Reviewing the Beach Club Resort
There are few bad things one can say about any of Disney’s deluxe resort offerings, and the Beach Club is no exception to this rule. This wonderful place delivers everything you can ask for, and even some things you may not expect with few flaws worth mentioning.
Situated along Crescent Lake and across from the Boardwalk, the Beach Club is a resort hotel with a separate building containing Disney Vacation Club villas. It is attached to the Yacht Club, and is similar in many ways, but it does have a unique feel. It has all of what you would expect out of a deluxe resort, including suites, great atmosphere and the price tag to go along with it. It’s is expensive enough to price people out of staying here, but if you can afford it, it is a terrific option.
For me, nothing beats the location. The lake is gorgeous, with the view of the Boardwalk and all the other amazing sites in the area. But most important, it is only steps from one of my favorite watering holes anywhere, not just in Walt Disney World. Walk out of the resort, turn to your left, and before you know it the Rose and Crown stands before you beckoning you to come in. From some rooms, you can walk out onto your balcony and listen to the sounds of the British Invasion and Off Kilter playing.
My favorite deluxe resort on Disney property is the Boardwalk, but the Beach Club comes close. Where it fails to stack up is in dining options. The Cape May Café offers a marginal character breakfast, and average dinner. But Beaches and Cream, the terrific ice cream parlor between the two resorts, is a fine offering for lunch and a light supper. But once again location comes to the rescue. With all the great spots in walking distance, at the Yacht Club and Boardwalk not to mention Epcot, the lack of a great restaurant on the resort’s premises is significantly diminished.
Stormalong Bay is the pool the joins the Yacht and Beach Clubs together. It is the best resort pool on Disney property, no questions asked. It is truly an attraction onto itself. With its winding river layout, terrific details, and white sand bottom, this is the only pool that can keep me out of the parks.
When designing the Beach Club, Imagineers were attempting to recreate an Atlantic beach front resort. They certainly didn’t achieve the same level of themeing like they did at the Wilderness Lodge or Polynesian. What resulted was more of an ambience than a recreation. But it has a character all its own.