This Hidden Shipwreck Kiddie Pool is One of Disney’s Beach Club’s Best-Kept Secrets
When you stay at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resort, it won’t take long to notice the shipwreck sitting along Crescent Lake. Guests pass it on their way to and from the nearby theme parks or the boat dock. It’s one of the most recognizable features of the resort’s pool complex.
What’s easier to miss, however, is the smaller kiddie pool area that sits inside the shipwreck structure. While most people focus on the larger slide and main pool, this tucked-away space is designed specifically for younger children. Below, we’ll take a closer look at what makes this area unique and who it’s best suited for.
Below, we have an alternative view from one of the sun decks at Stormalong Bay, the pool area shared between the resorts. You can see the spiral staircase ascending from the ship’s hull. A waterslide extends from the ship. It shoots guests back across the walkway into the far end of the pool near Bubbly Bay.
Here’s a closer look. Walkways are available from the pool to the shipwreck. If you look closely, you can see the openings in the rope fence and the white gates that lead to the faux wreckage.
It’s important to note that you have to leave the immediate pool area to get to the Flying Jib slide. What most guests don’t realize, though, is that the slide is not the only amenity inside the Shipwreck.
As we step back for a broader view, we see a tremendous kiddie pool is available!
It even has a kiddie slide, and a lifeguard is on duty.
Additionally, an observation deck sits at the top of the ship’s stern.
Here is the stunning view of the Yacht Club’s lighthouse and Disney’s BoardWalk in the distance.
Don’t feel bad if you’ve visited Disney’s Beach Club before and weren’t aware this kiddie pool existed. Most guests think it’s the slide’s entrance, and that’s it. This is a common misconception, and it’s what led me to write this article. It’s also notable that the Shipwreck Pool doesn’t have sand. So, if you have a child who doesn’t like sand, it’s the perfect alternative. The mini-slide is also a nice plus.
However, if your children love sand, the sand bar pool is probably your best bet. This is a wading pool that sits on the Yacht Club side of Stormalong Bay. It’s the final pool area on this end.
While this pool is ranked as one of the top pools at Disney World, you’ll want to be aware that it’s not for everyone. We see many complaints and worries that Stormalong Bay is overwhelming when you have little ones who can’t swim. It’s a valid concern. The pool has several areas that are up to 8.5′ deep. So, I took the photos below to show the barrier between the sand bar pool and one of the deeper pools. The pool area on the bottom left ranges from about 3.5′ to 5′ deep. It also adjoins the lazy river, which has the deepest area of the entire pool complex. A hot tub sits between the two pool areas.
Then, you can see the wading pool on the opposite side. The sand bar extends into the center, and a few guests are lying in the water. It’s a shallow pool, but children could easily hop out of it and take those stairs into the next pool.
This pool extends into a small cove about 3.5 to 4′ deep on the opposite side.
So, if you’re visiting with little ones and feel overwhelmed (or if your children detest sand—some do), don’t forget that the Shipwreck has a kiddie pool! If you’re the person who needed to know this, I sure hope this reached you. It’s the kind of little detail we like to ensure our readers know.
If you’re traveling with little ones, don’t miss our guide to the best pools for kids at Disney World. We also have several parents’ guides available that include the complete list of water slides at Disney World’s Hotels. Our guide to resorts with splash pads is also popular. We also have a tremendous amount of coverage of the pools at Walt Disney World.
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In the Comments
What do you think of the Shipwreck Pool? Did you know it was there? Let us know in the comments below.