Top 10 Disney World Pools
Trying to find the hotel with the best pool at Walt Disney World? This post ranks the 10 best resort pools, along with tips for families, pool photos, and other assorted ramblings. For a lot of families, the hotel pool is really important. We’ve lost track of how many times readers have told us that the hotel pool was the highlight of the vacation for their kids–more than the parks!
This doesn’t really come as a surprise–there’s one family vacation to Walt Disney World that I recall mostly for swimming in the pool at Shades of Green, playing Daytona USA and Twilight Zone pinball in the nearby arcade, and having dinosaur nuggets at the restaurant. It’s funny what vacation memories really stick for kids. (Well, perhaps not for my parents since these are things I could’ve done at home for a lot less money?)
While we devote portions of our Walt Disney World Hotel Reviews to pool coverage and have a dedicated section for pools in each of our Hotel Comparison Series, we thought it’d be fun to break down the very best of resort pools at Walt Disney World. Given their potential significance in vacation planning, this post is long overdue…
Note that if you’re looking for comprehensive information, rules, and everything else, check out our Guide to Pools at Walt Disney World. That covers pool policies, regular rules, and other need to know info. This is a ‘best of’ list aimed at helping you choose where to stay if pools are paramount to your Walt Disney World vacation, whereas that’s thorough info.
With that all out of the way, let’s not waste any time, and dig right into the top 10 pools at the hotels of Walt Disney World…
10. Riviera Pool – The newest pools to debut at Walt Disney World are the Mediterranean-themed options at Disney’s Riviera Resort. Namely, the zero-entry Riviera Pool, which is the resort’s feature pool. This family-friendly spot also offers a slide that winds around a worldly column tower. Adjacent to that is S’il Vous Play, an interactive water play area for kids that’s inspired by the grand public fountains of Europe and features a ballet of Fantasia characters.
While it’s family-friendly, Riviera Pool offers something for everyone. Kids will have fun with the waterslide and play area, while adults can enjoy the array of secluded seating, sun umbrellas, and lounge chairs–while enjoying views of Barefoot Bay and the Disney Skyliner gondolas gliding overhead. There’s also Bar Riva, the open-air pool bar, and a gelato cart that (sometimes) services the pool. For those wanting something even more relaxed and adult, Beau Soleil Pool is only a few steps from the main pool and is great for sunbathing.
9. Copper Creek Springs – The main pool at Wilderness Lodge is probably not one I would’ve considered for this high of a spot originally, had I not taken a step back and considered the ambiance of the entire pool area. Despite its location, it feels secluded in plain view, and has a lot to offer in terms of a relaxed ambiance.
Silver Creek Springs pool is “fed” by a natural spring in the lobby of the hotel, which trickles outside of the hotel and into the pool, which is surrounded by pine trees and boulders with views of the hotel’s geyser and Bay Lake in the distance. Pretty cool theme, right?On top of that, there’s a 67-foot waterslide built into the rocks, hot and cold whirlpool spas, and a new water play area for kids.
8. Doubloon Lagoon – While Doubloon Lagoon at Port Orleans French Quarter doesn’t hold a candle to Typhoon Lagoon, it does have a band of musically-inclined alligators, and a 51-foot long slide themed as a SerpentDragonSnake. That’s right: a giant half serpent, half dragon, and half snake creature known to scour the depths of the waters, leaving no one alive. (The danger is super cereal and no one will listen to me!)
Fortunately, while Disney’s scale model of the SerpentDragonSnake is strikingly realistic, he poses no threat to tourists. He, along with the alligators give the pool a fun vibe, which is what “makes” this pool for us. That, plus a nice location, the kiddie pool, whirlpool spa, and the Mardi Grogs pool bar push it slightly ahead of Dig Site–although that’s debatable, and might be due to my bias towards SerpentDragonSnake.
7. Big Blue Pool – I’ll say it: this is the most overrated pool at Walt Disney World. Art of Animation Resort‘s Feature Pool is often touted for its size (the largest at any Walt Disney World resort hotel) and its fun Finding Nemo decor. I have to give it credit for all of these things, which is why it makes this list.
