Before diving in (pun intended), let me preface this by saying that this list is largely based on value. When you book a stay at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel, you expect a certain level of theming, immersion, and fun—especially when it comes to the pools. While every pool at Disney is well-maintained and provides a refreshing break from the Florida heat, some simply don’t live up to the price tag of the resorts they belong to.
For that reason, none of the Value Resort pools have landed in the official ranking—though they do deserve an honorable mention.
Dishonorable Mention: All Value Resort Pools
The pools at Disney’s Value Resorts—like Pop Century, Art of Animation, and the All-Star Resorts—are all fairly similar. They boast larger-than-life Disney character statues, bright colors, and fun, whimsical theming that kids adore. However, they lack two key amenities: water slides and hot tubs. This makes them feel a bit less exciting compared to their Moderate and Deluxe Resort counterparts.
That said, if these pools had a few extra themed features—maybe even a small slide or hot tub—they could easily rank among the best on property. But as they stand, they’re just missing that extra “wow” factor.
3) Ol’ Man Island at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
At first glance, Ol’ Man Island has a lot going for it. It features a charming rustic setting, a moderate-sized water slide, and a few fun water features that add to the experience. But here’s the problem: for a Moderate Resort, this pool just doesn’t have enough excitement to make it a selling point.
The theming, while pleasant, lacks the immersive storytelling found at some of Disney’s best resort pools. No kid is begging their parents to stay at Port Orleans specifically for this pool. It does the job, and that’s about it.
I gave it a slight edge over the next entry on this list simply because it belongs to a Moderate Resort rather than a Deluxe one. If you’re paying a mid-tier price, you expect a mid-tier pool. It may not blow anyone away, but it at least meets basic expectations.
2) High Rock Spring Pool at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
Saratoga Springs Resort is one of Disney’s Deluxe Villa properties, meaning guests are paying a premium for their accommodations. Unfortunately, its feature pool doesn’t live up to the price tag.
To be clear, there’s nothing wrong with High Rock Spring Pool. It’s a perfectly fine resort pool with a natural spring-inspired design, a waterfall, and a decent water slide. But that’s all it is—fine. This is a Deluxe Resort, and yet the pool feels more like something you’d find at an upscale country club rather than at Walt Disney World. I will note one nice feature of this pool is that it is zero-entry, but that alone couldn’t keep it off this list.
Saratoga Springs is themed to equestrian culture and New York’s famous horse-racing town, so why not lean into that? Imagine a Maximus (from Tangled) water feature or a Bullseye (from Toy Story) play area—nothing over-the-top, just a little extra Disney charm. Instead, the theming here is so understated that it feels uninspired, which is a letdown given how much guests are paying to stay here.
1) Feature Pool at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
For a resort as iconic as Disney’s Contemporary Resort, you’d expect a pool that lives up to its legendary status. Instead, what you get is… well, a pool. A completely average, borderline uninspired pool that wouldn’t feel out of place at a local community center.
Sure, the monorail gliding past is a nice touch, and the pool offers a solid location with great views of Bay Lake. But in terms of actual theming? There is virtually none. This resort has a prime opportunity to create something spectacular—perhaps a Monorail-themed water slide similar to the Disneyland Hotel’s—but instead, it feels like an afterthought.
While none of these pools are bad in a general sense, they simply don’t deliver the level of theming and excitement that should come with a Disney Resort stay—especially at the Moderate and Deluxe levels. For guests spending thousands on their vacation, a pool should be more than just functional; it should be memorable.
Have you stayed at any of these resorts? Do you agree with this ranking?
