yacht club disney boardwalk

Countdown to Magic

Disney’s Boardwalk Inn vs Yacht Club – The Best Resort?

So you’ve narrowed your Disney World Resort list down between two options: the Boardwalk Inn and the Yacht Club.  But which one is the best option for you and your family?

Well, in this article, I’m going to let you know what each resort has to offer its guests, and outline some notable pros and cons of each hotel, as well.  Hopefully, by the end of this article, you’ll walk away with a good idea of which resort won the battle of Disney’s Boardwalk Inn vs Yacht Club!

Boardwalk Inn vs Yacht Club

Let’s begin this by discussing resort type.

Resort Type

Both the Boardwalk Inn and Yacht Club are considered to be “ Deluxe Resorts ” by Disney’s standards. In short, this means they are considered to be in the best resort category when looking at resorts on Disney property. 

As a deluxe guest, you will have access to early park hours, as well as extended park hours. This is one reason why some people will only stay at a deluxe resort. Besides that, the deluxe class of resorts are beautiful and offer great amenities and theming.

If you’ve narrowed your choices down to either Boardwalk or Yacht Club, chances are that you’ve decided you want to be close to Epcot. 

Situated on Crescent Lake, both of these resorts are within walking distance to Epcot. You’ll also have easy access to the Skyliner that will get you to Hollywood Studios. 

This is a great mode of travel, and you will have quick access to both parks. You can even take a longer stroll by walking directly to Hollywood Studios (though I do not recommend this).

However, for Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom, you will have to rely on the bus to get you there from these resorts.

The location overall is fantastic for both options, with no real clear winner here.

Yacht Club Dining Options

As both of these resorts are walking distance to one another, I’m only going to focus on dining options that are contained within each resort. Bear in mind, though, that if you want to skip over to one of the other resorts restaurants, you can very easily do that.

We will start with the Yacht Club. Since the Yacht Club is connected to the Beach Club , I will also include some of those options here.

For casual dining with an American seafood bias, Ale & Compass is a great choice for breakfast or dinner. The prices are on the lower side of most upscale dining options, so this is a good restaurant that offers a lot of value for money.

Next door at then Beach Club, we have the beloved Beaches & Cream. This is a staple for many families that visit Disney World . This is your classic American diner food option, like cheeseburgers and French fries. They also offer many milkshake and sundae options, hence the “Cream” part of the name. 

Crews Cup Lounge is a great place to cool off with a cocktail after a long day in the parks. This laid back bar lounge also serves up quick bites to eat with their tasty drinks.

The Yachtsman Steakhouse is one of the best Steakhouses on Walt Disney property. Le Cellier barely beats it out by my vote, but this steakhouse is fantastic signature dining. And it’s located right at the heart of the Yacht Club Resort. This is a must try if you are staying at the resort.

Boardwalk Inn Dining Options

Moving on over to Boardwalk Inn, we’re going to start with one of my favorite Italian restaurants — Trattoria al Forno. Here you can enjoy a character breakfast for the kids , and at dinner you will have a host of Italian options to choose from that are sure to please.

For a great quick service lunch option, look at the Pizza Window. The name implies exactly what you are going to get—hot pizza delivered to you at a window. Don’t let that fool you though, this pizza joint serves up a great slice of pie when you are pressed for time.

For a nice cocktail to wind down after a long day, look at making a trip over to AbracadaBar. This quick service bar harkens back to the magicians and illusionists from ages before. They have some really great drinks, and you can also grab a quick bite to eat if you are in a pinch. 

For your signature dining at the Boardwalk, Big River Grille & Brewing Works offer a great entree paired with a huge beer selection. And yes, it’s actually a brewery! So you can get beer that you will not see anywhere else, and also eat a great steak in the process!

A quick tip for one of my favorite sugary treats: you can visit the Funnel Cake Cart and grab a hot, ready to eat Funnel cake. Make sure and add this to your list if you are staying at the Boardwalk!

I’m going to come right out and say it—Yacht Club (and Beach Club) have the best pool, in my humble opinion, on Disney Property. 

Stormalong Bay is a 3 acre beachside pool area that sits in the middle of Yacht & Beach Club. 

With 3 leisure pools and a sandy bottom beach pool, you will be hard pressed to find an area at Stormalong Bay where you can’t enjoy a relaxing moment to yourself. 

Surrounding the pools is also a lazy river that will let you float around the whole 3 acre area while you sip your favorite cocktail that you can pick up at the beachside cabana.

To cap it all off, there is a 230’ waterslide that races you down from Crescent Lake to Stormalong Bay. 

Though this contest is easily won by Yacht Club, we have to mention the pool over at the Boardwalk Inn.

The Luna Park Pool is a carnival themed water escape, with a 200 foot waterslide. Here, there are all sorts of statues that harken back to the 1920 amusement parks. 

They also have a nearby lounge for refreshments. 

I can’t mention the pool here and not bring up the crazy clown that looks like something directly out of a horror film. Thankfully Disney took notice, and removed the clown , so you don’t have to worry about him haunting your dreams, should you choose the Boardwalk Inn.

It’s hard to narrow down the price difference here, as the price points are ever changing throughout the year. 

What I can say, however, is although they both go up and down depending on the season, the prices are usually relatively neck and neck. 

So I don’t think it’s terribly important to put a lot of attention on this. If you are looking at these two resorts, the money you will save will be negligible, so the better option is to pick the best one for you and your family based on the other elements. 

Yacht Club has relatively newly designed and revamped rooms. Though some people complain that it reminds them of a cramped cabin on a boat (which is part of the theme, hence “Yacht Club”) they are still spacious enough that you won’t feel too tightly packed in. 

I think that feeling is generated mostly due to the low ceilings, but the room really shines everywhere else. Sporting a sleek and modern look, I suppose one could argue the rooms look too dark or modern . I find them personally to be in line with my tastes, and I enjoy the more updated designs.

Over at the Boardwalk Inn, they have some of the oldest rooms situated around Crescent Lake. With a serious lack of outlets, these rooms are not as functional as the ones you’ll find at Yacht Club.

The design is a bit old and outdated, though some people find them beautifully executed. You’ll have to be the judge here and check out the pictures for yourself. 

Final Thoughts

This is an easy choice for me. If you haven’t figured it out by now, if I had to choose between these two deluxe resorts, I’d be putting my money toward the Yacht Club .

With the bonus addition of being a double resort connected to Beach Club, you also get access to the best pool on Disney Property along with some of the best signature dining options around. 

And while I prefer Yacht Club in this Boardwalk Inn vs Yacht Club battle royale, this does’t mean that the Boardwalk Inn is the wrong choice for you and your family. 

If you enjoyed this article, please “like” our brand new Countdown to Magic Facebook page !

You Might Also Like These Articles:

• Disney’s Contemporary Resort vs Coronado Springs
• Disney’s Polynesian vs Yacht Club
• Disney’s Riviera Resort vs Grand Floridian
• Disney’s Riviera Resort vs Beach Club
• Disney’s Art of Animation vs Polynesian

Michael has been visiting Disney World since he was a kid. He's also been to Disneyland and sailed on the Disney Dream. Michael is the owner and editor of Countdown to Magic.

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Yacht Club vs. BoardWalk Inn Disney World Resort Guide 2023

By Kim LaPaglia Leave a Comment

Planning a trip to Walt Disney World can be complicated — especially when you’re trying to choose between  25 resort hotels .  If you’ve narrowed down your choices to these hotels, how do you make your final selection?

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort

Well, we’re here to walk you through the differences between Disney’s Yacht Club Resort and Disney’s BoardWalk Inn .

Whether room size, location, pools, and/or restaurants are most important to you, we share the information that you’ll need to make an informed decision.  After all, we want you to stay at the hotel that is best for your family!

Let’s get started and look at all the details so that you can plan your Disney trip with confidence.

Lobby at the Yacht Club

There’s no doubt that Disney vacations are expensive , and no one wants buyer’s remorse when it comes to what can usually be the most EXPENSIVE part of your Disney trip . The best way to tackle such a massive decision like this is with as much logic as possible, so we broke down this comparison into five categories: Common Ground, Theme/Rooms, Pools, Food, and Transportation .

Let’s get started on your vacation research.

COMMON GROUND

Before we mention their differences, let’s take a look at what Yacht Club and BoardWalk Inn have in common. First, both offer Deluxe Resort accommodations with a similar resort layout . You’ll discover luxurious amenities and unique themeing at both hotels. Plus, both boast   many of the same perks . In addition, each offer the same convenient transportation options at an amazing Walt Disney World location. Both of these resorts feature nautical, seaside themes !

Disney’s Yacht Club Lobby

But, what about the prices? Well, this is where you’ll first see a difference. In fact, you’ll save a bit by opting for the Yacht Club . However, the most expensive rooms are large villas at BoardWalk Inn. The Disney Vacation Club (DVC) Villas can be booked by Disney Vacation Club members or cash-paying guests .

For the Yacht Club , that means that for the cheapest room at the  cheapest time to visit, you can expect to pay around $537 per night (not accounting for any tax or current discounts), and it goes up to $3,877 per night (not accounting for any tax or current discounts) for the most expensive rooms at the  most expensive time to visit.

For BoardWalk Inn , that means that for the cheapest room at the  cheapest time to visit, you can expect to pay around $597 per night (not accounting for any tax or current discounts), and it goes up to $4,455 per night (not accounting for any tax or current discounts) for the most expensive rooms at the  most expensive time to visit.

BoardWalk Lobby

Let’s dig a little deeper to see what you can get for the money at these resorts!

Extra Theme Park Hours Benefits for Disney World Resort Hotel Guests

Theme/rooms.

These are not your standard hotels. Get ready to enjoy beautiful lakeside accommodations.

BoardWalk Deli

But whether your stay takes you to the sophisticated Yacht Club or the vintage BoardWalk, you’ll find that both of these options provide delightful Disney amenities .

Yacht Club Resort

Ahoy maties, straighten that ascot and slip on those boat shoes, you’re about to set sail into the Disney resort themed after the grand and sleek yachting clubs of New England. And no, Disney does not require that you own a yacht to stay here (phew, that’s one expense you won’t have to factor into your Disney trip!).

Yacht Club Lobby

This resort makes “subtle” look good. It’s sleek, elegant, and streamlined — like, well, a yacht. If you’re visiting Disney World for a business conference, this hotel might just be the right speed for you as it encompasses a rather executive vibe to it. There are some very nice, and perfectly adequate furnishings, but the rooms themselves just don’t scream lavish.

Our favorite touch in these otherwise “character-less” rooms are the curtains that feature fictional constellations inspired by some of our favorite Disney pals.

The Yacht Club renovated and updated the rooms in 2017 resulting in a more sophisticated appearance with dark woods, crisp whites, and deep navy blues.  They definitely don’t have the personality that you can find at the Contemporary and Polynesian . So, if you’re looking for a room with some “character,” the Yacht Club may not be your jam. Note that standard rooms are about 381 sq. ft.

Why You Should Add Disney’s Yacht Club to Your Resort Hopping List Right NOW

Boardwalk inn.

Welcome to the charming turn-of-the-century Atlantic boardwalk themed resort, aptly named BoardWalk Inn. The BoardWalk brings in vibrant colors reminiscent of a seaside amusement park. In essence, the BoardWalk Inn balances the fun of the theme with the luxury of a deluxe resort.

Stroll the boardwalk!

The rooms last received a bit of a touch up and spruce back in 2016 and with the ongoing construction and other resort renovations may see some TLC, soon . We hope the room updates and renovations keep with the classic Disney charm we’ve come to love and aren’t watered down to look like other standard hotels. Standard rooms at 434 sq. ft. sleep five people.

Charming BoardWalk hallway!

Given the charming color palette and light fixtures in the updated hallways , we have high hopes for the new room decor!

So, this really could be down to what type of vibe you want on your vacation.

For cost, we give the edge to Yacht Club, however if a larger room is important to you, you’ll want to look closer at BoardWalk Inn. We’re giving a slight edge to Yacht Club right now due to the ongoing construction at BoardWalk Inn.

4 BIG Changes (Including New Restaurants) Announced for Disney’s BoardWalk

When the weather is HOT or you just need a break from park queues, head to your resort pool! After all, the pools have their own unique features and special theming.  Feature pools at Walt Disney World hotels usually have at least one slide and also offer poolside activities. Look at the hotel’s recreation schedule for more information. These swimming spots are family-friendly with at least one whirlpool spa.

Pool Slide at BoardWalk

Note that poolside towels are always complimentary.

The Yacht Club may be understated when it comes to its lobby and resort rooms, but it is not to be outdone in the pool category. Disney’s Yacht Club shares a pool complex with its neighboring resort, the Beach Club, Stormalong Bay.

Stormalong Bay

Stormalong Bay is a destination on all its own . This pool complex is almost like its own mini-water park, with sand at the bottom and even a lazy river! Whether you take advantage of the ‘shipwrecked’ themed water slide or leisurely float around the lazy river, this pool delights guests of all ages.

Stormalong Bay at Disney’s Beach Club

Stormalong Bay is also nestled in close to Beaches and Cream , an iconic ice cream shop, providing over-the-top milkshakes, sundaes, and comfort junk food essentials like burgers and grilled cheese sandwiches.

The BoardWalk Inn has three pools — the main pool called Luna Park and two “leisure” pools for folks that are looking for more chill than thrill for their watery adventure.

Luna Park Pool

The Luna Park pool used to be the home of the  clown water slide  that lit up at night and may have caused an entire generation to need therapy. Luckily for you fine folks, you get to enjoy the renovated model of the  Keister Coaster  pool slide.

BoardWalk Inn Pool

Mickey, Minnie and Friends enjoy a pool adventure with you on this 200-foot-long slide.

This fun pool is 184,217 gallons and is just steps away from the amusements on the Boardwalk where you can easily grab a quick ice cream or margarita and then jump right back in the pool.

Both have relaxing pools with pool bars, lounge chairs, and splash areas. Again, it might boil down to just what your style is. Do you want to soak in a whimsical pool area? Or something a bit more coastal with sand and a lazy river?

Stormalong Bay Shipwreck Waterslide

Our heart leans towards the Yacht Club because that pool is just epic! Toes in the sand and relaxing down a lazy river with a shipwreck-themed water slide is our idea of a wonderful poolside escape.

10 Hidden Secrets About Disney World Pools

Because we are Disney FOOD Blog, we take food seriously. Very. Seriously. And we love it all. We love the cheap, comfort of plastic cheese , and we love the high-brow sophistication of a wine flight or a multi-course pre-fixe meal . We don’t discriminate; we are a lover of all foods. Since food is SO important, let’s see how these resorts stack up against each other in the restaurant category.

Hurricane Hanna’s is a pool bar, tucked under the Stormalong Bay waterslide, that provides fixes for your hunger without having to wander too far from the pool.

The Yacht Club is home to two lounges, one quick-service market, a table service option, and a Disney Signature dining restaurant . Not to mention its close proximity to Beach Club and all of those dining options.

The Market at Ale & Compass

For an ideal spot to relax with a nightcap while winding down in the evening, or to grab a bite or two from their substantial appetizer menu, head over to Ale & Compass Lounge . The Ale & Compass Lounge is one part of the  Ale & Compass dining concept  at the Yacht Club, which also includes  The Market at Ale & Compass  and the  Ale & Compass Restaurant .

Ale & Compass Lounge

Located right next to  Yachtsman Steakhouse  at  Disney’s Yacht Club Resort , the  Crew’s Cup Lounge is a great place to get a bite and a drink in a relaxing, cozy atmosphere — and it’s a DFB favorite! In addition to  specialty cocktails and a full bar ,  a robust food menu  is served during evening hours as well, including a few full meals. During dinner hours at the Yachtsman, you’ll have a direct view through a glass window of steak being prepared for the steakhouse – so cool!

Crew’s Cup Lounge

Ale & Compass Restaurant  is the  table service  component of the Ale & Market dining concept in Disney’s Yacht Club, which also includes  The Market at Ale & Compass  along with the refreshed  Ale & Compass Lounge . The atmosphere offers a  gastropub ambiance while comfort food (New England-inspired) is featured  on the menu. A la carte options for  breakfast  include classic American breakfast fare, with a few twists like the Dark Chocolate Waffle and Salted Caramel-Apple French Toast, and a pastry buffet option may be paired with your choice of entree. Casual  lunch  options include Fish & Chips, burgers, and more.  Dinner  offerings feature specialties like the New England Seafood Pot Pie and Pappardelle pasta dishes, among others.

Ale and Compass Restaurant

The Market at Ale & Compass  is a  Counter Service  location at  Disney’s Yacht Club Resort . Simple convenience is the name of the game, with a focus on grab-and-go items. However, hot sandwiches, specialty desserts — and even a coffee bar — round out the options nicely. Open for  breakfast, lunch, and dinner .

Yachtsman Steakhouse comes highly recommended by any discerning carnivore. The  steaks here are some of the best on property , and the service is often excellent.

8-oz Filet Mignon

This craftsman-inspired dining room at  Disney’s Yacht Club Resort  caters to all tastebuds with a variety of dishes, incredible sides, and amazing, cut-in-house steaks.

Is The CHEESIEST Soup in Disney World Hiding at This Forgotten Restaurant?

The BoardWalk Inn has been updating and renovating many of the common areas including some of the dining options on the actual boardwalk. We’ve seen the rebranding of the BoardWalk Deli (formerly the BoardWalk Bakery ) and look forward to the new Cake Bake Shop .  Inside the BoardWalk lobby, the fan-favorite Belle Vue Lounge reopened with new furnishings , that received some humdrum remarks from loyal guests for losing its charm and looking like it was furnished by Wayfair. And Carousel Coffee recently opened serving up pastries and Joffrey’s Coffee with a rather subdued vibe for a joint named after a bright and vivacious carnival attraction. Let’s take a look…

At  AbracadaBar , according to the story, you can still feel the magic in the air at this  former secret haunt of boardwalk magicians and entertainers … a group that  mysteriously vanished over 70 years ago. Guests can experience their lingering magic in the sights, sounds, and even tastes (through the signature “Curious Cocktails”) in this enchanted lounge!

