Disney’s Beach Club Resort Review
Disney’s Beach Club Resort is a Deluxe Resort hotel at Walt Disney World themed to the seaside resort cottages found in New England in the early 20th century. The hotel is regularly lumped together with its sister resort, the adjacent Yacht Club Resort (sometimes even referred to as “Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resort”), but is distinguishable in that it has a light blue color scheme as opposed to the gray of Yacht Club, and is generally more laid back in theme. If you want to get technical, this review actually is more specific to the Beach Club Villas units in Disney Vacation Club, as that’s where we stayed in Disney’s Beach Club Resort (although we’ve visited regular hotel rooms at Beach Club, too). With the exception of similar, but different rooms, the rest of this review applies equally to both the villas and the regular hotel. If you’ve read our Disney Vacation Club rankings, you know that Beach Club ranks highly for us.
We feel that Disney’s Beach Club Resort is the most well-rounded resort-hotel at Walt Disney World, with a great location, wonderful dining, great theming, and top-notch amenities. The rooms are average for a Deluxe Resort, so this might be its one stumbling block, especially for those who spend a lot of time in the rooms, but otherwise, Beach Club fires on all cylinders to rank as one of our top Walt Disney World resort-hotels (it’s my #1).
On the exterior, the Beach Club looks great. It was designed by Robert Stern, who also designed the Newport Bay Club in Disneyland Paris, which is strikingly similar to Beach Club. Apparently, Disney was quite satisfied with Stern’s take on seaside cottages (that, or Michael Eisner was obsessed with his childhood summers in New England and directed the company to build a number of hotels in the late 1980s in this general style). In any case, the airy Victorian look of the trim against the blue siding of the resort along with the touches of theming give the hotel an element of whimsy.
Both inside and outside, this contrasts nicely with the more stately design of the Yacht Club. While the two hotels are more or less the same, we’ve noticed that the Yacht Club is a tad stuffier (not to the point that it’s actually “stuffy,” it’s just closer to that point than the laid back Beach Club). Inside the Beach Club, the beach motif continues, with paintings of New England and fixtures that evoke the beach feeling. The color scheme is generally cool, consisting primarily of light or pastel greens and blues.
The rooms also continue this theme, but here’s where we think the Beach Club stumbles a bit. The Beach Club is attempting to execute an early 20th century theme, so in theory the rooms should always have a timeless feel of that era, but they don’t. To us, the rooms feel dated. It’s as if they’re a mid-1990s take on the early 20th century.
We’ve only stayed in the Beach Club Villas and the rooms do differ there from the regular hotel rooms, but we’ve seen both, and this criticism applies more to the Villas than the rooms in the main hotel thanks to updated bedding and some more understated design choices in the main hotel rooms. The regular rooms still aren’t great, but they’re better. These Villas rooms are by no means terrible or even bad, they just are unimpressive and seem due for a refresh.
In fairness, this is a criticism we have for many of the rooms at Walt Disney World, and it’s very difficult to balance a themed environment with a modern feel and amenities in the rooms themselves. From what we’ve seen of New England, the Beach Club rooms nail the theme–it would just be nice if they could do so in a way that showcases an idealized/modernized take on New England seaside communities. We actually prefer the rooms in Disney’s Yacht Club Resort to the Beach Club rooms.
Still, the criticism of these rooms is essentially the only downside as there isn’t much else negative to say about Disney’s Beach Club Resort. There are several excellent restaurants on-site in every category except standard counter service with Beaches & Cream, Cape May Cafe, and Yachtsman Steakhouse (technically at the Yacht Club), putting it right up there with the best of the Deluxes in terms of quality restaurants. The resorts also have two excellent lounges, with Yacht Club’s lounge being our favorite of the two. Disney’s Boardwalk Inn doesn’t share amenities with the Yacht & Beach Club Resorts, but it’s so close that the restaurants there might as well count as Beach Club restaurants, too, as it’s a 10 minute walk over to the Boardwalk. Same goes for the Swan & Dolphin, and arguably even for the World Showcase restaurants. If dining is going to be a highlight of a trip, staying at one of the Crescent Lake resorts is the best option as there are numerous excellent dining options all within walking distance.
