do yacht club and beach club share a pool

The Four Pools at Disney’s Beach and Yacht Club (Photos, Hours, and Details)

When it comes to the pools at Disney’s Beach and Yacht Club Resorts, you’ve got options. Four pools are available between the resorts. However, most guests will prefer the resort’s feature pool, Stormalong Bay. It’s no secret that we consider it the best hotel pool at Walt Disney World .

However, those wanting to enjoy a peaceful spot at the pool or take a quick swim near their room will want to be aware of the resort’s other options. For instance, you might have a day when you want to enjoy the pool and get laundry done simultaneously. Or you might wake up early one morning and have a few minutes to enjoy the quiet pool before the main pool opens. If so, you’ll have options.

Below, we’ll discuss each of the quiet and feature pools at Disney’s Beach and Yacht Club. We’ll review their location, pool hours, and other amenities you’ll want to know beforehand.

Major Refurbishment Note: From January 2025 through June 2025, Stormalong Bay and Shipwreck Pool at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts will be closed for routine maintenance. Guests may see or hear construction work during daytime hours. During this time, Guests are welcome to swim at the Tidal, Admiral, and Dunes Cove leisure pools. (This was originally scheduled to end in May of 2025.)

Disney’s Beach and Yacht Club Pools

As mentioned above, Disney’s Beach and Yacht Club has four swimming pools. They are as follows:

Stormalong Bay

Dunes cove pool.

• Admiral’s Pool

We’ll preview each pool further below.

Pool Hours at Disney’s Beach and Yacht Club

During our visit, pool hours at Stormalong Bay were between 10:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. However, hours are subject to change. During the summer months until Labor Day, the hours are usually extended one hour until 11:00 p.m.

Quiet pool hours were posted during our last stay from 7:00 a.m. through 11:00 p.m. These pool hours are pretty consistent throughout the year. However, you’ll want to know that the quiet pools at Beach and Yacht Club do not have lifeguards or other attendants.

Are the Pools Heated?

Disney’s Beach and Yacht Club pools are heated to 82 degrees. So, in the event of cooler weather, they usually remain open. However, if the outside temperature drops to around 50 degrees or lower, the pools will close until warmer temperatures return.

Complimentary Towels and Life Jackets

Complimentary towels are provided at each pool at Disney’s Beach and Yacht Club, so you can use the extra room in your suitcase for something else.

Life jackets are also provided at each resort pool. They come in a wide range of sizes.

Mobility Lifts

Pool lifts are available for guests with disabilities or limited mobility. Here is a photo of the lift at the Beach Club’s Tidal Pool.

Changing Areas

Each of the resort’s pools has a nearby restroom. However, Stormalong Bay has an area with dedicated showers, a room to change, toiletries, and towels. If you find this area busy, you can use the shower inside the resort’s gym. The gym is adjacent to the pool, and I don’t think most people know this extra set of showers exists.

Stormalong Bay is more of a water park than a pool. It’s so large it would be difficult to photograph in its entirety unless you had an aerial view.

Most guests (including my family) stay at Disney’s Beach or Yacht Club because of Stormalong Bay. Most of our days are spent relaxing at the pool. However, we do visit the parks for entertainment in the evenings.

Toward one end, a wading pool features a large sandbar in the center of it. Smaller children can spend hours digging in the sand and enjoying this pool area.

Another kiddie pool is available inside the shipwreck, across the walkway from Stormalong Bay. The ship also serves as the entrance to the pool’s water slide. The photo below shows where the tube slide begins at the top of the ship’s mast.

Stormalong Bay has three hot tubs scattered throughout the pool area.

Guests can take in scenic views of Disney’s Boardwalk across the lake from some places around the pool. Stormalong Bay has plenty of seating. But be warned, the good seats are often taken early. During our stay at the Yacht Club this summer, I waited in line for the pool to open each morning to get a table and chairs in the shade. Places in the shade are pretty limited.

Cabana rentals can be reserved up to 60 days in advance, but they sell out quickly. If you want to learn more, we have a review of renting a cabana at the Beach Club . We also have a complete guide for Stormalong Bay that includes photos and videos of every pool feature. If you plan to spend some time at this pool, it has some tips that will likely be useful.

Tidal Pool at Disney’s Beach Club

Disney’s Beach Club has two additional quiet pools. The Tidal Pool sits on the front side of Disney’s Beach Club. It is the smallest of the three quiet pools between the resorts. While this pool sits near the walkway to Epcot, a laundry room sits on one end, blocking the view. Rooms on the other three sides surround the pool.

To access this pool, take the main hallway off the resort’s lobby. Follow the signs that say pool, and after a few turns, you’ll reach a doorway leading out to the pool. You can’t miss it.

This pool is often the least busiest of the three quiet pools. However, if you’re visiting when the weather is warm, don’t be surprised to find a reasonable number of guests at all the pools.

A hot tub sits adjacent to the pool.

Here is the laundry room by the pool. We have a separate article with the locations for all the laundry rooms at Disney’s Beach Club .

Next, the Dunes Cove Pool is located near the back of the resort. This is the formal pool for the Beach Club Villas. The buildings in this wing are mint green compared to the blue of Disney’s Beach Club.

While the Dunes Cove Pool is exclusive to guests staying in the Beach Club Villas, resort guests can access it. However, this pool area will likely be out of the way and is often busy.

This pool was recently completely resurfaced. We stopped in on a chilly day to check out the updates. Everything looked fresh and new.

A hot tub sits behind the Dunes Cove Pool.

A foosball table and a life-size chess set are available.

Here are a few tables with chairs and loungers around the pool.

Admiral Pool at Disney’s Yacht Club

At Disney’s Yacht Club, guests have access to the Admiral Pool. If you take the hallway off the lobby and pass The Marketplace at Ale and Compass, it will dead end at doors that lead to the Admiral Pool. It’s a peaceful pool area surrounded by trees on one side.

This pool is a little off the beaten path. If your room doesn’t face it, you might not know it was there.

All the quiet pools have a maximum depth of 4’3″. However, Stormalong Bay has some areas that get as deep as 8′.

A hot tub is available on the far end of the pool.

A large laundry room sits at the back of the Yacht Club’s Admiral Pool. We have a post with specifics for laundry at Disney’s Yacht Club if you want to learn more.

Hurricane Hannas Waterside Bar and Grill

You’ll have two options if you want to enjoy a meal or cocktail at the pool. You can order something and take it to the pool of your choice. Or you can visit Stormalong Bay and order from the poolside bar and grill, Hurricane Hannas.

During busier times, servers wait on guests at the pool deck. However, this often takes a while because only a few servers wait on the entire pool area. On my last visit, a server left us a menu. It was over 30 minutes before he returned to our area. While it wasn’t his fault, if you want something quickly, you are probably better off ordering it at the location.

We like placing a mobile order at Ale and Compass and bringing it to the pool. The food is good quality and reasonably priced, and if you want something small, you can order something from the kids’ menu.

If you purchase a Rapid Fill mug during your stay, you’ll want to be aware that Hurricane Hannas has a beverage refill station. You can refill your mug at the pool.

Additionally, Beaches and Cream, an ice cream shop, sits immediately behind the pool area. They do not do mobile orders but have a walk-up window where guests can order various ice cream treats. If you want to dine here, you’ll need to get a reservation or join their walk-up list when available.

In addition to the pools, the Beach and Yacht Club have a variety of other recreational activities. The Beach Club has a sand volleyball court near the lobby entrance.

The Yacht Club has a tennis court next to the Admiral Pool. Both resorts share a fully equipped gym on the walkway behind Stormalong Bay.

Or you might prefer to lounge on the Beach while the children play in the sand.

Final Thoughts

We love all the pools at Disney’s Beach Club and Yacht Club. But it’s hard to deny that Stormalong Bay has a special place in our hearts. It’s going to be tough to beat!

On a side note, I would caution that some guests are overwhelmed by the large pool area. So, if you have children of an age where you’ll need to keep an eye on them at all times, you might not enjoy your pool time. When my niece was younger, we camped out at the sand bar pool. It’s more of a wading pool than anything. She was content to dig in the sand all day. So I never had to worry about her wandering off into other pool areas.

That said, make sure to pack a good book (hopefully), find a spot in the full sun or shade, and relax the day away. Don’t forget the sunscreen!

You might even enjoy a little pool-hopping between the resort’s quiet and feature pools throughout your trip. It’s your vacation, so enjoy what you like the most. These special times don’t come often enough for most of us.

For more information about Disney’s Beach Club Resort and Disney’s Yacht Club Resort , you might enjoy:

• Disney’s Yacht Club Resort Review
• Disney’s Beach Club Review
• Disney’s Beach and Yacht Club Restaurants Guide
• Cape May Cafe Character Breakfast Review
• The New Rooms at Disney’s Beach Club

What Do You Think?

Now that we’ve looked at all the pools at Disney’s Beach and Yacht Club, what do you think? Are you more of a quiet pool person or a Stormalong Bay person? Leave us a comment below or on our social media channels to let us know!

Hi, I'm Amber the owner of Resorts Gal . We have stayed at every single Disney Resort Hotel. Our philosophy? We believe you can have an incredible time at the resorts without ever setting foot in a theme park. We live near the parks and visit weekly and would love for you to follow along.

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Disney Beach Club vs Yacht Club (Which to Choose)

The Beach Club Resort and its sister, Disney’s Yacht Club, are two of my family’s favorite hotels at Disney World. You really can’t beat the ideal location, family friendly restaurants, and deluxe amenities at these Walt Disney World resort hotels. But, you may be wondering which of the two deluxe resorts you should book for your upcoming vacation.

While it’s true the Beach Club and Yacht Club share almost everything, the two resorts are also very different from each other. For example, one of the resorts offers a quieter vibe and rooms with full balconies while the other hotel features closer access to Epcot and restaurants. If you are looking for a comparison of Disney’s Beach Club vs Yacht Club resort, this post provides a comprehensive guide to help you choose the best hotel for your trip!

(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.)

Beach Club vs Yacht Club Rooms

Depending on availability for your vacation dates, Disney’s Beach Club Resort and Yacht Club Resort offer several options for hotel rooms. If you’re comparing the rooms at Disney Beach Club vs Yacht Club, we would crown Yacht Club the winner here .

The rooms at Disney’s Yacht Club have updated hardwood flooring rather than carpet. Also, the balconies at the Yacht Club are full balconies as opposed to the Beach Club where you will find standing only Juliet Balconies.

Standard View Rooms

Standard View rooms at the Beach Club and Yacht Club Resorts offer views of the rooftop or parking area. These rooms can sleep up to 5 adults since some of the standard view rooms have 2 queen beds and 1 daybed.

Garden View Rooms

Garden View rooms offer views of the garden, woods, or lawn area at Disney’s Beach Club and Yacht Club. These rooms can also sleep up to 5 adults as some provide 2 queen beds and 1 daybed.

Water View Rooms

Water View rooms at the Yacht Club and Beach Club Resorts offer views of one of the pools or of Crescent Lake. These rooms also sleep up to 5 adults if you have a room with 2 queen beds and 1 daybed.

Deluxe Room

Deluxe Rooms at Disney’s Beach Club offer more square footage than the regular hotel rooms. They can sleep up to 6 adults since they offer 2 queen beds and a queen sleeper sofa.

Club Level Rooms

The Club Level rooms at Disney’s Beach Club and Yacht Club Resorts offer standard, garden, or water views similar to the regular hotel rooms. However, you also receive special perks if you book a room in the Club Level. These are some of the benefits you will receive:

• concierge services
• Club Lounge with snacks and beverages
• complimentary health club access
• turndown service

Disney’s Beach Club Resort offers several options for suites.

• The 1 Bedroom Suite can sleep up to 4 adults with a king sized bed in the bedroom and a queen sleeper sofa in the separate sitting area. The 1 bedroom suite offers either garden or water views.
• The 2 Bedroom Suite can sleep up to 7 adults. It offers two separate bedrooms: one with a king bed and one with 2 queen beds. The 2 Bedroom Suite also has a daybed. Your views from this suite will be either of the garden or the water.
• The Nantucket VP Suite sleeps up to 2 adults with a king sized bed. It offers views of the water.
• The Newport Presidential sleeps up to 7 adults with 2 double beds, 1 king bed, and 1 daybed. It provides views of the water and Epcot.

Disney’s Yacht Club also offers a suite for guests. This 2-bedroom suite includes club level access and features two king beds and a queen pullout.

