Should You Stay at Disney’s Beach Club Resort?
You spend all year dreaming of your next Walt Disney World vacation.
Once you’re finally ready to book your trip, there’s just one vital question to answer: Where should you stay?
Photo: Disney
Every official Walt Disney World hotel will delight you with its theming and amenities.
So, your greatest concern is that you pick the best one for your upcoming vacation.
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As part of a series, MickeyBlog is analyzing your various options, and today’s topic is a personal favorite of mine.
Should you stay at Disney’s Beach Club Resort? Let’s discuss the pros and one con.
The Theming
Some Disney themes are more straightforward than others.
I would argue that Beach Club probably offers the easiest yet most fitting one of all. You’re at the beach!
That’s it. You’re staying at a beachfront hotel, and you’ll know it because there’s a sandy beach right past the lobby.
Disney has built an entire thematic area here to reinforce the notion that a Beach Club vacation is just like a real week at the beach.
Even the hotel lobby’s smell will reinforce this point, as Disney pipes in a fragrant ocean aroma.
You’ll find the entire place tranquil and relaxing, making it the perfect escape once you’re done with your theme park visit.
The Lobby
Speaking of the hotel lobby, it’s the epicenter of Beach Club.
In addition to the aromatic scent here, you’ll quickly discover that the whole place is a vibe.
In fact, I often just grab a chair in the hotel lobby and people-watch when I stay here.
Beach Club’s lobby remains active throughout the day since it’s home to multiple restaurants and a gift shop.
You can do everything you need during your vacation at/near this lobby, which is why it’s so oddly busy yet relaxing.
The Location
One of the best things about Beach Club is its location, which has somehow improved over the past few years.
Disney fans know that Beach Club doubles as a cheat code for EPCOT visits.
credit: D23
Due to the hotel’s position near the International Gateway, you can leave your room and be in EPCOT in less than ten minutes.
In fact, on a particularly slow day, I once did it in less than five minutes.
The trick is for there to be no lines at security/park entry. But even a ten-minute trip is almost unbeatable at other hotels.
Plus, since the Disney Skyliner opened, you can now reach Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 15 minutes as well!
International Gateway
So, half of Walt Disney World’s theme parks are easily accessible from Beach Club!
For that matter, you can walk through EPCOT to the park’s entrance. Just beyond this point, you’ll find a monorail station.
Photo: D23
Thus, Beach Club loosely connects to all the Disney World parks except for Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
How’s that for an ideal location?!
The BoardWalk
Disney
When you stay at Beach Club, your room may overlook the lighthouse and Disney’s BoardWalk across the bay.
You’re just a short walk across the bridge – or a boat ride if you’re feeling lazy – away from the BoardWalk.
The whole trip takes maybe five minutes from Beach Club’s lobby and even less from some of the hotel rooms.
At the BoardWalk, you’ll discover a thriving entertainment complex Disney has recently revitalized with new dining options.
MickeyBlog raves about the Cake Bake Shop, and I’m a big fan of Trattoria al Forno.
Plus, the BoardWalk hosts live entertainment throughout the day, making it a thriving spot for tourists.
You’ll absolutely want to spend some time on the BoardWalk when you stay at Beach Club.
The Pool
Disney
In my estimation, Beach Club’s strongest amenity is Stormalong Bay.
If you’re unfamiliar with the hotel, you may wonder, “What’s that?” And I’m here to tell you it’s Disney’s best pool.
In fact, I often describe Stormalong Bay as a mini-water park, which may undersell it.
This pool is larger than MANY actual water parks in tourist traps throughout North America.
Stormalong Bay features everything from a lazy river to an epic waterslide. But that’s not all!
Disney has thought of everything in maintaining the hotel’s theming.
Since you’re at a beach, the pool consists of sand bottom flooring! Yes, you’ll feel sand beneath your toes while swimming.
Stormalong Bay is legitimately one of my favorite places at Walt Disney World.
Even better, Disney is currently redesigning the entire space to make it even better for tourists!
The Restaurants
You’ll eat extraordinarily well at Beach Club, I mean, you’re right by EPCOT’s World Showcase and the BoardWalk.
So, you knew that already. But you don’t need to leave the hotel campus to satisfy your hunger cravings.
Beach Club hosts a charming throwback restaurant called Beaches & Cream Soda Shop.
This place sells some of Disney’s best burgers, and its ice cream is legendary as well. Plus, it’s right beside Stormalong Bay!
You can dine outside and watch everyone splashing around at the pool if you use the pick-up window here.
Then, we have Cape May Café, a combination dining experience.
Photo: Disney
In the morning, the All-You-Care-to-Enjoy buffet doubles as a Minnie Mouse character meal that will delight children of all ages.
At night, the seafood buffet will make you feel as if you’re staying at an oceanfront eatery. It’s splendid.
Photo: Disney
Even the Quick Service restaurant, Beach Club Marketplace, offers a high-quality breakfast and some solid sandwiches.
Why You Should Look Elsewhere
Photo: DVC
There are two primary reasons why you’d pick a different resort than Beach Club.
Despite the hotel’s many glowing positives, its location isn’t ideal for fans of Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Photo: DisneyFanatic.com
Don’t get me wrong. The location is perfectly fine, but Beach Club stays work best for two parks.
When you plan to spend most of your Disney vacation at EPCOT or Hollywood Studios, this resort proves perfect.
A Disney bus drives under the damaged sign.
Getting to Magic Kingdom requires either a bus ride or a long walk to the front of EPCOT to take the monorail, though.
During a Disney vacation, the last thing you want to do is walk more.
Photo: D23
And the other big knock is the obvious one. You’ll pay more for a Deluxe Tier resort at Walt Disney World.
For guests who don’t plan to spend much time in their rooms/at their hotel, there are better ways to allocate the vacation budget.
Personally, I stay at Beach Club a LOT, but I fully understand why others, especially those who don’t swim on vacation, don’t.
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Feature Photo: Disney.