This distance to Epcot is another major benefit to staying at the Beach Club, as it’s only a 10 minute walk to the International Gateway from the grounds of the Beach Club. Likewise, walking to Disney’s Hollywood Studios only takes around 15 minutes. Boat service is also available to both, and generally takes just about the same amount of time, although it can take a little less time if you’re lucky, or a lot more time if there are long lines for the boats. If you don’t mind walking, that’s by far your best option. For us, the ability to walk to both of these parks is huge. Disney bus transportation is unpredictable and often inefficient, so being able to avoid buses for two parks is a huge benefit.
The flipside is that bus transportation to Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom from Beach Club is downright awful. There is always at least some sort of shared bus service operating, but exactly how many buses share the service depends upon the season. One visit during a slow February weekend while staying at the Boardwalk, all of the Crescent Lake resorts shared a single bus to the Magic Kingdom. That’s 5 stops (Swan & Dolphin and Yacht & Beach Club each have separate stops, plus Boardwalk), which is beyond ridiculous. Other times, just Yacht and Beach Club share a bus. If you do take a bus when all five resorts are on the same loop, regardless of which hotel you’re staying at, get off at the first stop and walk. Even if you walk incredibly slowly, it’s far faster than waiting for all the stops. We have had better bus service when staying at Pop Century for less than $100/night, and it’s disappointing that the Epcot-area Deluxe Resorts don’t offer better service in this regard than a Value Resort.
Instead of taking a bus from Beach Club to the Magic Kingdom, we pretty much always start our day in Epcot, and then take a monorail to the Magic Kingdom. This workaround shouldn’t even be necessary, but it has proven acceptable to us. If you regularly do the Magic Kingdom first thing in the morning, this solution probably won’t be workable for you. If you’re visiting for Food & Wine Festival or normally spend a lot of time in Epcot and the Studios, this probably won’t be as big of a deal. We usually do Magic Kingdom or Animal Kingdom later in the day, so it’s not as big of a deal for us–but it’s still frustrating.
Of course, the main draw at Disney’s Beach Club Resort is Storm-Along Bay. I had salivated over this pool for some time before we finally stayed at the Beach Club, to the point that my expectations were probably impossibly high. For those unfamiliar with it, Storm-Along Bay is a sprawling pool complex 3 acres in size with sand at the bottom (for a while, I mistakenly thought “SAB,” the acronym used for Storm-Along Bay, stood for “Sand At Bottom”). Not only does it have sand at the bottom, but it also has a lazy river, an amazing water slide, great places for relaxing, and an excellent poolside bar.
Although it might seem like just a big pool with a dirty floor, in reality, it’s about the coolest thing ever. In fact, it’s so stellar that it cannot be adequately described without making up a new word. Storm-Along Bay is awesometubtacularnesszing! Some people may tell you that some other pool at Walt Disney World is actually better, but unless that pool is called “Typhoon Lagoon” or “Blizzard Beach,” they are flat out wrong. Storm-Along Bay completely lives up to its hype, and is far and away the best hotel pool at Walt Disney World. It’s not even close.
There are other amenities, including a health club, business center, babysitting, tennis courts, and other recreational facilities, but none of these measure up to Storm-Along Bay. Everything else about Disney’s Beach Club Resort is nice, but Storm-Along Bay is the ultimate trump card that makes the Yacht and Beach Club Resorts stand out from the other Deluxe Resorts.
Overall, Beach Club scores highly for us because its theming perfectly conveys the relaxed feel of a seaside resort community, and this theming compliments a Walt Disney World vacation nicely. The one exception is in guest rooms, where it seems that the theme wears a little thin, even looking dated. Like all of the Epcot-area resorts, Beach Club scores highly for its dining options and its convenience to Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This location makes it the perfect place to stay during Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival, Flower & Garden Festival, and Star Wars Weekends. Commuting to the Magic Kingdom is another downside, and guests who will be spending a lot of time at Magic Kingdom and don’t care much about a resort’s pool might want to think twice about Beach Club. Those who enjoy poolside relaxation, nice dining, and Epcot will likely agree with us that Disney’s Beach Club Resort is one of the top hotels at Walt Disney World resort!
