Water Park vs. Resort Pool

By Paul on September 13th, 2011

Recently I read a discussion on DisBoards about what to do on a “down” day at Walt Disney World. Should you go to a water park or visit your resort pool. We have had this debate as a family several times. In the last year we’ve done both – spent a day at Blizzard Beach and spent a day at a resort pool.

So which do we recommend? Let’s look at the pros and cons of each.

Disney Water Parks

Walt Disney World has two water parks – Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon. Current ticket prices for a 1 day adult ticket is $52.95. Both parks include a variety of attractions including world class water slides, lazy rivers, wave pools and children areas.

The attractions in the water parks are amazing! Like everything Disney, these aren’t your average water parks. The lazy river at Blizzard Beach is 3,000 feet long. And there are things to do for everyone in the family. Brooke, our 7 year old daughter, had a blast at the Ski Patrol area. From walking across icebergs to the smaller slides, this area is designed just for the younger guests. One of Brooke’s other favorites was a raft ride the whole family can ride together!

As fun as our day in Blizzard Beach was, we do have some reservations about doing it again. First, for us admission is almost $150. That’s pretty high for a partial day of WDW fun. Like the theme parks, the Disney water parks can have very high crowd levels. By lunchtime on our Blizzard Beach day, the popular slides had wait times over 10 minutes. Summit Plumit wait times were close to an hour!

Disney Pools

Whether you are staying in a value resort or a deluxe, the Disney resort pools are all fun and well themed. And since you’ve already paid to stay at the resort there is no extra charge for admission!

Wilderness Lodge Pool

At each resort Disney Cast Members host a variety of daily activities including hula hoop contests, trivia games, dance parties, movies and more. Spending time at your resort pool you can participate in these activities or just enjoy watching others. These activities are also a great way to meet and interact with other guests.

The pools at the Disney resorts are comparable from value to deluxe. Despite differences in other areas of resort amenities, the pools even at the value resorts are fantastic. Pop Century, for example, features 3 separate pools for you to explore! The moderate and deluxe resorts even have water slides. Even better, stay at the Yatch and Beach Club resorts and you can enjoy Stormalong Bay–a pool that is really a water park!

Throughout the day at all the WDW resort pools the Cast Members have scheduled activities. Look for a posted schedule around the main pool area at your resort. You’ll get to enjoy dance parties, hula hoop contests, trivia contests and more!

You will also find that the crowds at the resort pools on most days are very low. You won’t be searching for an open chair like at the water parks. And don’t forget you pool is close the restaurants at your resort. Take your refillable mug inside for a quick refreshment!

Wilderness Lodge Pool

We’ve had fun at both. The water parks are another great example of amazing attractions by the Disney imagineers. But don’t over look the less expensive option at your resort.

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