crusoe2, I didn't see the pool myself as we got there after midnight and left early the next morning to spend at MK and then checked into the AKL, but my DD said it was a pretty good pool. She said that while she only saw it from a distance it seemed to be quiet large. I was disappointed as I too had heard of the themeing and neither I nor my DH was impressed with any themeing. It was painted in cool pastels but that was pretty much it. The hotel lobby seemed bare as though there was stuff planned to decorate with but it hadn't arrived yet. There was no written material available when we were there to discuss what the hotel had to offer. I think that it is still so new that they are still "decorating". I wouldn't hesitate for a minute to stay there again but I wouldn't go hoping for a Disney type hotel either. It is very close to downtown Disney as in behind the Goodings as far as you can go. It would be a pretty good hike over but it could be done just don't try it after wallking all day at the park. We had the largest suite available which had 2 bedrooms. In each room there were 2 queen beds and then a queen sleeper sofa in another room. It is a great place especially when you need room to spread out. Our kids love the ability to be able to watch their tv shows and with 3 tvs they each had a tv to theirself.