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NEWS and Full Review: The Market at Ale & Compass in Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
By AJ 15 Comments
We’re coming to you today from The Market at Ale & Compass !
Now, you may be thinking to yourself, “Great! But where’s Ale & Compass?” The Market at Ale & Compass is located in Disney’s Yacht Club Resort. You may already be familiar with Ale & Compass Lounge , which sits near the Captain’s Grille (which is currently closed for refurbishment — guests can enjoy Captain’s Grille dishes at its temporary location in Ariel’s ).
The Market at Ale & Compass, however, is located right by the Fittings & Fairings gift shop (which is… umm, also closed for refurbishment 😉 , with a reopening planned for July. Change is the name of the game ‘round these parts!).
With the exception of the Yacht & Beach Club’s pool bar, Hurricane Hanna’s , the Yacht Club has been without a Counter Service option, with guests relying on nearby choices at the neighboring BoardWalk Inn and Beach Club.
Sign for The Market at Ale & Compass
The Market at Ale & Compass is here to change that… and it’s been a long time coming. Step inside!
The Market at Ale & Compass has been established in half of what was the Fittings & Fairings gift shop (the other portion of the space will once again operate as a merchandise spot once it reopens in July).
The Market at Ale & Compass
One of the reasons the Yacht Club greatly needed a Counter Service option is that it is a Convention Resort as well as a Disney World guest resort. We’re talking lots of folks in and out on the way to conferences and meetings in need of a place to grab a quick bite without hiking over to the Beach Club Marketplace or Boardwalk Bakery .
Market Hours
For that reason, the setting is very much function over form, with the food options front and center in a fairly simplistic, minimalist setting, with wooden tables and baskets providing a few rustic touches, a la an outdoor marketplace.
Though the emphasis is on allowing guests to get in and get on their way, there is also a section of tables and chairs. All pretty basic. (Note that there is currently no outdoor seating.)
Seating Area
In many ways, it’s the food itself that provides most of the “decor.”
Food front and center
So let’s take a look at those options next.
With an apparent focus on the convention crowd, the food at The Market is primarily grab-and-go style eats.
The Market Offerings Sign
That said, you will also encounter a menu with hot offerings for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Menu
Specialty coffee is at the ready for guests in need of a caffeine fix.
Specialty Coffee Menu
Now, for a closer look. In all areas from the pre-packaged grab-and-go to the cold refrigerated selections and so on, you’ll notice some differences compared to what we’ve found in the past at Disney food courts. Even though The Market carries standard choices such as Lay’s brand chips, granola bars, and cereals, you’ll also spy lots of higher-end brands among them.
Granola Bar selections with Luna and Larabars
Cereals at the breakfast bar
Take, for instance, the pre-packaged choices, which include Epic Salmon Bites, The New Primal Jerky, and Smash Mallow Snackable Marshmallows.
Epic Salmon Bites
The New Primal Jerky
Smash Mallow
Bagged and boxed items include Carrot-Zucchini Bites, Gruyere Choux, Lemon Macarons, and even chocolates from The Ganachery .
Bagged Snacks Display
Carrot-Zucchini Bites
Lemon Macarons
Gruyere Choux
The trend continues with chilled choices, with hummus, tabouleh, and shrimp cocktail among the salads and cold sandwiches.
Chilled Options
Even the frozen novelties have a unique addition.
Ice Cream Novelties
As far as we know, The Market is one of the only places selling Halo Top on property at the moment.
Halo Top Ice Cream
Hot options are available for breakfast as well as lunch and dinner.
Sticky Buns
Spinach and Feta Pastry
The hot counters are kept fully stocked for high traffic hours. If they are on the empty side when you arrive, you can visit the coffee counter to place a hot sandwich order during less busy times.
Two bakery cases hold your basic croissants, muffins, sweet breads, and the like.
Bakery Case
Bakery Prices
Drinks include basic bottled beverages (with a few not-so-basic, like Orgain Protein Shakes), wine, and beer.
Bottled drinks
Organic Protein Shakes
Wine Display
Chilled White Wines
Coke Freestyle customizable drinks are also an option. By the way, did you know you can mix your drink flavors, even with the whole Rapid Fill refillable resort mug and cup situation?
Rapid Fill Refillable Resort Mugs
Just fill your cup halfway with whatever flavor option you select, then press the “back arrow” to the upper left of the screen, and select your next choice to fill the rest.
