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Location
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Epcot Area Resort
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Category
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Deluxe & Deluxe Villa
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Theme
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New England Seaside Beach House. Bright and airy feel. Lots of great little corners to sit and relax. Sister to the Yacht Club.
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Central Building
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All parts of the resort are within one building. Registration, Dining, shopping and other facilities are located within or just outside.
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Resort Layout
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The Beach Club and Beach Club Villas adjoin the Yacht Club via outdoor walkways. Dining is accessible by indoor or outdoor entrances. Registration & Shopping is just off the lobby.
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Facts & History
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Opening Year
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1990. Villas opened in 2002. |
| History |
The Yacht & Beach Club resorts kicked off twelve (nearly) consistent years of resort growth which has only slowed down recently, but not stopped. First the 25 acre Crescent Lake was dredged and connected to the World Showcase Lagoon in Epcot and to the under-construction Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park. As part of this project, Walt Disney World's second 'Water Bridge' was created to maintain a clean line of sight (and keep guests from seeing backstage at Epcot) - you pass under the water bridge when driving between the Beach Club and Boardwalk Resorts. |
| Before the Boardwalk resort was constructed, the physical wooden boardwalk was built and construction walls lined the site. From outside the International Gateway at Epcot, there is a large unused awning and oval drive surrounding a small grassy area. To the left is the Friendship Boat dock. Before the Friendship's slowly floated on Crescent Lake, a tram - like the ones in the Theme Park parking lots, just shorter - would pick up guests from under that disused awning. From there, the tram would drive to top of the hill, and turn left towards what is now the Boardwalk. Guests wishing to walk to the Yacht & Beach Clubs would have to take a pathway (that's still there) to the left and under the bridge to avoid Tram traffic. The Tram would trundle over the wooden boardwalk planks to the causeway between the Dolphin and Swan hotels. After this stop, the Tram would turn back, and make a right turn over the bridges towards the Yacht Club resort. At the far southern end of the resort is a driveway leading to a circle drive - what is now the Tennis Courts. After this stop, it was back over the boardwalk to Epcot. Once construction for the Boardwalk began in earnest, the Tram was discontinued and the Friendship's brought into service. |
| Beach Club rooms renovated 2008. |
| Design |
Designed by Robert A. M. Stern, the Yacht and Beach Club Resorts were designed to reflect two distinct American architectural styles found in 19th-Century resorts. The Yacht Club is inspired by New England architecture, while the Beach Club is derived more from Mid-Atlantic shore resorts. |
| Expansion |
In 2002, the Beach Club was expanded to include the sixth Disney Vacation Club resort. The Beach Club Villas is a sea foam green building built to compliment it's powder blue neighbor. Several facilities within the Beach Club were expanded to accommodate DVC amenities. The shop, formally Atlantic Wear & Wardrobe, was expanded to include more groceries and become the Beach Club Marketplace. The Solarium was added off the lobby and the Villas Pool built. The bus stop was relocated to the other side of the waterway from the portico. Despite it's proximity to Epcot, there are no real views into the park. You may get a peak at the tops of some attractions, but mostly you will look at either trees, the pool or the Beach Club itself. |
| Christmastime |
Like it's sister, the Beach Club keeps it simple with Aquatic themed trees, hollies and wreaths. There is a grand exception - the third-scale Marzipan and Gingerbread Carousel. Four marzipan horses, large enough for a toddler to ride, prance around a gingerbread carousel. A pastry display topped only by the Gingerbread house at the Grand Floridian. And yes, they bake a new one every year. |
Types of rooms
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Standard -
Garden
parking lot
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400 Sq ft. 2 Queen beds, Tub/shower & toilet, double vanity, desk with chair, dresser, chest of drawers, flat panel TV, nightstand, fold-down daybed.
Accommodate 4/5 people + 1 child under 3 in crib.
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400 Sq ft. King Bed, Tub/shower & toilet, double vanity, desk with chair, dresser, chest of drawers, flat panel TV, nightstand, fold-down daybed.
Accommodate 2/3 people + 1 child under 3 in crib |
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Lagoon/Pool
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400 Sq ft. 2 Queen beds, Tub/shower & toilet, double vanity, desk with chair, dresser, chest of drawers, flat panel TV, nightstand, fold-down daybed.
Accommodate 4/5 people + 1 child under 3 in crib.
