Fences around deluxe resort pools. why did they do this?

[michelleiada]

Last year there were no fences around the deluxe resorts pools that we visited, Animal Kingdom Jambo, and Beach Club. We vistited in early December and they now have fences enclosing the pool areas. Beach Club was always mostly enclosed due to the popularity of SAB. Animal Kingdom Jambo had no fence at all. The new fencing at Animal Kingdom Jambo House is ugly, in my opinion. It totally takes away from the beautiful, lush pool area. I assumed that there may have been an incident with a child and I asked a lifeguard why they put the fence up. She said it has nothing to do with any incident or accident but was because locals were going to the resorts and spending the day at the pools. The fencing was to deter this from happening. However, after more questioning, she told me that they would not be scanning Magic Bands to get into the pool area or doing any ID checking. I thought this was strange. How will putting up a fence deter anyone if nobody is checking who goes through the gates.? I suspect there is more to this. Perhaps it was too much of a liability to keep the pool areas open. Anyone have any thoughts or know why they did this?

 

[Kimberle]

They are fencing in all pools due to new codes.

 

[5kidsmommy]

Safety and to keep pool hoppers out.

 

[pangyal]

They all have magic band scanners that open the doors for entry, as far as I know.

 

[Hopefully]

It is my understanding that it is, at least partly, because of a child drowning in an unguarded "closed" pool several years ago. Following the accident they began fencing the pools at the values and have continued to all now.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

1. Safety

2. Restrict pools to resort guests (especially important at Boardwalk, BC/YC, Poly, CR, GF)

3. control the hours of use and allow for full shutdown as needed for weather, code brown, etc.

 

[michelleiada]

1. Safety

2. Restrict pools to resort guests (especially important at Boardwalk, BC/YC, Poly, CR, GF)

3. control the hours of use and allow for full shutdown as needed for weather, code brown, etc.

Code brown? Does that mean what I think it means? LOL.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Code brown? Does that mean what I think it means? LOL.

Yep. Happens at almost every pool everywhere at some point.

 

[bumbershoot]

Who knows? Disney never tells the full truth. Could be any or all or something else* of the things listed. They all seem feasible.

Walked into the main GFH pool the other day just lifting up the lock thing. No locks whatsoever to get into the GFV pool. And no one checked bands at all. But whatever.


*I've started to wonder if it's another form of critter-control. After all, you can expect creatures to go towards bodies of water, and a pool is nothing but that. Throw up a fence and it's harder for them to get in.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Not to sound like a smartaXX, but a life guard's information is second only to a WDW bus driver's. Possibly the least informed position in all of WDW.

Don't get me wrong, we LOVE the life guards and all parks and rec staff, but they usually have no clue about operations, construction, why Disney puts a fence up, etc...

It's been my understanding (and I could be wrong) that Disney has been putting up fences to be in conformance with current pool codes, which generally require a barrier of some sort.

Call me crazy but I think the barriers at places like GF, Poly, and WL have been very tastefully done, IMHO. Has not taken away from the guest experience in the least.

 

[Pipkin]

Frankly I have always wondered why they weren't gated and fenced. Code in most states require a four ft barrier with a self closing, self latching gate.

 

[WEDWDW]

Preventing access during non-lifeguarded hours is one of the reasons for sure.

At POP and the All-Stars,Pool Gates are usually not locked during Lifeguarded hours(so the Gates are not used as a Pool-Hopping deterrent at these Pools),but are IMMEDIATELY locked when the Lifeguards leave for the day.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Preventing access during non-lifeguarded hours is one of the reasons for sure.

At POP and the All-Stars,Pool Gates are usually not locked during Lifeguarded hours(so the Gates are not used as a Pool-Hopping deterrent at these Pools),but are IMMEDIATELY locked when the Lifeguards leave for the day.

I doubt there is a ton of demand at either for Pool Hopping. The All-Stars all share their pools anyway.

 

[WEDWDW]

I doubt there is a ton of demand at either for Pool Hopping.

That's why I think the main reason the fences were installed is to prevent access during non-lifeguarded hours and not as a Pool Hopping deterrent.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

That's why I think the main reason the fences were installed is to prevent access during non-lifeguarded hours and not as a Pool Hopping deterrent.

At the Deluxes, it is likely more about Pool Hopping. The Oasis Pool at Poly never has a lifeguard, and the Poly pools have been notorious for what we call "bandits" at races and bike events.

 

[Praying Colonel]

One of the things I miss about The Way Disney World Used To Be (TM): earlier pool opening hours and being able to get an early morning swim before getting the family up and going. It was so relaxed and peaceful. Now pools open later (and close earlier). Not as much fun.

 

[WEDWDW]

One of the things I miss about The Way Disney World Used To Be (TM): earlier pool opening hours and being able to get an early morning swim before getting the family up and going. It was so relaxed and peaceful. Now pools open later (and close earlier). Not as much fun.

Yes,the 24/7 hours were "interesting".

You haven't lived until you've seen a Pool full of fun-loving SATGs at 3:00 AM!lol

 

[Disneytam]

I was surprised to see that the new fencing around the quite pool at the BWI has no locks or scan areas for bands. Just a simple latch so I didn't have any problems taking a quite early morning swim.

 

[AngiTN]

Somewhere I saw that it was a code requirement. Existing pools were grandfathered in until any refurb/modification was done and at that time a fence had to be added.

 

[skuttle]

They were finishing up the fence at the Contemporary when we stayed there over Thanksgiving.