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The Family Vacation Guide

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What Do the Yacht and Beach Clubs Have in Common?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What Makes Disney’s Beach Club Different?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Dunes Cove Pool
• Volleyball courts

What Makes the Yacht Club Different?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

More about our TFVG Author

James Brockbank

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Disney’s Yacht Club Vs Beach Club

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

Thematic Differences

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

Location and Proximity to EPCOT

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

Room Types and Accommodations

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

Dining Options

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

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

Why should I choose the Beach Club or Yacht Club?

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

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

Related Post: Complete Guide to the Walt Disney World Boardwalk 

Difference in Rooms at Yacht and Beach Club Resort 2024

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

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

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

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

Related Page: Guide to the Virtual Queue at Disney World

Location When Comparing Beach Club Vs Yacht Club 

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

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

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

Related post:  The Complete Guide to the Disney Skyliner Route

Dining at Beach and Yacht Club Resort 2024

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

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

What are the Disney Beach Club restaurants?

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

What are the Disney Yacht Club Restaurants ?

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

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

Disney’s Yacht Club vs Beach Club – In Conclusion

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

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

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

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

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Yacht Club v. Beach Club

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Your Thoughts

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

Written by Tom Bricker

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort lobby. Photo by Danny Shuster.

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.

Bar seating in the Ale & Compass Lounge. Photo by Danny Shuster.

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.

Beaches and Cream seating. Photo by Danny Shuster.

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. 

Stormalong Bay. Photo by Danny Shuster.

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.

Does Stormalong Bay and all that Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts have to offer sound like the perfect summer escape? Book your dream getaway today— just fill out this form to get a quote on your stay from our partners at Destinations to Travel!

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

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

Disney Yacht and Beach Club

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

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

Disney’s Yacht Club

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

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

Disney’s Beach Club  

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Yacht Club vs Beach Club: Which is best?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Disney’s yacht club resort.

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

Browse reader reviews of Yacht Club here!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Disney’s Beach Club Resort

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

Check out reader reviews of Beach Club here!

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

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

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

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

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

Disney’s BoardWalk Inn

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

Browse reader reviews of BoardWalk Inn and Villas here!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Liz, thanks for your comment!

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

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

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

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

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

What is Disney's Beach Club Resort?

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

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

How to book Disney's Beach Club Resort

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

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

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

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

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

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

Related: Rent DVC points via David's Vacation Club

Easy access to Disney's theme parks and more

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

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

Spacious, upscale rooms

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

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

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

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

A variety of dining options

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

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

Related: The best restaurants at Disney World in 2023

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

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

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

Take your pick of fitness and recreational activities

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

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

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

The best pool at Disney World

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

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

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

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

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

Family fun outside Disney's theme parks

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

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

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

Accessibility

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

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

Checking out

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Let our friends at Destinations to Travel help you book your next Disney Vacation. They are the preferred Travel Agency of Chip and Company and Disney Addicts, and who we use ourselves.

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Disney’s Beach Club, Yacht Club & Boardwalk Inn Resorts – How to Choose a Disney World Resort

Post last updated May 26, 2022

Disney’s Beach Club , Yacht Club , and Boardwalk Inn are affectionately known as the “EPCOT” resorts. These three Deluxe tier resorts sit just outside the International Gateway entrance to EPCOT, and provide guests with almost immediate access to EPCOT, and are in very close proximity to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

RELATED READING: Disney’s Deluxe Resorts – Are They Really Worth It?

They are impeccable, have amazing views, and are centrally located on Walt Disney World property. I am excited to share these three unique resorts with you!

Disney’s Beach Club vs. Yacht Club Resorts – Rooms & Pool

First, Disney’s Beach Club Resort and Yacht Club are “sister resorts”. They both have an East Coast, seaside theme to them. Beach Club has more light blue, airy, beachy vibes to it. Yacht Club is a bit “darker”…navy, grays, darker wood tones with a more nautical theme. While they have slightly different nuances to them, you cannot go wrong with either one.

Disney’s Beach Club Resort is all about the beach and having fun in the sun. Of the three, Beach Club is the closest to the International Gateway entrance to EPCOT. The beauty of the Beach Club is found in the sandy white beach area along the water. It’s gorgeous! You can sit all day on one of the swinging benches or chairs, and soak in the atmosphere.

RELATED READING: Disney World Resorts for Large Groups – 5 to 12 Guests

Disney’s Beach Club Resort rooms sleep up to five guests in most of them. They house two queens and a daybed. They have a split bathroom set up, so the toilet and shower are separate from the sink area. And as the new trend in Disney resorts, the beds are raised to allow for under bed storage, they offer hardwood floors, and lots of hidden storage.

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort has more of a nautical, lighthouse feel to it. While guests at both resorts can easily access all the dining options, Ale and Compass is the stand out at Yacht Club. It is very much a hidden gem at Walt Disney World. And of course, you will also find Beaches and Cream. Guests from every resort on property will travel here for the famous Kitchen Sink!

The rooms at Yacht Club are similar to those at Beach Club. They house five guests at the most, with two queens and a day bed. They also offer the raised beds, great storage options, and plenty of space for your family.

Both resorts sit right next to each other, and share restaurants as well as the best pool on Disney property – Stormalong Bay.

