Disney Resort Pool Or Disney Water Park?

Taking a break from the Disney theme parks is sometimes needed when vacationing in Walt Disney World. For most Disney Guests, a break will include time at their Resort hotel or at one of the Disney water parks. But how do you choose between the two?

Here’s why we love each option!

Disney Resort Pool

Each and every Disney Resort hotel offers Guests at least one Resort pool. You will likely find one themed pool at every Disney Resort, and an additional pool, that may take the name of the ‘quiet pool’. The main pool of each Walt Disney World Resort, is where Guests can enjoy entertainment offered by recreational Cast Members from around noon. Entertainment comes in the form of music, trivia and pool games, as well as many other fun activities. The themed pools are also usually accompanied by the water play area, as well as the water slide, if a Disney Resort has one. Not to forget that they are also supervised by Disney lifeguards. It’s the perfect place to rest your feet, whilst the kids still have lots of fun!

At every Walt Disney World Resort, you’ll also find a pool bar close to the main pool area. It’s important to stay hydrated in the Floridian heat, and we’re not judging if the adults in your party also enjoy an alcoholic beverage too! Most of the pool bars offer famous Disney cocktails such as the Pina Colava; perfect to sip on whilst enjoying a relaxing afternoon!

The quiet pools at each Disney World hotel offer a great place to take an afternoon nap, or enjoy a slower morning. Depending on the time of day that you choose to visit, you may even find that you have the pool to yourself, whilst other Guests head to the main pool area or to the Disney Parks. 

Here’s why we love the Disney Resort pools:

• There’s no need to get Disney transport to relax by the pool, at most Resorts. Generally, the Resort pool will be within walking distance of your hotel room. The only exception is if you are staying in the Disney Vacation Club Resorts; Old Key West and Saratoga Springs. If you wish to use the main pool areas in those Resorts, you will need to use the internal bus loop, or walk a little further than other Resorts. That being said, these Resorts have plenty of quieter pools available for Guests to use, that will only be a short walk away from your Studio or Deluxe Villa.

• They offer great theming, that emulates the theming of the Disney Resort hotel you are staying in. 
• They are perfect if you are short for time, or are running on a tight schedule during your Disney vacation. Plan to send a couple of hours at the pool at least once during your vacation; trust us, your body will thank you for the rest!
• Mornings are a great time to spend at the pool. Treat you and your party to a slower morning; sleep in a little longer, before enjoying breakfast in the quick-service restaurant at your Resort. Around 10 a.m. the pool area will open. This is usually one of the quieter times of day to use the pool. 
• Most Disney Resort pools are open until around 10:00 p.m. or 11:00 p.m. each evening. If you’ve had a long, hot day in one of the Disney Parks, why not head to the pool before retiring for the evening? It’s your chance to cool down and relax after a day enjoying your favorite Disney attractions!
• Don’t worry if you forgot to pack your own beach towel! Complimentary pool towels are available at all Disney Resort pools. Collect them near the gate as you enter the pool area, and drop them in the towel collection points as you are leaving. That’s one less thing to wash when you’re back at home!
• If you’re a Guest in Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts, you’ll have access to Stormalong Bay. You could say that this is your very own water park, meaning you won’t need to visit Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach. Enjoy 3 acres of fun that include: a 230-foot long waterslide; a lazy river; 3 whirlpool spas; a sandy beach; and 3 pools, including a tidal pool. You’d be foolish to miss spending at least one day enjoying all of these facilities, when staying in Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club.

Disney Water Parks

With two Disney water parks on offer, Guests have the option to choose the one that suits their party better. Alternatively, Guests could plan to spend time at both, during their Disney vacation, and take advantage of all they have to offer.

Typhoon Lagoon water park follows the story of a typhoon that wreaked havoc through a pristine paradise. The storm washed up fishing gear, and surfboards. It also caused a shrimp boat, known as ‘Miss Tilly’, to be impaled upon ‘Mount Mayday’. The Disney water park has several water slides, as well as raft rides, including the Crush ’n’ Gusher and Miss Adventure Falls. Additionally, it has a relaxing and scenic lazy river, known as Castaway Creek, that encircles the entire water park. A Guest-favourite at this Disney water park is the Typhoon Lagoon surf pool, which is North America’s largest surf pool that reaches swells of up to 6 feet.

Blizzard Beach water park, known as ‘Florida’s first ski resort’, following a freak snowstorm in January 1977, is located close to Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. Think of all the features of a ski resort, but they are beach-themed! Guests can take a ride on a chairlift, ride slides, including a near-vertical drop on the tallest, fastest free-fall body slide, known as Summit Plummet, and float down a 3000-feet lazy river, called Cross Country Creek. There’s plenty of fun to be had, when visiting Blizzard Beach.

Here’s why we love the Disney water parks:

• They provide Guests the chance to take a little down time, without missing out the Disney experience. With different rides and attractions on offer to those available in the Disney theme parks, there’s something for everyone. 
• It’s your opportunity to feel refreshed despite being right in the Floridian heat and humidity. You may even feel a little shock that you feel when entering colder water, if you’ve waited in line to experience a water or raft slide. Refreshing!
• With plenty of Disney dining locations inside them, it’s fun to seek out unique Disney treats in Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach. We love to enjoy the Hei Hei Dole Whip cone from the Snack Shack in Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon.

• If you love the beach, then you’ll definitely want to spend some time on the sandy beach in Typhoon Lagoon. Secure a sun lounger under the shade of a palm tree, with a beautiful view of the surf pool and Miss Tilly.
• The Disney water parks are a great place to go when the Disney Parks feel a little more crowded. You’re likely to experience shorter line times in the water parks, especially if you arrive at opening, or during mid-afternoon, ahead of closing time.
• Both of the Disney water parks can be done in a few hours, so you don’t need to plan to spend the whole day there, unless you want to. We recommend spending a morning at a water park, and then securing a Park reservation in a Disney Park during the late afternoon or evening time. Alternatively, take advantage of Early Theme Park Entry as a Disney Resort Guest, then plan to spend the afternoon at Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach.

Whether you choose to take advantage of your Disney Resort hotel pool, or plan for days at the Disney water parks, you’re bound to have lots of fun! Why not plan for both during your next Disney vacation, to experience the best of both worlds?