Disney Treasure Pools and Splash Pads Review

Is the Disney Treasure a Good Choice for Families with Young Kids?

After spending a week on the Disney Treasure with my wife and two young boys, I can honestly say it felt like the ship was designed for families just like ours.

Our kids, ages 3 and 5, found something new to love every single day, and my wife and I had real moments to relax and enjoy ourselves too.

The best thing for us was how effortless everything felt, from check-in to meals to just finding a pool chair.

The ship holds thousands of guests but somehow never seemed stressful or overcrowded, which took away a lot of our worries as parents.

If you are trying to decide between Disney and other cruise lines, I think the level of family-friendliness was unmatched on this trip.

What Are the Pools and Splash Pads Like on Disney Treasure?

My two boys basically spent every afternoon hopping between the pools and splash zones on the Disney Treasure.

The main family pool area is split up over a couple of decks with plenty of shallow spots for small kids, and extra lifeguards always watching.

What truly stood out to me was the themed splash pad areas, especially the Toy Story Splash Zone, which is perfect for toddlers and preschoolers.

There are whimsical water sprayers, gentle mini slides, and soft flooring so nobody gets scraped up running around.

My three-year-old loved the gentle water jets in the splash pad and kept giggling every time Woody or Buzz Lightyear sprayed him (I promise, you have to see it to appreciate the theming).

My five-year-old, who is usually more reserved, warmed up quickly and ended up teaming up with a new friend to “guard” the Toy Story rocket sprayer.

There are oversized umbrellas and shaded loungers set up nearby so parents can easily keep an eye on kids without melting in the sun.

How Thrilling Is the AquaMouse Water Coaster?

If you only do one thing for yourself while your kids are in the Oceaneer Club, try out the AquaMouse.

This is not just another waterslide, it is basically a mini theme park ride at sea, with a slow-moving raft, digital cartoons, and bursts of speed and splashes along the way.

My wife and I snuck away while our boys were at the Marvel Super Hero Academy, and we ended up going down AquaMouse twice because it was genuinely hilarious seeing each others reactions.

I would recommend going first thing in the morning or during dinner when wait times are shortest, otherwise it is easily the most popular feature onboard.

Kids need to meet a minimum height (at least 42 inches to ride with an adult), so we are hoping our three-year-old hits the mark next trip, but our five-year-old cheered us on from the deck.

What Did My Boys Think of the Kids Clubs?

Before our cruise, I honestly wondered if my kids would even want to leave our side for the kids clubs, but the Disney Treasure Oceaneer Club blew all our expectations away.

The Marvel Super Hero Academy was a total game-changer for my five-year-old, who is normally glued to us in new places.

He ran inside, immediately suited up with a superhero credential, and begged to keep going back every day, especially after pretending to sling webs with Spider-Man.

Our three-year-old was a bit more hesitant, but the activities in the larger Oceaneer Club space made him comfortable fast, with crafts, storytime, and the friendliest counselors I have ever seen.

I recommend trying an open house tour on the first afternoon so your kids can check out all the themed rooms before actually getting dropped off.

Fun tip: these clubs have secured doors, allergy-friendly snacks, and tons of ways for kids to stay safe and happy, so you really can enjoy grown-up time without any guilt.

If your kids love creative or social games, you might be interested in games to play with kids for ideas once you are back home too.

Are the Pools & Splash Pads Crowded or Hard to Use?

One thing that shocked me the most: even on sea days with thousands of guests onboard, we never felt like we were fighting for lounge chairs or pool space.

Disney seems to have figured out exactly how to spread people out with plenty of smaller pools, splash areas, hot tubs, and even quiet zones for adults only up top.

My kids bounced between pools, back and forth to the splash pad and then straight to the soft-serve ice cream machine on repeat, and we always found seating within sight of where they played.

The towel stations were constantly stocked, and the pool deck crew never stopped tidying up (shoutout to the lifeguards who never missed a beat with all the sugar-crazed kids running amok).

What Are the Family Pool Options?

The main family pool area (called the Grand Hall Pool) has a shallow wading zone for little ones next to a larger pool where bigger kids and adults can actually swim laps or float around.

There are more relaxed pools in the back of the ship too if you are looking to escape the action, especially in the late afternoon.

Do not skip the giant FunnelVision movie screen above the pools, which plays family movies and Disney classics all day long.

Watching Peter Pan float by on screen while my boys swam for hours is now firmly one of my favorite family memories.

How Safe Are the Water Play Areas for Little Kids?

Safety was a huge priority for my wife and me, and I can honestly say Disney nailed it with the way the splash pads and family pools are monitored.

The lifeguards are everywhere, and they are constantly scanning, moving around, and keeping an eye on even the smallest swimmers.

