Questions about the pools at pool homes

[JrsyDebs]

We are interested in renting a pool home for our vacation to Orlando during Jersey Week this year, just have some questions about the pools...
1): I noticed on some websites that a significant charge is added to the rental prices for pool heating. Is it mandatory that the pool be heated during that time of the year? I am under the impression that in the beginning of November the weather is still pretty warm in the WDW area, but I have never visited during that time of year.
2): How about pool maintenance? Does someone come around to clean the pool at a private home rental unit, or are we responsible for doing some work? I do not know (obviously!) much about these pools, but I used to own an above-ground pool and if you did not vacuum it at least every other day, the water started to get kind of scungy even if you did run the filter. We plan to stay only 4 or 5 days, and would enjoy using the pool IF it stays clean throughout our stay.
3): Regarding the screen enclosures around the pool area: Are they the type that keep out bugs and debris (an open weave screen), or do they enclose the pool area enough that rain does not come in?
Debs

 

[leebee]

We stayed in a pool home once, did not heat the pool as it was Jan '03...the Jan where it went down below freezing several days in a row, not swimming weather! HOWEVER...pool heat is not mandatory, but most places do require that if you are going to use the pool heat you have to use it EVERY day (can't just heat for 1 or 2 days...). Our "landlords" (closesttodisney.com) told us that if the temps go down below 55 degrees, the heaters aren't very effective at keeping the water warm, so it's kinda pointless to do the pool heat in Jan, anyhow! The pools are totally enclosed in small-mesh screening..FL law requires this to prevent gator mishaps in your pool (although I think the law is actually to protect the gators!). The screening appears to be regular, "porch door" type of screeening, so the rain will come thru, although some enclosures seem to have "roofs", so maybe it depends on the individual home. We never saw pool cleaners, and the pool never got green, but hey! It was pretty darned ccold out for Florida, 30-55 degrees all week, so I don't know if there are any slimes or bacteria that would grow at that temp anyhow!

 

[kilee]

We rented 2 pool homes for our group from 10/30/03-11/8/03. We opted to pay for the pool heating and we needed it. The daytime highs were in the low to mid 80's. Not very sunny but very humid and the pool felt great!!! However at night it went right down to the low 50's. The one home we rented the pool heater had an issue and didn't kick in for 2 days-- you couldn't swim in the water it was too cold!!! The other we went swiming from day one.
We had to use the skimmer to do some surface cleaning other than that the pool filter did the rest. The have bottom filters (like my pool at home) which doesn't require daily or even weekly vacuming. The chemicals are done via the filter. We were the 8 days and their was a pool maintenence company that showed up our last day as we were leaving to do some cleaning and such.

 

[JrsyDebs]

Thanks for the info.
Guess I had better pay for the pool heating; it sounds like we will need it!
I am glad to know that the pools seem to be pretty low-maintenance, at least for the renters! We want to be lazy and not do any work on vacation. I know we will enjoy having the pool home as kind of a private escape when away from the parks, and the private pool sounds like fun.
Debs

 

[disneysteve]

Just wanted to agree with the previous responses. Pool heat is necessary that time of year. Also, if they provide a pool cover, be sure to use it as it does help keep the water temperature warmer. Otherwise, the heat all escapes at nite.

As for pool maintenance, we've never had to do any. They have services that come around regularly and do whatever needs to be done.

Welcome in advance to Jersey Week. 2005 will be our 4th year going - DD will be in 4th grade. Its really not a bad time to go despite stories you may hear to the contrary.

 

[ptcruisermom]

the pol homes we stayed we had them heated and tey were great swam in dec and jan. ours had apool lady come weekly to check chemicals and clean. the owners we stayed with did ask us to top the water off especially if alot of splashing. this helps the filter work better

 

[PattiPB]

Just a reminder that everything is negotiable! We rented a house in Dec for 10 days, and negotiated the price for the 10 days, including pool heat.