AbracadaBar

Atlantic Dance Hall is another bar on the BoardWalk. Looking for a place to get your groove on? Boogie down to music from the 80s through today at Atlantic Dance Hall! You can request your favorite music videos, and dance along as they play on the large screens above. Shake your groove thang, and get your dance on with a group of friends! Please note that Atlantic Dance Hall is limited to guests 21 and older and typically open Thursday through Sunday nights from 8PM to 1AM.

Atlantic Dance Hall

The  Belle Vue Lounge  is what many call a “rare find” at  Disney’s BoardWalk Inn . Modeled after  a 1930s sitting room , it has nice touches like board games and working radios playing shows from eras past. Tucked right off the main lobby, this lounge is a great place to  relax and enjoy a drink after a long day at the parks. Guests can also  stop here for coffee or pastries in the morning .

Belle Vue Lounge

Head to a real brewing factory at Big River Grille & Brewing Works ! Here you can sample many different kinds of beers, along with great  burgers, steaks, nachos, and more . The  floor-to-ceiling glass walls  in the Big River Grille & Brewing Works restaurant provide a glimpse into the beer-making process. Watch while an  on-site brew master crafts the establishment’s beers. Or sit outside and enjoy the BoardWalk atmosphere and water views.

Big River Grille & Brewing Works

Step back in time to a seaside boardwalk village on Crescent Lake where turn-of-the-century charm meets savory eats and sweet treats at the BoardWalk Deli .  Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are offered, and guests enjoy items like house-baked bagels or a hand-piped cannoli.

BoardWalk Deli has pastries and sandwiches

Craving a cool treat while strolling along the Disney World BoardWalk? Then stop by   BoardWalk Ice Cream ! This ice cream to-go store scoops up simple sundaes and cones made with Edy’s brand ice cream. The treats here are said to be inspired by the beloved  Beaches & Cream Soda Shop  at the nearby Beach Club Resort.

BoardWalk Ice Cream

BoardWalk Joe’s is a stand on Disney World’s BoardWalk that is known for ONE thing: “Marvelous Margaritas!” For a relatively small kiosk, there is a surprising  variety of flavorful margaritas available — and sometimes you’ll happen upon a seasonal concoction! A  selection of snacks  such as pretzels and roasted nuts is also available. Non-alcoholic smoothies (including one made with Dole Whip!) are also on offer.

Boardwalk Joe’s

Stop by the Pizza Window on Disney World’s BoardWalk for a piping hot pizza pie! One of the most relaxing and fun things to do at Disney World is stroll along the Disney BoardWalk, taking in all the sights and smells around Crescent Lake. With 9,000 square feet of entertainment, shops, and restaurants, there are several options for a quick bite to eat. Why not grab some fresh pizza from the BoardWalk Pizza Window? They serve up whole pizza pies and pizza by the slice  (and Sangria to go with it, for of-age guests, along with fountain drinks). Grab one of the cafe tables outside or stroll while you eat.

BoardWalk PIzza

If you happen to be walking down Disney World’s BoardWalk and you’re in the mood for a quick snack, be sure to stop at the  BoardWalk To Go kiosk. At this kiosk you’ll find baskets of  deep-fried treats including fried mac and cheese bites and corn dogs. You can even grab a meal combo built around a hot dog, cheeseburger, or pulled pork sandwich. (Note: BoardWalk To Go has permanently closed.)

Boardwalk To-Go

The Cake Bake Shop by Gwendolyn Rogers is coming to Disney World’s BoardWalk in 2023! This new Table Service restaurant will serve items for  brunch, lunch,  and  dinner  featuring both  sweet and savory menus .   Afternoon tea service  will be offered as well! And guess what? Guests will also be able to pop in for a  quick treat  by grabbing something  to-go from the bakery case !

Concept art for The Cake Bake Shop

You can find   Carousel Coffee  at  Disney’s BoardWalk Inn. This spot is located right off the Resort’s lobby, making it a perfectly convenient spot for your pick-me-up cup!  Coffee, tea, and pastries  (including options by Joffrey’s Coffee) are on offer. Keep an eye out for seasonal drinks and unique options like a Dark Cherry Mocha Frozen Blended Coffee. As far as the eats, you can grab classic snacks such as the Vintage Mickey & Minnie Sugar Cookie, Banana Bread, Croissants, Muffins, NJ Crumb Cake, Bagels, and a Mickey Brownie.

Carousel Coffee

Flying Fish  is a  signature restaurant  that serves  gourmet seafood  to guests on  Disney World’s BoardWalk.  Many tout both the sea and land dishes here. (The Char-Crusted New York Strip is a favorite among landlubbers.) The location — complete with a lovely glass school of fish “swimming” above the main dining room — has an emphasized focus on seasonal, sustainable fare.

Flying Fish

You’ll find a truly classic carnival treat on Disney World’s BoardWalk: Funnel Cake! The Funnel Cake Stand also serves the rather unexpected offering of Fried Ice Cream. Enjoy your “Tasty Sensations” (as the sign says) while you stroll or pull up a bench on the BoardWalk while watching the people go by! PLEASE NOTE: BoardWalk Funnel Cake is currently closed. 

Funnel Cake Stand is closed

Do you love music from the 70′s, 80′s, and 90′s? Do you love dueling piano improv? Then Jellyrolls Dueling Piano Bar is the place for you! This raucous bar on Disney’s BoardWalk brings you non-stop dueling pianos and a drink special each night (the “Jellyroll of the Day”). So be thinking of your favorite Billy Joel, Mariah Carey, or Elton John song to request! There is a  cover charge of $18.00  to enter Jellyrolls, which is typically open  nightly from 7PM to 1:45AM.  Doors open at 7PM, and entertainment starts at 8PM — it helps to be early to grab a seat!

Welcome to Leaping Horse Libations at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn! Out at the Luna Park Pool at this Deluxe Resort, you’ll find a poolside bar with all the basics you need for an afternoon in the sun — cold drinks, snacks, and even a few lunch items to get you through your Florida sun-and-pool afternoon! Look for fun carnival-themed drinks like the Tilt-A-Whirl and The Roller Coaster Meltdown served along with the standard Disney pool bar menu.

Leaping Horse Libations

You’ll find Trattoria al Forno on  Disney World’s BoardWalk . This eatery serves breakfast and dinner daily and is an  “original Italian restaurant.”  The dinner menu features  regional specialties with classic preparations . Many of the ingredients are crafted in-house including hand-crafted mozzarella and handmade cavatelli. Trattoria al Forno also features seasonal risotto and serves only Italian wines.  

Trattoria al Forno

So many amazing places to eat, how can you choose? Or you don’t have to, just systematically eat your way through the BoardWalk!

Click HERE to find our COMPLETE GUIDE TO EATING at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn!

Since both resorts are within an easy boat ride or walking distance from each other, the dining options can be enjoyed by guests of Yacht Club or BoardWalk Inn.

Disney’s BoardWalk

Still, we advise looking at the menus to see which resort has more food that appeals to your traveling party.

TRANSPORTATION

Do these resorts offer anything different when it comes to transportation? Let’s see!!

Yacht Club and BoardWalk Inn

Both hotels are considered “EPCOT-area” resort and sit on Crescent Lake, across the water from each other. These resorts are situated in between TWO Disney parks, EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. Yep, that’s right, you can walk or enjoy a relaxing boat ride on a Friendship Cruise boat to both EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

We love walking to EPCOT’s International Gateway. Not having to worry about fighting EPCOT’s post-fireworks crowds? Yes, sign us up, please.

Friendship Boat

If Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, or Disney Springs is your destination, then you can board one of Disney’s buses to transport you over to these parks.

And as if walkways, boats, and buses weren’t enough options for you, Yacht Club and BoardWalk guests are also within walking distance of the EPCOT Skyliner station . This means you have easy access to the other Skyliner resorts if you want to go exploring other resorts or just have a relaxing cruise through the sky.

It’s a tie!

HOW in the world do I get around the WORLD ?

The winner.

So, who is the ultimate winner in the Yacht Club vs. BoardWalk Inn battle? We hate to say it, but it depends ! You’ll need to decide which theme, dining, and pools, best suits your next vacation to Walt Disney World.  Yacht Club standard rooms are smaller, however if cost is your biggest concern, staying here will save you money. If newer rooms is important, then Yacht Club has the edge in that category.

EPCOT Skyliner

The location and transportation options are awesome at both resorts!

DON'T DO IT ALONE!

Our favorite people over at Small World Vacations are ready to help you save time, headaches, and best of all, money, when you book your Disney trip or cruise.

So book that trip now, then sit back and enjoy planning your Disney World Trip with a DFB-approved expert! Click here for a no obligation price quote today, and let them know DFB sent you 🙂

GET MORE INFO

What do you think? Which Disney World hotel is the best choice for your family? Let us know in the comments!

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Review of Disney's Yacht Club Resort

In this post, we’ll review Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, a deluxe resort at Disney World situated in the Boardwalk area between Epcot and Hollywood Studios. We’ll cover everything you need to know, from pricing to transportation to special perks. Read on to learn all about Yacht Club at Disney World!

Important Note: Disney has announced that from January 2025 through June 2025, Stormalong Bay, the feature pool at Yacht Club and Beach Club will be closed. We do not recommend staying at these hotels during this time, and recommend you instead consider Boardwalk Inn .

Another Important Note: Per Disney, “From January 2025 through May 2025, some guest rooms at Disney's Yacht Club Resort will be under refurbishment.” We already recommend against staying here during this time because of the Stormalong Bay closure. However, this also means that by ~June 2025 the rooms will be (presumably slightly) updated at the resort.

The Basics of Disney’s Yacht Club Resort

The Yacht Club is a deluxe level hotel at Walt Disney World in the Epcot Resorts Area. Deluxe resorts are Disney’s best hotels. If you’re considering Yacht Club, you may want to read some of our other posts. We have a ranking of the best Disney World deluxe resorts . We also have a guide to all the hotels of Walt Disney World .

And here are our reviews of all the deluxe resorts (links open in new tabs):

Review of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

Review of Disney’s Beach Club Resort

Review of Disney’s BoardWalk Inn

Review of Disney’s Yacht Club Resort (you are here)

Review of Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Review of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

Review of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Review of Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

And if you’d like to see where this resort falls overall, check out our complete Disney World hotel rankings .

One notable thing about Yacht Club is the convention center. This isn’t necessarily a problem, but when large conventions, or those with raucous participants, are around, the resort is not a great experience. Everything will be louder and more crowded, and you’ll find it harder to get tables at the restaurants.

As we’ll mention repeatedly in this review, Yacht Club’s biggest perk is its location, which leaves you within walking distance of Epcot (7 minutes), several resorts, the Boardwalk, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios (20 minutes or 12 by boat). If you have a trip specifically focused on these two parks (common during Epcot festivals or just for groups without young kids), Yacht Club is a particularly good option.

Yacht Club and Beach Club

If you’ve read our Beach Club review , you’ll notice several sections of this review are similar or identical to that review. Because the resorts are connected and share a pool, there is a lot of overlap in the two experience.

Regardless, the rooms and theming are distinct, and we cover the restaurants separately (even though you could easily walk to the other hotel’s restaurants if you wanted). Here’s the official map shared by the resorts:

Booking Yacht Club

For our most recent visit, we booked a Club Level Standard View room through our choice travel advisor, Lauren Quirk of Travel With Character LLC . We paid $946.13 per night, which was rack rate. There were unfortunately no Annual Passholder offer rates available. That’s usually our preferred way to book Club Level stays.

Rack rates for standard rooms at Yacht Club in 2024 range from $567 to $1046 per night. Between standard offers and maybe discounted prices at Expedia or Priceline, there may be times when rates get down to $475.

Staying at Yacht Club, you get the perks of any Disney stay. You’ll have access to free transportation to and from the parks and Disney Springs. You’ll also have access to Early Theme Park Entry and the ability to purchase and book Lightning Lanes 7 days in advance of your trip , rather than 3 days in advance of your visit date.

Yacht Club is a deluxe hotel, so guests have access to Extended Evening Hours, granting these guests extra time in select parks on select nights.

Arrival and Check-In at Yacht Club

There are several ways to get between the airport and Walt Disney World. We used Mears Connect this trip, which will likely be the last time we use it (update/confession: it wasn’t). Our hotel was originally set to be the sixth stop. After an hour on the bus, we exited at the fifth stop—BoardWalk Inn—to get pizza and coffee there before walking to Yacht Club. It’s worth noting that Yacht Club’s stellar location was a convenience to us even before we got to the hotel.

Disney has pushed people toward online check-in the last few years. We checked in online and had a room assignment just before we got to the hotel, so we were able to head straight to our room. I had some Magic Band issues , but was able to use my phone to unlock the door until I visited the club concierge to recode my band (the front desk can also do this).

If your room isn’t ready via online check-in, you might be able to get bumped up the list by visiting the desk. Usually we’ll arrive at a resort and eat lunch, swinging by the desk before or after lunch if there’s no line. If we can get a room, great, otherwise we drop off our bags with bells services and go to a park.

If you’re staying club level, they’ll place a call upstairs and escort you up to the Regatta Club Lounge, Yacht Club’s Club Level lounge (which we’ve reviewed separately here). Alternatively, you can just head straight to the club yourself.

Yacht Club Grounds, Theming, and Activities

Yacht Club and Beach Club, while they are separate resorts, are connected and share a pool area (this isn’t a downside in our experience, more below). For this review, we’re going to talk exclusively about Yacht Club’s offerings.

As we emphasize repeatedly, all of Yacht Club, Beach Club, BoardWalk Inn, and the Swan & Dolphin are within walking distance. One loop around the Boardwalk, which takes you past all those hotels, is 0.8 miles.

(Ignore pricing on this old screenshot)

While the Boardwalk doesn’t compare to Disney Springs, the variety of bars and restaurants at your fingertips, plus the proximity to Epcot, make Yacht Club especially worth consideration for adults visiting Disney World , which is no doubt why the area is home to two of Disney’s conference centers.

Yacht Club consists of a single hotel building and a second building for the convention center. Most guests don’t need to know anything about the convention center, but we’ll note it does have a business center. The feature item in the lobby is a beautiful, large globe.

It’s one of the cooler features in a Disney resort, but it also sort of begs you to notice the comparatively small size of the space. BoardWalk, Beach Club, and Yacht Club all have smaller lobbies that are easily contrasted with the grandiose, open lobbies of Wilderness Lodge, Polynesian, Grand Floridian, and Animal Kingdom Lodge.

That said, it’s not really a small lobby:

Yacht Club is, as its name suggests, nautically themed. It doesn’t really hit you over the head as hard as it could (i.e. it isn’t as visually loud as the value resorts), sticking to the deluxe hotels trend of using understated features and simple displays more than kitsch to convey the theme.

The feature pool at Yacht Club is Stormalong Bay , the pool shared with Beach Club and widely regarded by experts as the best pool on Disney property . Stormalong Bay features a lazy river, a sand-bottom zone, and a water slide.

We don’t want to belabor this point, but Stormalong Bay (above) is one of the biggest reasons to stay at Yacht Club (or Beach Club), and it—along with the proximity to the Boardwalk—makes the hotel particularly good for planning a Disney World no parks day . If you’re not a pool person, then obviously this shouldn’t impact your decision, but it is a major highlight of the hotel.

There is also a secondary pool on the far end of the resort if you hate fun (there’s also a tennis court right next to this pool):

The farthest rooms on the first floor are a three-minute walk from the lobby at our relatively quick pace. That’s not huge, but it is sort of a bummer that they’re in the direction away from Epcot. You will be three minutes closer to Hollywood Studios, though.

The resort maintains a standard roster of activities:

Our Yacht Club Room

There are a variety of room configurations at Yacht Club, but this room has two queen beds. Please note that since this is a Club Level room it may have a slightly different configuration than other rooms. In particular, items such as individual toiletries may not be available outside Club Level.

Yacht Club was the first of the deluxe resorts to receive this type of refurbishment—hardwood, sleek but themed at every opportunity, better use of space. While I’m overall a huge fan of these changes, I will say that more recent updates, particularly at Polynesian, Contemporary, and Animal Kingdom Lodge impress me even more. ( Note: pictures come from multiple stays just because, e.g., lighting on some item was better one day than another)

The room was relatively spacious, as is standard for rooms at the deluxe resorts.

On the bathroom and amenities end, it was nice to see mouthwash and lotion provided, and the shampoo and conditioner were bottled for personal use (values and moderates use large dispensers). The vanity area was actually a little smaller than expected, maybe even about the same size as at the moderate resorts.

There were plenty of outlets and a nice desk, which is a necessity for us. The furniture is all brilliantly designed, creating a very cohesive aesthetic. The curtains contain star patterns, and absolutely brilliant touch. A Keurig coffee maker is standard in the Yacht Club rooms.

I guess the couch is a little blugh. Nothing’s perfect.

We’d booked a standard view, which to be honest should be renamed something like “Bad View.” Here’s a look at the view from the balcony before I go on to talk about some…related…aspects of this most recent stay…

(Begin rant.) Okay. So, yes, we booked a “Standard View,” and that’s on us. But let’s be real, no one should ever get this view for $946 per night. This is a view of steam escaping from the hotel’s laundry room. It’s no fun to look at, and if the wind is blowing in the wrong direction it just renders the balcony unusable.

If this were the only issue with the room location, I could let it go (even though, as a professional, I shouldn’t, because $946 a night!). But the laundry room also emitted vibrations throughout the night that really messed with my head.

To be fair, Emily didn’t notice this sound the first night. The second night, she didn’t mind. But to me it sounded like having a car parked outside blasting bass all night. It wasn’t loud , but it was there. And by its nature, it was very hard to block out with white noise or headphones.

Weirdly enough, this isn’t even our first issue with sound at Yacht Club. Last visit, someone was having an absolutely explosive breakup over the phone well after midnight. That’s not something Disney can account for, so I’ve never held it against them.

But even weirdlier enough, we had another noise issue this stay—DOGS. Yacht Club is a “dog friendly” resort. This is good particularly for accessibility reasons. But what isn’t good is placing barking dogs in proximity to sleeping toddlers. Since Disney knows the ages of hotel guests, this is something they should account for. Fortunately, Zoe has grown up in relatively noisy environments, so the dogs didn’t pose a huge barrier to sleep (white noise machine helps, too).

