Are the pools really that crowded and small?

[princesskenziesmom]

From reading some of the trip reports, it sounds like the pools are pretty crowded and not that much fun on the ships when you are out to sea. I am trying to talk my dh into a 7 day cruise in March 2012, I already have him talked into a 5 day cruise but I really want to see better ports than Nassau. He really loves to sit in the pool but am afraid it will be too crazy. We will take advantage a little to put the kids in the kids club and relax in the adult pool, but we really love playing in the pool with our kids. I am just trying to figure out if it is worth it to have an extra day at sea and my dh upset that he doesn't like the pools. BTW he is very easy going but I know his likes and that is the pool.

Also, I know that there is talk about what ship will be handling the Caribbean 7 day cruises in 2012 so maybe this is a crazy question to ask at this point?

 

[smb6]

I have not cruised yet, but it sounds (and looks) to me like the pools are pretty crowded since they are so small trying to accomodate so many....
I'll be curious to others responses...
Were sailing to Alaska, but I know my kids will want to swim despite the colder weather- I don't doubt others will join them but I'm guessing the pools wont be as bad for us...

 

[kcashner]

They are fairly small; we are after all, on a ship. Crowded really depends on time. If you go early in the morning or at 6 pm, they're practically empty. If you want to go at 3 pm...yeah, expect crowds. The Goofy (family) pool is probably the worst.

DCL is pretty good at getting guests to spread out. They'll also be showing movies, etc. during prime pool time. If your goal is to go somewhere to swim in a nice pool, your local Y is probably better than the ship. Of course the rest of the experience can't compare.

 

[catzle]

Yes, they are that small. On the days where you are off the ship it never bothered us, never wanted to use them. On the Sea day, we thought is was bad. Not only could you barely stand in the pool but it was very warm and murky. The adult pool was great in the morning but when we went back around 3 it was also crowded and murky. So don't expect much out the pools on board. Now we did just book the Dream and our hopes are the pools will be improved.

 

[disneydawgs4]

Very true, they do get crowded and murky, but as a PP said, if you go at the right time, its not as bad. We have only done 4 and 5 night cruises so when at Nassau, we stay onboard and the crowds at the pools are minimal. It also makes a huge difference if the ship is completely booked. We have been when it has been so and when it was not, and even on sea days, the pools weren't too bad on the less booked cruises.
Just be prepared to do something other than the pools at the peak times, there is always plenty to do, and relax and enjoy! The whole purpose, right?!

 

[goofysgirl]

We are very happy that our youngest is now old enough for the adult pool. The goofy pool is insane....there are always kids jumping in and on top of each other. DD was a tween and never wanted to be in the goofy pool except early in the morning or late in the evening as she did not want to be jumped on.
I know it is only an artists rendition of the adult pool on the dream...but it looks very small to me...anyone else thinking that way?
I was really hoping they would take the hint and make the pools larger all around as the ship is so much bigger...I think Disney missed the boat on the pool layout

 

[tvguy]

Pools are cruise ships can only be so big. They're as big or bigger as pools on any of the 6 other ships I have been on, including on the two ships that were newer than the Magic.

 

[clten]

I think this is another time when the responses are going to vary based on the length of the cruise. We have only done a couple short (3/4 night) cruises and on them, the pools tended to be much more crowded -- seemed like that was the activity of choice for most people. As the pool wasn't important to us, we did other things. On the 7 night (and longer), the pools tend to have peak times when it is harder to find a place at the pool. But there are more activities going on to spread people out so we have never had problems fitting in at least some good pool time.

 

[aidtrismommy]

On our 7 day, the adult pool was mostly refreshing and never crowded (exception was sea days) The mickey pool was warm, murkey, and really crowded almost all the time. The earlier the better. The goofy pool was about the same as the mickey pool. You can't swim at all. People just get in and stand/float there packed like sardines. The water isn't even cool, I don't understand why people do this. My advice, get there early and spend as much time there as you can until it gets crowded and then do other things for the rest of the day.

 

[allaboutdisney1967]

Went on Wonder Sept 2009. DD was 11. I went to Goofy pool with her. Parents were not monitoring children. Clearly states no jumping in off sides. Children were running and jumping in with no regard to anyone else in the pool. They are quite small. Basically went in and stood in a spot. That is okay, we'll enjoy Castaway Cay and pools after cruise at WDW.

