Get to Know the Disney World Pools, Part Three: The Moderate Resort Pools

We’ve taken a look at the general pool situation at Walt Disney World, as well as the pool specifics about the value level resorts. Now it’s time to dig in to the details about the pools at the Disney moderate resorts: Caribbean Beach, Coronado Springs, Port Orleans French Quarter, and Port Orleans Riverside, as well as the Fort Wilderness Campgrounds. (Disney classifies the Fort Wilderness cabins as moderate level accommodations.)

CARIBBEAN BEACH RESORT

• How many pools are there? There are seven real pools. The main feature pool, Fuentes del Morro, is located in Old Port Royale Centertown. There are also six smaller quiet pools, one each in the Martinique, Barbados, Aruba, Jamaica, Trinidad South, and Trinidad North guest room areas.
• What is the pool themeing? The feature pool has an old fashioned pirate theme, with faux pirate outpost ruins.
• What’s the kiddie pool situation? There is an aquatic play area, reserved for children under 48″ tall, adjacent to the main feature pool. The water around the play area is shallow and appropriate for the smallest children. There is also a small traditional kiddie pool.
• Are there water slides? Yes, there are twin mini-slides in the aquatic play area. There are two medium-sized slides in the feature pool, appropriate for older children.
• Is there a nearby playground? The aquatic play area functions much like a playground, with interactive elements. Traditional playgrounds are located in the Barbados, Jamaica, and Trinidad South village areas.
• What’s the nearest food option? The Banana Cabana bar is located directly adjacent to the main feature pool. The Market Street food court and Shutters full-service restaurant are located in nearby Centertown. Other than vending machines, there are no food options near the quiet pools.
• Are there showers at the pool? Yes, there is a locker room with showers located next to the main feature pool.
• Are there hot tubs? Yes. There is a small hot tub located next to the main feature pool.
• Are there towels available at the pool? Yes, there are towels available at the main feature pool. Towels are typically not available at the quiet pools.
• How deep is the pool? The main feature pool is four feet, ten inches at its deepest point. The quiet pools average four feet, six inches at their deepest point.
• Are there zero entry pools? Yes, the main feature pool has a zero entry access point. The children’s aquatic play area is also zero entry. The quiet pools are standard entry.
• Are poolside cabanas available? No.
• Are there poolside activities? Yes. All activities take place at the feature pool area. Schedules may vary seasonally, but recently there were planned events from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. every afternoon, plus a movie under the stars in the evening. Events may include: Dance Parties, “What’s in Your Beach Bag,” “Mickey Who?,” Notable Quotes, and others. Weather permitting, there is a free campfire with s’mores.
• Anything else? There are laundry facilities near the pool in each village area. There are often hair wrap artists located at the Dig Site pool mid-day. While there are plentiful beaches here, there is no swimming allowed in the lake.

 

CORONADO SPRINGS RESORT

• How many pools are there? There are four pools. The main feature pool, The Dig Site, is located between the Cabanas and Ranchos guest areas. There are also three smaller quite pools located in the Cabanas, Ranchos, and Casitas areas.
• What is the pool themeing? The Dig Site is Mayan ruin themed. You can’t miss the 50-foot Mayan pyramid.
• What’s the kiddie pool situation? There is a kiddie pool, with a shooting fountain feature, located in the the Dig Site area.
• Are there water slides? Yes, the 120 foot long Jaguar slide is located at the main Dig Site pool.
• Is there a nearby playground? Yes, the Explorer’s Playground is adjacent to the Dig Site pool.
• What’s the nearest food option? Siesta’s pool bar is located at the Dig Site. The menu includes substantial offering such as burgers and tacos. Other food options are located in the central resort building, a ten minute walk away from the Dig Site.
• Are there showers at the pool? Yes, there is a locker room with showers located next to the Dig Site pool. Additional showers can be found near the Casitas pool and the adjacent La Vida Health Club.
• Are there hot tubs? Yes, there is a hot tub at the Dig Site.
• Are there towels available at the pool? Towels are available the Dig Site and Castitas pools. Towels are sometimes, but not always, available at the two additional quiet pools.
• How deep is the pool? The main Dig Site pool is five feet at its deepest point. The quiet pools average four feet, six inches at their deepest point.
• Are there zero entry pools? No.
• Are poolside cabanas available? No.
• Are there poolside activities? Yes. All activities take place at the Dig Site pool area. There is one poolside ping-pong table, plus a nearby volleyball court. Schedules may vary seasonally, but recently there were planned events from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. every afternoon, plus a movie under the stars in the evening. Events may include: Disney Trivia, Hula Hoop contests, Giant Jenga, Critter Roundup, Frisbee Toss, and others. Weather permitting, there is a free campfire with s’mores.
• Anything else? The Coronado Springs resort includes a convention center, which means that there are a larger percentage of adult guests here than at other Disney hotels. You may find that the quiet pools are quieter here than at other resorts. There are laundry facilities near the pool in each village area. There are often hair wrap artists located at the main feature pool mid-day. While there are plentiful beaches here, there is no swimming allowed in the lake.

