Disney's Beach Club Resort
Contributed by
Jenn Marrazzo
Ask me where I stay most of the time when I visit Orlando and I will tell you it's the Walt Disney World Resort Hotels. I’ve had the absolute pleasure to be able to stay at a multitude of properties over the years. While I’ve loved all my stays from Disney’s Art of Animation Resort to Disney’s Boardwalk Inn and Villas, one of my favorites remains Disney’s Beach Club Resort.
But what makes Disney’s Beach Club so special? Let’s head to the shores of Crescent Lake and take a look at this unique, deluxe resort that is within walking distance to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios and is super close to various forms of transportation.
On the shores of Crescent Lake…
Well, let’s first address… where is Disney’s Beach Club Resort? This resort is tucked on one side of Crescent Lake, a man-made body of water that houses Disney’s Boardwalk, Disney’s Beach Club and Disney’s Yacht Club. This makes it ideally located, between EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. In fact, Disney’s Beach Club Resort is the closest Disney Resort to a theme park at Walt Disney World. Plus, you’ll have access to Disney’s Boardwalk, an entertainment and dining hub just steps away.
Resort Theme
With a name like “Beach Club” you are probably expecting beachy decor and you’d be right. Ariel would be jealous with all of the “whosits, and whatsits galore!” While it’s not overly themed with Disney characters, the Beach Club brings sophistication and the calming seashore vibes that you would expect. You can definitely find hidden Disney elements around the lobby and in the different shops making it a magically family friendly resort.
Room Types
When choosing room types at Disney’s Beach Club Resort, you have quite a few options available to you. Keep in mind that all rooms at Disney’s Beach Club Resort have been renovated as of August 2023.
Standard Rooms- Resort View and Water View & Deluxe Rooms
First up are your standard and deluxe hotel rooms. These are the basic rooms available at the resort and sleep up to 5 adults in your standard rooms and 6 adults in deluxe rooms. Room view varies depending on which view you select. Room configurations for this category include:
1 King Bed
1 King Bed and 1 Day Bed
2 Queen Beds
2 Queen Beds and 1 Day Bed
2 Queen Beds and 1 Queen Size Sleeper Sofa (Deluxe Rooms Only)
Club Level Rooms- 6 Categories
Ahh Club Level! If you are lucky enough to book a Club Level room at Disney’s Beach Club you are in for a treat. Having stayed in Club Level myself at Disney’s Beach Club, this experience is one of a kind. Guests staying in these exclusive rooms have access to the Stone Harbor Club, an exclusive lounge-like area where guests can enjoy light bites, drinks and relaxation. Guests in this area also have access to Personalized Guest Services, receive a beverage cooler, delicious drinks from the coffee and tea station, and a designated patio area.
Disney’s Beach Club has a variety of Club Level rooms to choose from. Here are some of the types you can find.
Water View- Club Level
Laid out like your standard hotel room, this offers the added perk of Club Level access. These rooms sleep up to 4 adults and have the following configurations available:
1 King Bed
2 Queen Beds
2 Queen Beds and 1 Day Bed
1 Bedroom Suite- Club Level
These spacious 1 Bedroom Suites at the Beach Club sleep up to 4 guests and offer the following configurations, along with a small fridge, which the other category does not have:
1 King Bed and 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa
2 Bedroom Suite- Club Level
Even larger than the other rooms we’ve seen, the 2 Bedroom Suites offer the same amenities as the 1 Bedroom and sleep up to 7 adults. The configuration of this room includes:
1 King Bed and 2 Queen Beds and 1 Day Bed
Nantucket VP Suite- Club Level
This huge Nantucket Suite at Disney’s Beach Club will make you feel like a VIP. Offering multiple rooms, a sitting room, a dining room and more, this room pulls out all of the stops. Offering the same amenities as the last two suites, the Nantucket VP suite sleeps up to 4 adults and has the following configuration:
1 King Bed and 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa
Newport Presidential Suite- Club Level
This is it! The Newport Presidential Suite is what you think of when you think of over-the-top. Featuring a huge living area, dining room, kitchen and bathrooms… yes I said bathrooms, this room will house up to 8 adults. Featuring similar amenities to the other club level rooms, this room offers:
1 King Bed and 2 Queen Beds and 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa
Disney’s Beach Club Villas Rooms
If you are a Disney Vacation Club Member or are looking for a room with some more space, then look no further than Disney’s Beach Club Villas. While considered a separate resort within the Beach Club Resort, the Villas are actually the rooms with the closest walk to EPCOT. The Beach Club Villas offers two categories of rooms at the Villas: a 1 Bedroom Villa- Resort View and a 2 Bedroom Villa- Resort View.
Resort Facts: Dining, Pools, and Transportation
Dining
Disney’s Beach Club Resort will have you going out of your way to eat here. Whether you are looking for a table-service option, quick-service experience, or even some unique ice cream dessert choices… they have it for you! Keep in mind that guests of Disney’s Beach Club Resort can also use the amenities at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, which is connected.
