Best pool to spend a day at?

[Bethany loveless]

We want to stay at the contemporary because that is the preferred resort for my parents. However we want to spend a day pool side with my 4 year old. Any suggestions on the best pool to visit? Thanks!

 

[foodiddiedoo]

At the Contemporary? The pools are rather bland. You cannot hop between resorts for pools unless you're in Port Orleans Riverside or French Quarter or the All Stars.

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

You will not be allowed to visit pools other than the ones at the resort where you are staying. You're likely to get a lot of comments here that the Contemporary pool is not great, and I agree, it's dull in comparison to the theming at some of the other resorts. BUT, a four-year-old will not care about the theming as much as the fact that there is a slide (a pretty good one at Contemporary) and water. The benefit of the Contemporary pool is you can see the whole thing at one time making it easy to keep an eye on a 4YO. So, if you're "stuck" at the Contemporary, don't worry, your 4YO will still enjoy the day at the pool.

 

[KayaWildfire]

As previously posted, pool hopping is not allowed. If you would like to go somewhere else to swim, feel free to visit one of the waterparks.

 

[Donaldswife]

I had read other articles and blogs that list resort hopping as a good break from visiting the parks.

Checking out other resorts (gift shops, lobbies, food establishments, activities yes) but pools are for the guests of that resort only. There are some exceptions if you own DVC, but otherwise you can only use the pool facilities at your own resort.

 

[Boopuff]

The OP must have read a really old blog...

 

[chalee94]

https://www.disboards.com/threads/using-pools-at-other-resorts-faq-and-questions-new.3435293/

 

[siren0119]

I had read other articles and blogs that list resort hopping as a good break from visiting the parks.

Resort hopping absolutely! Anyone can go visit a resort and walk around the grounds, visit the restaurant, lobby and gift shops. Several have resort scavenger hunts that you can do even if you aren't a guest (just ask at the front desk!). Some have activities that anyone can participate in - AKL has enough going on during the day that you could literally make a day just visiting there.

That is a different thing from pool hopping. Pools are meant for people staying at the resort. And while a PP mentioned that not every pool has a locked gate, the thread that was shared above my post points out (accurately) that a lifeguard can ask to verify you are a guest at the hotel at any time.

 

[marchingstar]

What about a day at a waterpark? Like others are saying, pool hopping is a no no. But for a whole day, you might find a waterpark has more to offer than basically any resort pool.

 

[Calee]

What about a day at a waterpark? Like others are saying, pool hopping is a no no. But for a whole day, you might find a waterpark has more to offer than basically any resort pool.

The water parks are so fun! We tried them for the first time in July. If you already have park hopper tickets it is not a huge extra expense to add the water parks and more option.

 

[Lynne M]

As others have said, resort hopping is absolutely a thing. Disney resorts are open to the public and welcome visitors who want to dine, shop, explore, and use recreational facilities - except for the pools. With exceptions noted in our Pool Hopping FAQ thread, you may only use a resort pool if you are a registered guest of that resort. That applies to the main feature pools and quiet pools, and there are signs noting this at all resorts.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

If you are staying at CR and that pool is not to your liking, you can go to one of the water parks (which are SO fun!) or, if you would rather go to another resort, you can rent a cabana at the Grand Floridian for a half or full day. Only CR and GF offer the ability for guests staying at any WDW resort to rent a cabana at their pool - but it is an extra charge (price fluctuates seasonally) and advance reservations are recommended. If you would rather go to a resort than a water park, renting a cabana at GF could be very nice as they have a lovely, zero entry pool, nice slide and an Alice in Wonderland splash area for younger children. It also includes some amenities like drinks and snacks. Here is info on the cabana rental: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/recreation/cabanas/

Otherwise, pools are for registered, paying resort guests only, with some exceptions for DVC owners.

 

[nursejackie]

We stayed at BLT and were allowed to use Contemporary pool too, but Contemporary guests cannot use BLT for some reason. Our favourite on-site pool is BC's stormalong bay, but of course we were staying there. You can only get in most (if not all) of the pools with your resort magic band nowadays.

 

[The Jackal]

DVC members can pool hop at certain resorts. There are some black out days too. Other than being a DVC members, there is no pool hopping, that I am aware if.

 

[Disneyfan754321]

kids really like the splash pad at the contemporary.. my kids dont care about what pool, they just want water.
You tube has videos of the pools if you want to see.

 

[HarleenQ]

Bethany.....it's not allowed...but IMO....you're paying for a Deluxe resort and you want to see another resorts pool because maybe you might want to book there another visit...you can try and if you are ask to leave then leave....doubt you would be...especially if you have your MB and can prove that you're a Deluxe guest. I think the spirit of the rule is to stop "off property" or Value or Mod guests from using Deluxe pools.

The spirit of the rule is to not overcrowd resort pools with guests who aren't paying to stay there. Hence, why magicbands from other resorts will not open the gate of the pool for the other resorts. It's pretty straight forward. I'd love to head over to BC and use their pool whenever I'm staying at AK or BLT.

Even DVC members can't hop to certain pools because of their popularity. I'm not the OP, but I'd be embarrassed and annoyed (with myself) in the time wasted if I was publicly asked to leave the pool area.

OP - your kid is 4. If you're at the Contemporary, just swim there or do a water park. Is it really that big of a deal? I'm sure your child will enjoy the pool you're paying to use.

 

[mekay1012]

I'm sure your 4 year old will love the pool at the Contemporary. We always stay at value resorts and my now 5 year old still talks about the "awesome" pool at All Star Music from 2 years ago. There is absolutely nothing special about it (no slide, etc.). Kids at that age really just love to be in a pool.

 

[DLgal]

My kids are teens and loved the Contemporary pool last visit. It's actually a really great pool. Has fountains and a really good slide and it's never overcrowded. Plenty of seats in the shade and the pool bar is pretty great.

 

[maxiesmom]

We want to stay at the contemporary because that is the preferred resort for my parents. However we want to spend a day pool side with my 4 year old. Any suggestions on the best pool to visit? Thanks!

As others are saying, you cannot use a pool other than the hotel you are staying at. If the Contemporary doesn't thrill you, have you thought about staying at the Poly? It has a great splash area for little ones, and you would be a short monorail ride away from your parents.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

My kids are huge pool kids. They are teenagers now so the pool is important to us so I take the pool complex into consideration when booking a resort. But at 4 years old they didn't need much. IMO Contemporary pool will be absolutely fine for a 4 year old. At that age my kids just needed 2 feet of water and a slide and they were happy campers.

My kids favorite pool is SAB. They didn't care for the Poly pool that much. They said it was small and the slide wasn't that great. They actually preferred CBR pool over Poly pool.