can also use the quiet pool/hot tub on the Beach Club side of things. This pool is located on the back side of the Beach Club, closest to Epcot. You may see this area if you walk the path to Epcot. There is a third pool (and hot tub) located at the Beach Club Villas; guests of the Yacht Club are welcome to use it as well.

What other recreation is available at the Yacht Club?

Be sure to request the Recreational Activities flyer . There may be activities like Water Volleyball, Campfire Sing-along, or Movie Under the Stars.

If swimming isn’t for you, there are plenty of other activities available at the Yacht Club. Tennis is available on a lit court located by the Admiral Pool. Areas for volleyball and croquet are available on the Beach Club end of the twin hotel complex. Equipment is available free of charge from the Ship Shape Health Club.

Ship Shape Health Club is located between the Beach and Yacht Club resorts next to Lafferty Place Arcade is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Membership is free to Yacht Club resort guests for the length of their stay. Disney Vacation Club members may use the facilities free if they are staying at a Disney resort. Guests from other Disney resorts can use the facilities for $12/day, based on availability. Equipment includes Hammer Strength, Life Fitness, Cybex and aerobic machines, as well as a spa, steam room, sauna and massage therapy. Massages and facials are available by appointment only. Call (407) WDW-SPAS or (407) 939-7727 to book.

Jogging – Jogging route maps are available from Lobby Concierge (Guest Services) or from the Ship Shape Health Club.

Volleyball -A sand court is located on the Beach Club side of the complex. Equipment use is complimentary for BC/YC guests and is available from the Ship Shape Health Club.

Tennis – A lit court is located by the Admiral Pool, with complimentary tennis balls and racquets available from the Ship Shape Health Club.

Lafferty Place Arcade is located next to the Beaches and Cream Soda Shop.

Playground – Open 24 hours, it is located near Stormalong Bay.

Bayside Marina is located in a small building to the right of the pier (facing the lake) and services guests from both the Yacht Club and Beach Club daily from 11am to 5pm. For a list of cruises available, see our Specialty Resort/Park Cruise page . To reserve cruises or fishing excursions call 1-407-WDW-PLAY.

Fantasia Gardens – is located across from the Swan/Dolphin hotels. Here you can enjoy mini-golf at its best… Disney style.

I need to shop! OR — I forgot to pack something real important!

The Yacht Club’s all-purpose store is The Market at Ale and Compass.   This store offers a small but comprehensive collection of clothing, character merchandise, and sundries.

Need your clothes cleaned?

If you need to wash your clothes during your stay at the Yacht Club, laundry facilities are located adjacent to the quiet pool area located on the far front side of the hotel, closer to the Swan/Dolphin hotels. Likewise there are laundry facilities at the quiet pool of the Beach Club.

If you need something dry cleaned or pressed, you’ll find a card detailing services and costs in your room upon check-in. An iron and ironing board are located in most guest rooms. If your room does not have these items, they can be obtained free of charge by contacting housekeeping.

Babysitting, Childcare, Children’s Programs

There is no child care activity center at this resort. For child care alternatives, visit our Child Care FAQ.

Does the Yacht Club have a Convention Center?

Yes, the Yacht and Beach Clubs share a convention center that has 73,000 square feet of meeting and function space, that can accommodate both large and small events.

How do I use valet parking?

Simply drive your vehicle to the front of the resort and a Cast Member will park it for you. Valet parking is $33 per car for the day, even if you are staying at the Yacht Club. Don’t forget to tip the valet (both the one who takes your car and the one who brings it back to you – $1-2 is recommended) When you need to retrieve your vehicle, simply give the valet your slip of paper you were given when the car was parked, and your car will be delivered to the front of the hotel. When you are ready to get your car, call the valet stand from your room and ask for your car to be brought around. If you pay for valet at one Disney resort hotel, you can use valet at the other hotels – just tell them you are paying at the Yacht Club. The Disney resorts contract out valet services, so you are dealing with a 3rd party, not Disney employed cast members.

Does the Yacht Club have a Security Gate?

Yes, the Yacht Club complex has a guarded security gate. Upon initial arrival, simply explain to the guard you are checking in. Once you have checked in, your Magic Band will also serve to open the security gates (pull on the right side to activate the guest gate). Be sure to have your Magic Band ready when reentering through the security gate. During busy times ONLY Yacht Club resort guests may be allowed to enter the parking area.

Tips and Tricks: What else you should know about the Yacht Club:

Need a new ‘do, or just a haircut? Ship Shape Spa and Salon is located between the YC and BC, next to the health club, is the place to go. It is open 9 a.m.-7 p.m., daily. Services offered include: hair and nail services, massages and facials. Appointments are strongly recommended, call (407) WDW-SPAS or (407) 939-7727 to book.

Are you a couple on a romantic getaway? Ask for a room overlooking the wedding gazebo (a garden view room). If you’re lucky, from your balcony you’ll be able to hear and see a magical Disney wedding take place. Quite a romantic/reminiscent experience.

Plunk a few quarters in the slots at Lafferty Place Arcade where you’ll find a selection of exciting video games.

Parking – – there is a lot where you park your car. It’s a long walk from your room to the car, unless you want to pay for valet parking.

For more information on the Yacht Club, and to go on a tour, check out this AllEars TV Video !

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-XdM5tzSqE

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort:

1700 Epcot Resorts Boulevard Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830-8407 (407) 934-7000

For directions on getting to the Yacht Club from the Orlando airports, visit our Driving Directions page.

Places to Eat in Yacht Club

Read prices, menu items, and more about ale and compass restaurant, read prices, menu items, and more about the market at ale and compass, read prices, menu items, and more about ale and compass lounge, read prices, menu items, and more about yachtsman steakhouse, read prices, menu items, and more about crew's cup lounge.

• Phone: 407 934-7000
• Address: 1700 Epcot Resorts Boulevard, Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830

Transportation Options (2)

Activities & recreation (9).

• Boat Rental
• Running Trail
• Poolside Movies
• Tennis Courts

Room Options (8)

• Standard View
• Garden or Woods View
• Lagoon or Pool View
• Standard View - Club Level
• Garden View - Club Level
• Lagoon or Pool View - Club Level
• Deluxe Room - Club Level Access
• 2 Bedroom Suite-Club Level Access

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Disney's Yacht Club Resort

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Theme park reservations are not required for tickets added as part of a room-and-ticket package. For other admission types, theme park reservations may be required. Learn more about theme park reservation requirements.

Rooms and Suites

• Standard Rooms - Beverage Cooler
• In-Room Safe
• Internet - Free WiFi Service
• Coffee maker
• Suites – Mini Refrigerator
• Iron & Ironing Board
• Telephone with voicemail

Resort View

View of Garden, Rooftop, or Parking Area

1 King Bed or 1 King Bed and 1 Day Bed or 2 Queen Beds or 2 Queen Beds and 1 Day Bed

Sleeps up to 5 Adults

Check Availability

Views of Crescent Lake or Quiet Pool

Rooms and Suites with Club-Level Service

• Complimentary health club access
• Secured key access to the club-level lounge, serving refreshments 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily
• Club Level Concierge - Regatta Club

Includes All Room Amenities, Plus:

• Daily Housekeeping Service
• Access to Disney Signature Services—for personal assistance with your vacation. Call: 407-939-7777
• Personalized Front Desk and Guest Services

Resort View - Club Level

1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds

Sleeps up to 4 Adults

2 Bedroom Suite - Club Level Access

Views of Stormalong Bay or Crescent Lake

2 King Beds and 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa

Sleeps up to 6 Adults

Water View - Club Level

Views of One of the Stormalong Bay Lagoons

1 King Bed and 1 Day Bed or 2 Queen Beds or 2 Queen Beds and 1 Day Bed or 1 King Bed

Turret Suite - Club Level Access

1 King Bed and 2 Queen Beds and 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa or 4 Queen Beds

Sleeps up to 8 Adults

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Disney’s Yacht Club Resort Guide

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort 1700 Epcot Resorts Blvd. Lake Buena Vista, 32830 Phone: (407) 934-7000 Fax: (407) 934-3450

Deluxe Resort Classification Located in the Epcot resort area Check In: 3:00 p.m. / Check Out: 11:00 a.m.

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort is a Deluxe Disney resort, located within easy walking distance of Epcot’s International Gateway entrance and of the BoardWalk’s entertainment and dining venues. The Yacht Club Resort is elegant, with nautical theming reminiscent of the Nantucket in the 1880s. Most importantly, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort is appealing to the Old Salts among us, as well as those landlubbers who just enjoy a stroll along the beachfront. The floors are hardwood, the decor is brass, and comfy chairs abound- add in a sand-bottom pool that really is a mini-water park, and you’ve got the makings of a great vacation

Check our Rehabs and Closures schedule for any refurbishments or work taking place at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort during your visit.

How to Make Room Requests

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort Rooms

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort’s 621 rooms have standard, garden or woods, pool or water views. Standard rooms have either two queen beds and a daybed OR one queen bed and a twin sleeper OR  one king bed  OR  one king bed and one daybed

Twenty suites range in size from junior suite to Presidential suite. All rooms have either a balcony or a patio. Disabled accessible rooms available.

Each room has: Alarm Clock Ceiling Fan Coffeemaker & setup, tea setup DVD player (in suites) Hair dryer In-room wall safe Iron and ironing board Refrigerator Telephone with voice mail Flat Panel TV – ABC, Disney Channel, Check the  TV channel guide  for more Complimentary wireless Internet (WiFi)

Resort amenities include: Self-service laundry facilities near the ‘quiet’ pool Valet laundry service Salon/Barber Services Valet parking

Available upon request, subject to availability Bed Boards/Rails Crib: Pack ‘n Play Microwave

Business Center – At the end of the main hall in the Convention Center, providing fax, photocopy, mail, and computer services, including Internet access (additional fee applies) for Resort Guests.

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort is also participating in a pilot program to allow dogs to stay with their families in select Disney World Resort Hotels.