The Toy Story Splash Zone is gated and has non-slip flooring, so my three-year-old could run around without us worrying about slips or big kid chaos.

There are size-appropriate life jackets provided (just grab them from the racks nearby), and crew members actively make sure they fit correctly on the kids.

It is such a relief to watch your kids play while knowing Disney is putting just as much thought into safety as they are theming.

Do You Need to Bring Anything Special for the Pools and Splash Pads?

After this trip, I will always pack a few must-haves for Disney cruise ship pools—swim diapers (required for non-potty-trained kids), lots of sunscreen, and rash guard swim shirts for everyone.

We ended up buying extra swim goggles and water shoes onboard because my boys keep losing theirs, but if you pack brands your kids already like, you will save money and avoid meltdowns.

The pool deck is clean, but it gets hot under the sun, so water shoes really saved our feet (not to mention making bathroom trips way easier).

Bring extra zippered wet bags to stash swimsuits and make quick changes easy—you would be surprised how much time that saves chasing two wriggly boys after pool time.

How Do the Disney Treasure Pools Compare to Private Island Water Fun?

Getting to visit both Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point was an unexpected perk on our Western Caribbean route—I think Disney private islands are unbeatable for families with young kids.

The beach setups on both islands are extremely family-friendly, and my boys thought the Pelican Plunge waterslides on Castaway Cay were the best part of the entire day.

My three-year-old is too little for the slides, but he splashed for hours in the shallow water play areas, digging in the sand near the pirate ship splash pad.

There are plenty of shaded chairs, zero-entry pools, and chill music playing, so we could actually relax while the boys wore themselves out.

On Lookout Cay, we tried the new family splash zone, which has colorful water features and climbing elements, all just steps from the sand and snack shacks.

If you are interested in making downtime as fun as vacation time, planning a game night for the family is just as memorable—check out some board games for family game nights if you want these relaxed moments to last once you are home.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Disney Treasure Pools and Splash Pads?

Pros

• There are multiple pool and splash areas, so families can always find spots to play or relax without feeling crowded.
• The Toy Story Splash Zone and themed pools are designed for various ages and give kids ways to play safely.
• Attentive lifeguards offer peace of mind, and there are free life jackets in all sizes.
• Shaded seats and clean towels are always available, even at busy times.
• The ship has easy access to restrooms and showers near every water area—no long hikes in wet swimsuits.
• Heated pools meant we never had to worry about chilly water for the youngest swimmers.
• Being able to watch movies on the FunnelVision screen while swimming was a total win for both adults and kids.
• Parents can actually relax while their kids play, which is a rare treat if you are traveling with energetic little ones.

Cons

• Height restrictions on the slides mean younger or shorter kids will have to wait until their next cruise to ride some features.
• Sun gets powerful on the pool deck—shade disappears quickly during the hottest mid-day hours, so plan ahead with hats and extra sunscreen.
• The main family pool can get splashy and noisy during peak hours, which was fun for my crew but might be sensory overload for some kids.
• Pools close temporarily during thunderstorms, which is common in the Caribbean (but there is always something else to do indoors).
• Some toddlers may get cold fast, so pack extra towels and cover-ups to wrap them up on breezy sea days.

What Dining Options Are Nearby for Families by the Pools?

One of the perks of spending hours on the pool deck is that you are never far from food.

There are quick-service snacks right next to the pools—think soft serve ice cream, pizza, burgers, and unlimited fresh fruit—and a handful of grab-and-go counters that always seem to have something our picky three-year-old wanted.

We checked out the poolside BBQ for fresh grilled chicken and a great kids mac and cheese, perfect for eating quickly and getting back in the water.

I especially appreciated having plenty of shaded seating so we could sit together for a mini lunch break without worrying about wet swim trunks in the restaurants.

What Should You Pack for the Best Pool and Splash Pad Experience?

You will want several swimsuits per kid, because ours never made it through a pool day without needing a quick change.

Swim goggles and sun hats were a must—Disney sells cute ones onboard, but packing your kids favorites from home can avoid squabbles and spending extra just to satisfy little opinions.

Waterproof sunscreen sticks were a lifesaver for quick re-applications on squirmy preschoolers—bring more than you think you will need, as it is much pricier onboard.

Packing quick-dry towels (the sort you might use for swim lessons) also made our pool days easier because they are less bulky and great for spontaneous beach excursions on Castaway Cay.

Hidden tip: We ordered a soft-sided cooler from Amazon before leaving so we could keep drinks cold by our deck chairs—totally worth it for juice boxes and travel mugs.

How to Make Pool Days Even More Fun for Everyone

The secret to a calmer pool experience is to arrive early or right after lunch, since most families seem to follow similar routines and the decks clear out at off times.

