5 Reasons Kids love the Lava Pool and Kiki Tiki Splash Area at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort has undergone several extensive refurbishments in the last two years, making the Lava Pool area one of my kids’ favorite stops in Walt Disney World.

Welcome to this month’s Blogorail Orange Loop. Today the kids are answering the question, which Disney pool is the best?

It’s no secret that my kids absolute favorite pool at Walt Disney World is the Yacht and Beach Club’s Stormalong Bay.  It’s so special, in fact, that I was worried they wouldn’t be able to come up with another “favorite”. Immediately though, my two oldest answered that they love swimming at the Polynesian. Here are just a handful of reasons why they gave —

1. Kiki Tiki’s Water Play area. I wasn’t terribly far off, I suppose. My prediction was that my kids would choose Kidani Village as their second favorite Disney pool; they’ve enjoyed the splash area at Kidani for many years. I had completely forgotten, though, about our stay at the Polynesian last May – and how much they enjoyed the newly-refurbished Lava pool and splash playground – but they hadn’t forgotten for a moment! As fun as these “spraygrounds” are in any location, this one is especially lovely. The tiki theming, including “huts” and natural-looking bridges, adds a really beautiful element to the lava rock everywhere else in the pool area. My kids probably care much less about the themeing than some of us may, but they sure do love the pouring water buckets and spouting, spraying tiki statues. Kiki Tiki’s maintains the same hours as the Lava Pool, and is open to guests 48” an under.
2. Lava Rock features. Ok, so technically this response was, “It’s just so pretty!” They speak truth. When the Polynesian was undergoing major refurbishments throughout the past few years, people were really concerned about what the outcome may be. After all, the Polynesian Village Resort has been open since the first day Walt Disney World was in operation. I will admit I didn’t have a huge connection to the Poly since I have only stayed a few times (all in the past decade), but I think it’s even more beautiful than ever – inside and out. This includes the upgrades to the Lava Pool area. While the original volcano has been replaced, the lava rock that is “left behind” (or, rather, added everywhere) reminds me of Disney’s Hawaiian paradise, Aulani. The entire pool area has walls, decor, and other fixtures that look like they’ve been left over after hundreds of years of volcanic activity. Combined with the bright blue water, the dark woods of the Polynesian longhouses and Great Ceremonial House, and the lighter colored water play area, I think it’s absolutely stunning in contrast.
3. The (“super giant!”) water slide. Not everything from the original volcano is gone! When my kids weren’t playing in the Kiki Tiki area, they were going repeatedly down the nearly 150-foot-long water slide. I was busy chasing my youngest (who would love such a slide now!) but I hear – and heard then, over and over and over and over again – that it’s awesome.
4. Infinity Hot Tub. The first of its kind at any Walt Disney World hotel, the 2015 refurbishment to the Lava Pool also brought the addition of an infinity edge hot tub. I’ve always been impressed with the beauty of the infinity edge pools and spas, but there’s no arguing that the best places to put them are places where the view is something to see in its entirety. The scenery provided by the Polynesian’s pool area and the Seven Seas Lagoon does not disappoint! My kids, as you’ll see when we get around to reviewing our visit to Aulani, are huge fans of infinity hot tubs because they like leaning over the edge like Ariel in her infamous “Part of Your World” rock scene. I’d rather be fully submerged in the hottest water possible (even in the summer), but hey – to each their own! 
5. Pineapple Lanai. So technically, this isn’t part of the pool area. It’s awfully close though, which makes poolside Dole Whips a reality. Need I say more? Once found only in Adventureland and Captain Cook’s while at Walt Disney World, the availability of Dole Whips has expanded greatly over the last few years. No location tops this one, in our collective opinion, where you can grab the World’s best snack and take it to the beach for Wishes or the Electrical Water Pageant, or to the pool area. We’re huge fans of the addition of the Lanai!

Please note that while some Walt Disney World Resort hotels allow “pool hopping” – especially as an advertised perk for Disney Vacation Club members – the Lava Pool and Kiki Tiki’s Water Play Area are open only to guests currently registered at the Polynesian Village Resort. Wristbands must be obtained (by scanning your magic band with the cast member stationed in the pool area) in order to enter.

Have you stayed at the Polynesian Village Resort since these updates have been made? If you’re just stopping by the resort for a meal or a ride around the monorail, you can get a good look at this beautiful area – and grab a Dole Whip! – without any trouble. It’s definitely worth a visit one way or another.

C. Chad Sparkes Photography (click for photographer info)

Here is the map of our Magical Blogorail Orange | Kid Reviews | Disney Pools Loop:

• 1st Stop – Capturing Magical Memories| Kid Review – Disney Dream & Disney Fantasy Pool Deck
• 2nd Stop – Home is Where the Mouse Is | Kid Review | Silver Creek Springs Pool at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
• 3rd Stop – The Delightful Life | YOU ARE HERE 🙂
• 4th Stop – Magical Memories with the Mouse | The Best Pool at Walt Disney World Resort (According to My 12-Year-Old)