yacht beach pool

Stormalong Bay Yacht & Beach Club Pool Closing in 2025 for 6-Month Refurbishment

Walt Disney World has announced a pool closure of Stormalong Bay at Yacht & Beach Club Resorts in 2025. This covers dates & details, plus other info about ongoing & upcoming construction work around Crescent Lake, recommendations for those planning vacations during this timeframe, and more.  (Updated March 8, 2024 .)

Let’s start with the big news, which is the pool refurbishment at these two Deluxe Resorts. Here’s the original official announcement by Walt Disney World: In an effort to continually enhance the Guest experience, we refresh our offerings from time to time. From January 2025 through May 2025, Stormalong Bay and Shipwreck Pool at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts will be closed for routine maintenance. Guests may see or hear construction work around Stormalong Bay and Shipwreck Pool during daytime hours. During this time, guests of Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts are welcome to swim at the Tidal, Admiral and Dunes Cove leisure pools.

Here’s the updated official announcement by Walt Disney World: From January 2025 through June 2025, Stormalong Bay and Shipwreck Pool at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts will be closed for routine maintenance. Guests may see or hear construction work during daytime hours. During this time, Guests are welcome to swim at the Tidal, Admiral and Dunes Cove leisure pools.

While some of the other verbiage has changed, the key difference is that the refurbishment has been quietly extended until June 2025. This is a big deal from our perspective, as the closure is creeping into the hotter and busier summer season when guests are more likely to be making resort reservations on the basis on the pools.

Just a heads up for anyone who already has a reservation at Yacht and Beach Club or is planning to make one. Unless generous discounts are offered or you’re not “pool people,” we’d highly recommend looking elsewhere. (As discussed in greater detail below.)

This isn’t the only project occurring around the Crescent Lake Resort Area. Disney’s Beach Club Resort and Villas is undergoing refurbishment. During this time, all resort amenities will remain available.

This is due to a soft goods refurbishment on both the hotel side and the Disney Vacation Club wing of the Beach Club. Most of the resort rooms have already emerged from this, and not much has changed. There’s new carpet in the hallways, and inside the room the carpet has been replaced by a laminate flooring.

There’s also new furniture–chairs and couch–as well as new curtains, Donald Duck wall art, and other refreshed surfaces. That’s all I noticed. These rooms were bland before, and they’re still pretty bland now–but minus carpet and plus better on-theme artwork. All of this will be wrapped up well before 2025, though. (This was pretty close to being done late last year, so it might already be finished.)

It sure seems like there’s been perpetual construction at Yacht & Beach Club for the last couple of years. All small scale stuff, but it’s persistent and can be annoying if your room is impacted. ( Speaking from experience. ) There have also been a lot of starts and stops, as Walt Disney World drags out construction seemingly everywhere.

Regardless, we’re definitely expecting this work to be finished before the Stormalong Bay and Shipwreck Pool closure commences. It remains to be seen whether more projects are scheduled between now and then, though. Not much left to redo at either resort, except maybe Big River Grille and Brewing Works. Possibly yet another new concept at Trattoria al Forno? (Fingers crossed for a better ice cream shop!)

It’s a similar story across Crescent Lake at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn. Renovations are also occurring here in both the regular resort rooms and DVC villas. I stayed on the hotel side in one of the new rooms recently, and didn’t see or hear any room construction. That doesn’t mean it’s not happening–BoardWalk is a huge hotel–but it seems like it’s pretty close to completed. About the only thing I did notice inside the hotel is a lobby restroom being closed–hardly earth-shattering construction news.

The bigger deal is what’s happening outside along the turn-of-the-century promenade. Repainting is occurring to facades all throughout this area and other refreshes have been happening. Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs is also slated to open soon in a food cart along the water.

The biggest project at the BoardWalk is the new Cake Bake Shop Restaurant being built to replace ESPN Club. This was originally slated to open in Late 2023, but now Summer 2024 seems more likely. But if that continues at its current snail’s pace, maybe Cake Bake Shop construction will still be ongoing in early 2025 when Stormalong Bay is closed!

Finally, there’s what is not yet announced. Obviously, there are the unknown unknowns, and we have no clue what those could be. Very helpful and insightful, I know!

Then there are the known unknowns. On that front, it’s possible that the Disney Skyliner gondolas–which connect EPCOT’s International Gateway to Riviera Resort, Caribbean Beach, Art of Animation, Pop Century and Disney’s Hollywood Studios–will close in early 2025.

Walt Disney World hasn’t made any official announcements yet, but the Skyliner went down for refurbishment early last year and early this year. In 2022, the Skyliner was closed from January 23 through January 28. The gondolas went down for refurbishment January 22-29, 2023. The longest closure just happened this year, from January 16 to 27, 2024.

This is not a huge deal if you’re staying at a Crescent Lake Resort. The Skyliner technically serves EPCOT, not these resorts. You can still use the FriendShip boats for transportation to International Gateway or Disney’s Hollywood Studios, or you can walk. The Skyliner is the least efficient transportation for getting to DHS from Yacht & Beach Club or BoardWalk–it’s really only useful for getting to the aforementioned Skyliner resorts. (To do breakfast at Topolino’s Terrace or dinner at Sebastian’s Bistro, for example.)

Nevertheless, the ‘double-whammy’ of the Stormalong and Skyliner closures certainly makes these resorts less attractive–especially at anything approaching full price. (For what it’s worth, we definitely would  not  stay at Caribbean Beach, Art of Animation, Pop Century, or Riviera Resorts during the Skyliner closure–those hotels are more dependent upon the gondolas, so the refurbishment is a brutal blow to them.)

Circling back to the pool project, the scope of the refurbishment work on the Stormalong Bay and Shipwreck Pool at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts has yet to be revealed. Walt Disney World indicates that it’s routine maintenance, which we have no reason to dispute.

The best recent comparison is probably the Dig Site at Coronado Springs, which was refurbished about a few agos for the same duration of time. That pool was essentially just refreshed and had routine/preventative maintenance done. It emerged looking fresh and like-new, but not fundamentally different.

The key difference between the Dig Site (or any other recent pool project) and Stormalong Bay is location. This sprawling pool complex is essentially in Yacht & Beach Club’s central courtyard, with a high percentage of rooms directly overlooking the pool. The closure will almost certainly impact some guests staying at Yacht & Beach Club, even those who didn’t plan on packing their speedos.

Last summer, we did a stay at Yacht Club in a water view room at a time when ‘routine’ maintenance was occurring. To my recollection, it wasn’t even listed on DisneyWorld.com. And yet, our balcony was out of commission as cherry pickers were often outside and construction workers used the balcony to paint the exterior of the hotel. This will be a different project, but a similar idea. Point being, don’t book a water view room at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts from January to June 2025.

Frankly, we’d hesitate to book Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts  at all from January through June 2025 unless significant discounts are offered. And given that the closure was just extended from May to June over a year in advance, I wouldn’t book these resorts during the month of June 2025, period. Perhaps this is a matter of Walt Disney World erring on the side of caution and the refurbishment will be done by early June…but having seen the pace of projects lately, I’d be more worried about a late reopening than an early one.

If you’re wondering why Walt Disney World is announcing the pool project so far in advance, it’s to minimize/avoid giving out recovery or relocating guests to different resorts. Publishing pool closure dates in the distant future has become common practice for this reason–the pools are cited as one of the top reasons people book specific resorts.

Nowhere is that more true than at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts, where Stormalong Bay is the biggest selling point. That’s widely viewed as the best pool in all of Walt Disney World ( including by us–and we don’t think it’s even a remotely close call ).

To each their own, but we think that if Stormalong Bay is unavailable, Yacht and Beach Club are not “worth” the same nightly rates. This would be akin to not having the monorail while staying at the Contemporary or the wildlife all going to the vet while staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Whether Walt Disney World offers a deeper discount or not at Yacht and Beach Club for these dates depends almost entirely on how many other guests “agree” with us and vote with their wallets by booking elsewhere. Promotions are dictated by demand (or lack thereof), so it could go either way. With the closure announced this far in advance, we’d expect to see an actual impact on Yacht & Beach Club bookings. It’s possible discounts will hit 30-40% off during those months, but too early to say for sure. We’ll keep you posted–and reminders of the Stormalong Bay refurbishment as the 2025 closure draws nearer.

