Hands down
But, what makes a resort one of the best?
I’ve gone through each and every one of
Keep reading to find out how
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Basic Information about the Resort
Address:
1900 Epcot Resort Boulevard
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
Phone Number:
(407) 934-8000
Pet Policy:
No pets. But be aware that the adjoining hotel does allow pets.
Max Party Size:
9
Location:
Epcot Resort Area
Category:
Deluxe, Villa
Overall Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Disney’s Beach Club Resort receives a 4-star overall rating from me.
Situated in the best resort area on property, the resort impresses me with attention to detail in the theming and of course, it’s well-known pool.
The major drawbacks of staying at
I’m willing to sacrifice those both though since I can never pull myself away from the lazy river.
Rating System
I’ve rated each resort in 6 categories: location/transportation, rooms, restaurants/shopping, pool, amenities, and kid-friendliness.
The rating scale is 1-5 stars, where 5 is superior.
However, it is important to specify that each category has a pre-determined max rating with few instances of exceptions. These are shown below.
Value: ⭐⭐⭐
Moderate: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Deluxe: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is done to compensate for price having not been evaluated. What is impressive of a value resort and may warrant 5 stars within that pricing category is unlikely to compare to a 5 star rating of a deluxe resort with more means.
In the instance that a resort is rated above its ceiling for a category it indicates that the location has done an extraordinary job.
Location and Transportation ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Disney’s Beach Club resort is located in the heart of the
The resort is rated at 4 stars for its close proximity to multiple parks and selection of transportation options. In addition to the standard buses, you can also walk, take a boat, have quick access to the monorail system (with entry to Epcot), and soon access to the Skyway Gondola system.
Unfortunately, the sheer size of
However, even with that being said travel time to Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom can take 20 or more minutes.
Transportation Times
The table below is meant to be used for comparison purposes only. The times listed are approximate and will vary based upon season, time of day, crowd index, and other possible factors.
[table id=1 /]
Map
Rooms ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Disney’s Beach Club Resort has an astounding 858 guest rooms, including DVC villas.
They offer 6 different room configurations which allow for parties of up to 9 guests. Many rooms also have a balcony or porch, making it one of the more unique resorts on property.
Beach Club rooms were recently renovated so appliances, decor, and amenities are modern. While there is a distinct theme to the resort, at the beach, it may not be what many expect.
Unlike many other
Studio
1 Bedroom Suite
DVC Villas
Disney Vacation Club is the timeshare like membership offered by
Renting DVC points from members who are unable to travel is another option. In addition to substantial cost savings, sometimes up to 40% off rack rates, you have access to some of the finest accommodations on the property.
Most DVC Villas include a kitchenette if not a full sized kitchen, as well as larger rooms and more expansive amenities.
Studio Villa
1 Bedroom Villa
2 Bedroom Villa
Restaurants & Shopping ⭐⭐⭐
Disney’s Beach Club Resort receives just 3 stars for shopping and dining.
While the resort does offer several table service locations, including character and signature dining, it does not offer a quality quick service location.
The Beach Club Marketplace and Hurricane Hanna’s are the only quick service locations. The Marketplace is comparable to a convenience store, while the latter is a pool-side bar. This isn’t a huge problem unless you’ve purchased the basic
However, the Beach Club Resort is within walking distance to the Yacht Club, Boardwalk, and the Swan and Dolphin hotels so there are many additional options in the immediate area.
You’ll also be VERY close to Epcot, I don’t think I can feasibly explain just how close, so if you have park hopper tickets it’s easy too pop in and find just about anything you’d like.
*Hours and experiences may vary, please refer to
Ale & Compass Lounge and Restaurant
Hours: 11:00am – 1:00am
Breakfast: N/A
Lunch: Table Service
Dinner: Table Service
Reservations: Recommended
Pricing: $$
Disney Dining Plan: 1 Table Service Credit/Person at Restaurant. DDP not accepted in Lounge
Menu: Ale & Compass Restaurant, Ale and Compass Lounge
Beach Club Marketplace
Hours: 6:00am – 11:30pm
Breakfast: Quick Service
Lunch: Quick Serivce
Dinner: Quick Service
Reservations: N/A
Pricing: $
Disney Dining Plan: Some plans accepted
Menu: Beach Club Marketplace Menu
Beaches & Cream Soda Shop
Hours: 11:00am – 11:00pm
Breakfast: N/A
Lunch: Table Service
Dinner: Table Service
Reservations: Accepted, recommended during peak seasons
Pricing: $
Disney Dining Plan: 1 Table Service Credit/Person
Menu: Beaches & Cream Soda Shop Menu
Cape May Cafe
Hours: 7:30am – 11:00am, 5:00pm – 9:00pm
Breakfast: Character Buffet
Lunch: N/A
Dinner: Buffet
Reservations: Recommended
Pricing: $$$
Disney Dining Plan: 1 Table Service Credit/Person
Menu: Cape May Cafe Menu
Crew’s Cup Lounge
Hours: 4:30pm – 11:30pm
Breakfast: N/A
Lunch: N/A
Dinner: Table Service
Reservations: Accepted
Pricing: $$
Disney Dining Plan: No
Menu: Crew’s Cup Lounge Menu
Hurricane Hanna’s Waterside Bar and Grill
Hours: 11:00am – 8:00pm
Breakfast: N/A
Lunch: Quick Service
Dinner: Quick Service
Reservations: Not accepted
Pricing: $
Disney Dining Plan: All Plans Accepted
Menu: Hurricane Hanna’s Waterside Bar and Grill Menu
Martha’s Vineyard
Hours: 4:00pm – midnight
Breakfast: N/A
Lunch: N/A
Dinner: Table Service
Reservations: Recommended
Pricing: $
Disney Dining Plan: Not Accepted
Menu: Martha’s Vineyard Menu
Pool ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Stormalong Bay is seen by many as the single best
Stormalong Bay is a whopping 3 acres. That includes 3 spas, 2 sand-bottomed pools, a lazy river, and the longest waterslide of any other
Needless to say – there’s a lot to do.
