Fuentes Del Morro Pool At Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
Typical starting/peak prices: $228/$360
On-site amenities: 6 pools, restaurants, bars
Pros: The hotel has a relaxed vibe with white sand beaches and about 200 lushly landscaped acres. It’s on the Skyliner line, which makes it easy to reach the theme parks.
Cons: The resort is large with six different areas, so it can be difficult to navigate. Rooms can be small and feel dated.
My insider tip: Have your kids go on the Islands of the Caribbean Pirate Cruise, a kid’s-only adventure that departs from Caribbean Cay in the middle of the resort. They’ll love it and you’ll be allowed some downtime to rest and relax.
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort is all about island life. The large resort consists of “villages” named after Caribbean islands with the fabulous Fuentes del Morro Pool.
Reminiscent of a colonial Spanish fortress, the pirate-themed Fuentes del Morro features zero-entry and two water slides, one of which is 102 feet long. Nestled in the fortress are water cannons, so you never know when you may get sprayed. The Fuentes del Morro Pool is only for guests over 48″ tall, but there is the shipwreck play area with tiny slides, a crow’s nest, and water buckets for little ones. There’s also a large whirlpool spa, which is fantastic after a long day in the parks.
For fewer crowds, there are also five other simpler pools, each with its own beach area to relax in with hammocks and lounge chairs.
There Are A Few Notable Exceptions:
- Visitors to Disneys All-Star Resorts are able to enjoy the pools at any of the other All-Stars.
- Guests at Port Orleans French Quarter and Port Orleans Riverside also have the option of using the pools at both locations.
However, during peak periods, Walt Disney World reserves the right to restrict pool access only to guests at that specific hotel. So those staying in one of the sister hotels during their summer stays may not be able to hop.
Does Disney Have Any Cabana Rentals
Yes! 4 resorts do now offer both full and half-day cabana rentals:
- *Contemporary
*Guests at any Walt Disney World Resort can book cabanas here #Only guests staying at these resorts may reserve the cabanas at this location
The amenities provided inside the cabanas differs slightly from resort to resort and since the number of rentals is limited, is recommended that you reserve those ahead of time by calling 407-WDW-Play.
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You Can Watch A Movie From Some Of The Pools
Movie Under the Starsis a complimentary movie screening series for all Disney resort guests. On select nights, guests will gather at a designated outdoor location and enjoy a movie night in the fresh air. Some of these locations are at pools which means you can swim or lounge while you watch!
Movie Under the Stars
Both All-Star Music and All-Star Sports host their movie nights at their pools however, both of these resorts are temporarily closed. If you want to enjoy this perk, youll have to book a room at Disneys Pop Century Resort and head to the Hippy Dippy Pool deck .
The Best Hotel Pools At Disney World Ranked & Reviewed
It can get hot, hot, hot all year round in Central Florida. So, while Walt Disney World can be a ton of fun, during those sticky summer months , one of the last things you probably want to do is wait in a crowded ride queue. Luckily, if youre staying on property, one of the easiest ways to beat the heat is with a dip in the hotel pool.
Pools at Disney World boast immersive theming, fun slides, kiddie play areas, relaxing hot tubs, and much more, making them the perfect midday escape from the Florida sun. Although, while some Disney pools are overflowing with charm, others leave a lot to be desired. Read on as we dive into the best Disney World pools, along with some honorable mentions.
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Grand Floridian Resort And Spa
Make your way to the Animal Kingdom, Disney Springs, EPCOT or Hollywood Studios and take the next bus to the Grand Floridian. Or head to the Magic Kingdom and take the resort monorail, or boat to the Grand Floridian.
Courtyard Pool
Zero-depth entry pool with small water spots to add a little playfulness for the kids. Gated off, theres a restroom and bar that offers snacks and cool drinks.
Beach Pool
Zero entry pool with a 181-foot-long waterslide. Water play area nearby. Surrounded by rocks and waterfalls. Changing rooms and showers plus a pool side bar with snacks and drinks.
Is Pool Hopping Allowed At Disney Resorts
Posted on Disney ServicesDisney VacationsDisney Water ParksDVC Resorts
Guests of Walt Disney World resorts often ponder if pool hopping is allowed at the Disney resorts? There is typically at least one pool, and often many pools, at each Disney Resort where you can cool off and relax while youre not visiting the parks. But once you start traveling around Disney property, you may begin to wonder if you could slip into the Beach Club from the BoardWalk to cruise on their lazy river, or take a bus to the Polynesian to try out their enormous water slide. While pool hopping would be an amazing amenity, unfortunately using another resorts pool is not permitted within Walt Disney World.
Disney ensures that only guests staying at that resort are allowed entry into the pool by two ways. One, the pools are fenced and secured with a gate. Two, the gate only grants you entry with your magic band that is programmed to your resort only. However, like most rules, there are a few exceptions and special circumstances where you can be granted permission to use another resorts pool.
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Theres A Hidden Water Park At Disneys Yacht & Beach Club Resorts
You may have heard that Disneys Yacht & Beach Club Resorts share a pretty awesome pool, but did you know they have a whole mini water park?! Stormalong Bay is over 3 acres of sunshine-y fun and features the highest Disney resort water slide, a lazy river, 3 whirlpool slides, and more.