However, Big Blue Pool also has its drawbacks. With the size comes a blander design and huge crowds. On the plus side, the Schoolyard Sprayground and Squirt’s Righteous Reef are both really nice play areas, but overall, Big Blue Pool just doesn’t rank among the elite pools at Walt Disney World. Maybe I’m just a fun-hating curmudgeon, but I actually spend more time at the Cars pool, thanks to its quieter vibe and cool Cozy Cone cabanas. On balance, Big Blue Pool is better for most families, but the Cars Cozy Cone pool would be our sleeper pick!
6. Dig Site Pools – The Lost City of Cibola Pool (and adjacent “Dig Site” areas) at Coronado Springs makes the list because of its range, and it’s jumped a couple of spots thanks to improvements made prior to the debut of Gran Destino Tower. Unfortunately, that tall tower did not add any pools of its own, meaning this feature pool now has to absorb even more guests, which can lead to larger crowds.
For kids, there’s the 123-foot water slide, Mayan temple ruins, arcade, play area, and 50-foot tall pyramid. For adults, there’s the large Siesta’s bar, volleyball court, and largest hot tub at Walt Disney World (capacity for 22 people). I don’t really think there’s a single “wow” element to all of this, which hurts its rank, but Dig Site is a very solid, well-rounded pool area.
5. Samawati Springs Pool – If this #5 ranking isn’t proof that I can admit when I’m wrong, I don’t know what it is. After giving this more thought and doing a comparison to what other pools offer, Animal Kingdom Lodge – Kidani Village has a pool area that measures up to the best of them–albeit not for me, personally.
The big highlight here is Uwanja Camp, a water playground with 3 zones that include water guns, climbing crates, games, geysers, and a ton of other stuff. Then there’s the 128-foot water slide, and large zero-entry pool, all among secluded foliage. Granted, the pool itself is less than half the size of Animal Kingdom Lodge’s pool, which is probably the better option for adults (it doesn’t make this list in the interest of avoiding redundancy), but Kidani Village’s pool is great for families.
4. Beach Pool – The pools at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa have seen some substantial changes in the last couple of years that, overall, I’d say are for the better. The Courtyard Pool added zero entry among other enhancements, which have pulled a lot of crowds towards it, and made things quieter are the Beach Pool (which I think technically is Grand Floridian’s “Feature Pool”).
Beach Pool is a large and serene natural springs-themed setting, with a 111,261-gallon pool overlooking Seven Seas Lagoon, 181-foot-long waterslide, waterfalls, walking bridge, poolside bar, and zero-depth beach entry. There’s also an Alice in Wonderland water play area adjacent to the pool, providing balance for kids to what is otherwise an adult pool area.
3. Fuentes del Morro Pool – I don’t care how old you are, if you claim that you don’t like pretending to be a pirate, you are lying to yourself and your whole life is a sham. This zero-entry pool at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort scores serious points for its Spanish colonial fortress style, complete with cannons. It’s even better than its counterpart at the newer and nicer Disney’s Riviera Resort!
For me, Fuentes del Morro Pool feels like an extension of the first scene of Pirates of the Caribbean (attraction), and I can only imagine being a child again and coming back to this after riding the Magic Kingdom attraction for the first time. Add to this the nice Shipwreck Play Area, and two water slides, and you have an area that’s great for kids. For the adults, there’s a pool bar plus two somewhat secluded hot tubs. All of this plus close proximity to Banana Cabana and Centertown Market makes this pool a great option for a “rest day” during a Walt Disney World vacation.
2. Lava Pool – During Polynesian Village Resort‘s recent overhaul, this went from being the Nanea Volcano Pool to the Lava Pool. With this, the volcano pool slide structure was rebuilt, and now resembles more lava ruins than it does an active volcano. In terms of substance, the pool is very similar to Beach Pool at Grand Floridian.
You’ve got a wonderful Kiki Tiki’s Splash Play Area, walking bridge, waterfalls, and 142-foot water slide at this zero-entry pool complex in the heart of the Poly. There are also great views into the Seven Seas Lagoon, a nice poolside bar, and a semi-secluded hot tub. Ultimately, Lava Pool ranks higher than Beach Pool because of what it accomplishes thematically, which feels richer than Beach Pool, and offers a little slice of paradise for both kids and adults.
