By the co-author of The easy Guide to Your Walt Disney World Visit 2020, the best-reviewed Disney World guidebook series ever.

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The Pools at the Disney World Swan and Dolphin



By Dave Shute

For the first page of this review of the Disney World Swan and Dolphin, see this.

REVIEW: THE POOLS AT THE DISNEY WORLD SWAN AND DOLPHIN

Review The Pools at the Swan and Dolphin from yourfirstvisit.net

The sister resorts Swan and Dolphin share all amenities, including a band of pools that sweep along a beach and connect the two resorts.

Review The Pools at the Swan and Dolphin at Walt Disney World from yourfirstvisit.netWhile no single pool in this collection is stellar, as a suite they offer pretty much anything any guest would want of a pool.

Moreover, the sweep of pool after pool after pool after beach after pool is quite compelling–making this overall the third best pool complex at Walt Disney World (Four Seasons is first, then the pools shared by the Yacht Club and Beach Club).

There’s five pools here and a beach with an extensive play area. On the map below, they are not all labeled, but are at center right, connecting the two resorts in a curve around a small lake.

Map Disney World Swan and Dolphin

Starting with the pool closest to the Swan, and working our way around…

Swan Lap Pool Pools at the Swan and Dolphin from yourfirstvisit.net

The lap pool nearest the Swan has no particular kid appeal, but is a fine spot for adults to sunbathe.

Bar Swan Lap Pool Pools at the Swan and Dolphin from yourfirstvisit.net

It has a small bar with seasonal hours…

Hot Tub Swan Lap Pool Pools at the Swan and Dolphin from yourfirstvisit.net

…and a hot tub.

Gym Swan Lap Pool Pools at the Swan and Dolphin from yourfirstvisit.net

At one side is the Swan gym, which is also where you will find towels.

Beach Pools at the Swan and Dolphin from yourfirstvisit.net

Next begins a beach that stretches all the way to the Dolphin.

Beach Playground Pools at the Swan and Dolphin from yourfirstvisit.net

It includes a playground (note at the right edge the hammocks)…

Beach Volleyball Pools at the Swan and Dolphin from yourfirstvisit.net

…volleyball net…

Beach Swan Boats Pools at the Swan and Dolphin from yourfirstvisit.net

…and rentable Swan boats.

Smores at the Beach Pools at the Swan and Dolphin from yourfirstvisit.net

In the evening you can make s’mores here.

Beach at Night Pools at the Swan and Dolphin from yourfirstvisit.net (2)

Night at the beach.

Next is the Grotto pool.  This serves as the main family pool, and bridges divide it into three visually distinct areas.

Grotto Pool Pools at the Swan and Dolphin from yourfirstvisit.net

The area closest to the Swan…

Grotto Pool Pools at the Swan and Dolphin from yourfirstvisit.net (5)

…the middle, with a “grotto” and waterfall…

Grotto Pool Pools at the Swan and Dolphin from yourfirstvisit.net (3)

…and water slide.

Grotto Pool Pools at the Swan and Dolphin from yourfirstvisit.net (4)

And the end closest to the Dolphin.

Grotto Pool at Night Pools at the Swan and Dolphin from yourfirstvisit.net

The Grotto pool at night.

There’s several hot tubs near the Grotto pool–images of two of them are below:

Hot Tub Grotto Pool Pools at the Swan and Dolphin from yourfirstvisit.net

Hot Tub Grotto Pool Pools at the Swan and Dolphin from yourfirstvisit.net (2)

Sundries Pools at the Swan and Dolphin from yourfirstvisit.net

At the Dolphin side of the Grotto pool is a small gift and pool toy shop, where you’ll also find the pool towels.

Spring Pool Pools at the Swan and Dolphin from yourfirstvisit.net

Beyond the Grotto pool is the semi-circular Spring pool.

Spring Pool at Night Pools at the Swan and Dolphin from yourfirstvisit.net

The Spring pool at night.

Kid's Pool Pools at the Swan and Dolphin from yourfirstvisit.net

Near it there’s a splash pool for little ones.

Dolphin Lap Pool Pools at the Swan and Dolphin from yourfirstvisit.net

Finally, there’s another lap-style pool close to the Dolphin.

Dolphin Lap Pool at Night Pools at the Swan and Dolphin from yourfirstvisit.net

Here you’ll also find a substantial pool bar and grille, the Cabana Bar and Beach Club.

Dolphin Bar Pools at the Swan and Dolphin from yourfirstvisit.net

A closer shot of the bar.

No individual pool here except the Grotto pool is spectacular…but the sweep of pool, beach, pool, pool, pool, pool, along with all the other amenities, is really something!!

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9 comments

1 KT { 08.25.15 at 3:55 pm }

Is there a bar at the grotto pool?

2 Dave { 08.26.15 at 12:07 pm }

KT, no, but the bar at the lap pool by the Dolphin is not far, and sometimes wait staff walks around and takes orders from people at the Grotto.

3 Nici { 11.11.15 at 2:04 am }

Is the grotto pool open 24 hours?

4 Kelly B - Agent with Destinations in Florida { 11.11.15 at 9:58 am }

Hi Nici,

From my understanding the Grotto pool is open 24 hours, but lifeguards are only there from 9am – 9pm.

5 Dave { 11.12.15 at 10:25 am }

Thanks, Kelly!

6 Anonymous { 04.24.21 at 6:28 pm }

Is there anything especially for toddlers besides the little splash pool? Splash pad etc? Thanks!

7 Dave { 04.25.21 at 9:14 am }

Not that I can recall…

8 Deborah Frank { 05.18.21 at 11:38 am }

Is there a lap pool with lap lanes?

9 Dave { 05.19.21 at 10:01 am }

Deborah, at least as of my last visit, no. The pool nearest the Swan has the right dimensions for being a lap pool, but it is not marked as such…

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