Join us this week as we discuss all your dining options in the Epcot Resort area! This includes everything within BoardWalk Inn, Beach Club, and Yacht Club! We also have ex-Cast Member Chris back on the show with us! If you’re thinking of staying in the Epcot area, you don’t want to miss this show!
Happy listening!
I have always loved the Crescent Lake Resorts (otherwise known as Epcot or Boardwalk area resorts) and have had a special affinity for the Boardwalk Inn (or villas). On my last trip to Disney I decided to shake it up and stay at The Yacht Club. I had never stayed at The Yacht Club and even though I had enjoyed my last stay at The Beach Club I knew it was in need of some TLC and refurbs (and looky there it is being refurbished so I am happy to go back!)
I checked into the Yacht Club during the mid-morning hours and though there was a line they did send out a Cast Member to start those waiting on thinking which room they would want. She had an iPad type app that showed available rooms per category. So we got to pick based on that and we picked the best location we have ever had which was second floor right off the open lobby mezzanine. It was awesome because there is a staircase to run up and down from the lobby and the café and you only had to wait on the elevator when you were so tired there was no more running the stairs left in you! So we checked our bags and got our magic bands activated because we had no time to waste seeing the room as we had ADR’s and FastPass+’s to get too. I mention this because one con of this trip was at the end of our long first day when we went to our room for the first time the magic band would not work though it had been promised that it was working. So we got to use those stairs and go up and down and wait as they figured out why…it took a good 20 minutes but finally we were in our room.
I love the decor of all the Epcot area resorts because the rooms are light and airy and they
remind me of being at the beach. The Yacht Club continued this theme with only maybe one difference I found the decor to still be light and airy but might be a tad bit more
masculine. Lots of ships and anchors and Captains, etc. to be found throughout the resort and in the rooms but the beds were comfy and the rooms were first class.
In the middle of the lobby during the day stands the Yacht Club’s Captain, a real cast member dressed as a ship’s captain that is there during the day as an information beacon. On our first wake up morning we went to the lobby and were looking for coffee and a bagel type place so I walked up to the captain and asked him “Do you work here?” which I am sure he hears 100 times per day but he still thought it funny and pointed across the lobby to the small bar area that has coffee and croissants in the morning.
The best thing about The Yacht Club for me is the location. You are walking distance to Epcot (and some crazy people walk to Hollywood Studios as well) but for us we boat ride over to DHS and it is worth it to save the feet the 20 minute walk! But you can walk quickly into the International Gateway to Epcot and be in France within a few minutes or take the boat if you are not in a hurry.
What do kids think is the best part about staying at The Yacht Club? That is hands down Stormalong Bay, the massive pool area and lazy river The Yacht Club shares with The Beach Club. Also, dining is shared between the two with two of my favorites being able to get too quickly – Beaches n Cream (the best burgers and ice cream in WDW) and The Yachtsman Steakhouse which is a wonderful, upscale steakhouse.
Would I go back to The Yacht Club? Yes! I have heard from others that some of their rooms are needing some additional TLC as well and I think that we must have been lucky because our room had recently been renovated. But, I loved the locale and all that it offered so next time you are thinking to stay somewhere around the Boardwalk area take a look at the Yacht Club…you will not be disappointed.
“Why should I plan a resort day?” This is a question I hear a lot and with confusion in their voice from my Disney travel clients whenever I suggest a break in the middle of their trip. Especially for my newbies to Disney (or newbie as an adult – lots of people have not been since they themselves were kids!). There are several great reasons to plan a resort day but for me there are two BIG ones. The first is because everyone needs a break (and I mean everyone!). Second, is because there is so much to do at the resorts if you do not have a resort day then you may just miss out on some extra Disney magic!
So let’s talk about needing a break. So, you have planned and replanned (a few times for some of you…yes I am looking at you) all your days according to the crowd calendars and your dining and fast pass+ plans. You have tried to schedule a break every afternoon for a nap and some pool time but even the best intentions sometimes get skewed. But if you take a whole day in the middle of the trip to sleep in just a little and take advantage of some of the magic the resorts offer you may just find your trip that much better! What kid or adult would not appreciate a lazy morning and a soak in the pool?
Depending on where you are staying you can hop on the monorail, bus or boat and go over to a neighboring resort to check out their activities as well or just stick around your home resort and check out the activities there. I promise no matter where you are staying you will find something fun to do! Though I am going to share a few of my favorite resort day activities and see if it entices you to take a break on your next Disney trip.
One must do is make your way over to Animal Kingdom Lodge and head straight to the back of the Lodge and animal watch over the Savannah. If you time it right you might get to roast marshmallows and sit around the campfire listening to some lively storytelling! Another great resort to visit, especially in the evenings is the Boardwalk. At night, Crescent Lake is lit up and full of fun. There are surrey bikes to be rented and carnival acts to watch. Or grab a cupcake from the Boardwalk Bakery and sit out by the lake watching the people go by. There are so many more activities at all of the resorts to be had…but that is a different post – this one is WHY?!
Hopefully some of these ideas incorporated with knowing everyone needs a break might help make your week at Disney even more magical. So, you may not get to ride It’s a Small World 5 times on your trip but you will have a day with time to laugh and relax that will be appreciated by all!
Do you already plan a resort day? If you do, what are your favorite things to do? Drop me a line letting me know!
Dole Whipped 