Best pool for kids: CSR / AKL / POR

[RedStars]

My kids (8, 11) are really good swimmers and LOVE pools/slide/activities. We're thinking of a spring break park trip (our first multi-day in 4 years) and I'm planning lots of pool time.

We stayed at AKL years ago and liked it but the pool wasn't anything special. I'm wondering if we should switch to CSR or POR this time. Their pools look great BUT I've never stayed there. (I'm not concerned about the mod vs deluxe- this is a pool decision)

Any advice?

 

[SL6827]

CSR has a really great slide. I think it is one of the best ones on property, other than SAB of course. I think I would go with CSR for the kids ages. But I will add the pool at Kidani at the AKL is small but really good. The slide there is even better.

 

[RedStars]

CSR has a really great slide. I think it is one of the best ones on property, other than SAB of course. I think I would go with CSR for the kids ages. But I will add the pool at Kidani at the AKL is small but really good. The slide there is even better.

I really want to stay at BC but it's $2k more!

 

[SL6827]

I really want to stay at BC but it's $2k more!

Right. Have you thought about trying to rent DVC points? Or just do your last day or two there?

 

[RedStars]

Right. Have you thought about trying to rent DVC points? Or just do your last day or two there?

I'm considering doing a couple at the start;
I have a placeholder for 2 nights because we're still deciding between a DCL or park trip. I could keep that and then switch to another resort for the rest...

How easy is it to change resorts? Can we have our bags picked up from one room and delivered to our new room while we're at a park?
I really dont want to lug luggage (ba dumb bum tish)

 

[clayfolks]

I'm considering doing a couple at the start;
I have a placeholder for 2 nights because we're still deciding between a DCL or park trip. I could keep that and then switch to another resort for the rest...

How easy is it to change resorts? Can we have our bags picked up from one room and delivered to our new room while we're at a park?
I really dont want to lug luggage (ba dumb bum tish)

Changing resorts is easy. Bell services will come pick your luggage up in the morning. It will make it to your new resort by afternoon. When you get to your new resort, call them and they will bring it to you. The only real downside is that you are tipping twice.

 

[Sue M]

I love POR. Pool is nice and there’s the option of quiet pools too. But then, I thought the AKL pool was beautiful.
Have you looked at CBR? They have a really cool pool complex.

 

[Olaf63]

CSR

 

[eeyoreandtink]

IMO Kidani Villas, the DVC property has one of the best polls on property for kids, with exception of BC/YC. It has a great slide, lush tropical feel, a really nice splash area with the big water guns, ect and the pool activites are really good. If you stay at AKL you can use that pool as well, or you can rent DVC points.

 

[nkereina]

CSR's pool is better than POR's, IMO. The slide is better and it feels like a larger area, and the bar and food service also seems more convenient at CSR. Aside from the slide though, its your average pool. Stormalong Bay at YC/BC is really the only one that has the lazy river and beach area, making it stand out. Another option is to visit one of the waterparks if the pool isn't measuring up.

As far as renting DVC points, its a little late to be doing that for Spring Break 2020, assuming your Spring Break is in April. People typically book 7-11 months in advance, especially during busier times like that. If you want to move forward with renting points, I would advise getting your request in now and being flexible on resort, room type/view, and dates. You'll also need to pay in full at time of rental and its non-refundable. Beach Club will likely be hard to get at this point - maybe one night, but its a small DVC property and very popular because of Stormalong Bay. I don't mean to be a Negative Nelly, but just want to stress the urgency and help manage expectations.

 

[Shacka1]

Haven't stayed at CSR but have stayed at both POR and AKL. I have to say for a deluxe resort I was majorly disappointed in AKs pools.

POR hands down! That pool was majorly impressive! It was very big and done so nicely, the theming is gorgeous. They have a slide and an area with a water fall that you can swim or float around, it was so fun! You do have to be a pretty decent swimmer in that waterfall area, so older kids would absolutely love that!
We thought it was a really fun pool and could've spent a ton of time there!

 

[eeyoreandtink]

CSR's pool is better than POR's, IMO. The slide is better and it feels like a larger area, and the bar and food service also seems more convenient at CSR. Aside from the slide though, its your average pool. Stormalong Bay at YC/BC is really the only one that has the lazy river and beach area, making it stand out. Another option is to visit one of the waterparks if the pool isn't measuring up.

As far as renting DVC points, its a little late to be doing that for Spring Break 2020, assuming your Spring Break is in April. People typically book 7-11 months in advance, especially during busier times like that. If you want to move forward with renting points, I would advise getting your request in now and being flexible on resort, room type/view, and dates. You'll also need to pay in full at time of rental and its non-refundable. Beach Club will likely be hard to get at this point - maybe one night, but its a small DVC property and very popular because of Stormalong Bay. I don't mean to be a Negative Nelly, but just want to stress the urgency and help manage expectations.

There is some availability at AKL, depending on the dates. Everything else except SSR and OKW are pretty much booked.

 

[maryj11]

I have stayed at all 3. I think the slides are about the same at all of them. My favorite pool was AKL. I think we will stay at CBR this year, the pool looks pretty nice there.

 

[Minniemoo15]

AKL Jambo is nothing special, but AKL Kidani is an awesome pool area with a huge splash pad and much bigger water slide.

My kids also love the CBR pool.

 

[buzznina]

Stayed at all 3 and the slide at CSR we liked the best, BUT we liked the pool and layout better at POR. We liked the splash area at Kidani, but the pools and slides at Kidani and Jambo were small, we did like that they had zero entry.

 

[Girouard7]

We have 5 kids and have stayed at POR and AKL. We loved both, but honestly, all my kids liked the pools at OKW and SSR the best. We will be trying Kidani this year, so maybe a new favorite?