Walt Disney World has so many different and unique dining options to choose from and some of those areas may be overlooked. Today, we are taking a look at the Crescent Lake resort area. This area is nestled between EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. A total of six resorts can be found around the lake. Surely everyone will be able to find something to enjoy. The best part of this area is it’s all in walking distance or you can even take a boat between resorts.
Starting with Disney’s Beach and Yacht Club. These sister resorts are connected and share many of their offerings. At Yacht and Beach Club you can find some of our Crescent Lake Club favorites.
Cape May Cafe offers a buffet for breakfast and dinner. For dinner that does become a great seafood spot for those looking to indulge there. Beaches & Cream is a fun family diner-esque space with things like grilled cheese and tomato soup and for dessert the infamous Kitchen Sink which is one of the biggest ice cream sundaes you will ever see. Another great thing about this space is the walk up window to order ice cream while enjoying the pool or just the resort.
The Beach Club side does have a quick service offering in the Beach Club Marketplace that will serve grab and go options, flatbreads, drinks and more. The Yacht Club side has the equivalent in The Market at Ale & Compass. Yacht Club also offers a high end option in Yachtsman Steakhouse where you can have a special evening out celebrating. You can go for something a bit more casual in the Ale & Compass which in the morning offers a buffet and a full menu for lunch and dinner.
If you know anything about the Crescent Lake Club, you know we love our lounges and bars. These two resorts offer some of our most favorite in all of Walt Disney World. The Ale & Compass Lounge is right off the main Yacht Club lobby and attached to the restaurant. Here you have a full bar along with special food offerings such as a Foodie Find favorite in Parker House Rolls. Yacht Club also has the Crew’s Cup Lounge attached to Yachtsman Steakhouse where you can indulge in a beverage before or after your special meal. Beach Club has Martha’s Vineyard another great lounge offering to kick back and relax. Then if by the pool or just wanting to take in some amazing Florida weather, Hurricane Hanna’a Waterside Bar & Grill is a staple for us. This poolside bar is small but mighty with great service and great options.
Moving across the way to Disney’s Boardwalk Inn you can find a bit of everything as well. Not much is actually inside this hotel but its a whole new world on the boardwalk outside. Inside you can find the Belle Vue Lounge though, a nice relaxing little spot to grab a drink. For your signature experience, head on over to Flying Fish, from seafood to steak and more, this place will be sure to satisfy. Trattoria al Forno offers Italian fare and serves up a great all you can eat breakfast in the morning, a great stop for us before heading into EPCOT. Big River Grille & Brewing Works is a great brewery and Americana type experience. From beers brewed on location to burgers and more. The Boardwalk Bakery is your grab and go location with sandwiches to sweet treats and more. Next door you also have the Boardwalk Pizza Window which is great late night option (from personal experience) with pizza by the slice or even the whole shebang. Can’t forget about Boardwalk Ice Cream if you need to cool off after a hot day in the parks too. I recommend the Brownie Sundae.
Then comes the lounges and bars of course. AbracadaBar is a magician themed bar with specialty “magic” cocktails and more. If you want a great themed experience this is the place for you. Leaping House Libations is the pool bar, themed to a carousel that you would find on the boardwalks of yesteryear this is a great spot to sit and relax. Also on the Boardwalk you will find Boardwalk Joe’s to grab a margarita as your stroll on by. JellyRolls and Atlantic Dance Hall are two adult nightclub type options if you want to get your party on as well.
That brings us to probably the most overlooked offerings because they are at non-Disney owned resorts. The Swan, Dolphin and now Swan Reserve are also in the Crescent Lake area. The Swan Reserve is a bit further out however being across the street but is still very walkable.
Over at the Dolphin you can find Shula’s Steakhouse and lounge which is of course celebrating the great Don Shula. If you are looking for a great night out option, this is it. Also at the Dolphin, Todd English’s bluezoo and lounge is a great celebrity chef restaurant in the heart of Walt Disney World. With seafood, and much more to choose from, guests will be transported “under the sea” for this meal. The Fountain is an American fare option with burgers, salads and sandwiches. Fresh Mediterranean Market is inspired by its namesake of course and offers a special breakfast with something for everyone. Picabu is the Dolphin quick service option with a little bit of everything from chicken, pizza and hot dogs.
At the Swan, guests can start their day at Garden Grove which is themed to New York’s Central Park and offers breakfast each morning. For those looking for something a bit more fancy or maybe to carb load before an event perhaps, Il Mulino is the place to go. This is runDisney weekend staple for us at the Crescent Lake Club. Handmade pizza, ginormous chicken parmesan and so much more. Kimonos is for those looking for seafood. This has fresh seafood and has been voted to have some of the best Sushi in Orlando. On select nights after 9:30PM, guests can take part in karaoke as well!
Now for the lounges and bars. Chill located at the Swan is a walk up bar specializing in frozen cocktails and some grab and go snacks. Cabana Bar and Beach Club is located out near the pool area at the Swan and Dolphin. Here you can find flatbreads, burgers and of course cocktails to enjoy poolside. Phins is located right in the heart of the main lobby at the Dolphin and is a great spot to watch a sporting event or just wait for your ride to your next destination to arrive. Java in the Swan lobby serves up some grab and go breakfast options and coffee and at night becomes more of a lounge offering with more snack options and things like cold brews to enjoy. Last but certainly not least is Splash Pool Bar and Grill which is out near the pool area and serves up casual American fare and of course specialty cocktails to enjoy poolside.
That brings us to our newest Crescent Lake option and the furthest out. The Swan Reserve opened in late 2021 and offers a few more options for guests in the area. Amare is the table service option that serves Mediterranean inspired fare. Grounds in the lobby area serves breakfast, coffee and grab and go options. Stir is the lobby bar with full service and specialty cocktails. Out by the pool you can find Tangerine to relax and unwind on those perfect Florida days. We at the Crescent Lake Club can’t wait to try out some of these newer offerings.
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