Cape May Cafe
Cape May Cafe is a fan favorite restaurant at Disney’s Beach Club. Offering a buffet style meal for both breakfast and dinner, guests can enjoy a restaurant (and food) with some New England flare. Plus, breakfast is made even more special with the Minnie’s Beach Bash Breakfast featuring Minnie and friends! This is an easy way to see characters at your convenience.
Beaches and Cream Soda Shop
Are you hungry enough to eat the Kitchen Sink? Guess, what? Beaches and Cream Soda Shop has the WHOLE Kitchen Sink for you to order! Whether you are looking for a quick meal like a burger, or to have some delicious ice cream, this is the place to be for lunch or dinner. Many guests travel from all around the WDW resort to dine here specifically due to how fun it is. We recommend making reservations in advance to enjoy the experience.
Beach Club Marketplace
Our quick-service location on the list, the Beach Club Marketplace offers all meal options with both hot and cold items for purchase.
Martha’s Vineyard
Looking for a drink to end your evening? Martha’s Vineyard is a great spot to check out. Open from 4:00pm to 11:00pm, Martha’s Vineyard gives off New England beach house vibes with a full bar menu and appetizers.
Hurricane Hanna’s Waterside Bar & Grill
From January 2025 through June 2025, Hurricane Hanna’s will be closed. But it does offer a delicious pool side bar with quick bites and drinks when you soak up the sun at Stormalong Bay.
Pools
Disney’s Beach Club Resort is probably known as having one of the most amazing pools at any Walt Disney World Resort: Stormalong Bay. Featuring a life-sized shipwreck replica, waterslide and lazy river, you can spend your full day at Stormalong Bay and not even miss the parks.
From January 2025 to June 2025 Stormalong Bay will be closed for routine maintenance. If you are staying during the closure, there are 3 other leisure pools between the Beach Club and Yacht Club to explore.
Transportation
One of the best things about Disney’s Beach Club Resort is proximity to the parks. If you asked me my favorite location to stay at Walt Disney World, it would probably be the Crescent Lake area. You are within walking distance to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios and have access to the Skyliner and Boats taking you to these parks. This is probably the differentiator for me when selecting hotels.
The quickest transportation option is to walk to EPCOT, which is 5 minutes from the back entrance of the Beach Club to the International Gateway. A walk to Disney’s Hollywood Studios is about 15-20 minutes along a walking trail. Other great options include the boat connecting Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the Disney Swan and Dolphin, Disney’s Beach and Yacht Clubs, Disney’s Boardwalk and EPCOT. The Skyliner is also available for Disney’s Hollywood Studios. You would need to take the Skyliner to Caribbean Beach and transfer to Hollywood Studios, so this might be the longer option from the Beach Club.
If you have plans to visit the Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, a water park, or Disney Springs, you would want to head to the lobby and walk to the bus stop area, where you can find buses for all of these locations.
TA Tip: Use your MyDisney Experience App to see when the next bus is arriving. While we wouldn’t wait until the last minute to go to the stop, it can give you a good idea of when it will arrive.
Resort Amenities
Choosing a resort at Walt Disney World can be overwhelming. It’s important to check out what amenities the resort offers that would make the most sense for your family. Activities at Disney’s Beach Club include:
Resort Campfire Activities like Roasting Marshmallows by the Fire
Movies Under the Stars at either the Beach Club Pool or in the Solarium
Poolside Cabana Rentals
Fantasia Gardens and Fairways Mini Golf (located near the resort)
Motorized Boat Rentals
Fishing
Tennis, Volleyball, Jogging
Lafferty Place Arcade near Stormalong Bay
Ship Shape Massage Salon Fitness Center
One amenity not mentioned on the Disney Website is the fact that you can watch the fireworks from the bridge connecting the Boardwalk and the Beach Club Resort. While it’s not technically Beach Club property, it offers some great views if you don’t want to battle the crowds at the theme park.
This would be an ideal resort for you if…
You are a family with elementary aged or older children or even a couple who is looking for an elevated experience that is closer to the magic of the Disney Parks. Epcot and Hollywood Studios fans will love the proximity to those parks. Whether you are staying in a regular hotel room or a suite, you’ll have that elevated experience that many guests look for, especially on their rest days. While not the best resort for someone who is interested in heavy character theming, it is a great option for proximity, elevated experiences, and quality dining.
Check out why Jenn Marrazzo, one of our AMAAB travel advisors, loves Disney’s Beach Club Resort:
“For me, Disney’s Beach Club offers the best of everything. You are close to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, you have some fantastic dining options at the resort like Cape May Cafe and you have that relaxing Beach Club vibe. As someone who has stayed in Club Level here, it holds a special place in my heart for the elevated experience and that special feeling it gives to its guests.”
-Jenn Marrazzo
AMAAB Travel Advisor
You can check out an overview of all Disney resorts here, or connect with one of our travel advisors to find your perfect match!
Let us know when you are ready to go! Start with our quote request and our crew will send you a proposal of options for your next magical WDW vacation.
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