Help me pick a home resort - pool priority

[NaptownMom]

After over a year of hemming and hawing we have decided to take the DVC plunge. We have an 8 yr old girl, a 3 yr old boy, and are expecting another boy any day now. My biggest priority is pools! I've looked up a couple "top pool" lists but they left a lot to be desired in terms of specifics, so I thought I'd ask the experts for opinions.

Thank you!

 

[Ms.Minnie]

Personally I think one of the nicest pools with children in mind would be WL, so that would be BR or CC. As a resort, the WL is really pretty especially at Christmas and is a boat ride to MK. I wouldn't say this is my favorite resort but they do have a really nice kids pool area.

Many people love the pool at BC/YC, it is a nice pool but depending when you travel it can be very busy and hard to keep track of the little ones. Also you have to go outside of the pool area to access the pool slide. On the upside this resort is located in Epcot/HS area, it's an easy walk to Epcot. You can either walk, take the boat or Skyliner to HS. With the age of your children MK is probably the park of choice which would require a bus ride or car.

The pool area at GF looks pretty cool, kids would probably like it. This resort is very conveniently located to MK either by monorail, boat or walkway. This is a beautiful resort no drought but it's not for everyone. My DH for one really doesn't like the feel of this resort so we don't stay there very often.

I have never stayed at SS so I can't comment on the pools there. The pool at RR looks like a standard pool from what I have seen.

I hope this helps a little. Good luck with your choice. I hope you have many years ahead of many magical trips with many wonderful memories.

 

[kilik64]

Lots of videos on youtube of each resort including the pools to help you out as well.

 

[Sandisw]

I love the splash area for little ones at VGF and we enjoyed WL with my grandkids too.

I have not tried others other than adult only.

 

[crail1026]

We recently bought at Grand Floridian for this exact reason! Bonus we love this resort and have many family memories there. When we were considering DVC our top picks were VGF, BWV, and BCV. We love Boardwalk but pool is lackluster, playground is a hit though. Beach Club has probably the best pool on property but honestly better for kids like your 8 year old or older. Plus like someone said it’s HUGE and soon you will have 3 kids and be out numbered LOL. Not that this pool is bad but I can see where a parent of three might get overwhelmed trying to keep track of everyone. Lastly and why we love the Grand Floridian is the 3 different options you have. You have the big main pool, the Mad Hatter splash pad, and the cove pool with water slide. FYI Poly is the same way but only has studios or bungalows so would be a consdieration as well. I would definitely look purchasing where you have lots of option. I know many people like Riviera as well for their pools. Again totally up to you but figured I would give my two cents.

 

[NaptownMom]

Personally I think one of the nicest pools with children in mind would be WL, so that would be BR or CC. As a resort, the WL is really pretty especially at Christmas and is a boat ride to MK. I wouldn't say this is my favorite resort but they do have a really nice kids pool area.

Many people love the pool at BC/YC, it is a nice pool but depending when you travel it can be very busy and hard to keep track of the little ones. Also you have to go outside of the pool area to access the pool slide. On the upside this resort is located in Epcot/HS area, it's an easy walk to Epcot. You can either walk, take the boat or Skyliner to HS. With the age of your children MK is probably the park of choice which would require a bus ride or car.

The pool area at GF looks pretty cool, kids would probably like it. This resort is very conveniently located to MK either by monorail, boat or walkway. This is a beautiful resort no drought but it's not for everyone. My DH for one really doesn't like the feel of this resort so we don't stay there very often.

I have never stayed at SS so I can't comment on the pools there. The pool at RR looks like a standard pool from what I have seen.

I hope this helps a little. Good luck with your choice. I hope you have many years ahead of many magical trips with many wonderful memories.

Thank you for this! Very helpful about the pool slide and struggling to keep track of everyone. That's hard even in a more contained environment!

 

[NaptownMom]

Lots of videos on youtube of each resort including the pools to help you out as well.

Good tip! I will find those.

 

[NaptownMom]

I love the splash area for little ones at VGF and we enjoyed WL with my grandkids too.

I have not tried others other than adult only.

Thank you!

 

[NaptownMom]

We recently bought at Grand Floridian for this exact reason! Bonus we love this resort and have many family memories there. When we were considering DVC our top picks were VGF, BWV, and BCV. We love Boardwalk but pool is lackluster, playground is a hit though. Beach Club has probably the best pool on property but honestly better for kids like your 8 year old or older. Plus like someone said it’s HUGE and soon you will have 3 kids and be out numbered LOL. Not that this pool is bad but I can see where a parent of three might get overwhelmed trying to keep track of everyone. Lastly and why we love the Grand Floridian is the 3 different options you have. You have the big main pool, the Mad Hatter splash pad, and the cove pool with water slide. FYI Poly is the same way but only has studios or bungalows so would be a consdieration as well. I would definitely look purchasing where you have lots of option. I know many people like Riviera as well for their pools. Again totally up to you but figured I would give my two cents.

Ah perfect. Yes I completely agree that I need to worry about getting overwhelmed by tracking them all. Not to gender-stereotype but my son is a real rambunctious escape artist, and with another boy on the way I'm bracing for the worst! We stayed at Riviera once, with just our eldest, and it was wonderful, but you don't know what you don't know...

