Pools-Crowded?

[catzle]

Are the pools really too crowded to enjoy? I have an 8 year old and 11 year old. The highlight of our Disney trips each year is the pool. Living up north we don't get too many warm days. Just wondering if I should prepare them for not being able to swim but more of just sitting there to cool off. We are going to book at day at the Atlantis just so they can swim.

 

[brucechase]

It depends on the time. A good hint is to have the kids wear their bathing suit when you board and they can go right to the pools and have it all by themselves.

Also since you are on the Wonder, with a day at Atlantis and a day at Castaway Cay, there won't be much time for the pools anyway.

If you are doing Atlantis, then check out the comfort suite at paradise island also. That is what I did when I went and it save me hundreds of $$$. Also look at my trip report in my signature for pictures of Atlantis.

 

[loveysbydesign]

Well...they are crowded at many times...but as far as real swimming goes....they really aren't big enough for that. The Mickey pool isn't deep..only the Goofy one is and it's pretty small. That beiong said my kids still enjoyed the pools when they weren't crowded!

 

[Bellezza2]

My only complaint about the Magic, is the size of the pools. Definitely too small for the number of people on board...

 

[Psychodisney]

Do you have first or second seating for dinner? My kids favorite time is after all the first seating people leave and get ready for dinner. Then they have tthe pool almost to themselves!

 

[glassslipper2004]

We had fun swimming first thing in the morning - super early, before breakfast, before my husband wanted to get out of bed. My girls and I threw on our suits, then after a swim went and had breakfast outside... it was lovely!

During the day the pools were mobbed, unfortunately. This was a little bit of a disappointment, but there were so many other things to do it didn't matter too much. And you get lots of swimming in during the Castaway Cay day!

 

[Jerry@dvcstore]

The pools do get crowded but it's still fun to sit around and watch the activities. I think the pools were designed more for a dip to cool off in, not for swimming.

 

[flexsmom]

This is one of the reasons that my family enjoys waving "bye-bye" to all of the people who leave the ship on at least one port day if not more during our cruise! We have so much fun on port days ON the ship - it is very empty and we get time for ping-pong, pools, and all of that with not much of a crowd.

 

[tvguy]

We never found time to even try to use the pools, too busy doing other things!!

 

[dsneygirl]

We did the 3 day last year and stayed on the ship in Nassau which was great for DS in the Mickey pool. As it got busy later in the day there were not enough chairs around the Mickey pool. However I was right at the side watching my child not lounging on a chair, I just asked a family if I could stash my gear under their chairs out of the way and they had no problem with that.

The goofy pool was much less crowded.

 

[Goofy Mum]

What about the adult only pool? What's the pool and pool area like? I've never really seen pictures of these areas.

 

[brucechase]

Here are pics of the pools as soon as we got on. You might be able to tell the size.

Mickey pool

Goofy pool

Goofy pool

Adult pool

Adult pool

Crew Member pool

Castaway Cays "pool"

Sorry, no pictures of everyone in the pool, we didn't have a lot of time to use it on our cruises.


And also, the pools are fresh water pools, not salt water like on other ships.


Hope this helps.

 

[camarks1234]

Yes, that is our one and only complaint about the Disney ships. The Mickey pool is great for little ones, but the Goofy pool is way too small. I personally LOVE the adult pool, very relaxing and wonderful if you can get away from the kids for awhile I definitely rec. checking out the adult pool.

 

[Goofy Mum]

Thanks BruceChase for posting the pics! The adult area looks so nice and relaxing!
My kids aren't big swimmy kids but I think my 5 year old will love the Mickey splash pool.

 

[Psychodisney]

We've never shared the adult pool with more than 3 or 4 people(a spring break cruise, a summer cruise and a fall cruise). Occassionally you might have company in the hot tubs but overall very relaxing and uncrowded.

 

[redboxcar]

Is it just me or does the crew member pool look like it holds about 4 people max?

 

[aidtrismommy]

It depends when you go on your cruise. We went in August and the pools were crowded every day and they were not cool. They were warm and I could hardly move in the Goofy pool without touching someone. The adult pool would be cool for a little bit and I could actually swim in there. On sea days, all pools were packed solid. I am sure there are more factors to consider when thinking about this. I wish the pools were bigger on the Magic too, at least the Goofy pool.

 

[Goofy Mum]

Is it just me or does the crew member pool look like it holds about 4 people max?

4 people only if they're playing a game of chicken!
I'm pretty sure my bathtub is bigger!