1. Stormalong Bay – Was there ever any question about which pool would rank #1? In the world of Disney pools, there’s Stormalong Bay, and there’s everything else. Shared by Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts, this sprawling pool complex 3 acres in size with sand at the bottom and a lazy river is in a league of its own.
Stormalong Bay also has an excellent 230-foot ‘shipwrecked’ water slide, ample lounging space, a surplus of bridges and areas to explore, and an excellent poolside bar. If the pool is what matters most to you, and you have the budget, Yacht & Beach Club Resorts should be your top pick for resorts. This pool offers something for everyone, and the sand at the bottom is the kind of odd thing that will stick in your kids’ memories. While StormAlong Bay does not rival Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon water parks, it’ll do if you don’t want to dedicate a day to one of those parks.
Alright, that’s our list! Admittedly, some solid pools were snubbed. There’s also the issue of non-Disney pools, some of which are excellent. This includes those at the Swan & Dolphin, Four Seasons Orlando, Waldorf Astoria & Hilton Bonnet Creek, both Hiltons at Disney Springs, Hyatt Grand Cypress, and JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek, just to name a few.
While we have spent time lounging at every Walt Disney World resort pool, it’s probably worth noting that (like anything) this is subjective and based in large part upon our personal preferences. You might love some pools that don’t do much for us, or hate those that we adore. As you’ll see in the comments, some Walt Disney World fans don’t like Stormalong Bay, which is far and away our favorite. Different strokes for different folks!
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!
Your Thoughts
Since this is a subjective matter, we’d love to hear your favorite–and least favorite–pools! Are we wrong about Big Blue Pool being overrated? Do you think any particular pools at Walt Disney World were snubbed? Have any of your family members fallen prey to SerpentDragonSnake? Do you yearn to feel the sand between your toes in StormAlong Bay? Share your pool rankings, other questions, and questions in the comments below!
Major props for the South Park reference in #8!
Well done, fair and balanced too. I would love to see you rank the rest of the pools. It would take a lot of though. I would also say that sometimes a pool, just being a pool is what makes it memorable. We stayed at OKW on our honeymoon (second marriage so we took the whole family) and we loved the very plain Turtle Creek pool . Some of our best times were had enjoying a snack or drink while cooling off at that quiet, but large and secluded pool. When I stay at the Polynesian, we usually stay near the oasis pool because it is quieter and we can easily refill those all you can drink mugs with ice tea. One things for sure; Disney does pools right!
For adults, the pools are great, but non are actually deep enough to really enjoy. I love the animal kingdom pool. Beach club is too small but nice. Port Orleans is very nice as well and I love the water coming down from the shell. Never been to Grand Floridian so that is on my must do list now. What was the pool and hotel at the very top with the teepee’s around it? Didn’t recognize that pool. Was at the boardwalk recently and they really need to refurbish their hot tub. Extremely small comparatively to other deluxe hotels.
Those are cones in the Cars area of Art of Animation. Props to the photographer for making a small “motel” sized pool look big. Very cute pool that fits well with the theme
Tom Bricker,
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Love the list….wish it was around many months ago when we were comparing ad naseum. We ended up with Boardwalk Inn (for several reasons, including the pool). #10 seems good..but not too good! As a parent, we wanted a good pool, but didn’t want it overshadow the reason for spending all the $$$ at WDW. 🙂 That’s one of the reasons we actually voted against Beach Club–we were afraid our son would spend the entire time whining that we couldn’t stay at the pool and we were “making” him go to the parks. As soon as we imagined those frustrating conversations, we crossed the #1 pool off our list. (Will have to find something that awesome somewhere else on another vacation.) Thanks for all your help in planning our first trip!!
You need to check out the pool complex at the Four Seasons at Walt Disney World Resort. Definitely gives Stormalong Bay a run for its money!
So. Cool. We aren’t really pool people, but this post makes a very strong case…
Someone needs to set up a CosPlay event or some LARPing in the Fuentes del Morro Pool! I’m sure the staff would LOVE to see a group of adults swashbuckling at the pool!
