Compare the Pools at AKV, SSR, BLT, and BWV

[mrsclark]

My dad and stepmom are planning to take my stepbrother, his wife, their three children and DH, our two children and me to WDW next year. We have narrowed the choice of resorts down to AK, SSR, BLT, and BWV. Please post your thoughts on the pools at those resorts. For background, the ages of the children will be approximately 1-1/2, 3, 8, 10, and 16. The adults range in age from 38-73.

 

[CarolynFH]

AKV-Kidani gets a lot of praise for the overall pool area and the water play area for the littles, plus you can use the Jambo pool too. I personally think the BWV pool has the best slide, but I’m not sure about the water play area. Haven’t been to BLT or SSR pools.

 

[Nabas]

The BLT pool is terrible. It's much too small and has no character.

The SSR pool is a good pool, somewhere in the middle of all pools.

The BWV pool is large and has the (IMO) best water slide at any resort.

At AKV, the Jambo House pool is large and surrounded by many chairs and lush greenery.

At AKV, the Kidani pool is very good but much too small - it's often difficult to find a seat there.

For a pool, my choice would be AKV-Jambo or BWV.

However, because of its location, I'd go with BWV.

 

[CarolynFH]

BTW SSR has three pools, and you can use any and all of them if you’re staying there. I just don’t know the details!

 

[808blessing]

AKV -K has a small kids structure in addition to pool, lots of shady chairs and games. Structure is great for the littles.

 

[The Jackal]

BTW SSR has three pools, and you can use any and all of them if you’re staying there. I just don’t know the details!

There are 4 pools at SSR and 1 in the Treehouse Villas. There is the main feature pool at the main building, Paddock pool which is also a feature pool, Grandstand pool and the Congress Park pool.

 

[Nabas]

BTW SSR has three pools, and you can use any and all of them if you’re staying there. I just don’t know the details!

Most of the SSR pools are small.

We like the one that overlooks the lake - it's quiet and has a cool view of Disney Springs.

BWV has a quiet pool, and the Boardwalk Inn also has quiet pool that we have used.

 

[808blessing]

Boardwalk slide is awesome, games too. There is a playground right near the pool area for the littles.

 

[mrsclark]

I should add that we have stayed at SSR and BWV, but didn’t use the pools during our stays. We stayed at AKL but our last stay there was almost 12 years ago!

 

[limace]

We’ve stayed at two of those-AKV and BW-and much preferred the AKV pools. The greenery around the Jambo pool is so lovely, especially if you need some shade like me .

 

[purpliequeen]

AKL - People like Kidani's interactive play area. No kids here, so can't speak to it, but it does look fantastic. Jambo pool is awesome. It's huge & beautiful. Looks like a watering hole (I think that's what they're going for)? There's also a cool scavenger hunt - you gotta get the instructions in the lobby, but the hunt takes you out into the pool area too.

BWV - I haven't been to the pool since they removed the clown. Personally, I didn't care for the clown. As such, I didn't really care for the pool. It's large and fun. Echo people on the slide.

SSR - The cool thing about SSR is that there are many pools here. The Paddocks & Springs are the most interactive. Springs' games & music were hopping this past week. The Paddocks has a great QS. If you aren't feeling the crowds/noise or if your villa is far from these two pools, each community has its own pool. I used Congress Park's two days ago and it was very nice - large & had a little jacuzzi. There were children, but they were very respectful & parents were watching them.

BLT - This is probably the least thematic pool on Disney property. I'm not sure what they were thinking when they designed this. Perhaps they weren't. The only positive I can think of is the view - gorgeous views of Bay Lake. This pool & Contemporary's reminds me of a typical apt building pool. Nothing to write home. The only thing I remember is that the music was good. I think it was 90's. They were playing Hootie & the Blowfish. Husband and I got a kick out of it. Perhaps they changed the playlist from 2011 by now.

 

[Doberge]

AKV has a more variety with a great kids splash area at Kidani, it and Poly are our favorites for young kids. Jambo's pool is also nice and may be more appealing to the teens. Kidani has a nice pool bar and we were happy with the options. Jambo I don't remember buy surely must have a pool bar. The quick service is also right by the pool and is usually pretty good. Therefore, AKL has the best options for food and drink near pools.

BWV has a great main pool for kids. The slide is great and rivals Beach Club slide, but Boardwalk's is better for kids because it's contained to the pool area and one doesn't leave the complex to access. Boardwalk's quiet pool is maybe the most plain on property but it does get points for being right outside the community hall. Main pool bar is also nice but is more limited than having Jambo's quick service so close.

Saratoga's pools are totally okay. Nothing stands out but they're also not bad. They have okay slides, okay sizes, and okay themes. The main pool is close to quick service and the at least one of the secondary pools had an attached bar and grill.

I have no experience with the BLT pool.

I'd choose between Boardwalk and AKL. I love both and choose between the goals of my trip. AKL has incredible theming and is the better "resort" but EPCOT (and Boardwalk) will be so hot with new Ratatouille ride, new fireworks show, and possibly new Guardians ride by the time you travel.

 

[justadreamaway77]

Kidani pool will be under refurbishment next year from January to April.