disney yacht club worth it

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.

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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, and info about pools, restaurant, transportation, on-site benefits & amenities. Plus, pros & cons of these accommodations. ( Updated September 15, 2024 .)

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.

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort 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 vs. 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.

If you’re debating other options in the Crescent Lake area–or beyond–we’d recommend first reading our  Rankings of ALL Walt Disney World Hotels from Worst to Best . Yacht Club actually is the lowest-ranking Crescent Lake on that list, but it still performs fairly well. Moreover, Yacht Club is a very taste-specific hotel, as explained here.

If Yacht Club does “click” for you, there’s a very good possibility it’ll be your personal favorite of the Crescent Lake area resorts. So don’t take that list as the gospel. Read the explanation and check out the photos here to understand whether this might be a good or great fit for your family!

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.)

The Skyliner makes for easy midday breaks when you’re doing Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and is extremely advantageous for Early Entry. Knocking out Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and Slinky Dog Dash before the park even opens to day guests is huge. The benefits of the Skyliner cannot be overstated–we prefer it to the monorail.

With that said, the Skyliner is much more valuable for Art of Animation, Pop Century, and Riviera Resorts than any of the Crescent Lake ones. That’s because it’s seldom faster to take the Skyliner than it is to simply walk to DHS. Sure, the Skyliner is more fun and easier (and won’t tire out your feet), but walking is the most efficient–and predictable–option.

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. On the plus side, at least there’s one centralized stop.

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 regular rack rates at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort start at around $500 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 . Thankfully, you can find bargains here thanks to discounts–so long as conventions aren’t being hosted at Yacht Club.

As with all on-site hotels, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort offers the standard perks of a Disney-owned hotel, such free transportation around Walt Disney World , Early Entry , and the extended Advance Dining Reservation window. Yacht Club guests can also purchase the Disney Dining Plan , but whether that’s a real perk is debatable. On-site guests are also able to purchase discount MagicBands pre-arrival. Whether these last two things are actual perks is debatable.

One really-for-real on-site advantage is early access to Lightning Lane Multi-Pass, which replaced the Genie+ system in mid-2024. We’re not going to get into the nuts and bolts of it here–see our  Guide to Lightning Lane Multi Pass at Walt Disney World   for that–but the bottom line is that on-site guests have a significant head-start on making Lightning Lane ride reservations. It’s pretty much the only way to score the most popular picks, such as Slinky Dog Dash, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure.

None of that’s unique–guests of all Disney-owned hotels (and a few third party ones!) also offer this. So there’s really no reason to opt for a more expensive Deluxe Resort over a Value or Moderate for the sake of perks. To that point, the one  big  perk offered to Deluxe and DVC resorts is  Extended Evening Hours , which typically occur on Mondays and Wednesdays at Magic Kingdom and EPCOT. We love Extended Evening Hours–it’s arguably the best on-site perk of all, and Yacht Club guests are eligible for this!

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 (Disney’s term for travel agent). They get their commission from Disney, so there is no charge to you for them to book your trip and help you plan! They’ll book your trip, help you with dining reservations and itineraries, and apply the best discounts to your reservation. Using an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner is the win-win option if you’re overwhelmed by the complexities of Walt Disney World and don’t want to do all of the “homework” yourself.

Planning a Walt Disney World trip? If you’re interested in learning more about hotels, our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page is a good place to start. For where to eat, try out our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews page. If you want to save money on tickets or determine which type you should get, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at unconventional things you should take on your trip. Once you arrive at the parks, our Walt Disney World “Ride Guides” are great for determining what to do and when to do it. For overviews of all of these topics and so much more, the best place to start is our comprehensive Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide to make the most of your experience!

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.

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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!!!

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Hotel with the best pool complex at Disney World: Review of Disney's Yacht Club Resort

Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here .

When you think of a Florida theme park hotel, I'd bet you probably don't think of deep, rich colors, hardwoods and a refined turn-of-the-century, New England-style nautical-themed resort.

And when you think of a hotel pool, you likely don't conjure up images of a 3-acre waterpark complete with a life-size shipwreck replica that is home to a long, twisting, turning waterslide.

But all this, and actually a lot more, is precisely what you'll find at what has to be one of the best hotels at Disney World , Disney's Yacht Club Resort. In fact, when we picked this resort for a short Florida getaway, we actually considered not spending any days in the Disney theme parks to go along with it. We amended that plan for one day at Epcot, but it wouldn't be unreasonable to do an entire vacation here without getting on a single ride. In this case, the resort could be the destination.

Disney's Yacht Club (1990) opened in the same era of rapid Disney World development as Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort (1988), and both share a type of ocean theme. However, the two couldn't be more different from one another. With just over 600 rooms (compared to more than 1,500 at Caribbean Beach), this deluxe Disney resort offers guests a vacation within a vacation both in terms of comfort and amenities.

After a recent stay at the property, it was all I could do to not add another night when the time to check out unfortunately arrived. And while not everything is postcard-perfect at this Disney resort at the moment, I promised myself (and my kids) we'd be back. It's that special.

Let's start with some bad news: Disney's Yacht Club is often expensive.

This is one of Disney's deluxe resorts and there is no Disney Vacation Club wing of this hotel. This means you can't rent DVC points to potentially book a room for less the way you can at places such as Polynesian Village Resort. (Note that you can do this at the neighboring Beach Club Resort.)

If you can snag a room during a sale or with a solid discount, you can probably get the rate down to $350-$400 per night, but it's unlikely to go much lower. It's common for rooms here to go for $500 and up, especially once standard rooms are sold out and you need to pay even more for a water view, which is precisely what I had to do. The view itself is (in my mind) not actually worth an upcharge, but sometimes that's all that's available.

