Is Stormalong Bay Pool Worth it?

[Amy Wiktor]

Husband & I are traveling w/ 14yo, 12yo, 9yo, 5yo (June 2019.) Is the Stormalong Bay Pool still nice? Read a recent comment that it was getting gross and in need of refurbishment? Is it too hard to watch 4 kids since it's so large? Is it annoying b/c it is so crowded there? We are not fans of sand, so is that everywhere you go or can be avoided easily? Debating b/n this and the Poly pool. TIA!

 

[cruisin5]

SAB is nice, very nice. It is certainly not gross, far from it.

It's a very difficult pool for watching kids, it meanders under bridges, around corners. The entrance to the slide is across a public pathway. There is sand on the bottom of the pool; no avoiding that sand! The zero entry/kids section is like a beach with mounds of sand in the shallow parts. Kids dig and play with sand toys in that section, the only way to avoid that sand is to avoid that section of the pool. The zero entry section is on the opposite end of the pool from the slide.

The Poly pools are better for your family.

 

[hildarumpole]

The sand is contained to the shallow area, so if all your kids are comfortable swimming in water over 3 feet, you can avoid it. I'm guessing a 5 yr. old would want to play in the sandy area, regardless of swimming ability. Stormalong Bay gets very crowded and is spread out quite a bit, so can be nerve wracking keeping tabs on kids, especially with a wide age range who may want to play in different areas. With the slide on the other side of the path, it makes it even more cumbersome. Poly pool is more manageable and less messy.

 

[epcotobsessed]

It's great and it does get a little gross at times - I can't figure out what factors go into it being more or less gross. When I say "gross" I mean cloudy water and things floating in the pool, which I have seen on more than one occasion, but most of the time the water is clear and junk-free. The price of a room at BC/YC is often comparable to the price of a room at the Four Seasons and the FS pools are far superior (and I think the BC/YC pools are great, but FS is on another level). The FS pools are always pristine. Just something to consider - I never thought we'd stay off property but we have done a split stay at the FS a few times now and when we're there my kids (14 and 11) couldn't care less about going to the parks - they never want to leave the pools/activities at the FS.

 

[EdnaMarieMode]

When we were there in August, it was crystal clear and the entire pool area was clean. There are several areas to SAB and if your kids stay in one area, it’s easy enough to manage them. Otherwise it’s possible for them to swim out of your sight line. We gave our older kiddos the direction to not leave a particular area to avoid that. If the older two wanted to go on the slide, DH and I split up so one of us went with them.

Only one area has a sand bottom, the rest of it does not. My 2 yo loved sitting on the sand there and playing while his older siblings were free to swim around. We loved being able to comfortably sit on the “floor” there and still be submerged in water while we played there with him. The sand does around a little so yes, other areas of the pool have some sand on the pool floor but it’s not as if the whole pool has a sand bottom (I may not be explaining this well).

 

[stephk1981]

I haven't stayed off site to compare it to off site pools, however between SAB and the Poly pool they both have positives & negatives. With your children's ages, I would vote for SAB. The oldest two are old enough to look after themselves, just tell them what area to stay in and stay together. The 9 year old can go with older two if you feel comfortable, so really you're only needing to follow the 5 yo around. Is SAB relaxing with kids, uh no. BC and Poly are our two favorite resorts, we normally stay at BC twice a year and Poly once a year. The Poly' s pool imo is better for 12 and under.....the older two would still have fun, but my children love the splash play pool at poly. I found your oldest 2 would find it as funny as as SAB.....your younger two would love it though. My DS10 has changed his favorite over the years from poly to BC because of SAB. There are do many fun things to do at SAB. The pool games, pool net, waterfalls, slides, multiple hot tubs etc. I have never seen Polys pool less that super clean, SAB is hit and miss.....not gross, but yes can be cloudy especially in the little ones Sandy pool. The ' whirlpool' part with the current to drag kids around is one of my DS favorite, but literally half the time it's not working. It's easier for me to keep up with DS10 and DD1 at the Poly', but I don't think you'll have a problem. I don't think you can go wrong with either choice though!

 

[Brett Wyman]

We like SAB when the crowds are lower, we’ve done May and a November, but if you’re going during code red weeks it will be overcrowded, and I’m guessing when it’s over crowded is when it gets “gross”. Also if you don’t like normal beach sand because it sticks, the SAB sand isn’t quite the same. You’d don’t have it in your shorts when you get back to the room.

