Circle of Parks Podcast: Talking all things Walt Disney World
Because there's far too much to see and do. We're here to help guide you through. We are a married couple with two boys age 9 and 6 talking all things Disney World. This podcast will cover the tips and tricks we've learned along our journey, history of the parks and attractions, and most importantly why and how Disney makes us feel how we do while in the parks and that it's ok to feel that way.
Circle of Parks Podcast: Talking all things Walt Disney World
Episode #162: Luxury and Relaxation at Disney's Yacht Club Resort: Our Resort Review
What's the secret to a magical Disney vacation that feels both luxurious and laid-back? Join us as we uncover the charm of Disney's Yacht Club Resort, starting with a chuckle over Zach's memorable "dad bod" shirt. We dive into the New England-style elegance that defines this resort, with its calming ambiance and shared perks from its neighbor, Disney's Beach Club Resort. Despite our initial hesitations about its darker decor, the Yacht Club's cozy atmosphere quickly won us over, especially after a long day of travel. With its unbeatable location near Epcot and the relaxing boat rides to Hollywood Studios, this resort is a tranquil haven that we wholeheartedly recommend.
Hungry for more? Our culinary adventures at Disney's Yacht Club Resort are sure to tantalize your taste buds. From quick service bites to gourmet feasts, we cover it all. We rave about the Yachtsman Steakhouse, where premium steaks and seafood steal the show, complemented by an impressive scotch menu. For a more relaxed vibe, the Cruise Cup Lounge offers a perfect spot to unwind with a pint or a glass of wine, featuring tasty treats like Prime Rib Sliders and charcuterie. Whether you're in the mood for casual dining or an upscale experience, the Yacht Club's dining options promise to satisfy every palate.
And let's not forget the aquatic paradise that is Stormalong Bay, the crown jewel of the Yacht and Beach Club Resorts. Picture a sand-bottom pool, a lazy river, a life-size shipwreck replica, and one of the tallest resort waterslides at Walt Disney World—all in one place. We discuss the convenience of poolside dining at Hurricane Hannah's Waterside Bar and Grill, perfect for families wanting to maximize their pool time. Comparing Stormalong Bay to other Disney pools, we conclude that its combination of relaxation and fun makes it the ultimate pool destination. Tune in to hear all about our delightful stay, and don't miss the sneak peek of next week's episode featuring a dining review of Lamplight Lounge!
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Hello and welcome to Circular Parks podcast, episode number 162. Today we are doing a resort review on Disney's Yacht Club. There is far too much to see and do. We are here to help guide you through, but before we do that we must talk Disney merch. So this week's Disney merch since we're talking about the Yacht Club the merch is going to be a shirt that Zach purchased and he's actually currently wearing it as we record this. It's Disney's Yacht Club. It has a yacht on it. It's very dad-like, I should say.
Speaker 1:Red.
Speaker 2:Well, it's like a different red, it's like a fadedlike I should say Red. It's like a different red, it's like a faded red, but it's definitely a dad bod shirt, we could say.
Speaker 1:Wait a second here, dad bod.
Speaker 2:And I believe it was.
Speaker 1:I work out a lot, thank you.
Speaker 2:I believe it was $24.99 when we purchased it when we purchased it. From the shop there at the resort, pictures to come of the shirt this week on social media. So that is this week's Disney merch. While we're talking about merch, we also have merch. If you go to our website, circleofparkscom, click on merch takes you directly to Tee Public and you will find things such as stickers, coffee mugs, sweatshirts, t-shirts and more. So please go check that out All right.
Speaker 1:Thank you everybody for joining us. Brittany calling me out here, episode number 162. We're going to talk about our recent stay at Disney's Yacht Club Resort.
Speaker 2:Yes.
Speaker 1:We do this show every single week. We do it mainly just to help us get through the week. Yes, we talk about Disney, but somehow it helps you too.
Speaker 2:It does.
Speaker 1:And we appreciate those reviews and the messages. We really do. It kind of helps us remind us like there are actually people listening to to us and we are helping them with their vacations, right.
Speaker 2:Yes, we've had, you know, some responses and feedback to things, or you know some reviews that you know. It definitely encouraged us to keep doing what we're doing.
Speaker 1:Yeah, so thank you. And we do these resort reviews because, as we have come to find out, the resort can make or break your trip as well, because if you stay at the wrong resort, not that you're not going to have a bad vacation, but it's not going to be as good, and we have found that out. Oh, yes, and so this is our opinion of the resorts, that when we do any of our resort reviews, and hopefully it helps you to make a decision on where you want to stay for your next Disney vacation- Right, that's why we do these, yeah, and you've got to do what's best for your family with the room.
Speaker 2:You need the space, you need what you're looking for location, price, all of that but, like he was saying, this is just our opinions.
Speaker 1:Yeah, all right. So, like last week, we're going to go to the Yacht Club and play the lobbying music. I love this music. I really, really do.
Speaker 2:Yes, it is very relaxing.
Speaker 1:Very relaxing and it's the same lobbying music at the Yacht Club and the Beach Club, so it's same for both resorts. But it's just. It's not what you expect, but it fits so well.
Speaker 2:Yes, it does.
Speaker 1:Just perfectly.
Speaker 2:All right.
Speaker 1:So what does Disney say about the Disney's Yacht Club Resort Brittany?