While I booked during a 30% off sale, my water-view room at the Yacht Club still came to just over $500 per night. There are some ways to use points for Disney World vacations , such as using miles from the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card to offset the expense at a 1 cent = 1 mile valuation , but there's no way to get outsize value for your credit card points at Disney properties.

If you do decide to book a Disney resort like this one, it can make sense to go through a Disney Vacation Planner as that doesn't add to your cost and they do a great job staying on the lookout for sales and discounts and keeping track of all those ever-changing components of a trip to Disney World.

Related: How much does a trip to Disney World cost?

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

No doubt it sounds a touch insane to spend $500 for a theme park-adjacent hotel room, but the location is one reason why Disney's Yacht Club commands that rate (and often sells out).

This hotel is just a 5-10 minute walk from the World Showcase entrance of Epcot. It is also within walking distance of Disney's Hollywood Studios, or you can hop on a boat to take you there since that walk is a bit longer.

Being so close to Epcot also means that the Skyliner stop at Epcot is within very easy reach, opening up even more Disney locations such as the Riviera Resort , Caribbean Beach Resort and more.

Yacht Club is also an incredibly short stroll away from the BoardWalk, which is home to even more shops and restaurants.

I'm happy to save money and stay off Disney property on the first night of the trip, or for trips when we aren't going for an all-in Disney family vacation. But when we do go all-in on Disney World, I want to be in the "Disney bubble." Staying at Yacht Club puts you in the heart of the Disney bubble, well-cushioned in your own deluxe nautical-themed space, but just an arm's reach from lots of great Disney dining and entertainment options.

Related: Guide to visiting Walt Disney World

We arrived at Disney's Yacht Club in the early afternoon, after starting the vacation off with a character brunch at Topolino's Terrace at the top of the nearby Disney Riviera Resort . (Which I highly recommend you add to your to-do list if you love characters and can snag a reservation.)

Since we arrived a few hours before official check-in time, I didn't have high hopes our room would be ready, given the era of pandemic precautions, but that became the first pleasant surprise of the trip when Room 2077 was ready and waiting for us several hours early.

Check-in is also where we were informed that while room service has returned as an option for breakfast and dinner, regular housekeeping had not yet returned to Disney resorts . Towels and trash would be attended to every other day. For our two-night stay, that meant there would be no formal housekeeping services, though we could ask for more towels and such.

If you are able to manage stairs, you can easily access the second level of the resort — where we stayed — via the lobby without using the elevators.

In fact, heading up the lobby stairs reveals some fun touches, such as a ship's wheel, among other themed decor.

Our room was a bit of a walk down several hallways, so if that's an issue, ask for a room closer to the lobby if available.

Inside a room at Disney's Yacht Club, you aren't going to find bright colors, Disney characters or loud decor. If that's what you want, I recommend Disney's Art of Animation , which has plenty of color and characters.

Yacht Club was renovated in recent years to appeal not only to traditional Disney vacationers but also to conventiongoers who frequently stay at the resort during normal times. And in this case, everyone won with a redesign that maintained the overall theme but upgraded the offerings.

The rooms still carry out the resort's high-end nautical theme, but in a way that is elegant and more refined than the previous 1990s-era version.

Like with other Disney resort upgrades, the beds are now raised and the floors are now hard instead of carpet. As Disney renovated rooms across its properties, this has been the standard it is changing to.

There's a pullout sofa that can be used as a sleeper and a small writing desk.

Most notably, there were outlets everywhere. We travel with a lot of things that need charging and we didn't come close to using them all up. Some furnishings may be made to look like turn-of-the-century New England, but they are loaded with modern-day power.

The two queen beds were perfect for a good night's rest after a busy day at Disney.

In the room, you'll also find a minifridge and Keurig.

We were impressed with the amount of storage the room had in the form of shelves, racks, cubbies and drawers. We were able to stay far more organized than normal with a family's worth of stuff, thanks to the storage options.

There was a balcony with two chairs that overlooked a well-manicured green lawn and technically some water. Remember, this was a pricier water-view room after all.

I adored the drapes, both because they did a great job keeping light out in the morning but also because they were adorable and perfect for the room, featuring constellations.

Like at many other similar Disney resorts, the bathroom had a vanity with two sinks located in a cubby between the main room and the bathroom, so it could be used while someone was in the shower.

The bathroom area had a sliding door for both the room itself and the tub/shower combo. There were plenty of Disney H2O+ bath products in the shower and bathroom area.

We found the room incredibly nice, but do know that it doesn't take much to hear what's going on in the hallway or other rooms around you. If you like total silence, you'll be well-served to pack some earplugs and a white noise app to go along with your Mickey ears.

Related: Why you need more than just a ticket to get into Disney World this summer

The Yacht Club room is plenty comfortable, but that's probably not why you stay at Disney's Yacht Club — it's certainly not why we paid what we did to stay here.

Stormalong Bay pool complex

What makes this resort so special is the 3-acre pool complex shared with the neighboring Disney Beach Club Resort.

Dubbed Stormalong Bay, this pool complex has everything from a 230-foot waterslide to a lazy river, whirlpool, shallow splash area, toddler slide, hot tubs and more. It even has a sandy bottom in some of the areas, which feels so much nicer on your tired Disney feet than a hard surface.

This pool area is almost a mini-waterpark and certainly worthy of planning some time in your schedule just to enjoy it. Right now, it can get busy to the point where there is no way to get in during peak times.

However, we had a blast also going late at night after the parks closed, when there were very few people in the pool at all. While the hours can vary, it was open from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. during our stay.

There are four cabanas at the pool you can book if you want extra space and service, but you need to reserve well in advance if you want those because they go quickly.

Getting into the pool requires verification you are a resort guest and you're then assigned the colored wristband of the day to wear. There's plenty of towels at the pool, as well as a small army of lifeguards keeping a close watch on the various areas of the pool.