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Your Thoughts

What do you think about Stormalong Bay and Shipwreck Pool at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts closing for routine refurbishment in January through June 2025? Do you like these Deluxe Resorts, or do you prefer the cheaper options? Any other improvements you’d like to see Disney make to Stormalong Bay? Do you agree or disagree with our assessment of the projects? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!

Written by Tom Bricker

We have reservations at Beach Club Villa’s beginning 1/3/25 – thoughts on when Stormalong Bay will actually close in January? Thanks!

Do you think it will close January 1st? Is there any information about this?? Have a trip planned from Dec 29 – Jan 5th

At what point would you feel “safe” booking a July or August stay here, if Stormalong Bay is a must-have? There’s no way they keep it closed all summer, right? Right?

Unpopular opinion: we aren’t fans of that pool at all, but maybe the closure will open up some availability for our trip to Festival of the Arts in January? We have Riviera booked already, but would consider modifying. We don’t own any Boardwalk area resorts, and haven’t had much luck getting any rooms there.

We were just at Yacht Club for a week in early February. That is our week and resort of choice! Because of next year’s pool closure, I used the bounce back offer to book a late Sep/early Oct trip in lieu of a 2025 trip. We haven’t done Mickey’s Not So Spooky Halloween Party yet, so I thought this would be a good reason to do it! Of course, we could just plan on Halloween 2025 instead, but that seems too far away and the deal I got was great. Still deciding, but had to jump on the offer just in case we go for it.

Do they typically release reopening dates for pools once it gets closer? I’ve never paid attention to any other resort pool closures being we only stay at beach club.

Up until this announcement I was planning a trip in May 2025, and I still would if the pool reopened in May. Im wondering if they mean it’s expected to reopen 5/1, any time in may or be closed the entire month and reopen 6/1. Guess we’ll see!

I’m DVC so I would be booking at the 11 month mark, I suppose I could always push the trip back if it got too close without an announcement.

That’s great planning on their part that they inform the community about the loss of that pool..I would be DEVASTATED (I know it’s a bit of a pathetic first world problem) if I didn’t know before I booked-that pool makes the stay next level! And I tend to book over a year out for most stays…I definitely will always choose a deluxe over the other resorts! I do wish they’d announce water park closures in the same way…I keep wanting to try Blizzard Beach and just can’t seem to swing a visit when they’re open. But when looking at Universal’s website was pleasantly surprised to see they don’t take down the Volcano Bay all at once for refurbs, just individual rides intermittently…

Surprised to see you call the sky liner the least efficient transportation to DHS. Just got back from a week at BC in mid-August and that was our go to for DHS transportation. We didn’t walk it bc of the heat, and the boat didn’t seem shorter in terms of time once the wait for the boat was added in. We found the 5 min walk to gondola station, quiet uncongested ride, and no lines to be the height of efficiency for getting to DHS from BC.

Not sure if you’ve ever watched Allears videos…they did a race/experiment a year or two ago from Crescent Lake/Yacht club area to DHS using the 3 modes of transportation-one being your feet. Walking was quickest, then boat, then the skyliner. Obviously, time of day, crowd levels, seasons, etc play into the variables. It was interesting though.

I just got back from a stay at Beach club, and two days ago the pool was shut down in the morning for emergency maintenance and was down until at least noon. It also seemed like it could use some TLC while I was walking around it. I’m probably a loner on this, but we spent several hours at the pool this past week and I just didn’t enjoy it much. It was crowded, hot, and unrelentingly sunny for most of the day, with an exceptionally high number of seat hoarders. I didn’t hate my time there, but I enjoyed Kidani’s pool a lot more since most of the seats were shaded and there weren’t nearly as many people. Glad the rooms are getting a refurbishment, too…it was perfectly serviceable, but very simple. I also had a really difficult time because there wasn’t a full-length mirror! It seemed like an odd omission that would be easy to fix. Now, off to take a survey on my experience~

Agreed. We like Kidani more as well. For many of the reasons you stated, I believe Beach Club’s pool is overrated imho.

I like the vibe at Beach Club better than Yacht Club. Stormalong Bay cost us a day at the Parks one trip (though we got it back via a trip extension), as it required backhoes and dynamite to finally get my wife out the pool for dinner at Cape May. Whether it’s the best pool complex at a hotel in the Orlando area is up for debate, but as you have repeatedly noted, it is far and away the best pool complex at WDW. I have felt that if they were doing it today from scratch, they’d make some changes, namely a MUCH longer lazy river. It would be great if they were to redesign the pool complex to that end… but they’re not, certainly not over such a relatively short time. Which is okay, as Stormalong Bay is fantastic as it is right now. I expect they’ll be replacing pipes, pumps, doing resurfacing, etc. It will be a bright, shiny new Stormalong Bay, but the same one anyone who has had the pleasure to stay and play there knows and loves. But, yeah discounts, HUGE discounts during that time would be needed. It still has an amazing location, being a short walk to the Skyliner and International Gateway… but that while that pretty short walk turns into a longer, but still very reasonable walk from Boardwalk, I’d stay there instead if pools are your thing instead, or even Swan/Dolphin/Reserve. But, as someone who lived next door to a guy who owned a pool company has heard, repeatedly, pools need maintenance and every certain number of years, it is likely to need a major maintenance. That memory now has me curious: When was the last time Stormalong was shutdown for a major maintenance?

I love Stormalong, but that lazy river is a waste of space. Why is it so deep?!

Just at the Yacht club for the grilled cheese and tomato soup (thanks for the recommendation TB). Walked around both resorts doing the scavenger hunt. Whenever we’ve been there we come away feeling it’s nice but a bit sterile, kind of snooty and a typical fancy hotel I can stay at anywhere USA but OMG!!!! that pool !!!! with real sand!!!! There is no discount that can make up for such a loss. Especially as there are so many terrific resort options. I won’t deny that walking back from EPCOT on an extended evening night isn’t an attractive fun incentive but Stormalong Bay is the real attraction here.

BTW – you stop mid-sentence right before the picture of the Cake Bake Shop. I’m a little curious what remains to be seen? Thought you’d want to know.

Thanks for catching that–I’ve fixed it.

What remains to be seen is whether more projects are scheduled between now and then.

Tom, any insight into whether the remaining rooms at Beach Club Villas will be receiving murphy beds? I know the top two floors received murphy beds earlier this year before the refurb was paused. Due to our party size we have an adult sleeping in the living area and we find that the murphy beds are levels of magnitude more comfortable than the pull out couches. Whether or not a resort has the murphy bed definitely affects where we stay.

Thanks for the report! We’re just about ready to book our Spring 2024 trip, but that necessitates looking forward to a potential January 2025 trip and debating the pros and cons of staying at any given resort next time, versus the next-next time. Beach Club is high on our list, and knowing it’s not an option for January 2025 is great to know

We usually stay at the Yacht Club, primarily because of the pool and it location near Epcot. We usually visit between January and March; so, this closure and construction will have an impact on us. We will need more information. Thank you for letting us know.

“Frankly, we’d hesitate to book Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts at all from January to May 2025 unless significant discounts are offered.” As being DVC Members and that this is our Home Resort it would be hoped that significant discounts are offered, significant discounts ! Not having had many “freebies” in the past offered, I don’t imagine there will be many surprises here. It really has felt that the Beach Club is under perpetual refurb these last few years and we can understand Stormalong would in need of a refurb, but wasn’t that what was going on recently ? If not why not ? and what really needs a refurb now ?

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The Four Pools at Disney’s Beach and Yacht Club (Photos, Hours, and Details)

When it comes to the pools at Disney’s Beach and Yacht Club Resorts, you’ve got options. Four pools are available between the resorts. However, most guests will prefer the resort’s feature pool, Stormalong Bay. It’s no secret that we consider it the best hotel pool at Walt Disney World .

However, those wanting to enjoy a peaceful spot at the pool or take a quick swim near their room will want to be aware of the resort’s other options. For instance, you might have a day when you want to enjoy the pool and get laundry done simultaneously. Or you might wake up early one morning and have a few minutes to enjoy the quiet pool before the main pool opens. If so, you’ll have options.

Below, we’ll discuss each of the quiet and feature pools at Disney’s Beach and Yacht Club. We’ll review their location, pool hours, and other amenities you’ll want to know beforehand.

