pros and cons of disney yacht club resort

• “Woke” Disney Slammed for Being Anti-Smoking?!

Popular Influencer Called Out For Filming Disney Security

• Jack Sparrow to Return to Screen Alongside Other Disney Characters in a Brand New Way

Top Five Romantic Disney Songs to Share With That Special Someone in Your Life

• J.K. Rowling Continues Attacks on Trans Community, Asks “Do I get to be black if I like Motown”

Disney Cast Member Left Disfigured After Character Costume Stained Their Eyes Black

Disney Dining Serving up the latest Disney Eats, Treats, News, and More!

Top pros & cons for staying at yacht club resort at walt disney world.

Posted by: Sarah Chapman February 9, 2019

It is so difficult to name a favorite resort at Walt Disney World, but the Yacht Club has so many great things going for it that it is high on my list.  But, every resort is not perfect for every guest or vacation, so it is important to know both the pros and cons when making your decision on the best place to stay on your visit to Walt Disney World.  Here are my top pros and cons for Disney’s Yacht Club Resort:

8. CON: It is a little stuffy

This is the main complaint I hear about the Yacht Club—that the décor and feeling is a little too stuffy for guests (especially families).  Many people tell me they prefer the bright, airy, and casual feeling of the Yacht Club’s sister resort, the Beach Club to the more formal feeling at the Yacht Club.  The lobby in particular is where this formality is conveyed, and as your first encounter as you enter the Yacht Club for your vacation I can see where it may be off-putting if you are looking for a relaxed vacation.  The stained wood finishes, darker paint colors, leather, and even the signature globe in the center all give off a feeling of “old money,” but it is the perfect setting for the Yacht Club’s theme.  And I assure you, it is not a “stuffy” resort at all, and all of my family members feel at home there from the teenagers to the rambunctious 7 year old.

7. PRO: Excellent Dining

The Yacht Club’s resort restaurants are top-notch and you should plan to eat a couple of meals here if you are staying.  Yes, they are that good.  The signature Yachtsman Steakhouse serves up perfectly prepared aged beef in true steakhouse style.  Side items are also excellent here.  The whole experience fits what you would expect out of a fine steakhouse.  The more casual dining options here are great too.  The Ale & Compass Restaurant just off the lobby has an excellent breakfast menu with some very creative options, along with a delicious lunch and dinner menu.  The lounge next door features some of the same menu offerings in a beautiful atmosphere.  Even the quick service and grab-n-go options in the Marketplace are very good with a great variety of things to choose from.  The dining options at the Yacht Club are a definite pro for the resort, along with its proximity to walk to dining at the Beach Club (hello, Beaches & Cream) and the Boardwalk.

6. PRO: Great Service

In recent years I have stayed at the Yacht Club multiple times for work trips and for family vacations.  Each stay I am so pleased with the staff I have encountered at the resort.  Their level of service really defines the “Disney Difference.”  The front desk staff is helpful, courteous, and welcoming.  The Cast Members in the Marketplace (both food and merchandise) are extremely helpful.  On the Club Level the Concierge Staff is among the friendliest around.  Everyone I’ve interacted with at the Yacht Club made me feel welcome and that I was appreciated for being there.  It is always nice when the service level is so sincere at a resort.

For a no obligation, FREE Quote with new bookings contact our sponsor Magical Vacation Planner by calling: 1(407)442-0289 Or for a free no obligation quote with new bookings you can fill out the form by Clicking HERE!

5. CON: Conventions

One con of staying at the Yacht Club as a family or on vacation is that it is a convention resort.  Very often you will see groups of business people gathered in the lobby, in the lounge, or just hanging out around the resort.  This doesn’t necessarily cause problems or hinder your vacation, but it is a different feeling when a large convention is at the resort.  Sometimes if they are all arriving or departing at the same time it can cause delays at the front desk.  Often the conventions will have activities outside of the actual convention center attached to the Yacht Club that might impact guests—like a dinner or luncheon set up on the walkway near the marina, or on the beach.

4. PRO and CON: Pet Friendly

Depending on where you stand on the issue you might find the fact that the Yacht Club is one of the resorts that welcomes dogs a pro or a con.  And this has been a hotly debated topic since Disney announced it would allow pets at select resorts.  During my stays at the Yacht Club I have encountered pet dogs—at the check-in desk, walking down the hall to their room.  I have not heard any dogs while in my room.  I know that Disney tries to isolate the pet friendly rooms as much as possible.  If you have allergies to pet dander and want to stay at the Yacht Club you can request a VIP or Allergy Cleaning before you arrive to make sure your room is clean.  Being pet friendly is a major pro for guests who like to travel with their dogs.  The Yacht Club is a great resort and to have that option when you are bringing your pet is really nice.

3. PRO: Renovated Rooms

The Yacht Club recently (over the past year and a half-two years or so) renovated all of their guest rooms.  And this renovation was a complete update of everything in the room.  Not only are the results gorgeous, they are so guest friendly.  The interior is modern yet sticking to that Yacht Club theme, and complete with Disney touches.  I think my absolute favorite part of the room are the curtains on the doors that are constellations of Disney characters.  If I ever find that fabric I will have those in my home.  The floors are vinyl for easy cleaning (but tip—you may want a towel to wipe any dirt or sand from Stormalong Bay off bare fit before you get into bed).  There are creature comforts throughout the room like numerous USB plugs, reading lights in the headboards, a lighted closet rod, a safe large enough for a laptop, and a nice large TV.  I love these newly designed rooms and they keep me coming back to the Yacht Club.

2. PRO: Stormalong Bay

The Yacht Club shares the best pool (arguably) at Walt Disney World with the Beach Club:  Stormalong Bay.  There are no water park tickets needed if you stay here because Stormalong Bay is like having your own mini-waterpark in your back yard.  There is a lazy river, 2 hot tubs, a swirling waters area, a huge waterslide, a kiddie slide, and the whole thing is sand bottom.  The side closest to the Yacht Club is a shallow area with a sand bar in the middle that is perfect for kids to play.  If you are staying at the Yacht Club you owe it to yourself to plan a day just hanging out at Stormalong Bay.  And many people choose the Yacht Club for Stormalong Bay.

1. PRO: Location, Location, Location

If Stormalong Bay and the renovated rooms don’t sell you on the Yacht Club for your next vacation, the location will.  You can easily walk to Epcot via the International Gateway.  This is perfect to start your park day, for mid-day breaks to enjoy the pool, and to go back in the evenings for some great dining around World Showcase.  And it is even better if there is a Festival happening at Epcot (which there usually is).  There is also a boat to Epcot, but it is much faster to walk if you are able.  If you want to go to Hollywood Studios there is a walking path or you can take the boat over. This is a great perk especially with Toy Story Land and Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge open.  You can also take the Disney Skyliner near the Epcot entrance to and from Hollywood Studios. The location is also fantastic because you have so many resorts right there expanding your dining choices and recreation options.  You can walk to the Swan or Dolphin for a meal.  The Boardwalk is a quick walk away for dining, carnival games, live entertainers, the dueling piano bar “Jelly Rolls,” ESPN Club, Surrey Bikes, and more.  And of course the Beach Club has some additional dining options to enjoy as well.  To me the Yacht Club is in the perfect location for your Walt Disney World Vacation.

Have you stayed at the Yacht Club recently?  What were the pros and cons for you?

About Sarah Chapman

Related Articles

May 17, 2024

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

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

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

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

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

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

Yacht Club Restaurants

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rooms 

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

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

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

Prices at Yacht Club

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

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

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

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

Things to Do at Disney’s Yacht Club 

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

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

See Epcot Fireworks

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

Take a Ride on the Skyliner

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

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

Eat Ice Cream

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

Dine with Characters

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

Float along the Lazy River

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

Play Games in the Arcade

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

Ride the Friendship Boats

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

Build Sandcastles

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

Make S’mores

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

Rent a Boat

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

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

Stroll along the Disney Boardwalk

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

Play Volleyball

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

Enjoy an Evening Movie

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

Play Mini Golf

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

Swim Some Laps

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

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

Join a Kid Friendly Party at the Pool

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

Play Tennis

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

Zoom Down Waterslides

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

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

Book a Fireworks Cruise

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

Transportation

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

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

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

Is Disney’s Yacht Club Worth It?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Similar Posts

Unbelievably Fun Things to Do at Disney’s Boardwalk

13 Astonishingly Great Hotels in the EPCOT Area

Disney’s Polynesian Resort (Honest Review)

Review of Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

34 Unbelievably Cute Disney Shirts for Your Family

Free Printable Disney Word Search Pages

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Skip to right header navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar

Plan Your Dream Trip To Disney!

The Ultimate Disney Yacht Club Review + Insider Tips

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

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

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

Where Is The Yacht Club At Disney Located?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Checking in to The Yacht Club At Disney

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

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

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

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

Transportation Options From The Yacht Club

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

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

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

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

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

Disney Yacht Club Room Review

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

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

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

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

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

Dining Options At The Yacht Club

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Yacht Club Swimming Pools

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

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

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

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

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

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

Amenities At The Yacht Club Resort

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

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

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

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

Overall Thoughts On Disney’s Yacht Club Resort

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

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

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

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

Reader Interactions

February 23, 2021 at 3:18 pm

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

February 23, 2021 at 9:27 pm

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

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort Review

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Let’s check out what the guest rooms offer…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Your Thoughts

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

Written by Tom Bricker

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

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

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

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

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

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

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

Notify me of new posts by email.

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort Review

Hoping for a chic place to stay at Disney World where the kids can still feel at home? At Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, sophisticated style, refined restaurants, and an epic hotel waterpark make for the perfect stay for families and couples alike.  

So, how does the Walt Disney World Yacht Club Resort compare to the other deluxe hotels? Is this spendy stay worth the price of admission? Grab your captain’s hat and a compass as we set sail to find out. (Updated September 7, 2022)

Staying at the Disney World Yacht Club Resort

Yacht clubs may typically be for the rich and famous, but you don’t need to be the owner of a swanky ship to stay at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort. Overlooking Crescent Lake towards Disney’s BoardWalk , it’s the more dignified stay of the Disney Yacht & Beach Club Resorts, perfect for an adult Disney trip , kid-friendly perks like the best Disney hotel pool, and a convenient location in the middle of the Epcot & Hollywood Studios Resort Area . 

With quaint grey buildings trimmed in white and a lighthouse guiding Friendship Boats to the marina, this deluxe resort is styled like a stately yacht club along New England’s coastline. Only a short walk from the International Gateway entrance at Epcot with a covetable spot on the Disney Skyliner route, it’s an ideal stay for families hoping to maximize their time at Hollywood Studios or adults stumbling back to the room after a day spent drinking around the world . 

Disney World Yacht Club Rooms & Suites

The Walt Disney World Yacht Club Resort touts a 4.5 on TripAdvisor. As with other deluxe resorts at Disney World, it has a variety of room types to choose from including standard rooms, Disney club-level rooms , and even a 2-bedroom suite. If you’re picky about the view and don’t want to get stuck with uninspired scenes of the resort’s rooftops, choose from a relaxing garden-view or water-view room instead.

A far cry from the outdated, on-the-nose guestrooms of the past, rooms here use more contemporary elements like dark woods, strong lines, crisp linens, and nautical touches for a more refined take on classic coastal style. With sky-chart-inspired curtains, a mirror reminiscent of a porthole, and a feature wall with menswear flair, a stay here feels like stepping into the captain’s quarters on a posh mega yacht. 

In general, all standard rooms and suites at the Yacht Club come with the following amenities: a hairdryer, iron, ironing board, mini-refrigerator, coffee maker, in-room safe, telephone with voicemail, and free Wi-Fi. 

Standard View Room

• Comes with 1 king bed or 1 king bed & 1 day bed or 2 queen beds & 1 day bed or 1 queen bed & 1 day bed & 1 twin-sized sleeper chair
• Sleeps between 2 to 5 adults 
• Views of the parking area or resort rooftops

Garden or Woods Room

• Comes with 1 king bed or 2 queen beds or 2 queen beds & 1 day bed or 1 queen bed & 1 day bed & 1 twin-sized sleeper chair
• Views of the gardens or forested areas

Water View Room

• Comes with 1 king bed or 1 king bed & 1 day bed or 2 queen beds or 2 queen beds & 1 day bed or 1 queen bed & 1 day bed & 1 twin-sized sleeper chair
• Views of Crescent Lake or the quiet pool

2 Bedroom Suite

• Comes with 2 king beds and 1 queen-sized sofa sleeper
• Sleeps up to 6 adults 
• Views of Crescent Lake or Stormalong Bay

Rooms with Club-Level Service at the Walt Disney World Yacht Club

Club-level guestrooms at Disney’s Yacht Club offer the same handsome interiors and thoughtful amenities (see above for details) as the standard rooms and suites, plus a DVD player, as well as the following benefits at the Regatta Club: complimentary access to the health club, complimentary fax assistance, complimentary newspapers in the Regatta Club, evening turndown service, and access to Disney Signature Services and a personalized front desk. Club-level guests are also able to access the Regatta Club with their key when refreshments are served between 7 AM and 10 PM.  