One might rightly wonder “well did you bring these issues up to anyone?” And the answer is a resounding “NO,” for several reasons. First, we’re personally low maintenance, despite what this review (in my professional capacity) sounds like. I’m not going to waste my time and the time of hotel staff to maybe get a room change ( if one is available) as long as my kid can sleep. (And if I’m going to get a note in my file, I’d much rather it be because someone actually took the time to read this review.)

Second, guests don’t ordinarily have time to address these issues during Disney vacations. Unlike typical resort stays, where guests plan to spend several days at the resort, Disney stays are mostly about the parks. If you’re leaving at 7AM and returning at 8PM, you don’t have much time to waste dealing with these issues. This brings us to the main reason I don’t complain about these issues…

For $946 per night, it shouldn’t be incumbent on a guest to bring these things up. These issues simply shouldn’t happen. Again, a screaming guest in a neighboring room is something Disney can’t control without me bringing it to their attention. But shoddy views, rooms adjacent to laundry facilities, and dogs booked near toddlers—these are all things a competent hotel charging $946 per night should account for in advance.

But all I can do is share my experience and reasoning. You very well may feel you either (1) wouldn’t be bothered by these issues or (2) would be wholly comfortable requesting a room change if anything like this happened to you. (End rant.)

Location & Transportation at Yacht Club

Yacht Club has one of the best locations on property. Along with Beach Club, BoardWalk Inn, and the Swan & Dolphin, this is one of the few hotels you can actually walk to two parks—Epcot and Hollywood Studios—from.

Epcot’s World Showcase is about an eight-minute walk from the Yacht Club lobby. Hollywood Studios is about a 20-minute walk from the Yacht Club lobby.

Keep in mind that when visiting Epcot, you’ll be using a different entrance than other guests. the World Showcase entrance is between the U.K. and France pavilions. We briefly discuss this in our Epcot Rope Drop Strategy .

Besides the two parks, you can also walk to all those other hotels and any other spots along the Boardwalk, which has restaurants like Flying Fish and Big River Grille, as well as a pretty good bar in AbracadaBar.

Besides walking, you can take a boat to Hollywood Studios (approximately 12-minute trip, running every 15 minutes) and Epcot (about 5-7 minute trip).

For the most part, we stopped using the boats years ago (we walk), but we occasionally ride them just to keep tabs on them. Generally, they’re more reliable than buses because they run on constant loops, but nothing is ever as reliable as the walking path.

Realistically, you’ll probably always prefer to walk to and from Epcot, at it would take you just as long to walk to the boat dock as to walk to Epcot. Hollywood Studios is a bit of a different story.

It makes sense to take the boat to Hollywood Studios and walk back, particularly if you’re at the park when it closes. The line for the boat gets quite long when the park closes, though we’ve often seen it long during the day as well:

To reach Magic Kingdom , you’ll have to rely on bus transport (15 - 20 min). Keep in mind that although you can walk to Epcot, you use a different entrance than the main entrance, so it isn’t practical to walk to Epcot and take the monorail to Magic Kingdom .

And, as always, to Animal Kingdom (15 min), Typhoon Lagoon , Blizzard Beach , and Disney Springs you’ll rely on bus. We’ve been satisfied with bus transportation at Walt Disney World. For whatever reason, it seems somewhat improved from 5-10 years ago when it was a constant source of ire.

Keep in mind that if you’re flexible, you can always hop on a bus for BoardWalk or Beach Club and walk back to Yacht Club from there. This won’t always save you time, but particularly in the middle of the day (when bus transport is at its worst), if you see a bus to Beach Club or BoardWalk, hop on it.

We always recommend you also consider using Uber at Walt Disney World when you’re in a hurry. There’s also Minnie Vans , the more expensive but “Disney official” option.

If you’re bringing your car to Disney World (or renting one), parking is once again free. Guests of Disney hotels also have free parking at the theme parks.

Finally, the Epcot Skyliner station is a short walk away, past Beach Club. This would allow you pretty quick visits to Caribbean Beach, Riviera Resort, Pop Century, and Art of Animation if you had cause to visit those places.

Theoretically you could walk to that station and then take the 20-minute trip to Hollywood Studios. It’s a bit awkward to go so “out of the way”, but it could be your fastest option, depending on your walking speed.

Food and Dining at Yacht Club

One of the nice things about staying at Yacht Club, is that for the most part your dining options are unlimited.

From Yacht Club you can easily walk to all the restaurants of Beach Club, the Boardwalk, the Swan & Dolphin hotels, and Epcot. That’s a really awesome feature. So keep that in mind while we quickly discuss the thing I hate most about Disney’s deluxe resorts…

Quick Service Food at Yacht Club

I have a huge gripe about the lack of quality quick service at Disney’s deluxe hotels. I’m very drawn to the food court setup at the value and moderate resorts. At Yacht Club, you’ve got two quick service options.

The Market at Ale & Compass is actually the Yacht Club’s store in addition to offering a very limited selection of quick service food. While we were there, they offered your choice of four hot sandwiches and a soup of the day for lunch and dinner.

Additionally, you’ll have pastries, chips, and pre-packaged food (cold sandwiches, salads). Market is usually open a bit after the parks close, between 10PM and Midnight.

Hurricane Hanna’s Waterside Bar & Grill is the pool bar (and grill) at Yacht Club and Beach Club. It has an okay lunch menu, which includes burgers, a buffalo chicken wrap, and a vegetarian quinoa wrap. Hanna’s closes earlier than Market, usually around 8PM to 9PM.

(Begin rant.) I’ll never understand why deluxe resorts don’t offer better quick service options. If you come back to your hotel after a regular Epcot or Hollywood Studios close, you’ll have no dinner options besides expensive table service (if you can get a table), expensive room service ($3 delivery and 18% service included) or very limited, unimpressive options at Market.

Yes—guests at deluxe resorts tend to be willing to spend a bit more. But that doesn’t meant they’re going to want a table service meal after being at the parks all day, or that they’ll want to deal with the delays and hassle of in-room dining. To me, nothing beats being able to come back at 11PM from an exhausting day, walk right up to a counter, and order a burger or pizza at a reasonable price. (End rant.)

Table Service Restaurants at Yacht Club

Yacht Club has three table service restaurants. We’ll provide brief overviews of them and link to reviews we trust. Our limited experiences with them (and our limited food knowledge generally) don’t qualify us to really speak to their quality.

Ale & Compass is the newer restaurant at Yacht Club, having opened in November 2017. It’s the resort’s casual table service restaurant, adjacent to the lobby, and requiring a single table service credit. It’s open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Reservations are recommended. Here’s a review from Disney Food Blog. 

Yachtsman Steakhouse is the signature table service restaurant at Yacht Club, requiring two table service credits. It’s open only for dinner.

You’ll have to follow the hallway past Ale & Compass toward Beach Club to get there. Reservations are highly recommended. Here’s a review from Ziggy.

Beaches & Cream is a fun little soda-shop themed spot right on the border of Yacht Club and Beach Club, off the Stormalong Bay pool.

It’s most known for its legendary “Kitchen Sink” dessert—an ice cream sundae designed to serve four—but it also serves burgers, sandwiches, and a variety of alcoholic ice cream floats. In the past, it didn’t take reservations but now does, mostly because it has very limited seating. Here, again, is Disney Food Blog.

Bars at Yacht Club

Besides Hurricane Hanna’s which is a combo bar-quick service stop, there are two bars at Yacht Club.

Ale & Compass Lounge is the lobby bar at Yacht Club, neighboring the Ale & Compass restaurant. It’s in keeping with the modern aesthetic of the Yacht Club rooms—with dark wood and deep blues. Ale & Compass Lounge is a fantastic spot for a cocktail, but it can get crowded due to its proximity to the lobby.

Crew’s Cup Lounge is the bar attached to the Yachtsman Steakhouse It’s actually easy to miss if you’re not eating at Yachtsman, as the sole hall-facing door is a bit hidden. Crew’s Cup really captures the former aesthetic of Yacht Club.

The wood is something like oak / walnut—dark but lighter than Ale & Compass Lounge. It’s maybe better for wines than Ale & Compass due to sharing a selection with Yachtsman.

If you’re looking for bars, you have more options just outside the hotel. The Boardwalk is perfect for a bar crawl , and gems like AbracadaBar and the dueling piano bar, Jellyrolls, are a good reason to step outside your resort if you’re looking for a drink.

Shopping at Yacht Club

We previously mentioned The Market at Ale & Compass in the context of its limited quick service options, but it’s also the store at Yacht Club. As with all Disney’s hotel stores, it offers basic travel essentials as well as a limited selection of hotel-branded items. More recently, the hotel line has been sadly limited. As it’s a deluxe resort, you’ll also find some higher end options, like items from Vineyard Vines.

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort — Conclusions

Overall rating — 3/5.

I’m really torn on Yacht Club. Really, really torn. If I never actually stayed at the resort, it would easily be one of my favorites at Walt Disney World. I’ve been a fan of the rooms since they debuted. I love the location with walking access to two parks and the beautiful Boardwalk. I’m even willing to overlook the mediocre quick service options because access to the Boardwalk and two parks more than makes up for it.

It has two of my favorite bars—Ale & Compass Lounge and Crew’s Cup. And it has a fantastic pool, Stormalong Bay. It seems like to find anything wrong with Yacht Club you have to, well, stay there.

Our last two visits just have not gone well. The noise issues detailed in this post are a big part of the problem. I’ve also felt the crowds are a bit heavier than other deluxe resorts. All three nights of this recent stay I found Ale & Compass Lounge at full capacity when I walked by.

I should admit here that I’m also perpetually unsatisfied with the club lounge here ( separate review ). Since that’s part of the reason for the high price we pay, it’s only fair to say maybe I’d evaluate these issues differently at, say $600 per night than I do at $950 per night. Then again, isn’t $600 per night really enough to complain about whatever bothers you?

Let’s circle back to my own feelings once we cover some objective points. Families with younger kids or who will be focusing on Magic Kingdom aren’t getting much out of this location. It may make sense to pay more for a monorail resort or less for a place like Gran Destino Tower or Port Orleans French Quarter , since you’ll be taking the bus to Magic Kingdom either way.

If you like the convenience of this location for getting to Epcot and Hollywood Studios but you don’t like the price, consider Caribbean Beach, Pop Century, and Art of Animation. These three resorts are less expensive than Yacht Club but have Skyliner access to Epcot and Hollywood Studios.

If you’ve settled on this location, the choice comes down to Yacht Club vs. Beach Club vs. Boardwalk . That link covers that debate in more depth (Sidenote: Marriott operated Swan & Dolphin are also in this area, and are worth considering, but we’re pushing them aside for a moment as they aren’t Disney-operated hotels.) The short of it, though, is that Yacht Club has the newest rooms, Beach Club at least has Stormalong Bay, and BoardWalk certainly has a whimsical charm.

So, how to wrap up this…experience…of a review? For me, it comes with “take my review with a grain of salt.” Disney manages Yacht Club, Beach Club, and Boardwalk. If I fault management for the issues of my stay at Yacht Club, it’s hard to instead recommend Beach Club or Boardwalk. (In fact, I’ve had more bizarre noise issues— not kids screaming etc.—at Disney resorts than all the other resorts I’ve stayed at in my life.)

Objectively, I have to stand by my position that Yacht Club should be the best option at the Boardwalk. Best pool. Best rooms. That’s that. But subjectively, I won’t be rushing back here. Maybe I’m just salty, but I can’t get over the small headaches my recent visits have come with. Instead, I’m greatly looking forward to bringing Zoe to Beach Club and Boardwalk in the near future.

All Your Other Disney World Planning Questions Answered

Don't be overwhelmed by Disney World planning! Take a second to check out our most important content and you'll not only be an expert, but you'll save big $$$ along the way.

Just starting out? Check out our Walt Disney World planning guide! If you're still picking dates, we've got everything you need to know about Disney World crowd calendars . For picking your hotel, check out our Walt Disney World hotels guide.

When it comes time to book we’ll help you find discount Disney World tickets . Decide whether you need a dining plan in our Complete Guide to Disney World Dining Plans ! And don't forget to book those Disney World Advance Dining Reservations !

Don't forget to master your Disney World Lightning Lane Guide and Strategy a few months in advance. We'll keep you out of long lines so you can maximize the magical time in the parks! We've got park-specific guides as well: Magic Kingdom Lightning Lane Strategy , Epcot Lightning Lane Strategy , Animal Kingdom Lightning Lane Strategy , and Hollywood Studios Lightning Lane Strategy .

Know what to ride with our guides to: Magic Kingdom rides , Hollywood Studios rides , Epcot rides , and Animal Kingdom rides ! Plus learn about the water parks with our guide to Blizzard Beach and our guide to Typhoon Lagoon ! And for some some fun prep, check out our Ranking of Every Ride at Walt Disney World .

Finally, before you head out, be sure to check out our to-the-point packing list, 10 essentials you forget to pack for every Disney trip . And if you're interested in saving, there's no better list than our 53 Ways to Save on your Disney trip from start to finish .

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The Family Vacation Guide

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

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

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

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

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

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

Early Genie+ Access

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What Do the Yacht and Beach Clubs Have in Common?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What Makes Disney’s Beach Club Different?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Dunes Cove Pool
• Volleyball courts

What Makes the Yacht Club Different?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

More about our TFVG Author

James Brockbank

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

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

Disney Yacht Club Resort Review

We love the Boardwalk area at Disney World and are always on the lookout for a good deal at one of the resorts in that area. Being able to easily walk to both EPCOT and Hollywood Studios is a huge plus for us. And we can finally say we have officially stayed at every resort on Disney’s Boardwalk! Disney’s Yacht Club Resort has been on our radar for some time now and we recently had the opportunity to stay at this resort and experience everything it has to offer. Read on for our full Disney Yacht Club Resort Review!

• 1 Yacht Club Resort at Walt Disney World
• 2 Yacht Club Resort Rooms
• 3 Disney Yacht Club Resort Pools
• 4 Yacht Club Transportation Options
• 5 Yacht Club Dining and Restaurants
• 6 Gift Shop at Yacht Club
• 7 Movies Under the Stars at Yacht Club Resort
• 8 Yacht Club Resort Amenities and Recreation
• 9 Map of Yacht Club Resort
• 10 Disney Yacht Club Resort Review

Yacht Club Resort at Walt Disney World

Yacht Club is a deluxe resort at Walt Disney World that is situated in Disney’s Boardwalk area, near EPCOT. With an elegant New England style Yacht Club theme, this nautical resort is the perfect place to relax and unwind.  While its sister resort, Disney’s Beach Club, is known more for its beachy, cottage type feel, Yacht Club transports you to a place that feels like luxury. 

Home to several restaurants and the Stormalong Bay pool complex it shares with Beach Club, let’s take a look at this resort and see if it’s right for your next Disney Vacation. 

Yacht Club Resort Atmosphere

The atmosphere is Yacht Club is laid back but feels slightly more elevated and upscale than Disney’s Beach Club. Some think it feels a bit “stuffy”, but it’s nowhere near as sophisticated as say, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort.  The resort feels nautical. And has the lovely scent of Green Clover and Aloe filling the lobby and hallways. 

Since Yacht Club doesn’t house any character meals and is slightly farther from EPCOT than Beach Club, it’s often quieter and less chaotic feeling in general as well.

Yacht Club Resort Rooms

The rooms at Yacht Club resort are modern and simple. They have small Disney details. But nothing that is in your face Disney. One of the best parts about the rooms at Yacht Club is that they sleep five. Much like the rooms at the Contemporary, these rooms include two queen beds and a couch that converts into a twin bed. The twin bed is large enough to fit a small to average sized adult. So this makes them great for families needing a little extra space. Or for larger parties that don’t want to splurge on a family suite or villa. 

The Yacht Club rooms have the classic room and bathroom setup. The vanity area is able to be closed off from the rest of the room by closing the door. And the toilet and shower are also able to be separated as well. 

We booked a resort view, which can mean a variety of things and were pleasantly surprised at our view! See above for photos from our balcony. We could see EPCOT’s fireworks from our balcony and that felt like a huge added value, as we happened to be traveling during January for this trip. Which meant that we often had earlier nights in. The Yacht Club Resort’s rooms feel spacious, clean and updated. And though there’s not a ton of Disney theming, if you look closely, you can see some very cute Disney touches that match the decor. Hidden mickeys in the photographs. And Disney characters in the shape of constellations on the curtains. 

For a full room tour, check out our Yacht Club Room Tour video on YouTube .

Yacht Club Resort Grounds 

The resort grounds at Disney’s Yacht Club are fairly limited to the Boardwalk area . With palm trees and white sandy beaches that it shares with Disney’s Beach Club Resort , and its amazing pool, Stormalong Bay, the actual resort is quite compact. This makes getting around super easy. Though Yacht Club does have tennis courts and some green space, it’s not an expansive resort by any means. 

Disney Yacht Club Resort P ools

The pool at Disney’s Yacht Club is the main attraction. And one reason so many people are willing to pay the cost to stay here. It really is the best pool at Walt Disney World. With a sandy bottom, lazy river, very cool pirate ship slide and plenty of room, both for swimming and for lounging, you could come to Disney just for the pool and be happy. 

There is also a pool bar, Hurricane Hannah’s, that offers drinks and small plates. You can order these from one of the servers at the pool area. Or walk up to the counter and order that way. 

The pools at Yacht and Beach are pretty strict when it comes to who can use them. Guests are required to scan in with a cast member before being allowed to enter. And will receive a wrist band at the gate to prove that they’re allowed to be there. 

Disney’s Yacht Club also has a quiet pool called the Admiral Pool, located around the back of the resort near the tennis court. 

Does the Beach Club and Yacht Club Share Pools?

Yes they do! Stormalong Bay is the main attraction here. And is one of the reasons the two resorts are so popular. Guests of the Beach and Yacht Club Resorts share the pool at Stormalong Bay, and you do need to scan in with a cast member to use the pool. 

Yacht Club Transportation Options

Transportation at Yacht Club is fairly simple and straightforward. They have ferry service that goes from the Yacht Club to both EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, as well as the resorts in the immediate area. You can take Disney’s Skyliner to Hollywood Studios or any of the Skyliner Resorts . And you can also walk to the back entrance of EPCOT to enter at the International Gateway and walk to Hollywood Studios via the walking path . 

