How about some shade at the pools?

[cbonewjersey]

I posted last week a pretty comprehensive trip report for our 8-6/23 stay at VGF. We own at BLT, and now we prefer it, for sure due simply to the extra bathroom in the 2BR. Still VGF is magical!

ANYWAY, one thing that is equally problematic at both resorts, is the seemingly complete aversion to relief from the glaring sun at the swimming pools!! I have never seen anywhere else I have travelled a systematic refusal to spread only a half dozen umbrellas around a pool that is supporting > 100 guests.

I thought it was just BLT, but no, VGF would also have you fry. The only place to find shade is where they have tables set up for eating.

Raise my dues - please, but buy some umbrellas for the pools. If the strategy is to just keep us in the parks to suffer the heat, it will only drive us to the room, where we spend NO money. at least at the pool, we do buy ice cream, lunch, etc. Am I offbase? Is this any different at the other DVC resorts?

 

[deakam]

Not sure about the DVC resorts but I cancelled a room at The Contemporary because of a lack of shade at the pool.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

That's why AKV Jambo is my favorite pool. Trees and lots of shade available. I too dislike immensely the lack of shade options at most Disney pools.

 

[DenLo]

I would say that is probably a dilemma that the Disney Resorts all have as some guests want shade and others want sun. But I would like them to add more umbrellas. Or for that matter have enough chairs available for guests. At BLT they totally underestimated the number of BLT guests that would use the pool at one time.

Disney seems to depend on shade caused by landscaping or buildings for their pools. I can see why at unattended pools, because if the wind comes up there are no employees to lower the umbrellas. But I am not sure why there is a lack at the feature pools.

 

[justcruisin]

I hear ya! I wear a wide brim hat, long sleeve swim shirt (thank you Lands End for the new styles) and swim shorts to my knees. Then, I wrap a towel around any exposed skin. DH laughs, as I seem to always be near someone lathering on some SPF4 oil.

Yes, I want lots more shade option (oh, and benches)

 

[kirstenb1]

OP, haven't stayed at either resort. But at AKV, VB, and SSR, we've had good luck with plenty of shade. I'm so pale, I glow, so I totally get where you're coming from. I agree, there should be some type of shade. We stayed at SSR for the first time, and I noticed the Paddocks pool actually had an enclosed shady area near the children's water play area.

 

[Andrew015]

Both pools at WL seem to offer a fair bit of shade, too.

 

[Anal Annie]

One of the reasons I hated the pool at BLT (beside it being way too small) was that it was COMPLETELY in the shade by late afternoon. I couldn't find any sun to save myself. The entire building shades it by late in the day.

We loved the pools at Aulani because they have large umbrellas in place about every 3 or 4 chairs alternating their position from row to row. Still not enough chairs for everyone if the resort is completely full but great placement of the umbrellas. I wanted some sun while DS and DH wanted mostly shade. We were able to alternate chairs amoung ourselves throughout the day to accommodate all of us. By later in the afternoon it was hot enough tho for even me to want a little shade. By snagging east facing chairs we were able to accomplish this.

Maybe DVC needs to step up the umbrella thing at WDW too to be similar to Aulani?!

 

[SusieBea]

I posted last week a pretty comprehensive trip report for our 8-6/23 stay at VGF. We own at BLT, and now we prefer it, for sure due simply to the extra bathroom in the 2BR. Still VGF is magical!

ANYWAY, one thing that is equally problematic at both resorts, is the seemingly complete aversion to relief from the glaring sun at the swimming pools!! I have never seen anywhere else I have travelled a systematic refusal to spread only a half dozen umbrellas around a pool that is supporting > 100 guests.

I thought it was just BLT, but no, VGF would also have you fry. The only place to find shade is where they have tables set up for eating.

Raise my dues - please, but buy some umbrellas for the pools. If the strategy is to just keep us in the parks to suffer the heat, it will only drive us to the room, where we spend NO money. at least at the pool, we do buy ice cream, lunch, etc. Am I offbase? Is this any different at the other DVC resorts?

I don't believe you're off base, OP. I am a victim of multiple basil cell skin cancers, but I love to sit by the resort pools. There are places at Kidani that are shady. There are umbrellas at the feature pool at OKW. I had difficulty at SSR. Shoot, I'd buy some umbrellas!

 

[rseeb]

I figure this is quite the challenge for disney since most people travel to Florida for the sunshine, especially after spending so many months in the cold snow. Even my household is divided with my wife being a sun worshiper and me being a shade hugger. I would prefer more umbrellas as well but if they are added I doubt there would be anymore available when I go to the pool. They always seem to be occupied when I arrive

 

[wrighter]

I totally understand the debate between sun lovers and shade huggers. It exists in our house, too. The thing is: Merely HAVING the umbrellas there poolside doesn't mean that the sunlovers have to use them. They can keep them closed if they choose. It merely means that the shade lovers have an option. Currently there are few options at a number of resorts.

Add me to the list of those wishing for more umbrellas!

 

[BigAlsGal]

That's funny. Maybe I'm staying at the wrong resorts. PoR's pool is so shady you have to fight for a sunny spot!