Disney's Epcot Resorts Area and Hotels (A Resorts Gal Guide)

The Epcot Resorts area at Walt Disney World is one of the most charming places you’ll ever visit. This space between Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot is a venue within itself. It’s home to multiple resorts, a beautiful lake, and Disney’s Boardwalk. For many, the area is worth visiting at least once during a week’s vacation.

Below, we’ll discuss the resorts that make up the Epcot Resorts Area and touch on a few amenities and dining options you might enjoy during your visit. If you’re considering staying at one of these hotels, there are links under each section to the specific review for that resort. We’ve stayed at each and every Epcot Resort and think they are all equally excellent options.

However, the best thing about these resorts is their proximity to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. If you need a break, you can easily walk back to your room from either park. These hotels also provide a nice place to escape the crowds. You might even enjoy a pleasant stroll around Crescent Lake or take advantage of the variety of restaurants in the area.

Epcot Resorts Area

The following resorts are all part of this area. These resorts are within a short walk of Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin and Swan Reserve hotels are independently owned and operated by Marriott. They are the only hotels on Disney property that Disney does not operate.

Disney’s Beach Club Resort

Our starting point for this tour of the Epcot Resorts area is Disney’s Beach Club. The Beach Club is the closest resort to Epcot. It’s less than a five-minute walk out of the resort’s backdoor to the International Gateway entrance to Epcot.

Anyone who has visited Resorts Gal knows that we consider the Epcot Resorts area home. More specifically, Disney’s Beach Club pulls the strings on this gal’s heart. When I was younger, I had a dream of staying here one day. Somehow, that dream has come to fruition many times and provided wonderful memories.

The rooms at the Beach Club (like all of the Disney Resorts) are fairly standard. But they are a nice, calming color, and the resort has considerable amenities.

For most, the magnificent pool area is the major draw for Disney’s Beach Club. It’s more of a water park than your average resort pool. We love spending the day (or evening) at Stormalong Bay. This area features multiple pools, sand-bottom areas, a small lazy river, a tremendous water slide, and more! There’s a good reason it ranks as our top choice for best pool at Disney World.

Stormalong Bay Pool area at Beach Club in the Epcot Resorts Area

We have a few dining recommendations for those visiting this Epcot area resort. First, there’s Hurricane Hanna’s, the pool bar. You can easily pick up a drink, a burger, or a grilled chicken sandwich here and enjoy the surrounding views.

There’s a separate dining area for guests who aren’t staying at the resort. It’s a lovely place that looks out to Crescent Lake on the opposite side of the pool.

If you want to go old-school, you might enjoy making reservations at Beach Club’s Beaches and Cream Soda Shop. Between the burgers and fries to the elaborate sundaes, it’s hard to go wrong here.

Of course, you don’t have to have reservations. Anyone can walk up to the hostess stand, and a cast member will give you an estimated return time if there is a wait.

Smaller parties might like to eat at the counter. Or if you only want ice cream, there’s a separate walk-up window outside.

If you enjoy dining with characters, don’t miss the opportunity to plan a meal at Cape May Cafe. They host Minnie’s Beachside Breakfast Bash each morning. However, in the evening, this location turns into a seafood buffet. Unfortunately, characters are only available at this location for breakfast.

Related: Cape May Cafe Breakfast Review

Daisy poses for a photo at Cape May Cafe in the Epcot Resorts Area

Before moving on, I wanted to touch on why we favor this resort more than others. We enjoy spending a good deal of time at Epcot, especially during the various festivals throughout the year. I can’t stress enough how nice it is to be able to visit the festival and return to your room as needed. When it gets so hot that you need a break, you can walk back to your room.

Then you can return in the evening. There is absolutely little to no effort involved when coming and going from this Epcot Resort to the park.

As for staying at other resorts, we are not always inclined to return when it requires a walk to the bus stop, a wait for the bus, and then travel time to the park. In theory, a break sounds nice. But when a break turns into 1-2 hours of extra travel, it becomes part of the exhaustion.

Not only that, you have to consider how long you might have to wait at the end of the evening for bus transportation from the park back to your resort. If you stay at an Epcot Resort, you can walk out of the park at your leisure. Your hotel room is only a few minutes away.

Location is one of the greatest considerations when planning a vacation.

Related: Disney’s Beach Club Review

Scenic photo of the entrance of Disney's Beach Club from the Epcot Resorts Area

Disney’s Yacht Club

Our next stop in the Epcot Resorts area is Disney’s Yacht Club. The Yacht Club is connected to the Beach Club, and a long indoor and outdoor walkway connects the two resorts. Yacht Club has more of a crisp, formal feel, while sister Beach offers a softer, casual vibe. They have a way of balancing each other out.

When we’re in the area, I often enjoy finding a place to sit, take in the views, and count my blessings. A gazebo is centered in the midst of several hotel rooms that face out to the lake. Depending on the time of year, you might see bunnies if you walk through the garden area.