Major Refurbishment Note: From January 2025 through June 2025, Stormalong Bay and Shipwreck Pool at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts will be closed for routine maintenance. During daytime hours, guests may see or hear construction work. During this time, guests are welcome to swim at the Tidal, Admiral, and Dunes Cove leisure pools. (This was originally scheduled to end in May 2025.)

Disney’s Beach and Yacht Club Pools

As mentioned above, Disney’s Beach and Yacht Club has four swimming pools. They are as follows:

Stormalong Bay

Dunes cove pool.

• Admiral’s Pool

We’ll preview each pool further below.

Pool Hours at Disney’s Beach and Yacht Club

During our visit, pool hours at Stormalong Bay were between 10:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. However, hours are subject to change. During the summer months until Labor Day, the hours are usually extended one hour until 11:00 p.m.

Quiet pool hours were posted during our last stay from 7:00 a.m. through 11:00 p.m. These pool hours are pretty consistent throughout the year. However, you’ll want to know that the quiet pools at Beach and Yacht Club do not have lifeguards or other attendants.

Are the Pools Heated?

Disney’s Beach and Yacht Club pools are heated to 82 degrees. So, in the event of cooler weather, they usually remain open. However, if the outside temperature drops to around 50 degrees or lower, the pools will close until warmer temperatures return.

Complimentary Towels and Life Jackets

Complimentary towels are provided at each pool at Disney’s Beach and Yacht Club, so you can use the extra room in your suitcase for something else.

Life jackets are also provided at each resort pool. They come in a wide range of sizes.

Mobility Lifts

Pool lifts are available for guests with disabilities or limited mobility. Here is a photo of the lift at the Beach Club’s Tidal Pool.

Changing Areas

Each of the resort’s pools has a nearby restroom. However, Stormalong Bay has an area with dedicated showers, a room to change, toiletries, and towels. If you find this area busy, you can use the shower inside the resort’s gym. The gym is adjacent to the pool, and I don’t think most people know this extra set of showers exists.

Stormalong Bay is more of a water park than a pool. It’s so large it would be difficult to photograph in its entirety unless you had an aerial view.

Most guests (including my family) stay at Disney’s Beach or Yacht Club because of Stormalong Bay. We spend most of our days relaxing at the pool, but we do visit the parks for entertainment in the evenings.

Toward one end, a wading pool features a large sandbar in the center. Smaller children can spend hours digging in the sand and enjoying this pool area.

Another kiddie pool is available inside the shipwreck, across the walkway from Stormalong Bay. The ship also serves as the entrance to the pool’s water slide. The photo below shows where the tube slide begins at the top of the ship’s mast.

Stormalong Bay has three hot tubs scattered throughout the pool area.

Guests can take in scenic views of Disney’s Boardwalk across the lake from some places around the pool. Stormalong Bay has plenty of seating. But be warned, the good seats are often taken early. During our stay at the Yacht Club this summer, I waited in line for the pool to open each morning to get a table and chairs in the shade. Places in the shade are pretty limited.

Cabana rentals can be reserved up to 60 days in advance, but they sell out quickly. If you want to learn more, we have a review of renting a cabana at the Beach Club . We also have a complete guide for Stormalong Bay that includes photos and videos of every pool feature. If you plan to spend some time at this pool, it has some tips that will likely be useful.

Tidal Pool at Disney’s Beach Club

Disney’s Beach Club has two additional quiet pools. The Tidal Pool sits on the front side of Disney’s Beach Club. It is the smallest of the three quiet pools between the resorts. While this pool sits near the walkway to Epcot, a laundry room sits on one end, blocking the view. Rooms on the other three sides surround the pool.

To access this pool, take the main hallway off the resort’s lobby. Follow the signs that say pool, and after a few turns, you’ll reach a doorway leading out to the pool. You can’t miss it.

This pool is often the least busy of the three quiet pools. However, if you visit when the weather is warm, don’t be surprised to find a reasonable number of guests at all the pools.

A hot tub sits adjacent to the pool.

Here is the laundry room by the pool. We have a separate article with the locations for all the laundry rooms at Disney’s Beach Club .

Next, the Dunes Cove Pool is located near the back of the resort. This is the formal pool for the Beach Club Villas. The buildings in this wing are mint green compared to the blue of Disney’s Beach Club.

While the Dunes Cove Pool is exclusive to guests staying in the Beach Club Villas, resort guests can access it. However, this pool area will likely be out of the way and is often busy.

This pool was recently completely resurfaced. We stopped in on a chilly day to check out the updates. Everything looked fresh and new.

A hot tub sits behind the Dunes Cove Pool.

A foosball table and a life-size chess set are available.

Here are a few tables with chairs and loungers around the pool.

Admiral Pool at Disney’s Yacht Club

At Disney’s Yacht Club, guests have access to the Admiral Pool. If you take the hallway off the lobby and pass The Marketplace at Ale and Compass, it will dead end at doors that lead to the Admiral Pool. It’s a peaceful pool area surrounded by trees on one side.

This pool is a little off the beaten path. If your room doesn’t face it, you might not know it was there.

All the quiet pools have a maximum depth of 4’3″. However, Stormalong Bay has some areas that get as deep as 8′.

A hot tub is available on the far end of the pool.

A large laundry room sits at the back of the Yacht Club’s Admiral Pool. We have a post with specifics for laundry at Disney’s Yacht Club if you want to learn more.

Hurricane Hannas Waterside Bar and Grill

If you want to enjoy a meal or cocktail at the pool, you’ll have two options. You can order something and take it to the pool of your choice, or you can visit Stormalong Bay and order from the poolside bar and grill, Hurricane Hannas.

During busier times, servers wait on guests at the pool deck. However, this often takes a while because only a few servers wait on the entire pool area. On my last visit, a server left us a menu. It was over 30 minutes before he returned to our area. While it wasn’t his fault, if you want something quickly, you are probably better off ordering it at the location.

We like placing a mobile order at Ale and Compass and bringing it to the pool. The food is good quality and reasonably priced, and if you want something small, you can order something from the kids’ menu.

If you purchase a Rapid Fill mug during your stay, you should be aware that Hurricane Hannas has a beverage refill station. You can refill your mug at the pool.

Related: Rapid Fill Mugs at Disney’s Beach Club

Additionally, Beaches and Cream, an ice cream shop, sits immediately behind the pool area. They do not do mobile orders but have a walk-up window where guests can order various ice cream treats. If you want to dine here, you’ll need to get a reservation or join their walk-up list when available.

In addition to the pools, the Beach and Yacht Club have a variety of other recreational activities. The Beach Club has a sand volleyball court near the lobby entrance.

The Yacht Club has a tennis court next to the Admiral Pool. Both resorts share a fully equipped gym on the walkway behind Stormalong Bay.

Or you might prefer to lounge on the Beach while the children play in the sand.

Final Thoughts

We love all the pools at Disney’s Beach Club and Yacht Club. But it’s hard to deny that Stormalong Bay has a special place in our hearts. It’s going to be tough to beat!

On a side note, I would caution that some guests are overwhelmed by the large pool area. So, if you have children of an age where you’ll need to keep an eye on them at all times, you might not enjoy your pool time. When my niece was younger, we camped out at the sand bar pool. It’s more of a wading pool than anything. She was content to dig in the sand all day. So, I never had to worry about her wandering off into other pool areas.

That said, make sure to pack a good book (hopefully), find a spot in the full sun or shade, and relax the day away. Don’t forget the sunscreen! You might even enjoy a little pool-hopping between the resort’s quiet and feature pools throughout your trip. It’s your vacation, so enjoy what you like the most. These special times don’t come often enough for most of us.

For more information about Disney’s Beach Club Resort and Disney’s Yacht Club Resort , you might enjoy:

• Disney’s Yacht Club Resort Review
• Disney’s Beach Club Review
• Disney’s Beach and Yacht Club Restaurants Guide
• Cape May Cafe Character Breakfast Review
• Preview the New Rooms at Disney’s Beach Club

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In the Comments

Now that we’ve looked at all the pools at Disney’s Beach and Yacht Club, what do you think? Are you more of a quiet pool person or a Stormalong Bay person? Leave us a comment below or on our social media channels to let us know!

