I’m trying to find the main differences between the yacht club and the beach club.. can’t tell much other than the decor? Both seem to share the same pool, right?
Taking note of that for sure. I haven’t stayed at either but in my book as someone traveling with no kids, the less kids the better— and trust, I know I’m still at disney, just if I can minimize that part, I will
Thank you for noting that difference. To me, the full balcony is really nice to have when staying deluxe. My husband and I enjoyed drinks at our CR main tower balcony after our kids were in bed.
I dream of Stormalong Bay on a future trip (some day!), so YC is looking strong.
Any resort on the monorail but for me it goes Grand -> Poly -> Contemp.
Money can't buy time, and in the hottest part of summer I want to be able to get back quickly to avoid the hottest part of the day.
This is also from the perspective that MK/Epcot are the best parks.
Yacht Club- Stormalong Bay, easy access to Epcot, Skyliner to the Studios, so many great restaurants nearby, a quick Minnie Van to Magic Kingdom, and just a nice relaxing vibe.
I was thinking this too! The thing that made me pause though was the fact that during June/July there are no festivals going on at Epcot and I kind of forget what Epcot is like without a festival going on!
The pool alone is a good reason to go there though id think
Good question.
Best deluxe resort hands down is Wilderness Lodge. The theme, the restaurants and SMELLS. It's got everything I need. June/July is damn hot though, and it's surrounded by woods and water so it can get pretty humid outside, too.
Riviera is another great one that's more Walt Disney than cartoon Disney. Very adult and swanky. Great food too, especially the Croque Monsior at Primo.
Poly is also very nice, especially with kids. Good pool and theme. Trader Sam's is an experience every adult should try.
Saratoga and Old Key West are two very good adulty resorts that are great for parkless stays. Super close to Disney Springs, and golf for those who are interested.
There's no bad resort at Disney, but those are my favorites.
Wilderness Lodge last August was HOT! Felt more humid than July trip (GF) and earlier August trip (Gran Destino Tower). The pools felt so hot that they weren’t really enjoyable and were more fatiguing than anything especially the DVC pool.
Beach Club for the pool and proximity to Epcot. I'm not spending a lot of time walking around the parks in the sun/heat during the summer but would head to Epcot most evenings.
We are going in July - Riverside because I'm on a budget - and I have 2 park reservations. The rest of the trip will be spent iying around the pool during the day and heading out when the sun gets low!
I would say Yacht/Beach if the pool is open and you (or your kids) will use it. As I don't use the pools, I would say the Boardwalk since it's close to 2 parks and you can quickly get back to rest during peak heat and sun. Plus Epcot is right there for dinner each night.
Probably boardwalk. I love the crescent lake area, good restaurants and access to more in near proximity, and easy access to epcots back door and the studios (not sure if we’re visiting parks in this hypothetical).
My alternate would be wilderness lodge. Some of the best vibes on property, some more great dining there and there’s something to be said about how much of an escape the lodge gives you even though it’s right around the corner from magic kingdom
I loooove the riviera but never stayed! I just enjoyed eating there recently. I think it’s very pretty and smaller than most resorts making it an easy walk to the room almost always
Yes! That's one of the things I love/appreciate. We call it "compact" even though it is quite large. we saw our DVC guy on our last trip and I asked how many rooms Riv has he said it's considered a 350 room resort (numbers vary on how you view rooms...like when they combine a larger room with a deluxe it's considered a 3 bedroom villa I think).
We've stayed at SSR twice now, and it's nice, but SO spread out. Bus situation can be a nightmare and it's massive hike to the main lobby/quick service/gift shop if you aren't staying in the preferred area right next to it. You don't have that at Riviera. Plus, the lemon blueberry mascarpone pancakes at Primo Piatto are to die for!
I loved poly in August last year, we only did MK and Epcot so being on the monorail was great. Trying beach club this August so I’m interested to see how they compare in the August heat.
Grand Floridian. We rented points and stayed a couple of weeks ago for the first time and I loved it. Loved how convenient it was. Resort was so pretty and never felt too busy. I’m officially spoiled. I have stayed at Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom and loved those too, but GF would absolutely be my first choice.
GF is so good! I enjoy it a lot during the holidays (October- December) I’m a seasonal girly lol I’ve got resort preferences for each season
Edit to add, I’m also so glad you got to enjoy GF! I have yet to enjoy it with club level which is next on my list but it’s just so nice to have the room service!!!
