Wordless Wednesday - At Epcot

Sunday Spotlight - Disney's Yacht Club Resort®

Disney's Yacht Club Resort_® first opened at Walt Disney World_® Resort on November 5, 1990 and was designed by noted architect A.M. Stern.  It opened just 14 days prior to its’ sister resort, Disney’s Beach Club Resort_®.   It was designed to cater more to business clientele rather than families, providing more upscale lodgings and a Convention Center with over 73,000 square feet of space, including 2 large ballrooms and 21 breakout rooms.  Amenities are shared with its’ sister resort.

The resort is themed to invoke a New England nautical feel, with the concept that guests might even feel as if they are onboard a ship, rather than on land.

Disney's Yacht Club Resort_® features 630 guest rooms.  All rooms can accommodate up to 5 guests plus 1 child under 3 in a crib; featuring either 2 queen-size beds plus a day bed, or two double-size beds plus a day bed, or a king-size bed plus a day bed.

The resort includes 1 feature pool: Stormalong Bay which is one of the largest sand-bottom pools in the United States and 1 quiet pool;  a children’s pool and water play area; white sand beach for sunbathing;  marina for watercraft rentals; fishing; tennis; fitness center;  an arcade and other assorted recreational activities including Disney movies in the evenings. The Sandcastle Club provides supervised activities for children during the evenings on a fee basis.

The resort features 2 table service restaurants:  Yachtsman Steakhouse, Captain’s Grille. It also features 1 quick-service restaurant: Beach Club Marketplace; as well as a lounge/bar location: Hurricane Hannah’s. 

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort_® is a deluxe level resort located on the shores of Crescent Lake near the International Gateway entrance to Epcot_®, and just a short walk or boat ride away from Disney’s Hollywood Studios_®. Convenient bus transportation will take guests to all other parts of Walt Disney World_® Resort.  

Tuesday Trivia - Epcot and Hollywood Studios

Did you know that there is a 100 degree temperature difference between the hot & cold rooms within Epcot's Test Track attraction?


Did you know that Beauty & The Beast-Live on Stage premiered at Disney's Hollywood Studios (then known as Disney-MGM Studios) on the same November day in 1991 that the film premiered in theaters?

Saturday Savers - Club Cool

It's been a while since the last time I posted a Saturday Savers, which is about ways to enjoy yourselves or your dining experiences at Walt Disney World a little bit on the cheap side, or sometimes even for free.  Today we'll take a peek at Club Cool, which if you find yourself thirsty in the Future World section of Epcot, is a great way to enjoy a soft drink for FREE. 

Club Cool, which is sponsored by Coca-Cola, provides unlimited FREE samples of soft drinks from other countries around the world. It's nice and cool inside too. The options to sample include:

• Smart Watermelon - China
• Fanta Kolita - Costa Rica
• Mezzo Mix - Germany
• Kinley Lemon - Israel
• Beverly - Italy
• Vegeta Beta - Japan
• Lift Apple  - Mexico
• Krest Ginger Ale  - Mozambique

Of these options, I really like the Watermelon from China.  It is my favorite.  But as my fellow DISDads are fully aware, the Beverly is, shall we say... um... interesting.  It is definitely worth a try once - but after that -whether you try it again is up to you!  Just know, the cups at Club Cool are small.  Don't expect to get a normally sized soft drink - but if you drink enough of them, you'll enjoy a normal serving or more.  

Sunday Spotlight - Disney's Old Key West Resort

Disney's Old Key West Resort_® first opened at Walt Disney World_® Resort on December 20, 1991.  It was the original Disney Vacation Club_® (DVC) timeshare property, and as such was originally named Disney’s Vacation Club Resort.  In January 1996 DVC expanded their timeshare offerings at the Walt Disney World Resort, and so the resort was renamed to Disney’s Old Key West Resort.  The resort is themed to celebrate the Conch Republic of Key West, Florida, and enjoys quite the laid-back feeling that a southern Florida provides.

The resort has a total of 761 villas, comprised of Deluxe Studios, 1-Bedroom, 2-Bedroom and 3-Bedroom Grand Villas. 

• Deluxe Studios are 376 square feet and can accommodate up to four guests, plus one child under age 3 in a crib.  They include a kitchenette, two queen-size beds and a private porch or balcony.
• 1-Bedrooms are 942 square feet, and can accommodate up to five guests, plus one child under age 3 in a crib. They include a fully equipped kitchen, washer & dryer, king-size bed in the master bedroom, a queen-size sleeper sofa plus a sleeper chair in the living room, whirlpool tub in the bathroom, and a private porch or balcony. 
• 2-Bedrooms are 1,333 square feet, and can accommodate up to nine guests, plus one child under 3 in a crib. They offer all that a 1-Bedroom has plus a second bedroom with 2 queen-size beds and a second full bathroom.
• 3-Bedroom Grand Villas are 2,375 square feet, and can accommodate up to 12 guests, plus one child under 3 in a crib. They offer all of the amenities of the 2-Bedroom, plus they include a third bedroom with 2 queen-size beds, a third full bathroom, a full dining room, additional private balcony and are two-story rooms.

Even though the resort is a DVC timeshare property (the villas are owned by members through DVC’s points-based system), DVC maintains ownership of approximately 3-4% of the total point allocation for each of their timeshare resorts, making those rooms available for rent year-round to non-members.  

The resort includes 1 feature pool and 3 leisure or “quiet” pools, a children’s pool, whirlpools, sauna, fitness center, Community Hall family recreation room, tennis courts, fishing, marina watercraft rentals, arcade and recreational activities.  It also features 1 table service restaurant:  Olivia’s Café serving breakfast lunch and dinner;  2 quick-service counter locations: Good’s Food to Go, and the Turtle Shack.  A bar is also on-site:  Gurgling Suitcase.

Disney’s Old Key West Resort_® is a Deluxe Villas level resort centrally located to the east of Epcot_® in the Downtown Disney_® area.  Convenient bus transportation will take guests to all parts of Walt Disney World_® Resort, and water taxis transport guests to and from Downtown Disney. 

Today in Disney Parks & Resorts History - Disney's Yacht Club

November 5, 1990 - Walt Disney World

Just to the west of Epcot's International Gateway, situated along the shores of Crescent Lake, Disney's Yacht Club Resort opens to the public.  This brand-new deluxe level resort located on Epcot Resorts Boulevard, is themed after New England seaside resorts of the late 1800's.

Today in Disney Parks & Resorts History - Epcot Grand Opening Celebration

October 24, 1982 - Walt Disney World

Card Walker, chairman of Walt Disney Productions, officially dedicates EPCOT Center, Disney's third theme park (the second at Walt Disney World) 23 days after the park first opened to the public.

Today in Disney Parks & Resorts History - El Rio del Tiempo

October 21, 1982 - Walt Disney World Resort

El Rio del Tiempo, along with the rest of the Mexico Pavilion, is officially dedicated inside World Showcase at Epcot Center.