 

[RoseGold]

To me, this is Beach Club no brainer. Stormalong Bay is a destination. The others are just nice hotel pools. I mean I own VGF and the pool is nice but that isn’t why i would buy it.

Other than Beach Club, there are nicer non-Disney pools that are often cheaper, like bonnet creek or margaritaville.

 

[NaptownMom]

To me, this is Beach Club no brainer. Stormalong Bay is a destination. The others are just nice hotel pools. I mean I own VGF and the pool is nice but that isn’t why i would buy it.

Other than Beach Club, there are nicer non-Disney pools that are often cheaper, like bonnet creek or margaritaville.

You know, what draws me to this one is, it seems like a pool to grow into. My littler kids are too small to take advantage now, but this seems like one to love through their teen and tween years.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

To me, this is Beach Club no brainer. Stormalong Bay is a destination. The others are just nice hotel pools. I mean I own VGF and the pool is nice but that isn’t why i would buy it.

It's such a horrible contract though. Those prices for a 2042 expiration mean it would be financially better to *skip DVC entirely*, invest your money, and stay at Yacht/Beach as a cash guest for the next 20 years.

 

[RoseGold]

It's such a horrible contract though. Those prices for a 2042 expiration mean it would be financially better to *skip DVC entirely*, invest your money, and stay at Yacht/Beach as a cash guest for the next 20 years.

Against a hotel room, maybe. Have you seen the cash prices for anything bigger??? And if this is your priority and where you want to spend your money, then do it. Clearly, there are plenty of people who value SAB to get BC's price as high as it is.

I do think there's a good mathematical argument to be made for renting BC points, though.

If your goal is to be cheap and have a nice pool, then you need to get off property.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I would also say with kids those ages a 2042 is not a great plan unless you really really love BCV, and given the premise of the original question that love is not there.

I wouldn:t buy hoping to fall in love on a 2042.

VGF and CCV are good choices for long contracts with good pools, although CCV you're a 2BR family ($point$). Poly is a fun pool, but has an issue with unit types for a family of 5. The two pools at AKV are a delight, with a great 1BR for a family of 5. SSR has fantastic pools (fite me I am right) and as the kids grow the access to DS is choice.

I actually think there is a lot to say for SSR here,.due to two good kids area pools, good overall pools, and great 1BRs. AKV would probably be my second choice, because while VGF sleeps 5 the points charts at AKV are simply better.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Against a hotel room, maybe. Have you seen the cash prices for anything bigger??? And if this is your priority and where you want to spend your money, then do it. Clearly, there are plenty of people who value SAB to get BC's price as high as it is.

I do think there's a good mathematical argument to be made for renting BC points, though.

If your goal is to be cheap and have a nice pool, then you need to get off property.

OP doesn't seem to have a strong affinity for any resort in particular, beyond "wants a nice pool." BC buyers tend to be hardcore BC people who won't stay anywhere else. Unless you're one of those people yourself, it doesn't make sense to compete against them on price.

IMO, the best value-to-pool-quality buy (outside of Aulani) would be either AKV or buy SSR to stay Poly.

 

[RoseGold]

IMO, the best value-to-pool-quality buy (outside of Aulani) would be either AKV or buy SSR to stay Poly.

Yes, there's an option here of SAP (SSR) and then trying out all the pools. There are so many that are good! For littles, I love Kidani pool, but it's no Stormalong Bay.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

I love Kidani pool, but it's no Stormalong Bay.

Hot take: Stormalong Bay is entirely overrated, especially if you live somewhere with good local beaches.

 

[SG131]

I wouldn't buy anywhere with a 2042 expiration with such a young family unless you have extremely strong feelings about one of those resorts. WL has a great splash pad and nice regular pools, but the studio and 1 bedroom sleep 4 so not ideal for your family. I'd say VGF would probably be my top choice with your family of 5. It has a great splash pad plus good regular pools, and has a little beach area. Poly sleeps 5, but only has studios and their pool can get really packed. I've heard good things about the AK pool, but have not stayed there. They also have a second bathroom in the 1-bedroom units which could be nice down the road.

 

[kc51570]

The pool at Beach Club is great, but as others have said it is very spread out across multiple different areas and it would be difficult to keep track of 3 little kids. You have to constantly get out of the water at one area of the pool and cross a little bridge/walkway to get to another area. The water slide is also a little out of the way from other sections of the pool. I love it there because of the lazy river and convenience to Epcot, but my husband hates it because it is a long walk from the villas.
I really like the pool areas at both Grand Floridian and Animal Kingdom. Kidani has a nice slide and children’s play area. Friends of ours have stayed at Saratoga and love the pools there. We did an overnight there once when our flight was cancelled and all the other rooms were booked. My husband and son really liked the pool area too even though we had very limited time.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Yes, there's an option here of SAP (SSR) and then trying out all the pools. There are so many that are good! For littles, I love Kidani pool, but it's no Stormalong Bay.

Hot take: For littles, trying to keep track of 3 at SAB is horrifying and I'd rather be at VGF where it is easier to do, and can be done with a delicious adult beverage in hand. It's my vacay too!

I think they could try BCV while traveling in off season, especially if they're willing to go 1BR, without the issues of a 2042 resort.