Speaker 2:So Disney says. Delight in the formal grace of a grand New England-style yacht club at this lakeside hotel. Relax in the inviting elegance of a plush lobby replete with nautical touches plush lobby replete with nautical touches. Explore the whimsical Stormalong Bay and rent a variety of watercraft from the Bayside Marina, sharing many amenities with its pastel-toned sister, disney's Beach Club Resort. Disney's Yacht Club Resort is walking distance to Epcot and a convenient boat ride to Disney's Hollywood Studios.
Speaker 1:Yeah, so you initially did not want to stay here. Epcot and a convenient boat ride to Disney's Hollywood Studios yeah, so you initially did not want to stay here.
Speaker 2:Yes, initially I was like, oh, I'd rather do Beach Club. Why Yacht Club? It seems a little darker in the lobby, I don't know.
Speaker 1:That was welcomed. When we got there it was our coast-to-coast flight, so it was a five-hour flight turned into an eight-hour flight, having to be diverted because of weather and it was raining when we got there and all that stuff. But I'm so glad when we got there it was darker, but not like depressing dark, Very soothing and as soon as we walked in that lobby now.
Speaker 1:It's not a lobby like the grand californian or animal kingdom lodge or or where, like it's not a grand, huge lobby, but it's just what you need it is. Yeah, it was very relaxing, aside from the costume party that was going on at el encompass, but it's still like the with the music and the decor. I was like just right here yes, again, I said this I felt like we were visiting Disneyland, even St Louis Grand, californian. But when we walked in this resort, heard the music, you get that smell it was like oh yeah, we're home, it's home.
Speaker 2:Yeah, for us Disney World is home and certain resorts do that more for us as well. Yeah, I agree, you know it was a long travel day and but it wasn't like too dark or anything. It was just what you needed, especially, you know, even on your park days after a long day in the heat and everything. It's that good subtle relaxing vibe to it. So I am We'll get further into it, but I am really glad that we stayed here. Yes, that good subtle relaxing vibe to it. So I am we'll get further into it, but I am really glad that we stayed here.
Speaker 1:Yes, I am too, All right, so let's start off. Of course we have to talk a little bit of history about the resort, right, Right, Not a whole lot on this. It was opened on November 5th 1990. Its sister resort is Disney's Beach Club Resort deluxe resort in the Epcot Resort area with 630 rooms. So pretty large resort, Not as large as Grand Californian, but not small either. But you didn't feel, even walking to the lobby it didn't feel crowded.
Speaker 2:Yeah, no, it didn't. Even in the mornings, when everybody's trying to get to the parks and stuff, it did not feel like you were bumper to bumper with people.
Speaker 1:No, trying to get to the parks and stuff, it did not feel like you were bumper to bumper with people. Sorry, I'm pulling up other stuff.
Speaker 2:right now it's located on Crescent Lake.
Speaker 1:Crescent Lake Beautiful Crescent Lake, peaceful.
Speaker 2:Yes, and it's owned and operated by Disney Parks Experiences and Products and designed by Robert.
Speaker 1:AM Stern Yep.
Speaker 2:Did you want to continue?
Speaker 1:or are you still pulling up stuff? You can continue.
Speaker 2:I'm still working on stuff Designed and themed like a resort in Martha's Vineyard and you do get that vibe. I haven't been to Martha's Vineyard but from what I've seen and everything, it does a good job at that, so I have not been to Martha's Vineyard either.
Speaker 1:However, my brother used the northeast after med school and remember when I must go visit them it. We did go to boston and we did go down to uh, newport and rhode island. You went, I went, yes, you did, but I did and I just really like that theming, like it's beautiful up there once you get out of, like boston or new york city. The northeast, especially the coastal areas, are just beautiful and and I think they did a really good job here with the decor, with that.
Speaker 2:Yes, the decor for sure, and you know it's more formal and decor than the beach club, you know, but it had so many special touches to the decor and we will be sharing some pictures that we took of some of that decor as well, especially different areas leading up to, like, where you get on the elevators or the stairs really cool, really well themed yes, and it's designed to make the guests feel like they are on a ship itself than on land.
Speaker 2:In our youngest he really felt that way and they had one of the like the steering wheels for the ships uh, on this like landing, leading up to the second floor and we happen to have a second floor room and he had to steer it every time it turns. So a lot of the kids were enjoying doing that, even parents and everything. So that was. That was great. So it does make it seem like you are on a ship. Color tones of deep blues, browns and bronze are used to give the nautical feel. Shares a convention center with the beach club and caters more towards business clientele because of the convention center Beach club. Caters more towards families, which is evident in the restaurants at each resort.
Speaker 1:So I feel like after that long of a day traveling from the west coast, the time zone changes all that. If we had walked into the Beach Club and was like, ah, that would have been like oh no.
Speaker 2:You know yeah.
Speaker 1:But I think this was like ah, even with the Ellen Compass party going on, it was still like ah yes, and when we say that this was just the first night.
Speaker 2:There was some special event going on for some convention there the other nights weren't like that.
Speaker 1:So, speaking of that, if you are a company and you're listening to this that has conventions at the Yacht Club, reach out to us. Comments at circleofparks at gmailcom. I've been in aviation for over 30 years. Brittany has been in business and education for her entire career, with a master's degree. Let us know we may come work for you because I want to go on a convention at Yacht Club right?
Speaker 2:I mean, it would be nice, for sure.
Speaker 1:Yeah, so it just, it was great and it's fancy, but not Grand Floridian fancy.
