Disney’s Beach Club Resort Review

We have waited many long years to stay at Disney’s Beach Club Resort. It’s always been just a little out of our price range. And since we travel to Walt Disney World pretty frequently, many times we are doing so on a budget. But one day, the clouds opened up, smiling upon us and we got a great deal to finally be able to stay there. To say we were excited was an understatement. Did it live up to our expectations? Read on to find out everything you need to know about staying at Disney’s Beach Club Resort.

Beach Club Resort at Walt Disney World

The Beach Club Resort at Walt Disney World is a deluxe resort. Due to its location and amazing pool, it’s one of the most sought-after resorts at Walt Disney World. With prices to match, it is also one of the most expensive. And one any many Disney guest’s bucket lists. Including ours! The Beach Club is located on Disney’s Boardwalk and is just a few minutes walk away from Epcot. That also means it’s super close to the Skyliner, making travel to Hollywood Studios a breeze as well. The Disney World Beach Club Resort is home to both standard guest rooms and DVC rooms. And they also have club level if you’re looking for a little more luxury at Walt Disney World. 

Aside from its location, the pools at Disney’s Beach Club Resort is Disney’s Beach Club Resort’s claim to fame. Not only is it huge, but it’s somewhat of a destination in itself. And honestly, it’s pretty cool.  The Beach Club Resort shares its pool and other amenities with its more sophisticated sister resort, Yacht Club Resort. 

Beach Club Resort Atmosphere

The vibe at Disney’s Beach Club Resort is laid back, with a New England seaside cottage theme. With beachy colors and seaside scents, it feels like you’re actually on vacation here. This isn’t always the case with Disney resorts! The resort itself is beautiful. Those pastel buildings are so cute and inviting. It’s no wonder that it’s one of the most popular deluxe resorts at Walt Disney World.  The lobby has cute nautical touches throughout and even the Cast Members wear nautical-inspired costumes. 

Beach Club Resort Rooms

This is where the resort starts to go downhill for me. We don’t tend to spend a ton of time in our room when we are at Walt Disney World. So truthfully, the room itself isn’t usually that big of a deal. But for something that costs as much as Beach Club does, I expect the room to be in better condition. Not only is the carpet quite worn down, but the whole thing just feels old and tired. Don’t get me wrong, I love a room with a bit of character. But having character and being outdated is not the same thing.  I’m not saying this should be another resort room that ends up looking like every other modern-day hotel room.  But I think the rooms could really use a good refresh. 

The setup of the room is also a bit awkward. At least the room we stayed in was. Unlike many of the other resort rooms we’ve stayed in, the vanity space near the bathroom is completely open. No curtain, no sliding door. I tend to be an early riser whether I like it or not, and this makes it very difficult to get ready in the morning without disturbing the rest of my family. Most Disney resort rooms have something that separates the vanity. The Beach Club rooms do not. Aside from that, we noticed the bathroom door almost didn’t clear the toilet, and it was sometimes difficult to get into and out of the bathroom because of this. I’m not sure if they are all like this, but it was a bit weird. 

All that being said though, the rooms are spacious, the beds are pretty comfortable, and most rooms come with a balcony or patio if you’re on the ground floor. They’re not bad rooms. Just not rooms I’d normally consider paying even about half the cost for. 

Beach Club Resort Refurbishment

The rooms at Beach Club were actually refurbished in 2017, and I’m not sure what they looked like back then, but they’re not nearly as pristine or even as pretty as I would have expected. Especially when you have the Swan Reserve just 10 minutes away at about half the price.   The Villas are being updated later this year, so I am trying to stay hopeful that at some point, the rest of the rooms will follow. 

Beach Club Resort Grounds 

White sandy beaches with hammocks, palm trees and the Boardwalk skyline make up the grounds at Beach Club Resort. And really make you feel like you’ve been transported to a completely different place. It’s really magical! Disney’s Boardwalk area is truly one of the best-themed areas in all of Walt Disney World.  

While the outside of this resort is pretty immaculate, the inside could use a bit of work. I can’t imagine how difficult it must be to keep up with the level of traffic that this resort sees, but we were a little shocked at the state of the interior of the building. Stained carpets in the main lobby. An elevator that looked like it had been eroded in the sea….we kept asking ourselves if this was part of the theming, but I am going to say it’s unlikely that was actually the case. Lots of scuffed-up areas in the hallways. 

Disney Beach Club Resort Pools

The pools at Disney’s Beach Club Resort are famous. Seen from the Disney BoardWalk, the main pool, called Stormalong Bay is huge!  It’s so cool it even needed to have a cool name to go along with it. Stormalong Bay is only for guests staying at Beach and Yacht Club, and yes, they will card you on your way in. Ok, so they don’t actually card you. But you have to scan your magic band to get in and then are given a wristband to wear for re-entry. 

