Best Pools at Disney World Resorts
Going to Disney World is an exciting trip to plan but you want to make sure you pick the perfect place to stay. In that decision-making process, knowing the Best Pools at Disney World Resorts is probably a good starting point.
- Top 5 Best Pools at Disney World
- Complete list of Disney Deluxe Resorts
- All of the Moderate Disney Resorts
- Budget Friendly, Value Resorts
Also, be aware that the Best Pool at a Disney World Resort is highly subjective based on the needs and wants of each guest.
What Level Resort are you booking?
Start with this key question. If you did not know already, the Disney World Resorts are sectioned in to 3 major groupings, Value, Moderate and Deluxe Resorts. Knowing your budget and the type of vacation you are planning, helps you determine the correct Disney Resort Pool as well.
Top 5 List of Disney World Resort Pools and What Makes Them Stand Out
#1 – Stormalong Bay – 3 Pools, One is a Sand Bottom, Heated, 3 Acres, Water Slide, Lazy River
Beach & Yacht Club Pool Information:
- Number of Pools: 6 Pools
- Pool Themes: Stormalong Bay Water Park with 3 Lagoon style pools (one being a sandy bottom) and 3 additional Quiet Pools in more private courtyard setting.
- Largest Pool: Stormalong Bay – 3 Acres in size
- Fun Facts: The Water Park has Zero-entry, a Lazy River and a Huge Water Slide that starts at the Sandy Beach Pirate Ship and splashes down at one of the main pools
- Pool Hours: Daily 7am – 11pm
- Kids Splash Park: Easy access to the Sand Bottom Pool or shallow water at the Pirate Ship Pool with Small Water Slide.
- Towels: Towel Bins located at each Pool
- Notice: Pool hours can change without notice. Always check with the front Desk or call Disney for the updated hours to the pools.
- Lifeguards: There are Lifeguards at all of the Disney Beach and Yacht Club Pools.
Why Number 1?
Number 1 on our list of Best Pools at Disney World, would have to be the Disney Beach Club Resort. This is a little tricky because it really ties with the Disney Yacht Club Resort. This is due to these 2 Resorts sharing the amenities of the Water Park, Stormalong Bay. This has to stand out as the Best Pools at Disney World because of its size. Imagine, 3 Acres and also the different Lagoon style pools available to the resort.
#2 – 3 Themed Outdoor Pools, Underwater Music, Kids Splash area
Art of Animation Pool Information:
- Number of Pools: 3 Pools
- Pool Themes: Cars, The Little Mermaid and Finding Nemo
- Largest Pool: The Big Blue Pool – Finding Nemo – Over 308,000 Gallons
- Fun Facts: Kids are fascinated by the under water Disney music that plays at the Big Blue Pool (Adults will as well) Zero Entry makes it easy to get in and out of the pool.
- Pool Hours: Daily 7am – 11pm
- Kids Splash Park: Sprinklers and Pop Jets
- Towels: Towel Bins located at each Pool
- Notice: Pool hours can change without notice. Always check with the front Desk or call Disney for the updated hours to the pools.
- Lifeguards: There are Lifeguards at all of the Art of Animation Pools.
Can a Value Resort really make it to #2?
Making the List at #2 are the Pools at the Art of Animation Resort. This Disney World Value Resort Pool easily makes the list because of the Themes and Size of the main pool. Actually, the main pool has a feature that none of the other pools at Disney World have, underwater music. It is fascinating to hear and the kids are just amazed how this can even work. Of Course the kids will be astonished by the life size Characters around the property like Cars, The Lion King and even Nemo. A splash park is located near the large Family Pool
#3 – Volcano Pool with Water Slide, Kids Water Play Area and Quiet Pool
Polynesian Pool Information:
- Number of Pools: 2 Pools
- Pool Themes: The Main Family Pool is built around a Volcano
- Largest Pool: The Volcano Pool
- Fun Facts: Climbing the Volcano and going down the Water Slide in to the big pool below is a huge thrill. The kids water park with small slides and plenty of interactive water features will keep them going for hours
- Pool Hours: Daily 7am – 11pm
- Kids Splash Park: Children’s Water Park with smaller water slides and sprinklers
- Towels: Towel Bins located at each Pool
- Notice: Pool hours can change without notice. Always check with the front Desk or call Disney for the updated hours to the pools.
- Lifeguards: There are Lifeguards at all of the Polynesian Pools.
Volcano water slide: Need we say more?
