We recently stayed at Disney’s Beach Club resort and we had an amazing time! The last time we stayed at this resort was about 12 years ago. We love the beach vibe of this deluxe Disney resort.
One of the best parts of the Beach Club is walking in and smelling that signature scent that just tells you “welcome home!”
Our last visits was an adults trip, but we have stayed at Beach Club with kids as well. If you are considering staying at this resort with your family, there are 9 important things you need to know before you book.
9 Things To Know About Disney’s Beach Club Resort
1. The Beach Club vibe is casual, yet upscale
We feel it is important for you to know that the Beach Club does have a more upscale feel to it compared to other deluxe Disney resorts. That being said, it is not stuffy at all.
Disney’s Beach Club is right next door to Disney’s Yacht Club resort, and there is a noticeable difference between the two. Both are upscale, but Yacht Club has a much more formal vibe.
2. Best pool on property – sand bottom
Disney’s Beach Club resort has arguably one of the best pools on site. Kids LOVE to swim at Stormalong Bay, where they can climb aboard a sinking ship! There is a fantastic lazy river and one of the highest water slides on Disney property.
One thing parents should be aware of is that this pool has a sand bottom. Depending upon your view, this can be a pro or a con.
Stormalong Bay underwent a major refurbishment and is fully operational as of June 2025!
3. Character dining is on-site
You can easily walk to a fantastic character dining experience at Cape May Cafe if you are staying at the Beach Club! From 7:30-11:30am Minnie Mouse and friends visit Cape May Cafe for a fun breakfast experience. We are big fans of character dining as you get to spend your time in the parks doing attractions rather than waiting in character lines!
If your kids are a little older and not really into character dining, you can enjoy an amazing seafood buffet at Cape May for dinner! Reservations are recommended for both breakfast and dinner dining experiences.
4. The sink/vanity area doesn’t have a door
On our last visit we stayed on the fifth floor (club level) and the bathroom area was interesting. The shower and toilet were in one part with a door that closed, and the sink and vanity area was open to the rest of the room. We don’t know if this is the case for every single room on property, but this is something we think parents need to know about.
The issue with this setup is that the bright vanity area light can easily illuminate the room. If you prepare for bed after your kids are asleep, the light might disturb them. You can avoid this by getting ready for bed at the same time as your kids.
5. Five minute walk to Epcot and Epcot Skyliner station
The five minute walk to Epcot from Beach Club is probably a main feature of this hotel. This is perfect for families as kids any age can walk the short walk to the park! You can view our real-time video of the walk here.
The Beach Club entrance is in the World Showcase, so if you are hoping to rope drop Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure or Frozen Ever After you are in a great spot to be one of the first in line. Don’t forget that you get Early Entry!
You can pick up the Skyliner at Epcot and ride over Hollywood Studios (with a transfer). You can also take a boat to Hollywood Studios.
6. Bus service to Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom is shared with Yacht Club
The bus picks up from Yacht club first and then Beach club. The downside to this is that the bus is often full first thing in the morning so you may have to stand. The upside is that you have a shorter bus ride to park – once you leave the Beach club the next stop is the park!
7. Easy 10-15 minute bus ride to and from Magic Kingdom
We wanted to make sure that every family knows that the bus ride to Magic Kingdom from Beach Club is EASY. Even if you need to stand, you are less than 15 minutes from the park.
On average, the bus takes about 10-12 minutes from Disney’s Beach Club to Magic Kingdom and 12-15 minutes to return. The return trip is slightly longer because the bus stops at Disney’s Yacht Club first.
8. You can see the Epcot fireworks from the resort
While you won’t be able to see all the light and water effects from the Epcot fireworks, you can get a view from the Beach Club! There are a few ways to see the fireworks from Beach Club. First, you can book a room and request that it be facing towards Epcot. Please know that you are not guaranteed any room requests.
The best place to watch the fireworks if you can’t see them from your room is at the dock between Beach Club and Yacht Club. This is a calm area that is super pleasant. Another viewing area for the fireworks is on the bridge that connects the Beach Club and the Boardwalk.
You should know that you can hear the fireworks VERY well at Beach Club. You can’t hear the music, but you can hear the “booms.” The fireworks last for less than 20 minutes, but you will definitely know they are going on if you are in your room.
9. Limited Storage Options
One drawback of our room at Disney’s Beach Club, likely common in most rooms, is limited storage space. For families with kids who prefer to unpack, note that there are only three drawers available. A luggage rack is provided for use.
There are a couple small drawers in the nightstand and the two doors and small drawers on either side of the main dresser space.
All in all, this is a really lovely resort for families to stay at. This is a great hotel for elementary age kids – especially if they love to swim! If you have very young toddlers or babies we would probably choose a different resort.
If you are wanting deluxe options, we would go for Disney’s Polynesian, Disney’s Contemporary or Disney’s Animal Kingdom resorts. These resorts have a bit more of a relaxed atmosphere and are generally more friendly for families with very small kids.
You can see our entire list of our favorite hotel options for families here!