If you clicked on this post, it’s probably because you’re like me and need to plan ahead and know all the rules and requirements before you do anything.

If I’m going to a new restaurant, I will absolutely look up the menu ahead of time so that I know what I’m going to order once I’m there. Want to go see a movie with me? Hold on, please — I need to look up every review first. And if I’m going to swim at a Disney World hotel pool, you can bet I need to know the rules before I go!

For all of us anxious planners, I put together this list of six hotel pool rules you need to know if you want to go swimming during your next Disney World vacation!

Food and Drink Are NOT Allowed in the Pool

Look at that preposition carefully — food and drinks are not allowed IN the pool, but you’re more than welcome to enjoy your eats BY the pool.

Guests can bring their own food and drinks to enjoy by the pool, and most pools even have pool bars and nearby quick service restaurants that you can visit to grab a bite to eat or a fun drink.

Just make sure to keep all the food and drinks out of the actual pool!

Glass Containers Are Prohibited

While we’re on the subject of bringing things to the pool, I should mention that glass containers of any kind are definitely not allowed in the pool OR the pool area.

If you have a drink in a glass container, you’ll need to leave it in your hotel room (or pour it into a non-glass container).

Keep an Eye on Your Little Ones!

It’s required at all Disney World hotel pools that children under the age of 12 must have adult supervision.

So, no sending the kiddos to the pool while the parents grab an afternoon nap in the hotel room or head off to the adults-only Victoria & Albert’s Restaurant! You’ll have to wait until they’re 12 years old or older for that.

Swim Diapers Are Required for Kiddos in Diapers

Any diaper-age child must wear a swim diaper in the hotel pools.

This rule is for safety and sanitation purposes. According to the CDC, “Swim diapers can delay diarrhea-causing germs, like Cryptosporidium, from leaking into the water.” However, the CDC notes that “even though swim diapers and swim pants might hold in some solid feces, they are not leakproof,” which is why Disney also has a DIARRHEA rule that you need to follow.

Click here to learn about that Diarrhea rule!

Water Play Areas are for Kiddos Only

While we’re on the subject of kiddos at the pool, you should know that those water play areas are for the little ones only.

Most hotel pools in Disney World also have some kind of water splash pad or toddler pool area. Kids must be 48″ or under in order to use these amenities.

You CAN’T Pool Hop…Usually

There are some pretty awesome hotel pools in Disney World, but you usually CAN’T swim at a pool if you’re not staying at that hotel. 

There are a few exceptions to that rule:

• If you’re staying at Port Orleans — French Quarter, you’re welcome to spend some time lounging by the Doubloon Lagoon Pool, but you’re also welcome to visit Port Orleans — Riverside, where you’ll find Ol’ Man Island. It’s home to a large pool, a spa, a kiddie pool, a wading pool, and a short but fun water slide.

• If you have an upcoming trip planned for any of the three All-Star Resorts in Disney World, you’re in luck. No matter which All-Star Resort you might be staying at (Sports, Music, or Movies) you can visit any of the All-Star pools! At All-Star Music, there are the Calypso and Piano Pools, All-Star Movies has the Fantasia and Duck Pond Pools, and at All-Star Sports, you’ll find the Surfboard Bay and Grand Slam Pools.

• Folks who stay at Disney’s Yacht Club and Disney’s Beach Club Resorts have their choice of pools at both of these resorts, too! For those looking for some leisurely hangs, you can check out the Tidal, Admiral, and Dunes Cove Pools. But the best pool at Yacht & Beach Club — and quite possibly all of Disney World — is Stormalong Bay. It features a sand-bottom pool, a pirate ship slide, and a lazy river.

Hopefully this helps you prepare as you plan your upcoming trip! Or — better yet — reach out to our friends at Small World Vacations so they can take ALL the stress out of planning. Their services are completely free, and they’re awesome at tracking down the best deals and discounts for you.

Stay tuned to DFB for more updates on all the latest Disney news and important tips for your vacation.

Click here to see the ULTIMATE Disney World Pool Bar Crawl.

Which Disney World hotel pool is your favorite? Let us know in the comments.