Menu

Dive In To the Best Pools at Disney

Best Pools at Disney
Credit: Disney and canva

Swimming is a huge part of a Walt Disney World vacation. Many little ones are often more excited about swimming than heading to a Disney Park during their vacation. This makes sense to us as the Walt Disney World Resort hotel pools are fantastic.

If having a great pool is essential to your Walt Disney World vacation, we have the top pools at Walt Disney World. From the best pools for little ones to adults, from value to deluxe, we will break down all the Disney pools to help you find the one that is the best for your Walt Disney World vacation.

Related: These Disney Resorts Are Definitely Not Worth Staying At

Coronado Springs Swimming Pool

Credit: Disney

Best Pools For Families

As most of us travel to Walt Disney World with our families, we will start with Disney Resorts with the best pools for families. When hanging out at the pool with the family, you will want to have fun and relaxation. These Disney pools provide just that for guests.

Lost City of Cibola Pool at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort 

Located at the Dig Site, the Lost City of Cibola Pool has something for everyone in the family to enjoy. The vast pool gives everyone space to swim, and the 123-foot-long Jaguar waterslide is thrilling for all ages.

The Dig Site area also has Disney’s most enormous hot tub. Large enough to hold 22 people, it is the perfect spot to soak and relax after a long day in the parks.

Guests can grab a drink or snack at the Siesta’s pool bar, making it easy to enjoy a whole afternoon there.

The theming, slide, and overall experience at the Lost City of Cibola Pool at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort makes it fantastic for a family afternoon at the pool.

pool Animal Kingdom Lodge Walt Disney World fb crop

Credit: Fab5

Uzima Springs Pool and Kidani Village’s Samawati Springs Pool-Animal Kingdom Lodge

At Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, guests can enjoy two fantastic pools during their stay. Over at Kidani Village’s Samawati Springs Pool, guests will find something for everyone.

This outstanding pool has a zero-depth entry that is perfect for little ones, two hot tubs for adults needing a minute to relax, and, for thrill seekers, a 128-foot slide. This pool is a perfect spot to hang out during the day as a family. It provides a beautiful atmosphere at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge that is perfect for a relaxing day at the pool.

If you want a pool for the whole family to enjoy, these two options would be our top choice when planning a Walt Disney World trip. They all have spots for little ones to big ones to enjoy and places for adults to relax.

Big Blue Pool Art of Animation

Credit: Disney Dining

Best Value: Big Blue Pool at Art of Animation

If you want to stick to a budget during your Walt Disney World vacation, that doesn’t mean you have to skip out on the swimming fun. Each of the value resorts has pools for guests to enjoy.

The largest pool at Walt Disney World is found at Disney’s Art of Animation. Here, guests can swim all afternoon around the zero-entry Big Blue Pool. With 308,000 gallons of water, the big blue pool even has underwater music.

The Big Blue Pool offers so much room for Guests to swim around and have fun. The adorable Schoolyard Sprayground is perfect for little ones who want to get in on the water fun. Squirty’s Righteous Reef is an excellent playground for kids who aren’t swimming.

This area is filled with excitement and fun for the whole family. With lots of room to spread out, everyone will have a great time swimming like Nemo and Dory.

At Art of Animation, guests can also enjoy the Cozy Cone Pool, where they can chill out in the cone-shaped cabanas surrounded by icons from the beloved Pixar movie Cars (2006).

Guests are also able to take a dip at the Flippin’ Fins Pool. This pool features Sebastian and his orchestra from The Little Mermaid (1989).

These three well-themed pools make Disney’s Art of Animation our top pick for a value resort when it comes to pools.

Guests swimming in Disney's Fuentes del Morro Pool

Credit: Disney

Best Moderate: Fuentes del Morro Pool at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

If a slide is essential to your swimming experience, you must begin your search with moderate resorts.

We mentioned one moderate resort pool with Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort and the Lost City of Cibola Pool. Even though we love that pool for families, we also think that the pool at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort is a top option at the moderate level.