Standard View – Club Level Room

• Comes with 1 king bed or 2 queen beds 
• Sleeps between 2 to 4 adults 

Garden View – Club Level Room

• Comes with 1 king bed or 2 queen beds or 2 queen beds & 1 day bed
• Views of the gardens 

Water View – Club Level Room

• Comes with 1 king bed or 1 king bed & 1 day bed or 2 queen beds or 2 queen beds & 1 day bed
• Views of Stormalong Bay

Disney Yacht Club Resort Prices

Ready to book your reservation at the Walt Disney World Yacht Club Resort? You’re probably wondering how much it’ll cost you to stay there. With sophisticated rooms, an unbeatable location, and arguably the best hotel pool at Disney World, a night here doesn’t come cheap.

In fact, even if you stay in the most basic room of the bunch during the slowest time of year, you’ll still end up dropping at least $500 a night. So, if you’re traveling on a shoestring, one of Disney’s All-Star Resorts might be more your speed. Or save on your hotel stay without skimping on little Disney luxuries, stay at one of the charming Disney Port Orleans Resorts or another moderate resort instead. 

If you’re ready to treat you and your loved ones to a stay at Disney’s Yacht Club, room rates will depend on a few different things like what time of year you’re traveling, how many people are staying, and what you want to see when you look out your window. For example, while watching the Christmas fireworks from your water-view room on the Regatta Club level will run you almost $1,400, staying during the slow season in a room with a less-than-picturesque view of the roof will net you around $900 in savings . 

With rates spanning from the mid-$500s during the slow season to the mid-to-high $900s, basic standard-view rooms without access to the Regatta Club are the most affordable option. Contrastingly, if your clan is large or you’re looking to splurge, prices for a 2-bedroom suite with keys to the club-level lounge start in the low $2,000s and top out in the high $3,000s. 

Below are some examples of room rate ranges for stays in 2023 , arranged by starting price, for each of the room types available at the Yacht Club (expect slightly lower rates in 2022 ) :

• Standard View Room: $542 to $986
• King Bed: $549 to $991
• Garden or Woods View Room: $586 to $1,034
• Water View Room: $684 to $1,118
• Standard View – Club Level: $796 to $1,378
• Garden View – Club Level: $828 to $1,398
• Water View – Club Level: $939 to $1,566
• 2 Bedroom Suite: $2,182 to $3,877

Disney Yacht Club Hotel Amenities

Although room rates at Disney’s Yacht Club are on the spendy side, as a deluxe resort , you’ll have access to some of the best hotel amenities on Disney property. Unlike staying at Disney’s Art of Animation or one of the other value resorts, there are more than enough things to do at the Yacht Club at Walt Disney World to keep you entertained all vacation long.

Disney Yacht Club Dining

Just like the elegant yacht clubs that dot the New England coast and the rest of the United States, Disney World’s Yacht Club Resort offers an array of tempting dining options. As this is one of the more grown-up resorts at Walt Disney World, don’t expect any seafaring-themed Disney dinner shows or character dining starring Donald Duck in his iconic sailor outfit here. Instead, you’ll find everything from a grab-and-go market to a prime steakhouse.   

Best of all, with the Beach Club right next door and Disney’s BoardWalk only a short stroll away, you’re minutes away from a smorgasbord of other Disney World restaurants that are perfect for pleasing even the pickiest of eaters. 

Ale & Compass Lounge

Attached to the table-service restaurant of the same name, the Ale & Compass Lounge is a distinguished spot to grab a drink after a long day exploring the parks. With its dark blue paneling, plush furniture, and tin ceiling accents, you almost feel as if you’re in a classy cruise ship lounge. Stop by for elevated appetizers like Lobster and Corn Chowder and a Bacon and Vermont Cheddar Burger; stay for the old-school and updated craft cocktails . 

Ale & Compass Restaurant

With both a to-go menu and a handsome, expansive dining room, the Disney Ale and Compass Restaurant is a welcome stop whether fueling up for a day of adventures or dropping anchor after hours in the parks. Serving up both breakfast and dinner, this table-service restaurant styled after an inviting lighthouse is a beacon for hungry guests both day and night.

In the morning, tuck into seaside breakfast favorites like Shrimp and White Cheddar Grits, Crab Cake Benedict, or a Maine Lobster Roll. At dinnertime, dig into a selection of comfort food classics with a coastal twist like New England Seafood Pot Pie and Short Rib “French Dip” Flatbread. 

Crew’s Cup Lounge

With its warm wood beams, Craftsman-style elements, and a convenient location next door to the Yachtsman Steakhouse, Disney’s Crew’s Cup Lounge is a cozy place for a drink before heading to dinner or on your way back to the room. While you could just come for a glass of wine or a boozy coffee cocktail, this hotel bar also offers an extensive menu with dishes from the neighboring steakhouse, making this an excellent alternative if you can’t score a reservation. 

The Market at Ale & Compass

Serving up breakfast, lunch, and dinner – as well as a substantial selection of Disney souvenirs, snacks, and sundries – The Market at Ale & Compass is the place to go for a fast meal at Disney’s Yacht Club. This quick-service restaurant serves up pretty standard AM fare such as Mickey Waffles and breakfast sandwiches in the morning before transitioning to light bites like sandwiches and salads in the afternoons and evenings. 

Yachtsman Steakhouse

No yacht club in the Hamptons is complete without a ritzy steakhouse slinging surf-and-turf favorites. Warm and welcoming with seaworthy touches like knotty pine and porthole-inspired windows, the Yachtsman Steakhouse feels more laidback than stuffy, although a dress code is required (no flip-flops here!). 

Cut into carnivorous classics like the 28-oz Porterhouse for Two or the Roasted Prime Rib or stick to fresh-from-the-sea fare like Seafood Cioppino or a Chilled Admiral’s Tower for Two overflowing with lobster, crab, mussels, and more. End your meal on a sweet note with desserts like Yachtsman’s Chocolate Cake or Crème Brûlée. 

Disney Yacht Club Pools 

Like to get in the water as much as you like to get on the water? Well, you’ve come to the right place. One of the resorts with the best hotel pools at Disney World , Yacht Club is home to the only waterpark at a Walt Disney World hotel: Stormalong Bay. Sprawling across 3 glorious acres on the shores of Crescent Lake, this aquatic paradise is the perfect spot for a beach day – no trip to the coast necessary.  

Splash down the 230-foot-long waterslide, let your cares drain away along the lazy river or in one of the whirlpool spas, sink your toes into the sand-bottomed pool, or even discover the ruins of the resort’s resident shipwreck. Yachting is all about luxury, so splurge on a full-service cabana for you and your crew (reservations required). 

As you can imagine, Stormalong Bay can get pretty busy during the day. To skip the crowds, try visiting one of the 3 different leisure pools shared by Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resort. 

Other Recreation at Disney’s Yacht Club 

The WDW Yacht Club Resort may be the Disney hotel with the best pool, but there are plenty of other recreational activities to keep you busy all vacation long. While you don’t need the keys to your own Sunseeker to gain entrance to Disney’s Yacht Club hotel, you can rent some out by the half-hour for everything from a 2-person Sea Raycer to a 10-person pontoon boat from the resort marina – one of our top things to do outside the theme parks . Or for other on-the-water fun, go on a guided fishing excursion or pirate adventure cruise instead. 

Rather keep both feet on dry land? The youngest resort guests will love watching some of their favorite Disney flicks during Movies Under the Stars or toasting marshmallows around the campfire, while grown-ups can keep their exercise routine intact on the jogging path or during an intense match on the volleyball or tennis courts.  

Getting cabin fever? Take some time to explore the resort’s incomparable location. The Disney World Yacht and Beach Club is just a short walk from the tasty restaurants, entertaining nightlife, and turn-of-the-century appeal of Disney’s BoardWalk complex. Or for wholesome thrills the whole family can enjoy, work on your swing at Disney’s Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Course across the street from the Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resorts. 

Disney Yacht Club Merchandise Locations

For those searching for that perfect souvenir, set a course for The Market at Ale & Compass. This one-stop shop is a convenient spot to pick up forgotten essentials, Disney merchandise, and provisions for a day in the parks. As the location of the resort’s quick-service restaurant, table-service restaurant, and to-go outlet, it’s also an ideal pitstop before cruising to the parks or back to your room. 

Disney Yacht Club FAQs

Want to know more about Disney’s Yacht Club Resort? Read on for answers to some commonly asked questions. 

Is Disney Yacht Club kid-friendly?

Yes! Despite the more grown-up vibe, Disney’s Yacht Club can be a great place to stay for families with children of all ages. While the guestrooms aren’t exactly overflowing with pixie dust, you’ll still find plenty of kid-friendly activities to keep little ones feeling the magic, from splashing around in Stormalong Bay to watching Disney Movies Under the Stars. And if there aren’t enough options to please the picky eaters in your life at the Ale & Compass, there definitely will be at Beaches & Cream Soda Shop next door at Disney’s Beach Club. 

When was Disney Yacht Club refurbished?

Rooms at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort were renovated rather recently in 2017, a welcome update from the previous guestrooms’ dated design touches like nautical headboards and white-painted furniture. 

Can you see fireworks from Disney Yacht Club?

Yup! While you won’t be able to watch the entire show, thanks to its covetable location in the heart of the Epcot and Hollywood Studios Resort Area, you will be able to catch some of the higher fireworks from both nighttime spectaculars. In fact, aside from the beach at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort , it’s also one of our top spots to watch the Disney World fireworks outside the parks . Just head to the resort’s lighthouse on Crescent Lake. If you’re lucky, you may even be able to catch glimpses of the show from the comfort of your hotel room.  

Can you walk from Yacht Club to Hollywood Studios? 

Yes! If you’d rather not take the bus, Friendship Boat, or Disney Skyliner , there is a walking path that connects the Epcot Resort Area to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Roughly 1-mile long or around a 15 to 20-minute walk, the walkway runs from between Disney’s BoardWalk Inn and the Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort to the main entrance to Hollywood Studios. 

How long is the walk to Epcot?

Walking to the International Gateway entrance at Epcot from Disney’s Yacht Club Resort will only take around 10 to 15 minutes depending on your pace. If you’re not in a hurry, you can also enjoy a leisurely 20-minute ride from the hotel to the park on one of the Friendship Boats . 

How long is the bus ride from Yacht Club to Magic Kingdom? Animal Kingdom?

Taking the Disney bus from the Yacht Club to Magic Kingdom typically takes around 20 minutes, as does the bus to Animal Kingdom . If you’ve really got some time on your hands and are looking to take the scenic route, you can also take the Monorail from the front of Epcot to Magic Kingdom Park.

However, as you will need to walk all the way through World Showcase and Future World just to reach the Monorail, this hourlong route definitely isn’t for the faint of heart or those short on time. Keep in mind that you will need a park ticket (and currently, also a park reservation) to get to the Epcot Monorail from Disney’s Yacht Club. 

Well, crew, that concludes our cruise around Disney’s Yacht Club Resort. With its adult ambiance, convenient location, classy style, delicious restaurants, and a boatload of recreational activities (including the best hotel pool at Disney World), it’s an excellent choice for everyone from families with children (especially older kids and teens) to couples. 

While you’re there, make the most of your time at the resort’s two closest parks with our 1-day plans for Epcot and Hollywood Studios . Or since you indulged in a deluxe resort, why not save some cash with our discounted Walt Disney World tickets . 

Have you ever stayed at Disney’s Yacht Club? Which room type or restaurant is your favorite? Is the Regatta Club worth it?  Where is the best place to watch the Epcot fireworks ? Let us know in the comments!

Disney in your Day

A blog all about Disney

Disney’s Yacht Club resort review

January 28, 2021 by Becky 1 Comment

A look at Disney’s Yacht Club resort:

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

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

Location and Transportation

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Things to Do

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

Would I stay again?

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

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

Other blog posts of interest:

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

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

January 29, 2021 at 10:17 pm

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

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Your Guide to Disney’s Beach & Yacht Club Resorts

in Hotel , Walt Disney World

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

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

Related: Disney’s BoardWalk Inn: A Complete Guide

In this Complete Guide we will cover:

An Overview of Disney’s Beach and Yacht Club Resorts

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

• Transportation at Disney’s Beach and Yacht Club Resorts

Disney Extras

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rooms at Disney’s Beach Club Resort

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Disney’s Beach Club Villas

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

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

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

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

Rooms at Disney’s Yacht Club

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

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

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

Each Standard Room has a combination of the following:

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

Room Amenities

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

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

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

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

Disney’s Beach Club Resort Dining

Table service.

Beaches & Cream Soda Shop

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

Disney Character Dining

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

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

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

Quick Service

Beach Club Marketplace

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

Hurricane Hanna’s Waterside Bar and Grill

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

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

Disney’s Yacht Club Dining

Signature dining.

Yachtsman Steakhouse

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

Table-Service Dining

Ale & Compass Restaurant

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

Quick-Service Dining

  The Market at Ale & Compass

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

Room Service

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

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

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

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

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

Stormalong Bay

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

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

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

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

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

Disney Movies Under the Stars

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

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

Marina Watercraft Rental

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

Surry Bike Rental

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

Disney’s Beach & Yacht Club Transportation

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

Boats, Buses, and Disney’s Skyliner

Disney Buses and Disney’s Magical Express

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

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

Check your My Disney Experience mobile app for bus schedules.

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

Disney Water Transportation

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

The Disney Skyliner

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

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

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

Disney’s Minnie Van

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

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

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

Extra Magic Hours

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

Early Access to FastPass+

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

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

Complimentary MagicBands

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

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

Childcare Program on location at the resort

Captain Hooks Pirate Crew

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

Disney’s Enchanting Extras

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

Related: 45 Secrets for Fabulous Family Vacations

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

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

See ya real soon!