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort Dining

Ale & Compass Restaurant table service location serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Yachtsman Steakhouse Signature Dining location is open for dinner. Hurricane Hanna’s pool bar serves quick-service meals and snacks. Ale & Compass lounge serves drinks and snacks. Crew’s Cup lounge serves drinks and snacks. In-Room Dining is available 24 hours a day:

Beach Club dining options: Cape May Cafe is a Table Service buffet-style restaurant that hosts a character breakfast in the morning and a clam-bake-themed dinner in the evening. Beaches and Cream Soda Shop is a casual Table Service location at the Beach Club. Beaches and Cream Soda Shop To Go Menu Beach Club Marketplace sells Quick Service meals, snacks, and a limited selection of groceries. Martha’s Vineyard

BoardWalk dining opportunities are within easy walking distance: Big River Grille & Brewing Works brewpub Flying Fish (Signature Dining location) BoardWalk Deli BoardWalk Pizza Window AbracadaBar BoardWalk Ice Cream Belle Vue Lounge Pizza Window Boardwalk Joe’s Marvelous Margaritas The To-Go Cart Leaping Horse Libations Trattoria al Forno The Cake Bake Shop Restaurant by Gwendolyn Rogers– coming soon! Refillable mugs are available for purchase at Beaches and Cream Soda Shop , Beach Club Marketplace , and  Hurricane Hanna’s Grill .

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort Recreation

Stormalong Bay – a three-acre water park comprised of three sand-bottom pools with zero-depth entry, and a water slide (also open to Beach Club and Beach Club Villa guests- resort ID/MagicBand required for use) A ‘quiet’ pool Seven whirlpool spas (hot tubs) Children’s playground Lafferty Place Arcade two lighted Tennis courts Bayside Marina: Boat rentals Water cruises Fishing Volleyball  (Beach Club) Jogging trail around Crescent Lake Tennis Volleyball Nightly Campfire Sing-a-long Disney Movies Under The Stars Disney’s Pirate Adventure (children ages 4 to 12) Ship Shape Health Club

For a fun and more relaxing way to spend a day during your visit to Walt Disney World, each resort hosts Poolside Activities each day from 1:30 – 7:00 p.m.. Pool hours and lifeguard availability vary by pool. Activities and programs are subject to change. Although the activities vary by day and by resort, examples of what you might find include trivia, arts and crafts, dance parties, games, bingo, and more.

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort Shopping

The Market at Ale & Compass stocks Disney character apparel and souvenirs as well as Yacht Club logo merchandise and general sundries. Beach Club Marketplace at the Beach Club is another shopping option, and the BoardWalk has numerous shopping venues.

Look at all your vacation photos by visiting the  Photopass  page. These professional pictures can make a great souvenir for home!

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort Transportation

Complimentary Overnight Self-Parking

Transportation Times Between Yacht Club Resort and Disney Destinations

Disney’s bus service is available to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the Magic Kingdom, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom, as well as Disney Springs and the Disney water parks. Water launch transportation is available to the Epcot International Gateway entrance, to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and to the BoardWalk. The Beach Club, Boardwalk, and Epcot’s International Gateway entrance are within walking distance.

The bus stop is located to the left of the main lobby, as you exit the front of the building. Also, the water launch stop is on the dock as you exit the main lobby toward Crescent Lake.

These times are approximate and provided to give you an idea of average travel times. Please plan on up to a 20-minute wait for Disney transportation in addition to walking time to resort or theme park transportation stops.

Magic Kingdom – 19 minutes by bus, 35 minutes by car (with transfers) Epcot International Gate – 8 minutes walking, 18 minutes by boat, 16 minutes by car (to front gate) Disney’s Hollywood Studios – 20 minutes walking, 18 minutes by boat Disney’s Animal Kingdom – 24 minutes by bus, 19 minutes by car Disney Springs – 20 minutes by bus, 11 minutes by car Blizzard Beach water park –22 minutes by bus, 14 minutes by car Typhoon Lagoon water park – 20 minutes by bus, 9 minutes by car

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort Childcare

While not an on-site child care facility, however, Kid’s Nite Out, in-room child care, is available at all resorts for children 6 months to 12 years old. Reservations may begin as early as 6:30 a.m. and/or may begin as late as 11:00 p.m., Services are available 24/7.

The Walt Disney World Dolphin will still offer a Children’s Activity Center option and you do not have to be a guest at that resort to use the Children’s Activity Center. Camp Dolphin

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort VIP Top Tips

While room requests are not guaranteed , at the Yacht Club ask to be closest to the lobby to limit the amount of walking needed to the pool area and transportation to the Theme Parks.

The Yacht Club has a beautiful wedding gazebo in its gardens. From the balconies of some of the Garden View and Water View rooms, you can overlook this area and glimpse a Disney wedding.

At Disney’s Yacht Club Resort , all rooms have a full balcony or patio.

Enjoy the close proximity to Epcot’s World Showcase . While there is a boat launch available at Epcot, you can get there faster by walking.

You can access Disney’s Hollywood Studios by boat. You may also enjoy a brisk walk around the BoardWalk down to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. In general, you may find the boat ride shorter than walking to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

These resorts offer one of the best pools on Walt Disney World property. While separate, the Yacht & Beach Club Resorts share the pool area. There is a “shipwreck” that offers the entry point to the main water slide. Some areas of the pool have a sandy bottom.

These resort hotels are located near the BoardWalk, offering a short walk to additional restaurants and nightlife that do not require park admission.

Sometimes Disney’s bus transportation may share buses with the other resort hotels in the Epcot area around the BoardWalk. If you find yourself stopping at multiple stops, you may want to get off at the first stop and just walk the rest of the way. This is sometimes quicker than stopping at each resort hotel if the bus loop is being shared with multiple resorts.

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Resort View Room Tour at Disney’s Yacht Club (Is an Upgraded View Worth It?)

This article provides a tour of a resort view room at Disney’s Yacht Club. We were assigned room #4216 on the fourth floor of Disney’s Yacht Club. We’ll also discuss where and when an upgraded view is worth your consideration.

Disney’s Yacht Club is one of our favorite resorts at Walt Disney World . So, when it came time to pick a resort for a personal trip, Yacht Club was at the top of our list.

You may remember we stayed at Disney’s Yacht Club earlier this year. Therefore, I won’t write another review of the Yacht Club for this trip. But I wanted to provide a tour of our room and discuss room view categories.

You may be aware that Disney recently changed the description of their room views. Formerly, Yacht Club rooms offered the following views: standard, garden or woods, or a water view. Now, those categories (at the Yacht Club) are standard, resort, or water views.

A standard view is of a rooftop or parking area. A resort view is a view of a garden, rooftop, or parking area. Lastly, a water view is considered a view of Crescent Lake or the quiet pool.

Disney’s Yacht Club is one of the few resorts I would consider splurging on a water view. However, we went with the resort view for this trip because it was within a reasonable price range that fit our budget.

We spent the greater portion of each day at Stormalong Bay , so I didn’t necessarily miss having the water view. But I did catch myself thinking–next time, we’ll do a water view.

If we had booked this upgrade and our water view had been of the quiet pool, I would not have been happy. If and when I upgrade to a water view, I want to see Crescent Lake. To me, a view of the quiet pool versus a view of Crescent Lake isn’t comparable. So you’ll want to consider this when booking a room upgrade.

Also the same goes for a standard view. If you get a rooftop view or have a large HVAC unit sitting outside your room, it will likely put a damper on things. So make sure you consider these things when planning a trip.

However, if standard view pricing allows you to stay at the Yacht Club within your budget, the view probably won’t matter. But don’t go into the trip with expectations of waking up each morning to a stunning view–because you probably won’t have one!

Here is our room.

Standard rooms at Disney’s Yacht Club feature two queen beds with a sofa that converts to a single sleeper. This room sleeps up to five guests. We were a party of two adults and one child. So we each had a bed. This sleeper is comfortable and comparable to the single sleeper in the Incredible rooms at Disney’s Contemporary .

Here is a close-up of the futon-style bed.

When the bed is not in use, it makes for a nice sitting area. Since we used the bed, we left it converted the entire trip. Housekeeping made up the bed each day. I also wanted to mention that we had excellent service during our stay. We came home to towel creations and a well-attended room each evening.

Our room had a dresser with plenty of storage.

On top of the dresser, there was counter space, plus several outlets and USB ports.

An extra pillow and blanket were tucked away inside. If you need more, call housekeeping or leave a note. They will leave what you need in your room.

One of the things I like about the rooms at Disney’s Yacht Club is the built-in closet area.

This area provides multiple spaces to hang clothes or store items. When traveling with others, having a place to organize your personal belongings is helpful. Not only does it simplify things, it also provides the ability to get ready more efficiently.

An in-room safe, steam iron, and ironing board are available.

At the front of the foyer, a separate built-in provides shelving and a few other in-room amenities.

An individual Keurig coffee maker with accompaniments was available.

Underneath, a door opens to provide a beverage cooler. A separate drawer above the fridge provides extra storage space. It had a few paper cups and lids for coffee cups.

However, it’s disappointing that Disney has not replaced paper products in the rooms with glassware. I don’t know how you feel, but paper products are cheap. They are also not environmentally friendly.

Here is a look at the layout of the guest bathroom.

Rooms have a single vanity with two sinks and plenty of toiletries.

A ledge is available underneath the mirror, which allows plenty of space to store personal items. Additionally, a make-up mirror, hairdryer, and a plethora of towels were available.

Our room had a stand-alone (walk-in) shower.

It had a primary showerhead and a detachable one.

Disney’s Yacht Club offers individual toiletries, including body wash, bar soap, facial soap, shampoo, and conditioner.

We had a desk with a chair in the far corner of our room. A roll-out table is tucked underneath the desk. It can be moved anywhere in the room.

Curtains at Disney’s Yacht Club are designed to look like constellations. Each cluster of stars connects to form a Disney character.

We ended up with a large balcony and a pleasant resort view.

Here is a photo. This view faces the front of the resort, and that’s the Yacht Club’s convention center in the distance. If I leaned out and looked to the left, I could see the port cochere at the Yacht Club’s main entrance.

