The Resorts Gal Guide to Disney’s Contemporary Resort’s Pools

With Bay Lake nestled in the background, the pools at Disney’s Contemporary provide a serene spot to relax only minutes from the magic. However, some might consider the resort’s pool area bland compared to other deluxe resorts. Indeed, the pool area leans more on its surroundings. But we find the resort’s entire backyard to be one of the most unique settings at Walt Disney World.

Below, we’ll preview each of the pools at Disney’s Contemporary. By the time we’re finished, you’ll be able to decide whether or not you want to spend a portion of your vacation in the Contemporary’s backyard.

The 3 Pools at Disney’s Contemporary and Bay Lake Tower

You’ll find the following pools at Disney’s Contemporary Resort

• The Feature Pool is the primary pool that sits directly behind the Contemporary. It features a water slide, a splash pad, and hot tubs.
• The Bay Lake Pool is the resort’s secondary pool or quiet pool. It sits near Bay Lake and offers stunning views of the surrounding area.
• The Bay Cove Pool is the feature pool behind Bay Lake Tower. It is exclusive to guests staying at Bay Lake Tower. So, if you’re staying at the Contemporary, your MagicBand will not give you access to this pool.

Pool Details for Planning Your Vacation

During our last stay at Disney’s Contemporary, the Feature Pool was open from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. This visit was during the summer. If you vacation during a cooler month, you might find the pool hours reduced. Pool hours are posted at the entrance of each pool. After Labor Day, the pool hours are usually reduced until 10:00 p.m.

Since the Bay Lake Pool is considered a leisure pool, it’s usually open from 7:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. This pool does not have a lifeguard on duty.

If you’re staying at Bay Lake Tower, you might want to use the Bay Cove Pool. It’s open daily from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. You must scan your room key or MagicBand to access this pool. We could not access this pool with our room key when we stayed in the Garden Wing of Disney’s Contemporary. However, all resort guests can access the Feature Pool and the Bay Lake Pool.

The Feature Pool Photos

We’ll start with the “Feature Pool,” the Contemporary’s primary pool. It sits behind the tower and is only a few steps from the Garden Wing.

Related: Contemporary’s Garden Wing Review

It’s a beautiful pool with unique views.

A white sand beach on Bay Lake sits directly behind it.

The pools at Disney’s Contemporary are heated to 82 degrees. So guests can swim in milder temperatures. However, if the outdoor temperature becomes unseasonable (around 60ish degrees or lower), all pools at Disney World temporarily close.

The water is 4′ (feet) deep at the pool’s center, and it’s noted on each side of the pool.

While the pool is simple, it offers fun features, like this water spray element.

The Feature Pool has two whirlpool hot tubs, one of which is in the center. So, you can quickly change from cold to hot water or vice versa.

The other hot tub sits at the base of the waterslide.

A 17-foot (17′) tall water slide sits at the front of the Contemporary’s Feature Pool.

Related: Resorts with Water Slides at Disney World

Rules indicate that only one rider can enter the slide at a time. You’ll wait until the light turns green to enter the slide. The pool depth at the bottom of the slide is 3′ 4″ (3 feet, 4 inches).

It’s a fun slide that curves through a cluster of palm trees.

At the end, you’ll splash into the Feature Pool.

Here are a few more photos of the slide.

You get a good glimpse of the Contemporary’s central tower from the top of the slide.

Complimentary life jackets are available for guests.

Towels are also provided at each pool.

Splash Pad at the Contemporary

Outside the Feature Pool gates, a splash pad is available.

This area is designed for smaller children and features interactive water spray elements.

A few tables and chairs are available nearby.

The Sand Bar (Poolside Quick Service)

The Sand Bar is the Contemporary’s poolside bar and quick-service restaurant.

It sits outside the pool gates and was open from 11:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. on our visit.

The menu included a cheeseburger, hot dog, turkey sandwich, chicken pita, salad, and quesadilla.

Related: An Afternoon Lunch at the Sand Bar

Here are photos of the other menus that list beverages, wine, beer cocktails, and frozen novelty treats.

For more details on dining, we have a guide to the restaurants at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.

Cabanas at Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Cabana rentals are available at both the Feature Pool and Bay Lake Pool. They can be booked 60 days before your stay and are rented on a first-come, first-served basis. Having a dedicated spot and a few extra amenities is nice if you plan to spend a resort day at the pool. However, if I were going to rent a cabana at the Contemporary, I would want to secure one at the Bay Lake Pool.

Related: Poolside Cabana Rentals at Disney World

For reference, here is a photo of the cabana at the Feature Pool.

Here are a few photos of the cabanas at the Bay Lake Pool.

Bay Lake Pool (Quiet Pool at the Contemporary)

Bay Lake Pool is considered a leisure or quiet pool. Bay Lake surrounds it on three sides, giving the illusion that it’s floating out on the lake.

This pool ranges from 3′ to 5′ deep and has more of a quiet, adult vibe.

You can sit in one direction and face the lake or the modern hotels in the opposite direction.

It’s hard to beat sitting out here and taking in all the views–the entire area is gorgeous.

Bay Cove Pool (Bay Lake Tower Pool)

Bay Lake Tower is a DVC Resort, so most guests are Disney Vacation Club members. However, Disney makes rooms available to regular guests. So, if you’re staying in this tower, you can use your room key to access the Bay Cove Pool.

It is a nice pool area and often less crowded than the Feature Pool. The Bay Cove Pool has a zero-depth entry on one side.

It also has a 148-foot (148′) long slide and a mini-slide for toddlers and younger kids.

One of the nicer aspects of this pool is the shaded sitting area around the outskirts.

Additionally, the Bay Cove Bar sits inside the pool gates at Bay Lake Tower. So, bar service and quick service items are available at this pool during the busier hours.

The Resorts Gal Spin on the Pools at Disney’s Contemporary

Overall, the pools at Disney’s Contemporary are simple yet delightful. If you enjoy spending time at the lake or prefer the serenity of peaceful surroundings, you’ll love spending time here. However, if you love lots of action, need things to do, or have children of varying ages, a pool like Stormalong Bay at Disney’s Beach Club might be a better fit. That pool is more like a water park than a hotel pool.

For more information about the Contemporary, our articles are listed in our complete guide to Disney’s Contemporary Resort. You might enjoy a few of these other articles:

• Disney’s Contemporary Resort Review
• Disney’s Incredibles Room Review
• Transportation Options at Disney’s Contemporary
• Disney’s Contemporary Garden Wing Review

In the Comments

What do you think of the pools at Disney’s Contemporary Resort? Would you enjoy spending time here?