If you love EPCOT, there’s something pretty special about staying nearby. Instead of spending your vacation worrying about transportation every time you want to visit the park, you can simply walk over and start enjoying the fun.
EPCOT is one of my favorite places at Walt Disney World. You can wander from country to country in World Showcase, check out new experiences and attractions, enjoy some of Disney’s best dining, and—depending on when you visit—experience one of the four annual EPCOT festivals.
And that’s exactly why I think the resorts surrounding EPCOT are worth considering when you’re planning your Disney World vacation.
Imagine finishing dinner at EPCOT and, instead of getting in line for a bus, simply walking back to your resort. Want to take a midday break? No problem. Have little ones who need a nap? Being within walking distance can make that much easier. Or maybe you want to enjoy an evening at EPCOT without worrying about how you’re going to get back to your room afterward.
There’s a convenience to staying in the EPCOT area that can make a big difference in how your vacation feels.
In this guide, we’ll take a look at the best reasons to stay at an EPCOT-area resort—and why this part of Walt Disney World might be the perfect home base for your next trip.
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1. You Can Walk to EPCOT
Let’s start with what I think is one of the biggest advantages of staying in the EPCOT area: you can walk to EPCOT!
There’s something wonderful about being able to leave your resort and stroll to the park instead of waiting for a bus or figuring out another mode of transportation. Depending on which resort you choose, you can be at the EPCOT entrance in just a matter of minutes.
Disney’s Yacht Club Resort and Disney’s Beach Club Resort are especially convenient, with the International Gateway entrance to EPCOT just a short walk away. Disney’s BoardWalk Inn is also right in the middle of the action.
And that easy access can make a big difference during your vacation.
Want to head back to the resort for a few hours in the afternoon? Easy. Have little ones who need a break from the parks? No problem. Planning to enjoy dinner or the evening at EPCOT? You don’t have to worry about finding transportation back to your resort when you’re finished.
Even better, the EPCOT-area resorts are all close enough to one another that exploring the area is part of the fun. You can stroll along the water, check out the different resort lobbies, grab a snack or meal, and enjoy the atmosphere without ever needing to get on a bus.
Epcot Has Good Neighbors
And don’t forget about the Disney Swan and Dolphin Hotels. These Marriott-operated resorts are located within walking distance of both EPCOT and Hollywood Studios and offer several benefits that make them an appealing option for guests who want the convenience of a Disney World location while considering alternatives to Disney-owned resorts.
Of course, you don’t have to spend your entire vacation at the parks. One of my favorite things about this area is that you can easily turn a day at the resort into an experience of its own. Take a walk around Crescent Lake, enjoy the restaurants and entertainment around the BoardWalk, relax at your resort, and make the most of a slower-paced resort day.
That’s the beauty of staying in the EPCOT area: you aren’t just close to one theme park. You’re in the middle of a whole resort area that’s fun to explore.
2. Deluxe Resort Amenities
There’s another reason I love the EPCOT resort area: these resorts are an experience all on their own.
The EPCOT-area resorts each have a personality of their own. Disney’s BoardWalk Inn captures the nostalgic charm of an Atlantic City-style boardwalk, while Disney’s Yacht Club and Beach Club Resorts bring a relaxed New England coastal feel to Walt Disney World. They are beautiful resorts, but they don’t feel stuffy or overly formal. They feel like vacation.
All of these Disney Deluxe Resorts and Villas offer amenities that can make it worth spending some time away from the parks. Think great restaurants, beautiful pools, waterfront views, lounges, and plenty of places to simply sit back and enjoy your surroundings.
And then there’s Stormalong Bay.
Disney’s Yacht Club and Beach Club Resorts share this incredible three-acre pool area, complete with a sandy-bottom pool, lazy river, waterslide, and plenty of space to relax. It’s so much more than a typical resort pool—and in my opinion, it’s one of the best pools at Walt Disney World.
In fact, Stormalong Bay is one of those places where you may find yourself planning an entire afternoon around the pool instead of heading back to the parks.
That’s something I always encourage clients to consider when choosing a Deluxe Resort. You’re not just paying for a nicer room. You’re paying for a resort experience that you can actually enjoy. And the EPCOT-area resorts make it especially easy to build some downtime into your Disney vacation.
3. Room Options for Different Types of Travelers
One of the nice things about the EPCOT resort area is that you aren’t limited to a standard hotel room. Depending on the resort you choose, there are options ranging from traditional rooms and suites to larger villas that can give families and larger groups more space to spread out.
The Disney Vacation Club villas can be especially appealing for longer stays or families who want some of the comforts of home. Larger villas may include separate bedrooms, living areas, full kitchens, and laundry facilities—features that can make a big difference when you’re traveling with kids, a larger family, or a multi-generational group.
Of course, you don’t have to book a villa to enjoy the EPCOT resort area. Standard rooms are a great fit for many families, especially if you plan to spend most of your time exploring the parks.
And for travelers looking to take their resort experience up another notch, several of the Deluxe resorts in this area offer Club Level accommodations. Club Level guests have access to a private lounge and concierge services, along with complimentary food and beverages throughout the day.
Is Club Level worth the additional cost? That’s a very personal decision, but if you enjoy having a quiet place to relax, grabbing breakfast before heading to the parks, or stopping in for snacks and drinks throughout the day, it can add a very different feel to your vacation.
