CHART A COURSE FOR BREAKFAST
BY DANNY SHUSTER
Tucked away at Disney ’ s
Yacht Club Resort is a quiet , unassuming restaurant full of delicious dining options . Most guests here flock to Yachtsman Steakhouse , a fine dining restaurant with some of the best steaks at WDW , or the ever-popular Beaches & Cream with its outrageous ice cream concoctions . Even Hurricane Hanna ’ s ( home of the best lobster roll at WDW ) comes up often as an excellent place for a bite while enjoying the outstanding pool complex at the resort .
Like many others , I had glossed over Ale & Compass ( A & C ) when considering my Disney dining options . It always looked nice , but there just never seemed to be a wow factor to draw me in . Fortunately , the decision was made for me when we visited Disney as part of a hosted Resort Showcase in January 2020 , and we were scheduled to have breakfast at A & C .
NAUTICAL VIBES Cool and calm is the best way I can describe the atmosphere at A & C . The decor had lots of little nautical touches , brass accents , deep blue walls , and vaulted ceilings with porthole-esque windows . The attached Ale & Compass lounge looked like it was plucked straight off a Disney Cruise Line ship ; the decor was brimming with nautical bric-a-brac , and the setup reminded me of the bars and lounges aboard the Disney Fantasy . Pop into the lounge in the evenings if you are looking for a handcrafted cocktail ( or mocktail ) and some small plates to share .
ABOVE : It looks modest from the outside , but there is some truly excellent food at Ale & Compass . PHOTO BY DANNY SHUSTER