In addition to this water wonderland, there is plenty of games, activities, and lounging spaces.
Cast Members host kid’s activities throughout the day, offering items to dive for and volleyballs for in pool competitions.
You can also find several billiards table on the rooftop deck above Hurricane Hanna’s.
Speaking of, while Hurricane Hanna’s is technically a quick service location there are servers that will come to your favorite lounger to take and deliver your order.
Amenities ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ranking the amenities of so many resorts can be difficult because each has different offerings. Some resorts have boat rentals, some have jet skis.
Other resorts might have volleyball courts, but no tennis courts. And even more, still may or may not have gyms or spas.
For all these reasons and more, I’ve based the amenities rating purely on the diversity of offerings. A full list of
Spa: Ship Shape Saloon and Fitness Center
Gym: Ship Shape Saloon and Fitness Center
Laundry: Dry Cleaning and Self Serve available, plus many Villas contain a washer/dryer combo in room.
Childcare: Sand Castle Club
Special Events: None
Movies Under the Stars: Yes, please contact the front desk for details
Campfire: Yes, please contact the front desk for details
Community Hall: No
Rentals: Boats
Sports Courts/Routes: Tennis, Volleyball, Fishing, Jogging
Kid Friendliness ⭐⭐⭐
While
When I visit
The character breakfast at Cape Bay and ridiculous pool mostly make-up for that. However, most guests on a
Disney’s Beach Club Resort is a good option for older kids, but littles will miss some of the traditional magic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the top 7 questions readers ask about
Can you walk from the Beach Club to Hollywood studios?
Yes! You absolutely can!! It will take you around 25 minutes.
Walk along the path between Stormalong Bay and Crescent lake towards the Swan and Dolphin Hotels. Continue past the edge of the Boardwalk resort, following the permitter of the lake. Then cross just in front of the park.
There are many signs indicating the path and other guests will likely be walking to DHS as well.
Note though that taking a boat from the Transportation Dock is going to be faster, even during peak hours.
Can you walk from Hollywood studios to Boardwalk?
Yes! You absolutely can!! It will take you around 10 minutes.
Cross the bridge from the front of Hollywood Studios and follow the path to the Boardwalk.
There are many signs indicating the way and others will be walking there as well.
Can you take a boat from Hollywood studios to the boardwalk?
Yes! There are several boats that run in Crescent Lake throughout the day.
Usually, a boat is launched from Hollywood Studios every 10 minutes.
There are 2 boat routes: Hollywood Studios to Boardwalk to Epcot and Hollywood Studios to Swan & Dolphin to Beach & Yacht Club to Epcot.
How long is boat ride from Epcot to Hollywood studios?
The boat ride from Epcot to Hollywood Studios is 20-25 minutes, depending on the time of day.
Heavy crowds can impact the travel time from Epcot to Hollywood Studios, as it may take longer to load and unload the boat.
Is Disney Beach Club on the monorail?
Technically, no.
However, you can easily access the monorail through Epcot if you have a ticket for the park that day*. You can take the monorail to the Ticket and Transportation Center to catch the main monorail loop that runs near Magic Kingdom.
*You will need a park hoppper ticket to access multiple parks within a single day. If you do not have park hopper tickets and use Epcot to access the monorail you will not be able to visit another park that day.
Can you check in early at Disney World resorts?
Yes, you can check in early at
You can do so by logging into your
In fact, when you check in early you will often be able to access your room upon arrival using your Magic Band!
How long is the walk from the Beach Club to Hollywood studios?
The walk from
Are there any discounts or promotions to stay at Disney ‘s Beach Club Resort?
Throughout the year there are specials and promotions such as free dining and special rates for parties such as convention and military.
However, the best way to save money on any