The Disney Beach Club Resort Pool itself is quite large, at a whopping 3 acres! And it has a sandy bottom, so it’s kind of like you’re at an actual beach. Seriously how cool is that?! Even better, some of the lounge chairs are settled in areas with sand as well, so you can really feel like you’re on a relaxing vacation.  There are tons of places to relax here, and that’s probably a really good thing because when it’s hot out, the pool can get pretty packed. 

There’s also a pretty awesome water slide that crosses the Boardwalk. Have you ever noticed the giant pirate ship in that area? Yep, that’s a water slide! It’s pretty popular too, so, during busier times, you can expect a wait. If you’re a family that loves pools and water slides, then this resort just may be one to put on your list! The pools at Disney’s Beach Club Resort feature a lazy river, a miniature water slide, 2 kiddie pools and 3 whirlpool spas. It’s a pretty impressive pool area and one that could probably substitute a lazy day at the water park for. There are also 3 quiet pools throughout Yacht and Beach Club for those looking for a quieter environment.

Does the Beach Club and Yacht Club Share Pools?

Yes, the pools at Disney’s Beach Club Resort are shared with the Yacht Club Resort. As it sprawls between both places, guests from both the Beach Club and Yacht Club are allowed to use it. Which is such a perk! 

Beach Club Transportation Options

The Beach Club Resort is about a 5–7-minute walk to Epcot depending on where your room is located.  You can also walk to the Skyliner station from it, making it convenient to get to Hollywood Studios. If you don’t love heights, or specifically the Skyliner, there is also a ferry that will take you there. For convenience to the two parks, the Beach Club really can’t be beaten. 

For Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom, and Disney Springs, bus transportation is available. This is where the transportation perks kind of get a little tricky. Beach Club often shares a bus with Yacht Club and sometimes even Boardwalk Inn.  This means that rides are longer, and sometimes the buses are fuller as a result. Of course, if you’ve ever stayed at a Value Resort, I don’t know how the buses could be any fuller than that, so you probably wouldn’t even notice. 

Beach Club Dining and Restaurants

Unfortunately, this is another area that’s a bit of a letdown when it comes to this resort. In general, the Boardwalk area isn’t known for the best quick service restaurants. In my opinion, many of the quick service options are pretty dismal, especially when compared to other resorts. You can see all of the dining options at Disney’s Beach Club Resort here.

Beach Club Marketplace

The Beach Club Marketplace is the Beach Club’s quick service. This serves as their “food court’, which it’s really not. Rather it’s a gift shop with grab and go food items, a few hot items and several variations of mac and cheese. Breakfast is really the best option here as they serve some standard options like Mickey waffles and breakfast sandwiches. There are almost no hot food choices at the Beach Club Marketplace for meals later in the day. But it’s a pretty small area and can get quite crowded first thing in the morning. So if you’re planning to get your morning coffee here, just be prepared to wait in line. 

Seating for the Beach Club Marketplace consists of a few small tables directly outside on a little patio area. And in the Solarium, there are also some additional seats. 

Hurricane Hanna’s

Hurricane Hanna’s is the resort’s Pool Bar and serves standard food like chicken strips, salads, and burgers. You can also grab some drinks for poolside relaxing here. And it’s easily accessible from the Boardwalk right near the pool. Guests can refill their resort mugs at this location too, which makes it pretty convenient for those relaxing by the beach. 

See the full Hurricane Hanna’s menu here. 

Beaches and Cream Soda Shop

Beaches and Cream is one of the resort’s most popular restaurants. It’s adorably themed and serves lunch and dinner. But let’s be honest. Most people go for the ice cream. Though they recently expanded, it’s not very big, so reservations can sometimes be difficult to get here.  They also have a to go window with a limited menu that’s very convenient if you’re just looking for ice cream or milkshakes. 

Beaches and Cream menu can be found here. 

Cape May Cafe

Cape May is the resort’s character dining meal, and it’s a popular one! We aren’t huge seafood eaters around here, so we’ve never tried it. But those who love New England-inspired cuisine and Disney characters in cute outfits can find Cape May Cafe at the Beach Club Resort. They serve breakfast and dinner, and both meals are buffet-style. Breakfast offers more traditional items like Mickey Waffles and omelets. Dinner offers New England flavors. And you can see the whole menu here. 