Video: Resort View Room at Disney’s Yacht Club

Here is a video tour of our resort view room at Disney’s Yacht Club.

Final Thoughts

Overall, we were satisfied with our resort view room. If you or someone in your party plans to spend a decent amount of time in the room, a resort or water view upgrade is worth consideration.

However, if you’ll spend a ton of time at the pool or park-hopping between neighboring Epcot and Hollywood Studios–you might prefer to save the money and book a standard view.

Those are decisions you’ll have to make. But, ultimately, it’s hard to go wrong with Disney’s Yacht Club. We love this hotel and are always excited to stay here.

For more details about one of our favorites, we have a resort guide for Disney’s Yacht Club . Or you might enjoy the following:

• Restaurants at Disney’s Yacht Club
• Ale and Compass Breakfast Review
• The Market at Ale and Compass
• The Pools at Disney’s Yacht Club

What do you think about the resort view at Disney’s Yacht Club? Is an upgraded view at the Yacht Club worth it to you?

Hi, I'm Amber the owner of Resorts Gal . We have stayed at every single Disney Resort Hotel. Our philosophy? We believe you can have an incredible time at the resorts without ever setting foot in a theme park. We visit the resorts and parks regularly and would love for you to follow along!

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Plan Your Dream Trip To Disney!

The Ultimate Disney Yacht Club Review + Insider Tips

February 8, 2021 //  by  Kimberly Jones //   2 Comments

Disney’s Yacht Club opened back on November 5, 1990. Its sister location is the Beach Club located right next to it. The Yacht Club is a beautifully themed resort with nautical and beach themes. We are going to tell you everything you need to know about this wonderful resort in our Ultimate Disney Yacht Club Review + Insider Tips! 

There are so many great aspects to this resort such as its location, pools, transportation options, and amenities. If you are thinking about staying at the Yacht Club, read on to find out if this resort is a good fit for you!

Where Is The Yacht Club At Disney Located?

One of the best reasons to stay at Disney’s Yacht Club is the fantastic location! This resort is within walking distance to Epcot and Hollywood Studios . There are also several different transportation options to all of the parks, Disney Springs , and the water parks .

The Yacht Club is directly next to the Beach Club, and they share the pool. Now you not only have access to all of the Yacht Club’s restaurants and amenities, but you also have access to the Beach Club’s! 

The Yacht and Beach Club are right across the water from Disney’s Boardwalk Resort . It is a short walk away to enjoy everything the Boardwalk has to offer! There are some fun restaurants, bars, and shops to explore there.

The Yacht Club is also very close to the Swan and Dolphin Hotels. There is a pathway to take you right over to these hotels for some extra fun as well! 

Not only are there other resorts within walking distance of the Yacht Club, but there are also resorts that are a quick Skyliner trip away! Taking the Skyliner from Epcot’s International Gateway, you can visit Disney’s Riviera Resort, Caribbean Beach Resort, Pop Century , and Art of Animation! 

Disney’s Yacht Club is in a very prime location with quick access to two of the parks and multiple resorts!

Checking in to The Yacht Club At Disney

Checking into the Yacht Club is extremely easy, and it doesn’t even require you to visit the front desk! The day of your reservation, you can check in to the resort from the My Disney Experience app . The app will let you know when your room is ready and what your room number will be! If you have magic bands or even your phone , you can head straight to your room and unlock the door. 

Of course, you can always go the old school route and check-in at the front desk. All the cast members at Disney’s Yacht Club are extremely friendly and accommodating! A great tip to keep in mind is you can always see if there are any upgrades available for your room. We were able to get a free upgrade from a standard view to a water view! 

The lobby is also absolutely amazing here. It has a very adventurous and nautical theme to it. You can find everything you need right in this area, such as the restaurant, lounge, bell services, and the front desk. 

Right outside the backside of the lobby, there is a boardwalk that will lead you to the boat transportation to Epcot and Hollywood Studios.

Transportation Options From The Yacht Club

We love all of the transportation options the Yacht Club has to offer, and we’re sure you will too! As mentioned before, there are walking paths to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. The Epcot walking path is very short and will get you to the International Gateway in about 5 – 10 minutes. The entrance at International Gateway is on the back side of Epcot by World Showcase . 

The walking path to Hollywood Studios is a little bit longer than the Epcot one. This one can take 20 minutes or more. However, there is boat transportation to Hollywood Studios if you don’t want to walk! You can find boat transportation right behind the lobby that will take you to Epcot or Hollywood Studios. 

If you don’t want to walk or take the boat to Hollywood Studios, you can always take the Skyliner! There is a Skyliner location right outside International Gateway that will take you first to Disney’s Riviera Resort, and then to the Skyliner central hub at Caribbean Beach Resort. From here you will get off the Skyliner and get in line for a different Skyliner track to take you to Hollywood Studios. 

So there are so many options to get to Epcot and Hollywood Studios, but what about the other parks? Disney has bus transportation from the Yacht Club to Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Disney Spring, and the water parks. 

If you plan on spending a lot of time at either Epcot or Hollywood Studios, the Yacht Club is one of the best resorts to stay at.

Disney Yacht Club Room Review

There are several different room options at the Yacht Club. There is Standard View, Water View, Garden or Woods View, and 2 Bedroom Suites. All of the view rooms also have club level options. 

I was able to stay in a Water View room. The room was absolutely delightful! It had a nautical theme to match the rest of the resort, and it was quite spacious. The room had two queen beds and a pull out couch, so it was able to sleep up to 5 guests. We only had 4 guests in our room, but I could imagine the pull out bed might make the room feel a little more cramped.

The room had large closets with space to hang clothes, and a big sink and bathroom area with two sinks. The shower had a sliding glass door, which I prefer over a curtain. 

I really liked that this room had wood flooring compared to carpet. It added to the nautical theme very well. The room also had a balcony that looked over the back entrance of the lobby and the water. Overall, the room was very nice, and I thoroughly enjoyed its set up! 

Yacht Club rooms average in price anywhere between $400 to over $3000 per night depending on what room you stay in and what time of the year you visit. 

Dining Options At The Yacht Club

There are some really great and delicious dining options at the Yacht Club. This resort has two restaurants, two lounges, a quick service restaurant, a restaurant located in between the Yacht and Beach Club, and a pool bar. 

The two restaurants at the Yacht Club are Ale & Compass and Yachtsman Steakhouse. Yachtsman Steakhouse is currently temporarily unavailable, but Ale & Compass is open for breakfast and dinner. This restaurant follows the nautical theme with a relaxing atmosphere and some delicious coastal eats. 

The Ale & Compass Lounge is located adjacent to the restaurant. Here, you can order off the lounge menu and even the restaurant menu. This lounge can fill up quickly at night though, so make sure to grab a seat early if you want to eat or drink here.

The other lounge, Crew’s Cup Lounge,  is right next to Yachtsman Steakhouse and is also temporarily unavailable. We hope that the lounge and restaurant will open soon! 

The quick service location shares a spot with the Yacht Club’s gift shop. When you enter the Market at Ale & Compass, on the right is the gift shop and on the left is the quick service restaurant. They serve coffee, sandwiches, pastries, and more. This is a great place to stop for a quick bite to eat to or from the parks! 

Beaches and Cream Soda Shop is the hidden gem of the Yacht and Beach Club Resorts! This restaurant is located in between the two resorts and serves some wonderful food! They are open for lunch and dinner and they serve sandwiches and burgers. My favorite is their Grilled Cheese sandwich, its delicious! 

However, save room for the best part of this restaurant. The ice cream! They have shakes, floats, and sundaes! You can’t go wrong with whatever you choose. If you’re feeling really brave though, try the Kitchen Sink sundae. This sundae is meant for 4 or more people, and includes every topping and a whole can of whipped cream! I have attempted it twice, and I still haven’t been able to finish it. Maybe you can! 

Hurricane Hanna’s Grill is the pool bar located right next to Stormalong Bay. They have a few food items and some refreshing drinks. 

If you’ve tried everything at the Yacht Club and want something different, head over to the Beach Club! Here you can find even more restaurants and tasty eats!

Yacht Club Swimming Pools

The Yacht and Beach Club have hands down the best swimming pools on Disney World property. It’s considered more of a small water park than swimming pools because it’s so large! 

Stormalong Bay is 3 acres of refreshing fun! It includes a large sand bottomed pool and a lazy river. There are waterfalls, a volleyball net in the pool, and a water slide. 

This water slide is no joke. You climb a large shipwrecked ship all the way to the top and then slide down this long and exciting slide! Stormalong Bay even has a “beach” area with sand to play with! After all that fun, go relax in one of 3 whirlpool spas.

Right by the entrance to the water slide is a small kid play area with a mini water slide. This is a great introduction to the big slide for nervous kids! 

Don’t need all the excitement of Stormalong Bay? There are also 3 leisure pools at the Yacht and Beach Club for guests to enjoy.

If you plan on staying at the Yacht Club, you must plan a resort day into your schedule! Make some time for this awesome mini water park and relax away from the parks! You won’t regret it. 

Amenities At The Yacht Club Resort

There are so many fun amenities and things to do at Disney’s Yacht Club. When it comes to activities, there are fishing excursions, a tennis court, a sand volleyball court, jogging trails, motorized boat rentals, an arcade, and a fitness center. Just ask the front desk if you’d like to book a fishing excursion or rent a boat to go out on the water! 

The Yacht Club even has a spa! Ship Shape Massage Salon is a full service spa that can do massages, facials, hairstyling, and nails. We all need a relaxing day every once and awhile! Why not enjoy the spa on your day off from the parks?

The resort also has campfire activities, movies under the stars, and a Pirate Adventure Cruise (which is unfortunately temporarily unavailable at the moment). The Yacht Club is within walking distance of the Fantasia Gardens & Fairways Miniature Golf. Go show off your mini golf skills at this adorably themed course!

This resort really has a lot of fun things for you and your family to enjoy! You will definitely want to take a day away from the parks to enjoy this amazing resort! 

