Best Resort Pools??

[JudyS]

I'm staying at Boardwalk Villas next week as a guest of a DVC (Disney Vacation Club) member. One of the benefits of a DVC stay is that one is allowed to use other resort pools (except Stormalong Bay and the pool at Animal Kingdom) when they are not crowded. Since it's mid-December, I suspect crowded pools will not be a problem!

However, I just heard that the pool I'd like to use (Coronado Springs) will be closed for rehab. So, I'm wondering what other hotel pools are nice. I've seen the pools at Old Key West, the All-stars, the Contemporary, and at both halves of Port Orleans. And, I assume I'll try Luna Park at the Boardwalk. How about the other hotels -- how nice are the pools at Carribean Beach, the Polynesian, Wilderness Lodge, and the Grand Floridian? If you could use any pool (other than Stormalong bay, the AKL, and the Coronado "Dig site" pool), which one would you go to? And, would it be nicer after dark or during the day?

Thanks in advance!

 

[robinb]

I really like the Polynesian pool. It's zero-depth entry, has a cool slide and you can see the MK from the beach next to the pool. The WL pool is also nice. It has a couple of really nice hot tubs and you can watch the guyser (sp) go off every hour from the pool.

 

[DisneyBill]

The newest pool at GF is also worth a splash. It too is zero entry, and has a nice slide.

 

[skiwee1]

We love the pool at the Poly and it is one of the reasons we stay at this resort. It is zero entry, cool slide, great poolbar, perfect views, and the beach is very nice. I would chose this one!

 

[wdwphanatic]

... but if I were staying at BWV, I'd go over to the Swan/Dolphin pool for a swim. I know it's not a Disney property and I can't recall how strict they are about non-Swan/Dolphin guests using it, but it's a great pool IMO. My family and I stayed there in May and we all thoroughly enjoyed it!

Have a great trip,
Sarah

 

[PamOKW]

Swan/Dolphin isn't part of the DVC pool hopping privilege.

 

[JudyS]

Yeah, the Swan/Dolphin pools aren't included in the DVC pool hopping privileges. But, not a problem -- I'm staying at the Dolphin Friday and Saturday night! (The DVC is very expensive on weekends, so I'm moving to a regular hotel for those two nights.)

I've stayed at the Swan twice before, and I agree, the Swan/Dolphin pool complex is great!

Thanks for all the comments so far!

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

We had dinner at the Poly on our last trip to WDW, my 6 year old nephew wanted to go swiming at the Poly right then...Had to promise him we would pool hop this spring. We may be staying at the BWV and he hasn't been to Luna Park in a while so he may just want to stay there....He did love the Poly.

 

[wdwphanatic]

... I know that the Swan and Dolphin, since they aren't Disney properties, don't qualify for the DVC pool-hopping privilege. I just couldn't remember how strict they were about checking hotel IDs and thought that this might be a fun pool to visit since you'd be in the area... It's great that you'll be staying there on Friday and Saturday, so you'll get to enjoy it anyway, Judy! I've stayed at pretty much all the DVC properties at this point, and boy do I know about the higher point-costs of Friday and Saturday nights! That's why we tried out the Dolphin in May, as a matter of fact!!!

Have a great trip,
Sarah

 

[CarnotaurDad]

Hi Sarah,

In answer to your question, they don't appear strict at all in checking Resort IDs.

We stayed at the Swan in November and were never asked once for an ID when we used their pool.

 

[JudyS]

Oh, if the question is, "Does the Swan/Dolphin check IDs at the pool?" then I think the answer is no. I have never been asked to show my hotel keycard any time at the Swan and Dolphin pools. I mostly swim at night, when there is no lifeguard, but the one time I swam in the day, no one asked for ID.

Actually, the only pool at WDW where I've heard of ID checking is Stormalong Bay.

 

[skiwee1]

Originally posted by JudyS
Oh, if the question is, "Does the Swan/Dolphin check IDs at the pool?" then I think the answer is no. I have never been asked to show my hotel keycard any time at the Swan and Dolphin pools. I mostly swim at night, when there is no lifeguard, but the one time I swam in the day, no one asked for ID.

Actually, the only pool at WDW where I've heard of ID checking is Stormalong Bay.

I've seen it happen twice at the Poly, both times during regular season. Both times the parties were asked to leave. Thankfully.