Disney's Beach Club Resort vs Walt Disney World Dolphin

Disney's Beach Club Resort

Photo: Disney's Beach Club Resort
Deluxe Epcot Resort Area
Walt Disney World Dolphin

Photo: Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort
Deluxe Epcot Resort Area
Alex Young
Alex Young
· Updated · 5 min read

At a Glance

Tier

Beach Club

Deluxe

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Deluxe

Area

Beach Club

Epcot Resort Area

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Epcot Resort Area

Transportation

Beach Club

Boat, Walk, Bus

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Walk, Boat, Bus

Table-Service Dining

Beach Club

2 restaurants

Walt Disney World Dolphin

7 restaurants

Quick-Service Dining

Beach Club

2 locations

Walt Disney World Dolphin

3 locations

Pool Amenities

Beach Club

Water Slide, Pool, Quiet Pool, Hot Tub, ShipWreck slide on pirate ship (Stormalong Bay)

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Pool

Extended Evening Hours

Beach Club

Yes

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Yes

Top Highlight

Beach Club

Stormalong Bay is widely considered the best resort pool at Disney World

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Walking distance to EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios

Overview

Disney's Beach Club Resort

A New England beach-themed deluxe resort beside Crescent Lake with direct access to the shared Stormalong Bay pool complex.

Walt Disney World Dolphin

A large Marriott-operated convention resort on Crescent Lake with Disney benefits and direct access to the Epcot-area walkway network.

Amenities

Disney's Beach Club Resort

Recreation

  • stormalong bay—a 3-acre water wonderland
  • Water Slide
  • catch currents on an inner tube in the lazy river
  • Pool
  • Quiet Pool
  • Marina
  • Playground
  • Arcade
  • Running Trail
  • Tennis Courts
  • Hot Tub
  • ShipWreck slide on pirate ship (Stormalong Bay)
  • Volleyball

Wellness

  • Fitness Center
  • Ship Shape Health Club (steam room, sauna, massage therapy, Nautilus/Hammer Strength/aerobics)
  • Spa

Rooms

  • rooms and suites with club-level service

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Recreation

  • Pool
  • Tennis Courts
  • Jogging Trail
  • Arcade
  • Playground
  • Camp Dolphin for children ages 4-12 from 5pm to midnight with themed activities, video games, arts and crafts
  • Swan paddleboat rentals on the white sand beach

Wellness

  • Fitness Center
  • Spa

Rooms

  • Club Level

Other

  • Laundry Facilities
  • Child Care
  • Business Center
  • Boat launch courtyard between Swan and Dolphin; Friendship launches to Epcot and Hollywood Studios
  • Gift Shop

Transportation

Disney's Beach Club Resort

  • Boat

    EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios

  • Walk

    EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios

  • Bus

    Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Disney Springs

Walt Disney World Dolphin

  • Walk

    EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios

  • Boat

    EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios

  • Bus

    Magic Kingdom Park, Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Disney Springs

Pros

Disney's Beach Club Resort

  • Stormalong Bay is widely considered the best resort pool at Disney World
  • Walking distance to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios via International Gateway
  • Strong table service dining options on site and nearby at BoardWalk
  • Charming New England seaside theming
  • Easy access to multiple resorts in the Crescent Lake area

Walt Disney World Dolphin

  • Walking distance to EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios
  • Can be booked with Marriott/SPG hotel points for potentially free nights
  • Crescent Lake location with boat service and BoardWalk access
  • Shula's Steakhouse and Il Mulino are top-tier dining options on property
  • Often cheaper than equivalent Disney-owned Deluxe resorts

Cons

Disney's Beach Club Resort

  • One of the more expensive Deluxe resorts at Walt Disney World
  • Smaller rooms compared to other Deluxe resorts at similar prices
  • No monorail access, requires walking, boat, or bus to Magic Kingdom
  • Standard rooms can feel dated relative to recently renovated resorts
  • Pool area can get very crowded during peak season

Walt Disney World Dolphin

  • Not a Disney-owned resort, so no Early Entry or advance booking perks
  • Resort and parking fees are high in addition to the nightly rate
  • Dated exterior design with the iconic dolphin statues divides opinion
  • Rooms were historically smaller and less updated than Disney Deluxes
  • Bus service to non-walkable parks is less reliable than Disney buses

On-Site Dining

Disney's Beach Club Resort

  • Beach Club Marketplace

    Quick Service

    American

    breakfast · lunch · dinner

    View menu

  • Beaches & Cream Soda Shop

    Table Service

    American

    lunch · dinner

    View menu

  • Cape May Cafe

    Table Service

    American, Seafood

    breakfast · dinner

    View menu

  • Hurricane Hanna's Waterside Bar and Grill

    Quick Service

    American

    lunch

    View menu

Walt Disney World Dolphin

  • Bourbon Steak - A Michael Mina Restaurant

    Table Service

    American, Steakhouse

    dinner

    View menu

  • Bourbon Steak Lounge

    Quick Service

    American, Steakhouse

    snack

    View menu

  • Cabana Bar and Beach Club

    Table Service

    American

    snack

    View menu

  • Fuel

    Table Service

    American, Quick Service - Coffee

    snack

    View menu

  • Phins

    Table Service

    American

    dinner

    View menu

  • Rosa Mexicano

    Table Service

    Mexican

    breakfast · lunch · dinner

    View menu

  • Rosa Mexicano Lounge

    Quick Service

    Mexican

    snack

    View menu

  • The Fountain

    Table Service

    American

    lunch · dinner

    View menu

  • Todd English's bluezoo

    Table Service

    Seafood

    dinner

    View menu

  • Todd English's bluezoo Lounge

    Quick Service

    Seafood

    snack

    View menu

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