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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The Family Vacation Guide

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

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

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

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

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

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

Early Genie+ Access

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What Do the Yacht and Beach Clubs Have in Common?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What Makes Disney’s Beach Club Different?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Dunes Cove Pool
• Volleyball courts

What Makes the Yacht Club Different?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

More about our TFVG Author

James Brockbank

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

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

Hotel with the best pool complex at Disney World: Review of Disney's Yacht Club Resort

Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here .

When you think of a Florida theme park hotel, I'd bet you probably don't think of deep, rich colors, hardwoods and a refined turn-of-the-century, New England-style nautical-themed resort.

And when you think of a hotel pool, you likely don't conjure up images of a 3-acre waterpark complete with a life-size shipwreck replica that is home to a long, twisting, turning waterslide.

But all this, and actually a lot more, is precisely what you'll find at what has to be one of the best hotels at Disney World , Disney's Yacht Club Resort. In fact, when we picked this resort for a short Florida getaway, we actually considered not spending any days in the Disney theme parks to go along with it. We amended that plan for one day at Epcot, but it wouldn't be unreasonable to do an entire vacation here without getting on a single ride. In this case, the resort could be the destination.

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Disney's Yacht Club (1990) opened in the same era of rapid Disney World development as Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort (1988), and both share a type of ocean theme. However, the two couldn't be more different from one another. With just over 600 rooms (compared to more than 1,500 at Caribbean Beach), this deluxe Disney resort offers guests a vacation within a vacation both in terms of comfort and amenities.

After a recent stay at the property, it was all I could do to not add another night when the time to check out unfortunately arrived. And while not everything is postcard-perfect at this Disney resort at the moment, I promised myself (and my kids) we'd be back. It's that special.

Let's start with some bad news: Disney's Yacht Club is often expensive.

This is one of Disney's deluxe resorts and there is no Disney Vacation Club wing of this hotel. This means you can't rent DVC points to potentially book a room for less the way you can at places such as Polynesian Village Resort. (Note that you can do this at the neighboring Beach Club Resort.)

If you can snag a room during a sale or with a solid discount, you can probably get the rate down to $350-$400 per night, but it's unlikely to go much lower. It's common for rooms here to go for $500 and up, especially once standard rooms are sold out and you need to pay even more for a water view, which is precisely what I had to do. The view itself is (in my mind) not actually worth an upcharge, but sometimes that's all that's available.

While I booked during a 30% off sale, my water-view room at the Yacht Club still came to just over $500 per night. There are some ways to use points for Disney World vacations , such as using miles from the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card to offset the expense at a 1 cent = 1 mile valuation , but there's no way to get outsize value for your credit card points at Disney properties.

If you do decide to book a Disney resort like this one, it can make sense to go through a Disney Vacation Planner as that doesn't add to your cost and they do a great job staying on the lookout for sales and discounts and keeping track of all those ever-changing components of a trip to Disney World.

Related: How much does a trip to Disney World cost?

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

No doubt it sounds a touch insane to spend $500 for a theme park-adjacent hotel room, but the location is one reason why Disney's Yacht Club commands that rate (and often sells out).

This hotel is just a 5-10 minute walk from the World Showcase entrance of Epcot. It is also within walking distance of Disney's Hollywood Studios, or you can hop on a boat to take you there since that walk is a bit longer.

Being so close to Epcot also means that the Skyliner stop at Epcot is within very easy reach, opening up even more Disney locations such as the Riviera Resort , Caribbean Beach Resort and more.

Yacht Club is also an incredibly short stroll away from the BoardWalk, which is home to even more shops and restaurants.

I'm happy to save money and stay off Disney property on the first night of the trip, or for trips when we aren't going for an all-in Disney family vacation. But when we do go all-in on Disney World, I want to be in the "Disney bubble." Staying at Yacht Club puts you in the heart of the Disney bubble, well-cushioned in your own deluxe nautical-themed space, but just an arm's reach from lots of great Disney dining and entertainment options.

Related: Guide to visiting Walt Disney World

We arrived at Disney's Yacht Club in the early afternoon, after starting the vacation off with a character brunch at Topolino's Terrace at the top of the nearby Disney Riviera Resort . (Which I highly recommend you add to your to-do list if you love characters and can snag a reservation.)

Since we arrived a few hours before official check-in time, I didn't have high hopes our room would be ready, given the era of pandemic precautions, but that became the first pleasant surprise of the trip when Room 2077 was ready and waiting for us several hours early.

Check-in is also where we were informed that while room service has returned as an option for breakfast and dinner, regular housekeeping had not yet returned to Disney resorts . Towels and trash would be attended to every other day. For our two-night stay, that meant there would be no formal housekeeping services, though we could ask for more towels and such.

If you are able to manage stairs, you can easily access the second level of the resort — where we stayed — via the lobby without using the elevators.

In fact, heading up the lobby stairs reveals some fun touches, such as a ship's wheel, among other themed decor.

Our room was a bit of a walk down several hallways, so if that's an issue, ask for a room closer to the lobby if available.

Inside a room at Disney's Yacht Club, you aren't going to find bright colors, Disney characters or loud decor. If that's what you want, I recommend Disney's Art of Animation , which has plenty of color and characters.

Yacht Club was renovated in recent years to appeal not only to traditional Disney vacationers but also to conventiongoers who frequently stay at the resort during normal times. And in this case, everyone won with a redesign that maintained the overall theme but upgraded the offerings.

The rooms still carry out the resort's high-end nautical theme, but in a way that is elegant and more refined than the previous 1990s-era version.

Like with other Disney resort upgrades, the beds are now raised and the floors are now hard instead of carpet. As Disney renovated rooms across its properties, this has been the standard it is changing to.

There's a pullout sofa that can be used as a sleeper and a small writing desk.

Most notably, there were outlets everywhere. We travel with a lot of things that need charging and we didn't come close to using them all up. Some furnishings may be made to look like turn-of-the-century New England, but they are loaded with modern-day power.

The two queen beds were perfect for a good night's rest after a busy day at Disney.

In the room, you'll also find a minifridge and Keurig.

We were impressed with the amount of storage the room had in the form of shelves, racks, cubbies and drawers. We were able to stay far more organized than normal with a family's worth of stuff, thanks to the storage options.

There was a balcony with two chairs that overlooked a well-manicured green lawn and technically some water. Remember, this was a pricier water-view room after all.

I adored the drapes, both because they did a great job keeping light out in the morning but also because they were adorable and perfect for the room, featuring constellations.

Like at many other similar Disney resorts, the bathroom had a vanity with two sinks located in a cubby between the main room and the bathroom, so it could be used while someone was in the shower.

The bathroom area had a sliding door for both the room itself and the tub/shower combo. There were plenty of Disney H2O+ bath products in the shower and bathroom area.

We found the room incredibly nice, but do know that it doesn't take much to hear what's going on in the hallway or other rooms around you. If you like total silence, you'll be well-served to pack some earplugs and a white noise app to go along with your Mickey ears.

Related: Why you need more than just a ticket to get into Disney World this summer

The Yacht Club room is plenty comfortable, but that's probably not why you stay at Disney's Yacht Club — it's certainly not why we paid what we did to stay here.

Stormalong Bay pool complex

What makes this resort so special is the 3-acre pool complex shared with the neighboring Disney Beach Club Resort.

Dubbed Stormalong Bay, this pool complex has everything from a 230-foot waterslide to a lazy river, whirlpool, shallow splash area, toddler slide, hot tubs and more. It even has a sandy bottom in some of the areas, which feels so much nicer on your tired Disney feet than a hard surface.

This pool area is almost a mini-waterpark and certainly worthy of planning some time in your schedule just to enjoy it. Right now, it can get busy to the point where there is no way to get in during peak times.

However, we had a blast also going late at night after the parks closed, when there were very few people in the pool at all. While the hours can vary, it was open from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. during our stay.

There are four cabanas at the pool you can book if you want extra space and service, but you need to reserve well in advance if you want those because they go quickly.

Getting into the pool requires verification you are a resort guest and you're then assigned the colored wristband of the day to wear. There's plenty of towels at the pool, as well as a small army of lifeguards keeping a close watch on the various areas of the pool.

Stormalong Bay is adjacent to Hurricane Hanna's Waterside Bar & Grill, so it's pretty easy to pop over there and order a snack or cocktail. The $12 seafood roll turned out to be a perfect snack for us.