Stormalong Bay
This MASSIVE pool holds over 795,000 gallons of water, making it the largest Disney resort pool . And part of that pools floor is actually sandy on the bottom after all, we are sticking with a beachy theme here!
Stormalong Bay
If a crowded water park isnt really your scene, Disneys Yacht & Beach Club Resorts have 3 other pools. The Tidal, Admiral, and Dunes Cove pools all have steaming whirlpool spas and are a bit more relaxing.
Sandcastle Pool At Disneys Old Key West Resort
There are few places that evoke the laidback spirit of Old Florida quite like the Florida Keys. That same carefree vibe can be felt throughout Disneys Old Key West Resort, but especially at the hotels Sandcastle Pool. This island retreat features a whimsical sandcastle thats home to a 125-foot-long waterslide and a Hidden Mickey too.
When you arent zooming through the sandcastle, soak up the sun from the pools sand beach or sweat out your stress in the warmth of the dry sauna built inside a quaint lighthouse. Theres even a fun-sized pool for the kiddos to enjoy. When you arent cooling off, be sure to say hello to the resident pod of dolphins. Purely decorative, of course. If they were real, then this pool would be a whole lot higher on our list.
Well, all you sunbathers and swimmers, that wraps up our list of the Central Florida Disney resorts best pools. As you can see, whether youre looking for a thrilling waterslide, an aquatic playground for the kids, romantic ambiance, the laziest of rivers to float down, or a luxurious cabana to lounge around in, youre sure to find it at one of these Disney World pools. But remember, with no pool hopping allowed, youll need a room reservation to do it. So, be sure to book your stay wisely.
Have you tested the waters in any of the pools at Walt Disney World? Which is the Disney World hotel with the best pool or waterslide? Let us know in the comments!
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Do Dvc Resales Get The Same Disney Vacation Club Benefits
Buying DVC resale can save you hundreds of dollars on DVC points for sale. However, there are certain DVC resale restrictions in place that you must know if you are considering buying DVC points from the secondary market. Make sure to understand these limitations before purchasing and keep in mind that restrictions are subject to change. Many DVC owners will also combine their points purchased directly from DVC with DVC resales to experience all of the perks and benefits, while also adding onto their ownership at a cheaper rate.
Learn More: What You Need to Know About Buying DVC Resale vs. Retail
No More Pool Hopping To Grand Floridian
The long-time Disney Vacation Club member perk has lost yet another destination.
For years, DVC owners have been eligible to use pools at a variety of other resorts while staying as guests on Walt Disney World property. Subject to blackout dates and capacity restrictions, members could visit the likes of Luna Park pool at Disney’s BoardWalk Villas or High Rock Spring at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa to enjoy a change of scenery.
But several Walt Disney World pools are ineligible for “hopping” and the list continues to grow. The latest addition are the pools at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Use of both the elaborate Beach Pool and the lower-key Courtyard Pool is now available only to registered guests of the Grand Floridian.
The Grand Floridian pools join numerous other off-limits destinations including:
- Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club pools
- Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows pools
- Disney’s Wilderness Lodge pools
- Disney’s Art of Animation Resort pools
- Bay Cove Pool at Bay Lake Tower
Note that pool hopping has long been prohibited at both pools located at Disneys Animal Kingdom Lodge and Villas. The resort is currently absent from a list of restrictions on the DVC member website. We have reached out to a Disney Vacation Club spokesperson to confirm the accuracy of the omission.
All pool hopping is subject to a series of blockout dates around major holidays including Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, Labor Day, Memorial Day and Independence Day.
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Ol’ Man Island At Disney’s Port Orleans Resort
Best for: Families, couples
On-site amenities: 5 pools including a water park and a catch-and-release fishing hole, food court
Pros: The hotel has a romantic, picturesque vibe, especially when you opt for a horse-drawn carriage ride around the property. There is also a food court with a vast array of options.
Cons: The resort is large and sprawling, so it’s easy to get off course. It also takes longer to navigate to the parks since the main transportation option is the bus.
My insider tip: If you’d like a change of scenery, Riverside guests may also use the pools at the Port Orleans French Quarter.
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort Riverside is a huge resort consisting of over 2,000 rooms sprinkled over 200 acres of beautifully landscaped land lined with oak and magnolia trees, and rose, azalea, and camellia bushes. The resort has two sections Magnolia Bend features plantation-style mansions while the Alligator Bayou is made up of rustic-styled buildings both have a very relaxed southern style.
At Port Orleans Resort Riverside, Ol’ Man Island isn’t just a pool it’s a 3.5-acre water extravaganza. Themed after an abandoned sawmill, there are plentiful waterfalls, several wood bridges, and a 95 foot-long waterslide built into what appears to be an old mill. Along with the sprawling main pool, there’s also a hot tub and a kiddie pool.
This hotel is temporarily closed and will reopen on October 14.
