disney yacht club reviews 2022

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

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

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

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

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

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

Yacht Club Restaurants

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rooms 

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

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

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

Prices at Yacht Club

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

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

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

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

Things to Do at Disney’s Yacht Club 

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

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

See Epcot Fireworks

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

Take a Ride on the Skyliner

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

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

Eat Ice Cream

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

Dine with Characters

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

Float along the Lazy River

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

Play Games in the Arcade

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

Ride the Friendship Boats

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

Build Sandcastles

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

Make S’mores

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

Rent a Boat

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

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

Stroll along the Disney Boardwalk

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

Play Volleyball

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

Enjoy an Evening Movie

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

Play Mini Golf

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

Swim Some Laps

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

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

Join a Kid Friendly Party at the Pool

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

Play Tennis

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

Zoom Down Waterslides

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

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

Book a Fireworks Cruise

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

Transportation

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

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

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

Is Disney’s Yacht Club Worth It?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Ultimate Guide to the Best Rooms at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort

Staying at a Disney World deluxe resort usually comes with beautiful theming, nice rooms, and perks like Extended Evening Hours . One might argue, though, that one of the most beautiful deluxe resorts in Disney World is Disney’s Yacht Club .

This deluxe resort is a popular choice for guests wanting easy access to EPCOT or Hollywood Studios, which are both just a walk or boat ride away, or because of the epic pool, Stormalong Bay, which is almost like its own waterpark. It’s easy to decide why guests stay here, but, which rooms are the best ?

The Yacht Club is a five-story deluxe resort and is themed around the refinement of a New England yachting club. The resort has a soft gray exterior accented by striking red and white striped awnings and the interior is lined with warm woods, nautical instruments, and a giant globe as the lobby centerpiece. The resort faces Crescent Lake, is close neighbors with Beach Club Resort, and has the best resort pool on property. You’ve picked a beautiful resort to spend your Disney vacation, but let’s look at the best rooms!

The Yacht Club rooms are elegant and stately and might be a bit “executive” and bland when compared to some of its counterparts. Keeping with the nautical theme, you’ll find warm woods, navy blue and beige contrasted against crisp white. But one of the favorite elements in the room are the navy curtain which features fictional Disney constellations and a bit of whimsy to this otherwise rather corporate feeling room.

There are 635 guest rooms and 21 suites at the Yacht Club. The rooms are typically 381 square feet and feature two queen-size beds, a daybed, and a desk with chairs. There are some different categories to choose from: Standard View, Garden View, Water View, and Lagoon or Pool View .

For an extra cost, there are also 70 club level or concierge rooms on the fifth floor Regatta Club. Those these rooms are basically the same as standard rooms, they do offer access to additional amenities, including:

• An exclusive check-in area
• A concierge cast members to assist with personal vacation needs
• Nightly turndown service
• Access to a club lounge stocked with complimentary food and beverages

4th Floor Rooms

The top floor is typically reserved for the Club level rooms, but the next best thing without that concierge price tag is the fourth floor. These rooms provide better views (no matter what you’re direction you’re looking), but particularly if you have a Pool View where lower level rooms would just give you views of the back of pool lounge chairs.

Gazebo View

You won’t find “Gazebo View” listed in the options, but rooms ending –48, –50, –52, –54, and –63, as well as odd-numbered room –67 through –97 over look the gazebo which make for a serene view. And you even be in for a show if one of the Disney’s Fairytale Weddings occurs there during your stay (no invitation required!).

Corner Rooms

Rooms that fall on the corner of buildings sometimes come with a little extra elbow room or even an extra window. For that chance to snag not just one views, but two look at these options, rooms ending in: -001, -009, -114, -122, -027, -043,  -065, -155, -163, -164, -201, -209, -210.

If you’re looking to be closer to EPCOT, Stormalong Bay, and the Beach Club, ask for rooms ending in -190 through -241. If you’re looking for rooms closer to the Swan and Dolphin and Hollywood Studios, ask for rooms ending in -001 to -054.

So if you’re looking to book a stay at Disney’s Yacht Club and want the best room available, keep these in mind! You can also always check out our reader reviews of Yacht Club here .

The Ultimate Guide to the Best Rooms at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

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Have you ever stayed at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort? Let us know in the comments!

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Ultimate Review of Disney’s Yacht Club Resort

Posted on Published: 04/11/2023

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

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

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

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

This post contains affiliate links. A purchase/click through one of these links may result in a commission paid to us at no additional cost to you. 

Save money on your Walt Disney World theme park tickets by booking through  Get Away Today . They offer vacation packages as well as individual ticket sales.

A Review of Disney’s Yacht Club Resort

Location of the resort.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Disney Yacht Club Rooms

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Amenities the Resort

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Disney Yacht Club Restaurants

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Have you stayed at the Disney Yacht Club Resort?

