Planning a Resort Day at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort

One of the most overlooked things guests can do when planning a trip to Disney World is to focus solely on the park experience.  While it is important to make your advanced dining reservations and consult crowd levels so you know which park it is better to visit on each day of your trip, some guests completely ignore the resort experience and treat their resort as a place to just rest and recharge for the next day.  Overlooking your resort can eliminate a bunch of amazing experiences for both you and your family — here is what you can do when planning a resort day at the Yacht Club!

1. Boardwalk Activities

Given the close proximity of the Yacht Club to Crescent Lake and the rest of the Epcot Resort area, guests at the Yacht Club can take advantage of all of the activities and entertainment options at nearby resorts, as well as the Boardwalk.  Guests can choose between great dining options at the nearby Swan and Dolphin Resorts, as well as along the Boardwalk — even if you just want to enjoy a tasty ice cream cone or a delicious morning pastry.  The scenic views are enjoyable as you navigate the entire lake, so even a relaxing walk can be a great choice!

2. Skyliner Ride

One of the Skyliner stops is located steps away from the Yacht Club near the International Gateway entrance/exit to Epcot.  You don’t need to enter the park to board the Skyliner, so you don’t need a ticket to enjoy a sky-high tour of some of the resort.  Guests will be treated to aerial views of the back of Epcot, as well as the Boardwalk Resort en route to the Riviera Resort, where you can get off and explore that resort or continue your ride to the Caribbean Beach Resort, Art of Animation, or even to the gates of Hollywood Studios.

3. Stormalong Bay

One of the feature elements of a stay at either the Yacht or Beach Club is found in the pool that are for guests staying at the resort — Stormalong Bay.  Guests will love the unique feature of the pool – the bottom is covered in sand!  But, the sand doesn’t follow you out of the pool and back into your shoes and room!  In addition to the bottom of the pool, Stormalong Bay has an amazing waterslide for kids of all ages to enjoy that begins high atop the remains of a shipwreck on the shores of Crescent Lake!

4. Ale and Compass

One of the newer restaurants on property, the Ale and Compass is a great choice for either breakfast or dinner and features classic and re-invented seafood options from the Northeast — a seafood pot pie, lobster and corn chowder, or a traditional Maine lobster roll.  A meal here can be a great start to a day or a phenomenal finish to the night.  And for members of your group that may not care for seafood, not to worry!  There are plenty of non-seafood options also on the menu so everyone’s palette can be satisfied!

5. Beaches and Cream

If you are looking for something less substantial to satisfy your hunger pangs, you may want to consider Beaches and Cream — guests can get burgers and sandwiches in an old-styled ice cream shop!  You’ll definitely want to make sure you leave room for dessert — guests can find and enjoy strawberry shortcake, brownie a la mode, milkshakes, and colossal sundaes topped with decadent toppings big enough for your entire family to split!  It is a small restaurant — so if you have your eyes (or stomach) fixated on a meal here, try and grab a reservation!

6. Short Walks to Two Parks

If you have a ticket for everyday of your visit, guests can enjoy short walks to the two of the four parks on property.  Guests are a hop, skip, and a jump away from the International Gateway entrance to Epcot and a quick ten minute walk away from the entrance to Hollywood Studios.  This walk will take guests along the water past the Swan and Dolphin Resort, as well as the Boardwalk. 

7. Movies Under the Stars

While this amenity is not particular to the Yacht Club, guests can always take advantage of the movies under the stars offerings — but what makes the movies at the Yacht Club more enjoyable is that the movies take place on the beach.  The movie offerings are constantly changing, so if you are visiting the Yacht Club, be sure to check the offerings when you check-in at the front desk.

8. Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Course

Located near the Yacht Club, guests wanting to get outside and do something fun should consider the Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Course.  Located beyond the Swan Resort, guests can either walk here or take their car.  Fantasia Gardens offers two golf courses — one a more traditional miniature golf course experience or a more challenging fairway course that require a great degree of skill!  Regardless of your choice, we are confident that you’ll have a good time!

The Yacht Club is a great resort to consider for your next trip to Disney World — it is centrally located and offers and amazing array of amenities to guests.  Have you stayed there before?  What is your favorite thing to do on a resort day at Disney?