The Resorts Gal Guide to Disney’s Old Key West Pools

For many of us, the resort’s pool is a significant consideration when planning a Walt Disney World vacation. We want to stay somewhere the adults can relax while the kids have fun.

For this article, we’ll examine the pools at Disney’s Old Key West Resort. We’ve spent a good deal of time there and think it’s an excellent option for anyone who wants a laid-back trip to Walt Disney World.

So grab a shovel and sand pail because we’re headed to Disney’s Old Key West to check out all its pools! Who knows what we might dig up along the way?

The 4 Pools at Disney’s Old Key Resort

Old Key West Resort is a Disney Vacation Club Resort. The resort is within the Disney Springs Resort Area. It has four pools, including one feature pool and three leisure pools. They are as follows:

• The Sandcastle Pool
• Miller’s Road Pool
• Old Turtle Pond Pool
• South Point Pool

We’ll preview each pool further below.

Pool Details for Planning Your Vacation

During our staycation, the feature pool hours at Disney’s Old Key West were open between 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. However, hours are subject to change. During the cooler months (after Labor Day), the feature pool hours are usually shortened until 10:00 p.m.

The pools at Disney’s Old Key West are heated to 82 degrees, so they usually remain open in cooler weather. However, if the outside temperature drops to 50ish degrees or lower, the pools will close until warmer temperatures return.

Quiet pool hours were posted from 7:00 a.m. through 11:00 p.m. These pool hours are pretty consistent throughout the year. However, you’ll want to know that the quiet pools at Old Key West do not have lifeguards or other attendants.

Complimentary towels are provided at the pools at Disney’s Old Key West, so you can save the extra room in your suitcase for something else.

You will also find complimentary lifejackets in varying sizes at each pool.

Per Disney, pool lifts and other access options are available for guests with disabilities or limited mobility. Pool hours and lifeguard availability vary by pool and are subject to change.

The Sandcastle Pool (Photos)

The feature pool at Disney’s Old Key West is part of the Hospitality House area at the front of the resort. The Sandcastle Pool is pristine and features a giant sandcastle with a little something extra.

That extra thing is a hidden Mickey water slide exit at the base of the faux sandcastle!

A few rules are posted outside the slide’s entrance. Only one rider can enter the slide at a time. The pool depth at the bottom of the slide is three feet (3′).

The slide’s entrance is at the base of the sandcastle. A spiral staircase leads up to the top deck.

From the top, you can see the surrounding pool area.

There is a red and green light at the top of the slide. When the light turns green, it’s your turn to go.

The Sandcastle Pool has a maximum depth of 4′ 6″ (4 feet, 6 inches).

A lighthouse sits towards the back of Old Key West’s feature pool area.

On our first visit, I never noticed the sign. But the lighthouse doubles as a sauna. This is one of the few resort pools at Disney World that has a sauna.

This same area is home to a hot tub.

Here is a view from the lighthouse area to the feature pool.

Plenty of sitting areas and lounge chairs surround the pool.

This fun water feature with dolphins sits behind the pool area.

Kiddie Pool at Old Key West

An area with a kiddie pool sits on the far side of the swimming pool.

In addition, you’ll find a huge area with sand and a giant sand pail. This is one of the best areas for children.

After checking out the resort’s recreation area, your children probably won’t want to return to the parks. Remember to plan a full resort day or at least a few afternoons at the pool. Here is the playground.

Changing Areas at the Sandcastle Pool

A laundry room is near the pool area. Most guests at Old Key West have a washer and dryer in their units. However, if you’re staying in a deluxe studio, you’ll find complimentary laundry rooms near each pool.

A restroom with showers and changing areas sits adjacent to the laundry room near the Sandcastle Pool. Inside, you’ll find a shower stall equipped with soap, shampoo, and conditioner. An area between the shower and the exterior curtain provides a dry space to change, a bench, and a place to hang your items.

Related: The Laundry Facilities at Disney’s Old Key West

A hairdryer was also available on the vanity. These things come in handy if you have a late flight and would like to spend the day at the pool. You could easily use the pool bathhouse to shower and get ready before heading to the airport.

Other Recreation

Disney’s Old Key West is one of the best resorts for recreational activities. Community Hall is near the Sandcastle Pool and offers daily scheduled activities, bike rentals, and tons of games.

Here is a shuffleboard court near the pool.

A basketball court sits next to it.

Or you might prefer a tennis match?

Here are a few more outdoor games like chess and checkers in the background.

They even have a volleyball court.

A fire pit sits near the pool. This is where cast members roast complimentary marshmallows with guests each evening.

The resort’s R.E.S.T. fitness center is next door to Community Hall.

Then there’s the arcade, next to the primary counter service, Good’s Food to Go, and bar, Gurgling Suitcase Libation and Spirits. These dining venues service the pool area since they are only a few steps away.

Miller’s Road Pool

Next, we’ll examine the resort’s leisure or quiet pools. Our first stop is the Miller’s Road Pool. Most of the flats in this area are within a short distance of Hospitality House. The Miller’s Road Pool is toward the back of this resort area, across the street from the Miller’s Road bus stop.

Here is an alternate view of the pool.

Old Turtle Pond Pool

Next, we make our way to Old Turtle Pond, home to the largest of the resort’s leisure pools. This leisure pool is probably a cross between a quiet pool and a feature pool because it has a few extras.

Those extras include a whirlpool spa.

And a playground.

The Turtle Shack is a snack bar toward the back of the pool area. It sells snacks and has a beverage station for guests who purchase a rapid refill mug.

A shuffleboard court sits behind the pool area. (This is a very Florida thing.)

This pool has a small game room, the Flying Fish arcade, attached to the Snack Shack.

It only had a few games and a refillable beverage station.

This area has a few charcoal grills and picnic tables.

South Point Pool

Lastly, we’ve made our way to the South Point Pool at the back of the resort. This is about as far back as it gets.

This was my favorite of the quiet pools because it was a bit more private. Additionally, the area at the back of the pool looks out to the waterway boats use to go back and forth to Disney Springs. This pool had a few extras, too, like this whirlpool spa.

A lovely shaded playground area was also available.

The Resorts Gal Spin on the Pools at Old Key West

Overall, Disney’s Old Key West has a great variety of pools. You can use the pool closest to your room or even do a little pool-hopping around the rest of the resort. But the Sandcastle Pool is pretty hard to beat. It has something for everyone, either at the pool or nearby. When my son was a teenager, he didn’t always care to go swimming. So, the arcade and other recreation areas were perfect for him while we hung out at the pool. If you plan on enjoying the quiet pool, I would definitely consider bringing a small foldable cooler. That way, you can bring a few sodas or water to the pool. The resort has ice machines next to each bus stop, in case you need some!

For more information about Disney’s Old Key West Resort, you might enjoy one of the following:

• Disney’s Old Key West Resort Review
• A Deluxe Studio Room Tour at Old Key West
• Olivia’s Cafe Review
• Disney’s Old Key West Transportation Options

In the Comments

What do you think about the pools at Old Key West? Have you ever vacationed here? Do you enjoy the feature pool or prefer one of the quiet pools? In the comments, share your thoughts. We’ll also be happy to answer any questions based on our experience.