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400 Sq ft. King Bed, Tub/shower & toilet, double vanity, desk with chair, dresser, chest of drawers, flat panel TV, nightstand, fold-down daybed.
Accommodate 2/3 people + 1 child under 3 in crib |
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Stone Harbor Club –
Garden
Water
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400 Sq ft. Club level room. 2 Queen beds, Tub/shower & toilet, double vanity, desk with chair, dresser, chest of drawers, flat panel TV, nightstand, fold-down daybed. Concierge amenities available.
Accommodate 4 people + 1 child under 3 in crib.
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??Sq ft. Club level, Deluxe room. Larger than a standard room. King bed, Tub/shower & toilet, double vanity, desk with chair, dresser, flat panel TV/DVD, nightstand, daybed. Concierge amenities available.
Accommodate 2 people + 1 child under 3 in crib.
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Suites
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There are 20 suites available. Inquire for more information.
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Handicapped
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380 Sq ft. King bed, Roll-in shower & toilet, double vanity, desk with chair, dresser, flat panel TV, nightstand.
Accommodate 2 people + 1 child under 3 in crib.
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Additional fee for each person over 2 people per room. No charge for children under 17 staying with adults.
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All Disney resorts are smoke free. Smoking allowed in designated locations.
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Interior hallways |
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Most rooms have walk-out balconies and first floor rooms often have walk-out patios.
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Deluxe Villa Studio
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365 Sq ft. Queen bed, Tub/shower & toilet, single vanity, Dresser with TV/DVD player, nightstand, full sleeper sofa, coffee table, ceiling fan. Kitchenette with small sink, microwave, small refrigerator, toaster, coffeemaker, dishes & utensils. Pak-n-Play crib. Hair dryer, in-wall safe, alarm clock radio, iron & board, phone with voicemail.
Accommodate 4 people + 1 child under 3 in crib.
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Deluxe Villa One Bedroom
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726 Sq ft. In bedroom, King bed, Dresser with TV, nightstand, desk with chair, ceiling fan. Split bathroom with Whirlpool tub & single vanity and Shower, single vanity & toilet. Kitchen with stove, refrigerator, dishwasher, toaster, blender, tea kettle, sink with disposal, pots, dishes & utensils. Sitting room has double sleeper sofa, coffee table, and easy chair, dresser with TV/DVD player and table & chairs, ceiling fan. Washer & Dryer, vacuum, broom. Pak-n-Play crib.
Hair dryer, in-wall safe, alarm clock radio, iron & board, phone with voicemail. Electric mixer upon request.
Accommodate 4 people + 1 child under 3 in crib.
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Deluxe Villa Two Bedroom
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1083 Sq ft. In Master bedroom, King bed, Dresser with TV, nightstand, desk with chair, ceiling fan. Split bathroom with Whirlpool tub & single vanity and Shower, single vanity & toilet. In second bedroom, two Queen beds (or a Studio room if it is a “lock-out”), dresser with TV, nightstands, easy chair, ceiling fan. Bathroom with tub/shower & toilet and double vanity. Kitchen with stove, refrigerator, dishwasher, toaster, blender, tea kettle, sink with disposal, pots, dishes & utensils. Sitting room has double sleeper sofa, coffee table, and easy chair, dresser with TV/DVD player, table & chairs, ceiling fan. Washer & Dryer, vacuum, broom. Pak-n-Play crib. Hair dryer, in-wall safe, alarm clock radio, iron & board, phone with voicemail.
Electric mixer upon request.
Accommodate 8 people + 1 child under 3 in crib.
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Handicapped
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Accessible versions of all accommodations exist. Inquire when making reservation.
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Interior Hallways |
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All rooms have private balconies or patios. |
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Room amenities
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Mini-refrigerator, Hair dryer, magnifying mirror, in-wall safe, coffee maker & coffee/tea packets, TV with limited cable, iHome alarm clock radio with iPod dock, iron & board, phone with voicemail and ceiling fan. Newspaper on weekdays.
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| Club Level amenities include Club Level check in & assistance 7:00am-10:00pm; Secured key access to club level; nightly turndown service, upgraded bathroom toiletries, free fax service, 2 adult bathrobes, Refreshments in Concierge Lounge, library of Disney movies at Concierge desk. |
| See room description for Deluxe Villa amenities. |
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Complimentary WiFi.