Disney busses will take you to Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom and Disney Springs. The buses are usually shared between Yacht Club Beach Club and Boardwalk Inn, so be aware that you may want to account for extra time when traveling to these locations. 

Yacht Club Dining and Restaurants

One of the biggest challenges with staying in a Boardwalk area resort is finding hot food on the go. Neither Beach or Yacht Club have a full kitchen in their quick service locations, so hot food options are very limited. Yacht Club does do a little better here though, as they have hot breakfast sandwiches and Mickey waffles. And we love that you can get specialty lattes and coffees here as well. 

Ale and Compass

Ale and Compass is the main restaurant at Yacht Club Resort. Though there are always mixed reviews of this place, we love the chocolate waffles. And feel it’s one of the best breakfasts you can get at Disney for $15.  We have seen inconsistency be an issue at Ale and Compass, especially when it comes to the flatbreads. But overall, we enjoy this restaurant and love that you can get food to go!

Ale and Compass Lounge

If you’re looking for a lounge with an upscale feel, great drinks and service and some delicious bites, look no further than Ale and Compass Lounge. We are big fans of this lounge at Disney World. And even come here on days when we aren’t staying in the area but just need a break from EPCOT. You can find the full menu for Ale and Compass Lounge here .

The Market at Ale and Compass 

The Market at Ale and Compass is the resort’s quick service commissary. This is where you’ll find grab and go foods, specialty coffees and where you can fill up your refillable mug or grab a soft drink. One thing that’s hard to ignore is that it’s sometimes difficult to find good hot food to go in this area of the Boardwalk. Or really, on most of the Boardwalk in general. There are plenty of grab and go options for colder food like premade treats, sandwiches and salads. But if you want something made fresh and hot, your options will be a bit more limited. 

We think the Market at Ale and Compass tends to do just a little bit better than Beach Club with its hot offerings. But you won’t find a full hot menu here like you would at most of the other resorts. 

Yachtsman Steakhouse

Yachtsman Steakhouse is Yacht Club’s upscale restaurant. Serving steaks, seafood, chicken and more, this is a perfect place for a date night, or any other time you’re looking for a special meal. We’ve never eaten here before mostly because it’s quite pricey. That being said, if you’re a steak lover, this place gets great reviews and is worth looking into for a special occasion. 

Crew’s Cup Lounge

Crew’s Cup Lounge is a full bar, located right next to Yachtsman. Many people stop by here before heading to the steakhouse for pre-dinner drinks, but you don’t have to be a guest of the restaurant to visit. While Ale and Compass serves brighter and lighter flavors, Crew’s Cup is big with the Scotch crowd. If you’re looking for Scotch at Disney, this is the place to go. They also have a wide variety of coffee cocktails if that’s your thing, and a few options for small plates as well. You can see the full menu for Crew’s Cup Lounge here .

Gift Shop at Yacht Club

The gift shop at Yacht Club is a bit more upscale than you’re probably used to for a Disney resort. Not only do they carry the standard Disney apparel, mugs and souvenirs, but they also carry high end brands like Vineyard Vines and sometimes Lilly Pulitzer. They are located in the right side of the Market at Ale and Compass.

Movies Under the Stars at Yacht Club Resort

We love Movies Under the Stars at Disney ! And we especially love it at Yacht Club because of its location here. Movies Under the Stars here is shared with Beach Club. And is usually shown on the beach near the Pirate Ship Water Slide. During times of inclement weather, it can be held indoors at the Solarium, which is technically located at the Beach Club. 

Yacht Club Resort Amenities and Recreation

Disney’s Yacht Club has plenty to do! With an arcade filled with games, resort activities for all ages and of course, their fantastic pool, spending some time at the resort is a great way to spend a non-Park day at Disney. 

Fitness Center at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort

Like all deluxe resorts at Walt Disney World, Yacht Club has a fitness center that it shares with Beach Club. Located between the resorts, near the pool and right next to the arcade, this gym has a good variety of equipment including free weights, treadmills, bikes and more. 

Laundry Facilities at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort 

There are two places you can do laundry while staying at Disney’s Yacht Club. The first is by the Admiral pool. Go past the Marketplace at Ale and Compass and keep walking until you reach the end of the hallway. You’ll find a door leading you to the back of the hotel. The laundry room is by the pool, which can be found right next to the tennis court. There are six washers and dryers here, and it always looks clean and is easy to use.

The second set of washers and dryers is a small room on the first floor, right across from room 1063. This laundry room is likely not the most convenient for many people, but if you’re staying near in this area, it could be nice to not have to go outside to get your laundry done. 

Yacht Club Club Level

Club Level at the Yacht Club can be found at The Regatta Club Lounge. This is located on the 5th floor of Yacht Club and can only be accessed with your Magic Band if you’re staying in a club level room. We haven’t experience yet, so we can’t give it a review. But if you’re interested in club level at Disney World, feel free to check out this post !

Map of Yacht Club Resort

How much does Disney’s Yacht Club Resort cost? 

Prices for Disney’s Yacht Club Resort start at $537 per night for 2024. This is the rack rate, so this is the price you can expect to pay before any discounts or promotions. And often times, you’ll find this much higher depending on when you’re traveling. 

Is Yacht Club good for families?

While I do think Yacht Club is good for families, I think Beach Club is likely better for most families. Mostly just because it feels a bit less intimidating. However, both resorts give you access to the main pool, which is the real draw anyway. So yes, this resort is great for families. 

Is Yacht Club worth the price?

That depends! We got an excellent price on our room and felt it was 100% worth the price. Between the convenience to EPCOT, the quiet feel, the view from our room and the upscale atmosphere, Yacht Club was worth it for us. Add in the fact that they have by far the best pool at Disney World, and we were very happy with what we paid for it. Keep in mind we traveled here in January, and you can usually find some pretty good deals during this time. 

A lot of this will likely depend on what type of Disney experience you appreciate or plan to have. If you’re planning to spend most of your time in the Parks, we rarely feel deluxe resorts are worth it. But if you’re looking for a more relaxing experience, with time to enjoy your resort, it may be worth it for you. In terms of pricing,  Disney’s Boardwalk Inn is generally going to be less expensive than Yacht Club, and the more elevated atmosphere may not be for everyone.

We felt this resort was a much better value than Beach Club. Beach Club had a lot of issues when we stayed there including stains in the lobby, tears on the wallpaper in the hallway and it just felt kind of….old and shabby. 

Yacht Club feels expensive and we felt that lended a bit more to its price. 

Does Disney’s Yacht Club have a fridge?

Nope! All standard rooms, including those at deluxe resorts, only have what is known as a beverage cooler. These don’t get cold enough to hold food that require colder temps for food safety. But they can keep your drinks at a cooler temperature. 

Does Yacht Club at Disney have DVC rooms?

They don’t! One of the big differences between Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club is the fact that the Beach Club is a DVC resort, and Yacht Club is not. Disney’s Yacht Club Resort only offers standard rooms. 

How far is the walk from Yacht Club to EPCOT?

This will depend on your location in the resort. However, since Yacht Club isn’t that large of a resort, most guests can expect to get the back entrance of EPCOT in about 8-10 minutes. There is also a ferry from the Yacht Club dock that will take you to the same entrance if you prefer to get around that way instead. 

Does the Disney Skyliner go to the Yacht Club?

Kind of! Though the Skyliner won’t take you directly to the Yacht Club, you can take Disney’s Skyliner to the back entrance of EPCOT and walk to Yacht Club from there. 

Overall, we loved Yacht Club. The food at Ale and Compass and the Market at Ale and Compass was always good, and very easy to get thanks to Mobile Order . The drinks and service at the Ale and Compass Lounge was great. And though we didn’t experience the same welcoming atmosphere at Crew’s Cup, we were fine with it because Ale and Compass is more our style anyway. 

Our room was spacious, comfortable and clean. The view from our room was fantastic for a resort view. And we loved being able to see the fireworks from our room. Especially since it was pretty cold during our trip, which meant we usually had a earlier nights. 

The bus service is still a point of contention for us, as the buses seem to take forever at this resort. However, since it’s walking distance to Epcot and Hollywood Studios, we rarely used the bus service here anyway.  

Would we stay at Yacht Club again?

Yes we would! We would need a very good deal again, as this resort is usually out of our budget. But if the opportunity arose, we would happily stay here again. Though we never thought we’d say this, we prefer the Yacht Club over the Beach Club in terms of theming and atmosphere. 

We hope this post has helped you decide if Yacht Club Resort at Disney World is right for you!

Melanie Renee

Melanie Renee is a photographer, writer, designer and mom. Visiting Disney destinations since 2010, she is also an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner. When she's not creating her next coffee recipe, or designing apparel at Polka Dot Pixie Shop, she's seeking beautiful sunsets and planning her next trip .

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Disney's BoardWalk Inn

Last updated: August 23, 2024

The BoardWalk is a detailed replica of an early-20th century East Coast beach boardwalk hotel, with facades of hotels, diners, and shops to create an interesting waterfront skyline.

$649 - $4,702

Lodging Area

Boat, Bus, Skyliner, Walk

Guest Overall Rating

Based on 188 surveys. (See our Ratings and Research page for details)

Lighting: C

Walking distance to EPCOT's International Gateway and Disney's Hollywood Studios

Excellent staff/service

Unique garden suites

Vast selection of dining options for adults

Fitness center is larger than Yacht & Beach Club's

Carnival pool is whimsical

Limited quick-service dining options suitable for kids

Not as many rooms overlook the BoardWalk as you might think

Bus service to Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, water parks, and Disney Springs is shared with other EPCOT resorts

BoardWalk Villas have fewer baths per bedroom than newer DVC/DDV properties

When staying at Boardwalk, the wing closest to the path to the Studios is also the farthest to the lobby.

April 30, 2022

We stayed at the BoardWalk, and we fell in love with the ferry service for both EPCOT (Food and Wine Festival!) and Hollywood Studios. Our bus rides to Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom were on-time, and we got to sit down

We stayed at the BoardWalk, and we fell in love with the ferry service for both EPCOT (Food and Wine Festival!) and Hollywood Studios. Our bus rides to Magic...

September 19, 2021

The location of Boardwalk inn was brilliant, it was easy to get to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, however it is a long walk to the front of EPCOT.

July 21, 2019

We loved the pull-down daybed in our BoardWalk room. All deluxes should offer this!

March 16, 2019

BoardWalk Inn was clean, quiet and friendly. They short walk to both EPCOT and HS was wonderful. The food choices were very limited and overpriced.

June 22, 2018

Rooms measure 371 square feet each. Decor includes yellow- and white-striped wallpaper, green carpet, and blue curtains. There seems to be more closet space here than at other resorts.

• Room with Queen Bed(s) and en-suite bathroom
• Balcony or patio
• Dresser with drawers
• Full-length mirror
• Wireless Internet (Wi-Fi)
• Flat-panel TV
• Coffee maker and starter supply of coffee pods
• Ironing board and iron
• Digital thermostat
• In-room safe
• Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and bar soap

Most rooms have a balcony or patio, although balconies on the standard upper-floor rooms alternate between large and medium.

Boardwalk Inn Standard Room

Boardwalk Inn Couch, TV, and Dresser

Boardwalk Inn Desk and Chair

Boardwalk Inn Standard Room Closet

Boardwalk Inn Coffee Maker

Boardwalk Inn Bathroom

Boardwalk Inn Room 4227 View

We’ve mapped and taken photographs of the views from every single room on Walt Disney World property! Our Room Finder helps you find the perfect room for you and then request that room from Disney.

Plenty of dining options are on the boardwalk, from cakes and sweets, to pizza, Italian, and bars. Room service is also available.

The Cake Bake Shop by Gwendolyn Rogers Offers sweet and savory meals and treats, plus afternoon tea service.

Flying Fish A mainstay of Disney World’s fine-dining roster, Flying Fish impresses with its upscale food and attentive service. The kitchen can sometimes force a slower-paced meal here, but the food is always worth the wait. Enjoy a fancy night out on the BoardWalk with an aperitif at neighboring AbracadaBar before settling into the Flying Fish dining experience. This restaurant is listed on the OpenTable website and app. On OpenTable reservations are often available when they are not on the Disney site. There is also no cancellation fee with OpenTable.

Surrey Bike Rentals - Beverages

Trattoria al Forno The kitchen makes mozzarella cheese and rolls out fresh pasta daily. The wines represent Italy’s major regions, with more than 30 available by the glass or quartino. Breakfast is one of the best on Disney property.

BoardWalk Deli

Boardwalk Ice Cream Serving ice cream along the Boardwalk.

Carousel Coffee Coffee shop featuring Joffrey's Coffee and specialty drinks, plus various cookies, breads, and pastries

Pizza Window The aptly named Pizza Window is a spot on the BoardWalk to grab a quick slice of pizza that, if we're being kind, is mediocre. If you are walking by and really want a piece of pizza go on then, but you'd be better served elsewhere.

AbracadaBar Located next to Flying Fish, in the former Seashore Sweets locations, this lounge promises cocktails and magic. The theme is that Abracadabar is an old-time magic hangout, but the decor is understated and classic. Looking around you can find lots of mention of magic and magicians and what happened to them, but regardless of your curiosity level it is an enjoyable bar to explore.

Belle Vue Lounge Offers breakfast (pastries, muffins, coffee, etc.) in the morning and libations in the evening. If you are wandering through the Boardwalk Inn and Villas, cross through the lobby and head toward the elevators, but don’t get in one. Instead, look across the nearby staircase where you’ll see a large sitting area. While it looks very much like a comfy miniature waiting area, it’s actually the Belle Vue lounge. The area is truly comfortable, inviting, and surprisingly secluded for a spot so close to the lobby. What’s deceiving is that it is far from an overblown waiting room with a bar, but one of the more enjoyable resort lounges in which to relax. The abundance of cushy furniture, the large plants, and the dark wood floors lend an air of relaxed sophistication as it mimics an east coast hotel from the late 1930s. Like many of the Walt Disney World lounges, the Belle Vue arranges their furniture into small groups so that you and your companions can have a little privacy. All around the room are knickknacks and souvenirs from the 1930’s, and scattered in the alcoves are a few board games, the first of which you know quite well: Monopoly. It was mass produced for the first time in 1935 and Monopoly’s “properties” are all Atlantic City streets, thus fitting the room’s theme as perfectly as can be. Another game is 1936’s Go to the Head of the Class, where the goal is to answer questions about Language, Science, Art & Music, Math, History, Literature, and Geography to move to...well, the head of the class. The board game that you are sure to notice is the one with the shocked face printed on it. That is Eddie Cantor’s Tell it to the Judge, which also came out in 1936. The goal of this game is to move cars around the board by playing cards representing traffic signals. The man whose face is on the game, Eddie Cantor, was a comedian, dancer, singer, actor, and songwriter who was quite popular in the 30s and 40s and has nothing to do with the game except for allowing his face to be put on the board (marketing!). There are many additional items that you will find around the room, but we will leave them for you to find (although one thing you will not find is a television...because it’s 1940). If a drink is what you are really searching for, the Belle Vue bar is fully stocked, although the menu is only the standard Disney bar menu with its typical selection of wine, beer, and cocktails. There are several Scotches, Bourbons, Ports, Tawnys, and Cognacs available if you are feeling really fancy. There is no food available here once breakfast ends, but the boardwalk is steps away for a pre-lounge meal.

Leaping Horse Libations Located next to the main pool at the Boardwalk Inn and Villas, Leaping Horse Libations is one of the more heavily-themed pool bars. The entire pool area has a carnival theme with the pool slide representing a roller coaster, and the bar as a carousel. This carousel motif is easy to spot because it includes a large red and white striped tent roof and depictions of carousel horses. A word of warning however: If you’re leery about giant, orangehaired clown faces spitting children into a pool, you may not want to pick a chair facing the pool slide. Unfortunately, looking like a carousel is the best thing about Leaping Horse Libations. There is nothing particularly wrong with it, but there is nothing special either. Only snacks are served so this is definitely not the place to come if you are hungry. The drinks are equally unspectacular as they come exclusively from the Disney standard pool bar menu. If your family is spending time swimming, here the bar is nice looking and well located directly next to the pool. It also has some large, comfortable chairs. Other than that, there is little reason to choose Leaping Horse Libations as your go-to bar with so many better choices nearby.

BoardWalk Joe's Marvelous Margaritas

Dundy's Sundries

The Screen Door

Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs Building on the popularity of a Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs location at Downtown Disney in California, this Florida outpost replaces Boardwalk To Go along Crescent Lake. Expect a simple-but-tasty menu.

Funnel Cake Kiosk

Boardwalk Private Dining

Refillable Mugs Allows guest self-service soft drink refills from quick-service locations in hotels ( NOT in theme parks ) for $21.99 for the length of stay.

SWIPE TO EXPLORE

BoardWalk's main pool is the Luna Park Pool , with pictures of 1920's-era Mickey Mouse and friends all around. There's also a 200-foot water slide. In addition, the resort has two quiet pools on the south and east side of the resort.

Side Show GamesArcade arcade is near the Luna Park pool and features relatively recent video games of all kinds.

Free Disney Movies Under the Stars are shown most evenings, weather-permitting, at the Village Green, on the lawn at back side of the resort.

The Muscles & Bustles has weights, treadmills, and other equipment for your workout. Hours are typically 6 AM to 9 PM. Joggers will enjoy the 0.8-mile loop around Crescent Lake too.

The BoardWalk Inn hosts marshmallow roasts around 5:30 PM nightly near Community Hall. It's really great during the cooler months of the year.

The Luna Park Crazy Play Area playground, with slides and other play structures, is near the pool area in the back of the resort.

Disney resort guests get into each theme park 30 minutes earlier than off-site guests, every day.

Those staying at Disney's Deluxe and Deluxe Villa hotels can buy Lightning Lane via Individual Purchase at 7:00 a.m. each day. Others cannot make that purchase until the official park opening time.

Disney's Deluxe and DVC resort guests get two extra hours in select theme parks on certain days of the week. The schedule changes, so check with the front desk.