My 11-year-old gave the $6 Lava Smoothie (made of raspberry, coconut and pineapple flavors) high marks and my $14 Frosé was excellent.

Whether your group is made up of adults, some teens, tweens or toddlers, this pool area is truly excellent, especially if you build in some time to enjoy it when most people are sleeping, eating or in the Disney parks.

Evening movies on the beach

Several nights per week at 8 p.m., a Disney movie is shown along the "beach" at the Yacht Club. This is free to enjoy and the week we were there the films showing were "Zootopia," "Sleeping Beauty," "A Bug's Life" and "Disneynature: Earth."

I'll never fully understand who needs a treadmill at Disney when it's normal to walk 10 miles a day in the park, but Yacht Club has those and more in its gym that overlooks Stormalong Bay.

Magical Express Bus

Until the end of 2021, if you want to take the included Magical Express Bus transportation to and from the Orlando airport, that's available to those who stay at this and any other full-fledged Disney resort hotel. If you decide to self-park at Yacht Club, it's going to cost you $25 per night. The upside is that the fee also gives you access to parking at the Disney theme parks at no additional charge.

The Magical Express Bus stop is right in front of the hotel entrance, and the bus stop to go to the various Disney theme parks is just to the side of the hotel entrance.

Still-closed amenities

If you remember when I mentioned there are still some small bumps at Yacht Club, here's where they begin.

Those looking for the ultimate, once-in-a-lifetime Yacht Club experience may want to hold off a tiny bit longer if you want to experience all the amenities. The Club Lounge remains closed, as does one of the main sit-down restaurants.

On top of that, the onsite Ship Shape Salon is still closed, along with the Lafferty Place Arcade.

Normally, you can rent boats or even sign your kids up for a pirate-themed adventure that leaves from the dock outside of the Yacht Club, but all of that is also still on pause.

We had plenty to do for a few days without any of those amenities, but just keep in mind that some things remain shuttered for now.

Related: Changes to expect at Disney World in 2021

Ale & Compass Restaurant

Just off the lobby of Yacht Club is a dark, subdued restaurant called Ale & Compass. While you do need reservations to eat breakfast or dinner here, it's one of the easier reservations to get at Disney World.

Described as "Yankee comfort food," this menu has options such as lobster-and-corn chowder; a fantastic salad called the Ale & Compass salad with additions such as pumpkin seeds and beets; steak; pasta; and a burger with bacon and Vermont cheddar served with thick fries.

Getting good photos in the dark restaurant was next to impossible, but we enjoyed our salad and burger.

And while we didn't eat breakfast here, I've heard good things about the dark chocolate waffles.

Our service here was quite friendly but incredibly slow. The wait for our reservation was pretty extensive, followed by another wait for a server to arrive at our table to start the meal-ordering process. This is likely at least in part due to the restaurant having a brisk business of to-go orders that you can make from the Disney app, along with the other sit-down restaurant at the hotel remaining closed.

Related: These are the best restaurants at Disney World

Ale & Compass Lounge

Another alternative to the restaurant is the adjacent Ale & Compass Lounge, which also has a sleek, updated, but pretty dark look once day turns to night.

In the back of the lounge is a bar, with the front portion offering a variety of seating options and a reduced menu that still includes the burger and chowder.

The Market at Ale & Compass

In the gift shop area of the hotel is the Market at Ale & Compass, where you can order grab-and-go options in the Disney app.

We tried the $12 breakfast bowl that had a little bit of everything on it and was actually almost enough food for myself and two kids for a quick pre-park breakfast.

The $7 ham and cheese breakfast sandwich on a pretzel roll also looked really solid.

In the afternoon and evening, you'll find a variety of sandwiches, a hot dog and a panini on the menu.

Beaches and Cream Soda Shop

If you're going to splurge cash on staying at the Yacht Club, I highly recommend also splurging some calories at Beaches and Cream. You're going to need to make a reservation here well in advance (dining reservations are accepted 60 days before your trip) or get very lucky.

We planned our trip pretty close-in and were never able to snag advance reservations, but got lucky with timing that they had an outdoor table available for us to order the most exciting item on the menu ... the Kitchen Sink.

This $35 sink of ice cream is made of eight scoops (vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, cookies and cream and mint) along with every single topping in the house. Oh, and there's also an entire can of whipped cream on top.

It's epic, huge, ridiculous and a lot of fun.

The three of us barely put a dent in it but certainly had fun trying.

There are more regular-sized ice cream options on the menu, too, but if you're doing a once-in-a-lifetime trip, try this once-in-a-lifetime dessert.

Should you want more than just sugar for your meal, this is also where you'll find burgers, sandwiches, chili and other 1950s classic-style treats.

Yachtsman Steakhouse

This second sit-down restaurant has not yet reopened, but when it does, this is where you can go for those post-convention expensed sales dinners ... or a very nice meal out for two. The menu features a $135 seafood tower, prime porterhouse, lobster, filet mignon, elk, lobster and other similar entrees that start around $50.

Overall impressions

I'm a total and complete sucker for a well-themed, well-located Disney World resort. Resorts such as this one, along with Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, Disney's Wilderness Lodge, Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge and others, have me hook, line and wallet.

For me, the resort hotel isn't just a place to sleep at night, it's also a destination much like the theme parks themselves. I enjoy the scent in the lobby, the storyline of the property, the Disney touches throughout and the convenience of being fully immersed in Disney magic.

While my kids vetoed the idea, I'd have been totally happy having Disney's Yacht Club Resort serve as our actual final destination for the weekend with no park time at all. However, since it is such an easy walk to Epcot, adding that park on was actually a whole lot of fun, too.

If what you want is just a decent bed close to the parks, don't stay here. You're probably overpaying to stay at Yacht Club if you don't truly value the Stormalong Bay pool area. You can stay at the next-door Disney Swan and Dolphin for a fraction of the cash if you're just after location.

And right now, with some amenities still closed, I don't recommend staying here if you are going to be upset when things aren't 100% full service and perfect. The prices are as high as ever to match demand, so don't expect a reduced price to match the reduced amenities.

But if you can overlook a few things and what you want is a fun, slightly grown-up hotel theme, a great location, access to the best resort pool at Disney World and easy access to multiple restaurants, Disney's Yacht Club Resort is now officially one of my favorite Disney hotels — and one that I can't wait to return to in the coming years.

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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.

Walt Disney World Resort Free Quote

Start planning your Walt Disney World Resort Vacation with The Magic For Less Travel . Use the form below to request a free no-obligation quote, and one of their counselors will get in touch with you to begin planning. The Mouse For Less recommends the Walt Disney World vacation planning services provided by our sponsor, The Magic For Less Travel. Their expert planning advice will help you make the most of your vacation time and money. The Magic For Less Travel is an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner and provides service free of charge.

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• EPCOT / News / Resorts / Walt Disney World

Your Guide To Disney’s Yacht Club Resort

by Melissa Roden · February 11, 2022

If you’ve been following along with us here at  MickeyBlog , you’ll know that we’ve been exploring many of our favorite Walt Disney World Resorts.  Next up is a bit of a hidden secret among my regular clients- Disney’s Yacht Club Resort!  You can’t beat this property for close proximity to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios along with a whole host of awesome amenities!

This Deluxe EPCOT Resort property captures the formal grace of a grand New England-style Yacht Club with elegant decor and lots of nautical touches. You’ll enjoy relaxing in the plush lobby or popping next to the Yacht Club’s pastel-toned sister, Disney’s Beach Club Resort. 

Located in the EPCOT Resort area, you are just a quick walk to the International Gateway entrance of EPCOT.  Or if you prefer, you can take a friendship boat to EPCOT or Hollywood Studios which is also close by.  The Yacht Club property sits next to Disney’s Beach Club Inn meaning you can enjoy all of the amenities that sister resort has to offer. You are also just across the lake from Disney’s Boardwalk with restaurants, nightlife, shops and more!

