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The Family Vacation Guide

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What Do the Yacht and Beach Clubs Have in Common?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What Makes Disney’s Beach Club Different?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Dunes Cove Pool
• Volleyball courts

What Makes the Yacht Club Different?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

More about our TFVG Author

James Brockbank

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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Disney’s Yacht Club Vs Beach Club

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

Thematic Differences

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

Location and Proximity to EPCOT

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

Room Types and Accommodations

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

Dining Options

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

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

Why should I choose the Beach Club or Yacht Club?

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

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

Related Post: Complete Guide to the Walt Disney World Boardwalk 

Difference in Rooms at Yacht and Beach Club Resort 2024

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

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

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

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

Related Page: Guide to the Virtual Queue at Disney World

Location When Comparing Beach Club Vs Yacht Club 

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

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

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

Related post:  The Complete Guide to the Disney Skyliner Route

Dining at Beach and Yacht Club Resort 2024

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

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

What are the Disney Beach Club restaurants?

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

What are the Disney Yacht Club Restaurants ?

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

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

Disney’s Yacht Club vs Beach Club – In Conclusion

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

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

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

When is The Best Time to Visit Disney World?

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

Are You Ready to Plan Your Next Disney World Trip?

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Don’t forget to check out our wonderful friends over at Theme Park Today , as well!

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Michael Belmont is the owner at Theparkprodigy.com, an authorized Disney and Universal travel agent. He specializes in Disney and Universal theme park tickets and vacation packages, as well as daily park plans to help optimize vacation time. Michael and The Park Prodigy have been featured on ABC’s Florida affiliate, WTFV, as well as over 10 Disney focused blogs. As owner, Michael manages The Park Prodigy blog and social media, a Disney themed podcast, and a Disney and Universal focused YouTube channel. Prior to starting The Park Prodigy, Michael was a long time Disney and Universal enthusiast, frequent visitor of the parks, and even served as a Walt Disney World Cast Member in Orlando, Florida!

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Your Guide to Disney’s Beach & Yacht Club Resorts

in Hotel , Walt Disney World

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

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

Related: Disney’s BoardWalk Inn: A Complete Guide

In this Complete Guide we will cover:

An Overview of Disney’s Beach and Yacht Club Resorts

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

• Transportation at Disney’s Beach and Yacht Club Resorts

Disney Extras

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rooms at Disney’s Beach Club Resort

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Disney’s Beach Club Villas

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

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

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

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

Rooms at Disney’s Yacht Club

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

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

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

Each Standard Room has a combination of the following:

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

Room Amenities

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

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

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

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

Disney’s Beach Club Resort Dining

Table service.

Beaches & Cream Soda Shop

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

Disney Character Dining

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

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

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

Quick Service

Beach Club Marketplace

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

Hurricane Hanna’s Waterside Bar and Grill

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

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

Disney’s Yacht Club Dining

Signature dining.

Yachtsman Steakhouse

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

Table-Service Dining

Ale & Compass Restaurant

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

Quick-Service Dining

  The Market at Ale & Compass

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

Room Service

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

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

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

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

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

Stormalong Bay

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

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

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

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

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

Disney Movies Under the Stars

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

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

Marina Watercraft Rental

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

Surry Bike Rental

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

Disney’s Beach & Yacht Club Transportation

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

Boats, Buses, and Disney’s Skyliner

Disney Buses and Disney’s Magical Express

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

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

Check your My Disney Experience mobile app for bus schedules.

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

Disney Water Transportation

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

The Disney Skyliner

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

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

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

Disney’s Minnie Van

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

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

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

Extra Magic Hours

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

Early Access to FastPass+

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

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

Complimentary MagicBands

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

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

Childcare Program on location at the resort

Captain Hooks Pirate Crew

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

Disney’s Enchanting Extras

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

Related: 45 Secrets for Fabulous Family Vacations

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

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

See ya real soon!

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• Disclosures
• California Adventure
• Disneyland Park
• Animal Kingdom
• Hollywood Studios
• Magic Kingdom WDW
• Packing Lists
• Height Restrictions
• Disneyland Video Tips
• Walt Disney World Video Tips
• Reviews & Giveaways

Disney’s Beach Club or Yacht Club – Which Resort is Right for You?

by Disney Magic Diva | Feb 2, 2021 | Deluxe , Dining Reviews , First Timer Tips , First Trip Tips , Resort/Hotel Tips & Reviews , Trips with toddlers , Vacation Planning Guides , Walt Disney , Walt Disney World , Walt Disney World , Where to stay? | 0 comments

by Disney Magic Diva

Disney’s Beach Club Resort

We’ve always been a “Rope-Drop-til-Kiss-Goodnight” type of family. Our typical plan is to enjoy the parks, and not focus much on the pool or other resort amenities. It’s always been one of my biggest Disney regrets, because I know what fabulous activities are available for families and adults alike outside the parks.

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort

So on our most recent visit, we decided to change things up. We were bringing our two grandkids, and we knew a mid-afternoon nap was going to be essential for our 3-year-old grandson. Since we scored a great deal on airfare, we decided to splurge a bit on the room and book a stay at the Disney’s Beach Club Resort   so we could finally experience the amazing Stormalong Bay pool. (Read Nick the Disney Devo’s article here )  But in booking our room, I discovered that it would save us money if we booked Beach Club for the first few nights, then move to Disney’s Yacht Club Resort for the remainder of our trip.

Beach Club lobby

Since the resorts share Stormalong Bay, we thought it would be a great opportunity to try a split stay and compare both resorts! (Click here to read about how we dealt with a split stay.)

Yacht Club lobby

Having the chance to cross both of these marvelous deluxe resorts off our Disney Bucket List on one trip was more than a little magical. It was so fun to spend time at the resorts, and constrast and compare the two experiences. Here’s what we found:

Resorts: While the Yacht and Beach Club resorts are sisters, there are naturally some differences. Beach Club is located closer to Epcot; Yacht is closer to Boardwalk and Hollywood Studios.

Beach Club room

Beach Club has a slightly more casual, open- air feeling. Its décor has soft teals, tans, and whites – exactly the colors you’d expect to find at the beach. Yacht Club is a little more “masculine” with jewel tones of navy, burgundy and gold. Some reviews had mentioned a “stuffy” feel to it, but we never experienced that. Everyone was gracious, relaxed, accommodating, and fun! Our room at Beach Club was quite a distance from the lobby.

Daybed in our Beach Club room. It was perfect for a child!

We had to go down several long hallways with multiple turns (so long and winding that there were small lounge areas along the way!) to get to our room.

Yacht Club room

Notice the hidden Mickey at the top of the mirror and the Mickey lamp. Magical details in our Yacht Club room.

One of the small lounge areas connecting long hallways at Beach Club

The hallways were narrow and felt somewhat dark because there wasn’t really much natural light along the way. Our Yacht Club room was quite a bit closer to the lobby, although still not what I’d term “close.” The halls here were noticeably wider and brighter, which I found somewhat ironic since the overall décor of Beach Club had a lighter feel.

The hallways at Yacht Club were brighter and wider than Beach Club

Beach Club is one of the Disney Vacation Club properties while Yacht Club has a conference center attached to the resort. Neither of those attributes impacted our trip in the slightest, but worth mentioning if you want a true comparison of the resorts.

View from our room at Beach Club

Rooms: Both resorts are considered deluxe, and so naturally they both have fabulous accommodations. We booked standard rooms, but were pleasantly surprised by having a pool view at both! At Beach Club we had a view of Stormalong Bay, albeit you had to look over the gravel-covered flat rooftop which was

View from our room at Yacht Club

immediately outside our balcony. At Yacht Club we were treated with a view of one of the quiet pools. From both rooms we could see the Star Wars: A Galacatic Spectacular  – something we enjoyed immensely! Our room at Beach Club had two queen beds and a day bed which was quite the treat. Our grandson loved his own special bed! The room at Yacht only had the two queens, so there was a little disappointment, but without the daybed we had extra floor space for playing – so all was good.

Beach Club bathroom. There was a very discrete hidden Mickey in pattern design of the shower curtain

Both had beautiful double vanities with granite countertops, showers/tubs with tiled walls (ceramic tile that looked like wood planks at Beach, marble tiles at Yacht), and countless perfectly themed details. I thought the beds at Beach were more comfortable, and overall had a more updated feel. The draperies, carpet and other minor things were showing their age in our Yacht Club room.

Yacht Club bathroom

Minnie’s Beach Bash Breakfast at Cape May Cafe

Dining: Yacht and Beach Club share restaurants, so there is no advantage or disadvantage to staying at one resort over another when it comes to dining. There are four table service restaurants between the two resorts. At Yacht Club, The Yachtsman’s Steakhouse is the only signature restaurant and is well known as a top choice for a fabulous steak dinner. (Read Darlin’ Diva’s review here. )  Captain’s Grille is also located at Yacht Club, and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. (Disney Diva’s review can be found here .)  Over at Beach Club is Cape May Café, which serves Minnie’s Beach Bash Breakfast, a delightful character breakfast. We opted to try this on our get-away day, and loved it! Cape May also serves a fabulous Seafood-and-More Dinner Buffet for dinner. (Beauty and the Beast Diva tells you about here .)  Finally Beach Club is home to Beaches and Cream Soda Shop which serves lunch and dinner, but is more famously known for its ice-cream and desserts.

TIP: Beaches and Cream is an extremely small restaurant, so if you want to dine here I would highly suggest reservations. The Kitchen Sink should be on every Disney fan’s “must-do” list at least once!

All the restaurants at the Yacht and Beach Club resorts accept the Disney Dining Plan, although The Yachtsman’s Steakhouse is two dining credits.

If you are looking for a quick service choice, your options are slightly more limited. Hurricane Hanna’s Waterside Bar and Grill is perfect for a poolside lunch or dinner. The kids’ meals are served in a plastic beach pail – precisely what you need for an afternoon of sandcastle-building fun! Beach Club Marketplace is the other quick service location. This is a small “take-out” style location where you can get pizza, sandwiches, soup or salad as well as some limited grocery items. Both restaurants accept the Disney Dining Plan. If you have the resort refillable mugs which came with your Disney Dining Plan package (or you purchased separately), you can refill them at either of these quick service restaurants.

