Best Disney World Hotels for EPCOT Visits!

Since EPCOT has so much to offer, it’s not uncommon for it to be the main destination on a Guest’s vacation to Walt Disney World. When this is the case, it’s important to decide on the right EPCOT hotel for the best EPCOT experience possible. In this article, we’re going to take a look at which Walt Disney Resort hotels are the best for you and your much anticipated time at EPCOT.

EPCOT, Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow, is the Disney theme park that does exactly as it says. With its annual festivals, exquisite cuisine, cultural experiences, and dreams of the future, EPCOT is a crowd-pleasing Disney theme park and a favorite of many. Throughout four worlds (World Celebration, World Discovery, World Nature, and World Showcase), EPCOT gives Guests a look into our world from the beginning of time, shows what we are currently doing for our planet and animals, gives an inside view across 11 different countries, and also gives a glimpse into what could be in the future.

As a frequent visitor of Walt Disney World, I have stayed at many Walt Disney World Resort hotels and have been to EPCOT numerous times. I understand the importance of distance, convenience, and accommodations when deciding which hotel you'd like to stay at. Especially when you have a specific theme park in mind. I look forward to guiding you through the different Disney World hotels that would be great options for your EPCOT visit.

Disney's Beach Club Resort & Villas

With their New England-style theming and luxurious beach feel, both Disney’s Beach Club Resort and Villas are perfect options for EPCOT hotels. Both the resort and villas fall under Disney’s Deluxe Resort hotel category. When staying there, you’ll have plenty of accommodation options including Rooms, Suites, Villas, and Deluxe Studios. Depending on which accommodation you choose, you may also receive Club-Level services.

At Disney’s Beach Club, you’ll find the 3-acre water area, Stormalong Bay. There’s something for everyone at here. Little ones have two kiddie pools available to them. One even includes a miniature water slide! If they’re feeling more adventurous, they can also enter the main pool which features a convenient gentle sloped entrance. More experienced swimmers can climb the mast of the “shipwreck” and then slide down one of the tallest waterslides amongst the Disney World Resort hotels.

Those wanting to relax can grab an inner tube and head down the lazy river, lay out on the elevated tanning deck, or enjoy some time in one of the whirlpool spas. (There are three available!) These whirlpool spas are located in the three all-ages quiet pool areas.

For more water fun at Disney’s Beach Club, you can rent a mini-powerboat to enjoy on the lake. If hunger strikes, you can head over to Beaches & Cream Soda Shop! This is Disney’s Beach Club’s newly renovated ice cream parlor. Not only do they have decadent ice cream options available (including the infamous Kitchen Sink!), there are also savory bites available for all ages!

Disney’s Beach Club is an ideal option for an EPCOT visit since it is within walking distance from the theme park. Not only do you have the option to walk there, you can also opt to use Disney’s gondola system, the Skyliner, for a quick trip through the sky!

Disney's BoardWalk Inn & Villas

This waterfront resort radiates both light-hearted carnival fun and turn-of-the-century charm. The saltwater taffy-colored Inn and Villas at Disney’s BoardWalk offer an array of accommodation options. These options include Rooms, Suites, Villas, and Deluxe Studios. Club-Level services are available depending on which accommodation you choose.

There are three pool areas located at Disney’s BoardWalk Resort. The main area is Luna Park Pool. This carnival-style themed area features a large pool with a 200-foot-long waterslide that features some favorite Disney characters! There are also elephant statues that provide fountain fun by spraying water out of their trunks. In this area, you will also find a kiddie pool and a whirlpool spa. The other two pools are leisure pools. Both of these pools are meant to be quieter relaxing areas and also have whirlpool spas.

So much fun is able to be had at Disney's BoardWalk! You’ll find entertainment, shopping, dining, recreational fun, and nightlife. From dueling pianos, to arcade games, jugglers, and bikes for rent, you’ll never have a dull moment. When you’re hungry, whether you’re looking for a sweet treat, quick bite, or full-service meal, you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for! As the day turns to night, head over to Atlantic City Dance Hall for a wonderful evening of dancing.

Disney’s BoardWalk Inn and Villas are both within walking distance from EPCOT. This resort is also a Skyliner resort! These options both make it very convenient for your visit to EPCOT.

Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort

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You’ll feel like you’re at an island oasis when you stay at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. Upon arriving at this Moderate Resort, you’ll feel like you’ve arrived at a port of entry when you step foot into Old Port Royale. At this location, you’ll be able to check-in and have other vacation needs met with their concierge services and available hotel amenities. You can also shop and dine at Old Port Royale!

The theming at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort will place you directly in an island paradise. With vibrant colors, lively Calypso music, decor, and landscaping, this resort captures the spirit of five specific Caribbean islands: Barbados, Jamaica, Martinique, Trinidad, and Aruba.

With a true Caribbean feel, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort has beaches, swaying palm trees, and hammocks for ultimate relaxation. You will also find an amazing pool at this resort! Styled like an old Spanish fortress, this pool features two slides and water cannons. Younger Guests can enjoy splashing around at the “shipwreck” water play area. This play area has three small slides as well as a water dump barrel. Adults who are looking for a more tranquil experience can enjoy time at the spa.

Although this resort is not within walking distance of EPCOT, it is still close enough to be considered in the EPCOT area! Luckily, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort is on the Skyliner route. Not only is the resort close to EPCOT, it also has quick and easy transportation to the park as well!

