Bizarre question about Resort Pools

[PeanutButterMom]

(prepare yourself)

Do any of the Value or Moderate resort pools have any shading? I know that's a pretty weird question I don't mean like a full-on canopy over the pool or anything, but is it all 100% direct sunlight? What about around the pools?

I'm specifically wondering about AoA and POR/POFQ, though if there's something else with good coverage I'll give it credence.

Some background: DD (AKA PeanutButter) was born with a nevi (i.e. large mole) on her forehead. She also has a couple other small ones from her first 6 months "outside". The congenital one was removed last year (when DD was 5) after it started giving us some warning signs (came back positive for some very, very early mutating cells). So, we're very sun conscious. She wears sunscreen year round, always has a hat, does "indoor sports", etc. She really loves to swim... but it's a huge PITA (she wears a sun hat in the pool right now; she hats swim caps). If there's a resort with even a moticum of shading (like the way the buildings hit it or whatever) I'll rate that one higher on my list. It seems like the value resorts are less likely to have that going on.

TIA

 

[sixkristy6]

There are cabanas at AoA in the pool in the Cars section. I believe they are first come first serve.


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[Winka]

My memory might be faulty because I feel like many of our days at the Value/Moderates were overcast but...

At POFQ the dragon themed pool was designed such that you can find a bit ofrefuge under the dragon "bridge" and then at some part of the day I thought you could also get some shade near the fountain/waterfall feature. There're shaded spots around the pool. I think Riverside's pool has even more shade-giving features at their main pool as well as good shade in the seating area around. I'm sure you've seen the pics of the CS main pool and that pool, as beautiful as it looks, looks as if you'd be boiled alive. When choosing a moderate, I ultimately nixed CS because of it.

At ASM the kiddie pool was shaded by the Fantasia building at parts of the day. I thought I remembered the palm trees giving some scattered dappled shade over the ASM main pool at times.

 

[Missytara]

The pools at POR are not fully covered, but the main pool has chaises under the shade.

The quiet pools have arbors around them and tables with umbrellas, but are mostly out in the open.

 

[LauraDaveCharlie]

Hi. Would echo the post about POFQ. Coming from the UK with very little sun and our son's very pale skin we were concerned about this (although your concern is obviously much more serious) over the last two summers. The serpent 'bridges' are quite wide and so offer quite a bit of shade while in the water but out of the sun. Also, I found last summer that the trees around the bottom of the pool slide offer shade to the side while in the water even if not actually shading the slide. The waterfall comes out of a shell too and so you can go sort of behind the water and you would generally be in the shade. When sitting around the pool, there are some shaded beds provided by the trees but there is not a lot of shade. Happily there are umbrellas above the tables around the pool bar area for that little bit of shade while having some refreshments!

 

[JennyDrake]

Having stayed at all the values multiple times, I would say there is no "real" shade in terms of what you need. Have not been to AoA.

I do not recall about POFQ but sounds as though others have good input.

POR - quiet pools have little to no shade. I do not know about the main pool. Same for CSR.

 

[Sue M]

As mentioned, not much shade actually in pools. So it's great that she'll wear a sun hat while swimming. There are also UV swimsuits for children, if you're worried about other parts of the body, or rash guard shirts shirts to wear swimming too. They also have UV protection.

 

[buckeyecinderella]

I always seek out shade. I've not seen what looks like much shade at values and moderates. However I have found shady places at AKL and WL pools which are lower cost deluxes, and depending on when you travel and if you can get a good discount, these might be in your budget. It also changes based on time if day too.

 

[nkereina]

The main pool at POR does have some shade. The shade over the pool will depend on the time of day, but there are usually a good amount of chairs in the shade. The quiet pools have none at POR.

 

[spiceycat]

have a sun problem myself - so go early in the morning - most Disney pools are open 24 hours if you are quiet.

so go in the morning before 9am and at night. yes it will mess up your schedule - especially if you are planning on swimming during the hot parts of the day. but it is definitey safer

 

[PeanutButterMom]

Sounds like POFQ is a distinct possibility (and probably *my* first choice based on atmosphere). I was looking at picks and I think the dragon pool looks really cool.

Although I think the kids would REALLY love AoA (I just HAD to go look at pictures... Ugh). I wonder if we could bring out sun canopy (I think it's the same size as an large suitcase all packed up) if CMs would let us use it. Just in case all the cabanas are taken.

As mentioned, not much shade actually in pools. So it's great that she'll wear a sun hat while swimming. There are also UV swimsuits for children, if you're worried about other parts of the body, or rash guard shirts shirts to wear swimming too. They also have UV protection.

Oh yeah, we've invested a lot in sun clothes over the years (positive note is that she's tiny and fits on clothes, especially summer stuff, for multiple years). She exclusively wears rash guards (though she loves "big girl suits" - ie bikinis). I can easily say that my sunscreen budget April- September is more than my oat cable bills (with HBO ).

 

[canopynut66]

POP has tables with umbrella in the middle for shade not sure about AoA

 

[Minnie-Mickey]

Due to lots of ride closures and breakdowns in July DD and I took a tour of many hotels and looked at all the pools.
- AoA has almost no shade. Cars pool does have a teepee like thing but the pool itself is wide open. Main pool similar.
-Swan and Dolphin same.
-All stars we have stayed at them all they are all full sun. Most shade would be music IMHO
-Pop same as all stars pool with no trees anywhere.
The best one that had lots of trees around the pool area was AKL.
Very expensive.
We have a similar thing with my son with them removing skin at age 10 on his arm. We stay at WL pool in open but they have lots of trees and shade. So we go back and forth.

 

[*Fantasia*]

Doubloon Lagooon at POFQ

I like this shell.. You can sit there and get some shades.

 

[TBdisneyMC]

If you look at POR on Google maps, it seems like most of the quiet pools in the AB section have a good amount of shade. Based on the angle of the shadows, the images were probably taken mid/late afternoon, but with the amount of trees in that section, there may be shade most of the day. The Mansion quiet pools have less shade and the main pool has some, but the trees are farther away. Of course, when the sun is highest in the sky, there's not going to be much shade over any of the pools.

 

[Pixiedust34]

I've used pools at POR, POFQ, and CSR. As stated, CSR by far has the least amount of shade.

If you hit the pools later in the day when shadows are growing, you'll have a bigger area in the pool to use without being in the sunlight. At POR and POFQ, there are a few shady areas to sit, and all areas have some umbrella table. The pool bar at POR, Muddy Rivers, has some tables completely in the shade, a good place for a family to eat at the pool.

At Pop and AS Music, I found little shade at the pool areas.

Could you do some of your swimming in the evening? I don't handle the sun well, and an evening pool time is nice.

 

[MinnieGirl33]

There is a bridge over part of the pool at OKW that will provide a little bit shade in the water.

http://photopost.wdwinfo.com/disney-27s-old-key-west-resort/p40027-old-key-west-13.html

I do think most all resorts will have shade options around the pool deck (umbrella tables), you will just need to arrive early enough to snag them. At SSR, the area in front of the arcade is under a covered porch roof & there are a fair amount of umbrella tables surrounding the area.

 

[LazyDaisy]

Just a thought, but how about making the pools an after-dark destination? I didn't catch if you said what time of year you're going, but it might be an option. Or, else go earlier in the day when the sun isn't directly overhead yet?

 

[dzorn]

Just a thought, but how about making the pools an after-dark destination? I didn't catch if you said what time of year you're going, but it might be an option. Or, else go earlier in the day when the sun isn't directly overhead yet?

i would just plan on sundown hitting the pools. AKL pool is open 24 hours.

Denise in MI