JA
Jill Argiro
Jun 26, 2026
We are RUINED
As a family of five who visits Walt Disney World at least once a year, we've become somewhat of accidental Disney ambassadors. Over our last three vacations, we've planned not only our own trips but portions of trips for extended family and friends who joined us after hearing us talk endlessly about Disney magic. We love experiencing different resorts because each one tells its own story and appeals to a different style of vacationing.
This summer, from June 6–18, we decided to try something completely new: a split stay beginning at Fort Wilderness and ending at Yacht Club.
Fort Wilderness taught us something important about ourselves as Disney travelers. While we absolutely loved the accommodations, the peaceful atmosphere, and the incredible beauty of the property, we discovered that our family thrives when transportation to the parks is easy, seamless, and quick. With three boys ages 8, 11, and 14, maximizing our park time matters, and we realized that convenience is one of the things we value most in a Disney resort. Even so, Fort Wilderness was wonderfully maintained, offered a unique sense of escape, and gave us an appreciation for a side of Disney we had never experienced before.
By the time our friends and family had headed home, I knew our vacation needed one last sprinkle of Disney magic. I booked Yacht Club for the final few nights of our stay, hoping it would end our trip on a high note.
It didn't just end the trip on a high note—it completely changed our expectations for future Disney vacations.
What surprised me most is that our family typically prioritizes space. We usually prefer accommodations with a separate bedroom so my husband and I can retreat after long park days while our boys have their own area to unwind. Yet somehow, even in a standard room, Yacht Club never felt cramped. The room was comfortable, thoughtfully designed, and simply worked for our family.
And then there's everything else.
The location is nearly impossible to beat. Walking into EPCOT, strolling to Hollywood Studios, enjoying the BoardWalk atmosphere in the evenings, and never feeling rushed to catch transportation transformed the pace of our vacation.
Every Cast Member we encountered was warm, welcoming, and genuinely seemed invested in making our stay memorable. Housekeeping was excellent, the resort was immaculate, and there was an unmistakable feeling that every detail mattered.
Of course, no review of Yacht Club would be complete without mentioning Stormalong Bay. We had heard people rave about it for years, but experiencing it ourselves finally made us understand why guests become so loyal to the Crescent Lake resorts. It isn't just a pool—it feels like a destination within the vacation itself.
Yacht Club ruined us in the best possible way. Before we even checked out, we booked our next summer vacation at Beach Club because we simply couldn't imagine returning to Disney without this area becoming part of our trip.
Disney has an incredible ability to create resorts that appeal to different families for different reasons. Fort Wilderness reminded us to slow down and enjoy the journey. Yacht Club reminded us that sometimes the perfect ending to a vacation becomes the reason you start planning the next one before you've even gone home.