Yacht Club Transportaion

Getting around during your stay at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort is easy.  Who have a whole host of different options from reaching your destination on foot to hopping on a Friendship Boat. Check out our transportation list below: 

• EPCOT: Short Walk or Friendship Boat
• Hollywood Studios: Boat
• Magic Kingdom: Bus
• Animal Kingdom: Bus
• Disney Springs: Bus

• 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
• Sleeps 5 Adults
• 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 Garden
• Sleeps up to 5 Adults
• 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
• Sleeps up to 5 Adults 

Rooms and Suites With Club Level Service

Club Level Amenities Include: 

• 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
• Complimentary newspapers in Club Level lounge
• 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds
• Sleeps up to 4 Adults
• 2 Queen Beds and 1 Day Bed or 2 Queen Beds or 1 King Bed
• Sleeps Up to 4 Adults 
• 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 King Beds and 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa
• Views of Stormalong Bay or Crescent Lake
• Sleeps up to 6 Adults 
• 1 King Bed and 2 Queen Beds
• Water Views
• Sleeps up to 6 Adults
• 1 King Bed, 2 Queen Beds and 1 Sleeper Sofa
• Sleeps up to 8 Adults 

Food & Beverage

The following dining locations are located at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resort 

• Yachtsman Steakhouse- A MickeyBlog favorite, the airy dining room of this Table Service eatery features knotty-pine beams and nautical touches. Menu highlights include grain-fed beef that is aged in house and prepared on an oak-fired grill, 12 oz Prime New York Strip Steak with peppercorn brand sauce, truffle macaroni and cheese and for dessert the Yachtman’s Chocolate Cake. 
• Ale & Compass Restaurant – Drop anchor for Eastern Seaboard eats that the whole crew will love at this Table Service eatery. This seaworthy spot is a comfortable place to relax and refuel before and after a day of adventure. For breakfast we recommend the dark chocolate waffle or  salted caramel-apple French toast.  Lunch options include Lobster and Corn Chowder, Ale and Compass Salad, and the Bacon and Vermont Cheddar Burger. Finally, for dinner, indulge in sumptuous seafood, like sustainable catch of the day or New England seafood pot pie.
• Ale & Compass Lounge – Stop by this nautical nook for lively libations and savory snacks. Choose from a variety of beers, wines and high-end liquors—as well as cocktails like the Spicy Pomegranate Margarita and the Captain’s Mai Tai.
• The Market at Ale & Compass- Pop by this quick service spot for a variety of provisions. Once inside, you’ll find breakfast favorites like Mickey waffles with bacon, tasty sandwiches and hot paninis at lunchtime and delightful coffee beverages to brighten your day—along with magical Disney merchandise.
• Cape May Cafe – Start your day off right with an all-you-care-to-enjoy, breakfast buffet featuring Assorted House-Made Pastries, Omelets, Beef Hash, and of course, Mickey and Minnie Waffles. For dinner buffet offerings include Peel-n-Eat Shrimp, Cape May Clams, Oven Roasted Lemon Chicken and Slow-roasted Strip Loin. Available for an additional fee are Snow Crab Legs (per pound) and Whole Lobster.
• Beaches & Cream – Slide into a beach ball-bedecked booth at this Table Service spot and peruse a menu of fountain favorites, sweet surprises and hot-off-the-grill items. Find yourself in “burger heaven” or try the equally sublime grilled cheese and tomato soup. Chili-cheese tots and onion rings are among the other comfort classics offered. But the main event here is, of course, dessert with showstoppers, like the Snickers Sundae and the No Way José—a delectable creation with ice cream, peanut butter and hot fudge. For the ultimate experience, get a load of the Kitchen Sink: 8 scoops of ice cream smothered in every topping we have.
• Beach Club Marketplace – Quick Service- Start your day with a breakfast sandwich or Mickey waffles. Then fuel up on lunch and dinner with a selection of macaroni and cheese dishes, hot or cold sandwiches, or refreshing salads.
• Martha’s Vineyard – Canoodle over a Cape Cod or any signature cocktail from the full bar menu at this mellow New England beach house-inspired lounge. Imported wines and draft beers, including Sam Adams Seasonal, enhance the mood. Appetizers are also available.
• Hurricane Hanna’s Waterside Bar – Enjoy the view of Stormalong Bay as you’re blown away by a sea of signature cocktails, draft beers and frozen drinks like the rum-infused Piña CoLAVA.
• Crew’s Cup Lounge – Race into port for a refreshing beverage at this cozy outpost nestled next to the Yachtsman Steakhouse. Unwind with a pint, a glass of wine or a cool cocktail or from a selection of tasty menu items (hours vary).

Swimming Pools

Stormalong Bay- Disney’s Yacht Club and Disney’s Beach Club share the be all and end all of Disney pools called Stormalong Bay.  This pool area feels more like a water park with a 750,000 gallon pool offering 3 acres of aquatic fun. You can immerse yourself in this expansive sand-bottomed pool or relax in the lazy circular river.  There’s even a life-size shipwreck replica and one of the highest hotel waterslides in Walt Disney World.   You can also unwind atop the elevated training deck or in one of the three whirlpool spas. 

Shipwreck Pool – Created especially for tiny tots, this is the perfect place for wading and waterplay.  It even features a miniature waterslide. 

3 Leisure Pools – Looking for something more on the tranquil side? There are three additional leisure pools on property. The locations are as follows: 

• Tidal Pool at Disney’s Beach Club Resort Pool – located in the garden area at the far end of the resort facing Crescent Lake. 
• Admiral Pool at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort Pool- found on its own tranquil garden area
• Dunes Cove Pool at Disney’s Beach Club Villas Pool – Privately located in the villa area but Yacht Club guests are welcome to enjoy it! 

Cabana Rentals – Guests can pre-book a cabana at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort. Cabanas come with the following amenities. 

• Dedicated Cast Member providing service to the cabanas
• Cocktail service
• Ceiling fan
• Padded furniture, including chairs and couch
• Television with cable access
• Charging outlet/USB
• Mini refrigerator stocked with complimentary sodas and water
• Fruit basket (may not be available without advance reservation)
• Plush towels
• Cabinet safe

Cabana rentals are an additional fee and reservations can be made at 407.WDW.PLAY. 

Additional Recreation

• Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf – Guests staying at the Yacht Club are just a short walk away from this miniature golf course featuring two 18-hole course. You can putt your way through 5 whimsical scenes featuring characters from  Fantasia including tutu-clad hippos, marching broomsticks and pirouetting ostriches. 
• Campfires – Gather ‘round as the sun goes down for a little old-fashioned family fun as you roast marshmallows next to a crackling fire.
• Movies Under the Stars – Watch favorite Disney films at complimentary screenings in the Solarium or on a lawn outdoors near the volleyball courts. The line-up changes regularly so as the front desk for the schedule! 
• Motorized Boat Rentals – Chart a course for fun with a choice of powerboats available for rent at Walt Disney World Resort marinas.
• Fishing – Enjoy a guided bass-fishing excursion—perfect for both amateur wranglers and seasoned fishermen!
• Tennis Courts – Show off your skills on a lit tennis court, located near the Admiral Pool!
• Volleyball – Enjoy a friendly volleyball match on a sandy court located near the Tidal Pool. Complimentary equipment is available. 
• Jogging Trails- Take your pick of several jogging paths, including a loop around Crescent Lake.
• Lafferty Place Arcade – Score big with a variety of video games at this arcade near Stormalong Bay.
• Ship-Shape Salon and Fitness – Get toned at this full-service facility featuring equipment, massages and more.

• The Market at Ale & Compass – Navigate to this all-in-one emporium to stock up on everyday essentials, souvenirs, chilled beverages and snacks. You can also shop the theme parks with ease and have your goods delivered here, where they’ll be available for pickup later.
• Beach Club Marketplace – Find Disney souvenirs, apparel, grab ‘n’ go food items, cold beverages and sundries at this convenient all-purpose shop.

            View this post on Instagram                         A post shared by planDisney (@plandisneypanel)

As one of Disney’s Deluxe Resort properties, pricing at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort for Spring 2022 starts at around $500 and go up to the $1000+ range for suites and club level  However, this property is also regularly included in Disney discount offers so you may be able to get some additional savings! 

You can download the entire Disney’s Yacht Club Resort Pocket Guide here – Yacht Club Pocket Guide

Readers are encouraged to keep following along with  MickeyBlog for further Walt Disney World news and updates!  To book your Yacht Club stay simply fill out my form below.

