25 over-the-top Orlando hotel pools that you should totally not sneak into

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

2901 Osceola Parkway Blvd. | 407-938-3000 | 9 a.m. - 11 pm.
Get in touch with your wild side at the lodge’s Uzima Pool, an 11,000 square foot watering hole straight out of a tropical paradise. But what really makes this pool stand out is the scenery — African wildlife can often be seen from the pool deck grazing in the neighboring savanna. The pool hours change seasonally, so you’ll want to double check depending on when you go. Typically, resort guests are the only ones allowed to use the pools, but when the pool is below capacity, the hotel might make an exception for friends and family who are visiting.

Photo via harrisdisneyjr/Instagram

Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando

5800 Universal Blvd. | (407) 503-2000 | 8 a.m. - 10 p.m. (Sunday-Thursday), 8 a.m. - 11 p.m. (Friday-Saturday)
Rock out at this 12,000 square foot pool, complete with a sand beach, interactive fountain and a 260-foot slide. Plus, you’ll never miss a beat of any of the live music or DJ-crafted hits found poolside, even when completely submerged, because of the hotel’s underwater sound system. Visitors of guests are allowed to use the facilities as well, but they have to remain with registered guests — the pool area requires a hotel key to gain access.

Photo via la5ty/Instagram

Disney’s Beach Club Resort

1800 Epcot Resorts Blvd., Lake Buena Vista | 407-934-8000 | 9 a.m. - 10 p.m. (Stormalong Bay), 7 a.m. - 11 p.m. (leisure pools)
With Stormalong Bay and three leisure pools that each include steaming whirlpool spas, you’re bound to find a swimming area of your liking. The Stormalong Bay is a 3-acre beachside water park with currents and a sand-bottomed pool. Use your adventurous side and climb a life-sized shipwreck to plummet down a 230-foot-long waterslide. If you’re relaxed side is taking over for the day, you can check out the lazy river where you can rent an inner tube. There are also two pretty big leisure pools: Disney’s Yacht Club Resort pool and the Dunes Cove pool, which is technically for the convenience of guests at Disney’s Beach Club Villas, but all resort guests are welcome. However, you cannot bring any additional guests.

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Hilton Orlando Bonnett Creek Resort

14100 Bonnett Creek Resort Lane | 407-597-4600 | 7 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Travel down a pirate ship waterslide or take part in daily poolside arts and crafts at the Hilton Bonnet Creek Pool. The resort also features private cabanas that can be rented alongside the pool, which include lounge chairs, personalized service and access to an HD flat-screen TV. And once you’re ready for dining, Beech offers free-flowing mojitos and a menu featuring salads, sandwiches, pizza and nachos. Although you have to be a guest at the hotel to use the pool, you are allowed to bring as many additional friends and family to join you.

Photo via dannygotdajuice7/Instagram

Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando

6300 Hollywood Way | 407-503-3000 | 8 a.m. - 11 p.m.
This lagoon-style pool is perfect for the picky family. Kids can splash around in the ship-themed water play area, adults can relax or watch TV in rentable poolside cabanas and and everyone can enjoy activities like pool basketball, hula hoop contests, ping pong tournaments and weekly “dive in” movies. Friends and family can accompany registered guests to the pools, but only if they stay together at all times.

Photo via pcereijo/Instagram

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

900 Cayman Way, Lake Buena Vista | 407-934-3400 | 9 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Take a mini vacation and visit Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort to travel down an 82-foot-long slide into a zero-entry pool. There are two slides and water cannons to make the experience fun and enjoyable. A shipwreck play area with three small slides is also available for kids nearby. Only guests staying at the resort are allowed to use the pool, and additional visitors are not allowed to join. This resort is also undergoing refurbishments until further notice, but the only operations it affects are Old Port Royale Food Court, Shutters at Old Port Royale, Banana Cabana Pool Bar and Calypso Trading Post.

Photo via therubyredrebel/Instagram

Loews Cabana Bay Beach Resort at Universal Orlando

6550 Adventure Way | 407-503-4000 | 8 a.m. - 10 p.m. (Cabana Courtyard pool), 8 a.m. - 11 p.m. (Lazy River pool)
Cabana Bay has two tricked-out pools guests can dive into. At the Cabana Courtyard, make a splash with your entrance from the dive tower waterslide or grab a frozen margarita from the Atomic Tonic poolside bar. The Lazy River Courtyard features a pool with a sandy beach, plus, you guessed it, a lazy river with waterfalls and water canons. Registered guests are the only ones allowed to use the pool, but if you have a friend visiting or staying overnight, they can join you for the day.