Room Requests

The rooms at Beach Club Resort come with a mini refrigerator. You can request a microwave when you check in as well. Other items you may request include bed rails, highchair, crib, and connecting rooms.

As mentioned above, it is important to note that not all of the rooms at Beach Club have FULL balconies. Many of them only offer the small Juliet type balcony. If a full-sized balcony is important to you, I HIGHLY recommend requesting this during online check in.

Beach Club vs Yacht Club Location

The Beach Club Resort at Walt Disney World sits near Epcot Theme Park and Disney’s Boardwalk entertainment district. Since this resort is located on Crescent Lake, you get amazing water views and sandy beaches where your kids can play. Beach Club’s sister resort, Disney’s Yacht Club, is located right next door.

These two resorts are connected, so you can easily walk between the two and enjoy the amenities each hotel has to offer. One of the most popular amenities at these sister resorts is their elaborate pool: Stormalong Bay. Even though the check-in time typically is not until 3:00, guests of the resorts can use the pool before their room is officially ready.

One of our top reasons for choosing to stay at Disney’s Beach Club and Yacht Club is their prime location. Below, I will detail how to get from the hotels to each of the Walt Disney World theme parks. Since both of these resorts sit on the same property, there really isn’t much of a difference on their location .

When comparing the Disney Beach Club vs Yacht Club, the Beach Club is slightly closer to Epcot while the Yacht Club is a bit closer to Hollywood Studios. The differences in distance are so small that I wouldn’t recommend basing your decision on that factor though . On a side note, if you are looking for tips on choosing the right Disney World hotel, join our Facebook group for personalized help on finding the best resort for your family!

If you are wondering how far Disney’s Beach Club and Yacht Club are from Epcot, you will be pleased to know it’s a short five-minute walk. You just stroll along the walkway near Crescent Lake and follow the signs for Epcot. You will arrive at the International Gateway entrance to Epcot, which is at the back of the park near the World Showcase.

to Hollywood Studios

If you are wanting to travel to Disney’s Hollywood Studios from the Beach Club Resort or the Yacht Club, you have several options to get there. You can walk along the scenic paths to the theme park, which takes about 20 minutes.

You can also take the water shuttle from the Beach Club to Hollywood Studios. Since the boat makes some stops along the way, this also takes about 20 minutes. You can also utilize the Skyliner from the International Gateway. This gondola ride will take you straight to Hollywood Studios.

to Magic Kingdom

If you want to access Magic Kingdom from the Yacht Club and Beach Club Resorts, you will need to board the Disney bus outside the lobby of one of the hotels. Depending on when you are visiting WDW, this shuttle bus may combine pickups by stopping at both the Beach Club and Disney’s Yacht Club. Magic Kingdom is about a 20-minute drive from Disney’s Beach Club Resort.

to Animal Kingdom

If you are looking to travel to Animal Kingdom Theme Park, you would need to board the Disney bus in front of the hotel. Each bus promptly displays where they are headed, so it’s super easy to catch the correct one. This ride is usually around 20 minutes long.

to Disney’s Boardwalk

Disney’s Boardwalk is super easy to access from the Yacht Club and Beach Club Resorts. The Boardwalk is located right across the lake from the hotels and is a short 5-minute walk. This area of Disney World is one of our favorites, and its close proximity to the hotels is a huge perk to staying in the Beach Club/Yacht Club area.

to Disney Springs

You would also need to drive or take the Disney shuttle bus to Disney Springs. This ride typically takes 20 minutes.

Activities Comparison

Disney’s Beach Club Resort and the Yacht Club offer many fun activities for families visiting with kids. Again, since these two hotels are sister resorts, guests staying at either hotel may experience activities at both hotels . In other words, the Beach Club and Yacht Club share the guest activities listed below.

The Beach Club and Yacht Club share an arcade that is located right by Stormalong Bay Pool. The arcade is full of fun video games and sports tables. This is a great rainy day activity!

Outdoor Movies

Disney’s Beach Club and Yacht Club resort show nightly movies outside on the lawn or sand. You can check out the entertainment schedule for the dates of your visit to determine which movies are playing. This activity schedule is usually released at the beginning of each month.

Kids love spending their evenings roasting marshmallows and making s’mores by the campfire. Sometimes Mickey’s friends even join in the fun!

Guests of Disney’s Beach Club Resort, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, and Disney’s Beach Club Villas have access to three leisure pool areas (one at each resort). In addition, these three Disney resorts share a main pool, Stormalong Bay, which I will discuss in more detail below.

Stormalong Bay is a massive pool and water play area shared by Disney’s Beach Club and Yacht Club resorts. If you have set aside time to enjoy this elaborate swimming area, note that pool towels are complimentary and available in the pool gates.

Stormalong Bay

Stormalong Bay offers lots of different spaces for swimming and playing in the water. Near the site of the large shipwreck model, you will find a kiddie pool perfect for little ones. This pool is in a contained area and is separate from the larger pool area.

This kiddie pool tends to be a bit quieter than the main pool. Stormalong Bay also has a sand bottom pool that is great for babies and toddlers . The super shallow water allows them to safely splash and play in the sand. You will find deeper areas of water to swim as well. Disney’s Beach Club Resort offers complimentary safety vests that little ones can use while playing and swimming.

In addition to the many swimming areas at Stormalong Bay, guests can enjoy the lazy river. You will find complimentary inner tubes available near the lazy river to make floating even more fun!

Water Slides

You will find two water slides at Stormalong Bay Pool. The larger of the two slides is a whopping 230 feet long. It begins atop the huge shipwreck model (pictured above) at the edge of the lake. This large water slide does not have a height requirement; however, there is a limit of one person at a time on the slide. This means that parents are not permitted to slide with their toddler or small child.

If you have an adventurous toddler who enjoys thrill rides, you can usually wait in the water at the bottom of the slide. This way you are available to grab your little one after he/she lands in the water. Children are permitted to wear complimentary safety vests on the slide as well.

*Note that you have to leave the main pool gates and climb many steep stairs to get to the top of this slide. Therefore, you will not want your toddler entering the slide area alone.

The smaller of the two slides is near the entrance to the larger slide. When you arrive in the shipwreck area, you will see a small, kiddie pool with a miniature water slide perfect for toddlers. Smaller kids should have no problem climbing to the top of this slide and sliding down to the pool below. You can clearly see them the whole time.

The shallow sand bottom section is perfect for toddlers and little kids to splash and dig. The lazy river is super fun and relaxing. The main water slide is a big hit for kids and adults. The kiddie water slide and pool area are great for toddlers and those who want a calmer sliding experience.

Price Comparison

Disney’s Yacht Club and Beach Club Resorts are typically priced similarly. My family and I often find that one may be a bit cheaper than the other for a specific set of dates, but a different set of dates may produce different results. If you are interested in experiencing all the great amenities of Disney’s Beach Club and Yacht Club resorts for a fraction of the price, I recommend looking into renting Disney Vacation Club points for a stay at the Beach Club Villas.

These villas are located on the same property as the Beach Club/Yacht Club Resorts, and they have access to the same great restaurants and activities! You can check out the “cost calculator” at David’s Vacation Club Rentals to see how much you save on your vacation dates. I have personally used David’s rental services multiple times and have always had great experiences!

Things to Do Near the Resorts

Since Disney’s Beach Club and Yacht Club Resorts are located in such a great spot near the Boardwalk and other resorts, you will find lots of kid friendly things to do within walking distance of the hotel.

Epcot Fireworks

One of our favorite activities just outside Disney’s Beach Club/Yacht Club is to view the nightly fireworks show at Epcot. You can grab some ice cream from Beaches and Cream and choose a spot near the walkway to Epcot. This is a great way to enjoy the fireworks show without having to maneuver between the crowds of people inside the park. It’s also a nice activity to enjoy at Disney World without purchasing a park ticket!

The Skyliner is one of the newer additions to Walt Disney World. This gondola ride connects several of the resort hotels to Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. If you are looking for a unique activity, take a ride on the Skyliner with your kids.

Fantasia Gardens and Fairways Miniature Golf is an 18-hole course themed off the movie Fantasia . Since this kid friendly activity is located near The Swan hotel, guests of Disney’s Yacht Club and Beach Club can easily walk to the mini golf course.

Restaurants

In addition to the easy access to the restaurants on Disney’s Boardwalk, guests at the Beach Club and Yacht Club Resorts have lots of dining options right at the hotel.

Beaches and Cream Soda Shop

Beaches and Cream is my personal all time favorite restaurant at Disney World. This diner offers all kinds of delicious options, including a tomato bisque that is out of this world!

Open daily for lunch and dinner, Beaches and Cream Soda Shop is located right beside Stormalong Bay Pool. They are famous for the ice cream concoction knows as The Kitchen Sink. Note that you are able to order some ice cream and to-go items from the window without actually going inside the diner.

Beach Club Marketplace

If you are looking for a quick stop on your way to the theme parks, Beach Club Marketplace is a great option. This dining venue serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Its diverse menu offers something for everyone. Beach Club Marketplace is our go-to for a fast breakfast or a quick snack before heading out for the day.

Martha’s Vineyard

Martha’s Vineyard is a lounge that serves all kinds of adult beverages. You can also order appetizers like clam chowder, chicken wings, and calamari from this venue.

Hurricane Hanna’s

Hurricane Hanna’s is located right outside by Stormalong Bay Pool. You can order your food and beverages from the counter and dine outside at the available tables.

Ale and Compass

Ale and Compass is a sit down restaurant located at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort. This dining venue serves family favorites for breakfast and options like seafood, chicken, and steak for dinner.

The Market at Ale and Compass

The Market at Ale and Compass is the quick service dining venue located at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort. Similar to The Beach Club Marketplace, this restaurant is a great stop for a quick meal.

Cape May Cafe

Cape May Cafe is located near the lobby of Disney’s Beach Club Resort. This restaurant is buffet style and serves your favorite seafood options. Cape May Cafe is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. However, the restaurant takes on a different theme for breakfast when it becomes the site for Minnie’s Beach Bash.

Yachtsman Steakhouse

Yachtsman Steakhouse is a signature dining restaurant at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort. You will find steak and seafood among other options on the menu. Since this is a signature dining experience, guests must adhere to a dress code .

Crew’s Cup Lounge

Crew’s Cup Lounge is located near Yactsman Steakhouse at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort. Here, you will find all kinds of adult beverages along with a few options for appetizers or snacks.

In Room Dining

Disney’s Beach Club Resort is one of the Walt Disney World hotels that offers room service. You will find an In Room Dining Menu in your hotel room with instructions on how to place an order.

The menu includes options for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late night dining. You can even pre-order your breakfast the night before, so your family can eat in the room as you get ready for the parks.

Character Dining

As mentioned above, Cape May Cafe at Disney’s Beach Club Resort becomes a character dining experience each morning for breakfast. Minnie’s Beach Bash Breakfast is a super fun way to start your day! The breakfast is buffet style and has a wide range of items to choose. You will even find a stand serving made to order omelets!

Minnie, Donald, Daisy, and Goofy each walk around the dining areas to greet you at your table. The characters are decked out in their finest beach wear to continue the theme of the dining experience.

Beach Club and Yacht Club vs Other Disney Resorts

Since Disney’s Beach Club and Yacht Club Resorts are my family’s favorite hotels at Disney World, I will try to explain WHY we love them so much! Below, I will compare the Beach Club/Yacht Club to other resorts at Disney World, so you can get an idea of why we choose to stay at these resorts. If you would like to see more comparisons between other hotels, feel free to comment below with the resorts you are considering. I know how stressful and overwhelming planning a Disney World vacation can be!

vs Beach Club Villas

Like the Yacht Club Resort, Disney’s Beach Club Villas have access to all the restaurants, activities, and amenities at the Beach Club resort. My recommendation is to choose the cheapest option of the three resorts . As mentioned above, renting DVC points for Beach Club Villas is often the best way to save money.

vs Boardwalk Inn

If you stay at Disney’s Boardwalk Inn, you get the perks of the awesome location near Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Boardwalk. You can also easily walk over to the Beach Club to enjoy the dining venues located there. The one big drawback to Boardwalk Inn is that you don’t get Stormalong Bay . Disney’s Boardwalk Inn has a really fun pool, but it just doesn’t compare to the elaborate swimming pool at the Beach Club.

vs Monorail Resorts

You may be wondering how the Beach Club compares to the monorail resorts: Grand Floridian, Contemporary, and Polynesian . These three resorts offer really easy access to Magic Kingdom, which is a huge perk if you have little kids.