Stormalong Bay is adjacent to Hurricane Hanna's Waterside Bar & Grill, so it's pretty easy to pop over there and order a snack or cocktail. The $12 seafood roll turned out to be a perfect snack for us.

My 11-year-old gave the $6 Lava Smoothie (made of raspberry, coconut and pineapple flavors) high marks and my $14 Frosé was excellent.

Whether your group is made up of adults, some teens, tweens or toddlers, this pool area is truly excellent, especially if you build in some time to enjoy it when most people are sleeping, eating or in the Disney parks.

Evening movies on the beach

Several nights per week at 8 p.m., a Disney movie is shown along the "beach" at the Yacht Club. This is free to enjoy and the week we were there the films showing were "Zootopia," "Sleeping Beauty," "A Bug's Life" and "Disneynature: Earth."

I'll never fully understand who needs a treadmill at Disney when it's normal to walk 10 miles a day in the park, but Yacht Club has those and more in its gym that overlooks Stormalong Bay.

Magical Express Bus

Until the end of 2021, if you want to take the included Magical Express Bus transportation to and from the Orlando airport, that's available to those who stay at this and any other full-fledged Disney resort hotel. If you decide to self-park at Yacht Club, it's going to cost you $25 per night. The upside is that the fee also gives you access to parking at the Disney theme parks at no additional charge.

The Magical Express Bus stop is right in front of the hotel entrance, and the bus stop to go to the various Disney theme parks is just to the side of the hotel entrance.

Still-closed amenities

If you remember when I mentioned there are still some small bumps at Yacht Club, here's where they begin.

Those looking for the ultimate, once-in-a-lifetime Yacht Club experience may want to hold off a tiny bit longer if you want to experience all the amenities. The Club Lounge remains closed, as does one of the main sit-down restaurants.

On top of that, the onsite Ship Shape Salon is still closed, along with the Lafferty Place Arcade.

Normally, you can rent boats or even sign your kids up for a pirate-themed adventure that leaves from the dock outside of the Yacht Club, but all of that is also still on pause.

We had plenty to do for a few days without any of those amenities, but just keep in mind that some things remain shuttered for now.

Related: Changes to expect at Disney World in 2021

Ale & Compass Restaurant

Just off the lobby of Yacht Club is a dark, subdued restaurant called Ale & Compass. While you do need reservations to eat breakfast or dinner here, it's one of the easier reservations to get at Disney World.

Described as "Yankee comfort food," this menu has options such as lobster-and-corn chowder; a fantastic salad called the Ale & Compass salad with additions such as pumpkin seeds and beets; steak; pasta; and a burger with bacon and Vermont cheddar served with thick fries.

Getting good photos in the dark restaurant was next to impossible, but we enjoyed our salad and burger.

And while we didn't eat breakfast here, I've heard good things about the dark chocolate waffles.

Our service here was quite friendly but incredibly slow. The wait for our reservation was pretty extensive, followed by another wait for a server to arrive at our table to start the meal-ordering process. This is likely at least in part due to the restaurant having a brisk business of to-go orders that you can make from the Disney app, along with the other sit-down restaurant at the hotel remaining closed.

Related: These are the best restaurants at Disney World

Ale & Compass Lounge

Another alternative to the restaurant is the adjacent Ale & Compass Lounge, which also has a sleek, updated, but pretty dark look once day turns to night.

In the back of the lounge is a bar, with the front portion offering a variety of seating options and a reduced menu that still includes the burger and chowder.

The Market at Ale & Compass

In the gift shop area of the hotel is the Market at Ale & Compass, where you can order grab-and-go options in the Disney app.

We tried the $12 breakfast bowl that had a little bit of everything on it and was actually almost enough food for myself and two kids for a quick pre-park breakfast.

The $7 ham and cheese breakfast sandwich on a pretzel roll also looked really solid.

In the afternoon and evening, you'll find a variety of sandwiches, a hot dog and a panini on the menu.

Beaches and Cream Soda Shop

If you're going to splurge cash on staying at the Yacht Club, I highly recommend also splurging some calories at Beaches and Cream. You're going to need to make a reservation here well in advance (dining reservations are accepted 60 days before your trip) or get very lucky.

We planned our trip pretty close-in and were never able to snag advance reservations, but got lucky with timing that they had an outdoor table available for us to order the most exciting item on the menu ... the Kitchen Sink.

This $35 sink of ice cream is made of eight scoops (vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, cookies and cream and mint) along with every single topping in the house. Oh, and there's also an entire can of whipped cream on top.

It's epic, huge, ridiculous and a lot of fun.

The three of us barely put a dent in it but certainly had fun trying.

There are more regular-sized ice cream options on the menu, too, but if you're doing a once-in-a-lifetime trip, try this once-in-a-lifetime dessert.

Should you want more than just sugar for your meal, this is also where you'll find burgers, sandwiches, chili and other 1950s classic-style treats.

Yachtsman Steakhouse

This second sit-down restaurant has not yet reopened, but when it does, this is where you can go for those post-convention expensed sales dinners ... or a very nice meal out for two. The menu features a $135 seafood tower, prime porterhouse, lobster, filet mignon, elk, lobster and other similar entrees that start around $50.

Overall impressions

I'm a total and complete sucker for a well-themed, well-located Disney World resort. Resorts such as this one, along with Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, Disney's Wilderness Lodge, Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge and others, have me hook, line and wallet.

For me, the resort hotel isn't just a place to sleep at night, it's also a destination much like the theme parks themselves. I enjoy the scent in the lobby, the storyline of the property, the Disney touches throughout and the convenience of being fully immersed in Disney magic.

While my kids vetoed the idea, I'd have been totally happy having Disney's Yacht Club Resort serve as our actual final destination for the weekend with no park time at all. However, since it is such an easy walk to Epcot, adding that park on was actually a whole lot of fun, too.