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Robes & turn down service available by request
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| Microwave available by request |
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Crib, bed boards/rails and high chair available by request.
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Registration
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Check in
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room guaranteed by 3:00pm/ Deluxe Villa by 4:00pm
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Check out
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by 11:00am
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Late check out
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can be requested the night before check-out
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Early arrival
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Be sure to Check-in at the Registration desk upon arrival, the room may be ready early, or at the very least they'll give a phone number you can call from any house phone in WDW to get you're room number - therefore you don’t have to go back to the registration desk.
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Express Check out
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Upon arrival you can leave a credit card on your room account. It can then be used to make charges to your room during your stay. And then, the morning you leave, an itemized bill will be on your door handle. If there are any problems, then you can contact the Front Desk - otherwise you're all set and can leave without going back to Registration.
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Magical Express
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For those of you flying into Orlando Intl Airport, Disney is making it even easier to get to their World. You’re given special tags to put on your luggage. Then when you arrive in Orlando, just get on the Magical Express bus – they’ll take you to your resort to check in. You go off and have fun, and you’re bags show up in your room later that day. Before your departure, you'll get a letter saying when you should be at the lobby to check your bags and catch your bus to the airport.
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What you get at check in
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Resort Map: shows Beach Club, Beach Club Villas and Yacht Club.
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Resort ‘newsletter’, Tide Tribune, includes dining, shopping, and recreation info for the resort. Also has other important resort information and phone numbers. This is currently placed in your room.
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"Your Guide to the Magic" with dining, shopping, recreation and WDW property map
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WDW Theme Park times Guide
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| Recreation Guide for Yacht & Beach Club |
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Key to the World -- your room key not only opens your room, but is also your early entry ID, charge-to-room card, and perhaps your theme park ticket – Don’t Loose It
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If you drove, then you’ll get a parking pass – use it or your room key to park for free at the theme parks, and also to get through the security gate back at your resort.
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What to ask for
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Wild About Safety coloring book for kids (or big kids)
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Theme Park maps
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Resort amenities
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Lobby Concierge
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your source for tickets, dining priority seating, dinner shows, recreation reservations, fishing or fireworks cruises, and other information
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Business Services
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Complete services available at Yacht Club Convention Center. Fax & limited services at front desk.
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Bell Services
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Valet, luggage service, taxi & limo
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Valet Parking
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Available for a daily fee.
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Airline Check-in
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On the day of your flight you can print out your boarding passes for select airlines. Located outside by Portico.
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Laundry
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Guest laundry located by Beach pool and in main building. Laundry services also available for pick-up/drop-off in your room.
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Fitness Center
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Ship Shape Health Club. Located behind Stormalong Bay. No additional charge for resort guests at Fitness Center. Massage Treatments 8:00am-8:00pm. Call 407-939-3256 for reservations or Information.
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Salon
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Periwig’s Beauty & Barber Shop located outside by Stormalong Bay.
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Child Care
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Sandcastle Club available from 4:30pm to midnight. Located by Beach Club Marketplace. Call 407-939-8000 for reservations.
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Misc Services
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ATM & postal box located inside Lobby. Stamps are for sale inside Beach Club Marketplace.
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Wifi
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Complimentary
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Ice & Vending Machines
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Located near main elevators on every floor and by single elevators on 1st & 4th floors.
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Wheelchair rental
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As a guest of the resort, you can request a length-of-stay wheelchair rental. A refundable deposit is given at Lobby Concierge and you are given use of a push-style wheelchair for the length of your stay. Available on a first-come first-serve basis.
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Recreation
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Pools
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Stormalong Bay has a sand bottom, water slide & whirlpools, a children’s pool and 2 spas. Must show Resort ID to use Stormalong Bay facility.
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Beach Pool – quiet pool & spa. Located on Crescent Lake side of resort.
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Villas Pool – quiet pool & spa. Located next to Villas.
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Towels available at each pool. Use Resort ID at Stormalong Bay for Towels and Water Slide Pass.
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| Life jackets available free of charge. Located at Poolside Gifts. |
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Beach
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There is no swimming in Crescent Lake.