Speaker 2:Right, yeah, it's not stuffy. Right, definitely not stuffy. You know, you don't feel like oh my gosh, if I drop this, you know, like what are they going to do, kind of feel which is not going to do anything at Grand Floridian either.
Speaker 1:No. But you know you kind of feel that way sometimes this is just're not super fancy. No this is. This was just the right amount.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah, and I will say too they have. I'll go ahead and share it here. They, I'm glad and we had this even at Grand Californian too Like cast members, are going back to things that they used to do regularly. They've slowly been doing this at at stays that we've've gone on, especially more in the last year, but they're back to doing more of the making things out of towels and surprising you at the end of the day with stuff like that. They're back to like, if you like, take take a your, one of your own blankets or something. They're good at making things out of those, whether it's minnie's bow or whatnot. So I'm glad to see more of that again. And they're good at you know, like special touches here and there that sometimes you don't always catch right when you walk in and then a little later you're like, oh look, what they did with this. So we had plenty of that while we were staying as well.
Speaker 1:Yeah, the cleaners. I guess they did a great job.
Speaker 2:Yes.
Speaker 1:Great, great job. All right, so transportation. So you're staying here for one of two reasons One, the pool which we're going to talk about, Stormalong Bay, or two, you just want to walk to Epcot.
Speaker 2:Right Right Right International Gateway.
Speaker 1:So what's that?
Speaker 2:The side entrance. The side entrance, Okay so transportation. Epcot, you walk to the side entrance. Simple as that. Yeah, it's like a five to seven minute walk yeah. Ten minutes if you're leisurely walking yeah.
Speaker 1:And that side entrance puts you out right between the UK Pavilion and France. Perfect for rope dropping Remy's yes it is Perfect, perfect, perfect. The Magic Kingdom is a bus and sometimes shared with the Beach Club. Depends on the time of day, so we had it where we stopped at the beach club and then we had it where we didn't Right.
Speaker 1:So I think it depends on the time of the day. Hollywood Studios you can walk. It's about a 15 minute walk, a little bit longer of a walk than Epcot. You can take the friendship boats which stop at Beach, yacht Club, boardwalk, swan and Dolphin and then tollywood studio. So it's a nice boat right. Or you can take the skyliner all the way around right which we did from hollywood studios back that night.
Speaker 1:Yes, luckily there was nobody in else in the skyliner with us. In animal kingdom you have to take a bus and, again, sometimes shared with the beach club.
Speaker 2:Depends on the time of the day right, yeah, yeah, yeah, because, like he was saying, we experienced not going by beach club depends on the time of the day. Right, yeah, yeah, yeah, because, like he was saying, we experienced not going by beach club and it was just yacht club, only on the bus, but then we also had both at times yeah, so if you would like to try the yacht club, of course you know to reach out to right oh yes our sponsor main street travel.
Speaker 1:We use them for all of our disney and non-disney vacation needs. Again, they can plan all your Walt Disney World vacations Disneyland, disney Cruise Line, adventures by Disney, aulani, disneyland Paris, the Hilton Head Disney and Vero Beach Disney Resort, which we stayed there, loved Vero Beach, loved it, loved it, loved it. That's going to be, I think, a mainstay for us. It was beautiful, great.
Speaker 2:Yes, it really truly was, and it was Disney, but not Disney in your face.
Speaker 1:It was a Disney deluxe without Disney. Yeah, does that make any sense? Yeah, no craziness.
Speaker 2:No, but they did some like activities. Yeah, I'm not talking about like the parks and stuff. Right, right right.
Speaker 1:No stress with the parks, yeah, so if you wanted to book your disney cruise line with them, you will get up to a thousand dollars on board credit for our listeners only exclusively for our listeners and some of y'all are doing that and we thank you. We really do take advantage of that yes, so make sure you mention circle of parks if you book an adventures by disney trip, you get up to a thousand dollars cash back for that. I want to do the socal trip. I've been looking at that itinerary. It's cool.
Speaker 1:Maybe in a couple years I think that may be our next SoCal trip. It's a little pricey, but what you get with it, you get the studio tour, you get to go to the archives I'd love that. You get to go to the studio, the archives, the Imagineering offices Nice, that's cool. You stay at the Grand Californian and then you get like three days in Disneyland and DCA with like special breakfasts and dinners and like you get to see Walt's apartment. You go in Walt's apartment.
Speaker 2:That's included too. All that's included. Yeah, I mean I would definitely love to go Next year. We've got some other things going on. No, not next year, a couple years, maybe in a couple of years That'll be a me and you trip.
Speaker 1:We'll leave the kids behind on that. When you see the price, you'll see why.
Speaker 2:I understand, but then the parks are going to be like what they can deal with it.
Speaker 1:If you book your next Walt Disney World vacation with our travel planner, travel planner Erica, she's on a $20 gift card and you can. I'm sorry, Main Street Travel Company is going to throw a gift card for Walt Disney World based on the value of your Walt Disney World trip as well. If you book Disneyland with our travel planner, Travel Planner Erica, she's going to throw in a $100 gift card because that's her home park, favorite park, that's so that's. They're going to save you money right there.
Speaker 2:Yes, so clarify that a little bit one more time All right.
