The Resorts Gal Guide to Disney’s Yacht Club
Disney’s Yacht Club is a deluxe resort in the Epcot Resorts Area. We love staying at this resort and find little fault with it. But like other Disney Resort Hotels, it’s not perfect. So, I wanted to create a guide sharing what you’ll need to know to make the most of your stay. We’ll also discuss a few facts about the hotel that will help you discern whether or not a stay here is right for you.
For instance, did you know that Disney’s Yacht Club has an attached convention center? If a convention was taking place, you might expect to run into more guests dressed in a business professional look than the average person in theme park attire. Some parts of the hotel might also be busier at specific times–like restaurants and lounges when meetings are let out for the day.
However, we’ve stayed at the Yacht Club often and haven’t experienced these potential issues. If a conference occurred during our stay, we were none the wiser. But I would hate not to mention it, and then you arrive amid some “solution soiree” that causes you to stand in a mile-long line each night to refill your resort mug at the quick service. But that’s more likely to happen at a resort like Coronado Springs than at Disney’s Yacht Club.
Deluxe Accommodations
Disney’s Yacht Club is a deluxe resort, meaning you’ll stay at what Disney considers premium accommodations. However, premium at Walt Disney World doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll feel like you’re staying at the Ritz Carlton.
As much as you and I both want to be greeted with a “welcome home” as someone opens our car doors upon arrival and a bellhop already has the luggage cart by the trunk–it’s probably not going to happen. It’s rare to find that level of service at any of the Walt Disney World Resorts. But you might come close if you upgrade to the concierge floor.
That might sound harsh. But from our experience, waiting 5-10 minutes for someone to collect your luggage is not uncommon. Besides that, you will rarely interact with anyone at the hotel unless an issue requires a trip to the front desk.
Therefore, when it comes to staying at the Yacht Club, you can anticipate these amenities: a prime location within proximity to two theme parks, a welcoming lobby, interior hallways, a lounge, table service restaurants, signature dining, a tremendous feature pool, quiet pools, various recreation, and a gift shop with quick service dining selections.
Yacht Club Resort Benefits
Guests of Disney’s Yacht Club can participate in Disney’s early theme park entry, a perk extended to all Walt Disney World Resort guests. Additionally, deluxe resort guests are privy to extended evening hours in select parks on select evenings.
Early Theme Park Entry: This perk allows resort guests to enter any Walt Disney World theme park 30 minutes before officially opening to the general public. This early entry provides several advantages:
- Lower Crowds: Being among the first to enter the park allows you to experience popular attractions with shorter wait times. This will help you to check off must-see rides and experiences ahead of the crowd.
- Photography Opportunities: If you love capturing the magic of Disney, the early hours provide a fantastic opportunity for photos in front of iconic landmarks with fewer people in the background.
- Cooler Temperatures: Morning hours are often cooler, making outdoor activities more comfortable. But if you visit during cooler weather, don’t forget a jacket!
Extended Evening Hours: On specific evenings, Disney Deluxe and Deluxe Villa Resort guests, including those staying at Disney’s Yacht Club, enjoy spending extra time in select theme parks. During extended evening hours, these parks stay open later than their regular closing time, usually for two more hours.
This benefit offers several advantages as well:
- More Ride Time: You can enjoy additional nighttime rides and attractions when lines tend to be shorter.
- Magical Nighttime Atmosphere: The theme parks take on a unique and enchanting ambiance at night, with beautifully lit landscapes. So you’ll have time to savor the nighttime magic for longer with fewer crowds.
- Less Rush: With extended hours, you can explore at a more relaxed pace.
What is the Best Thing about Disney’s Yacht Club?
If you asked me what the best thing about staying at Disney’s Yacht Club is, I’d have to give you two answers: the hotel’s location and Stormalong Bay.
Stormalong Bay is the resort’s feature pool, shared with Disney’s Beach Club. We don’t spend much time in the theme parks when we stay at the Beach or the Yacht Club. These trips are often reserved for “our vacation” when we know we’ll spend the better part of each day at the pool.
Equally important is the Yacht Club’s location on Crescent Lake. It’s within walking distance (or a boat ride) of Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. That means you can quickly get to and from both theme parks, regardless of the crowds. It also allows you to visit the parks to do select things and still have time to enjoy the resort.
For us, those select things include experiencing Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind or Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, eating at the Hollywood Brown Derby, or making a few laps around the World Showcase. When we’re finished, we’re headed straight back to the pool. Or we might spend the day at the pool and do these things later in the evening when it’s not so hot.
Now, if you’re the type of person who plans to spend the entirety of each day in the theme parks, a premium hotel might not be as important to you. Of course, you would benefit from returning to and from the two neighboring parks quickly instead of dealing with crowds at the bus stop or lines at the Skyliner.
