Pool day resort for young kids?

[pam2girls]

I have a 6 yr, 3 yr, and 8 mos. old girls. I was wondering which resort to stay at for just one day. We will be offsite for 5 days then would like to end trip with one resort day. Considering with discount codes AKL, CBR, POR, POFQ or one of the All Stars.
Which one do you think? Never stayed at anything except ASMo which we liked OK.

I will have a little one probably playing on the floor too so cleanliness is important too. As well as a good pool for younger kids, mild not wild slide. Animals are good but can't splurge for the savannah view only standard. If you have stayed at these resorts, can you address my concerns. thank you so much.

 

[Kermit]

I'd choose PO-FQ. The slide there is really neat, and you could also walk over to POR for even more variety.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Reminder, check-in time is 3PM and check out time is 11 AM. That won't give you a lot of time for swimming, unless you don't do anything else.

But I agree with PO-FQ. The pool is really fun and none of the buildings are very far from the pool. You have two double beds here.

 

[Kermit]

You can actually use the pool before you get your room and after you check in. You can check in as early as you want; your room just may not be ready for a while. There are dressing rooms with showers at the pool, so have a daybag with you if you'll be using the pool before you get your room or after you have to leave it.

 

[DeeP]

I would say AKL because they have a zero depth entry pool which will be great for your baby, also your kids will love all the animals. AKL is a beautiful resort and you can easily spend the entire day without going to the parks and have plenty to do. Also listen to the storytellers at night around the fire they are very interesting.

 

[Gillian]

Here's another vote for AKL! I think it's a great place to relax. The pool is nice for little ones. The slide didn't look scary. There is laundry nearby, and 2 hot tubs.

The nice thing about AKL is that everything is right there. If you need to run back to the room to change the baby, it's not that far away. I would ask for a room close to the lobby though, because some rooms are way out on the ends of the wings.

 

[vicb]

I can't comment on any of those pools as we've only been to Poly and BWI but I agree with Kermit's advice to try checking in early and if your room isn't ready have a day bag to take to the pool. It is just fine to do so! Sounds like a fun plan for your family.

 

[Janet2k]

I love the pool area at the AKL. And the AKL has the best pool bathrooms out of any of the resorts that I have stayed in -- they're huge, clean, and include three or four shower stalls, too. I think there is also a hair dryer over near the sink area (I do believe they have thought of just about everything).

Here are some photos: AKL Kiddie Pool, Pool Slide and Main Pool Area.

 

[JennSaint]

My boys really enjoyed AKL's pool! The slide is mild and zero dept entry is great for little ones! And even without a Savannah View room you'll still see the animals!

 

[flagal]

I checked out the AKL shower/locker rooms in anticipation of having a "pool day" after our stay, and they were new, clean and spacious. For stuff you want to stash, there are coin lockers available ($1, I think). You're also right near the food court (Mara). When we visited, there was a towel cart near the area as well. Our kids also loved the slide and zero-depth area. Lounges seemed to be plentiful as well, both in the shade and the sun.

All the way in the back area of the pool, there is an animal viewing area. Flamingoes and other birds hang out in the water, and we've seen giraffes there as close as 30 feet away. We've frequently found a savannah guide standing back there, and they've been wonderful - patient, kind and such wonderful sources of information for our young sons, who always have a million questions about the animals.

One other AKL piece of info: If you're there about noon or 12:30, ask a guide to point you to a spot where you can see the animals as they go to the barn for their midday feeding and checkups. We were guided to the very end of the horseshoe-shaped part of the resort (on the right of the map, I believe) and went there on the first day we visited. We heard the signal, and saw a wonderful procession of animals, including wildebeasts.

 

[pam2girls]

Thank you all for the wonderful information and photos too.

I have been leaning towards AKL. The pool shower info is great that way we can check in early and have more time at the resort.

Thank you so much!

 

[Beanie]

Another vote for AKL! The zero depth entry was great for my 2 1/2 year old who I am teaching to swim! She loved it!! I also agree with Janet about the bathrooms that are poolside...they are so incredibly clean and huge!! DH and I loved the AKL pool because it was open 24 hours! LOL

Have a wonderful time wherever you decide to stay!!

 

[DisneyKidds]

I'll throw WL into the ring. This is the most relaxing of all the WDW resorts and would be the perfect place to spend a day unwinding.

The resort is beautiful to see. The main pool is very nice. A bubbling fountain in the lobby comes out of the hotel, water cascading over a waterfall, then flowing into the pool. The slide is nice (but not as good as other pools). A highlight of the WL pool area is the kiddie pool. It is huge - I have yet to see a kiddie pool as large at any other WDW resort. It would be perfect for your 3 yo and 8 mo. Our 3 yo DD's favorite thing to do is make friends in the WL kiddie pool. The guyser is very neat - the kids get a kick out of it. The ducks that swim in the pool are really cute. There are daily activities in the afternoon for the kids (duck races, beach games, arts and crafts, etc - all free) that most other resorts don't offer. The Hidden Springs quiet pool over on the Villas side is the most relaxing pool we have found in all of WDW (and we have stayed in most WDW resorts). The hot tub over there is wonderful. You can rent water sprites from the marina (lots of fun). You can take a nature walk (or rent bikes and ride) to Ft. Wilderness, where you can find a petting farm and pony rides, as well as Chip and Dales Campfire Singalong in the evening. There are just so many options for spending a day at the WL. There are bathrooms and showers available over by the health club near the Hidden Springs pool.

Second choice (that no one else mentioned) would be the Beach Club. Storm Along Bay is by far the best pool area in WDW. While not zero entry, it has a very shallow end with a sand bottom - very neat. The slide is wonderful - one of the best. The resort and pool is very bustling (as opposed to the WL). You are close to the BW for a diversion.