Coke Freestyle Machines
Whew! So, that’s the setup! I ended up trying a couple of sandwiches, pastries, and a few “somethings sweet” from the desserts.
First things first: when you have you ever known me to resist a Cinnamon Roll ?
Cinnamon Roll
The Market’s version is just your basic, other than that it’s quite light and flaky; not dense at all. And this one was notably fresh.
I was also intrigued by the Banana Bread with Chocolate Chips from the bakery case.
Banana Bread with Chocolate Chips
As it turns out, the chocolate provided nearly all the flavor, as the banana bread itself was pretty bland.
Cast Members shared that the Ham and Cheddar Cheese served on a Pretzel Roll has been the most popular of the hot sandwiches.
Ham and Cheddar Cheese on a Pretzel Roll
I assume that’s because of said pretzel roll, which is always a draw, but honestly there’s nothing remarkable about this one.
I much preferred the other hot sandwich I ordered: the Spicy Italian Panini , which is capicola (smoked pork shoulder), mortadella (an Italian lunch meat), ham, provolone cheese, and giardinere (a vegetable and herb blend) served on a baguette.
Spicy Italian Panini
Two things stand out with this sandwich: first, this thing is PACKED with flavor from the interesting combination of meats.
Second, this sandwich IS, indeed, spicy, thanks to the giardinere (which typically includes serrano peppers in the mix).
Even though The Market is not meant to be destination dining, I would come back specifically for this sandwich. So that’s saying something.
Since they went beyond your typical cupcakes and ramekin offerings, I decided to try three of the desserts.
Desserts on the Tray
The Chocolate Coffee Mousse a bit of a nice surprise. I’m not a chocoholic, really, but this rich mousse with its punch of mocha flavor was much better than I expected.
Chocolate Coffee Mousse
While I wasn’t particularly wowed by any of the desserts, as far as chocolate dome options in Disney World go, this was the best one I’d tried. (Though it still wouldn’t be on my must-eat list._
The Apple Mousse is definitely cute and eye-catching.
Apple Mousse
It’s an apple mousse covered in a thick glaze, served on top of a bit of apple compote above the crust.
Its looks are the most memorable thing about it, though, and there’s no reason to go for it over the chocolate.
My final dessert was the Lemon Cheesecake , which is topped with a blackberry mousse and a blackberry foam with a gritty texture that I didn’t particularly care for.
Lemon Cheesecake
The base is simply your typical lemon cheesecake that you’ll see in other spots around property. Decent flavor, but nothing special. Additionally, it’s really small for what you pay for. Pass.
Still, the dessert options at least differed from what I anticipated, as did many of the selections packed into the space. I’ll be curious to see how the choices go over with the resort’s guests, and we’ll be keeping an eye out to see if any changes take place to the offerings in the future.
The Market at Ale and Compass is what it is. Like I said, it’s not destination dining. In all fairness, though, it’s not intended to be. It’s a simple convenience for guests at the resort, and a solid option primarily focused on serving convention traffic. This is why it was interesting to spot some fairly unique choices and decent variety in what otherwise is a mostly an amped up grab-and-go. In that sense, it reminds me a lot of Cafe Rix in Coronado Springs Resort — another resort that hosts lots of convention guests. The Market and Cafe Rix both fulfill a basic role of providing easy access meals, but in both cases you can also find at least one or two items that are somewhat unique and above par. And since it’s high time that the Yacht Club had a Counter Service option of its own, we’re glad to say “Welcome” to The Market at Ale & Compass.
Nosh or Not?
Eat Here If:
- You’re staying at the Yacht Club or Beach Club
- You’re in a hurry and need a hot sandwich or a pastry
- You love a good Italian pressed sandwich
- You really need Halo Top
Don’t Eat Here If:
- You’re staying anywhere else on property
- You’re looking for very kid-friendly food
- You want atmosphere/ambiance, or you’re looking to make memories with your food choices during this meal
What do you think of having additional dining choices at the Yacht and Beach Club? Please let us know with a comment!
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May 23, 2017 at 8:35 am
That beautifully themed, unique shop, ripped out and replaced with this pitiful, pathetic “eating area”?? It’s an embarrassment, Disney. How the mighty have fallen.
