Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
79
The Beach Club's Baby Sister
Tips
Disney's
Beach Club Villas
(
&
407/934-7639
or 407/934-2175; www.disney
world.com) are inspired by Cape May seaside homes of the early 20th century
with clapboard exteriors and intricate white wood trim. The 280-room resort,
opened in July 2002, is a member of the Disney Vacation Club that rents studios
and 1- and 2-bedroom villas ($335-$505 studios, $450-$1,175 villas) to main-
stream guests when their owners are not staying on the property. Amenities are
shared with the Yacht Club and Beach Club resorts, with the exception of the Vil-
la's quiet pool—which is only accessible to villa guests. It, too, is close to Epcot's
International Gateway.
interior. From the Beach Club, it's an easy walk to Epcot's rear entrance, though most
guests prefer to take the ferry (the parks are workout enough!). The shipwreck at Storma-
long Bay (a sprawling 3-acre free-form swimming pool and water park) invites you to
explore, climb around its decks, and slide into the water waiting below. It includes a
stretch of sandy beach, sand-bottom pools, whirlpools, and water slides (including a tod-
dler slide, so no one misses out). Room views range from the pool (more expensive) to
the parking lot. Some rooms have balconies.
Note:
Both the Beach Club and Yacht Club (see later in this chapter) offer the chance
to charter a reproduction of a 1930s mahogany runabout to
cruise Crescent Lake
or see
Epcot's IllumiNations fireworks display (from $275 plus tax for up to six people for a
45-min. cruise to catch the fireworks). Daytime cruises ($90 for 30 min.) are available
departing at 2:30 and 5:30pm (
&
407/824-2621
).
1800 Epcot Resorts Blvd. (off Buena Vista Dr.; P.O. Box 10000), Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-0100.
&
407/
934-7639
or 407/934-8000. Fax 407/934-3850. www.disneyworld.com. 583 units. $335-$770 double;
$580-$2,490 suite. Extra person $25. Children 17 and younger stay free in parent's room. AE, DC, DISC,
MC, V. Valet-parking $10; self-parking free.
Amenities:
2 restaurants; grill; 4 lounges; babysitting; super-
vised children's program; concierge; concierge-level rooms; health club & small spa; Jacuzzi; 3-acre pool
and play area; 2 outdoor heated pools; kids' pool; room service; 2 lighted tennis courts; watercraft/equip-
ment rentals; WDW Transportation System; transportation to non-Disney theme parks for a fee; limited
Wi-Fi access (fee).
In room:
A/C, TV, fridge, hair dryer, Internet (fee), microwave (free, upon request).
4
Disney's BoardWalk Inn
Disney's plush 1940s-style “seaside” resort is
worth a visit even if you don't stay here. The grounds encompass 45 acres along Crescent
Lake, and it's just a ferry ride across the lake from Epcot. It's a great place to recapture a
little bit of yesteryear, whether that means relaxing in a wooden rocker overlooking the
courtyard or strolling along the many shops, restaurants, and clubs that line the resort's
quarter-mile boardwalk. After the sun goes down, the boardwalk springs to life with
street performers, food vendors, and midway games, reminiscent of the hustle and bustle
of the Atlantic City Boardwalk in its heyday. (
Note:
The activity on the boardwalk some-
times reaches well into the late-evening hours, as does the noise, which carries to the
rooms overlooking it.) Some of the Cape Cod-style rooms have balconies, and the corner
units offer a bit more space. At night, the rooms overlooking the boardwalk, mostly those
in the center, enjoy a view of Epcot's fireworks display. The more expensive rooms over-
look the boardwalk or pool; the less expensive ones can't avoid a view of the parking lot
but are sheltered from the boardwalk clamor. Hang on to your swimsuit if you hit the
pool's famous—or infamous, depending on how you look at it—200-foot “keister
