Disney Tips Your Guide To A Great Disney Vacation
Disney’s Beach Club Resort is a premier deluxe resort at Walt Disney World. It offers a charming New England-style ambiance, fantastic dining, and an unbeatable location near EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
While it remains a top choice for many guests, there are still some factors to consider before booking. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of staying at Disney’s Beach Club Resort.
Pro: Two Resorts for the Price of One
One of the biggest perks of staying at Disney’s Beach Club Resort is its connection to Disney’s Yacht Club Resort. Guests have access to both resorts’ amenities, including pools, restaurants, and lounges.
This means more dining and recreation options without having to travel far.
Pro: Prime Location on Crescent Lake
The Beach Club is situated on Crescent Lake, providing picturesque waterfront views and easy access to major Walt Disney World attractions:
- A short walk to EPCOT via the International Gateway entrance.
- A quick boat ride or a Skyliner trip to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
- Access to Disney’s BoardWalk features entertainment, dining, and nightlife.
- Close proximity to the Walt Disney World Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve hotels, offering additional dining choices.
The ability to walk to EPCOT and use multiple transportation options makes this resort highly convenient for park-goers.
Credit: Disney
Con: Longer Travel Times to Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom
While Beach Club offers great access to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, travel to Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom can take longer. Guests must use Disney buses for these parks, which can be crowded, especially during peak times.
Additionally, the Beach Club and Yacht Club often share bus routes, leading to longer travel times.
Pro: Exceptional Table-Service Dining Options
The Beach Club and Yacht Club offer a variety of table-service restaurants, including:
- Beaches & Cream Soda Shop – Famous for burgers and over-the-top ice cream treats, including the iconic Kitchen Sink sundae.
- Cape May Café – A popular buffet offering a seafood feast for dinner and a character breakfast.
- Ale & Compass (at Yacht Club) – A casual restaurant serving New England-inspired dishes.
- Yachtsman Steakhouse (at Yacht Club) – A signature dining experience with premium steak and seafood.
These options provide guests with excellent dining choices just steps from their rooms.
Credit: Disney
Con: Limited Quick-Service Dining
While the table-service restaurants are a highlight, the quick-service options at Beach Club are somewhat limited compared to other Disney resorts. Available choices include:
- Beach Club Marketplace – Offers grab-and-go items but has a small selection compared to food courts at moderate and value resorts.
- Hurricane Hanna’s Waterside Bar & Grill – A great spot for poolside dining, but with limited seating and availability dependent on weather.
For guests looking for a variety of quick and budget-friendly meals, this could be a drawback.
Pro: Stormalong Bay – The Best Pool at Walt Disney World
One of Beach Club’s biggest selling points is Stormalong Bay, widely considered the best pool complex at Walt Disney World. This expansive aquatic area includes:
- A lazy river for relaxation.
- A sand-bottom pool that mimics a natural beach experience.
- A large water slide that starts from a shipwreck structure.
- Multiple hot tubs, waterfalls, and shallow areas for all ages.
This feature alone makes the resort a top choice for families who love to spend time at the pool.
Con: Stormalong Bay’s Layout Can Be Challenging for Parents
While Stormalong Bay is a fantastic amenity, some parents find it difficult to supervise children due to its sprawling layout. Concerns include:
- The entrance to the main waterslide is outside the gated pool area, requiring kids to exit the main pool section.
- The large and winding pool layout can make it difficult to keep an eye on children at all times.
If you have younger children who require close supervision, this could be a consideration.
Pro: Deluxe Experience with a Relaxed, Family-Friendly Atmosphere
Despite being a deluxe resort, the Beach Club has a laid-back and welcoming atmosphere that makes it a great choice for families.
Unlike the more formal setting of the Yacht Club, the Beach Club’s common areas are lively, with families enjoying their vacations. It balances a high-end experience with a relaxed, fun vibe.
Credit: V Mills
Pro: Perfect for a Resort-Only Day
If you’re looking to take a break from the parks, Beach Club offers plenty of activities to keep you entertained:
- Disney’s Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf – Located nearby for family-friendly fun.
- Campfires and Movies Under the Stars – Evening entertainment right at the resort.
- BoardWalk Entertainment – A short walk away, featuring performers, shops, and restaurants.
- Recreation Activities – Including boat rentals, volleyball, and tennis courts.
With so much to do, Beach Club is a great resort for guests who want to enjoy Disney magic without visiting the parks every day.
Is Disney’s Beach Club Resort Right for You?
Overall, Disney’s Beach Club Resort is an excellent choice for guests who prioritize location, deluxe amenities, and an incredible pool experience.
However, the limited quick-service dining and longer transportation times to some parks may be drawbacks for some visitors. If easy access to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, top-notch dining, and resort recreation are high on your list, the Beach Club could be the perfect fit for your Walt Disney World vacation.
Would you stay at Disney’s Beach Club Resort? Let us know in the comments below!
I stayed with my family in 2012. It was wonderful.
Me and my family have been lucky enough to stay at both the Yacht and the Beach Club hotels many times over the past 30 years. The resort is the very best at WDW and we have loved every visit. The location, the ambience, the wonderful smell in the lobby, the friendly and welcoming staff, the beautiful flower arrangements, the incredible pool, in fact I love everything about the hotel ( except the cost of it now ) ! Oh and Cape Mays cafe is my favorite restaurant in the whole of WDW
We always Have a great time at Disney ! We stay at medium price motels.
We have stayed at the Disney beach Club resort numerous times. It is by far our favorite resort! It’s walking distance to so much! Love being close to the Boardwalk with the numerous shops & restaurants!
We have been to the Beach Club twice as part of the vacation club. I agree with all the positives listed above. When I go on vacation, I want to be pampered, so quick service doesn’t mean much to me. As for premier dining, I have been to the Yechtman’s Steakhouse several times. Nothing like eating a filet that is cooked to perfection….melt in your mouth….almost liquid steak !!! And service, I was a waiter for a time in college, and service is by the book. Water and wine (re)filled without as much as a nod, plates removed quickly, food comes to the table HOT !!! It was better than a dinner at Vic and Al’s !!!