Overall Thoughts On Disney’s Yacht Club Resort

We at Disney Trippers absolutely love Disney’s Yacht Club Resort. The whole place is incredibly peaceful and beautiful. It has the perfect mix of being family friendly and adult friendly with lots of things to do. So whether you’re traveling with a bunch of adults or your kids, everyone will enjoy it! 

Most everything is in super close distance to this resort. The only time you will have to take the bus is to Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Disney Spring, or the water parks. The other parks and some resorts are really easy to get to, making this a top notch location for a resort.

If you have a day off from the parks, make sure to enjoy all of the amenities the Yacht Club has to offer. You could spend a whole day just having fun at the resort! You definitely don’t want to miss out on this place!

Have you ever stayed at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort? If so, did you enjoy it as much as we do? What do you liked to do while staying there? We want to hear your opinions on this Disney resort! 

Reader Interactions

February 23, 2021 at 3:18 pm

We stayed at the Disney Yacht Club the last time we were at DW. We loved it. The staff was outstanding. It was an adult family vacation, and due to different work schedules, some family members had to fly in at different times. The staff accommodated each one and made them feel as if they already knew them. We loved the location as we could walk to different locations. We tried the Kitchen Sink sundae, but couldn’t finish it. We sure had fun trying. We actually took one day to enjoy the resort and were not disappointed. We spent time in the swimming pool, which was amazing with the sand bottom. Lunch was an delicious lobster roll and we finished off at the steakhouse. I would certainly recommend this resort to all who are considering a trip to Disney World.

February 23, 2021 at 9:27 pm

Thank you for sharing!!!! We LOVE this resort too!!!

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2023 Yacht Club Room Rates & Season Dates

Disney’s yacht club resort room rates for 2023, disney’s yacht club resort notes.

• Return To Main Resort List
• If you are considering a stay at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort , be sure to check out our tips and discount info for room-only bookings and vacation package bookings . Not sure about the pros and cons? Check out our guide to packages vs. room-only bookings .
• Rates listed are full price, also known as “rack rates,” including tax of 12.5% , rounded to the nearest dollar. There are often ways to get discounts for these rates.
• Where there are two prices for a period (i.e. $111/$222), the first price is for Sundays – Thursdays and the second is for Fridays & Saturdays.
• Where there are three prices for a period (i.e. $111/$222/$333), the first price is for Sundays – Wednesdays, the second is for Thursdays, and the third is for Fridays & Saturdays.
• Disney will sometimes deviate from the normal weekend/weekday pricing pattern by using the “weekend” price for a Thursday or Sunday, just for a few weekends per year.
• The specific season names (New Years, Value, etc.) are no longer provided by Disney. For convenience, we have chosen names that were used for similar date ranges in previous years.
• We occasionally see short (1-2 day) periods that don’t match the price of any regular season and don’t correspond to any obvious holiday or event. We have labeled these Special .

The room rates and season dates on this page were accurate at the time they were compiled. (Originally gathered in mid 2022.) Disney has been known to change rates and policies without notice, though it’s fairly unusual. The information on this page should be used as a general guide only.

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort is a Deluxe resort. Rates are per room, per night, based on two adults maximum per room. A charge of $35 per night plus tax applies for each additional adult (age 18+) in the room after the first two. There is no charge for children under 18. A single child under 3 in a crib does not count toward maximum occupancy.

• General Room Notes : Club rooms include access to a concierge lounge offering snacks.
• Standard View : Sleeps up to 5. Bed configuration: 2 Queen Beds and 1 Twin-Size Sleeper Chair or 1 King Bed and 1 Day Bed or 1 King Bed or 1 Queen Bed and 1 Twin-Size Sleeper Chair and 1 Day Bed. Views of Rooftop or Parking Area.
• King Bed : Sleeps up to 2. Bed configuration: 1 King Bed. Rooms View Vary.
• Garden or Woods View : Sleeps up to 5. Bed configuration: 1 King Bed or 1 Queen Bed and 1 Day Bed and 1 Twin-Size Sleeper Chair or 2 Queen Beds and 1 Day Bed or 2 Queen Beds. View of Garden.
• Water View : Sleeps up to 5. Bed configuration: 1 King Bed and 1 Day Bed or 1 King Bed or 1 Queen Bed and 1 Day Bed and 1 Twin-Size Sleeper Chair or 2 Queen Beds and 1 Day Bed or 2 Queen Beds. Views of Crescent Lake or Quiet Pool.
• Standard View – Club Level : Sleeps up to 4. Bed configuration: 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds. Views of Rooftop or Parking Area.
• Garden View – Club Level : Sleeps up to 4. Bed configuration: 2 Queen Beds and 1 Day Bed or 2 Queen Beds or 1 King Bed. Views of Garden.
• Water View – Club Level : Sleeps up to 4. Bed configuration: 1 King Bed and 1 Day Bed or 2 Queen Beds or 2 Queen Beds and 1 Day Bed or 1 King Bed. Views of One of the Stormalong Bay Lagoons.
• 2 Bedroom Suite – Club Level Access : Sleeps up to 6. Bed configuration: 2 King Beds and 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa. Views of Stormalong Bay or Crescent Lake.

Photos: Inside New Rooms at Yacht Club

Following its latest refurbishment, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort has redesigned rooms, which are one component of a resort-wide re-imagining of this Walt Disney World hotel. In this post, we’ll review the new rooms, share some photos, and thoughts on the changes at Yacht Club.

While other changes are still underway throughout the resort, it’s worth noting that the room refurbishment at Yacht Club is now entirely finished. I suppose this is good or bad news depending upon your opinion of the new rooms. Either way, there’s no need to request an old or new room. They’re all new.

This was yet another stop on our recent Walt Disney World “vacation” during which we stayed in 6 different new or newly-refurbished rooms. Given that the room refurbishment coincides with a convention center expansion, I was not exactly optimistic about what we’d find at Yacht Club…

This is because the changes at Yacht Club are, in large part, aimed at making it more appealing to the convention-going demographic. Elsewhere at Walt Disney World where the goal has been making rooms more appealing to non-families or non-fans, the result has left something to be desired.

We’ve harped on this in the past, so I won’t rehash it all here. Basically, the more ‘mainstream’ Walt Disney World makes a hotel room, the less-themed the result. There have been some exceptions to this, and these room designs have been a bit hit or miss. At least, from my fan perspective. Conventioneers and others might (and do) disagree.

Anyway, let’s take a look at the old rooms before we offer further commentary:

Fairly bright and airy, albeit having a 1990s quality to them. Personally, I liked these rooms, but I wouldn’t say they fit well with the Yacht Club’s aesthetic in common areas, which is generally more stately and sophisticated.

Now, let’s take a look at the new rooms:

Perhaps it was because my expectations were low going in, but I loved this room. If anything, I would say it is more themed than before, with excellent use of navy blue and beige contrasted against white, which really looks sharp in the context. The color palette alone reinforces the nautical theme.

Beyond that, there’s an extensive use of dark woods, which really give the room an air of sophistication. It reminded me of the interior of a Brooks Brothers, oddly enough. There’s also a variety of textures, the extent of which might be tough to ascertain from the photos.

Most notably, there are small rivets or other ship fastenings throughout, including on the dresser and other furniture. Then you have the headboards, mirror, and desk. Some of the nice features of the room now include a built-in ironing board, wood floors, abundance of storage (including under-the-bed room for luggage), and Keurig coffee makers.

The attention to detail in the new Yacht Club rooms is incredible, and all of it works to cement the theme. If your idea of a good Walt Disney World room includes an infusion of characters, you will be disappointed. Aside from a couple of them hidden in constellations on the curtain (a really cool curtain, by the way), the room is devoid of Disney IP. Fine with me, as I regularly stress that Disney characters are not “theme.” Really, the only thing I dislike is the framed pictures on the walls (too modern and ‘artsy’), but the rest works well.

One thing that I think most definitely was a mistake was not putting a runner on the bed. As mentioned in our Pop Century New Rooms post, I think the beds look naked without this, and it’s an industry-wide trend I hope stops. Imagine how much better this room could look with the simple addition of a runner that looks like the throw pillows on the couch.

During our visit, we spoke with a higher-level Cast Member at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort who indicated that they had solicited a lot of feedback, particularly from conventioneers, prior to making the updates to the room.

Generally speaking, this is not particularly noteworthy. Disney regularly prefaces whatever decision is being made with, “Due to feedback from our guests…” Often, it’s used as cover to justify decisions that are going to be unpopular with fans.

What’s interesting here is that the Cast Member was clear that this feedback was actively sought from convention attendees, as opposed to families or other demographics. Supposedly, Disney created multiple different test rooms to aid in the redesign, too.

While we absolutely love the new style, I can envision a couple of complaints. The new style is a bit dark and drab; I think this is appropriate, as that’s the visual style of the resort as a whole, and if you want to brighten it up, opening the curtains fixes that.

I think this will also lead to people finding the rooms stuffier or less inviting. The older rooms were no doubt lighter and had more of a quintessential ‘fun’ Disney vibe to them, but I still think these rooms are nicer and more appropriate thematically.

Moreover, I think most business and convention-going guests, these new rooms will be a very welcome improvement, even if they don’t win over some Disney fans. Among hardcore fans and repeat families, Yacht Club is not a particularly popular resort. Like any resort, it has its fans, but many people regard it as stuffy and less kid-friendly.

I don’t see these changes moving the needle one way or the other for families. On the other hand, I think the changes make Yacht Club much more compelling for conventioneers, adults without kids, and those looking for a room that’s more understated.

While I liked the old room at Yacht Club, it look was starting to feel a bit tired and some of the rooms were worse for wear. The changes are nice upgrades, and make it feel more commensurate in quality with the high nightly price being charged.

(Note: If you’re wondering why the sheets aren’t discolored, the furniture is not trashed, and there’s not feces spread over every inch of the walls, it’s because we were here before Yacht Club became a post-apocalyptic canine wasteland. Now that Yacht Club is dog-friendly , we can only assume it looks like a worse version of Parkside Hotel & Suites now . Walt is rolling in his grave. Smh.)