But if you’re like us and want the entire resort experience, which means taking the time to rest and relax during your vacation, you’ll want the full scoop on the benefits of amenities. We’ll start with the theming.
Related: Disney’s Yacht Club Resort Review
Theming at Disney’s Yacht Club
Disney’s Yacht Club was designed to resemble a New England-style yacht club. It sits lakeside as if it were perched atop dunes overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The hotel is connected to Disney’s Beach Club Resort, a more casual seaside destination with soft pastels.
Inside, the resort’s lobby features golden-tone hardwoods covered by massive rugs and nautical details in the furnishings. It’s a comfortable space highlighted by handcrafted model ships displayed in glass cases and a life-size globe. Various seating arrangements provide areas for guests to congregate—or wait for that “your table is ready” text from Ale and Compass.
Rooms at Disney’s Yacht Club
When it comes to standard rooms at Disney’s Yacht Club, you’ll have a few room view choices:
- Standard View
- Resort View
- Garden View
- Water View
Most standard rooms come with two queen beds and a fifth sleeper. (The sleeper is a sofa that folds to reveal a single bed.) Some rooms offer a king bed. We discuss the rooms and room views at Disney’s Yacht Club in a separate article. It’s one of the few resorts where we recommend a room view upgrade for anyone who plans to spend a decent amount of time there.
Club Level
Two-bedroom suites and club-level rooms are also available. The Yacht Club’s concierge floor (club level) is called the Regatta Club. These rooms are located on the resort’s fifth floor and offer access to complimentary food and beverage selections throughout the day between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.
If you want to learn more about club-level accommodations at Disney World, we have the following reviews available:
- Stone Harbor Club Review at Beach Club
- Chronos Club Review at Gran Destino Tower
- Kamehameha Club Review at the Polynesian
To Know About the Rooms Before Your Stay:
- These rooms are being refurbished in 2025.
- Some rooms at the Yacht Club are dog-friendly. You can read more details about how the Yacht Club accommodates dogs on Disney’s site.
- Standard guest rooms have solid surface flooring.
- Room amenities include a steam iron, mini beverage cooler, an in-room safe, Keurig coffee maker, a hair dryer, and a bathroom with a walk-in shower.
- Laundry facilities are available at two separate locations. (Read Laundry at Disney’s Yacht Club for specifics.)
- Disney’s Yacht Club has long halls. So you might have a decent walk from the elevator to your room. However, if you request a room near the elevator, you’ll likely hear more noise since so many guests will walk past your room on the way to and from the elevator.
- All of the rooms at Disney’s Yacht Club have a balcony.
- Check-in begins at 3:00 p.m., and check-out is at 11:00 a.m.
- A water view room is of either Crescent Lake or a pool view of the Admiral Pool. The water view here is perfection! It’s one of the few places we would consider a room view upgrade.
Dining at Disney’s Yacht Club
Below, we’ve provided an overview of the dining options at Disney’s Yacht Club. If you want to research these options further, our individual restaurant reviews are highlighted, or you might like to browse our restaurant guide for Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club.
Ale and Compass Restaurant: This is the resort’s primary table service restaurant, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Tip: We love to mobile order from this location and enjoy our meals at the pool. On our last trip, we ordered breakfast daily (think chocolate waffles with Mascarpone) and enjoyed it at the pool. We eat at Ale and Compass more than any restaurant on the property. If you want to learn more, you might enjoy these reviews:
The Market at Ale and Compass: This location is part gift shop, part quick service. You can get various items for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It’s a great place to grab a specialty coffee or refill your Rapid Fill mug. But when it comes to dining, the options are lacking. Unfortunately, the entire Epcot Resort area has limited options for quick meals. (Learn More>>The Market at Ale and Compass Review)
Hurricane Hanna’s Waterside Grill: Pick up a beverage, beer, wine, or cocktail and select quick service menu items at this poolside location. During the busier portions of the day, cast members are available to wait on guests from their chairs and tables on the pool deck. (Learn More: Can You Dine at Hurricane Hanna’s If You’re Not Staying at the Resort?)
Crew’s Cup: This is not your ordinary lounge. It’s more of a family-friendly restaurant that takes walk-ups. We have dinner here often, and they even have a kids’ menu that is not advertised online. You’ll want to try an order of bread service from the Yachtsman next door. It’s on the menu! (Learn More: Crew’s Cup Review, or you might also see Where to Find Prime Rib Sliders at Disney World?)
Ale and Compass Lounge: Speaking of bread service, Ale and Compass Lounge offers Parker House Rolls with a delicious assortment of spreads like pub cheese, bacon jam, and citrus butter. They’ll also let you order off the restaurant’s dinner menu without the formality of a reservation. On a recent stay, I stopped in for dessert only—the 12-layer chocolate cake. It was delicious!