TIP: If you plan on using your refillable mugs frequently during your stay, you may want to choose Beach Club instead of Yacht. Both Hurricane Hanna’s and Beach Club Marketplace are considered Beach Club Resort locations. While Hurricane Hanna’s is poolside, and therefore pretty centrally located, the food service and beverage station there closed by 8:00 pm each night (the bar stayed open later.) So the only option to refill our mug in the evening was walking all the way over to Beach Club Marketplace, about a 20-30 minute roundtrip walk from our Yacht Club room.

Friendship Boats can take you to Epcot or Hollywood Studios

Transportation: Yacht and Beach Club share Disney bus transportation. Yacht Club was the first stop, but we never had a problem getting on a bus while we stayed at Beach Club. The bus drop-off/pick up location for both resorts was near their respective lobbies, so depending on where your room is the walk to the bus can be anywhere from 5-10 minutes. One advantage of staying at either Beach or Yacht Club is that you can pretty much stay under cover from the sudden Florida downpours the entire way from your room to the bus stop. With two little ones in tow, that was a tremendous bonus!

Another perk of staying at Yacht and Beach Club is the option to use the boat transportation to Hollywood Studios, Boardwalk and Epcot. Right outside Yacht Club, you can catch a boat which will take you to any of these locations. On a hot summer day, a cool trip on Crescent Lake can be a welcome respite!

Of course, if you are in a hurry, the fastest way to get from Yacht and Beach Club to Epcot, and perhaps Hollywood Studios, is by walking! Epcot is about a 5 minute walk from Beach Club, and maybe an 8 minute walk from Yacht Club. Hollywood Studios is a little further – reportedly about 20-30 minutes – although we didn’t get a chance to try it for ourselves.

Campfire on the beach! Disney provides complimentary roasting sticks and marshmallows!

Recreation and Amenities: If you have somehow found a way to squeeze more than 24 hours in a day, then maybe you’ll have time to enjoy all the activities available at Yacht and Beach Club resorts. As I noted, we chose these resorts so we could play in Stormalong Bay when not in the parks. And we absolutely enjoyed every moment of it! The grandkids made some new friends, and enjoyed the poolside activities (Disney Junior Pool Party, Mickey Tie-Dye, Bingo, Chalk Art, Trivia Challenge) led by the Recreation Staff. And of course building sandcastles. And more sandcastles.

But if swimming isn’t your thing, maybe you’d like a game of tennis or volleyball; a surrey bike ride or a run around the lake. Maybe you’d like to take home a memory of “the one that got away” and embark on a guided fishing tour. Or rent a motorboat. Or hit the fitness center. Maybe the kids (or you!) want to play in the arcade, or attend Ratatouille Cooking School, or take a Pirate Adventure Cruise. Had a long day in the parks? Relax by roasting marshmallows around a campfire then catch a movie under the stars. Or maybe enjoy a grown-up evening out while the kids build a paper volcano at Sandcastle Club and watch it explode. There truly is something for everyone at Yacht and Beach Club!

Do you wanna build a … sandcastle?

As you may be able to surmise, we loved both Yacht and Beach Club. Each has it’s own unique magic, and I’m looking forward to our next visit! Which resort will you choose? Contact  Patricia at All for Dreams Travel  to find the best fit for your next Walt Disney World vacation. And build a sandcastle for me!

Looking for more like this?

• Split Stays: How to Enjoy Multiple Walt Disney World Resorts During One Vacation
• Minnie’s Beach Bash Breakfast at Cape May Café
• Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa – The Grandest Resort of All
• Stormalong Bay at Walt Disney World’s Yacht and Beach Club Resort

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Who’s going with you?

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

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

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

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

Where are you eating?

Dining options are quite different at the resorts.

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

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

Beaches and Cream decor. Photo by Danny Shuster.

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

What’s your pool plan?

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

Stormalong Bay cabanas. Photo by Danny Shuster.

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

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

What it boils down to:

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

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

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

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

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

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Authored by Stephanie Shuster

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

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

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

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

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

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

Yacht Club Restaurants

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rooms 

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

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

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

Prices at Yacht Club

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

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

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

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

Things to Do at Disney’s Yacht Club 

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

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

See Epcot Fireworks

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

Take a Ride on the Skyliner

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

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

Eat Ice Cream

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

Dine with Characters

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

Float along the Lazy River

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

Play Games in the Arcade

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

Ride the Friendship Boats

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

Build Sandcastles

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

Make S’mores

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

Rent a Boat

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

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

Stroll along the Disney Boardwalk

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

Play Volleyball

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

Enjoy an Evening Movie

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

Play Mini Golf

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

Swim Some Laps

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

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

Join a Kid Friendly Party at the Pool

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

Play Tennis

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

Zoom Down Waterslides

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

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

Book a Fireworks Cruise

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

Transportation

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

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

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

Is Disney’s Yacht Club Worth It?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Disney’s Yacht Club Resort Review

Yacht Club Resort is a luxury hotel at Walt Disney World within walking and boat distance of Epcot and Hollywood Studios. This Deluxe Resort review features reimagined room photos, pool info, restaurant details, transportation benefits, other amenities, and pros & cons of these accommodations. ( Updated August 21, 2020 .)

During Walt Disney World’s phased reopening, Yacht Club Resort will be the first Crescent Lake area hotel to reopen. In fact, it’s nearby counterparts–Beach Club and BoardWalk Inn–don’t even have reopening dates set and may not reopen until sometime in 2021. (However, the Disney Vacation Club wings of each are already operating.)

After being one of the host resorts for the NBA’s bubble site, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort will reopen on August 24, 2020. When it does, some restaurants (including two favorites, Yachtsman Steakhouse and Crew’s Cup Lounge) will not reopen right away. Fortunately, most of the hotel will be operational, including Ale & Compass Restaurant and the Stormalong Bay pool complex. For a look at what’ll be different, see our Photos & Review of Walt Disney World Hotel Health Safety Modifications .

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort is themed to a New England yachting club. It’s an elegant and refined hotel contrasting with its more airy and lighthearted sister resort, Disney’s Beach Club Resort. The relationship between Yacht and Beach Club Resorts is an interesting one. They share facilities and are located next to one another, and are basically one giant resort complex.

However, despite their numerous similarities and shared features, Yacht & Beach Club are technically separate hotels. On the outside, the main noticeable differences for most guests will simply be color choices: Beach Club is light blue and Yacht Club is grey. It’s also abundantly clear when stepping into each lobby.

Yacht Club feels stately. With deep, masculine woods, dark colors, leather furniture, and an antique-looking globe, it reminds you of someplace that you’d imagine senators and titans of industry might have puffed on cigars and made power plays in the early 1900s.

By contrast, Beach Club is geared towards party-people who shout “I’M ON A BOAT!” from the bow of a ship . Okay, maybe not to those extremes, but the idea is that Yacht Club feels a bit more stuffy and refined in terms of theming, whereas Beach Club feels more relaxed and lighthearted.

Most people informally lump them together as one resort: Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club and overlook the thematic differences. We think this is a mistake. As we discuss in our Yacht Club v. Beach Club comparison, the differences in atmosphere are fairly pronounced, and this is likely driven in part by Yacht Club being one of Walt Disney World’s main convention hotels.

Let’s check out what the guest rooms offer…

These new rooms have been really divisive with Walt Disney World fans. Unpopular opinion, but we are big fans of the new look. Many fans have complained that they look drab and boring, but these are pretty consistent with the common areas of Yacht Club and there are a ton of subtle details and thematic touches.

We can understand why some people don’t like the new rooms given the colors now versus the patriotic color explosion of the old rooms (the old style was more cheery and lighthearted, but also off kilter with the resort’s otherwise stately appearance). The new Yacht Club rooms use of navy blue and beige contrasted against white, is really sharp in the context.

Beyond that, there’s an extensive use of dark woods, which really give the room an air of sophistication. It reminded me of the interior of a Brooks Brothers, oddly enough.

There’s also a variety of textures, the extent of which might be tough to ascertain from the photos. Our New Yacht Club Rooms Photo Tour shares more thoughts and images of the new rooms (including a different room style with a couch).

Much like BoardWalk Inn, Yacht Club is also great for the dashes of Disney presented in a restrained manner. The only Disney characters in the entire room appear in star constellations hidden on the curtain.

There are numerous other thematic flourishes reinforcing the nautical style, but many people want something overtly Disney in their hotel room. If that’s what you’re looking for, Yacht Club is not the resort for you.

The restrooms are divided, with double sinks outside of the shower and toilet area. Pretty standard–no complaints or praise here.

In terms of amenities, there is a nice benefit in their proximity of the Crescent Lake resorts to one another: better and more amenities as a result of sharing.

Between the Yacht Club and Beach Club, there are some seriously excellent dining options, including Beaches & Cream , Cape May Cafe , and Yachtsman Steakhouse , putting them, collectively, right up there with the best of the Deluxes in terms of quality restaurants.

We’ve also slowly become big fans of Ale & Compass Restaurant, which is a newer addition to Yacht Club. This is home to the Best Value Breakfast at Walt Disney World , and we highly recommend it.

Add to that the nearby Swan & Dolphin Resorts and Disney’s Boardwalk Inn , none of which technically share amenities but are so close that they might as well, and you have more high-quality restaurants within walking distance when staying at any of these resorts than at any other Walt Disney World hotel.

If dining is going to be a highlight of a trip, staying at one of the Crescent Lake resorts is the best option as there are numerous excellent dining options all within walking distance. This is especially true during Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival, when you can graze and drink in World Showcase and then stumble back to your hotel!

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort has a ton of amenities, but it’s biggest selling point is Stormalong Bay. This is the crème de la crème of Walt Disney World pools. For those unfamiliar with Stormalong Bay, it is a sprawling 3 acre pool complex with sand at the bottom. That’s right, it’s a hotel pool with sand at the bottom!

Not only that, but it also has a lazy river, an excellent ‘shipwrecked’ water slide, tons of places for lounging, and an excellent poolside bar. While many Walt Disney World resort hotels now no longer allow “pool hopping,” this was the first that introduced the concept, and the pool that most vigorously enforces the no-hopping rule. The excellence of this pool really cannot be understated. It’s basically a mini water park. (For everything you need to know about Stormalong Bay and its policies, see our Guide to Pools at Walt Disney World: Rules, Info & FAQ .)

The close proximity to both Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios (we consider both walking distance, but most guests opt to take a boat to Disney’s Hollywood Studios instead of the 15 minute walking path–even if the path is usually faster) is another huge benefit. Boat service is also available to both parks, and it’s a certifiable fact that boat transportation at Walt Disney World is awesome.