They all offer great theming and activities as well. However, Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts get our pick because they’re usually priced significantly lower than the monorail resorts .

vs Caribbean Beach Resort

It is difficult to compare Disney’s Beach Club Resort with Caribbean Beach because they really aren’t similar at all. Even though the names may cause you to think differently, the two resorts do not have much in common. Caribbean Beach is a moderate hotel that is lovely, but it does not offer the amenities that the deluxe resorts do.

If you are not planning to spend a lot of time at your hotel, you can certainly look into Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. However, you will not have access to the prime location, restaurants, pool, and other activities that the Beach Club offers .

Final Review of Disney Beach Club vs Yacht Club

Since these two resorts share EVERYTHING, it’s really a matter of personal taste when deciding between these two hotels. The Disney Beach Club has a more relaxed vibe, while Yacht Club seems more sophisticated . We find that Stormalong Bay Pool is reason enough to stay at these amazing hotels. Who can pass up the opportunity to experience the best pool at Disney World?!

In addition, the location, restaurants, and activities offered at these deluxe resort hotels help to make your vacation one you will never forget! If I were planning a trip to Disney World, I would choose whichever is cheaper between the two ! Don’t forget to join our Facebook group for personalized help on finding the best resort for your family! So, how do you think they compare? Which resort would you choose? Disney Beach Club vs Yacht Club? Comment below to share!

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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Resort Information: Yacht and Beach Club – Pool Information

This is a continuation of a new series taking a comprehensive look at all of the Walt Disney World Resort hotels. There will be several posts on each resort looking at pools, dining, shopping, and other amenities.

General Information

Every Walt Disney World resort has at least one pool and all are very nice. It is likely that none can match the main pool at the Yacht and Beach Club Resorts in size, scope, and design. Named Stormalong Bay, the massive, free-form, sand-bottomed pool is something special.

While the theme of the pool is simply “beachy,” the execution is quite complex. There are two centerpieces that are helpful in orienting oneself; a decorative, yet moving, windmill and the gigantic shipwreck that serves as the start of the pool’s water slide. The shipwreck itself is actually on the beach side of the promenade, while the rest of the pool meanders and flows around the windmill and various walkways and footbridges.

Stormalong bay appears to be one giant pool, but it is actually a cleverly designed trio. There is a regular pool, with depths of 4-6 feet, a shallow kiddie area, and a slow-flowing lazy river. Each of these areas is separate, requiring swimmers to exit one to enter another. In between these pools are lovely vegetation, rock formations, and waterfalls. The whirlpools can be found atop the largest rock structure.

In addition to Stormalong Bay, there are two “quiet” pools; one for Yacht Club and one for the Beach Club. These pools are on the extreme ends of the resorts, the east side for the Beach Club and the west side for the Yacht Club, and they are simple, non-themed pools designed for those who wish to avoid the crowds at Stormalong Bay. Each “quiet” pool also has a whirlpool nearby.

Water Slides, K iddie Areas, and Accessibility

There is one main water slide at Stormalong Bay. As mentioned, it begins on top of the mast of the shipwreck. From there the slide begins as an enclosed tube as it takes riders across the promenade. It then meanders through rocks and trees as the tube’s top is removed. Overall, this is a long slide although it is quite tame, making the scare level very low.

In addition to the main slide, there is a kid-friendly small slide at the bottom of the shipwreck. This is far from the only child area available at Stormalong bay however. The western end of the Bay contains one of the more unique kiddie pools available. The two foot depth pool is sand-bottomed, as is almost all of Stormalong Bay, but the sand is also mounded into a sandbar that cuts right into the middle of the shallow water. This creates the perfect place for children or adults to build sand castles. Next to the sandy shallow pool is an even shallower pool meant for the very small.

While Stormalong Bay is handicapped accessible via wide steps and hand holds, it is not a zero-depth pool. Therefore, those with limited movement may require assistance to get into the water.

Bars and Restaurants

Directly adjacent to Stormalong Bay is a handy food and beverage option. Hurricane Hanna’s Grill serves quick food and all manners of beverage, including beer. Around the corner, nearer the pool, is a full bar that serves additional alcoholic beverages. At the time of writing, Hurricane Hanna’s is undergoing refurbishment and is scheduled to reopen on December 18, 2012.

Some of the options available at Hurricane Hanna’s Grill are cheeseburgers, hot dogs, and wraps. The full menu can be found as part of TouringPlans.com’s dining menus . There are also other dining options very near the pool such as Beaches and Cream. Those additional options will be covered in the Restaurant Information section, to be posted soon.

For those who are not interested in swimming, there are many great spots around and near Stormalong Bay for lounging. Surrounded by lounge chairs, the child areas are easily seen from several spots. There are also banks of chairs and quite a few tables very near the water that are great for relaxing or eating a quick meal.

If sunbathing is the primary goal, there is a large raised platform with many lounge chairs on top. Part of this platform is covered, but much of it is in the open sun and perfect for getting slightly toasted. Of course, being the Beach Club, there is quite a bit of wonderful beach space across the promenade from the pool that will allow you to return home a few shades tanner than when you arrived in Orlando.

Activities and Other Items

As with all Disney resort pool areas, there are mid-day activities consisting of music and games led by Cast Members. This is usually set up near the kiddie pool area and takes place every afternoon. If pool toys such as noodles or inflatables are desired they can be purchased in the Marketplace in the Beach Club or in Fittings and Fairings at the Yacht Club.

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Brian McNichols

In addition to blogging, I also do some analyzin' here at Touring Plans. I am a travel nut, planning nut, Disney nut, wall nut. Husband of 1, father of 2. Hilariously funny in my own mind. Find me on Twitter @YesThatBrian if you like really dumb jokes.

10 thoughts on “ Resort Information: Yacht and Beach Club – Pool Information ”

Is the pool heated? We’re going to be there in December, and I’m just not as warm blooded as some folks in my family 🙂

All the WDW resort pools are heated. It’s the air outside the pools you need to worry about sometimes!

We were there last Dec 10-16- a low attendance week- and the entire pool was heated only on Saturday, which happened to be the day the hotel was most crowded. I didn’t see anyone rush to fix the pool heater during our entire stay. Made me wonder if the hotel purposely turned the heat off when the crowds were low to save money.

I had the same experience at the Polynesian this past September. That pool was cold on a Tuesday and I was told by a Cast Member that the heater had been turned off. The Beach and Yacht pool was nice and warm during my entire stay.

This pool is great for kids. This is my sons favorite resort because of the pool.

As a warning, if you plan to laze in the lazy river, the tube rental charge is pretty steep (about $10/tube/day, if I remember correctly).

thanks for the info! Didn’t know about the rental fees, will have to budget for this.

Thanks for the info, I totally missed this fee.

We always bring tubes & pool noodles (they do fit in suitcase) from home and leave give them to a guest on our last day.

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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.

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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.

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The Family Vacation Guide

Disney’s Beach Club vs Yacht Club: Which Should You Choose?

posted by James Brockbank on September 3, 2022 // last updated on September 19, 2022

One of the best parts of planning a family vacation to Walt Disney World near Orlando, Florida , is choosing where to stay.

Disney owns and operates more than 20 resorts and other accommodations on their central Florida property, in addition to the dozens of others nearby.

If Disney’s Beach Club Resort and Disney’s Yacht Club Resort are among your options, you might be wondering which is better. After all, they’re located directly next door to each other, and the theming is similar. 

Despite having much in common, these two hotels have some key differences that make them distinct. Below, we’ll talk about the perks of staying in one of Disney’s hotels and what the Yacht and Beach Clubs have in common. Then, we’ll dive into what makes them distinct. That way, you can make the best choice for your family vacation.

Early Genie+ Access

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Experienced Disney vacationers will tell you that staying “on-property” has many advantages that can help you get the most out of your time in the most magical place on earth.

Each day, the four theme parks in Walt Disney World– Magic Kingdom , EPCOT , Hollywood Studios , and Animal Kingdom –open 30 minutes early for resort guests. That means you can get to the park in the morning and head to a couple of your favorite attractions without worrying about crowds.

At times in the past, Disney had offered “Extra Magic Hours” when parks opened even earlier or stayed open late in the evening for resort guests. While Disney isn’t offering them now, it certainly could return in the future.

Genie+ is the paid reservation system that allows guests to reserve times to visit top attractions. Time slots become available to park guests when the park opens for the day. 

However, guests with resort reservations linked to their accounts can make their first selections at 7 AM. That’s a distinct advantage over everyone else. What’s more, reservations for some of the most popular rides sometimes go quick.

Disney provides regular, reliable transportation from all of its hotels to its four theme parks, two water parks, and Disney Springs shopping and entertainment district. Buses run to each destination from every hotel about every 30 minutes.

In addition, there are boats and water taxis, the Skyliner gondola system, the monorail, and walking trails from several resorts. Below, we’ll talk about what’s available at the Yacht and Beach Clubs.

An often-overlooked advantage of staying at a Disney hotel is on-site guest relations. You can visit this desk to take care of a range of questions and issues before visiting the parks. You can purchase or verify tickets, make and confirm park and dining reservations, and schedule tours and special events.

Of course, guest relations is available at the entrance to all theme parks and water parks. However, there can be long lines, especially at the beginning of the day. What’s more, visiting the desk in the park takes away from your time enjoying attractions.  

What Do the Yacht and Beach Clubs Have in Common?

If you’ve done your research, you may already know that the Yacht and Beach Clubs are next to each other. They’re also often discussed together since they share so many amenities and features. 

Before we discuss what makes them unique so you can choose between them, it’s helpful to look at what they share. That way, you can get a total picture of what it would be like to spend your family vacation there.

Both the Beach Club and Yacht Club are Disney Deluxe Resorts . This is the top tier of hotels on Disney property, ahead of value resorts like Art of Animation and All-Star Sports and moderate resorts such as Coronado Springs and Port Orleans Riverside.

As you might expect, deluxe resorts have the best of everything. The rooms tend to be larger, the hotel lobbies and fixtures more opulent, and the theming is more detailed. There are better pools (with slides), more amenities (such as spas and shops), and more dining options.

Deluxe resorts have several unique features and perks. Sometimes, Disney parks stay open late for guests of deluxe resorts. They tend to have great locations with better access to the parks and transportation options. Of course, it all comes at a price. Deluxe resorts start at around $450 and increase sharply from there. 

The location is one of the best things about staying at the Yacht or Beach Club. They are two of the three resorts located directly near EPCOT. 

If you enjoy the thrilling attractions in Future World or a leisurely stroll through the World Showcase, you might like the Yacht and Beach Clubs even more than the Magic Kingdom monorail hotels–The Grand Floridian, Polynesian Village, and the Contemporary.

Let’s zoom in on the three things that make this location spectacular.

The Yacht and Beach Clubs are about a ten or 15-minute walk from EPCOT . One of four theme parks in Walt Disney World, EPCOT has so much to offer. It’s split into two major worlds, and they almost feel like two separate worlds.

Future World has some of the most thrilling attractions in any of the parks, including Soarin’ , Test Track , and the brand new Guardians of the Galaxy roller coaster, Cosmic Rewind . 

Then, there’s the World Showcase, with pavilions from 11 countries around the world. Sample food, drink, merchandise, and culture without leaving central Florida.

The new Skyliner transportation system is just before you reach the World Gateway entrance to EPCOT. The Skyliner is a gondola system that connects several popular spots around the “world,” including Hollywood Studios, Riviera Resort, and several other hotels.

The Skyliner has revolutionized how people get around Walt Disney World. Many guests hated waiting for and riding buses to and from the parks, but the Skyliner has turned that experience into a ride in itself.

Guests at the Yacht and Beach Club can easily walk to the Skyliner. The Beach Club is a bit closer, but it only takes about ten minutes from the Yacht Club lobby.

The Boardwalk Hotel is on the same walking trail as the Yacht and Beach Club. In addition to the hotel is the Boardwalk entertainment area. While it’s much smaller than Disney Springs, you can find shops, restaurants, and entertainment. 

One of the Boardwalk’s favorites is Jelly Rolls, a dueling piano bar. The Atlantic Dance Hall opens nightly for drinks and dancing.

Most room accommodations at the Yacht and Beach Club are the same. Standard rooms include one king or two queen beds, and some have a pull-down bed under the television. 