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Janice Lipshy

Monday 4th of July 2022

Are there any three bedroom resorts in Disney World

Jodi Grundig

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

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort Review

Yacht Club Resort is a luxury hotel at Walt Disney World within walking and boat distance of EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. This Deluxe Resort review features reimagined room photos, and info about pools, restaurant, transportation, on-site benefits & amenities. Plus, pros & cons of these accommodations. ( Updated September 15, 2024 .)

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

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

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

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

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

If you’re debating other options in the Crescent Lake area–or beyond–we’d recommend first reading our  Rankings of ALL Walt Disney World Hotels from Worst to Best . Yacht Club actually is the lowest-ranking Crescent Lake on that list, but it still performs fairly well. Moreover, Yacht Club is a very taste-specific hotel, as explained here.

If Yacht Club does “click” for you, there’s a very good possibility it’ll be your personal favorite of the Crescent Lake area resorts. So don’t take that list as the gospel. Read the explanation and check out the photos here to understand whether this might be a good or great fit for your family!

Let’s check out what the guest rooms offer…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Not only that, but it also has a lazy river, an excellent ‘shipwrecked’ water slide, tons of places for lounging, and an excellent poolside bar. While many Walt Disney World resort hotels now no longer allow “pool hopping,” this was the first that introduced the concept, and the pool that most vigorously enforces the no-hopping rule.

The excellence of this pool really cannot be understated. It’s basically a mini water park. (For everything you need to know about Stormalong Bay and its policies, see our Guide to Pools at Walt Disney World: Rules, Info & FAQ .)

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

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

The Skyliner makes for easy midday breaks when you’re doing Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and is extremely advantageous for Early Entry. Knocking out Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and Slinky Dog Dash before the park even opens to day guests is huge. The benefits of the Skyliner cannot be overstated–we prefer it to the monorail.

With that said, the Skyliner is much more valuable for Art of Animation, Pop Century, and Riviera Resorts than any of the Crescent Lake ones. That’s because it’s seldom faster to take the Skyliner than it is to simply walk to DHS. Sure, the Skyliner is more fun and easier (and won’t tire out your feet), but walking is the most efficient–and predictable–option.

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

When you consider the prices guests are paying to stay at a Walt Disney World resort hotel with “Deluxe” accommodations, it’s ridiculous that the buses make stops at multiple resorts. On the plus side, at least there’s one centralized stop.

It’s frustrating that Pop Century, a budget hotel, has dedicated and efficient bus service but it can take an hour to get to Magic Kingdom via buses from the pricey Epcot-area resorts. (Although makes us happy when we pay the comparative bargain price to stay at Pop Century!)

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

All of this comes at a cost, as regular rack rates at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort start at around $500 per night and go up from there depending upon the season and room category. This puts it among Walt Disney World’s most expensive hotels, but still not as expensive as the Magic Kingdom area hotels.

While we love the Yacht Club, we would not stay here without a 30% off room-only Walt Disney World resort discount or the Free Disney Dining Plan promotion . Thankfully, you can find bargains here thanks to discounts–so long as conventions aren’t being hosted at Yacht Club.

As with all on-site hotels, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort offers the standard perks of a Disney-owned hotel, such free transportation around Walt Disney World , Early Entry , and the extended Advance Dining Reservation window. Yacht Club guests can also purchase the Disney Dining Plan , but whether that’s a real perk is debatable. On-site guests are also able to purchase discount MagicBands pre-arrival. Whether these last two things are actual perks is debatable.

One really-for-real on-site advantage is early access to Lightning Lane Multi-Pass, which replaced the Genie+ system in mid-2024. We’re not going to get into the nuts and bolts of it here–see our  Guide to Lightning Lane Multi Pass at Walt Disney World   for that–but the bottom line is that on-site guests have a significant head-start on making Lightning Lane ride reservations. It’s pretty much the only way to score the most popular picks, such as Slinky Dog Dash, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure.

None of that’s unique–guests of all Disney-owned hotels (and a few third party ones!) also offer this. So there’s really no reason to opt for a more expensive Deluxe Resort over a Value or Moderate for the sake of perks. To that point, the one  big  perk offered to Deluxe and DVC resorts is  Extended Evening Hours , which typically occur on Mondays and Wednesdays at Magic Kingdom and EPCOT. We love Extended Evening Hours–it’s arguably the best on-site perk of all, and Yacht Club guests are eligible for this!

