While technically a separate resort, it shares a convention center and several other features with the adjoining Yacht Club Resort. The Yacht Club is inspired by a similar location and time period, but the Yacht Club takes on the air of an exclusive club while the Beach Club has the atmosphere of a family beachside cottage.
The Beach Club is one of Disney World’s deluxe resorts, and the related Beach Club Villas share the same management and theme in addition to many amenities. Most rooms feature balconies, and may afford views of the boardwalk or even the nightly fireworks display at Epcot.
Recreation
There are many great ways for guests to entertain themselves at the Beach Club Resort. There are many recreation opportunities on the resort grounds, and guests can also venture out onto Crescent Lake for still more opportunities.
The Beach Club Resort features a 0.8 mile jogging trail that takes runners or walkers on a loop of Crescent Lake.
If you need to escape from the sun and the Florida heat, the Lafferty Place arcade has many of the latest video game offerings in addition to a selection of old-school arcade favorites.
The shores of Crescent Lake are covered in beautiful white sand perfect for sun bathing, beach volleyball, running, and more.
Bass fish excursions are onto Crescent Lake are available at the marina. These trips last approximately two hours, and guides and fishing equipment are provided as part of the excursion. The Bay is also a great place to venture in a rented water craft, or as part of a specialty cruise.
Main lobby entrance to Disney’s Beach Club.
Stormalong Bay
The Beach Club and Yacht Club resorts share a beautiful signature pool designed to resemble the beautiful and occasionally storm-tossed New England seaside. Stormalong Bay features pools with textured sand bottoms, a picturesque Cape Cod-style windmill, and the “Shipwreck”, the prow of a sunken vessel rising up from the water that is also the entrance point for one of the highest water slides at Disney World.
This pool complex also features a shallow pool for small children, pools of temperatures to suit the tastes of every guest, and a raised tanning deck for those who want to relax and catch the Florida rays.
In addition to the bustling Stormalong Bay complex, the Beach Club Resort also has a quiet pool and hot tub nestled in a more secluded area of the resort. While a visit to Stormalong Bay is a must for any guest, the quiet pool is a nice retreat when the main pool area is exceptionally crowded.
Ship Shape Health Club
The Ship Shape Health Club has everything guests might need or want for a great workout or a pampering spa experience. The club is open 24 hours a day, with an attendant present from early morning until the evening.
Guests can break a sweat on the extensive selection of aerobic and strength machines at the club. Visitors looking for a relaxing spa day can visit the salon for hair and skin care, luxuriate in a steam room or sauna, or opt for a soothing massage.
Child Care
Parents looking to enjoy an adult evening can take advantage of the Sandcastle Club, and child care and activity center for children between the ages of three and twelve. The center is open between mid-afternoon and midnight, and spaces must be reserved in advance. In addition to games, crafts, movies, and other activities, the Sandcastle Club provides dinner and snacks for its young guests.
Dining Options
There are two places to dine on the Beach Club Resort property, including a character dining breakfast. Character dining is a wonderful way for kids to meet their favorite Disney characters while enjoying a sit-down meal.
Cape May Café
The Cape May Café is a very different restaurant for lunch and dinner. At dinner, it is a peaceful seaside café with a delicious seafood buffet as well as a wide selection of non-seafood menu options. At breakfast, Cape May is a rollicking character dining experience hosted by Goofy and a selection of his friends. Reservations are required for the popular breakfasts, but not necessary for dinner.
Dining room of the Cape May Cafe.
Beaches and Cream Soda Shop
The Beaches and Cream Soda Shop is a classic seaside dining experience, serving ice cream sodas and milk shakes along with burgers and sandwiches. Slurp on a delicious treat at the soda counter while enjoying classic rock ‘n’ roll tunes emanating from the jukebox.
Beaches and Cream is also home to The Kitchen Sink – not the place you wash dishes, but a humongous ice cream sundae that has about every ice-cream and ice-cream related toping you can imagine.
Transportation
There are a variety of transportation options to take Beach Club guests to the theme parks or other areas of Disney World. Both Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios can be reached on foot or on boats via one of the many waterways. The Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, or any of the other Disney World resorts are reachable primarily by bus, although it is possible to walk through Epcot and take the monorail to visit the Magic Kingdom.
Pros and Cons
The location of the Beach Club Resort can be either a pro or a con depending on guests’ varying priorities. On one hand, it is very centrally located, and one of the only Disney Resort that is within walking distance of two theme parks. For visitors who plan to spend time in all corners of Disney World, the convenience of the Beach Club can’t be beat.
On the other hand, the Magic Kingdom is relatively far away and lines to catch the buses to this theme park can be long. Guests who plan to focus their time on this popular park might want to consider one of the deluxe resorts in the Magic Kingdom area instead.
Fun times await at the Lafferty Place Arcade.
Is the Beach Club For You?
The Beach Club Resort is a very popular family resort with great services and opportunities for all ages. This deluxe resort is relatively expensive, particularly during peak times of the year. As with other deluxe resorts, the extensive amenities and price make the Beach Club an ideal resort for guests who plan to spend a lot of time at the resort and enjoy everything it has to offer.