How to Enjoy a Movies Under the Stars and Nightly Campfire at Disney’s Beach and Yacht Club
Imagine. You’ve had a long day in the parks, and you came back to the resort early because of a torrential downpour. It’s only 6:00 p.m. and the weather has cleared, but the idea of taking the bus back to Magic Kingdom and dealing with the crowds isn’t necessarily appealing. That said, you’ve got at least 4-5 hours to kill before bedtime, and you need to get a bite to eat. What should you do?
How about dinner and a movie? You can get a meal by the pool and maybe even swim for a bit. Then, when it’s time, you can enjoy complimentary marshmallows at the campfire followed by a Movie Under the Stars on the beach. It’s going to be one of those relaxing evenings on Crescent Lake that you vow to do more often on future vacations. I know because this activity was something we overlooked for longer than I would like to admit.
Movies Under the Stars at Disney’s Beach and Yacht Club are held to the immediate left of the shipwreck. Each evening, cast members roast marshmallows and blow up a movie projector on the beach.
For a list of the movies, you’ll want to take a photo of the resort’s recreation calendar. The calendar used to change monthly, but as of late, we’ve seen it extended for a couple of months at a time. My best advice is to take a photo of it upon arrival. That way, if you’re tired and decide to head back to the resort early one evening, you can reference it to see what movie is playing. Here is an example of a calendar to give you an idea of what to look for. It’s almost always posted in the resort lobby, and they often have a few printouts that guests can take. (The Movie Under the Stars listing is in the bottom right-hand corner.)
Average Times for Movies Under the Stars at Disney’s Beach and Yacht Club
We’ve compiled a list of the average times Movies Under the Stars are held each month based on calendars for the last couple of years. Times shift throughout the year based on the sunset. Don’t forget to check the exact times during your visit.
- January (7:00 p.m.)
- February (7:00 p.m.)
- March (8:00 p.m.)
- April (8:00 p.m.)
- May (8:30 p.m.)
- June (8:30 p.m.)
- July (8:30 p.m.)
- August (8:30 p.m.)
- September (8:30 p.m.)
- October (8:00 p.m.)
- November (7:00 p.m.)
- December (7:00 p.m.)
*In the event of inclement weather, the Movies Under the Stars are moved to The Solarium, which is off the lobby of Disney’s Beach Club.
*Occasionally, we’ve seen a double feature offered. When a second option is offered, it’s available inside The Solarium. It will be noted on the recreation calendar.
*The Adirondack chairs are first-come, first-served. Cast members will wheel over a cart of complimentary white towels from the pool for guests to use.
Over the years, we’ve had different experiences with the Movies Under the Stars at the Beach Club. A few years ago, they had a popcorn machine and often offered complimentary popcorn to guests. However, on our last visit, they were selling M&Ms and Skittles. So if you want a snack for the movie, you might prefer to bring one with you.
If you planned to do this, you could throw a couple of packs of microwave popcorn in your suitcase. Both Beach Club Marketplace and The Market at Ale and Compass have a microwave that guests can use. It would be kind of like sneaking a box of candy into the movies, except you don’t have to sneak! Or if you have a refillable popcorn bucket, you could refill it when you leave the park and then bring it to the movie.
Nightly Campfire
Before the evening movie, guests can participate in the nightly campfire at the resort. It’s held on the beach in the same area as the outdoor movie. Recreation cast members are available and will provide guests with a skewer and marshmallows to roast. S’mores kits are also available for additional purchase.
While it happens nightly, the Movies Under the Stars are a pretty unforgettable memory for those who take the time to enjoy them. Plus, this is one of the most gorgeous spots at Walt Disney World. For more on Disney’s Beach Club Resort, you might enjoy the following:
- The Four Pools at Disney’s Beach and Yacht Club
- Everything You Need to Know About Stormalong Bay
- A Sunrise Photo Walk Around the Lighthouse at Disney’s Yacht Club
- Beach Club Video Tour from PlanDisney Panelists
You might also enjoy our Disney’s Beach Club Resort Recreation Guide.
In the Comments
Have you ever enjoyed a Movie Under the Stars at Disney’s Beach and Yacht Club? Let us know in the comments below.