Disney's Riviera Resort

This stylish and artsy Deluxe Villa Resort is greatly inspired by Europe. You’ll see Disney characters like never before in the main lobby of Disney’s Riviera Resort. Master artists put their own twist on the Disney characters that we know and love and created a truly unique collection of art.

Many accommodations are available at Disney’s Riviera Resort. You can choose from Deluxe Studios, 1-Bedroom Villas, 2-Bedroom Villas, 3-Bedroom Grand Villas, and Tower Studios. The Tower Studios are a new addition and are currently exclusive to Disney’s Riviera Resort! These studios are unique in the fact that they accommodate up to 2 Guests. Between all of their accommodation options, you can plan a trip for 1-12 Guests!

A big highlight of Disney’s Riviera Resort is their rooftop dining location, Topolino’s Terrace. You can choose to have a delicious character breakfast or a more upscale dinner. During dinner, you will be able to enjoy an etiquette meal of French and Italian cuisine.

At breakfast, you won’t find your typical character breakfast menu items. When you join your favorite Disney pals for breakfast at Topolino’s Terrace, you’ll be able to choose from delicious entrées such as Avocado Toast, Eggs, a Fruit Plate, a Sour Cream Waffle, Wood-fired Steak and Eggs, Wild Mushroom Scramble, Smoked Salmon, or a Bread Pudding Brûlée. Kids can choose from a Scrambled Egg, Fruit and Yogurt, or Mickey-shaped Waffle Dippers for their entrée. During this breakfast, you’ll be joined by Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Daisy. At Topolino’s Terrace, our pals wear extremely cute outfits! Mickey is a painter, Minnie is a poet, Donald is a sculptor, and Daisy is a dancer.

Disney’s Riviera Resort is another resort that is located in the EPCOT area, but is not within walking distance. It is, however, another resort that has the convenience of the Skyliner! You’ll be able to be swept away quickly to EPCOT with this convenient transportation method.

Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Hotel and Swan Reserve

Both the Swan and Dolphin are hotels that are architecturally and visually designed with a Renaissance nod and with Florida in mind. Complete with an aqua and coral color scheme, huge statues of swans and dolphins, fountains, luscious landscapes, and a beautiful lake view, Walt Disney World’s Swan and Dolphin Hotels are beautiful, warm, and inviting. Close by, with many of the same amenities and benefits, is Swan Reserve. At the Swan and Dolphin property, you’ll find delicious dining options, a pool with a waterslide, a spa, and a supervised children’s activity center.

The children’s activity center is called Camp Dolphin. Guests ages 5-12 are able to enjoy time doing things that they love while being fully supervised by caring counselors. Age-appropriate activities will be available for the children to do. These activities include art, crafts, movies, board games, video games, and nightly-themed activities. While there, the children will also have a snack and a meal provided for them! Please note that your little ones must be fully potty trained before visiting Camp Dolphin. No pull-ups or diapers are allowed.

The pool area at Swan and Dolphin is actually a 3-acre oasis of fun and relaxing water activities. The pool area features a waterfall, slide, and rock caves. You’ll also be able to enjoy time in a whirlpool. (There are four at this location!) With a kiddie pool, 2-lap pools, and spring pool, there’s plenty of fun to be had by everyone. To crank things up a bit, a DJ plays fun music and offers impromptu poolside games at the grotto for Guests to enjoy!

Whether you’re staying at the Swan Hotel, Dolphin Hotel, or Swan Reserve, you’ll be within walking distance of EPCOT! If you’d rather not walk, you also have the option of taking a water taxi over to EPCOT.

Disney's Yacht Club Resort

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort is a lakeside hotel that brings the feel of a New England-style yacht club. When staying at this Deluxe Resort, Guests can head over to Disney’s Beach Club Resort to enjoy water recreation at Stormalong Bay. Bayside Marina also provides more water fun with an array of watercrafts that are available for rent. Use these rentals on the beautiful lake that’s right on property!

If you’re looking for more activities that do not involve water, you’re in luck! At Disney’s Yacht Club, you can enjoy volleyball, tennis, pickleball, fishing, games at the arcade, campfires, and movies under the stars. This resort is also in close proximity to Fantasia Gardens and Fairways Miniature Golf, where you can enjoy a round of mini golf! There’s something for everyone at Disney’s Yacht Club. Even your furry friends, as the Yacht Club has dog-friendly accommodations!

For a delectable meal, stop by Yachtsman Steakhouse. At this New England-style steakhouse, you can enjoy premium steaks and fresh seafood along with delicious starters, sides, and desserts. Yachtsman Steakhouse is a Disney Signature Dining experience and has a dress code in place. Guests are expected to dress in clothing that replicates this upscale experience. Swimwear is not permitted.

Disney’s Yacht Club is another resort that is within walking distance of EPCOT. It is also part of the Skyliner route so you can use this option as well if you’d prefer not to walk to the park.

Monorail & Skyliner Resorts

Convenient transportation is a big perk of Walt Disney World vacations. With the help of the monorail and Skyliner, there are a few more resorts that you could consider for your EPCOT visit even though they are not technically considered “EPCOT hotels”.

The monorail services three different resorts and will take Guests right to EPCOT. These are Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa.

Likewise, with the addition of the Skyliner, many resorts are now conveniently connected to EPCOT. Resorts that are not considered EPCOT hotels, but can easily travel to EPCOT via the Skyliner are Disney’s Art of Animation Resort and Disney’s Pop Century Resort. Both of these are Value Resorts. If you're looking for a resort that's more affordable, these may be a good option for you!

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EPCOT Hotels Q&A