With new policies and procedures in place during the year ahead, there’s never been a better time to work with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner who can help you navigate through Disney World’s new way of doing things!  I’ll be on hand to assist with everything from finding that perfect package and getting the best deals to organizing park passes, Disney Genie+ and dining reservations.  Best of all- my services are ABSOLUTELY FREE!

Just fill out my form  HERE  to get your FREE, no-obligation quote. Alternatively, feel free to reach out at  [email protected]  or follow along on  Facebook

Tags: dining Disney's Yacht Club Resort Epcot Pocket Guide recreation room rates Room Types Swimming Pools transportation

Melissa Roden

As an agent with MickeyTravels and a Blogger with MickeyBlog I enjoy sharing, tips, tricks and advice to help readers and clients get the most out of your time with Disney. When I'm not helping clients plan their perfect holidays or nab those hard-to-get discounts you can find me enjoying a Dole Whip at Disney World with my daughter! Reach out for a FREE, no obligation quote at 1.800.801.4025 or find me on Facebook !

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High Tide Pool Venue

1675 Yacht Club Drive

osage beach mo 65065

Phone: 573-693-1525

High Tide Pool Venue is one of the lake's newest adult dining and entertainment facilities. With 3 pool bars, Mediterranean food, and DJ Jody Rhew on the main stage, you will be sure to have a great time! Check our website for the live entertainment schedule, as well as our menu. We are conveniently located at the 21-mile marker on the same property as Redhead Lakeside Grill. We have plenty of parking by land and water. If you choose to come by boat, we have trams to take you on a 2-minute ride up to High Tide from Redhead Lakeside Grill. Directions: Take exit KK off of Hwy 54 to 3 Seasons Rd, left on Yacht Club Drive, High Tide entrance will be on the left. Hours of Operation: 11 am - Midnight

Concert Venues/Music Shows/Theaters

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Review: Ilma, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection: First In

Start out with the big picture—what is this cruise line known for?

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection is new to the cruising scene—its first superyacht, Evrima , launched in 2022, and Ilma is the second in its quickly expanding fleet, which is meant to provide all the luxury and freedom of a private yacht with the refinement and service Ritz-Carlton is known for.

And I have to say they’re nailing it—I truly felt like I was aboard a yacht more than a cruise ship. All of the spaces are designed with intimacy in mind and you can tell.

Tell us about the ship in general .

She’s sleek, she’s sexy, and she has a hotelier’s touch. I stayed at Hôtel Arts Barcelona , a Ritz-Carlton flagship, before Ilma departed, and being onboard felt like a natural extension of the hotel. Everything felt comfortable but not at the expense of style. My mind immediately goes to the director-style dining chairs on deck outside Mistral, the restaurant on deck 10, which were not only designed specifically for Ilma —sleek chrome for the base and classic nautical stripes for the cushions—but improved upon from Evrima for new dimensions catering to comfort. I also can’t rave enough about the linens throughout the ship, from the napkins to the sheets to the bathrobe (more on this later).

All of the decks on board are expansive but never feel overcrowded—the loungers, couches, and tables are arranged to create pockets of intimate spaces, so you never feel like there are 400 other passengers onboard. There are 10 decks in total, the upper deck (10) and lower decks (3-5) being the most social—the main pool deck is on top, with loungers spanning along both sides of the ship and smaller tables between. At the bow, there’s the observation deck, cleverly hidden on the far side of the pool, with couches and its own bar. It’s so private, you almost feel like you might be in the wrong place (replaced quickly by the feeling that this is now your own little secret). The lower decks house most of the restaurants, the fitness studio and spa, and the smaller (infinity) pool deck, as well as the Living Room, which has smaller groupings of couches and tables, separated by natural parts of the architecture, like pillars and bookshelves, so you feel like you’re in, well, someone’s well-appointed family room.

Every design decision feels purposeful because, of course it is. Taking what they learned from Evrima and her guests, the Yacht Collection expanded much of Ilma ’s capacity to respond to what passengers gravitated toward the most, doubling the size of the fitness studios, the number of spa treatment rooms, and and the amount loungers on deck, for which I was grateful. I was relieved not to have to wake up at dawn to stake my claim on a seat.

Who is onboard?

Mostly couples, a few families, and a handful of solo travelers, all ranging in age. We had a lot of longtime Ritz loyalists, many who’d never cruised before, finally willing to give it a shot, thanks to Ilma .

Describe the cabins .

Spacious, airy, plenty of room to breathe. My cabin— a Grand Suite —had both dining and living areas, in addition to a bedroom that I could close off while sleeping, avoiding any of the gorgeous Mediterranean sunlight let in by the floor-to-ceiling glass sliding door too early in the morning. Running the whole width of the suite, the door opened onto a balcony to rival the decks above. I had two loungers and two armchairs all to myself, of which I made ample use.

I appreciated the two separate closet spaces (more than I have in my current apartment) that had drawers and hanging space—with enough hangers!—in addition to open shelving, which I used as easy access for the items I reached for the most: jewelry, bags, a sarong for the pool.

As for the linens, they were all from Frette , including the bathrobe, which now has the distinction of being the most comfortable robe I’ve ever used and made me realize how scratchy other robes turn out to be.

The color scheme was, like the rest of the superyacht, refined and understated—soft grays, whites, with a pop of color from the teal couch.

In the bathroom, I relished using the Diptyque products present during every shower, though I did have to hunt for the waste bin, which turned out not to be a separate receptacle but a drawer that was part of the vanity and took some getting used to.

Tell us about the crew.

They were attentive and engaged but not overbearing and often knew what I wanted before I did (thinking of the iced oat milk latte I was offered one morning on the pool deck—it turned out to be just what I needed). We were told some of the crew had come from other Ritz properties, and I could tell a few were still getting their sea legs but were well on their way to adapting to the ship.

My suite ambassador, Horacio, was a particular standout, always anticipating what I’d need for the coming day—an extra bottle of Moët early on, then a fresh bottle of sparkling water later. He also made sure my welcome-night dress was freshly pressed in time for dinner and the following party, which I was especially grateful for, as there was no iron in the suite (there are two in the guest launderette, though).

What food and drink options are available on board?

You’ll never want for a drink or snack on Ilma . There are five restaurants, all with distinctive types of cuisine—Tides, Memorī, Beach House, Mistral, and the pièce de resistance: Seta su Ilma . Headed up by Michelin-starred chef Fabio Trabocchi, Seta is the only restaurant on board that requires an additional fee to dine there, and I’d recommend making a reservation as soon as you embark.

I experienced Seta (and it truly is an experience ) my last night on the superyacht, and it was quite the send-off. Dinner is an 11-course tasting menu with a wine pairing for every course, so everyone told me to eat light the day of, and I’m glad I did, especially since my favorite course (Wagyu beef calabrese) came last before dessert. Seta was the most intimate of the restaurants with only ~40 seats, and all of the tables had staggered seating times. Our (chatty) table was one of the later seatings, and we closed down the restaurant.

And when you’re more parched than peckish, there are six bars aboard, most adjacent to their respective restaurants. My favorite was the Marina Bar, in the aft of the ship. Two of the walls transform out into open-air decks with glass paneling beneath you, so you can get a glimpse of the water below while you sip your cocktail of choice (mine was naturally a piña colada).

Is there a spa on board and is it worth visiting?

Yes and yes—treatments available include the usual suspects, like massages and facials, as well as salon services for both men and women. The Barber—an extension of the Pisterzi brand , which has locations in New York and Milan—and The Salon are the go-to spots for haircuts, shaves, manicures, and all grooming needs in between. (I heard nothing but rave reviews about The Barber from the men aboard—I heard some variation of “best shave of my life” every time.) There’s also a steam room and sauna (one of each for men and women), which you can enjoy even without another treatment booked.

I’m always carrying around a tight back, so I was delighted to be treated to a deep muscle massage and finally feel my shoulders fall below my ears. Before my treatment, my massage therapist asked the usual questions—any injuries, which spots needed the most work, etc.—but then she applied two different oils and asked which I liked better. The one I chose meant my body needed relaxing, naturally. During the treatment, there was a bowl of rose petals on the floor below my head, which I found to be a nice touch. The massage itself was just the amount of pressure I like—a lot—without verging into too much . Afterward, the steam room and sauna were offered to me, but I was eager to heat up by the pool instead.

