To spur off of this blog post. Rank the best DVC resort for pool days?

[VGCgroupie]

I've only been to VGC once, with trips 2 and 3 coming soon, but in general I just don't go to the pools

ETA: This will make my refusal to shower there an even stronger protest

lmaoooo

 

[kilik64]

• Best slide - Paddock Pool SSR
• Best for little kids - Poly, that splash play area is really good
• Best for big kids - Stormalong Bay
• Best overall experience - Paddock pool
• Best bang for your points (maybe having access to more than 1 pool is a better value, (AKV, CCV and ?) - SSR, has two pools with slides, kids water play areas. Has a semi quiet pool in grandstand with a water aree for kids, and 1 fully quiet pool at Congress Park. Has a lower overall points chart vs say Poly and not as crazy crowded at any one pool since there are more options.
• Worst overall experience - BLT, that pool just sucks.

All based on where I have stayed so far.

 

[CarolynFH]

I like that Saratoga has 2 pools.

SSR has 4 pools (5 if you count the one at the Treehouses) - 2 with slides (High Rock Springs and the Paddock pool) and 3 without. And at least 2 splash pads, maybe more (I haven't traveled with splash pad age kids "yet" so haven't paid attention).

 

[VGCgroupie]

SSR has 4 pools (5 if you count the one at the Treehouses) - 2 with slides (High Rock Springs and the Paddock pool) and 3 without. And at least 2 splash pads, maybe more (I haven't traveled with splash pad age kids "yet" so haven't paid attention).

Get out! 5? Can you use the treehouse one if not staying in the treehouses?

 

[CarolynFH]

Get out! 5? Can you use the treehouse one if not staying in the treehouses?

I'm not sure, but I don't see why. The Treehouses are one of the SSR neighborhoods, but it's a little awkward to get to - separate bus or long walk.

 

[kilik64]

SSR has 4 pools (5 if you count the one at the Treehouses) - 2 with slides (High Rock Springs and the Paddock pool) and 3 without. And at least 2 splash pads, maybe more (I haven't traveled with splash pad age kids "yet" so haven't paid attention).

There's 3 kids splash areas, Grandstand has one with the horses thing.

 

[CarolynFH]

There's 3 kids splash areas, Grandstand has one with the horses thing.

View attachment 963407

Thanks!! We haven't needed one - yet - and I knew Paddock and Grandstand had one but for some reason wasn't sure whether HRS had one or not!

If I were taking young kids to WDW in swimming months, SSR would be my prime choice of resorts. Forget the parks, just take 'em to a different pool/splash pad every day!

 

[VGCgroupie]

Thanks!! We haven't needed one - yet - and I knew Paddock and Grandstand had one but for some reason wasn't sure whether HRS had one or not!

If I were taking young kids to WDW in swimming months, SSR would be my prime choice of resorts. Forget the parks, just take 'em to a different pool/splash pad every day!

Yes and I feel like much more relaxing than the water parks for the adults Id guess

 

[AstroBlasters]

Im sure this has been brought up before but I cannot find it. I distinctly remember a thread rating the DVC slides (I cannot find that one either)

Saw this bog post and wondered what everyone's take is on the best DVC resort for strictly pool days.
https://www.wdwinfo.com/walt-disney-world/the-3-worst-pools-at-walt-disney-world/

Rank

• Best slide
• Best for little kids
• Best for big kids
• Best overall experience
• Best bang for your points (maybe having access to more than 1 pool is a better value, (AKV, CCV and ?)
• Worst overall experience

1) Aulani open air slide
2) Aulani bridge slide
3) Aulani open air slide
4) Aulani open air slide
5) Aulani
6) Everything besides Aulani

 

[kilik64]

Thanks!! We haven't needed one - yet - and I knew Paddock and Grandstand had one but for some reason wasn't sure whether HRS had one or not!

If I were taking young kids to WDW in swimming months, SSR would be my prime choice of resorts. Forget the parks, just take 'em to a different pool/splash pad every day!

You get it.

Easy to get to them too, just hop on a bonus and ride to that area.

Not to mention High Rock Springs, Paddock and Grandstand have their own bar/snack area (grandstand might not always be open but should be in the summer).

 

[CarolynFH]

Yes and I feel like much more relaxing than the water parks for the adults Id guess

Well, I didn't get to try it, but the slide at Paddock looked like a lot of fun. Maybe not as fun as the one at BWV, but if I were taking kids to the pool I'd try it for sure!

