Pool question and December question

[Imafuzzball]

I was just wondering if there are any WDW resorts that have indoor pools?

Also, we've been booked for Dec. 2 thru the 9th for ages now and I just saw some threads about avoiding this time because the crowds are horrible. This is only my second time ever going. Last time was during Thanksgiving... will this be worse than then?

Because it's too late to change now and it was *really* hard to get around during Thanksgiving!

I'm just worried that we screwed up and this is our only vacation this year.

 

[goofie4goofy]

There are no indoor pools at WDW resorts. But the pools are heated.

I think people are referring to the last 2 weeks of December...as school lets out the crowds increase, with Christmas week being really really crowded (from what I have read)

We are going 12/12-16 and we just booked last week. We got the room category we wanted and all the ADR's made without a problem.

I think it will start to get crowded as we are checking out on the 16th

 

[Imafuzzball]

Thank you!!

Will it even be warm enough to swim? Even with heated pools?

 

[TammiMcMan]

We were at the YC last year in early December and my kids did a little bit of swimming. They both said it was fine as long as they stayed in the water. Once they got out, it was a quick run back to the room so that they could put on warm dry clothes.

 

[Rella Bella]

We were there Dec 26 to Jan 4th one year and swam every day. The only time it was cold was when we went to Blizzard Beach.. the day before they closed for refirbishing... they had already turned off the water heater and with all those iceburgs around WE REALLY FROZE! But at the resort hotels we did fine!

 

[Imafuzzball]

Thank you all!

I feel much better now.

 

[jbird327]

I am going Dec 16th - 23rd this year. I have read so many different and conflicting reports on the crowd levels that I am just hoping for the best. I was there the second week of November in 2000 and it was the most crowded I have ever seen, more so than an Easter trip in 1998.

 

[4greatboys]

I was just wondering if there are any WDW resorts that have indoor pools?

Also, we've been booked for Dec. 2 thru the 9th for ages now and I just saw some threads about avoiding this time because the crowds are horrible. This is only my second time ever going. Last time was during Thanksgiving... will this be worse than then?

Because it's too late to change now and it was *really* hard to get around during Thanksgiving!

I'm just worried that we screwed up and this is our only vacation this year.

You picked a wonderful time to go. The crowds are very low then. Hardly any waits for attractions the the Christmas decorations are so pretty!
We have been that same time the past few years and the weather is pretty much the same. We had a couple of nice days, 1 or 2 warm days and then atleast 1 or 2 cold days. All the pools at Disney are heated so the water wont be cold, if you swim on a warmer day then you shouldnt be cold when you get out of the pool.
Just be sure to pack for warm weather and cold weather as it can really vary in Dec and dont worry you guys are going to have a wonderful time!

 

[ottawa-newbie]

Does anyone know the temperature the pools are kept at?

 

[notnothin]

You picked a wonderful time to go. The crowds are very low then. Hardly any waits for attractions the the Christmas decorations are so pretty!

I hope this is the case. A lot of people are speculating that it will be much busier this year during this time.
I too am going Dec 2nd - 9th, and am starting to get nervous after reading some of the things others are saying about the crowds in December.

 

[TammiMcMan]

We were at Disney about the same time frame last year and it was wonderful. You might want to keep an ear out for the Christmas parade film dates though and avoid the MK. I think it's either the first Saturday or Sunday of December. I don't think I've ever seen Epcot crowds so light and during the weekdays, most MK rides were walk ons.

 

[DVC-Don]

We've had December temps from the 80's to the low 40's, so some days are better than others for swimming.

 

[glass slipper girl]

You can never tell with weather in Fla in December. We've been Christmas week the last 2 years. Two years ago the week before we went everyone was coming back saying they had to buy sweatshirts and hats and mittens b/c it was freezing, expecially @ Epcot at night around the lagoon. We spent the next week in shorts and tee shirts and hot during the day and then just added a light sweatshirt or lightweight jacket at night a couple of times. Our kids swam just about every evening and we were fine since the pool was heated. I just brough us light jackets to throw on for the wet walk back to the room.

Then last year it was rainy and c-c-c-cold most of that week. Wouldn't have dreamed of trying to swim. We're talking "wind chill" in the 30s.

You just never know!

 

[robinb]

Thank you!!

Will it even be warm enough to swim? Even with heated pools?

It all depends on where you are from. It seems that Northerners (like our family) swim in December and January. Last year around Christmas my DD and I were the only people in the AKL pool and the life guard was in sweats and a jacket. My DD is a fish and started Swim Team when she was 5, so NOT swimming was NOT an option. We were fine until we got out of the water.

 

[goofie4goofy]

You can never tell with weather in Fla in December. We've been Christmas week the last 2 years. Two years ago the week before we went everyone was coming back saying they had to buy sweatshirts and hats and mittens b/c it was freezing, expecially @ Epcot at night around the lagoon. We spent the next week in shorts and tee shirts and hot during the day and then just added a light sweatshirt or lightweight jacket at night a couple of times. Our kids swam just about every evening and we were fine since the pool was heated. I just brough us light jackets to throw on for the wet walk back to the room.

Then last year it was rainy and c-c-c-cold most of that week. Wouldn't have dreamed of trying to swim. We're talking "wind chill" in the 30s.

You just never know!

Oh Great....the Overpacker's Nightmare situation

Sounds like going to WDW in Dec is the same as packing for a cruise to Alaska or

Sounds like my Ugg boots are definately going along for the ride!!

We also hoping for low crowds that's one reason why we're doing the Mon-Fri 12th -16th.

 

[robinb]

Oh Great....the Overpacker's Nightmare situation

It's really hard to pack for December. I have been known to wear a tank top and shorts during the day and jacket with gloves at night. I recommend bringing layers, a sweatshirt or fleece and a windbreaker for outer wear, 'stretchy' gloves that you can stuff in your pocket and pants with zipper-off legs. Mornings can be chilly, but it usually warms up OK in the afternoon. Unfortunately, you have to carry all that stuff around with you all day .

 

[hegs65]

We are going Nov 28-Dec 2 and I too fear that the word is out and it is going to be crowded. As for your dates, the Pop Warner football players and cheerleaders are going to be there starting on the 4th and the mousefest will also be going on. I don't think they are supposed to have any effect on the parks though. One word of caution, they are supposed to be taping the Christmas parade at MK on Dec 2-4 so you may want to avoid MK on those days. Where are you staying? The Pop Warner groups take over the value resorts and I heard some will even be at POR. We are at POR but will thankfully be gone by the time they arrive!

 

[ktbugsmom]

We went in early December 2003 and early January 2005. On both trips, we swam every day. But, we are from Northern Wisconsin - like robinB. In December 2003 - it was unseasonably cold, but the pools are heated and the hot tubs feel great! In January of this year, the weather was wonderful - 70s during the day and maybe 60s at night. Perfect! And, as someone else said, for my 5 year old, if there is a pool, swimming is NOT optional - but mandatory.

As for the crowds, both times were wonderful. Not bad at all. However, we still go right when the parks open - since the first couple hours is the best and least crowded. By noon - MK can still get crowded. We also found in Jan. 2005, that the extra evening hours were VERY crowded. But, those hours just started when we were there, so it might have been because it was a new thing.

We LOVED going in December and wish we could do that again, but work schedules have pushed us to early January... Have a great time.

 

[robinb]

We went in early December 2003 and early January 2005. On both trips, we swam every day. But, we are from Northern Wisconsin - like robinB.

Yes, we Wisconsinites will swim in December and January. I don't know about you, but I draw the line at the Polar Bear Club!

 

[Paisleyjane]

Just curious, what is a LOTW?