If what you want is just a decent bed close to the parks, don't stay here. You're probably overpaying to stay at Yacht Club if you don't truly value the Stormalong Bay pool area. You can stay at the next-door Disney Swan and Dolphin for a fraction of the cash if you're just after location.

And right now, with some amenities still closed, I don't recommend staying here if you are going to be upset when things aren't 100% full service and perfect. The prices are as high as ever to match demand, so don't expect a reduced price to match the reduced amenities.

But if you can overlook a few things and what you want is a fun, slightly grown-up hotel theme, a great location, access to the best resort pool at Disney World and easy access to multiple restaurants, Disney's Yacht Club Resort is now officially one of my favorite Disney hotels — and one that I can't wait to return to in the coming years.

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.

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 .

Lightning Lane Passes

Plan ahead and save time in line for select attractions and experiences! Guests staying at Disney Resort hotels or other select hotels can purchase Lightning Lane passes—and choose experiences—up to 7 days in advance of their stay.

View Rooms and Prices

Hotel Address

(407) 934-7000

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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!

Ultimate Review of Disney’s Yacht Club Resort

Posted on Published: 04/11/2023

A convenient, elegant Disney hotel that is also kid-friendly? While this may seem to be something almost impossible to find, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort absolutely fits the bill. The nautical theme makes for a classy feel, while the location and amenities make it perfect for families.

I first had the opportunity to check out the Disney Yacht Club (part of Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resort complex) during the Disney Social Media Moms Conference (where I got a discount on my room).

I more recently returned for a three-night stay during a solo Disney trip to see the renovated rooms. The Disney Yacht Club is a fabulous option for families visiting Walt Disney World to consider.

Note: As an attendee of the Disney Social Media Moms conference, I received discounts and perks, although I did pay a fee to attend. I am a former member of the Disney Parks Moms Panel, and all opinions are my own. During my second stay, I paid for my entire stay in full on my own.

This post contains affiliate links. A purchase/click through one of these links may result in a commission paid to us at no additional cost to you. 

Save money on your Walt Disney World theme park tickets by booking through  Get Away Today . They offer vacation packages as well as individual ticket sales.

A Review of Disney’s Yacht Club Resort

Location of the resort.

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort is located in the EPCOT area of the resort , adjacent to the Beach Club Resort . While the Beach Club is more fun and casual, the Yacht Club is a more elegant resort.

It seems to be a little quieter than the Beach Club. However, I found that it is still entirely kid-friendly.

Transportation to the parks from the Yacht Club is fairly easy. There’s a direct bus to the Magic Kingdom (or sometimes a shared bus with the Beach Club), a shared bus to Animal Kingdom, and boats to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studio . 

The buses now have a sign above the station showing when the next bus is scheduled to arrive. This makes things so much easier because you’ll at least have an idea of how long you’ll need to wait. Bus times are also accessible via the My Disney Experience app.

It’s also very easy to walk to EPCOT’s World Showcase – we did that rather than taking the boat. It’s just a short walk. You can also walk to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, although that is a longer walk.

The new Skyliner is also accessible from the Yacht Club. Although there isn’t a station at the resort, there is one at the International Gateway at EPCOT and one at the front of Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

If you enjoy dining at EPCOT, it’s a great location because you can enter the park through the back entrance (called the International Gateway) for dinner (just make sure you have the park hopper option on your ticket if you are planning to visit another park that day).

You’ll also easily be able to walk to the Disney Boardwalk area andthe Swan and Dolphin Resorts. That gives you a much larger selection of restaurants that are conveniently located.

Disney Yacht Club Rooms

During my first stay, I was there for four nights, in a garden-view standard room. While the view wasn’t too exciting (we overlooked a tennis court), we weren’t in the room long enough to even bother opening the shade.

During my second stay, I was in a room that faced another building. Again, I wasn’t in the room for very long, so the view wasn’t something that I was concerned about. Unless you plan to spend a lot of time in the room, I wouldn’t pay extra for a view.

Rooms at the Yacht Club have been recently renovated, and are comfortable and elegant. Gone are the rugs and the floors seem much easier to keep clean. Bring along socks if you want to have them on the bare floor.

Amenities in the room include a Keurig coffee maker (with decaf and regular coffee options), a refrigerator, a flat-screen television, a hairdryer, and an iron. Rooms include a bathroom with a separate double sink outside (great when traveling with teens because one person can get ready while another is showering).

A nice selection of bath amenities is available in the room. These newly designed rooms also have lots of outlets and USB ports, which are great for charging all of your devices.

There are various room configurations available. During my most recent stay, I had a room with one king bed, a chair, and a desk. For families, your best option is the 2 Queen Beds and 1 Day Bed room option. There are also rooms with a Twin-Size Sleeper Chair and rooms with a King Bed and a Day Bed.

There are also various views offered, including a standard view room (which is usually of a roof or a parking lot), woods view, or water view (which would be a view of the quiet pool or Crescent Lake). Again, I wouldn’t pay for an upgraded view unless you think you’ll take advantage of it.

Club-level rooms are also available. These include access to the club level with complimentary food and drinks available all day long, as well as a separate concierge. 

Amenities the Resort

It’s important to know that Stormalong Bay is scheduled to be closed from January 2025 through June 2025 .

The Yacht Club features many fabulous amenities, some of which are shared with the adjacent Beach Club. Our favorite is Stormalong Bay, the 3-acre water complex featuring a small lazy river, a sandy-bottomed pool, a waterslide, and three whirlpools. It’s my favorite of the Walt Disney World Resort pools, and you have to be a guest at either the Beach or Yacht Club to be able to enjoy it.

If you are staying at the Yacht Club, I recommend saving at least an afternoon to spend time at Stormalong Bay, especially if you are visiting during the warmer weather. In addition to that complex, the Yacht and Beach Club resorts also offer three quieter pools, if you are looking for a more low-key experience.

