If your kids are like ours, a hotel swimming pool is one of the must-haves on their vacation. In the mugginess and sweltering heat of Florida summers, a pool ranks high on the list as families can pretty much swim year-round. From budget friendly to luxury, Traveling Grandmom (with help from her Traveling Mom friends) brings you the 5 best Disney World Resort pools.
Baby, it’s hot outside, and nothing cools off the kids after a hot day at the Disney theme parks better than spending time at one of the best Disney World Resort pools. One of the first things I check out before booking is the hotel pool. That’s where my grandkids always want to end up, no matter how tired they (or Grammie) might feel. And there’s one thing you can count on when entering the magical world of Mickey – Disney knows how to entertain families at the theme parks and in their hotels.
When traveling to Orlando, make the most of your family vacation by diving into these 5 best Disney World Resort pools.
1. Disney’s Coronado Springs
It should be no surprise with Florida’s notorious humidity that Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is all about the pools. Splish-splash in the cool waters of the Dig Site, Mayan-themed pool complex with an impressive 123-foot-long waterslide, Lost City of Cibola Pool, and pile up to 21 of your closest friends in the largest hot tub at a Walt Disney World Resort property.
2. Disney’s Polynesian Resort
Step up the splish-splash fun at the lava pool at Disney’s Polynesian Resort, located at the Seven Seas Lagoon, with impressive views of the Magic Kingdom. This popular Disney World resort pool debut its 2015 renovation with an expanded deck and seating area, tiki-themed water play area with child-sized slides, and a new hot tub.
Families with young children will appreciate the attention to safety with a zero-depth entry point, similar to a beach, sloping gently into the pool for easy entry and exit. Of course, the Lava pool would have to include a volcano, perfect for climbing, before embarking on the ultimate thrill: plunging down its 142-foot-long water slide.
3. Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
Got a pirate-loving kid? Swashbucklers of all ages will love exploring the Fuentes del Morro pool at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. Themed after a colonial Spanish fortress, kids climb the staircase of the turrets to discover its two waterslides, including one at 102 feet long.
Parents of young pirates with their eyes on the water cannons can rest easy with the shallow water and zero-depth entry access. Young swashbucklers 48 inches or underset off on an adventure at the pirate shipwreck-themed splash pad, with min-slides and a crow’s nest. Listen for the giggles (or if your kid isn’t a fan of getting soaked, beware!) when a barrel releases a drenching downpour onto the littles.
4. Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
In my grandchildren’s opinion, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort has one of the best Disney World Resort pools. And I do agree. You can’t help but feel the Disney love and want to belt out “Under the Sea” when passing by the pool areas when walking to your themed resort rooms.
Choose from three pools including The Big Blue Pool, the single largest hotel pool at Walt Disney World Resort. Each of the pools consists of village-like “pods” of waters, featuring the theme of Finding Nemo. My grandkids excitedly informed me that the pool featured underwater speakers, apparently a first for Disney Resort hotels.
Interactive play areas for little ones, fun water features, and complimentary life vests with lifeguards on duty keeps the kids occupied and safe.
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5. Disney’s Beach and Yacht Club Resorts
Where can you book a Disney hotel AND stay near 13 countries WITH a great pool? When it comes to location, pool, and dining options, Disney’s Beach Club Resort is one of the most outstanding and popular Disney deluxe resorts, and Epcot’s World Showcase entrance is a mere five-minute walk away. And there’s that amazing pool, Stormalong Bay, a 3-acre water wonderland. Shared by the Beach Club and Yacht Club Resorts, this pool area offers a lazy river, waterslide, and life-size pirate ship, play area.
Stormalong Bay has not only a soft and fun sand bottom, but an actual “sandbar” area in which to play and build sand creations. My 3 year-old-granddaughter LOVED the sandbar area. Like a big girl, she waded into the main pool from the gently sloping and sandy beach. She also loved cooling off in the Shipwreck Pool and zooming down the miniature waterslide.
Now that you’ve read our SheBuysTravel favorites, what are your best Walt Disney World Resort pools? Please share with us in the comments below.
Liana Moore says
So helpful! My daughter LOVES to swim. Hope to get to check these out in the future.
Sarah Ricks, World SheBuysTravel says
So fun to have this detailed advice on this key feature – pools!
Cathy Bennett Kopf, Optimism SheBuysTravel says
Stormalong Bay’s my personal fave. I could float the lazy river all day long.
Judy Antell says
I need to get my toes in the water!