Additionally, there’s now a Skyliner station at Epcot’s International Gateway, which means guests staying at Yacht Club can walk there and take the gondolas to Hollywood Studios, Caribbean Beach, Pop Century, Art of Animation, and Riviera Resorts. That can be useful in opening up other dining options. (Plus, the Skyliner is just plain fun.)

On the other hand, bus transportation is decidedly un-fun. Getting to Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom via bus can be a hassle. There’s always some sort of shared bus service operating, but exactly how many buses share the service depends upon the season.

When you consider the prices guests are paying to stay at a Walt Disney World resort hotel with “Deluxe” accommodations, it’s ridiculous that the buses make stops at multiple resorts. It’s frustrating that Pop Century, a budget hotel, has dedicated and efficient bus service but it can take an hour to get to Magic Kingdom via buses from the pricey Epcot-area resorts. (Although makes us happy when we pay the comparative bargain price to stay at Pop Century!)

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort offers other amenities, including a health club, volleyball court, arcade, marina, business center, babysitting, tennis courts, and other recreational facilities, but none of these measure up to Stormalong Bay. This pool complex is the ultimate trump card that makes Disney’s Yacht Club and Beach Club Resorts stand out from the other Deluxes.

All of this comes at a cost, as rates at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort start at around $400 per night and go up from there depending upon the season and room category. This puts it among Walt Disney World’s most expensive hotels, but still not as expensive as the Magic Kingdom area hotels. While we love the Yacht Club, we would not stay here without a 30% off room-only Walt Disney World resort discount or the Free Disney Dining Plan promotion .

Overall, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort is a solid option for a Deluxe Resort stay at Walt Disney World. The pool is great, the restaurants are solid, and location is great for visiting Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Yacht Club is especially appealing if you’re a New Englander from Nantucket who wears an ascot aboard your vessels.

Joking aside, Yacht Club’s theme is a bit more taste-specific and adult. Those considering Yacht Club are probably also considering Beach Club. For us, the overall ambiance and laid back vibe of Beach Club screams “vacation” in a way that Yacht Club just doesn’t, and this ambiance appeals to us. Still, both resorts are great options–two of our favorites at Walt Disney World–and whether you should choose Beach Club or Yacht Club if considering the two should really only be a question of whether you prefer the elegant nautical look or the relaxed beach look.

Not sure which Walt Disney World hotel is right for you? Let a professional help you for free. Click here to get a quote from a recommended, no-fee Authorized Disney Vacation Planner . They get their commission from Disney, so there is no charge to you for them to book your trip and help you plan!

Check out our Walt Disney World Hotel Reviews page , which offers quick-hit capsule reviews of the strengths and weaknesses of every Walt Disney World hotel, plus links to our reviews and photo pages for every hotel we have reviewed. Looking for comprehensive Walt Disney World vacation tips? Make sure to read our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide .

Your Thoughts

Do you agree with us that Disney’s Yacht Club Resort is one of the best Walt Disney World hotels? Do you think Stormalong Bay lives up to the hype? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing feedback about your experiences is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!

Written by Tom Bricker

They lost our car key. This place is a disaster if incompetence. They don’t care about anyone.

Completely disagree on Yacht Club being at all stuffy! We usually stay at Beach Club but booked Yacht Club with our three kids, 18, 16, 9, in April and FELL IN LOVE!! The staff was excellent, rooms simple & clean, lobby beautiful and airy, convenient shop-not a snobby, stuffy vibe to be felt. Last time we stayed at BC the room (Club level) was dated, felt small and had peeling paint on the wall! We alway stay in walking distance to Epcot because of the food and later hours. Yacht Club is our new favorite. The entire experience was like a dream. Also, we did the masks in 90 degree weather and were surprisingly unbothered. Every staff member we interacted with was wonderful. And we are Northern MI folk. I can assure you, none of us own yachts or ascots

^ wes’ comment about starving to death is 100% accurate. the resort has over complicated everything “because of covid.” you can’t just walk in anywhere, the staff is rude and condescending. we are staying in a villa paying out the ass and they won’t even change our sheets? hello? how do the other hotels manage? don’t get me started on the self righteous mask police here. if you are outside alone not surrounded by anyone for WAY over 6 ft you MUST wear a mask, in the 90% humidity and 90 degree weather. but as soon as you step foot in the pool no masks required. covid knows when and when not to be contagious. also you can sit INSIDE surrounded by people without a mask. but not outside guys. such a joke. the staff here all give you different answers as well. would never stay here, would rather stay at a motel 6. we are speechless at how rudely everyone has treated us.

forgot to mention last night we called the front desk for water. we waited an hour and called to follow up on the water and were told they only have two bottles and we would have to come get them ourselves. for a 20k villa we expected much more, this is below what i would expect from a hole in the wall hotel.

on a positive note the best thing about this resort is the ferry transportation to and from the parks, the location and the actual room is great. that’s literally all i can come up with it. really bad customer service.

I have lost 10 pounds since we’ve been here. You will starve to death. I am considering flying home two days early. About 65% of the staff have been great, but the others act like they are miserable. This is the furthest thing from hospitality you could imagine. I have been to jail before and it wasn’t this bad. If you want to lose weight quick and want to feel like a second-class citizen, stay here.

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

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

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

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

Disney’s yacht club resort.

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

Browse reader reviews of Yacht Club here!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Disney’s Beach Club Resort

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

Check out reader reviews of Beach Club here!

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

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

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

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

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

Disney’s BoardWalk Inn

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

Browse reader reviews of BoardWalk Inn and Villas here!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• AllEars Reviews Main Page
• AllEars Reviews: Walt Disney World Rides & Attractions
• AllEars Reviews: Walt Disney World Resort Hotels
• AllEars Reviews: Walt Disney World Dining
• AllEars Reviews: Disneyland Resort Rides & Attractions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Liz, thanks for your comment!

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

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The 17 best Disney World hotels for your 2024 stay

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

Related: The best travel credit cards

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

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

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

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

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

Here are our top picks:

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

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

Best Deluxe Disney World resorts

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Best Moderate Disney World resorts

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Best Value Disney World resorts

Value Disney resorts are the most affordable Disney World hotels.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Best Disney World resort pools

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

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

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

Related: The best pools at Walt Disney World

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Best Disney World resorts for large families

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

Related: The best Orlando hotels for large families

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

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

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

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

Best Disney World resorts for adults

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Related: Is a Disney annual pass worth it?

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

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

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

Bottom line

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

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

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

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Disney's Yacht Club Resort

View Gallery 

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

What Makes This Resort Hotel Unique

Disney Skyliner Transportation

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

Outdoor Water Recreation Area

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

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

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

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

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

Yachtsman Steakhouse

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

Ship Shape Health Club

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

Dog-Friendly Accommodations

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

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

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

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

How to Book Bring your dog along on your upcoming visit by calling 00 800 2006 0809. Guests under 18 years of age must have parent or guardian permission to call.

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

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

Need More Room?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

More Magic for Your Stay

A More Magical Stay Starts with "Hey Disney!”

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

Disney Signature Services

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

Enhance Your Stay with the My Disney Experience App

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

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

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

Check In and Check Out with Ease

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

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

Plan, Play, Dine and Unwind

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

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

And that’s only the beginning!

Learn more about the My Disney Experience app .

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

Lightning Lane Passes

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

Save Up to 20% at Disney Resort Hotels in 2024

Hotel Address

(407) 934-7000

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Disney's Yacht Club Resort

Resort Amenities

In-Room Floral & Gifts

Delight that special person in your life with a personalized in-room surprise—such as vibrant flowers and fun gifts! Read More

Delight that special person in your life with a personalized in-room surprise—such as vibrant flowers and fun gifts!

Whether celebrating a birthday, anniversary, first visit or romantic occasion, In-Room Floral & Gifts are sure to bring joy.

Choose from beautiful gift baskets, snack baskets, themed balloon bouquets and enchanting floral arrangements—all designed to celebrate your special moments while visiting Walt Disney World Resort.

Explore great gifts and surprises —or call (888) 814-8718 to learn more!

Order In-Room Floral & Gifts Order online anytime for delivery to any Disney Resort hotel and other select locations.

Deliveries are available 7 days a week. For same-day delivery, please order by noon.

Resort Transportation

Get around Walt Disney World Resort with ease using these convenient, complimentary transportation options. Read More

Get around Walt Disney World Resort with ease using these convenient, complimentary transportation options.

Disney Skyliner Transportation This new gondola system offers a bird’s-eye view while connecting Guests to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios from select Disney Resort hotels. A Disney Skyliner station is conveniently located at the International Gateway to EPCOT—just a quick stroll away from Disney’s Yacht Club Resort.

Learn more about Disney Skyliner transportation.

Disney Bus Transportation Most areas throughout Walt Disney World Resort—including theme parks, water parks, Disney Resort hotels and the Disney Springs area—are accessible by complimentary bus transportation. The bus stop at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort is located a short walk from the lobby.

Learn more about Walt Disney World bus transportation.

A More Magical Stay Starts with "Hey Disney!”

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

Minnie Van™ Service

Dash about in Disney style with Minnie Van service Connected by Lyft for travel within Walt Disney World Resort. Please note: this service is separate from your vacation package and subject to additional charges.

Learn more about Minnie Van service.

Complimentary Wi-Fi Internet

Explore parking options at this Disney Resort hotel. Read More

Explore parking options at this Disney Resort hotel.

• Overnight self-parking is complimentary to Guests staying at Disney Resort hotels at Walt Disney World Resort.
• Valet Parking is $39 per night (includes sales tax)
• Standard self-parking is complimentary for day Guests while they enjoy select dining, shopping, entertainment and recreation experiences at this Disney Resort hotel.

Services and fees are subject to change without notice.

Learn more about parking at Walt Disney World Resort.

Online Check-In

A 24-hour ATM is located near the Front Desk.

Learn more about ATMs at Walt Disney World Resort.

Visit the Front Desk to exchange foreign currencies.

Business Center

Fax, copy, print, ship and more at the Business Center, located just inside the Convention Center.

Learn more about Business Center services and locations at Walt Disney World Resort.

Designated Smoking Areas

Disney Meetings & Events

Planning a meeting? Read More

Planning a meeting? The Convention Center at Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts offers 73,000 square feet of flexible meeting and function space for events large and small. Between meetings, your team can rent motor boats, relax on white-sand shores and enjoy mouthwatering cuisine.