What about activities and entertainment?

You won’t find a theater or auditorium onboard Ilma and that’s because life is best lived on the decks, so I found—catching sun by one of the two pools or taking advantage of the adult playground that is the “aquabana”—a floating lounge space off the aft of the ship where you can swim in the sea, kayak, paddleboard, or relax with your feet in the water under one of the cabanas. These are common on private yachts, and in keeping with giving passengers a taste of the yachting lifestyle, Ilma acquired the largest one made yet (so I’m told).

There was plenty of live music throughout the voyage: a DJ by the pool deck or a live band in the Living Room— Ilma ’s central lounge space with a coffee bar and rotating gelato flavors by day and a busy cocktail bar by night.

When you’ve had enough sun (hard to imagine, I know), there’s not only a gym but spinning and movement studios, all expanded on Ilma , due to their popularity on Evrima . I had the best intention of spending one morning testing out a treadmill, but whenever I walked by, it seemed like the other guests had it under control.

Instead, I power-walked the decks, taking in all the art—you can find an original Hockney, Warhol, and Picasso onboard—and window shopping at the Bvlgari boutique.

How was the experience for families?

Surprisingly welcoming! I did not expect to see so many families on board, but there was dedicated programming for children through Ritz Kids , as well as a number of children simply enjoying the amenities alongside the rest of us: dancing, swimming, and sipping juices.

Where did it sail and how were the excursions? Did anything stand out?

We sailed from Barcelona to Saint-Tropez, where we anchored overnight, before disembarking in Monte Carlo. The overnight port call in Saint-Tropez gave us plenty of time for both planned excursions, which ranged from winery tours to a pastry-making class, and taking the tender into town for your own exploring.

For my excursion, I took a tour of nearby Port Grimaud, a planned community built in the ‘60s with a network of canals meant to mimic Venice, followed by a seafood tasting at a local restaurant before grabbing an digestif along the harbor back in Saint-Tropez with some of my fellow tour mates. What I really appreciated was how much time to wander we were given on our tour—we had portions of planned activities, like a boat tour through the aforementioned canals, but plenty of time for our own discovery.

Are there any stand out sustainability or green initiatives about this cruise?

Ilma is the first build in the collection to have a specialized gas system installed, which makes it flexible for current—and future—sustainable fuels, like bio- or synthetic fuels, and the next member of the fleet, Luminara (launching in 2025), will have the same.

Finally, give a sentence or two on why the cruise is worth booking.

A voyage on Ilma is worth booking to experience the luxury of the yachting lifestyle wherever, whenever—with the full service of a hotel.

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• Travel Ideas

Inside insane $2 billion mega yacht ‘Goliath’ with hangar for four aircraft & its own submarine

It’s a mega yacht unlike any other with the $2 billion vessel boasting its own submarine and five-star amenities like a beach club.

Inside Dubai sheikh’s wild yacht for kings

Jeff quietly drops staggering amount on jet

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An incredible mega yacht so large that has its own submarine could double as a billionaires playground and a research lab.

Plans for the 700ft Goliath yacht includes research equipment, jet skis, helicopters and three heated pools.

The vessel is touted to cost a whopping £1 billion - $A2 billion.

Part of the Goliath series, the Q-quest yacht designed by California based yacht designer Steve Kozloff.

The massive research floater has been described as an expedition dream, providing plenty of lab space for research, experimentation, and medical intervention.

The mega-yacht is also loaded with plenty of exploration vehicles, including six hydrofoil tenders, two seaplanes, three jet skies, two helicopters, a U-Worx Research submarine, and a garage for two overland SUVs.

A separate hangar at midship stores two Cessna Caravan Seaplanes, selected for their ability to transport resupply across long distances.

The three upper decks are reserved for the owner and guests, offering 18 VIP cabins and a primary suite with a private balcony and pool.

It also boasts five-star amenities like a beach club, Turkish bath, three heated pools, yoga studio, and a 20-person theatre.

The mega yacht also has an impressive 3,000-square-foot owner’s suite with panoramic views at the bow, a large spa and pool, a basketball court.

There’s another pool with a shaded lounge area above the hangar, a dining room at the stern, and a solarium with a second dining area, plus a beach club with a full bar.

A total of 26 owner’s guests will reside on the three upper decks, while an operating crew of 150 including doctors, scientists, pilots, nurses, research engineers will reside in unspecified quarters.

Luxury aside, the predominantly research vessel would carry a complete oceanographic laboratory, a medical laboratory with MRI and X-ray imaging.

It could even hold as many as 20 hospital beds with 5G-connected robotic surgery facilities.

Propelled by thrusters powered by batteries, the vessel can reach a top speed of 20 knots with a range of 20,000 nautical miles.

Kozloff told autoevolution : “The mission of G-Quest, a 705-foot yacht, allows its owner to oversee their philanthropic efforts while living in luxury at sea.

“It is designed for both humanitarian and research objectives.”

The G-quest isn’t the only luxury yacht to boast a helipad.

Plans for the “Floating Dubai” vessel include an enormous pool deck , a relaxing spa and not one, but two enormous helipads on board.

Christened UAE One, the superboat was designed by Milan-based Enzo Manca, who collaborated with a sheikh to make it the flagship of the United Arab Emirates.

In a statement, Manca said: “The idea of UAE One was born in 2020, during a very special meeting between me and a sheikh of the United Arab Emirates on vacation in Italy.

“The sultan was very clear and categorical, he wanted something really special and unique.”

UAE One is inspired by historic defence ships, yet its curving lines distinguishes it from other vessels on the high seas.

It also stands over 130 feet tall and has tinted windows for extra privacy in true military style.

With nine decks and a total area of slightly over 30,000 square feet, the monster yacht is designed to give guests, diplomats, and kings the finest experience possible.

There is an owner’s suite, eight cabins, and 14 mini suites within.

The staff has 35 cabins as well.

The main deck, meanwhile, has a beautiful 18-metre geometric swimming pool.

There are also several outdoor lounges for sundowners, a platform for ocean swims, and a wellness centre with a spa on board.

More Coverage

Due to the necessity of quick and simple transportation to and from a flagship, UAE One is able to maintain an extensive fleet of land, air, and sea vehicles.

The yacht features one hangar, two helipads ideal for foreign delegates, and a “mini-internal port” for tenders and submarines.

This article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission

An ultra-luxury megayacht designed like a military-style aircraft carrier promises to be a sheikh’s paradise at sea as it boasts some insane features.

Jeff Bezos has reportedly bought a fourth private jet considered the one of the largest and most advanced in the world – and he spent a insane amount on it.

The head chef of a luxurious restaurant in Dubai, loved by the rich and famous, has revealed the extreme rules they follow to achieve perfection.

Pools at Disney's Beach Club Villas

Stormalong bay.

Immerse yourself in a beachside water play area that offers 3 acres of aquatic fun for everyone in the family.

Atop the mast of a life-sized shipwreck replica, zip down a 230-foot-long waterslide—one of the highest hotel slides at Walt Disney World Resort—and catch currents in an expansive sand-bottomed pool. Glide down a lazy river on an inner tube, relax and rejuvenate in one of 3 whirlpool spas or simply take in the sun on the elevated tanning deck.

Children can wade into the main pool from the gently sloping, sandy beach and cool off in the Shipwreck Pool—complete with a miniature waterslide.

With 795,000 gallons of water comprising an impressive complex of pools that range from swirling to placid, open to secluded and cool to warm, you’re sure to make a splash at Stormalong Bay.

3 Leisure Pools

Guests seeking a tranquil swim can choose from 3 leisure pools in Disney's Beach and Yacht Club Resorts.

Disney's Beach Club Resort pool—the 43,000-gallon Tidal pool—is located in a garden area on the far end of the resort facing Crescent Lake. Disney's Yacht Club Resort pool—the 54,000-gallon Admiral pool—can be found in its own quiet garden area. A third pool—the 55,350-gallon Dunes Cove pool—is privately located at Disney’s Beach Club Villas. Though it is situated for the convenience of Guests staying at Disney's Beach Club Villas, all Resort Guests are welcome to enjoy it. All pools also include steaming whirlpool spas.

Know Before You Go

Hours and lifeguard availability vary by pool and are subject to change.

Complimentary towels are provided at all pools.