A Parent’s Guide to Splash Pads at Disney’s Resort Hotels (Photos, Locations, & Tips)
Not every Walt Disney World vacation has to be about visiting the parks from sun-up until sundown. I’ll let you in on a little secret. Some guests visit Disney World for resort-only stays. They never even venture into the parks! Why? It’s because the resorts are incredible places to relax and enjoy. Many have countless amenities and fun activities for guests, including splash pads and aquatic play areas designed for younger guests ranging from toddlers to preschoolers. Most of these kid-friendly areas have a maximum 48″ height requirement.
Below, we’ll preview the splash pads, kiddie pools, and aquatic play areas at each of the Disney Resort Hotels. This parent’s guide will give you an idea of what to expect, and if you plan on spending a decent amount of time at the pool, it might also help you narrow down your resort options.
List of Resorts with Splash Pads at Walt Disney World
Every resort has a splash pad, aquatic play area, or kiddie pool. Below, we’ve listed the resorts in order of value to deluxe with a splash pad or aquatic play area. We’ve listed the resorts that only have a kiddie pool separately.
- Disney’s All-Star Movies (Kiddie Pool and Splash Pad)
- Disney’s Art of Animation Resort (The Schoolyard Sprayground)
- Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort (Pirate Shipwreck Aquatic Play Area)
- Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter (Mardi Gras-themed Aquatic Play Area)
- Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground (Aquatic Play Area)
- Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort (Kiki Tiki’s Splash Play Area)
- Disney’s Polynesian Island Tower (Moana-themed Splash Pad)
- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa (Alice in Wonderland Aquatic Play Area)
- Disney’s Contemporary Resort (Splash Pad)
- Disney’s Bay Lake Tower (Mickey-shaped Splash Pad)
- Disney’s Wilderness Lodge (Aquatic Play Area)
- Disney’s Kidani Village (Aquatic Play Area)
- Disney’s Riviera Resort (Aquatic Play Area)
- Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort (Aquatic Play Area and Splash Pad)
Resorts with Kiddie Pools (Only)
- Disney’s All-Star Music
- Disney’s All-Star Sports
- Disney’s Pop Century Resort
- Disney’s Coronado Springs
- Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside
- Disney’s Beach And Yacht Club
- Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
- Disney’s Swan and Dolphin Hotel
- Disney’s Old Key West
On a side note, a few of the kiddie pools listed above have fountain jets, so some might consider them wading pools with splash elements. Many of these resorts also have regular playgrounds that do not have water elements. By aquatic play area, we mean a playground inside a splash pad area. You’ll see this more clearly in the photos below.
Disney’s All-Star Movies Splash Pad
All three of Disney’s All-Star Resorts are adjacent and have pools of similar size. The only difference between the resorts is the theming. However, Disney’s All-Star Movies has a small splash pad next to its kiddie pool. Both are in a separate fenced area across the walkway from the Fantasia Pool. Here is a photo of the splash pad. It’s hard to tell, but the kiddie pool sits directly behind it.
See more photos in our Resorts Gal Guide to the Pools at Disney’s All-Star Movies.
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort’s Splash Pad
At Disney’s Art of Animation, guests can enjoy the Schoolyard Sprayground splash pad. It sits in the Finding Nemo section of the resort, directly behind the Big Blue Pool. A separate playground (non-water) is immediately on the opposite side.
See more photos in the Resorts Gal Guide to the Pools at Disney’s Art of Animation.
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Shipwreck Aquatic Play Area
A shipwreck-themed aquatic play area is part of the Fuentes del Morro pool area at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. It sits directly behind the feature pool, which is located at Old Port Royale, the resort’s main hub. Like others, the play area is separately fenced from the rest of the pool.
See more photos on the Resorts Gal Guide to Disney’s Caribbean Beach’s Pools.
Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter Aquatic Play Area
This next aquatic play area is one of our favorites. You’ll find it in a separately fenced area adjacent to the Doubloon Lagoon Pool at Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter. This Mardi Gras-themed play area is super fun, with vibrant colors and multiple slides. (Plus, this resort’s pool is one of the most kid-friendly.)
See more photos in our Resorts Gal Guide to Port Orleans French Quarter Pool Area.
