An afternoon at Stormalong Bay!
This is another in our series of posts on the Epcot Resort Area (you can see earlier parts here, here, here, here, and here).
A Walt Disney World vacation is all about the parks – Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom!
Or is it?
The parks are amazing, but there’s so much to see that you and your family need down time to relax and recharge.
The Disney Resorts’ pools are the perfect place to do just that.
Another shot of Stormalong Bay!
A few of the pools are great destinations themselves.
At the heart of the Epcot Resort Area, Stormalong Bay (shared by Disney Yacht and Beach Club Resorts) is the crown jewel of the resort pools.
Check out an official Disney Park Moms video on Stormalong Bay:
It stretches along the north side of Crescent Lake between Disney’s Yacht Club and Beach Club resorts. You can catch glimpses of it from the walkway along the Lake, but it’s just a tease.
A view from outside Stormalong Bay
The full scope of Stormalong Bay can only be experienced from within the pool complex itself.
We’re going to let the photos do most of the talking in this post, so we’ve included a ton of them, all from varying angles within Stormalong Bay.
It’s the only way to really get the feel of the place.
We think Stormalong Bay is one of the many great reasons to consider at stay in the Epcot Resort Area at the Yacht or Beach Club. We’ve had a ball every time we’ve stayed at either resort.
Our three enjoying the sandy side of Stormalong Bay!
Let’s get started with a look at a map from Disney’s official site:
You can spot Stormalong Bay in the top left side of the map.
Also from Disney’s official site:
Take the plunge at this beachside water park area that offers 3 acres of aquatic fun for the whole family.
Catch currents in an expansive sand-bottomed pool. From atop the mast of a life-sized shipwreck replica, zip down a 230-foot-long waterslide, one of the highest hotel slides at Walt Disney World Resort. Float down the lazy river on a rented inner tube, unwind in one of 3 whirlpool spas or simply relax on the elevated tanning deck.
Children can wade into the main pool from the gently sloping, sandy beach and cool off in the kiddie pool—complete with a miniature waterslide.
With 795,000 gallons of water comprising an impressive complex of pools that range from swirling to placid, open to secluded and cool to warm, every member of your family can find a place to make a splash at Stormalong Bay.
Here’s a shot from Google maps to give you a more realistic image of Stormalong Bay.
The area in the left of the image is a shallow sandy-bottomed portion of the pool that’s great for smaller kids.
A Google image will show you a little more detail
A closeup from Disney
For parents, one of the most comforting aspect of Stormalong Bay is the constant presence of lifeguards around the area.
You’ll see them training nearly every morning of your stay and a team of them maintain positions throughout the complex.
Off-duty lifeguards enjoy some fun time with guests!
Another great element is the water slide that begins in a pirate ship next to Crescent Lake.
You can access it from across the sidewalk next to the lake.
The slide runs back across the walk and into the east side of Stormalong Bay.
The bow of the slide’s pirate ship visible from the sidewalk around Crescent Lake.
A beach-like alcove near the slide’s splashdown (upper left)
If you’ve been to Florida during the summer, you know that rain is a constant companion. The Stormalong Bay cast members go out of their ways to keep the pool open in the rain, and will stay on duty except in extreme rain or thunder and lightening in the immediate area.
These were all shot from shelter under the awnings of the Yacht Club, but you can clearly see folks still enjoying Stormalong Bay even in the rain.
The shot above is from one of the rooms at the Yacht Club. You can clearly see the sandy-bottomed shallow area along with the slide and Crescent Lake.
Stormalong Bay has the best hot tubs at any of the Disney resort pools. Two are located near the resort buildings, providing for a short walk on those occasional cool evenings.
Both are nestled into rocky areas, with waterfalls tumbling in the adjacent pool areas.
Hot tubs are just behind the waterfall.
There’s also a third hot tub located in the center of the Stormalong Bay complex, this one also has easy access for folks with any mobility challenges.
Another shot of the center hot tub
Sometimes it’s difficult to tell where the Yacht Club ends and the Beach Club begins. The color of the buildings gives it away. The Yacht Club is in beige and the Beach Club is painted blue.
Stormalong Bay also has a lazy river portion.
Upper deck areas provide plenty of space for lounging.
Plenty of guests use Stormalong Bay, but because of its size and layout, we’ve rarely found that it felt crowded, even when apparently packed with families.
Flowers close to the pool
On our stay at the Yacht Club, we were fortunate enough to have a room looking down over Stormalong Bay, that came with some pretty amazing sunrises over the pool.
Disney strictly controls access to the pools, and you’ll need to be a guest at the Yacht or Beach Club and wearing your Magic Band, plus a disposable arm band that changes color each day, to enjoy the fun.
Just let us know when you’re ready to make the trip.
And never forget to:
Relax…you CAN get to Stormalong Bay from here!
Hi! I'm Jennifer Newsome and I own and operate Southern Girl Travel with some help from my husband, Mark, and our three kids. This shot was taken in beautiful 