New pool heat policy? ***update see post 549 ****

[Chuck S]

The Association for Pool & Spa Professionals recommend 78 to 82 for commercial/public pools.

 

[AMcaptured]

Honestly, I don't think many people are using SAB as a work out facility. People go to SAB to relax and enjoy the day.

I am with Goldi completely on this matter, a cold pool is a deal breaker for me. I can go anywhere after Christmas on vacation and if the Disney resort pools are going to permenently be lowered to 78 degrees, I will go elsewhere.

AM

 

[Johnnie Fedora]

I'm droping this for now, because it's making me crazy. I'm going to OKW on 3/28, and plan on bringing a pool thermometer.

You'd have to bring your own, I've never seen one at any resort pool.

BTW, if your thermometer reads 76 degrees, you'll probably be told your thermometer is wrong because in order to comply with the Red Cross recommendations, Disney resorts strictly adhere to the National Bureau of Standards recommendations for thermemeter calibration.

You should know that when it comes to the DIS...the only "true" rumors about WDW are the positive ones.

 

[Johnnie Fedora]

Are being serious or just sarcastic?

That can't be determined till after my next trip.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

You should know that when it comes to the DIS...the only "true" rumors about WDW are the positive ones.

I hear that the new pool at the Contemporary DVC will be 86 degrees all the time.

HBC

 

[Johnnie Fedora]

I hear that the new pool at the Contemporary DVC will be 86 degrees all the time.

HBC

exactly!!

 

[CapeCodFam]

Maybe I'm just an ignorant northerner... But, when did 78-80 degrees become considered cold? From my perspective, it sounds downright warm. (especially since our beaches and pools don't normally get that warm ).
I suspect current air temperature plays a part in how the pool 'feels'.

Anyway, if it means more tables/chairs are open for use....

 

[LisaS]

The Association for Pool & Spa Professionals recommend 78 to 82 for commercial/public pools.

The APSP is a professional organization for people who sell and install swimming pools. If someone is selling pools and showing perspective buyers a chart of what it will cost to heat that pool, I doubt they are going to recommend keeping the pool at 84 degrees.

As another example of this, I've found several web sites that stated in effect "the Red Cross recommends 78 degrees as the ideal temperature for swimming". Every one of those turned out to be a website for companies that sell pool heaters! They went on to say how much your energy costs will rise for every additional degree and that for energy conservation and cost savings you should keep the pool at 78 degrees.

I've also seen several comments on various websites that 78 degrees is too cold for small children and elderly people. So if Disney's guidelines are 78-82 degrees, then any time the pool is at the lower end of that temperature range, it is too cold for young kids and grandma and grandpa to be in the pool.

 

[Chuck S]

The APSP is a professional organization for people who sell and install swimming pools. If someone is selling pools and showing perspective buyers a chart of what it will cost to heat that pool, I doubt they are going to recommend keeping the pool at 84 degrees.

As another example of this, I've found several web sites that stated in effect "the Red Cross recommends 78 degrees as the ideal temperature for swimming". Every one of those turned out to be a website for companies that sell pool heaters! They went on to say how much your energy costs will rise for every additional degree and that for energy conservation and cost savings you should keep the pool at 78 degrees.

I've also seen several comments on various websites that 78 degrees is too cold for small children and elderly people. So if Disney's guidelines are 78-82 degrees, then any time the pool is at the lower end of that temperature range, it is too cold for young kids and grandma and grandpa to be in the pool.

Actually, it was in APSP's PDF on POOL SAFETY, it had nothing to do with cost effectiveness. They also recommended 104 for Hot Tubs and Spas.

 

[LisaS]

They also recommended 104 for Hot Tubs and Spas.

Yep, I've seen that same number mentioned on numerous sites as well but I have yet to find anything that recommends keeping a swimming pool below 82 degrees for safety reasons. I can't find the APSP's safety brochure so if you can post a link to it, I would appreciate it. I'm not trying to start an argument here, I'm genuinely interested in this issue.

I spent quite a bit of time looking at some documents on the CDC website. The only pool temperature-related safety info I could find was the same reference to maximum spa temperatures and some comments about how as you increase the water temperature of your pool or spa, be aware that the rate of evaporation of disinfectant chemicals also increases.

Everything I've seen so far on maintaining a safe pool talks about the use of chemicals to combat the sort of stuff you don't want to think about being in that pool, if you know what I mean. I guess for the sorts of things the CDC cares about, keeping the pool at 78-82 degrees vs 84 degrees is not going to make much of a difference.

 

[boatboatboat]

the red cross recomends I don't eat beef fat.

gawd i love that little end piece on a t-bone........

 

[smjj]

When it comes down to it WDW is going to do what they want. As for us DVC members complaining, so what. We are a unique group who chat on forums like this and have a financial stake in it. It is only natural that we will be more informed than the casual WDW vacationer. When we talk about things like this is it going to get some people more worked up than others and that is a good thing. If companies just did what they wanted with no fear of a consumer backlash and I put Disney in this family, its hard telling how far they would go. I say, if you have a complaint, then voice it to the management and try to get others onboard like is happening here. As to Disney's excuse about keeping pool temps. to a set level based on the Anerican Red Cross standard, oh bolongy!! Thats a "easy out" for them at best. That may be at best a recommended setting but try and lounge around in that temp. and let your littles ones play in it and see how it feels. I use the pool to lounge in, not do laps. If they use it as an excuse, then why now, why not 6 months ago, why not last year or the year before that? No they want to save a buck at our expense and nothing more than that...smjj

 

[boatboatboat]

I wonder what % of SAB users are DVC owners vs people paying cash for the Beach/yacht club or renting a villa from disney or a dvc member.

