After staying at Disney’s Beach Club Resort for four nights this May, I can confidently say that it remains one of my favorite Disney resorts. In fact, this was our second stay here, and after visiting many Disney resorts over the years, Beach Club continues to stand out as one of the best.
From the unbeatable location and incredible pool to the amazing dining options within walking distance, Beach Club offers a Disney vacation experience that feels relaxing, convenient, and family-friendly.
If you’re considering staying here for your next Walt Disney World vacation, here’s my honest full review and everything you should know before booking.
Quick Summary
Disney’s Beach Club Resort is one of the best deluxe resorts at Walt Disney World thanks to its location, access to the BoardWalk, walking distance to Epcot, proximity to the Skyliner, and the incredible Stormalong Bay pool complex.
We loved the coastal atmosphere, family-friendly amenities, excellent dining options nearby, and the ability to enjoy so much without needing to spend all day in the parks.
Pros
- Walking distance to Epcot
- Easy access to the Skyliner
- Beautiful coastal theme
- Incredible pool with lazy river and sand-bottom area
- Excellent dining options nearby
- Great for families with young children
Cons
- Pool can become extremely crowded
- Some rooms only have standing balconies
- Beach Club Marketplace is a fairly basic quick service
- Deluxe resort pricing
Our Room at Beach Club
We requested a room with a daybed and were thrilled that Disney was able to accommodate our request.
As soon as you walk into the room, you’ll find a coffee station with a mini fridge, followed by a large closet with plenty of storage space.
Across from the closet is the bathroom area, featuring a double sink vanity and a separate room for the shower and toilet.
The main room includes:
- Two queen beds
- A spacious dresser
- A couch that converts into a daybed
- A table and mirror area perfect for getting ready or storing belongings
We stayed on the ground floor and had a small patio with two chairs and direct access to one of Beach Club’s quiet pools. This ended up being one of our favorite features of the room.
Important Balcony Tip
Not all Beach Club rooms have full balconies.
Some rooms feature what is essentially a standing-only balcony, similar to a Juliet balcony. If having outdoor seating is important to you, I highly recommend requesting a full balcony before your stay.
The Beach Club Atmosphere
One of the things I love most about Beach Club is the atmosphere.
The lobby feels bright, airy, and coastal. It instantly puts you in vacation mode.
And yes, I have to mention the smell. It might sound silly, but Beach Club has one of my favorite resort scents at Disney.
We also spent a lot of time in the Solarium during our stay. Whether it was enjoying coffee in the morning or relaxing after the parks, it became one of our favorite spots. My daughter actually kept asking to go back.
The Solarium also has a television and small chairs for children, making it a great place for families to unwind.
Why the Location Is So Good
Location is one of Beach Club’s biggest selling points.
Being situated right next to Disney’s BoardWalk means you have easy access to numerous restaurants, entertainment options, and beautiful walking paths.
We took full advantage of this during our stay.
The Skyliner is also just a short walk away. My kids absolutely love riding it, and I love not having to fold up the stroller every time we use transportation.
Being able to walk to EPCOT is another huge benefit. We loved popping into World Showcase for a few hours, grabbing a snack, riding an attraction, or simply enjoying the atmosphere before heading back to the resort.
You can even watch EPCOT’s nighttime fireworks from the Beach Club shoreline without needing a park ticket.
Dining Around Beach Club
One of the best parts of staying at Beach Club is the food.
Beach Club Marketplace
We ate here a few times during our trip.
It’s a perfectly fine quick-service location, but nothing particularly memorable.
We did purchase refillable resort mugs, which cost $22.99 plus tax. If you’re someone who enjoys coffee every morning and soda throughout the day, these are definitely worth the cost. One thing to note, is you can only refill them at the resorts. You cannot refill them at any of the parks.
Rosa Mexicano
Located at the Dolphin Resort, Rosa Mexicano is one of our favorite restaurants in the area.
The frozen watermelon margarita is fantastic, and the salsa and guacamole are always delicious. I usually order the steak tacos, and they never disappoint.
Honestly, I prefer it over the Mexican restaurant inside EPCOT’s Mexico Pavilion, and it is cheaper!
Ale & Compass
Located at Yacht Club, Ale & Compass was a great breakfast spot.
The atmosphere is quieter and a bit more sophisticated than Beach Club. I enjoyed a coffee and quiche and would absolutely return to try lunch or dinner.