Fuentes del Morro pool is located at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, home of the central skyliner hub. This zero-entry pool is themed like a fortress with many adventures for everyone.

There are two waterslides, one 102 feet long, with cannons and other water features. The theme of this pool is full of adventure. We love that there are two slides to choose from. Having zero entry here for little ones to enjoy is also lovely.

If you plan a trip to Walt Disney World in 2024, be aware that this fantastic pool will be closed. From Janurary 2024 to late March 2024, the main pool will be closed for maintenance at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort.

There are five leisure pools throughout the resort that guests will have access to; however, they will not have a pool or entertainment.

Beach Club Stormalong Bay Pool Bridge Windmill

Credit: Disney

Best Deluxe: Stormalong Bay at Disney’s Beach and Yacht Club Resorts

The pools at the deluxe resorts at Walt Disney World are some of the best well-themed on the property. One of the best overall pool experiences guests can have at Walt Disney World happens at Stormalong Bay.

This pool is shared with Beach and Yacht Club Resort guests and has much to offer. From relaxation to thrills, this pool is like a miniature water park.

Start by taking a float around the lazy river that, at some points, reaches five feet deep. Head to the 230-foot waterslide that takes guests over the walkway to EPCOT for thrills.

Little ones can enjoy building sand castles and splashing around in the shallow zero-entry area. Guests will find entertainment and excitement happening all the time at Stormalong Bay.

There are a lot of fantastic pools throughout the deluxe resorts, but for the most unique experience, you will want to hit Stormalong Bay.

5_Pool-at-Disneys-Coronado-Springs-Resort1-640x360

Credit: Disney Dining

Best for Adults

Even adults must have some downtime at the pool during their Walt Disney World vacation. Luckily, a handful of Disney Resorts have the perfect pools for adults.

Lost City of Cibola Pool at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort 

We have already discussed this pool under the “best pools for families”, but it is worth mentioning. Because of the pool area’s size, adults can easily find a quiet area to relax. With the pool bar right next door and a fantastic hot tub, the Lost City of Cibola Pool is a top choice for adults.

Beau Soleil Pool at Disney’s Riviera Resort

This is the quiet pool at Disney’s Riviera Resort. The beautiful destination provides a secluded feel while close to drinks and food. Bar Riva is a gorgeous open-air lounge that is one of the best in Walt Disney World. Here, guests can enjoy outstanding drinks and food with a fun Mediterranean twist. The overall atmosphere of Beau Soleil Pool makes it top on this list.

Oasis Pool at Disney’s Polynesian Resort

Another quiet pool that is a must for adults looking for some pool time is the Oasis Pool at Disney’s Polynesian Resort. Where the Lava Pool next door is full of excitement and thrills, the Oasis Pool is a quiet escape. Rent a cabana for a day full of relaxation.

It surprises many that some fantastic pools at Walt Disney World are perfect for adults to relax during their vacations. These three are top of our list because of the atmosphere and easy access to dining and drinks.

shipwreck on beach, stormalong bay, walt disney world

Credit: Disney Dining

Best Water Slides 

If you are traveling to Walt Disney World with older kids, having a water slide at the pool is a requirement. Both Disney moderate resorts and Disney deluxe resorts offer slides at the feature pools. Each is well-themed to the resort, but not all are created equal.

Stormalong Bay at Disney’s Beach and Yacht Club Resorts

Stormalong Bay already took the trophy for the top deluxe pool at Walt Disney World, and part of that is due to the fantastic slide.

The Flying Jib slide is a 230-foot water slide that takes guests over the top of the walkway to EPCOT. This dumbs guests right into a deeper section of the pool making it a huge splash.

A downside of this experience is that you do have to head out of Stormalong Bay to enjoy the slide or the Shipwreck Pool. Both features are entertaining; however, they are located outside the pool area and across the public walkway. Because of this, this might not be the best option for you if you have younger kids.

The slide is still one of the best at Walt Disney World, but getting to it isn’t easy.

