Ask a returning household about their journey to Walt Disney World, and also you may hear the frequent chorus: “My children simply needed to swim within the pool the entire time!”
It is robust to prime the nostalgic attraction of basic rides like Peter Pan’s Flight and the high-speed thrills of coasters like Tron Lightcycle / Run, however the children are onto one thing.
Tucked away from the bustling parks are a few of the greatest themed and most immersive swimming pools you will discover anyplace. Walt Disney World’s resort swimming pools aren’t only a place to chill off; they provide an expertise that, for some, can rival the theme parks themselves.
Plus, solely lodge friends can entry the swimming pools. If you understand your itinerary will embrace some critical pool time, this information to the perfect swimming pools at Walt Disney World will aid you select the perfect Disney lodge on your trip.
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What to know in regards to the Walt Disney World swimming pools
Each Walt Disney World lodge has not less than one pool, with a lot of the bigger resorts providing three or extra.
Every resort’s primary pool, often known as the function pool, would be the most elaborate, with more and more spectacular theming and options as you go up the pricing ladder throughout Disney’s three lodge tiers: Worth, Average and Deluxe.
The function pool can even have a pool bar and quick-service meals choices close by. At every Average and Deluxe resort, you will additionally discover a waterslide, scorching tubs and youngsters splash areas. Worth resorts have giant function swimming pools however no waterslides or scorching tubs.
Day by day recreation actions happen on the function pool, sometimes within the afternoons. Recreation hosts will lead video games for teenagers, generally with small take-home trinkets as prizes, and there’s Disney trivia that everybody can take part on.
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The function pool can also be the place you will discover the largest crowds and probably the most noise. So, in the event you favor to lounge quietly with a very good e-book, chances are you’ll need to hunt down a leisure pool, generally referred to as a “quiet” pool.
Walt Disney World swimming pools are heated to 82 levels year-round, and complimentary towels and life jackets can be found in any respect swimming pools. Lifeguard availability and pool hours differ by pool.
Finest Disney World pool at a Worth resort
Disney’s Artwork of Animation Resort is residence to the perfect Disney World pool at a Worth resort. Nonetheless, rooms listed below are constantly the costliest within the Worth tier, so there’s a trade-off.
The “Discovering Nemo”-inspired Massive Blue Pool is the most important lodge pool at Walt Disney World. It contains a zero-depth entry space and big, colourful characters from the movie.
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Disney’s Artwork of Animation Resort. SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY
Subsequent to the Massive Blue Pool, Schoolyard Sprayground is a spacious splash zone surrounded by extra of Nemo’s associates. When starvation strikes, the Drop Off Pool Bar serves easy sandwiches, gentle pretzels and frozen treats. The resort’s meals court docket is a brief stroll away and presents a extra intensive choice.
For a quieter pool close by, head to the Cozy Cone Pool within the “Automobiles”-themed space of the resort. This pool options life-size fashions of favourite “Automobiles” characters and Cozy Cone cabanas (first come, first served) that present shade on a sunny day. Followers of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” could need to head to the resort’s third pool, the Flippin’ Fins Pool.
Finest Disney World pool at a Average resort
Aspiring swashbucklers can stay out their pirate goals on the Fuentes del Morro Pool at Disney’s Caribbean Seaside Resort, our choose for the perfect pool at a Average resort. Designed to move friends to a colonial Spanish fortress, this zero-entry pool has two waterslides, with the largest stretching 102 toes, and big water cannons that give main “Pirates of the Caribbean” vibes.
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Fuentes del Morro Pool at Disney’s Caribbean Seaside Resort. TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY
Youngsters 48 inches or shorter can get further pirate play on the Fuentes del Morro Water Play Space, a children splash space with a pirate ship and miniature slides. A 12-person scorching tub presents loads of room for rest, as do the resort’s 5 extra leisure swimming pools.
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The pool is correct throughout from Banana Cabana, the pool bar and lounge serving specialty frozen tropical drinks and Caribbean-inspired fare like coconut shrimp and jerk rooster wings. Centertown Market, the resort’s primary quick-service location, is correct subsequent door for much more eating choices.
Finest Disney World pool at a Deluxe resort
The runaway favourite pool throughout Walt Disney World, Stormalong Bay at Disney’s Yacht Membership Resort and Disney’s Seaside Membership Resort, is extra like a miniature water park.
Spanning 3 acres, the complicated options a number of pool areas, together with a sand-bottomed pool, a 230-foot-long shipwreck-themed waterslide, a lazy river, three scorching tubs and a sandbar the place children can play. The small Shipwreck Pool on the entry level of the waterslide additionally has a smaller waterslide for youthful children.
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Stormalong Bay at Disney’s Seaside Membership Resort. TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY
The pool complicated can also be surrounded by top-notch eating choices out there to get pleasure from poolside. The pool bar, Hurricane Hanna’s, serves a dependable lineup of appetizers, salads, sandwiches and frozen drinks, however there are additionally quite a few eating choices close by that serve meals to go, together with Ale & Compass Restaurant and the Yacht Membership’s and Seaside Membership’s quick-service areas, every with totally different menus.
For a enjoyable table-service lunch or dinner break from the pool, make a reservation at Seashores & Cream Soda Store. This old style diner serves a menu of classics like burgers and fries, chili-cheese tots, malted milkshakes and monstrous sundaes.