For guests who would like to save some money on their vacation, you can even forgo a day at the parks to spend time at the resort. You could easily spend a day at Stormalong Bay.

I would also recommend doing this on a day when you visit one of the special events in the evening – like Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. That way, you can relax a little bit before going to the party.

There are several other amenities at the Disney Yacht Club resort, including an arcade, salon, fitness club, and tennis courts. There are also motorized boat rentals available, as well as fishing and volleyball.

Movies under the stars and campfire activities are also offered. See the resort for a full schedule. All of these activities, like Stormalong Bay, are shared with the Beach Club.

Disney Yacht Club Restaurants

If you are looking to dine at the resort, there are several restaurants and bars at the two resorts. Some of them are on the Disney Dining plan. Like most Disney restaurants, you’ll want to make reservations as far in advance as possible (the lounges and quick-service locations, however, do not require or accept reservations).

The Yachtsman Steakhouse : this premium restaurant offers delicious steak and seafood entrees. It’s a signature restaurant, and perfect if you are looking for a special dinner. Keep in mind that as a signature restaurant, a dress code applies.

Cape May Cafe : Located in the Beach Club, the Cape May Cafe is home to a fun character breakfast in the morning and a coastal seafood buffet in the evening. I find that the character breakfast is a great, more low-key option, than the ones in the parks, so I’d recommend it if you are staying at one of the two resorts. It can usually be easier to get reservations there, but you’ll still want to make them in advance.

Martha’s Vineyard Lounge: This lounge is tucked between the two resorts and is a great place to grab a drink before or after dinner.

Ale and Compass Restaurant & Lounge : This newer restaurant and lounge is a great new option at the Yacht Club. It’s a little more casual than the Yachtsman but is still very elegant. The coastal, New England-inspired cuisine is delicious.

Beaches and Cream Soda Shop: This old-fashioned ice cream and soda shop offers regular food along with dessert.

Hurricane Hanna’s Waterside Bar and Grill : Located at Stormalong Bay, Hurricane Hanna’s offers food and drinks. It’s perfect if you are spending the day at the pool.

Crew’s Cup Lounge: This lounge located in the Yacht Club offers appetizers, entrees, and a large selection of signature cocktails, beer, and wine.

The Beach Club Marketplace and The Market at Ale & Compass : These two quick-service locations (one at the Beach Club and one at the Yacht Club) are great places for a quick bite. This is also where you can purchase and fill your refillable mugs.

You’ll also be just a short walk away from the restaurants at the Boardwalk , EPCOT, and the Swan and Dolphin.

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort 1700 EPCOT Resorts Boulevard Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830

Have you stayed at the Disney Yacht Club Resort?

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Janice Lipshy

Monday 4th of July 2022

Are there any three bedroom resorts in Disney World

Jodi Grundig

Some of the DVC properties, including Bay Lake Tower, Animal Kingdom Lodge Villas, the Boardwalk, Saratoga Springs, and the Grand Floridian have 3-bedroom villas.

PROS AND CONS: Disney’s Yacht Club

by Terri Miller | Jul 2, 2021 | Disney's Hollywood Studios , EPCOT , Walt Disney World , Walt Disney World Resorts

What are the Pros and Cons of a stay at Disney’s Yacht Club? Check here before you book your next trip to Walt Disney World!

Disney’s Yacht Club sits right next door to Disney’s Beach Club and is a great choice for those who love the central location .

Yacht Club Pros

Being centrally located allows guests at the Yacht Club to walk (or take a boat ride) to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios . Guests are also within walking distance of Disney’s BoardWalk and its entertainment.

Stormalong Bay

Photo by Danny Shuster

Stormalong Bay is one of the most coveted pools on Disney Property . It consists of sand-bottomed pools, a lazy river, and a waterslide coming off of a shipwreck; it provides more than enough entertainment for a resort day. 

Dining Options

Yacht Club is a “sister” resort to Disney’s Beach Club resort , and the dining options are top-notch. Choose from Beaches & Cream, Cape May Cafe, Yachtsman Steakhouse, and Ale & Compass . If those don’t appeal to you, the BoardWalk Inn, Swan & Dolphin, and EPCOT are all within walking distance.

Yacht Club Cons 

Bus service.

There is always some sort of shared bus service happening with Yacht Club guests and the nearby Deluxe resorts. Budget some buffer time into your schedule if you need to be at Disney’s Animal Kingdom or Magic Kingdom by a specific time.

Not as Disneyfied

The Yacht Club doesn’t have as much colorful Disney decor as other themed resorts. Its sophistication appeals more to the adult crowd , as this resort often hosts conventions. Disney is still in the details, however; just look for the hidden Mickeys!

If you can’t snag a room discount , the Yacht Club can be expensive. But many people claim the location and pool certainly justify the cost.

Should You Stay at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort?

If you’re all about location and close proximity to two parks , then, yes! The Yacht Club shares some amenities with the Beach Club , but it certainly still stands on its own.

If you’re looking for a resort with less sticker shock, try Disney’s Caribbean Beach for a more relaxed nautical experience.

Staying at Disney’s Beach Club Resort: Pros and Cons

REVIEW: Beaches and Cream Soda Shop at Disney’s Beach Club

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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.

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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

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September 17, 2024

Disney's Yacht Club Resort is great for families with an extravagant pool complex, but couples will love it too for its quiet rooms and sophisticated nautical theme

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• Disney's nautical-themed Yacht Club Resort is within walking distance of Epcot and features incredible amenities like Stormalong Bay, a three-acre miniature water park with a sand-bottom pool, lifesize faux shipwreck, the tallest waterslide at a Disney resort, and a lazy river.
• The combined properties of the Yacht Club Resort and adjacent Beach Club Resort contain eight dining options including Cape May Cafe for character breakfasts, and they're also next to Disney's Boardwalk.
• Though it's not the most expensive Disney resort — that designation belongs to the Grand Floridian — Yacht Club still falls into Disney's 'deluxe' category with rooms starting at $443 a night.
• Read all Business Insider hotel reviews here.