Photo via andreawhyte/Instagram

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

1000 West Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista | 407-939-1000 | 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
You’ll dig the sprawling Dig Site Pool complex at Coronado Springs. The Mayan ruin-themed attraction features the Lost City of Cibola pool as its centerpiece, with a 50-foot pyramid with stone steps where weary swimmers can rest during their explorations. Guests can also join a jaguar spirit animal for a ride down a 123-foot waterslide or join other “tribesmen” in the largest hot tub on Disney property, which boasts enough space for 22 people. Only registered guests can explore these ruins, but if you have a friend or family visit you, they can also join in on the adventure. The resort is currently undergoing refurbishments, and an expected completion date has not been announced, but it does not affect guests’ access to the pool or many other recreational activities--it just might get a little noisy at times after 9 a.m.

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Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort

1901 Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista | 407-939-7000 | 10 a.m. - 11 p.m.
Jump right into your favorite classic Disney films at the All-Star Movies Resort. In the Fantasia Pool, huge character statues surround you as you swim and Sorcerer Mickey recreates his iconic movie scene atop a rocky cliff with cascading fountains. The Duck Pond pool puts you out on the ice in this 105,438-gallon pool designed to look like a hockey rink. Only registered guest can use the pool, but you can pool hop between all three All-Star Resorts, which means you can get your groove on in the Piano pool at the All-Star Music Resort or score a homerun at the Grand Slam pool at the All-Star Sports Resort.

Photo via mdbosslady/Instagram

Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort

10100 Dream Tree Blvd., Lake Buena Vista | 407-313-6868 | Sunrise-Sunset (about 6:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.)
At Four Seasons, you can take a break from your hectic life and take a ride along the lazy river. The lazy river is more than 11,000 square feet and snakes around The Mansion, which features two waterslides. If you’d rather take a swim, you can visit the adult-only pool, which features underwater audio and a jacuzzi to change up the mood, or the family pool that overlooks the lake and has a sloping entry into the water. The pool is available for guests at the resort or visitors who reserve an 80-minute treatment at the spa. Anyone staying with the guest at the resort (rooms have a maximum of four people) can use the pool area, but no additional guests are allowed.

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Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando

5601 Universal Blvd. | 407-503-1000 | 6 a.m. - 11 p.m. (Villa pool), 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. (Hillside pool), 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. (Beach pool)
The Portofino Bay Hotel treats guests to three stages of luxury with its pools. The first family-friendly pool is inspired by a Roman aqueduct and features a slide, pool basketball and ping pong and two bubbling hot tubs. The second Roman Villa-themed pool offers upgraded amenities like cabana rentals, while the cozy Hillside pool in the east wing is perfect for a quiet, private day of relaxation. The beach pool is open until 10 p.m. on weekends. Registered guests and their visitors are the only ones allowed to use the pool.

Photo via lainey329/Instagram

Gaylord Palms Hotel and Convention Center

6000 W. Osceola Parkway | 407-586-0000 | 7 a.m. - 11 p.m.
Gaylord Palms features an Everglades-inspired Cypress Springs Family Fun Water Park that has a zero-entry swimming pool with four slides, a FlowRider for bodyboarding, a multilevel tree house playground and an active lagoon. Through August 13, guests can celebrate Summerfest at Gaylord Palms featuring Surf In & Rock Out. Guests can check out the poolside games, face painting, airbrush tattoos and more, and DJ Cowabunga Chris spins tunes from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. daily. You can check out all the activities here. There’s also a South Beach Pool that is an exclusive adult-only swimming pool with a restaurant and bar if you’re more intent on kicking back and relaxing. Only guests staying at Gaylord Palms are welcome to access Cypress Springs Family Fun Water Park. The hours that the attractions at the water park are open vary as they are weather permitting, so you’ll want to check the skies before planning your day there.

Photo via coswatte/Instagram

Grand Bohemian Hotel

325 S. Orange Ave | 407-313-9000 | 6 a.m. - 11 p.m.
The heated outdoor pool and whirlpool might be a little on the small side at the Grand Bohemian, but nothing can beat the views — from its prime rooftop locale, you can soak up not only plenty of sunlight, but also plenty of views from across Downtown Orlando. The hotel has a package you can purchase to use the gym and the pool, but typically you have to be a guest or a visitor of a guest.