Practical Matters

Check-in is 3:00pm Check-out is 11:00am

All Disney resorts participate in Disney’s Online Check-In program. If you’ve checked-in online and provided a mobile phone number or email address, you will receive your room number electronically. Then you can go straight to the room and use your smart phone or MagicBand to open the door, skipping the lobby altogether.

These rubber and plastic wrist bands can function as your room key, park admission, charge card, and more! MagicBands cost money, but if you'd like a free option you can use the official Disney World app on your phone or request an RFID-embedded card at the front desk.

Park tickets are best purchased online in advance either directly through Disney or via our Least Expensive Ticket Calculator . However, if you arrive without park tickets, head to the concierge desk in the hotel lobby.

Dining reservation are best made online in advance or on your phone or tablet during your visit. You can also use our Disney World Reservation Finder .

Washers and dryers are availabile in laundry facilities at each Disney World hotel. Cost is $3 per wash, and another $3 per dry cycle. A small selection of soap, fabric softener, and dryer sheets are also sold, for around $1 each. Only credit/debit cards can be used for payment. For more information, see our Disney World Laundry Facilities page.

If you lose something in a theme park or during your stay at a Disney-operated hotel, visit Disney's Lost and Found website or call (407) 824-4245.

Disney hotels have gifts shops near their lobbies with a decent collection of Disney-branded souvenirs. You will also find basic pharmacy items such as sunscreen, aspirin, allergy and cold medicine, baby diapers and formula, shampoo, and the like. Resort hotels with Deluxe Villa rooms offer an assortment of groceries, as well.

Disney recommends a third party company, Kid's Nite Out , to provide babysitting services at the resort hotels. See our Disney World Child Care page for more information.

The BoardWalk Inn is located in the EPCOT Resort Area. All modern GPS apps, and Google Maps, will have clear driving directions to it. As a backup, look for Disney road signs directing you toward the EPCOT resorts (not EPCOT) once you're on property, and then look for signs for the BoardWalk Inn once you're close.

Disney's Skyliner gondola system has a station at EPCOT's International Gateway. From the station, the ride to Disney's Hollywood Studios is about 12 minutes (plus waiting time in line.) It may be just as fast to walk to the Studios though.

Disney provides free bus service to the Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon, and Disney Springs from the bus stop at the front of the resort. Buses run about every 20 minutes. For all destinations except the Magic Kingdom, it's probably faster to drive or walk.

If you have your own car , it's faster to drive yourself to Disney's Animal Kingdom, the Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach water parks, and Disney Springs. Disney's transportation system is faster to the Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Disney's Hollywood Studios.

EPCOT is a short walk from the BoardWalk Inn, and the walk to Hollywood Studios is just a little longer.

Disney provides free boat service to EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios from the resort.

You can walk between the Beach Club, Yacht Club, BoardWalk, Swan, Swan Reserve, And Dolphin. Boat service is available to all of those, too, except the Swan Reserve (take the boat to the Swan and walk over.) The Skyliner can take you to Caribbean Beach, Riviera, Pop Century, and Art of Animation. For all other resort destinations, the fastest option is an Uber, Lyft, or taxi. Disney's bus service is free but slow, and will probably require you to use an intermediate destination like Disney Springs, to get to your destination. And that can take a couple of hours each way if you're unluckly.

if you have a car, the easiest way to get to Universal Orlando, SeaWorld, and other tourist destinations is to drive. Alternatively, Mears Transportation operates shuttle services between the Disney hotels and other theme parks.

tabs#change">Driving to the Resort

tabs#change">Getting to the Parks and Disney Springs

tabs#change">Getting to Another Hotel from BoardWalk Inn

tabs#change">Getting to Universal Orlando

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Theme parks, disney cruise line – what you need to know, cruise line ships, disney private islands, recent walt disney world, recent disneyland, disney world reviews, other park reviews, recent reviews, allears style, newsletter home, which resort has the best club level in disney world.

Are you considering staying in a Club Level room during your Disney World vacation? Or perhaps you’d just like to learn a little more about this concierge option available at select Disney World Resort hotels ?

Well, there may be more factors to consider than you realize to choose the Club Level that’s right for you. (And if you’re curious to learn whether Club Level itself is a good choice for your group to begin with, we dive into that topic here .) Today we’re chatting about which Resort has the BEST Club Level in Disney World. Are you ready?

We are, too! But first things first: let’s give a brief overview of Club Levels at Disney World hotels. Club Level (also called Concierge Club Level) is a room category that offers special perks and accommodations . For instance, Club Level guests have access to an exclusive lounge that offers light meals like continental breakfast, snacks throughout the day, and even evening desserts and cocktail hours. (Cheers!)

Additionally, Club Level guests receive special planning help prior to their visit through Disney Signature Services, as well as a separate dedicated Concierge Desk onsite to help during their stay. Concierge Cast Members are typically available from 7AM to 10PM each day (as well as the time leading up to your vacation). Cast Members can assist with park tickets, advance dining reservations, and many more recommendations that can help throughout your vacation.

So, those are the basics! Now let’s explore WHICH Resort Club Level option is the BEST… or simply the best for YOU! Let’s start by going down the list of options, and then we’ll cover a few factors to consider in your decision.

Disney World Resort Hotels with Club Levels

Atrium club level in disney’s contemporary resort (deluxe resort).

Disney’s Contemporary Resort is mere steps away from Magic Kingdom , and is one of three hotels on the Monorail Loop. The vibe is bright and modern, while guests will also enjoy classic Disney touches including a mural by legendary Disney artist Mary Blair, and recently refurbished guest rooms themed to The Incredibles .

The Contemporary offers Club Level Rooms on the 12th and 14th Floor of the Resort’s Tower, with the 14th floor housing Suites. The 12th floor Atrium Club Concierge and the 14th floor Tower Club Concierge offer the same guest services and food items.

Readers have provided reviews of the Contemporary Club Level which you can read here , but we’re shining a spotlight on a few quotes below:

“Because we were staying Club Level, we were able to walk down and watch the fireworks on the balcony at night and man were the views spectacular! Eating breakfast on the club level balcony while watching the ferry and monorail come and go, as well as admire Cinderella Castle can’t be beat. T he food provided was delicious and my family and I especially enjoyed the desserts provided during the fireworks.”

“The staff could not have been more wonderful and attentive… The snacks were not as nice as at some of the other club levels where we have stayed, but they were adequate.”

Kilimanjaro Club Level in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge (Deluxe Resort)

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is nearest to Disney’s Animal Kingdom park . The most unique thing about this remarkable Resort is that there are over 200 animals that LIVE on the Savannas of the Lodge!

The Kilimanjaro Club Level is on the 6th floor of the Resort’s Jambo House, and while it is spacious and lovely, the Lounge itself does not offer a view of the Savanna (where the animals can be seen).

If you have dined at Boma or Jiko — The Cooking Place , you may be thrilled to know that the Lounge offers many bites like those you’d enjoy at those restaurants! A selection of South African wines is also available to try.

You can find reviews from AllEars readers for the Kilimanjaro Club Level Lounge here , and we’ve provided a few quotes below:

“It takes a bit of a walk to get to the top floor for refreshments and free food, even if you are close to the elevators on the lower levels.”

“The food offerings, except breakfast, shouldn’t be viewed as meal replacements but for a very light eater you can eat enough to not want a lunch or heavy dinner. The offerings in the evening tie into the theme of the resort and are a great way to try something you might not otherwise eat.”

“There were hot options at breakfast and cocktail hour. The staff were very helpful with providing food for our daughter with a food allergy. Everyone was very helpful in the lounge. I do wish the club level rooms were closer to the club area.”

King Kamehameha Club Level in Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort (Deluxe Resort)

The “Spirit of ALOHA” awaits at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort ! This South Island-inspired Resort is on the Magic Kingdom Monorail Loop and sits on the shores of Seven Seas Lagoon.

The Club level rooms at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort are located in the Hawaii and Tonga buildings, and the private lounge is on the second floor of the Hawaii building.

A HUGE bonus to the lounge is that it offers fantastic views of Cinderella Castle and the Magic Kingdom fireworks (and the music for the fireworks is played on speakers inside the lounge during the show).

Here’s some of what AllEars readers had to share in their reviews of the Polynesian’s Club Level :

“Lots of different kinds of food at each meal time and the alcoholic beverages were plentiful! I recommend the punch!! We had breakfast each day and enjoyed at least one other treat time or drink time each day. We were able to take back to our room or eat in the very nice lounge.”

“Since they built the bungalows on the beach, the views from Hawaii bldg rooms have been severely impacted, such that now only the third floor rooms have a true theme park view…. during the Magic Kingdom fireworks, the CM’s make it extra magical for all in the lounge by turning down the lights in the room and piping in the music, so we can watch AND hear the show…and it’s wonderful.”

“The concierge was always helpful, whether I needed something picked up from a park or printing out my boarding passes. Food in the club was plentiful and always tasty.”

Old Faithful Club Level in Disney’s Wilderness Lodge (Deluxe Resort)

The beauty of the Pacific Northwest and the legacy of great National Parks is celebrated at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge ! Though Wilderness Lodge is not a stop along the Monorail Loop, this Resort offers easy (and fun!) access to the Magic Kingdom by boat.

The Concierge rooms (all located on the seventh floor, along with the Club Level Lounge) offer a privacy balcony and the view will be either woods or courtyard.

Here are a few quotes from AllEars reader reviews :

“ The cast members at the club level are all top notch. Super helpful with answering any questions. Breakfast every day was great. Each day was a little different but there were always staples. The croissants were particularly great!”

“The lounge was welcoming with a stunning view of the lobby. The staff were extremely helpful and every time you passed a CM in the hallway, they smiled and said hello. We felt completely at home and very welcome indeed… The food was lovely, always plenty available with a fridge full of chilled drinks available too… The WL CL really know how to treat their guests, and it shows.”

Royal Palm Club Level in Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort (Deluxe Resort)

Disney’s Grand Floridian is Disney World’s flagship Resort! Presenting a turn-of-the-century Victorian theme, the Grand Floridian is on the Monorail Loop… and the very next stop is the Magic Kingdom .

All of the Club Level room (and about half of the suites) are located on the third, fourth, and fifth floors of the main building. The Lounge is located on the fourth floor. Unless you are staying in one of the Club Level rooms, you cannot get to the third, fourth, or fifth floors of the main building. Access is by private elevator only. (The Sugar Loaf building also offers full club-level service.)

AllEars readers had the following to share in our collection of reviews for Club Level at the Grand Floridian :

“We loved the club level perk of the food and beverages. The staff was not as friendly as I was expecting, and the eating area was always crowded.”

“After many stays at The Boardwalk in Concierge level and the Wilderness Lodge Concierge level I expected a lot more from Grand Floridian.”

“The private lounge was beautiful and the food and drinks plentiful.”

Stone Harbor Club Level in Disney’s Beach Club Resort (Deluxe Resort)

Disney’s Beach Club is styled after the New England seaside at the turn of the century and the seashore theme is evident throughout this bright and airy Resort, which also boasts a pool complex that’s like its own mini water park! The Beach Club connects directly to its sister Resort, the Yacht Club. It’s also within walking distance to EPCOT !

Club Level room options are diverse, ranging from standard, garden, and water view rooms to the Newport Presidential Suite (and also including 1- and 2-bedroom suites.)

Allears readers have shared the following within this collection of Club Level reviews of Beach Club :

“It was awesome from beginning to end. The staff were outstanding and got to know us so much so when we came in from the parks, be it mid afternoon or evening, they brought us our favorite alcoholic beverages and kept bringing more. The evening offerings were enough to fill us up so we didn’t need to buy dinner.”

“the best part was the staff. Awesome helpful people. The food was always warm and restocked, staff members were constantly inquiring about how the food was and if you needed anything. They were also happy to chat and provide tips, or little known facts, or suggestions.”

Regatta Club Level in Disney’s Yacht Club Resort

Where the Beach Club celebrates life along the shore, its sister Resort, Disney’s Yacht Club , is a tribute to life ON the sea with its more nautical theming. As it connects directly to the Beach Club, the Yacht Club likewise boasts a walking path directly to EPCOT as well as easy access to the Disney Skyliner .

All Club Level rooms are located on the Yacht Club’s 5th floor.

Readers have several great things to say about the Regatta Club Level in our collection of reviews :

“We definitely took advantage of the breakfast more than any of the other options since we were at the parks most of the day. On one of the late afternoons we did stop back in and were able to try out the hors d’oeuvres consisting of crudites, various cheeses, sliced roast beef and turkey with dinner rolls, chicken fingers, mac and cheese, smoked salmon and a few others I don’t recall. You easily could have made a dinner out of what was there. Another night we came back in time to enjoy the desserts which included 2 to 3 assorted mini cupcakes, mini tarts, rice crispy treats, ice cream, fresh fruit, and cookies. Good thing we were doing a lot of walking on this trip! Overall, the lounge was busy but not overcrowded.”

“This stay really lead me and my husband to decided to continue staying club level going forward… Club Level was definitely worth it.”

Innkeeper’s Club Level in Disney’s Boardwalk Inn

We have one more option for you within walking distance to EPCOT : Disney’s BoardWalk Inn . The turn-of-the-century Coney Island-inspired BoardWalk offers Club Level guests access to the Innkeeper’s Club.

Club Level guests may choose from standard rooms or water or garden views, or opt for a 2-Bedroom Suite.

Take a peek at the following quotes from AllEars reader reviews of the Innkeeper’s Cub Level at the BoardWalk .

“As for the Innkeeper’s Lounge, the Continental Breakfast had a number of good offerings. The afternoon snacks were good. The dinner time appetizers and other offerings were a big disappointment… The seating in the Lounge was usually insufficient, which is another disappointment when spending so much money for club level.”

“It’s by no means cheap but replaces mini expensive restaurant meals. Fantastic [cast members]. Overall a terrific experience!”

Chronos Club Level in Gran Destino Tower at Coronado Springs Resort (Moderate Resort)

Do you see how “One of these things is not like the other?” (Sing along if you remember that one 😉 ). Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is the single Moderate Resort on the list of Resorts with a Club Level option.

Club Level options for Coronado Springs Resort arrived with the addition of Gran Destino Tower in 2019. In fact, Club Level access is exclusive to rooms in the Tower, which include Standard View rooms, Deluxe-, 1-Bedroom- and Presidential Suites.

You can take a photo tour of the stunning Gran Destino Tower here ; and it’s good to know that the nearest park to Coronado Springs is Animal Kingdom (and, therefore, a bit of a bus trek to the other parks).

Factors to Consider

Theme and style.

When it comes to choosing a Club Level, choosing your preferred theme or style is much like that of choosing your Resort! So, this one all boils down to preference.

Do you love the idea of the casual feel of the Beach Club? Does the idea of seeing animals on the daily at Animal Kingdom Lodge pique your interest?

Then simply follow where your instincts lead! If you are looking more into logistics, we have more factors to consider…

Proximity to Parks

If you know you’ll be spending a lot of your time in EPCOT, the Beach Club, Yacht Club, or BoardWalk Inn would be your best bets.

If you’re planning to tackle ALL. THE. RIDES. in Magic Kingdom, a Resort on the Monorail Loop might be best for you. We’ve mentioned closest park proximity in all of the individual Resort sections above to help you consider your options.

Ratings from Readers

You may feel a little more confident in your decision by checking out what others have to say about their experience.

With the exception of the newest Club Level option (at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort), you can click on any of the review links above to check out full reviews from fellow AllEars readers to find out their thoughts and experiences regarding the individual Resort Club Levels.

Be sure to consider if a specific view from your room is of importance to you.

Because Club Level Rooms are relegated to certain areas of the Resorts, you may want to factor that into your decision.

Ah, yes… ’tis a splurge to enjoy Club Level access. As we mentioned in a previous post , the price of staying Club Level ranges from an additional $100 a night to $275 a night depending on the resort. A good rule of thumb is that the more expensive the hotel and room category, the greater the added cost.

Specific pricing can be found on the Disney World website, in exactly the same way you would search for any room in a Disney World Resort hotel. (In fact, when perusing “Room Rates” on the Disney World website, Club Level rooms are clearly marked in the search, so you can conduct an easy cost comparison between both regular rooms and other Club Level options at various Resort hotels.

We hope this chat has helped in your Disney World vacation planning! And if you’ve ever experienced Club Level at Disney World, we’d love to hear about it with a comment!

Animal Kingdom Lodge Concierge Offerings

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The picture of the Animal Kingdom Lodge Concierge lounge is labelled incorrectly. That picture is of a lounge just off the lobby that anyone can access.

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Disney Beach Club vs Yacht Club (Which to Choose)

The Beach Club Resort and its sister, Disney’s Yacht Club, are two of my family’s favorite hotels at Disney World. You really can’t beat the ideal location, family friendly restaurants, and deluxe amenities at these Walt Disney World resort hotels. But, you may be wondering which of the two deluxe resorts you should book for your upcoming vacation.

While it’s true the Beach Club and Yacht Club share almost everything, the two resorts are also very different from each other. For example, one of the resorts offers a quieter vibe and rooms with full balconies while the other hotel features closer access to Epcot and restaurants. If you are looking for a comparison of Disney’s Beach Club vs Yacht Club resort, this post provides a comprehensive guide to help you choose the best hotel for your trip!

(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.)

Beach Club vs Yacht Club Rooms

Depending on availability for your vacation dates, Disney’s Beach Club Resort and Yacht Club Resort offer several options for hotel rooms. If you’re comparing the rooms at Disney Beach Club vs Yacht Club, we would crown Yacht Club the winner here .

The rooms at Disney’s Yacht Club have updated hardwood flooring rather than carpet. Also, the balconies at the Yacht Club are full balconies as opposed to the Beach Club where you will find standing only Juliet Balconies.

Standard View Rooms

Standard View rooms at the Beach Club and Yacht Club Resorts offer views of the rooftop or parking area. These rooms can sleep up to 5 adults since some of the standard view rooms have 2 queen beds and 1 daybed.

Garden View Rooms

Garden View rooms offer views of the garden, woods, or lawn area at Disney’s Beach Club and Yacht Club. These rooms can also sleep up to 5 adults as some provide 2 queen beds and 1 daybed.

