Disney World Hotels with the Best Splash Zones for Kids
All of the Disney World resort hotels have great pools but they don't all have splash zone areas for younger kids so here is everything you need to know to find the best splash zone water play areas for kids at the Walt Disney World Resort official hotels, with options from the Disney World value resorts, moderate resorts, and deluxe resorts. Pool time lets the family slow down and cool down and helps you have an honest-to-goodness vacation complete with that elusive commodity ... relaxation. According to travel research firm Yesawich, Pepperdine, Brown, and Russell, 80% of children ages 6 to 17 report that they want to go swimming and have pool time when taking a vacation and almost 60% of preschoolers say that the thing they liked best about their Disney vacation is the hotel swimming pool.*
Splash Zones at the Disney World Value Resorts
Top Choice - Disney's Art of Animation Resort
Disney's Art of Animation Resort has three wonderfully theme pools but we are focusing on the Big Blue pool because of its zero-depth entry pool that provides shallow spaces for little people to enjoy and the accompanying Schoolyard Sprayground and Squirt's Righteous Reef dry play area. Did you know that The Big Blue pool is the largest hotel pool of any of the Disney World hotels? It holds over 308,527 gallons of water and even has underwater speakers so that you can hear your favorite Disney songs under water. The Drop Off pool bar is a nice feature for parents who want to enjoy snacks and a refreshing beverage. This hotel also has a crazy cute Cozy Cone pool inspired by the Disney-Pixar movie Cars and a delightful Little Mermaid pool. Family suites make up the bulk of the accommodations at this resort though there are three buildings with standard rooms in the Little Mermaid area.
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Great Alternatives - Disney's Pop Century and All-Star Movies Resorts
Because there are so few standard rooms at Disney's Art of Animation resort, we wanted to include Disney's Pop Century Resort and Disney's All-Star Movies resort which will be less expensive. The bright decor and easily recognizable Disney characters featured at these hotels make them a hit with young kids. Both resorts will have dry playgrounds for the kids. Disney's All-Star Movies has two cute themed pools though guests are welcome to enjoy the pools at Disney's All-Star Music and Disney's All-Star Sports resorts too. Disney's Pop Century has three themed pools.
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Splash Zones at the Disney World Moderate Resorts
Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort
Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort features comfortable rooms and a gorgeous resort setting. The Fuentes del Morro Pool is a Spanish fort themed pool with a zero depth entry that provides shallow areas for youngsters to enjoy along with two water slides that will appeal to older kids and adults. The Shipwreck wet play area is a hit with kids looking to splash and slide and get good and wet. There are six smaller "leisure" pools sprinkled throughout this resort. Tip: This is a very large resort so we highly recommend getting a preferred location room; it costs a little more but your feet with thank you when you're headed back from a fun day in the Disney theme parks.
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Disney's Port Orleans French Quarter Resort
Disney's Port Orleans French Quarter Resort is a compact and lovely resort that's smaller size is an ideal choice for families with young children. The Doubloon Lagoon pool with its sea serpent water slide is fun choice for families though it does not feature a zero-depth entry. The resort has a delightful and colorful water play area for kids. Guest are also welcome to enjoy the Ol' Man Island Pool area an the Disney's Port Orleans Riverside resort. We love this resort but, because of its small size and popularity, it does get excluded from many Disney World discounts and promotions so you may want us to compare the cost of another moderate resort.
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Splash Zones at the Disney World Deluxe Resorts
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort is a beautiful resort on the monorail loop in the Magic Kingdom area and it has a lot to offer families with young children. You have your choice of either a boat or the monorail over to the Magic Kingdom and you can see the Wishes fireworks and the nightly Electric Water Pageant (floating light display) from many areas of this hotel. There is an on-site character meal (breakfast and dinner) and it is easy to pop over to the Disney's Polynesian and Contemporary resorts to enjoy the shopping and dining options there. There are two zero-depth entry pools at the Disney's Grand Floridian resort that are so lovely that they'll tempt you away from the Disney theme parks! The Alice in Wonderland themed splash play area is fun and sure to soak you to the skin when the Mad Hatter's hat tips and the water inside cascades down over the play area.
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Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge is one of my personal favorites because the resort is just so unique! This incredible resort features several savanna areas with African animals that can be viewed from some of the rooms and from the public areas of the resort. The Jambo House area has the 11,000 square foot Uzima Pool with waterslide that feels like you're in a tropical paradise. The Kidani Village area of the resort features the Samawati Springs pool complex here is just amazing! In addition to the zero-depth entry pool with water slide, there is an extensive kids play area called Uwanja Camp with 3 distinct zones for kids of all ages. The Observation Station was designed with kids age 4 and younger in mind and has climbing and play features and a shallow wading pool. The Departure Zone has a leaky water tower and squirting African irises that are perfect for kids age 5 to 7. The Base Camp features water cannons and fun for kids age 8 and up.
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Disney's Contemporary Resort Hotel
Disney's Contemporary Resort Hotel has a smaller splash play area than some of the other hotels but, because there are no dumping buckets, it is perfect for very young children. In fact, the whole resort is fantastic for families with very young children. The monorail stops right in the main tower and you do not have to fold up your stroller to ride. You can put your child in their stroller in the room and leave them there all the way to Magic Kingdom or Epcot. There is also a walking trail directly to the Magic Kingdom. The resort has one character meal - Chef Mickey’s - which has been a family favorite for years.
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Disney's Polynesian Village Resort
Disney's Polynesian Village Resort has a lot to offer families - the resort is on the Magic Kingdom monorail loop, has a great island theme, an onsite character breakfast, good restaurants, and beautiful pools including this spacious splash and climbing zone. Guests here can also enjoy watching the nightly Electric Water Pageant (floating parade) and the Magic Kingdom fireworks from the resort.
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Disney’s Riviera Resort
Disney’s Riviera Resort - This DVC resort has an elegant, compact design with a wonderful pool area with water slide and the delightful Fantasia themed S’il Vous Play Splash Zone and Water Play area, inspired by the grand public fountains of Europe. The hotel features interior hallways to the room, an on-site character breakfast (Topolino’s), and is serviced by the Disney Skyliner which delightfully whisks guests to both Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Best of all, most standard sized strollers can roll right onto the Skyliner which is an added convenience for families. This is a lovely hotel that will be enjoyed by adults and kids alike.
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Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort
Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort - If you're looking for fun pools, this resort has certainly got them! The High Rock Springs pool is lovely and features a small Donald Duck splash area. The Paddock Pool area has a great slide for older kids and a fun wet play area for younger guests. I think the horse shaped water cannons in the Grand Stand pool area are SO cute! Tip: This is a huge, sprawling resort with its own internal bus system. Because it is close to golf and Disney Springs, it is a great choice for families who don't want want to spend all their time in the theme parks. This resort doesn't feature standard hotel rooms but has studio units with one queen bed and one sleeper sofa or one, two and three bedroom villas. They also have some neat treehouse villas. You can use the buses but most guests at this resort find it much easier if they have a car available.
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Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is a grand hotel in the Magic Kingdom resort area. It is not on the monorail loop but it does have boat transportation to the Magic Kingdom. The lovely setting and on-site amenities makes this hotel a favorite among Disney guests and the hotel’s main swimming pool and splash play area a sure to please! Click here to learn more about Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.
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*Source: The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2016, by Bob Sehlinger & Len Testa, pages 382 & 387.