Yacht Club vs. Polynesian

In this article, we look at two of Disney's deluxe resorts.

There are many things to consider when you plan a Disney vacation.  How many days are you staying, which parks are you going to, and most important of all, WHERE ARE YOU GOING TO STAY!!!  Disney has three types of resorts to stay in. The Value, Moderate, and Deluxe.  Each has its own perks and price range.  Today, let’s talk about two Deluxe resorts. We will be reviewing Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and the Yacht Club.

The Yacht Club is in the Epcot resort area, along a waterway between Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. There are three room view types: Standard, Garden, and Water.  Room rates start at around $600 per night and go up from there.  The most common is the standard view.  They offer queen and king-sized bed options.  The bathroom is enormous, with two sinks and a walk-in shower.  No tub for the little ones.

The Yacht Club is within walking distance to both Epcot and Hollywood Studios. Suppose the walk to Hollywood Studios is longer than you would like. In that case, the skyliner and boat service are available as alternatives.  You will have to take buses to both Disney’s Animal Kingdom and the Magic Kingdom.

While staying there, you can eat at a variety of restaurants. My family and I dined at the Yachtsman Steakhouse while we were there. Their signature dining establishment is the steakhouse. They have everything a meat eater would enjoy, from a 28-ounce porterhouse steak to barbecue chicken. They have a kid’s menu, so don’t be afraid to bring the little ones along. Let’s talk about breakfast… At the time we were at the Yacht Club, the market at Ale & Compass did not have a good selection for children. The menu catered more toward adult guests.  If you wanted Mickey Waffles for the kids and a breakfast sandwich, you would have to walk over to the Beach Club.  It appears that this has changed since I stayed.  Those same options are now available at the market as they are at the Beach Club.

If you like pools, the Yacht Club has Stormalong Bay.  This vast pool has a sandy bottom and a circular lazy river.  It also has the highest waterslide on Disney World Resort property.  For the kids, there is a shipwreck pool with its own waterslide.  As a resort guest of the Yacht Club, you have access to all the pools between the Yacht Club and Beach Club. 

The Yacht Club is a gorgeous resort that looks and feels significantly updated.  The problem for me is that it doesn’t feel family-oriented.  The look and feel of it cater more towards the clientele who would be there on business, as the Yacht Club is one of Disney’s conference resorts. Don’t get me wrong, the cast members are very welcoming, but the resort itself just doesn’t have that Disney feel.

The Disney Polynesian Village resort is located on Disney’s Seven Seas Lagoon, right across the lake from Disney’s Magic Kingdom.  Several room types are available: Garden view, Lagoon view, Pool or Marina view, and Theme Park view.  Room rates start at around $700 per night.  The Garden view is comparable to the Yacht Club standard view with two queen beds or one king bed.  The bathroom has two sinks, a shower, and a tub.

There are multiple ways to get to the parks.  For the Magic Kingdom, you can take a boat, monorail, or walk.  For access to Epcot, you can walk to the Ticket & Transportation Center (TTC) or take a monorail to the TTC and then transfer to the Epcot monorail. You will have to take a bus to either Hollywood Studios or the Animal Kingdom.

There are two main sit-down restaurants and one quick-service restaurant.  Ohana and Kona are the two sit-down restaurants, and Captain Cook's is the quick service option.  Pre-Covid, Ohana offered an all-you-can-eat character breakfast.  They also offer a dinner service, which is all you can eat.  Kona is more moderately priced, offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Captain Cooks is a quick-service restaurant that offers a wide range of options for both children and adults.

The Polynesian has two main pool areas.  The Lava Pool’s main area has a volcano waterslide, a waterfall, and a kids splash pool.  The other pool is called the Oasis Pool.  It is larger than the Lava pool and is a more relaxed area to settle down in.  There is also a bar in both areas.  The Oasis patio has more food and beverage options.

Being one of the original resorts at Disney World, it really has that Disney feel.  Whether you are a family of 4 or just a couple, you feel like part of the Disney family.  I have to say that the Polynesian has many different buildings, and if you get booked in one that is far away from the main house, you will walk a bit to get food. Also, the Polynesian is one of the higher-priced Deluxe resorts. Still, you do get your money’s worth with the accessibility you gain to the parks. 

Both resorts are beautiful and have their positives and negatives.  You need to look at your budget and which parks you will be visiting the most. If your family prefers Epcot/Hollywood Studios, the Yacht Club may be more appealing. If you like the Disney feel and a view of Cinderella’s castle, the Polynesian is the resort for you

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