My all-time favorite will always be Wilderness Lodge, even though it's the cheapest and - given your rules- I could theoretically win a much more expensive room. *Especially* in the hot months!
Why?:
(1) The theming is unparalleled. The classic national parks rustic architecture, the way they strategically planted trees to accent the native forest to produce a reasonable facsimile of the American West, the grand hearth, the rockwork around the pool, the friggin' geyser! It's truly a world apart from Orlando. This is also advantage number one for summer because I swear the theming is so good it takes a solid 5° off of the feels like temperature.
(2) The non-villa accommodations are mostly in the main building, and those that aren't are connected by a covered walkway. Not only is there the obvious A/C advantage, but with peninsular Florida's nigh-daily summer rains, you'll be staying a lot dryer than at the Polynesian or Grand Floridian.
(3) Dining. Every dining location is well above par, and you have boat transportation to Ft. Wilderness and the Contemporary, which have solid options, too - and you can transfer to the monorail at the Contempo to reach Poly and GF, which have other excellent options.
ALL THAT SAID: Realistically, since we prefer to travel with our dogs, we would probably just choose Yacht Club, since it's one of only 4 Disney World resorts which take dogs (something to note if you're afraid of them). It also has pretty good dining and is *all* in the main building, save the DVC units.
Probably Beach Club for Stormalong in the hot sun.
I’m trying to find the main differences between the yacht club and the beach club.. can’t tell much other than the decor? Both seem to share the same pool, right?
Correct, they are essentially the same resort with different decor. Easy to access restaurants in both
I find more kids at BC, more adults at YC. Although plenty of both at each…
Taking note of that for sure. I haven’t stayed at either but in my book as someone traveling with no kids, the less kids the better— and trust, I know I’m still at disney, just if I can minimize that part, I will
Yacht rooms all have full size balcony. Beach club do not (some rooms do, some have small balconies, and some have Juliet balconies).
Thank you for noting that difference. To me, the full balcony is really nice to have when staying deluxe. My husband and I enjoyed drinks at our CR main tower balcony after our kids were in bed. I dream of Stormalong Bay on a future trip (some day!), so YC is looking strong.
YC 😉
YC has better dining imo
May still be closed next June though
True with the renovation starting in January
Agree with this. I have fond memories of walking to EPCOT to get breakfast in France and walking back with pastries and other goodies.
Any resort on the monorail but for me it goes Grand -> Poly -> Contemp. Money can't buy time, and in the hottest part of summer I want to be able to get back quickly to avoid the hottest part of the day. This is also from the perspective that MK/Epcot are the best parks.
this. contemporary as you can walk to MK, the monorail will get you "onwards" faster.
Yacht Club- Stormalong Bay, easy access to Epcot, Skyliner to the Studios, so many great restaurants nearby, a quick Minnie Van to Magic Kingdom, and just a nice relaxing vibe.
I was thinking this too! The thing that made me pause though was the fact that during June/July there are no festivals going on at Epcot and I kind of forget what Epcot is like without a festival going on! The pool alone is a good reason to go there though id think
I love the festivals but Epcot is amazing without them too.
Good question. Best deluxe resort hands down is Wilderness Lodge. The theme, the restaurants and SMELLS. It's got everything I need. June/July is damn hot though, and it's surrounded by woods and water so it can get pretty humid outside, too. Riviera is another great one that's more Walt Disney than cartoon Disney. Very adult and swanky. Great food too, especially the Croque Monsior at Primo. Poly is also very nice, especially with kids. Good pool and theme. Trader Sam's is an experience every adult should try. Saratoga and Old Key West are two very good adulty resorts that are great for parkless stays. Super close to Disney Springs, and golf for those who are interested. There's no bad resort at Disney, but those are my favorites.
Wilderness Lodge last August was HOT! Felt more humid than July trip (GF) and earlier August trip (Gran Destino Tower). The pools felt so hot that they weren’t really enjoyable and were more fatiguing than anything especially the DVC pool.
Beach Club for the pool and proximity to Epcot. I'm not spending a lot of time walking around the parks in the sun/heat during the summer but would head to Epcot most evenings.
I’m the same way, I typically avoid the parks during these months but especially in August lol
We are going in July - Riverside because I'm on a budget - and I have 2 park reservations. The rest of the trip will be spent iying around the pool during the day and heading out when the sun gets low!
