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

[AstroBlasters]

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.

You should watch some YouTube videos

 

[ClaraOswald]

You should watch some YouTube videos

I've watched some with the villas rooms but that's about it so far.

 

[Genie+]

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 Beach themed pool area is closer to the villas building.

The other pool (Courtyard Pool) is by Big Pine Key. That building has 3 sides with balconies (4th side is staircases). You’ll know which side of the building you’ll get by the room category booked.

Resort View - Generally speaking, overlooks the Courtyard Pool

Lake View (now Preferred View) - Looking across 7 Seas Lagoon, tilted toward Poly

Theme Park View - Looking across the water at MK

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.

https://touringplans.com/hotel_maps/the-villas-at-disneys-grand-floridian-resort-and-spa


We enjoy BPK’s convenience to the amenities we use most frequently.


The original DVC building is the closest you can get to Poly (that’s the T shaped building toward the bottom). It’s also where anything bigger than a studio is located. Those studios also have the second half bath like Poly Longhouse studios.

 

[ClaraOswald]

I've read that the rooms at BPK have very thin walls, which was why I don't think it would be a good place for us. Looks like the pool closer to the villas has the zero-depth entry, which our son really seems to enjoy. (I like it too...gives me a nice "beachy" vibe.)

 

[Genie+]

I've read that the rooms at BPK have very thin walls, which was why I don't think it would be a good place for us. Looks like the pool closer to the villas has the zero-depth entry, which our son really seems to enjoy. (I like it too...gives me a nice "beachy" vibe.)

So far we’ve tried 5 different rooms in BPK and haven’t had any noise issues. The only ‘considerable’ noise was a grandpa with 3 kids under 10yo next door, and it was just 15 minutes while they popped in midday.

I think the main issue isn’t the resort as much as it is the connecting door neighbor. The 3 times (over 20 stays) I’ve ever heard my neighbors, it was always the room on the other side of connecting door. Since BPK is 95% connecting studios, maybe that’s why people equate it a higher incidence. I’m not sure. The only other times I could hear my neighbors were at Beach Club and OKW… through the connecting door area.

ETA - I should add that more often than not we had connecting doors, and the majority of those stays our neighbors were not heard.

 

[Brian Noble]

OKW… through the connecting door area.

The OKW lockoff design channels sound from the studio side into the 1BR main bedroom, and vice versa.

 

[sethschroeder]

Most of the resorts all seemingly are the same and we have stayed at a couple and been to them all multiple times.

We never have a pool day. We have a pool afternoon essentially every afternoon of our stay.

I like the openness of the VGF normal pool. I like RIV for the slide as the theme is great on it with being the tower and super short round trip back to the top. I like BCV both for SAB but also because there is SAB the DVC pool is rarely busy.

I wouldn't say any one is the best because really it just comes down to the theme and crowds. If the time you are there its busy then its worst than a different resort that might not have crowds that day.

VGF and RIV are the best splashpads though IMO and there is some difference there between resorts.

 

[VGCgroupie]

Most of the resorts all seemingly are the same and we have stayed at a couple and been to them all multiple times.

We never have a pool day. We have a pool afternoon essentially every afternoon of our stay.

I like the openness of the VGF normal pool. I like RIV for the slide as the theme is great on it with being the tower and super short round trip back to the top. I like BCV both for SAB but also because there is SAB the DVC pool is rarely busy.

I wouldn't say any one is the best because really it just comes down to the theme and crowds. If the time you are there its busy then its worst than a different resort that might not have crowds that day.

VGF and RIV are the best splashpads though IMO and there is some difference there between resorts.

Glad to hear you like RIV pool I had heard other places that it was small and boring.

 

[sethschroeder]

Glad to hear you like RIV pool I had heard other places that it was small and boring.

Its "small" because the resort is small and condensed but it has a very nice zero entry and you can seemingly always find space there or within 20 yards you are at the quite pool. You also have a drink refill station and bar and QS all within 10 yards of the pool?

Not sure what makes other pools not boring that RIV is missing unless we are comparing it to the SAB.

BWV used to be great because of the theming but now is just one of the pools that are like all the others with some theme differences.

I could see some people giving a nod to POLY though for the theme as well for being their favorite as that still has the over the top theme with the volcano.

 

[VGCgroupie]

Its "small" because the resort is small and condensed but it has a very nice zero entry and you can seemingly always find space there or within 20 yards you are at the quite pool. You also have a drink refill station and bar and QS all within 10 yards of the pool?

Not sure what makes other pools not boring that RIV is missing unless we are comparing it to the SAB.

BWV used to be great because of the theming but now is just one of the pools that are like all the others with some theme differences.

I could see some people giving a nod to POLY though for the theme as well for being their favorite as that still has the over the top theme with the volcano.