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Arcade
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Lafferty Place Arcade located outside by Beaches & Cream
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Rentals & Sports
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Bayside Marina:
Powered boat rentals
Surrey bikes & bicycles
Fishing Excursions also available
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Illuminations Cruses: call 407-939-7529 for information and pricing
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Volleyball located outside by Beach.
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Tennis courts located on far side of Yacht Club.
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Ping Pong available next to Hurricane Hannah’s.
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Equipment rentals available in Ship Shape Health Club and is complementary.
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Playground
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Located by Stormalong Bay
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Jogging trails
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Around Crescent Lake and along path to Disney’s Hollywood Studios & Epcot. Inquire at Ship Shape Health Club.
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Children’s activities
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Inside Sandcastle Club - see Recreation Guide for activities and times. Activities also at the pool.
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Hair wraps
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Located along Crescent Lake pathway
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| Portrait artist |
Located inside Lobby. |
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Pressed penny machines
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Located inside Arcade.
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Disney cartoons & movies
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Playing in lobby and Drawing Room
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On select nights movies are shown on a big screen on the beach with campfires available for making s’mores.
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Other Entertainment
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The Drawing Room: located in Beach Club Villas, has TV
The Solarium: nice for relaxing – across from Atlantic Emporium
The Breezeway: located in Beach Club Villas
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Dining
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Cape May Café
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Character Breakfast buffet & clam bake dinner buffet; located off main lobby
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Breakfast 7:30am-11:00am
Dinner 5:30pm-9:30pm
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Beaches & Cream Soda Shop
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50’s style diner, breakfast, lunch, dinner, & snacks. Ice Cream. Located outside behind Stormalong Bay. Limited “To-Go” menu
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Lunch 11:00am-5:00pm
Dinner 5:00pm-11:00pm
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Beach Club Marketplace
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Counter Service. Sandwiches, salads, bakery, gelatos. Some groceries
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Breakfast 7:00am-11:00am
Lunch/Dinner 11:00am-11:00pm
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Martha’s Vineyard
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Full service bar and appetizers. Located past Cape May Cafe
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5:30pm-9:30pm
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Hurricane Hannah’s
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Counter Service and Full bar. Located by Stormalong Bay near beach.
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Lunch
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In-room dining
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Full selection of entrees, deserts and beverages.
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Breakfast 6:30am-11:00am
Lunch/Dinner 11:00am-1:00am
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Refillable Mug
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Available for purchase and use at Marketplace, Beaches & Cream Take-Out, Hurricane Hannah’s and Martha’s Vineyard.
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Shopping
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Beach Club Marketplace
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Beach Club and DVC logo items/clothes, standard WDW souvenirs, clothes for all ages, nick-nacks, housewares, etc. Food, drinks, and various sundries available.
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| Poolside Gifts |
Sunglasses, sun block, towels, etc. Inner tubes and other pool rentals available here. Located in the enter of Stormalong Bay. |
| The Pearl Factory |
Pearls in the Oyster and other jewelry. Located along the walkway by the beach. |
| Disney's Photopass |
Review and purchase your Photopass pictures. Located inside lobby. |
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Package Pick-up
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Packages sent to the resort from the Theme Parks can be picked up at Beach Club Marketplace.
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Transportation
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Monorail
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Not available at this resort
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Buses
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Bus stop located out front door, across bridge.
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Bus Transportation to Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Downtown Disney and Water Parks.
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Buses will always stop at Yacht Club First. May include Swan & Dolphin and Boardwalk in route.
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Boat
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Friendship Dock located off Beach walkway
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Boat transportation to Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Boardwalk and Swan & Dolphin.
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Walkways
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You can walk to Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Boardwalk and Swan & Dolphin.
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Pros
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Proximity to Epcot is fantastic
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The Cast Members are exceptional here – truly wonderful. They still understand Guest Service
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Stormalong Bay pool is by far the best resort pool
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The atmosphere is peaceful and relaxing – plenty of quiet places to sit back and enjoy the scenery.
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| Beaches & Cream is my favorite place to eat. They aren’t stingy with the ice cream – or the toppings! |
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Cons
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The boat service to Studios is snail’s pace at best. Surely those boats can travel faster. The walk to Studios is long, but do-able – and possibly faster than the boat.
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The price is rather prohibitive, but they don’t skimp anywhere – you pay for deluxe, you get deluxe.
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Other info
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Address & phone
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1800 Epcot Resorts Blvd.
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
(407) 934-8000
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