Looking for a luxurious, peaceful resort at the Most Magical Place on Earth? Well, look no further than Disney's Yacht Club Resort! Inspired by grand New England yacht clubs, this deluxe resort hotel at Walt Disney World features an upscale experience with fine dining, a three-acre water park, recreation and more. Plus, you are within walking distance of EPCOT! Hop in to learn more about the accommodations, transportation options, dining and amenities at Disney's Yacht Club Resort.
Overview of Disney's Yacht Club Resort
Disney's Yacht Club Resort is a deluxe resort hotel at Walt Disney World. It offers a luxury nautical retreat with plenty of Disney amenities. Located around Crescent Lake, it's like you're in your own little world with a mini water park, numerous recreation and dining options and easy access to the Boardwalk area and EPCOT. That's right — it's one of the few hotels that allows you to walk to EPCOT. Plus, Disney's Yacht Club Resort is pet-friendly so you can bring your dog to Disney World!
Disney's Yacht and Beach Club Resort
You'll often hear the phrase "Yacht and Beach Club" in reference to these resorts. That's because Disney's Yacht and Beach Club Resort are sister hotels (though with their similar theming, they really just feel like one big resort!). Beach Club's exterior features bright blue colors while Yacht Club is more light gray. Beach Club has more of a vibrant-yet-classy beach flair while Yacht Club is known to have a quieter, more "adult" feel with dark wood and brass nautical décor.
They are directly connected and share amenities, allowing for double the offerings!
Rooms at Disney's Yacht Club Resort
Disney's Yacht Club Resort features excellent accommodations. Most rooms offer two queen beds and one daybed, sleeping up to five adults — a great option for a larger group! Other configurations may include two queen beds or one king bed and one daybed. A King Bed option sleeping up to two adults is also available. For most rooms, you may select either a Water View (pool or lagoon) or Resort View. Be sure to save some green by booking through Undercover Tourist!
All rooms feature either a patio or balcony. Extra amenities include free Wi-Fi, TV, hairdryer, pool towels, coffee maker, mini-fridge, in-room safe and iron and ironing board.
The bathroom area offers a counter with a double sink and a separate area for the bathtub and toilet. This makes it a little easier when everyone is getting ready in the morning.
Transportation at Yacht Club Resort
Disney's Yacht Club Resort is conveniently located very close to two of the theme parks, allowing for even more transportation options. There are boats that travel from Yacht and Beach Club to EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios. As a bonus option, the Disney Skyliner station is also at the International Gateway at EPCOT. The whimsical gondolas travel from EPCOT to Hollywood Studios, stopping at four resort hotels along the way.
Did you know you can even walk to EPCOT? The short walk takes about 10 minutes (if coming from the Yacht Club side), allowing you convenient access to the International Gateway at EPCOT. You'll enter between the United Kingdom and France pavilions, making it easy to hop right over to Remy's Ratatouille Adventure. There is a walking path to Hollywood Studios, though the trek is closer to 20 minutes. Did you know we also offer discount tickets to Walt Disney World?
If traveling to other Disney World destinations (such as Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Disney Springs and the water parks), buses will be your main transportation option at Disney's Yacht Club Resort. The bus stop is located outside the main lobby, and buses may be shared between both Yacht and Beach Club.
Disney's Yacht Club Resort Pool
One of the biggest perks at the resort is Disney's Yacht Club pool. Well, "pool" is putting it lightly, as Yacht and Beach Club basically share their own mini water park! Located in the middle of both resorts, Stormalong Bay offers three acres of a sand-bottomed pool, lazy river, whirlpool spas, an epic 230-foot-long waterslide, poolside activities, pool bar and more. There are even poolside cabanas available to rent. If you're looking for one of the best Disney World pools with many fun features, Stormalong Bay is a great option!
Note that Stormalong Bay is only available to guests of the Beach Club and Yacht Club. You must present your MagicBand or room key at the pool entrance to show you are a resort guest, and then you'll typically receive a wristband.
There are also three quiet leisure pools throughout Yacht and Beach Club, as well.
Amenities, Recreation and Shopping at Yacht Club
Besides Stormalong Bay, there are many recreation offerings at Yacht Club Resort. Fishing excursions and boat rentals are available near the marina. There are also tennis and volleyball courts and an arcade, plus various activities such as crafts, tie-dye, a master-led painting class and more.
The Ship Shape Massage Salon Fitness Center is open 24/7, plus you can walk or jog the 0.8-mile circuit around the BoardWalk lagoon. Each night, roast marshmallows by the campfire at the Beach Club Beach and then enjoy a Movie Under the Stars.
Some of the perks of staying on-site include the ability to book advance dining reservations for your length of stay 60 days in advance of check-in, early booking of individual Lightning Lane selections and easy access to Disney World's complimentary transportation options. Enjoy even more time in the parks with Early Theme Park Entry, allowing hotel guests an additional 30 minutes before the parks open to the public (this works even at the International Gateway at EPCOT, perfectly located only a walk away!). Exclusive to deluxe and deluxe villa guests, Disney World also offers Extended Evening Hours on select nights in select theme parks — a great way to enjoy lower crowds! Starting with stays in 2025, guests will be able to visit either Typhoon Lagoon Water Park or Blizzard Beach Water Park on their arrival day as a complimentary perk.