Learn more about Disney Meetings & Events .

Housekeeping Service

When you stay at a Disney Resort hotel, enjoy peace of mind knowing that your room will be thoroughly cleaned prior to your arrival and will receive full housekeeping service daily for the duration of your stay.

Learn more.

Laundry and Dry Cleaning Services

Enjoy 24-hour self-service laundry rooms near Admiral Pool, plus dry cleaning and valet laundry services.

Learn more about laundry and dry cleaning services at Walt Disney World Resort hotels.

Mail Services

Send pre-stamped postcards and letters from the Front Desk, as well as pre-packed, pre-labeled packages. Read More

Send pre-stamped postcards and letters from the Front Desk, as well as pre-packed, pre-labeled packages. Stamps are available for purchase at Beach Club Marketplace.

Learn more about mail services at Walt Disney World Resort.

Club Level Concierge

Visit the Club Level Concierge to purchase tickets, make dining reservations and more. Read More

Visit the Club Level Concierge to purchase tickets, make dining reservations and more.

Learn more about Resort Concierge services at Walt Disney World Resort.

Disney Signature Services

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

Spa & Fitness

Get toned at Ship Shape Massage Salon Fitness —a full-service facility featuring equipment, massages and more.

Learn more about Ship Shape Massage Salon Fitness.

View Rooms and Prices

Hotel Address

(407) 934-7000

Check Availability

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• Disney Resorts

Beach Club vs Yacht Club

• Thread starter tmaxwell
• Start date Jun 23, 2021

Mouseketeer

• Jun 23, 2021

I'm planning a 2022 big trip (which has been rescheduled from 2020 - didn't want to risk 2021 with masks and summer - don't come at me I all ready know I screwed up on that one) and we were going to originally stay at the Poly but we are now deciding between Beach and Yacht Club. Any major differences? We love Epcot and we are hoping for the park to be completed by 2022. Ohh we are going in August as well. Thanks!  

thanxfornoticin

Dis veteran.

In reality, the experiences at either side of the resorts are great - BC or YC side. You have access to SAB pool, access to the same transportation and restaurants. It's probably a 'look and feel' thing. Some prefer BC - which is us. Some prefer YC. BC is closer to EPCOT, but only by a few steps, depending on where your room is located. We just like the colors and design of the BC part - no deep decision there! But we would absolutely stay at YC again (we've been there already) if that was our best value. In August, you should be able to take advantage of the pool!!  

1kings1queen

Earning my ears.

tmaxwell said: I'm planning a 2022 big trip (which has been rescheduled from 2020 - didn't want to risk 2021 with masks and summer - don't come at me I all ready know I screwed up on that one) and we were going to originally stay at the Poly but we are now deciding between Beach and Yacht Club. Any major differences? We love Epcot and we are hoping for the park to be completed by 2022. Ohh we are going in August as well. Thanks! Click to expand...

monstermash23

Been staying at both, back and forth, for more than a decade now. This is before we joined DVC BC. But I’ll make it simple, and others have alluded to this. YC = quieter and less kid oriented. Same amenities as BC. BC = a bit louder and more kid oriented. Same amenities as YC. Distance to parks is a minimal difference between the two (you’ll hardly notice the difference) unless you have some sort of specific physical needs and need the shorter walk from BC to Epcot. Can’t speak to what the rooms are like now, I know they’ve undergone some upgrades in recent years. But in general, what I said above still applies.  

philharmagic fan

YC is closer to the boat dock (if you're going to Studios), BC is a shorter walk to Epcot. Distance to bus stops is about the same at both. BC has a nice "solarium"; we like to sit there (or just outside in the courtyard) with cold drinks in our refillable mugs.  

The buses stop at YC first, so you have a better chance of getting a seat during the morning rush.  

For me, the biggest difference is YC has full balconies on all rooms except ground level. BC could be full balcony, small balcony, standing-room only balcony or no balcony depending on room. Others may like the more family-oriented beach theming of the BC and it does have more views of Epcot, but I prefer the guaranteed full balcony of YC.  

You really can't go wrong with either. We just got back from YC yesterday and it was a fantastic stay. As others have said, YC feels a little quieter and more subdued, BC more lively. We used the amenities at both (SAB plus TS and QS at both resorts). For me, the decision would come down to what kind of atmosphere appeals, do you want a guaranteed full balcony and do you want to be closer to the boat dock and Swan/Dolphin (great restaurants!) or closer to EP and the Skyliner?  

"That's the best-est present ever!"

• Jun 24, 2021

YC allows people to bring pet dogs. BC does not. (Obviously service animals could be at any resort.) Some YC rooms have showers only, no bathtubs. PP mentioned that YC has full balconies on all rooms except ground level. BC could be full balcony, small balcony, standing-room only balcony or no balcony depending on room. PP also mentioned that the buses stop at YC first, so you have a better chance of getting a seat during the morning rush. I think it's basically one resort with two buildings (3 if you count BCV). I believe YC and BC have the same general manager. They share the pools and restaurants. To walk from one to the other, you are just walking next to the pool area. I think the big difference could be the discounts. People sometimes report that they would prefer BC but got a bigger discount at YC.  

tmaxwell said: we are now deciding between Beach and Yacht Club. Any major differences? Click to expand...

Last chance to lose your keys.

I agree that you can't go wrong with either. The DVC rooms are on the BC side, which makes it feel a little busier to me. You'd also get full balconies/patio on the YC side, as mentioned. However, BC is a closer walk to Epcot, Boardwalk and the Skyliner which I think would be the three things we'd access the most while staying there.  

Beach club - and try to get BC DVC casue it's less cost  

I like Disney noise.

I've stayed at both lots of times. BC was our go to resort when my kids were preteen. Now we prefer YC because it does seem quieter. I also like Ale & Compass TS.  

Heather07438

Wdw apprentice.

BC seems more relaxed at the shore to me where YC is like Uncle Herbert’s historic house at the Vineyard. Young kids and young adults might feel more comfortable at BC where they don’t have to worry about knocking over uncle’s antiques lol. YC leans more refined.  

The full Balcony is why we pick YC. We had a ground floor by the quiet pool and it was awesome. spoiled me for sure  

We've done both, several times. Buses coming to YC first is no small thing. But, we usually decide by getting quotes on both and taking the one with the lower price tag. They aren't too far off, but it's such a hard decision, and this makes it a bit easier.  

silverace said: Beach club - and try to get BC DVC casue it's less cost Click to expand...

• Aug 18, 2021

We have stayed at both. The staff at both are great.  

desertdonut

• Aug 19, 2021

Are buses an issue at Beach with the Yacht factor? I didn’t realize they were separate stops.  

• Aug 20, 2021

We have stayed in both YC/BC multiple times. YC is much quieter, nicer rooms, floor is not rugs, full balcony. Nautical themes including the drapes throughout the room. BC more of a beach theme, full and half balconies, (more half than full) little more noise, can’t go wrong with either. We liked both club levels, CM were wonderful at both resorts. Never had any problems with the room, mousekeeping, food. Locations BC closer to Epcot, YC closer to HS. Not much of a difference. Got nicer views of fireworks at YC both Epcot and HS on last trip in 2019. Marketplaces are ok, BC is bigger with more variety but both OK. Ale and Compress lounge and restaurant in YC are very nice. Both share the best pool on Disney property. Can’t on wrong on either but if you want a full balcony, better chance at YC  

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Disney superfans share their favorite things to do at the theme parks

• Business Insider has asked US Disney fans about the best things to do, see, and eat at the parks.
• Frequent visitors love classic attractions like the Carousel of Progress and Tower of Terror.
• They also shared food recommendations, from Casey's Corner and Satu'il Canteen to Wine Bar George.

As part of our Disney Diaries series, Business Insider has been gathering must-do itineraries for Disney World and Disneyland from people who love the theme parks. 

Here are some of their favorite things to do, see, and eat. 

Kayleigh Price has worked at Disney World and still visits the parks often

Casey's corner is the best quick-service restaurant at magic kingdom.

Even before working there , Price said she loved ordering from Casey's Corner and eating the all-American comfort food in front of Cinderella Castle 

The menu mostly consists of hot dogs and fries, but it's known for its corn-dog nuggets. 

Walt Disney Presents is a must for longtime Disney fans

Walt Disney Presents is a museum-like exhibit in Hollywood Studios with exhibits about Walt Disney. 

There's also a theater at the end of the attraction that is typically playing the "One Man's Dream" documentary about Disney's life and work. At certain points throughout the year, though, the theater instead shows special trailers or seasonal videos.

The wait at Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway can be long, but it's worth it

Another spot Price worked at and loves is Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway. It's a must for her every time she visits Hollywood Studios. 

She loves all the little details during the preshow and ride, as well as the catchy song played throughout.

Read Kayleigh Price's full Disney Diary: I worked at Disney World for 2 years. Here are 16 things I always do when I visit the parks .

Travel planner Kari Becker has been to Disney World over 40 times — with and without kids

Grand floridian café is a great breakfast spot before a day at magic kingdom.

If you're looking for a fun breakfast before heading to Magic Kingdom, travel planner Becker finds the Grand Floridian Café delightful. 

Every meal in the beautifully decorated dining room comes with warm biscuits and butter, and Becker recommends ordering the eggs Benedict and hash-brown casserole.

Pro tip: Ask for a table by the window so you can take in the grounds of the resort. 

The 'Finding Nemo' show is stacked with talented performers

Before it closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, "Finding Nemo – The Musical" was a must-see for Becker on every trip to Animal Kingdom. 

Now, the park offers a reimaging of the show called "Finding Nemo: Big Blue ... And Beyond."

The travel planner especially recommends the show for parents with kids — her own boys are drawn in by the beautiful storytelling.

Becker has to ride the monorail at least once every Disney trip

No matter where you're staying, on or off property, Becker said it's always worth taking a spin on the monorail. 

The nostalgic Disney transportation is fun for adults and kids alike. It's also convenient if you're looking to visit one of the Magic Kingdom resorts for shopping or dining. 

Read Kari Becker's full Disney Diary: I'm a travel planner who's been to Disney World over 40 times. Here are 13 things I always do at the parks .

Carly Caramanna has been going to the parks for over 30 years

Wine bar george at disney springs is her favorite restaurant across the property.

After visiting the Disney parks for over 30 years, Caramanna's first pick for dinner reservations is Wine Bar George in Disney Springs. 

It's owned and led by a master sommelier and has menu items like savory chimichurri skirt steak and creamy burrata along with over 140 wines.