The nautical-style Yacht Club Resort at Walt Disney World takes inspiration from classic yacht clubs of New England with decor fit to match, from the giant globe that greets you as you enter the lobby to the knot motif rugs that line the floors.

It's so authentic, that if you blindfolded me and dropped me in the middle of the resort lobby, it might take me a few minutes to realize I was even in a Disney hotel. It doesn't scream Mickey Mouse at first glance, but as soon as you start to look closer you'll find him everywhere. 

While families have a litany of reasons to stay at the Yacht Club, namely, the extravagant pool area, the resort has a distinctly calm and upscale vibe that's great for couples and adult visitors as well.

My partner and I are childless, and when we walked into the lobby we felt like it was decorated similarly to our living room. If you're looking for something Disney that dials up the sophistication and tones down the kid-centric overload, you'll feel right at home at the New England-inspired Yacht Club.

Most Disney-goers want to maximize their time in the parks — that was our instinct — and the Yacht Club makes it easy to do so as it's located within walking distance to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. Other parks are accessible by buses or boats, which run like clockwork.

But the hotel also has enough to offer that you'll want to dedicate a day to enjoying the property itself — especially the sprawling pool and miniature water park that make up the famed Stormalong Bay.

Want more Disney World hotel suggestions? Read our list of the best hotels and resorts in Walt Disney World

Of course, a Disney vacation never comes cheap, and the Yacht Club falls into Disney's "deluxe" resort tier, making it one of the more expensive options. We stayed in a Standard Room with a Water View and paid $443 per night, but the lowest price I've found is $402 a night for a Standard Room with a Standard View (read: a view of the parking lot). That per-night cost can climb into the mid-$700s at peak travel times.

But given the jam-packed list of amenities, multiple on-site dining options, and Stormalong Bay, this hotel is universally regarded as one of the best at Disney World, and well worth the price if you can swing it.

• The first impression
• On-site amenities
• What's nearby
• What others say
• What you need to know
• The bottom line

Book the Disney Yacht Club Resort starting at $402 a night

Keep reading to see why i was so impressed by the disney yacht club resort ..

Before we began our Disney vacation, we took the opportunity to visit some family in the area, so we drove to the Yacht Club in a rental car. Navigating the streets leading to the Disney parks and resorts is always a bit of a nightmare as you try your best to follow the signs and take the right off-ramps while avoiding other distracted Disney drivers mixed in with regular Orlando-area traffic.

But once we pulled through the gate of the Disney Yacht Club Resort , I was quickly able to relax.

We parked easily, choosing to forgo the $33 per day valet service in favor of the normal $25 per day do it yourself lot, collecting our luggage and making the quick walk to the resort entrance. Large families or those with many bags may find the valet option to be worth it as it comes with the ability to drop your car right at the resort entrance and take advantage of curbside bell service.

The lobby was large and bright with an obvious nautical theme brought to life by an oversized antique-style globe at the center and dotted with model ships, blue and white china lamps, and rugs decorated with knots and Mickey motifs. Cast members — as all Disney employees are called — in captains' outfits greeted us.

As we checked in, a cast member outfitted us with complimentary Magic Bands that would serve as our room keys, as well as hold our park tickets, FastPasses, and even serve as a payment method to charge items back to our room across all Disney parks.

Magic Bands are included with all Disney resort hotel bookings, and you can even choose your favorite color. They're yours to keep, so you can reuse them during future stays or on day trips to the parks. If solid colors don't suit your fancy, you can always upgrade before you arrive at your hotel and the concierge will load your data onto the Magic Band you provide.

Because we arrived early, our room wasn't ready, so we dropped our bags at the guest services desk and headed directly to the Magic Kingdom.

During our day at Magic Kingdom, we received an update in the Disney World app with our room number. After a long day on our feet, we were more than ready to collapse into bed but were disappointed to find that our room had two Queen beds instead of the single King we'd planned for.

When booking a room at the Yacht Club , you choose your view — Standard View, Water View, or Garden/Woods View — which dictates the price, but the room configuration is based on availability. You may find yourself placed in a room with two Queen beds or one King bed. Either will also include a day bed or pull-out couch.

You can request a preference for your configuration, but the number of King rooms are limited as the hotel is often catering to families.

You can also opt for a Club Level room, and while this doesn't change your actual room layout, it does give you access to a private Club Level lounge with dedicated concierge service, and the ability to purchase extra FastPasses for $50 per person per day.

Ever-determined to track down our King bed, we popped back to the lobby to see if we could swap rooms. They informed us that they could move us the next day, and we opted to make the switch. The next night our King bed awaited us and we were thrilled to find that our balcony overlooked Crescent Lake — a Disney-constructed body of water that separates the Yacht Club from the Disney BoardWalk Inn and provides boat access to Epcot and Hollywood Studios.

Because all room types have similar layouts, the only upgrade you can really make is your view or level of service. We didn't think the Club level option would be worth it for us, but we did opt to upgrade to a Water View, a roughly $30 upcharge from the Standard View. Because we did, we were treated to gorgeous over-water sunrises each morning and a view of the glinting Disney Boardwalk across the lake. It's certainly not a necessity, but we found it to be worth it.

Both the King and Double Queen rooms were spacious but sparsely furnished — a likely tactic to prevent rambunctious children from knocking things over. One detail I loved was the pattern on the curtains — a starry night featuring Disney character constellations and their faux-Latin monikers. Mushu from Mulan was dubbed "dragonus impulsivus," while Flounder earned the designation of "fishus devotius."

Our initial Double Queen featured a fold-out couch allowing it to sleep up to five adults, but it is likely better suited for a good-sized family. The King room also included a twin-sized daybed, making it perfect for a family of three.

