Disney’s Beach Club and Yacht Club Resorts are two of eight properties in Walt Disney World’s collection of Deluxe Resort Hotels. Situated on Crescent Lake directly across from Disney’s BoardWalk, Beach and Yacht Club may often be mistaken to be the same resort since they are physically connected and share some of the same amenities. But they are, in fact, two distinct hotels each with their own unique charm and theming.
The Beach and Yacht Club Resorts share a nautical motif in their décor and overall design. The key difference is how the two hotels present this maritime theming. The small 19th-century seaside towns of the Atlantic Coast served as the inspiration for Disney’s Beach Club. The hotel’s exterior was modeled after the Victorian Stick Style architecture typical of this time to create the look and feel of a cozy beach cottage.
The laidback vibe of a quaint seaside retreat extends indoors to the common areas and guest rooms. Light-colored flooring is complemented by a lovely color palette of pale tans, pastel yellows, and bright blue hues, and beach-inspired decorative touches complete the overall look.
True to its name, the design style of Disney’s Yacht Club was heavily influenced by the sophisticated elegance of New England’s waterfront yacht clubs. Emulating late 19th century Colonial Shingle Style architecture that was popular in New England at the time, the resort’s façade features light gray clapboard siding, distinctive roof shapes with dormers, and beautiful lighthouse towers with numerous windows in a variety of shapes and sizes.
The genteel air of a private yacht club continues inside and throughout the resort. Dimly lit brass chandeliers hang over a tastefully appointed lobby that exudes refinement and grace. Furnishings in rich shades of blue and brown, dark wood flooring, and antique sailing instruments complete the look of this beautiful space.
The décor and color schemes of the Beach and Yacht Club Resorts carry into their respective guest rooms. Where the rooms at Beach Club lean into a relaxed, coastal theming, you’ll find those at Yacht Club channeling a more polished, nautical design instead. Aside from these style differences, the rooms at both resorts are similarly sized and well-appointed. Most guest rooms feature two queen-size beds and one daybed, and many have balconies as well.
There are many dining options available to guests at the Beach Club and Yacht Club Resorts. Table service options at Yacht Club include a fine dining experience at Yachtsman Steakhouse every evening, as well as New England-inspired cuisine served daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner at Ale & Compass Restaurant. The Ale & Compass Lounge and Crew’s Cup Lounge are open every afternoon for visitors to enjoy a variety of snacks and alcoholic beverages, and grab-and-go food items and quick-serve meals are available throughout the day at The Market at Ale & Compass.
At Beach Club, sit-down dining options include Beaches & Cream Soda Shop and Cape May Café. Themed to resemble an old-fashioned 1950s soda fountain, Beaches & Cream is open every day for lunch and dinner and serves classic American diner fare and an impressive lineup of dreamy ice cream creations. A takeout window is also available just outside of the restaurant for guests who don’t have a reservation but still want to get their ice cream fix. Cape May Café offers a buffet breakfast and dinner daily. The mornings are a lively affair with Minnie Mouse and a few of her friends in attendance for a character dining experience, and the evenings transition to a lower-key and more casual meal. Prepared and carryout food is available all day at Beach Club Marketplace, and from mid-afternoon until night you’ll find a full bar menu and an assortment of appetizers at the Martha’s Vineyard lounge.
The Beach and Yacht Club Resorts are within walking distance of the International Gateway entrance to Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. (Transportation to these parks via the Friendship Boat service is also available, along with bus transportation for Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Disney Springs, and the Disney water parks.) Disney’s BoardWalk and the Swan and Dolphin Resorts are also just a short stroll away, and the Disney Skyliner station at International Gateway is easily accessible as well, providing guests with plenty of additional dining and entertainment options. This prime location and proximity to two of the Walt Disney World theme parks are wonderful perks for guests of these Resort hotels.
The star of the show at these sister resorts is undoubtedly one of their shared amenities, the feature pool area. Often touted as the best across Walt Disney World Resort property, Stormalong Bay is a spectacular 3-acre pool complex that has just about everything you can imagine to keep the entire family busy for hours. It includes a lazy river, waterslides, a sand-bottomed swimming pool, waterfalls, and a shipwreck-themed pool and play area. When it’s time for a break, head over to Hurricane Hanna’s Waterside Bar and Grill to refuel with a selection of sandwiches, burgers, and salads, or relax with your choice of specialty cocktail, frozen mixed drink, or draft beer. There are also three other quiet pools for Beach and Yacht Club guests who prefer to relax outside of the hustle and bustle of Stormalong Bay.
Disney trivia, dance parties, and various other poolside activities are scheduled daily for guests of Beach and Yacht Club. And just beyond Stormalong Bay, on the beach in front of the resorts, guests can also enjoy small arts and crafts projects every afternoon, a nightly campfire, and viewing of a Disney movie most evenings after dusk. Pontoon boat rentals are available at the nearby marina, as well, for those looking for a bit of extra fun.
We have been lucky enough to stay at both the Beach Club and Yacht Club in the past, and would happily choose either one again for a future vacation. They are both equally beautiful and are great resort options to consider when planning a visit to Orlando. They may differ in feel and atmosphere due to their distinct design styles and décor, but they both consistently provide an outstanding experience for guests. Boasting arguably the best pool on Walt Disney World property, many terrific amenities, and a fantastic location within easy reach of two theme parks and a slew of restaurants, Disney’s Beach Club and Yacht Club Resorts easily lend themselves to priceless memories and wonderful vacation adventures, time and time again!