Sounds nice to be able to have eyes on your kid all the time too. to the drink refill station being close by

 

[sethschroeder]

Sounds nice to be able to have eyes on your kid all the time too. to the drink refill station being close by

Its really easy with younger kids. You can be at the drink station (or even order a drink/food from the bar) and see your kid on the Rapunzel slide and at the splash pad all at once if you needed.

I remember VGF if you were at the slide empty in the pool your kid would disappear right next to an exit and be out of sight until they came back down the slide.

Downside of RIV is bathrooms are around a corner. So not bad but does mean if you have kids going to the bathroom you are getting out as well possibly depending on how young they are.

 

[lukemorenus]

Pool day rankings based on DVC resorts I've experienced:

1. Aulani
2. Poly
3. Grand Californian
4. Riviera
5. Grand Floridian
6. Beach Club
7. Boulder Ridge
8. Animal Kingdom - Jambo
9. Saratoga Springs
10. Bay Lake
11. Boardwalk
12. Old Key West

 

[ClaraOswald]

I've only experienced 2. Boulder Ridge and Grand Californian. Both during the winter months. So I can't really answer the posed questions. But here are my thoughts on the 2 I've used....

We didn't use the main pool at Wilderness Lodge. Just the one by the villas. It was nice. But I think it would hard to keep an eye on your little kids with the big "mining" decorations on the side. I like that it has the zero-depth entry though. And there were a few covered cabanas which looked nice. I sat in the hot tub only briefly because it was filled with little kids.

At The Grand Californian, when we were there the pool with the slide was closed. And it seems like it's pretty common for at least 1 of the 3 pools to be closed during winter months. So that's kind of a bummer if you are a non-summer traveler. Pool was fine. Just a basic pool. Didn't use the hot tub. Chairs were great though!

 

[SwanVT2]

I said it on a different thread but SUMMER. I mean generally summer is a nightmare lol but in this case it works to ones benefit cause you have no choice but to spend a chunk of your time by the pool and as someone who also isn’t a lay around type of vacation kind of person, it’s been surprisingly nice. And I know you have an AP so short park days aren’t a waste literally planning a last minute mid July trip cause we want a more relaxing/pool heavy trip since we haven’t had one in a while. Like you know how people say there’s no greater feeling than spending the day at beach, coming back to your cool room in the afternoon taking a shower and a really good nap and then going to a great dinner? Well, I’m learning a Disney summer is that for me except switch beach with DVC pools and dinner with dole whip and some summer evening park time



This isn’t an helpful ranking because we’ve only used the pools at Poly (lava and quiet but not tower), RIV, BWV and VGF.

Best slide: only been on Poly and BWV. I liked both, Poly takes the edge slightly for theming I think.

Best for little kids: don’t have any so can’t be sure. From a kid mentality, I’d probably say Poly again. They now have 3 good pools and 2 splash pads areas and even if the Moana one is a bit boring the main one has always looked amazing, kind of jealous we can’t use it lol

Best for big kids: I mean I’ve not been but it’s gotta be SAB.

Best overall: of the 4 we’ve used, it’s definitely Poly (not during July 4th that was actual people soup and kind of gross) and RIV as our favorites. Poly is definitely going to be busier but I don’t mind general hustle and bustle. RIV is the best adult pool setup IMO mostly cause of how close together everything is and that includes your rooms and a good cup of coffee Also we LOVE Bar Riva it’s one of our favorite QS on property and definitely favorite pool bar.

Best bang for your buck: probably BCV? The quiet pool looks decent if that’s what you want, SAB is unmatched for variety and size and the point chart is good

Worst: again, of the 4 we’ve used, BWV was my least favorite but the slide was fun. I find the pool to be in need of a proper refresh and I don’t like the way it’s setup or the pool bar options all that much…boardwalk pizza and corn dogs aren’t too far away though so that’s a slight bonus.

I imagine I wouldn’t like BLT at all either. Very little about BLT appeals to me so I doubt the pool would be any better considering what I’ve seen of it.

This post has me excited for our July trip to SSR, except for me it is early morning park, pool, nap then dinner!

 

[swampfox28]

I was actually looking for a thread about DVC resorts for pool days as I'm desprately trying (with no success so far) to add the Saturday night on our upcoming mother/daughter trip to DW next week!! (Orig supposed to be Wed night through Sat am but kiddo said she got off work Sunday so we *COULD* add a day at the end - which finding this out NOW isn't too helpful because there hasn't been ANY availability for Saturday night (a super popular night) even if we resort hop.

But in my mind, I was really thinking that if I could manage to find any DVC studio or 1br for Saturday night, it'd be awfully fun to have just a relaxing pool day before heading back to Louisiana Sunday morning.