Stormalong Bay is not just a pool – it is an entire experience . Stormalong Bay is a 3 acre home to a lazy river, sand bottom wading pools areas, a very large swim area, and a giant ship wrecked pirate ship waterslide.

RELATED READING: Top 6 Disney World Resorts for Tweens and Teens

Dining Options at Beach Club and Yacht Club Resorts

The dining between Beach and Yacht Club has something for everyone! Guests can find a lounge / bar atmosphere at Ale and Compass , Crew’s Cup Lounge , and Martha’s Vineyard .

For sit down options, Yachtsman Steakhouse in Disney’s Yacht Club Resort is a great spot for tasty steaks and stellar service. Guests can find a fabulous seafood menu at Disney’s Beach Club Resort’s Cape May Café . Cape May also serves breakfast, and in the past was home to character dining.

As mentioned above, Beaches & Cream Soda Shop is a sit down location as well. They also offer a smaller ice cream menu at their walk up window. This can be worth using, as the location is small and it is difficult to get an ADR (Advanced Dining Reservation). If you only want a special ice cream treat, definitely use the walk up window!

Guests who want something quicker can find it at the Beach Club Marketplace, the Market at Ale and Compass, or the pool bar – Hurricane Hanna’s Grill .

Disney’s BoardWalk Inn Resort – Rooms & Pool

Disney’s BoardWalk Inn Resort is located across Crescent Lake from the Yacht and Beach Club. Boardwalk Inn is a turn of the century, whimsical resort located on the Boardwalk. Disney’s Boardwalk is so fun at night. Street performers, carnival style games, surrey bikes…..it’s just a fun atmosphere.

The recent refurbishment of the main pool boasts the style of the vintage Mickey and Minnie cartoons we love. Think Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway…..on a pool! It’s so much fun!

Guests of the BoardWalk are literally a hop, skip, or Friendship boat ride away from Hollywood Studios and EPCOT. It is located in such a way that you can easily walk to or take a boat to either park!

The rooms at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn will house five guests. They do need a refurbishment, as they have not been remodeled to the current new style of the Disney resorts. However, that will come in due time, and they are still a great option!

Dining Options at BoardWalk Inn Resort

While the BoardWalk Inn is not known for its quick service dining options, guests still have options. The BoardWalk Bakery , a funnel cake cart, and a walk up pizza window are all your quick service options. There is a small grab and go selection in the gift shop as well as a nice menu at the pool bar, Leaping Horse Libations .

However, the Boardwalk Inn is home to some great table service locations. Trattoria al Forno serves a fabulous breakfast menu. Then in the evening, it serves an authentic Italian menu. You will also find the Flying Fish , a signature dining location at Walt Disney World. Both Big River Grille and Brewing Works and ESPN Club offer guests a kid-friendly menu in a relaxed atmosphere.

All three of the EPCOT resorts offer Club Level for guests who would like to book that room category, and take advantage of those amenities during their stay. They also offer business centers, work out facilities, merchandise shops, concierge, jogging trails, movies under the stars, and various poolside activities.

When you choose to make one of these three resorts your “home” for your Walt Disney World vacation, you honestly cannot go wrong. Of the three, Beach Club is my recommendation . I simply like the airy, light theming of that resort over the rest. However, if you are looking for a great location, fun pools, easy access to two of four theme parks, and a magical experience, any of these will fit that description!

About Carrie - A Princess and Her Pirates

Carrie is a born and bred Ohio girl, who loves anything Disney. She has set sail on Disney Cruise Line several times, and has been to the Disney Park so many times, she has lost count! She loves to share joy and pixie dust on her blog, A Princess and Her Pirates . Minnie Mouse is her favorite, and no Disney trip is complete without a visit to 'Ohana!

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Disney Beach Club Overview: Complete Guide

Disclosure: This Disney Beach Club overview page contains affiliate links. Read  full Disclosure Policy .

Longing for white sands, sunny beaches, and relaxing cape getaways? Then you’ll find yourself right at home at Disney’s Beach Club Resort!

Designed with a vintage seaside cottage feel, the Beach and Yacht Club resorts nestle in along their own private beaches.

Right across Crescent Lake is Disney’s BoardWalk Resort , completing the picture of a beach vacation .

The literal boardwalk circles along the Beach Club, connecting the resort areas of the BoardWalk , Beach Club, and Yacht Club.

This quaint hub feels like a vintage vacation, and will become one of your favorite places at Walt Disney World .

Explore Disney’s Beach Club Resort

Table of contents.

• Resort Snapshot
• Disney’s Vacation Club Villas

Resort Amenities

Sports and recreation.

• Transportation

Resort Location

Contact information, a seaside escape – disney’s beach club resort.

Disney’s Beach Club Resort is one of my absolute favorite places to stay and visit when in Disney World . Filled with the charm and joy of a seaside vacation, easygoing atmosphere will make you fall in love too.

Part of the deluxe tier of Disney resorts , there is an undeniable air of luxury as you explore the resort. The décor has an upscale Victorian air, from the light beach-inspired color palette to the intricate architectural design. Much like when you enter the Grand Floridian, the Beach Club just feels fancy. However, don’t let that feeling fool you, there’s plenty of fun to be had!