Know earlier than you go: Stormalong Bay and the Shipwreck Pool will probably be closed from January via June 2025 for routine upkeep. Friends are suggested to make use of the resort’s three leisure swimming pools throughout this time, so keep away from visiting throughout these months if you wish to get pleasure from Stormalong Bay.
Finest Disney World pool for households
Lots of Walt Disney World’s resorts are destination-worthy even with out the addition of the close by theme parks, maybe none extra so than Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.
Greater than 200 animals, together with zebras and giraffes, roam quite a few savannas surrounding the resort. The Africa-themed resort can also be residence to 2 incredible function swimming pools, one at every of the resort’s two sections, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas — Jambo Home and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas — Kidani Village.
The 11,000-square-foot Uzima Springs Pool at Jambo Home contains a zero-depth entry and a 67-foot-long waterslide. There are additionally a wading pool for teenagers and two scorching tubs. The resort’s primary quick-service eating location, The Mara, is simply steps from the pool gate, and the Uzima Pool Bar is a full bar serving cocktails, beers, frozen drinks and extra.
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Kidani Village’s Samawati Springs Pool at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Resort. TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY
Uzima Springs is a wonderful pool, however Kidani Village’s Samawati Springs Pool makes this resort our choose for the perfect pool for households.
The 4,700-square-foot pool presents one thing for everyone. It has a zero-depth entry level, two scorching tubs for stress-free and one in all Disney World’s most thrilling lodge waterslides at 128 toes lengthy. A second, a lot smaller waterslide lets younger children in on the slide enjoyable, too.
One other huge draw for youthful children right here is the Uwanja Camp water playground. Themed after an animal statement website, the play space consists of three splash zones with options like cannons and spitting cartoonish snakes, and spots to climb and slide.
Finest Disney World pool for adults
The numerous leisure swimming pools at Walt Disney World resorts provide nice options for adults seeking to escape the noise and splashes of a chaotic function pool. Nonetheless, some might be considerably secluded and out of the best way of eating choices. In order for you a soothing pool expertise however do not need to be too removed from the motion, we’ve got our choose for the perfect pool for adults.
Our best choice is the Beau Soleil Pool at Disney’s Riviera Resort. This leisure pool feels quiet and secluded when you go via the gates, but it surely’s additionally proper subsequent to the resort’s lovely exercise garden and steps from the Bar Riva pool bar and the Primo Piatto quick-service restaurant.
Bar Riva is likely one of the most lovely open-air lounges at Walt Disney World and presents a chic spot to take a break from the pool for Mediterranean fare and drinks. We suggest the mushroom arancini and a glass of Provence frose.
This pool is shut sufficient to the resort’s primary pool that you simply will not discover as many children wandering over as you may at different resorts.
Finest Disney World pool splurge
For probably the most luxurious poolside expertise, personal poolside cabanas can be found for each day rental at 4 of Walt Disney World’s Deluxe resorts: Disney’s Modern Resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and Disney’s Yacht Membership and Seaside Membership resorts.
These personal, shaded areas accommodate as much as six friends and are available outfitted with plush furnishings, ceiling followers and ranging leisure choices like Bluetooth audio system, TVs and charging stations.
Complimentary refreshments, together with contemporary fruit, soda and water, are additionally supplied, in addition to sunscreen, skincare merchandise and a secure. Reserving is simply open to friends of every respective resort. Pricing begins at $350, and facilities like cocktail service to the cabana differ barely by resort. E book by calling 407-939-7529.
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort additionally presents a lower-priced choice that gives shade and privateness. Oasis Patios are on the resort’s Oasis leisure pool and accommodate as much as six friends with a devoted shaded spot close to the pool, furnished with cushioned lounge chairs and plush towels. Oasis Patios begin at simply over $100 and can be found on a first-come, first-served foundation or by calling 407-939-7529 to order one upfront.
Finest Disney World scorching tub
On the top of summer season in Central Florida, a scorching tub may not prime your record of how to loosen up in your Walt Disney World trip, however temperatures can dip through the winter and within the evenings at sure instances of the 12 months. All Average and Deluxe resorts have scorching tubs, however some rise above the remaining.
One of many prettiest scorching tubs with the perfect views is on the Lava Pool at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. It has an infinity edge and presents views of Seven Seas Lagoon and even the fireworks over Cinderella Fortress within the evenings. Be warned, this scorching tub just isn’t a well-kept secret — it could get fairly crowded, particularly within the evenings.
And in the event you’re in search of a critical splurge, you may have your personal scorching tub in the event you e-book one of many Copper Creek Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.
Finest Disney World splash pad
Youngsters love a water playground, and oldsters love a break from protecting children entertained within the pool. However of all the highest water play areas, the one at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is so good that folks could wrestle to get children to depart.
Located subsequent to the Lava Pool, the Polynesian’s water playground for teenagers below 48 inches is likely one of the most elaborate at Walt Disney World.
Water options all through the multilevel construction embrace spitting tikis, spraying spouts, erupting water geysers, two miniature slides, and loads of stairs to climb and bridges to cross to maintain children busy.
Finest Disney World waterslide
The Luna Park Pool at Disney’s BoardWalk Villas and Disney’s BoardWalk Inn is a whimsical homage to the amusement park points of interest discovered alongside the turn-of-the-century boardwalks in locations like Atlantic Metropolis, New Jersey, and Coney Island, New York. The piece de resistance is the 200-foot waterslide, which resembles a basic picket curler coaster. The pool bar, Leaping Horse Libations, seems like a carousel, including to the basic theme park really feel of the pool space.
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