Enjoying your resort amenities can help you actually relax on your vacation. At Walt Disney World Resort, it’s easy to constantly be on the go to try to get everything in. Sometimes you just want to unwind and have a drink by the pool. Disney resort hotels have great amenities, especially the deluxe tier and Disney Vacation Club resorts. We’re going to save the best for last as we go over the Disney World pool bars, starting with value resorts and working our way up to deluxe Disney Vacation Club properties. We’re only covering the official Disney World hotels here but remember there are other third-party hotels at Disney World.
Relax: A Guide Pool Bars at Disney World
Note that some pool bars are located behind the fence put around pools. These are meant for use by resort guests only. Other pools may be out in the open and game for all visitors. Something to keep in mind if you’re interested in a fun outing like a Disney Skyliner bar crawl.
Another note, DVC pool hopping is a special perk available for all members, not just those who buy directly from Disney. Unfortunately it is still suspended right now as a result of the pandemic.
Disney World Value Resort Pool Bars
The value resorts follow a similar blueprint. The pool bars at these are usually found behind the lobby next to the main pool.
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort Pool Bar: The Drop Off
This brightly colored property has a finding Nemo themed pool in the middle of the resort. You’ll feel like you’re Nemo’s size next to giant Crush and Mr. Ray characters in the courtyard. Just behind the lobby, you’ll find The Drop Off Pool bar. You may remember from the films, the drop off is where Nemo swims and Marlon is quite worried.
Disney’s Pop Century Resort Pool Bar: Petals Pool Bar
At Pop Century, Petals pool bar is an outdoor, walk up bar with a few stools. Petals has cocktails beer and frozen drinks. You’ll find light snacks as well.
Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort Pool Bar: Grandstand Spirits
While these are three separate resorts in the same area, All-Star Music, All-Star Movies and All-Star Sports, have similar layouts. All-Star Sports has Grandstand Spirits near the Surfboard Bay Pool, attached to the back of the lobby building.
Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort Pool Bar: Silver Screen Spirits
At All-Star Movies, Silver Screen Spirits is located behind the lobby near the Fantasia Pool. This outdoor bar has some pool deck style high top chairs.
Disney’s All-Star Music Resort Pool Bar: Singing Spirits
In similar fashion to the other All-Star resorts, Singing Spirits Pool bar at All-Star Music is on the back of the lobby next to the Calypso Pool.
Disney World Moderate Resort Pool Bars
The moderate resorts at Disney World have more genuine theming and nicer amenities. This includes the pool bar options.
Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter Pool Bar: Mardi Grogs
The Mardi Grogs pool bar at French Quarter is just outside of the pool gate. This open air, covered setting has a small bar and some tables and chairs. It’s always Fat Tuesday here as far as the theme is concerned. The menu has a few light meals and snacks.
Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Pool Bar: Muddy Rivers
The Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside pool bar is Muddy Rivers. This poolside quick service stop is next to the main pool on Ol’ Man Island in the middle of the resort. Muddy Rivers Pool Bar is covered in a themed, porch like setting. The menu has a handful of meals and some snacks in addition to a wide range of drinks. Muddy Rivers has an immersive atmosphere that plays up Florida’s beautiful landscape.
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort Pool Bar: Banana Cabana
At Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, guests are treated to one of the best Disney World pool bar experiences. Banana Cabana is a colorful, Caribbean inspired bar and lounge. This outdoor venue has a steel drum chandelier and other colorful decor pieces. Banana Cabana has a full menu with appetizers and entrées. There are great views of the lake the resort sits next to and the Disney Skyliner.
Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort Pool Bar: Siestas Cantina
This resort has one of the most unique pool bar situations. Next to the main pool sits a giant pyramid. The Siestas Cantina pool bar is off to the side, offering a tropical poolside setting with great views. Gushing water flows down the pyramid, creating an idyllic vacation setting. Siestas Cantina has a menu with burgers, nachos and such as well.
