Some really good perks, as long as you don’t mind a bit of noise from time to time
The Yacht Club Resort could be considered the twin brother of Beach Club Resort, which we recently reviewed here on Famvia.
Both deluxe hotels are located in the Boardwalk area, provide access to the best swimming pool in all of Disney World, and offer easy access to the restaurants and stores at the Boardwalk. Both resorts are also within walking distance of Epcot and Hollywood Studios. The two resorts also grant access to Early Entry, allowing you to enter a theme park 30 minutes before it officially opens, and Extended Evening Hours, which let you stay at a select theme park for about two hours after closing on specific dates.
Even their prices are nearly identical, with Beach Club Resort starting at $615 per night and Yacht Club Resort at $625. As you can see, there’s not much that differentiates them, but a few details set them apart.
For one, the Convention Center is located in the Yacht Club area, which can make the hotel feel a bit more crowded if a special event is taking place. The pier for boats to Epcot and Hollywood Studios is also closer to the Yacht Club, though walking to Epcot takes about a minute longer compared to Beach Club. Wow, what a massive change, I know.
The main difference is the theming: Yacht Club features a nautical design, while Beach Club is inspired by beaches, seashells, and starfish. The rooms at Yacht Club also have a slight advantage for one small reason: the desks and TV stands were updated more recently, giving them a more modern look, whereas Beach Club still has the older versions.
What we like about Yacht Club Resort
The best thing about this hotel is also what sets Beach Club apart: it's at walking-distance to Epcot and Hollywood Studios.
It takes only 7 to 12 minutes to walk to Epcot, and you enter the park through a quiet side entrance that connects to the World Showcase. This special perk lets you get inside before the park officially opens, ride Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, and then head to Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.
Hollywood Studios is a bit farther, but it’s still only a 20-minute walk. However, you can also hop on a complimentary boat, which runs every 15 minutes. The boat ride takes just 12 minutes to Hollywood Studios and only 7 minutes to Epcot. Many guests prefer taking the boats instead of walking since it’s a scenic and relaxing route with plenty of great photo opportunities.
Another major perk is Stormalong Bay, the incredible swimming pool that Yacht Club shares with Beach Club. Often considered the best pool in all of Disney World, it features a sandy beach for kids, a small lazy river, a waterslide, and even small waterfalls. The lush, immersive atmosphere, with windmills and green vegetation surrounding the area, really adds to its charm. If you or your family love pools, you won’t be disappointed. Some guests even book a stay here just to relax by the pool all day and skip the theme parks entirely.
The rooms are actually a little bit better than the ones at Beach Club, mostly because the main desks and TV stands were updated recently, whereas Beach Club still has the older ones. This resort, however, is only a few minutes farther from Epcot compared to Beach Club, but the difference is so minimal that we shouldn’t even take it into consideration.
What we don’t like about Yacht Club Resort
There are, however, some room configurations that give you a pretty bad view of the resort… or basically no view at all. There’s a great review on Mouse Hacking where guests stayed in a room overlooking steam coming from the hotel’s laundry room. I feel super bad for them. Imagine not only dealing with the steam when the wind changed direction but also the noise. It makes zero sense to have a room with a view like that in a deluxe hotel where guests paid $950 a night.
Noise might actually be the worst part about Yacht Club. This is a pet-friendly resort, and even if you manage to escape the nefarious laundry room view, there’s a chance that a cute Chihuahua or Yorkshire Terrier will be in the room next to yours… barking all day. That’s pretty bad news after midnight when you’re trying to get some sleep and you have young children with you. I do think that Yacht Club should designate certain rooms for guests with pets and another area for those who didn’t bring their furry friends.
Oh yeah, there’s also the Convention Center, which can get pretty busy during special events. This can make the resort feel more crowded than usual and noisier as well.
A lot of the time, though, you won’t have to deal with these issues. It’s not like there’s always a special event taking place at the hotel, it’s rare to get a room with a bad view (talk to the front desk or your travel agent about this), and maybe you won’t end up near someone with a cute dog. This is still a beautiful hotel with an amazing pool, and being close to Epcot and Hollywood Studios is a huge perk.
Yacht Club Resort FAQ
How much is a room at the Yacht Club Resort?
Although room rates depend on the dates and room category, prices at the Yacht Club Resort typically start at $625 per night.
Is the Yacht Club Resort within walking distance of Epcot?
Yes! It takes only about 7-12 minutes to walk from the Yacht Club Resort to Epcot.
Is the Yacht Club Resort within walking distance of Hollywood Studios?
Yes! It takes about 20 minutes to walk from the Yacht Club Resort to Hollywood Studios.
Is there a boat service available at Yacht Club Resort?
Yes! Boats run every 15 minutes and can take you to either Hollywood Studios (12-minute ride) or Epcot (about 7 minutes).
Is the Yacht Club Resort within walking distance of Magic Kingdom?
No, the Yacht Club Resort is not within walking distance of either Magic Kingdom or Animal Kingdom. To reach these parks, you’ll need to hop on a complimentary bus or drive there.
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