Disney BoardWalk villas

Credit: DVC Rental

The Luna Park Pool at Disney’s Boardwalk Inn

The pool area at Disney’s Boardwalk Inn received a massive upgrade as the once scary clown slide transformed into the vast Keister Coaster waterslide. This pool area is themed like an amusement park, and the 200-foot waterside resembles an old, classic wooden roller coaster.

The once creepy clown slide now features artwork of Mickey and Minnie, making it a lot more fun. Even though the slide isn’t as long as the Flying Jib at Stormalong Bay, the ease of access makes this much less stressful for families.

Lost City of Cibola Pool at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort 

The pool at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort keeps returning to the top for different reasons. When looking at the top slides at Walt Disney World, the Jaguar Slide at the Lost City of Cibola Pool is fantastic. It is a more extended slide and has fun twists, turns, and water jets to keep the excitement (and speed) going the whole way down.

If you are traveling with guests who want to experience waterslides at the pool, book either a deluxe or a moderate resort.

Mr. Ray, Finding Nemo buildings and Big BLue Pool area, Disney's Art of Animation Resort, Walt Disney World

Credit: Disney

Top Splash Pads

We discussed slides for the older crowd, but what if you travel with little ones? Luckily, Disney Resorts also provides splash pads. Not all Disney Resorts offer these. In the value resort category, you will find splash pads at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort, and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort.

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort and Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter have splash areas for the moderate category.

Finally, suppose you are looking at the deluxe resort category. In that case, you will find excellent options at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort, and Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.

Schoolyard Sprayground at Disney’s Art of Animation

If you want a value resort with a great splash pad, we highly recommend Disney’s Art of Animation. The Schoolyard Sprayground offers fun pop-up jets and other water features, all themed after the beloved movie Finding Nemo (2003). 

Right next door is Squirt’s Righteous Reef, a playground themed after Nemo and full of adventures.

Shipwreck Play Area at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

Fuentes del Morro Pool is themed for adventure. Next to the fantastic pool with two waterslides, little ones can enjoy mini slides of their own. In the shipwreck play area, barrels dump water and fun on kids as they rush around and enjoy the mini slides perfect for their smaller adventures.

Lava Pool at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort

Credit: Disney Dining

The Lava Pool- Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

The Lava Pool is known for the fantastic volcano slide, but right next door is a play area that is just as fun. This playground is for those guests that are under 48”. The structure has a water feature and a multilevel climbing area.

There are bridges, stairs, water geysers, and even two mini slides just for them. This play area will be a hit if you have active little ones.

grand-floridian-pool-slide-16x9

Credit :Disney

Beach Pool at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

This magnificent pool area is just as grand as the resort itself. A splash area themed after Alice in Wonderland (1951) is next to the Beach Pool.

This play area has mini waterslides, sprinklers, and water spouts. The Mad Hatter’s hat and giant teapot will fill with water before dumping it below. The play area isn’t as massive as the one at neighboring Disney’s Polynesian Resort, but the location and views can’t be beaten.

S’il Vous Play at Disney’s Riviera Resort

Although the feature pool at Disney’s Riviera Resort isn’t fancy, little ones will love the splash area. This interactive water play area is for those 48” or smaller. Featuring characters from Fantasia (1940) and inspired by the fountains of Europe, the newest splash pad at Walt Disney World is perfect for little ones. The Riviera pool overall isn’t super exciting when it comes to the theme, but the splash are is fantastic.

Uwanja Camp at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

This play area is themed after an animal observation site and is perfect for Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. The area has excellent shade, fantastic water features like spitting snakes and cannons, and areas to climb and slide.

Three zones, Observation Station, Departure Zone, and Base Camp, are all created with different age levels in mind, focusing on those four and under to eight and up. This division allows everyone to be safe while still having fun.

Little ones can also have big fun at the pools at Walt Disney World. Look into some of the top splash pads for a fantastic time.

Courtyard Pool with Guests at Grand Floridian

Credit: Disney

Facts About Pools at Walt Disney World

Before jumping into the pool, you should know a few things ahead of time. No matter when you choose to book your Walt Disney World vacation, know that the pools are always heated to 82 degrees.