Disney World Disney Vacation Club Deluxe Resort Pool Bars
Deluxe resorts at Disney World are the best when it comes to theming and amenities. You’ll find a great selection of pools and pool bars at these resorts.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Pool Bar: Uzima Springs, Maji
As a DVC resort property, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is a large resort with multiple pools. At the main Jambo House building, there is the Uzima Springs Pool Bar. You can expect a full drink menu here with non-Alcoholic Beverages, beer, cocktails, frozen drinks, wine and sangria. Uzima Springs Pool Bar does not have a food menu but the quick service The Mara location is close by.
There’s also Maji Pool Bar. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas has an entire building and section of the resort with amenities called Kidani Village. Over at Kidani Village you’ll find one of the best pool bars at Disney World. It is quite themed. Maji Pool Bar has different tastes considered on the menu. There’s a range from a chili hot dog to the continentally themed naan pita pocket.
Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort Pool Bar: Cove Bar, The Sand Bar
The Disney Vacation Club building pool at Bay Lake Tower is one of the most secluded. Guests can slide down the swirly Mickey slide that overlooks charming Bay Lake. This resort building is actually sort of U-shaped and the pool is surrounded by the building. This placement creates a nice, secluded feeling. The pool bar at Bay Lake Tower is called Cove Bar and it has a small food menu.
Next door at the main Disney’s Contemporary Resort building there is also The Sand Bar Pool Bar which sits right on stunning Bay Lake!
Disney’s Beach Club Villas Pool Bar: Hurricane Hanna’s
Many people believe that the best pool at Walt Disney World Resort is located at Disney’s Beach Club Resort. It’s a shared pool with Disney’s Yacht Club Resort called Stormalong Bay. Hurricane Hanna’s sits just outside it with a full drink menu and some quick service food options as well. This setting is perfectly vacation-esque, right next to the pool but also on the body of water in this resort area. The Beaches & Cream Soda Shop has a walk up ice cream window nearby as well.
Disney’s BoardWalk Villas Pool Bar: Leaping Horse Libations
This is one of the most themed of all of the Disney World pool bars. At Disney’s BoardWalk Inn and Villas you can sit at a carousel inspired bar! Leaping Horse Libations is colorful and fun, fitting right in with the BoardWalk amusement theme. You’ll also find assorted sandwiches on the menu.
Boulder Ridge Villas and Copper Creek Villas and Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge: Geyser Point Bar and Grill
This next one is a great place to have drinks on the water at Disney World. Disney Vacation Club has both Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Copper Creek Villas and Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. Right in the middle of the resort’s two pools is Geyser Point Bar and Grill on the shore of Bay Lake. This stunning lakeside location has a full food and drink menu. Just a few steps away you can watch fireworks from Wilderness Lodge.
The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort – A Disney Vacation Club Resort: Meadow Snack Bar
Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort has settings that make you feel like you’ve traveled into the wild. Still there are comfortable amenities a plenty. The Meadow Snack Bar has beer, cider, wine and some moonshine cocktails. There are also a few light sandwich options at this Meadow Swimmin’ Pool location.
The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort Pool Bar: Beaches Pool Bar & Grill, Courtyard Pool Bar
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa has two different pool bars. The Grand Floridian pool bars are for resort guests only as they are behind the fenced in pool area for resort guests. At the main pool behind the lobby, the Courtyard Pool Bar has some bar stools and tables and chairs with beverages and some light fare like sandwiches.
Beaches Pool Bar & Grill sits at the Beach Pool closest to the DVC building. There are tables and chairs here along with some bar stools. The menu has a few quick service style food items. Beaches has a long list of cocktails with some themed like “The St. Augustine” after the old Florida city.
Disney’s Old Key West Resort Pool Bar: Gurgling Suitcase, Turtle Shack Poolside Snacks
Disney’s Old Key West Resort has a main hub area with the lobby and dining near the resort’s big pool. Here you’ll find Gurgling Suitcase nearby with a large selection of adult beverages. The Gurgling Suitcase menu has some of the best poolside appetizers you’ll find like hushpuppies, fried pickles and house made french onion dip. The Turtle Crawl is a popular rum option on the exciting drink menu.