Yacht Club Resort also provides the following amenities:
- ATM and banking service
- Bell services
- Laundry and dry cleaning services
- Mail services
- Complimentary self-parking (Valet parking: $33 per night)
On the Yacht Club side, The Market at Ale & Compass offers beach-themed merchandise and basic food and park essentials. Similarly at Beach Club, The Marketplace is available for all your shopping needs, plus grab-n-go food items.
Dining at Disney's Yacht Club Resort
Between both Yacht Club and Beach Club, there are tons of amazing dining options right at your resort! Plus, Disney's BoardWalk is only a short walk away from even more restaurants.
Beaches & Cream Soda Shop
Every day is sundae at Beaches & Cream Soda Shop! This iconic ice cream parlor is a must-do while staying at Yacht and Beach Club. The retro soda fountain offers mouth-watering malted milkshakes, floats and out-of-this-world ice cream configurations. Plus, enjoy burgers, grilled cheese, chili-cheese tots and other classic comfort food. Up for a real dessert challenge? See if your group can finish the coveted Kitchen Sink — eight scoops of ice cream with every topping you can imagine!
Advanced reservations are highly recommended for this popular destination. We also love the To-Go window outside if you're unable to get a reservation (or want a quick treat by Stormalong Bay).
Cape May Cafe
Disney's Beach Club Resort conveniently hosts a character dining location. Minnie’s Beach Bash Breakfast has Minnie and friends dressed in their beachy best to start the day sunny side up. Breakfast includes a mix of items from pastries, omelets, yogurt parfaits, Mickey and Minnie waffles, brioche french toast, scrambled eggs, bacon and more. This is a relaxed, casual dining experience and a perfect way to start a non-park resort day. Hop on over to our full foodie review for more details!
Ale & Compass Restaurant and Lounge
Ale & Compass is a casual table-service restaurant at Disney's Yacht Club Resort. The coastal-themed location offers breakfast, lunch and dinner. Savor food such as the chipotle-barbecue chicken flatbread, bacon and Vermont cheddar burger, fish & chips and more. Advance reservations are recommended, though we are often able to find some day-of times available.
Adjacent to the restaurant, the Ale & Compass Lounge offers a nautical oasis. The lounge is open from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m., though appetizers are only available starting at 5 p.m. Enjoy nonalcoholic beverages as well as alcoholic drinks such as cocktails, spirits, beer, cider and wines.
Yachtsman Steakhouse
Yachtsman Steakhouse is a fine dining experience offering high-quality New England-style cuisine. Enjoy dishes such as New York Stripe Steak, prime rib, salmon, lobster, truffle macaroni and cheese and chocolate cake. This upscale restaurant is open for dinner and advance dining reservations are highly recommended. Yachtsman is a Signature Dining experience, so there is a dress code.
Crew's Cup Lounge
Located next to Yachtsman Steakhouse, Crew's Cup Lounge offers a cozy outpost with select appetizers and cocktails, beer, scotch and flights. The lounge is open from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Martha's Vineyard
At Disney's Beach Club Resort, enjoy appetizers, nonalcoholic mocktails, wines, cocktails, beer and ciders at Martha's Vineyard. The New England beach house-inspired lounge is open from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.
The Market at Ale & Compass and Beach Club Marketplace
The Market at Ale & Compass (or Beach Club Marketplace) offers convenient pre-packaged, grab-n-go items, as well as select hot food items. Start your day with delicious breakfast options such as Mickey waffles, breakfast sandwiches and select sides or go for a Breakfast Bowl with scrambled eggs, Mickey waffles, potato barrels, bacon and a biscuit.
For lunch and dinner, enjoy sandwiches, soup, salads, baked goods, fruit and dessert. To save time, mobile ordering is also available.
Hurricane Hanna's Waterside Bar and Grill
Located at Stormalong Bay, this poolside bar offers appetizers, sandwiches, chicken strips, salads and a variety of nonalcoholic beverages and alcoholic drinks including cocktails, beer, wine and specialty drinks.
What to Consider Before Staying at Disney's Yacht Club Resort
We think Disney's Yacht Club Resort is an excellent option for those looking for a luxury oasis during your Walt Disney World vacation. The deluxe resort has amazing dining options, an incredible pool area, easy access to EPCOT (it's practically in your backyard!) and so much more. While there's not as much Disney theming here, it's perfect for those wanting to enjoy the resort on some non-park days. Plus, Stormalong Bay is like a mini water park, so you don't have to worry about a Disney Water Park ticket if you're mostly just a lazy river fan (I can relate ... ).
Yacht and Beach Club are very similar, though you'll often find Yacht Club quieter than Beach Club — its elegant rooms and yacht club theming make this a favorite among couples and honeymooners. With Disney's Yacht Club Resort, you can combine a Disney trip with a relaxing beach-themed vacation — all in one!
Have you ever stayed at Disney's Yacht Club Resort? Let us know in the comments below!
Related: How to Pick the Best Disney Deluxe Resort for Your Family
Hoppy planning!