Beyond the room changes, the hallways and some common areas have also been refurbished and look great. Some areas of Yacht Club were looking a bit worse for wear, so these refurbishments are very welcome.

As noted, Walt Disney World is currently expanding the Yacht Club convention center facility to nearly 100,000 square feet. Speaking of which, this DisneyMeetings.com press release details the other upgrades being made to improve the convention experience at Yacht Club. (It’s also an interesting read to see how Walt Disney World markets itself to conventioneers, I think.)

The dining scene at Yacht Club is also in the process of changing . The Market at Ale & Compass has already opened, with the next steps being a re-imagined lobby lounge and new concept for the former Captain’s Grille, which will become Ale & Compass Restaurant. Too bad none of these changes entail a fully-fledged counter service restaurant or food court. (Yacht Club is admittedly not the best spot for that, but one of the Crescent Lake resorts could use one!)

Overall, the Yacht Club room refurbishment seems like one of those rare times a change has been made in a Walt Disney World hotel that will please both the fan and non-fan constituencies. Conventioneers will appreciate the modern and fresh-looking rooms that are well-appointed and classy. Disney fans who were likely to book Yacht Club before will appreciate that there’s still a lot to the themed design. I’m sure there are still legitimate quibbles to be made with these new rooms, but frankly, I didn’t spot anything that I’d consider even remotely major. From my perspective, this is a job exceptionally well done by Walt Disney World.

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

Do you agree or disagree with our take on the new Yacht Club rooms? Would you stay here, or is this resort off of your radar due to the refurbishment? Any questions we can help you answer? 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

The new rooms look great. However….those dresser drawers look useless. Incorporating the fridge into the dresser at wdw resorts was the worst idea ever. I love the corner units at PoP and AKL. Adds so much functionality to the rooms. I’ll ignore your comment about dog rooms

I love love love that the rugs are Being pulled up, and a hard surface is down in its place. I wish all hotels would do this!

Have stayed at the Yacht Club both in October and November. We like the Yacht Club with respect to location. As for the rooms. We love them overall. The safe is much larger. There are plenty of outlets to charge your phone. Nice lamps built into the bed frame for reading. The HVAC unit seemed very quiet and efficient. Both my wife and I enjoyed the shower with the glass door. No curtains here! One interesting item they added was a sliding door to close off the sink area so it gave you privacy without waking up that late sleeper. We stayed at a first floor room and a third floor room on our visits. The only difference between the two was a large lamp in the center of the ceiling on the third floor room. Finally, my only complaint was the absence of a pen and notepad. Housekeeping told me they were cutting back! Could have used it when I was booking a Bounceback offer on the phone.

Like the Yacht Club redo but the bathtub and shower didn’t see any grab bars for safety. Don’t want room with room in shower not handicapped but where’s the safety, put in grab bars please.

We LOVE the more refined decor in the Yacht club rooms. We’ve stayed there twice since the new make-over. Never would stay there before because of the blinding red and blue child’s bedroom vibe. LOVE the sleek floors (carpet is not a very clean feel). It now looks like a Yacht Club would look – elegant, nautical, high-end. Good taste Disney.

Took family of 5 to a split stay with yacht club first then poly. Absolutely loved the yacht club rooms. So functional and convenient. Only problem was we could not use balcony due to love bugs but also a problem at poly. Think I actually prefer Yacht club to poly. One bummer was they moved the beautiful giant globe from the lobby to near the convention center. Boo!

More drabness!!!!!!!! These refurb are a 100% fail. A Disney resort should look DISNEY!!!!!!!! These rooms do not.

I do not understand why so many Disney room remodels are removing the ceiling fans!! In Florida with the year round heat and humidity, ceiling fans are a tremendous benefit and in my mind, they are an absolute necessity!!

We just got back from a 6 night stay at the Yacht Club! I loved it! Would be happy to only ever stay there! We were in room 2133 and the view was incredible! I would highly recommend the Yacht Club!

I think you are spot on about having a runner on the bed to match the pillows on the couch being an addition that would improve the decor greatly. That and maybe a few subtle details- such as adding a couple nautical tiles in the bathroom shower – would make for a sophisticated yet fun room. We stayed in a one bedroom DVC rental at Jambo House. I was amazed at how small things – like a tiny, carved lion cub on a piece of furniture, bedroom lamp with a large bird egg worked into the base, a couple of themed tiles in the shower – made the room so warm and interesting.

I don’t understand this trend of installing “hardwood” floors in hotel rooms. I understand that they are easier to clean but don’t they alter the noise level? I think the room looks fine, although like you I think the “art” is too modern, but it could benefit from a runner between the beds and the dresser at the very least.

Your comments about it being “dog friendly “, lol

We’re booked to stay at YC in January. It was a fail safe in case our planned December trip fell through – which it did, halfway, but that’s a story for another time (one of us is going!) – and I got an awesome rate from Disney Visa offers. (Under $300 for a deluxe room? Why heck yeah!!) Since it just us two oldies (chronologically speaking, that is) a more sophisticated environment sounds lovely. We toured the lobbies last year during the holiday season, and I fell in love with the whole Boardwalk area. We were staying at the Swan then – again, we appreciate the “lack of theming” and a more grown up aesthetic. We stayed at CBR last September, and construction and hurricane and all aside, it was nice, very casual where you’d feel comfortable running to the Coke station in your sweat pants and bare feet, but not Motel 6 like. I’ve visited the values – sorry but not my cup of tea with the bright, garish color schemes, noisy, Disney-in-your-face-24/7, over excited kids running everywhere – and stay off the lawn too, ya darn kids!!

I’m excited to see the new rooms in the spring. It is one of our favorite resorts, but we are just 2 adults. I love the proximity to the Boardwalk & Epcot, the smaller size, access to the nicer pool, and I love the full balcony. The balcony alone is a huge seller for me.

I love these new higher beds! They had them at the Grand Californian when we stayed last month. It’s super practical to be able to slide your luggage under the bed to get it out of the way. It also really helps when you are cramming people into the room like sardines.

I do really like the look of the new rooms, but I agree with you about the bed runner. The bed looks cold. Like I’m going to freeze all night. I thought the same thing about the new Pop rooms. Maybe I just need to pack a blanket.

Just came back from Disney and stayed at All Star Movies. The remodeled room was absolutely nice and the bed was incredibly comfortable. Perfect place to stay if your going with some little ones.

I really like the look of the new rooms. To be honest even though I’m an AP holder (from California that stays in the resorts when at WDW) and not a conventioneer I was not a fan of the previous rooms but now I’m anxious to stay at YC.

With these new room refurbs, is Disney taking steps to lesson the impact of bed bugs? Things like mattress encasements, etc?

I have wanted to stay at the Yacht Club for years – ever since I saw a Rick Steves piece on the resort. I was allured by the YC as it was then We finally stayed at the Yacht Club in April ’17 during the refurbishments. We ended up on the first floor in a not-yet-renovated room. Because of unrelated issues, we were moved to a new room on the 4th floor toward the end of our trip and were blown away! The rooms feel spacious and carry the yacht theme well with nautical tones and subtle touches. The common areas are both sophisticated and fun. I am not a conventioneer, but a Disney fan and a mother of two, and my family will stay at the Yacht Club again.

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Ultimate Review of Disney’s Yacht Club Resort

Posted on Published: 04/11/2023

A convenient, elegant Disney hotel that is also kid-friendly? While this may seem to be something almost impossible to find, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort absolutely fits the bill. The nautical theme makes for a classy feel, while the location and amenities make it perfect for families.

I first had the opportunity to check out the Disney Yacht Club (part of Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resort complex) during the Disney Social Media Moms Conference (where I got a discount on my room).

I more recently returned for a three-night stay during a solo Disney trip to see the renovated rooms. The Disney Yacht Club is a fabulous option for families visiting Walt Disney World to consider.

Note: As an attendee of the Disney Social Media Moms conference, I received discounts and perks, although I did pay a fee to attend. I am a former member of the Disney Parks Moms Panel, and all opinions are my own. During my second stay, I paid for my entire stay in full on my own.

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A Review of Disney’s Yacht Club Resort

Location of the resort.

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort is located in the EPCOT area of the resort , adjacent to the Beach Club Resort . While the Beach Club is more fun and casual, the Yacht Club is a more elegant resort.

It seems to be a little quieter than the Beach Club. However, I found that it is still entirely kid-friendly.

Transportation to the parks from the Yacht Club is fairly easy. There’s a direct bus to the Magic Kingdom (or sometimes a shared bus with the Beach Club), a shared bus to Animal Kingdom, and boats to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studio . 

The buses now have a sign above the station showing when the next bus is scheduled to arrive. This makes things so much easier because you’ll at least have an idea of how long you’ll need to wait. Bus times are also accessible via the My Disney Experience app.

It’s also very easy to walk to EPCOT’s World Showcase – we did that rather than taking the boat. It’s just a short walk. You can also walk to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, although that is a longer walk.

The new Skyliner is also accessible from the Yacht Club. Although there isn’t a station at the resort, there is one at the International Gateway at EPCOT and one at the front of Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

If you enjoy dining at EPCOT, it’s a great location because you can enter the park through the back entrance (called the International Gateway) for dinner (just make sure you have the park hopper option on your ticket if you are planning to visit another park that day).

You’ll also easily be able to walk to the Disney Boardwalk area andthe Swan and Dolphin Resorts. That gives you a much larger selection of restaurants that are conveniently located.

Disney Yacht Club Rooms

During my first stay, I was there for four nights, in a garden-view standard room. While the view wasn’t too exciting (we overlooked a tennis court), we weren’t in the room long enough to even bother opening the shade.

During my second stay, I was in a room that faced another building. Again, I wasn’t in the room for very long, so the view wasn’t something that I was concerned about. Unless you plan to spend a lot of time in the room, I wouldn’t pay extra for a view.

Rooms at the Yacht Club have been recently renovated, and are comfortable and elegant. Gone are the rugs and the floors seem much easier to keep clean. Bring along socks if you want to have them on the bare floor.

