I’ve broken the Deluxe resorts into 2 groups you sure don’t have to. I have spent days going from one resort to another just looking around and occasionally finding a fine adult beverage. EPCOT and Hollywood Studios have some of my favorite resorts. The Yacht and Beach Club, The Boardwalk , and The Riviera. It also has 3 properties that are not owned by Disney but have a great location and share all Disney privileges. The Swan, The Dolphin , and the brand new Swan Reserve. These are Bonvoy properties, you can use your Bonvoy points to book a room and you get your points for staying here. More on these hotels later.
The Yatch and Beach Club and Boardwalk share Crescent Lake, a small boating lake with each resort on either side it is a little less than a mile around. Boardwalk is set up with a Coney Island-style boardwalk with pop-up booths, restaurants, and shopping. An easy walk from EPCOT and Hollywood Studios BoardWalk is a fantastic hideaway from the parks and a gem for finding something to eat when you can’t find something in the park.
The Boardwalk has restaurants that you can find on My Disney Experience (MDE) like Flying Fish, Big River Grill, Brewing Works, and Trattoria Al Forno. If you cannot find a reservation change MDE to look for available now, we have never been disappointed. Big River is a great place to be right before a storm, Folks come rushing out of EPCOT and stand soaking by the door, lift a beverage to salute them.
If it is not raining, and you don’t feel like sitting down you can get a quick bite to eat at the Pizza Window or The Boardwalk Bakery, or the To-Go cart with all types of hotdogs and other goodies. Lots of outdoor seating is available. There is also BoardWalk Joe’s Marvelous Margaritas for a quick pick me up. These also serve as The Boardwalk Hotels restaurants. The Leaping Horse lounge and pool is a not relaxing pool that is a lot of fun.
Late night at Boardwalk (not too late it’s still Disney) you have the restaurants I mentioned with the addition of the Abra Cadabra bar and Jelly Rolls piano bar. There are pop-up performances and a wonderful beachfront vibe here.
The Yacht and Beach club shoot for a New England beach club vibe. Not as lively as the Boardwalk but lovely in a way that Boardwalk is not. There is less to do outside but the restaurants and bars inside are classy in a very Disney way. The Ale and Compas restaurant and Lounge are nice and quiet getaways after a day in the parks.
The Pool and Beach area of Yacht and Beach Club faces out to the lake. The pool is ginormous with a really long slide. The Bar at the pool is called Hurricane Hana’s, It has great frozen drinks and some of the best pool food in the parks. This is a great place to leave the parks to get a break and something to eat.
The Yachtsman’s Steakhouse is a treat for some fancy food in a New England-style steak house. This is a special place to eat that you will come back for.
Last but certainly a place you will stop to enjoy multiple times is Beaches and Cream a 50’s Themed stop that has a decent grill but fantastic deserts. Shakes to die for and an Ice Cream soda that adds 3 pounds just typing it.
This Duo of properties has so much to do that you could forget to go to the parks, but it is so close to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios you probably won’t
The last purely Disney Resort is also the newest Rivera, part of the DVC this elegant resort is a short Sky Liner ride away from the Yacht and Beach and Boardwalk.
Rivera is a must-visit resort. the grounds are impeccable and the rooftop has views of the entire Disney Complex and the ability to see all of the nighttime firework shows.
Pool level at Rivera has a pool bar and grill called Bar Riva which is a nice and quiet respite from the parks and if you sneak away properly from the family!
The restaurant at Rivera is Topolinos Terrace, Topolino in Italian is little mouse. Wonder who they were talking about. Walt was friends with Dali and their experiences are on display all over the restaurant and bar. This is a tougher reservation but well worth the effort be there in time of the fireworks and you will dine here every time.
The final resorts I will talk about are the 3 Marriot Bonvoy properties that reside on Disney property.
The Swan is part of the Westin group the Dolphin is a Sheraton and the Brand new Swan Reserve is part of the Autograph Collection. All 3 are Bonvoy category 6 and will run between 40,00 to 60,000 points. Check your points to dollar charts to see what is best for you. Sorry, I am a Bonvoy junkie.
These 3 hotels share the same area as the Boardwalk and the Yacht and Beach club. They also share all the advantages of Disney Properties including early park entry and early dining reservations. The restaurants within these resorts are available in MDE but also OpenTable.
There is some exciting dining here. Including Shula’s Steak House, Ill Mulino NY Tratorria, Todd English Blue Zoo, and Kimono’s. One of my favorites for lunch is the pool bar and grill Splash! Kimono has the best Sushi on property! The Marriot properties are not Disney Themed and do offer wonderful moments away from the resort while still in the middle of Disney. I have enjoyed Kimono and Shula’s and would highly recommend them.
We have stayed at the Swan, which has views of EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. They are classic hotel rooms online with Disney’s Deluxe resorts but usually at a slightly lower price.
We have stayed at The Swan Reserve twice and it is my low-key recommendation for everyone. It is 60% suites so if you use an upgrade certificate you will get a suite. It is the newest hotel on Disney property, with an elegant design and a very modern feel. Our first stay came opening week and we were upgraded to the Presidential Suite. Fancy us.
Coming next in ACt 3 some perfect days at Disney World.