The good news is that the EPCOT resort area gives you choices. Whether you want a comfortable room for two, extra space for the whole family, or a more elevated Club Level experience, there’s an accommodation option to fit the way you like to vacation.
4. Dining Is Right Outside Your Door
If you love good food, the EPCOT resort area is a pretty fantastic place to call home.
You don’t have to go far to find a great meal. From seafood and steaks to casual bites, cocktails, and late-night snacks, there are dining options throughout the resorts and along the BoardWalk.
At Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, you can enjoy a meal at Flying Fish, grab a drink at AbracadaBar, or simply wander around the BoardWalk and see what sounds good. Over at Yacht Club, Yachtsman Steakhouse is a popular choice for a special dinner, while the Beach Club and surrounding resorts offer even more options.
AbracadaBar is one of my favorite examples of the fun you’ll find around here. This magician-themed lounge is tucked into Disney’s BoardWalk Inn and makes a great stop for a creative cocktail and a little Disney atmosphere.
And then, of course, there’s EPCOT.
One of the biggest perks of staying in this area is having easy access to all of the dining inside the park. You can make a dinner reservation at one of EPCOT’s top restaurants, or skip the reservation and simply wander around World Showcase sampling your way around the world.
That’s a pretty great option when you’re tired of traditional theme park meals!
More Than Just EPCOT
The fun doesn’t stop at EPCOT. Staying in this area also puts you close to the Disney Skyliner, giving you another easy way to explore Walt Disney World.
From the International Gateway entrance at EPCOT, it’s a short walk to the Skyliner station. From there, you can hop aboard and travel to Disney’s Riviera Resort, Caribbean Beach Resort, Hollywood Studios, and other Skyliner destinations.
That opens up even more possibilities for dining and exploring. For example, you could take the Skyliner over to Disney’s Riviera Resort for breakfast at Topolino’s Terrace and enjoy a character dining experience with Mickey and friends.
And that’s one of the things I love about this location. Your resort isn’t just a place to sleep at the end of a park day. You have restaurants, lounges, entertainment, EPCOT, the BoardWalk, and the Skyliner all within easy reach.
You can make your vacation as busy—or as relaxed—as you want.
5. Great Park Access and Deluxe Resort Perks
Staying in the EPCOT resort area gives you something every Disney traveler appreciates: options when it comes to getting to the parks.
As a Disney Resort hotel guest, you’ll have access to Early Theme Park Entry, which allows eligible guests to enter the theme parks 30 minutes before the scheduled opening time.
But there’s an additional perk that makes the EPCOT-area Deluxe Resorts particularly appealing: Extended Evening Theme Park Hours.
Guests staying at eligible Disney Deluxe Resorts and Deluxe Villa Resorts can enjoy select evenings with extended access to a participating theme park after regular park hours. When available, this gives you two additional hours to experience attractions with lower crowds.
It’s not offered every night or at every park, so you’ll want to check the schedule when planning your vacation. But if you’re staying at a Deluxe Resort and can take advantage of it, it’s a pretty fantastic perk.
So Many Ways to Get Around
Transportation is another big advantage of this resort area.
From the EPCOT-area resorts, you can walk or take a boat to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, depending on which resort you’re staying at. The walking paths around Crescent Lake are especially enjoyable when the weather is nice, and sometimes the journey can be just as pleasant as the destination.
You also have access to the Disney Skyliner near EPCOT’s International Gateway, which opens up even more transportation and dining options.
For Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney Springs, and the water parks, complimentary Disney transportation is available, including bus service.
The best part? You aren’t dependent on just one transportation option. If you’re heading to EPCOT, you might walk. If you’re headed to Hollywood Studios, you could walk or take a boat. Want to explore a Skyliner resort? Hop aboard the gondolas.
That flexibility can make your vacation feel a whole lot easier—and when you’re spending several days at Walt Disney World, those little conveniences really add up.
Related article: Disney World Transportation Guide
Final Thoughts: Is an EPCOT-Area Resort Right for You?
There’s a reason the EPCOT resort area is one of my favorite places to stay at Walt Disney World. It gives you choices.
You can walk to EPCOT for dinner. Spend an evening exploring the BoardWalk. Take a boat to Hollywood Studios. Hop on the Skyliner to explore another resort. Spend an afternoon at Stormalong Bay. Or simply take a break from the parks and enjoy where you’re staying.
And when you’re traveling with family, those choices can make a bigger difference than you might expect.
Being able to head back to your resort without a long bus ride, having so many restaurants nearby, and knowing that you have multiple ways to get around can make it easier to slow down and actually enjoy your vacation.
Of course, the EPCOT-area resorts come at a higher price point than Disney’s Value and Moderate resorts, so they’re not the right choice for every traveler. But if you value location, dining, resort amenities, and the ability to walk to two theme parks, this area is absolutely worth considering.
For me, that’s the real appeal. You’re not simply booking a room near EPCOT. You’re choosing a home base that becomes part of your Disney World vacation.
Continue Planning Your Walt Disney World Vacation
Planning your Disney vacation goes well beyond deciding where to eat breakfast! Continue exploring these helpful guides before your trip:
- Disney World Vacation Planning Guide
- Disney Dining Guide
- Guide to Disney Resort Hotels
- Beginner’s Guide to Lightning Lanes
- Disney Transportation Guide
- Best Disney World Snacks
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