Should Ale & Compass be on Your Disney Dining List?
Is Ale & Compass Restaurant at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort worth your Disney dining reservation? I recently dined at Ale & Compass to find out. Here’s my complete review with menu prices, service insights, and booking recommendations.
What You Need to Know
- Price Range: $40 to $65 per person for dinner (appetizer + entree)
- Location: Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, walking distance to EPCOT
- Reservations: Highly recommended via My Disney Experience
- Best For: Crescent Lake resort guests and DVC renters
- Service Note: Request slow pacing when ordering to avoid rushed courses
What is Ale & Compass Restaurant?
Ale & Compass is one of Disney’s Yacht Club Resort’s table-service restaurants, offering breakfast and dinner in a sophisticated, nautical-themed dining room. The restaurant features warm taupe and gray tones creating an upscale New England coastal atmosphere.
Menu Review: What I Ordered
Parker House Rolls with Three Spreads ($14)
The Parker House rolls are exceptional and are easily the highlight of the meal. Five warm, fluffy rolls arrive with three house-made spreads: pub cheese, bacon onion jam, and citrus butter. The bacon onion jam is the standout with its perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors, while the pub cheese delivers a tangy, sharp bite. The citrus butter features real orange peel for authentic flavor.
The only downside is the portion size. Five rolls isn’t enough for three generous spreads, leaving you with significant leftover accompaniments. The restaurant doesn’t guarantee the provision of additional rolls, so plan accordingly if sharing. If you see bacon jam or onion jam on any Disney menu across property, order it. These spreads consistently deliver excellent flavor.
Blue Crab Bisque ($14)
The Blue Crab Bisque is rich, creamy, and indulgent. Think lobster bisque but with jumbo lump crab, enhanced with a brandy reduction and espelette oil. Crab lovers will find this starter worth the $14 price tag. The bisque has excellent depth of flavor without being overly heavy.
Wedge Salad ($14)
The iceberg wedge salad arrives with peppercorn dressing, blue cheese, and bacon lardons (thick-cut French-style bacon). The portion is generous, almost too large to finish comfortably. The peppercorn dressing has a pleasant kick that catches in the back of your throat in the best way.
The bacon lardons deliver good flavor but lack the crispy texture you’ll find on the salad at Chefs de France in EPCOT, where they achieve a better balance between chewy and crisp. Still, the overall salad is satisfying and worth ordering if you want something substantial.
Ale & Compass Salad ($13, Plant-Based)
This lighter option features mixed baby lettuce, strawberries, radishes, cocoa soil, and a roasted strawberry vinaigrette. You can add chicken or shrimp for an upcharge. My mom-in-law ordered this salad and found it fresh, light, and well-balanced, perfect for guests wanting something on the healthier side.
One note: the dressing came pre-tossed even when my mom-in-law asked that it be served on the side. Be sure to emphasize this with your server if requesting it on the side.
Mahi Mahi, Catch of the Day ($32)
The pan-seared mahi mahi is perfectly cooked with a moist interior and crispy exterior that adds textural contrast. It’s served on a bed of corn puree that tastes like elevated creamed corn in the best possible way, though I wished there was more of it on the plate. I’d lap it up with a spoon if given the chance.
The Hasselback potatoes are a highlight. These thinly sliced red potatoes crisp beautifully, allowing salt and seasonings to penetrate between each slice. The petite zucchini and squash round out the plate with fresh vegetables.
My server did mention that the mahi mahi portion runs on the smaller side for the $32 price point, so keep that in mind when deciding between entrees.
New York Strip ($39)
The New York Strip steak earned rave reviews from my table. Both the medium-rare and medium-well preparations were excellent, with a beautiful char on the outside and proper temperature throughout. The steak comes with seasonal vegetables and your choice of sides.
My mom-in-law arrived knowing exactly what she wanted (the steak) and called it “exactly what I wanted” after finishing. The quality justifies the market price.
New England Seafood Pot Pie ($34)
The seafood pot pie is hearty and satisfying, featuring shrimp, scallops, jumbo lump crab, mahi mahi, baby vegetables, and brandy cream sauce under a house-baked crust. The crust is soft and flaky, providing the perfect vessel for the rich filling.
The seasoning is well-balanced. It’s not overly salty, allowing the natural seafood flavors to shine through. This is an excellent choice if you want something filling and comforting.
The Service Issue: What Happened and How to Avoid It
What Went Wrong: Our entrees arrived while we were actively eating our appetizers with our plates still on the table. This created a rushed, awkward experience where my hot entree sat cooling while I finished my starter.
What I Observed: Multiple neighboring tables experienced the same rushed pacing. Tables seated after us completed entire meals and left while my party was still dining.
Why This Matters: At Disney’s table-service pricing ($40 to $65 per person), guests deserve leisurely, properly paced meals, not rushed turnover.
How to Prevent This: When ordering, tell your server: “Please wait to fire our entrees until we’ve completely finished our appetizers.” This simple request should prevent the timing issue I experienced.
Is Ale & Compass Worth Your Reservation?
Yes, with the timing caveat above. Here’s why I’m still recommending it:
Pros
- Excellent food quality, especially Parker House rolls, steaks, and seafood
- Beautiful upscale atmosphere without being stuffy
- Convenient for EPCOT resort guests
- Hidden gem status means easier reservations than popular restaurants
- Adjacent Ale & Compass Lounge offers same Parker House rolls plus excellent burgers
Cons
- Service pacing issues during my visit (preventable with upfront communication)
- Parker House rolls could use more pieces for the price
- Mahi mahi portion runs small for $32
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for Ale & Compass? Yes, reservations are strongly recommended. Walk-ups may be available during off-peak times, but don’t count on it.
Is Ale & Compass on the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, Ale & Compass accepts the Disney Dining Plan as a table-service credit.
What’s the difference between Ale & Compass and Ale & Compass Lounge? The lounge serves the same Parker House rolls plus a menu focused on burgers, sandwiches, and appetizers in a more casual bar setting.
Is Ale & Compass good for kids? Yes, the restaurant is family-friendly with menu options suitable for children.
Can non-resort guests dine at Ale & Compass? Yes, anyone can make reservations regardless of where they’re staying.
The Bottom Line
Ale & Compass delivers excellent food quality in a sophisticated setting that’s perfect for EPCOT resort guests, especially DVC members at Beach Club or the BoardWalk Villas. The Parker House rolls alone justify a visit.
Just remember to communicate your pacing preferences upfront with your server. With that simple step, you’ll enjoy a properly leisurely Disney dining experience worth the $40 to $65 per person investment.
Have you dined at Ale & Compass? Share your experience in the comments below, and let me know if you think that my pacing tip will help improve your meal!
Virtually join me for my meal at Ale & Compass Restaurant via the video below:
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