Disney's Yacht Club Resort

When our four-year-old got sick, the staff came through even at 3 a.m. Lori at the main lobby front desk, from Denver by way of Pittsburgh, found medicine and basic care items so he could recover quickly and enjoy his Disney World trip. She was kind and went out of her way to help us salvage the experience, even though she wasn’t feeling well herself. From arriving by car through to handling requests, the service was great. The hotel and staff made for a phenomenal experience.

On this, our fourth Yacht or Beach Club stay in five years, the experience felt much less magical than before. The resort is still very expensive, and several changes made in the COVID era to improve margins have taken away from the stay. Staff also seemed less knowledgeable and friendly than in the past. We paid extra for a garden view, then were told we’d been “upgraded” to a slightly larger standard view room. There were small bugs that looked like fleas in that room. We moved, but only after spending the night there. Housekeeping was another major problem. We stayed four nights and never had the room cleaned, despite the posted claim that it would be cleaned every other day. After my five-year-old spilled milk on the bed, we asked for fresh sheets and got a bag of towels and sheets instead. Staff also seemed less helpful and friendly than ever. I saw one staff member scold a guest whose pre-teen daughter was changing in a Yacht Club bathroom stall. The guest explained she’d checked out at 11 and had nowhere else to change, but the staff member still insisted they leave and find somewhere else. At these prices, with service this poor, I’d stay off-site next time. There isn’t a real benefit to staying here.

My kids had fun finding Max and Flounder and getting buttons, and the cast members were great. I love this hotel at Disney. This time our “resort view room” was so far from the lobby that I didn’t realize it could be that far away. It was quiet and nice, but quite a hike with a two-year-old.

The water taxi is a handy option for getting to The dolphin swan, Disney broad-walk, Epcot center and Hollywood studios. It comes every other 10 minutes, and the ride takes about two minutes. The hotel’s lake setting still feels beachy, thanks to the views, breeze and design. Inside, it has an elegant coastal look, with light colors and sophisticated seaside details that made me feel like I’d left Florida for an upscale yacht club in the Hamptons, NY. Staff were attentive, friendly and organized from arrival, and the fresh, flavorful food was beautifully presented. The whole experience came together smoothly.