The Pool at the Disney Polynesian Resort makes number 3 on our list for a couple of reasons. First, the backdrop of having a large Volcano at the main pool is quite impressive to look at if nothing else. Add in a Water Slide where you get to climb the Volcano so slide down to the splash zone and it makes this easily get to the top of the list. In 2015 Disney also added a kids splash park with additional slides as well as a huge hot tub. The splash park makes a huge family addition and adds the Polynesian to our Best Pools at Disney World.
#4 – 2 Large Pool locations with 2 Large Water Slides, Kids Zone
Animal Kingdom Pool Information:
- Number of Pools: 2 Pools
- Pool Themes: Both Pools are wrapped around African Culture
- Largest Pool: Uzima Pool is larger but the Sumawati Pool has a longer Water Slide and the Kids Splash area
- Fun Facts: Both Pools are great family fun. A water slide is located at each of the pools and a kids splash area is at the Sumawati Pool
- Pool Hours: Daily 7am – 11pm
- Kids Splash Park: Children’s Play Zone with sprinklers and interactive play items is at the Sumawati Pool
- Towels: Towel Bins located at each Pool
- Notice: Pool hours can change without notice. Always check with the front Desk or call Disney for the updated hours to the pools.
- Lifeguards: There are Lifeguards at all of the Animal Kingdom Pools.
Animals from your Balcony
It was not a difficult decision to add the Animal Kingdom Lodge to this list of Best Pools at Disney World Resorts but the placement is certainly a chore. The Animal Kingdom Lodge is surely one of the Premier Disney Resorts and when it comes to their pools, they do not falter. The Animal Kingdom Lodge Pools cover 2 very different areas and have something for everyone. The Jamba House Uzima Poolis huge with 11,000 square feet of water and a 67 foot water slide while the Sumawati Springs Pool has a much larger water slide reaching 128 feet in length. The Sumawati Pool also has a large kids splash area with plenty of fun sprinklers and fountains to go around.
#5 – 3.5 Acre Swimmin’ Hole and 51 foot Serpent Water Slide
Port Orleans Pool Information:
- Number of Pools: 2 Pools
- Pool Themes: The 3.5 Acre Family Pool is styled like an old Water Hole where you would hang out with your friends
- Largest Pool: The Ol’ Mans Island Pool at 3.5 Acres
- Fun Facts: The Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter Resorts share water fun amenities with each other. Smaller kids will enjoy the colorful Serpent Slide at the French Quarter while the older kids and full families will like the large water slide and additional space at the Riverside Pool
- Pool Hours: Daily 7am – 11pm
- Kids Splash Park: The Pool at the French Quarter is geared more towards the smaller kids
- Towels: Towel Bins located at each Pool
- Notice: Pool hours can change without notice. Always check with the front Desk or call Disney for the updated hours to the pools.
- Lifeguards: There are Lifeguards at all of the Port Orleans Pools.
Shared Pools, water slides and kids splash park
We had to add one of the Disney World Moderate Resorts and we felt like the Disney Port Orleans Riverside Resort was a great contender for the number 5 spot on the list. If you stay at Disney Port Orleans Riverside, you also have access to all of the amenities at the Port Orleans French Quarter Resort too. This gives you the 3.5 Acres of Water Fun at the Ol’ Mans Island with long water slide or the Serpent Slide at the French Quarter. The Pool at the French Quarter is designed with the smaller kids in mind. Having 2 pool areas for different age goups puts this one on the top shelf of our Best Pools at Disney World
Not an Easy Decision
As you can tell, it is no simple task to choose the Best Pools at Disney World Resorts. Each location has its own theme and choosing is simply a matter of preference. Above are the highlights of many pools we consider the top choices at the Disney World Resorts. Below you will find all of the Resorts so you can look at all of your options.
Full List of Disney World Resorts with Slides
Disney Deluxe Resorts
Animal Kingdom Lodge Water Park and Resort
Contemporary Hotel Orlando
Disney Animal Kingdom Kidani Village
Disney Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Disney Old Key West Resort
Disney Polynesian Resort
Disney Riviera Resort
Disney Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa
Disney Wilderness Lodge Resort
Disney Yacht Club Resort
Disney’s Boardwalk Inn
Disneys Beach Club Resort
Disney Moderate Resorts
Cabins at Disney Fort Wilderness Resort
Disney Coronado Springs Resort
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
Disney Value Resorts
All Star Music Resort Disney
Art of Animation Resort Disney
Disney All Star Movie Resort
Disney All Star Sports Resort Disney