Martha’s Vineyard Lounge

Martha’s Vineyard is the resort’s lounge serving appetizer and drinks.  They’re usually open in the evenings only, but it’s a great place to relax after a long day, or grab a late-night snack. You can find Martha’s Vineyard menu here. 

Movies Under the Stars at Beach Club Resort

Movies Under the Stars is held nightly at the Beach Club Resort.  You can see the Movies Under the Stars at the beach near the Pirate ship slide, or inside at the Solarium if the weather requires it. 

Beach Club Resort Amenities and Recreation

Beach Club Resort, like most deluxe resorts, has a gym. Ship Shape Massage Salon Fitness is a full-service facility with gym equipment that offers massages and more.  You can also rent a boat and go fishing at the Beach Club. Or play games at the Lafferty Place Arcade. They also have a beach volleyball court and tennis court. And if you’re looking for the ultimate lazy day, Poolside Cabana Rentals are available with cocktail service, fruit tray and optional dining service add-on. 

Map of Beach Club Resort

How much does Disney’s Beach Club Resort cost? 

The starting price for Beach Club Resort is $483 per night. This is the cost before any discounts are applied and it’s also just the starting cost for standard rooms. You’ll pay more for upgraded views and other room types. Most times of the year, it’s likely to be closer to $600 or more per night. And during the busiest times of the year, a standard room can set you back over $800 per night. So, if you want to stay here but are on a budget, be sure to look for deals! It’s not impossible to find them. But if your travel plans are flexible, always check to see if a promo is available. 

Is Beach Club good for families?

If your family loves pool time, then yes! It’s one of the most popular resorts for families based on its pool alone. The Beach Club Resort is perfectly family-friendly. And the laid-back atmosphere is a little less intimidating than its stuffier sister, the Yacht Club. Families will also love the convenience of both Epcot and Hollywood Studios. Less travel time in the morning means less chaotic mornings, and we think that’s always a win when you’re traveling with kids. If your priorities are a great pool and easy transportation, then we think your family will love this. 

Is Beach Club worth the price?

That depends…a lot. We got a great deal by traveling during a slow period in January. I’ve also seen some good deals pop up in August or September. But I’m going to say the cheapest prices here are likely in January because fewer people are booking it solely for the pool. As opposed to hotter months which is a big factor in many people’s vacations.  It also depends on your priorities. Will your family use the pool? Do you plan to spend a lot of time at Epcot or Hollywood Studios? If you answer yes to either of these, then I think it could be worth the price depending on what the price is. Don’t forget, there are other options to be close to Epcot, and they don’t all cost as much as Beach Club. 

If you have no interest in spending time at the pools at Disney’s Beach Club Resort, I don’t think it’s worth it. You can usually find good deals on Boardwalk Inn, and the Swan, Dolphin and Swan Reserve are all just a short walk from the Boardwalk area and are usually around the price of a moderate.  

Disney Beach Club Resort Review

Since we love keeping things honest around here, I have to say overall I was a bit disappointed in the Beach Club Resort.  I know this is an unpopular opinion. But much like our disappointment in Cinderella’s Royal Table, I’m just gonna say it. I don’t get the hype. Maybe I had romanticized it for too long, or maybe my expectations were too high. I already knew the pool was going to be amazing. And it is! And the location just can’t be beat. But for the price of this resort, I really think there are better options. 

The hotel itself is in much need of some TLC.  From stains on the carpet in the lobby, to the seriously weathered down elevator, and the very worn carpet in the guest rooms, for $500-$700+ per night, I expected a lot more. Anywhere else in the world that you would likely stay for this price would be pristine. And the Beach Club Resort is just not.  Its charm and good looks really stop at the door.  And that’s a real shame because it has so much potential to be absolutely fabulous. 

The fact that it’s almost impossible to find quick hot food without walking over to a different resort is also a bit of a hassle. But I knew this before going since I’ve stayed on the Boardwalk many times before.  So that’s kind of on me for expecting anything different. But there are great table service restaurants that you’ll have access to like Trattoria Al Forno and Ale and Compass. The restaurants are quite underrated in my opinion, and staying in this area allows you to take advantage of those quite easily. And we are big fans of the pizza window on the Boardwalk, so that’s always a good option as well. 

Would we stay here again?

Overall, we were very grateful to be able to stay at the Beach Club Resort. But we won’t be rushing back any time soon. In our opinion, this resort needs some major refreshing before we plan to stay here again. We love the location, and we love the pool, but we just can’t justify the cost of what the resort currently has to offer. In truth we enjoyed staying at the Disney Yacht Club more. If you’re curious as to why, be sure to check out the big differences between the Beach Club and Yacht Club Resorts at Disney World.