Considering staying at Disney’s Beach Club Resort? Visit Expedia’s Beach Club page for for current promotions and discounted rates.
Your Thoughts…
Do you agree with us that Beach Club is one of the best Walt Disney World hotels? Do you think Storm-Along Bay lives up to the hype? Share your thoughts in the comments!
35 Responses to “Disney’s Beach Club Resort Review”
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We stayed at Yacht a couple of weeks ago. The dining options are really amazing (especially with that bakery in France reopened for breakfast). This is the best area for adults at WDW without question and the Crews Cup Lounge is a really good bar!
Totally agree on all counts. BoardWalk Bakery is another great place to stop for “breakfast” cupcakes if you’re hungry before Epcot opens. That’s where we usually get breakfast (and yes, we ALWAYS get cupcakes for breakfast).
That’s funny. We stayed at Boardwalk a couple of years ago and I ate a cinnamon roll at that bakery every morning while waiting for the family to get ready. Unfortunately, it’s closed right now. I should also mention for people who haven’t stayed in this area that there are a couple of really good restaurants at Swan and Dolphin as well. Bluezoo’s is really good (and a great cocktail menu!) and Kimono’s sushi bar is good as well.
Great post, we’re doing a one-nighter at Beach Club Villas to just hang out at SAB all day. You might want to add that SAB is exempt from the pool-hopping privileges for DVC members because of how awesome it is (I’m assuming).
Oh, it’s definitely because it’s awesome. Although that fence does get on my nerves…I’ve gotten “lost” trying to figure out a way around it to get to Beaches & Cream when not staying at Beach Club!
Tom, I couldn’t agree more about Beach Club! I’ve stayed here twice, and I can’t wait for another visit. The resort rooms seem more up to date than the villas, but they could definitely stand some sprucing up to meet deluxe expectations. Before my first visit, I was worried that the lack of a traditional counter service eatery might be an issue. Not so at all- between the Marketplace, Beaches & Cream, and Hurricane Hannahs, we never missed the quick service. It sounds like I’ve had better luck with the bus service- we were fortunate during our last visit, and never waited more than 10 minutes for a bus. Trips seemed pretty quick. Then again, most of my time is spent at Epcot, so maybe I just didn’t notice all the stops during our few bus trips. Getting off at an earlier drop-off spot is a good tip for people who don’t want to wait around. Nothing beats SAB!!
We spend most of our time in Epcot when staying at the Epcot resorts, too, so it’s hard for us to judge. On top of that, we usually return from the Magic Kingdom to our hotel all by ourselves on a bus (since we stay until after the parks have closed), and it doesn’t make any other stops then. On the rare occasions when we’ve taken a bus to the Magic Kingdom from the Epcot resorts, the experience has not been pleasant.
We’ve also never missed having a “quality” counter service option at Beach Club…too many other good places to eat nearby to really care!
We chose the boardwalk inn over the beach club for our upcoming trip because of the guaranteed boardwalk view booking category. Otherwise beach club would have been our next choice. The first two nights we are planning to stay at the swan on credit card points, but we are tempted to switch to the grand floridian or contemporary theme park view instead for those nights. Perhaps we should stay 2 nights at the beach club + 5 nights at the boardwalk instead of those options. Tough call.
Any reason you don’t want to stay at the Swan? While we’ve never done the Swan, I’d like to. Personally, I’d use the Starwood points there and save the money you’d spend on a room those two nights for meals or something. Plus, it’s an easy move from the Swan to Boardwalk!
Since we have to spend 2 nights elsewhere I like the idea of variety and being on the monorail loop. Also I could finally “experience” a monorail loop resort. The Swan gets trashed pretty bad on trip advisor (every hotel does, but the swan especially so). Tough call. Knowing me I’ll book the grand floridian, then two weeks later cancel and book the swan. I’m not good with so many choices.