 

[maxiesmom]

It is large, and it is next to impossible to keep your eyes on your kids at all times. Even to get on the large slide you have to walk away from the pool and cross a public sidewalk to get on.

 

[stephk1981]

We like SAB when the crowds are lower, we’ve done May and a November, but if you’re going during code red weeks it will be overcrowded, and I’m guessing when it’s over crowded is when it gets “gross”. Also if you don’t like normal beach sand because it sticks, the SAB sand isn’t quite the same. You’d don’t have it in your shorts when you get back to the room.

I never have in the deeper pools, but both of my children sit in the children' pool in the sand and play....both end up with the large sand crystals in their shorts, and swim diaper....it really irritates DD skin.....so not sticking to the shorts but in them.....eeeewww kind of gross

 

[Princess Mulan]

You will get different responses from everyone. Some people love SAB, and some don’t. Here’s my opinion: SAB is a like a water park, and it’s hard to keep track of kids unless you are within arm’s reach. Yes, it’s beautiful and fun, but it is large. Also, some parts are deceptively deep. For example, the lazy river portion is deep, and I’ve seen children get in over their heads, pun intended, expecting it to be much shallower.

During busy seasons, I’ve seen the lifeguards make multiple rescues in just a 3- or 4-hour span. It’s easy for toddlers and small children to slip or venture into water too deep for them.

For those reasons, I suggest smaller pools, such as those at Boardwalk, Port Orleans French Quarter, etc. Even the Grand Floridian appears more manageable to me. Others might disagree, and that’s ok. That’s why Disneyworld has so many choices of resorts!

 

[GoofyCoaster]

My 5 year old loves the sandy pool at SAB and played there for hours. The sand rinses off easily and doesn’t track into your room and get on everything like actually staying at the beach.

However, because SAB is crowded and so sprawling, it’s not really relaxing. If your idea of pool time is to park yourself on a lounge chair with an adult beverage while you watch a young child play, this isn’t it! You will be standing or following a small child around most of the time.

We like SAB but we actually prefer the pools at Grand Floridian and AKL because they are calmer with better sight lines for watching kids.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Husband & I are traveling w/ 14yo, 12yo, 9yo, 5yo (June 2019.) Is the Stormalong Bay Pool still nice? Read a recent comment that it was getting gross and in need of refurbishment? Is it too hard to watch 4 kids since it's so large? Is it annoying b/c it is so crowded there? We are not fans of sand, so is that everywhere you go or can be avoided easily? Debating b/n this and the Poly pool. TIA!

IMHO, the Poly pool can get just as crowded as SAB. I guess it depends on how much watching your kids need in the pool. The pool areas at SAB are quite split up and if your 5-year old primarily wants to stay in the shallower area, then it may be hard to keep an eye on the other kids unless you and your husband split up. The entrance to the main slide is across a pathway away from the pool. My DS11 is a strong swimmer and I would have zero issues, at this point, letting him go up to the slide by himself and simply wait on the pool deck. Poly is easier to see all kids at one time, but, again, the main pool can get very crowded and there is very little shade. One bonus for Poly, however, is the splash pad for younger children, but, again, you and your husband may have to split up if your 5-year old is in the splash area and the other kids are in the main pool.

I'm just curious how you plan to book your rooms? BC has deluxe rooms that sleep 6 and BCV has two-bedroom villas that will accommodate your family. You could also, of course, book two standard rooms. Poly has bungalows that sleep 8 otherwise, you would have to book two rooms there. I just wanted to make sure you had that info.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I've never been a fan of SAB just because of the crowds. I prefer the leisure pools at BCV/BC.

 

[Brett Wyman]

I've never been a fan of SAB just because of the crowds. I prefer the leisure pools at BCV/BC.

Oasis pool at Poly is our favorite onsite pool. Always 2 minutes from our room(we always ask for Roratonga), a great shallow beach entry, and never too too crowded as the crowds gravitate towards the Lava pool.

 

[Scott MC]

We like SAB when the crowds are lower, we’ve done May and a November, but if you’re going during code red weeks it will be overcrowded, and I’m guessing when it’s over crowded is when it gets “gross”. Also if you don’t like normal beach sand because it sticks, the SAB sand isn’t quite the same. You’d don’t have it in your shorts when you get back to the room.