Amenities in the room include a Keurig coffee maker (with decaf and regular coffee options), a refrigerator, a flat-screen television, a hairdryer, and an iron. Rooms include a bathroom with a separate double sink outside (great when traveling with teens because one person can get ready while another is showering).

A nice selection of bath amenities is available in the room. These newly designed rooms also have lots of outlets and USB ports, which are great for charging all of your devices.

There are various room configurations available. During my most recent stay, I had a room with one king bed, a chair, and a desk. For families, your best option is the 2 Queen Beds and 1 Day Bed room option. There are also rooms with a Twin-Size Sleeper Chair and rooms with a King Bed and a Day Bed.

There are also various views offered, including a standard view room (which is usually of a roof or a parking lot), woods view, or water view (which would be a view of the quiet pool or Crescent Lake). Again, I wouldn’t pay for an upgraded view unless you think you’ll take advantage of it.

Club-level rooms are also available. These include access to the club level with complimentary food and drinks available all day long, as well as a separate concierge. 

Amenities the Resort

It’s important to know that Stormalong Bay is scheduled to be closed from January 2025 through June 2025 .

The Yacht Club features many fabulous amenities, some of which are shared with the adjacent Beach Club. Our favorite is Stormalong Bay, the 3-acre water complex featuring a small lazy river, a sandy-bottomed pool, a waterslide, and three whirlpools. It’s my favorite of the Walt Disney World Resort pools, and you have to be a guest at either the Beach or Yacht Club to be able to enjoy it.

If you are staying at the Yacht Club, I recommend saving at least an afternoon to spend time at Stormalong Bay, especially if you are visiting during the warmer weather. In addition to that complex, the Yacht and Beach Club resorts also offer three quieter pools, if you are looking for a more low-key experience.

For guests who would like to save some money on their vacation, you can even forgo a day at the parks to spend time at the resort. You could easily spend a day at Stormalong Bay.

I would also recommend doing this on a day when you visit one of the special events in the evening – like Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. That way, you can relax a little bit before going to the party.

There are several other amenities at the Disney Yacht Club resort, including an arcade, salon, fitness club, and tennis courts. There are also motorized boat rentals available, as well as fishing and volleyball.

Movies under the stars and campfire activities are also offered. See the resort for a full schedule. All of these activities, like Stormalong Bay, are shared with the Beach Club.

Disney Yacht Club Restaurants

If you are looking to dine at the resort, there are several restaurants and bars at the two resorts. Some of them are on the Disney Dining plan. Like most Disney restaurants, you’ll want to make reservations as far in advance as possible (the lounges and quick-service locations, however, do not require or accept reservations).

The Yachtsman Steakhouse : this premium restaurant offers delicious steak and seafood entrees. It’s a signature restaurant, and perfect if you are looking for a special dinner. Keep in mind that as a signature restaurant, a dress code applies.

Cape May Cafe : Located in the Beach Club, the Cape May Cafe is home to a fun character breakfast in the morning and a coastal seafood buffet in the evening. I find that the character breakfast is a great, more low-key option, than the ones in the parks, so I’d recommend it if you are staying at one of the two resorts. It can usually be easier to get reservations there, but you’ll still want to make them in advance.

Martha’s Vineyard Lounge: This lounge is tucked between the two resorts and is a great place to grab a drink before or after dinner.

Ale and Compass Restaurant & Lounge : This newer restaurant and lounge is a great new option at the Yacht Club. It’s a little more casual than the Yachtsman but is still very elegant. The coastal, New England-inspired cuisine is delicious.

Beaches and Cream Soda Shop: This old-fashioned ice cream and soda shop offers regular food along with dessert.

Hurricane Hanna’s Waterside Bar and Grill : Located at Stormalong Bay, Hurricane Hanna’s offers food and drinks. It’s perfect if you are spending the day at the pool.

Crew’s Cup Lounge: This lounge located in the Yacht Club offers appetizers, entrees, and a large selection of signature cocktails, beer, and wine.

The Beach Club Marketplace and The Market at Ale & Compass : These two quick-service locations (one at the Beach Club and one at the Yacht Club) are great places for a quick bite. This is also where you can purchase and fill your refillable mugs.

You’ll also be just a short walk away from the restaurants at the Boardwalk , EPCOT, and the Swan and Dolphin.

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort 1700 EPCOT Resorts Boulevard Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830

Have you stayed at the Disney Yacht Club Resort?

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Janice Lipshy

Monday 4th of July 2022

Are there any three bedroom resorts in Disney World

Jodi Grundig

Some of the DVC properties, including Bay Lake Tower, Animal Kingdom Lodge Villas, the Boardwalk, Saratoga Springs, and the Grand Floridian have 3-bedroom villas.

The 17 best Disney World hotels for your 2024 stay

Things have certainly changed since Walt Disney World opened more than 50 years ago . There used to be just a handful of hotels and one theme park. Now, you have the magic — and the challenge — of choice. There are more than 25 hotels to choose from and multiple parks to visit when you embark on a Disney vacation.

Related: The best travel credit cards

Choosing the best Disney hotel is a fun challenge, but a challenge nonetheless. The resorts at Walt Disney World range from those with views of live zebras and giraffes to treehouse villas and even log cabins in the woods.

When you choose a Disney World hotel, you not only stay in the "Disney bubble" but also gain access to the parks 30 minutes early each morning. Additionally, you can purchase Lightning Lane passes for newer rides — like Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and Tron / Lightcycle Run — before non-resort guests, starting up to seven days before you check in. This means you'll have a better chance of snagging those coveted ride passes.

Related: 14 reasons to stay at a Walt Disney World Resort property

Still, not all Disney resorts are created equal. Fortunately, TPG is here to help sort through the best hotel options at Walt Disney World. We've tried dozens of Disney-area hotels and carefully considered the best (and less-than-stellar) features of nearly every on-property resort to bring you this list.

Whether you're looking to be treated like a fairy tale princess or a grown-up who happens to be staying near a theme park, Disney World has you covered.

Here are our top picks:

• Best Deluxe Disney World resorts: Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge , Disney's Contemporary Resort , Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and Disney's Wilderness Lodge
• Best Moderate Disney World resorts: Disney's Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter , The Cabins at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort and Gran Destino Tower at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort
• Best Value Disney World resorts: Disney's Art of Animation Resort and Disney's Pop Century Resort
• Best Disney World resort pools: Disney's Yacht Club Resort and Disney's Beach Club Resort , Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort and Disney's Polynesian Village Resort
• Best Disney World resorts for large families: Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa , Disney's All-Star Music Resort
• Best Disney World resorts for adults: Disney's BoardWalk Inn , Disney's Riviera Resort

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

Best Deluxe Disney World resorts

The cream of the crop among Disney World hotels in terms of amenities, quality and price are the Deluxe resorts. These resorts have multiple on-site full-service restaurants and extensive pool areas with waterslides. Some are within walking or monorail distance of the theme parks.

All of this comes at a cost, though. Deluxe Disney resorts can range from $400 to $800 per night for a standard room. Renting Disney Vacation Club points can help bring this cost down at times, but a Deluxe resort stay will be an investment compared to the other tiers of Disney hotels.

As mentioned, Deluxe resorts are the most expensive of Disney's hotels.

While some offer luxury amenities like spas and fine dining venues, others emphasize great themes and proximity to the parks. You also get access to select parks two hours later than everyone else when staying in a Deluxe resort on eligible nights.

A true safari involves incredibly long flights and the possibility of malaria pills. For a safari-style vacation closer to home, there's Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge .

Offering an unforgettable wildlife experience within U.S. borders, Animal Kingdom Lodge is its own ecosystem away from the hustle and bustle of most of the Disney World complex.

The soaring ceilings at Jambo House are adorned with traditional decor. If you want to see giraffes, zebras, ostriches and a host of other animals, all you have to do is merely walk past the lobby's expansive windows.

Dining at this Deluxe resort is another highlight of a stay here. Boma and Jiko are excellent choices if you want to experience an authentic African meal at the resort.

Look into the nighttime Starlight Safari , which comes with loaner night vision devices, for a unique experience.

The property is an example of an excellent time to rent DVC points, especially if your family wants more space while saving money. During low seasons, rooms start at just 7 points per night, with DVC points typically available to rent from David's Vacation Club for $20 to $25 per point.

Rates for standard rooms at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge average around $485 per night.

Disney's Contemporary Resort is another original Disney World resort from the 1971 opening. It's about as close as you can get to The Magic Kingdom without pitching a tent inside the gates (and subsequently getting kicked out by security).

It may have been built over five decades ago, but its amenities have recently been updated and the rooms now sport an "incredible" new look. While the theme and renovations are a big step up, the main draw of this property is undoubtedly its monorail design and Magic Kingdom-adjacent location.

We prefer tower rooms over garden-wing options as they are more centrally located to the amenities and monorail, and many offer superb views of The Magic Kingdom's nightly fireworks.

When you've worked up an appetite, you'll find a few of our favorite Disney World restaurants on-site, including Chef Mickey's. At this popular eatery, you can dine with characters like Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy and Pluto. For something more upscale, there's California Grill. If you time it right, it has some of the best views of The Magic Kingdom fireworks around.

Related: The 5 best Disney World character meals you've never heard of — and how to book them

If you're ready for a splurge-level stay at the Contemporary, there is also a club level where bites and beverages from the aforementioned restaurants are included.

Rates for standard rooms at Disney's Contemporary Resort average around $575 per night.

Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is arguably the most traditional and iconic of Disney World's high-end hotels. You won't find many bright, in-your-face character themes here, but you will have access to some of Disney's most upscale amenities, including a spa and the fanciest (and priciest) restaurant at Disney.

It's one of Disney World's most expensive resorts thanks to its proximity to The Magic Kingdom, top-notch facilities, and over-the-top Christmas displays, including a gingerbread house in the lobby.

Fortunately, the Grand Floridian is undergoing a resort-wide renovation involving converting one of the hotel buildings into beautiful DVC studios. So, there's now one more reason to visit.

