Which resort pool do you like best?

[kbkids]

Just back and planning our next trip. We plan to spend alot more time at the resort than usual. So, which pool do you prefer? I know, I left off Stormalong Bay and the Volcano Pool - but they aren't in the budget.

So, given our choices, which would you prefer? I know which one I'm leaning towards right now, but not telling - don't want to sway the votes.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

I didn't vote because I don't have enough experience at all of the resorts on your list. I've taken a dip in only WL & Dolphin. WL pool was really nice, but the Dolphin/Swan pool is HUGE with many different areas to suit your style of swimming. Plus, the location of the Swan and Dolphin are wonderful!

Good luck with your decision!

 

[kbkids]

I forgot to mention - the slide would be a big deal!! My DD LOVES these slides - therefore, the value resorts are out of the question for her.

 

[boucheresq]

you don't have to stay at the actual resort to use the pool. My dh and I usually stay value or moderate but really enjoy going to the pools at GF, Poly, and intend to this time at WL. We even used the beach one year at GF and loved it!

 

[kbkids]

Uh, oh - Quick!! - Duck!!! I see the flames coming already!!

 

[eelvira]

My DD11 is also asking a lot about the slides. So....If I'm staying at POR. Can I go to the BWI and use their huge 200 ft. rollercoaster slide? I just saw some pictures and looks impressive.

Would they ask us for our room keys or something? Where would we change? We cannot come all the way from POR in swimsuits... I do have a car so I could drive if that is what you would suggest.

Any other big slides at any of the other resorts we should go to?

Someone mentioned the Swan. Do the pools there have a good slide?

....So many hotels...so little time....

Thanks
Eric

 

[kbkids]

My DD11 is also asking a lot about the slides. So....If I'm staying at POR. Can I go to the BWI and use their huge 200 ft. rollercoaster slide? I just saw some pictures and looks impressive.

Would they ask us for our room keys or something? Where would we change? We cannot come all the way from POR in swimsuits... I do have a car so I could drive if that is what you would suggest.

Any other big slides at any of the other resorts we should go to?

Someone mentioned the Swan. Do the pools there have a good slide?

....So many hotels...so little time....

Thanks
Eric

Disney's answer is you can't pool hop - the pool is for the guests of that resort. Yes, they can ask for resort ID, and yes, at times, they do. Do people do it and get away with it - yes.

Not judging anyone - just wouldn't want to be the one to be turned away.

It's also a very big hot spot with posters on this board, so fair warning - back away quickly.

 

[yecats]

I voted for CSR as the pool area is a lot of fun with a huge hottub. Your daughter will love that slide.

I would also vote for WL (I love the look and great place to stay with beautiful pool but it can get crowded) and Dolphin as well because there pool is also wonderful with excellent access to MGM and Epcot.

 

[ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!]

Boardwalk Inn!

 

[goofy4tink]

My favorite, but not mentioned is Luna Park at BW. But of the ones listed I have to go with POR. It's a little more spread out and doesn't seem as crowded as the others. I've only 'looked at' WL and AKL but they seemed a bit on the smallish side. My dd loved the slide at POR and the theming was pretty good.

As far as hopping, there are signs at each pool stating that the pools are for guests of that particular resort. DVC members are allowed to pool hop but not to AKL or SAB. And I surely wouldn't let my kids swim in the lake at GF. There are alligators in there!! Not to mention possible bacteria, which is why it is closed to swimming. Wade, yes...swim, no.

So as someone else posted...pool hopping is a no-no as far as WDW is concerned. You could be asked for resort ID at any pool, at any time and then if you don't have it, asked to leave. Most of us try to stay at the resort where we want to swim. Much easier than taking a chance. No flaming here, just some well-intentioned info for any who may not be up to speed on this issue.

 

[jeancbpugh]

Just a note: I believe the Swolphin pool is NOT heated.

 

[joats]

We were pleasantly surprised by the AKL pool. And what a fun slide!! DH and I stood in line w/all the kids to go down it. It was a lot longer than I thought it was going to be.
Great pool!

 

[eelvira]

Thanks for all this useful information. Last time I stayed at a Disney Resort was at the Polynesian in 1974 when I was a teenager. I always thought that we couldn't afford the hotels at WDW as they would be too expensive. This was until last month when I discovered this board and I started to learn about all these ways to get codes and save to be able to afford a vacation there.

I didn't know if you could or could not pool hop, but when it was mentioned I wanted to learn more. This is a great thread because I could learn which pools have the best slides to stay there in future visits.

We are staying at the POR and I thought the slide there was small from the descriptions I have heard. Looks like we will be pleasantly mistaken.

Luna Park was the one I saw pictures and looked really awesome. I thought that the BC would be the place to stay in the Epcot MGM area but now the BWI has me thinking. Reading other people mentioning the swan/dolphin pool could make them a possible place to stay too. How's the slide there?

Keep on posting more information.

Thanks!
Eric

 

[robinb]

Animal Kingdom Lodge:

• Zero entry pool
• Nice slide that not too scary
• Great pool bar, my favorite on property
• Mara is very close and it's easy to grab a snack or drink
• Very secluded hot tubs
• Playground right next to the pool

 

[polkadotminnie]

We have stayed at AKL, CS and the Dolphin. AKL and the Dolphin were great, but CS had the best slide and pool area in general. My DD's said they loved sliding under the jaguar!

 

[TDC Nala]

Boardwalk has the longest water slide at WDW resorts. Coronado Springs has the second longest, I think.

 

[boucheresq]

Quite honestly, I had no idea about the "pool rule". My dh and I have always been honest about where we were staying and used our room card to pay for drinks at the pool bars and it has never been an issue. We weren't trying to cheat anyone, we thought it was okay as long as you were on site. In fact, a CM recommended it to us on our Honeymoon! I don't feel guilty for doing it, especially as I have spent quite a bit of moola over the years at WDW. I probably do it again too as I always spend money on lunch at the resort and drinks at the bar. If they ask me to leave, I would definitely do so without a fuss - it's their perogative.

 

[kbkids]

You guys are not voting for where I was leaning towards!!
Looks like we may have to be changing plans now -

I was actually kinda leaning towards WL because I love the look of the resort, and I thought the kids would like the bunk beds. And, the one and only day we're going to the park - we're going to MK, so the boat ride over would be fun.

Anyway, as usual, Disney will ultimately decide where we stay based on what's available.

 

[PamNC]

The grotto pool is very nice. My second choice would be Coronado. However, you didn't have my #1 choice on your list - Stormalong Bay. If I had to rate the top 5 pools, in order, IMHO, it would be like this:

1) YC/BC - Stormalong Bay
2) Volcano Pool - Polynesian
3) Swan/Dolphin - Grotto Pool
4) Coronado Springs
5) Contemporary


PamNC

 

[CheezDoodle]

WL's pool is very nice. The resort is also one of my favorites. I really like the slide too. It's half a tube and turns into a regular slide like the slide at Stormalong Bay. You can also see the geyser from the pool.