Speaker 1:So if you book Walt Disney World with Main Street Travel Company, they're going to give you a gift card based on the value of that vacation. Yes, if you book with our travel planner, travel Planner Erica, for Walt Disney World, she's going to throw an additional $20 on top of that. If you book Disneyland with our Travel Planner, travel Planner Erica, she's going to throw $100 on that. Yes, so you can check them out wwwmainstreettravelcocom. They're on Instagram, facebook and YouTube and, my favorite thing about them I talk about it every single week you can call them. They have an actual office with full-time agents 1-800-593-1262, monday through Friday, 10 am 5 pm, central Time. Again, tell them we sent you. Take advantage of those special offers. The customer service, their agents are all just amazing. We love dealing with them. They're great.
Speaker 2:They are, they are, and I mean so much stress is taken off of us in the planning. I don't even keep up with how many days out we are for dining, reservations or anything, so that's just great in itself.
Speaker 1:It is All right. So the dining we're only going to talk about the dining at the Yacht. Club, not the Beach Club. Now, they are co-resorts, but we're just talking about the Yacht Club. We have not eaten in any of these restaurants. We want to.
Speaker 2:I experienced two of them.
Speaker 1:Okay, well, I did not. Well, besides, a quick service place, yeah, but looking at these menus and the prices, yeah, I know, looks so good.
Speaker 2:We need to go right away again.
Speaker 1:Okay, let's go. Forget school start tomorrow, let's go.
Speaker 2:So, yeah, yes, we will definitely have to go back. So Ale and Compass Restaurant, it says, dine on New England comfort food and classic seafood dishes in a coastal-inspired restaurant that's reminiscent of a cozy lighthouse.
Speaker 1:It looked really cool.
Speaker 2:Yes, so drop anchor for Eastern Seaboard Eats that the whole crew will love. It's the seaworthy spot, Is a comfortable place to relax and refuel before and after a day of adventure. They have breakfast, lunch and dinner. Do you have those menus pulled up?
Speaker 1:I got the dinner menu pulled up, so the prices here. I would not use a dining plan credit on this, because the prices are very good here.
Speaker 2:Right, and it looks like for all three menus breakfast, lunch and dinner. The items are priced $15 to $34.99 per adult.
Speaker 1:Yes, so for their starters. I'm just looking at the dinner menu right now. They have roasted buffalo-style cauliflower, parker House rolls and spread roasted garlic shrimp and blue crab bisque. The most expensive item is $15 on that, which is a shrimp. They have salads and flatbreads for their main plates. They have a New York strip for $36. That's the most expensive menu item. It's $36. So you would not be getting the value out of your dining credit, but this is definitely worth paying out of pocket for. They have a lot of pasta dishes black lemon, brick lemon I can't even talk Brick lemon herb, half chicken bacon and Vermont cheddar burger. So they do have very good prices on the menu here.
Speaker 2:Yeah, they have a New England seafood pot pie that has shrimp, scallops, jumbo lump crab and sustainable catch of the day with baby carrots, pearl onions, peas, potatoes and crustacean cream with a flaky crust.
Speaker 1:That sounds pretty good For lunch they have a blackened fish taco, and so look at the prices here. These are more on par with like quick service prices, just a little bit more, a little bit more. So I definitely would not use a Disney dining credit here. Yeah, would not.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and you know, for breakfast they have a breakfast buffet or you can buy entrees. So the buffet is going to be, you know, cheddar, biscuits and country gravy, warm cinnamon rolls and you know some of the other items that you typically see, so it's more of like a continental breakfast.
Speaker 1:Yeah, that's what it sounds like.
Speaker 2:Not like a huge, huge breakfast assortment like you would see at other buffets, but they still have a bunch of pastries and yogurt parfaits and things like that. And then entrees, though, is where you can be. You know, country ham and cheddar, omelet, two eggs, any style, with your choice of sausage or bacon, served with potatoes. They've got some waffles and French toast and breakfast flatbread and protein bowls and pancakes and smoked salmon on a toasted bagel.
Speaker 1:So so, yeah, I mean I definitely would want to try this next yeah, moving on to the ellen compass lounge, this is a lounge area that is open from 5 pm to 11 pm, sorry, 5 pm to 10 pm, and they do have like little small snacks here. They have some flatbreads for $19, they have the, the rolls, they have the roasted garlic shrimp, the roasted buffalo style cauliflower, the bacon and vermont cheddar burger for $23. So you know, basic bar food. They get the blue crab bisque, but the cocktails they have here, kind of your basic cocktails, but what? What I wanted to look at if you wanted a good drink, the prices here are pretty good for the drinks Buffalo Trace Bourbons for $15. They have Johnny Walker Black for $15. And they have. Well, that's all I see, really.
Speaker 2:Gwyn.
Speaker 1:Fittich for $16. So it's not. The prices here are not that bad Right and like an old-ich for $16.
Speaker 2:So it's not the prices here are not that bad Right and, like an old fashioned, is $15. You know, you've got a spicy pomegranate margarita for $16.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and again it's going to have this music like a very chilled atmosphere. This is where I should have gone when we first got to Resort, because we were spent after that day.
Speaker 2:Yeah, but we were hungry, we were very, we were very hungry well, let's talk about the next place that we did eat at yes the market at l and compass yes, so this is your quick service and some and they do have some quick grab and go options as well, like like cereals and pastries and chips and things like that. Um, and they do breakfast, they, and then they have lunch and dinner. So for breakfast they have things such as a breakfast bowl, egg white, breakfast wrap, mickey shaped waffles, ham, egg and cheddar. Breakfast sandwich. They've got oatmeal, potato barrels, bacon, again Mickey shaped waffles. They have croissants, sticky buns, mickey shaped waffles. They have croissants, sticky buns, muffin assortments. All of that at breakfast time. And then for lunch and dinner someone got the hot dog, footlong hot dog.