Enjoy a refreshing dip in Stormalong Bay, one of the largest (and best) pool complexes on Disney property. Delight in hand-dipped ice cream or gelato, or grab a snack from one of the excellent counter service locations. Take a stroll on the boardwalk or along the beach, appreciating the sights or simply relaxing with your family. Not to mention the incredible photo opportunities, from the full view of the BoardWalk resort to the adorable lighthouse pier.

Furthermore, by far one of the best aspects of the resort is its location. Not only is the resort right next to the Yacht Club and across the lake from the BoardWalk, but you are within easy travel distance from Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Walk right up the boardwalk to enter the back entrance to Epcot, straight into the World Showcase. You can also walk to the Studios, or ride in style on the Disney Skyliner . Either way, you’ll love the easy access to these parks !

Opening November 19, 1990, Disney’s Beach Club Resort joined its sister resort the Yacht Club to form the quaint seaside village we know and love. Designed by architect Robert Stern, the goal with these resorts (and eventually the BoardWalk ) was to create the feeling of vacations gone by, different from the typical resort. In a sense, an upscale vacation experience with all the magic of Walt Disney World !

While both resorts have that coastal vibe, the Yacht Club is more refined, with the Beach Club as its relaxed counterpart. Think country club boatmen versus family vacationers – it’s that sort of difference. Even though there have been some changes and improvements over the years, these resorts have largely remained untouched. That allows them to hang on to both their historical essence and the nostalgia of a beloved Disney resort.

Disney’s Vacation Club Villas – Welcome Home!

In 2002, part of the Beach Club resort was converted to Disney Vacation Club (DVC) Villas. This was the fourth resort to open DVC offerings, expanding the DVC network. With its own pool, DVC room amenities, and gorgeous mint green décor, you’ll settle in to your “beach home” in no time. If you own (or like to rent ) DVC points, the Beach Club Villas are a great option. Particularly if you want to head to Epcot, Hollywood Studios, or both, you can’t beat this location.

The villas share amenities with the rest of the resort, including access to Stormalong Bay, while also having a pool and other areas of their own.

We are huge fans of DVC accommodations, so if extra space and upgrade perks are up your alley, then this is the place for you!

Resort Accommodations

At the Disney Beach Club Resort, you’ll find plenty to choose from when it comes to the room selection . In the main resort alone, there are standard rooms (subcategorized by view), deluxe rooms, and suites. Additionally, for a bit more, you can book some of these offerings with Club Level perks.

Standard rooms and suites all have the same basic amenities:

• Internet – Free WiFi Service
• Telephone with voicemail
• Coffee Maker
• Iron & Ironing Board
• In-Room Safe
• Mini-refrigerator

Such conveniences are typical of a Disney resort stay, making it easy to settle in and feel at home.

At the Club Level, you can take advantage of these extra benefits:

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

These can be particularly nice, especially if you are planning to hang out at the resort throughout your trip. That extra breakfast option doesn’t hurt either!

Room Layouts

In the standard rooms, regardless of view, you could find a number of configurations. Options include two queens beds and a day bed, two queen beds, one king bed, or one king bed and a day bed. What is ideal about these options is when you are booking, you can take into account the type and size of your party and choose the one that is right for you. As the standard rooms are “all in one,” with the bedroom and living areas being the same, take the time to determine what fits your needs. Just traveling as a couple? Spring for the king bed rather than dealing with the extra space of the extra queen. Only have one child? The single bed and day bed would be better for you.

Deluxe rooms are slightly larger than the standard, typically containing two queen beds and one queen-sized sleeper sofa. The views in these rooms can vary as well. The major benefit to a deluxe room would be the extra space and room for one more sleeper. If you’re comfortable jamming six adults into one room, this would give you the space you need without having to pay the addition cost for a suite.

Disney Beach Club also has one and two bedroom suites, as well as two “presidential” level suites, great for larger families or multiple groups.

One bedroom suites have one king bed and a queen sleeper, separated by a set of double doors. This is particularly nice if you are traveling with another couple or with kids, as the separation allows for more privacy. The spacious bathroom easily would accommodate everyone in your party!

Two bedroom suites have a king bed in one room and two queen beds in the other. Additionally, there is a day bed available should you need to sleep a seventh person. Again, this is a great way to get your whole party into one room while still providing privacy to everyone. Multiple bedrooms and a living area also means multiple TVs, which can be a godsend when traveling with kids (or the in-laws).

Presidential Suites

Disney Beach Club Resort has two top-tier suite options – the Nantucket VP Suite and the Newport Presidential Suite. Both are automatically Club Level, and cost top dollar, but if you’re willing to indulge you’re going to be blown away!

The Nantucket VP Suite is perfect for couples, as it only has a king bed and is advertised for two adults. Cozy and romantic, the Nantucket suite is ideal for a honeymoon or private getaway. The suite opens onto a spacious living room with eating nook, which helps to separate the room’s areas for different purposes. In the living room, there’s even a small bar to get the party going right away! From there, enjoy the comforts of a spacious master bedroom and gorgeous bathroom, along with an extra half bath.

Meanwhile, the Newport Presidential Suite is the one you want if you’re booking for a large group. The key word to this suite is spacious . From the moment you walk in, you’ll feel more like you’re in an apartment rather than a hotel room. Enjoy the fireplace in the living room in the cooler months, or spread out with your family on the couches. A massive dining table seats ten, making it easy to accommodate a large party. Not to mention a bit of space to shimmy in a highchair here and there as needed. Mix your own drinks at the bar area connected to the dining space.

