Disney's Yacht Club Resort vs Walt Disney World Dolphin

Disney's Yacht Club Resort

Photo: Disney's Yacht 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

Yacht Club

Deluxe

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Deluxe

Area

Yacht Club

Epcot Resort Area

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Epcot Resort Area

Transportation

Yacht Club

Boat, Walk, Bus

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Walk, Boat, Bus

Table-Service Dining

Yacht Club

2 restaurants

Walt Disney World Dolphin

7 restaurants

Quick-Service Dining

Yacht Club

5 locations

Walt Disney World Dolphin

3 locations

Pool Amenities

Yacht Club

Water Slide, Pool, Quiet Pool

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Pool

Extended Evening Hours

Yacht Club

Yes

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Yes

Top Highlight

Yacht Club

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

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Walking distance to EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios

Overview

Disney's Yacht Club Resort

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

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 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

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 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

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 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

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 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

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 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

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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