Obviously, in the warmer months, the pools will feel warmer (sometimes like a bath), whereas if you are there in the winter months, it might feel chilly. No matter when you visit, you will have a Disney pool to enjoy.

All Walt Disney World Resort hotels have pools for guests to enjoy. The resorts have feature pools and quiet pools. Feature pools will be where you find the entertainment throughout the afternoon, slides at the moderate and deluxe resorts, lifeguards, and complimentary towels.

The feature pools will also be the closest to food and drinks. It is at these pools that the pool bar is located if the resort has one.

Feature pools at Walt Disney World Resort hotels have set hours. They will typically be between 8:00 and 9:00 am throughout the summer and pushed back to 10:00 am during winter. Closing will happen around 11:00 pm. In the summer months and during winter, you might see feature pools closing at 9:00 pm.

The quiet pools are just that- quieter. They won’t have entertainment throughout the day or a lifeguard on duty. These pools are for those wanting a more relaxed, quieter experience during their pool day. When visiting a leisure pool, they are open 24/7 at Walt Disney World; however, respect those guests with rooms nearby.

Stormalong Bay, Yacht & Beach Club, Walt Disney World

Credit: Disney Dining

Pool Closures

When planning your trip to Walt Disney World, make sure you check on pool closures. Walt Disney World works hard to keep everything safe for guests and looking fresh and shiny.

 

Because of this focus, they do have to shut down pools for refurbishments. It would be sad to visit your Disney resort only to discover the closed main pool.

Check the official Walt Disney World website to stay current on their work.

One of the most significant closures we know now is Stormalong Bay at Disney’s Beach Club Resort and Disney’s Yacht Club. From January 2025 through May 2025, Stormalong Bay and Shipwreck Pool will be closed for maintenance. Although the leisure pools will be open during construction, this is a vast and long closure.

The Fuentes del Morro Pool at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort will also be closed for an extended period. From Janurary 2024 through late March 2024, this pool will be closed to guests. The five leisure pools will remain open during this time.

Also closing in early 2024 will be the Doubloon Lagoon Pool at Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter. This closure will run from January 2024 through April 2024. Guests can enjoy Ol’ Man Island at Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside.

Updates and refurbishments change all the time. Check-in on the official Walt Disney World website to ensure the pool will be open at your Disney resort.

Cozy cone pool

Credit: Disney

When planning your Walt Disney World vacation, make sure you plan in time at the pool. The pools at Walt Disney World Resorts are part of the magic. They provide excellent theming and great fun for the whole family.

No matter what type of Disney pools you are looking for, relaxing or thrills- Walt Disney World has a resort pool just for you.

Choosing the suitable Walt Disney World hotel for your trip is a big decision. Ensuring the room, location, and dining meet your needs is essential. Make sure you also look at the pool options to make sure they fit your needs.

All the pools at Disney are fun, but aren’t all created equal.

Grab those swimsuits, flip-flops, and sunscreen, and get ready to jump into a beautiful time at your Walt Disney World Resort pool.

About Jennifer Retzlaff

My name is Jennifer Retzlaff and I became a lifelong Disney fan during my first trip to Walt Disney World in 6th grade. From that moment, Disney became a big part of my life. I live in Iowa with my husband and two kids who are growing up too quickly for my liking. I started introducing my love for Disney early to my family with a Disney honeymoon and then trips when our youngest of 18 months. Since then, our family has been to Walt Disney World over five times and we continue to plan and dream for the next trip. I love the magic that Disney brings to people through the theme parks, cruises, adventures and movies they create. As a teacher, I try to bring that magic into my classroom to help kids believe that “If You Can Dream It, You Can Do It.” I recently reached a dream of mine as I joined Magic Vacation Planner as a personal travel advisor. With this team, I can now help others plan magical vacations. As a passionate writer, I also have my own blog at magicalvacationsbyjen which is also where you can follow me on instagram for trip reviews along with tips and tricks for your next magical vacation.