Shades of Green Poolside Rooms: Are They Worth It?

Shades of Green Poolside Rooms are not larger or more upgraded than Standard Rooms. The rooms themselves are identical. What you are paying for is location.

If you are considering a Poolside Room at Shades of Green, the real question is not, “Is the room better?”

The better question is, “Will my family actually benefit from being right by the pool?”

Poolside Rooms have the same basic layout, size, sleeping capacity, and amenities as Shades of Green Standard Guest Rooms. They are about 480 square feet, sleep up to five guests, include two queen beds and a single sleeper sofa, and have a patio with chairs and a table.

The difference is that Poolside Rooms are located on the first floor of the Magnolia Wing and open toward either the Magnolia Pool or the Mill Pond Pool.

Think of a Poolside Room as a Standard Room in a premium location rather than a different room category.

Poolside Rooms cost more than Standard Rooms, but the added cost is for the location, not for extra space or upgraded room features.

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Are Poolside Rooms Worth It?

Poolside Rooms can be worth it if your family will actually use the pool location.

If your vacation style includes afternoon breaks, pool time, resort days, younger kids, or relaxed evenings at the resort, the Poolside location can be very convenient. You can step out from your patio toward the pool area without walking through long hallways, elevators, or the lobby.

If your family spends nearly every waking hour in the theme parks, a Poolside Room is less important. In that case, you may be better off saving the money and booking a Standard Room instead.

Poolside Rooms are worth considering if you want:

• Easy first-floor patio access
• Frequent pool breaks
• A more resort-focused vacation
• Convenience with younger children
• Quick access to the pool without using elevators
• A place to sit outside near the pool area

Book a Standard Room instead if you want:

• Lower nightly cost
• More chance of a Palm Wing room
• Split bathroom layout with double sinks
• Less pool-area activity near your patio
• A room you mainly use for sleeping
• Maximum value with the same room size and sleeping capacity

Steve Says: I would not automatically recommend a Poolside Room to every family. If you are going to use the pool, enjoy resort breaks, or want easy patio access, it can be a great choice. If you are in the parks from morning until night, I would usually save the money and book a Standard Room.

Where Are the Poolside Rooms Located?

All Poolside Rooms are located in the Magnolia Wing.

That is important because Poolside Rooms are not available in the Palm Wing. If you book Poolside, you are choosing the Magnolia Wing, first-floor patio access, and a room facing one of the two pool areas.

There are 46 Poolside Rooms total:

• 13 Magnolia Poolside Rooms
• 33 Mill Pond Poolside Rooms

That makes Poolside Rooms a small and popular room category. If you want one, reserve early.

Important Tradeoff: Poolside Rooms Have Magnolia Wing Bathrooms

This is one of the most important things to know before you book.

Poolside Rooms are in the Magnolia Wing, and Magnolia Wing rooms have a traditional single-room bathroom with one sink. If you want the Palm Wing split bathroom layout with a separate double-sink vanity area, do not book a Poolside Room.

That does not make Poolside Rooms a bad choice. It just means you are choosing pool access over the Palm Wing bathroom layout.

Steve Says: This is the real decision. If your family will use the pool a lot, Poolside can be worth it. If your family’s mornings are hectic and double sinks matter more than patio access, request a Palm Wing Standard Room instead.

Magnolia Poolside Rooms

The Magnolia Pool is sometimes described as the quieter pool area. There are 13 Poolside Rooms by this pool.

Rooms 101 through 113 are arranged in an L shape along two sides of the Magnolia Pool. These rooms are separated from the pool area by shrubs and a sidewalk, but there is no separation between the room patios.

The Magnolia Poolside Rooms are the closest Poolside Rooms to the lobby. The lower the room number, the closer you are to the lobby, and the higher my recommendation.

Magnolia Poolside Rooms are best for:

• Quieter pool surroundings
• Closer access to the lobby
• Adults or couples
• Families who want pool access without as much activity
• Guests who prefer the Magnolia Pool area

Mill Pond Poolside Rooms

The Mill Pond Pool is the larger and more active pool area. It is sometimes called the Mickey Pool because of its Mickey Mouse shape.

There are 33 Poolside Rooms around the Mill Pond Pool. These rooms are near family-friendly resort features, including Evergreens Sports Bar, the Arcade, playground, and splash area.

That makes this area more convenient for families with kids, but also a little more active than the Magnolia Pool area.

Mill Pond Poolside Rooms are best for:

• Families with children
• Easy access to the splash area
• Playground convenience
• Evergreens Sports Bar access
• A more active pool atmosphere
• Resort days or frequent pool breaks

Mill Pond Poolside Room Areas

The Mill Pond Poolside Rooms are arranged around three sides of the pool. The exact room area can make a difference depending on whether you care most about privacy, lobby access, the playground, or Evergreens.

Rooms 132 through 138

Rooms 132 through 138 are on the north side of the Mill Pond Pool. Lower-numbered rooms are closer to Evergreens and the playground.

This area is convenient if your family expects to use Evergreens, the playground, and the pool area frequently.