Daily housekeeping is included, and guests can choose from water, pool, and garden views. In addition, both hotels have suites and a club or concierge level.

The best part of staying at the Yacht or Beach Club is arguably the main pool. The most popular on Disney property, Stormalong Bay encompasses three acres of space. There’s a lazy river, three whirlpool spas, and a life-size replica of a shipwreck with a 230-foot waterslide. It’s partially sand-bottom, and there’s a sandy beach to play on.

If you prefer a quieter poolside experience, there are three more leisure pools for use by guests at the Beach and Yacht Clubs: the Admiral Pool, Dunes Cove, and the Tidal Pool. All three have whirlpool spas and other amenities.

The Yacht and Beach Club share transportation, and the great news is how easy it is to get around Walt Disney World from both of these hotels.

The bus stop is located outside the main lobby of the Yacht Club. Buses run about every 30 minutes to the parks, water parks, and Disney Springs. The bus is the best way to get to Animal Kingdom, Disney Springs, and the Magic Kingdom.

There is also a boat launch behind the lobby of the Yacht Club on Crescent Lake. The boats take guests to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios and are a leisurely way to get to both parks.

As mentioned above, the Skyliner is about a ten-minute walk from the Yacht and Beach Clubs. The Skyliner takes guests to Hollywood Studios and is the fastest way to get there. 

We mentioned walking into EPCOT from these resorts, but you can also walk to Hollywood Studios. The path winds for about one mile around the water.

Finally, while the Yacht and Beach Clubs aren’t located on the monorail, you can access the monorail through EPCOT. You will need a theme park reservation at EPCOT or a park hopper ticket (useable after 2 PM) to access the monorail. However, it can take you to the Magic Kingdom.

The two resorts also share much of the same entertainment and recreation options. Moreover, guests at either hotel are almost always welcome to use amenities at the other one.

The resorts jointly host nightly campfires (weather permitting) and movies under the stars (indoors in inclement weather). There are tennis courts, volleyball courts, jogging trails, arcades, boat rentals, and fishing. There’s also a full fitness center and salon at Ship Shape Massage Salon Fitness. 

What Makes Disney’s Beach Club Different?

Now that you know all the things that Disney’s Yacht and Beach Clubs share, we can look at meaningful ways that they differ. 

One of them is written right into their names. Even though the themes at the resorts are similar, they are distinct from each other. The Beach Club is reminiscent of classic Atlantic and New Jersey seaside resorts around the turn of the 20th century. 

It’s bright and cheerful, with light pastel colors throughout. You’ll notice elements of gingerbread-style and Victorian architecture, almost like an upscale beach cottage. The atmosphere is designed to be more relaxed and calming.

There are several other important ways that the two hotels differ. Here’s what’s unique to the Beach Club.

One thing that makes the Beach Club distinct is the presence of Disney Vacation Club villas. Disney Vacation Club is a vacation ownership company that sells timeshares in select Disney resorts worldwide. It also offers exceptional experiences, excursions, and reciprocity with RCI for members in good standing to use their annual allotment of points.

There are only 282 villas at the Beach Club, making it among the smallest in the collection. There are studios with kitchenettes and one, two, and three-bedroom villas with full kitchens.

You don’t need to be a DVC member to book the villas. In fact, many non-members love the villas for family reunions and space to spread out. They typically cost more than standard rooms per night.

You don’t have to be a guest at the Beach Club to dine in any of its restaurants. Anyone can make a reservation or drop in for table availability, but guests of this resort will be closer and find it easier to eat at these.

Cape May Cafe is a popular buffet spot for breakfast and dinner. Beaches and Cream Soda Shop has diner offerings for lunch and dinner and is known for its incredible ice cream. Martha’s Vineyard serves lunch but is best known for its bar service and wine selection. Finally, the Beach Club Marketplace offers counter-service and grab-and-go dining options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. 

Some guests prefer the Beach Club’s location because it is closer to EPCOT and the Skyliner. It takes about five or ten more minutes to get there from the Yacht Club, depending on where your room is situated. However, most of the rooms at the Yacht Club are closer to Stormalong Bay than at the Beach Club.

Even though guests of either resort can use all the amenities, it’s worth mentioning the ones that are located at the Beach Club:

• Dunes Cove Pool
• Volleyball courts

What Makes the Yacht Club Different?

Several elements distinguish the Yacht Club from the Beach Club, and the first is the theme. While the Beach Club is designed to look and feel like a relaxed yet refined seaside resort, the Yacht Club is more stately.

The Yacht Club is reminiscent of a grand, exclusive New England yachting or boating resort, visited by titans of industry, politicians, and some of the oldest families in America. It is elegant, plush, and nautical. In contrast to the whimsical pastels at the Beach Club, you’ll see dark blues and wood tones against white finishes. 

Perhaps because of the prestige, the Yacht Club’s prices tend to be slightly higher than the Beach Club’s, though not substantially. The rooms at both resorts follow their themes but are around the same size.

While the Beach Club has Disney Vacation Club villas, the Yacht Club has a convention center, which frequently contributes to the more formal atmosphere at the Yacht Club. In fact, the resort itself was designed to host conventions, and its setup is conducive to that.

The convention center has more than 100,000 square feet of flexible meeting and event space. The hotel has almost 2,000 guest rooms, most of which are standard. Nearly 140 are located on the club level, perfect for executives. Couples also often hold weddings at the Yacht Club, and the nearby wedding gazebo is a convenient ceremony space. 

There are several dining options at the Yacht Club, and true to its theme, most of them are more formal than the ones you’ll find at the Beach Club. The main restaurant is the Yachtsman’s Steakhouse , a traditional New England steakhouse. It is one of the more formal restaurants in Walt Disney World and is only open for dinner. 

In addition, the less-formal Ale and Compass restaurant is a gastropub serving Yankee comfort food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The Marketplace at Ale and Compass offers counter-service and grab-and-go dining options.

Finally, two bars offer drinks and light snacks: the Ale and Compass Lounge and the Crew’s Cup Lounge. 

These are the recreation and amenities offered at the Yacht Club:

• Admiral Pool
• Tennis courts
• Ship Shape Massage Salon Fitness

If you plan to spend the bulk of your Florida vacation in Walt Disney World, we strongly recommend staying at a Disney hotel for all the reasons discussed above. But which is better–the Beach Club or Yacht Club?

As you can see, Disney’s Beach Club Resort and Yacht Club Resort have a lot in common and share many of the same amenities and perks. However, they have distinct themes that create different atmospheres. The Beach Club is more relaxed and refined, while the Yacht Club is more stately and elegant.

Regardless of where you and your family decide to stay, the most important thing is that you enjoy your time together at Walt Disney World. And don’t forget to check out Stormalong Bay–it’s the best part of either hotel!

More about our TFVG Author

James Brockbank

A seasoned traveller, Dad, and avid sports tourist, James foundered The Family Vacation Guide to share his expert vacation experiences- especially when it comes to being a travelling family man.

Featured in Travel articles such as Travel + Leisure, TripSavvy and SFGate, you know you're reading some of the best vacation tips online.

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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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Where Should I Stay? Disney Yacht Club Vs Beach Club Comparisons Guide

So you’re planning your 2024 Walt Disney World vacation and stuck between the Disney Beach Club vs Yacht Club. Both the Disney Beach Club Resort and Disney’s Yacht Club Resort are deluxe hotels found on the Walt Disney World Boardwalk. These two resorts share the shame building space and are commonly confused as the same Disney Resort, especially with their similar themes. That’s why we have taken the time to break out everything you need to know about both Disney’s Beach and Yacht Club.

We hope you find this post helpful, and if you are planning a trip to Disney World be sure to check out our other FREE vacation planning tools. Our goal at The Park Prodigy has always been to help you save time and money on your next vacation. This includes helping you find the best time to buy Disney World tickets  as well as book amazing  Walt Disney World vacation packages!

So if you’re ready to decide if you would prefer to stay at the Disney Yacht Club or Beach Club read on!

SPECIAL NOTE: If you’re looking for the best time to visit Walt Disney World be sure to check out our Disney Crowd Calendar! 

Disney Crowd Calendar

Disney’s Yacht Club Vs Beach Club

When deciding between the Disney Yacht Club and Beach Club for your vacation, it’s essential to understand their unique features and the subtle differences that might influence your choice. Both resorts offer luxurious accommodations with a nautical theme, sharing many amenities, including the acclaimed Stormalong Bay pool. However, their distinct styles, room options, and proximity to Disney parks set them apart.

Thematic Differences

• Disney Yacht Club: Features a more formal, sophisticated theme inspired by the seaside cottages of the Northeast, with a color palette of modern greys and whites. It’s designed to offer an elegant experience reminiscent of a yacht club.
• Disney Beach Club: Boasts a relaxed, cheerful vibe with a design influenced by New England-style family resorts of the 1920s. Bright colors and a playful atmosphere make it feel more casual and family-friendly.

Location and Proximity to EPCOT

• Beach Club Advantage: Closer to EPCOT, making it a shorter walk (about five to ten minutes) from the majority of its rooms to the park entrance.
• Yacht Club Proximity: Slightly further from EPCOT than the Beach Club but offers closer access to shared amenities like Stormalong Bay. It’s also marginally nearer to Disney’s BoardWalk area, enhancing its appeal for guests prioritizing this entertainment district.

Room Types and Accommodations

• Both resorts offer rooms that are similar in size and start at a standard rate of approximately $522 per night . The main distinction comes in the form of Beach Club Villas, which are designed to accommodate larger groups and families, offering amenities like in-unit washers/dryers and fully equipped kitchens.

Dining Options

• Each resort houses unique dining experiences, with about five restaurants each, ranging from casual bites at Beaches & Cream Soda Shop at the Beach Club to fine dining at Yachtsman Steakhouse at the Yacht Club.

Shared Access: Guests of both resorts enjoy easy access to additional dining options on the Disney World BoardWalk , alongside quick walks to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios.

Why should I choose the Beach Club or Yacht Club?

• For a Vibrant, Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Choose the Beach Club for its lively colors, casual ambiance, and villas suited for larger groups.
• For Sophistication and Elegance: Opt for the Yacht Club if you prefer a more refined environment that echoes the luxury of a yacht club experience.

In conclusion, while both the Yacht and Beach Club Resorts offer exceptional service, amenities, and convenience for visiting Disney World, your choice might ultimately come down to personal preference regarding the theme, atmosphere, and specific accommodation needs. Whether you’re drawn to the elegance of the Yacht Club or the playful charm of the Beach Club, both promise a memorable stay.

Related Post: Complete Guide to the Walt Disney World Boardwalk 

Difference in Rooms at Yacht and Beach Club Resort 2024

If comparing the room size is part of your deciding factor for the Beach Club vs Yacht Club, we will have to call this a tie.  The rooms at the Yacht and Beach Club are pretty much identical when it comes down to size.

We will say the one advantage that the Beach Club has that the Yacht doesn’t is the addition of the Walt Disney World villas . If you are looking to enjoy a room that’s accommodating for larger groups you’ll want to take a look at having your very own villa. Having a villa can provide many benefits, if it fits in your budget. For instance, most villas have in-unit washer/dryers along with a fully equipped kitchen and living room. Villas are not for everyone, so if you don’t require one and don’t otherwise care for the color and pop of Beach Club, perhaps the Yacht Club will be a better choice. 

What is the difference between Disney Beach Club and Beach Club Villas?

As a general rule of thumb the Beach Club Villa rooms are located in a completely separate building when compared to the regular Beach Club or Yacht Club. This is actually the set up for a majority of the villas located at Walt Disney World as they are all part of the Disney Vacation Club.

Related Page: Guide to the Virtual Queue at Disney World

Location When Comparing Beach Club Vs Yacht Club 

One of the aspects that everyone should look at before picking out a hotel at Walt Disney World is the location. Location is key. Thankfully, when deciding between the Beach Club vs Yacht Club the location should not be  a factor. Both resorts are relatively close to Epcot, however, there are some advantages to each resort over the other.

For instance, the Beach Club Resort is a few minutes closer to Epcot. With this in mind, you are also that much closer to the Disney Skyliner Station which can then take you over to Hollywood Studios.

While the Yacht Club Resort is not that much farther away, if you have young ones or even elderly people with you who may need to do less walking, the Beach Club Resort may be the best option. Depending on where you stay at the Yacht Club Resort, you might be closer towards Disney’s Boardwalk than the Beach Club may be. This may not be true for all rooms, but certain rooms are indeed closer. If having quick access to the Boardwalk is a requirement for you, then maybe the Yacht Club is the best option. 