There is also Turtle Shack Poolside Snacks at the pool on the opposite side of the property. This area has some other recreation offerings as well. Turtle Shack Poolside Snacks has pizza, salad and sandwiches along with a simple selection of adult beverages.
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Pool Bar: Barefoot Pool Bar, Oasis Bar & Grill
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort has memorable dining options. This includes the Lava Pool with the big volcano slide. The Barefoot Pool Bar at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort adds to the fun with some of the better snack options. This includes the popular Polynesian wonton chips and spicy duck sauce and different kinds of wings. The Barefoot Pool Bar has tropical specialty cocktails like you might expect. Even more exciting options include the Frosty Pineapple which has DOLE Whip with Captain Morgan Private Stock Rum and the Frozen Margarita with lime DOLE Whip!
At the quiet Oasis Pool, the Oasis Bar & Grill has the same exciting pool bar food and drink menu.
Disney’s Riviera Resort Pool Bar: Bar Riva
Disney’s Riviera Resort has a beautiful pool bar option. Bar Riva is located next to the big pool with the waterslide but also not far from the quiet pool. This Mediterranean inspired location also has a full food menu. There are quite a few different drinks to choose from here including frozen options perfect for a hot day.
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort Pool Bar: On the Rocks Pool Bar, The Paddock Grill
The resort with the most Disney World pools is Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa. Disney’s Saratoga Springs has two feature pools with slides and pool bars and multiple leisure pools.
The main High Rock Spring Pool is behind the central dining area at the resort, broadening options. There, the On the Rocks Pool Bar has a few light food options like salads and sandwiches and a small selection in each category of adult beverages. There are frozen drinks here like frose and strawberry margaritas.
The Paddock Pool feels like another main pool. Not in size but in amenities. It has a great slide but the pool bar is also nice. There is a full breakfast, lunch and dinner menu at The Paddock Grill pool bar along with some cocktails, beer, wine and sangria.
Aulani and Disneyland DVC Pool Bars
For fun, let’s take a look at Aulani and the Disneyland Resort DVC pool bar options as well. There are just two Disney Vacation Club Resorts at Disneyland. There is just one in Hawaii.
Aulani, Disney Vacation Club Villas Pool Bar: Wailana Pool Bar & Lounge
Wailana Pool Bar & Lounge is located in between the Wailana Pool and Ka Maka Grotto. Enjoy lush greenery and island vibes here. There are a few stools and tables and chairs. Hawaiian cuisine and American style favorites are on the food menu.
The Villas at Disneyland Hotel Pool Bar: Palm Breeze Bar, Tangaroa Terrace Tropical Bar & Grill
The Palm Breeze Bar is a new addition with The Villas at Disneyland Hotel. It sits in the breezeway under the new tower in between both of the resort pool areas. It has a full food menu and an extensive drink menu.
The Disneyland Hotel also has the Tangaroa Terrace Tropical Bar & Grill next to the resort’s main pool. This is a great quick service lunch spot.
The Villas at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel Pool Bar: GCH Craftsman Bar
GCH Craftsman Bar is a craftsman style pool side lounge that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. This outdoor setting has thoughtful, American menu items and cocktails, mocktails, beer and wine.
Disney Vacation Club and DVC Resale Experts
One way to experience many different Disney World pool bars is to join Disney Vacation Club. Those who own a resale contract at one of the original 14 DVC resorts can use their points at many Disney World properties. If you can see yourself visiting Disney every year, the Disney timeshare is something to consider. Disney Vacation Club resorts are at the top tier, deluxe resorts. These are the most themed properties and they have the best amenities and higher quality food and beverage options as well.
If visiting Disney destinations year after year sounds exciting, maybe it’s time to learn more about the Disney timeshare. Disney Vacation Club can make Disney resort hotel stays more affordable and resale DVC can save you even more. Resale DVC contracts are those sold by Members, not Disney directly. With the help of a licensed real estate professional, you can be guided through the process with ease.
DVC Resale Experts is a licensed real estate broker with a team that specializes in selling resale Disney Vacation Club contracts. The Experts are former Disney Vacation Club Guides with a passion for providing magical service. Take a look at current resale DVC listings and start dreaming about the possibilities.
