Spending more time at the resort, and less time at the parks? After all, who doesn’t want to have a lazy, non-park day, basking in the sun and swimming in a perfectly perfect in every way 82 degrees Fahrenheit pool?
Here’s my Top 5 Pools that check off Everyone’s needs…
Stormalong Bay, Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts
Stormalong Bay, Disney’s Beach and Yacht Club: 3 acres of swimming and splashing by the sandy beach, winding lazy river, and sandy bottom waters. There’s also a 230ft long shipwreck slide, and miniature slide and pool for little tykes. Adulting? Relax in one of the 3 whirlpool spas, grab a cocktail at Hurricane Hannah’s Bar & Grill, or await service in your own private cabana (advance reservation/fee required). Bonus: Kids Meals at the Grill come with pails- perfect for building sandcastles!
*Lava Pool, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort: Zero-depth entry pool, huge volcano with waterfalls and a 142ft long slide. There’s also an aquatic play area for tykes under 48″, and grown-ups can soak in the infinity hot tub that overlooks the Seven Seas Lagoon. The Barefoot Pool Bar and Pineapple Lanai (hint: DOLE Whip) will have you singing The Pina Colada Song all day. Escape. *This resort is scheduled to reopen in summer 2021.
Lost City of Cibola Pool, Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort: Massive, 50ft Mayan Pyramid with cascading water down steps you can sit, or lie on (bottom steps only, por favor). Kids can glide down the 123ft waterslide- watch out for the spitting jaguar on the way down! The largest hot tub on WDW property resides here, toasting 20 guests at a time. Don’t sacrifice yourself there, though. As the kids play, cool off at the Siestas Cantina with a refreshing drink, or grab a Grouper Taco and some Fried Shrimp. Perfecto!
Lost City of Cibola Pool, Coronado Springs. @Finding.Disney.1
Fuentes del Morro Pool, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort: Zero-depth entry pool, 2 waterslides, and spraying canons shoot from the remains of an old Spanish fortress. Younger swashbucklers will love the aquatic play area. As the kids go ARRGH like a pirate, adults can (responsibly) drift to Aruba, Jamaica, Bermuda, Bahamas at the Banana Cabana. A 12-person spa pool awaits for a little more indulgence.
*The Big Blue Pool, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort: Swim along with Nemo and Friends in the zero-depth entry, big blue (308,527 gallons) pool, and sing along with music underwater! A simple sprayground gushes jets of water for little guppies. Note: Disney’s Value Resorts do not feature waterslides. *The Big Blue Pool will be closed for refurbishment from January 11, 2021 through April 2021. You can still use Flippin’ Fins Pool or get cozy in the Cozy Cone Pool (cone cabanas fill up fast, yet require no reservation).
Honorable mention: The pools at Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel. A 3acre water wonder paradise with lush landscaping, waterfalls, grottos, and waterslide. Also on site, 2 lap pools and 4 whirlpool spas. Though this is not Disney-owned, it is well-worth a stay.
Oasis, Four Seasons Orlando. Don Riddle ©
And now, the moment every adult has been waiting for…the adults-only refuge…
Oasis, Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World: Adult-exclusive, lakeside, infinity-edge, cabana-strewn, palm tree-lined, Instagram-worthy pool. Minimum age for entry, 21. Reread that all over again. Yes, it’s real, and it’s at WDW. It is not Disney-owned, but…does it matter?
If you do have kids, there’s no need to feel guilty as you redefine “me” time. Kids For All Seasons is a complimentary kids camp providing indoor and outdoor fun, including supervised swim time. Parenting at its finest!
