Disney’s Beach Club Resort is a favorite for a lot of reasons, and its pool complex is a big one. Stormalong Bay is consistently one of the most popular pools at Walt Disney World. Here’s why.
Stormalong Bay
Stormalong Bay is a 3-acre, roughly 750,000-gallon beachside pool complex shared by Disney’s Beach Club and Yacht Club resorts.
There’s a sizable sand-bottom pool, a lazy river, a life-size shipwreck replica, and one of the tallest hotel pool slides at Walt Disney World.
When you want a break from the water, there are three whirlpool spas and a raised tanning deck to relax on.
Younger kids can cool off in the shallower Shipwreck Pool, which has its own mini waterslide and a gently sloping sandy entry.
Between the different pools, from lively to calm, open to tucked-away, there’s a spot here for pretty much everyone in the family.
Why Stormalong Bay Is So Popular
Big
Stormalong Bay covers 3 acres, roughly the size of a football field, and holds close to 750,000 gallons of water.
It’s not just one big pool either: within those 3 acres you’ve got the lazy river, two slides, a sand-bottom pool, and the shipwreck replica, plus plenty of seating and three whirlpool spas.
If you’re after something quieter, the resorts also share a few standard, low-key pools elsewhere on property as an alternative to Stormalong Bay.
Kid Friendly
Every feature pool at a Disney resort is kid-friendly, but Stormalong Bay takes it further than most.
Between the main waterslide, the mini slide, and the sandy beach area, there’s a lot to keep kids busy, plus plenty of open pool space for regular swimming.
Cast Members also run occasional pool activities for kids, including tie-dye sessions, trivia, and games.
Adult Friendly
It’s not just for kids. There’s a bar right in the pool area serving food and drinks, and the lazy river makes for a genuinely relaxing adult afternoon, whether or not you’ve got kids with you to watch or not.
Safe
Along with all the activities, Stormalong Bay is set up to be genuinely safe for younger swimmers. Life jackets are available in a range of sizes, and lifeguards are stationed throughout the pool complex.
One safety-minded design detail: to ride the slide again after splashing down, kids have to exit the pool area and walk around to re-enter the slide entrance, rather than simply climbing back up, which helps keep the flow of kids around the slide more controlled.
The Shipwreck Replica Is Cool
The slides are a highlight for most kids visiting Stormalong Bay, short of an actual water park.
Beyond the main slide, which runs about 230 feet, one of the tallest hotel slides at Disney, there’s also a smaller slide built into the shipwreck for younger kids, so everyone gets a turn at the thrill of playing on the ship.
Cabana Rentals
Want a bit of extra comfort during your pool day, with a dedicated Cast Member bringing food and drinks to a private spot?
Renting a cabana is the way to do it. A cabana rental typically includes:
- A dedicated Cast Member providing service to the cabana
- Cocktail service
- Ceiling fan
- Padded furniture, including chairs and a couch
- TV with cable access
- Charging outlets/USB ports
- Mini fridge stocked with complimentary sodas and water
- Fruit basket (may require advance reservation)
- Plush towels
- In-cabana safe
Cabanas can be booked for a half day or full day, and they book up fast, often well before your trip, so it’s worth reserving one as early as you can if you want the option.
Beaches And Cream Is Nearby
Beaches & Cream, one of Walt Disney World’s most popular restaurants, sits right nearby, known for its retro soda-shop menu and famously oversized sundaes like the Kitchen Sink.
You don’t necessarily need to leave the pool to enjoy it, either. The to-go counter serves ice cream and treats you can bring right back to your lounge chair, a handy option since the poolside bar menu skews more toward adults.
The to-go counter doesn’t carry the full sit-down menu, though. If you want a burger or another full entrée, mobile ordering from the Marketplace at Beach Club or Yacht Club is the better bet, and it’s worth checking ahead since hours and availability can vary by season.
Hey everyone! I’m Luciana, a travel writer from Colombia. I focus on places I know and love — mostly Colombia, Central America, and North America.
I’m all about discovering those hidden gems that don’t always make it into the guidebooks — think street food stalls, quiet little towns, underrated hiking trails, and the kind of real-life moments that truly capture what a place is all about.
Whether I’m wandering through vibrant markets in Guatemala, cruising across the deserts of the U.S., or hiking the Andes, I try to keep it real and useful — no fluff, just the good stuff.
When I’m not off exploring or writing about it, you’ll probably find me sipping too much coffee, editing photos, or dreaming up my next trip.
Let’s keep discovering and traveling smarter — one trip at a time.