The World’s Best Disney Hotel Swimming Pools

Disney is the master of creating magical and transformative worlds. It’s no wonder, then, that Disney has designed remarkable watery worlds with its hotel swimming pools. Some feature elaborate theming, fountains, waterslides or waterfalls. All are fantastic places to play and lounge. We asked travel experts to share their favorite Disney hotel pools to compile this curated menu of splashy oases, from Disney World in Florida and Disneyland in California to Disneyland Paris and far beyond. Ready for a swim? Jump into this list of the top Disney hotels with fabulous pools!

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1. Aulani – A Disney Resort

Oahu, Hawaii

Colleen Lanin, Travel Mamas

Aulani is home not only to one of Hawaii’s best hotel pools, but also the resort offers an array of other enticing water features. Waikolohe Pool is Aulani’s main pool, situated beside the resort’s beachfront cove. This zero-entry pool is a beautiful spot to swim and splash together as a family.

A lazy river named Waikohole Stream winds its way through palm trees and sweet-scented tropical plants like plumeria, pikake, and ginger. Playful fountains spray water at floaters and bubbles flow up from the river’s floor in a “volcanic” cave. Aulani boasts two full-sized waterslides — the Volcanic Vertical enclosed tube and the Tubestone Curl open air inner-tube slide.

Meanwhile, mythical Hawaiian characters shoot and pour water on giggling children at Menehune Bridge. This impressive splash structure includes rope bridges, mini waterslides, and fountains galore. Especially for kids aged 5 and younger, Keiki Cove features rainbow water jets and images of aquatic creatures.

Learn more about Aulani’s pools and water play in our hotel review. Or, book your stay at Aulani now.

2. Disney’s Yacht Club and Disney’s Beach Club

Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida

Kirsten Maxwell, Kids Are A Trip

Families will instantly fall in love with the pool at Disney’s Yacht Club, Stormalong Bay, an amenity shared by Disney’s Yacht Club and Disney’s Beach Club resorts. The pool complex has four swimming pools, a lazy river, waterslide, a ship wreck to explore, and even a sandy beach. Even though the pool is shared by two Disney properties, it never feels crowded, as it covers over 2.5 acres. After everyone has worked up an appetite, head to the poolside Beaches & Cream Soda shop for the ultimate sweet treats!

3. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida

Gwen Kleist, California Family Travel

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is a stunning, exotic resort; easily among the best deluxe resorts at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. The main pool embraces the resort’s exotic African theme. At more than 11,000 square feet, it is one of the largest pools at any of the Disney World resorts. There is a nice zero-entry section that is great for kids, a 67-foot winding waterslide, and plenty of lifeguards on duty. The entire area is lushly landscaped and there is thatch-roof bar for poolside drinks and cocktails. You’ll also find two whirlpool spas at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, both set aside in secluded areas, making them extra relaxing. One even overlooks the savannah. If you’re lucky, you may see a giraffe wander by while enjoying the hot tub!

4. Disney’s Grand Floridian

Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida

Leslie Harvey, Trips with Tykes

5. Disneyland Hotel

Disneyland in Anaheim, California

Colleen Lanin, Travel Mamas

Disneyland Hotel’s Monorail Slide Pool was named one of the 10 Best Hotel Pools for Kids in the USA for good reason. It boasts two whimsical and winding Monorail-themed waterslides, topped by a retro Disneyland sign. Thrill seekers will love the 25-foot-high, 180-foot-long Red Monorail slide. Meanwhile, those seeking a more mellow splashdown will enjoy the 13-foot-high, 80-foot-long Yellow Monorail slide. A two-lane mini slide designed for smaller children also spills out into a small pool, while pop jets, fountains and a surging waterfall add to the fun.

Additionally, the hotel includes two E-Ticket Pools, one of which sits beneath a flower-ensconced footbridge. Plenty of complimentary cushy lounge chairs are available for relaxing. Shaded cabanas with flat-screen TV, Internet access, and refrigerator can be rented at an additional charge, too. Read our full Disneyland Hotel review to learn more about this property.

6. Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida

Stephanie Taleghani, Consistently Curious

The Fuentes del Marro Pool located in Old Port Royal at the Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort is a family favorite. Themed to resemble a Colonial Spanish Fortress, guests will experience a pirates’ water wonderland. Two waterslides, spraying cannons, and stone walls set the tone as cast members host fun-filled contests. This zero-entry pool is heated to 82 degrees year-round and is conveniently located right near a shipwreck splash area for smaller guests. The play area is complete with a mini-slide, crows nest and a large barrel that drenches everything in its path. Grab a tropical drink from the nearby Banana Cabana, claim your lounger, and soak in the Florida sun.

7. Disney’s Art of Animation

Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida

Lyla Gleason, Globetrotting Mommy

As the largest hotel pool in all of Walt Disney World Resort, the Big Blue Pool at Disney’s Art of Animation offers non-stop fun for guppies of all ages. Inspired by the Finding Nemo film, the pool’s vibrant decor features colorful sea creatures including Nemo and Crush. Music plays under the sea (a.k.a. water) making this a fun pick for bigger kids. Meanwhile, the large zero-entry area means even the littlest swimmers can enjoy splashing around. Don’t miss the Schoolyard Sprayground area featuring pop-up jets and splash pad fun.

8. Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida

Inna, Executive Thrillseeker

The centrally located Lava Pool at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort has a chill Hawaiian vibe. It offers underwater jets, warmer water areas and an infinity-edge hot tub for relaxation. In the pool’s center, there is a large mountainous formation that hosts a super giant 142-foot water slide. This swimming pool is also perfect for kids as it has a zero-depth entry point, which makes it an easy entry and exit point.

9. Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa

Disneyland in Anaheim, California

Colleen Lanin, Travel Mamas

Delivering thrills and spills, the Redwood Pool at the Craftsman-themed Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel includes a 90-foot waterslide that curves around the giant stump of a faux Redwood tree. Guests zip down this wild slide and splash down into a cool pool. This oasis is surrounded by picturesque pine trees and boulders, giving the feel of swimming at California National Park lodge.

11. Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Mikkel Mihlrad, Sometimes Home

For those who love all-things-Disney but cannot get away to one of the major theme parks for vacation, Disney Vacation Club locations are great options to scratch a Disney itch! Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort is a beautiful property and their pool is a highlight. The Big Dipper Pool has a winding slide and is surrounded by the 1940s themed “hunting lodges” of the resort. Even if the breeze is cool off the water on the South Carolina Coast, you’ll be able to enjoy the heated pool experience at the resort. Try nearby Tide Me Over food pickup window in case you’re hungry but don’t want to stray too far from swimming to eat.

12. Disney’s Vero Beach Resort

Vero Beach, Florida

Kimberly Stroh, Savvy Mama Lifestyle

13. Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida

Elizabeth Smith, Peanuts or Pretzels

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort is stunning with its National Park-style architecture and the pool is a beautiful extension of that theme. Beginning as a “spring” bubbling up inside the lobby of the hotel, the water runs from the lobby to the outdoor courtyard and continues as a stream winding its way through rocky pathways and foliage. Then it ultimately cascades down towering waterfalls directly into the swimming pool! Whether you are in the pool or laying back in a chair, the sound of the cascading falls and the scenery is both relaxing and impressive. It truly transports guests to serenity.

14. Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel

Disneyland in Anaheim, California

Colleen Lanin, Travel Mamas

Located across the street from Disney California Adventure, Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel lets you stay amidst the magic of the parks. Guests enjoy a rooftop pool with a rollercoaster-style waterslide. In fact, the Paradise Pier Hotel waterslide is the tallest at the three Disneyland Resort Hotels. There is also a kiddie pool available for young guests. Relax on a lounge chair for a movie under the stars or watch the Disneyland park fireworks show from the rooftop deck, when available.

15. Disney’s Explorers Lodge

Hong Kong Disneyland on Lantau Island, Hong Kong

Katie Dillon, La Jolla Mom

Disney’s Explorers Lodge is the newest of the three Hong Kong Disneyland hotels. While it’s the mid-range option, the rooms are larger than other on-property options and the hotel offers families better dining choices and more activities. Its various themed gardens, tall palm trees, and peaceful views of the South China Sea make a stay feel more like a tropical vacation — which would not be complete without a great pool. One of the amenities families love most is the beach-like Rain Drop Pool with its turquoise water, lifeguards on duty, and cabanas for rent. Here, Cast Members host afternoon poolside parties for guests of the three hotels with games that can be played in and out of the pool.

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