AKV pool slides closed in cold weather!

[robinb]

This is my 9th late December vacation and I have never seen this happen. We are at AKV and they closed both pool slides. We're at Jambo House and drove over to Kidani and the slide was closed. I asked at the front desk if the slide back over at Jambo was open and the Recreation Director said it wasn't because of "safety issues" and that they don't send the lifeguards out in weather under 50-degrees. I pointed out that it was 55-degrees at 9:00 am so I didn't understand why the pools were not staffed. She didn't have an answer. I also mentioned that Stormalong Bay was open and staffed but she didn't have an answer for that either.

I KNOW 55-degrees is not ideal swimming weather, but I would say there are about 15-20 hearty souls here near the pool with me. Including my insane DD who was really looking forward to the slide. The weather does not appear that it will improve soon and the Rec Durector is sure to keep the slides closed while we are here. It's a real bummer.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I don't believe people actually swim in 55 degree weather! A hot tub I can see. Noway I would have my children wet in those temps.

 

[Jason@dvcstore]

I KNOW 55-degrees is not ideal swimming weather, but I would say there are about 15-20 hearty souls here near the pool with me. Including my insane DD who was really looking forward to the slide. The weather does not appear that it will improve soon and the Rec Durector is sure to keep the slides closed while we are here. It's a real bummer.

I hope the slides open for you on Monday. They should be open if open at the Beach Club.

Jason

 

[robinb]

I don't believe people actually swim in 55 degree weather! A hot tub I can see. Noway I would have my children wet in those temps.

My daughter was not the only one in the pool! The pools are heated, so it's really not a big deal and they won't get hypothermia walking up to the pool slide. In any case, we parents who will allow our kids to swim should have the option. Especially when it's warmer than the 50-degree cut-off. I think it was a cost-cutting staffing decision and I don't care if there are only 15-20 people in the pool. I hate to sound snarky, but my dues dollar is the same as someone who goes when the weather is warmer.

 

[KirstenB]

OP, I had to look to see where you were from, before I typed my original "are you nuts" response!!!

You're a very nice mom for sitting out in 50 degree weather while your dd swims (seriously). I hope you guys have a great vacation!

 

[d-r]

The pool and slide is and has been open and staffed here at blt, but the past couple of days they have closed the pool bar. Which is sort of a bummer because I don't want to swim in this cold weather but I wouldn't mind a beer.

 

[robinb]

The pool and slide is and has been open and staffed here at blt, but the past couple of days they have closed the pool bar. Which is sort of a bummer because I don't want to swim in this cold weather but I wouldn't mind a beer.

The pool bar was closed too. The other mom I talked to was bummed about that too since they had to go all the way into the lobby to get their mug refilled.

 

[cjs123123]

LOL at least the weather is warmer than it is here in wisconsin!!!! Bring 55 degrees home with you so we can be warm here!!!!!!

 

[Lexxiefern]

That is not right! You should have the option to swim (and go down the slide)! I hope the slides are open when I arrive in 2 weeks!

 

[ClarabelleCow]

Can you swim? Or is it just the slides that are closed? Though I do find it very odd that they would close the bar also, sounds like a definate staffing issue.

 

[vicki_c]

Disney pools close the slides when the lifeguards are off duty. But you can still swim in the pools at your own risk. I think the message was that they weren't going to ask the lifeguards to work when it gets below a certain temperature, apparently 55 per the OP. And I'm not surprised they would close the bar at any time when there are very low numbers of people at the pool, or expected to be at the pool. (Not that I would necessarily like it, just stating what I think is the reason).

 

[vicki_c]

That is not right! You should have the option to swim (and go down the slide)! I hope the slides are open when I arrive in 2 weeks!

The entire Uzima pool at AKL is closed 1/4 to 1/29. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news if you didn't know that.

 

[stopher1]

We're definitely looking forward to the pools when we're there in 3 weeks. 25-40 degrees warmer or more than what we have (will have) at home (to the cut off the OP quotes) and we'll still be enjoying the water. The pools are heated so it doesn't bother us. We're excited to enjoy the new Uwanga Camp & Samawati Springs at Kidani. We were originally bummed that Uzima will be closed, but no biggie since the other will still be open.

 

[hsmamato2]

this sounds strange,and something that definitely needs an official complaint made- seriously. last year at OKW, I sat by the pool at night in my winter coat and read a book while my kids had a ball in the pool. They'll swim no matter what! we're from the NE,and it's still way warmer than home there!
sounds to me like they didn't want to pay the lifeguards for a few people swimming,which is cheap and wrong. If the schedule says they're open during the day,then they should uphold that promise. at OKW, I've seen lifegaurds sitting out in all kinds of cold and jackets watching the slide.....

 

[drusba]

I do not think this is new. I know the last two years I have been at AKV in January, they had no life guard on duty when it was cold and without a lifeguard no one can use the slide. Just remember the lifeguards are from Florida and to them 50 degrees in the daytime is very cold.

 

[Anal Annie]

I don't believe people actually swim in 55 degree weather! A hot tub I can see. Noway I would have my children wet in those temps.

I'm with ya on that one!! My cut-off air temp for getting naked enough to go swimming is about 73 degrees!! Hot tubs are a different animal but at 55 degrees I'd be wearing gloves & a coat not a bathing suit and I would not be surprised to see the pools closed & not staffed at those temps!!!

 

[hsmamato2]

you know- it doesn't matter what the lifeguards think of the weather! what matters is they have a worldwide base of people coming in for VACATION expecting to have full use of the much advertised amenities. to shut them down randomly,to cheap out is unacceptable!
shutting down for maintenance,etc is understandable,but not just b/c they think no one should swim in that weather- we're not talking lightning storm.... some may say its too cold,other think it's just fine
lg's should put on a jacket and do their job IMO

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I do not think this is new. I know the last two years I have been at AKV in January, they had no life guard on duty when it was cold and without a lifeguard no one can use the slide. Just remember the lifeguards are from Florida and to them 50 degrees in the daytime is very cold.

I am from Maryland and 50 degrees is cold!!!

 

[Tiger926]

I guess I'm confused about why the OP is irritated? You need to use a Disney pool; therefore, you need to abide by the policies of said pool. They have an inclement weather policy - Aquatica has been closed for the past 2 days due to cold weather. An entire park has closed down for which I'm sure people have purchased passes for - I'm wondering what Sea World has done, if anything, as they don't control the weather temps, so not much to be done? Disney has decided to close down the slides due to cold weather, and that's the policy. This has nothing to do with you as a mom choosing for your daughter to use the slide - you don't own the slide; therefore, you have to abide by those rules.

I happen to think 55 degrees is way too cold to swim in for most people. Your daughter can still swim, she just can't use the slide, so at least she can use part of the pool. I can understand why you are frustrated as you are paying dues, but there are all kinds of things that we all pay dues for, that we might not take advantage of, so this is just one of those times.

Sorry your daughter couldn't use the slide - hope she still had a good swim, Tiger

 

[LisaS]

I agree this isn't new. I remember on our Dec 2006 stay at BWV the weather varied quite a bit. On the really cool/cold days there were no lifeguards at the BWV pool and the pool bar was closed. The pool itself was still open and there were a few hardy individuals in the pool no matter what the weather was like but no lifeguards and no food/drink available at the pool unless the weather was warm enough to draw a decent sized crowd.