Water View Rooms

Water View rooms at the Yacht Club and Beach Club Resorts offer views of one of the pools or of Crescent Lake. These rooms also sleep up to 5 adults if you have a room with 2 queen beds and 1 daybed.

Deluxe Room

Deluxe Rooms at Disney’s Beach Club offer more square footage than the regular hotel rooms. They can sleep up to 6 adults since they offer 2 queen beds and a queen sleeper sofa.

Club Level Rooms

The Club Level rooms at Disney’s Beach Club and Yacht Club Resorts offer standard, garden, or water views similar to the regular hotel rooms. However, you also receive special perks if you book a room in the Club Level. These are some of the benefits you will receive:

• concierge services
• Club Lounge with snacks and beverages
• complimentary health club access
• turndown service

Disney’s Beach Club Resort offers several options for suites.

• The 1 Bedroom Suite can sleep up to 4 adults with a king sized bed in the bedroom and a queen sleeper sofa in the separate sitting area. The 1 bedroom suite offers either garden or water views.
• The 2 Bedroom Suite can sleep up to 7 adults. It offers two separate bedrooms: one with a king bed and one with 2 queen beds. The 2 Bedroom Suite also has a daybed. Your views from this suite will be either of the garden or the water.
• The Nantucket VP Suite sleeps up to 2 adults with a king sized bed. It offers views of the water.
• The Newport Presidential sleeps up to 7 adults with 2 double beds, 1 king bed, and 1 daybed. It provides views of the water and Epcot.

Disney’s Yacht Club also offers a suite for guests. This 2-bedroom suite includes club level access and features two king beds and a queen pullout.

Room Requests

The rooms at Beach Club Resort come with a mini refrigerator. You can request a microwave when you check in as well. Other items you may request include bed rails, highchair, crib, and connecting rooms.

As mentioned above, it is important to note that not all of the rooms at Beach Club have FULL balconies. Many of them only offer the small Juliet type balcony. If a full-sized balcony is important to you, I HIGHLY recommend requesting this during online check in.

Beach Club vs Yacht Club Location

The Beach Club Resort at Walt Disney World sits near Epcot Theme Park and Disney’s Boardwalk entertainment district. Since this resort is located on Crescent Lake, you get amazing water views and sandy beaches where your kids can play. Beach Club’s sister resort, Disney’s Yacht Club, is located right next door.

These two resorts are connected, so you can easily walk between the two and enjoy the amenities each hotel has to offer. One of the most popular amenities at these sister resorts is their elaborate pool: Stormalong Bay. Even though the check-in time typically is not until 3:00, guests of the resorts can use the pool before their room is officially ready.

One of our top reasons for choosing to stay at Disney’s Beach Club and Yacht Club is their prime location. Below, I will detail how to get from the hotels to each of the Walt Disney World theme parks. Since both of these resorts sit on the same property, there really isn’t much of a difference on their location .

When comparing the Disney Beach Club vs Yacht Club, the Beach Club is slightly closer to Epcot while the Yacht Club is a bit closer to Hollywood Studios. The differences in distance are so small that I wouldn’t recommend basing your decision on that factor though . On a side note, if you are looking for tips on choosing the right Disney World hotel, join our Facebook group for personalized help on finding the best resort for your family!

If you are wondering how far Disney’s Beach Club and Yacht Club are from Epcot, you will be pleased to know it’s a short five-minute walk. You just stroll along the walkway near Crescent Lake and follow the signs for Epcot. You will arrive at the International Gateway entrance to Epcot, which is at the back of the park near the World Showcase.

to Hollywood Studios

If you are wanting to travel to Disney’s Hollywood Studios from the Beach Club Resort or the Yacht Club, you have several options to get there. You can walk along the scenic paths to the theme park, which takes about 20 minutes.

You can also take the water shuttle from the Beach Club to Hollywood Studios. Since the boat makes some stops along the way, this also takes about 20 minutes. You can also utilize the Skyliner from the International Gateway. This gondola ride will take you straight to Hollywood Studios.

to Magic Kingdom

If you want to access Magic Kingdom from the Yacht Club and Beach Club Resorts, you will need to board the Disney bus outside the lobby of one of the hotels. Depending on when you are visiting WDW, this shuttle bus may combine pickups by stopping at both the Beach Club and Disney’s Yacht Club. Magic Kingdom is about a 20-minute drive from Disney’s Beach Club Resort.

to Animal Kingdom

If you are looking to travel to Animal Kingdom Theme Park, you would need to board the Disney bus in front of the hotel. Each bus promptly displays where they are headed, so it’s super easy to catch the correct one. This ride is usually around 20 minutes long.

to Disney’s Boardwalk

Disney’s Boardwalk is super easy to access from the Yacht Club and Beach Club Resorts. The Boardwalk is located right across the lake from the hotels and is a short 5-minute walk. This area of Disney World is one of our favorites, and its close proximity to the hotels is a huge perk to staying in the Beach Club/Yacht Club area.

to Disney Springs

You would also need to drive or take the Disney shuttle bus to Disney Springs. This ride typically takes 20 minutes.

Activities Comparison

Disney’s Beach Club Resort and the Yacht Club offer many fun activities for families visiting with kids. Again, since these two hotels are sister resorts, guests staying at either hotel may experience activities at both hotels . In other words, the Beach Club and Yacht Club share the guest activities listed below.

The Beach Club and Yacht Club share an arcade that is located right by Stormalong Bay Pool. The arcade is full of fun video games and sports tables. This is a great rainy day activity!

Outdoor Movies

Disney’s Beach Club and Yacht Club resort show nightly movies outside on the lawn or sand. You can check out the entertainment schedule for the dates of your visit to determine which movies are playing. This activity schedule is usually released at the beginning of each month.

Kids love spending their evenings roasting marshmallows and making s’mores by the campfire. Sometimes Mickey’s friends even join in the fun!

Guests of Disney’s Beach Club Resort, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, and Disney’s Beach Club Villas have access to three leisure pool areas (one at each resort). In addition, these three Disney resorts share a main pool, Stormalong Bay, which I will discuss in more detail below.

Stormalong Bay is a massive pool and water play area shared by Disney’s Beach Club and Yacht Club resorts. If you have set aside time to enjoy this elaborate swimming area, note that pool towels are complimentary and available in the pool gates.

Stormalong Bay

Stormalong Bay offers lots of different spaces for swimming and playing in the water. Near the site of the large shipwreck model, you will find a kiddie pool perfect for little ones. This pool is in a contained area and is separate from the larger pool area.

This kiddie pool tends to be a bit quieter than the main pool. Stormalong Bay also has a sand bottom pool that is great for babies and toddlers . The super shallow water allows them to safely splash and play in the sand. You will find deeper areas of water to swim as well. Disney’s Beach Club Resort offers complimentary safety vests that little ones can use while playing and swimming.

In addition to the many swimming areas at Stormalong Bay, guests can enjoy the lazy river. You will find complimentary inner tubes available near the lazy river to make floating even more fun!

Water Slides

You will find two water slides at Stormalong Bay Pool. The larger of the two slides is a whopping 230 feet long. It begins atop the huge shipwreck model (pictured above) at the edge of the lake. This large water slide does not have a height requirement; however, there is a limit of one person at a time on the slide. This means that parents are not permitted to slide with their toddler or small child.

If you have an adventurous toddler who enjoys thrill rides, you can usually wait in the water at the bottom of the slide. This way you are available to grab your little one after he/she lands in the water. Children are permitted to wear complimentary safety vests on the slide as well.

*Note that you have to leave the main pool gates and climb many steep stairs to get to the top of this slide. Therefore, you will not want your toddler entering the slide area alone.

The smaller of the two slides is near the entrance to the larger slide. When you arrive in the shipwreck area, you will see a small, kiddie pool with a miniature water slide perfect for toddlers. Smaller kids should have no problem climbing to the top of this slide and sliding down to the pool below. You can clearly see them the whole time.

The shallow sand bottom section is perfect for toddlers and little kids to splash and dig. The lazy river is super fun and relaxing. The main water slide is a big hit for kids and adults. The kiddie water slide and pool area are great for toddlers and those who want a calmer sliding experience.

Price Comparison

Disney’s Yacht Club and Beach Club Resorts are typically priced similarly. My family and I often find that one may be a bit cheaper than the other for a specific set of dates, but a different set of dates may produce different results. If you are interested in experiencing all the great amenities of Disney’s Beach Club and Yacht Club resorts for a fraction of the price, I recommend looking into renting Disney Vacation Club points for a stay at the Beach Club Villas.

These villas are located on the same property as the Beach Club/Yacht Club Resorts, and they have access to the same great restaurants and activities! You can check out the “cost calculator” at David’s Vacation Club Rentals to see how much you save on your vacation dates. I have personally used David’s rental services multiple times and have always had great experiences!

Things to Do Near the Resorts

Since Disney’s Beach Club and Yacht Club Resorts are located in such a great spot near the Boardwalk and other resorts, you will find lots of kid friendly things to do within walking distance of the hotel.

Epcot Fireworks

One of our favorite activities just outside Disney’s Beach Club/Yacht Club is to view the nightly fireworks show at Epcot. You can grab some ice cream from Beaches and Cream and choose a spot near the walkway to Epcot. This is a great way to enjoy the fireworks show without having to maneuver between the crowds of people inside the park. It’s also a nice activity to enjoy at Disney World without purchasing a park ticket!

The Skyliner is one of the newer additions to Walt Disney World. This gondola ride connects several of the resort hotels to Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. If you are looking for a unique activity, take a ride on the Skyliner with your kids.

Fantasia Gardens and Fairways Miniature Golf is an 18-hole course themed off the movie Fantasia . Since this kid friendly activity is located near The Swan hotel, guests of Disney’s Yacht Club and Beach Club can easily walk to the mini golf course.

Restaurants

In addition to the easy access to the restaurants on Disney’s Boardwalk, guests at the Beach Club and Yacht Club Resorts have lots of dining options right at the hotel.

Beaches and Cream Soda Shop

Beaches and Cream is my personal all time favorite restaurant at Disney World. This diner offers all kinds of delicious options, including a tomato bisque that is out of this world!

Open daily for lunch and dinner, Beaches and Cream Soda Shop is located right beside Stormalong Bay Pool. They are famous for the ice cream concoction knows as The Kitchen Sink. Note that you are able to order some ice cream and to-go items from the window without actually going inside the diner.

Beach Club Marketplace

If you are looking for a quick stop on your way to the theme parks, Beach Club Marketplace is a great option. This dining venue serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Its diverse menu offers something for everyone. Beach Club Marketplace is our go-to for a fast breakfast or a quick snack before heading out for the day.

Martha’s Vineyard

Martha’s Vineyard is a lounge that serves all kinds of adult beverages. You can also order appetizers like clam chowder, chicken wings, and calamari from this venue.

Hurricane Hanna’s

Hurricane Hanna’s is located right outside by Stormalong Bay Pool. You can order your food and beverages from the counter and dine outside at the available tables.

Ale and Compass

Ale and Compass is a sit down restaurant located at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort. This dining venue serves family favorites for breakfast and options like seafood, chicken, and steak for dinner.

The Market at Ale and Compass

The Market at Ale and Compass is the quick service dining venue located at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort. Similar to The Beach Club Marketplace, this restaurant is a great stop for a quick meal.

Cape May Cafe

Cape May Cafe is located near the lobby of Disney’s Beach Club Resort. This restaurant is buffet style and serves your favorite seafood options. Cape May Cafe is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. However, the restaurant takes on a different theme for breakfast when it becomes the site for Minnie’s Beach Bash.

Yachtsman Steakhouse

Yachtsman Steakhouse is a signature dining restaurant at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort. You will find steak and seafood among other options on the menu. Since this is a signature dining experience, guests must adhere to a dress code .

Crew’s Cup Lounge

Crew’s Cup Lounge is located near Yactsman Steakhouse at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort. Here, you will find all kinds of adult beverages along with a few options for appetizers or snacks.

In Room Dining

Disney’s Beach Club Resort is one of the Walt Disney World hotels that offers room service. You will find an In Room Dining Menu in your hotel room with instructions on how to place an order.

The menu includes options for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late night dining. You can even pre-order your breakfast the night before, so your family can eat in the room as you get ready for the parks.

Character Dining

As mentioned above, Cape May Cafe at Disney’s Beach Club Resort becomes a character dining experience each morning for breakfast. Minnie’s Beach Bash Breakfast is a super fun way to start your day! The breakfast is buffet style and has a wide range of items to choose. You will even find a stand serving made to order omelets!

Minnie, Donald, Daisy, and Goofy each walk around the dining areas to greet you at your table. The characters are decked out in their finest beach wear to continue the theme of the dining experience.

Beach Club and Yacht Club vs Other Disney Resorts

Since Disney’s Beach Club and Yacht Club Resorts are my family’s favorite hotels at Disney World, I will try to explain WHY we love them so much! Below, I will compare the Beach Club/Yacht Club to other resorts at Disney World, so you can get an idea of why we choose to stay at these resorts. If you would like to see more comparisons between other hotels, feel free to comment below with the resorts you are considering. I know how stressful and overwhelming planning a Disney World vacation can be!

vs Beach Club Villas

Like the Yacht Club Resort, Disney’s Beach Club Villas have access to all the restaurants, activities, and amenities at the Beach Club resort. My recommendation is to choose the cheapest option of the three resorts . As mentioned above, renting DVC points for Beach Club Villas is often the best way to save money.

vs Boardwalk Inn

If you stay at Disney’s Boardwalk Inn, you get the perks of the awesome location near Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Boardwalk. You can also easily walk over to the Beach Club to enjoy the dining venues located there. The one big drawback to Boardwalk Inn is that you don’t get Stormalong Bay . Disney’s Boardwalk Inn has a really fun pool, but it just doesn’t compare to the elaborate swimming pool at the Beach Club.

vs Monorail Resorts

You may be wondering how the Beach Club compares to the monorail resorts: Grand Floridian, Contemporary, and Polynesian . These three resorts offer really easy access to Magic Kingdom, which is a huge perk if you have little kids.

They all offer great theming and activities as well. However, Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts get our pick because they’re usually priced significantly lower than the monorail resorts .

vs Caribbean Beach Resort

It is difficult to compare Disney’s Beach Club Resort with Caribbean Beach because they really aren’t similar at all. Even though the names may cause you to think differently, the two resorts do not have much in common. Caribbean Beach is a moderate hotel that is lovely, but it does not offer the amenities that the deluxe resorts do.

If you are not planning to spend a lot of time at your hotel, you can certainly look into Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. However, you will not have access to the prime location, restaurants, pool, and other activities that the Beach Club offers .

Final Review of Disney Beach Club vs Yacht Club

Since these two resorts share EVERYTHING, it’s really a matter of personal taste when deciding between these two hotels. The Disney Beach Club has a more relaxed vibe, while Yacht Club seems more sophisticated . We find that Stormalong Bay Pool is reason enough to stay at these amazing hotels. Who can pass up the opportunity to experience the best pool at Disney World?!

In addition, the location, restaurants, and activities offered at these deluxe resort hotels help to make your vacation one you will never forget! If I were planning a trip to Disney World, I would choose whichever is cheaper between the two ! Don’t forget to join our Facebook group for personalized help on finding the best resort for your family! So, how do you think they compare? Which resort would you choose? Disney Beach Club vs Yacht Club? Comment below to share!

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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Transportation Options and Tips for Disney’s Yacht Club (The Expert’s Guide)

Staying at Disney’s Yacht Club means you’ll have access to several modes of transportation from the resort. But what is the most efficient way to get from the resort to where you’re going? We’ve got the answers. Below, we’ll discuss every transportation tip you need to know for planning a vacation at Disney’s Yacht Club. We have stayed at this resort countless times and know all the ins and outs!

We recommend reviewing this entire guide in preparation for your trip. Then save it if you need a quick reference while on-site.

Can you imagine sitting at a bus stop at Walt Disney World and waiting for a bus that’s not coming? I would be willing to bet that scenario happens daily at Disney’s Yacht Club. Over the years, we’ve often witnessed guests waiting at the bus stop for a bus to Epcot or Hollywood Studios. Sometimes, they’ve been waiting a while. Other times, they get to the bus stop, start looking at the wait signs, and immediately realize they’ve made an error.

Time is precious at Walt Disney World, and while we can’t control how long we have to wait for anything, we can learn how to use transportation to our advantage. So let’s learn how to navigate our ship, in this case–the little Friendship boats that dock immediately behind the resort!

Disney’s Yacht Club Transportation Options

The following forms of transportation are available at Disney’s Yacht Club:

• Friendship Boats
• Disney’s Bus Service
• Skyliner (within walking distance)

*You can also walk to two theme parks from the resort, which we’ll discuss in more detail below.

Disney’s Yacht Club to Magic Kingdom

For Magic Kingdom, you’ll want to take the bus. Yacht Club’s bus stop is conveniently outside the resort’s front doors.

Disney’s Yacht Club shares its bus service with Disney’s Beach Club, its sister resort. So when you board the bus at the Yacht Club, you’ll stop at the Beach Club. After that, you’ll continue to the park.

Disney’s Yacht Club is the first stop when returning to the resort from Magic Kingdom. So you’ll be at an advantage on the return trip.

Disney’s Yacht Club to Epcot

You can get to Epcot from Disney’s Yacht Club in two ways. Since Disney’s Yacht Club is part of the Epcot Resorts Area , you are within short walking distance of Epcot.

#1 Walking to Epcot from the Yacht Club

How short is the walk to Epcot? Most will be able to walk out the back door of the Yacht Club and arrive at Epcot’s International Gateway in less than 10 minutes.

When you exit the resort’s lobby (on the resort side), you’ll take a left at the lighthouse and continue straight until you reach Epcot. As you can see from the picture below, it’s a gorgeous walk along stunning Crescent Lake.

#2 Taking a Friendship Boat to Epcot from the Yacht Club

Alternatively, you can continue straight to the lighthouse when you exit the Yacht Club. You can board one of Disney’s Friendship Boats and take it to Epcot from there. However, the boats take longer than walking.

The boat departs Yacht Club and continues across the lake to Disney’s Boardwalk. There, it will stop and unload before continuing to Epcot. This route takes approximately 15 minutes. You’ll board on the left-hand side of the dock if you decide to take the boat to Epcot.