Related post:  The Complete Guide to the Disney Skyliner Route

Dining at Beach and Yacht Club Resort 2024

Is having access to the best Disney World restaurants your deciding factor between the Disney beach club vs Yacht club? You’ll be happy to find that both resorts provide an array of dining options. As we discussed though given that the resorts are essentially connected, you’ll have a ton of options close by.

When you look at the resorts separately each resort would have about five restaurants each. One thing that might be useful in deciding where you want to stay is where the restaurants are actually located. If there is a particular restaurant your family wants to eat at, maybe consider the resort that is closer towards that particular restaurant. Below is the complete list of restaurants at each resort. 

What are the Disney Beach Club restaurants?

• Cape May Cafe
• Martha’s Vineyard
• Beaches & Cream Soda Shop
• Hurricane Hanna’s

What are the Disney Yacht Club Restaurants ?

• Yachtsman Steakhouse
• Crew’s Cup Lounge
• Ale & Compass
• Market at Ale & Compass

Related post:  Complete Guide to the Disney World Boardwalk in 2022

Disney’s Yacht Club vs Beach Club – In Conclusion

In conclusion, there are not a lot of differences between each resort. The pool for instance, is shared between both resorts. While very subtle, they do have certain advantages/disadvantages over one or the other. When deciding on whether or not to stay at the Beach Club vs Yacht Club , hopefully these factors can benefit you in deciding which resort to stay at!

We think that either Disney’s Yacht Club or Beach Club would be a wonderful choice for families looking for incredible dining and entertainment, or even couples looking for a romantic night out on the BoardWalk. We love how close both the Beach Club and the Yacht Club to EPCOT, and only a boat ride away from Disney’s Hollywood Studios .

Related post: Disney Memory Maker Guide : Disney World Pictures and Disney PhotoPass

When is The Best Time to Visit Disney World?

Our   Disney  World Crowd Calendar  is the best tool to help you get the most out of your time in the parks. We break down park crowds, park hours of operation, ticket prices, and average temperature. We also break down   the best time to visit Disney World   based on specific times of the year and special events.

Are You Ready to Plan Your Next Disney World Trip?

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Michael Belmont is the owner at Theparkprodigy.com, an authorized Disney and Universal travel agent. He specializes in Disney and Universal theme park tickets and vacation packages, as well as daily park plans to help optimize vacation time. Michael and The Park Prodigy have been featured on ABC’s Florida affiliate, WTFV, as well as over 10 Disney focused blogs. As owner, Michael manages The Park Prodigy blog and social media, a Disney themed podcast, and a Disney and Universal focused YouTube channel. Prior to starting The Park Prodigy, Michael was a long time Disney and Universal enthusiast, frequent visitor of the parks, and even served as a Walt Disney World Cast Member in Orlando, Florida!

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Disney Yacht Club Resort Review

W e love the Boardwalk area at Disney World and are always on the lookout for a good deal at one of the resorts in that area. Being able to easily walk to both EPCOT and Hollywood Studios is a huge plus for us. And we can finally say we have officially stayed at every resort on Disney’s Boardwalk! Disney’s Yacht Club Resort has been on our radar for some time now and we recently had the opportunity to stay at this resort and experience everything it has to offer. Read on for our full Disney Yacht Club Resort Review!

Yacht Club Resort at Walt Disney World

Yacht Club is a deluxe resort at Walt Disney World that is situated in Disney’s Boardwalk area, near EPCOT. With an elegant New England style Yacht Club theme, this nautical resort is the perfect place to relax and unwind.  While its sister resort, Disney’s Beach Club, is known more for its beachy, cottage type feel, Yacht Club transports you to a place that feels like luxury. 

Home to several restaurants and the Stormalong Bay pool complex it shares with Beach Club, let’s take a look at this resort and see if it’s right for your next Disney Vacation. 

Yacht Club Resort Atmosphere

The atmosphere is Yacht Club is laid back but feels slightly more elevated and upscale than Disney’s Beach Club. Some think it feels a bit “stuffy”, but it’s nowhere near as sophisticated as say, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort.  The resort feels nautical. And has the lovely scent of Green Clover and Aloe filling the lobby and hallways. 

Since Yacht Club doesn’t house any character meals and is slightly farther from EPCOT than Beach Club, it’s often quieter and less chaotic feeling in general as well.

Yacht Club Resort Rooms

The rooms at Yacht Club resort are modern and simple. They have small Disney details. But nothing that is in your face Disney. One of the best parts about the rooms at Yacht Club is that they sleep five. Much like the rooms at the Contemporary, these rooms include two queen beds and a couch that converts into a twin bed. The twin bed is large enough to fit a small to average sized adult. So this makes them great for families needing a little extra space. Or for larger parties that don’t want to splurge on a family suite or villa. 

The Yacht Club rooms have the classic room and bathroom setup. The vanity area is able to be closed off from the rest of the room by closing the door. And the toilet and shower are also able to be separated as well. 

We booked a resort view, which can mean a variety of things and were pleasantly surprised at our view! See above for photos from our balcony. We could see EPCOT’s fireworks from our balcony and that felt like a huge added value, as we happened to be traveling during January for this trip. Which meant that we often had earlier nights in. 

The Yacht Club Resort’s rooms feel spacious, clean and updated. And though there’s not a ton of Disney theming, if you look closely, you can see some very cute Disney touches that match the decor. Hidden mickeys in the photographs. And Disney characters in the shape of constellations on the curtains. 

Yacht Club Resort Grounds 

The resort grounds at Disney’s Yacht Club are fairly limited to the Boardwalk area . With palm trees and white sandy beaches that it shares with Disney’s Beach Club Resort , and its amazing pool, Stormalong Bay, the actual resort is quite compact. This makes getting around super easy. Though Yacht Club does have tennis courts and some green space, it’s not an expansive resort by any means. 

Disney Yacht Club Resort P ools

The pool at Disney’s Yacht Club is the main attraction. And one reason so many people are willing to pay the cost to stay here. It really is the best pool at Walt Disney World. With a sandy bottom, lazy river, very cool pirate ship slide and plenty of room, both for swimming and for lounging, you could come to Disney just for the pool and be happy. 

There is also a pool bar, Hurricane Hannah’s, that offers drinks and small plates. You can order these from one of the servers at the pool area. Or walk up to the counter and order that way. 

The pools at Yacht and Beach are pretty strict when it comes to who can use them. Guests are required to scan in with a cast member before being allowed to enter. And will receive a wrist band at the gate to prove that they’re allowed to be there. 

Disney’s Yacht Club also has a quiet pool called the Admiral Pool, located around the back of the resort near the tennis court. 

Does the Beach Club and Yacht Club Share Pools?

Yes they do! Stormalong Bay is the main attraction here. And is one of the reasons the two resorts are so popular. Guests of the Beach and Yacht Club Resorts share the pool at Stormalong Bay, and you do need to scan in with a cast member to use the pool. 

Yacht Club Transportation Options

Transportation at Yacht Club is fairly simple and straightforward. They have ferry service that goes from the Yacht Club to both EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, as well as the resorts in the immediate area. You can take Disney’s Skyliner to Hollywood Studios or any of the Skyliner Resorts . And you can also walk to the back entrance of EPCOT to enter at the International Gateway and walk to Hollywood Studios via the walking path . 

Disney busses will take you to Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom and Disney Springs. The buses are usually shared between Yacht Club Beach Club and Boardwalk Inn, so be aware that you may want to account for extra time when traveling to these locations. 

Yacht Club Dining and Restaurants

One of the biggest challenges with staying in a Boardwalk area resort is finding hot food on the go. Neither Beach or Yacht Club have a full kitchen in their quick service locations, so hot food options are very limited. Yacht Club does do a little better here though, as they have hot breakfast sandwiches and Mickey waffles. And we love that you can get specialty lattes and coffees here as well. 

Ale and Compass

Ale and Compass is the main restaurant at Yacht Club Resort. Though there are always mixed reviews of this place, we love the chocolate waffles. And feel it’s one of the best breakfasts you can get at Disney for $15.  We have seen inconsistency be an issue at Ale and Compass, especially when it comes to the flatbreads. But overall, we enjoy this restaurant and love that you can get food to go!

Ale and Compass Lounge

If you’re looking for a lounge with an upscale feel, great drinks and service and some delicious bites, look no further than Ale and Compass Lounge. We are big fans of this lounge at Disney World. And even come here on days when we aren’t staying in the area but just need a break from EPCOT. 

You can find the full menu for Ale and Compass Lounge here .

The Market at Ale and Compass 

The Market at Ale and Compass is the resort’s quick service commissary. This is where you’ll find grab and go foods, specialty coffees and where you can fill up your refillable mug or grab a soft drink. One thing that’s hard to ignore is that it’s sometimes difficult to find good hot food to go in this area of the Boardwalk. Or really, on most of the Boardwalk in general. There are plenty of grab and go options for colder food like premade treats, sandwiches and salads. But if you want something made fresh and hot, your options will be a bit more limited. 

We think the Market at Ale and Compass tends to do just a little bit better than Beach Club with its hot offerings. But you won’t find a full hot menu here like you would at most of the other resorts. 

Yachtsman Steakhouse

Yachtsman Steakhouse is Yacht Club’s upscale restaurant. Serving steaks, seafood, chicken and more, this is a perfect place for a date night, or any other time you’re looking for a special meal. We’ve never eaten here before mostly because it’s quite pricey. That being said, if you’re a steak lover, this place gets great reviews and is worth looking into for a special occasion. 

Crew’s Cup Lounge

Crew’s Cup Lounge is a full bar, located right next to Yachtsman. Many people stop by here before heading to the steakhouse for pre-dinner drinks, but you don’t have to be a guest of the restaurant to visit. While Ale and Compass serves brighter and lighter flavors, Crew’s Cup is big with the Scotch crowd. If you’re looking for Scotch at Disney, this is the place to go. They also have a wide variety of coffee cocktails if that’s your thing, and a few options for small plates as well. 

You can see the full menu for Crew’s Cup Lounge here .

Gift Shop at Yacht Club

The gift shop at Yacht Club is a bit more upscale than you’re probably used to for a Disney resort. Not only do they carry the standard Disney apparel, mugs and souvenirs, but they also carry high end brands like Vineyard Vines and sometimes Lilly Pulitzer. They are located in the right side of the Market at Ale and Compass.

Movies Under the Stars at Yacht Club Resort

We love Movies Under the Stars at Disney ! And we especially love it at Yacht Club because of its location here. Movies Under the Stars here is shared with Beach Club. And is usually shown on the beach near the Pirate Ship Water Slide. During times of inclement weather, it can be held indoors at the Solarium, which is technically located at the Beach Club. 

Yacht Club Resort Amenities and Recreation

Disney’s Yacht Club has plenty to do! With an arcade filled with games, resort activities for all ages and of course, their fantastic pool, spending some time at the resort is a great way to spend a non-Park day at Disney. 

Fitness Center at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort

Like all deluxe resorts at Walt Disney World, Yacht Club has a fitness center that it shares with Beach Club. Located between the resorts, near the pool and right next to the arcade, this gym has a good variety of equipment including free weights, treadmills, bikes and more. 

Laundry Facilities at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort 

There are two places you can do laundry while staying at Disney’s Yacht Club. The first is by the Admiral pool. Go past the Marketplace at Ale and Compass and keep walking until you reach the end of the hallway. You’ll find a door leading you to the back of the hotel. The laundry room is by the pool, which can be found right next to the tennis court. There are six washers and dryers here, and it always looks clean and is easy to use.

The second set of washers and dryers is a small room on the first floor, right across from room 1063. This laundry room is likely not the most convenient for many people, but if you’re staying near in this area, it could be nice to not have to go outside to get your laundry done. 

Yacht Club Club Level

Club Level at the Yacht Club can be found at The Regatta Club Lounge. This is located on the 5th floor of Yacht Club and can only be accessed with your Magic Band if you’re staying in a club level room. We haven’t experience yet, so we can’t give it a review. But if you’re interested in club level at Disney World, feel free to check out this post !

Map of Yacht Club Resort

How much does disney’s yacht club resort cost .

Prices for Disney’s Yacht Club Resort start at $537 per night for 2024. This is the rack rate, so this is the price you can expect to pay before any discounts or promotions. And often times, you’ll find this much higher depending on when you’re traveling. 