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

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

Not sure which Walt Disney World hotel is right for you? Let a professional help you  for free.  Click here to get a quote from a recommended, no-fee Authorized Disney Vacation Planner (Disney’s term for travel agent). They get their commission from Disney, so there is no charge to you for them to book your trip and help you plan! They’ll book your trip, help you with dining reservations and itineraries, and apply the best discounts to your reservation. Using an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner is the win-win option if you’re overwhelmed by the complexities of Walt Disney World and don’t want to do all of the “homework” yourself.

Planning a Walt Disney World trip? If you’re interested in learning more about hotels, our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page is a good place to start. For where to eat, try out our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews page. If you want to save money on tickets or determine which type you should get, 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 unconventional things you should take on your trip. Once you arrive at the parks, our Walt Disney World “Ride Guides” are great for determining what to do and when to do it. For overviews of all of these topics and so much more, the best place to start is our comprehensive Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide to make the most of your experience!

Your Thoughts

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

Written by Tom Bricker

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Disney’s Yacht Club Resort Review (Why We Love This Nautical-Themed Hotel)

Often, I forget how much I enjoy a resort until we get to stay there again. However, Disney’s Yacht Club is not one of them. I’ll never forget the first time I stepped ashore at the Yacht Club’s dock in the misting rain on a cold December evening. It was nearly dark, and it was probably the worst time to visit a resort for the first time.

But I had heard many nice things about the Yacht and Beach Club. So, I was determined to visit during this vacation. “This is where we’re staying next time,” those words rang through me. That’s when it all started: my love for the resorts at Walt Disney World .

We felt warm and welcome upon entering the lobby and seeing the massive globe and holiday decor. Eventually, we figured out how to navigate our way to the Beach Club. Both resorts are charming in their unique ways. The Yacht Club is the more formal, masculine side of the resort, while the Beach Club is soft and casual.

Anyone with a love for sailing or all things nautical will find themselves at home at Disney’s Yacht Club. Between its prime location and a long list of amenities, the resort is hard to top. As we continue this review of Disney’s Yacht Club, we’ll share our latest stay at the resort. Additionally, I’ll include a few pros and cons to consider when planning a stay. Let me unravel the knot for you.

Over the years, I’ve overheard many describe the New England-style Yacht Club as stuffy. I find it anything but that. Since our initial visit, it’s become a place I call home. Disney’s Yacht Club indeed has a more formal feeling than its sister resort, Disney’s Beach Club. However, I find the resort to be stylish while remaining casual. Of course, the Beach Club offers a more beachy vibe with a softer color palette. Those considering both resorts will likely want to read that review as well.

Related: Disney’s Beach Club Review

Before we go any further, there is one other essential item you might like to consider. Disney’s Yacht Club is a dog-friendly resort. That means there are designated rooms or floors where you can bring a dog.

Disney’s Yacht Club underwent a complete refurbishment several years ago, updating nearly every portion of the resort. However, it’s been a while since the rooms were completed, so we expect to see a room renovation sooner rather than later. The resort’s exterior boasts a pretty grey siding with white trim. Its subtle colors make for a lovely backdrop against the luscious green grass and landscaping.

If you’ve been following our recent coverage of the resort, you know we planned a stay at Disney’s Yacht Club for a variety of reasons. But first and foremost, it was time for several updates on the site regarding the resort. We also planned to attend After Hours at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. We have a separate review of that experience if you want to learn more: Hollywood Studios Disney After Hours Review .

For reference, Disney’s Yacht Club is part of the Epcot Resorts Area , so the resort is directly between Hollywood Studios and Epcot. Therefore, you can walk from the resort to both theme parks. This location will be hard to beat compared to other alternatives. Furthermore, staying here made it convenient for us to switch between our planned priorities.

Not only is walking to two parks a considerable benefit, but the hotel resides on beautiful Crescent Lake . So it’s one of the most pleasant places to take a leisurely stroll at Walt Disney World.

If you plan to spend a decent amount of time at Epcot or Hollywood Studios, I strongly suggest considering any resorts within walking distance of the parks . Other resorts in this area include:

• Disney’s Beach Club Resort
• Disney’s Boardwalk Inn
• Disney’s Swan and Dolphin Resort

Another reason I love this area is that it provides teens with a great place to roam without worrying too much. When my son turned 14 (the age at which you can enter a park without an adult), he loved that I gave him some freedom to walk over to the nearby parks. Additionally, Epcot has multiple festivals throughout the year. If you plan a vacation primarily to visit any of the festivals, Disney’s Yacht Club is an excellent hotel option.

Disney’s Yacht Club has a classic interior with elements like sailboats, knots, and leather mixed with pretty shades of blue and gold. Modern furnishings were added to the lobby during its latest refurbishment.

You might even catch a glimpse of a giant hidden Mickey in the central rug. It’s the largest one I’ve encountered.

A massive globe, the lobby’s centerpiece, sits prominently on display.