Benefits Of Joining Disney Vacation Club
If youre considering buying DVC points, be ready for exceptional resorts and vacations at their top destinations. Currently, there are fifteen DVC resorts in the United States. Disney Vacation Club gives owners an annual allotment of points that can be banked, borrowed, and spent at any one of their properties. While your DVC Home resort gives you priority booking access, you can use your Bay Lake Tower points for a stay at Aulani instead, for example. One of the main benefits of Disney Vacation Club is flexibility and freedom. Every resort has its own unique personality and charm, and you can experience them all. But, besides the basics of vacation ownership, DVC Member benefits expand outside of just your vacations! Lets take a look at all of the Disney Vacation Club benefits that make DVC so great.
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What Is Resort Hopping
Resort hopping is a term coined to describe touring multiple resorts at Disney World. Not to be confused with a split stay, where you stay at multiple resorts during your vacation.
Resort hopping is similar to park hopping. When you park hop, you might visit Magic Kingdom for a couple of hours and then hop over to Epcot. Of course, you must have a park-hopper ticket to do that.
With resorts, its the same idea. For example, you might visit Disneys Grand Floridian for breakfast, hop to the Contemporary for a while, and then hop over to the Polynesian.
As for the best time to do a little resort hopping, thats up to you. You might plan an entire day at some point during their trip.
Since resort-hopping makes up a relatively mild day, a resort day could allow you to rest up mid-vacation. You could sleep in and start your day with a late brunch.
Or you might make a partial resort-hopping trip after a day in the parks. For example, you could spend part of the day at Animal Kingdom before having dinner at an Epcot Resort.
While youre in the area, you might hop over to the Boardwalk to check out the evening entertainment.
There are indeed so many options!
Where Can You Find A Map Of The Pools At Disney World
As we mentioned earlier, it is always best to look at a map when trying to locate your Resort hotel pool. A map can be found by either visiting the front desk of your Disney World Resort and asking a Cast Member or you can look at a virtual map by pulling up the My Disney Experience app on your smartphone.
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Samawati Springs Pool At Disneys Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Village
While you can find one of our honorable mentions over at Jambo House, the Disneys Animal Kingdom Lodge pool at Kidani Village, the resorts DVC property, is easily one of the best Disney pools for toddlers up to teens.
Uwanja Camp is the Samawati Springs Pools aquatic playground and contains 3 unique zones for everyone from the smallest of adventurers on up. The Observation Station is where little ones ages 4 and below can go to get their feet wet, with its gurgling geyser and wading pool. Kiddos between 5 and 7 years old will enjoy hanging out under the leaking water tower at Departure Zone, while explorers 8 years and above will love catching fellow swimmers unawares with the spray of the water cannons at Base Camp.
Of course, if youre in the mood for something more mellow, you can also hang out in the main pool area which features zero-depth entry and a thrilling 128-foot waterslide.
Amenities Around Pools At Disney World
There are several different amenities provided at select Disney World pools located on property. From cabana rentals to complimentary towels to lifeguard availability, the Disney World pools are filled with unique offerings and amenities. Be sure to check with your specific hotel on the official Walt Disney World website to see up-to-date information regarding amenities at your hotels pool.
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What Is A Disney Vacation Club
To simply put, a Disney Vacation Club is a family ownership program. You could say that it is a timeshare program. In here, you could buy an ownership interest along with other people in a Disney Vacation Club property. This membership system is point-based.
This timeshare program is operated as well as owned by Disney Vacation Development. This is responsible for and allows the purchase of a real estate interest in Disney World.
Hence, this club comes with several benefits for all the regular visitors of Disney World. These people could buy an ownership interest and consider the resort their vocational house whenever they plan a visit to Disney World.
If you think this is the only good part about being a DVC member, you are wrong. The Disney Vacation Club membership comes with several benefits. Let us have a look at what they are.
Disneys Grand Floridian Resort Added To Growing List Of No Pool Hopping Resorts For Dvc Members
One of the many perks of being a Disney Vacation Club Member is the ability to pool hop on property. However, there is a short list of resorts where pool hopping is not permitted, and it looks like Disneys Grand Floridian Resort & Spa has just joined that list.
Thanks to DVCNews.com, weve learned of this recent change that excludes DVC Members not staying at Grand Floridian from using both the Beach Pool and the Courtyard Pool.
Here is the comprehensive list of resorts that do not allow for DVC Members to pool hop:
- Bay Lake Tower at Disneys Contemporary Resort Bay Cove Pool
- Disneys Art of Animation Resort pools
- Disneys Beach Club Villas leisure pool
- Disneys Grand Floridian Resort & Spa pools
- Disneys Polynesian Village Resort The Lava Pool and leisure pool
- Disneys Wilderness Lodge Boulder Ridge Cove Pool and The Copper Creek Springs Pool
- Disneys Yacht Club Resort and Disneys Beach Club Resort Stormalong Bay
Of course, there are still many other pools on property that DVC Members can hop between, like pretty much every resort pool that is not listed above.
However, there are the blackout dates that members should be aware of. The following holiday time frames restrict DVC Members from pool hopping due to larger than usual crowds:
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