Finding “Beach Vibes” at Disney
If you’re like me, you struggle to pick between Walt Disney World and the beach for vacation. On one hand, Disney World is the most magical place on Earth. On the other hand, no place is quite as relaxing as the beach.
Well, I have good news for you. You can have the best of both worlds! With a little creativity, you can find relaxing, beachy vibes in a Disney setting.
Check out my favorite places to embrace Disney beach life. Trust me, you can have it all on vacation.
Pick a Beachy Hotel
Disney World has a huge selection of resorts, each with unique and immersive theming. The grandeur of the Grand Floridian Resort and the colorful, character-themed environments of the All-Star Resorts couldn’t be more different.
Disney knows how to commit to a theme. Keeping that in mind, why not stay at a resort themed for beach lovers?
The BoardWalk Inn is a marvelous choice. The hotel is themed after a turn-of-the-century East Coast boardwalk/beach town.
Picture carnival light fixtures, Atlantic City-inspired artwork, and a pool area reminiscent of Coney Island. (As someone who grew up going to New Jersey beaches, this hotel is pure nostalgia.)
Another great option would be Disney’s Beach Club or Yacht Club. These elegant, refined choices are inspired by New England locales such as Bar Harbor, Nantucket, or Martha’s Vineyard.
Plus, the Beach Club is home to two sunny restaurants, including the beloved Beaches & Cream Soda Shop (home of the ‘Kitchen Sink’ sundae) and the seafood-focused Cape May Café.
Reviewing these three hotels, I can’t pick a better place for a midday park break.
Eat a Beachy Breakfast
No matter where you’re staying, you can enjoy character meals at any deluxe resort. For seaside lovers, I recommend the Minnie Beach Bash Breakfast at Cape May Café.
This airy, colorful restaurant will transport you to your favorite beach town. And the bountiful, all-you-can-eat breakfast they serve is what vacation is all about!
While chowing down on cinnamon rolls, eggs, and Mickey waffles, Minnie and friends will stop by your table. Clad in their favorite beach attire, you’ll get many tropical photos.
Grab a reservation, pack your favorite sunhat, and start your day off right here.
Stroll the BoardWalk at Night
Don’t get me wrong, I love the revamped Disney Springs. But that area can get crowded. On Saturday nights, it’s unbearable.
A lovely alternative is walking along the BoardWalk area. An extension of the BoardWalk Inn Resort, this entertainment district can be accessed by the World Showcase entrance of EPCOT.
Following the theming of the hotel, the Boardwalk feels like stepping into an idealized beachfront town. The romance of the area is electrified by the lights at night.
Take a promenade. Munch on a funnel cake. Admire the street performers or rent a Surrey Bike with your sweetheart. Stop by one of the bars for a cocktail, including the dueling piano bar, Jellyrolls.
You can also sit down for a decadent meal. Trattoria al Forno serves authentic Italian fare and the Flying Fish is revered for its seafood.
Everything about the BoardWalk feels familiar yet, even better than you imagined. I recommend at least one evening there.
Find a Real Beach at Disney
The actual ocean may be a couple of hours away, but there are still beaches to be found. Specifically, the man-made beaches around Seven Seas Lagoon are worth checking out.
Both the Grand Floridian and the Polynesian Resorts have man-made beaches perfect for nighttime strolls. Water access is cut off for safety reasons, but that doesn’t mean you can’t put your feet in the sand!
The Polynesian Resort beach is a favorite location to watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks or the Electrical Water Pageant.
Whether you want to see a nighttime spectacular or just kick back, these beaches will satisfy your need to relax.
Set Sail for the High Seas
Orlando has a very summery atmosphere, but Disney can take it up a notch. If the ocean is what you crave, consider booking your first Disney cruise.
Disney Cruise Line is an impeccable cruise line known for hospitality, cleanliness, mouthwatering food, and magical touches. And many cruises sail out of seaside cities like Miami and Fort Lauderdale.
Additionally, many Disney cruises stop at their private Bahamian Island, Castaway Cay. So, you’re practically guaranteed at least one beach day of complete indulgence.
Many itineraries also include stops in other Bahamian, Caribbean, and Mediterranean locations. It’s all a matter of picking the right sailing for you!
Of all the Disney vacations, this one marries the tropical with Disney magic like no other.
With all these options, I hope you can see that compromise is possible. Calming, go-with-the-flow drinking pina colada vibes can go hand in hand with a pixie-dusted vacation.
Thanks for visiting MickeyBlog.com! Want to go to Disney? For a FREE quote on your next Disney vacation, please fill out the form below and one of the agents from MickeyTravels, a Platinum level Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, will be in touch soon!
Feature Image: Disney