Speaker 1:Nolan got the hot dog. I had the grilled chicken. No, I got the Cuban sandwich. It was good.
Speaker 2:Yes, I tried a bite of his Cuban sandwich. It's ham, slow roasted pork, swiss pickles, mayonnaise, mustard on a hoagie roll served with chips. It was really good. I think I got the ham and cheese sandwich, I think.
Speaker 1:Yes, you and Ryan got the ham and cheese served on a pretzel roll. It looked good too.
Speaker 2:It was really good. And then they have some other cold sandwich options as well and some salads for kids, you know. They have ham sandwich, turkey sandwich, pb and j and crustables, you know and for a quick service it was. It was good. It was good. Yeah, being late by the time, I think we ate.
Speaker 1:It was like 9, 30, no, I think it was like 10. Yeah, it was late, yeah um at night.
Speaker 2:So again we were it was crowded too that late yes, I think a lot of people were like maybe hungry after a day at the parks, you know, like maybe they'd eaten a few hours ago and hungry again. And yeah, it was definitely. They were busy at that time.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and this is where you're also going to. The merchandise shop is co-located with this.
Speaker 2:Right, yes, you can walk right through to.
Speaker 1:This is where I got my shirt. As soon as I saw it, I'm like that's it.
Speaker 2:Yep, so you can go shopping while you're there as well. So, and then there's another restaurant Steakhouse. Yes, it is Yachtsman Steakhouse. Savor premium steaks, fresh seafood and more at this New England style steakhouse. Now, prices for things for adults are typically about $35 to $59.
Speaker 1:So this is where you don't want to use that dining credit.
Speaker 1:You will want to, you will want to. So the appetizers are your basic steakhouse appetizers wedge salad, jumbo shrimp cocktail, caesar salad what's this? First course, lobster bisque, french onion soup, beef carpaccio. So those are going to be your basic steakhouse starters. But now they have what's called Butcher's Cut. They have a 7-ounce filet mignon for $59, a 14-ounce prime rib for $55, a 12-ounce New York strip for $59, and a 22-ounce Angus bone-in ribeye for $65. Now, this doesn't say this is not going to be accepted on the dining plan. So, based on the menu, Right.
Speaker 2:Usually they notate that they will notate it.
Speaker 1:And they also have some enhancements for those Oscar style or half main lobster thermidor for additional charge. That probably would not be included on the dining plan. But you can also choose sauces. They have a sauce flight for up to $9. It has house steak sauce, Bernays, peppercorn, blue cheese and Bordelais. Yes, Then they also have some land and sea select entrees. Brittany, why don't you talk about those?
Speaker 2:Yeah, so they have a Chilean sea bass, braised lamb, shank, trumpet, mushroom, scallop, 14-ounce dry-aged pork, bone-in rib chop and pan-seared chicken.
Speaker 1:Delicious Now pork, bone-in rib chop and pan-seared chicken. Delicious Now the sides. They have truffle mac and cheese, because these are all probably a la carte, I would imagine.
Speaker 2:Right and I'm wondering if they're big to share, share they would have to be.
Speaker 1:The smoked paprika fries are interesting.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and then they have creamed spinach, mashed potatoes, red wine, braised mushrooms, loaded baked potatoes, seasonal vegetables, hot honey, bourbon, brussel sprouts.
Speaker 1:Oh, that sounds good. Also for the kids. They have grilled chicken, baked fish of the day, pasta with marinara and oak grilled steak. The steak is $17 for kids, so that's a pretty big steak there and their scotch menu.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and desserts look really good too Cranberry, vanilla cheesecake, cream brulee, carrot cake, yachtsman signature chocolate cake.
Speaker 1:So yeah, so for their scotches they have a list of scotches here the McAllen 12-year for $18 is not that bad. Not a bad price. They had the McAllen 18 for $40. Yes, that's a lot for just a glass of scotch. That's actually not a bad price for McAllen 18. And now, if you want to get really fancy, they got the 25-year for $250 a glass. A little much, yeah, but they got Johnny Walker Blue Label for $41. That's not a bad price. So for being a resort in Disney, these prices are not that bad.
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:Honestly so yeah, if that's your thing, it's my thing.
Speaker 2:And then there's also a lounge that's nestled next to the Yachtsman Steakhouse called Cruise Cup Lounge.
Speaker 1:This looks like the place I wanted to hang out cruise cup lounge.
Speaker 2:This looked like the place I wanted to hang out, unwind with a pint, a glass of wine or a cool cocktail, or from a selection of tasty menu items. Now it does say hours can vary. Currently it's posted that they're open 5 pm to 10 pm and you have yachtsman signature bread, some salads still the lobster bisque, tr Fry, charcuterie and Cheese Board.
Speaker 1:I've heard great things about the Prime Rib Sliders. I've heard great, great things. They're onion rolls with au jus and horseradish cream. When you have au jus, it's usually good. Great things about them.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and then they have Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail and Housemade Chips with Black Garlic Aeolus.
Speaker 1:That sounds good, and house-made chips with black garlic ale. That sounds good, it does. And so for their beers, they have just your basic beer selection here going through it, nothing really standing out for their draft beer. Orange Blossom Pilsner is from Orlando, they got some local brews there and again their scotches. It's the same scotch menu that was from the Yachtman. So same prices, so a great selection there.
Speaker 2:Yeah, did you see that they have bourbon and Scotch flights as well?