On this visit, we were in room 2126, which was only a short walk down the second-floor hallway. We enjoyed walking out of our room and down the stairs to the lobby so quickly.

If you want to enjoy a more private space, there’s a small sitting area at the top of the stairs.

You might also notice the carpet is on point. No pun intended. It features a compass pattern.

Disney’s Yacht Club is slightly different from the other deluxe resorts regarding accommodations. It’s the only upscale resort without a separate Disney Vacation Club. However, next door, Disney’s Beach Club is home to the Beach Club Villas, a Disney World Villa Resort . All of the villa resorts are Disney Vacation Club (DVC) Resorts.

Related: Disney’s Beach Club Villas Review

Most of Disney’s Yacht Club rooms sleep up to five guests. However, club-level rooms usually sleep four guests. If you’re curious about club level, we have an entire article covering the experience.

Related: Club Level at Disney’s Beach Club

Here are the following room view categories at Disney’s Yacht Club:

• Standard View (Roof or Parking Lot View)
• Garden or Woods View (View of Gardens)
• Water View (View of Crescent Lake or Stormalong Bay)

Additionally, the Yacht Club has several two-bedroom suites for those needing a larger space. Those suites sleep up to six guests.

We booked a standard guest room with a garden or woods view for this stay. Our room had two queen-size beds and a futon-style sleeper.

Some rooms have king-size beds with a daybed. However, those rooms are usually considered an upgrade. Rooms at Disney’s Yacht Club have solid surface flooring that resembles hardwood. Here is the fold-down sofa that converts to a fifth sleeper.

Our guest bath was split with a separate vanity area from the water closet. There were two sinks, and our bath had a tub with a shower combination.

While our view was private, there wasn’t anything outstanding about it.

We’ve stayed in a water-view room at Disney’s Yacht Club in the past. This is my all-time favorite room view at Walt Disney World, and I’ve stayed at many resorts.

I enjoyed this view so much that I woke up every morning and sat on the balcony. During the day, we would visit the parks for a bit before coming back for a break. My first thought upon entering the room was to head out to the balcony. We would get ready for dinner in the evenings and enjoy a drink on the balcony before leaving. Then, when we returned to the room after dark, we would enjoy the view of the fireworks from Epcot.

I could have sat there all day and indulged in the comings and goings below.

Overall, the guest rooms at Disney’s Yacht Club are relatively simple and modern. The beds are platform-style, which allows room to store luggage underneath. One of the items that I liked the most was the curtains, which feature Disney-inspired constellations.

In addition, our room had a built-in closet across from the bath area with a safe, coffee maker, and mini-refrigerator. We have a separate article that features a video tour of the room and photos of all the details.

Related: Room Tour of a Standard Guest Room at Disney’s Yacht Club

There are plenty of dining options at Disney’s Yacht Club and within the nearby area. However, all of the resorts in the area lack counter-service options.

The Market at Ale and Compass is the primary counter-service dining option at Disney’s Yacht Club. Unfortunately, most of the items are pre-made, which is not a good look for a high-end hotel.

Related: The Market at Ale and Compass

During our stay, I stopped for a few updated photos, but not much has changed since our last visit.

Plenty of chips, candies, and allergy-friendly alternative snacks were available.

Here is the refrigerated case with various bottled waters, beverages, soda, juice, and pre-packaged meals.

There’s a case with several novelty ice cream treats toward the back. To the left of the case, there’s a microwave for anyone to use.

Disney Rapid Fill Mugs are available for purchase at The Market. They are good for the entire length of your stay at any resort refillable beverage station.

Related: Rapid Fill Mugs at Yacht and Beach Club

Additionally, The Market at Ale and Compass has a decent coffee bar. Here are a few of the available items.

You can preview the full breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu here on Disney’s site. Below is a photo of the dining area inside the counter service.

Ale and Compass Lounge is located off the resort lobby. It offers a small appetizer menu and a fairly unique selection of cocktails. We often enjoy stopping in for an order of Parker House rolls.

Related: Ale and Compass Lounge Review

Ale and Compass is one of our favorite restaurants at Disney’s Resorts. This location serves one of the best breakfasts at Disney, as well as lunch and dinner. Plus, they have a to-go menu on the mobile-order portion of the My Disney Experience app.

We had breakfast one morning during this stay, and I had the Salted Caramel Apple French Toast. It was divine. But as you already know, my favorite item here is the chocolate waffle.

Related: Ale and Compass Breakfast Review

We’ve had everything from the Vermont Cheddar Burger to the Fish with Fries for lunch and dinner.