Disney’s Yacht Club to Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Similar to traveling to Epcot, you’ll have two options for traveling to Disney’s Hollywood Studios from the Yacht Club.

#1 Walking to Hollywood Studios from the Yacht Club

First, you can walk to Hollywood Studios. However, I would caution that you know the length of the walk. We’ve mapped it, and it’s approximately 1.25 miles between Disney’s Yacht Club and Hollywood Studios.

This is one of our favorite “long” walks at the Walt Disney World Resort, but it’s not for everybody. Some days, it’s not even for us, especially when the sun is beating down so much that you might have two seconds to enjoy an ice cream cone before the entire thing turns into a–happy snowman.

That said, the serene walk is one of the best ways to escape crowds on the way back to the resort. Take it slow and allow yourself to decompress.

#2 Taking a Friendship Boat to Hollywood Studios from Yacht Club

When taking the boat to Hollywood Studios, you’ll want to board on the right-hand side of the dock. On this route, you’ll stop at Disney’s Swan and Dolphin Hotel to load and unload. Then, you’ll continue to Hollywood Studios.

Disney’s Friendship Boats are a pleasant way to travel. There is one row of exterior seats on the back of each boat, but most of the seating is inside. So, if you get in line early, you might be able to snag a seat outside.

On the return trip from Hollywood Studios, you’ll stop at the Swan and Dolphin before arriving at the Yacht Club. If you want to learn more, we have a complete guide that discusses  Disney’s Friendship Boat routes .

Disney’s Yacht Club to Animal Kingdom

You’ll take a bus from the Yacht Club to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. It takes approximately 15 minutes to travel from the resort to Animal Kingdom. However, loading and unloading can take extra time when you stop at the Beach Club. Again, you’ll be the first stop on the return trip.

Disney’s Yacht Club to Disney Springs

You’ll also need to take a bus from Disney’s Yacht Club to Disney Springs. On our last visit, this was the longest route because the bus stopped at the Yacht Club, Beach Club, and Boardwalk.

While this isn’t always the case, I wanted to mention it because the resorts may share buses during slower parts of the day. Regardless, you’ll be the first stop on the return trip from Disney Springs.

Accessibility at Disney’s Yacht Club

Most transportation options at Disney’s Yacht Club accommodate guests with accessibility needs. Disney provides an overview of each form of transportation on their website.

All bus stops have a separate spot for guests in wheelchairs and ECVs to wait. Additionally, the Friendship Boats accommodate most wheelchairs and ECVs. Disney has an excellent resource on their site if you want to learn more: Transportation and Mobility Disabilities at Disney World

Disney’s Yacht Club to Typhoon Lagoon

You’ll have to take a bus from the Yacht Club to Disney Springs to reach Typhoon Lagoon. At Disney Springs, you’ll board a transfer bus to Typhoon Lagoon.

You will return this same way. However, when you return to Disney Springs at the end of the day, you’ll have to locate the bus stop for Yacht Club.

Previously, Disney offered direct bus service to and from the resorts to the water parks. If this changes, signage at the bus stop will indicate which bus to take.

You may notice in the photo below under Typhoon Lagoon it says, “Take the Disney Springs bus and transfer.” You’ll want to confirm this when you arrive at the Yacht Club’s bus stop.

Disney’s Yacht Club to Blizzard Beach

You’ll also take a transfer bus to Blizzard Beach. However, you’ll take a bus to Disney’s Animal Kingdom for this water park. When you exit the Disney’s Animal Kingdom bus, you’ll board a transfer bus to Blizzard Beach.

On return, you’ll take a bus from Blizzard Beach to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. You’ll have to locate Disney’s Yacht Club’s bus stop from there.

Side note: When we stay at Disney’s Yacht Club, we typically like to spend an entire resort day at Stormalong Bay . So we rarely visit the water parks.

However, driving to the water parks is much easier (or taking a car service) than using the buses. While the transfer buses aren’t the end of the world, they are a pain. That’s especially true when everyone is tired at the end of the day, and you’ve got wet swimsuits in tow, among other things.

Disney’s Yacht Club to Disney’s Boardwalk (and Epcot Resorts)

Those staying at Disney’s Beach Club will likely visit Disney’s Boardwalk Inn at least once during their vacation. Disney’s Boardwalk has several excellent restaurants. We have a list with an overview of the restaurants at Disney’s Boardwalk if you want to learn more.

You’ll have two options for getting to the Boardwalk. First, you can walk. It takes about 10 minutes at a leisurely pace.

Or you can take the Friendship Boat (on the Epcot side) and exit at the Boardwalk. This will only take a few minutes, depending on how long you wait for the boat.

You can also walk or boat to the Swan and Dolphin Hotel. If you’re visiting the Swan Reserve, you can still walk. But if you boat, you’ll exit at the Swan and Dolphin and then walk to the Swan Reserve.

Since Disney’s Beach Club Resort is connected to the Yacht Club via an indoor/outdoor walkway, you can easily walk back and forth between them. If it’s raining on the walk back from Epcot, you’ll want to enter the Beach Club’s lobby and take the covered walkway back to the Yacht Club.

Disney’s Yacht Club to the Monorail Resorts

Additionally, most guests will want to visit the  monorail resorts  for dining or touring. You can take a bus from Disney’s Yacht Club to Magic Kingdom to do this.

From there, you will have to walk through security at Magic Kingdom. Then you can walk, boat, or monorail to the following resorts:

• Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa (walk, boat, monorail)
• Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort (boat, monorail, technically can  walk via the Grand Floridian walkway to Magic Kingdom)
• Disney’s Contemporary Resort (walk or monorail)

Disney’s Yacht Club to Disney’s Wilderness Lodge or Fort Wilderness

If you want to visit Fort Wilderness or Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, you can take a bus to Magic Kingdom. You’ll then take a boat from Magic Kingdom to either resort.

Of course, these are not the only ways to travel back and forth to the above-mentioned resorts. You could always take a boat or walk to Hollywood Studios and then board a bus to any of those resorts as long as it’s within the park’s operating hours.

Disney’s Yacht Club to the Skyliner Resorts

Additionally, at some point, you might want to ride the Disney Skyliner or visit the Skyliner Resorts. Skyliner stations are available near the entrance of Hollywood Studios and at the Epcot’s International Gateway .

Epcot will be the nearest location to Disney’s Yacht Club. From there, the Skyliner travels in this order:

• Epcot International Gateway
• Disney’s Riviera Resort
• Disney’s Caribbean Beach

At Disney’s Caribbean Beach, you must exit the Skyliner and reboard another line to one of the following:

• Disney’s Art of Animation and Pop Century
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Or you could always return to Disney’s Riviera and Epcot.

Yacht Club to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

For visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, we usually take a bus from the Yacht Club to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Then, we’ll take a bus from the Animal Kingdom to the Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Note that the bus makes two stops at the Lodge. The first is Kidani Village, and the second is Jambo House. You’ll want to know which location is your intended destination.

You can also boat or walk to Hollywood Studios and take a bus to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Disney’s Yacht Club to the Disney Springs Resorts

If you would like to visit one of the resorts near Disney Springs, you can take a bus from the Yacht Club to Disney Springs. You’ll have these options:

• Walk or take a water taxi from the Disney Springs Marketplace to Disney’s Saratoga Springs
• Take a water taxi from the Disney Springs Marketplace to Old Key West Resort, Port Orleans-French Quarter, or Port Orleans-Riverside.

If you do not want to walk across Disney Springs and boat to these resorts, an alternative would be to take a boat to Hollywood Studios (during hours of operation) and then take a bus to that resort. 

Related:  Disney Springs Transportation Guide

Airport to Disney’s Yacht Club

Lastly, when traveling from the Orlando International Airport (MCO), you’ll need to arrange transportation to the resort. Disney no longer offers transportation between the airport and the Walt Disney World Resort. 

Tip: If you need to travel outside of complimentary transportation hours, you can order a car service (e.g., Lyft, Uber, Taxi, or Minnie Van). We try to avoid the extra expense as much as possible. But if we had late dining reservations or something comparable, we would take a car service back to our hotel.

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, this article gives you a good idea of how to get to and from your desired destinations. Walt Disney World is a tremendous place and can be overwhelming when you’re unfamiliar.

As for Disney’s Yacht Club, you might enjoy a few other articles;

• Disney’s Yacht Club Review
• Restaurants at Disney’s Yacht Club
• Room Tour: Standard Guest Room at Yacht Club
• Laundry at Disney’s Yacht Club

Or you can preview our entire list of Disney World Transportation Guides .

Our documented transportation times share how long it takes to get to and from every resort hotel at Walt Disney World to every major destination.

In the Comments

Did you find this transportation guide for Disney’s Yacht Club helpful? Do you have any questions about the transportation options at this 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!

Wonderful , concise advice! My family of 6 will be staying at the Disney Yacht Club for 5 days beginning Nov 7…our 1st visit to Disneyworld! Coming from Massachusetts we will be arriving at Orlando @ 10am and would like to take transport all together to resort. How can we reserve transportation from airport to Yacht Club?

Thank you! Many people use Mears Connect, a bus service from the airport to Disney: https://www.mearsconnect.com/

You could also use a private car service to get to and from the airport.

Thank you for all detailed information. But I realized that we won’t have many options coming from After Hour at Hollywood Studios. We’ll probably drive a car, if we don’t want to walk at 1am.

You are welcome! We walked back to the Yacht Club when we did After Hours. I didn’t know it at the time, but was told later that bus service is provided to Beach, Yacht, and Boardwalk at the end of After Hours. I assume it starts after the boats finish.

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

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

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

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

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

Disney Crowd Calendar

Disney’s Yacht Club Vs Beach Club

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

Thematic Differences

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

Location and Proximity to EPCOT

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

Room Types and Accommodations

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

Dining Options

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

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

Why should I choose the Beach Club or Yacht Club?

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

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

Related Post: Complete Guide to the Walt Disney World Boardwalk 

Difference in Rooms at Yacht and Beach Club Resort 2024

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

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

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

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

Related Page: Guide to the Virtual Queue at Disney World

Location When Comparing Beach Club Vs Yacht Club 

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

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

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

Related post:  The Complete Guide to the Disney Skyliner Route

Dining at Beach and Yacht Club Resort 2024

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

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

What are the Disney Beach Club restaurants?

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

What are the Disney Yacht Club Restaurants ?

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

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

Disney’s Yacht Club vs Beach Club – In Conclusion

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

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

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

When is The Best Time to Visit Disney World?

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

Are You Ready to Plan Your Next Disney World Trip?

Are you planning a trip to Walt Disney World? Be sure to speak with a  Disney World Travel Agent   for the most recent deals and promotions. The Park Prodigy will provide a  Free Quote  for all  Disney World Vacation Packages .  The Park Prodigy can also help you save up to $20 per ticket when purchasing your  Walt Disney World Tickets ,   and we offer promotional discounts for special events such as  Boo Bash Halloween Party Tickets and  Very Merry Christmas Party Tickets .   If you’re brand new to Disney vacation planning we recommend our  Walt Disney World Planning Page!   Learn more about Disney hotels by reading our  Walt Disney World Hotels Review page .

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

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

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The 17 best Disney World hotels for your 2024 stay

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

Related: The best travel credit cards

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

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

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

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

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

Here are our top picks:

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

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

Best Deluxe Disney World resorts

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Best Moderate Disney World resorts

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Best Value Disney World resorts

Value Disney resorts are the most affordable Disney World hotels.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Best Disney World resort pools

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

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

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

Related: The best pools at Walt Disney World

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Best Disney World resorts for large families

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

Related: The best Orlando hotels for large families

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

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

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

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

Best Disney World resorts for adults

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Related: Is a Disney annual pass worth it?

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

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

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

Bottom line

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

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

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

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A Progressive Date at Disney’s BoardWalk

Disney’s BoardWalk is arguably one of the best date night spots on Disney property. The picturesque boardwalk that transports you to a seaside town in New England becomes even more romantic as the sun goes down. There are plenty of ways to fill your night here and it can be hard to pick just a couple. Here's our itinerary for exploring the best of Disney's BoardWalk on a progressive date night.

Updated August 2024 by Meghan Roth

Date Night at Disney's Boardwalk

Start with drinks.

Choose one of these locations to enjoy a drink at the beginning of your night.

Belle Vue Lounge If you walk through the hotel lobby to get to the BoardWalk, head down the hallway to your right for a laid-back lounge with a relaxed atmosphere. Modeled after a 1930s drawing room, this cozy little spot is perfect for soaking up the seaside breeze with a glass of wine in hand.

If you feel like stirring up some competition, settle into a comfy couch in the drawing room and challenge your partner to a board game. Or, order a drink and sit outside on the porch to people watch. Hours: 4pm–12am

AbracadaBar Located on the right-hand side of the BoardWalk, this is a favorite place for many. BoardWalk tales say that this bar is where the magicians and illusionists would gather after their performances to compare tricks and create new cocktails. The enchantment is apparent inside this space. Cozy up to the bar and order one of their magic-themed drinks, like a Magic Hattan, a Hoodunit’s Punch or the ever-mysterious Pepper’s Ghost. Hours: 4pm–12am

RELATED: Best Places to Grab a Beer at Walt Disney World

Main Course

Flying Fish Recently redesigned with an open kitchen, this seasonal seafood restaurant embodies luxury dining. For every dish, the presentation is key. There is a chef’s counter which lets you peek into the kitchen as your food is prepared.

If you choose to have your main course here, we highly recommend making reservations and checking out the dress code beforehand. Hours: 5pm-9:30pm

Trattoria al Forno If you prefer the cozy romance of a traditional Italian trattoria, this laid-back restaurant is the place to be. Think exposed brick, a warm show kitchen, and a wine list composed exclusively of Italian wines.

According to Disney legend, the trattoria was once a boarding house and tavern, owned by an Italian family on the boardwalk. Their authentic regional dishes and hand-picked Italian wines were so popular, the space was converted, room by room, into a full-blown restaurant.

Each room has a slightly different feel, so feel free to request a table to suit your mood. Try the Sala de Pranzo for a lively atmosphere, or the Taverna for a more intimate dinner date. Hours: 5pm–10pm

Yachtsmen Steakhouse Located at Disney's Yacht Club, Yachtsmen Steakhouse is a signature Disney restaurant beloved by many. It is a ten-minute walk around Cresent Lake from Disney's BoardWalk and a great alternative on our itinerary if you're looking to really explore the area.

As you might have guessed, hand-cut steaks are the star of the show here, and there is a fantastic selection of seafood and other options too. The atmosphere is very date night worthy, so get a little dressed up and enjoy the experience. Hours: 5pm–9:30pm

BoardWalk Deli Short on time? Build your own delicious picnic at the BoardWalk Deli, the newest addition to Disney’s BoardWalk. This nostalgic quick-service spot serves up “delectably delightful” pastries, hot or cold sandwiches, salads, and sides to go. You can even grab drinks, if you like! We’re especially keen on the playful cocktails, like the Social Hour Sunkissed Fizz. This summery blend of vodka, yuzu, peach, key lime, and jasmine is perfect for balmy evenings on the BoardWalk.

Pack a blanket for maximum picnic enjoyment, and spread out on the sandy shore of the Beach Club next door. To get there, exit the BoardWalk Deli, turn right, and continue around Lake Crescent until you hit the beach. Hours: 7am–10pm

Coming Soon: Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs

Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs currently serves Hand-dipped Corn Dogs and other unique Corn Dog creations over in Disneyland at the Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs kiosk in Downtown Disney.

This new location will serve some favorites from Disneyland Resort as well as brand-new items exclusive to Disney's BoardWalk.

• Mexican Street Corn Dog
• Lemonade and Strawberry Lemonade (Non-alcoholic beverages)
• Fresh Spun Cotton Candy

After Dinner Fun

After indulging in all the food and drinks, take a break and let your food digest by visiting one of these game stops.

BoardWalk games Throughout Disney's BoardWalk, you'll find various midway games and live entertainers, such as free throw shooting, ring toss, jugglers, magicians, and more. Take some time to explore!

Surrey Bikes Rent a 2-person surrey bike for half an hour to travel around the BoardWalk and burn some calories. Surrey bike rental costs around $25 per half hour. The bike rental station is located right in the middle of the BoardWalk.

Important note – ESPN Club is permanently closed. A new restaurant focused on sweets is in development.

BoardWalk Ice Cream What was once home to Ample Hills Creamery, is now simply named BoardWalk Ice Cream. This classic ice cream parlor offers awesome sundaes and shakes, as well as simple scoops of ice cream.

The vintage style beverages like the classic Egg Cream and Cherry Limeade are an affordable date idea. Currently, the only plant-based options are soy-based chocolate and vanilla. Hours: 3pm–11pm

BoardWalk Treats Just like there are games scattered around the BoardWalk, there is also food! And we all know fried, greasy fair food is the best. So, grab a funnel cake and enjoy!

Coming Soon: The Cake Bake Shop by Gwendolyn Rogers Expected to open in 2024, this whimsical full-service restaurant will feature sweet and savory eats, dreamy desserts, and a lavish afternoon tea service. Stop in for a sweet bite and a glass of French bubbles in the pastel-hued tea room. The Cake Bake Shop features dozens of desserts made with the finest ingredients. All cakes are made in-house daily, and you can also order pies made from scratch, cheesecakes, cookie bars, french pastries, and ice cream. Pair your treats with champagne, elegant specialty cocktails, or imaginative espresso drinks.

The shop even has its own exclusive blend of French rosé bubbles, created in partnership with Jean-Charles Boisset! Try Gwendolyn’s Famous Earl’s Court Chocolate Cake, an award-winning signature recipe beloved by the likes of Dick Van Dyke, Ina Garten, and Elton John.

Continue the Night

Jellyrolls Probably the most famous spot on Disney’s BoardWalk is Jellyrolls, a dueling piano bar. While the cover to get in might seem a little expensive, it is definitely worth the cost. It’s a little bit tamer than your usual non-Disney piano bar, but the piano players are incredibly talented.

