One of the best ways to enjoy some relaxation during your Disney vacation is to spend a few hours at your resort pool. It’s the perfect midday park break for the kids and the parents! While your kids enjoy the slides on repeat, why not grab a fruity frozen cocktail or ice-cold beer?
While you can’t pool-hop (that is, swim in pools other than those at the resort you’re staying at), it is fun to look around at what’s on offer before you book. With that in mind, here are our favorite pool bars on Walt Disney World property!
It’s probably not surprising that the bar at the Polynesian Village Resort pool tops our list. There is something that just screams vacation about a tropical drink under the palm trees. Try the refreshing Coco-jito (Rumhaven coconut rum, coconut water, and fresh lime juice topped with soda water) or for something frozen, the Lava Flow (Sammy’s beach bar rum blended with strawberry puree and pina colada mix.) They also have a large selection of beers, including drafts from the Kona Brewing Company, which is local to Hawaii.
2. Drop-off BarÂ
“Just keep swimming” to Art of Animation‘s Drop Off Bar! Located at the resort’s largest pool is a great spot for refreshing drinks. The vast menu includes a variety of smoothies and non-alcoholic beverages for the kiddos, as well as a few bites. For the over-21 crowd, we recommend the frozen Pina Colava -(Bacardi Razzberry Rum blended with Pina Colada mix and raspberry puree) or the Sunken Treasure (Malibu Coconut Rum, Midori Melon Liqueur, Tropical Juice, and Sprite® with a float of Bols Blue Curaçao) which is served on-the-rocks.Â
3. Hurricane Hanna’s Waterside Bar & Grill
Nestled on the shore of the expansive Stormalong Bay is Hurricane Hanna’s. This spot at the Beach Club is a great place to grab lunch and a frozen cocktail. Entrees include a variety of sandwiches, wraps, and salads, and the kid’s meals are served in a sand pail! For adult beverages, we love the Category “5” (Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum, Bols Creme Banana, Peach Schnapps, Orange and pineapple juice, and a splash of grenadine with a float of rum) or the Hurricane Reef Caribbean Pilsner on draft.
4. Mardi Grogs
Perhaps we’re showing our bias — our favorite moderate resort is Port Orleans French Quarter, so it’s no surprise that our favorite moderate resort pool bar is Mardi Grogs.
There are just a few menu items to nosh on, but what you’re really there to enjoy is the lazy and fun atmosphere around the Doubloon Lagoon pool. Sip on a non-alcoholic Bull Frog Brew (Odwalla Lemonade, Monin Green Apple and Monin Kiwi served in a souvenir light-up mason jar), or go for something a bit stronger with the New Orleans-themed All That Jazz — a layered blend of three other specialty drinks: the Front Porch Freeze, the Gata Melon Juice and the Nola Cola served in a souvenir Hurricane glass.
5. Uzima Springs Watering HoleÂ
Jambo from Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge! Take a break from swimming in the Uzima Springs pool and grab a libation or bite at the watering hole. Eats include flatbreads and salads with exotic twists. Favorite drinks include the Cucumber & Mint Vojito (Ketel One Botanical Cucumber & Mint Vodka, Lime Juice and Pure Cane Sugar topped with Soda Water) and the Frosé (Featuring Meiomi Rosé and Tito’s Handmade Vodka.) There are also several African beers on the menu, so be adventurous and make a new favorite!
What are your favorite pool bars? Let us know in the comments!
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Alcohol. the cause of, and solution to, all of life’s problems.
My DVC home is Old Key West and as soon as I get off the Magical Express Bus I’m heading to the Gurgling Suitcase for a Turtle Krawl! I’ve tried to duplicate this drink at home, but I’m always missing the key ingredient – Vacation!
Mardi Grogs and Muddy River at Riverside are great bars due to the wonderful staff at both.
I agree that the Barefoot Bar at the Poly is awesome and relaxing. But nothing beats an evening with Les tending bar at Silver Springs Spirits – All Star Movies. The man had the whole bar in conversation whether it was bourbon, Star Wars or the weather. It was a great end to each night.