Ranking the best pools at Walt Disney World is certainly not easy. Most Disney pool rankings are written by people who walked through a lobby, glanced at a pool map, and called it research. This one is different. My podcast co-host Chip and I independently built our own top-10 lists based on years of actual stays with young kids, then compared notes. Where we landed was almost identical, and where we disagreed, we talked it out. What you’re reading is the result of that process.
Here’s why it matters: families spend more time at Walt Disney World resort pools than they expect. You’ll plan a full week of park days, and then the rest day hits, or the travel day arrives, or your toddler just needs a morning that isn’t a rope drop sprint, or they want to skip the fireworks for a night swim.
When that moment comes, you want to know your pool is worth your time. These rankings are built to help you make that call before you book.
How We Ranked the Best Pools at Walt Disney World (And Why We Cut It to Nine)
The process was straightforward. I asked Chip to rank his top 10 Walt Disney World resort pools, I did the same independently, and then I compared the two lists side by side. We were pretty close across the board, with one exception.
To be fair to Chip’s instinct there: Old Key West’s quiet pools are genuinely good. But the feature pool just doesn’t compete at the level we’re talking about here. Boardwalk also got cut, because frankly that pool isn’t doing enough to earn a spot. Nine is the right number for this list., but just know they were close.
The Best Pools at Walt Disney World Resorts Ranked 1-9!
#9: The Big Blue Pool at Art of Animation
When I first sat down to build this list, I didn’t expect any value resort to make it. Value pools generally don’t have slides, zero-entry areas, or the kind of immersive theming that earns a spot in a serious ranking. Art of Animation is the exception.
Chip nailed it. The All-Star pools are all essentially the same and don’t make the cut here. Art of Animation’s Big Blue Pool is in a completely different category for a value resort. Keep in mind that Art of Animation is typically the priciest of the value resorts, so you’re paying a little more, but for families who love the Finding Nemo theme and want their kids completely absorbed in the experience, it delivers.
#8 and #7: Coronado Springs Pool and Old Man Island Pool at Port Orleans Riverside
Coronado Springs Pool has a lot going for it: solid theming, a good slide, and a fun atmosphere. The tradeoff is that it can feel crowded. Old Man Island at Port Orleans Riverside, on the other hand, has a charm that surprises people. It’s a more relaxed, less overwhelming pool experience, which for families with younger kids can actually be a selling point. Old Man Island lands at number seven on the final list.
#6: Saratoga Springs Pools
Saratoga Springs is where the list starts a new tier. One of the biggest reasons it earns this spot is something most people don’t think about until they’ve stayed there: it has two feature pools.
The main feature pool theming is genuinely impressive, and there’s both a large slide and a smaller kiddie slide that younger kids can ride over and over without hesitation. My three-year-old basically lived on that kiddie slide. The second feature pool, located further from the lobby, has a larger slide and a water playground with multiple features, not just a splash pad. Chip had Saratoga a little lower on his original list, but when we talked through it, we both landed on number six being exactly right.
#5: Wilderness Lodge Pools
Wilderness Lodge recently went through a renovation, and the pool benefits from that investment. It’s a beautiful setting, the theming is some of the best on property, and it’s a resort where you actually feel comfortable sending your kids to grab a refill while you stay at the pool. It doesn’t hit the elite tier, but it’s a genuinely strong option for families who want a more relaxed, less crowded experience than what you’ll find at the top of this list.
#4: Caribbean Beach Pools
Number four is Caribbean Beach, and it’s our top ranked moderate for a reason. The pirate themed pool is the star, and the main feature pool was renovated not too long ago, so it still feels fresh. There are two slides, and kids light up the second they walk in. Chip told me his kids walked through it once, looked at him, and said they wanted to stay there and they hadn’t even gone swimming yet. That is the kind of pool that just feels like vacation.
The other big win here is the Skyliner. Gliding over to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios is a huge perk. The one thing to watch is the size of the resort. Depending on your building, the walk to the pool can be long. That’s exactly why Disney can charge more for preferred rooms, because everyone wants to be close to the water. My tip is to request a room near a Skyliner station instead. And if you have a bigger family, Caribbean Beach is often your best move. It usually has the best priced fifth sleeper room, and it gives you a more grown up feel without the Disney characters in your face.
#3: The Polynesian Village Resort Pools
The Polynesian pool has everything going for it on paper. The views of Cinderella Castle from the water are unlike anything else on property, except maybe the Grand Floridian. You can grab a Dole Whip steps from the pool. The theming is iconic. It should probably be higher on this list, and it might be if not for one significant problem: crowds.