Related: Ale and Compass Lunch and Dinner Review

Crew’s Cup Lounge is located down a hall off the Yacht Clubs’ lobby. This location serves as the lounge for Yachtsman Steakhouse. Don’t skip out on this location, thinking it’s just “another lounge” because it’s not. Crew’s Cup doesn’t require reservations and has a full menu with food and beverage options. On this visit, we stopped in to try the charcuterie board. It was delicious and more than enough for two people to share.

Related: Crew’s Cup Lounge at Disney’s Yacht Club

Yachtsman Steakhouse is the signature dining location at Disney’s Yacht Club. We’ve had the opportunity to dine here several times in the past. Yachtsman specializes in serving prime cuts of beef. On your way to the table, you will pass a butcher-style display of said meats.

However, the best part about dining at Yachtsman Steakhouse is the onion rolls. They are delicious, and the server will bring roasted garlic to the table for you to enjoy with them.

Related: Yachtsman Steakhouse Review

Lastly, we have Hurricane Hanna’s, a walk-up waterside bar and grill that serves Stormalong Bay, the pool area. This counter-service location offers burgers, chicken nuggets, sandwiches, and similar items.

Related: Hurricane Hanna’s Review

Additionally, you might enjoy a meal at one of these restaurants located on the Beach Club side of the resort:

• Beaches and Cream Soda Shop
• Beach Club Marketplace
• Cape May Cafe (Character Breakfast)
• Cape May Cafe Seafood Buffet
• Martha’s Vineyard

We have a complete guide that lists the options at both resorts.

Related: Restaurants at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club

In addition to its location, the Yacht Club has one of the best pools at Walt Disney World . Stormalong Bay is a huge feature pool that’s more of a water park than a pool. It has the following: a lazy river, a water slide, a sand bottom pool, multiple hot tubs, a kids’ pool, and much more!

Related: Everything You Need to Know for Stormalong Bay

We always plan an entire day at Stormalong Bay during our visits. For this trip, we checked into the hotel early to spend the day at the pool. Since our room was ready upon arrival, we were able to put our things away and then head directly out to the pool. However, a large bathroom behind the pool has a separate changing area for guests.

Additionally, there’s a shower with toiletries for guests. So, if you have a late flight, you could spend the day at the pool, shower, and change before heading to the airport.

There’s one other thing I wanted to mention about the pool. The Yacht Club’s water slide sits across the walkway from the pool area at the top of the shipwreck.

Sometimes, guests complain that children have to leave the pool area to enter the water slide. However, I’m sure most guests are unaware that there’s a kiddie pool inside the shipwreck. It’s a hidden surprise to those who dare to take on the Flying Jib water slide.

On a previous visit, we splurged on a cabana rental at Stormalong Bay. While the rental was pricy, it was an experience we won’t soon forget. We have a separate article that details our day.

Related: Poolside Cabana Rentals at Disney World

Outside the pool area, several beaches are available with chairs and swings. Below is a photo of the fire pit where marshmallows are roasted each evening. Additionally, Movies Under the Stars are usually held in this area on the beach when it’s warm.

There should be several activity schedules posted around the resort.

These schedules list the times for the campfire, poolside activities, crafts, and other various recreational items. Toward the bottom, it lists the nightly movie schedule. It was cooler in the evenings during our stay, so movies were being held at the Beach Club’s Solarium.

Guests looking for a more private relaxing spot at the Yacht Club will enjoy the resort’s quiet pool, the Admiral Pool.

Related: The Pools at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club

It has a whirlpool spa.

There is even a tennis court.

Additionally, the resort’s main laundry facilities are located near the quiet pool, so if you need to do a little laundry, this is an excellent location. I usually start our laundry, then grab a bite to eat and enjoy a peaceful lunch by the pool.

Related: Laundry Facilities at Disney’s Yacht Club

Disney’s Yacht Club is home to Bayside Marina. The marina offers motorized boat rentals that you can reserve in advance.

This is also the location to meet for Epcot’s fireworks cruises.

Disney’s Yacht Club has a fitness center called Ship Shape Health Club. It sits directly behind Stormalong Bay and is shared with the Beach Club. Ship Shape is a convenient facility that offers anything needed to get a good workout while on vacation. In addition, the gym has cooling towels and a place to refill a water bottle.

Related: Fitness Centers at Disney World

If you prefer to run outside, there’s no better place than the running trail around Crescent Lake. You’ll run into several trail maps around the resort during your stay.

Related: Best Jogging Trails at Disney World

Lastly, Disney’s Yacht Club shares an arcade with the Beach Club. Lafferty Arcade sits next door to the Ship Shape Health Club. Here is a look inside.

As we discussed earlier, the Yacht Club’s location is one of the resort’s most significant benefits. In addition to being able to walk to two parks, the resort offers boat and bus services. The Yacht Club has a dock right outside its back door at the lighthouse. Disney’s Friendships boats provide transportation to the surrounding resorts, Epcot, and Hollywood Studios.