Dining is another highlight here. The acclaimed Victoria & Albert's experience is unparalleled, with a dress code and a no-little-kids policy to match. For an equally excellent but more affordable option, grab a cocktail or mocktail at the "Beauty and the Beast"-inspired Enchanted Rose bar on the second floor of the Grand Floridian's lobby.

Related: More rides and fewer crowds: What to expect at Disney After Hours

Rates for standard rooms at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa average around $750 per night.

A short drive or boat ride away from The Magic Kingdom, Disney's Wilderness Lodge is equal parts Great Wolf Lodge , Yellowstone National Park and Disney magic. There are great attractions and restaurants on-site, including a water feature that starts in the lobby and becomes a creek that feeds into one of two outdoor pools.

For a fun, reasonably priced family dining experience, try Whispering Canyon Cafe — and be aware that if you ask for ketchup, you may get a lot of ketchup. If rare Disney characters are more your jam, enjoy dinner with the Evil Queen at Story Book Dining at Artist Point .

Those who want more space and ambience than a standard hotel room should reserve one of the Copper Creek Cabins in the woods adjacent to the Wilderness Lodge or the truly spectacular two-bedroom Yosemite Suite . Both are pricey, but we promise you'll love staying in either option.

If you do opt for standard rooms (or even club-level rooms ), the good news is that Disney's Wilderness Lodge is generally one of the more affordable of the Deluxe Disney resorts. So, you can rest easy knowing you're paying a little less than average for Disney's high-end properties.

Rates for standard rooms at Disney's Wilderness Lodge average around $500 per night.

Best Moderate Disney World resorts

If you want a balance of price and amenities, the Moderate category of Disney resorts can be a sweet spot. At Moderate Disney resorts, there are some full-service restaurants, more on-site amenities, waterslides at the pools, and a great variety of themes and locations to choose from.

Expect rates at these hotels to range from $250 to $400 on most nights for a standard room.

One of the best Moderate resorts at Disney World is Port Orleans. We're especially partial to the French Quarter side, with its charming wrought-iron railings, bubbling fountains and an eatery serving tasty Mickey-shaped beignets.

This property is much more compact than other Moderate resorts like Disney's Coronado Springs Resort and Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort. This makes everything from parking and catching a Disney bus to grabbing dinner that much easier.

It isn't the newest or fanciest option in Disney's resort portfolio, but it is a calm and lovely balance of theming and easily accessible amenities. Although you'll need a bus or car to get from this resort to any of the Disney World theme parks, you can catch the free boat to Disney Springs for shopping and dining.

In addition to the property's relaxing vibe and manageable size, the greatest asset of Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter is the price.

Rooms here are often more affordable than what you'll find at other Moderate properties, most likely because it's not connected to the theme parks by anything other than ground transportation (and Minnie Vans ).

Rates for standard rooms at Disney's Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter average around $300 per night.

One of Disney World's lesser-known Moderate resorts is also one of its most entertaining.

Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort has plenty of campsites for tents and spots for recreational vehicles .

However, if you're not interested in either, The Cabins at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort are an excellent choice. It gives you the best of many worlds regarding space, price and resort activities — especially if you're not planning to spend all your time at the theme parks. The cabins sleep up to six and offer a queen-size bed, a set of bunk beds and a relatively comfortable pullout sofa bed. And soon, Disney will replace the current cabins with 350 all-new cabins .

Trust us, there is one essential Fort Wilderness expense you'll want to budget for — golf carts .

It costs $65 to $84 per day to rent one. However, it makes it much easier to travel to the Meadow Trading Post for snacks, the docks for transportation to The Magic Kingdom, and other parts of the 700-acre property. Lock in your golf cart reservation as far in advance as possible since they're known to sell out.

Fort Wilderness has a nonstop list of activities you probably didn't know you could do at Disney World, including pony rides, archery, fishing, and rides in wagons and horse-drawn carriages.

When the day winds down, you can also check out the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue , a lively performance full of dancing, singing and comedic moments.

Rates for standard cabins at The Cabins at Disney's Fort Wilderness Lodge average around $460 per night.

Disney's Coronado Springs Resort is the poster child of a Moderate Disney property. It's an older resort with two-story buildings spread across a large area.

Complimentary theme park transportation is limited to buses, and on-site dining venues are mostly quick-service options, given the resort's large convention clientele. Additionally, the rooms are on the smaller side, though they were recently renovated.

But one thing changed a couple of years ago that catapulted part of this property onto our favorites list: the new Gran Destino Tower .

This "hotel within a hotel" has a stunning lobby and an equally snazzy lobby bar. If you're looking for a completely different perspective, let an elevator whisk you up to the 16th floor, where the rooftop Dahlia Lounge awaits — along with an award-winning wine list. Gran Destino Tower is light on a Disney theme, but otherwise, its accommodations are on par with many Deluxe resorts.

Gran Destino is also the only Moderate option at Disney World that has a club lounge, should you prefer an exclusive space to visit and grab refreshments throughout your stay.

Rates for standard rooms at the Gran Destino Tower at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort average around $400 per night.

Best Value Disney World resorts

Value Disney resorts are the most affordable Disney World hotels.

Nightly rates start around $125 and increase to about $300 on peak dates. None of these hotels are walkable from the theme parks, but some are close to the Skyliner. Others require bus transportation.

Value Disney hotels don't have full-service restaurants or fun extras like waterslides, but they do offer grab-and-go food outlets, lively pools and colorful themes.

Disney's Art of Animation Resort is the king of Value resorts at Disney World.

The resort features bright colors and memorable Disney cartoon characters. It's also accessible from both Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios thanks to the Disney Skyliner gondola system .

Art of Animation really shines with its family suites, which provide a lot more room and have three beds in each suite (one traditional bed, one Murphy bed and a pullout sofa bed). The family suites have your choice of "The Lion King," "Cars" and "Finding Nemo" themes, while standard rooms feature decor inspired by "The Little Mermaid."

When it comes to pools, the Big Blue Pool at Art of Animation is actually the largest option available at any Disney World resort.

While the food here won't blow you away, Landscape of Flavors is a reliable cafeteria-style venue that can be a nice, easy option for families.

Rates for standard rooms at Disney's Art of Animation Resort average around $240 per night.

Disney's Pop Century Resort is across from Art of Animation. While it doesn't have our favorite theme (it's themed to bygone decades), it is usually the lowest-priced Disney resort that isn't one of the All-Star properties.

We generally prefer it to the All-Star resorts, as Pop Century is a stand-alone property that doesn't have to share a bus service. It's less likely to be packed with thousands of cheerleaders and children's sports groups. In addition to the included bus service to the parks, it also sits on the Skyliner route, so you can soar in a gondola to various parks and resorts.

Rates for standard rooms at Disney's Pop Century Resort average around $200 per night.

Best Disney World resort pools

Nothing beats an afternoon dip in your hotel's pool, so if you want to know which Disney resort hotels have the best pools, here are our top picks.

Disney's Beach Club Resort and its sister property, Disney's Yacht Club Resort , share access to Stormalong Bay, which offers top-notch poolside fun for the whole family.

Both resorts have the distinct feel of a beach in an otherwise landlocked resort thanks to sand-bottomed pools, a lazy river, a pirate ship and a wicked waterslide, among other amenities that will keep young swimmers entertained for hours.

Related: The best pools at Walt Disney World

The Yacht Club is marginally more convenient to the large pool complex, but the Beach Club is a little closer to Epcot. Choose accordingly. No matter which property you pick, don't miss the huge sundaes at Beaches & Cream Soda Shop, steps from the pool.

Rates for standard rooms at Disney's Yacht and Beach Clubs average around $540 per night.

Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort is one of Disney's Moderate resorts and one of the largest. Because the resort is so spread out, there are multiple pools across the property — six in total. The main Fuentes del Morro Pool is themed to resemble a Spanish fortress, with two waterslides, a zero-entry area, a 12-person hot tub and a pirate-themed splash area for kids.

The resort has a colorful island style, and some guest rooms recently received a Little Mermaid makeover. Despite the resort's size, it does offer convenient transportation options, including bus service and a Disney Skyliner station that can take you to Epcot and Hollywood Studios.

Rates at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort average around $300 per night.

One of the original Disney World resort hotels inspired by Walt Disney himself, Disney's Polynesian Village Resort sits on the monorail only a few minutes from The Magic Kingdom. Yet, it transports you to a lush Pacific island the moment you enter. It's such a great property we almost warn against staying at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort because it will set the bar pretty high for future Disney resort stays.

At "the Poly," you'll find a couple of our favorite Disney restaurants. Notably, there's Ohana — a Polynesian-inspired dining venue within the resort's main building that serves delectable noodles and a mouthwatering bread pudding — among other options on the family-style, all-you-care-to-enjoy menu.

There are plenty of activities and amenities on the grounds, such as free outdoor movies at night and a 142-foot waterslide that drops riders into the main Lava Pool (there is a secondary quiet pool, as well). There's also a large splash area with several smaller waterslides for younger guests, a zero-entry section, a separate quiet pool and a nearby stand to grab Dole Whip. The icing on the on-site Dole Whip is being able to watch The Magic Kingdom fireworks from the pool in the evenings as the perfectly timed music pipes in.

Rates for standard rooms at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort average around $640 per night.

Best Disney World resorts for large families

Large families and groups can really rack up a bill when visiting Disney World since most on-property rooms are designed for no more than four or five people. As a result, your choices tend to be limited if you have at least five or six people in your group. Fortunately, a few resorts offer plenty of space for larger families.

Related: The best Orlando hotels for large families

Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa is another DVC property, with room sizes ranging from studio suites to one-, two- and three-bedroom villas. Deluxe studio rooms have a kitchenette and a balcony or patio, and villas have separate bedrooms, a full kitchen, in-room laundry and a balcony or patio.

The resort also has multiple pools, bike rentals, tennis and basketball courts, and a Community Hall with movies, video games and daily activities like crafts and games.

In the woods behind Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa are several Treehouse Villas that sleep up to nine people. Offering three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a kitchen, these spacious accommodations can easily fit an extended family.

Rates for Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa average around $500 per night, while the Treehouse Villas average around $1,300 per night.