You’ll find a king bed in the open and airy master bedroom, with a gorgeous ensuite bathroom. In the second bedroom are two queen beds, perfect for housing the kids in your group all in one space. This bedroom also has a “sitting room” space, which has a daybed, and an attached bath as well. Overall, this is a great option if you need a little extra space and want a nice place to hang out on your non-park days.

At the Beach Club Villas , you see a shift from the typical hotel-style resort rooms to vacation condos. It’s this difference that make Disney Vacation Club (DVC) worth every penny!

Studios all have the following amenities:

• Flat-Panel TV

Villas have all the same features, with the added bonus of an in-room washer and dryer, soaker tub, and full kitchen.

The major benefit to staying in a villa, or even a studio, is the “home” amenities. Trust me, once you’ve had the ability to make your own food in your room, it will be a game changer. I’ve even brought leftovers back to a one bedroom villa and had them for lunch the next day! For many staying on Disney property, this is unheard of, but staying in DVC accommodations makes all the difference.

Deluxe studios include a queen bed, a queen sleeper sofa, and a single pull down bed. For a smaller family, especially with kids, this is a great option. Particularly if you’re spending most of your time out of the room, a studio can be a great choice as a less expensive price.

One bedroom villas have one king bed in the bedroom with a sleeper sofa out in the living area. The two bedroom as a similar layout, with the addition of two queen beds in the second bedroom. Both bedrooms have their own bathroom space, and each bathroom also has a door to the main living area. This is particularly nice if you have people sleeping on the pull-out. That way, they won’t have to go through the bedrooms to get to the bathroom.

During our most recent trip to Saratoga Springs , we stayed in a one bedroom villa instead of a studio. Unless we’re there for a short trip, I don’t think we’ll go back to a studio!

Stormalong Bay

Without a doubt, this is one of the best resort pools in all of Disney World ! I’ve been in love with this pool since the first time I stayed at the Beach Club, and have wanted to go back ever since. Stormalong Bay is like a miniature water park, complete with a 230-foot water slide, lazy river, and whirlpool section.

Not enough? Get this, actual sand lines the bottom of the pool to make it feel like you’re really at the beach! A shallow section of the pool also holds a bit of extra sand for kids to play and build. Don’t worry, it doesn’t feel like the ocean, Stormalong Bay is heated year-round. Even the hot tubs are like their own personal oasis, tucked into different areas throughout the pool complex.

Looking to pamper yourself even further? You can rent a poolside cabana to indulge in extra privacy and comfort. Cabanas have their own padded furniture, television, resort phone, plush towels, and a mini-fridge stocked with complimentary soda and water. You also have access to a small safe for personal belongings you may not want to leave sitting out. While the cabana doesn’t come with food, you can order food to the cabana for an extra charge.

However, I’m not the only one who loves Stormalong Bay. It is one of the most popular pools at Disney World , and can get crowded quickly. Part of the reason for this is that Stormalong Bay is shared between the Yacht and Beach Clubs. Stormalong Bay certainly is big enough to accommodate both resorts, guests tend to hang around the pool for a while. Moral of the story – if you want to go to Stormalong Bay, make sure you get there early. Or rent a cabana.

Oh, and make sure you have your MagicBand or phone readily available, because you will need it to both get into the pool and prove that you are a resort guest. This pool is so popular, that guests from other resorts try to sneak in. Especially during peak seasons, Cast Members may ask to scan your MagicBand to be sure you are actually staying at the Beach Club. Please don’t be offended if this happens to you – the Cast Members are just doing their jobs, and it is really to your benefit. It keeps other guests from taking your space!

Leisure Pools

If you’re looking for somewhere a bit quieter to relax, you might want to try one of the three leisure pools. The Yacht and Beach Clubs each have their own, and the Beach Club Villas have one as well. While each pool is designed to serve the guests in those areas, all the pools at both the Yacht and Beach Clubs (including the Villas) are open to all Yacht and Beach Club guests.

Ship Shape – Massage, Spa, Salon, and Fitness

If you’re looking for a place to pamper yourself or get a good work out, you want Ship Shape , the massage, salon, and fitness center. Located at the Yacht Club, but available to all guests, Ship Shape is a great way to keep up with your workout routine while you’re on vacation. You can use the fitness center at any time of day or night, just use your MagicBand to swipe yourself in.

You can also take advantage of the incredible spa services, including massages and facials. Get a little “me” time with a Swedish massage for yourself, or indulge in a romantic massage for two. Add a reflexology foot massage, aromatherapy, or extra time to any massage appointment for a bit extra.

Right next store to the spa, you can find the salon. Get any haircut or treatment you can imagine, for women, men, and kids. They even have a special session designed just for your young Mousketeers to make them look like a Disney character of their choosing! The salon also offers a wide variety of nail services, whether you need a touch up or want to get your nails done for a special night out.

If you are planning to use either the spa or salon, you’ll need to book in advance. Call (407) 939-7727 for spa appointments and (407) 939-4526 for the salon. Only guests 18 and older can book the appointments, although younger guests can absolutely use the facilities (while accompanied by an adult). Please note, if your plans change, you need to call to cancel within six hours of your appointment window to avoid paying for the full price of your service.

