Suggest a DVC-resort pool to help us decide where to stay

[peacefrogdog]

My kids are at the age when they're starting to really enjoy swimming in the pool.

Last year we stayed at SSR. We stayed at Grandstand, but liked the short walk to the main pool, liked the zero-entry and the water-play area of the Grandstand pool. Kids then were too young to enjoy the water slide.

We just stayed at Beach Club Villas. My 7 yr old daughter tried the waterslide for the first time and loved it. My twin 5 yr olds liked the smaller water slide in the ship area, and everyone loved the whirlpool part of the main pool.

After our New Year's stay at Kidani, we are tentative planning our next DVC trip for Jan 2011 and thinking of where we'd like to stay. We'd like to try each resort before repeating at one we'd stay at before. We likely won't be doing much of the parks but plan to spend lots of time at our resort and the pool. Based on that, bearing in mind my kids will be 8, 6 and 6 by then (the 8 year old will likely be quite comfortable with swimming/slids, the 6 yr olds will likely just be starting to swim) what pools would you recommend for us?

Please factor in size of pool, slides, amenities (e.g. poolside bar), proximity to villas and pool theming.

The choices (based on how we want to try a new resort):
Boardwalk villas
Bay Lake Tower
Villas of wilderness Lodge
Old Key West

 

[BraveMom3]

Have not stayed at BLT, and did not use the pool at OKW last summer for first time there. Don't know how that happened! We were only there for the first 4 days of our 2 week trip and we were park hopping a lot during the day, so I guess we just didn't make it to the pool. Also, the fact that it is not near the accomodations may have been a factor. We stay at VWL for part of every trip and love the pool area. It is not the biggest pool or slide, but the atmosphere is very homey and welcoming. I do not care for the BW pool. I never feel comfortable there, for some reason.

We love Stormalong Bag at BCV. Only drawback is the distance to the pool bar for drinks and/or snacks. They also have a nice sandy area with shallow water for small children to play, but the pool area is really large and was difficult for me to keep up with my 3 children when they were small and I was only adult there. Really enjoyed the pool at AKL. It sort of reminds me of pool at VWL plus it has the zero-entry which is good for the little ones.

 

[JimC]

SAB at BC/YC is probably the best pool on property. WL pool would be second, then Poly, then maybe AKL and AKV. After that I might go back to the monorail resorts and go to GF.

 

[Deb & Bill]

SAB at BC/YC is probably the best pool on property. WL pool would be second, then Poly, then maybe AKL and AKV. After that I might go back to the monorail resorts and go to GF.

But Coronado Springs also has a great pool, though it's not a DVC resort.

 

[DenLo]

It has been reported numerous times that the pool at BLT is great because it has the larger slide for older children and adults and a smaller slide for younger children. It also has the zero entry at one end. For variety you can also go over to CR and use their pool.

I understand the community hall is small but sell stocked and the scheduled activities are very entertaining. Also the restaurants at CR are varied and great for families. And even you don't have an MK view your family can always go to TOTW and see the fireworks.

 

[JimC]

But Coronado Springs also has a great pool, though it's not a DVC resort.

I've stayed there, but for some reason that pool never caught on with me. It left me feeling that the imagineers were not doing their best work -- like a half-hearted execution of a concept.

 

[Anal Annie]

Personally, my thoughts are if you're going in January you may or may not have a lot of good pool weather so I wouldn't base a winter trip on the pool. We DO consider it for summer trips tho. We went only once in January & had 1 afternoon that finally hit the low 70's so we quick ran to the pool. Actually, we stayed in the hot tub the whole time 'cuz it really wasn't THAT warm out. I would say for a winter trip to try VWL. It is very cozy & has lots of fireplaces, rocking chairs & warm earthy tones - EXCELLENT for that winter lodge feeling. It is also convenient to MK via water taxi & with little ones I assume you'll be there a lot. The pool is nice, not the best one on site but you just had that at BCV. It is a fabulous resort but I think particularly good for a January trip.

 

[dgaston]

Personal opinion -- wimpy pool slides at AKV Jambo and VWL. Loved Kidani pool, volcano pool at Poly (even tho no hot tub). CSR is one of the few pools I have hopped to -- love the huge hot tub, and the Jaguar slide.

I doubt that my views will help you decide, but good luck.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Given your choices, I would pick VWL or BLT. Our DGC enjoy all pool slides, and I agree with Anal Annie, that for a January trip, swimming could be a pipe dream, and in Florida in chilly weather, VWL is the one place that I would want to be. The entrance to the Spring pool, which I think is fun in itself, and the hot tub associated with it, is very very close to the VWL!

I would pick BLT for the nearness to MK and I understand it has a great pool. We actually going to try it with our DGC, 5,6 and 7 this January.

Bobbi

 

[spiceycat]

since you are coming from canada - you might be able to swim.

been in all the pools

would suggest blt because of the zero entry. that say it is the smallest of them.

VWL does not have a slide - but WL does (you can use it)

bwv - despite owning there - really hate that clown. it has a pretty good slide.

OKW has the castle slide. which might appeal to your kids.

oKW also has the most other pools. So you can get to one easily.

of course with VWL & BLT being in one building that is not a real problem.

BWV is one building too - but some units are along walk to the main pool.

 

[starbox]

FWIW - BWV has my least favorite pool of all the resorts - I just don't like the way it is set up at all. Very few pool chairs actually around the pool - which made it hard to get a spot where you could easily keep an eye on the kids. The slide looks like it would be fun, but the ridges where the tubes connect hurt our behinds. No mug refill spot.

I'd say go for OKW, because there's a decent slide and a convenient mug refill spot and community hall. Also, a quick boat-ride will let you pool-hop to SSR and PORFQ/POR pools.

SAB is our favorite pool (although I don't like the slide because it's a lay-down slide), followed by Kidani. Zero Entry is a huge plus for me. CBR has the best pool slide at Disney in terms of SPEED and theme though - worth a pool hop if you are a pool slide junkie.

 

[spiceycat]

blt is on the monrail so easy to pool hop to Polyn or GF or WL for that matter.

you can't pool hop to BLT - though think you still can to CR.

 

[Tigger031266]

Its a close call. All those pools are about the same so I would not pick my resort based on those 4. SAB is clearly the best.

Out of the 4 and like I say it is close, I would go with VWL because it has pretty with the rocks, has some unsual currents with the water coming into the pool by the rocks and has great theming. It has some good areas for kids learning to swim. When my kids were learning, there is a deep section that is about 20 ft across. A good place for kids to learn to swim. VWL is a bit smaller than BW or OKW.

BLT is great too but the pool seems slightly smaller that some others

Boardwalk is nice and large

OKW has a cool sand castle and is very large too but can be a ways from your hotel room.