Disney's Contemporary Resort vs Disney's Yacht Club Resort

Disney's Contemporary Resort

Photo: Disney's Contemporary Resort
Deluxe Magic Kingdom Resort Area
Disney's Yacht Club Resort

Photo: Disney's Yacht Club Resort
Deluxe Epcot Resort Area
Alex Young
Alex Young
· Updated · 5 min read

At a Glance

Tier

Contemporary

Deluxe

Yacht Club

Deluxe

Area

Contemporary

Magic Kingdom Resort Area

Yacht Club

Epcot Resort Area

Transportation

Contemporary

Monorail, Walk, Boat, Bus

Yacht Club

Boat, Walk, Bus

Table-Service Dining

Contemporary

4 restaurants

Yacht Club

2 restaurants

Quick-Service Dining

Contemporary

6 locations

Yacht Club

5 locations

Pool Amenities

Contemporary

Pool, Quiet Pool

Yacht Club

Water Slide, Pool, Quiet Pool

Extended Evening Hours

Contemporary

Yes

Yacht Club

Yes

Top Highlight

Contemporary

Monorail runs directly through the hotel to Magic Kingdom

Yacht Club

Shares Stormalong Bay with Beach Club, one of the best pools at Disney

Overview

Disney's Contemporary Resort

A flagship monorail resort next to Magic Kingdom, recognized for its A-frame tower and quick walk to the park gates.

Disney's Yacht Club Resort

A deluxe nautical resort beside Beach Club on Crescent Lake, with easy walking access to Epcot's International Gateway.

Amenities

Disney's Contemporary Resort

Recreation

  • Pool
  • Playground
  • Quiet Pool
  • seven seas lagoon — enjoy fishing, boating and more
  • Marina
  • Children's water play area
  • Arcade
  • Running Trail
  • Tennis Courts
  • Volleyball

Wellness

  • Fitness Center

Rooms

  • rooms and suites with club-level service
  • Club Level

Other

  • Laundry Facilities

Disney's Yacht 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
  • Volleyball
  • Arcade
  • Playground

Wellness

  • Fitness Center
  • Spa

Rooms

  • disney signature services — guests staying in club-level rooms
  • Club Level

Other

  • The Market at Ale and Compass all-purpose store

Transportation

Disney's Contemporary Resort

  • Monorail

    Magic Kingdom Park

  • Walk

    Magic Kingdom Park

  • Boat

    Magic Kingdom Park

  • Bus

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

Disney's Yacht 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

Pros

Disney's Contemporary Resort

  • Monorail runs directly through the hotel to Magic Kingdom
  • Walking distance to Magic Kingdom, closest hotel to the park
  • Top-tier dining including California Grill atop the resort
  • Iconic A-frame architecture and clean modern design
  • Bay Lake Tower offers direct walkway connection

Disney's Yacht Club Resort

  • Shares Stormalong Bay with Beach Club, one of the best pools at Disney
  • Walking distance to EPCOT and boat to Hollywood Studios
  • Yacht Club Marketplace and Yachtsman Steakhouse on property
  • More nautical, adult-oriented atmosphere than neighboring Beach Club
  • Easy access to BoardWalk dining and entertainment district

Cons

Disney's Contemporary Resort

  • One of the most expensive resorts at Walt Disney World
  • Modern design lacks the immersive theming of other Deluxe resorts
  • Standard rooms can feel dated compared to newer renovations
  • Far from EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, bus ride required
  • Monorail loop congestion can cause delays during peak times

Disney's Yacht Club Resort

  • Very expensive even by Deluxe resort standards
  • Smaller pool at Yacht Club itself, relies on shared Stormalong Bay
  • Rooms can feel dated compared to more recently renovated Deluxes
  • No monorail access, bus or walk required to Magic Kingdom
  • Nautical theming may not excite young children as much as other resorts

On-Site Dining

Disney's Contemporary Resort

  • California Grill

    Table Service

    American, Seafood, Sushi

    dinner

    View menu

  • Chef Mickey's

    Table Service

    American

    breakfast · dinner

    View menu

  • Contempo Café

    Quick Service

    American

    breakfast · lunch · dinner

    View menu

  • Contemporary Grounds

    Table Service

    American, Quick Service - Coffee

    dinner

    View menu

  • Cove Bar

    Quick Service

    American

    snack

    View menu

  • Outer Rim

    Quick Service

    American

    snack

    View menu

  • Steakhouse 71

    Table Service

    American, Steakhouse

    breakfast · lunch · dinner

    View menu

  • Steakhouse 71 Lounge

    Quick Service

    Steakhouse, American

    snack

    View menu

  • Steakhouse 71 To Go

    Quick Service

    American, Steakhouse

    lunch · dinner

    View menu

  • The Sand Bar

    Quick Service

    American

    snack

    View menu

Disney's Yacht Club Resort

  • Ale & Compass Lounge

    Quick Service

    American

    snack

    View menu

  • Ale & Compass Restaurant

    Table Service

    American

    breakfast · lunch · dinner

    View menu

  • Ale & Compass Restaurant To Go

    Quick Service

    American

    breakfast · lunch · dinner

    View menu

  • Crew's Cup Lounge

    Quick Service

    American

    snack

    View menu

  • Martha's Vineyard

    Quick Service

    American

    snack

    View menu

  • The Market at Ale & Compass

    Quick Service

    American

    breakfast

    View menu

  • Yachtsman Steakhouse

    Table Service

    American, Steakhouse

    dinner

    View menu

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