Living With the Land doesn't always get the hype it deserves

Soarin' Around the World gets a lot of hype at Epcot, but Living With the Land right next door is one of Caramanna's favorite rides. 

The slow-moving attraction explores the history of farming, rides past actual Disney greenhouses, and rarely has a long wait. 

It's extra fun to visit Epcot during a festival

Epcot has been hosting festivals  since the 1990s, and there are currently four throughout the year: International Food and Wine Festival, International Festival of the Holidays, International Festival of the Arts, and International Flower and Garden Festival. 

Guests can sample new dishes and beverages inspired by international cuisines and enjoy unique entertainment offerings all around the World Showcase.

Read Carly Caramanna's full Disney Diary: I go to Disney World every month. Here are 16 things I always do, see, and eat at the parks .

After working at 26 locations across Disney World, Saira Umar has found her favorite things to do

Disney springs has lots to explore, and it's free to enter.

Umar could easily spend a day exploring Disney Springs — the property's free dining, shopping, and entertainment district.

The former Disney World employee recommends grabbing treats from the Ganachery, Gideon's Bakehouse, or Amorette's Patisserie while you're there. 

It's almost always worth it to take a midday break from the parks

Umar has found that getting to the parks early is key for cruising through the lines of some of the most popular attractions.

It also gives you time to take a much-needed break in the afternoon by seeing an indoor, air-conditioned show like "Mickey's PhilharMagic" in Magic Kingdom, the Short Film Festival in Epcot, "Finding Nemo" in Animal Kingdom, or "Lightning McQueen's Racing Academy" in Hollywood Studios.

Epcot is known for drinking 'around the world,' but Animal Kingdom has some great drinks, too

Umar is a fan of the alcoholic and kid-friendly drinks at Animal Kingdom. 

She recommends the Frozen Flamingo (strawberry-and-passion-fruit slush) at Harambe Market, Pink Lotus (strawberry-lychee lemonade) at Thirsty River Bar, Night Lotus (apple, pear, and lime slush with passion-fruit boba) at Pongu Pongu, and frozen Coke from various locations.

Read Saira Umar's full Disney Diary: I worked at 26 locations in Disney World. Here are 17 things I do, see, and eat every time I visit .

Noelani Soto grew up in Miami and developed the perfect schedule for a 1-day trip

Dole whip is always a must.

Dole Whip is a classic Disney snack that's perfect for a warm afternoon at the parks. Soto, who grew up taking short trips to Disney World from Miami, recommends the vanilla-and-pineapple swirl.

Pro tip: Place a mobile order and pick it up in Adventureland at Magic Kingdom to skip the line. 

Even if you're not staying there, it's fun to explore the Grand Floridian Resort

Resort-hopping is a fun way to spend an afternoon, especially when you get to check out some of the fancier spots, like the Grand Floridian.  

The Disney resorts also sometimes offer free activities, food, or beverages  around the grounds.

Soto has been able to enjoy Champagne and s'mores on different visits to the Grand Floridian. 

After a day at the parks, you can grab a late-night cupcake at Disney Springs

An ATM at Sprinkles in Disney Springs offers cupcakes and cookies 24/7.

It's great for late-night cravings after a day at the parks. 

Read Noelani Soto's full Disney Diary: I've perfected visiting Disney World for just 24 hours. Here are 12 things I try to do every time I visit .

Annual passholder Megan duBois has been visiting Disney World for over 25 years

Selfies are a great way to save memories from each trip.

Annual passholder DuBois has started taking selfies with her group right when she gets to Disney World in front of the park icons, like Cinderella Castle , the Tree of Life, the Chinese Theater, and the Spaceship Earth ball.

If you visit the parks often, it's a great way to create a memory for each trip. 

Always head to Tower of Terror when there's a 13-minute wait

Tower of Terror at Hollywood Studios has a little-known trick. Whenever the ride has a 13-minute wait on the My Disney Experience app or the boards around the park, it usually means there's actually no line at all. 

This same 13-minute rule also applies at Haunted Mansion at Magic Kingdom.

End a day at Animal Kingdom with a ride on Flight of Passage

The line for Flight of Passage at Animal Kingdom is usually over an hour long, so DuBois recommends going right before the park closes. 

The wait time might still be listed at 60 minutes, but the actual wait is typically 30 minutes or less.

Read Megan duBois' full Disney Diary: I've had a Disney World annual pass for nearly 25 years. Here are 13 things I do every time I visit .

Tarah Chieffi has 30 years of experience exploring the Disney parks

Instead of waiting in line for meet and greets, book character meals.

If you want to avoid character meet-and-greet lines, longtime Disney-goer Chieffi recommends booking a character breakfast instead. 

They usually include four or five characters circulating the room, stopping at each table for photos and autographs. 

It's best to make a reservation 60 days before your trip, as these spots are popular. 

You can get a better view of the Magic Kingdom parades in Frontierland

All of the parades at Magic Kingdom start in the back corner of Frontierland, and it's a great spot to watch them with slightly smaller crowds. 

Since it's the start of the route, you also usually get a lot of extra waves from the characters on the parade floats. Plus, you can move on to your next activity while everyone else is still watching the show. 

Satu'il Canteen at Animal Kingdom is one of the best restaurants across the property

Chieffi doesn't typically make a lot of sit-down reservations at Disney World. Instead, her family loves quick-service spots like Satu'li Canteen in Animal Kingdom's Pandora section.

The food is customizable and suitable for a range of diets.

She recommends the cheeseburger pods (which she says taste just like a McDonald's cheeseburger) and the green Hawkes' Grog ale.

Read Tarah Chieffi's full Disney Diary: I've been going to Disney World for over 30 years. Here are 14 things I always do there .

Stephanie Machado lives 15 minutes from Disney World and visits weekly

You can grab a starbucks coffee at each of the theme parks.

Machado goes to Disney World multiple times a week, and as a coffee lover, she highly recommends grabbing a cup at Main Street Bakery (Starbucks) in Magic Kingdom. 

Each park has a unique Starbucks location with a themed name.

Get in line for any rides you missed right before the park closes

When you visit the parks often, riding every single ride isn't usually a priority. But Machado has a trick for landing in the shortest lines for must-do attractions .

She waits until the end of the night, especially if there's a nighttime show distracting much of the crowd. 

There are several fun resorts to explore near Epcot 

If you need a break, Machado recommends leaving Epcot through the International Gateway exit and grabbing a snack at the BoardWalk Inn or the Beach Club.

Beaches and Cream at the Beach Club serves humongous sundaes.

Read Stephanie Machado's full Disney Diary: My husband and I live 15 minutes from Disney World. Here are 7 things we do every time we visit .

As a Disneyland employee, Amber Wainwright has tips for the California parks

Take fun photos with fewer crowds around pixar pier.

Castle pictures are iconic, but the area in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland is often very crowded. 

Luckily, Disneyland employee Wainwright says there are several other beautiful photo spots across the parks that are covered in artwork, like the wall on Pixar Pier.

Galaxy's Edge is a must for 'Star Wars' fans

Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge is home to the fictional planet of Batuu, and it's a great place for unique shopping, dining, and character experiences.

Wainwright highlighted eating Ronto Wraps at Ronto's Roasters, building a lightsaber at Savi's Workshop, and hunting rebel scum with Kylo Ren.

Catch a unique view of the fireworks from the Incredicoaster

One of the most unique ways to watch the nighttime fireworks is from the Incredicoaster in Disney's California Adventure. 

You get a bird's-eye view of the show while also riding one of the park's best coasters. 

Read Amber Wainwright's full Disney Diary: I'm a VIP tour guide at Disneyland. Here are 12 of my favorite things to do in the parks .

Jackie Perrin visits Disney World with her kids and has stayed at every resort

Toy story mania is the best ride for families with kids.

Perrin and her family make sure to ride Toy Story Mania at Hollywood Studios at least twice every trip. Her family members get competitive about who gets the highest score on the interactive ride.

If you're at Magic Kingdom, she recommends Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin as a similar ride.

Main Street is full of hidden entertainment gems

There are so many little entertainment opportunities up and down Main Street USA in Magic Kingdom, particularly right after the park opens.

The Dapper Dans barbershop quartet gives a welcoming serenade, and the Citizens of Main Street and Women's Suffragists interact with guests.

It's nice to spend some time at the resort pool at the hottest part of the day

People usually visit Disney for the theme parks, but Perrin said the resort pools shouldn't be missed. 

Her kids love playing there, and there's sometimes even poolside entertainment like dance parties, games, trivia contests, and evening movies.

Some of her favorite Disney pools are at Caribbean Beach Resort, Wilderness Lodge, and the Beach Club Resort. 

Read Jackie Perrin's full Disney Diary: I've visited almost every Disney World resort with my kids. Here are 15 things we always do at the parks .

Richard Keller regularly takes his 5 kids to Disneyland on a budget

Bring your own water bottles to the park so you can stay hydrated throughout the day.

One of the best tips Keller has for visiting Disneyland after making several trips with his family of seven is to pack your own water bottles. 

The heat can leave you dehydrated, and buying drinks at the parks can be pricey, especially for big families.

Pro tip: Fill them up with ice ahead of time so the water stays cool throughout the day. 

Churros are one of the best snack options at the parks, and they're big enough to share

Churros are one of the most classic snacks at Disneyland, and they cost less than $10.

Plus, Keller said his family is usually full after sharing one or two. 

He highlighted the cart near Haunted Mansion, which tends to have a shorter line and offers numerous shady places to sit nearby.

You can usually find merchandise on sale in the shops

Shopping for souvenirs with lots of kids can be stressful, but Keller has it down to a science.

They stop at the shops on Main Street on their way out of the park and check the sales racks, which sometimes offer things for up to 50% off. 

Read Richard Keller's full Disney Diary: My family of 7 has gone to Disneyland for years on a tight budget. Here are 14 things we do to save money .

Sofía Olivar worked at Epcot and has recommendations across Disney World

Big disney fans will get a kick out of the carousel of progress.

Disney World employee Olivar always rides the Carousel of Progress when she visits Magic Kingdom.

The classic attraction was built for the 1964/1965 World's Fair, and it has a catchy theme song and detailed sets. 

The wait is also always less than 15 minutes, and the indoor show offers 20 minutes of respite from the sun. 

The 'Hub grass' is a great spot to enjoy lunch 

The lawns in front of Cinderella Castle (referred to as the "Hub grass") are the perfect spots to enjoy breakfast or lunch. 

