How Magical is Disney's Yacht Club Resort?

Located inside the park parameters, Disney's Yacht Club Resort is convenient to many attractions, as well as a destination all on it's own. As a newbie to the Disney World vacation lifestyle, I didn’t know what to expect. Now that it’s ended, I can honestly say we did it the right way...​and my review of Disney’s Yacht Club Resort IS magical! Keep reading to find the tips and helpful hints to make your visit the best it can be.

Walt Disney's World Yacht Club Resort

Before you visit, explore my review on Disney's Yacht Club Resort to see my best picks for accommodations, dining, and how to get around for everyone PLUS find out everything you want to know about Club Level at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort! We stayed for four nights over Halloween 2022. I've included our experience, along with tips and tricks I discovered along the way. Also, see reviews and photos on Epcot (including Food & Wine and Space 220) Disney’s Mickeys Not So Scary Halloween Party (including Be Our Guest dining), Hollywood Studios (Star Wars!!) and various resort dining experiences on Disney properties. 

My first piece of advice, if you haven’t visited Disney in many years like me, get a certified travel planner to help you. There is SO much to know about visiting the parks, how and where to eat, and more. I could not have done it without the help of Allison Goldbloom (ciick to contact, she's happy to help.)

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort is found on Walt Disney World's property and is labeled a "Deluxe resort". You know by this top rating that you are going to have a wonderful experience. BUT, if your budget can afford, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort on Club Level is the way to truly relax when visiting Disney World. They look out for you more than any other luxury resort I’ve stayed and if you've followed my blog in the past, you know I love luxury travel. For just a little bit more money, you'll get personalized treatment and lots of extras.

First, they greet all guests curbside as you first pull up to the Yacht Club. The lobby and decor is an upscale seaside escape feel. We typically vacation on cruise ships, so we felt right at home! If you are staying on the main floors (everywhere is deluxe style and amenities) they will escort you to the front desk, or if you’ve checked in on the app you can go directly to your room.  When we arrived for our Club Level room, the designated cast member escorted us onto the elevators all the way to the 5th floor. There are two concierges visible right away. The cast member concierges often change throughout the stay, but their excellent help remains constant.

Our room was number 5175 on the 5th floor and it’s in a great location. Amazing views and it’s very convenient to the Club Lounge and the elevators, but still far enough away without too much noise. We had reserved a water view room when first booking and this room was randomly assigned to us on the morning of our arrival. 

It was a wonderful treat to see this room assigned when I logged in to MyDisneyExperience app. This app will do everything for your stay, so don't forget to download it. Not only do you use it to check-in, see your assigned room before you arrive, use it to open your door, review your room charges, but it even magically checks out for you when it's time to leave. ​

Let me show you around...

The room has two queen beds, along with a sofa day sleeper (extra sheets and blankets are found in the dresser cabinet.) We found the beds very comfortable.

This room at the the Disney Yacht Club Resort features a bathroom with double sinks and walk in shower. They stock plenty of towels and toiletries, too. Besides what I've shown above, in a Club Level room you'll also find a toothbrush kit, shaving kit, aloe gel, facial soap, shower cap, and more.

I love towel designs!

Gourmet chocolates when you arrive. These were a hit!

Some fun extras make the start of your Disney Yacht Club experience magical. Beautiful and delicious chocolates greet you, along with towels shaped like Mickey Mouse. Kids of all ages will love these touches.

The Kuerig machine is complete with Joffrey's coffee pods (Disney's coffee of choice) and a mini drink fridge.

We loved our room 5175. The pad above the door handle can use a key, the app on your phone, or your Magic Band to open the door.

You’ll also find lots of outlets for your electronic devices - this is a great feature. There are robes in the closet, which is always a fun find in a luxury resort. Although, surprisingly, they didn’t provide slippers. That would have been nice for extra comfort on the hardwood floors. (Note to self: bring your own slippers or extra socks)

And the view! A gorgeous water view with the picturesque Disney World Boardwalk restaurants across the way. To the left is the infamous Yacht Club's sand bottom pool with water slides. Enjoy the view on your spacious full-sized balcony with two chairs and a small table.