Is Yacht Club good for families?

While I do think Yacht Club is good for families, I think Beach Club is likely better for most families. Mostly just because it feels a bit less intimidating. However, both resorts give you access to the main pool, which is the real draw anyway. So yes, this resort is great for families. 

Is Yacht Club worth the price?

That depends! We got an excellent price on our room and felt it was 100% worth the price. Between the convenience to EPCOT, the quiet feel, the view from our room and the upscale atmosphere, Yacht Club was worth it for us. Add in the fact that they have by far the best pool at Disney World, and we were very happy with what we paid for it. Keep in mind we traveled here in January, and you can usually find some pretty good deals during this time. 

A lot of this will likely depend on what type of Disney experience you appreciate or plan to have. If you’re planning to spend most of your time in the Parks, we rarely feel deluxe resorts are worth it. But if you’re looking for a more relaxing experience, with time to enjoy your resort, it may be worth it for you. In terms of pricing,  Disney’s Boardwalk Inn is generally going to be less expensive than Yacht Club, and the more elevated atmosphere may not be for everyone.

We felt this resort was a much better value than Beach Club. Beach Club had a lot of issues when we stayed there including stains in the lobby, tears on the wallpaper in the hallway and it just felt kind of….old and shabby. 

Yacht Club feels expensive and we felt that lended a bit more to its price. 

Does Disney’s Yacht Club have a fridge?

Nope! All standard rooms, including those at deluxe resorts, only have what is known as a beverage cooler. These don’t get cold enough to hold food that require colder temps for food safety. But they can keep your drinks at a cooler temperature. 

Does Yacht Club at Disney have DVC rooms?

They don’t! One of the big differences between Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club is the fact that the Beach Club is a DVC resort, and Yacht Club is not. Disney’s Yacht Club Resort only offers standard rooms. 

How far is the walk from Yacht Club to EPCOT?

This will depend on your location in the resort. However, since Yacht Club isn’t that large of a resort, most guests can expect to get the back entrance of EPCOT in about 8-10 minutes. There is also a ferry from the Yacht Club dock that will take you to the same entrance if you prefer to get around that way instead. 

Does the Disney Skyliner go to the Yacht Club?

Kind of! Though the Skyliner won’t take you directly to the Yacht Club, you can take Disney’s Skyliner to the back entrance of EPCOT and walk to Yacht Club from there. 

Overall, we loved Yacht Club. The food at Ale and Compass and the Market at Ale and Compass was always good, and very easy to get thanks to Mobile Order . The drinks and service at the Ale and Compass Lounge was great. And though we didn’t experience the same welcoming atmosphere at Crew’s Cup, we were fine with it because Ale and Compass is more our style anyway. 

Our room was spacious, comfortable and clean. The view from our room was fantastic for a resort view. And we loved being able to see the fireworks from our room. Especially since it was pretty cold during our trip, which meant we usually had a earlier nights. 

The bus service is still a point of contention for us, as the buses seem to take forever at this resort. However, since it’s walking distance to Epcot and Hollywood Studios, we rarely used the bus service here anyway.  

Would we stay at Yacht Club again?

Yes we would! We would need a very good deal again, as this resort is usually out of our budget. But if the opportunity arose, we would happily stay here again. Though we never thought we’d say this, we prefer the Yacht Club over the Beach Club in terms of theming and atmosphere. 

We hope this post has helped you decide if Yacht Club Resort at Disney World is right for you!

Disney Yacht and Beach Club Resorts

Robin Hutson

June 16, 2023

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Why are the Disney Yacht and Beach Club two of the most beloved resorts for Disney regulars? We’ll help you decide if they are the right choice for your Disney vacation.

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort and Disney’s Beach Club Resort are inspired by historic seaside hotels; their nautical theme and beach imagery is everywhere. Joined together and within walking distance to Epcot, they share many amenities, including Disney’s most beloved resort pool, Stormalong Bay.

The Yacht Club and Beach Club both opened in November of 1990. Robert A. M. Stern was the architect for both, as well as, the planner for Celebration, Disney’s nearby planned community. Learn why these are two of the most popular Disney World hotels .

The Yacht Club Ambiance

The Yacht Club is elegant but offers a very generous application of nautical flags, sailboats, globes, ropes, and navy blue. It looks just like the Nantucket Yacht Club did in the 1980s, and whenever I am in their lobby or in their public spaces, I am stuck on the commercial jingle, “Red Lobster, for the seafood lover in you.”

The Beach Club Atmosphere

The Beach Club is lighter and airier in feel, and has, I admit, a fantastic lobby fragrance. Waverly seashell draperies that were everywhere in the 1980s, beach umbrellas, large blue and white chinoiserie planters, and clever sandcastles with hidden Mickeys are the motif.

 Let me plan your Disney World vacation . I’ll help you choose where to stay, the best theme parks and rides schedule, and steer you to the right restaurants for your family. I’ll share what VIP experiences are worth every penny and show you what to skip. 

They are both elegant resorts that offer a deluxe feel for Disney World. The Yacht Club was intended to serve convention center guests and business travelers while the Beach Club is the more casual option intended for families, but this is Disney, and families are welcome everywhere.

Disney Yacht and Beach Club Park Transfers and Location

The Disney Beach and Yacht Club are in the Epcot Resort area of Walt Disney World. They are on a lake facing the Disney Boardwalk and are also neighbors of the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels.

All of these resorts are on the same boat service that provides transportation by water shuttle to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. Bus transportation is available to all other parks and Disney Springs.

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A nice feature, to me, is that Epcot’s “back” entrance is a short walk from the Beach and Yacht Clubs and places guests between France and the United Kingdom pavilions within the wonderful World Showcase. This creates easy access to many of the great restaurants in Epcot while staying at either resort.

Like with all Disney resorts, the Magical Express is a free perk providing airport transportation to the hotel. Free parking is available, as well.

Disney Beach Club Rooms

Guest rooms at the Beach Club have been refurbished in the last few years, though they aren’t super exciting. Mother of Peal trim on bed headboards, and sea blue and brown colors dominate the palette as hidden Mickeys adorn decorative pillows.

Most standard rooms are 380 square feet in size and offer two queen beds plus a comfortable twin daybed to sleep a family of four or five easily.

Many rooms offer balconies that vary in size and may look out over the pool and water areas, courtyards, or parking lots and roofs. Each room comes with a mini (but still sizable) refrigerator, coffee maker, and safe.

Disney Beach Club Pool: Stormalong Bay

The Yacht and Beach Club are considered to have the best pool on Disney property. The pool area is expansive, but our enjoyment of it has been based on the crowd level. When it wasn’t that crowded on a cooler, cloudy day, we had a ball. But on a hot, sunny day, it’s packed.

There are four main areas of the pool complex.

The Stormalong Bay offers a sand bottom pool area that works very well for young children, as the water is shallow in most areas.

There is a lazy river with an artificial current for a bit of floating using tubes and noodles. Compared to other lazy rivers, this one is deep, so children should use flotation devices.

There is a traditional pool at the mouth of the water slide, but the fourth area was our favorite, the pirate ship water slide.

A small pool is at the bottom which worked great for our family so that my preschooler played in this pool while my daughter and one of us kept going down the water slide. The slide begins with a dark tunnel that goes over the sidewalk below.

And there’s a large sand beach to enjoy, of course, and hot tubs, too.

Hotel Amenities

The large conference center near the Yacht Club means that there is a larger business presence at that resort than the Beach Club Resort (though the Contemporary , Grand Floridian , and Coronado also do a huge meeting business.)

Ensuring business travelers have what they need, there is a spa, salon, and fitness center on site, as well as, an expanded clothing store should you need to purchase non-Disney clothing.

I was attending a conference and found the weather warmer than I expected and found a nice selection at the Yacht Club’s boutique that aren’t carried at the other resorts. The Grand Floridian has its own clothing boutique for men and women, however, to purchase before enjoying the Food & Wine Festival at Epcot.

The Beach Club offers a Disney World kids club called the Sandcastle Club that accepts children 3 to 12 years of age, though all children must be potty trained. An evening of supervised activities costs $55 per child which includes dinner and a snack. In Disney speak, they are called Children’s Activity Centers.

Concierge Level at the Disney Yacht and Beach clubs

Both the Yacht Club and Beach Club, as deluxe Disney Resorts, offer concierge level rooms.

The Concierge Level lounges offer various snacks and hors d’oeuvres throughout the day, but not enough to replace any meal (other than a light breakfast).

The club-level guests have access to a concierge who will reach out before arrival to offer advice on dining options or to assist with restaurant reservations and other activities.

DVC Villas at the Beach Club

The Beach Club, but not the Yacht Club, offers Disney Vacation Club villas. These villas are timeshares that are still available for the public to reserve, either through Disney’s website or through a service that allows the public to rent DVC points from owners who book the villa for you.

We have used David’s in the past with great satisfaction and savings. There are two drawbacks to this savings: reservations are non-refundable and “mouse-keeping” is not available. But reservations made through this service still include Magic Bands, Magical Express transportation, etc.

The studio villas will offer a microwave in addition to a mini-fridge (all hotel rooms offer a large mini-fridge and coffee maker), and units with bedrooms offer a full kitchen.

Disney Dining at the Yacht and Beach Club

Beaches & cream.

Beaches & Cream is the most sought after reservation at the Beach and Yacht Clubs. It’s a nostalgic ice cream shop offering casual American diner fare to enjoy before the main event, their desserts.

Sundaes reign here, and they come in all sizes. The child-sized sundae with Oreo Mickey ears is the entry-level dessert. On the other end of the spectrum is the Kitchen Sink, the giant sundae intended to serve a large group. In addition to ice cream, brownies, and whip cream, the staff (each is known as a Cast Member) offer a little fanfare for each table who orders it.

The Cape May Café

Offering breakfast and dinner, this buffet style restaurant at the Beach Club is one of the easier character meals to book. Donald, Goofy, and Minnie make appearances at breakfast in beach attire.

The food is not memorable, but I would still choose this option over a meal at Chef Mickey’s.

At dinner, Cape May offers a seafood buffet, but we haven’t tried it when the Flying Fish Café (at the Disney Boardwalk) and Blue Zoo (inside the Dolphin hotel) are easy to walk to and offer more of a foodie experience which we prefer.

The Solarium at the Beach Club

Martin, a lovely English gentleman, shared with great excitement the story of launching the Beach Club afternoon tea with me. He was all laughs and jokes until I asked, “Can I take your picture?” Then he was all British business.

If you book the tea, I hope you are lucky enough for Martin to be your server. He is sure to enhance your tea experience.

The Yachtsman Steakhouse is the most formal restaurant at the Beach and Yacht Club, but children are still welcome. The Ale & Compass Restaurant located in the Yacht Club offers comfort food and classic seafood dishes with a lighthouse-inspired decor. Beach Club Marketplace is quick and casual, offering fare such as salads, mac & cheese, and sandwiches, among other options.

Advantages to staying at Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resort

I like the Yacht Club and Beach Club and think they are a great choice because of their on-site ambiance, access by foot to so many restaurants and Epcot, the easy boat ride to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and the expansive pool area.

The cons of the Yacht & Beach Club include the extra time by bus to reach Magic Kingdom (and each of the deluxe resorts are somewhat far from Animal Kingdom except the Lodge, so that doesn’t count). If Magic Kingdom is the focus of your trip, I’d probably choose the Magic Kingdom resorts like the  Grand Floridian or Contemporary .

Additionally, many Disney pools feel very crowded, and this one is especially so in warmer weather. We have loved Stormalong Bay most when it was cloudy or midweek.

For families who plan on visiting every park and have kids old enough to enjoy the pools, it is sure to please. For adults visiting Disney for the Food & Wine or Flower and Garden Festivals, the convenience can’t be beat.

SAVE MONEY: RENT DVC POINTS

There’s a way to save as much as 50% off of a stay if you book at the Beach Club villas. The villas at the Beach Club are part of the Disney Vacation Club, Disney’s version of timeshare units, but it’s still available for the public to reserve. The Yacht Club has no such villas.

Those in the know reserve DVC units by renting points from DVC owners directly or through a service. We have used  David’s Vacation Club Rentals  to save more than 50% off of the rates we would have paid by reserving direct with Disney.