Although we stayed at the Yacht club not beach club, we found the boardwalk area simply the best, we loved walking into Epcot for the fireworks, the buzz of the boardwalk, Atlantic Dance Hall (after pleasure island demise) and as you say the astounding storm along bay! our favourite time was later evening when it’s quiet …. Interestingly we preferred to dine in the beach club as it felt ‘better’ than the Yacht club…
As always another fantastic review by Sarah and Tom, I don’t know how you two find the time to fit work in
We think Beach Club is “better” than Yacht Club overall, too. Rooms are better at YC.
As for fitting in work…we stayed at the Beach Club almost a year ago and this post took me two nights to write, so it’s not as if I’m exactly busting my hump on writing content for the site. I do need to pick up the pace, though. Once I have a full weekend to just sit down and write, I’ll be able to churn out several articles!
This comment reminds me of one article (perhaps the club ## from Disneyland?…) where you claimed to spend 18 hours a day on Disney sites. I understand this is probably an exaggeration, but I don’t understand how either of you fit in time for work either!! You must never sleep.
@Jordan – Haha, I don’t recall that, but that sounds like something I’d write!
I know spend very little time on other Disney sites and forums. Lack of time is a big reason why, but it also seems like there’s very little middle ground. People are either overly negative or overly positive. Even the rumor sites I used to like to follow have become like this.
I still love a lot of blogs focused on history, but it’s tough to find the time to read them.
For good CS: it is an 0.4-mile walk to the UK or France CS places from the door of the Beach Club resort. By comparison, it’s 0.3 miles from the farthest Little Mermaid building to the Art of Animation food court!
If I could justify the money for a deluxe, it would be a toss-up to me between this one and a Savannah-view at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. The theming doesn’t do much for me at Beach Club, but the pool looks great and having a shorter walk back home after illuminations than most people do to their bus stop would be awesome.
I’ve stayed in the Savanah View at AKL and would choose Beach Club over and over, its the location for us. Animal Kingdom is a little out of the way very secluded because for the need of space for the animals, yes its themed amazing, but Beach club simply has more to do for us
Thanks for that feedback. That’s the same debating I’m having, a Savannah View room at Kidani, or after reading this review, Beach Club. Now I’m leaning towards Beach Club.
This is a good point for folks worried about counter service options. You are right next to Epcot which has some great CS options just inside the gate and also has arguably the best CS of all in Sunshine Seasons.
We stayed at Beach Club for 2 weeks last year and thoroughly enjoyed it, no complaints at all. I do however agree with the buses though. Leaving the hotel is fine in the morning, depending on where your wanting to go, we would walk or catch the boat its defiantly returning back to the hotel that is the problem.
We are trying an Old Key West Villa this year for a change of scenery 12 weeks and counting!! I think im more excited than the kids
Just for the record all…Beach Club Villas is getting a major room refurb scheduled for 2014! The rooms are nice, clean, cozy…but a common complaint is they look dated. I don’t know if I agree or not. We love Beach Club Villas!
That’s great news! Do you have a link for info on this?
Agree with you totally about the bus routes. Our first trip to WDW we took the bus from Downtiwn Disney over there for dinner. I was completely appalled with how long the buses took there compared to where we were staying at Pop. I was thinking it was a total rip off to guests staying there to hsve such terrible transportation for the price. During our last trip, when we walked to Yatchman’s Steakhouse (the BEST place to eat!!) I was SOLD on the walkway. Our next trip with the entire family looks like it is going to be Riverside in order to accommodate all of our family members, but I am thinking that this would be a great place for an anniversary trip for me and my husband!