We’ve been many a time during “Code Red” weeks and never found it overcrowded. Busy? Sure, but we have never found it to be overwhelming. We have also always found it to be crystal clear and sparkling clean. We actually found the main pool at the Polynesian to be extremely overcrowded, and extremely underwhelming! The oasis pool is lovely. The problem is, SAB has spoiled us for all other pools! That said, our other favorite pools are at The Boardwalk and Swan/Dolphin.
I will agree with others however that SAB is a huge pool, so it would not be easy to keep tabs on small children, whereas most other pools put you in a situation where you can see the vast majority of your pool from your lounge chair.

 

[trackchik6]

It's great and it does get a little gross at times - I can't figure out what factors go into it being more or less gross. When I say "gross" I mean cloudy water and things floating in the pool, which I have seen on more than one occasion, but most of the time the water is clear and junk-free. The price of a room at BC/YC is often comparable to the price of a room at the Four Seasons and the FS pools are far superior (and I think the BC/YC pools are great, but FS is on another level). The FS pools are always pristine. Just something to consider - I never thought we'd stay off property but we have done a split stay at the FS a few times now and when we're there my kids (14 and 11) couldn't care less about going to the parks - they never want to leave the pools/activities at the FS.

Can you tell more about what they like at the FS pool? Thanks!

 

[epcotobsessed]

The FS pools are actually just that - multiple pools. There is an over-18 only pool - you can put your 5 and 9yo in the kids' club (and even the 12yo if you want, but probably best to have the 12 and 14yo stick together) and go to it as long as you want. There is a large infinity pool that overlooks the lake that also has a large screen which shows movies. There is a splash pad with lots of sprayers/fountains that is perfect for your 5yo (and even your older kids for a time). There is a huge waterslide and a huge lazy river with waterfalls - much larger than the one at Stormalong Bay. There is a small pool outside the "Hideout" which is different than the kids' club and is filled with all kinds of video games, and this small pool has a volleyball net installed that often has a game going but also can be used for regular swimming, and it connects to the lazy river. It really is a water park unto itself and can easily occupy all of your kids for multiple days. Also, full food and beverage service at all pool locations, which is a great bonus, or there is the walk-up PB&G if you want to get take-out yourself or sit down in your suits.

 

[ColoradoMom12]

We just stayed at Beach Club last week/end. I felt very uncomfortable with the way the water slide is set up. Kids (and adults) have to leave the pool area, cross a public path, and re-enter another gate. I’m sure there are parents (like those of older kids or siblings who have been instructed to stick together) for whom this is not a concern. My daughter is 7. She’s an only child with medical needs; I am a single parent. I wasn’t prepared to do it (I was looking forward to lounging by the pool), but I spent one afternoon very actively engaged in the pool experience.

DD and I rode the water slide repeatedly. When I’d had enough of that, I suggested the lazy river (she and I both loved that!). It was difficult to get two tubes; DD was upset that I wouldn’t let her go around in one tube while I waited for a second, but I didn’t feel comfortable letting her out of my line of sight. So I made her wait. When I told her I needed a break, I instructed her to swim and play in only one particular area where I could see her from my lounger.

It was a far less leisurely pool experience for me than I’ve grown accustomed to at other resorts. I will be more prepared the next time we stay at BC to spend a lot of time in the pool and little time lounging. I wasn’t prepared for how hands-on the pool would be for me, lol. We both had a great time at the pool, though. I thought it was very clean and didn’t find the sand gross the way real beach sand feels. A fun pool, but not a particularly relaxing experience for me. I’ve always told my DD that the pool at the Poly is so, so crowded and I’m not a fan of that, but now that we’ve stayed both places, for a more leisurely pool experience, I will stay at the Poly. That said, we have plans to return to the Beach Club in July, and I can’t wait! It is a really fun pool. Even if I’d been expecting a more relaxing afternoon, I had a great time at Stormalong Bay. I told DD it’s one of my favorite Disney pools!

 

[cruisin5]

I want to add that the quiet pools are not really "quiet". Everyone is welcome.

 

[fairygagamother]

My Grandkids (& I) much prefer evertthing about the Poly. Not just the pool, everything! They actually prefer the quiet pool there but have spent many happy hours at the feature pool. They’re certainly not unhappy at the SAB but it is difficult to watch two, let alone, four kids! Not pool related, but the Poly rooms feel more spacious. Just be sure to request a full balcony or patio if that is your resort choice.