Our experience with  David’s Vacation Club  Rentals was seamless, and at this lower price point, I enthusiastically recommend the villas while staying at the Disney World Resort. Given that the Disney Vacation Club rooms at the resorts are almost always newer and nicer than the hotel rooms, this is the best way to stay deluxe at Disney World while saving money.

David’s works as an intermediary between you and the DVC owner who is selling you points. The owner doesn’t get paid in full until your check-in date, so David’s Vacation Club Rentals works like an escrow account to protect you.  Once booked, you can still add Magical Express reservations or Disney dining plans, and they can walk you through that process.

You can see how much you will save by using David’s  point calculator  on your stay dates and then comparing that cost with booking the villa units directly.

You must pay a refundable deposit for them to query owners for your stay, and they look at the first, second, and third choices which you list. When they have been unable to book me something, they refunded my deposit instantly.

If that happens, you can call to speak to an agent directly who can tell you what is available near your original query, if you want to keep trying. I have always received my deposit refund immediately, and the agents have typically found alternate options for my dates if my first choices weren’t available.

The only drawback to using David’s service is that you will not receive daily housekeeping without a fee, and you must commit to your travel dates.

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Yacht Club v. Beach Club

Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts are two Crescent Lake hotels at Walt Disney World, both within walking distance of Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios and across the water from Disney’s BoardWalk Inn. In this post, we’re going to continue our ongoing Walt Disney World hotel comparison series with an entry featuring these two so you can decide which is a better option for your vacation.

Yacht and Beach Club are sister resorts that are physically connected to one another, but this does not mean they should be viewed as a pair. Debunking this “myth” of sorts is basically our main motivation for writing this comparison. In fairness, their interchangeably does apply in some regards, such as transportation, location, dining, and amenities; in terms of theme, they are stark contrasts.

We think this is very important. When you stay in a Walt Disney World resort hotel, you’re paying a significant premium over a real world venue, and that’s largely for two things: location and theming. Given that, we think choosing a theme and resort atmosphere that appeals to you is incredibly important…

Setting aside the general ‘nautical-ness’ of each resort, the theme and ambiance of Yacht Club and Beach Club and significant departures from one another. If anything, Beach Club is more comparable to BoardWalk Inn from an atmospheric perspective, whereas Yacht Club is (arguably) more like a nautical Grand Floridian.

Suffice to say, the resort theme (and by extension, the room theme) should be a significant deciding factor in this showdown. As such, the first two variables in this Walt Disney World hotel comparisons. Unlike our other entries into this series, we do not use all six elements of two different resorts to determine which is “the best.” In fact, this comparison seeks less to crown a definitive champion and more to compare and contrast…

Theme/Atmosphere: Beach Club – While technically sister resorts, I think the theme and tone of each resort is dramatically different. Beach Club has a theme resulting from former Disney CEO Michael Eisner’s obsession with his childhood vacations in the seaside communities of the Northeast. Its theme is meant to evoke the seaside resort cottages scattered around New England in the early 20th Century.

Beach Club is very laid back; both in the substance of the theme, and the styles used. There are a lot of light colors and pastels, and this makes for a relaxing environment. The only thing slightly at-odds with this is that the lobby is sometimes noisy and chaotic, moreso than the Yacht Club lobby. All things considered, though, I’d say Beach Club shares more with BoardWalk Inn in terms of theme and atmosphere than it does with Yacht Club.

By contrast, Yacht Club feels like an actual high-society yachting club set in turn of the century New England. If I were to describe it in a single word, I’d call it “stately.” The color scheme is much more muted and darker, and there’s also an abundance of deep woods, nautically-themed antiques, and rich furniture throughout the resort. The environment could pass for a place where the Kennedys and other elites might have met for liquid lunches and made power plays.

This environment can be off-putting for some families. While I think it stops well short of being stuffy or unfriendly to families, it’s definitely more sophisticated and less laid back. You’re also more likely to see business people and conventioneers around Yacht Club, since it’s adjacent to the (huge) Convention Center.

Our take is that both of these resorts offer exceptional attention to detail and do an incredible job of conveying their respective themes, and setting a tone for the resort via those themes. Which is “better” will largely be a matter of personal preference–whether you prefer refined or laid back. Our personal take is that Beach Club is a hair better from an objective perspective, and the exterior common areas (shared between the resorts) are also more in keeping with the vibe at Beach Club. Your mileage may vary.

Rooms: Yacht Club – Both resorts recently completed room refurbishments, replacing some fairly dated rooms for more modern ones. In our estimation, the end result at Yacht Club is dramatically superior. Not only is the room more well-appointed, but it does a much better job of offering a thematic extension of the resort’s common areas. As a result, the new rooms are much darker than the old ones.

Beach Club’s new rooms are nice, but bland. They remind us of mid-grade chain hotel rooms you could find pretty much anywhere, except with a light beach motif. They are not necessarily bad, but feel uninspired to us. (The Beach Club Villa rooms are better, but still not great.) Not quite what we expect given the price points of Beach Club.

With that said, both sets of rooms are very much an extension of the style of their resorts. If you find the lobby of Yacht Club ‘stuffy and drab’ you’ll feel the same way about the guest rooms. If you enjoy the ‘light and airy’ nature of Beach Club, you’ll find that extended into the guest rooms.

One caveat I figure I should mention up front, because I know it’s going to come up in the comments is that Yacht Club has a small number of dog-friendly rooms. Thus far, very few guests have brought their pets to Yacht Club, but this seems like a very big deal to some guests.

Transportation/Location: Push – This is a really poor basis for choosing between the two, but Beach Club is slightly closer to Epcot. On the other hand, that means Yacht Club is slightly closer to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. (Most people will probably take a boat there, though.) We’re talking a 1-5 minute difference, at most.

In terms of boat transportation, the two are equal as they share a boat dock. They’re also equal(ly bad) for bus transportation, with shared buses.

Amenities: Push – For this, we’re talking dining and pools, since those are usually separate categories. Since all pools and restaurants are shared between these two sister properties, there is no meaningful distinction between any of these.

With that said, it’s always worth noting that Stormalong Bay is awesome, and is a good basis for choosing either (or both!) of these resorts.

Cost: Push – Standard room rates are identical, with higher tiers seeing some differences.

Historical discounts show better offers for Yacht Club in the recent past, but that was also during the resort’s refurbishment, so we view that unlikely to continue going forward (especially with Yacht Club seeks to cater to more business travelers).

Verdict: It Depends – This is a first for us. Even in other hotel comparisons that were really close calls, we went ahead and crowned a winner. In some cases, that required really splitting hairs, or even a bit of subjectivity.

The problem here is two-fold. First, these resorts share so many amenities that it’s downright impossible to crown one victorious without splicing them down the middle and only counting those locations physically within each resort. That’s a nonsensical approach given the shared grounds, and the fact that some rooms in Yacht Club may be farther from that resort’s amenities than some Beach Club rooms (and vice-a-versa).

Second, this verdict ultimately comes down to your personal take on the atmosphere. While I would give Beach Club a slight hair in this regard objectively, the subjective side matters far, far more. A lot of families are going to dislike Yacht Club and love Beach Club, and perhaps some older couples will prefer the refined elegance of Yacht Club. (This is not to say the inverse won’t be true, too–as mentioned, it’s a lot of personal preference.)

Really, the single element of the two resorts where we think there’s a decisive advantage is in terms of room quality, where Yacht Club prevails. However, even there, we’ve encountered a lot of people who prefer the new rooms at Beach Club because of their vibe and atmosphere. So once again, even that will largely be decided by subjectivity.

Just in case you’re really indecisive, here’s our normal poll so you can see how other Walt Disney World fans feel about these two resorts:

Considering theme, atmosphere, rooms (and probably nothing else since the rest is shared), which of these two Walt Disney World hotels do you prefer: – Disney Tourist Blog (@DisTouristBlog) December 11, 2017

We’re predicting a decisive victory for Beach Club. It seems to be Disney fans’ cup of tea much more so than Yacht Club, and the new dog-friendly policy of Yacht Club will certainly cost it a few votes, too.

Ultimately, for us, Beach Club is the winner. We really enjoy both–but prefer the Yacht Club rooms–but the vibe at Beach Club is more to our tastes when on vacation. Read our full Disney’s Yacht Club Review and Disney’s Beach Club Review to see more photos of each, which can help determine which will appeal more to you.

Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews . To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, 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 clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!

Your Thoughts

Which resort do you prefer, Yacht Club or Beach Club? Any other considerations we didn’t take into account? Do you agree or disagree with our verdict? Any questions we can help you answer about these hotels? 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

What about the pervasive seafood smell in The Beach Club lobby? I’ve read that the smell can be very strong, and I am not a seafood (or seafood smell) lover.

Yacht club is a very nice place awesome rooms . Would recommend it

We had reservations at the Yacht Club. We arrived very early and was not allowed check in until almost 2 p.m. :-(. When we entered the room it was a train wreck! The door to the nightstand fell off, the room faced a bunch of dead trees and brush and it had wall safe with a key (ancient). We went to the front desk and asked for a better room. The manager was extremely nice and found us a water view room at the BC. It was great! The pool and restaurants are difficult to get around in/to. We always stay at the Grand and love it!

They accommodate early check ins when possible but the stated check in time is 3pm. Getting to check in an hour early is hardly something to be upset about.

Do you have any opinion or comparisons on the concierge lounges at these two resorts? I’m hoping to spend two nights at either in the near future. I’m finding it harder to find info or comparisons to the comfort, ambience, and offerings in the club lounges of these two resorts in particular.

First off, they are both excellent, so we really splitting hairs. That said, a few things to consider. Both were renovated in the last few years, but YC is newer having been completed within the last year. As mentioned in the general review, YC tends to attract a somewhat older crowd, so slighty fewer kids there. YC is also influenced a lot by conventions. If there is one at YC, the concierge level sees more activity – especially in the evening. The staff at both Clubs is excellent however YC’s is very experienced having been there a long time. Both clubs, and for that matter all of Disney’s concierge levels, have worked hard to improve the food offerings in the last year or so. I personally think the BC chef is excellent and very creative. In the end for us at least, it comes down to availability and what we have planned for that particular trip. For what it’s worth, we will be at BC Club level next week 🙂

First off, they are both excellent, so we really splitting hairs. That said, a few things to consider. Both were renovated in the last few years, but YC is newer having been completed within the last year. As mentioned in the general review, YC tends to attract a somewhat older crowd, so slightly fewer kids there. YC is also influenced a lot by conventions. If there is one at YC, the concierge level sees more activity – especially in the evening. The staff at both Clubs is excellent however YC’s is very experienced having been there a long time. Both clubs, and for that matter all of Disney’s concierge levels, have worked hard to improve the food offerings in the last year or so. I personally think the BC chef is excellent and very creative. In the end for us at least, it comes down to availability and what we have planned for that particular trip. For what it’s worth, we will be at BC Club level next week 🙂

First, I think that one point you mentioned in passing that I feel influences these resorts quite a bit is YC and the convention center and BC and DVC. My feeling ( I have stayed at both and will be at BC next week) is that this affects both the clientele and the atmosphere to a significant degree at each resort. I agree with your conclusion that with many essentially shared areas, it is a matter of taste. Second, while in this case I think you would have another tie, I feel that evaluating the Club levels at the Deluxe resorts is an significant delineator. They are an important, and with the continued blurring of lines between hotel categories, perhaps one of the few distinguishing characteristics of the deluxes. I know your argument about expenses, but your reviews would be a lot more complete if you included the Club levels. I know it’s a tough job, but somebody has to do it.

I will probably never stay at YC because of DVC, so I’ll give BC my vote, lol.

As a couple with no kids, we always choose Yacht because it feels so much quieter and relaxed, with a serene atmosphere similar to that of the Grand without the (often excruciatingly) high price point. This offers a great reprieve from the parks while still being themed exquisitely, and there’s something to be said for a Disney resort that is geared toward adults while still maintaining a perfectly Disney vibe. The Beach is great, but I’ve never found it to be all that “beachy” – I suppose maybe it’s because when in Florida, I don’t want to feel like I’m on a New England beach; I much prefer a tropical vibe a la Old Key West. I also don’t find that the Beach’s theming “transports” the guest to another time or place quite resorts such as the Boardwalk, AKL, WL, OKW or even the Yacht, and this is key for us when choosing a Disney resort. One more point – the bus system at the Yacht for us has always been consistently better than the Beach at all times of year because the Yacht is picked up first. I can’t count how many times we have had a full bus by the time we get to the Beach and there is no room left for Beach guests. Both resorts have their place but I’d take the Yacht any day!