The Polynesian is one of the most popular resorts at Walt Disney World, and the pool reflects that. On a busy day, the experience takes a real hit. We talked through whether the crowds alone should drop it further, and here’s where we landed: if you don’t account for crowds, it’s clearly better than Wilderness Lodge and Caribbean Beach. But the crowd factor is real enough that you can’t ignore it.
It’s also worth noting the Polynesian is one of the few pools on property that requires you to scan your MagicBand at the gate. That’s a positive from a safety standpoint, but it also signals just how in-demand this pool is. Chip made a good point: if Disney continues tightening up resort-only access at the Polynesian, it climbs back up. Right now, it sits at three.
#2: Animal Kingdom Lodge Pools
Number two is the pools at Animal Kingdom Lodge, and this one’s personal for both Chip and me. It has two feature pools, one at Kidani and one at Jumbo House, and some of the biggest slides on property. Both have zero entry, long slides, and plenty of shade. In fact, we’ve both been at Kidani where there was so much shade we actually got cold trying to find the sun.
But the pools aren’t even the best part. This is the one resort that doesn’t feel like central Florida. It feels like you traveled somewhere else entirely. You can climb out of the pool and see flamingos next to the hot tub and giraffes within fifty feet. There’s nowhere else in the country like it. Jumbo House puts you right next to the quick service and the savannah, while Kidani gives you more villa space and a big splash pad for the little ones.
Two honest notes before you book. First, Animal Kingdom Lodge is almost always the cheapest deluxe resort, and the discounts are almost always there too, so it’s a real steal. Second, your room request matters more here than almost anywhere else. The resort is shaped like a giant W, and we once measured a 13 minute walk just to reach the lobby from the far end at Kidani. Ask for a room closer to the center, or a simple quick service run can turn into a workout.
#1: Storm Along Bay Pool at Yacht and Beach Club
This one wasn’t close. Storm Along Bay is the most requested pool I hear about from families who want two or three resort days built into their trip. There’s a reason for that: it genuinely functions like a water park.
“It’s like a water park. And part of it is the way they designed it was not for a pool a hundred percent. Originally, when they designed it, the lazy river side of it, it’s like ten feet deep. They had fish in there. They were trying to get fish and like have an aquarium type vibe. And then they realized, this is way too expensive to upkeep, make it safe. So they just took it all out and they made it a lazy river, and it just made the pool huge.”
The zero-entry sand bottom, the lazy river, the slide, the sheer scale of it: Storm Along Bay earns the top spot and it’s not particularly close. Chip did flag one legitimate downside worth knowing about: to access the slide, you have to exit the main pool fence, cross a path, and enter a separate gate. Every other pool on this list keeps the slide within the same fenced area. That’s a real inconvenience, especially with young kids. It doesn’t knock it from the top spot, but it’s something to be aware of.
I recently had a client who rented a cabana at Storm Along Bay and said it was the best money they spent on their entire vacation. That’s the level of experience we’re talking about.
What We Left Off and Why
Old Key West didn’t make the cut. The quiet pools there are genuinely good, and Chip was willing to go to bat for it, but the feature pool doesn’t compete at the level this list requires. Boardwalk and Riviera pools were off the table from the start. The pools there just doesn’t deliver enough to earn consideration.
How to Use This List to Pick Your Resort
A few things to keep in mind as you apply this ranking to your actual trip:
- If pool time is a priority for your family, the Yacht and Beach Club is worth the deluxe price tag. Storm Along Bay alone justifies the resort choice for families with young kids who want at least one full resort day.
- If you’re on a value resort budget, Art of Animation is the clear choice. The other All-Star pools aren’t in the same conversation.
- Saratoga Springs is underrated for families. Two feature pools, good slides for all ages, and a less overwhelming crowd level than some of the more famous options.
- The Polynesian is incredible if the timing is right. Midweek, off-peak, and you’ll have a spectacular experience. Hit it on a crowded Saturday and you’ll understand why it’s at three instead of one.
- Room location matters. At large resorts like Saratoga Springs and Caribbean Beach, a room on the wrong side of the resort can turn a five-minute pool trip into a logistics project. Always submit a room request.
Pools are one of those things that seem like a small detail until you’re actually on vacation and your kids are begging for a pool day. Knowing which resort delivers before you book makes the whole trip better.
Want help picking the right resort for your family and budget? I’ll build your entire trip plan, make your dining reservations, track promos, and handle the details from start to finish. And it’s completely free!