Driving yourself? Those that choose to travel with their own transportation, will have an overnight parking fee each night of your stay. At the Beach Club, the fee is $25 a night or $33 for valet. The parking charge goes on the bill at the end of your vacation, so you don’t have to worry about paying it every day.

A benefit to paying this fee is that you don’t have to also pay to park at the theme parks . This can save you both time and money as you can skip the bus and not pay to park. I’m not going to lie, there’s something nice about having your own car versus waiting on Disney transportation, so don’t fret about bringing your own car.

If you are a DVC member (not just renting DVC points) you are exempt from the parking fee.

I often get asked the question “ What is there to do other than going to the parks? ” My response always is “ Everything else! ”

There’s no shortage of non-theme park activities, both at the resort and around Walt Disney World, that you never need to worry about being bored.

Fantasia Gardens and Fairways Mini-Golf

Not far from the resort is Fantasia Gardens and Fairways Miniature Golf , one of the two mini-golf locations at Walt Disney World. While this isn’t right on Beach Club property, you can catch a boat over to the Swan and Dolphin and then walk, snag a bus, or use a ride share.

Mini-golf is a great way to spend the evening, particularly after a large meal, and is fun for the whole family. I personally don’t feel like my Disney trips are complete without at least one round!

This particular course has two options, Fantasia Gardens and the Fairways.

Fantasia Gardens is more of the traditional, themed mini-golf course. Enjoy the colorful and exciting course based on the Disney film Fantasia , featuring the music from the movie as well as the beloved characters. Be careful, there are more than a few fountains on this course that just might get you!

For lovers of traditional golf, the Fairways course is designed like a miniature version of a standard course, complete with hazards (so a literal miniature gold course!). If you have older members in your party, or just want to avoid the crowds of the Fantasia course, this would be a great option!

Pirate Adventure Cruise

Do you have any lovers of pirates among your kiddos? Consider booking them a Pirate Adventure Cruise!

Sailing out of the Bayside Marina, guests ages 4-12 can join a pirate crew and set sail across  Crescent Lake and Epcot park’s World Showcase Lagoon. Your little sailors will hear the tale “The Legend of the Albatross” while they search for hidden treasure. At the end of the excursion, the successful crew will split the pirate bounty and enjoy a feast (snack) together!

Especially if you have a booking at the spa or the salon, this is a great way for your kids to be entertained and try something new. If you have littler ones, we suggest that you make sure they are accompanied by an older child from your party.

Evening Activities

Looking for a fun and low-key activity to end your day? Try roasting marshmallows over a campfire before watching a movie under the stars!

Located on a lawn outdoors near the volleyball courts, you’ll find Cast Members waiting for you with the materials for your delicious snack before showing a family-friendly Disney film . You and your family can snuggle up outside right by the Boat Rentals, or in the Solarium depending on the weather.

This is a great way to wind down for the evening before heading back to your room for the night. Especially if you don’t have to get up early for a park the next day, you have to give this a try!

Traditional Sports

Like many of the Disney resorts, the Beach Club makes available plenty of more traditional sports opportunities.

You can rent surrey bikes for a ride for the whole family, clacking and ringing your bell all along the boardwalk. Enjoy tennis or the jogging trails if you need to get out of the hotel room or if you want to get your exercise. As the boardwalk joins all the Epcot resort areas, you could just run the loop around Crescent Lake in the morning for a smooth and consistent route. This is a great way to get moving in the morning, without having to travel particularly far. If you’re up early enough, you’ll get some fantastic pictures of the BoardWalk, Yacht Club, and Beach Club!

Right by the Tidal Pool, there are a few beach volleyball courts if you’re looking for a friendly game. These are first come, first serve (no pun intended).  

You can even go on a guided bass-fishing excursion if you’re dying to get out on the water. Head out onto Crescent Lake, and see what’s biting!

Boat Rentals

Even if you’re not into fishing, you can rent motorized boats of various sizes to cruise around the lake. Zip around in the Sea Raycers, explore in the slightly larger Boston Whaler, or take the whole family on a slow and smooth pontoon ride.

The Sea Racyers are particularly great, as they are light and speedy. Built for two passengers, have a blast racing your family members around the lake. Just be careful of other crafts! As the drivers only have to be 12 years old, I have plenty of fantastic memories of skootching around with my sister, way before I could even drive a car!

Transportation Options

For those guests flying in and out of Orlando International Airport, the best option is Disney’s Magical Express (at least until they finish building the train !). This free service will relieve much of the hassle of beginning and ending your vacation, so you’ll want to take advantage of it! On our most recent trip, I was amazed all over again how using Disney’s Magical Express took the stress out of that leg of our journey. If I’m flying, I’m using it!

The Beach Club is also serviced by the Disney bus transportation, taking guests from the resort to the parks and Disney Springs. The busses won’t directly take you to other resorts, but if you head to Disney Springs you can catch a bus to a different resort. The Yacht and Beach Club each have their own bus stop, but will take the same bus, so make sure you’re getting off at the right place. Disney Beach Club Villas use the Beach Club stop.

Of course, the Beach Club is so close to both Epcot and Hollywood Studios that it might just be faster to walk. In fact, if you’re trying to do anything other than walk to Epcot, you’re going to end up costing yourself time!