I was a bit perplexed by the lack of a bathtub. There was a spacious walk-in shower in each room. but families with children may have a bit of trouble bathing small kids and may find themselves showering with little ones.

Despite the presence of hundreds of children at a Disney resort at any given time, our room was virtually silent overnight and we slept very well. I suppose a long day full of excitement and wonder yields a good night's sleep for those of all ages.

The Yacht Club Resort and the neighboring Beach Club Resort share a property and are connected internally, so as you wander around, you may find yourself in an entirely different hotel without even realizing it. Together they include over 1,000 guest rooms and share one of Disney resorts' most famed water features, Stormalong Bay.

The 750,000-gallon sand-bottomed pool complex spans three acres and houses a lazy river, a zero-entry sandy beach great for toddlers, and a lifesize shipwreck replica that serves as the launch point of one of the tallest water slides at Disney. It consistently tops the list of Disney bloggers' "Best Disney Pools" lists, and if you have the time to spare, it warrants a whole day of enjoyment on its own.

Yacht and Beach Club together contain a whopping eight dining options including Cape May Cafe , known for its character breakfasts, and Yachtsman Steakhouse , a slightly more upscale option specializing in surf and turf where a quiet date night would be welcome.

The fan-favorite Beaches & Cream Soda Shop is easily accessible from Stormalong Bay. Its 1950s diner-inspired fare features burgers, sandwiches, and most importantly, sundaes as big as your head.

An arcade, a spa, a hair and nail salon, a fitness center, tennis courts, and beach volleyball courts round out the resort's offerings, leaving you with no shortage of options during your day away from the parks.

Walt Disney World! And, more specifically, Epcot. It's within walking distance of the resort, and it's so close that the park's nightly fireworks display is visible from the property — a lovely surprise that we discovered after returning from Disney Springs a bit early one evening.

If you're looking for a more Disney-esque way of accessing Epcot, you can catch a boat from Crescent Lake that will take you right to the entrance of the park. The same boat service will take you to Hollywood Studios — the new home of the wildly popular Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. 

Disney buses located steps away from the main entrance of the hotel will take you to Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Disney Springs, Blizzard Beach, and Typhoon Lagoon. We took these buses every day, and though the traffic was a bit annoying in the morning, the rides were always reliable with buses running every 20 minutes or so.

We also visited Disney Springs — formerly known as Downtown Disney — for an evening stroll and dinner. The huge outdoor shopping and dining complex is great for extending your Disney experience after the parks close. While it's undoubtedly Disney, most of the stores are those you'd find at your average mall — think Anthropologie, Sephora, and Uniqlo — with several Disney-specific retailers mixed in. Admission is free and it's open until midnight daily.

Located right across the lake and walkable from the Yacht Club is the Disney Boardwalk, a waterfront promenade dotted with nearly a dozen restaurants and food stands including the ESPN Club, Ample Hills Creamery, a dueling piano bar called Jellyrolls, and even a dedicated margarita bar. As you walk around, you'll find jugglers, stilt-walkers, and singers entertaining the crowds as they play carnival games or ride around in rental surrey bikes. Admission is free, and it's open each evening from 7 p.m. all the way until 2 a.m. if you can possibly stay on your feet that long.

Check flight prices to Orlando on Expedia

The Disney Yacht Club Resort has received near-universal acclaim from travel experts and guests alike. In addition to making our list of the best Disney resorts , it earns the number three spot on U.S. News & World Report's list and the number two spot on CNN's list .

Yacht Club guests have given the resort a 4.5 out of 5 on Trip Advisor and a 9 out of 10 on Hotels.com . Those who loved Yacht Club praised its nautical decor, action-packed amenities great for families, and its incredibly convenient proximity to Epcot.

Those who were less than satisfied often complained of hallway noise though I didn't experience any, likely because my room was situated far away from the elevators and at the corner of the resort.

There were also some complaints about housekeeping being slow to respond to requests. I found housekeeping to be wonderful — one night we even returned to a towel animal that was wearing my glasses and reading a magazine about Disney Springs.

Read reviews, compare prices, and book the Disney Yacht Club Resort on Trip Advisor

Who stays here: Disney-goers looking for a more relaxing resort experience that doesn't overload you with Mickey and company but is still distinctly Disney. Water lovers of all sorts. Those who want to swim can take advantage of the mini water park that is Stormalong Bay, and those who want to observe can take in views of Crescent Lake.

We like: The travel and nautical-inspired decor including blue and white China, model ships, and a huge antique-style globe at the center of the lobby.

We love (don't miss this feature!): The water view room. A small splurge will allow you to overlook Crescent Lake and the Disney Boardwalk Inn. Since you'll likely be up at the crack of dawn to make it to the parks, the water view rooms offer an incredible view of the sunrise.

We think you should know: Yacht Club is perfectly located for convenient access to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. Disney buses will take you to Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom, but Magic Kingdom is the farthest from the resort. If you plan to spend most of your time there, consider a more convenient resort like the Grand Floridian , the Polynesian, or the Contemporary.

We'd do this differently next time: Dedicate a day to staying on the property. Eight dining options, Stormalong Bay, and a view of Epcot's fireworks right from the resort make it worth sticking around.

Yacht Club is a great spot for both families and adult Disney lovers alike thanks to its jam-packed roster of restaurants and resort amenities. Families will love Stormalong Bay, which warrants a dedicated day of its own, as well as the on-site arcade, and character breakfasts at Cape May Cafe . Adults and couples will love the quiet rooms, the upscale-casual Yachtsman Steakhouse , and the spa, tennis courts, and 24-hour fitness center (if you possibly have the energy to work out during a Disney vacation).

For me and my partner, it was an exceedingly comfortable place to rest our heads in between Disney park days, though we didn't get to take full advantage of all the amenities that the Yacht Club had to offer on our short vacation.

