Top Pros & Cons for Staying at Beach Club Resort at Walt Disney World

Disney’s Beach Club Resort is one of the most popular places to stay at Walt Disney World.  As one of Disney’s deluxe resorts, it has a lot to offer for guests of all ages and your stay there is sure to be magical!  At the same time, there are some areas where the Beach Club doesn’t quite measure up to some other Disney Properties.  When we weigh the pros and cons for staying at the Beach Club, we will definitely still visit in the future.  How about you?

 

1. Pro – Two resorts for the price of one!

The Beach Club and Yacht Club resorts are connected, with a shared pool area in the middle.  This means that when you stay at the Beach Club, you have easy access to all of the restaurants, shops, and lounges at the Yacht Club as well.

2. Pro – Location, location, location!

The Beach Club is located on Crescent Lake. In addition to providing a beautiful view, especially at night, this location gives you access to incredible dining and attractions.  Across the lake is the Disney’s Boardwalk with restaurants, shopping, entertainment, and night life.  The Swan and Dolphin resorts are also on the lake, offering even more dining options.  And best of all, you are just a hop, skip and a jump from the International Gateway entrance to EPCOT Center and a short boat ride from Hollywood Studios.

3. Con – Travel to Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom can take a while

While you have easy access to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, some guests complain about crowded buses to and from the other parks.  This can lead to long waits in you are leaving the parks at closing with the big crowds.  The ride is also a little longer than it needs to be because the Yacht and Beach Club usually share busses, so you have to stop at both resorts.

4. Pro – The Table Service Dining – Yum!

Between the Yacht and Beach Clubs, guests have a great variety of table service options for dining.  The Beach Club offers Beaches and Cream, an old-fashioned soda shop where you can get juicy burgers and creative ice-cream concoctions, and Cape May Café, a casual buffet experience with character dining at breakfast and a clam bake for dinner.  Next door, the Yacht Club offers some more formal options with Ale and Compass and the Yachtsman Steakhouse, which is touted by many as the best steakhouse on Disney property.

5. Con – A lack of quick-service options

If you are on a budget or just don’t want to take the time to do table-service meals, you may be disappointed with your options at the Beach Club.  While the Beach Club marketplace does offer quick-service, it has a very limited menu, especially when compared with the food courts at some of the moderate and value resorts.  Hurricane Hannah’s at the pool is another option, but there is just outdoor seating, so it only really works when the weather is good.

6. Pro – Stormalong Bay – one of the best pools on property!

This giant pool is located right in between the Beach Club and Yacht Club and has something for everyone.  A big water slide emerges from a pirate ship, with a little kids slide right next to it.  There is a lazy river with tubes provided if you’re into a more relaxing experience.  Add to this waterfalls, hot tubs, and a shallow sandy area perfect for toddlers, and everyone should find something they can enjoy!

7. Con – Stormalong Bay is spread out and can be hard to manage with kids

Some parents complain that the layout of Stormalong Bay makes it hard to supervise their kids.  One particular concern is that the entrance to the water slide is outside of the gated pool area and across a public path.  Another is just that it is so spread out and curves, so you don’t have a line of sight of the whole area at once.  With kids at an age where they want independence but aren’t quite ready for it, this might not be the best pool.

8. Pro – The feel of a Deluxe Resort while also being very kid friendly!

The Beach Club has a casual and welcoming vibe that makes it a great place to stay with kids.  The lobby is generally filled with families and your kid will not be the only one running around.  You will feel a very different vibe next door at the Yacht Club, where the lobby has a more formal feel.  Even with the hustle and bustle of so many families with kids at the Beach Club though, there is still a calmness to the place that sets it apart from some of the bigger resorts.

 9. Pro – It’s perfect for a resort day!

Actually, you could probably stay several days at the Beach Club without visiting the theme parks and have plenty to do!  With Disney’s Fantasia Gardens miniature golf within walking distance, campfires and movies at night, the Boardwalk to explore, motorized boat rentals, volleyball and tennis courts, and daily activities in and out of the pool, there is plenty to keep you busy when you need a break from the parks!