Resort pools - Shade & pool parties?

[soarinfan]

We're doing an adult trip to Disney World and we'd like a resort with a nice quiet pool, preferably with some shade, in a deluxe resort. We plan to spend a lot of time there relaxing, and we don't like the noise of the pool parties. Plus we'd prefer not to be in direct sun all day, so we need some consistent shade.

We often stay in Port Orleans Riverside and their quiet pools are great, but we'd like to stay in a deluxe for this visit.

What would you guys recommend?

I read that Animal Kingdom Lodge pool parties might be low key because the animals are nearby. Can you tell me if that's true? What's the noise level for their pool activities?

Thanks!

 

[AliceIn]

The Grand Floridian's quiet pool is actually quite large and has a hot tub nearby. The quiet pool there is actually larger than the feature pool, and it's got tons of chairs available around the pool deck. There is a drink station there as well, so you'd be set for cool drinks. This sounds like your perfect fit.

This page shows the Courtyard quiet pool and the areas around it, including the shady areas:

http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/walt_disney_world/resorts/gand_floridian/

 

[Kimberle]

The animals aren't close to the AKL (Jambo) pool. I'm pretty sure loud pool parties are the "norm" now at all the deluxe mail pools.

 

[shalom]

We often stay in Port Orleans Riverside and their quiet pools are great, but we'd like to stay in a deluxe for this visit.

I've heard the Beach Club and Yacht Club quiet pools are particularly quiet because Stormalong Bay is such a draw. Looking at the map I would guess there'd be shady areas with the Yacht Pool in particular, but we haven't stayed there so it's a guess.

 

[FantasiaMagic]

BC quiet pool is very nice. Every time I have visited the BC for dinner there was really never many people out there. When its not under construction lol, Poly also has a nice quiet pool, and I believe BW does too. There are probably more, these are just the ones I've heard/seen

 

[PlainJane]

We're doing an adult trip to Disney World and we'd like a resort with a nice quiet pool, preferably with some shade, in a deluxe resort. We plan to spend a lot of time there relaxing, and we don't like the noise of the pool parties. Plus we'd prefer not to be in direct sun all day, so we need some consistent shade.

We often stay in Port Orleans Riverside and their quiet pools are great, but we'd like to stay in a deluxe for this visit.

What would you guys recommend?

I read that Animal Kingdom Lodge pool parties might be low key because the animals are nearby. Can you tell me if that's true? What's the noise level for their pool activities?

Thanks!

I can attest to AKL still having the pool parties. They are not quieter either. I would not recommend AKL for this pursuit because their are no quiet pools at the resort.

Your best options for quiet pools, I think, are at BWI and YC. I'm not completely certain about the shade question. You would have to find some recent pictures. These pools are more off the beaten path (especially YC), and they don't get as much traffic as a result. They also do not have the parties.

 

[Sue M]

I think AKL would be your worst choice because they don't have quiet pool. All the other deluxe do. Poly quiet pool will be closed after main pool opens.
I'd just choose the resort that appeals to you. IMO all the pools in WDW could use more umbrellas.
We thought GF had the best quiet pool, large and zero entry. Only thing that annoyed me is the people who would bring towels into zero entry area and roll them up for their head as a pillow to lay in the shallows, then just leave them in the pool when done. Rude.

 

[soarinfan]

Thanks everyone!

Sue and others, I see that GF quiet pool has a small building with an overhang. Do you think they would let us drag a couple chairs under the overhang?

Also, I see that there's beach seating. Years ago I saw they had those things for shade on the beach that look like a half shell. Do they still have those?

Is that beach area with the lounge chairs and half shells near the main pool?

 

[Wood Nymph]

The best quiet pool with plenty of shade is the Hidden Springs pool at the Wilderness Lodge. The pool has more shade than sun. This is my favorite quiet pool.

 

[soarinfan]

Hi Wood Nymph,

I stayed at Wilderness Lodge about 1 1/2 years ago, and planned to use the Hidden Springs pool but the entire guest area was fully in the sun whenever I went there. Maybe it was the time of year, but it just didn't work for us.

The main pool there has a fairly new fabric overhang that creates nice shade, but then you have that incredibly loud pool party noise.

 

[x5x5x5x5x5]

I love the Congress Park (at Saratoga Springs) quiet pool and the Boardwalk Inn quiet pool (near the cottages,, not to be confused with the Boardwalk Villas quiet pool - which is nice but we prefer the other one). Both have softly piped in music that is jazzy and soothing - like 20's music - and both are very pretty. There is not a huge amount of shade at either - but they both have sections with trees around them and umbrellas so you are likely to find shade when you need it. Couple that with the fact that they are rarely used (in our experience) and you'll have a relaxing pool day. As mentioned above, the Grand Flo is also a good option.