As the Beach Club is on the water, you also have access to Disney’s water transportation . These boats are a fun and relaxing option, particularly if you have the time just to enjoy the ride. There are several stops along the boardwalk ring, making it easy to cross the lake if you don’t want to walk. This boat will take you on to Epcot as well. You can also take a water taxi over to the Swan and Dolphin then to Hollywood Studios. This transportation option does move at a more leisurely pace, so if you’re in a hurry you might want to choose something else. Otherwise, skip the bus and board a boat!

Beach Club guests also have easy access to the newest travel method – Disney Skyliners . A Disney Skyliner station is located at the International Gateway to Epcot, the back entrance of the park. Just a quick walk from the resort and you’ll be off in a gondola! This is a great way to get to Hollywood Studios or to the other resorts on the line – Riviera Resort and Caribbean Beach.

Disney’s Beach Club Resort is part of the Epcot Resort area, right in the backyard of the park (pretty much literally, you can see Canada and France from some of the upper floors). When getting off of Florida’s I-4, you’ll want to exit on to Epcot Center Drive before turning on to East Buena Vista Drive. The resort will be on the right, past the BoardWalk resort.

While you can trust your GPS to take you there, it might be worth looking at the map ahead of time. Occasionally, the GPS will take you to the incorrect entrance.

Resort Address:

1800 Epcot Resorts Boulevard Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830-8443

What could be better than a Disney vacation at your own mini-beach paradise? Nothing! (Ok, except maybe a Disney Cruise , but that’s another story). Head over to Disney’s website and start the process now! For questions regarding booking or and existing reservation, call (407) 939-5277 to speak to a cast member. If for some reason you need to contact the resort directly, call (407) 934-8000.

Get ready to soak up the sun at Disney’s Beach Club Resort!

Grace Hoyos, Staff Writer

Grace is a life-long lover of all things Disney, particularly the parks at Walt Disney World. She is also an avid Disney Cruise Line enthusiast who regularly dreams of the white sands of Castaway Cay. Grace loves the fact that her Disney trips give her time to spend with her family, enjoy incredible food, and try new experiences.

All is for sake of golf

Pestovo Golf club is built in accordance with international standards and it doesn’t have any analogs in Moscow and Moscow Region. The championship course is prepared for games at the highest level — it can host prestigious major tournaments. Professional coaches of the Golf academy can teach a beginner or give valuable advice to already experienced golfers and children Academy will develop the potential of the youngest golfers.

Membership in the private closed club «Pestovo» is a lifetime privilege opening multifaceted opportunities of sports and cultural life of modern golf community.

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Away from the bustle

Pestovo golf club is situated in a picturesque place on the shore of Pestovo reservoir. Here is no city noise but only fresh air, landscapes and cozy country houses. Its nature and developed infrastructure turn Pestovo into a quiet corner for family vacation.

Moscow region

City district Mitishi Village Rumiancevo, Nikolskaya st., private demesne 1, building 1

With care of your recreation

There are all the necessary things in our country complex for comfortable rest of your entire family. This is not only a championship golf course but it’s also a club house, restaurant, fitness club and yacht club. Qualified staff puts the life in the country club on a new level.

The restaurant «Pestovo»

Yacht club «Pestovo»

Winter Golf

One of the most memorable events of the winter season took place.

Image Source Troparyovo is a small beach which is located in the large grounds of the Troparyovsky Forest Park. This beach is one of the favorite Russian beaches in Moscow among local individuals. Moreover, this beach is considered as an ultimate place to gain a swimming experience and calm down in the south-west corner of the city. Moreover, the Troparyovsky is a well-liked preoccupy for the Moscow’s younger people as most of the visitors can hire catamarans, bicycles, rollerskates, and boats for an unassuming sum.

The place is more adventurous and exploratory — or the individuals who are interested to know about – what the hamster experiences like — they can attempt their hand at the water sorbing on this lake. Moreover, there are many other facilities that get on this place such as – a big sports field, free Wi-Fi, and a wide children’s play region that add a lot to the charm. The place doesn’t have any kind of flashy services such as the beach resort, thus, it is the ultimate place for spending a tranquil day with your family. Also, there is a big car parking facility which is just next to the Ulitsa Akademika Vinogradova, if you are coming from your car. Moreover, it is a short walk distance from the metro.

Location : 12 Akademika Vinogradova St, Moscow, Russia Famous For : Sports Things To Do: Bicycling, rollerskating, swimming

Must Read: 15 Interesting Things To Do In Moscow: Trekking, Opera, And More

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3. Rublyovo Beach

Image Source Rublyovo Beach is known as Russia’s most esteemed regions that offer a relaxing experience with rich and beautiful surroundings. From beach games to wakeboarding and for the special foam party, there is something for everybody to take pleasure in this upscale and fashionable resort. Kids gain a lot of fun for many hours in the special and huge children’s area which is featuring from the remarkable waterfall.

Moreover, most of the Saturdays in the summer season the club also hosts the late-night beach parties for the young revelers. The water is very clean, the sand is too much silky as well as there are a plethora of beach relaxing chairs. Thus, get a dip and enjoy the most relaxing atmosphere of this place. The entrance cost of this place is 200 rubles.