Many of the water-view rooms face this area. I can assure you that if you receive a room assignment in this area, you will not be disappointed. Crescent Lake and the Yacht Club’s lighthouse sit in front of the resort. You can see directly across to Disney’s Boardwalk.

a view of the Epcot Resorts area from the Yacht Club looking tot he Boardwalk

We have three recommendations for dining at this Epcot Resort. First, there’s signature dining at Yachtsman Steakhouse. Anyone who loves a good steak dinner will want to secure this reservation in advance.

Related: Yachtsman Steakhouse Review

If you are looking for a walk-up, Crew’s Cup Lounge is right next door. Even though it says lounge, it’s more of a casual table-service restaurant with good food and great service. I can’t recommend this hidden gem enough. They have the best prime rib sliders at Disney World.

Related: Crew’s Cup Lounge Review

Just off the Yacht Club lobby is another favorite, the Ale and Compass Restaurant. While they take reservations, anyone can typically walk up here and be given a wait time for a seat. Below is a photo of an entree I had on a previous visit. We enjoy having lunch or dinner at this location.

a cheeseburger and fries from a restaurant in the Epcot Resort Hotel Area

However, more than anything, we love visiting Ale and Compass for breakfast. They have an order of chocolate waffles that are out of this world delicious.

chocolate waffles with bacon at a restaurant in the Epcot Resorts Area

Whether you are trying to decide on a resort to stay at or just plan a meal, the choices in the Epcot Resorts area are difficult! At least if you stay in the area, you can take advantage of seeing the beautiful Crescent Lake at different times of the day.

If you were to ask me whether the Yacht Club or Beach Club is better, that’s an even tougher choice. They are both wonderful options.

Related: Disney’s Yacht Club Review

Disney's Yacht Club as a backdrop to Crescent Lake

Disney’s Boardwalk Inn

Our third Epcot Resort is Disney’s Boardwalk Inn. This destination is well-known because so many guests visit the Boardwalk for leisure during their vacation.

Disney’s Boardwalk is as stunning as the rest of the Epcot Resorts on Crescent Lake.

red tables and chairs sitting on the Boardwalk

The entire resort recently underwent a refurbishment that’s almost complete.

A few recommendations for dining include Flying Fish, a trendy signature dining location. Two new locations are opening this year: The Cake Bake Shop and Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs.

Boardwalk Deli opened this last year in place of the former bakery. You might enjoy grabbing a sandwich or treat and enjoying it on the Boardwalk. Or you can preview our list of restaurants at Disney’s Boardwalk.

Overall, Disney’s Boardwalk is an excellent place to stay. If you want to hit the theme parks, there are two within walking distance. But if you are worn out, this location provides the perfect place to relax. Imagine spending a quiet evening sitting on a park bench as you take in one of Orlando’s dazzling sunsets. It doesn’t get much better!

Related: Disney’s Boardwalk Inn Review

red and white flowers around the base of a tree in the Epcot Resort area near the Boardwalk

Disney’s Swan and Dolphin Resort

Between Disney’s Yacht Club and the Boardwalk, you’ll find the Swan and Dolphin Hotels and the Swan Reserve. A bridge connects these hotels to the Epcot Resorts area. However, for the Swan Reserve, you’ll have a few extra steps and a street to cross.

Friendship boats travel underneath the bridge to pick up guests of the three Marriott Hotels. So, if you don’t care to walk, you can always take the boat to the nearby theme parks or other resorts.

There are a few differences between staying at the Swan, Dolphin, or Swan Reserve. However, guests will receive many of the same benefits as deluxe resort guests. We recently reviewed staying at the Swan, which covers those differences in detail. Probably the most significant difference is that the hotels have their own shuttle bus for Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Disney Springs, and the water parks.

the Dolphin Hotel sitting in the Epcot Resorts Area

If the price is right, I wouldn’t let the transportation differences deter me from staying here. This is one of our all-time favorite hotels. However, these hotels charge a daily resort fee and parking, so you’ll need to factor in those extra charges when comparing the resorts. Disney no longer charges for parking and does not charge resort fees.

There are several excellent dining options at the Swan and Dolphin. One of our favorites is a little burger joint called The Fountain. It is somewhat similar to Beaches and Cream. We’ve also had the most delightful lunch at the Dolphin’s Cabana Bar and Grill. Then there’s Shula Steakhouse, one of our top-rated signature dining restaurants at Walt Disney World. It’s located on the Dolphin side of the resort.

a steak from Shula's Steakhouse at the Dolphin Hotel

Whether you stay at one of these Epcot Resorts or only visit as a day guest, keep these tips and dining options in mind. If your day at a neighboring park gets too congested and you are ready to throw your hands up, exit at the International Gateway for a break.

You’ll find yourself right in the middle of the Epcot Resorts area, where you can find a bite to eat or cool off and rest in an air-conditioned resort hotel lobby or lounge. When you are ready, Epcot is only a few steps away.

Moving on, we have two more resorts not situated on Crescent Lake. While these resorts are near Epcot, there are some differences. The main thing to remember is that these resorts are a short Skyliner ride away from Epcot and Hollywood Studios. However, unlike the previous resorts we discussed, they are not within walking distance of the parks.

the Epcot Resorts area at night with the lighthouse sitting at the dock on the lake

These next two resorts are only a short Skyliner ride away from the Epcot Resorts Area. They are not technically part of the area, but I wanted to mention them, given their short proximity to the Skyliner.