Disney’s Fort Wilderness Aquatic Play Area
Those staying at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground can visit The Meadow to access the resort’s aquatic play area. The Meadow is a large recreation area home to the resort’s feature pool and splash area. It’s a fun place to play that sits within a fenced area.
Preview more photos and details in our Resorts Gal Guide to the Pools at Fort Wilderness.
Disney’s Polynesian Village Kiki Tikis Splash Pad
Kiki Tikis Splash Play area sits in front of the Lava Pool at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. This splash pad has a fun rope bridge that runs along the back of it. It has a specific design unique to the resort and its overall Polynesian vibe.
For more details, try our guide to the pools at Disney’s Polynesian Resort.
Disney’s Polynesian Island Tower Moana-themed Splash Pad
A Moana-themed splash pad is part of the new Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. It features a life-size sculpture of Moana and her Wayfinder.
Disney’s Grand Floridian Alice in Wonderland Aquatic Play Area
Guests staying at Disney’s Grand Floridian can take advantage of the Alice in Wonderland-themed splash pad and aquatic play area. This is one of the larger spaces that, while separately fenced, sits in a pretty sizeable area. You can tell from the photo below the space leaves plenty of room for children to splash without being drenched by the Mad Hatter’s hat. It dumps water each time it’s filled.
We have more photos of the pools at Disney’s Grand Floridian if you want to learn more.
Disney’s Contemporary Resort Splash Pad
Disney’s Contemporary Resort has a unique splash pad outside the pool area near the resort’s back entrance. You probably won’t get drenched as long as you don’t stand directly over one of the sprayers. We often notice parents allowing their children to have a quick run-through!
Try the Resorts Gal Guide to Disney’s Contemporary Resort’s Pools for more details.
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Aquatic Play Area
We love the setting of Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and its fun aquatic play area. Parents take in views of Bay Lake while the children splash away or, better yet, sit in one of two nearby hot tubs. (They are only a few feet away!)
Try our Resorts Gal Guide to the Wilderness Lodge’s Pools for more details.
Disney’s Kidani Village Uwanja Camp
Uwanja what? Uwanja Camp is the name of the tremendous water play area at Kidani Village. If you’re staying at Jambo House (the main Lodge), make sure you’re aware of this pool area. You can take a shuttle or walk to Kidani Village and enjoy the splash pad. It’s perfect for a variety of sizes and ages. When my niece was younger, this was one of her favorite play areas.
Related: The Resorts Gal Guide to the Pool at Kidani Village
Disney’s Riviera Resort S’il Vous Play Area
Another popular option is the S’il Vous Play aquatic play area at Disney’s Riviera Resort. It sits directly behind the resort near the quick service and indoor/outdoor lounge. This play area is themed to Disney’s Fantasia and features elephants and hippopotamuses. You can tell from the photo that it’s a lot of fun!
Learn more in our Resorts Gal Guide to Disney’s Riviera Resort’s Pools.
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Aquatic Play Area and Splash Pad
Our last resort with a splash pad has not one but three options! Disney’s Saratoga Springs is a tremendous resort spread over a large property. Guests can access a separately fenced aquatic play area at the Paddock Pool. This pool is the resort’s secondary feature pool and has a quick-service snack bar.
The High Rock Springs Pool is the resort’s feature pool area near The Springs, home to the lobby and primary quick service restaurant. This pool has a small splash near the base of the springs.
Lastly, the Grandstand Pool has a fun splash area behind its pool. The only pool that doesn’t have a splash area at Saratoga Springs is the Congress Park Pool. However, it has a regular playground adjacent to the pool area.
Final Thoughts
We hope you enjoyed this overview of the splash pads at Disney’s Resort Hotels. For more, you might enjoy one of the following:
- The 8 Best Disney Resorts for Kids
- Planning Your Arrival Day at Disney World
- 10 Packing Tips for Walt Disney World (That Won’t Weigh You Down)
- The Best Pools for Kids at the Disney Resorts
- Every Disney Resort Hotel Playground with Photos
You might also enjoy our guide discussing frequently asked questions about the pools at Disney World or our entire list of Disney World Resorts.
In the Comments
Which Splash Pad is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below.
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