Stormalong Bay Pool is fantastic. You must experience the cool sand bottom pool and the fun waterslides.

At the end of the pier ahead is a boat that easily takes you to Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and the Swan and Dolphin Resorts

The Yacht Club Concierge or Club Lounge is on the 5th floor and is over the top! We will be talking about this Club Lounge for many years to come. It's one of the best that I've been to, so don't hesitate to count on having breakfast, snacks and light meals here. Some of the items include…

Delicious cinnamon buns topped with cream cheese frosting. The mini chocolate chip muffins were my son's favorites.

We found either breakfast sausage or chicken sausage each day for breakfast. They were both really good.

If you see these Ham & Cheese Frittata's, you'll want to grab two. I'm still dreaming of them...

A great bread assortment every morning. You'll definitely burn off your carbs walking around the park, so it's fine to grab a few.

The yogurts are a perfect size. With the fresh fruit and granola on top, it makes a fun and healthy breakfast.

There was always an egg dish. I loved that the eggs weren't plain scrambled but filled with spinach, onions, and peppers. Really good! And oatmeal with lots of toppings is always a hit with me too.

Other examples of breakfast offerings you might find are smoked salmon and always fresh fruit, orange and other juices.

Snacks and drinks are available throughout the day at the Disney's Yacht Club's Regatta Club Lounge. You’ll find a cooler stocked with sodas, chocolate milk, and juice boxes; a freezer filled with Mickey Ice Cream Sandwiches and popsicles; an assortment of trail mix, potato chips, crackers, and freshly baked cookies; and a counter offering coffee, espresso, and hot chocolate, along with flavored syrups and other fun toppings.

Even adults have to indulge in a Mickey Mouse ice cream sandwich

And there are healthy snacks too!

Always stocked with drinks. This lounge is truly amazing.

We enjoyed taking snacks outside on the balcony or by the pool

Before dinner offers heavy appetizers that different every night and a lovely premium wine and beer selection, very impressive. Here are a few samples…

Desserts are offered at the end of the evening and they are not only colorful and sparkly, but really decadent. My personal favorites were the chocolate pots de creme. (I even took a few back to my room for a late, late night snack!) I love that Disney looks out for the adults too. Lovely spirits are available to enjoy with your desserts. 

Pots de Creme. You can thank me later.

Yes, they are as good as they look

There is plenty of seating in the lounge, with indoor and outdoor tables. You’ll even find a room in the lounge with comfortable chairs sized for adults and kids, and television (Disney movies and shows, of course) and board games available.

If you are looking for other dining options, we loved  Ale & Compass  for a sit down breakfast. The Mickey Mouse waffles were light and fluffy, funny how the adults in our family ordered them. I loved my Crabcake Benedict. Anytime I see a benny on the menu, I know that is what I’m ordering!

Crabcake Eggs Benedict

Fresh squeezed Florida orange juice. YES!

Don't let the Mickey face fool you, these waffles are the best

I love the nautical them of the hotel, as well as the restaurants

Getting Around Walt Disney World From The Yacht Club Resort

From Disney's Yacht Club Resort, it is only a short 10-minute walk to EPCOT and a 15-minute walk to Hollywood Studios. You can also take the ferry boat to these resorts. The ferry boat is located at the end of the pier in back of the hotel. Head out of the main front doors of Disney's Yacht Club Resort to the Transportation stop to take a comfortable bus to Disney Springs, Magic Kingdom and other theme parks, as well as to other resorts. We stayed for 4 nights and never found a need for a rental car. We did also take the "Minnie Van" - a fun Minnie Mouse themed SUV which is available on your Lyft app. What makes these great is that they are driven by Disney Cast Members and have better drop-off and pick-up locations then the typical Uber or Lyft. 

Magic is definitely found at the Yacht Club Resort in Orlando, Florida. I might even go back to stay club level again as a vacation in itself. The attentive service, wonderful amenities, and plentiful food offerings have showed me that staying on a Disney property is not just for kids anymore.