Related: Disney’s Friendship Boat Service

If you prefer to walk, Epcot is less than 10 minutes away. For Hollywood Studios, the walk takes approximately 15-20 minutes. Walking on the way back to the resort is a great way to decompress after visiting the parks. Guests traveling to the following theme parks and destinations will want to take a bus from the Yacht Club.

• Magic Kingdom
• Animal Kingdom
• Disney Springs
• Blizzard Beach
• Typhoon Lagoon

Yacht Club’s bus stop is outside the resort’s main entrance.

Both resorts (Yacht and Beach) share bus service, so don’t be surprised if your bus stops at Beach Club before heading to your destination. Yacht Club is the first stop upon return. Guests can also walk to the International Gateway or Hollywood Studios to use the Skyliner gondola transportation. This is a great option for anyone visiting Caribbean Beach or Disney’s Riviera Resort for a meal. For more information, we have a guide with tips on the best way to get to and from the Yacht Club.

Related: Disney’s Yacht Club Transportation Guide

Resorts Gal’s Spin on Disney’s Yacht Club

Is a stay at Disney’s Yacht Club worth the price? My answer is that it’s entirely up to your budget. However, if you can reasonably afford to stay at the Yacht Club, I don’t think you’ll regret it.

We love to stay at Disney’s Yacht Club because we enjoy the classy style of the resort, the pool, and the location. It’s our vibe. That said, Disney has a ton of excellent deluxe resorts that might be more what your idea of a vacation is than mine. All of the great options can make the decision difficult.

For example, while I love the Yacht Club for its location, you might enjoy a resort like Disney’s Polynesian. It has a tropical Hawaiian feel that you might consider more relaxing. ( Disney’s Polynesian Resort Review )

Another favorite is the Animal Kingdom Lodge. While this is not my favorite resort, it ranks as our choice for the best resort at Walt Disney World due to its uniqueness. ( Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Review ) Additionally, we love to stay at Disney’s Contemporary Garden Wing . However, the Contemporary is not for everyone.

Final Thoughts

We hope this review of Disney’s Yacht Club provided an overview of whether or not the resort will work for your family. We love staying at both the Beach and Yacht Club. Even during this most recent stay, I thought about how I’ve never tired of staying here. These are also the resorts I almost always compare with other hotels.

As someone fortunate to travel often, I always eventually get a little homesick for this place I love dearly. Some of the days we’ve spent at Stormalong Bay are my best Disney memories. I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I do.

Wrapping up this Disney’s Yacht Club review, I wanted to add a few points to remember about the resort.

• Staying at Disney’s Yacht Club offers the opportunity to save a considerable amount of travel time between two parks. Additionally, the ease of being close to Galaxy’s Edge at Hollywood Studios and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at Epcot only add to the convenience.
• Since Yacht Club is a Disney Resort, resort guests are eligible for early theme park entry .
• Resort guests of the Yacht Club will also have access to extended evening hours for deluxe resort guests .

For more nearby Disney World Resort Reviews , try these articles:

• Disney’s Swan and Dolphin Review
• Disney’s Boardwalk Inn Review
• Disney’s Riviera Resort Review
• Disney’s Caribbean Beach Review
• Disney’s Coronado Springs Review

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In the comments

What do you think of Disney’s Yacht Club Review? Have you had the chance to stay at this resort? Do you hope to stay here in the future, or do you have any reservations about the resort?

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

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Plan Your Dream Trip To Disney!

The Ultimate Disney Yacht Club Review + Insider Tips

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

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

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

Where Is The Yacht Club At Disney Located?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Checking in to The Yacht Club At Disney

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

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

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

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

Transportation Options From The Yacht Club

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

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

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

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

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

Disney Yacht Club Room Review

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

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

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

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

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

Dining Options At The Yacht Club

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Yacht Club Swimming Pools

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

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

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

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

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

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

Amenities At The Yacht Club Resort

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

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

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

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

Overall Thoughts On Disney’s Yacht Club Resort

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

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

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

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

Reader Interactions

February 23, 2021 at 3:18 pm

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

February 23, 2021 at 9:27 pm

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

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• EPCOT / News / Resorts / Walt Disney World

Your Guide To Disney’s Yacht Club Resort

by Melissa Roden · February 11, 2022

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

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

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

Yacht Club Transportaion

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

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

• 2 Queen Beds and 1 Twin-Size Sleeper Chair or 1 King Bed and 1 Day Bed or 1 King Bed or 1 Queen Bed and 1 Twin-Size Sleeper Chair and 1 Day Bed
• Views of Rooftop or Parking Area
• Sleeps 5 Adults
• 1 King Bed or 1 Queen Bed and 1 Day Bed and 1 Twin Size Sleeper Chair or 2 Queen Beds and 1 Day Bed or 2 Queen Beds
• Views of Garden
• Sleeps up to 5 Adults
• 1 King Bed and 1 Day Bed or 1 King Bed or 1 Queen Bed and 1 Day Bed and 1 Twin-Size Sleeper Chair or 2 Queen Beds and 1 Day Bed or 2 Queen Beds
• Views of Crescent Lake or Quiet Pool
• Sleeps up to 5 Adults 