Good point about the busses! I’ve had that happen on other busses and am glad to know YC gets 1st pick up, which can make for a better experience. I am going next month on our first solo trip without the little ones and we’re staying at the YC for the same reasons you describe. Fingers crossed and thanks for the review. It helped ease any small concerns I had!

We just stayed almost 2 weeks at BC. One note about the bus transportation. They pick-up at the YC first. Then BC. With that said. There were many times that the Bus would show up at BC basically already full from the YC. This made it difficult to make it to reservations/fast passes on time, even when you showed up at the bus stop on time or ahead of time. If fact we didn’t want to “lose” our Be Our Guest reservation one night and had to use the Minnie Van service. (Which I might add was excellent!) We actually joked that we should catch the bus at YC.

I am older now, and opt for the serenity of the Yacht Club. (Although, even when younger, I was drawn to the Yacht Club’s subdued atmosphere more than The Beach Club). My son and daughter-in-law, however, who have six year old triplets and an eight year old, stay in a two bedroom Villa at The Beach Club, mostly because they need the room. I guess sometimes it’s more a case of need than want. Plus, they feel the location is perfect because they can hit three theme parks without taking buses.

Tom – You wrote “Yacht Club has a small number of dog-friendly rooms”. I thought I had read somewhere, perhaps on your site, when the new policy came out recently, that dog-friendly resorts could potentially have any resort room used as a dog-friendly room. However, you seem to be indicating that only specific rooms, or perhaps specific parts of a resort, have been set aside. Do you know which is actually true? This can be an issue for those who can stay in a resort that is dog-friendly but cannot necessarily stay in a room that a dog has lived in.

Separately, while we have been to the Beach and Yacht Clubs numerous times due to the wonderful Cape May buffet, we have never actually stayed there nor seen the guest rooms. We decided a long time ago that if we were to stay there, we would only stay at the Beach Club, due to a strong preference for the light pastel colours over the dark colours at the Yacht Club in the public areas.

I can’t believe you did not point out the highly localized potentially dangerous weather on Stormalong Bay outside these resorts. This is, of course, where Hurricane Hanna hit many years ago and caused that big shipwreck on the Beach Club’s beach that Disney still has not cleared away (unlike the non-imagineered Hurricane Irma which you actually encountered earlier this year). Always a handy excuse if you are late to an ADR at the two resorts.

I’m pretty sure that only a few hotels have dedicated dog friendly rooms now. So it’s not an “any room could potentially have had a dog” situation.

Yes, it is an any room could have a dog situation. Our friends stayed at POR and arequested a dog free room/bldg. They were told that would happen. When they got to POr they were put in bldg 24, which is the designated dog bldg. They were moved to the 30’s. Then they spotted a dog dong it’s business right outside their non dog bldg room. When they went to guest services and asked why? they were told “well, those guests booked online and wanted that bldg, so…… It states that any room or bldg could have dogs in them in the test resorts. And apparently the designated dog rooms/bldgs is not really true when it comes down to it.

We have booked Yacht Club for our June 2018 visit (crazy time of year, but only time we could coordinate with my cousin’s family when all our kids are out of school, etc), and I’m really looking forward to it. Based on the photos of the rooms, we like the look of Yacht Club better, and we can easily hang in the lobby & public areas of either resort if we feel like it. So we chose the nicer rooms. Decision made, as we view all else as being equal. Can’t wait to get a chance to play at Stormalong Bay! Given the weather in June, we figured a hotel with a good pool was vital! Thanks for all your great posts on this blog! Cheers.

The opening of the (really, really good) C&A Lounge must surely give a further nod to YC’s lobby. It has an incredible sense of atmosphere, and puts the “Club” in club, if you will.

Now, a more interesting comparison (although totally useless) would be to throw NPB into the mix. It really feels like a “boutique” version of YC.

I’ve stayed at BC and BCV only. I have visited YC’s lobby many times plus I have had drinks at Crew Cup Lounge. I love both resorts theming and atmosphere, my pick is BC/BCV because I prefer the dining (Cape May is one of my favorite buffets whereas Yachtsmen Steakhouse is too pricey) , closer proximity to Epcot and Boardwalk, and I love the Solarium, Drawing Room, and Breezeway areas of BCV.

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Disney World Hotel Deprives Guests of Water

in Hotel , Walt Disney World

A Walt Disney World Resort guest shared their experience online this week after their Deluxe Disney Resort hotel didn’t provide running water. After spending $700-$800 nightly, the Disney’s Beach Club Resort guests were shocked at the little notice they were given for the disturbing maintenance project.

Disney’s Beach Club Resort is the sister luxury hotel to Disney’s Yacht Club Resort. Enjoy Character Dining , state-of-the-art pools , and boat rides at this Deluxe Disney Resort hotel. Walt Disney World Resort’s website does warn guests that Disney’s Beach Club Resort is undergoing pool refurbishment from January 2025 to June 2025 but doesn’t mention issues with running water.

“Discover the casual elegance of this charming, New England-style Resort hotel,” the official Disney Resort hotel description reads. “Savor exquisite dining, and explore the pools, lagoons and spas of Stormalong Bay. Sail around Crescent Lake on a rented mini-powerboat, and experience the luxurious comfort of a Club Level Suite. Sharing many amenities with its more formal sister, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, Disney’s Beach Club Resort is walking distance to EPCOT and a convenient boat ride to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.”

Redditor u/plantyplanter spoke out on Tuesday after Disney cast members warned guests that Disney’s Beach Club Resort hotel rooms wouldn’t have running water overnight. It certainly wasn’t the surprise they wanted after a long day at Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, or Disney Springs!

“I got a message that the water at Disney’s Beach Club will be off from midnight until 3:00 a.m. tonight,” the guest wrote. “I wonder if anyone knows what’s going on?”

Another Disney Parks fan recalled a similar experience at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort hotel.

“I had no water at Saratoga Springs in January for 8 hours during the day and luckily they shut it off right after I finished my shower,” u/mr_pinks_tip_policy replied. “…Apparently they left a voicemail on the room phone to let us know but who checks that?”

Inside the Magic reported another disturbing Disney Resort hotel guest experience last year. Hundreds of guests awoke to blaring emergency alarms at Disney’s Pop Century Resort hotel at 3:00 a.m. and were forced to evacuate their rooms. Terrified guests stood waiting for answers but received nothing but a silenced alarm system after more than 20 minutes outside.

Like this guest’s experience at Disney’s Beach Club Resort, guests weren’t automatically compensated after the incident. However, it’s possible that some received a “magical moment” after speaking with Disney Resort hotel Cast Members.

Have you ever stayed at a Disney Resort hotel during construction or maintenance? Share your experience with Inside the Magic in the comments. 

THE BEST Moscow Beach & Pool Clubs

Beach & pool clubs in moscow.

• Adrenaline & Extreme Tours
• Equipment Hire
• Nature & Wildlife Tours
• Beach & Pool Clubs
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• District Central (TsAO)
• District Eastern (VAO)
• 3rd Transport Ring (TTK)
• Garden Ring
• Ostozhenka-Golden Mile
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Good for Kids
• Good for Big Groups
• Adventurous
• Budget-friendly
• Hidden Gems
• Good for Couples
• Honeymoon spot
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Dream Beach Club

2. Swimming Pool Chaika

3. Shore House

4. The Basseyn

• Dream Beach Club
• The Basseyn
• Swimming Pool Chaika

Disney's Yacht Club Resort

Enjoy a refreshing swim in one of our pools overflowing with fun themes and Disney character.

Resort Campfire Activities

Gather 'round as the sun goes down for old-fashioned family fun as your roast marshmallows by a crackling fire. Located on the Beach Club Beach 6:30pm - 7:30pm nightly

Movies Under the Stars

Watch favorite Disney films at complimentary screenings on the Beach Club Beach or in the Solarium at 8pm nightly. See a Recreation Host for more details.

Learn more about Movies Under the Stars at Walt Disney World Resort.

Poolside Cabanas Rentals

Stretch out and relax when you treat yourself to a poolside cabana rental—featuring cocktail service and delightful amenities.

Fantasia Gardens and Fairways Miniature Golf

Inspired by Disney's Fantasia , this miniature golf course is located near the Resort hotel, and features 36 whimsical yet challenging holes.

Motorized Boat Rentals

Captain your own adventure when you rent a motorboat from Bayside Marina.

Learn more about renting motorized boats at Walt Disney World Resort .

Enjoy a guided bass-fishing excursion—perfect for both amateur wranglers and seasoned fishermen!

Learn more about fishing at Walt Disney World Resort.

Tennis & Pickleball

Enjoy an illuminated court near the Admiral Pool. Read More

Enjoy an illuminated court near the Admiral Pool. Complimentary tennis and pickleball equipment can be checked out at the Disney Yacht Club Front Desk.

Learn more about tennis at Walt Disney World Resort.

Enjoy a friendly volleyball match on a sandy court located near the Tidal Pool. Read More

Enjoy a friendly volleyball match on a sandy court located near the Tidal Pool. Complimentary equipment is available from Ship Shape Massage and Salon Fitness for all Guests staying at a Disney Resort hotel.

Learn more about volleyball at Walt Disney World Resort.

Take your pick of several jogging paths, including a loop around Crescent Lake.

Learn more about jogging at Walt Disney World Resort.

Lafferty Place Arcade

Score big with a variety of video games at this arcade near Stormalong Bay.

Learn more about arcades at Walt Disney World Resort.

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Local Attractions / Travel

The best golf clubs in moscow: luxury, exclusivity, and entertainment.

By Walter Raymond

February 24, 2015

• The Best Golf Clubs in…

In Russia, the western concept of building architecturally beautiful golf courses filled with modern and luxurious amenities has found fertile ground. What was considered a frivolous pastime during the time of the Soviets has become the latest trend for the stylish set. These days, there are countless options around Moscow to practice golf, polo, ski, yachting, and other sports alongside 5-star hotels, luxurious country houses, and magnificent villas.

The game of golf is a sport that requires passion and expertise. It is also part of a culture that considers this pastime a synonym of social prestige and exclusivity. In recent years, the new Russian elite has turned to golf as a vehicle of integration in the era of globalization. Golf courses are also meeting and socializing spaces where Muscovite tycoons can relax and also seal business deals.

Golf Courses in Russia

The Moscow Country Club, Pestovo Golf & Yacht Club, Tseleevo Golf & Polo Club, and Zavidovo Golf Club, PGA National Russia are some of the most exclusive and elegant golf courses in Russia. Some of them have made it to the list of Top 15 golf clubs in the world, a source of great prestige for the country.

Moscow Country Club Moscow Country Club

The first 18-hole golf course built in Russia, Moscow Country Club, hosts the exclusive PGA European Tour. Located just eight miles from the city center, this luxurious facility was created by architect Robert Trent Jones Jr . The design takes advantage of a typical Russian birch and spruce forest to provide a natural environment of extraordinary beauty.

Pestovo Golf & Yacht Club Pestovo Golf & Yacht Club

The Pestovo Golf & Yacht Club is 18 miles from the heart of Moscow, close to historical monuments from the 17th and 18th centuries. Designed by famed architects Paul and Dave Thomas , this 18-hole course is part of a complex that includes a yacht club, an equestrian center, and a health and wellness facility. Pestovo Golf & Yacht Club is Russia’s version of a classic country club with multiple attractions.

Tseleevo Golf & Polo Club Tseleevo Golf & Polo Club

This park is among the best in Eastern Europe and was awarded the 2014 World Golf Award as the best golf course in Russia. Located 25 miles from Moscow, it is part of a vast complex featuring an 18-hole golf course, designed by Jack Nicklaus , a polo club and a mountain ski club with four tracks. The design combines classic Scottish, Alpine, and English features in a dreamy landscape.

Zavidovo Golf Club, PGA National Russia Zavidovo Golf Club, PGA National Russia

Less than 60 miles from Moscow, this golf course with a definite Scottish design is the only one in Russia recognized as a PGA (Professional Golfers’ Association) from Britain and Ireland. Located in an ecologically pristine area on the banks of the Volga River, the Zavidovo Golf Club embodies the spirit and appearance of the legendary Scottish golf courses. Its many springs and streams, hills, forests, swamps and lakes justify its reputation as a very demanding circuit. Last year, it entered the exclusive club of the 15 best golf courses in the world.   ■

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