Comments Off on Your Guide to Disney’s Beach & Yacht Club Resorts

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

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

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

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

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

This review was updated on April 15, 2024.

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

Related: Disney’s Beach Club Review

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

There’s a small sitting area at the top of the stairs if you want to enjoy a more private space.

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

Our Room at Disney’s Yacht Club

Disney’s Yacht Club is slightly different from the other deluxe resorts regarding accommodations. It’s the only upscale resort that doesn’t have a separate Disney Vacation Club.

However, next door, Disney’s Beach Club is home to the Beach Club Villas, a Disney World Villa Resort . All of the villa resorts are Disney Vacation Club (DVC) Resorts.

Related: Disney’s Beach Club Villas Review

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

Related: Club Level at Disney’s Beach Club

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

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

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

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

Some rooms have king-size beds with a daybed. However, those rooms are usually considered an upgrade.

Rooms at Disney’s Yacht Club have solid surface flooring that resembles hardwood. Here is the fold-down sofa that converts to a fifth sleeper.

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

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

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

I enjoyed this view so much that I woke up every morning and sat on the balcony. During the day, we would visit the parks for a bit before coming back for a break. My first thought upon entering the room was to head out to the balcony.

We would get ready for dinner in the evenings and enjoy a drink on the balcony before leaving. Then, when we returned to the room after dark, we would enjoy the view of the fireworks from Epcot.

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

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

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

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

Dining Options at Disney’s Yacht Club

When it comes to dining at Disney’s Yacht Club, there are plenty of options at the resort and within the nearby area. However, all of the resorts in the area are lacking when it comes to counter-service options.

The Market at Ale and Compass

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

Related: The Market at Ale and Compass

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

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

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

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

Disney Rapid Fill Mugs are available for purchase at The Market. At the time of this review, they are $21.99 for the entire length of your stay.

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

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

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

Related: Ale and Compass Lounge Review

Ale and Compass is one of our favorite restaurants at Disney’s Resorts. Not only does this location serve one of the best breakfasts at Disney, but it also serves lunch and dinner. Plus, they have a to-go menu on the mobile-order portion of the My Disney Experience app.

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

Related: Ale and Compass Breakfast Review

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

Related: Ale and Compass Lunch and Dinner Review

Crew’s Cup Lounge is located down a hall off the Yacht Clubs’ lobby. This location serves as the lounge for Yachtsman Steakhouse.

Don’t skip out on this location, thinking it’s just “another lounge” because it’s not. Crew’s Cup doesn’t require reservations and has a full menu with food and beverage options.

On this visit, we stopped in to try the charcuterie board. It was delicious and more than enough for two people to share.

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

Yachtsman Steakhouse

Yachtsman Steakhouse is the signature dining location at Disney’s Yacht Club. We’ve had the opportunity to dine here several times in the past.

Yachtsman specializes in serving prime cuts of beef. You will pass a butcher-style display of said meats on your way to the table.

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

Related: Yachtsman Steakhouse Review

Hurricane Hanna’s

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

Related: Hurricane Hanna’s Review

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

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

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

Related: Restaurants at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club

In addition to its location, the Yacht Club has one of the best pools at Walt Disney World . Stormalong Bay is a huge feature pool that’s more of a water park than a pool.

Stormalong Bay has the following: a lazy river, a water slide, a sand bottom pool, multiple hot tubs, a kids’ pool, and much more!

Related: Everything You Need to Know for Stormalong Bay

We always plan an entire day at Stormalong Bay during our visits. We checked into the hotel early for this trip to spend the day at the pool.

Since our room was ready upon arrival, we were able to put our things away and then head directly out to the pool. However, a large bathroom behind the pool has a changing area for guests.

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

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

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

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

Related: Poolside Cabana Rentals at Disney World

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

There should be several activity schedules posted around the resort.

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

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

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

It has a whirlpool spa.

There is even a tennis court.

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

Related: Laundry Facilities at Disney’s Yacht Club

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

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

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

Related: Fitness Centers at Disney World

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

Related: Best Jogging Trails at Disney World

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

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

Related: Disney’s Friendship Boat Service

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

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

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

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

Related: Disney’s Yacht Club Transportation Guide

Resorts Gal’s Spin on Disney’s Yacht Club

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

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

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

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

Final Thoughts

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

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

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

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

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

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

In the comments

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

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

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Yacht Club Resort

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort is a Deluxe Resort with stunning views, popular dining, and a fan-favorite swimming pool that guests can’t get enough of. Yacht Club is also located right next to Disney’s Beach Club Resort, which is accessible just by walking.

In this article

Located in the Epcot Resort Area, Yacht Club isn’t just within walking distance of the Beach Club, but Epcot itself. There is a path that leads directly to the International Gateway. What’s better than that?

It’s definitely a pricier resort, but for good reason. Based on location, sharing several amenities with Beach Club, just a boat ride away from Hollywood Studios, access to the Skyliner at Epcot, and much more, Yacht Club has a lot to offer. 

Plus, the New England-style resort sits on the water and truly is a gorgeous resort right on property. Here’s everything you need to know.

View Yacht Club Resort Maps

Rooms And Bathrooms

Yacht Club offers a variety of rooms that can sleep up to 6 people, depending on the type of room you book.

Each rooms offers your standard amenities, like a hairdryer, TV, free WiFi, a coffee maker, telephone, in-room safe, iron and ironing board, and a mini-refrigerator. Plus, there’s a range of views, including a view of the water, pool, garden, woods, rooftop, or parking area.

There’s even a selection of rooms that feature Club Level Service , which we go over in more detail below.

And, don’t worry, there are plenty of outlets and USB ports for charging all of your devices. Better yet, there’s plenty of storage for your belongings, including space under the bed, drawers, and closet space. 

The bathrooms have storage underneath the sink and vanity area, as well, which is also separate from the shower and toilet area. 

Let’s go through the types of rooms available to book.

Standard Rooms

• Standard View : Views of Rooftop or Parking Area; 2 Queen Beds and 1 Day Bed or 1 Queen Bed and 1 Twin-Size Sleeper Chair and 1 Day Bed or 1 King Bed or 1 King Bed and 1 Day Bed

• Water View : Views of Crescent Lake or Quiet Pool; 2 Queen Beds or 2 Queen Beds and 1 Day Bed or 1 Queen Bed and 1 Twin-Size Sleeper Chair and 1 Day Bed or 1 King Bed or 1 King Bed and 1 Day Bed
• Garden or Woods View : Views of Garden; 2 Queen Beds or 2 Queen Beds and 1 Day Bed or 1 Queen Bed and 1 Twin-Size Sleeper Chair and 1 Day Bed or 1 King Bed

Rooms And Suites With Club-Level Service

These rooms and suites have the same amenities provided in the rooms above, in addition to Club-Level Service perks. They include:

• Evening turndown
• Secured key access to the club-level lounge (serves refreshments 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily)
• Complimentary fax assistance
• Club Level Concierge – Regatta Club
• Complimentary health club access
• Complimentary newspapers in Club Level lounge

Guests also have access to a DVD Player and Disney Signature Services for personal assistance with your trip.

Here are the rooms:

• Standard View Club-Level : Views of Rooftop or Parking Area; 2 Queen Beds or 1 King Bed

• Garden View Club-Level : Views of Garden; 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds or 2 Queen Beds and 1 Day Bed
• Water View Club-Level : Views of one of the Stormalong Bay Lagoons; 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds and 1 Day Bed or 2 Queen Beds or 1 King Bed and 1 Day Bed

• 2 Bedroom Suite – Club-Level Access : Views of Stormalong Bay or Crescent Lake; 2 King Beds and 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa

Note: There are also both wheelchair and hearing accessible rooms available that include accessible bathrooms and visual alarms.

You can check out room layouts below.

Pet-Friendly Policy

Yacht Club is pet-friendly , but there are certain conditions that must be met. First, there’s a limit of 2 dogs per room. In order to bring your dog with you, you’ll need to call (407) 939-7539.

There’ also a day and overnight kennel care at  Best Friends Pet Care  located on property.

Checking In And Out

When it comes to checking in and out, you have a few options: at the front desk, online through the official Walt Disney World website, or via the My Disney Experience app.

The front desk is located in the lobby of the main building. Even though the front desk is there to assist guests, especially with checking in and checking out, all Disney World Resort guests are encouraged to check-in online  or by using MDE.

• Checking-In : After you check-in online or using the app, you’ll receive a room-ready notification via next. You can then use your MagicBand or MDE’s digital key feature to  unlock your room door .
• Checking-Out : Currently, guests will automatically be checked out of their rooms. But, if you have unresolved charges to your hotel folio, you’ll need to visit the front desk.

Note: Guests also have the option of to chat virtually with resort Cast Members via MDE for any assistance. 

The lobby is a nice size, with plenty of seating. Ale & Compass Restaurant and Ale & Compass Lounge are nearby, along with the Crew’s Cup Lounge . 

Magical Express pickup and the bus stop are also right outside the main lobby, along with  luggage storage  for those who have checked out or are waiting to check in.

Note: Resort Airline Check-In is no longer available.

Parking is available at Yacht Club. There is a standard $25 overnight self-parking fee  (including tax) that is applied to guests’ hotel folio upon check-out.

Valet parking is also available for $33 per night.

Complimentary standard self-parking is available for non-resort guests exploring dining, shopping, entertainment, and other experiences during the day.

We also have a complete  Walt Disney World parking  guide you can browse.

Important: Valet parking might not always be available.

Pros And Cons

[resortdetail id=’18224′]

Amenities And Shops

From gift shops, to on-site laundry services, to spa and fitness, there are several amenities offered to guests at Yacht Club.

Important note: Some of the following amenities might not be available at all times.

• Beach Club Marketplace Gifts : An all-purpose shop with souvenirs, apparel, grab ‘n’ go food items, beverages, and more.
• Marketplace at Ale & Compass : Find everyday essentials, souvenirs, beverages, and snacks.
• Laundry Services : There are 24-hour  self-service laundry facilities available near Admiral Pool.
• Dry Cleaning Services : Dry cleaning and valet laundry services are also an option.
• Movies Under the Stars : Watch complimentary Disney movies in the Solarium or on the lawn outdoors near the volleyball courts.
• Ship Shape Massage Salon Fitness : Full-service exercise facility with fitness equipment and spa offerings.
• Childcare Services :  In-room babysitting  for children 6 months to 12 years old.

Pools And Recreation

Yacht Club has one main feature pool and two leisure pools. If you need a non-park day, we recommended spending the day at your hotel and enjoying a Disney Resort pool .

Important note: Some of the pools and recreation options might not be available at all times.

Feature Pool

• Stormalong Bay : A sand-bottomed pool with a lazy river that also has a life-size shipwreck replica. It has one of the highest hotel waterslides. There’s pool covers three acres. Guests can also enjoy the pool bar and grill, Hurricane Hanna’s Waterside Bar and Grill.

Leisure Pools

• Yacht Club : The Admiral Pool is located in the garden area near the tennis court. Located in the garden are
• Beach Club : The Tidal Pool is in the garden area near the volleyball court. 
• Beach Club Villas : Yacht Club guests are allowed to use the Beach Club Villas’ leisure pool, the Dunes Cove Pool.

All of the leisure pools also have steaming whirlpool spas. Guests can also rent pool cabanas , which are exclusively for Yacht and Beach Club guests.

Some other recreational options include:

• Lafferty Place (arcade games)
• Motorized Boat Rentals
• Jogging Trails
• Campfire to roast marshmallows

There are also specialties for an additional price, including:

• Fantasia Gardens and Fairways Miniature Golf : Two 18-hole miniature golf courses inspired by Fantasia .
• Pirate Adventure Cruise : For those 4 to 12 years-old. The pirate adventure follows clues to discover hidden treasures.

How to get from Yacht Club to anywhere at Disney World

You can choose from several forms of complimentary Disney transportation at Yacht Club, including buses (takes you to all the parks and Disney Springs), the Disney Skyliner at the International Gateway (walk the Epcot path), and a boat to Hollywood Studios (you can also take a 20-minute walk here). 

The bus stop is right outside the main entrance. All of the different ways to get from Yacht Club to anywhere in Disney World is detailed below.

Dining options at Yacht Club

Yacht Club has a variety of dining options. You can find Quick Service and Table Service options, along with lounges and the Beaches & Cream Soda Shop, which is a popular place to snag some delicious ice cream. The Market at Ale & Compass does offer Mobile Order. 

Beaches & Cream Soda Shop and Ale & Compass Restaurant also offer Mobile Dine Check-In, meaning you’ll check-in using the My Disney Experience app rather than going to the host stand. When your table is ready, you’ll be notified to proceed to a specific location.

Ale & Compass Restaurant also has Table Service To Go , which allows guests to Mobile Order and take their meal back to their room. You can read more about the dining options below.

[restaurants-new resort_location=’at’ resort_name=’18224′]

Dynamic title for modals

Are you sure.

Disney's Yacht Club Resort

View Gallery 

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

What Makes This Resort Hotel Unique

Disney Skyliner Transportation

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

Outdoor Water Recreation Area

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

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

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

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

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

Yachtsman Steakhouse

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

Ship Shape Health Club

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

Dog-Friendly Accommodations

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Need More Room?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

More Magic for Your Stay

A More Magical Stay Starts with "Hey Disney!”