Rooms and Suites With Club Level Service

Club Level Amenities Include: 

• Complimentary health club access
• Secured key access to the club-level lounge, serving refreshments 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily
• Club Level Concierge – Regatta Club
• Complimentary newspapers in Club Level lounge
• 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds
• Sleeps up to 4 Adults
• 2 Queen Beds and 1 Day Bed or 2 Queen Beds or 1 King Bed
• Sleeps Up to 4 Adults 
• 1 King Bed and 1 Day Bed or 2 Queen Beds or 2 Queen Beds and 1 Day Bed or 1 King Bed
• Views of One of the Stormalong Bay Lagoons
• 2 King Beds and 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa
• Views of Stormalong Bay or Crescent Lake
• Sleeps up to 6 Adults 
• 1 King Bed and 2 Queen Beds
• Water Views
• Sleeps up to 6 Adults
• 1 King Bed, 2 Queen Beds and 1 Sleeper Sofa
• Sleeps up to 8 Adults 

Food & Beverage

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

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

Swimming Pools

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Additional Recreation

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Melissa Roden

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

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Disney’s Yacht Club resort review

January 28, 2021 by Becky 1 Comment

A look at Disney’s Yacht Club resort:

On my most recent trip to Disney I stayed at the Yacht Club. To be honest, it had never been super high on my list of places to try – if anything, I’d heard everyone talking about the Beach Club and figured I would stay there first. The Beach Club themeing seemed more my style than Yacht Club anyway. But I got a much better deal on Disney’s Yacht Club so it was an easy choice!

And to be honest I really loved it there. We stayed in November 2020 and even with things still being a little different we had a fantastic stay.

Location and Transportation

Probably the number one thing for me about Disney’s Yacht Club is the location. This resort is located around Crescent Lake by the Boardwalk, and to me it’s the perfect location. I know the monorail resorts get a lot of hype but I prefer being here. You can easily walk to Epcot and enter through the International Gateway. You can also take a slightly longer walk to Hollywood Studios. In addition they have a boat that goes to both of these parks. Buses run to the Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom. If you’re interested in visiting another resort for a meal you also have easy access to the Skyliner resorts by using the Skyliner right outside of Epcot. This is perfect to try a meal like Topolino’s Terrace at the new Riviera Resort.

This resort is reminiscent of a New England beachside town and much of the decor focuses very heavily on the nautical theme. As Yachts never did much for me I didn’t really think I would appreciate it – and while it’s definitely not my favorite theme for a Disney resort I still enjoyed it more than I expected. It definitely feels a bit more adult and upscale, but it’s also not snobby or somewhere that you might feel a little off bringing kids, like some people feel at the Grand Floridian. The colors are a lot of whites and navy blues which feels bright and welcoming. It would also be a good option for travelers or people with family members who don’t want an overtly Disney theme.

The Yacht Club itself has several great food options. It also is literally next to and shares many amenities with the Beach Club so it’s easy to get to those restaurants as well… and the Boardwalk is a short walk away, so you have lots of food options. At the Yacht Club itself you’ll find:

• Ale and Compass Restaurant (and lounge)
• The Market at Ale and Compass
• Hurricane Hanna’s Waterside Bar and Grill
• Yachtsman Steakhouse
• Crew’s Cup Lounge

The only place we haven’t tried is the Crew’s Cup Lounge. Yachtsman Steakhouse is their signature restaurant, and while it still hasn’t reopened yet we’ve been there a few times in the past. While it’s pricey it is definitely worth the splurge as the food is fantastic. We ordered to-go food from Ale and Compass and this was a great service. It was table service food but we got it packed up so we could eat it in our room. The food was so much better than I expected. The rolls and spreads and the seafood pot pie were really delicious. The Market is your typical quick service and was good for a quick breakfast or our late night arrival. And while we didn’t eat at Hurricane Hanna’s, it’s the pool bar and we got a number of drinks that were great and had wonderful service from the bartender there!

Next door at Beach Club you’ll find Beaches and Cream Soda Shop , Beach Club Marketplace, Martha’s Vineyard, and Cape May Cafe. The Boardwalk is maybe a 1/3 mile walk and there you’ll get AbracadaBAR , Boardwalk Bakery, Trattoria al Forno , Big River Grille and Brewing Works, ESPN Club, and Flying Fish.