 

[Candy Apple]

On our 7 day, the adult pool was mostly refreshing and never crowded (exception was sea days) The mickey pool was warm, murkey, and really crowded almost all the time. The earlier the better. The goofy pool was about the same as the mickey pool. You can't swim at all. People just get in and stand/float there packed like sardines. The water isn't even cool, I don't understand why people do this. My advice, get there early and spend as much time there as you can until it gets crowded and then do other things for the rest of the day.

Sometimes they are watching the movie on the large outdoor TV screen.

 

[dvc deernut]

WE have done 8 disney cruises, just dw and myself. We have found that the more kids on the ship the better it is for us at the adult pool. We have been in Adult pool area and sometimes there were only 10 people in that area. It was great relaxing in Hot tub. Most adults are there with there kids and tend to go to the other 2 pools. We also have done the dvc member cruises and there are far less kids, and we find the adult only pool is fuller.

 

[scrapbookworm]

Our biggest disappointment were the pools. My 10yo DD was too big for the Mickey pool, but then Goofy's pool was rather small and very crowded. I also didn't like how I could hardly see her head in the pool unless I stood at the rail nearby. I think that the pools are lacking something for the tween and teen set. But if you have little ones, I think that the Mickey pool would be great.

 

[Dianatlol]

They can get busy, depending on the time... Still a fun time!

 

[mmouse37]

Here are some pics of the pools.....

New kids splash area (they had not turned the water on yet after a refurbishment). This is located next to the Mickey pool



Mickey Pool....



Mickey Slide...



An Ear in the Mickey pool...




Quiet Cove adult pool....love this pool and always hang out there on our cruises...never gets overly croweded.



Another view of the Quiet Cove pool



Comfy new loungers by the adult pool



Goofy pool...



Another view of the Goofy pool....



And last, but not least (well maybe in size...LOL!!!...the crew pool)



MJ

 

[CherylA]

I think the Mickey Pool is a good size and I love the Cove pool but I really disliked the Goofy Pool. It is hard to see your kids when they are in there and you can't climb out from the sides, you have to get out from the ladders. My kids aren't tall enough to touch the bottom and couldn't climb out the sides and the pool was so crowded it was very difficult to make your way to the ladders. I had to pull my daughter out by the arms from the side one time and I ended up hitting her head on the side of the pool since it actually protrudes out over the pool a little. It's hard to describe the setup but it just was so inaccessible. I hated that pool!

 

[aidtrismommy]

Sometimes they are watching the movie on the large outdoor TV screen.

Right, I realize that. I don't understand why people would want to watch a movie standing up in warm, dirty-looking water, bumping into complete strangers in swimsuits. IMO it is gross, but I am sure there is something appealing about it for other people or else it wouldn't be that way. I could understand if the water was cool and refeshing, or if you are able to swim, but it isn't so I guess I just don't get it and I am ok with that.

 

[KSDisneyDad]

Are the pools small? Yes. Is a 7 day cruise with sea days better than a shorter cruise without sea days? Absolutely yes!!!

The worst sea day crowd at the pool were on our 4 night cruise.

If good pool time is a must, I'd suggest booking late dining and skip the early show and spend time at the pool from 4 to 7 pm. By 5 pm, the pools are mostly deserted and by 6 pm, we've had them to ourselves.

If you're worried about missing the evening show, on Sea Days, they usually have a matinee performance that you can see while everyone else is at the crowded pool!

Longer cruises are awesome. You stated you want to go in March. The 3 and 4 nights will only be at Nassau and CC and the weather may not be "hot". On our March cruise, it was low 60's in Nassau and upper 70's at CC. We wore jackets at Nassau-definetely not swimming weather. On a 7 night cruise in March, you'll be much further south where it should be much warmer for swimming on board or on excursions.

 

[TIGGER/POOH4]

The Goofy Pool on a sea day.

 

[Tower]

Here are some pics of the pools.....

thanks for those pics guys! Oh the memories of only 6 months ago!
Best times for the pools are port days for sure, if you're staying on the ship