 

FORT WILDERNESS RESORT AND CAMPGROUNDS

• How many pools are there? Two. The main feature pool is Meadow Depot area, near loops 1200-1400. There is a smaller pool near loops 2500 and 2700.
• What is the pool themeing? There’s a non-specific outdoorsy wilderness theme at the Meadow pool.
• What’s the kiddie pool situation? There is an aquatic play area, reserved for children under 48″ tall, adjacent to the main Meadow feature pool. The water around the play area is shallow and appropriate for the smallest children. There is also a small traditional kiddie pool.
• Are there water slides? Yes, there are twin mini-slides in the aquatic play area. There is a medium-sized slide in the feature pool, appropriate for older children.
• Is there a nearby playground? Yes. There are several playgrounds at Fort Wilderness, one of which is adjacent to the Meadow pool area.
• What’s the nearest food option? The Meadow Snack bar offers substantial fare such as pizza and hot sandwiches. There are no food options at the small Loop 2500 pool.
• Are there showers at the pool? There are comfort stations with showers located throughout Fort Wilderness. Some are near, but not directly adjacent to the Meadow pool. There is a comfort station adjacent to the Loop 2500 pool.
• Are there hot tubs? Yes. There is a small hot tub in the Meadow pool area.
• Are there towels available at the pool? No. You must bring your own.
• How deep is the pool? The Meadow pool is three feet, nine inches at its deepest point.
• Are there zero entry pools? The children’s aquatic play area has zero entry access. None of the other pools do.
• Are poolside cabanas available? No.
• Are there poolside activities? Yes. All activities take place at the Meadow pool area. Schedules may vary seasonally, but recently there were planned events from 10:00 a.m.. until 7:00 p.m. every afternoon, plus an elaborate movie under the stars in the evening. Chip and Dale appear for a free sing-along prior to the movie. S’mores kits are available for purchase. Daytime poolside events may include: Dance Parties, Giant Board Games, Twister Scram, Kickball, and others.
• Anything else? The Meadow area includes shuffleboard courts, tennis courts, and a volleyball net, as well as nearby bike, canoe, and fishing pole rentals.

PORT ORLEANS FRENCH QUARTER

• How many pools are there? One, the “Dubloon Lagoon.”
• What is the pool themeing? Old New Orleans.
• What’s the kiddie pool situation? There is one traditional, round kiddie pool.
• Are there water slides? Yes, there is one medium-sized water slide in the main pool.
• Is there a nearby playground? Yes, there is a playground adjacent to the pool area.
• What’s the nearest food option? The Mardi Grogs poolside bar offers drinks, but very little food (packaged chips and the like). For real food, go inside the main building to the Sassagoula Floatworks food court.
• Are there showers at the pool? Yes, the restroom adjacent to the pool does have a shower and changing area.
• Are there hot tubs? Yes. There is one hot tub next to the pool.
• Are there towels available at the pool? Yes.
• How deep is the pool? The pool is four feet, six inches at its deepest point.
• Are there zero entry pools? No.
• Are poolside cabanas available? No.
• Are there poolside activities? Yes. Schedules may vary seasonally, but recently there were planned events from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. every afternoon, plus a movie under the stars in the evening. Events may include: Disney Trivia, Goofy Bingo, Name That Movie Tune, Disney Memory, and others. Weather permitting, there is a free campfire with s’mores. Special resort and poolside activities occur during Mardi Gras season.
• Anything else? Remember that guests of Port Orleans French Quarter are welcome to use the facilities, including the pools, at Port Orleans Riverside.

 

 

PORT ORLEANS RIVERSIDE

• How many pools are there? Six. The main feature pool is located on “Ol’ Man Island.” There are five quiet pools evenly distributed throughout the guest building areas.
• What is the pool themeing? The main pool has an old-time swimmin’ hole vibe.
• What’s the kiddie pool situation? There is one traditional, round kiddie pool.
• Are there water slides? Yes, there is one medium-sized water slide on Ol’ Man Island.
• Is there a nearby playground? Yes, there is a playground adjacent to the Ol’ Man Island pool.
• What’s the nearest food option? The Muddy Rivers poolside bar offers drinks, but very little food (packaged chips and the like). For real food, go inside the main building to the Riverside Mill food court.
• Are there showers at the pool? Yes, the restroom adjacent to the Ol’ Man Island pool does have a shower and changing area.
• Are there hot tubs? Yes. There is one small hot tub in the Ol’ Man Island area.
• Are there towels available at the pool? Yes. Towels are available at the Ol’ Man Island pool. Towels are typically not available at the quiet pools.
• How deep is the pool? The Ol’ Man Island pool is five feet at its deepest point.
• Are there zero entry pools? No.
• Are poolside cabanas available? No.
• Are there poolside activities? Yes. Schedules may vary seasonally, but recently there were planned events from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. every afternoon, plus a movie under the stars in the evening. Events may include: Bayou Dance Off, Name that WDW Attraction, Chalk Art, Notable Quotables, and others. Weather permitting, there is a free campfire with s’mores. Special resort and poolside activities occur during Mardi Gras season.
• Anything else? Remember that guests of Port Orleans Riverside are welcome to use the facilities, including the pool, at Port Orleans French Quarter. There are often hair wrap artists located at the main feature pool mid-day.

 

Stay tuned soon for part four: The Deluxe and Villa resort pools.