If you’re looking for a great place to stay in Walt Disney World, the Epcot Resort areas are a great choice! Which Epcot Resort do you think is the best choice?
Epcot area Resorts
There are several Epcot area Resorts for Guests to choose from, and they all make for a fantastic vacation! But how do you choose the one that is best for you? For this article, we will will focus on the three Disney owned Resorts closest to Epcot: Disney’s Boardwalk Resort, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, and Disney’s Beach Club Resort. I (Jamie) have been lucky enough to stay at all three of these, so I’m going to try to help you break down the best choice of the three!
There are some other Resorts in this area, but they are not Disney owned. However, that doesn’t mean you should look past them! The Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve Resorts are also alternative options if you like staying in this area. For more information on these, head over HERE.
Why choose an Epcot area Resort?
There are several benefits to staying at any of the Epcot area Resorts, which is why this area is such a popular choice for Guests looking to stay at a Walt Disney World Resort. The location is absolutely fantastic. All three Resorts are so close to Epcot, that you can walk there in no time. There is a short walking path that takes you to Epcot’s International Gateway entrance, which is widely regarded as a quieter, more preferred entrance to the Park than its main entrance.
There is also a walking path to Disney’s Hollywood Studios that is a nice, quiet walk. The walk takes about 15 minutes, and runs alongside a waterway. Additionally, Guests of these three resorts have easy access to the Disney Skyliner transportation if they’d prefer to take that to Hollywood Studios.
Besides convenient access to two Parks, the Epcot Resort area houses Disney’s Boardwalk, which is packed with lots of fun restaurants and live entertainment. This is a great place to stay if you are looking for a great atmosphere!
So, we already know that Epcot area Resorts are the best to stay in all of Disney World, but if you still need convincing, check out Monica’s thoughts on why these Resorts are the top choice! But which Resort of the three is the best choice? Let’s take a look at each one.
Disney’s Boardwalk Resort
Disney’s Boardwalk Resort is a fun Resort if you’re nostalgic for old fashioned boardwalk beach resorts. Situated right on Disney’s Boardwalk, this Resort has so much to offer! The decor instantly invokes the feel of an old fashioned beachside resort, with a mini carousel right in the lobby! The pool is themed like a carnival and has a fun Mickey themed waterslide!
The Resort is located right on Disney’s Boardwalk, which is filled with endless entertainment and food options!
First, the Boardwalk Bakery is a quick service restaurant that offers fresh baked goodies and sandwiches. Guests can refill their Disney mugs here, but this location is a hike away from most rooms. This Quick Service Restaurant is not actually in Disney’s Boardwalk Resort, which is unfortunately the biggest drawback of this Resort for me.
As for table service locations, the Boardwalk hosts Trattoria al Forno, an outstanding choice for any diners! Big River Grille and Brewing Works is also here. While we didn’t love every meal we tried here, it was a great choice and a fun atmosphere!
Pros:
- Location, although Boardwalk is furthest from Epcot and the Skyliner.
- Fun theming
- So many dining choices
- Fun entertainment just steps away
Cons:
- Location! It is the furthest Resort from the Parks
- No Quick Service restaurant in the Resort
Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
A step into Disney’s Yacht Club Resort will transport you to a New England yachting club, complete with nautical touches everywhere you look. The Resort is located close to Epcot’s International Gateway and the Disney Skyliner. It would take approximately 5 minutes to walk over there from Yacht Club!
Yacht Club is stunningly beautiful and elegant. It is so elegant that you may even feel out of place in your casual Disney Parks attire! I went as far as to label it “the stuffiest Resort in Disney World.” You can read more of my thoughts on that HERE.
Disney’s Yacht Club has what is widely considered to be the best pool area in Walt Disney World, Stormalong Bay. You definitely won’t regret scheduling a pool day (or 2!) during your trip when you spend it here!
Disney’s Yacht Club does have several dining options on site, including Ale & Compass, and Yachtsman Steakhouse. There is also a Quick Service Restaurant, The Market at Ale & Compass.
Pros:
- Location, location, location! Proximity to Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Skyliner transportation
- Stormalong Bay-the best pool area in Walt Disney World
- Beautiful, elegant accommodations
- Several dining options, including a Quick Service restaurant
Cons
- “Stuffy” atmosphere
- Pool area can get very crowded
Disney’s Beach Club Resort
Disney’s Beach Club Resort will instantly transport you to beach oasis in the heart of Disney World. The Resort combines my two favorite things: Disney World and the beach! What a great place for a getaway! Disney’s Beach Club Resort is inspired by cozy New England style beach hotels. Being from New England myself, I was skeptical that Disney could pull off a beach resort feel in the middle of Florida. I was wrong!
It is the closest Resort of the three to Epcot and the Skyliner. There are fantastic dining options available. From Cape May Cafe to Beaches and Cream, you really can’t go wrong with either of these table service meals! In the mood for Quick Service? Check out Beach Club Marketplace, a delicious, quick restaurant!
Besides a prime location and great dining choices, Beach Club boasts the best pool in all of Disney World: Stormalong Bay. Resort Guests share this pool with Guests of Yacht Club.
Pros:
- Prime location! The closest of all three Resorts to Epcot and the Skyliner.
- Fantastic Table Service and Quick Service Restaurants
- Fun, laid back beachy atmosphere
- Stormalong Bay: enough said!
Cons:
- Shares a pool area with Yacht Club, so it can become crowded
And the best Resort is…..
Disney’s Beach Club!
With its prime location and proximity to Epcot and the Skyliner, Beach Club is hard to beat! This Resort is laid back, great for families and adults alike, and offers great dining options.
Stormalong Bay is just the icing on the cake for this outstanding Resort! It is my absolute favorite and I can’t wait to stay there again and again. For a full guide to Disney’s Beach Club Resort, head over HERE.
However, you can head over HERE and check out Susan’s thoughts on this topic, if you’re not sure you agree with this!
Do you agree that Disney’s Beach Club is the best Epcot area Resort? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below, or tell us on Facebook.
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Tom
Sunday 12th of June 2022
The walk between the Epcot International Gateway and the Yacht and Beach Club is short and pretty. The Yacht Club has a pier for the Epcot area boats. The wait is short, and it's an easy less than 10 minute ride to Hollywood Studios.
Tom
Sunday 12th of June 2022
I know The Dolphin and Swan are not technically Disney resorts, but they are right there. They count as "Premium" resorts with all the benefits, including 7:00 A.M. ride selection, for a cheaper price, plus Marriott and Southwest Airlines points. We've never stayed there, but the price and benefits are appealing, and nothing is closer to Hollywood Studios. But we love the fake sand bottom ( really crushed granite and marble that won't kill the filters) pool and the kids love the pirate slide We've stayed at both The Yacht Club and Beach Club, which are really the same hotel and share a lobby, and agree The Beach Club is better. This trip we spent around $70 more a night to get on club level. The great "free" food (great, tiny buffet) was worth it. That was our dinner a few times.