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

The Wonderful World of Wine

Wine-lovers, rejoice! Read More

Wine-lovers, rejoice! Sip and swirl your way through some of the world’s most renowned wine-growing regions—no passport required.

The Yachtsman Steakhouse invites Guests to explore the wonderful world of wine every second Wednesday of the month. Sample the liquid legacies of some of the finest appellations and vineyards throughout California, Italy, France, Chile, Australia and more—and learn about their flavor profiles, winemaking techniques, and soil and climate conditions. This engaging class also includes a small tasting plate paired to go with the selected wine offerings.

The cost is $45 per person and the wine tasting begins at 3 PM on the second Wednesday of each month. Guests interested in attending can call Disney Dining at (407) WDW-DINE.

All Attendees must be 21 or over with valid ID; no discounts accepted.

Disney Signature Services

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

Enhance Your Stay with the My Disney Experience App

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

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

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

Check In and Check Out with Ease

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

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

Plan, Play, Dine and Unwind

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

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

And that’s only the beginning!

Learn more about the My Disney Experience app .

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

Easier Trip Planning – Like Magic!

Once you’ve settled in, let Disney Genie service summon the attractions, entertainment and dining experiences you love the most. Plus, as a Disney Resort hotel guest get early access to purchase individual Lightning Lane entry for up to two different attractions each day.

View Rooms and Prices

Hotel Address

(407) 934-7000

Check Availability

Change your travel dates, change your travel party size, use cobrowse to share your screen.

Even as the Disney Cast Member guides you around our site, they will be unable to access or view any files or information on your device or anything you type.

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

Enter the code provided by the Cast Member and Accept to get started.

Invalid code. Please reenter

Not on the Phone with a Cast Member?

The Yacht Club Resort: Set Sail to Disney Luxury

Table of Contents

Introduction

Nestled within the enchanting world of Disney, the Yacht Club Resort stands as a beacon of sophistication and grandeur. A world of luxury awaits those who step through its doors, and in this article, we’ll take you on an immersive journey through this exquisite destination. From its timeless elegance to its rich history and unique offerings, we’ll unveil the treasures that make the Yacht Club a true gem within the Walt Disney World experience.

Disney World Deluxe Resorts

Disney World Resorts hotels fit into three categories: Value , Moderate , and Deluxe. The Yacht Club Resort is one of the eight resorts included in the Deluxe Resort category. Explore the articles below to determine if a Disney Deluxe Resort like the Yacht Club is the best option for you and your travel party.

Decoding Disney World Resort Categories: Picking the Right One For You

Pros and Cons of Staying at a Disney Deluxe Resort

Disney World Deluxe Resort Rankings – 2024

Look and Feel: Nautical Elegance Meets Timeless Charm

As you approach the Yacht Club Resort, you’ll be greeted by a sight that invokes a sense of timeless maritime elegance. The resort’s exterior, adorned with classic nautical accents and a New England-style lighthouse, sets the tone for the luxury that lies within. 

The lobby, adorned with dark wood paneling and brass fixtures, exudes a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The attention to detail here is impeccable, transporting you to a world of luxury reminiscent of the grand seaside resorts of the early 20th century.

History: A Storied Legacy

The Yacht Club Resort is part of Disney’s rich history, opening its doors in 1990. It was inspired by the waterfront hotels of the northeastern United States and was designed to evoke the ambiance of a New England beachside resort. Its history and architecture contribute to its unique charm.

Dining Options: Culinary Excellence

One of the standout features of the Yacht Club is its exceptional dining options. The resort is home to the critically acclaimed Yachtsman Steakhouse, a signature dining experience known for its mouthwatering steaks. The Ale & Compass Restaurant also offers a diverse menu that caters to various tastes, from fresh seafood to delectable breakfast options.

Convenient Park Transportation

Guests at the resort enjoy the convenience of multiple transportation options to the Disney parks. You can take a stroll to Epcot’s World Showcase or hop on a boat to Hollywood Studios. This prime location makes park-hopping a breeze. Bus transportation is available to Disney Springs , Magic Kingdom , and Animal Kingdom .

Pool: Stormalong Bay

The Yacht Club shares a stunning pool complex with its sister resort, The Beach Club . Stormalong Bay is a sprawling, sand-bottomed pool with a lazy river, waterfalls, and even a shipwreck slide. It’s the perfect oasis for families and those looking to relax in style.

Themed Ambiance: Classic East Coast

Despite being a Disney resort, the hotel has minimal Disney theming. The resort draws inspiration from New England seaside resorts’ clapboard exteriors, hardwood floors, and brass accents. The blue and white interior creates a luxurious and relaxing feeling. From entering, you’ll feel enveloped in an atmosphere of luxury and comfort. The attention to detail is impeccable, making every corner of the resort a visual delight.

Pros and Cons: Weighing the Yacht Club Resort Experience

Like any vacation, thinking about the good and not-so-good is essential when planning a trip to Disney World.

• More Park Time 

One of the biggest perks of staying at a Disney Deluxe Resort is exclusive access to extra time in the theme parks. Deluxe Resort guests can attend Extended Evening Hours for two hours after the park closes to all other guests. Extended Evening Hours are unavailable at every park every night. However, Extended Evening Hours occur for one park and only on specific nights. Check park hours to ensure you know when they are taking place so you can take advantage of them!

• Exceptional Dining

Indulge in a gastronomic journey with culinary excellence at the renowned Yachtsman Steakhouse or enjoy a diverse menu at the Ale & Compass Restaurant. The Yachtsman Steakhouse is a carnivore’s dream, known for its perfectly cooked steaks and upscale ambiance. On the other hand, the Ale & Compass Restaurant offers a delightful range of options, including fresh seafood and delectable breakfast choices. Dining here is an experience, making your stay all the more enjoyable.

• Prime Location

A strategic gateway to Disney’s wonders, the resort offers easy access to Epcot and Hollywood Studios , simplifying park-hopping. For those who value convenience, this is a game-changer. You can stroll to Epcot’s World Showcase or hop on a boat to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, saving valuable time on transportation and allowing you to maximize your park experiences.

• Watery Paradise

Stormalong Bay, shared with the Beach Club, is a watery wonderland for relaxation, featuring a sand-bottomed pool, lazy river, waterfalls, and a shipwreck slide. Whether you’re a family looking for a fun day by the pool or a couple seeking a romantic escape, this aquatic paradise has something for everyone. The sheer size and variety of water-based activities make it a highlight of your stay.

As a Deluxe Resort, the resort offers the opportunity to stay in Club Level rooms. Benefits of staying in a Club Level room include access to an exclusive lounge, The Regatta Club, which offers free food and beverages throughout the day. Club Level guests have a dedicated concierge staff who can assist guests with anything they need in person, via phone call, or text.

• Luxury Defined

The Yacht Club Resort is the epitome of Disney luxury, often hailed as the most luxurious hotel at Walt Disney World. Every stay aspect is tailored to provide the utmost comfort and indulgence. You’re treated like royalty from when you check in to when you depart. The exemplary service, plush accommodations, and overall luxury make it a top-tier destination for those seeking the ultimate Disney getaway.

• Pricey Luxury

A luxury that comes at a premium, the Yacht Club’s rates can be higher, making it less budget-friendly for some travelers. While it delivers a world-class experience, the cost may deter those looking for more economical options within the Disney property. However, for those who prioritize luxury and can afford it, the experience justifies the price.

• Limited Immersion

Subtly Disney, not all-encompassing, the resort’s subtle theming may not provide the enchantment desired by guests seeking a profoundly immersive Disney experience. If you’re looking for a resort that immerses you in Disney’s magical world from the moment you step through the door, the Yacht Club’s understated theming may leave you craving a more intense Disney experience. It balances sophistication and whimsy, which may not align with every guest’s expectations.

• High Demand

In high demand, plan ahead, as securing a reservation at the resort often requires booking well in advance , which can be challenging for last-minute planners. The resort’s popularity is a testament to its quality, but it also means it’s frequently fully booked, especially during peak seasons. If you’re a spontaneous traveler, you might find it challenging to secure a spot here unless you plan well ahead of time.

Conclusion: Navigating a Course to Unmatched Luxury

In conclusion, the Yacht Club offers a luxurious Disney experience with its timeless elegance, exceptional dining, and prime location. While it may not be ideal for budget-conscious travelers and those seeking complete Disney immersion, its unique blend of sophistication and Disney magic makes it a top-tier destination for those seeking the ultimate Disney getaway. Whether savoring a perfectly cooked steak, lounging by a stunning pool, or exploring the subtle Disney touches, the Yacht Club Resort promises an unforgettable journey into unparalleled luxury. So, set your course and prepare to sail smoothly into a world where luxury meets Disney’s enchantment.

Pack your bags and let the magic begin! Your enchanting Disney World vacation is just a reservation away. Book your dream stay with  Castles & Ears Travel  and make memories that will last a lifetime!

• Customer Service

Header – Top Information

Call an expert on

Lines open 9am – 8pm

Disney Yacht Club Resort Review (2022 UK GUESTS)

In this Disney Yacht Club Resort review we will go over a variety things such as room types and rates, location, transportation, dining, amenities and much more. It is our hope that this review will help make your decision making easier when it comes to booking your disneyland florida package holidays

Brief History

The Disney Yacht Club Resort was opened back on November 5 th , 1990 and is one of the several different resorts found at what’s called the Epcot Area of Disney World. It is located next to it’s sister resort, the Beach Club Resort. It was designed by Robert A.M. Stern Architects. Both of these resorts were designed and built by the same architects and were build at the exact same time but the Yacht Club opened up two weeks prior to its sister resort.

Category & Star Rating

The Disney Yacht Club Resort is considered a deluxe resort and you can tell just by looking at it that this is the category it’s in. When it comes to deluxe resorts you will be paying a lot more than you would at a moderate or value resort, but, you will also get a lot more perks and amenities. The average star rating that this resort receives from it’s guests is a 4.2 out of 5.

Last Major Refurbishment

The very last major refurbishment that the Yacht Club has gone through was this year when they totally refurbished all of the flooring, doors, and windows of the huge lobby and all areas that come off the lobby. This refurbishment was finished this past spring.

Transportation, Location & Accessibility To Parks

When you compare the location of this resort to others, the location is really hard to beat because it’s ideally set on the beautiful Crescent Lake and they are in walking distance of two of the theme parks, Hollywood Studios and Epcot. They are also close to numerous other resorts that you can walk to and visit and enjoy their amenities, those resorts include:

Swan & Dolphin Resorts

Boardwalk inn.

As for the transportation that’s offered, they offer both boat and bus service if you want to get to other places at Disney World. The boat will take you to other resorts in the area and to Epcot and Hollywood Studios if you don’t want to walk. The bus system will take you to the following:

Magic Kingdom

Animal kingdom, disney springs, blizzard beach, typhoon lagoon.

If you don’t want to use their transportation you can always pay for an Uber or a “Minnie” Van.

Resort Theme

This stylish resort is modeled after a stately yacht club that you might find on the coast of New England. It represents a lifestyle of the rich and famous. The main theme of course is nautical from the lobby to the outside of the buildings that all resemble a resort that you might find at Martha’s Vineyard. The buildings are done in subtle grays all trimmed in white giving them a feel of both charm and elegance at the same time, with nautical accents throughout the resort.

Room Types & Rates

Like all of the Disney resorts, the Yacht Club has a variety of rooms for guests to choose from that includes standard rooms. The rooms have been updated and are more contemporary with dark wood, sharp lines, crisp linens, and a variety of nautical accents that bring a true coastal feel to each room.

All of the rooms come with these common amenities and depending on the room, some have extras, the general amenities include: free WiFi, hair dryer, iron, ironing board, mini fridge, flat screen TV, safe, coffee maker, and phone with voicemail.

Standard View

Offers 1 king, or 1 king and 1 day bed, or 2 queens and 1 day bed, or 1 queen, 1 day bed, and 1 twin sleeper chair and sleeps 2 to 5 people. Offers views of roof tops or parking area. Rates: £474.12 to £862.52

Garden or Woods View

Offers the same choices of beds and sleeps 2 to 5 people. Comes with views of the gardens or the forested areas of the resort. Rates: £512.61 to £904.51

Offers the same choices of beds and sleeps 2 to 5 people. Comes with views of the quiet pool or the Crescent Lake. Rates: £598.34 to £977.99

2 Bedroom Suite

Has two separate bedrooms and comes with 2 kings and 1 queen sofa sleeper in the living area and sleeps up to 6 people. Comes with views of either Stormalong Bay or Crescent Lake. Rates: £1908.74 to £3391.47

The Yacht Club does offer club level rooms which are just as nicely decorated and have all the same amenities as the above rooms but come with some extras that include: DVD player, access to the Regatta Club, fax service, free newspapers, evening turn down service, access to the health club, access to all Disney Signature Services plus personal planning and attention at the front desk.

Standard – Club Level 

Comes with 1 king or two queens and sleeps 2 to 4 people. Offers views of parking area or roof tops. Rates: £696.31 to £1205.43

Garden View – Club Level

Comes with 1 king, or two queens, or 2 queens and 1 day bed and sleeps 2 to 4 people. Offers views of the gardens. Rates: £724.31 to £1222.92

Water View – Club Level

Comes with the same beds as garden view and offers views of Stormalong Bay. Rates: £821.41 to £1369.88

Note: The prices vary because of the different room choices, views, and the time of year that you decide to visit Disney World.

