Featuring an unbeatable location and a legendary pool – plus a few surprising downsides – here’s what you need to know before booking a room at Disney’s Beach Club Resort.

Disney’s Beach Club resort has it all: an absolutely epic sand bottom pool, spacious rooms, and close proximity to big attractions like EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and the Boardwalk! Location is what this resort is all about. Plus, thanks to its casual elegance and charming New England-inspired theming, the Beach Club is one of Disney World’s most beloved Deluxe Resorts. Since it first opened in 1990, it’s been a guest favorite.

However, like every Disney World hotel, there are pros and cons to staying at Disney’s Beach Club Resort. Featuring shared amenities with Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, its sister hotel, you’ll find plenty to love about the Beach Club –– but it may not be the perfect fit for everyone.

The Pros of Staying at Disney’s Beach Club Resort

There’s a Wide Variety of Room and Villa Options

Photo by Wayne Wood

Whether you need a standard room for four guests, a two-bedroom villa that sleeps up to nine people, or something in-between, the Beach Club has you covered! This Disney World hotel is home to an expansive selection of different room options, making it well-suited for just about every type of guest. Here’s an overview of the different room types you can choose from:

• Standard rooms, with two queen beds or one king bed (sleep up to 5 adults)
• Deluxe rooms, which are larger than a standard room and include a sleeper sofa (sleep up to 6 adults)
• 1- and 2-bedroom suites, which include two queen beds or one king bed plus a sleeper sofa and a daybed (sleep up to 7 adults)
• Rooms and suites with Club-Level Service, which feature additional amenities and services (sleep up to 7 adults)
• Deluxe Studios, which include queen beds, sleeper sofas, pull-down beds, a kitchenette, and a porch or balcony (sleeps up to 5 adults)
• 1- and 2-Bedroom Villas, with full kitchens and up to two full-size bathrooms (sleeps up to 8 adults)

Whether you’re looking for a comfy place to crash at night or roomier accommodations that’ll fit the whole family, every option is available at Disney’s Beach Club Resort. Plus, as a Disney Vacation Club property, DVC members can easily use their points to stay at the Beach Club Villas and enjoy a home-away-from-home experience.

Convenient (and Quick!) Access to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Don’t want to wait for Disney’s bus transportation or rely on your own car to get to and from the theme parks? Well, Disney’s Beach Club Resort is super conveniently located. This resort is sandwiched right between EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios –– and it’s so close, you can actually take a stroll from your room to the International Gateway entrance of EPCOT!

Or, if you’d prefer, you can utilize Disney World’s boat transportation and take a relaxing ride to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Since both theme parks are incredibly close by, you won’t find yourself waiting for transportation for very long.

Plus, there’s an added perk: When you stay in certain rooms, you’ll get some amazing views of Spaceship Earth at night (and maybe even some fireworks!).

Stormalong Bay Is One of Disney World’s Best Pools

Photo by Laurie Sapp

If you or your family absolutely love spending time at the resort pools across Walt Disney World, then you won’t want to miss the pool at Disney’s Beach Club Resort! It’s home to a unique sand bottom pool full of fun –– including a water slide, pirate ship, and even a lazy river, offering endless fun for every age. 

In fact, there’s so much to enjoy at Stormalong Bay, many guests claim there’s no need to visit the water parks when you practically have a mini-water park included as your hotel pool!

Stormalong Bay brings the beach right to your hotel. Thanks to that sand bottom and the incredible shipwreck, you’ll feel like you’re lounging right on the coast. The theming is incredibly well-done, and kids in particular will enjoy splashing around in between theme park visits during your stay.

The Cons of Staying at Disney’s Beach Club Resort

There Are Limited Quick-Service Restaurant Options

Photo by WDW Shutterbug

If you’re someone who prefers to dine at Disney World’s quick-service restaurants, there aren’t a whole lot of options at Disney’s Beach Club. You can choose from the Beach Club Marketplace, Beaches and Cream Soda Shop, or Hurricane Hanna’s to grab a quick bite to eat. And when it comes to variety, these three dining options don’t exactly deliver. The menus at the Beach Club’s three quick-service restaurants provide limited options, and there may not be something to please everyone in your group.

However, the good news is the resort’s location provides more variety, if you don’t mind walking! For more restaurant options and food variety, you can walk over to the Boardwalk for dining options like the Boardwalk Bakery or the Pizza Window (which is one of our favorites places in Disney World to grab some pizza!).

Room Rates Are Very Expensive

The Beach Club is a Deluxe Resort, which means it isn’t exactly a budget-friendly option. This is a resort that features more amenities and larger rooms –– and with those added perks comes a higher per-night price. You will see the highest possible rates here, since Disney World’s Deluxe resorts are the fanciest and most expensive options on property.

If you’re prone to sticker shock, consider a split stay here. You can spend a few nights at Disney’s Beach Club, then spend the rest of your visit at one of Disney’s Moderate or Value resorts to negate the cost.

The Sprawling Grounds Require Quite a Bit of Walking

Disney’s Beach Club Resort is a resort that’s quite spread out, so you may find yourself taking a bit of hike to get from the lobby to your room… and around the grounds. The buildings feature long hallways, so depending on where your room is located, you may need a few extra minutes to get from point A to point B.

While this is by no means a deal breaker, it is a detail worth noting after you’ve already hit your step goal in the theme parks!

Should You Stay at Disney’s Beach Club Resort?

If cost isn’t a concern, we think staying at the Beach Club is a great option! The location is tough to beat, especially for those who want quick, easy access to the theme parks and some fantastic Disney World views. 

If you can’t justify the cost, we suggest booking a split stay. Even a couple of days is enough to enjoy all of the amenities and perks of Disney’s Beach Club. Oh, and no matter how long you stay, be sure to spend a resort day here –– you’re going to want to to take advantage of Stormalong Bay!

If you’re not one to spend a lot of time at your resort or want an option with beachy vibes that doesn’t feature the high cost of a Deluxe resort, we suggest Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. Here, you’ll find sandy beaches, a pool worth relaxing at, and super-convenient transportation via Disney’s Skyliner.

Still trying to decide which Disney World resort is the right choice for you? Whether you’re considering the Beach Club or want to look into more options, we recommend enlisting an expert’s help. The team at The Vacationeer, WDW Magazine’s travel agent partner, can get the job done! Best of all, it’s completely free to get their help planning your next Disney vacation. Just fill out this form to get started.