Swimming in winter months

[littlejewel]

I know this has been asked, but for those of you who go in the winter months (dec., jan., feb.) do you still swim? Are the pools heated enough? I'm contemplating an end of January/ beginning of February trip and I know my kids will be a little disappointed if we can't swim. A big part of the fun of going to Disney is staying in a resort and having resort time. We loved our pool time at POR/POFQ last fall. I'm wondering if maybe a winter trip is not for us?

 

[NicoleLarson]

Its kind of like rolling a dice at that point. It might be 70 or 80s then it might be 40 or 50s. The pools are heated, my friends ds 7 swam last mkl day but we sat in the chairs wrapped in towels. Its a great time to use the hot tubs.

 

[6loversofdisney]

I've been told that the pools are heated or cooled to maintain a constant "warm" temperature for swimming.

Also, I know people who went to FL in March/April and they had a cold streak and I also know that people have gone in December and been able to swim the whole time.

I like pools hot so I don't know if I would go in at night but during the day I am sure it would be hot enough to swim.

I will let others answer though who know from their own experiences

Good luck!!

 

[OKW Lover]

It just depends on the actual weather and your personal tolerance levels. Its possible to get temperatures in the 40's during the winter months. Its also possible to get to the 70's. All the pools are heated, but not necessarily to a level that is comfortable for everybody.

 

[DisGirl819]

We swam in December a couple years back but it was in the 70s too. The prior year it was in the 40s for the same time period. So pack a suit and bonus if you get to swim.

 

[mickeynut1]

I know this has been asked, but for those of you who go in the winter months (dec., jan., feb.) do you still swim? Are the pools heated enough? I'm contemplating an end of January/ beginning of February trip and I know my kids will be a little disappointed if we can't swim. A big part of the fun of going to Disney is staying in a resort and having resort time. We loved our pool time at POR/POFQ last fall. I'm wondering if maybe a winter trip is not for us?

As others have said, the weather is so unpredictable that time of year that it's hit or miss for swimming. The pools are heated, but depending on the outside temperature, it might be a little chilly when you get out. We've been twice in December with one trip being too cold to swim (the pool was actually closed) and the other time we used the pool 3-4 days. In January, it was a little too cold for me, but there were people swimming, so as the pp said, it depends not only the temp, but your tolerance level. I would pack a swim suit just in case as you really won't know what the weather will be like until you get there.

 

[4kids4karen]

The pools are heated. My family does not swim in the winter months every since my son (now 11) got pneumonia when he was 3 from swimming in the winter. The air outside the pool is still very cool even though your body feels warm in the water.

Also, kids should not be in the hot tub for safety reasons. Google kids and hot tubs for more information on that.
http://grandparents.about.com/od/safety/f/HotTubSafety.htm

http://www.livestrong.com/article/271400-children-hot-tubs/

 

[archrd]

We go every year for the last week of Jan and first week of Feb (2 weeks total), we always go swimming even at night after the park closes. One thing I can tell you is that when we are there you can always tell who is from Canada and who is from the south. For us we find it really warm compared to our Canadian winters and we love swimming in the winter.

 

[Dizzytime]

Since Jan 2000, we have stayed at a DW resort about 10 times in either December or Jan. We usually stay about 10 days or so, and I can only tell you that every trip have we've had at least a couple days....often more than that... warm enough (70 degrees +) to sun and swim during the day.

You know the rest, so be prepared, but I sure hope you have a great time!

 

[connors95]

Every time I go in January we swim. With the pools being heated is nice. Even when its in the 40's or even 30's. You just get out and run to the room before you turn into a popsicle. LOL.

 

[emilyindisney]

I think a person's desire to swim during winter in WDW is relative to where you're traveling from. I swam at AoA this past January on a night when it was in the 50s. Coming from CT where we got 6 inches of snow that week, 50s and a heated pool was awesome! I imagine someone who travels to the World from Texas might disagree, lol!

Either way, wishing you warm weather and an enjoyable trip!

 

[amcnj]

I've been there in early November some years where the jet stream has dipped down far enough to let really cold air down to WDW and prevent much if any swimming.

 

[KonaKaiTom]

I swam on MLK 2012 and it was only high 40s/low 50s -- the pool was warm - the run back to the run was invigorating!

Tom

 

[Sheilby]

I was told the pools are heated to 82. Personally, as long as they are heated, I will swim even if it is snowing. I think I was a polar bear in a previous life.