Trattoria al Forno
This BoardWalk restaurant was one of our favorite dinners.
The Italian food was excellent, the cocktails were great, and the atmosphere felt welcoming for both adults and children. We got the pull-apart garlic pane rustico for an appetizer, and for my main meal I got the chicken parmesan.
Le Cellier Steakhouse
We visited Le Cellier in EPCOT’s Canada Pavilion for our anniversary dinner.
Everything was outstanding.
The bread service, cheddar cheese soup, filet, and mashed potatoes were all fantastic.
My biggest tip is to avoid scheduling this meal after spending an entire day in the parks during the summer heat. It’s a rich meal and much more enjoyable after taking a midday resort break.
Hurricane Hanna’s
We ate here multiple times during our stay.
The drinks were great, and so was the food.
The buffalo chicken tenders were surprisingly delicious for pool bar food. I would choose Hurricane Hanna’s over Beach Club Marketplace every time.
Beaches & Cream
This is one restaurant we continue to come back to year after year.
The diner atmosphere is fun, the ice cream is fantastic, and the overall experience is worth it.
This trip we shared a banana split, and it was every bit as enjoyable as we remembered.
Cape May Cafe
If you’re looking for a character breakfast, Cape May Cafe is one of the best values at Disney.
The character lineup includes:
- Minnie Mouse
- Daisy Duck
- Donald Duck
- Goofy
All dressed in adorable beach attire.
The buffet is excellent, featuring:
- Omelet station
- Crepes
- Pastries
- The famous Beach Buns
The Beach Buns alone are worth trying.
The Cake Bake Shop
Located on the BoardWalk, this is a beautiful spot for coffee or a special meal.
While I personally prefer traditional buttercream frosting over their whipped frosting style, it’s still worth stopping by if you’re nearby. It’s an easy, quick walk from Beach Club.
Stormalong Bay: Is It Worth the Hype?
The answer is yes.
Stormalong Bay is one of the biggest reasons people choose Beach Club and Yacht Club.
This three-acre pool complex features:
- A lazy river
- Sand-bottom pool
- Waterslide
- Multiple pool areas
- Poolside dining
For toddlers, the sand-bottom section is incredible.
Bring sand toys, buckets, and shovels because your kids will absolutely love it.
Our 2 and 3 year old spent hours playing here every day.
The Crowds
The biggest downside is that the pool can get extremely crowded.
When we arrived at noon on a Saturday, every chair was taken!
Many guests appeared to claim chairs early in the morning and leave towels on them.
Thankfully, Sunday and Monday were much better experiences, and we had no trouble finding seating.
If you’re visiting during peak seasons, especially weekends, plan accordingly and keep this in mind.
Waterslide Tip
The slide entrance is actually located outside the pool area across the BoardWalk path.
This means you’ll need to walk with your child to the top of the slide and also have someone available at the bottom.
For some families this may be inconvenient, especially with younger children.
Wristbands Required
Because Stormalong Bay is reserved for Beach Club and Yacht Club guests, you’ll need to show your room key or MagicBand to receive a wristband before entering.
It’s not difficult, but it is an extra step to be aware of.
Frequently Asked Questions About Disney Beach Club Resort
Is Disney Beach Club Resort worth the cost?
In my opinion, yes. The location, Stormalong Bay, and access to Epcot make it one of Disney’s best deluxe resorts.
Can you walk to Epcot from Beach Club?
Yes! One of the biggest benefits of staying at Disney Beach Club Resort is the short walk to Epcot’s International Gateway entrance.
Is Beach Club good for families?
Absolutely. Families love the pool, location, and spacious rooms.
Which is better: Beach Club or Yacht Club?
Both are excellent, but Beach Club has a brighter, more casual atmosphere that many families prefer.
Final Thoughts
Disney’s Beach Club Resort continues to be one of my favorite resorts at Walt Disney World.
The combination of the incredible location, BoardWalk access, Skyliner convenience, walkability to Epcot, fantastic dining options, and Stormalong Bay creates a resort experience that is difficult to beat.
While there are a few downsides, such as pool crowds and some room balcony configurations, the positives far outweigh the negatives.
If you enjoy spending time at your resort and want a Disney hotel that offers plenty to do even outside the parks, Beach Club is absolutely worth considering.
For our family, it remains one of the very best places to stay at Walt Disney World, and I know we’ll be back again.