May 23, 2017 at 10:19 pm
I’m glad! definitely would use it, Guest 7/16
May 23, 2017 at 10:29 pm
They didn’t rip out the gift shop for this. It doesn’t sound like they took out anything. It’s near the gift shop, which is closed for refurb, and the Ale & Compass lounge.
May 24, 2017 at 2:02 am
Lynne, I echo your thoughts 100%. I showed the photos to my wife yesterday and we just shook our heads. I’m holding out hope that the “rehab” isn’t complete and there will yet be a shop that houses the very nice brands that once filled Fittings and Fairings. Not to mention Ale & Compass. I did so enjoy that little bar area. Whether to have a cocktail, or just relax. Frank
May 24, 2017 at 6:40 am
Meg, I was there last month. The gift shop, at that time was in the lobby, in the spot where they put the Christmas train display. They didn’t have much. Definitely didn’t have any Tommy Bahama or Vineyard Vine lines. Also at that time, the entire Fittings & Fairings was shutdown for this rehab. They had to take something out to put this in. Frank
May 24, 2017 at 8:19 am
Frank, could you tell if this took up the ENTIRE gift shop? I know the area where the ladies fine clothing once was, is now table and chairs. But I had trouble deciding if the rehab went all the way back to mens wear and fitting room. Thanks. Lynne
May 24, 2017 at 8:32 am
Lynne, I don’t know. I’m going back for a few days in early June… but until then I won’t have the information. Hopefully, someone reading who can get over there will fill us in. When I spoke to the CM at the “lobby gift shop” they “sounded” like they would be bringing back the clothes but I’m not sure. One has to wonder if they aren’t trying to get it all to the Springs. Can’t imagine though they’d mess w the shops in the Grand Floridian. I REALLY hope they don’t ruin Ale & Compass, or if they do, they staff Martha’s Vineyard better. I’ve had a tough time getting served there. I even go up to the bar and wait for my order and take it back to my table. Ahh, for the old days at Riptide in the Beach Club or Crew’s Cup. Almost an entirely new Crew there. Frank
May 24, 2017 at 8:43 am
Thanks Frank, I appreciate the reply. We’ve always been happy at the Crew’s Cup, with Martha’s running a very close second. Now, my biggest fear is what will be happening to the Captains Grill or “The Galley” to me. I’m afraid it will turn out looking like our local “Culvers”.
May 24, 2017 at 10:37 am
Lynne and Frank — I wouldn’t get too worried. They seem to have expanded the Fittings and Fairings space altogether, so the space dedicated to merchandise will be the same size as it always was — or larger. And it wouldn’t surprise me in the least if all of the same brands and merch came back. No reason to be concerned yet.
May 24, 2017 at 12:20 pm
Nice that they added a QS, but I am not getting a vibe from this place at all that it is in or near a Yacht Club themed resort. It looks like a generic cafeteria like the one at my work. I hope this is not a recurring thing, this is the 2nd or 3rd food rehab on property to be done “minimalist”, or stripped of the theme.
May 24, 2017 at 2:23 pm
Lynne, I think there is only one hold over left from a longstanding crew there. Everyone else is new. As for Martha’s Vineyard, every time we go there, we never get waited on. I started going to the bar as I mentioned, but it gets old. Great venue though. Haven’t eaten at the Captain’s Grill in ages, but I may want to go to Ariel’s just for old times sake. Loved it as a seafood restaurant in the day.
AJ, Hope you are right. Thought has crossed my mind that Disney wants everything higher ticket downtown. Seems you get an Annual Pass discount if you buy Tommy at a resort, but not at Downtown, er Disney Springs. Frank
May 25, 2017 at 11:42 am
We were at the Boardwalk Inn last month. My wife made the comment that our room wasn’t as “Disney” as she remembered it in past years. We are staying at the Beach Club in an upcoming trip. It will be interesting to see what that looks like. And why no clock in the room at the Boardwalk??? I had to call the Boardwalk Guest Services to request a clock. They said they aren’t “standard” anymore????? Frank
May 25, 2017 at 11:43 am
Sorry, I was writing that last post TO Jen.
June 22, 2017 at 10:34 am
Once again, Disney rips out a beautifully, uniquely themed area and replaces it with an antiseptic, non-themed, serviceable unit that I could experience in a local hospital. Why?
July 7, 2017 at 7:10 pm
So help me god Mickey in his little speedboat had better still be there or I will come uncorked on somebody.
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