Disney’s Riviera Resort

Disney’s Riviera Resort is a short Skyliner ride from Epcot and Hollywood Studios. This resort was modeled after the French Riviera and is a dedicated Disney Vacation Club Resort.

Related: Disney World Villa Resorts

Members of Disney’s Vacation Club can buy and use points to stay here, similar to a timeshare, but any guest can reserve a hotel room. Staying in a villa includes room upgrades that range from kitchenettes to full condo-like apartments.

Related: Disney’s Riviera Resort Review

Disney’s Riviera Resort has several excellent dining options. We love the character dining option. Topolino’s Terrace offers a daily breakfast with classic characters.

For lunch, we enjoy Primo Piatto, the resort’s counter service. As of late, I’ve taken a break from Epcot several times to enjoy lunch at Bar Riva. You can hop on the Skyliner, exit at the Riviera, and walk to any of these locations. Here is my last meal, a grilled salmon with orzo from Bar Riva. What a great place to break from the parks!

Related: Bar Riva Review

Then, there’s Le Petit Cafe, a coffee and pastry shop in the resort’s lobby. It offers an excellent selection of coffee drinks, sweets, and cocktails.

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

Lastly, we’ll take a quick look at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. This resort falls under the Disney moderate resort category. Caribbean Beach has recently undergone a full refurbishment and is home to the main Disney Skyliner station.

The main difference between this resort and others we have discussed is that it’s spread out into sections over a vast area. Often, this means extra walking when staying at this resort.

Additionally, rooms at Caribbean Beach are all in buildings named after islands with exterior access. The other resorts discussed are deluxe resorts with interior rooms and hallways.

Unlike the others, this resort has a large food court with a tremendous variety of options. I recently grabbed a vegan burger with fries and found the meal enjoyable.

While I don’t think Caribbean Beach warrants a day visit like the rest of the resorts we’ve discussed, it’s still a wonderful hotel that’s more budget-friendly. It’s also only a short Skyliner ride away from Epcot.

Related: Caribbean Beach Resort Review

Epcot Resorts Area Transportation Options

To fully cover the Epcot Resorts, I felt it was important to add a few tips for getting around the area. Most will want or need to ride the Skyliner at some point.

The Skyliner services both Epcot and Hollywood Studios. Like other forms of Disney transportation, guests are welcome to take the Skyliner whether they are staying at a resort or not.

You can board the Skyliner at the Epcot International Gateway or Hollywood Studios entrance. The other Skyliner stops are at Disney’s Riviera Resort, Caribbean Beach, and it ends at a shared station between Pop Century Resort and Art of Animation Resorts.

So, if you are traveling between Epcot and Hollywood Studios, you can take either route to the opposite park. However, you will have to exit the Skyliner and board a separate gondola when you reach Caribbean Beach.

Those staying at or visiting the Crescent Lake area can use the Friendship boats. The Friendship boats run daily between Epcot, Beach and Yacht Club, Boardwalk, and Hollywood Studios. They also make stops at the Swan and Dolphin.

But again, the main benefit of the Epcot Resorts area is being able to walk to the parks. Below is a look at the pathway to Hollywood Studios.

While it’s approximately a 15-20-minute walk from Hollywood Studios to the Epcot Resorts, we enjoy it. This walkway provides a much-needed space to decompress after leaving the parks.

Lastly, if you’re staying at any of the Epcot Resorts, you will need to use Disney’s bus transportation to reach:

Magic Kingdom
Animal Kingdom
Disney Springs
Water Parks

Final Thoughts on the Epcot Resorts

Overall, the Epcot Resorts are among the best choices for resorts at Walt Disney World. It’s hard to go wrong when selecting between these finer hotels.

Most will want to choose which vibe they like the best. If you’re a pool person, you’ll definitely want to stay at the Beach or Yacht Club. You’ll just have to decide which one best fits your style.

Those who enjoy people-watching will find themselves at home at Disney’s Boardwalk. If you plan to spend a decent amount of time in your room, you might consider a Boardwalk view upgrade. You can take in the comings and goings of the Boardwalk anytime from your balcony.

And if you like a more modern hotel feel, it’s hard to go wrong with the Swan, Dolphin, or Swan Reserve. These resorts don’t necessarily have a Disney feel, but they definitely give appropriate vacation vibes. They also have an excellent pool area with lots of shaded seating.

In addition to the resorts near Epcot, you might like to consider the Magic Kingdom Resorts. While those resorts don’t have the same proximity to multiple parks, you will be close to the most magical place on earth.

For some, that alone might tip the scales in the favor of these resorts. Here are a couple of those reviews:

Lastly, if you would like to be near the Animal Kingdom, it’s hard to go wrong with these options:

Feel free to browse every single Disney World Hotel Review we have available. This will help you narrow down your choices for a resort.

In the Comments

What do you think about the Epcot Resorts Area? Have you stayed in any of these hotels? Do you have questions about this location?

Disney’s Epcot Resorts Area and Hotels (A Resorts Gal Guide)