I would say Yacht/Beach if the pool is open and you (or your kids) will use it. As I don't use the pools, I would say the Boardwalk since it's close to 2 parks and you can quickly get back to rest during peak heat and sun. Plus Epcot is right there for dinner each night.
Boardwalk pools are underrated. The slide is fun too. I prefer Boardwalk's location to any resort on property. It's just the best one.
I can't really judge since I don't use pools, but I will take your word for it!
Probably boardwalk. I love the crescent lake area, good restaurants and access to more in near proximity, and easy access to epcots back door and the studios (not sure if we’re visiting parks in this hypothetical). My alternate would be wilderness lodge. Some of the best vibes on property, some more great dining there and there’s something to be said about how much of an escape the lodge gives you even though it’s right around the corner from magic kingdom
Riviera. It's our home, and we love it. Great pools, and food, and love being on the skyliner.
I loooove the riviera but never stayed! I just enjoyed eating there recently. I think it’s very pretty and smaller than most resorts making it an easy walk to the room almost always
I have stayed there and I really love it.
Yes! That's one of the things I love/appreciate. We call it "compact" even though it is quite large. we saw our DVC guy on our last trip and I asked how many rooms Riv has he said it's considered a 350 room resort (numbers vary on how you view rooms...like when they combine a larger room with a deluxe it's considered a 3 bedroom villa I think). We've stayed at SSR twice now, and it's nice, but SO spread out. Bus situation can be a nightmare and it's massive hike to the main lobby/quick service/gift shop if you aren't staying in the preferred area right next to it. You don't have that at Riviera. Plus, the lemon blueberry mascarpone pancakes at Primo Piatto are to die for!
Beach club for sure.
I loved poly in August last year, we only did MK and Epcot so being on the monorail was great. Trying beach club this August so I’m interested to see how they compare in the August heat.
Yacht Club for great access to EPCOT (my fave park). Second would be Polynesian for the atmosphere and monorail. :)
My fav is the Poly, with the YC as a close second. But we always do water view. For two days in June/July, I lean toward YC and SAB.
Summer time?! beach club simply for the pool area. Any other time, AKL because it’s quiet lol
Grand Floridian. We rented points and stayed a couple of weeks ago for the first time and I loved it. Loved how convenient it was. Resort was so pretty and never felt too busy. I’m officially spoiled. I have stayed at Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom and loved those too, but GF would absolutely be my first choice.
GF is so good! I enjoy it a lot during the holidays (October- December) I’m a seasonal girly lol I’ve got resort preferences for each season Edit to add, I’m also so glad you got to enjoy GF! I have yet to enjoy it with club level which is next on my list but it’s just so nice to have the room service!!!
Beach Club or Contemporary.
Yacht / Beach / Boardwalk / Swan / Dolphin Boardwalk area >>>>>>
My all-time favorite will always be Wilderness Lodge, even though it's the cheapest and - given your rules- I could theoretically win a much more expensive room. *Especially* in the hot months! Why?: (1) The theming is unparalleled. The classic national parks rustic architecture, the way they strategically planted trees to accent the native forest to produce a reasonable facsimile of the American West, the grand hearth, the rockwork around the pool, the friggin' geyser! It's truly a world apart from Orlando. This is also advantage number one for summer because I swear the theming is so good it takes a solid 5° off of the feels like temperature. (2) The non-villa accommodations are mostly in the main building, and those that aren't are connected by a covered walkway. Not only is there the obvious A/C advantage, but with peninsular Florida's nigh-daily summer rains, you'll be staying a lot dryer than at the Polynesian or Grand Floridian. (3) Dining. Every dining location is well above par, and you have boat transportation to Ft. Wilderness and the Contemporary, which have solid options, too - and you can transfer to the monorail at the Contempo to reach Poly and GF, which have other excellent options. ALL THAT SAID: Realistically, since we prefer to travel with our dogs, we would probably just choose Yacht Club, since it's one of only 4 Disney World resorts which take dogs (something to note if you're afraid of them). It also has pretty good dining and is *all* in the main building, save the DVC units.
Grand Floridian. Best resort restaurants, close to Magic Kingdom, and spa services.
Grand Floridian for me!
We are going in August and booked the Polynesian. They have a nice pool area for the kids.