When people think about upgrades at Walt Disney World, they usually think it has to be their resort and it has to last their entire trip.
But, one of my favorite parts of planning vacations is helping families decide where an upgrade will make the biggest impact.
Sometimes it’s booking Club Level. Other times it’s choosing a room with a better location. And sometimes it’s adding one incredible resort day in the middle of the trip.
If your family loves spending time at the pool, this is one of my favorite planning ideas.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products and services that I genuinely think can make your vacation easier.
Pool at Walt Disney World Resorts
Disney resort pools are reserved for guests staying at that specific resort.
So if you’re staying at Disney’s Pop Century Resort, you can’t spend the afternoon at Disney’s Beach Club Resort just because you’ve heard Stormalong Bay is amazing. And yes…it really is.
But, there is another option.
ResortPass
If you’ve never heard of it, ResortPass gives you access to the pools and amenities at participating hotels without booking an overnight stay. You simply purchase a day pass for the hotel you’d like to visit.
It’s worth noting that not every hotel participates. So, you still won’t be able to grab a day pass to swim in Stormalong Bay.
But, because the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin are technically Marriott-operated hotels, not Disney-owned resorts, these two resorts are on ResortPass.
Why I Recommend the Swan and Dolphin
First, the pool complex is fantastic. When I talk about what a really good Walt Disney World resort day looks like, this is what I’m talking about.
But, it’s actually the location that makes the Swan and Dolphin my number one recommendation.
Because it’s in the EPCOT resort area, you can get there using Disney transportation. You don’t have to rent a car or call an uber just to enjoy a nice pool.
It’s one of the easiest ways to experience some of those deluxe resort perks, even if staying at a deluxe resort for your entire trip isn’t in the budget.
And even if it does, not every family needs seven nights at a deluxe resort to have an incredible vacation.
If you’d rather spend most of your vacation in the parks but still want to enjoy a deluxe resort experience, this is a great option. You get an incredible resort day without making it the centerpiece of your entire vacation.
Planning Your Resort Day
A couple of things to keep in mind before you book. Day passes can sell out, especially during busy travel periods. While you can sometimes book them at the last minute, I’d recommend reserving yours early if it’s something you’re really want to do.
Also, The Swan and Dolphin are usually my first choices because of the location and pool areas. But if you’re looking for different amenities, another participating hotel may be a better choice.
If you’d like to see what’s currently available, I’ve included my ResortPass affiliate link in this post. They can have special offers, so it’s worth checking to see what’s currently being offered.
If you like this tip, this is exactly how I plan vacations for my clients.
I don’t recommend upgrades just because they’re available. I recommend the ones that will make the biggest difference for your family, so you come home feeling like your vacation was worth every minute and every dollar you spent.
If that sounds like the kind of vacation you’re looking for, I’d love to help you plan it. Click the link below to start the process.
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