Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resort: A Nautical Dream on Crescent Lake ⚓🏖️

Angie Franklin
Aug 28
3 min read

The Yacht & Beach Club Resorts are side-by-side deluxe hotels at Walt Disney World that share just about everything: dining, shopping, a jaw-dropping pool complex, and the best location for EPCOT lovers. The Yacht Club is polished and nautical, while the Beach Club is breezy and cottage-cozy. Together, they’re Crescent Lake royalty.

Whether you’re here for a steakhouse date night, a character breakfast, or to float down Disney’s only sand-bottom lazy river, there’s a reason these two are always fan favorites. Let’s explore!

Quick Links

Lobbies ✨

Yacht Club Lobby: Classic nautical elegance — dark woods, model ships, and the iconic spinning globe.
Beach Club Lobby: Bright, breezy, and cottage-cozy. During the holidays, it’s home to the legendary gingerbread carousel.

Rooms 🛏️

Rooms at both resorts are fresh, spacious, and often feature two queen beds plus a daybed, sleeping up to five. Views range from standard to water view, and both clubs offer Club Level lounges:

Regatta Club (Yacht Club)
Stone Harbor Club (Beach Club)

Dining 🍽️

Table Service

Yachtsman Steakhouse (Yacht Club): A signature spot for perfectly aged steaks and elegant New England flavors.

Ale & Compass Restaurant (Yacht Club): A cozy, coastal-inspired eatery for all three meals. Breakfast here is a hidden gem.

Cape May Café (Beach Club): Minnie’s Beach Bash character breakfast plus an evening seafood buffet.

Beaches & Cream Soda Shop (Beach Club): Retro diner with burgers, shakes, and the famous Kitchen Sink sundae.

Lounges & Bars

Ale & Compass Lounge (Yacht Club): A comfy spot to relax with craft cocktails.

Crew’s Cup Lounge (Yacht Club): Tucked beside Yachtsman, great for hearty snacks and after-park drinks.

Martha’s Vineyard (Beach Club): A seaside lounge serving wine, beer, and light bites.

Hurricane Hanna’s (Shared Pool Bar): Poolside counter service with full bar — perfect for sun-drenched afternoons.

Quick Service & Snacks

The Market at Ale & Compass (Yacht Club): Grab-and-go bites, sandwiches, coffee, and even some merch.

Beach Club Marketplace (Beach Club): Souvenirs meet flatbreads, mac & cheese, bakery treats, and breakfast items.

Beaches & Cream To-Go Window: Ice cream cones and shakes on the go.

Snack Highlights 🍦

Kitchen Sink Sundae at Beaches & Cream.
Flatbreads & mac & cheese at Beach Club Marketplace.
Pastries & coffee at The Market at Ale & Compass.
Poolside burgers & frozen drinks at Hurricane Hanna’s.

Shopping 🛍️

The Market at Ale & Compass (Yacht Club): A hybrid gift shop and quick-service.

Beach Club Marketplace (Beach Club): All your resort merchandise, sundries, and snacks in one colorful stop.

Pools & Recreation 🏊‍♀️

Stormalong Bay

The superstar: a 3-acre water park-style pool complete with a lazy river, sandy bottom, whirlpools, zero-entry sandbar, and a massive shipwreck slide. It’s consistently ranked the best pool on Disney property.

Quiet Pools

For those who prefer a calm swim, each resort (and the Beach Club Villas) has a smaller leisure pool.

Fitness & Wellness 💪

Ship Shape Health Club: A full-service gym open 24/7 with cardio, weights, and massage services.

Extras

Lafferty Place Arcade for classic games.
Bayside Marina for fishing and fireworks cruises.

The Good 🚤

Location, Location, Location

Walk to EPCOT’s International Gateway in minutes.
Boat to Hollywood Studios.
Crescent Lake connects you to the BoardWalk, Swan, Dolphin, and beyond.
Plenty of restaurants and entertainment around the resort.

The Not-so-Good 🚫

Pricey 💸: As deluxe resorts, rooms here run on the expensive side. The pool and location are amazing, but you’re definitely paying for them.
Convention Crowds 📊: The Yacht Club often hosts conventions, which can make the lobby and common areas feel less “Disney” and more businesslike.

Is It Worth It? ✅

Yes — if location and pool power are high on your list, Yacht & Beach Club are unbeatable. The price tag is steep, but between Stormalong Bay, dining variety, and walking access to EPCOT, and boat or walking path Hollywood Studios, this resort duo easily justifies its deluxe status. Not only do you have access to walking paths, boats, and buses, you also have access to the Disney Skyliner that provides access to other Walt Disney World Resorts.