Speaker 1:I did not see that.
Speaker 2:Yep, so bourbon flight and Scotch flight. The bourbon flight is $18. The Scotch is $41. Okay.
Speaker 1:I'm not seeing the flight down there At the very bottom after dinner. Oh, after dinner. Flights At the very bottom after dinner. Oh, after dinner flights. There we are. So the Scotch Flight comes with the McAllen Lagavulin 16-year McAllen 18. That's not for those that's not bad $18 for the bourbon with Larceny Angel's Envy, woodford Reserve.
Speaker 2:Not bad.
Speaker 1:That's not bad yeah.
Speaker 2:Not bad at all. All right, so one more restaurant is Hurricane Hannah's Waterside Bar and Grill.
Speaker 1:You did eat here didn't you?
Speaker 2:Yeah, what does that mean?
Speaker 1:I didn't Well with the boys.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I know I did or no, with Nolan no.
Speaker 1:Yeah, because I went to go to Yeehaw Bar.
Speaker 2:That's right, I'm like hold on.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:So yeah, with the boys. So while you're enjoying your time at Stormalong Bay, which is the big main pool here, we're going to talk about that in a minute. Yes, you have Hurricane Hannah's Waterside Bar and Grill and so on the menu. You know I was pleased with the choices, so they have, you know, some of your typical things, such as cheeseburgers and those breaded chicken strips with french fries. I feel like this burger was a little bit bigger than some other quick service burgers at.
Speaker 2:Disney, really Okay, yeah, so it was a bacon cheddar cheeseburger and it was on a brioche bun, oh nice. And they do have fish and chips, oh no, no, no, no. I think Ryan got the burger or Nolan got the burger and one of them got chicken strips. I had the fish and chips and they were pretty good.
Speaker 1:Was it better than the Yorkshire County Fish Shop? No, no, no, it was not. Not better, no, okay.
Speaker 2:And they also have a seafood roll. Now you can get little appetizers such as hummus and onion rings, chili cheese fries. They do offer some salads. They have a lot of different smoothies and fever tree, ginger beer, lemonade you know your fountain beverages. They do have some cocktails, specialty cocktails and then some items that are on the rocks as well.
Speaker 1:They have shareable cocktails. Shareable cocktails I love you and everything, but I don't want to be sharing a drink, like drinking out of the same drink as you.
Speaker 2:We've done that.
Speaker 1:Have we.
Speaker 2:Not like this, but like hey, let me have a sip of your drink.
Speaker 1:Yes, okay, that's one thing.
Speaker 2:Okay, anyway, so but yeah. So the food was pretty good and you know it's very convenient. It's right there next to the pool. So you know, especially if you have kids that are like I don't want to leave, I don't want to get dried off and change clothes, you know you can order it and eat there.
Speaker 1:And they have people coming around to take your order here as well Earlier in the day they do.
Speaker 2:Yes.
Speaker 1:All right, so you're staying here for pretty much one reason One of two reasons the location to Epcot or what we're going to talk about right now. Yes, Stormalong Bay. So splash it up to the 750,000 gallon beachside wonderland that offers three acres of aquatic fun. Immerse yourself in an expansive sand bottom pool or a lazy circular river. Explore a life size shipwreck replica. Slide down one of the highest hotel waterslides at Walt Disney World Resort. Which one's higher? If this is just one of them, what is I?
Speaker 2:don't know.
Speaker 1:Which one would be higher than this? Because that's, it's up there, it's up there.
Speaker 2:Huh, we'll have to look in. I need to look in. Yeah, okay.
Speaker 1:Then feel your cares melt away as you soak up the sun's golden rays atop an elevated tanning deck or simply escape to one of three whirlpool spots. Now, when we were there, it was 100 degrees with 100% humidity. There was nobody in the spots. It was so hot. No one was getting in the spots. Yeah, it was really hot. Boasting an impressive complex of pools that range from swirling to placid or open to secluded. Every member of your family can find a place to cool off and have some fun at Stormalong Bay. Now, this is the best pool. We haven't said it at all the resorts. I'm going to go and say it right now. This is the best pool on Walt Disney World property. What do you think? Uh, is it better than Polynesian? Okay, take the Magic Kingdom fireworks away from that and just think of the pool.
Speaker 2:The pool area itself? I think so, and you can see some of the Epcot fireworks in between the trees and things.
Speaker 1:Yes.
Speaker 2:But at least on the Yacht Club side they didn't pump in the music they may have. On the Beach Club side I'm not sure. But yes, the pool is just, it's beautiful.
Speaker 1:It is.
Speaker 2:It is Day and night. It's definitely beautiful. I was trying to look as far as the tallest slide at Walt Disney World Resorts and it comes up that Summit Plummet.
Speaker 1:I forgot about the water parks.
Speaker 2:Yes.
Speaker 1:Yes, okay. So on property, yeah, for resorts. I think this is the tallest slide for resorts.
Speaker 2:Yes, and I was trying to narrow it down by resorts, but it kept pulling that one up.
Speaker 1:So, yes, the water parks are going to have bigger slides obviously yeah. Sorry. So yeah it. This was a great pool. I could spend here all day. It's just lounging around the lazy river. Now make sure you get a float, or you know it's deep at parts. It's like eight feet deep at parts.
Speaker 2:It's an unusual lazy river because of that and they I think we're supposed to have some kind of like the initial plans. I think I'd read somewhere a long time ago that they were supposed to have some kind of like boats or something there, and that's why it was a little deeper, um so, but I mean people were still enjoying it.
