Pool at Bay Lake Tower

[FigaroFries]

On our first visit to BLT last year (early May) we only visited the pool once and avoided it for the rest of our vacation as it was way too busy. As my son uses a wheelchair and has autism he needs some personal space in the pool - not a lot of space but just the ability to move around freely without someone else's leg touching him etc. I am wondering if the size of the pool is the problem - not being able to accommodate all the guests? In any event,my son loves swimming and I am hoping that we just encountered an odd busy time last year. Has anyone else stayed at BLT and swum like sardines?

 

[disneynutz]

You can use the Contemporary pool or pool hop to another resort. The quiet pools are another option, they don't seem to get as crowded as the feature pools.

Bill

 

[n2mm]

The pool at BLT is much too small for this resort. We have stayed here 3 times now (early November, early May and mid August) and the pool was always packed. We don't even buy noodles when staying at BLT because there is not enough room to float or relax here. It's crazy busy. The only time it was not busy was on our check out day and we were there at 9:00AM. Sorry, not the info you probably wanted. I really wish there was a quiet pool on the other side where the tennis courts are because that's where you would find me. Yes we have walked over to the CR round pool, but is a much deeper pool for the little ones. We will be at BLT in 3 weeks, so expecting a busy pool again for late April.

 

[twinklebug]

Disney has been reducing the size of their pools across the board - my guess - to save on the water bill and the cost to heat.

I agree with you, the pool is far too small for busy times of year. We went in July a couple years back and couldn't find a place to park even one of ourselves.

The Contemporary pool, on the same day, had plenty of room and chairs. It was nice to swim along an entire side of the pool without a single swimmer coming by. The nicest thing about this: no need to board a boat, monorail, bus or car to get there - just a short walk around the corner from BLT's pool.

 

[cvjw]

Every time we have stayed at BLT, the pool has been busy - so busy that you can't find an empty chair to put your stuff down on. Last stay, we ended up over at the Contemporary pool (a very easy walk), and let the kids play in that pool. There is also a smaller pool at the Contemporary that is over Bay Lake. I am not sure if that is a adults only pool, but it was always empty. Your son could swim in that one, and be assured of some "swimming personal space".

 

[sarahk0204]

We had good luck at the BLT pool at night. Definitely smaller crowds, and no sunscreen needed!

 

[FigaroFries]

I guess we will try swimming in the evening on our next trip, althought I always find it hard to get myself motivated to go down to the pool at night after a long day at the parks. We always vacation in early May and it is usually a quiet time so i was surprised by the crowding at the pool. I would hate to be staying there during the summer - it must be crazy! On the plus, staying at BLT side you just can't beat being able to walk to the Magic Kingdom.

 

[disprincessatheart]

Every time we have stayed at BLT, the pool has been busy - so busy that you can't find an empty chair to put your stuff down on. Last stay, we ended up over at the Contemporary pool (a very easy walk), and let the kids play in that pool. There is also a smaller pool at the Contemporary that is over Bay Lake. I am not sure if that is a adults only pool, but it was always empty. Your son could swim in that one, and be assured of some "swimming personal space".

That other pool is the quiet pool. There isn't any age restriction, but since it's right net to the feature pool and is very plain it gets very little traffic.

Op - on our first blt trip two years ago we had a similar experience to yours and walked the extra 100 ft to the contemporary pool (it's REaLLY close). Last spring (early April, pre Easter) we had no trouble. On our upcoming trip we plan to be at the pool for a little bit every day (we have a 2 yr old who needs a way to burn off steam!) so I guess we will see if it varries greatly that week or not! We may hit the contemporary pools one or two days just for a little change of scenery, and we may even pool hop on the monorail!

 

[runmommyrun]

We usually go in early June. We have a child who does not handle major crowds well (a bit of an irony as we are DVC members and now go to WDW frequently). Nonetheless, my son won't handle crowds well in the pool. The pool at BLT in early June has never been a problem for him. Luckily, if he feels it is too much, he heads off to the the community center for arts/crafts/games. I think WDW does as good of a job as they can handling crowds, expectations, and expenses to meet the needs of kids who need a bit more than the average child. I know I have one of those kids and my son has been very happy at BLT. I'm hoping BLT will be better for your child. They all deserve a great vacation!!

 

[Frances69]

I agree with you, the pool is far too small for busy times of year.

 

[spiceycat]

disney wants their pools to be busy. It is a selling point. because at times OKW actually has empty pools - great for OKW guests - but bad for Disney - who does not want to build a pool and no one come to it.

so the other DVC resorts have smaller pools.

that say BLT is really too small for the resort size - it was the resort size that they based the pool on????

would definitely go to CR pool - it is nice big and never as busy as BLT pool.

CR spa(hot tub) is in the middle of the pool

 

[Goofy's apprentice]

I agree that the BLT pool is too small, but I am really more a quiet pool fan. Our last stay we didn't head to the Contemporary pool as we had young nieces with us and one just loved the pool games in the afternoon. I do, however like the arrangement of the pool chairs as you can sit in areas separated slightly from the pool activities and have some measure of peace while your kids have a great time joining in the games.

 

[GoofyMac]

If you have ever stayed at the All Star Music Resort Busy doesnt even describe the pools there. Our daughter preferred the smaller Piano Pool to the larger Guitar pool.

When she saw the pools at the Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa she fell in LOVE especially with the playground pool area. We are looking forward to our trip there. We like to spend a few hours at the resort in the afternoon just after lunch and before dinner and let her just have fun. The pools are a key part of the resort for us. This will be our first stay at a DVC resort. We are kinda giving it a fully paid trial run before we become members.

What we have seen looking at the other resorts we like very much. This time around we may take a look at Old Key West resort as we have heard great things about it.

Goofymac

 

[dizfan]

One of the things I find odd about CR/BLT is that it's the only resort I've stayed at where the DVC pool is more interesting than the feature pool for the resort.

At BCV, we prefer SAB over the DVC pool.
At BWV, we prefer the clown pool over the DVC pool.
At BLT, we prefer the BLT pool over the CR pool.

Hopefully one day, Disney will decide to upgrade the CR pool and give it a more modern feel (like they did with Disneyland Hotel adding the monorail slide).

 

[Goofy's apprentice]

And our family would answer just the opposite, we love the quieter pools much more than the feature pools.

Love the BWV quiet pool/community centre combo
Love the quiet VWL pool
Love the Congress park pool more than the SSR feature pools

I do think that BLT is a good combination, could be a bit bigger but still nice.

So glad that DVC provides the options for everyone to find something they like.

 

[amypetecar]

I haven't tried this because I always visit in the winter, and pool crowding has never been an issue on my trips, but....

... could you take the monorail and pool hop to the grand floridian? They have 2 beautiful and GIGANTIC pools over there. I'm sure there is a restroom or locker room over there appropriate to change in. Just pack a light bag as if you were going to a waterpark for the day.

Has anyone had any success with this?