Parents, raise your hand if you’ve spent months planning the perfect Disney World vacation itinerary, only for your kids to make it clear that they’d rather be at the resort pool than the parks! And honestly, who can blame them? Nobody does a themed pool quite like Disney does. The pools at Disney Resort hotels are some of the most imaginative I’ve ever seen! Every pool on Walt Disney World property is unique and designed to match its resort’s theme, which makes swimming on a Disney vacation all the more magical. And, best of all, family-friendly poolside activities are available to enjoy every afternoon, like dance parties, water games, Disney trivia, arts and crafts, and more! What child could resist all of that fun?
Here’s a look at some of these outstanding pools at Walt Disney World that the whole family will love. And, pro tip: Build a resort rest day or daily pool time into your vacation itinerary. Your kids (and your feet) will thank you!
Big Blue Pool at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
Boasting over 308,000 gallons of water, the Big Blue Pool at Disney’s Art of Animation is the largest pool on Walt Disney World property. This spacious area features incredible Finding Nemo theming and larger-than-life replicas of beloved characters from the hit Disney/Pixar film. Adjacent to the pool is the Schoolyard Sprayground, a fun splash pad area. Squirt’s Righteous Reef playground is also nearby for young guests who would rather not swim or get wet.
‘Ol Man Island at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
Many of the recreational activities provided for guests at Disney’s Port Orleans – Riverside can be found on a 3 ½ acre island in the center of the resort. Easily accessible by three wooden bridges, ‘Ol Man Island provides amenities like Riverside’s main swimming pool, a children’s playground, and an old-fashioned fishing hole. The swimming area includes great water spray features, waterfalls, and a fun 95-foot water slide.
Doubloon Lagoon at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter
At Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter, you’ll enjoy big New Orleans vibes and the magic of Mardi Gras (including warm, fresh beignets!) around the clock. Kids will love the whimsical Doubloon Lagoon pool, which features King Neptune atop Scales, a 51-foot serpent-shaped water slide, and a separate splash pad area with various water features and additional slides. Mardi Grogs is just outside the pool gate and is a perfect spot for parents to get a refreshing drink or cocktail while the kids enjoy their pool day!
Fuentes del Morro Pool at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
Fuentes del Morro Pool at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort is modeled after the many fortresses built on Caribbean islands in the 16th century for protection against attacks by pirates and buccaneers. It is the perfect place to channel your inner pirate! This incredibly themed space has two water slides, cannons that spray water, and a shipwreck splash area with miniature slides and exciting water elements for younger guests.
The Dig Site at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
Prepare yourself for endless opportunities for fun at Coronado Spring’s primary recreation and pool area, the Dig Site. Themed to resemble the remnants of an ancient Mayan civilization, this impressive complex is home to the incredible Lost City of Cibola pool, which features a 50-foot replica Mayan pyramid and a thrilling 123-foot-long water slide. Guests can also enjoy a nearby kiddie pool, a white-sand volleyball court, an arcade, and the largest hot tub on Walt Disney World property.
Copper Creek Springs Pool at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
When you stay at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, you will quickly forget you are in central Florida, in the best way possible. Lovely rustic touches, an impressive stone fireplace, a babbling brook running through the lobby, peaceful nature trails, and even a replica of Yellowstone’s Old Faithful geyser are all part of this gorgeous resort that was inspired by the early 20th-century log-style lodges of America’s Northwest National Parks. All this coziness and charm extends effortlessly to the resort’s main pool area, Copper Creek Springs Pool. This woodland hideaway includes a 67-foot-long water slide and waterfall feature, hot and cold whirlpool spas, a playground for children, and views of Fire Rock Geyser – which erupts every hour on the hour! It’s a truly relaxing retreat amidst a busy theme park vacation.
Uzima Springs Pool and Samawati Springs Pool at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge & Villas
Inspired by the heart and art of Africa, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and Villas offer plenty of chances for splashing around with two beautiful pool areas. Uzima Springs Pool is a zero-entry tropical oasis with a 67-foot-long waterslide and thrilling views of exotic wildlife at the Uzima Savanna. At nearby Kidani Village, you’ll discover Samawati Springs Pool, a second zero-entry pool with a fantastic 128-foot-long waterslide, and Uwanja Camp, a water playground with three separate zones for kids of all ages to splash and play.
Lava Pool at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
As soon as you arrive at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, you’ll feel as though you’ve been transported to the idyllic islands of the South Pacific. Lush vegetation and tropical décor cover the grounds, the buildings are designed in the style of traditional Polynesian dwellings, and the peaceful rhythms of native Hawaiian music can be heard playing all day in and around the resort. Every inch of the resort is stunning and so full of charm, and this same delightful spirit carries over to its feature pool, the Lava Pool. Guests visiting this island escape will enjoy zero-entry access into the water, a volcano and waterfall, a 142-foot-long waterslide, and the nearby Kiki Tiki’s Water Playground.
Stormalong Bay at Disney’s Beach and Yacht Club Resorts
Best of luck in convincing the kids to leave Stormalong Bay at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts. Encompassing three acres, this spectacular 3-acre pool complex has everything you can imagine to keep the entire family busy for hours – including a lazy river, waterslides, a sand-bottomed swimming pool, waterfalls, and a shipwreck play area. This incredible pool area is undoubtedly the star of the show at these sister resorts!
The Disney theme parks are packed with thrills and magic and are second to none for creating unforgettable memories with loved ones. But if you ask a child what they remember most about their Disney vacation, don’t be surprised if they say the pool. And that’s more than okay! A Disney vacation isn’t just about time in the parks – it’s about embracing every magical moment, including the chance to slow down, enjoy your resort, and recharge by the pool. You’ll still be surrounded by Disney magic while enjoying the sunshine AND relaxation. So the next time you visit Disney World, consider planning some poolside afternoons. Your kids will think you’re a hero, and you’re sure to make some of your best vacation memories!
