Which resort has the second best pool complex?

[DisneyPete]

Yes, yes Stormalong Bay is the King of Pools in the WDW, but what resort would you rank as second best? Would it be the Volcano pool at the Poly, the watering hole at the AKL, the Wilderness Lodge hot springs, or another resort altogether? Tell me what features give it your "seal of approval!"

 

[Leota]

I think the Grotto at the Swan & Dolphin comes in second to SAB, closely after that, the Dig Site at CSR.....

The Grotto is big, winding, has the slide, the waterfall, the hots tubs, the water volleyball area. Very nice....

The Dig Site is HUGE, has a nice water slide, spitting fountain & giant hot tub....

The Volcano pool is a nice idea, but very small for the resort & while I loved the slide, the lines for it were always really long. It does have the benefit of ebing a great viewing spot for Wishes tho.....

 

[skiwee1]

I've never been to the AKL so don't know about that one. I do think the Poly pool is 100% better then the WL pool. The WL pool has a small slide and the whole pool is tiny. The Poly pool is much larger, has a long great slide, and is zero clearance. Also has music underwater and the view of the castle is great!

 

[Buzz2001]

The Dig Site at CSR!!

 

[elf]

Haven't been to the Dig site, which sounds great. But our favorite is the Grotto at the S&D. Love the waterfall, zippy little slide, palm trees. I think it is a beautiful area with the beach very accessable to pool area.

 

[racheltyler]

I have to vote AKL for second best - mainly b/c of zero entry and huge non crowded feeling. With small kids, not having to worry about them at the edge of pool is key. It's almost like their own kiddie pool right there.

Taking the zero entry out of the picture, I would vote for Grotto at S/D.

 

[#1hockeymom]

Swan and Dolphin's Grotto pool! I will be at CS in less than two weeks so I'll know what order to put AKL and CS in after this much needed Easter break in the sunshine!

 

[DisneyPete]

Swan and Dolphin's Grotto pool! I will be at CS in less than two weeks so I'll know what order to put AKL and CS in after this much needed Easter break in the sunshine!

Yes, yes... report back PLEASE!! My kids really liked the POR pool area a LOT, but we are considering a deluxe this trip. So, please keep the reviews coming! I'm interested in hearing more about the AKL slike. I know there is no quiet pool, just one great big one there.

 

[#1hockeymom]

If you're considering a deluxe, you can't go wrong with AKL or the S/D. They both have their major advantages. S/D being location, heavenly beds, and pool; AKL being the African feel and the animals!
I'll let you know how the pool is rated. I have a great rating system with my children! I'm great at rating pool bars!

 

[TwingleMum]

Any pictures of the grotto pool??

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

A difficult choice

IMHO

Taking into consideration ALL aspects including: design, capacity, theme, location, and atmosphere....the Volcano Pool at the Poly edges out AKL's Pool for #2.

 

[treehugger]

Here is a link to some pictures from the S/D site:

http://www.swandolphin.com/play/pools.html

 

[Ladyhawke10]

Am I really the first to vote for Grand Floridian's waterfall pool?

Oh, this is my favorite pool! I love the water play area next to it (shooting little fountains from the ground) and the view of the seven seas lagoon next to the zero entry pool. It actually looks like the lagoon is coming straight out of the pool while you are standing in it! The ducks in the lagoon are so cute and walk along the beach. The waterfall is great, straight out of Peter Pan or something and the waterslide is very fun. It's so elegant and beautiful yet relaxing. We've always found the staff to be great.

The only improvement is that I wish there was a jacuzzi next to the waterfall pool in addition to the one by the quiet pool (which is often pretty crowded!). It would help the cold walk back at night from the pool. But nonetheless, this pool is my favorite. It is an experience not to be missed! (and on hot days, it is wonderful to swing on that swing on the beach between dips in the pool or lay in a covered cabana). So much fun!

My second choice would be AKL's pool, with the animals nearby (and the best playground on site, in my son's opinion). Something else!

BWI's pool area would get my third vote. I feel bad for missing out on the Swan and Dolphin pool...we've stayed there and actually never made it to the pool, we were so busy at the parks!

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Another vote for the Grotto Pool at the swan and dolphin. I am comparing it to sab, ak, and volcano pool at the poly. The grotto pool has 3 distinct sections, the waterfall area is relaxing, my 3 ds love the water volleyball and the pool is deep unlike the volcano pool at the poly. The only drawback we had at the grotto pool is that I thought the lifeguard was a little inattentive. It didnt really bother me because our ds are strong swimmers, but he also did not give enough warning when an approaching storm was coming, there was just a mass pool exodus. They also have beach volleyball (sand) at the grotto pool area and the hot tubs are good too.

 

[vanyel]

I love the Poly pool for kids but if you're looking for a spa for adults, there isn't one at the POLY. That to me, is the only drawback.

 

[freediverdude]

I think so far my vote is for the Poly pool. That dark slide through the volcano is even better than the SAB slide for me. Plus being able to see the castle right as you're swimming in the pool, that's priceless. But I do like deeper pools too, anybody know how deep the Grotto pool is?

And I have this person at work (my boss actually), who is a princess, and bases almost her entire opinion of a resort on whether or not there are servers at the pool, taking drink orders and delivering them to your lounge chair, which she had at some Hyatt in Naples, FL. Does anyone know for sure if the Grand Floridian even has this? I don't think any of the other resorts do, but I thought I would ask in case GF has it.

 

[MickeyGirl555]

I love the Boardwalk pool. The slide is just so much fun, both myself and my kids loved it.