Yachtsman Steakhouse: This signature restaurant offers premium steaks and seafood selections, including filet mignon, New York Strip, ribeye, and roasted prime rib. You’ll want to secure reservations for this fine dining experience.
Refillable Mugs at Disney’s Yacht Club: Find out where to purchase a Rapid Fill mug at Disney’s Yacht Club, along with beverage locations and drink options.
Recreation at Disney’s Yacht Club
Sitting on Crescent Lake, Disney’s Yacht Club is the sister resort to Disney’s Beach Club. Both resorts share amenities, including Stormalong Bay, a three-acre area with multiple pools, lagoons, a lazy river, a waterslide, hot tubs, and waterfalls. Most of the pool area features a sand bottom, which is oh-so-nice on the feet!
As we’ve discussed, the pools at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club are our main draw. While we are fans of Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach water parks, we don’t visit them when we stay at either of these hotels. Of course, Stormalong Bay doesn’t have significant thrills like the water parks. But we find it just as relaxing. Having such a tremendous recreation area within steps of the room is so convenient.
However, some people, especially those with little ones, find the pool area overwhelming. So, if you would prefer a smaller pool, you might want to consider another hotel. You can also always use the Admiral Pool, the resort’s quiet pool. But if you have children, one entire end of Stormalong Bay is a wading pool with a large sand pile in the center. Additionally, a separate kiddie pool is available inside the shipwreck.
When it comes to recreational amenities, you’ll have plenty. Here are a few:
- Tennis Courts: A tennis court sits adjacent to the quiet pool.
- Bayside Marina offers motorized boat rentals and evening fireworks cruises (at additional cost)
- Lafferty Place Arcade: The resort’s arcade is directly behind Stormalong Bay, next to the Beaches and Cream Soda Shop.
Ship Shape Health Club: The resorts share a full gym and health spa. Inside, you’ll find plenty of exercise equipment and other services.
Shipwreck: The shipwreck sits across the walkway from Stormalong Bay. Inside, it has an additional small kiddie pool and serves as the Flying Jib water slide entrance. Guests must exit the pool area and cross the sidewalk to reach the shipwreck.
Jogging Trail: If you enjoy jogging, this is one of the most beautiful places. However, don’t expect a lot of shade. You can jog around Crescent Lake, passing the Swan & Dolphin and Disney’s Boardwalk, before returning to the Beach and Yacht Club. It’s 0.8 miles around the circle, but you can add more length by including the path to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Transportation Options
Disney’s Yacht Club has several transportation options. You can travel to and from the resort via the following:
Disney’s Friendship Boats:
- Epcot
- Hollywood Studios
- Disney’s Boardwalk Inn
- Disney’s Swan and Dolphin
Disney’s Bus Service:
- Magic Kingdom
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom
- Disney Springs
- Disney Water Parks
Additionally, you can walk and enter Epcot via the International Gateway. A Disney Skyliner station sits next to the International Gateway entrance. You can take the Skyliner to Disney’s Riviera, Caribbean Beach Resort, Art of Animation, Pop Century, or Hollywood Studios. You can also walk to Disney’s Hollywood Studios or any surrounding Epcot Resorts.
Parking at Disney’s Yacht Club is complimentary, and valet parking is available at an additional charge. For more specifics, we have an entire article dedicated to using the transportation options at Disney’s Yacht Club. You might also like to save a copy of our Yacht Club transportation map to locate where to access transportation.
To and From Disney’s Yacht Club (Mini-Pocket Guide): Save this pocket guide to your mobile device and use it as a cheat sheet during your vacation.
Bus Routes with Average Times for Disney’s Yacht Club: This guide shares the average bus times we’ve recorded during our stays at the resort
Disney’s Yacht Club Photo Gallery
Here are a few extra photos from around the resort. Select any image to make it larger.
Related Articles
For your convenience, here are the latest articles related to Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club.
The 3 Places to Refill Rapid Fill Mugs at Disney’s Beach and Yacht Club
Disney’s Yacht Club Resort Review (Why We Love This Nautical-Themed Hotel)
Getting To and From Disney’s Yacht Club Resort (A Mini-Pocket Guide)
We Tested 3 Options to Find Out the Quickest Way from Disney’s Beach and Yacht Club to Hollywood Studios
New Resort Branded Merchandise at Disney’s Yacht Club (Minnie Ears & Loungefly)
More Deluxe Resorts to Consider:
If you haven’t decided on a resort, you might consider a few other options. The following resorts are part of the Epcot Resorts Area:
Whether you’re new to the world of Disney or a seasoned pro in search of a new adventure, their goal is to help you plan a tailor-made experience like no other. Check with our travel partner, Firefly Travels, to begin planning.