Best Disney World resorts for adults

We love Disney, but we're not afraid to admit that having a brief break from its intensity is sometimes nice. Luckily, a couple of options are ideal for those who want to stay near the magic without living with Mickey and his friends 24 hours a day.

Disney World's newest stand-alone hotel is easily one of the larger resort's best options for adults who want to balance a Disney trip with some less in-your-face Disney elements.

On the Disney Skyliner route, Disney's Riviera Resort offers easy access to Disney's Hollywood Studios and Epcot without placing you right in the heart of all the theme park action.

The real highlight of this easygoing property, though, is its Mediterranean vibe. The blue-and-white decor, music and cuisine will transport you to the Mediterranean coast.

You'll find all the usual Disney amenities at this Deluxe resort, but it's just a touch more refined and grown-up without being stuffy.

We're serious Riviera fans thanks in part to its design, which includes everything from "Tangled"- and "Peter Pan"-inspired mosaics to marble bathrooms that may be the nicest in all of Disney.

Don't worry if you want to bring the kids, though. There's plenty for them to enjoy, including poolside gelato, a waterslide and our favorite toddler splash area at Disney World.

Rates for standard rooms at Disney's Riviera Resort average around $500 per night.

Disney's BoardWalk Inn is a DVC resort along Disney's BoardWalk in the Epcot resort area. That means you can easily walk to Epcot to eat and drink global cuisine around the World Showcase or to Disney's Hollywood Studios to fly the Millennium Falcon at Galaxy's Edge. The resort also offers water taxi and bus service around Disney World.

Related: Is a Disney annual pass worth it?

Guest rooms range from standard rooms to multi-bedroom villas, and the resort has three pools. You can splash and slide at the Luna Park Pool (or soak in the hot tub) or head for one of the quieter leisure pools.

This resort is all about location. In addition to being close to Epcot and Hollywood Studios, Disney's BoardWalk Inn is close to the dining, shopping and nightlife that line Disney's BoardWalk area. When you are done visiting the parks, you can visit Abracadabar, a magic-themed cocktail lounge, or Jellyrolls, a dueling piano bar.

Rates for standard rooms at Disney's BoardWalk Inn average around $600 per night.

Bottom line

Choosing the best resort hotel at Disney World gets easier once you identify your budget and priorities.

Do you want a great pool, more space, proximity to the parks or perhaps an immersive theme? No matter what is most important to you, you'll find a Disney property that will likely satisfy your needs.

Whether you're itching to splash around in the Stormalong Bay pool complex at Disney's Yacht Club and Beach Club resorts, stretch your budget at Disney's Pop Century Resort, retreat to a cabin at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort or get an iconic eyeful of the monorail coming through Disney's Contemporary Resort, there's a Disney resort that will have every member of your family excited to be on vacation at Walt Disney World.

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Disney’s ‘Fake Luxury’ and ‘Cosplay’ Is Costing You Thousands

in Disney , Theme Parks , Walt Disney World

A trip to the Walt Disney World Resort is expensive, but why? What makes staying at a Disney World hotel more expensive than other luxury hotels nationwide?

Sure, a Disney World hotel has access to, well, Disney World. There is an exclusivity to staying on property that comes with some benefits.

Related: ‘ This is Insane,’ Guests Are Begging for a Change to the Most Irritating Part of a Disney World Vacation

However, since the end of the Pandemic, the exclusivity of staying on property at the Walt Disney World Resort has waned. Disney has removed many benefits that made paying the exorbitant price to keep on property worth it, including the loss of Disney’s Magical Express, free Magic Bands, and extra Magic Hours.

So, if the cost is starting to outweigh the benefits of a Disney World hotel, why are so many people lining up to do it? Well, a new video breaks down just how Disney is able to convince guests to pay outrage sums for what they call the “fake luxury” of every Disney hotel.

Review time broke down why every Disney fan needs to shell out thousands of dollars a night for a Disney hotel room and how Disney tricks you into believing you’re getting something you’re not.

So, let’s examine how Disney tricks its fans into paying for “fake luxury” through “Disney cosplay.”

Related: Disney’s Magical Express was Taken Away Out of ‘Stinginess’

The History

When Walt Disney was nearing completion of his Anaheim project, there was no Disneyland Resort; there was just a park. Walt didn’t have the money to build anything besides his theme park.

Walt turned to oil tycoon Jack Wrather to build the Disneyland Hotel after other major hotels turned him down. A few months after the completion of Disneyland, the Disneyland Hotel opened, and it was a hit.

Like with most things at Disneyland, Walt learned what changes needed to be made when he went to work on his Central Florida project. Sadly, Walt died before the completion of the Magic Kingdom.

Related: Priced Out of Disney World, Guests Are Fleeing to a New Resort

With the completion of the Magic Kingdom, Disney opened the Polynesian Village Resort and the Contemporary Resort. Both were massive hits with guests.

Years later, Disney would open the ultimate luxury hotel in Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort . The hotel was based on the classic Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego.

Disney owned and operated all three hotels outside of the Magic Kingdom. However, with the opening of EPCOT, Disney needed to expand its hotel offerings to accommodate the new theme park.

This brings us to the Michael Eisner era as Disney CEO. Eisner came up with the concept of the “Disney Bubble.” Once you arrived on the property, you never had to leave. The Walt Disney World Resort had everything guests needed: hotel, shopping, theme parks, and dining.

Related: Head of Disney Imagineering Says the Quiet Part Out Loud: Disney World is Undemocratic and About to Get More Expensive

More importantly than giving guests what they wanted, the “Disney Bubble” kept guests on the property spending their money. Disney, get every last dollar you would spend on your vacation.

During Eisner’s first ten years, Disney World went from four hotels to 13, including the addition of the Beach Club, Yacht Club, and Boardwalk Hotel around EPCOT. When Eisner left Disney, the Walt Disney World Resort had 19 hotels.

Theme parks worldwide would copy this method. Everyone wants to ensure that guests spend every dollar on their property.

Review Time I specifically compared the Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort. Since the Grand Floridian is based on a Southern California hotel, it seemed like an apt comparison.

A standard room at the Hotel Del Coronado costs between $300-$500 a night, depending on the season. A standard room is precisely what you’re thinking: two beds, a bathroom, and a limited ocean view.

For the same room at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, guests will pay $700-$1,000 a night, depending on the season. That is nearly double what you will pay to stay on the beach in San Diego.

Review Time said:

Disney gives guests the glamour of a historical, highly acclaimed, and architecturally significant resort without actually being a historical, highly acclaimed, and architecturally significant resort. These glamorous facades are just elaborate costumes masking a well-established framework. 

Disney fans will argue that staying at the Grand Floridian Resort gives you access to the Magic Kingdom via Disney’s monorail. However, the Hotel Del Coronado gives you access to a private beach on the Pacific Ocean.

Like most things in this world, the price of a hotel room is a matter of opinion. However, Review Time describes what Disney gives its guests as “fake luxury” designed for the masses.

Review Time continued:

This clever design results in an experience that feels luxurious and unique on the surface, but is fundamentally geared for mass accommodations. We call this artificial opulence, and it works. 

They are not necessarily wrong. A Disney Resort Hotel is designed to move as many people in and out quickly as possible. It’s the fundamental design of Disney’s business.

If guests are willing to pay for it, Disney will continue to give it to them. But is there a breaking point for guests?

The Expense of Disney World Hotels

So, how did Disney World Resort hotels get so expensive? Two words: location and convenience.

Disney learned from its mistakes at the Disneyland Hotel and kept ownership of its resort hotels. This allowed the company to charge whatever it wanted for the privilege of staying on their property.

Disney offers guests nearly everything they need on a vacation: theme parks, a pool, restaurants, and a chance to relax and enjoy themselves. For that, guests are willing to pay a premium.

Disney’s Resorts may not be traditional luxury, but the carefully craft experiences and benefits they provide for their guests still hold significant value for many. As long as people find value in the resorts, the prices aren’t going anywhere but up. 

And it’s the cost that keeps going up every year. That brings us to the final piece of this puzzle: the Disney Vacation Club.

Disney’s Vacation Club

The Disney Vacation Club is the final puzzle of Disney World’s “fake luxury.” The cyclical nature of the DVC keeps costs rising for average Disney World guests and continues to put money in Disney’s pocket even if no one is showing up at the parks.

The DVC was initially created to get people into the parks during slow times. The fees Disney charges keep a steady stream of revenue coming into The Walt Disney Company even when people are not heading to the parks.

However, this also created increased prices for people who were not DVC members through a sneaky move that Disney used to entice more people into buying DVC memberships.

By increasing hotel prices, Disney can sell the idea of saving money over time by purchasing a Disney Vacation Club membership. By getting more Disney Vacation Club members, Disney can collect more fees and build more DVC hotels.

It becomes a vicious circle that repeats itself, forcing Disney guests to pay for a Disney Resort Hotel stay or pony up a massive amount of cash to become a DVC member.

In doing so, Disney maintains a monopoly over the best access to its parks and experiences, with very few outsiders allowed in the bubble.

The Conclusion

Disney’s cycle relies on guests paying massive sums to stay on Disney property. This moneymaker has been driving Disney’s profits for decades.

However, this cycle is built entirely around guests continuing to come. But what happens if people stop showing up?

Disney CEO Bob Iger admitted that Disney has seen a dip in attendance due to a post-COVID dip. But with fewer new rides and attractions coming in the next couple of years, what if this dip is permanent or lasts for years?

Related: There’s a Laundry List of Reasons Disney World is Empty this Summer

This would result in Disney cutting costs to ensure the stockholders still receive their profits. If Disney cuts costs, it will result in lower quality at its parks, something guests have been complaining about over the last year.

To bring the quality back up, Disney will have to infuse massive amounts of cash into its parks; see this year’s D23 Expo. As a result, guests will have to pay higher prices for the Disney Park experience.

And the cycle continues.

Either way, Disney will keep its most diehard fans returning yearly and paying more and more for the experience. In the end, it makes perfect sense for them.

Do you think Disney World Resort Hotels represent ‘fake luxury’?