Great list and totally agree – Storm-along-Bay is the best. Jib slide, numerous hot tubs, varying depth levels, sand bottom, and great activities. We enjoyed the Poly pool last visit, but kids and adults missed SAB. The pool is right in front of Beaches and Cream ( ice cream cones = 1 snack credit) and next to Hurricane Hannah’s if you need a drink ( or two).
I wasn’t impressed with POFQ’s pool because except the slide there is nothing to do but stand in the water. And getting out of the pool to ride the slide over and over and over is cold! Probably didn’t help we went in November. We liked Bay Lake’s slide and pool – and views of para sailers!
I love Stormalong Bay, but I actually love the pool at the new Four Seasons even better. It too has a lazy river and all sorts of cool features. It’s not a Disney-owned hotel, so I know it wouldn’t make this list! I was not aware of the SerpentDragonSnake. Thanks for giving me something else to add to my list of worries. 😉
Glad you mentioned Swan & Dolphin’s pool. I am super not a fan of their hotel aesthetic (though the beds are amazing) but I remember being really impressed with their pool. Great list! 🙂 Too bad pool hopping is no longer encouraged. 🙁
When my family took our first trip to WDW when I was 8, I obsessed over the pictures of the slide at Doubloon Lagoon in one of the guidebooks my mom had bought. Obsessed. But alas, it wasn’t meant to be. Years later when my husband and I were planning a trip, I was desperate to stay there, but prices were much better at Riverside, so I didn’t get to realize my dream of experiencing the SerpentDragonSnake. Maybe next time availability and price will perfectly coordinate and help my dream come true.
I could be wrong, but I believe if you are staying at either Port Orleans hotel, you can use either pool. So if you stay at Riverside again, you could always make the trek over to French Quarter to use their pool. My husband and I actually did it years ago and I don’t think it was against the rules 🙂
I know everyone is going to disagree with me here but I did not care for the pool at StormALong Bay. I had been looking so forward to it but wasn’t able to relax at all.
The fact that your kids have to leave the pool area to get to the slide had me chasing around constantly. Then the lazy river was beyond lazy as I felt like I had to work in order to move along not to mention it was too deep to enjoy. A lot of deeper areas too that could catch smaller children completely off guard. I do feel the need to admit that I reside in Wisconsin home to the “Water Park capital of the World” so I may be slightly less objective. Lastly, I was looking so forward to the sand bottom but it was too shallow; seemed only for small children.
I do completely agree that the following pools do belong on the list: POFQ, Boardwalk, & Caribbean Beach.
We are going to AKL next and I cannot wait.
We have spent very little time in resort pools (I did really like CBR’s pool), so I cannot quibble with #1-9 on your list.
But a creepy clown that vomits children?!? I’ll take the Pop Century computer pool. Or the bathtub. *shudder*
^ This!!
We got a chance to stay at Boardwalk for a fantastic rate a few years ago and took a pass because of this. I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t sleep at all with this outside.
Thought it had to be said while reading this: ManBearPig episode is on the T.V.
And I’m super cereal.
Another great post ☆
We love the Beach Club pool. Our kids preferred it to the parks! This past summer we enjoyed the SerpentDragonSnake pool. The small size of POFQ meant less people at the pool, which was great.
Great list!
One of the best features of the Beach Pool at GF is watching the monorail go by every few minutes. There’s nothing more relaxing than floating in the water and seeing it!
I prefer the Jambo pool at AKL for its size- easy to have your own little “zone” and not bump into other families. Jambo is also near animal viewing areas (like the flamingoes) but the Kidani Pool play area is definitely better for kids.
Out of all of the Disney pools I have been in, the Dig Site is my favorite. I just love relaxing in it at night looking up at the Mayan Temple all lit up. Combine that with the large hot tub, large size (which usually allows me to avoid being stuck in a large crowd) and its solid slide; it is one of my favorite places to be on Disney property. That being said, I have not had the luxury of swimming at Storm Along Bay yet, but I have walked through and it does look amazing!
You need to fill that slide so SepentDragonSnake can’t come out. I’m super cereal!
Good list.
I’m a big fan of Ol’ Man Island at Riverside. Although that could be because of the nostalgia that comes with it. Interested to see what that refurbishment brings.
I’m curious to see what happens as my son grows up, to see what he likes the best.