Resort Dining

The Yacht Club has a variety of dining experiences you can enjoy and you don’t have to rely just on their choices. Since the resorts all located on the Crescent Lake Loop are open to all guests from all resorts, which means there are tons of choices of dining experiences. The dining at the Yacht Club includes:

The Market at Ale & Compass

This is their quick food service dining where you can pick up a variety of pastries and sandwiches for breakfast and lunch and then you can pick from a variety of per-packaged foods from the market area of the food service and this part of it stays open until midnight for those wanting to pick up snacks or beverages.

Hurricane Hanna’s Waterside Bar & Grill

This is their pool side bar and grill that offers a variety of beverages along with a limited lunch and dinner menu that includes burgers, chicken strips, veggie wraps, and other American fare.

Ale & Compass

Is a table service restaurant that’s found in the lobby and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It’s a casual style restaurant, so it’s good for the kids. Breakfast offers a variety of great American favorites like waffles, omelets, sausage, and more. For lunch and dinner you can enjoy a good variety of American favorites like burgers, a good variety of sandwiches, soups, salads, desserts and more.

Yachtsman Steakhouse

This is their signature table service restaurant that is only open for dinner and serves top notch steaks, seafood, sandwiches and more.

Beaches & Cream

This is a cute and fun place to enjoy delicious ice cream and desserts. But they also serve burgers, sandwiches and even ice cream floats for the adults to enjoy.

Ale & Compass Lounge

This lounge is found at the Ale & Compass within the resort lobby. This is a great place to kick back for a cocktail and relax. However, it can get pretty crowded.

Crew’s Cup Lounge

This lounge is attached to the Yachtsman Steakhouse and can be easily missed. But if you want the real feel of a yacht club lounge, this would be the one to go have a few drinks.

Amenities & Recreation

Most guests are quite pleased with the variety of activities that they can experience while staying at the Disney Yacht Club, especially the Stormalong Bay which is a shared pool with the Beach Club, that is more small like a small water park than just a resort swimming pool. Below are some of the activities you can experience:

Stormalong Bay

Walking distance to epcot and hollywood studios, jogging and walking paths, movies under the stars, cabana rentals, quiet admiral pool for relaxing, tennis court, health club, bayside marina, boat rentals, fishing excursions, sunrise yoga, campfire activities, fireworks cruises, lafferty arcade, painting in the vineyard, regatta run, albatross treasure cruise, seaside retreat, pros & cons of staying at yacht club.

Any place that you stay, is going to have it’s pros and cons. No different with the Yacht Club. We’ve put together a short list of what we felt some people might see as both pros and cons of staying at the the Yacht Club.

Great Dining

Most guests do enjoy the choice of dining at the Yacht Club, on top of that guests can go to other resorts on Crescent Lake and choose to dine at one of the other resorts.

Great Service

Most guests who have stayed at this resort can’t say enough about how the service is super good more times than not.

A little stuffy 

• For some people the high class feel gives it kind of a rich stuffy feel.
• Like any other deluxe resort, it’s going to cost a good amount of money to stay there.

Types of Families Best For

To be honest, the overall atmosphere of the Disney Yacht Club Resort could be a little too high class for kids to feel comfortable. It might be a little better with families with teens, especially since they can easily just walk over to Epcot or Hollywood Studios if they get tired of the resort itself.

Reviews From TripAdvisor

Here are a few actual reviews from TripAdvisor from people who have actually stayed at the Yacht Club:

We a family of 4 have just got back from 2 amazing weeks staying at Disney’s Yacht club , What a beautiful well looked after hotel , The attention to detail is second to none . We checked in after a long delayed flight and allocated our room , and what a surprise we had after opening that door , we had a large ground floor room with a patio that was in view of Epcot so we could see the fireworks from sitting on the patio , the room itself was clean spacious and well stocked , fridge , coffee machine , body products. This hotel is walking distance 5-8 mins to Epcot and the boardwalk, from Epcot you can also use the skyliner to Hollywood studios or there is a boat running to both of these too .

All cast members are super friendly from the greeting in the lobby to the lifeguards round the pool.

10 Reasons to Stay at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort

We absolutely love Disney’s Yacht Club Resort. You can definitely tell that it is a deluxe resort from the moment that you arrive. If you don’t know much about the resort, or you are having trouble selecting a resort for your next vacation, then definitely check out this list of reasons why the Yacht Club could be a winner for you and your family:

10 – Amazing location and theme.

The location for the resort is right on the water close to various parks and amenities, which is absolutely perfect. The theme is a nautical theme meant to transport you to an old yacht/nautical club, and it does that perfectly.

9 – Discounts are better than the Beach Club.

For some reason, when discounts are offered, the pricing tends to be better for the Yacht Club over the Beach Club, even though they both share many amenities and recreation activities. Check the prices and try to save yourself a few bucks.

8 – You can walk to Epcot.

This is definitely a huge selling point. It is a huge plus to be able to just walk over to Epcot and not have to wait on transportation. The walk is about fifteen minutes or so at a slow to moderate pace, and it lets you enter right at the World Showcase entrance between France and the United Kingdom.

7 – The Stormalong Bay pool area.

The pool area is seriously like its own mini waterpark. There is a huge pool and pirate ship slide, a lazy river, water play areas, and more. You definitely want to plan pool time when you stay here so that you can take full advantage of this amenity.

6 – Yachtsman Steakhouse.

This is one of Disney’s Signature Dining locations and is known for some of the best steaks on property. The restaurant offers the highest quality cuts of beef, along with delicious seafood options. This is definitely a perfect date night location and then a stroll by the water afterward.

5 – You are only a boat ride or Skyliner ride away from Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Another huge selling point is the close proximity to a second Disney World theme park. No need to wait for a bus as you can just take the boat and get right there. You can also walk if you wanted to. However, if you make the short walk over to Epcot International Gateway, you can enjoy a fantastic Disney Skyliner ride over to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. 

4 – Close proximity to Disney’s Boardwalk.

Disney’s Boardwalk is home to various shops and entertainment, along with restaurants, snacks, a piano bar, sports club, etc. It is a great place to get an ice cream with the kids during the day and go out for adult fun in the evening. And all just only a short walk or boat ride away.

3 – Lots of recreational activities.

You can rent a surrey bike or regular bike to explore, go on fishing excursions, rent boats to enjoy the water, and so much more. You definitely want to check out the recreation rentals as well as the events that the resort puts on each day.

2 – There are club-level room options.

The rooms are already spacious and amazing, but if you want the highest level of service, there are club-level room options, which are only available at deluxe category resorts at Walt Disney World. These rooms come with a price, but they do include unlimited access to the private club lounge, including food and drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic). There are also private concierge cast members that will help plan reservations, handle room arrangements, and even handle check-in and check-out.

1 – Deluxe accommodations.

The resort is a deluxe category resort, so you can expect some of the most amazing service and lush accommodations. The resort is stunning, and the rooms are spacious and beautiful with large balconies. There is a spa and salon on-site if you have an interest in those services. There are multiple restaurants to choose from, and a large number of free-planned activities around the resort. You definitely won’t want to leave once you have checked in!

For a no obligation, FREE Quote on a Disney vacation package, please contact our travel partner Magical Vacation Planner at 407-442-0227 (407-442-0215 for Spanish). You can also request a FREE quote online by Clicking HERE.

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.

Similar Posts

All Star Movies Resort vs. All Star Music Resort

Staying on Disney property is the best way to go if you want to get…

Disney’s Polynesian vs Yacht Club – Best Resort You’ll Love?

Disney’s Polynesian Village is located in Magic Kingdom, while the Yacht Club is located over…

The 8 Best Disney Resorts for Honeymooners to Stay At

You really can’t really go wrong with any resort as your Disney World honeymoon destination….

The 7 Best Disney Resorts for Kids Your Family Will Enjoy

One of the most important steps of planning a Disney World vacation with your family…

Saratoga Springs vs Old Key West

When it comes to picking the right Walt Disney World hotel, the options are endless….

What’s the Best Disney World Hotel for Adults?

Walt Disney World is known as the most magical place on earth. There are fairytales…

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Are Disney club-level rooms worth the extra cost?

If you've shopped online for Disney resort hotel reservations, you may have seen the words "Disney Club Level" on some booking options and wondered what exactly they mean.

You can probably quickly tell that these accommodations are more expensive than non-club options, but it isn't immediately obvious what that extra cash gets you ... and whether it is worth it.

Fortunately, I've been lucky enough to try out a number of Disney club-level rooms at a few different Disney resorts over the years. Here's all you need to know about these pricier rooms so you can decide if they're worth the splurge.

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

What is the club level at Disney resorts?

Paying extra for a club-level room at a Disney resort entitles you to some extra perks and services beyond that of a standard Disney room reservation , largely in the form of food and drinks served in a club lounge.

The club level is not available at every Disney resort, but you will find it at these Deluxe and Moderate Disney properties:

• Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge .
• 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's Beach Club Resort.
• Gran Destino Tower at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort (the only Moderate resort that currently has a club level).

With a club-level room at Walt Disney World, you are not only assigned a specific type of room, but you also have access to a club lounge and the hosts within that lounge. These hosts can help you fix your park reservations, troubleshoot basic tech support issues with the app, give advice on planning your day and generally make your stay more personalized and, dare we say, magical.

Related: Best credit cards for Disney and Universal vacations

What are Disney club-level benefits?

When you arrive to check into your Disney club-level room, you'll likely be personally escorted up to the club lounge to complete your check-in and orientation, which covers all you can expect from the lounge and your various club benefits.

The club rooms are often centrally located, so you won't have to worry about being at the far end of a spread-out resort. For the Contemporary, that means you'll be in the atrium, close to the restaurants, monorail and, of course, the club lounge itself.

The most tangible benefit of Disney's club level is the club lounge itself, where you'll have access to food, drinks and snacks from morning to night.

Of the options available, breakfast and evening appetizers are the most substantial offerings. In fact, those are the two meals you could make out of your lounge access if you were so inclined. Be sure to leave room for dessert, though, as the options are consistently tasty.

Years ago, when I first booked the club level at the Contemporary, the agent on the phone told me I was in for a treat and that I had to make myself a plate of dessert, grab some wine from the club and retreat to my theme park-facing room for my own personal fireworks viewing party.

He was right. Having the show's music playing in the background via my TV while enjoying my selection of snacks was every bit as much of a treat as he said it would be.

What can you expect from Disney club-level lounges?

While I've briefly touched on the food and beverage options available in Disney's lounges, let's break it down further, so you know exactly what to expect.

On my most recent visits, breakfast was available from 7 to 10:30 a.m. daily, with coffee starting at 6:30 a.m. Morning options typically include a mix of hot and cold items, such as comforting bites like fried chicken on top of biscuits and creamy grits, plus healthier offerings like avocado toast, fruit and yogurt. Cold cuts and a selection of pastries are available as well.

In the afternoon, the offerings thin out a bit. However, the fridge remains stocked, which is quite handy for grabbing a drink between treks to the parks. We've also been known to toss an Uncrustable or two, along with packaged grapes and maybe a wrapped-up cookie, into our backpacks to enjoy in the parks when we don't want to stop and eat a real meal.

Related: The best restaurants at Disney World

Around 5 p.m. is when the "good" stuff comes out until 7 p.m. Whether you want a snack to tide you over before heading back to the parks or are aiming to put together a "dinner" on the cheap, you can accomplish either goal at the lounge, so long as your crew isn't too picky. There are a handful of hot options each evening, usually from the hotel's restaurant kitchen.

It's common to find some kid-pleasers such as nuggets, tater tots and rolls next to more adult-oriented favorites like short ribs, soy-glazed salmon and serrano-wrapped melon.

Fair warning, though, if do want to turn the evening club options into dinner, you won't want to wait to arrive until just before they're cleared at 7 p.m., as you may find the scene looking a bit messy with options lacking.

After the evening snacks (or dinner, as the case may be) are finished, the lounge shifts its focus to desserts and drinks, which are available from about 8 to 10 p.m.

These options are the perfect way to unwind after a busy day at the theme parks, especially if you time your snack consumption just right to coincide with watching the fireworks from the lounge or your room (if you have a theme park view).

The desserts may consist of cookies, cupcakes, tarts and cakes, among other sweet treats.

Adult beverages are included, too. Expect a selection of a few different wines in the evening, along with a variety of bottled beers and/or a beer or two on tap. Grand Marnier, Baileys, Kahlua and Frangelico are some of the common cordials I've seen on offer.

How much does Disney's club level cost?

Depending on the resort and time of year, expect Disney club-level rooms to cost somewhere between $400 and $1,000 per night. The Gran Destino rooms are often the least expensive thanks to being the only Moderate resort option, while the Grand Floridian, the Contemporary and the Polynesian club-level rooms are typically the most expensive.

I've seen Disney club-level rooms start at about a $150 to $200 upcharge over non-club rooms. However, I've also seen the price difference between the entry-level room and the club-level room be roughly $300 to $400 per night, especially in cases such as the Grand Floridian and the Contemporary, where the main building's rooms are just inherently pricier than the outer buildings.

When you layer club-level service on top of the rooms, the spread for nightly rates at resorts with club levels widens in a hurry. To be sure you're getting the most bang for your buck, I highly recommend using a free Disney vacation planner (such as TPG's booking partner Mouse Counselors ) since they can get you additional discounts and assist with planning other parts of your trip.

Is Disney's club level worth it?

Now that you know what it is and what it generally costs, it's time to determine if the Disney Club Level is worth it.

