This Disney World Pool Gives Me Anxiety and I Know I’m Not the Only One

We need to talk about the All-Star Resort pools in the middle of summer.

If you’ve ever walked out of your room at All-Star Movies, Music, or Sports in July thinking you’d take a refreshing dip, only to be met with what looks like the opening scene of a summer camp movie — yeah, same. These pools aren’t just popular. They’re packed. And while we love a good Disney swim, there’s something about the scene here that gives us secondhand stress.

It’s Giving Times Square on New Year’s Eve

Let’s set the scene. It’s 2PM, you’ve just braved the midday sun at Animal Kingdom, and you’re thinking, “A little pool break sounds perfect.” You make your way back to All-Star Music, pop on your swimsuit, and walk out to the Calypso Pool. Only… there’s no water. Just bodies.

We’re talking shoulder-to-shoulder chaos. Kids cannonballing. Pool noodles flying. Parents trying to reclaim chairs with beach towels that have clearly been there since sunrise. It’s loud, it’s chaotic, and it’s a lot to take in if all you wanted was to float peacefully and not get splashed in the face every 10 seconds.

The Chair Situation Alone Is Enough To Send You Spiraling

The lounge chairs can be like how FastPasses used to be — gone before you even realized they were an option. Unless you’re waking up at 7AM and staking your claim like it’s Black Friday, good luck finding a spot.

We’ve seen full families pacing the pool deck like they’re looking for a hidden Mickey, but really, they’re just trying to find two chairs together.

It’s Not That We Don’t Love a Value Resort…

To be clear we’re not here to drag the All-Star Resorts. For families on a budget, they’re a solid pick. The themes are fun, the transportation is reliable, and for the price, it’s hard to beat.

But the pools? Well, they might not be the serene break from the parks you might be hoping for. Especially during peak summer months when the parks are packed, the heat is at full blast, and everybody has the same idea: “Let’s go back to the pool.”

So What Can You Do?

If you’re staying at an All-Star and still want to enjoy the pool, here are some things that have helped us feel a little more in control:

• • Go early or go late. Early morning and late evening are usually quieter. The midday rush is when things really spiral.
  • Skip pool days on weekends. Locals and weekend travelers tend to crowd them up even more.
  • Scope out the quieter pool. Each All-Star has a main feature pool and at least one smaller “quiet” pool. These tend to be less chaotic, especially in the middle of the day.
  • Adjust your expectations. If you go in knowing it’s going to be a scene, you might not be so caught off guard.

We’re not saying don’t swim. We’re just saying — maybe emotionally prepare yourself like you would for a rope drop at Magic Kingdom. You’re going to need patience, strategy, and possibly noise-canceling headphones. And hey — if you’ve had your own “I came to relax and left with a headache” pool moment at an All-Star Resort, just know: you’re definitely not the only one.

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What’s your go-to strategy for surviving the Disney pool madness? Let us know in the comments!

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