Photo via Grand Bohemian Hotel Orlando, Autograph Collection/Facebook

Loews Sapphire Falls Resort at Universal Orlando

6601 Adventure Way | 407-503-5000 | 8 a.m. - 11 p.m.
The new Sapphire Falls Resort boasts the largest pool out of all the on-site resorts at Universal Orlando. The waterslide and kid’s splash zone offer fun for guests of all ages. If you’re looking for a more chill experience, you can dig your toes into one of the two sandy beach areas or even check out the huge hot tub. Private cabanas are also available for rent. The pools are only open to resort guests, so you can only bring friends and family if they’re staying at the hotel, too.

Photo via epcooksey/Instagram

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

4401 Floridian Way, Lake Buena Vista | 407-824-3000 | 9 a.m. - 11 p.m (Beach Pool), 7 a.m. - 11 p.m. (Courtyard Pool)
This natural-spring themed pool overlooks Disney’s Seven Seas lagoon. Kids can splash around in the Alice in Wonderland themed water playground, while adults can either relax under cascading waterfalls or go for a ride down the 181-foot waterslide at the Beach Pool. The quiet Courtyard Pool is all-ages and includes an adjacent kiddie pool and whirlpool spa. However, there is no lifeguard on duty, so you must swim at your own risk. Registered guests are the only ones allowed to use the pool, but if a family or friend comes to visit, stop by the front desk to see if an exception can be made.

Photo via ashleyrm1/Instagram

JW Marriott & The Ritz-Carlton

4040 Central Florida Parkway | RC: 407-206-2400, JW: 407-206-2300 | 8 a.m. - 9 p.m.
You can rent a private cabana for some shelter from the sun at the Ritz-Carlton’s pool or grab your tube and jump right into the lazy river pool at the JW Marriott, a winding channel that takes you past scenic landscapes and rocky waterfalls. The pools are typically open until 9 p.m., but periodically will stay open later, until around 11 p.m. A limited number of friends and family can join registered guests at these pools.

Photo via fiveastoute/Instagram

Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort

1 Grand Cypress Blvd. | 407-239-1234 | Open all day
A lagoon-style pool is only one feature that makes the pool at this resort unique. You can swim underneath rock caves in this 800,000-gallon, half-acre pool, which has 12 waterfalls, a water slide tower pavilion, a water jet splash zone and two whirlpools. Within the rockwork are seats and paths that lead to rock-climbing stations. While the pool area is open 24 hours, there is no lifeguard on duty at any time. Day-use rooms are available for 50 percent off the Standard Daily Rate and are only available for purchase through Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress directly, by either calling or purchasing at the desk. Rooms are subject to availability, taxes and resort fee.

Photo via hyattregencygrandcypress/Instagram

Lake Buena Vista Resort Village & Spa

8113 Resort Village Drive | 407-597-0214 | 8 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Swimming beside a pirate ship may be a dream of yours. If so, you’ll be happy to hear that Lake Buena Vista features a Pirate’s Plunge Pool, along with its Relaxation Pool. The Pirate Shipwreck that sits in the pool has shooting water cannons, a water slide, hot tubs, tumbling waterfalls, poolside loungers and hammocks. You can also grab a drink at Lani’s Luau, the poolside tiki bar. Guests at the hotel can bring friends and family to use the pool as well.

Photo via lbvorlandoresort/Instagram

Liki Tiki Village in Winter Garden

17777 Bali Blvd., Winter Garden | 407-239-5000 | 7 a.m. - 12 a.m. (pools), 9 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. (Liki Tiki Lagoon)
Two heated pools, along with a Liki Tiki Lagoon, may sound pretty refreshing in this Florida heat. The lagoon is a 1.5-acre, 220,000-gallon area that combines a swimming pool with a water park. Unlike the ordinary swimming pool, Liki Tiki offers a rolling wave pool, five water slides, an erupting water volcano, a waterfall and a dancing fountain. And if you want a break from fun in the sun, visit the lounging areas or Shipwreck Sally’s Bar and Grill. If you are staying as a guest or have made a reservation, you are allowed to use the pool at the resort. Depending on the number of guests staying at the hotel, a certain number of additional guests are welcome to use the pool area as well, but they are asked to bring their own towels.

Photo via Liki Tiki Village/Facebook

Marriott’s Lakeshore Reserve Orlando

11248 Lakeshore Reserve Drive | 407-393-6400 | 7 a.m. - 11 p.m.
Taking a dip in Lakeshore Reserve’s beautiful Plaza D’Acqua pool is a good way to cool off. The lazy river offers a relaxing trip through a tropical paradise, or there’s the whirlpool spas if you’re looking to be a little more stationery. For the the thrill-seekers, there is also a zero-entry pool with two winding waterslides. You have to be a hotel guest to have access to the pools, but friends and family are allowed to accompany you.

Photo via Marriott’s Lakeshore Reserve