A Parent’s Guide to the Best Disney Resort Pools for Kids
Traveling with little ones has its challenges. Whether you’re visiting with toddlers, a shy 8-year-old, or a pre-teen who wants to do everything, you might be wondering which Disney Resort has the best pool area…specifically for your child. As a parent who began taking my now adult son to Disney World at the age of three years old, to an aunt who has traveled with a shy niece, I’ve had more than a few experiences with kids at the pools.
Let me preface the rest of this guide by saying, you can’t go wrong with any resort pool. Some will, however, stand out a little more than others. I never want anyone to come along and feel like their second-guessing themselves about their resort choice. So if you feel like you’ll enjoy a specific resort more than others, it’s probably best to go with your gut. My job is to tell you what’s available and why you might (or might not) like it. So these rankings below are not set in stone. We would be happy to spend the day at any of these choices.
#5 Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club
Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club is our family’s favorite resort. While it comes in as our number five pick on our best kids’ pool list, make no mistake. It’s ranked as number one on our list of best pools at Disney World. Talk about a contradiction! In all seriousness, some of you will feel overwhelmed by the size of the resort’s pool.
Our first stay at the Beach Club was when my son was about the age of 12-13 years old. By that time, he was an avid swimmer, and I didn’t have to constantly keep my eye on him. He always enjoyed playing water volleyball and participating in poolside games with other children. Now and then, he would check in with me. This worked well for us.
My niece also adored this pool. When she was younger, we always camped out at the sand bar pool area on the far end of the pool. She would plop down in the sand and spend all day building sand castles and playing with other children her age. She was the type of child who would not stray, and I could easily keep my eye on her from a nearby chair. The problem some might have with this pool is that there are no true barriers to the deeper areas. If you have a child who likes to roam (and you probably know if you do), you might find yourself on your toes a little more than you like.
That said, if you want a pool that has it all, this is one you’ll want to consider. For more details, see our guide: Everything You Need to Know about Stormalong Bay. If you have toddlers, you’ll also want to be aware of the Shipwreck Kiddie Pool, which is in a completely separate area.
#4 Disney’s BoardWalk Resort
We love the Luna Park Pool at Disney’s BoardWalk for children. I’ll be honest, when I’m traveling as a childless adult, I don’t love it. On our last stay, I intentionally spent an entire day at the pool. That’s when I realized just how perfect the pool is for children. The pool isn’t nearly as big as it looks in photos. You should be able to sit at almost any location around the pool deck and see your child in the pool. That’s a big deal.
This pool is also home to one of the coolest water slides at Disney World, the Keister Coaster. It’s designed to look like an old-fashioned wooden roller coaster and is perfect for older children. They will spend all day climbing those stairs to the top of the slide and splashing back down….over and over. It’s a lot of fun. Younger children (say five and under) might be intimidated. If you’re interested in learning more about this pool and the slide, we have a complete guide: The Pools at Disney’s BoardWalk Resort.
#3 Disney’s Art of Animation
Our next stop for the best pools for kids is Disney’s Art of Animation. This resort has three fun-themed pools: the Big Blue Pool, the Flippin’ Fins Pool, and the Cozy Cone Hotel Pool. While these pools don’t have all the bells and whistles (no water slides at the value resorts), they are incredibly themed. If you have smaller children who love Finding Nemo, The Little Mermaid, and Cars, they are going to adore these pool areas. As a bonus, the Big Blue Pool has a separate splash area, the Schoolyard Sprayground, and a small playground geared toward toddlers. Our Art of Animation Resort Pool Guide features photos of everything you can expect.
#2 Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge (Two Pools)
This was a tough call. I’ve gone back and forth over which resort should take the number one spot for the best pool for kids at Disney World. Ultimately, I would say that our top two choices are a tie. Again, this is a situation where you’ll want to consider your child’s age. Our top spot below leans more toward younger children, say ages 3 to 8 years old. The pools at Kidani Village and Jambo House are more geared toward children 6-12 years old.
If you stay at Kidani Village or Jambo House, you can use the pool at either resort area. This resort does not have quiet pools. The Uzima Springs Pool is a great option at Jambo House with a mild slide. But if you have children, you’re going to want to check out the pool area at Kidani Village. This pool has a tall, twisty slide geared toward older children and a mini slide for toddlers. As far as the pool itself, it’s pretty basic. But an adjoining water playground called Uwanja Camp provides an area for children of all ages to enjoy. It’s also shaded.
We have a separate guide with photos of everything you can expect at the Samawati Springs Pool at Kidani Village.
#1 Port Orleans French Quarter
The Doubloon Lagoon Pool is unique because it’s the only pool at Port Orleans French Quarter. Every time I think of kid-friendly pools, this is the first one that comes to mind. Then, I remember the Kidani Village pool that we just discussed, and I go back and forth again. Ultimately, the Doubloon Lagoon wins out because of its unique theming. A giant sea serpent stretches over the length of the pool. Its head serves as the entrance to the water slide, and the serpent’s tongue is the slide. Of course, King Neptune is riding the serpent, so everything is under control.
Overall, the pool is a nice size but fairly easy to manage with smaller children. This pool also has a fun, separately fenced water playground that’s perfect for toddlers. With the resort’s Mardi Gras theming, everything is bright purples, yellows, and greens. It’s a cheerful place.
To learn more about this pool, see our guide to the Doubloon Lagoon Pool at Port Orleans French Quarter.
Final Thoughts
We hope this guide helped you pick out the resort with the best pool for your kids. If you would like to consider more pools, we have an overview of every pool at Walt Disney World. It also answers frequently asked questions about life jackets, towels, and other amenities you can expect at every resort’s pools. For more of our parents’ guides, you might like the following:
- The Best Disney Resort Hotels for Kids
- A Parent’s Guide to Splash Pads at the Disney Resorts
- Where to Find the Playgrounds at Disney’s Resorts
- Rides at Disney World with Height Requirements (And a List of Rides that Don’t)
For more on the resorts, our Disney World Resorts Guide is a good place to start, or you can sign up for access to our self-paced planning course below. You’ll receive instant access.
In the Comments
Do you agree with our rankings for the best resort pools for kids at Disney World? Do you have any preferences? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below or on our social channels.