If you want as much convenience, service and magic as possible while at Disney World, it may very well be worth paying up for a club-level room (if you can fit it into your budget). This is much like the equation with the concierge-level service on a Disney cruise .

However, if "worth it" means you're spending more in one area to save in another (aka on food and drinks), then the answer is: It depends. You're unlikely to ever truly save money by booking a club-level room, but there are situations where you can trim expenses here and there.

For example, if you're a family that's going to make good use of the food and drinks in the lounge, then it's not unreasonable to make up a large portion of that room price difference by dining in the lounge instead of at the theme parks, where food and beverage prices are notoriously high.

Of course, ordering essentials and having them directly delivered to Disney via a grocery service is probably cheaper, but that doesn't mean you still can't save some money by staying in a club-level room.

As with all Disney resort rooms, there's another way you can shave a little more off the out-of-pocket cost: credit card rewards.

For example, with the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card , the miles you accrue can be used to offset any travel charge on the card or any Disney booking made within Capital One's travel site . The Bilt Mastercard® (see rates and fees ) also has a travel portal that lets you use rewards for Disney resorts.

Bottom line

You likely won't want to book a Disney club-level room for a weeklong Disney World vacation (unless you have an unlimited budget).

However, choosing this type of accommodation for a few days of a trip is worth it, especially if you plan on limiting your off-site meals and aren't set on spending every waking moment in the parks.

Just be sure to be smart about when you reserve this kind of room. Aim to lock it in when the nightly price differential is no more than $200 above the room you would otherwise book so you can get more value out of the experience.

To help your family maximize time at Disney World, here are some articles to get you on your way:

• How to use points to buy Disney tickets
• Magic at every budget: These are the best hotels at Walt Disney World
• How to save a lot of money by renting Disney Vacation Club points
• Everything you need to know about visiting Walt Disney World Resort

See Bilt Mastercard rates and fees here.

See Bilt Mastercard rewards and benefits here.

The Best (and Worst!) Details of Staying at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort

by Heather Adams | Apr 8, 2024 | Walt Disney World Resorts , WDW Blog

Every Walt Disney World Resort hotel has its own pros and cons, and we’re sharing the best and the worst details that come with booking a stay at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort.

When it comes to Walt Disney World’s Value resorts, Disney’s All-Star Movies is typically guests’ favorite of the three All-Star choices. With incredible Disney character theming, larger-than-life statues, and a more immersive feel than All-Star Music and All-Star Sports, All-Star Movies is a hotel that’s popular with adults, families, and guests of every interest.

However, there are advantages and disadvantages to staying at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort. Will it truly offer good value and bang for your buck? Are the amenities worth your investment? Will you be able to get to and from the theme parks easily? We’re sharing all of the best –– and worst –– details of staying at All-Star Movies so you can decide before you book.

The Best Details of Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort

Photo by Danny Shuster

Standout Resort Theming

When it comes to theming across the resort, All-Star Movies is, well, a total star! Of all of the Value resorts, it’s home to some of the best theming (the only other resorts that might measure up are Disney’s Art of Animation Resort and Disney’s Pop Century Resort ). After all, who doesn’t want to feel like they’ve been transported right into the action of their favorite Disney animated film?

Guests of all ages absolutely adore the larger-than-life Disney-animated icons sprinkled across All-Star Movies Resort. You’ll encounter statues that feature characters and props from films like The Love Bug , Mighty Ducks , Toy Story , 101 Dalmatians , and Fantasia –– and each section of the resort makes for some fantastic photo opportunities.

If you’re someone who want an Instagram-worthy place to stay, it’s hard to top the character-centric theming you’ll find at this resort! Even if you aren’t a huge fan of the characters themselves, the bright, bold colors of the resort and its decorative building exteriors make for eye-catching backdrops.

Affordable Room Rates

Okay, this is  technically one of the best reasons to stay at any Disney World Value resort, but we still think it’s one of the biggest pros of All-Star Movies: The room rates are nicely affordable. If you’re visiting the resort on a budget, All-Star Movies offers great bang for your buck. You’ll find reasonable pricing year-round, and you can stay on-property without overspending.

Additionally, the recently renovated rooms –– which are similar to those at Pop Century –– offer solid value for the per-night cost. There’s enough space in a standard room to comfortably fit up to four guests, plus a crib for an infant.

Plus, if you’re visiting with kids (or anyone who loves a good pool!), there are two pools at All-Star Movies to enjoy: the Fantasia Pool and the Duck Pond Pool. The Fantasia Pool is also home to a smaller kiddie pool and a water play area, and there are poolside activities available regardless of where you want to splash around.

Premium Perks for Less

Speaking of amenities like the pools at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort, there are plenty of premium perks to be had at this hotel! Although you’re spending less and staying at a Value resort, you’ll notice that Disney doesn’t skimp on all of the top-tier offerings of any other onsite resort here. And that means you can enjoy many of the same perks of pricier hotel options without spending more.

For example, you’ll enjoy standard Walt Disney World Resort hotel advantages like:

• Early Theme Park Entry , which provides an extra 30 minutes of access to the theme parks
• Hey Disney voice assistant
• Complimentary transportation around Walt Disney World Resort from theme parks, hotels, and Disney Springs
• Onsite dining options

Plus, at All-Star Movies, there’s so much to explore! Here, guests can enjoy extra perks like campfire activities, movies under the stars, a kid-approved playground, jogging trails, and even the Reel Fun Arcade.

The Worst Details of Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort

Photo by Andy Sanchez

Long Walks… and Bus Wait Times

All-Star Movies is a sizable resort, which means there’s quite a lot of space to explore –– but all of that space means you might find yourself taking quite a long walk from the check-in desk or bus loading area. It can take a few minutes to get from your room to other locations on property, especially if you’re staying farther away from Cinema Hall. It might not seem like a big deal, but after hitting thousands of steps in the theme parks each day, you may want a shorter walk (especially if you’re hauling a lot of gear or young kids!).

Preferred rooms at this resort do sit closer to both dining and transportation, so if you’re someone who has mobility concerns or simply doesn’t want to walk long distances, you may want to consider booking one of these versus a standard room.

Additionally, along with longer-than-typical walks around the resort, you’ll also want to keep bus wait times in mind. All-Star Movies is often at the end of the bus route, which can mean a longer-than-usual wait (especially during slow times of the year when All-Star bus service is consolidated for all three resorts) to get to and from the resort.

Limited Transportation Options

Speaking of transportation, it’s worth noting that your transportation options are limited when staying at All-Star Movies. There’s only one mode of complimentary transportations, and it’s buses . At times, you might encounter a lengthy wait time to get to and from the theme parks and resort.

What drives up the wait time? Well, sometimes buses are shared across all three All-Star resorts, making waiting for a bus even more challenging –– especially when All-Star Movies is the last resort to be picked up or dropped off.

No Pool Slides

While the two pools located at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort are themed well and very cute, they do have one shortcoming: Neither pool has a slide.

However, this isn’t atypical of the resort category. Pool slides are only available at Moderate or Deluxe resorts; no Value resort on Disney World property has pool slides. If a slide at the resort pool is a must-have, consider booking a higher-tier hotel.

Should You Book a Stay at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort?

Value resorts can be a great fit for those looking to stay on Walt Disney World property without spending a lot, and they offer plenty of extras over off-site hotels. At Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort, the theming, multiple pools, and uniquely Disney perks offer plenty of great reasons to book a room.

However, if you want to be able to get to and from your resort quickly or want more transportation options, you may want to consider staying elsewhere. Overall, we think All-Star Movies is a great pick for anyone who’s looking for solid value and classic Disney theming. Need a resort that will accommodate more people , but with that Disney animation feel? Consider booking a room at Disney’s Art of Animation instead.

Latest Posts

The Best (and Worst!) Parts of Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside

Are walt disney world deluxe resorts worth the cost, tiana’s bayou adventure passholder preview details announced, tiana’s bayou adventure to offer virtual queue and lightning lane options, disney world extended evening hours: a complete guide, 6 huge announcements we’re waiting on from disney, posts by heather adams, authored by heather adams.

Enjoy FREE SHIPPING on orders over $100. Dismiss

Ultimate Planning Guide for a Disney World Vacation in 2025

H eading to Disney World in 2025 means new experiences, rides, restaurants and more. It also means finished projects like Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, and a slew of updates across the parks and resorts. Add in special new perks, like Free Water Park admission on Check-in Day for Disney Resort guests, and fewer crowds, due to the opening of Universal Studios EPIC Universe, and a Disney World Vacation in 2025 may be just what you’re looking for. Here’s everything you need to know when planning a 2025 Disney World vacation.

While previous years at Walt Disney World have seen lots and lots of changes, 2025 will hopefully settle as new things finally complete. The major rides, like TRON, and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure are open, and will have lower lines. Other updates like the Country Bears Jamboree refresh, Zootopia replacement for A Bugs Life and Little Mermaid Musical Adventure are all complete by 2025. Meaning that the big projects in store, like the Animal Kingdom expansion, and Magic Kingdom Park expansion will all be taking place out of sight of the park goers. Hopefully. So what will Disney World have in 2025, that will make it worth the visit?

If you’re taking a Disney World Vacation in 2025, there are a few things to know right off the bat. It’s not a heavy construction year! Woohoo! In fact most of the major construction projects will be completed. Major ride refurbishments are done, and the EPCOT reimagining is complete. However, you can still expect some things around the park that will affect your vacation.  The major projects on the docket at Disney World in 2025 

• Walt Disney World Events Calendar 2025
• What’s New at Walt Disney World in 2025?
• runDisney Races and Events in 2025

Disney World Changes in 2025

2025 brings several changes anticipated changes  at Walt Disney World that may, or may not  affect your vacation. We’re tracking them here, so you can keep an eye on what’s happening. 

• The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train rollercoaster moves to Genie+
• Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind drops it’s virtual queue
• TRON drops it’s virtual queue
• Free Water Park admission on Check-in Day is available for Disney Resort Guests
• Stormalong Bay and Shipwreck Pool at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts are CLOSED from January- June 2025.
• Zootopia Show debuts in the Tree of Life Theater, replacing A Bugs Life.
• 2025 Disney World Bounceback Discounts
• Disney Park Pass Reservations still required for Annual Passholders
• Good to Go Days for Annual Passholders, still expected

Disney World Vacation Planning in 2025

Planning a Disney Vacation typically involves a lot of steps. As such, consider this your checklist for a Disney World Vacation in 2025. And if you go through this post, answering all the questions, you’ll have a complete Disney Vacation planned in no time. Getting some basic questions out of the way first will help nail down your Disney Vacation Planning for 2025 . And we’ll share some details along the way so you can make the best choices as you tackle this vacation planning project.

Disney Vacation Planning Checklist

• Set up a My Disney Experience Account on the Disney Website
• Choose How to Get There ( Fly/ Drive)
• Choose Where to Stay ( Pick Your Resort)
• Buy Your Tickets or Vacation Package
• Get Your MagicBands
• Book Your Transportation
• Build Your Disney Itinerary
• Book Dining Reservations
• Add Special Event Tickets
• Decide What to Pack

How to Plan a Disney World Vacation in 2025

It’s true that with all the vacation considerations like transportation, resorts, and when to visit planning a Disney Vacation may begin to feel a little more like work than the magical experience you looked forward to. No worries. We have you covered. If you’re looking, we have a free 12-Step Disney Planning Guide for getting your Disney Vacation planned and booked. And if you’re not ready to do this on your own, be sure to work with a Disney Travel Agent.

Get a Disney MagicBand+

In order to make the most of everything Disney Parks has to offer, then having a Disney MagicBand+ is necessary. It can open your resort room, scan you into your lightning lane rides, interact with the Golden Statues in the parks, and more.  You can buy these ahead of time at Disneystore.com, in the parks, and at a discounted rate when purchasing a Disney Vacation package.

When do you want to Visit?

Choosing the right time to take a Disney World Vacation in 2025 can make or break your vacation. Take a look at our Disney Calendar of Events to get a handle on the holidays and events that may be happening during your stay. Things like runDisney marathons, festivals, and holiday weekends can all interfere with the best-laid plans. So, as you’re figuring out work and school schedules, compare them against the calendar to see what may conflict with or support your Disney Vacation. Be sure to check out the Best Time to Visit Walt Disney World post. And if you’re hoping to be in the parks during a certain festival, party, or holiday, take a look at our Y ear of Walt Disney World Events to get a glimpse of happenings each month. And if you haven’t nailed down a month yet, check out what you can do each season at Disney World. 

• Spring at Disney World March-May
• Summer at Disney World June- July
• Fall at Disney World August- November
• Halloween at Disney World  
• Christmas at Disney World  
• Winter at Disney World December- February

How Long Will You Stay?

We always recommend staying on vacation as long as possible. Obviously. But since everyone has a “real life” to get back be sure to check out our post on How Many Days Should You Stay at Disney . This will give you a good idea of what you can fit into your vacation without feeling rushed. And give you some insight into what you may want to skip if you need a shorter vacation. The sweet spot tends to be between 7-12 days to help you really make the most of your vacation. 

How will you Get There?

Will you be driving or flying to Disney? Perhaps you are considering taking the train? We sometimes recommend driving to Disney , simply for convenience and safety. If flying you will need to consider airlines, the cost for each person, and additional transportation once you arrive in Orlando. Keep in mind that there are new ways to get from Orlando International Airport to Walt Disney World that will cost you. 