Olivar recommends a coffee from Main Street Bakery ( Starbucks ) and the loaded tots from Friar's Nook in Fantasyland — her favorite quick-service location in the park. 

The margaritas in the Mexico Pavilion are a must

Olivar said La Cava del Tequila, located inside the pyramid in the Mexico Pavilion at Epcot, has the best margaritas in Disney World.

But if you're looking for a frozen treat, you can also stop at Choza de Margarita outside.

Read Sofía Olivar's full Disney Diary: I've worked at Disney World for 3 years. Here are 14 things I always do at the parks .

After years of annual family vacations to Disney World, Jill Robbins has her favorites down-pat 

Robbins makes sure to get at least one mickey-shaped ice-cream bar a trip.

There are plenty of Disney park snacks to choose from, but for Robbins, nothing beats a classic Mickey-shaped ice-cream bar. 

She makes it a priority to grab one on every visit. 

Pin-trading is a great (and budget-friendly) activity in the park

Robbins' kids like bringing their Disney pins to the parks so they can trade with employees — or even sometimes other guests. 

Look out for employees with lanyards or corkboards around the parks if you're looking to swap. 

Planning a rest day is a lifesaver on a busy Disney vacation

Marching around the parks in the hot Florida sun all day can be tiring, so Robbins makes sure to plan for one rest day each visit so her family can relax at the hotel pool or get some time out of the sun. 

Read Jill Robbins' full Disney Diary: I've taken my 12-year-olds to Disney World every year since they were 5. Here are 12 things we always do .

Tiffany A. Telles has 3 decades of Disneyland experience under her belt

Snapping photos with characters is always a highlight.

Telles, who has been visiting Disneyland for over 30 years, said that she always tries to grab a photo with her favorite characters — especially when a special opportunity strikes. 

For example, California Adventure transforms its Paradise Gardens area into the "Coco"-themed Plaza de la Familia in the fall. Miguel from the movie is often in the parks for meet and greets. 

There are always new cocktails to sample

Each trip, Telles tries to sip on one new-to-her cocktail at Disneyland. 

Some of her favorite places to grab a drink are Lamplight Lounge, Tangaroa Terrace, and Craftsman Grill. 

When hunger strikes, a baked potato is the perfect snacky meal

Telles doesn't always want to waste precious park time on sit-down meals, so the baked potatoes at Troubadour Tavern near Fantasyland have become a go-to. 

They're easy to take on the go, have plenty of toppings, and cost less than $10 each. 

Read Tiffany A. Telles' full Disney Diary: I've been going to Disneyland for 33 years. Here are 13 things I always do in the parks .

Disney World isn't just for kids — Terri Peters visits the theme parks on her own at least once a month

Taking full advantage of resort stays is easier when you're traveling solo.

One of Peters' favorite things to do on a solo trip to Disney World is spend an afternoon relaxing on her hotel patio. She highlighted Yacht Club and Animal Kingdom Lodge as resorts with the most tranquil vibes. 

A glass of wine, a snack, and a pretty view are the perfect medicine for park fatigue. 

Not having to share cheeseburger egg rolls is a dream come true

Peters, like many Disney fans, loves all the iconic food options around the parks. But Disney World vacations can be pricey when you're traveling with a group, so she said her family often shares more basic offerings — pretzels and popcorn. 

When she's by herself, cheeseburger eggrolls at Magic Kingdom are always on the top of her snack list. No one else can steal a bite, either. 

It's fun to snag a last-minute dinner reservation

Some of the best food at Disney World is found in restaurants like Le Cellier and California Grill. But those are also often the most difficult reservations to snag.

Luckily for solo travelers, there are often walk-up reservation lists that open up at the last minute and bars/lounges where smaller parties can usually be seated pretty quickly. 

Read Terri Peters' full Disney Diary: I'm in my 40s and go to Disney World by myself at least once a month. Here are 13 things I always do there .

Carly Neil has plenty of Disneyland tips after over 300 trips to the parks

It's actually possible to 'work from home' at the parks.

If she can't swing a full day off work, frequent Disneyland visitor Neil just brings her iPad with her. 

Some of her favorite places to get a couple hours of writing in are a quiet corner on Main Street, the Grand Californian Resort lobby, Jolly Holiday, and Hearthstone Lounge.

Picking one souvenir to collect can make shopping at the parks more special

As a California local, Neil has mastered the art of not going overboard in the Disneyland gift shops. But over the years, she's loved collecting mugs that catch her eye.

Being able to curate her souvenirs makes it even more fun when a new item pops up in stores. 

Disneyland has food festivals that are just as good as Epcot's

Although Epcot is perhaps better known for its annual food festivals, Disneyland has some great offerings throughout the year. 

Neil loves exploring the Lunar New Year Celebration, the Food and Wine Festival, and the Festival of the Holidays each year. 

Read Carly Neil's full Disney Diary: I've been to Disneyland over 300 times. Here are 12 things I always do in the parks .

After working her dream job at Disneyland, Dana Bisbee moved 6 minutes away from the parks

Getting some peaceful steps in around grizzly peak is a great way to start the day.

Before the hustle and bustle of a park day starts, former Disneyland employee Bisbee likes to take a breath in a quieter section of California Adventure Park. 

Grizzly Peak is usually pretty empty, so it's a great place to walk around, gather your thoughts, and plan your day. 

Disneybounding is a fun way for adults to highlight their favorite characters

Adults can only wear real costumes at the Disney parks at the annual Halloween parties, but Disneybounding (wearing outfits inspired by different characters) is allowed all year long. 

Bisbee always jumps at the chance to really immerse herself in the Disney bubble by wearing clothes that resemble her favorite characters' senses of style. 

Not everyone knows about the fun drawing lesson available in the park

Disneyland's Animation Academy offers free lessons every day where guests get step-by-step instructions on how to draw a rotating cast of beloved characters. 

Bisbee said it's one of the most underrated things to do at the theme park, plus you get to keep your sketch as a souvenir. Since the space is indoors and air-conditioned, it's also a great way to spend a hot afternoon. 

Read Dana Bisbee's full Disney Diary: I used to work at Disneyland. Here are 11 things I always do when I visit the parks .

This landing page was originally published in June 2022 and most recently updated on August 21, 2024. 

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7 Disney World Hotels That Are Very Demure, Very Mindful

By David Goodkind Leave a Comment

While it might not seem obvious, a Disney World vacation can be  very demure, very mindful.

So peaceful

We often write about how hectic a Disney World vacation can be, but that doesn’t mean a trip can’t be practical and relaxing. Planning a Disney World trip can be chaotic and stressful, so we’re coming to the rescue with some tips on hotels that are quintessentially demure!

“Demure” , in this context, is more open to interpretation. Trending online this month, the term and its usage were made viral by beauty influencer Jools Lebron in a TikTok video about how her makeup for work was “very demure, very mindful. I’m very mindful while I’m at work. See how I look? Very presentable.”

The video spawned a cultural trend that celebrities have even jumped in on. Videos of folks talking about their demure daily routines are making waves online and people have been able to give their interpretations of the word. Having its roots in modesty, this version of “demure” relates to appearances in a sense, but is more so about self-awareness and confidence and how each individual defines those qualities.

Very demure, very mindful

“We’re all in this; we’re unified, nothing has to be so serious. Nothing has to be so aggressive. Everything could just be very cute. Where, you know, we don’t do too much. We only do a little bit. I’m not crazy with it. I’m very demure,” said Jools.

So playing around with the demure concept, our team thought it would be fun to come up with  Disney World hotels that fit our understanding of “demure”.  These seven stood out — let’s take a look!

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — Riverside

The Louisiana-inspired hospitality of Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — Riverside absolutely meets our criteria for being very demure, very mindful.

Port Orleans Resort — Riverside

This Moderate Resort nestled along the Sassagoula River “evokes the romance of rural Louisiana” in a classy fashion for a more affordable price than Deluxe Resorts. It’s also a relaxing boat ride to Disney Springs . Very mindful.

Port Orleans Resorts

Charmingly rustic, cutesy, peaceful, and elegant, Port Orleans Resort — Riverside is  very  demure.

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

Inspired by the Pacific Northwest, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is a classy Deluxe Resort that is known for its relaxing pools, refined aesthetics, and rustic elegance.

Wilderness Lodge

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is majestic in its own right but offers guests peace and seclusion all while being close to Magic Kingdom .  Very demure, very mindful.

The Lodge brings aspects of the Great Outdoors to the comfort of indoors, making it practical, charming, and a place where you wouldn’t mind curling up next to a fire…but you may want to avoid  Whispering Canyon Cafe if you’re looking for a 100% demure stay.

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Disney World’s flagship hotel is indeed grand, but  Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is also very demure.

This Deluxe Resort is modeled after Victorian elegance and is packed with a modern sophistication that not only impresses but proves convenient, as well. Luxurious, yet tasteful, the Grand Floridian offers evening views of the Magic Kingdom fireworks without needing to be in the park. Also, by sitting along the Resort Monorail route, it provides yet another useful amenity.

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort

Quiet, practical, and stylish, our list would not be complete without including the demure Grand Floridian!

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort and Disney’s Beach Club Resort

Want to get away from the hustle and bustle of Disney World and sink into a classy retreat? Check out Disney’s demure  Yacht Club Resort and Beach Club Resort !

Disney’s Yacht Club

Located near EPCOT , Disney’s Yacht Club Resort is a Deluxe Resort that offers a ton of amenities, unique recreational activities, several dining options, and a pool that is like a hidden water park. This New England-style Resort isn’t very boisterous and is a fantastic classy hideaway.

The Yacht Club’s sister resort is Disney’s Beach Club Resort and it offers its own demure charm. Steps away from EPCOT, guests can take a quick stroll from the Beach Club to  EPCOT’s International Gateway and thrive in the convenience of this resort. Very mindful, indeed.

Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin

Disney World’s Swan and Dolphin Resorts are very mindful Deluxe Resorts with more affordable pricing.

Swan and Dolphin Hotels

Offering complimentary water taxi service to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios in addition to complimentary bus transportation to the entirety of Disney World, these resorts are extra mindful of accessibility. Stylish without venturing into the tacky realm, these hotels are cutesy and oh-so demure.

It’s a beautiful resort!

Gorgeous, sophisticated, and packed with refined restaurants and award-winning accommodations, the Swan and Dolphin hotels give you everything you could ever need without throwing too much Disney in your face.

Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa

Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa completely avoids going over the top , capturing the essence of demure.

Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort

Inspired by the historic Saratoga Springs — a New York retreat from the late 1800s that was famous for its spas and horse racing — Saratoga Springs is a Deluxe Resort known for its DVC offerings and spacious accommodations. This charming Victorian-style Resort sits between rolling golf course greens and the shimmering Lake Buena Vista, allowing guests to just sit back and take it all in.

High Rock Springs Pool

Scenic with studios and multi-bedroom villas that offer ample space in addition to wonderful amenities, Saratoga Springs blends simplicity with luxury beautifully.

Gran Destino Tower at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

The Gran Destino Tower at  Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is the final entry on our Demure Disney World Hotels list. Lauded as  romantic and relaxing,  this tower is prime demure.

Coronado Springs

Coronado Springs is a Moderate Resort and therefore a bit friendlier on your wallet than some of the other hotels on our list. Styled with a unique blend of Spanish, Mexican, and Southwest American cultures, this lakeside resort is billed as an oasis at Disney World.

Gran Destino

Great for couples of folks looking to escape a loud Disney World, the Gran Destino Tower provides luxury and relaxation without breaking the bank. How mindful.

To learn more about the Disney World hotels and their unique offerings, click the link below!

Which Disney World Resort Hotel is Best for YOU?

Did we get it right? Which Disney World hotels would you say are  demure ? Let us know and continue to follow us here at DFB for all things Disney World!

The Disappointing Truth About Disney World’s Moderate Hotels

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Plan Your Dream Trip To Disney!

Visiting Disney World in 2025: What to Know Before You Go!!

August 23, 2024 //  by  Brandi Lyons

If you’re planning a trip to Walt Disney World in 2025, then there are some things you need to know! There have been so many announcements, updates, and renovations that will change how your trip may look. Disney World is forever in a state of change like Walt wanted, and 2025 is bringing lots of change!

Keep reading to find out how the changes to the hotels and attractions may affect your trip, and to see how some of the changes will even affect how you plan your rides during the day! We have exactly what you need to know when planning a trip to Disney in 2025.

There are so many changes coming to Disney World, and some of them have already started! We are going to break down these Disney changes in 2025 by category so that you can be better prepared for your upcoming trip.

New Themed Areas and Attractions

Even though we already knew some of the changes coming to Disney World in 2025, the announcements at the recent D23 convention added tons more to that list! Disney World will be updating A LOT over the next few years and here’s what will change the most in 2025:

Dinoland U.S.A. will be extinct

Pun intended here, but it’s true: Dinoland U.S.A. at Animal Kingdom will be demolished sometime between the Fall of 2024 and throughout 2025. Disney announced that area will be becoming a new themed area called “Tropical Americas,” which will showcase “Encanto,” a new carousel, and “Indiana Jones.” In fact, “Indiana Jones” will be replacing the DINOSAUR ride.

Zootopia takes over “It’s Tough to be a Bug”

In Winter of 2025, “Zootopia” will be taking over the theater underneath of the Tree of Life at Animal Kingdom. “It’s Tough to be a Bug” will be leaving. The new show will be called “Zooptopia: Better Zoogether!” and hopefully it won’t terrify children the way it’s predecessor did.

Tom Sawyer Island and Rivers of America closing

One of the announcements made at D23 was the expansion of Frontierland at Magic Kingdom, and the inclusion of “Cars” and their world of Radiator Springs. This does mean that Tom Sawyer Island, Rivers of America, and the Liberty Belle Riverboat will be demolished at some point during 2025.

We don’t have an exact date, but we know this entire area will be closing during 2025. If you’re used to escaping the crowds on Tom Sawyer Island, that won’t be an option for much longer!

Reimagined Test Track will Open

In 2024, Test Track went down for refurbishment and reimagining. The “new” Test Track will be opening during 2025 – no exact date yet. What we do know is that new scenes will be added, and the reimagined ride will take into account technology of the past, present, and future. We know everyone will be happy for this exhilarating ride to be back though!

Nighttime Parade Coming to Magic Kingdom

Summer of 2025 will be bringing a nighttime parade to the Magic Kingdom! I know I have missed the Main Street Electrical Parade and will be happy for a new parade! The Starlight Parade will be debuting sometime in Summer, and this will be a great reason to plan your trip for later in the year. This is one of the Disney World changes in 2025 that can definitely affect when you want to visit.

New Lounges Coming to Disney World

Both Magic Kingdom and EPCOT will be getting new lounges! Disney in 2025 will definitely look a lot more adult friendly with these two lounges being added.

Magic Kingdom will be getting a “Pirates of the Caribbean” tavern, and will offer pirate treats and drinks for both adults and children – but we definitely think this will be a great place for adults looking to relax.

EPCOT will be getting a Spaceship Earth themed lounge, and both the D23 announcement and concept art for this lounge leads us to believe it will be elegant, relaxing, and even have a place to watch the fireworks!

Hotel Renovations and Perks

Disney World in 2025 won’t just look different in the parks, the hotels will also have changes and updates, so that guests will be more comfortable and have even more places to stay when visiting!

Bay Lake Tower Being Refurbished

Bay Lake Tower, the sister DVC hotel to the Contemporary Resort, will be undergoing a major refurbishment from September 2024 – September 2025. This will definitely change the number of available rooms, the noise levels, and accessibility of this hotel. This tends to be a more affordable way to stay at the Contemporary, and we don’t think this will be a great choice of resort until the refurbishments are over.

Stormalong Bay and Shipwreck Pool Undergo Maintenance

Stormalong Bay at the Yacht Club/Beach Club is the best pool in Disney World, and unfortunately won’t be available from January 2025 – June 2025. The lazy river, sand bottom pool, and adjoining Shipwreck Pool area will be closed, and honestly, this is a reason not to skip staying at Yacht Club or Beach Club for the first half of 2025.

Proximity to EPCOT is great, but not having the amazing pool makes the value not great for these hotels. There are some other great pools at Disney World that will be open, and maybe check them out for your Disney World in 2025 trip! We have our favorites here !

Island Tower at Polynesian Will Be Open

Opening December 17, 2024, the new Island Tower section of the Polynesian Villas & Bungalows will finally be open! This means you are able to book these brand new rooms for 2025, and it gives us another DVC (Disney Vacation Club) option for Disney World.

These rooms can sleep up to 9, and will allow both DVC and non-DVC members to stay surrounded by the beauty of Polynesia.

New Cabins at Fort Wilderness

The updated cabins at Fort Wilderness opened Summer 2024, which means they will be available for Disney World stays in 2025. They are more modern and brighter, but still have the rustic feel lovers of the Fort are used to. These are still a great choice for those looking for a little more space and an upscale camping experience at Disney.

Fantasia Pool Being Refurbished

The large Fantasia Pool at All-Star Movies Resort will be under refurbishment from January 2025 – April 2025. If you’re staying there, and have kiddos who love the pool, just know this large pool won’t be available. You will still be able to use the Duck Pond Pool, but it’s not as large or as close to the preferred rooms.

Extended Park Hours will Stay!

On-site guests at the Disney Resorts will continue to get Early Theme Park Entry, being able to enter the parks in the morning earlier than non-resort guests. Deluxe Resort and Deluxe Villa Resort guests will also still get to enjoy Extended Evening Theme Park Hours throughout 2025 as well! These are great reasons to stay on Disney property during 2025, and we have our other reasons why here !

Complimentary Water Park Ticket

One of the biggest announcements and changes that will affect your Disney in 2025 planning is the complimentary water park ticket for resort guests! Resort guests will receive a complimentary water park ticket for each member of their group for their check-in day.

This will definitely encourage guests to get to their hotel as early as possible, and is a great way to keep guests from trying to check-in early to be honest. Disney is giving them tickets to go somewhere, and letting them enjoy the water parks for free.

DVC members, Annual Passholders, and Cast Members can take advantage of this offer as well! Also, keep in mind that typically only one of the water parks is open at a time, so the one you’ll be visiting will be based on which is open at the time. You can check out our water park thoughts here too!

Transportation Options are Crucial for Your Stay

Planning where to stay based off the transportation options is always important, but will be even more important for Disney World in 2025. There are more rides, more areas, and Disney World is forever growing. This means more time in the park, more walking, and needing to make smarter transportation options.

Disney resorts offer varying levels of access to the parks, and varying types of transportation. We definitely think it’s better to choose the resorts that offer multiple options to get to and from the parks, especially for those will little ones and accessibility needs. Being able to walk or take a boat, Skyliner, or Monorail over the Disney busses will greatly enhance your Disney World experience.

Also, just a note: though no announcements have been made, the Skyliner tends to go under annual maintenance at the end of every January. It’s best not to stay at one of the Skyliner resorts at this time, becasue you won’t be able to use this helpful form of transportation.

New Lightning Lane Pass System

We aren’t surprised that the Genie+ system had a short life, and it has already been replaced! For your trip in 2025, you’ll be using the new Lightning Lane pass system. We are still using the single Lightning Lanes we are used to, but Disney has added the Lightning Lane Multipass.

Guests will be able to purchase this in advance to their trip, and are able to choose attractions and arrival windows before they purchase to be sure that it’s worth the money for them. You will also be able to make plans for multiple days at one time.

For Multipass you are able to choose 3 experiences and arrival windows in a theme park in advance. And for the high demand rides that aren’t available on Mulitpass, you can still buy up to 2 single Lightning Lanes per pass per day.

You’ll also still receive ride photos and videos, and have access to the PhotoPass lenses with the purchase of Lightning Lanes.

Disney Room Cancellation Policy Changes

The last big change that might affect your Disney World in 2025 trip would be the changes to the room cancellation policy. Beginning January 1, 2025, if you have booked a room-only reservation (not a package), you will have less days to cancel your reservation.

Instead of the 5 days before your trip, you will have to cancel at least 8 days before your trip to receive a full refund with no penalty. This means you’ll have to be very sure you are going when you book, and if you need to cancel, then make sure you do it earlier now to avoid any penalties.

We hope that the tips and information here help you plan your Disney World in 2025 trip a little better! We know it can be stressful and confusing, and there’s a lot of information to keep track of, but knowing the changes in advance can help you better plan and pick the best resort, rides, and theme parks to visit in 2025!