The bar can become standing room only as everyone wanders over after visiting EPCOT, or after watching the fireworks . And the later it gets, the better the music and environment become. Request one of these songs for a truly unique performance: “Disney Medley,” “TV Show Medley,” “Boy Band Medley,” and “Rainbow Connection.” Hours: 7pm-2am

Atlantic Dance Hall Dance the night away at this 1940s-style dance hall. There’s no cover charge, so you can dance all night long, or just pop in for an hour before moving on. The club plays music from the 80s, 90s, and today, and is open on the weekends for maximum enjoyment. Ages 21+ only. Hours: Thursday–Sunday 8pm–1am

BoardWalk Courtyard Before you leave for the night, take a nice romantic walk around the grounds of Disney’s BoardWalk Inn. If you venture back into the hotel, make a left and walk straight out of the far doors. This will lead you to a private courtyard where many of the inn's suites are located. It is a very secluded, romantic spot where you can enjoy some alone time away from the crowds. Please be mindful of the guests and do not visit this spot too late.

Parking When parking at Disney’s BoardWalk, you must present an ID. Keep in mind it may be difficult to find parking if there is an event going on at Epcot. Sometimes having a dining reservation helps. You can always use a rideshare app or Disney transportation from Disney Springs.

Fireworks Disney’s BoardWalk is one of the locations we recommend for fireworks viewing . Be sure to include this in your schedule if you are interested.

Sit at the Bar/Make Reservations We highly recommend you sit at the bar at each location, especially if you're just ordering a few things to share. Reservations are highly recommended for any table service restaurant.

Hidden Mickeys While you are at Disney, you might as well be looking for hidden Mickeys. You can search for their locations in advance, or conduct your own scavenger hunt to see how many you can find during your visit.

Hours Please note: Hours for restaurant locations can change based on the season. Please check the website before making your final plans.

Disney's Mobile Ordering You can Mobile Order food at select restaurants and quick service locations through the MyDisneyExperience app. This includes select table service restaurants like Ale and Compass at Disney's Yacht Club. This is a great option if you want to enjoy a meal away from the busy dining room. There is plenty of seating throughout the entire BoardWalk area.

Disney Boat and Skyliner Transportation The BoardWalk area is beloved because of its prime location between EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios. These theme parks are within walking distance, and there is also boat transportation and Disney Skyliner transportation. The Skyliner station is near the back entrance to EPCOT by Disney's Beach Club. Check out our Skyliner Crawl itineraries .

Additional Options While some of these options are not immediately part of Disney’s BoardWalk, they are convenient and can always be included or substituted for any of the locations listed above.

• Ale and Compass
• Beaches & Cream Soda Shop
• Crew’s Cup Lounge
• Kimonos Lounge for karaoke, sushi and sake
• Fantasia Gardens Mini Golf (across the street from the Swan & Dolphin)

Feature image credit: Jellyrolls

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

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• On 7/8/2024 Amy from County Down Asked: Hi, we don't have any park tickets and are not staying at a disney resort but would love to go to disney boardwalk and go on the disney skyliner. Where would be best for us to park? Thanks

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Early Theme Parks Entry and Extended Evening Hours Disney Reveals Attraction Line-Up for 2024 Extended Evening Hours at Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom 3 days ago in "early theme parks entry and extended evening hours", gallery / 1 photo extended evening hours at disney's animal kingdom. Disney has today confirmed the attraction line-up for Extended Evening Hours for Deluxe Resort hotel guests at Disney's Animal Kingdom and Disney's Hollywood Studios during the fall 2024 season. Beginning Wednesday, September 25, 2024 Extended Evening Hours will return to Disney's Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World from 9 pm to 11 pm, and the first Extended Evening Hours event at Disney's Animal Kingdom in 2024 is set for Friday October 11, 2024, from 6 pm to 8 pm. Notably, and as we saw in 2023, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance will not be available at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Following the pattern of recent years, Extended Evening Hours at Disney's Hollywood Studios will take over from Magic Kingdom, which will be hosting ticketed late night events, including Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. Here is the Fall 2024 Extended Evening Hours schedule released so far: Wednesday, September 25 : Disney's Hollywood Studios Monday, September 30 : EPCOT Wednesday, October 2 : Disney's Hollywood Studios Monday, October 7 : EPCOT Friday, October 11 : Disney's Animal Kingdom Monday, October 14 : EPCOT Wednesday, October 16 : Disney's Hollywood Studios Monday, October 21 : Disney's Animal Kingdom Attractions available during 2024 Extended Evening Hours at Disney's Animal Kingdom Avatar Flight of Passage Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain It's Tough to be a Bug! Na'vi River Journey TriceraTop Spin Attractions available during 2024 Extended Evening Hours at Disney's Hollywood Studios Alien Swirling Saucers Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run MuppetVision 3D Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith Slinky Dog Dash Star Tours – The Adventures Continue Toy Story Mania! The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror Extended Evening Hours Participating Hotels Extended evening theme park hours is a benefit for registered Guests staying at Disney Deluxe Resorts and Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts, which include: Disney Deluxe Resorts Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Disney's Beach Club Resort Disney's BoardWalk Inn Disney's Contemporary Resort Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa Disney's Polynesian Village Resort Disney's Wilderness Lodge Disney's Yacht Club Resort The Cabins at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort - A Disney Vacation Club Resort Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney's Wilderness Lodge Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village Disney's Beach Club Villas Disney's BoardWalk Villas Disney's Old Key West Resort Disney's Polynesian Villas & Bungalows Disney’s Riviera Resort Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa The Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa Other Select Hotels Walt Disney World Swan Hotel Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel Walt Disney World Swan Reserve Shades of Green on Walt Disney World Follow WDWMAGIC on Facebook , Twitter and YouTube for more Walt Disney World news and updates Get walt disney world news delivered to your inbox, conversation. mattpeto 2 days ago nickys 2 days ago Jeff456 2 days ago bwr827 2 days ago Purduevian 2 days ago Kevin_W 2 days ago ToTBellHop 2 days ago doctornick 3 days ago Meeko77 3 days ago SplashJacket 3 days ago DCBaker 3 days ago epcotfan1982 9 days ago Latest news more news →, blue ribbon corn dogs now open at disney's boardwalk resort in walt disney world, disney's boardwalk cake bake shop edges closer to opening as new kitchen buildout permit is filed, test track's canopy structure removed as part of epcot's new ride transformation, epcot's communicore hall closes for 2024 food and wine festival preparations, more from " early theme parks entry and extended evening hours ", news / 21 days ago extended evening hours coming to disney's animal kingdom in fall 2024, news / 1 month ago extended evening theme park hours return to disney's hollywood studios at walt disney world in 2024, gallery / 1 year ago. 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Advertising Privacy Policy Change Cookie Consent Affiliate Policy   FORUMS   news,   reviews,   a-z site map,   wdwmagic app. Attractions Announced for 2024 Disney's Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom Extended Evening Hours W alt Disney World has announced the full list of attractions that will be available during extended evening hours at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom this fall. Extended evening hours are offered on select dates for guests staying at Disney Deluxe Resort, Disney Deluxe Villa Resort, or other select hotels. The extended Disney’s Hollywood Studios hours and Disney’s Animal Kingdom hours replace those at Magic Kingdom, which instead offers Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party in the fall and winter. Disney’s Hollywood Studios Extended Evening Hours Extended evening hours at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. Dates announced so far include September 25, October 2, and October 16. The following attractions will be open. Alien Swirling Saucers Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run Muppet*Vision 3D Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith Slinky Dog Dash Star Tours – The Adventures Continue The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror Toy Story Mania! Note that, like last year, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance will not be available. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Extended Evening Hours Extended evening hours will be available from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, with only October 11 announced so far. The following attractions will be open. Avatar Flight of Passage Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain It’s Tough to be a Bug! Na’vi River Journey TriceraTop Spin Participating Hotels & Resorts Guests staying at the following hotels and resorts are eligible for extended evening hours. Disney Deluxe Resorts Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Disney’s Beach Club Resort Disney’s BoardWalk Inn Disney’s Contemporary Resort Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Disney’s Yacht Club Resort Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village Disney’s Beach Club Villas Disney’s BoardWalk Villas Disney’s Old Key West Resort Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows Disney’s Riviera Resort Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort – A Disney Vacation Club Resort  (The extended evening theme park hours benefit applies to Disney Vacation Club Cabins only.) The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa Other Select Hotels Walt Disney World Swan Hotel Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel Walt Disney World Swan Reserve Shades of Green on Walt Disney World Resort Will you be attending any Extended Evening Hours this fall at Disney’s Animal Kingdom or Disney’s Hollywood Studios? Let us know in the comments. For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today on  Twitter ,  Facebook , and  Instagram . The post Attractions Announced for 2024 Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom Extended Evening Hours appeared first on WDW News Today . 410 IMAGES A Tour of Disney's Beach & Yacht Club Walking Around Disney's Yacht & Beach Club Resorts in 4K Disney's Yacht Club and Boardwalk. Photograph by David Lee Thompson Disney BoardWalk: Everything You Need To Know REVIEW Disney's Yacht Club Resort COMMENTS Disney's Yacht Club Resort For assistance with your Walt Disney World vacation, including resort/package bookings and tickets, please call (407) 939-5277. For Walt Disney World dining, please book your reservation online. 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM Eastern Time. Guests under 18 years of age must have parent or guardian permission to call. Disney's Boardwalk Inn vs Yacht Club Resort Type. Both the Boardwalk Inn and Yacht Club are considered to be " Deluxe Resorts " by Disney's standards. In short, this means they are considered to be in the best resort category when looking at resorts on Disney property. As a deluxe guest, you will have access to early park hours, as well as extended park hours. Yacht Club v. Beach Club v. BoardWalk Inn Here's a look at some 2024 pricing (you can always find this information at MouseSavers ): Early Feb — Yacht/Beach $569 vs. BoardWalk $641. Mid April — Yacht/Beach $721 vs. BoardWalk $738. Christmas — Yacht/Beach $1043 vs. BoardWalk $1118. This price differential has been around for years and never made sense to me. Yacht Club vs. BoardWalk Inn Disney World Resort Guide 2023 Yacht Club and BoardWalk Inn. Both hotels are considered "EPCOT-area" resort and sit on Crescent Lake, across the water from each other. These resorts are situated in between TWO Disney parks, EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. Yep, that's right, you can walk or enjoy a relaxing boat ride on a Friendship Cruise boat to both EPCOT and Disney's ... Yacht Club Fact Sheet The Yacht Club (YC) is a five-story, 630 room resort, slightly larger than its sister resort, the Beach Club (BC), located along the shore of Crescent Lake, opposite the Boardwalk Resort.Themed after seaside New England hotels of the late 1800s, the Yacht Club has a stately, nautical look and feel; hardwood floors and brass accents enhance this feeling. Disney's Yacht Club Resort Review (Is it worth it?) 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. Review of Disney's Yacht Club Resort Important Note: Disney has announced that from January 2025 through June 2025, Stormalong Bay, the feature pool at Yacht Club and Beach Club will be closed. We do not recommend staying at these hotels during this time, and recommend you instead consider Boardwalk Inn.. Another Important Note: Per Disney, "From January 2025 through May 2025, some guest rooms at Disney's Yacht Club Resort will ... Disney's Beach Club vs Yacht Club: Which Should You Choose? As you can see, Disney's Beach Club Resort and Yacht Club Resort have a lot in common and share many of the same amenities and perks. However, they have distinct themes that create different atmospheres. The Beach Club is more relaxed and refined, while the Yacht Club is more stately and elegant. Disney's Yacht Club Resort For assistance with your Walt Disney World vacation, including resort/package bookings and tickets, please call (407) 939-5277. For Walt Disney World dining, please book your reservation online. 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM Eastern Time. Guests under 18 years of age must have parent or guardian permission to call. Guests at Disney's Yacht Club Resort ... Disney Yacht Club Resort Review Yacht Club Resort at Walt Disney World. Yacht Club is a deluxe resort at Walt Disney World that is situated in Disney's Boardwalk area, near EPCOT. With an elegant New England style Yacht Club theme, this nautical resort is the perfect place to relax and unwind. Disney's Yacht Club Resort Disney's Yacht Club Resort is a New England nautical-themed resort at Walt Disney World. [1] First opened on November 5, 1990, it is one of the several Epcot Area Resorts.Disney's Yacht Club is located next to a sister resort, Disney's Beach Club Resort, and across Crescent Lake from Disney's BoardWalk Resort.The resort is owned and operated by Disney Parks, Experiences and Products. Disney's Yacht Club, Beach Club, or BoardWalk: Which EPCOT Resort Is Disney's BoardWalk Inn. Our number one pick for best EPCOT-area Resort is Disney's BoardWalk Inn, a whimsical turn-of-the-century-style Resort with oceanside offerings. To us, the BoardWalk feels a lot less stuffy than Disney's Yacht & Beach Club Resorts while still providing an elegant backdrop to a Disney stay. Disney's BoardWalk Inn EPCOT is a short walk from the BoardWalk Inn, and the walk to Hollywood Studios is just a little longer. Disney provides free boat service to EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios from the resort. You can walk between the Beach Club, Yacht Club, BoardWalk, Swan, Swan Reserve, And Dolphin. Boat service is available to all of those, too, except ... Which Resort Has The Best Club Level In Disney World? As we mentioned in a previous post, the price of staying Club Level ranges from an additional $100 a night to $275 a night depending on the resort. A good rule of thumb is that the more expensive the hotel and room category, the greater the added cost. Elegance…. Disney's Grand Floridian Resort. Disney Beach Club vs Yacht Club (Which to Choose) Since Disney's Beach Club and Yacht Club Resorts are located in such a great spot near the Boardwalk and other resorts, you will find lots of kid friendly things to do within walking distance of the hotel. Epcot Fireworks. One of our favorite activities just outside Disney's Beach Club/Yacht Club is to view the nightly fireworks show at Epcot. Disney's Yacht Club Transportation Guide (By Resorts Gal) Disney's Yacht Club to Animal Kingdom. You'll take a bus from the Yacht Club to Disney's Animal Kingdom. It takes approximately 15 minutes to travel from the resort to Animal Kingdom. However, loading and unloading can take extra time when you stop at the Beach Club. Again, you'll be the first stop on the return trip. What is the walking distance between the Yach... You can certainly take a leisurely stroll from Disney's Yacht Club Resort through the BoardWalk Area to reach any of the other resorts. The distance between Disney's Yacht Club Resort, and the complex comprised of Disney's BoardWalk Inn, and Disney's BoardWalk Villas, is less than a mile. I invite you to view this satellite map by Robo HERE. Disney's Yacht Club Resort For assistance with your Walt Disney World vacation, including resort/package bookings and tickets, please call (407) 939-5277. For Walt Disney World dining, please book your reservation online. 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM Eastern Time. Guests under 18 years of age must have parent or guardian permission to call. Disney's Yacht Club vs Beach Club 2024 Disney Yacht Club: Features a more formal, sophisticated theme inspired by the seaside cottages of the Northeast, with a color palette of modern greys and whites. It's designed to offer an elegant experience reminiscent of a yacht club. ... Related post: Complete Guide to the Disney World Boardwalk in 2022. Disney's Yacht Club vs Beach Club ... Boardwalk vs. Beach Club vs. Yacht Club : r/WaltDisneyWorld Boardwalk (Pricest: $1,789 Per Room): I hear this is the newest renovation - the rooms seem stale to me, though and I hear the pool is the "worst" of the 3. Yacht Club (Lowest Rate of Stay: $1,029 Per Room) I've been told this is a bit more upscale compared to the other two and has a great pool. Beach Club (Mid-Level Rate of Stay: $1,444 Per ... These are the 17 best Disney hotels in 2024 Rates for standard rooms at Disney's BoardWalk Inn average around $600 per night. Bottom line. ... Whether you're itching to splash around in the Stormalong Bay pool complex at Disney's Yacht Club and Beach Club resorts, stretch your budget at Disney's Pop Century Resort, retreat to a cabin at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort or get an iconic ... Guide to a Progressive Date Night at Disney's BoardWalk Disney's BoardWalk is arguably one of the best date night spots on Disney property. The picturesque boardwalk that transports you to a seaside town in New. ... Located at Disney's Yacht Club, Yachtsmen Steakhouse is a signature Disney restaurant beloved by many. It is a ten-minute walk around Cresent Lake from Disney's BoardWalk and a great ... Room Rates at Disney's Yacht Club Resort Rooms and Suites with Club-Level Service. Secured key access to the club-level lounge, serving refreshments 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily. Access to Disney Signature Services—for personal assistance with your vacation. Call: 407-939-7777. Where to Visit: Disney Boardwalk or Disney Springs The Disney Boardwalk Inn is a deluxe resort and Disney Vacation Club resort located in the Epcot resort area of the park. In addition to a deluxe resort, the Boardwalk area offers shops ... EPCOT Resorts For Your Disney Family Vacation Walt Disney World Boardwalk Inn. The Boardwalk Inn is a deluxe Disney resort and DVC property offering several room types. You'll find standard views, water views, garden views, and club-level ... I would like to visit the Animal Park during ... The boats will first stop at Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Hotels, and then at Disney's Yacht & Beach Club Resorts before docking across Crescent Lake at Disney's BoardWalk. You can also soar in a Skyliner gondola to the International Gateway stop at the back of EPCOT after making a quick transfer at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort. Disney Transportation Guide for Getting Around Walt Disney World These include Disney's Beach Club, Yacht Club, and the Boardwalk Inn Resort. All of these are within walking distance of EPCOT Park's back entrance, known as the International Gateway. Disney Reveals Attraction Line-Up for 2024 Extended Evening Hours at DCBaker2 days ago In an update to the Walt Disney World website, Disney has confirmed the attractions list for the return of Extended Evening Hours at Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom: Disney's Hollywood Studios Alien Swirling Saucers Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run Muppet*Vision 3D Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith Slinky Dog Dash Star Tours ... Disney World Extended Evening Hours: A Complete Guide Your complete guide to the details, dates, and more on Extended Evening Hours at Walt Disney World Resort. In 2020, Disney World retired their Extra Magic Hours, replacing them with two new perks ... Attractions Announced for 2024 Disney's Hollywood Studios and Animal Extended evening hours at Disney's Hollywood Studios will be from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. Dates announced so far include September 25, October 2, and October 16. catamaran gulet motorboat powerboat riverboat trimaran yacht