Rooms 139 through 154

Rooms 139 through 154 run along the east side of the Mill Pond Pool. This block is the closest group of Mill Pond Poolside Rooms to the lobby.

Rooms 139 through 144 have greenery that partially screens them from the walkway and pool, making them feel more private while still keeping you close to the action.

Steve Says: Rooms 139 through 144 are my favorite Poolside Rooms at Shades of Green. They strike the best balance between privacy, convenience, pool access, and location.

Rooms 155 through 164

Rooms 155 through 164 are on the south side of the Mill Pond Pool. Lower-numbered rooms are closer to the kids’ splash area, while higher-numbered rooms are closer to Evergreens.

This area can work well for families who want to be close to the splash area and Mill Pond Pool activity.

What You Gain With a Poolside Room

• First-floor patio access
• Easy pool breaks
• Closer access to pool activity
• Better convenience for younger children
• Good resort-day location
• Easy access to Mill Pond Pool, Magnolia Pool, or nearby resort areas

What You Give Up With a Poolside Room

• Palm Wing split bathroom option
• Double-sink vanity layout
• Golf course view
• Potentially quieter room surroundings
• Lower Standard Room rate
• Chance of a higher-floor balcony view

The tradeoff is simple. Poolside Rooms are about location and convenience. Standard Rooms give you the same interior room experience, more location variety, and a lower rate.

Can You Request a Specific Poolside Room?

You can request a specific room number or area when booking by phone only.  Shades of Green does not guarantee requests.

Because there are only 46 Poolside Rooms, you should reserve early if this room category matters to you. If you care more about a specific room area, call Shades of Green and make the request as clearly as possible.

Reservations may be made online at shadesofgreen.org or by phone at (888) 593-2242.

See:

• Shades of Green’s Standard Guest Rooms
• Shades of Green’s Pool View Rooms
• Shades of Green’s Suites
• Military Members Review and Rate Shades of Green
• The Best Rooms at Shades of Green: A Room Request Guide
• Linking Military Discounted Tickets and Shades of Green Reservations
• Shades of Green Resort WiFi for Lightning Lane Reservations and Virtual Queues

Poolside Room FAQ

Are Shades of Green Poolside Rooms bigger than Standard Rooms?

No. Poolside Rooms are the same size as Standard Rooms. Both are about 480 square feet.

What is the difference between a Standard Room and a Poolside Room?

The rooms themselves are identical. Poolside Rooms are first-floor Magnolia Wing rooms with patios facing either the Magnolia Pool or Mill Pond Pool. Think of a Poolside Room as a Standard Room in a premium location rather than a different room category.

How many Poolside Rooms does Shades of Green have?

Shades of Green has 46 Poolside Rooms total: 13 by the Magnolia Pool and 33 around the Mill Pond Pool.

Are all Poolside Rooms in the Magnolia Wing?

Yes. All Poolside Rooms are located in the Magnolia Wing.

Do Poolside Rooms have the Palm Wing split bathroom?

No. Because all Poolside Rooms are in the Magnolia Wing, they have the Magnolia Wing’s traditional single-room bathroom with one sink. If the Palm Wing split bathroom with a separate double-sink vanity is important to your family, choose a Standard Room instead.

Are Poolside Rooms quieter than Standard Rooms?

Not necessarily. Magnolia Poolside Rooms are usually quieter than Mill Pond Poolside Rooms, while some Standard Rooms away from the pools may be quieter overall.

Which Poolside Rooms are closest to the lobby?

The Magnolia Poolside Rooms are the closest Poolside Rooms to the lobby. Around the Mill Pond Pool, rooms 139 through 154 are the closest Mill Pond Poolside group to the lobby.

Which Poolside Rooms are best for families with kids?

Mill Pond Poolside Rooms are usually the best fit for families with kids because they are closer to the splash area, playground, Evergreens, and the more active pool area.

Can I request a specific Poolside Room?

Yes. You can request a specific room number or area, but requests are not guaranteed.

Should I book a Poolside Room or Standard Room?

Book a Poolside Room if you will use the pools often and value first-floor patio access. Book a Standard Room if you want the same interior room experience at a lower rate or want to request the Palm Wing split bathroom layout.

Bottom Line

Poolside Rooms are a great choice for families who plan to spend meaningful time enjoying the resort. If your vacation revolves around the pools, afternoon breaks, and relaxing outside your room, the upgrade can be well worth it. If your family spends nearly every waking hour in the parks, the identical Standard Room is usually the better value.

The rooms themselves are identical to Standard Rooms. You are not paying for extra space, better furnishings, or a different sleeping setup. You are paying for first-floor patio access near the pools.

If pool time is a major part of your vacation, especially with younger children, the upgrade can make your stay easier and more enjoyable. If your family will spend most of the trip in the parks, a Standard Room is usually the better value.

Steve Says: If I were choosing a Poolside Room, I would start by asking for Rooms 139 through 144 near the Mill Pond Pool. If those were not available, I would decide whether I wanted the quieter Magnolia Pool area or the more active Mill Pond Pool area based on the type of trip we were planning.

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