Suggested Read: Shopping In Moscow: 14 Top Places That Will Make You Believe The City Is As Classy & Chic As Milan

4. Chyornoye Ozero

Image Source This picturesque and charming beach is situated on the edge of the forest which is located at the east of the city, Moscow. If we translate the name of this lake in English, the meaning is “black lake”. The ‘black lake’ admittedly sounds similar to the name of a worthless horror movie than an alluring beach resort. But don’t go with the name. Despite its misty appearance which is generally caused by the peat on the bottom of this lake – the water of this lake is very clean and also it is perfect for the summertime swim. There are also a plethora of cafes, restaurants, hire boats on rent, and many other facilities that are more upscale than this beach club offers.

Once you are established in your beach costume, you will experience like a shelter of tranquil, far from the busy streets of the city. There are a wide playground and the lifeguards which mean you do not need to be anxious if you go with your kids. This beach is also free for all visitors. Thus, the place offers a more relaxing atmosphere to have fun, enjoy a picnic, and swim in water this summer.

Location : Zelinograd, Microdistrict 6, Moscow, Russia Famous for : Black Lake Things to do : swimming, cafes, boating

Suggested Read: 20 Fascinating Places To Visit In Moscow That Reflect The Real Russian Beauty!

5. Bolshoi Gorodskoi Prud

Image Source Bolshoi Gorodskoi Prud pond and beach is most popular in Moscow, due to its location, pristine condition, and size. This beach is located in the west region of Moscow. The entrance to this place is free. Moreover, on the hottest summer season, you get the space on the sand to ground your parasol.

The place offers many activities such as sunbathing and swimming. In fact, people can play air hockey, billiards, volleyball, ping-pong, and even hire a boat on rent and discover the bursting length of this pond. This area is ideal for the families as the place offers a particular kid’s zone with many aquatic attractions, such as water slides, swings, and more.

6. Levoberezhny Beach

This sunny beach is lined with multiple cafes and restaurants, volleyball courts and soccer pitches to have a good time out in the sun with your beach pals. The beach here has grassland and does not have sand, you can take a riverboat tour and purchase tickets for these from the station.

Location : 5 Pribrezhny Lane, Moscow, Russia Famous for : Riverboat Tour, Picnic spot Things To Do : Picnic spot, Riverboat tour, cafes, restaurants, volleyball courts, soccer pitches

7. Meshcherskaya Recreation Area

A small recreational spot, it can be thoroughly enjoyed with your friends who will have a great time hiding away from the sun in the woods. The beach occupies a tiny spot with sand and a grassy patch along with woods in the background as it is located in a village.

Location : 5 Voskresensky St, Moscow, Russia Famous For : Boating Things To Do : Boating, Biking

8. Beloye Lake

Beloye Lake is the only Lake in Moscow where swimming is officially allowed and locals can also enjoy fishing as the lake has plenty of them. The water is said to be cleaner and there is a famous landmark, the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in its proximity.

Location : 2/6 Zaozernaya St., Moscow, Russia Famous For : Swimming Things To Do : Fishing, Swimming

9. Beach Club

Everybody deserves to pamper themselves after a hectic day at work. To beat the heat and escape the scorching sun, head to the Royal Beach Club to cool off and revive yourself after a stressful week of work. As fancy as it sounds, the Beach Club is slightly heavy on the pockets but, the facilities available at this club are top-notch. You can even rent a room for the night and enjoy the tranquil sunrise just before your morning swimming session. The pools are heated, there are VIP areas and the white sand is frequently renewed which is brought in from the Maldives.

Location : 39 Leningranskoye Highway, Moscow, Russia Famous for : Watersports, Wedding Photoshoots Things To Do : waterskiing, dining-in

10. Shkolnoye Lake

With an interesting history behind this lake, this small pond makes for a perfect spot for all recreational activities located amidst the urban chaos. You can find cafes nearby to grab a quick bite and kill your hunger pangs.

Location : Zelinograd, Microdistrict, Moscow, Russia Famous for : Swimming Things To Do : Swimming, Boating

Further Read: With The Red Square Turning White, Snowfall In Moscow Hits A 100-Year High!

Thus, this summer season plans your vacation to these interesting and offbeat places. Though, when the climate gets warm the local populace goes off for the swim as there are many beaches in Moscow that offer you a unique Russian vacation experience.

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8 Yacht Clubs and Marinas in the Philippines to Moor Your Boat In

FoodfindsAsia.com | 8 Yacht Clubs and Marinas in the Philippines to Moor Your Boat In | Filipinos’ history as a maritime people date back to prehistoric times. In fact, the Philippines’ basic sociopolitical unit today, the barangay, traces its etymological origins to the balangay , the ancient outrigger boats that were used by precolonial Filipino communities to explore and conquer islands this side of the Pacific. As a people belonging to a seafaring culture, it’s no wonder that modern Filipinos are taking a retrospective look at their glorious past as Austronesian mariners and are developing a renewed love for the ocean and marinas as present-day yachtsmen.

Today, Philippine marinas look to accommodate more and more yachts and other pleasure watercrafts as the years go by. In 2017, an ASEAN Briefing op-ed piece named the Philippines as a country with high potential in yacht industry growth. The natural beauty of the Philippine islands and its fantastic bays, combined with a growing interest in leisurely sea travel, can explain the spike in yachting activities throughout the country.

Are you part of the demographic that’s become enamored of the yachting lifestyle? Do you want to know where in the country you can berth your watercraft? Leading sailboat and motorboat authority Europa Yachts is happy to enter the conversation, and recommends the following locations for discovering the Philippines through yachting. Here is a short list of clubs and marinas in the country, organized by island region.  