I was really happy with our room at Disney’s Yacht Club. It was a standard room but being a deluxe resort it’s pretty large. It feels like a lot of space and there are so many great little touches. I loved the curtains – they had constellations on them in the shapes of Disney characters. The bathroom area has the sinks outside which is always nice. One of my favorite things was a little shelf on the wall next to the bed. This was on the side of the bed that didn’t have the nightstand – I just thought it was so smart because whoever gets that side always gets ripped off! It was nice to have a little place to put my glasses and phone at night.

Another reason why I favor deluxe resorts these days is because of the balcony. For me it doesn’t really matter what the view is. I just like the opportunity to sit outside in the morning while I drink my coffee, or when we take an afternoon break. I can bring my laptop out there and blog or edit photos and enjoy the warmth and sun.

Our room location was great. We were in room 3168, which is on the third floor. It was pretty much as close to the lobby and the elevators as you could be. This had pros and cons – you could easily get to the lobby and out the door to the buses or the parks without walking too much. On the other hand, there was a lot of excess noise due to being that close to the elevators. Our balcony had a view of the bus area. While that might not be the most beautiful view it was actually quite useful! We had our car with us and would debate driving to the parks or taking the bus, and we could look out the balcony and see what the line for buses looked like. 

Yacht Club and Beach Club share a pool, and it’s the best one in Disney World. I mean, of course that is my opinion, but I think it’s a fairly common opinion. The pool is called Stormalong Bay, and you need to be staying there to be able to use it. They will scan your magicband or take your room number in order to get in the gate.

It’s a huge pool and even has its own lazy river. But the best part is definitely the water slide. It’s actually quite long and is more like one you’d find at a water park than a typical pool. I was a little skeptical but it was so much fun. The pool also has two hot tubs available (my favorite).

Disney’s Yacht Club is fairly compact, which is nice. Even combined with Beach Club it’s not huge or sprawling like most of the moderate resorts or bigger deluxes like Old Key West or Saratoga Springs. You can walk everywhere including to Epcot. Anytime I don’t have to wait for a bus is a huge advantage for me.

Things to Do

It will be interesting to see what will return once things start getting back to normal, as a lot of the extras and activities aren’t currently available. There are a number of sports offered, including volleyball, fishing, tennis, and boat rentals. Plus if you enjoy running or jogging it’s really pleasant to run around Crescent Lake. They normally have an arcade, movies under the stars, and campfire activities. And of course you have the pool mentioned above, plus the option to rent a poolside cabana. Fantasia mini golf is also nearby.

Would I stay again?

Definitely. The resort was really nice and I would love to stay here again especially for a trip where I’m planning for more downtime. If I’m staying here I definitely want to build in more pool time. It’s ideal if one of the Epcot festivals interests you, as Epcot is a short walk away. And there are a ton of great restaurants so foodies will be pleased. Since it can be pricey it won’t always be my go-to but it’s one I’m going to try and get back to from time to time!

Thinking about a trip to Disney World? Check out my  Ultimate List of Disney World planning resources   to get you started. If you’d like the assistance of a travel agent at no extra cost to you, email me at  [email protected]   and we can start planning and booking your trip!

Other blog posts of interest:

Boardwalk Resort review Regatta Run at the Yacht and Beach Club Yachtsman Steakhouse review Disney transportation options from the resorts 5 reasons NOT to stay at a Disney value resort

Have you stayed at Disney’s Yacht Club? What do you think of this one?

January 29, 2021 at 10:17 pm

I always loved the Yacht Club! We never stayed there in my recent memory, but it’s always been one of my favorite lobbies to hang out in when meeting someone nearby. That whole area is my favorite place to stay as well, over the monorail resorts. I love being so close to the World Showcase and Jellyrolls on the Boardwalk!

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Disney's Yacht Club Resort

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

What Makes This Resort Hotel Unique

Disney Skyliner Transportation

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

Outdoor Water Recreation Area

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

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

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

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

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

Yachtsman Steakhouse

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

Ship Shape Health Club

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

Dog-Friendly Accommodations

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Need More Room?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

More Magic for Your Stay

A More Magical Stay Starts with "Hey Disney!”

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

Disney Signature Services

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

Enhance Your Stay with the My Disney Experience App

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

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

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

Check In and Check Out with Ease

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

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

Plan, Play, Dine and Unwind

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

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

And that’s only the beginning!

Learn more about the My Disney Experience app .

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

Lightning Lane Passes

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

View Rooms and Prices

Hotel Address

(407) 934-7000

Check Availability

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To stop the session, click the X in the screen-sharing window at any time. You can remain on the phone with the Cast Member.

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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.

Related reading:

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