Disney Resorts with Beaches

If you’re hoping to have a beach day on your Disney trip, there are several Disney resorts with beaches where you can relax or play. These white-sand spots are a perfect place to get some rest on a resort day. The hammocks, lounge chairs, and peaceful views make it easy to forget you’re in the middle of a theme park resort.

While the lakes are off-limits, you don’t have to miss out on swim time. The pools at Disney resorts are some of the best you’ll find anywhere.

Stormalong Bay at Yacht and Beach Club is basically a mini water park. Moderate and Deluxe resorts all have waterslides, hot tubs, and often splash areas for kids. If you’re trying to make that price point work, check out DVC rental deals through David’s Vacation Club Rentals—especially for Beach Club, Polynesian, or Grand Floridian.

And if a Value resort is all you can budget for (or maybe you just prefer them because you love being surrounded by giant Disney theming), you can always resort hop. While Disney Resort pools are for resort guests only, the Disney beaches—and a lot of other activities—are open to anyone.

This guide to Disney resorts with beaches covers which resorts have them, what each beach is like, and what you can do while you’re there.

Can You Swim at Disney Resort Beaches

No—there are no lakes on Disney World property that are safe to swim in. All Disney beaches now have fences or stone walls that block access to the water. These barriers were added after the tragic death of a toddler in 2016 due to an alligator attack.

The closest beach to Magic Kingdom is Cocoa Beach—about 70 miles away. If you’re looking for more information on swimmable beaches near Disney World for a true beach day, check out my upcoming post the best beaches near Disney.

What Can You Do at Disney Resort Beaches?

Even though you can’t swim, Disney resort beaches are still worth the visit. Here’s what you can do:

Relax in a hammock or beach chair – Most beaches have spots to lounge with views of the water.
Let the kids play – Some Disney Resorts with beaches sell sand toys, or you can save money and buy some beforehand to bring with.
Watch the Electrical Water Pageant – for beaches along Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon, you can find the times for each resort here.
Watch the fireworks – The beaches at Polynesian and Grand Floridian have some of the best views of Magic Kingdom’s nighttime show.
Enjoy a snack or drink – Many beaches are just steps from quick service spots or lounges. Grab a Dole Whip (at Polynesian), take a seat, and relax.

It’s not an ocean beach—but it’s still a great way to unwind on a no-park day or while resort hopping. For tips on what to pack for a resort day or resort hopping day see this post.

Which Disney World Resorts Have a Beach?

Here’s a breakdown of the best Disney resorts with beaches and what makes each one worth visiting.

Disney’s Yacht Club & Beach Club Resorts

Probably one of the best choices for a Disney Resort stay with a beach, these sister resorts share Shipwreck Beach. Located along Crescent Lake, the beach has great views of the lighthouse, a pirate ship (which doubles as a waterslide), and the BoardWalk just across the water. There are beach chairs and swings here, but what really sets this spot apart from the rest of the Disney Resort beaches is Stormalong Bay—widely considered Disney Resorts best pool.

You can’t swim in the lake, but you can still get a great beach experience here. Not only does Stormalong Bay have a massive waterslide and a lazy river, it also features a sand-bottom pool, giving you the most beach-like swim you’ll find at a Disney resort.

If you’re looking for a Disney World resort where you can have a beach day, this is it. While the Beach club can be pricey, you can get a good deal through David’s Vacation Club Rentals. A 5-night stay in a Deluxe Studio with a resort view is as low as $1300 during Disney’s value weeks—compared to nearly $2500 when booked directly through Disney.

The only downside to the Beach/Yacht Club beach for me, is that it’s in a busy area. As part of the BoardWalk resort area, it gets a lot of foot traffic from non-resort guests. For most people it’s fine, but with my autistic daughter Brielle, we need a less stimulating spot to unwind from the parks so it wouldn’t be our top choice for a beach day.

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

Easily one of the most scenic beaches at Disney, the tropical landscaping at Polynesian adds to its laid-back island vibe. Set along the shores of Seven Seas Lagoon, right across from Magic Kingdom, the beach has hammocks, swings, and a clear view of the overwater bungalows. It’s the perfect spot to relax—and you can even catch the Magic Kingdom fireworks or the Electrical Water Pageant from the beach. This is a great spot to end the day on a resort hopping itinerary—and grab a Dole Whip from Pineapple Lanai while you’re at it.

This resort is my favorite, and its beach was one of the best we saw. The atmosphere at the Polynesian really makes you feel like you’re on a tropical island—not in the middle of Disney. Plus, I loved seeing the overwater bungalows, which are a personal bucket list stay for me. The only downside here was that the hammocks sagged.

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Also on Seven Seas Lagoon, this beach has a quiet, elegant atmosphere. There are lounge chairs to relax in along the smaller beach area, with views of the resort’s iconic Victorian-style buildings. Like the Polynesian, it’s another great viewing spot for the fireworks and water pageant.

I loved the lounge chairs at this beach, but that was the only standout. It’s pretty small. If you’re looking for a beach to watch fireworks while resort hopping, the Polynesian’s a better pick.

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

If you’re after a tropical beach vibe without leaving Disney property, this is the resort to stay at. Each of the five resort sections—Barbados, Jamaica, Martinique, Trinidad, and Aruba—has its own sandy beach area, plus there’s a beach on Caribbean Cay Island, where you will also find a big playground. The beaches here have hammocks, beach chairs, a laid-back atmosphere, and great views. And since it’s a Skyliner resort, it’s easy to stop at for a break while resort hopping.

We only saw the beaches in the Martinique area and on Caribbean Cay Island while resort hopping, but both were empty when we visited in the late morning/early afternoon. And the hammocks on both were still in great condition (no sagging).

Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground

At Fort Wilderness you’ll find Clementine’s Beach—one of the largest beaches on Disney property. Set along Bay Lake, it’s a peaceful, nature-filled spot with beach chairs and plenty of room to relax or play. You can even catch the Electrical Water Pageant from here. This resort also offers unique activities you won’t find at other Disney resort beaches, like kayaking, canoe rentals, and dockside fishing.

I loved that this beach kept the campground’s rustic vibe with its wooden chairs. This is the one to pick if you want a quick beach break and then to try other activities.

Disney’s Riviera Resort

This beach is easy to miss—it’s just past the pools and kids splash playground on the way to Caribbean Beach. It’s a good‑size, with beach chairs and a view of the Skyliner and the resort down the lake. Perfect for some quiet relaxation since most would miss it.

This is my top pick for a beach day with Brielle. It’s quiet and removed from the resort buzz—which is perfect for autistic kids and teens. Riviera’s also my top pick for a resort to stay at with autistic children/teens/adults. Read why in my upcoming post—follow on Facebook so you don’t miss it.

Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Tucked along Bay Lake, the beach here is pretty quiet and simple. There are lounge chairs, and it’s another good spot to catch the Electrical Water Pageant. Not a huge beach, but it rarely gets crowded so is a great place to relax.

I was surprised at how quiet this beach was. It’s nothing special, but it’s a short walk from Magic Kingdom—perfect for a midday break from the park.

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

Coronado’s beach stretches along the edge of Lago Dorado. It’s long and narrow, with hammocks and lounge chairs. This is a beautiful resort to visit at night—especially if you’re resort hopping and want a peaceful walk after dinner.

We arrived at Coronado late, so didn’t get a chance to check out the beach. The resort’s still worth a visit—if you have visited the beach here, let me know how it is in the comments.

Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel

These hotels are not technically Disney-owned, but still located on property (and include perks like early theme park entry and Disney transportation). This hotel has one of the best beaches—large, with lounge chairs and a playground right on the beach. This is a great spot to take a break while resort hopping, just pull up a lounge chair and watch the swan paddle boats out on the lake (only available for hotel guests). Despite being near the BoardWalk, it doesn’t get too busy.

We took our longest break here. It wasn’t busy and empty chairs were everywhere. Brie played at the playground for a bit, then we put our feet up and watched the swan boats.

How Far Is Disney from the Beach?

Since swimming isn’t allowed at any of the Disney World resort beaches, you might be wondering where to find a real beach nearby. Cocoa Beach is the closest option, just about an hour’s drive from Disney. If you’re planning a longer trip and want to add a true beach day, keep an eye out for my upcoming post on Beaches Near Disney World (coming soon—follow me on Facebook so you don’t miss it).

Other Disney Resorts with Beaches (Outside Disney World)

There are other Disney resorts near U.S. theme parks—like Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel, Disneyland Hotel, and Pixar Place Hotel in California. None of those have on-site beaches, but they’re about 30 minutes from the Pacific Ocean.

Then there are the standalone Disney resorts not connected to a theme park. Only one is in Florida, but all three offer that Disney feel—no park ticket needed.

Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa

While there aren’t any all-inclusive Disney resorts with beaches, a Disney resort in Hawaii comes close.

Located in Ko Olina on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, Aulani is a true beachfront Disney resort. The lagoons are calm and swimmable, and guests can use free beach chairs, umbrellas, boogie boards, and life jackets. You can also rent beachside cabanas, snorkel gear, and paddleboards—or book a traditional Hawaiian sailing canoe experience. Aulani is a tropical beach vacation with a little Disney magic on the side.

Since this is a DVC resort, you can get a great deal here too—just under $1,500 for a Sunday to Thursday stay in early September through David’s Vacation Club Rentals, compared to over $2,100 if booked directly through Disney.

Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort

This is one of Disney’s most underrated and relaxing resorts.

Located in South Carolina, it’s about five hours from Disney World. While it isn’t’ beachfront—it’s nestled in the marshes along Broad Creek, you’re just a 5-minute drive (or free shuttle) from Disney’s Beach House on the Atlantic, which offers direct beach access and its own pool.

It’s a great stop for a night or two if you’re driving to Disney. A three-night stay during value season can be as low as $560 through David’s Vacation Club Rentals —an easy way to add in a couple of relaxing beach days on your way home from a busy Disney week.

Disney’s Vero Beach Resort

Vero Beach was the first standalone DVC property, located about two hours from Disney World on Florida’s Atlantic coast. The beach is just steps away, and the atmosphere is quiet and low-key. You can rent chairs, umbrellas, and cabanas—or book extras like boogie boards, kayaks, sailboats, banana boats, and jet skis.

Is Disney’s Vero Beach worth it, even though it’s outside the Disney bubble?

Yes—especially if you want a true beach break during a longer trip. It’s the perfect spot for the relaxing half of a split stay. A Sunday–Thursday stay during a value week can run as low as $900 for a Deluxe Inn Room with a standard view through David’s Vacation Club Rentals. (For more split stay ideas, check out my split stay itinerary post—coming soon. Follow me on Facebook so you don’t miss it.)

While Disney resorts with beaches do exist, they’re not your typical beach vacation—these are lakeside spots, not oceanfront, and swimming isn’t allowed. Still, they’re great for relaxing, and if you stay at Beach Club, you’ll get as close as it gets to a true beach day thanks to Stormalong Bay. And if you really want to dip your toes in the ocean, Cocoa Beach is just an hour away.

Need more ideas for a day at the resorts? Don’t miss these:

Planning to do some resort hopping? Check these out:

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