Hotels with the best pools About This Page:

[Claireanddylan]

Which moderate hotel would you consider to have the best pool area? We like the lazy river at the Hilton and the waterfalls and spas but would like to stay on site this year. Ideas?

[toddjodybrent]

Well, we have stayed at Caribbean Beach, French Quarter, Riverside, and Coronado Springs--all moderates.
All of them have slides at their main pools or themed pools.
Riverside has the most pools--if memory serves it is 9 all together including the quiet pools and the the main, themed pool. What is great is that French Quarter and Riverside are "sister" resorts, so if you are staying at either, you get to use the main pool or themed pool at both! More bang for your pool buck, so to speak.
French quarter has one pool--the themed pool.
Coronado Springs had both a themed, main pool and "quiet pools" throughout the resort along with a huge spa/hot tub near the main pool.

Our favorite right now is Coronado Springs--for the slide, the nearby playground, and the hot tub. Being the last moderate resort built, Disney got more things right with this one. You can get your mugs refilled near the pool, order food or drinks, and watch your child play in the pool and playground without having to move too far away from your lounge chair or from the hot tub--which is what we have done on multiple evenings. At night, the playground turns into a movie theater with outdoor movies shown.
Now, having said all of that, many of the other resorts offer the same things. . . movies, playground, hot tub, etc., but often they are spread out and not in one convenient location. For example, there is a building between the hot tub at French Quarter and the main pool with the playground across the "street." So, depending on your goal, you could be happy with any of the moderate's pools.

Happy planning! And, welcome to the Boards!

[Claireanddylan]

Thanks so much! I am so excited to be staying on site this year. My poor OH thinks I am mad because I am a complete disney addict

[toddjodybrent]

Originally Posted by Claireanddylan

Thanks so much! I am so excited to be staying on site this year. My poor OH thinks I am mad because I am a complete disney addict

You're welcome! No "disney addicts" here on the boards. . . tee hee, just Disney fans!

You are not alone!

[Disney918]

We really like Port Orleans. But I agree that the pools at Coronado Springs are great and nicely located! Welcome a"board!"

[karen63]

Originally Posted by toddjodybrent

Riverside has the most pools--if memory serves it is 9 all together including the quiet pools and the the main, themed pool.

Actually, it's 6. There's the main pool, and 5 quiet pools - 2 in Magnolia Bend and 3 in Alligator Bayou. You can see where they are on the map here:

http://www.portorleans.org/images/Po...eans%20Map.pdf

[dutchdisneyfamily]

We really like the pools in the POR resorts, but in all fairness, we haven't been to the others. We love it so much, we can't seem to stay anywhere else.

[MichaelF]

I have never been to CBR but have been to the other mods. Our favorite pool is CSR.

[Claireanddylan]

Thanks so much for the info! I have a dilemma!
Now we did once stay in Hilton Bonnet Creek. Loved the hotel, the rooms and pool was something else. The restaurants were expensive but we plan to eat more in Disney next year.
Now I have always wanted to stay on site since the transport seems better and you get the EMH.
Now we were happy with the transport at the Hilton as its comfortable and doesn't get too full. We found it much more reliable too. But, it's not Disney?! Hmmm, I just can't make my mind up. Is it worth the extra £1000 to stay on site?

[mike56]

By far the best moderate pool is at CSR with the DIG Pool-opening ceremony at 10am with the children-jacquar slide-maya look-very large pool-we love it!

[Sue M.]

Originally Posted by Claireanddylan

Thanks so much for the info! I have a dilemma!
Now we did once stay in Hilton Bonnet Creek. Loved the hotel, the rooms and pool was something else. The restaurants were expensive but we plan to eat more in Disney next year.
Now I have always wanted to stay on site since the transport seems better and you get the EMH.
Now we were happy with the transport at the Hilton as its comfortable and doesn't get too full. We found it much more reliable too. But, it's not Disney?! Hmmm, I just can't make my mind up. Is it worth the extra £1000 to stay on site?

The perks you get staying on site:
WDW transportation to parks and the bus stops are much closer to the park entrance then the off site bus. They also run continuously. The down side is they can be crowded at park closing, but not a deal breaker for us.

Ability to get Disney Dining Plan

Parcel Delivery to your resort

Airport Transportation

EMH

Charging Priv. to your KTTW Card (room key)

As for Pools, all the mods have nice main pools, and quiet pools around the property. You won't get a pool like the Hilton Bonnet Creek at a Moderate. For that you'd have to stay at Beach or Yacht Club.

I would just pick the Moderate theming that appeals to you, more then the pool. They're all nice.

When you calculate the difference in prices keep in mind that WDW does put out discounts, usually either free dining or a room discount. Or like this winter a Package discount where both room and dining were discounted. The Stay, Play & Dine Promo. And you may get different promos in the UK then we get.

[Claireanddylan]

Thanks. Do you think it's worth me waiting to book to see if free dining comes up again?

[Sue M.]

Originally Posted by Claireanddylan

Thanks. Do you think it's worth me waiting to book to see if free dining comes up again?

The answer is, it depends! Don't know what time of year you are planning on. You can look on Mousesavers.com search their Chart of Historical Discounts for past dates of the time you are thinking of going to see what discounts were available then. It will give you an idea of what was released and when it was released.

The thing is, Disney has been doing things differently lately, so it's getting harder to predict what discount will be released or when. But it will give you an idea anyway. January is usually free dining, but for this January they released the Stay, Play & Dine. Not free dining.

And as I mentioned you may get different offers.

If you are looking for discounts actively monitor the Disney web site and look under Specials. They book up fast once released. Disney only discounts a certain # of rooms, and not always at all the resorts, French Quarter doesn't get discounted much these days. And when they fill their Quota of discounts, that's it

You may consider booking with a Authorized Disney Vacation Planner. I have used a few online agencies in the past with great success. The great thing about them is that they know exactly when Disney puts out promos, and if it will save you money, will automatically apply it to your reservation.

If you want any info on them PM me.

Also, I book my own airfare, and don't go thru Disney for this. I monitor fares (I use Kayak.com)and book. On seat sales.

[Disneybine]

You can always make a reservation now and if a promotion (room-only discount or free dining) comes out, you can apply it later.

[buzz2001]

We love the pool at CSR!

Dig Site - The Lost City of Cibola (main pool)