For many Disney World hotel guests, the hotel pool is one of the highlights of their trip!

From huge, feature-filled water playgrounds that are arguably comparable to water parks to small, quiet bastions of relaxation, there are plenty of options to choose from. But, even fun activities like Disney World hotel pools come with rules — and there are a few you should pay a bit more close attention to, or you’ll be caught off-guard!

No Food & Drinks IN the Pool

Okay, so this one may throw some people, as they’ll understandably respond with “But nearly every Disney World hotel has a pool bar!” And they’d be right, as hotels ranging from the value tiers like Pop Century…

…to the Deluxe Tier Grand Floridian feature pool bars with drinks and food menus.

Obviously, those food and drink options can be enjoyed in the pool area, NOT in the pool. No, not even if you’re just sitting on the edge with your feet in the pool. However, there is one thing you won’t find at the pool bars.

NO Glass Containers

You won’t be bringing any of your drinks from the pool bars over to your chair in a glass cup or container, as real glass is BARRED from both the pools and the pool area for safety reasons.

Metal tumblers and plastic cups or containers are fine, though!

Adult Supervision

Children under the age of 12 must have adult supervision in the pool areas, including main and kiddie pools. So, sorry parents, but if your kids are 11 or under, you won’t be able to drop them off at the pool while heading out to enjoy an adult meal, etc.

Now speaking of kids near the pool…

Water Play Area Restrictions

Any Disney hotel features adjacent water play areas, with fun theming and water features. However, these areas are reserved for kids who stand 48″ or under. So, no older kids, no teens, and no adults.

We know, we know, playing on these splash pads and playgrounds looks extremely fun; however, you’ll have to get your kicks somewhere else.

You Can’t Pool Hop… with Some Exceptions

So generally, Disney’s current rules don’t allow pool hopping to other resorts.

However, there are a few exceptions:

• Guests at Port Orleans can use that hotel’s Doubloon Lagoon Pool, as well as Port Orleans — Riverside’s Ol’ Man Island and its large pool, spa, kiddie pool, a wading pool, and even a small water slide.
• Guests staying at any of Disney’s three All-Star Resorts (Sports, Music, or Movies) can visit any of the All-Star pools! At All-Star Music, there are the Calypso and Piano Pools, All-Star Movies has the Fantasia and Duck Pond Pools, and at All-Star Sports, you’ll find the Surfboard Bay and Grand Slam Pools.
• Finally, guests at Disney’s Yacht Club and Disney’s Beach Club Resorts can bounce between the Tidal, Admiral, and Dunes Cove Pools, as well as quite possibly all of Disney World: Stormalong Bay. With its sand-bottom pool, pirate ship slide, and lazy river, this complex is closer to a miniature water park than it is simply a pool!

Make sure to study up on these pool rules before your next Disney World trip to ensure you have the most possible fun in the sun at your hotel pool! Stay tuned to DFB for more Disney World tips!

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What’s your favorite Disney World hotel pool? Let us know in the comments below.