Great review, Tom! I’ve never stayed in a Deluxe Resort, but this would probably be a top choice (location, location, location!). I’ve eaten at all those restaurants mentioned though and they are certainly worth checking out. I love a good burger, fries, and shake from B&C! =)
I am planning a trip the first week in May, in large part, to check out the Flower & Garden Festival for the first time. Generally, I wouldn’t consider the Deluxe Resorts because they aren’t really in my price range (mostly because I’m frugal lol) and they are a bit excessive for my basic needs (give me a bed and a shower and I’m set). But this time around I’d like to give the Deluxe scene, specifically one of the Crescent Lake resorts, a try. However, I’m really struggling with spending THAT much more money for the perks (even with the Festival added in). In your opinion, is the extra ~$300 per night for location, room/size and a better pool, REALLY justifiable for Mr. Frugal Simplicity (yes that is my legal name)? I guess this is one of those “you won’t know it’s for you until you try it” kind of scenarios, but what was the deciding factor for you when you first decided to take the plunge for a Deluxe? I just need someone to convince me to get over the hump!
First time poster, long time reader. Love the blog, Tom!
PS – When are you going to get to updating those trip reports? =D
Brian: Once you go Deluxe, you’ll have a hard time going back to the cheaper rooms. It’ll completely reset your expectations. I’ve only ever stayed at Deluxe resorts, so when it came time to save money, the only real option was DVC. But in my opinion, it’s totally worth the cost. The time-savings alone for the location of the deluxe resorts is a big deal.
I am in total agreement. I would rather stay at the Yacht or Beach Club than anywhere else in Walt Disney World. Perhaps this is why I haven’t jumped on the Poly bandwagon that much of the Disney internet community seems to be on.
In my opinion the bus-sharing at the MK resorts is worse than the bus sharing at the Epcot resorts. Since DTD is essentially dead to me, the only places I reach by bus from Y/B are Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom. I travel during busy seasons so the only other resort I’ve experienced sharing with is Yacht Club. One of the many perks of peak season travel! Great review…makes me what to be there right now…
My husband and I stayed at the Beach Club in October, after originally booking a room at an All Star resort. We booked an All Star to save money, but upon walking in the room decided it wasn’t worth the money we saved! ha.. That, or we’re just not value resort people after all.
At any rate, we LOVED our stay at the Beach Club!! (not just because we went to a value first… I don’t think). We stayed in the regular resort, not the villas, and our room was very nice and large! Much more updated than the pictures you showed of the villa room. We could also see the fireworks at epcot from our patio.
If we ever go back again during the Food and Wine Festival, we will most definitely be staying here again!
We travel to wdw twice a year and each time we stay here. Just cant get enough, I guess you could say its our all time favorite. Guess we are partial to it also cause we are a mere
2hrs from Cape Cod. Contrary to many’s beliefs that this is themed of the New Jersey Shore, feel it is more of a Cape Cod theme. you cant beat the location here. The only downfall about the resort is that Art retired. You can always find the 2 best cast members on fl 5, chip and TJ to make things more enjoyable here.Kinda sad that they know who we are now by name
I didn’t realize that Art retired. He was the only CM there with whom I was familiar. Too bad!
We LOVE the Beach Club. It’s our #1 too, and we never have even been in the pool! We like the smallness of the resort (we also like POFQ for this reason) and the ability to walk to EPCOT and HS. We found the buses to be bad too, so we ended up taking the car to MK and AK,that was the only downside. We never had a problem either with finding food to eat! I also read somewhere recently where Disney is supposed to be switching from the comforters to the style of blankets used now in most hotels. I hope its for the ease of washing them more! So maybe this will update the rooms a bit.
Wait a second…you’ve NEVER used the Beach Club pool? No love for SAB?! At least Beach Club is still your favorite Walt Disney World hotel!
I have visited the Beach Club a million times, just resort hopping and have always wanted to stay there. I love the location being right by the Boardwalk and EPCOT. This review pretty much just seals it for me! Great review!
Hope you enjoy it! We’re sure you will!
What an awesome beach club and amazing review done! I am mesmerized looking at the pictures of this club and reading about it!
I am reading all through your blog for my Disney plans for February 2014! Beach club seems like the top choice for me right now but I have a question… Was it warm enough for the pool in February? The pool is a HUGE draw but we are planning for February and if it’s too cold for swimming, the draw to stay here decreases!
Did I say we were there in February? If so, sorry, I meant May. We stayed at Boardwalk in February. It was unseasonably cold when we were there in February–definitely not pool weather. Some years, it’s much warmer, though.