The two resorts are connected physically but distinct in theming. The Yacht Club is more “sailor sporty” and it sometimes hosts conventions. This can make it feel a little less kid-oriented than some other resorts, but on our trip we liked the break from the chaos when we returned in the evenings. Both resorts have gift shops and grab and go food options in their marketplaces.
Yacht Club Resort
Yacht Club Holidays
The holiday decor at Yacht Club in past years have included nautically themed trees and a large Christmas Village display.
We stayed at Yacht Club for the first time in 2015, before the rooms were updated. The sleek décor in our two-queen room made it feel a little dark without the blinds open to the patio, but it was a benefit for sleeping after long days in the parks.
Beach Club Resort
Part of the Beach Club Resort is home to a Disney Vacation Club (DVC) Resort, and around that area we found cozy and uniquely decorated spaces to take a break.
Pool & “Beach”
Yacht and Beach Club Resorts share the most expansive pool area of all of the Walt Disney World Resorts. The replicated sandy beach and lazy river make it one of the most popular options for families with young children. The two-story slide is great for older children, but it does require a bit of a hike from the main pool area to access. These properties strictly enforce entry to the pool area by requiring proof of stay when entering the gate.
Dining
Between the two resorts, nearly every type of dining experience was available, from casual quick service by the pool to signature dining in the Yachtsman.
One of the hardest-to-get reservations on property is at Beaches and Cream soda shop for a classic diner meal and the famously shareable Kitchen Sink sundae. We were finally able to score reservations in January of 2023 (last minute spots seem to be more plentiful with Disney’s new “up to 2-hour no penalty cancellation” policy). Without reservations, you can still get smaller ice cream treats from the poolside take-out window. We arrived full from lunch at Animal Kingdom Resort’s Sanaa Restaurant, so we didn’t mind the 20+ minute wait for a table after our reserved time. We would have found plenty on the diner-style menu if we had been looking for a meal, but we ordered just coffee and the famous “Kitchen Sink.” This sundae was advertised as feeding four people, but could easily be shared by a large family. The restaurant was essentially just one room, allowing everyone to witness the delivery of the dessert, which was announced with fanfare. My only regret (because I won’t call eating an entire day’s worth of calories in one sitting a “regret”) is that I didn’t take the banana – I don’t like fruit – out before we turned all of the ingredients into one indistinguishable mess. We did each have bowls, so we could have taken out our favorite (or least favorite) toppings before digging in with our giant spoon.
Cape May Café featured character dining for breakfast and the seafood dinner buffet was hard to miss, as the smell of crab legs permeates the hallways between Yacht and Beach Club.
The Yachtsman is an upscale steakhouse option for dining, while Ale & Compass is a better option for a table service meal for families with young children.
