Disney in a Minute: What is Stormalong Bay?
We’re here with a series of quick posts, “Disney in a Minute,” bite-sized nuggets of information that can better help you understand a Disney term or planning topic. Enjoy!
Stormalong Bay is the crown jewel of Disney World’s resort pools, located between the Yacht Club and Beach Club Resorts. This 3-acre aquatic complex offers guests a unique water experience that goes beyond a typical hotel pool. The centerpiece is a shipwreck-themed structure featuring a 230-foot waterslide twisting down from a replica ship’s smokestack. There’s a nearby mini-slide for younger guests or those who only mild thrills. The main pool boasts a sand bottom and gradual beach-like entry, creating a natural coastal feel.
Stormalong Bay includes a lazy river where guests can float leisurely in inner tubes and an open area that often has net erected for friendly games of water volleyball. There’s a whirlpool zone in the main pool as well as nearby hot tub spas. The complex also offers ample lounge space, with chairs and umbrellas scattered around the deck. Nearby, Hurricane Hanna’s Waterside Bar and Grill provides refreshments and light meals. The Beaches & Cream table service restaurant and ice cream window are also adjacent to Stormalong Bay.
With its elaborate theming, variety of water activities, and expansive layout, Stormalong Bay feels more like a water park than a hotel pool. While that’s great news for guests of the Yacht & Beach Club resort (as well as the Beach Club Villas), the bad news is that this pool is only available to folks staying at those hotels. Cast members at the pool gates will check Magic Bands or room key cards to ensure that they are registered guests. Authorized guests will be given a daily wristband for Stormalong Bay use, others will be turned away.
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We’re here with a series of quick posts, “Disney in a Minute,” bite-sized nuggets of information that can better help you…
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We’re here with a series of quick posts, “Disney in a Minute,” bite-sized nuggets of information that can better help you…
Quick question : with everybody agreeing it is the best pool in all Disney property, is it still manageable in terms of crowds?
I admit I dislike the prospect of being squeezed among guests at the pool… maybe would it be even better to get a second best option that will be less popular ?
I’ve been to Stormalong Bay dozens of times at all times of the year and have never found it to be more crowded than any of the other pools at Walt Disney World hotels. Cast members are quite strict about limiting access to guests with Yacht & Beach Club resort IDs, so attendance rarely gets out of hand. That said, if you’re looking for alternatives, the pools at the Animal Kingdom Lodge (particularly if you’re willing to visit both Jambo House and Kidani Village) and the Grand Floridian are both good, but they’re really not in the same ballpark at Stormalong. If you want water fun and don’t want to stay at a pricey deluxe resort, taking a day to visit a WDW water park (Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon) can be a nice alternative.