Best good neighbor pool?i

[jeeperwy]

I'm thinking of staying off site this summer. We really enjoy our afternoon pool time. Which good neighbor hotel do you think has the best pool for DS13 and DS19 (not sure if he will join us or not)? I looked at the Courtyard but the rooms are almost $300 per night with fees so for just a little more I can stay onsite. We've stayed at Hojo before but I think it's geared more toward younger kids.
Where do you suggest?
Thanks!
Kari

 

[sherilaine]

Do you want to be close walking distance as that narrows it down quite a bit? If you are prepare to walk for say 15 or 20 minutes or even take a shuttle, then I'd think Sheratons and Hyatts would provide the nicer pool experience.

The thing we like about the HOJO is that while the water park area is really for younger kids, it keeps all those younger kids occupied and does take away a lot of traffic from the garden pool as it's in a completely different area of the property. We have found our time down by the garden pool very relaxing and quiet because most of the younger kids are over at the water park making all kinds of noise!

I read reviews for the Courtyard beside HOJO on Tripadvisor and the actual pool appears to be very small and is located within the same area as the water park so we were not interested in that.

 

[Chris9ty]

Don't limit yourself to just 'good neighbor' hotels. There are no additional perks for staying at them.

 

[sherilaine]

Don't limit yourself to just 'good neighbor' hotels. There are no additional perks for staying at them.

The perk of staying off site is not paying the 'onsite surcharge' which Disney charges to stay in a modest hotel but charge 5 star prices.

 

[Chris9ty]

That's for anywhere offsite. Not just 'good neighbor' hotels

 

[sherilaine]

That's for anywhere offsite. Not just 'good neighbor' hotels

Ah yes I see your point.

 

[tlovesdis]

Most all of the pools at nearby hotels/motels are just rectangular pools in the parking lot. Hojo's, the new Courtyard and Ramada Maingate (now Legacy) have a few other things like slides and fountains and stuff (no slides at Legacy). You won't find any pools like the pools at the Disney hotels. Places like Hyatt, Marriott and Sheraton may have nicer pool areas. There is a new place going in Garden Grove, Great Wolf Lodge, that has a giant indoor water park. Their prices are about the same as PPH and it's about 2 miles away.

 

[luulu1999]

the new Homewood Suites has movies at the pool they also have a basketball court and a putting green that your sons might enjoy

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

It's on Katella and a slightly longer walk than hotel on Harbor, but I think the Best Western Stovall's has a nice pool area. There are two pools, two hot tubs, some canopied lounger areas, and you can see part of the Paradise Pier area from the pools. Within the pool area is a topiary garden. The price is cheaper than Harbor hotels, but the walk (depending on your speed) can be 2-5 minutes longer than the HOJO.

 

[bumbershoot]

First step, decide what makes a good pool *for you*.

Some like to splash around. Some like to SWIM. A good pool for the former would be awful for the latter.

The DLH pool is awful for swimming. Too strangely shaped, not deep enough, just odd. HoJo pool, NOT water play area, is lovely for swimming. And so on.

Different people have different wants, so the first step is to define what you want from a pool.

 

[Dom262]

The new Courtyard on Harbor Blvd has a great option for a pool. They have a splash area for the little ones (our 12 daughter enjoyed it as well), 2 water slides, and then a typical rectangle pool, plus a separate hot tub. We have stayed there 3 times and have enjoyed it each. The rooms have 2 queen beds, bunk beds, microwave, mini fridge (dorm sized), and coffee maker. Very large and spacious.