Who is included in your Travel Party?

How many people are going with you on this vacation? Is this a Disney adult trip or a family trip? Will you have pets that need boarding during your stay? Think of things ahead of time. It will be important that each person in your party has a My Disney Experience account. Before you do anything else, take some time to get these set up if you have not already! 

Disney Resorts in 2025

With over 25 resorts at Walt Disney World, at a variety of price levels, there are many places to stay on property at Walt Disney World. Are you looking for something fun that feels like Disney, as an All-Star Resort? Or something more relaxed and island-like like Caribbean Beach Resort ? Perhaps you want glamourous accommodations at the Grand Floridian or animal viewing from your room at Animal Kingdom Lodge ? Maybe you’re hoping for tons of ease and convenience and want a resort within walking distance of Hollywood Studios Park and EPCOT. Maybe check out the Boardwalk Inn ? Think about which resort will make your Disney Vacation feel special. 

Choose Your Disney Resort Based on Cost

• Disney Value Resorts : Bus transportation. Pop Century and Art of Animation also have Skyliner transportation.
• Disney Moderate Resorts: Bus Transportation. Caribbean Beach Resort also has Skyliner transportation.
• Disney Deluxe Resorts. Bus transportation. Some offer monorail, ferry, and Skyliner transportation.

Choose Your Disney Resort Based on Transportation

• Disney Boardwalk Resorts : Within walking distance of EPCOT and Hollywood Studios.
• Disney Monorail Resorts: Within walking distance of Magic Kingdom. 
• Disney Ferry Boat Resorts : Ferry boat resorts are located near EPCOT and Magic Kingdom
• Disney Skyliner Resorts: Includes Skyliner access to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. 

Staying on Disney Property Disney Resort Perks

If you’re going back and forth on whether to stay on-site or off-site at Walt Disney World, the Perks of Staying on Property at Walt Disney World over the last few years have changed. Currently, Disney Resorts Perks for Guests Include

• Early theme-park entry. Allowing entry into the parks 30 minutes before park opening.
• Discounted MagicBands upon checkout.
• Early 7 am Lightning Lane, and Disney Genie + access ( as opposed to 9 am).
• Chance to add the Disney Dining Plan to your package.
• FREE Water Park admission on Check-In Day.
• Extended Evening Theme Park Hours for Deluxe Resort Guests
• Early booking for Special Events, like Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
• Additional Virtual Queue Boarding Pass access for Disney Deluxe Resort Guests
• Free Disney Theme Park Parking

Stay at a Disney Value Resort if…

If you’re visiting Walt Disney World during less busy times of the year, like early January, February, and September ( and all the other lower crowd times at Disney World ), then you’re safe to stay at a Value Resort and save some money. We highly recommend Pop Century Resort as it’s one of the best and is now also on the Disney Skyliner line. A word of warning though, during busy times of the year and through the summer months, value resorts are filled to the brim with school groups, spring breakers, and international groups and can be very noisy and busy. Read our Disney Value Resort Reviews. 

Stay at a Disney Moderate or Deluxe Resort if…

If you’re ready to graduate from Value Resorts to Moderate Resorts, we definitely have our favorite Disney Moderate Resorts to consider. But, Walt Disney World during the busiest times of year is best spent in the more expensive resorts. Disheartening yes, but sleep is important. While many clubs, groups, squads, etc. will all pile themselves into the cheapest resorts possible during the busy times of the year if you’re just hoping for a nice vacation spring for the higher-end resorts. They are less affected by the crowds. So at least while the parks may be crowded, your resort experience can be relaxing. We like the Boardwalk Inn best for its easy access to the parks and quiet relaxing atmosphere. Read our Disney Deluxe Resort Reviews.

Early Theme Park Entry for Disney Resort Guests

Available to Disney Resort Guests, Early Theme Park Entry is a perk that allows guests to enter the parks 30 minutes before the official park opening time. Early Theme Park Entry Crowds will still be high. So, we recommend getting to the gates at least 30-60 minutes before your early theme park entry time if you’re hoping to rope-drop popular rides like Rise of the Resistance or Flight of Passage. 

Extended Evening Theme Park Hours

For Disney Deluxe Resort Guests, extended theme park hours are available for a couple of hours after regular park closing. At Magic Kingdom Park this means guests can typically stay from 11 pm to 1 am. At EPCOT guests can stay from 9 pm to 11 pm. Neither Animal Kingdom nor Hollywood Studios are currently included in this benefit. Be sure to check the Extended Evening Theme Park Hours Schedule.

Disney Tickets and Vacation Packages in 2025

When choosing your Disney World Tickets as part of your vacation package there are a couple of things to consider that may help you save money, or help you save time. Here are some things to consider for your Disney World Vacation in 2025.

Will you Want to be in the Parks Every Day of your Vacation?

If you’re looking to save some money at Disney consider exploring the parts of Walt Disney World that don’t include a park day. We love taking time to meander through the Fort Wilderness Campgrounds and stop by Wilderness Lodge for a coffee. Planning a Disney Monorail Resort day or Disney Boardwalk Resort day are also things we like to do regularly. Heading to Disney Springs and boating over for beignets at Port Orleans French Quarter gives you an insider’s look at all things Walt Disney World and can really make your trip feel more than just a checklist. Choosing this route for a typical 8-day vacation could easily have only 5 tickets allowing you a few days to be outside of the parks. Consider your Disney Arrival Day and Disney Departure Day as free days, without tickets, to just explore. 

• Magic Kingdom Checklist
• Animal Kingdom Checklist
• Epcot Checklist
• Hollywood Studios Checklist

What To Do At Walt Disney World Without a Park Ticket?

When planning a Disney Vacation it’s important to build in times that don’t mean racing around the park all day. As such we love skipping the parks on  Arrival Day and Departure Day . This means we can take time to do things that don’t require a park ticket. From Mini Golf to Walking Paths, we’ve rounded up some fun ways to just take it easy on vacation. Check out our Walt Disney World Without a Park Ticket post for some ideas to help you save money and have fun, without the crowds.

Are you Adding a Park Hopper Ticket?

Do you need to be in more than one park per day? The Walt Disney World Park Hopper Ticket is an extra add-on ticket per length of your stay, so can get very pricey as an extra perk if you have several people in your travel party. The Park Hopper Ticket allows you access to more than one park per day and is an added convenience. As Walt Disney World is made up of 4 parks, this could allow you to spend your morning at Magic Kingdom and your evening at Hollywood Studios. We usually skip purchasing this ticket and plan for one park per day. There is so much to do in each Disney Park that it feels inopportune to leave halfway through the day.

However, if you’re trying for a short Disney trip and will not get all the parks in during your vacation, then this may be a ticket you consider. Be sure to keep in mind the travel time between parks, if you’re on a schedule. As Disney transportation is complimentary, it is something to streamline if you’re hoping to Save Time at Disney World. 

Are you Adding a Water Park and Sports Ticket?

Walt Disney World has 2 water parks; Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon. They are open year-round. If you are traveling during the extremely hot and humid summer months of Florida, then a Disney Water Park ticket added for each person in your travel party may be a good idea. Just like any Disney park you can go and stay all day. If you are traveling in the Dec- February months, however, it does get a little chilly in Florida and a water park ticket may not be needed.

The Sports portion of this ticket also allows you access to the golf courses and is a great way to get a little bit of variety if you’re looking for a more complete leisurely vacation. The sports complex ticket gets you access to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course, Disney’s Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Course , and Disney’s Winter Summerland Miniature Golf Course.

Are you Adding Event and Party Tickets to your Vacation?

While the EPCOT festivals are FREE and included with your park tickets for the day, other events like Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party  or Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party are extra. For events like these, since special event tickets can often be as expensive as regular Disney tickets, we recommend skipping your day park ticket on the day of your special event. This will save you some money and allow you time to explore Disney Resorts, Boardwalk, or Disney Springs. Here are some additional events to consider adding to your Disney World Vacation in 2025.

• Mickey’s Not so Scary Halloween Party: Magic Kingdom, mid-August- October. 
• Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party: Magic Kingdom, late November- December. 
• Disney After Hours: Select Parks, intermittently throughout the year. 
• Fireworks Dessert Party : select parks, intermittently offered throughout the year. 

Are you Adding a Walt Disney World Tour to your Vacation?

Another way to make your Disney World Vacation in 2025 extra special is by adding a Tour. We most like the little tours that don’t take a ton of time, but still give you a behind-the-scenes look at Disney World, in all its glory. Tours can range from tens of dollars to hundreds of dollars per person. So be sure to do your homework if you’re thinking of adding a Disney World Tour to your trip. Here are a few of our favorites. 

• Behind the Seeds Tour EPCOT 
• Wild Africa Trek Tour Animal Kingdom

Disney Dining in 2025

One of the biggest expenses of a Disney Vacation in 2025 is food. Whether it’s the $10 breakfast and coffee, the $15 lunch, or the $40 dinner, something will catch you off guard when it comes to the cost of food. Disney snacks alone can be close to 8 dollars each, and you have to consider that’s just for 1 person.

Check out our Disney Dining Budget post for details on how to budget your Disney food expenses. We typically say plan for between 70-100 dollars per person per day. But of course, check out the dining budget post for alternative things like packing meals or sticking with only Disney quick-service meals . Be sure to check out the Best Disney Restaurants on a Budget and all of our Disney Restaurant Reviews for ideas on what to book and where to eat, and how much it will all cost. 

If you’re interested in pre paying for your food at Disney World, you can grab the Disney Dining Plan ! This doesn’t tend to be any cheaper, unless you get the Free Disney Dining Plan , but is a great way to help make your vacation feel more all-inclusive. Since the dining plan allows you meal allotments it makes it easier to budget ahead of time your food costs. 

Dining Reservation Timeline

The Disney Dining Reservation window for guests is 60 days before the first day of their vacation. We recommend reserving the most popular restaurants as soon as the window opens. As dining reservations are increasingly difficult to obtain during the busiest times of the year. Check out all of our Disney Restaurant Reviews to see which ones you want to add to your vacation. 

Disney World Rides in 2025

While you ay not be able to book any of your Disney rides ahead of time, there are a few things to know before you go. First, Rides at Disney are Free to Ride, when you choose to use the Standby Line. If you’re hoping to skip the line that is available via the Disney Genie+ and Lightning Lane service. Rides Strategies in 2025 include aiming for popular rides at meal times, and during parades, arriving early, or staying late, and making a plan of which rides in each park are on your must-do list. This can help you keep an eye on high priority ride wait times in the My Disney Experience App throughout the day. 

Disney Genie+ and Lightning Lane

Disney’s newest planning tool, Disney Genie, can be found within the My Disney Experience App and allows guests to have everything about their vacation at their fingertips. Complete with AI features that prompt you towards potential rides, shows, and other opportunities based on your favorite experiences. The Disney Genie Service is free. But the Disney Genie+ version has a variable cost per person, per day. Typically between 15-25 dollars per person per day. Though depending on demand and time of year, this can go as high as $35.  The Disney Genie+ version includes additional features and built-in Lightning Lane options that allow guests to choose 2 lightning lane passes per day. Note that each member of your family will need to have a My Disney Experience Account and Disney Genie+ activated on each account to take advantage of the services included. Select rides are available for individual Lightning Lane purchases. Read more about Disney Genie+ and Lightning Lane.

Disney World Vacation Transportation in 2025

It’s easy to use Disney Complimentary Transportation during your stay. Every Resort offers Disney Bus, and select resorts offer boat transportation, the monorail train, walking paths and the Disney Skyilner as other options to get to and from the parks and Disney Springs. This is one of our favorite ways to stay in the Disney bubble on vacation.

Figure out Your Transportation to and from Orlando International Airport

You are on your own in regard to transportation to and from the airport to Walt Disney World. Of course, if you are driving to Walt Disney World then you can skip this step. If not be prepared to factor in transportation costs as needed. Whether that be a rental car or Uber, or Mears Connect, if you’re not driving to Disney, add this to your planning. 

Should you Rent a Car for your Disney Vacation in 2025?

We’ve talked about the pros and cons of Driving to Walt Disney World before, and still stand by those realities. Flexibility is key, and since all guests will have to figure out transportation to and from the Orlando International Airport to Walt Disney World, do what is best for you. If you are driving be sure to take note of   Disney Parking Fees . 

Disney World Vacation Cost 2025

Just like everything Disney Vacations are getting more expensive. With a price hike at least once a year, it’s best to local in lower prices now and adjust your vacation later. The next price hike for Disney World comes in October 2024. That said, here are a few things to help you get the most value for your Disney World Vacation in 2025.

What is your Maximum Disney Budget?

A big thing to consider is your overall Disney Budget. Whether you are going into your planning with a maximum number you can’t go over OR just a general idea of costs you can stomach here are a couple of things to know.

• The longer you stay at Disney, the cheaper per-day ticket prices become.
• There are three levels of Disney Resorts when it comes to pricing.
• There are deals all year long that may work for you on Disney’s Special Offers page .
• Certain times of year are much cheaper. Check out the Most Expensive and Least Expensive Times to Visit Walt Disney World.
• Consider a Disney Food Budget as part of your expenses, as this cost can be close to 100 dollars a day per person, depending on the type of dining you choose.
• Discounts and special offers can be applied to an existing reservation.
• You will not Save Money on your Disney Vacation by waiting to book. Booking as early as you can lock in lower prices and gives you time to take advantage of deals that pop up along the way.
• Work with a Disney Travel Agent for Free to make the most of your budget. 