Rotating between splash pads, regular pools, and snack times kept our boys happy and avoided the dreaded poolside meltdowns.

We always set a timer on our phone and gave our three-year-old warnings before leaving the water to help transitions go smoother—which worked surprisingly well.

If your family is into games, bringing a waterproof card set or beach paddle ball is a simple way to keep everyone entertained between swims, and it is the sort of thing cruise friends quickly want to join.

Some families even coordinated matching pool towels and swim shirts, which made for the cutest photos and let your kids spot you easily in a sea of swimmers.

For those quieter poolside moments, we actually got inspired to try some calm games for quiet evenings once we were back in our room, which was a nice balance to all the excitement.

How Did Themed Nights and Character Events Tie Into Pool and Splash Pad Fun?

Our boys were already obsessed with splashing around, but the energy completely changed on themed nights like Pirate Night.

Kiddos showed up in pirate hats, some even wore mermaid costumes, and there was a deck party with music and dancing where nobody cared if swimsuits were part of the outfit—it was pure, happy chaos.

We did not realize until boarding just how much families go all out with matching theme attire, and my wife and I kept saying we would plan group costumes next time for those moments by the pool and splash pad.

The character appearances around the pool area were a highlight, and our boys light up every time they spotted Goofy or Daisy in their tropical beach gear.

No matter how much chaos was happening around us, it felt like a big family block party with everyone rooting for each others kids to catch eye contact with Mickey or Minnie.

Disney movies on the big outdoor FunnelVision screen, like Peter Pan, were the perfect mix of background fun and magic as our kids dried off after swim time.

What Surprised Us the Most About the Water Play Areas?

The biggest surprise was how easy it was to switch from splash pad mayhem to calm family pool time, especially with toddlers in tow.

Everything is clearly separated, and signage made it simple to figure out where little ones could play safely while older kids let loose in the deeper pools.

The crew members genuinely went out of their way every day, helping our youngest up the splash pad steps, reminding parents to reapply sunscreen, and handing out extra towels with a smile.

Meeting other families was much easier than expected, since the water areas seemed to be universal ice-breakers for both kids and parents—by the last day our boys were making plans with new friends for a ‘final swim.’

Is There Anything We Would Change or Do Differently Next Time?

Knowing now how much space there is at the pools and how the Disney Treasure manages crowds, I would not worry about getting up extra early to claim a good spot.

Instead, I would pack a dry bag with snacks, a waterproof phone pouch, and a backup set of goggles, to save ourselves trips back to the room when something inevitably goes missing or gets soaked.

We also wish we had come more prepared for themed dress-up nights around the pool, since the photos and extra fun would have been even better with matching Disney shirts or pirate bandanas.

Another lesson learned: bring a few magnetic hooks for the stateroom, not just for hanging lanyards or wet swimsuits, but also for keeping hats, towels, and sun shirts off the floor after pool time.

What Tips Help Families Get the Most Out of Disney Treasure Water Features?

Pack a packable sunshade or pop-up tent if you plan to camp out on the beaches of Castaway Cay or Lookout Cay, since umbrellas and tree shade fill up fast on sunny days.

Pre-booking activities is helpful, but the splash pads and pools do not require reservations, so you can go with the flow if nap schedules and moods change.

If your kids love to collect things, grab a small mesh bag for beach treasures or shell collecting—they can dry fast and prevent sandy messes in your carry-ons.

Keep small bottles of aloe or after-sun gel in your day bag just in case, as we found the Caribbean sun was stronger than expected, even with regular sunscreen breaks.

Consider investing in a sturdy, reusable water bottle to keep everyone hydrated—the Disney fountain machines were never far but having your own bottle was key for the constant in-and-out of the pools.

If your family loves active games even during downtime, check out some ideas for group games that work well on deck or beach days.

Final Thoughts: Would I Recommend Disney Treasure Pools and Splash Pads?

Our week on the Disney Treasure felt like a dream for our boys, with non-stop water play, zero pool stress, and safe spaces for everyone to let loose.

There is a pool, splash pad, or slide for every age, and the careful attention to safety and little touches (like shaded seats and clean facilities all day long) made the trip easier for both parents and kids.

If you are deciding whether the pools and splash pads are worth the Disney premium, I truly think they made the whole vacation—our children would finish one swim and immediately ask when they could do it all again.

This cruise also reminded me how small things, like packing the right swim gear, go a long way towards making days on deck less stressful and a lot more fun.

Disney has set the bar high, and I am already looking at our calendar to figure out when we can go back and try everything one more time—possibly with pirate hats, matching swim shirts, and extra sunscreen tucked in every bag.