Speaker 1:yes, make sure you have a float and get. If you can't find a float, get the adult life jackets. And just I did that towards the end of the day and just and just chill.
Speaker 2:Yeah, that's what I did yeah, now the lazy river like it's. It's not super big or anything, but you know it's still enough to just take it all in and relax. The flow is a little slower than some lazy rivers, but yeah.
Speaker 1:It's nothing like Typhoon Lagoon, right? No, but the water slide is awesome. Excuse me, the water slide is awesome. Yes, very long going down across the walking path. And then it zooms around and you get waterfall on like falls on you. It's the best water slide for a resort on property right now.
Speaker 2:Isn't there another slide like from a different entry in that same area, though that's like slightly shorter?
Speaker 1:no, there's only. I mean there may be a kid slide, I don't know yeah, because I think nolan said he did. Oh yes so that goes. It's just in that little after you walk the path there's just a little bitty kid slide or you can go up to the top of the shipwreck thing and go down. Okay, yes, and for this pool you will have to have they do give you a wristband and they do check them.
Speaker 2:Yes, they do, because of where the slide is located you have to leave the fenced in pool area to get to it. And then they, and because of the location, like they just they don't want everybody, that's just walking, you know from epcot.
Speaker 1:You can just walk from epcot into the pool.
Speaker 2:You can't walk from epcot into the pool unless you're staying there right, yep, so they're gonna check for your name and give you the the band they do check your magic band and make sure you're on staying there.
Speaker 1:So they do verify that, just like they did at Disney's Grand California.
Speaker 2:And once you have it on you, like when you do leave the main pool area and come back in, you show your band. Yes.
Speaker 1:And when you leave for good, they will cut it off. Yes, so you don't have to leave it on. This pool was great. I loved everything about it. It was great. I loved everything about it. It was great.
Speaker 2:The theming was on par Like I loved. Like where our room was, we could see the pool.
Speaker 1:We had a water view.
Speaker 2:Yeah, we had a water view and it was just so pretty to see, especially like early in the mornings, the sun coming up and just shining on it and everything, and then also, you know, at sunset and really just in the middle of the day too.
Speaker 1:It was great that the sand bottom pool is like, I think, the most unique thing I've ever seen there. It's not sand, it's like granulated material that has to be heavy enough to sink down and not float right. Yeah, but little kids loved it. Our boys loved it because they love playing in the sand anyway, and it was great. Like everything about this pool is great and this is what you're going to be staying here for.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and there's a lot of different sections of that main pool, like you have, like an area that's not as deep, where it's meant more for like building the you know sandcastles and stuff.
Speaker 1:Yeah, but there's so like the grains are so big it's hard to build on it.
Speaker 2:But I mean, you're playing with sand toys and things like that. Then you have the lazy river, then you have another smaller section of the pool that's maybe three and a half to five feet deep, and then you have another bigger section.
Speaker 1:Where all the entertainment is.
Speaker 1:Yeah, closer to beach club side, yeah that's where they do the games and all that stuff. Yeah, that's where they do the games and all that stuff. Now, as of the recording of this, on August 6, 2024, from January be aware, from January 2025 through June 2025, this is a long closure. Stormalong Bay and Shipwreck Pool at Disney's Yacht and Beach Club Resorts will be closed for maintenance. Guests may see or hear construction work during daytime hours. During this time, guests are welcome to swim at the Tidal Admiral and Dunes Cove Leisure Pools. Now, there are quiet pools at this resort as well. We're not going to talk about them.
Speaker 2:Right, but that's what they mean by these leisure pools.
Speaker 1:They're smaller, they're not going to have all these amenities. So if you're looking at staying here, keep that in mind, because you're not going to have this pool, january through June. They have to do maintenance on it. They have to, yeah, you know.
Speaker 2:I mean they do this at all pools at some point in time, and I think maybe the size of this pool is why it's such a longer closure for it. Typically, when they do it at other resorts, it's like three to four months and not six months.
Speaker 1:Yeah. So, moving on to other activities, they have resort campfire activities, so, like s'mores and all that stuff, they have movie under the stars. You can do a poolside cabana rental. Well, I actually looked at it because it's so hot when we were there and everybody else had the same idea. They were all booked up. And the Fantasia Gardens and Miniature Golf Area is pretty close to it as well, and this is where you can rent pontoon boats for Crescent Lake as well. You can rent them here at the marina and this is also where you will do your fireworks boat tours for Epcot here as well. Okay, so yeah, and you can go fishing there. They have tennis and pickleball courts, volleyball, of course, jogging, and then they have a Lafferty Place arcade.
Speaker 1:So, yeah, yeah, that's the yacht club. Yes, so our initial impressions, britney, what were your initial impressions?
Speaker 2:I thought I just I thought it was, you know, beautiful again that night. We arrived, it was very late and but it was what we needed. You know, it was uh, not so much in your face, uh, I do remember. For a second thing, but I wasn't thinking how late we were getting there, like they didn't have as many people like standing there helping you other than at the desk. But it was because it was later in the day, because other days I saw like tons of people, tons of people, like, as you're walking in, oh are you checking in?