Manila Yacht Club and Marina, Manila, Metro Manila

Established in 1927, the Manila Yacht Club and Marina is one of the oldest yacht clubs in all of Asia, and is nestled in the scenic Manila Bay. It is also near other well-known landmarks in the city, such as the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), the headquarters of the Philippine Navy, and the US Embassy. Facilities in the marina include a launching ramp and a fueling center, and the club itself is host to a restaurant and gorgeous function rooms. The Manila Yacht Club only welcomes visitors who arrive by boat, and it charges an initial security deposit of USD 750 upon arrival. Club membership is mandatory for medium and long-term mooring of boats.

Subic Bay Yacht Club, Zambales

The Subic Bay Yacht Club, which was founded in 1998, upholds itself as the country’s premier yacht club. It operates in the deepest bay in the country, and can host vessels well beyond 50 meters in length. Already benefitting from the innate beauty of the Zambales mountains surrounding it, the club hosts a number of other attractions, including its luxury accommodations, swimming pools, and its own movie theater, bowling alley, and nightclub. Those who venture outside of the club’s premises can also shop for well-priced imported goods at the Subic Freeport Zone, engage in water sports , or sign up for diving excursions.

Punta Fuego Yacht Club, Batangas

Peaceful Punta Fuego is a mecca for those who love the sport of sailing. As per its official website, the Punta Fuego Yacht Club aims to serve “a dynamic and vibrant community of boat enthusiasts and yacht owners.” This it does by playing host to a diverse population of watercrafts, from large catamarans and mono-hull yachts to small boats. Non-members of the club may use the berths for up to 3 weeks, and can refuel at the marina’s fueling station. The yacht club offers other amenities such as locker rooms, shower rooms, Internet facilities, a chart room, and a restaurant called Barracuda Bar, which serves delicious fares. Outside of the yachting crowd, Punta Fuego Yacht Club also caters to those wishing to celebrate weddings, conferences, and corporate events in their opulent quarters.

Puerto Galera Yacht Club, Oriental Mindoro

Further south, yachtsmen may moor at the Puerto Galera Yacht Club in Oriental Mindoro, an island location that’s home to tourist attractions like the Sabang Wreck dive site, lively beachfront resorts, and the Malasimbo Music Festival. Puerto Galera Yacht Club has been in operation for almost thirty years and lends services such as refueling provisions and yacht repairs from its marina. Boat owners also enjoy optimal convenience if mooring here, as they can also shop for spare parts in the nearby Batangas port.

Busuanga Yacht Club, Puerta del Sol Bay Marina, Palawan

Beautiful Palawan is a bucket-list destination for many, especially those who dream of cruising its crystalline waters. Accommodating the yachting community in this island province is the Busuanga Yacht Club, which promises secure mooring amidst breathtaking white-sand beaches. Here, each vessel will benefit from a typhoon-safe harbor, easy refueling, and direct access to transportation hubs like the New Busuanga Airport. Adjoining this marina is the Puerta del Sol Bay Resort, which offers luxurious accommodations to visitors. When not atop the deck of a boat, travelers can also explore the lagoons and freshwater lakes of Coron, go shipwreck diving, or relax in the hot springs of Maquinit.

Iloilo Sailing Club, Arevelo, Iloilo City, Iloilo

Iloilo Province is home to some of the country’s most beautiful old-world architecture, a flourishing ecotourism industry, and delectably fresh seafood cuisine. What will round off an unforgettable visit to Iloilo, however, is an excursion to the Iloilo Sailing Club on a leisure watercraft. The club accepts visitors and encourages membership in the case of medium and long-stay mooring. It also hosts a number of amenities and activities, including a dinghy storage, a beach bar and restaurant, and classes for those who want to learn about sailing. In recent months, the Iloilo Sailing Club has also been a convenient meet-up point for big maritime events, such as the Iloilo-Guimaras Paraw Regatta and the Seafarers’ Job Fair.

Cebu Yacht Club, Mactan Island, Cebu

The historic Mactan Island in Cebu was the site of Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan’s arrival in the Philippines. Now known as a commercial hub that hosts a prolific furniture and musical instruments industries, Mactan is also the location of the Cebu Yacht Club, an institution that is beloved by the locals. Aside from being an ideal spot to restock on much-needed fuel and supplies, the Cebu Yacht Club is also a trusted club to commission for boat repairs. There’s a good vibe in this club for everybody, as it sports both luxury accommodations and a waterfront strip of restaurants that laid-back diners can frequent. MINDANAO

Holiday Oceanview Marina, Samal Island, Davao del Norte

The Holiday Oceanview Marina is a major attraction of Samal Island in Davao del Norte Province, one that welcomes Filipino and foreign yachtsmen alike to moor within its premises. The space is quite roomy, in fact, with 56 berths that can fit vessels up to 15 meters in length. The club also has a boat ramp that can accommodate boats up to 18 meters in length. The well-guarded and weather-safe marina is a gateway to some of Mindanao’s finest attractions, such as the Pearl Farm, Hagimit Falls, and Giant Clam Sanctuary.  

There’s no better way to discover the Philippines from end to end than getting onboard a seaworthy vessel and going on a long cruise, with stops in some of the most beautiful places in the country. Find a safe harbor in any of these major clubs and marinas, and participate in the renaissance of sailing in the Philippines.

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