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I would like to visit the Animal Park during the day and then go to the Boardwalk in the evening. If we pay to park by the Animal Park, can we later park in the parking lot by the Boardwalk Inn? (Not staying at a Disney Hotel.) Any restrictions? ”

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• On 7/8/2024 Amy from County Down Asked: Hi, we don't have any park tickets and are not staying at a disney resort but would love to go to disney boardwalk and go on the disney skyliner. Where would be best for us to park? Thanks

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Title and navigation Title and navigation August 2024 August 2024   S M T W T F S 31 32 33 34 35 36 The menu below has been automatically set to the panelist you were reviewing, however, you can ask anyone on our panel. Close Ask a Question Opens the Ask a Question dialog box. Thanks for submitting your question! You'll receive an email if your question is answered., please note. Email communication is the only way we can notify you when your question has been answered. If you choose to opt-out of receiving emails, you will need to return to the site to check if your question has been answered. Update Browser For a better experience browsing this website, please download an updated version of Internet Explorer . Or you can continue browsing without updating. 247 COMMENTS Disney's Beach Club vs Yacht Club: Which Should You Choose? 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! Disney's Yacht Club vs Beach Club 2024 It's designed to offer an elegant experience reminiscent of a yacht club. Disney Beach Club: Boasts a relaxed, cheerful vibe with a design influenced by New England-style family resorts of the 1920s. Bright colors and a playful atmosphere make it feel more casual and family-friendly. Disney Beach Club vs Yacht Club (Which to Choose) However, Disney's Yacht and Beach Club Resorts get our pick because they're usually priced significantly lower than the monorail resorts. vs Caribbean Beach Resort. It is difficult to compare Disney's Beach Club Resort with Caribbean Beach because they really aren't similar at all. Even though the names may cause you to think ... Resort Showdown! Beach Club vs. Yacht Club: Which is Better For Your Beach Club Standard Room ©Disney Yacht Club Standard Room ©Disney. They both have standard rooms that are $440 a night, but once you get to the higher levels, the Yacht Club's rooms are a few dollars more expensive. When you get to the Club Level the pricing starts to deviate the most. For example when you look at the Two-Bedroom Suite at ... Yacht Club v. Beach Club Yacht Club v. Beach Club. Disney's Yacht & Beach Club Resorts are two Crescent Lake hotels at Walt Disney World, both within walking distance of Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios and across the water from Disney's BoardWalk Inn. In this post, we're going to continue our ongoing Walt Disney World hotel comparison series with an entry ... Disney's Yacht Club Resort For assistance with your Walt Disney World vacation, including resort/package bookings and tickets, please call (407) 939-5277. For Walt Disney World dining, please book your reservation online. 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM Eastern Time. Guests under 18 years of age must have parent or guardian permission to call. Your Guide to Disney's Beach & Yacht Club Resorts Accommodations at Disney's Beach and Yacht Club Resorts. Disney's Beach and Yacht Club are home to over 1400 Guest Rooms, more than 275 Villas, and over 20 Suites and you! Credit: Disney Disney's Beach Club Resort 1800 Epcot Resorts Boulevard. 3379 Reviews. For assistance with your Walt Disney World vacation, including resort/package bookings and tickets, please call (407) 939-5277. For Walt Disney World dining, please book your reservation online. 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM Eastern Time. Yacht Club v. Beach Club v. BoardWalk Inn Here's a look at some 2024 pricing (you can always find this information at MouseSavers ): Early Feb — Yacht/Beach $569 vs. BoardWalk $641. Mid April — Yacht/Beach $721 vs. BoardWalk $738. Christmas — Yacht/Beach $1043 vs. BoardWalk $1118. This price differential has been around for years and never made sense to me. Disney Yacht Club vs Beach Club Disney Yacht Club Vs Beach Club. First and foremost, the biggest difference between these two is the theming. They are generally about the same distance to Epcot. Though Beach Club is definitely closer, the amount is minimal. And since it is larger than Yacht Club, the location of your room can make a big difference in terms of how long it may ... Disney's Beach Club or Yacht Club Transportation: Yacht and Beach Club share Disney bus transportation. Yacht Club was the first stop, but we never had a problem getting on a bus while we stayed at Beach Club. The bus drop-off/pick up location for both resorts was near their respective lobbies, so depending on where your room is the walk to the bus can be anywhere from 5-10 ... How to Choose Between Disney's Yacht Club and Beach Club Resorts Thanks to Disney for hosting us on a 3-night Resort Showcase where we got to tour and experience many of Walt Disney World's resorts and restaurants, including Disney's Yacht Club Resort, Disney's Beach Club Resort, and Ale & Compass Restaurant. #wdwresorts #deliciousdisney Disney's Yacht Club Resort Review (Is it worth it?) Disney's Yacht Club Resort is one of the most beautiful and convenient hotels in all of Walt Disney World. With its classy design, enormous pool, and prime location, it's easy to see why the Yacht Club at Disney World is such a highly sought after place to stay. My family and I have visited numerous hotels on Disney property, but the Yacht ... Disney's Yacht Club Resort Review Yacht Club Resort is a luxury hotel at Walt Disney World within walking and boat distance of Epcot and Hollywood Studios. This Deluxe Resort review features reimagined room photos, pool info, restaurant details, transportation benefits, other amenities, and pros & cons of these accommodations.Updated August 21, 2020 Disney's Yacht Club Resort Disney's Yacht Club Resort. Amenities Rooms Dining Recreation Transportation Resort Map Photos. DISboards.com Yacht Club FAQ. Reviews. Yacht Club Resort Address/Phone: 1700 Epcot Resorts Blvd. Lake Buena Vista, FL. Phone: (407) 934-7000. Check-in: 3pm / Check-out: 11am. Disney's Yacht Club, Beach Club, or BoardWalk: Which EPCOT Resort Is Disney's BoardWalk Inn. Our number one pick for best EPCOT-area Resort is Disney's BoardWalk Inn, a whimsical turn-of-the-century-style Resort with oceanside offerings. To us, the BoardWalk feels a lot less stuffy than Disney's Yacht & Beach Club Resorts while still providing an elegant backdrop to a Disney stay. The Ultimate Disney Yacht Club Review + Insider Tips 1. Disney's Yacht Club opened back on November 5, 1990. Its sister location is the Beach Club located right next to it. The Yacht Club is a beautifully themed resort with nautical and beach themes. We are going to tell you everything you need to know about this wonderful resort in our Ultimate Disney Yacht Club Review + Insider Tips! The Complete Guide to Eating at Disney's Yacht and Beach Club Resorts There are 10 places you can eat at Disney's Yacht and Beach Club Resorts. Let's take a look at the tried-and-true favorites at each location! Ale & Compass Restaurant. Ale & Compass is known for its New England-inspired comfort food. It is part of a larger complex that includes the Ale & Compass Lounge and a small market. A review of Disney's Beach Club Resort Disney's Beach Club Resort is one of the best Disney hotels for families, with the largest pool at Disney World, easy access to Disney's theme parks and plenty of dining options and activities to choose from. ... Stormalong Bay is shared between the Beach Club and Yacht Club resorts and features a sandy beach area for kids, a lazy river, a hot ... These are the 17 best Disney hotels in 2024 Disney's Beach Club Resort and its sister property, Disney's Yacht Club Resort, share access to Stormalong Bay, which offers top-notch poolside fun for the whole family. Both resorts have the distinct feel of a beach in an otherwise landlocked resort thanks to sand-bottomed pools, a lazy river, a pirate ship and a wicked waterslide, among other ... Disney's Yacht Club Resort Disney's Yacht Club Resort. From January through May 2025, some Guest rooms at Disney's Yacht Club Resort will be under refurbishment. While Guests may see or hear construction work during daytime hours, most Resort hotel amenities will remain available. Delight in the formal grace of a grand New England-style yacht club at this lakeside hotel. Disney's Yacht Club Resort For assistance with your Walt Disney World vacation, including resort/package bookings and tickets, please call (407) 939-5277. For Walt Disney World dining, please book your reservation online. 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM Eastern Time. Guests under 18 years of age must have parent or guardian permission to call. Guests at Disney's Yacht Club Resort ... Yacht Club vs Beach Club? : r/WaltDisneyWorld Yacht is very old time/classic marine and nautical think navys/ reds/ grey tones, while beach club is a little more whimsical 80s cape beach vibes with brighter/ lighter colors. You have access to all the same amenities including the pools. Beach club is slightly closer to Epcot and yacht club is slightly closer to boat launch and Hollywood ... Beach Club vs Yacht Club Between the two, Yacht Club is a more formal resort than the Beach Club. So if you are a looking for a slightly more relaxed environment, the Beach Club is probably the best option for you. And that makes perfect sense with the themes, as a beach is generally a more relaxed environment than a yacht club. a1tinkfans and Heather07438. Boardwalk vs. Beach Club vs. Yacht Club : r/WaltDisneyWorld Boardwalk (Pricest: $1,789 Per Room): I hear this is the newest renovation - the rooms seem stale to me, though and I hear the pool is the "worst" of the 3. Yacht Club (Lowest Rate of Stay: $1,029 Per Room) I've been told this is a bit more upscale compared to the other two and has a great pool. Beach Club (Mid-Level Rate of Stay: $1,444 Per ... Disney Parks: Best Things to Do From Adults Families and Kids Beaches and Cream at the Beach Club serves humongous sundaes. Read Stephanie Machado's full Disney Diary: My husband and I live 15 minutes from Disney World. Here are 7 things we do every time we ... 7 Disney World Hotels That Are Very Demure, Very Mindful The Yacht Club's sister resort is Disney's Beach Club Resort and it offers its own demure charm. Steps away from EPCOT, guests can take a quick stroll from the Beach Club to EPCOT's International Gateway and thrive in the convenience of this resort. Very mindful, indeed. Visiting Disney World in 2025: What to Know Before You Go!! Stormalong Bay at the Yacht Club/Beach Club is the best pool in Disney World, and unfortunately won't be available from January 2025 - June 2025. The lazy river, sand bottom pool, and adjoining Shipwreck Pool area will be closed, and honestly, this is a reason not to skip staying at Yacht Club or Beach Club for the first half of 2025. I would like to visit the Animal Park during ... The boats will first stop at Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Hotels, and then at Disney's Yacht & Beach Club Resorts before docking across Crescent Lake at Disney's BoardWalk. You can also soar in a Skyliner gondola to the International Gateway stop at the back of EPCOT after making a quick transfer at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort. Once you ... catamaran gulet motorboat powerboat riverboat sailboat trimaran yacht