Best All Around DVC Pool Experience...

[helloconnie]

Okay, so we are fast approaching our Memorial Day Weekend trip. This year, we are taking another couple and their 5 year old DD for their first ever trip to WDW. So, I am planning the trip to offer a little bit of everything. The cast of characters for this trips includes myself, DH, DS (4), DS (1), another couple, their DD (5). The young ones are beginner swimmers. The baby has not been in a pool yet.

We are staying at BLT and plan on pool hopping one, if not two days. So knowing that BCV and AKV pools are off limits, which resort would offer the best overall pool experience?

Criteria for judging best experience:
Best Pool (theme and pool amenities)
Best Kiddie Area
Best Pool Bar (for us adults) / poolside drinks
Beach / Sand play area
Which resorts have hammocks?
Which resorts have cabanas or covered areas?

Feel free to include pictures of any of the items above!

Thanks!

 

[tjkraz]

FYI, you didn't mention your exact dates but I thought I would point out that pool hopping is prohibited from May 28 – 31, 2010.

 

[helloconnie]

Yep. We arrive May 29 and leave June 5. The first couple of days will be dedicated to the parks. Pool Hooping will come into play mid-week so we should be okay.

 

[Tara]

GF has cabanas and might be best suited for your requirements - zero-entry pool, splash/play area, cabanas, beach (but no hammocks, I think). Plus it's on the monorail so easy to get to from BLT. Poly has hammocks, but the pool is going to be crowded at that time.

The CR pools have a few cabanas, too - and there's a kids splash area there, nice slide, zero entry I believe.

 

[spiceycat]

well cr has cabanas - but you have to pay to rent them. they are not free.

the polyn might appeal to your kids a little better - it has that volcano - but no kids play area.

blt has the fountains/splash area that appeals to alot of kids - teens too - for some reason at BLT there are teens as well as little ones in its splash area...

VWL probably has the closest playground. CR had one - but it went away with BLT. the Polyn has not had one in years.

if you really want a playground then go to a moderate or value - that say both OKW and SSR have excellent playground - they are near the pools (all of them)

 

[kim532]

OP- I love your question because I was wondering the exact thing for our trip at BLT in 9 days!!!

With the GF suggestions, I didn't realize we could hop to ANY disney pool (excluding BC & AKV). I thought only to the DVC pools. Learning something new all the time.

Kim

 

[helloconnie]

I knew we could hop to non-DVC resorts pools as well. I have previously statyed at YC/BC and love Storm-a-long Bay. The kids would love going to play in the sand more than anything. Especially since they are too young for the slide. But I know that one is off limits. I have also previously stayed at WL and love that pool as well. We may go over there as oen of our pool hops. We will definitely try both pools out at the CR and it looks like we may go over to the Poly.

 

[TIGGERmetoo]

Personally I love the Poly because of the beach area. Beach Club also has a very nice beach but it's not close to the pool. I don't think it will make a difference with the kids. They'll be happy anywhere.

 

[Telcogirl]

I would just pool hop around the monorail resorts. It will be super convenient with the little ones in tow.

 

[RumpleMom]

I like SSR for the zero entry pool and closeness to the Artist Palette for lunch.

I like OKW for the great kids' sand area and Good's to Go for lunch, although no zero entry pool.

 

[es45]

With the GF suggestions, I didn't realize we could hop to ANY disney pool (excluding BC & AKV). I thought only to the DVC pools. Learning something new all the time.

Kim

Kim, I learned something new too with this thread. This is a great DVC benefit that I've never heard about.

 

[DenLo]

Okay, so we are fast approaching our Memorial Day Weekend trip. This year, we are taking another couple and their 5 year old DD for their first ever trip to WDW. So, I am planning the trip to offer a little bit of everything. The cast of characters for this trips includes myself, DH, DS (4), DS (1), another couple, their DD (5). The young ones are beginner swimmers. The baby has not been in a pool yet.

We are staying at BLT and plan on pool hopping one, if not two days. So knowing that BCV and AKV pools are off limits, which resort would offer the best overall pool experience?

Criteria for judging best experience:
Best Pool (theme and pool amenities)
My vote would be for the pool at CSR (Coronado Springs Resort).

Best Kiddie Area
The CSR has a great area for kids called The Dig which means gigantic sandbox with slide and play area combined. There also is a kiddie pool.
Best Pool Bar (for us adults) / poolside drinks
Beach / Sand play area
Which resorts have hammocks
Both CSR and CBR resort have sandy beaches with hammocks, but remember no swimming or even wading in the lakes at WDW. Too much of a health hazard.
Which resorts have cabanas or covered areas? You can rent a cabana at BLT.

Feel free to include pictures of any of the items above!

Thanks!

I'll try to add photos later.

Just a suggestion, with too little ones, I'd stick to staying at BLT where you have all of the things you asked for including a small beach. The little slide there will be great fun for the 5 year old, there's a zero entry pool entrance, and a water play area. There also is covered tables and chairs for dining and cabanas to rent.

 

[DenLo]

The Kiddie Pool

The Jacuzzi (spa) pool.

Slide (before being cleaned that morning).

Sandbox dig area.