Choosing a place to stay on your Walt Disney World vacation is exciting and confusing all at once. Is it really worth it to stay in a deluxe resort? Can my family have just as much fun in a value? My family has asked ourselves both of those questions and more. Earlier this year, we were invited to stay at Disney’s Beach Club Resort as part of the Traveling Mom retreat. We requested a ground floor room, but left the rest up to chance upon check-in. Keep reading to find out what to expect at Disney’s Beach Club Resort.
What to Expect at Disney’s Beach Club Resort
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, Disney deluxe resorts are really in a category of their own. It’s hard to compare them to moderate and value resorts because they are just so different. We did not get to choose our resort since this was a sponsored trip, but I was excited to see if it was really “worth it” to stay so close to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. More on that convenience in just a bit. First, I want to take you through the property as I experienced it.
The Lobby
Right off the bat, the lobby at the Beach Club caught my eye. It is HUGE. We took advantage of online check-in, so we skipped the front desk, but man, if you have to wait it’s an awesome place to wait! Comfy chairs and couches everywhere, and you can also take advantage of The Solarium just down the hall for a more quiet space if need be. On the left of the lobby, the hallway leads to first floor rooms, The Solarium, and the Beach Club Marketplace. The Marketplace is where you can get snacks, drinks, sundries, and Disney Parks merchandise. Over to the right of the lobby are the dining areas and connecting walkways to the Yacht Club.
The Rooms
After checking out the lobby, we headed to our room. We were lucky enough to have a first floor, handicap accessible room, which mean we had a lot of space to spread out. It was also nice to have a “porch” area that overlooked the lagoon right outside our window. The deluxe standard rooms usually sleep five adults. Two queen beds and one twin sized couch bed were all the sleeping accommodations we had in our room. While I missed the decorative throw on the bed, we always folded it up and set it to the side because of the germ factor of those things. The rooms look a little more clinical now, but at least they are clean!
Dining at the Beach Club
Next, we wandered around the property looking for a bite to eat. Inside the Beach Club is Cape May Cafe, and while we didn’t get a chance to eat there, I’ve heard good things about it. They have a character breakfast, so I imagine that is very convenient for families staying at the resort to just pop downstairs for food and a character experience. We did get a late night bite at the Beaches & Cream Soda Shop, and it was awesome! A 50s style diner means cozy seating and comfort food, which are two of my favorite things. Neil and I shared a colossal sundae, and could barely finish it, so I’m glad we decided not to attempt the Kitchen Sink Sundae on our own! Other nearby options include restaurants like Yachtsman Steakhouse (Yacht Club), Trattoria Al Forno (Boardwalk Inn), and many others.
Transportation at the Beach Club
By now, you’ve probably heard about the new “Minnie Van” Lyft transportation option, but don’t forget there are plenty of free ones too! One of my favorite things about the Beach Club is its proximity to Epcot. We walked to the International Gateway in less than 10 minutes. Talk about convenience! Additionally, you can walk to the pier and take one of the lagoon boats to other resorts or over to Hollywood Studios. The boat takes about 15 minutes one way, but it’s better than walking back on a hot day, trust me! The bus system also runs to the Beach Club for the other parks. We only used the bus to get to Animal Kingdom as it was very easy to hop on the monorail in Epcot and ride over to the Magic Kingdom (with a switch over at the Transportation and Ticket Center) when we were ready.
Recreation
Neil was able to experience Stormalong Bay, but that pool is still on my bucket list (I was busy doing retreat related things…can’t have it all!). He said it was the coolest experience because the bottom of the pool is covered in sand, but the water is clear and clean like a pool. The girls weren’t with us on this trip, so no one tried out the pirate ship slide, but we definitely saw kids having fun on it. For adults, there is a pool side bar with beverages and small portions to tide you over until dinner time. When the girls travel with us, having a great pool is a huge plus, and the Beach Club definitely checks that box for us.
Overall Thoughts
Overall, I would highly recommend the Beach Club Resort. If you can swing the price difference, I absolutely believe it’s worth it to stay in a deluxe resort, even if it’s just once. The proximity to the parks, ease of transportation, and availability of great dining and recreation options just can’t be beat. Where does your family like to stay on your Walt Disney World vacation?