Disney World 2025 Bounceback Offer

If you’re staying at at a Disney Resort in 2024, then you have the chance to take advantage of the Disney Bounceback Offer . Available Select Dates in 2025, you can received scaled discounts depending on where you stay for arrival during any of these dates. 

• January 2 to January 8, 2025
• January 13 to January 16, 2025
• January 20 to January 23, 2025
• January 26 to January 30, 2025
• February 2 to February 6, 2025
• February 9 to February 13, 2025
• February 16 to February 19, 2025
• February 23 to May 22, 2025
• May 26 to July 2, 2025
• July 7 to August 28, 2025
• September 1 to September 30, 2025
• October 26 to October 31, 2025

Disney Vacation Booking in 2025

If you’re looking at this list and wondering where to start, grab our printable Disney Deluxe Planner for a fill-in template that will get all your thoughts and ideas in one place. You can also bring all these questions to a Disney travel agent to get help with your vacation planning. 

How do You Book a Disney Vacation?

Once you have gone through the entire planning process you are ready to book. You can do this quite easily by visiting the Walt Disney World website , putting in your dates, selecting your resort, and choosing your tickets. 

• Disney Worl d Packages (Resort Room + Tickets) : A $200 dollar deposit is required to hold your vacation. The remaining balance is due 30 days before check-in. You can add the Dining Plan (when available). You are able to add Memory Maker. Your Disney Vacation can be canceled and refunded up to 30 days before your trip. Magical extras are included.
• Disney World Room Only : The deposit is your first night’s resort rate at the time of booking. The remaining balance is due at check-in. No dining plan is offered at checkout. Tickets purchased separately cannot be refunded, though the date of the tickets can be changed. No magical extras.

Can I book A Disney Vacation Now?

YES! Check out our Disney Timeline for all the details. In general, a Disney Resort room can be booked about 16 months in advance and Disney Packages for each year are usually released the previous summer.

Disney World Cancellation and Change Policies

Be aware of Walt Disney World’s cancellation policies. If you cancel less than 30 days before your trip there is a fee of $200. If you cancel less than 6 days before your trip the fee is the first full night’s room rate. You can change the date of your vacation up to 30 days before your vacation. Check out the Disney World website for all of Disney’s Cancellation policies.  

Disney World Vacation Tips 2025

A Disney World Vacation in 2025 should be a great year to visit. However, be aware that certain things always make vacations to Disney easier. Here are some of our best Disney Tips for an easy vacation. 

Book Your Vacation Early

We share this with the knowledge that travel is at an all-time high, and if you are competing with just about everyone for rooms, rides, food, and space.  So, if you’re hoping for a Disney Vacation in 2025 and beyond book as early as you can! You can always adjust days, or add special offers along the way without any fees up to 30 days before your vacation, just by calling Disney. 

If Flying, Book Your Flight Early

Airline fuel is expensive. As such, airline travel is getting more and more expensive! That said, just like hotel and car rental, if you are flying to Disney, be sure to book it as far out as you can. Try to select arrival dates of Tuesday or Wednesday- which are generally the cheapest flying days. At the latest, try to book your airline travel at least 45 days before your vacation mark for the best price. If you’re looking to avoid bag costs, try Southwest. If you’re looking for non-stop flights, we recommend Spirit. And if you’re anywhere near a Jet Blue hub, that’s the airline to choose. 

Try a Travel Agent

Don’t be afraid to use a Disney Travel Agent if it all starts to feel overwhelming. Trust us, we get it. You’re trying to run your life but really need a vacation, the last thing you have time to do is plan a vacation. Especially with the changes at Walt Disney World including new transportation options, park hopper rules, and crowd levels. There are more things now than before to consider when planning a vacation. With many things changing regularly, it is good to have a travel agent on hand to help. 

Visit During Low Crowd Times

A Disney Vacation in 2025 should see average crowds. But beware of summer when Tiana’s Bayou Adventure opens. You can expect high crowd levels through the summer and into fall as a result of this new attraction. Check out our Best Days to Visit the Disney Parks for a monthly breakdown of what is happening throughout the year. 

Disney Vacation Planning in 2025

Sure, planning for a Disney Vacation in 2025 may feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Grab a cute journal or planner and just get started. Once you’re confident you’ve answered some of the big questions here, you’ll be ready to start booking your Disney vacation in no time! Are you planning even farther ahead? Check out the 2025 Disney Events Calendar for everything that may be happening during your next trip!

Genie+ / My Disney Experience App / News

Pros and Cons of Disney’s Three Line-Skipping Options

by David Mumpower · May 17, 2024

When you visit Walt Disney World, long lines are just the cost of doing business.

You’re a tourist at the most popular tourist destination on the planet. Not coincidentally, lots of other people are there, too.

Lightning Lane

So, you must follow the herd and stand behind them until it’s your turn to experience Disney’s best attractions.

However, Disney provides you with three options to beat the system.

Let’s talk about the pros and cons of Disney’s three line-skipping options.

What Is Early Theme Park Entry    

Early entry

I wrote extensively about Early Theme Park Entry in this article .

The gist is that you should always stay at an official Disney resort.

By doing so, you gain a marvelous amenity called Early Theme Park Entry.

This benefit allows you to enter a Disney theme park 30 minutes before it opens to regular guests.

Effectively, you have a half-hour head start on the competition.

There’s a different form of this same premise called Extended Evening Hours .

That amenity is an after-hours event held once (or twice) a week and solely available to guests staying at Deluxe Disney Resorts.

So, the two benefits aren’t quite the same, but you’ll often hear them mentioned together.

Peter Pan’s Flight

The pro here is self-evident. You can enter a Walt Disney World theme park ahead of guests possessing standard admission tickets.

Early Theme Park Entry gives you quick access to the front of the line on some attractions and a much shorter wait on others.

Toy Story Mania!

At a park like Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you can be among the first to experience Toy Story Mania! or Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.

You can also follow the crowd to Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance or Slinky Dog Dash.

While these lines fill up almost immediately, you can often cut your wait time in half (or more) from what it’ll be later in the day.

Toy Story Mania

The cons to this one are twofold. And the bigger one is obvious to those who have used the amenity.

You must start your park day substantially earlier. I don’t necessarily mean 30 minutes earlier, either.

Many guests show up 30-45 minutes BEFORE Early Theme Park Entry begins. They do this to enter the park first.

Ergo, you should arrive an hour before the park officially opens to get a good spot in line.

When you don’t, you’ll waste some of the advantage of that 30-minute window for Early Theme Park Entry.

You won’t be inside the park right at the start of the half-hour exclusive access.

Getting that early isn’t ideal on vacation, especially not for a park like Disney’s Animal Kingdom, which typically opens the earliest.

You’ll need coffee. Lots of coffee.

Pistachio Latte

The other con is overblown, in my opinion, but it matters to some.

That’s the cost of staying at an official Disney resort.

Photo: Disney

Guests who don’t use MickeyTravels may not know about the various discounts available.

In that scenario, someone without a working knowledge of Disney hotel discounts would probably pay more.

Image Credit: Disney

If so, you may find this option a bit pricey. Again, as long as you use MickeyTravels, you know that someone is finding you the best deals, though.

So, you’re staying at one of Disney’s exemplary resorts while receiving this amenity. It’s win/win!

What Is Disney Genie+?

Credit: Disney

Disney Genie+, not to be confused with Disney Genie, is a paid service akin to the former FastPass.

I often describe this digital queue system like imaginary runners from childhood baseball games.

Genie Service

You’re not standing in line for an attraction, but when you book a Disney Genie+ reservation, you’re asking Disney to do it for you.

Think of this scenario as similar to when a friend stands in line for you at an event, and you can join them later.

Past a certain point, Disney Genie+ will allow you to enter the physical wait queue for an attraction.

However, since you booked via Disney Genie+, this line will be shorter and require less time waiting.

On some days, Disney Genie+ is the difference between a fun park visit and your regretting everything.

For example, let’s say that you’re at Hollywood Studios and want to experience Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run.

Attractions!

You don’t want to miss Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway or Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, either.

All three of these attractions frequently require a wait of 60+ minutes.

In a perfect world, you don’t want to spend so much of your day standing in line.

While that’s honestly inevitable if you want to do everything at Hollywood Studios, Disney Genie+ makes the experience more manageable.

Winnie the Pooh Lightning Lane

When you book three or four of these attractions via Disney Genie+, you’ll maximize your park visit.

You’ll see and do much more because you’re not standing in line all the time, a process that makes you tired and cranky.

Surprisingly, there are several cons to Disney Genie+, even though it sounds terrific, and I typically buy it.

The first con is the price, which fluctuates based on Disney’s anticipated park attendance that day.

You’ll pay more on the most popular days such as national holidays. Also, you pay per person.

Larger traveling parties may feel like they’re spending too much money relative to what they gain from Disney Genie+.

Then, we have the availability issue. Technically, buying Disney Genie+ guarantees you nothing.

Sure, you may want that reservation for Slinky Dog Dash, but it’s far from guaranteed.

Many attractions sell their entire allotment of Disney Genie+ reservations within hours of the park’s opening.

Even when they don’t, the system will sometimes offer you return times that fit poorly with your schedule for the day.

Given how much you’re spending on the service, it feels wrong that Disney doesn’t provide more flexibility.

Then again, the parks have no need to do so. Disney Genie+ sells out more frequently than anybody, including Disney, had expected.

So, I could include other cons, but you get the point. Disney Genie+ is far from perfect. It’s usually worth getting, though.

What Is Lightning Lane?

For reasons passing understanding, a Disney Genie+ reservation allows you to enter the Lightning Lane for an attraction.

That’s the shorter line or the imaginary runner scenario or your friend holding a place in line for you.

Lightning Lane Scanners

However, Disney, in its infinite wisdom, has added another service known as Lightning Lane.

This digital queue is available only at one or two attractions per park, and it exists for a simple reason.

Disney’s newest and most popular rides have long lines. For a fee, Disney will allow you to skip the long lines.

So, Lightning Lane is a “pay as you go” service wherein you can skip the line at one or two of Disney’s most popular rides.

To minimize confusion, the options available on Disney Genie+ aren’t also choices for Lightning Lane. It’s an either/or.

What happens is that a wildly popular new ride starts as a Lightning Lane but then switches to Disney Genie+ a year or two later.

For an attraction like Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, you’re saving yourself an hour or more.

At Magic Kingdom, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is turning ten years old this month, yet it remains THE most popular ride.

Once again, a Lightning Lane allows you to pay $10-$12 a person — an estimate since prices fluctuate – to save yourself the aggravation.

Conversely, Tron Lightcycle / Run is Magic Kingdom’s new, hottest ride.

Lightning Lane switchbacks empty at Space Mountain

You’re not even guaranteed to experience it unless you schedule a virtual queue, something you can try twice a day.

When you buy a Lightning Lane, you ensure that you’ll see what all the fuss is about with Tron.

So, the Lightning Lane shortens all your waits. Perhaps more importantly, it gives you a chance to ride stuff that you otherwise couldn’t.

Tron has consistently charged $20 per person since it debuted.

For a family of four, you’re paying $80 for a ride that lasts this long:

Folks, that video is four minutes long, and half of it covers the attraction queue rather than the ride experience.

Jungle Cruise

I’m not joking when I say that a single person pays $10 per minute for a Tron Lightning Lane.

When you think about the situation in those terms, well, it’s ridiculous.

I view Lightning Lane as making sense in very specific instances like Rise of the Resistance, a 20-minute experience.

Unless your wallet’s too small for your 50s ,  I wouldn’t recommend buying all the Lightning Lanes during a park visit.

In fact, I’m overdue on updating you on where you should/should not buy Lighting Lane these days. So, expect that article soon.

In the interim, what I’ll say is that Early Theme Park Entry comes with your Disney hotel booking. Ergo, it makes the most sense.

Speak with a MickeyTravels agent to get set up with a vacation wherein you enjoy Disney without needing Disney Genie+ and Lightning Lane.

Thanks for visiting MickeyBlog.com! Want to go to Disney? For a FREE quote on  your next Disney vacation , please fill out the form below, and one of the agents from MickeyTravels, a Diamond Level Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, will be in touch soon!

Tags: disney genie plus disney lightning lane Early Theme Park Entry Genie+. Lightning Lane News

Get a FREE Quote!

Interested in booking a Disney Vacation? Look no further! The award winning agents at MickeyTravels are ready to help you book a truly magical vacation!

• Name * First Last
• Number of Adults *
• Number of Children *
• Ages of Children *
• Select Your Destination * *hold ctrl or shift to select more Walt Disney World Disney Cruise Line Disneyland Adventures by Disney Aulani Hawaii Disney Special Event Tickets Universal Orlando
• Approximate Travel Dates *

You may also like...

Brook and Robin Lopez To Make Appearance at NBA Experience Next Thursday

October 25, 2019

New Video Celebrates 9 Years Of Cars Land at Disney California Adventure

June 27, 2020

“Hercules” D23 Magical Screening Tickets On Sale Now

March 15, 2022

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent Posts

FX and the Estate of James Clavell Are Working on Two More Seasons of ‘Shogun’

What Should We Expect First with Disneyland Forward?

No, Disney Did NOT Cancel Tinker Bell

Sign-up for Our Newsletter

Hulu / Media / News

May 17, 2024

Attractions / Disney California Adventure / Disneyland Park / Disneyland Resort / News

Magic Kingdom / Parks / Walt Disney World