 

[radiodome21]

I love pool time. We’ve always done pool breaks in the middle of the day when it’s too hot to be in the parks. Great way to cool off and it important to us.

Favorite: Poly. Enjoyed it immensely. Looking forward to visiting it again in the fall. I can’t give an honest answer about SAB because when I was there I spent most of the time at the bar with my siblings while our kids swam. We had plans to swim but it was really hot out and baseball was on the TV. It was a good time though and the kids loved it. I spent more time at one of the quiet pools which I loved because it was empty. And Thought BRV pool was really good too last month. VGF in January was empty and the water was cold. We’ll be there in July so I’ll get to spend more time there. Excited to try it. I know my kids are.

Least favorite: I would say the Disneyland Hotel. We stayed there a few months before VDH opened but it was packed and hard to get seating at. I still liked it but of all the pools I’ve been too it was my least favorite. I did like BWV too. We were there in February 2020. It was cold and pretty empty but I liked it.

 

[The Jackal]

We haven’t stayed at all WDW DVC resorts yet. I will say the most disappointing because it is small is BLT. AKL pool has a tiny slide, while AKV has the nice big one. Other than that they all seem to be on the same level. I say that having not gone to BCV. But I will say I’m not a big fan of sand getting everywhere. I’ll go to the beach, but that sand follows you around for a month after.

 

[kilik64]

We haven’t stayed at all WDW DVC resorts yet. I will say the most disappointing because it is small is BLT. AKL pool has a tiny slide, while AKV has the nice big one. Other than that they all seem to be on the same level. I say that having not gone to BCV. But I will say I’m not a big fan of sand getting everywhere. I’ll go to the beach, but that sand follows you around for a month after.

It’s not real sand and I don’t remember it being big deal of getting all over your skin either.

 

[Hubalorian]

• Best slide - BCV/Stormalong bay
• Best for little kids - AKV - Kidani
• Best for big kids - Stormalong Bay
• Best overall experience - CCV
• Best bang for your points (maybe having access to more than 1 pool is a better value, (AKV, CCV and ?) - AKV, especially if you’re able to snag a value room
• Worst overall experience - BLT

 

[Dobermanns]

1) Aulani open air slide
2) Aulani bridge slide
3) Aulani open air slide
4) Aulani open air slide
5) Aulani
6) Everything besides Aulani

I was just about to list the same for 1-5!

I haven’t stayed in all DVC resorts yet so can’t really answer #6.

Best loungers: VGC hands down! The cushions are probably 3 inches thick. Super comfy! The slide is fun. A cabana day at VGC is a treat in and of itself

Since I have no kids, and often travel solo, I find the RIV adult pool to be most relaxing. I love VGF as much as RIV (as a resort), but every time I am at the VGF pools I wish I were at RIV.

 

[AstroBlasters]

I was just about to list the same for 1-5!

I haven’t stayed in all DVC resorts yet so can’t really answer #6.

Best loungers: VGC hands down! The cushions are probably 3 inches thick. Super comfy! The slide is fun. A cabana day at VGC is a treat in and of itself

Since I have no kids, and often travel solo, I find the RIV adult pool to be most relaxing. I love VGF as much as RIV (as a resort), but every time I am at the VGF pools I wish I were at RIV.

We really liked the VGF “quiet pool”.

 

[ClaraOswald]

We really liked the VGF “quiet pool”.

Is that the one nearest the the villas building?
I'm trying to convince my husband we should try to stay at VGF someday (villa building, not the BPK building.) After a couple more BRV stays, I may be able to get him to give up ONE trip to another DVC resort.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Is that the one nearest the the villas building?
I'm trying to convince my husband we should try to stay at VGF someday (villa building, not the BPK building.) After a couple more BRV stays, I may be able to get him to give up ONE trip to another DVC resort.

The one by the villas has a giant rock waterfall and slide… definitely not the quiet pool!

The “quiet” pool at VGF is quite large and very nice though. Pool bar with food, comfy lounge chairs, etc.

 

[ClaraOswald]

The one by the villas has a giant rock waterfall and slide… definitely not the quiet pool!

The “quiet” pool at VGF is quite large and very nice though. Pool bar with food, comfy lounge chairs, etc.

Thanks. I know next to nothing about VGF. The most I've ever even seen of the Grand Floridian is just what can be seen while riding the monorail. I've never even walked around there or anything.