Speaker 2:And they go ahead and do it on like an iPad and stuff. It was just great. Like I said, you know, we had a second floor room, so a lot of times we didn't wait for the elevator, we just took the stairs up and that's where the steering, like the stern, the steering wheel, is, and it was just something fun for the boys to do every time. And then just the decor. It was just the theming, definitely on point, and we will share several pictures throughout this next week on it and just the, the detail, the detail. You know, just like any Disney room, I feel like you catch more and more every day. Sometimes you don't pick up on certain things until you're just like laying in bed. You're like, oh, that's a Mickey or this is the constellations on the curtains and things like that.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I thought so. I have been listening to this music we're listening to right now for a while leading up to the trip and I was always thinking I'm like man, it's going to be so relaxing when we get from California to Florida, we walk in, we hear this music. I did not know how much it was going to hit me, after how long of a day that was, and it was just oh yes.
Speaker 2:It was.
Speaker 1:The decor, the music, the smell, the not being overwhelmed by a huge grand lobby, Like if it was a huge grand lobby. I think it may have been too much after the after our travel day yeah, but it was exactly what we needed. The size was just right. The couches in the lobby area are very comfortable. They look fancy most time. Most of the time, like fancy stuff isn't very comfortable these were very comfortable.
Speaker 1:They were, they were the tv over to the side where the kids could watch cartoons that were, they had a range of cartoons from the new mickey. Over to the side where the kids could watch cartoons. They had a range of cartoons from the new Mickey shorts to the 1940 Mickey shorts.
Speaker 2:And even the little seat that they sit on it made it almost look like a cruise ship. Well, I know it's yacht themed, but like boat themed too.
Speaker 1:So I loved this. Did we enjoy our stay Brittany?
Speaker 2:Oh yes, it was very relaxing, brittany. Oh yes, like it was very relaxing, you know, one of the quieter resorts as far as, even when you're in the room Definitely enjoyed it, definitely enjoyed our water view. You know, because initially we were supposed to split this visit between Beach Club and Yacht Club and you know, at first I was like, oh, we're not staying at the Yacht Club anymore, I mean at the Beach Club anymore, we're only staying at the yacht club, and I'm glad it worked out that way.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it was great. I loved this Slept great here. The rooms are super nice. The decor fits very well in the rooms. They just redid them. I think the bathrooms are a very good size. Yeah, Very large.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah, and I was just trying to scroll back through pictures and stuff, like I just everything. You know, like the carpet in the hallways, you know it had like compasses on it and you know, just again, like Zach was saying, the room very spacious, very comfortable, having, you know, the balcony. It was just, yeah, I loved it it would we stay here again?
Speaker 1:yes, 100, yes yes, yes, yes I think on our next couple's trip, maybe in february, instead of saying the swan or dolphin for epcot, we stay here again and we actually go to yachtsman and alan compass and do these things and stay here for just like two or three nights. Yeah, it might be cheaper because the pool is closed.
Speaker 2:Maybe, Maybe, Maybe you know, and I was going to say too, like the lobby, you know, even though we're saying it's not grand and stuff, there's still a lot to see in there. It's a very nice lobby.
Speaker 1:It's not when you, when you, you. When I say grand, I mean like animal kingdom lodge, grand floridian wilderness lodge, like that type of just grand, yeah. Lobby. That's what I mean. This is very quaint and cozy cozy is a great word for it cozy would be a good word for it.
Speaker 2:You know, and they still have like ships on exhibit and they have this big globe that you can, you know, spin, and here's all the pictures. Finally, and again, just the stairs that you walk on, like it does give you that vibe of being on a big ship. Yeah, so, yeah, I would definitely stay here again, whether it's you know, if we go by ourselves again or with the boys.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it was great, great, definitely recommend it. All right, so this week's disney trivia. So apparently you found more history about this place than I did. Well, not really well you're talking about. They may have had boats there well, no, they didn't.
Speaker 2:I think the idea of why it was. I read it somewhere and I wish I could go into even more detail. It was quite a while back, but I think that was why the certain points of the water was like eight feet deep.
Speaker 1:All right. So I didn't really find any good storyline or anything here. So what is the name of the pool at Disney Yacht Club? We've talked about it plenty Stormalong Bay. Lots of people answered this one, the first one again from X Sweeney, again this week's winner. Congratulations to those that did comment and answer correctly. There's quite a few, so thank you. We appreciate that, yes thank you. So thank you everybody for joining us this week. Next week we're going to be talking about. What are we going to be talking about? Oh, lamplight Lounge.
Speaker 2:Dining Review. Yes, that was like a dining review.
Speaker 1:We got some dining reviews coming the next few weeks, so stay tuned for those. If you want to support the podcast, the best way to do that is to book your next vacation with Main Street Travel Company. Tell them we sent you. Take advantage of those special offers, especially for our listeners only. Again, go check them out wwwmainstreettravelcocom. They're on Instagram, facebook and YouTube wwwmainstreettravelcocom. They're on Instagram, facebook and YouTube. And again, call them 1-800-593-1262, monday through Friday, 10 am, 5 pm Central Time. Email us circleofparks at gmailcom. Especially if you're a company that has conventions at the Yacht Club, Let us know.
Speaker 2:Yes, let us know.
Speaker 1:Our website's wwwcircleofparkscom Going to be refreshed. We'll be up next week, so look for that next week, please uh, our social media is facebook, instagram and x. We're all on circle of parks and again, please just go leave us a rating, even an apple podcast. We really do appreciate it. Please share the show with your friends. Let us know you're listening. We really do love hearing from y'all and we will talk to you next week. Have a great week, everybody.
Speaker 2:Talk to you soon, thank you.