I was thinking I might get lucky and have our pick between 2 or 3 resorts and needed the info on the best pool (especially because SAB is STILL CLOSED ) but nope, not even ONE room on property available as of now (I plan to keep checking)...!

I'd be so happy to show her OKW because I liked the pool area there but nope. Maybe I should just WL something - but need input on where you guys think we have a remote shot of Sat. night (which is probably a pipe dream, lol!)

 

[VGCgroupie]

I was actually looking for a thread about DVC resorts for pool days as I'm desprately trying (with no success so far) to add the Saturday night on our upcoming mother/daughter trip to DW next week!! (Orig supposed to be Wed night through Sat am but kiddo said she got off work Sunday so we *COULD* add a day at the end - which finding this out NOW isn't too helpful because there hasn't been ANY availability for Saturday night (a super popular night) even if we resort hop.

But in my mind, I was really thinking that if I could manage to find any DVC studio or 1br for Saturday night, it'd be awfully fun to have just a relaxing pool day before heading back to Louisiana Sunday morning.

I was thinking I might get lucky and have our pick between 2 or 3 resorts and needed the info on the best pool (especially because SAB is STILL CLOSED ) but nope, not even ONE room on property available as of now (I plan to keep checking)...!

I'd be so happy to show her OKW because I liked the pool area there but nope. Maybe I should just WL something - but need input on where you guys think we have a remote shot of Sat. night (which is probably a pipe dream, lol!)

Keep checking. I stalk more than I would like to admit. Things pop up very often, they get booked quick but they pop up often. I’m currently stalking for memorial weekend.

 

[TheDailyMoo]

• 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

I can get behind this for the most part.

The better question is if you were only able to use one pool only for the rest of your stays at Disney World, which pool would it be?

Although our family absolutely loves SAB and it's extremely fun slide (hopefully the refurb fixes the sections that are slightly out of alignment that really hurt my back going down) if I had to pick one pool for the rest of my stays it would probably be the pools at Poly. I say this because poolside at the Poly is the only time I feel like I'm actually on vacation somewhere besides Disney World. It has an effect of transporting you to some other more exotic destination than Central Florida. And the slide ain't half bad either at Lava. Plus Cap't Cook's.

That said, CCV/BRV pools have a similar effect of making you feel like you're in a different world than the World.

BLT makes me feel like I'm in a pool that would be in a dystopian future...cold, lifeless, concrete. But when we stay BLT we're not there for the pool! That's for park heavy days.

Also I agree that the quiet pool at VGF wins hands down and I may be in the small camp of those that prefer BPK for the proximity to everything and just a more lively view/atmosphere.

Boardwalk used to be better with the clown but it feels very worn out. Like a pool you'd find in a Catskills resort in the late 60's. Slide is still very fun and kids do really love the main pool...the quiet pool is probably the best quiet pool for kids with the community hall right there.

AKV is such a masterpiece of a resort but every time we stay there the pools are very underwhelming. The shape, the layout...especially Jambo. Why is there seating on the outside of the fence? It's just weird. And no room to walk along the edge of the pool in some parts. Love the resort but the pools could've been planned out better.

 

[VGCgroupie]

I can get behind this for the most part.

The better question is if you were only able to use one pool only for the rest of your stays at Disney World, which pool would it be?

Although our family absolutely loves SAB and it's extremely fun slide (hopefully the refurb fixes the sections that are slightly out of alignment that really hurt my back going down) if I had to pick one pool for the rest of my stays it would probably be the pools at Poly. I say this because poolside at the Poly is the only time I feel like I'm actually on vacation somewhere besides Disney World. It has an effect of transporting you to some other more exotic destination than Central Florida. And the slide ain't half bad either at Lava. Plus Cap't Cook's.

That said, CCV/BRV pools have a similar effect of making you feel like you're in a different world than the World.

BLT makes me feel like I'm in a pool that would be in a dystopian future...cold, lifeless, concrete. But when we stay BLT we're not there for the pool! That's for park heavy days.

Also I agree that the quiet pool at VGF wins hands down and I may be in the small camp of those that prefer BPK for the proximity to everything and just a more lively view/atmosphere.

Boardwalk used to be better with the clown but it feels very worn out. Like a pool you'd find in a Catskills resort in the late 60's. Slide is still very fun and kids do really love the main pool...the quiet pool is probably the best quiet pool for kids with the community hall right there.

AKV is such a masterpiece of a resort but every time we stay there the pools are very underwhelming. The shape, the layout...especially Jambo. Why is there seating on the outside of the fence? It's just weird. And no room to walk along the edge of the pool in some parts. Love the resort but the pools could've been planned out better.

Love this breakdown and way of looking at it