by: Beci Mahnken, CTC – MouseFanTravel.com
Checking in at Disney’s Beach Club Resort is like returning to see an old friend. Over the years I have spent a lot of time at this resort because it checks many of the boxes I personally look for to have the perfect vacation experience. Take a peek at just some of my top reasons to stay at this resort and discover if it may be a good option for your family, too.
Here are just a few of the top reasons to consider a stay at Disney’s Beach Club Resort:
Location, Location, Location
Right out of the gate, the most obvious benefit to staying at Disney’s Beach Club Resort is its proximity to two of the theme parks. Just a short walk over the bridge, and you are walking through Epcot’s International Gateway entrance, right between the UK and France pavilions.
Friendship boats are also available to whisk you off to Epcot or to Hollywood Studios. However, if you’d like to stretch your legs and it’s not 9000 degrees, you can take a 20-minute stroll and walk there! Or if you’d rather turn your commute to Hollywood Studios into an attraction, it’s an easy walk to the Skyliner Station at Epcot that will take to Hollywood Studios or to other resorts if you’d like resort hop.
TIP:
Be sure to add the park hopper option to your tickets because this location is especially convenient if you’d like to spend a day at one of the other theme parks, return to the resort to freshen up and make your way to Epcot for dinner.
Accommodations
Disney’s Beach Club Resort features standard-size rooms that can sleep up to five guests, club level rooms, and suites with views ranging from standard parking lot, garden or water. The rooms at have been recently refurbished and showcase a relaxing neutral look with Disney touches throughout that reflect the contemporary New England beach theme found in the resort. Disney’s Beach Club Resort also features a villa resort component, also known as Disney Vacation Club resorts. Here you can stay in a studio, one-, two- or three-bedroom villa, with kitchens and some with washer and dryer. This is a perfect solution for a large family or gathering of friends.
It’s important to know that you do not need to be a DVC member to book a room at any of the Disney villa properties. Guests can certainly use DVC points for their stay, but you can also take advantage of the frequent room offers and pay with your credit card, giving you all the access and none of the maintenance fees.
TIP:
Beach Club has a mixture of full-size room balconies and mini ‘Juliette’ balconies. If you have a preference, be sure to note that on your room request.
Great Dining Options Within Easy Walking Distance
There are so many great options for dining in and around the resort that you don’t have to venture very far to find a great meal. Dining options include grab-and-go and quick-serve items at the Beach Club Marketplace; Cape May Café, which recently reopened for breakfast and dinner in an all-you-care-to-eat family style; and of course, Beaches & Cream Soda Shop. Beaches & Cream offers table service food options and an extensive ice cream menu including the famous Kitchen Sink, served in a mini sink!
Just next door at her sister resort, Disney’s Yacht Club, you will find one of the best steaks on property at the Yachtsman Steakhouse and other casual options like Ale and Compass or the Crews Cup Lounge.
Right across the lake are the Boardwalk resorts and the dining locations along the boardwalk itself including Trattoria al Forno, Flying Fish, Big River Grille, and the Boardwalk Bakery. The Swan and Dolphin are a short 10-minute walk away where you can find signature dining spots like Shula’s Steakhouse, Il Mulino Italian fare, Todd English’s Bluezoo, and Kimono’s where you can experience the fine art of Sushi.
And let’s not forget the multitude of options that are available just steps away in Epcot!
TIP:
If you are looking for a reservation at the Swan and Dolphin locations, try checking opentable.com.
Stormalong Bay and Dunes Cove & Tidal Pool
Stormalong Bay is a 3-acre water wonderland with a 795,000-gallon feature pool shared by the Beach and Yacht Club resorts. With a sand bottom, whirlpool, waterfalls, and a 230-foot-long pirate ship-themed water slide, it’s arguably the best pool on Disney property.
On the zero-entry size of the pool, kids can enjoy wading in the shallow water and even work at perfecting their sandcastle building skills. But my personal favorite is the lazy river (ahhhh… I can relax just thinking about it!)
If you’d like something a bit calmer, the Dunes or Tidal pools are off the beaten track and provide a quiet pool experience.
TIP:
Make your day at Stormalong Bay extra comfy by renting a cabana for the day! Pricing is based on half- or full-day rentals. Just call 407-WDW-PLAY for more info.
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Beci Mahnken, CTC is the Founder and Chief Magic Maker at MEI-Travel & Mouse Fan Travel, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner featuring over 80 Disney Travel agents nationwide. With 22 years in the travel biz, she was recognized by Travel + Leisure magazine as the A-List Agent for Disney travel and serves on the Earmarked Advisory Board. Beci has long worked with the Disney fan community to help support fan efforts, creating high profile events and has a passion for supporting deserving charities with a special emphasis on animal welfare efforts and making magic for kids. She has a love for exploring history, ocean cruising, river cruising and served on advisory boards for the prestigious GTM event and TravelAge West Magazine. Beci’s dedicated to her craft of sharing the magic of travel with anyone who will listen.