I bet the majority who use the pool are NOT DVC members.....

The company I work for has a trip to the beach club every year. many many companies use this as a convention resort.

 

[jim and meesie]

I posted earlier in the week while I was staying at BCV. All the pools at BC were COLD including SAB and it was a warm week. Yesterday we went to Blizzard Beach and the water was quite definitely warmer, but not really warm. Two weeks ago at Hard Rock Hotel (similarly warm week) their pool was nice and warm!!! Now we are at Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa in Ft. Myers. Pool is nice & warm! Based on my unscientific survey, BC pools are cold and other non Disney Florida resort pools are comfortably warm. Just an opinion based on the past two weeks. Next week I'll be in the Keys for a couple of days and I will complete the informal Florida resort pool survey.

 

[DISNEY123]

I have been a long time reader of this message board. In fact, I used many of the ideas a lot of you post to plan our vacation and even was convinced to join DVC based largely on your experiences.

This is only my third post (all on this topic). Again, I was one who experienced the water first hand. The water was too cold. Maybe 78.

Since I have maintained a pool at my home for 25 years, I can tell the difference between 78-80 and 82 to 84. Also, I have seen hundreds of reactions at my home to the water temp as people enter the pool. If the water temp is below 82, most people, not all, are going to say its "a little cold or chilly"

I have read the excuses(hot water pipe, etc.) that people have posted and we were told by a lifeguard that the heat the pool to 78-80. My opinion is the heaters are working fine...they are just set too low. It's not rocket science. A pool heater has a thermostat similiar to the furnace in your home. If they set it to 78 degrees, the heater will turn off if the water rises above that temp and vice versa.

When I joined DVC, I certainly was not expecting a resort that charges up to $500/night to keep the pool at a temp similiar to the motel at your local highway exit. I hope this policy changes, and again, a I don't think we asking for 86-88 degree water. 82-84 would be fine.

 

[simzac]

I have been a long time reader of this message board. In fact, I used many of the ideas a lot of you post to plan our vacation and even was convinced to join DVC based largely on your experiences.

This is only my third post (all on this topic). Again, I was one who experienced the water first hand. The water was too cold. Maybe 78.

Since I have maintained a pool at my home for 25 years, I can tell the difference between 78-80 and 82 to 84. Also, I have seen hundreds of reactions at my home to the water temp as people enter the pool. If the water temp is below 82, most people, not all, are going to say its "a little cold or chilly"

I have read the excuses(hot water pipe, etc.) that people have posted and we were told by a lifeguard that the heat the pool to 78-80. My opinion is the heaters are working fine...they are just set too low. It's not rocket science. A pool heater has a thermostat similiar to the furnace in your home. If they set it to 78 degrees, the heater will turn off if the water rises above that temp and vice versa.

When I joined DVC, I certainly was not expecting a resort that charges up to $500/night to keep the pool at a temp similiar to the motel at your local highway exit. I hope this policy changes, and again, a I don't think we asking for 86-88 degree water. 82-84 would be fine.

I agree

 

[Linda/Ohio]

I experienced the water first hand March 11-15. It was warm in Orlando-about 85 although certainly cooler at night. I live in Ohio--so I understand cold temperatures. I also have a hot tub--which we use winter and summer--so I know what temps feel ok to lounge around in....

My first thought while a SSR was that perhaps the pool water was cool due to it getting colder at night...but the CM at check-in it specifically mentioned that the pool was heated to 82 degrees---and I would assume that meant 82 degrees all the time.

We vacation frequently this time of year--in Florida, a cruise or on an island and I usually spend a lot of time in the pool--if water is warm. This time I dipped in and pretty much got out to get warmed back up.

Heck I had a fabulous time at WDW--but certainly can add my 2 cents.

 

[ZippyDooDah]

Just conferring with the cooler water temps. We were in the pools at SSR on Jan. 29-Feb. 2 and it was too cool for me. DH and DS2 got in for a little bit, but we spent most of our time in the hot tub which was very comfortable.

And we also noticed something fishy about the AC in the room. We typically like it cool at night so we can cuddle up with the covers. It seemed at some point during the night (and days while we were in the parks) that the AC would almost go back to a default setting.

Hmmmmm...

 

[jim and meesie]

When I joined DVC, I certainly was not expecting a resort that charges up to $500/night to keep the pool at a temp similiar to the motel at your local highway exit. I hope this policy changes, and again, a I don't think we asking for 86-88 degree water. 82-84 would be fine.

Exactly!!!

 

[tmt martins]

And we also noticed something fishy about the AC in the room. We typically like it cool at night so we can cuddle up with the covers. It seemed at some point during the night (and days while we were in the parks) that the AC would almost go back to a default setting.

Hmmmmm...

sorry I'm going Thats not fishy it's how a motion system works they must have it tied into the AC not the lights.

No movement it goes default that way if no ones in the room ( not rented ) then they are not wasting $$$ also helps keep the very low setters from just letting it run all day.

Now with that said I think you can call and have it switched off or just put a Balloon by the AC and sensor if you can find it .The AC will keep the balloon moving and the sensor working.