While we certainly paid Disney prices to stay here, having direct access to the parks, plus an endless list of hotel amenities and dining options, and the excellent care and service that Disney's cast members consistently provide, made the Yacht Club worth it. It definitely deserves a return trip — as if I needed an excuse to experience more Disney magic.

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Resort View Room Tour at Disney’s Yacht Club (Is an Upgraded View Worth It?)

This article provides a tour of a resort view room at Disney’s Yacht Club. We were assigned room #4216 on the fourth floor of Disney’s Yacht Club. We’ll also discuss where and when an upgraded view is worth your consideration.

Disney’s Yacht Club is one of our favorite resorts at Walt Disney World . So, when it came time to pick a resort for a personal trip, Yacht Club was at the top of our list.

You may remember we stayed at Disney’s Yacht Club earlier this year. Therefore, I won’t write another review of the Yacht Club for this trip. But I wanted to provide a tour of our room and discuss room view categories.

You may be aware that Disney recently changed the description of their room views. Formerly, Yacht Club rooms offered the following views: standard, garden or woods, or a water view. Now, those categories (at the Yacht Club) are standard, resort, or water views.

A standard view is of a rooftop or parking area. A resort view is a view of a garden, rooftop, or parking area. Lastly, a water view is considered a view of Crescent Lake or the quiet pool.

Disney’s Yacht Club is one of the few resorts I would consider splurging on a water view. However, we went with the resort view for this trip because it was within a reasonable price range that fit our budget.

We spent the greater portion of each day at Stormalong Bay , so I didn’t necessarily miss having the water view. But I did catch myself thinking–next time, we’ll do a water view.

If we had booked this upgrade and our water view had been of the quiet pool, I would not have been happy. If and when I upgrade to a water view, I want to see Crescent Lake. To me, a view of the quiet pool versus a view of Crescent Lake isn’t comparable. So you’ll want to consider this when booking a room upgrade.

Also the same goes for a standard view. If you get a rooftop view or have a large HVAC unit sitting outside your room, it will likely put a damper on things. So make sure you consider these things when planning a trip.

However, if standard view pricing allows you to stay at the Yacht Club within your budget, the view probably won’t matter. But don’t go into the trip with expectations of waking up each morning to a stunning view–because you probably won’t have one!

Here is our room.

Standard rooms at Disney’s Yacht Club feature two queen beds with a sofa that converts to a single sleeper. This room sleeps up to five guests. We were a party of two adults and one child. So we each had a bed. This sleeper is comfortable and comparable to the single sleeper in the Incredible rooms at Disney’s Contemporary .

Here is a close-up of the futon-style bed.

When the bed is not in use, it makes for a nice sitting area. Since we used the bed, we left it converted the entire trip. Housekeeping made up the bed each day. I also wanted to mention that we had excellent service during our stay. We came home to towel creations and a well-attended room each evening.

Our room had a dresser with plenty of storage.

On top of the dresser, there was counter space, plus several outlets and USB ports.

An extra pillow and blanket were tucked away inside. If you need more, call housekeeping or leave a note. They will leave what you need in your room.

One of the things I like about the rooms at Disney’s Yacht Club is the built-in closet area.

This area provides multiple spaces to hang clothes or store items. When traveling with others, having a place to organize your personal belongings is helpful. Not only does it simplify things, it also provides the ability to get ready more efficiently.

An in-room safe, steam iron, and ironing board are available.

At the front of the foyer, a separate built-in provides shelving and a few other in-room amenities.

An individual Keurig coffee maker with accompaniments was available.

Underneath, a door opens to provide a beverage cooler. A separate drawer above the fridge provides extra storage space. It had a few paper cups and lids for coffee cups.

However, it’s disappointing that Disney has not replaced paper products in the rooms with glassware. I don’t know how you feel, but paper products are cheap. They are also not environmentally friendly.

Here is a look at the layout of the guest bathroom.

Rooms have a single vanity with two sinks and plenty of toiletries.

A ledge is available underneath the mirror, which allows plenty of space to store personal items. Additionally, a make-up mirror, hairdryer, and a plethora of towels were available.

Our room had a stand-alone (walk-in) shower.

It had a primary showerhead and a detachable one.

Disney’s Yacht Club offers individual toiletries, including body wash, bar soap, facial soap, shampoo, and conditioner.

We had a desk with a chair in the far corner of our room. A roll-out table is tucked underneath the desk. It can be moved anywhere in the room.

Curtains at Disney’s Yacht Club are designed to look like constellations. Each cluster of stars connects to form a Disney character.

We ended up with a large balcony and a pleasant resort view.

Here is a photo. This view faces the front of the resort, and that’s the Yacht Club’s convention center in the distance. If I leaned out and looked to the left, I could see the port cochere at the Yacht Club’s main entrance.

Video: Resort View Room at Disney’s Yacht Club

Here is a video tour of our resort view room at Disney’s Yacht Club.

Final Thoughts

Overall, we were satisfied with our resort view room. If you or someone in your party plans to spend a decent amount of time in the room, a resort or water view upgrade is worth consideration.

However, if you’ll spend a ton of time at the pool or park-hopping between neighboring Epcot and Hollywood Studios–you might prefer to save the money and book a standard view.

Those are decisions you’ll have to make. But, ultimately, it’s hard to go wrong with Disney’s Yacht Club. We love this hotel and are always excited to stay here.

For more details about one of our favorites, we have a resort guide for Disney’s Yacht Club . Or you might enjoy the following:

• Restaurants at Disney’s Yacht Club
• Ale and Compass Breakfast Review
• The Market at Ale and Compass
• The Pools at Disney’s Yacht Club

What do you think about the resort view at Disney’s Yacht Club? Is an upgraded view at the Yacht Club worth it to you?

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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.