Swimming over Thanksgiving?

[lklasing]

Okay guys - I'm still hoping to get my family back to the Fort over Thanksgiving weekend and Monday through Tuesday of the next week with my brother-in-law, after having spent an absolutely wonderful time there over Memorial Day weekend. There's still a lot up in the air, but I can't help but plan anyway, which leads me to my burning question of the day: Can you (comfortably) swim that time of year? I know they supposedly heat the pools, but I don't know whether that means 8 year olds or (cough) those older than 8 could tolerate it. I'm sure the kids would be fine, but we had so much fun at BB over Memorial Day that I'd like to go back, but don't want to be unrealistic about whether we'd be shivering - not my idea of a good time, especially when we could be hanging out playing tetherball or on the TE porch instead.

So, any thoughts? And, more important, anyone else going to be at the Fort over Thanksgiving??????

Leslie

 

[DisCamper]

Most of the time unless a freak cooled front Florida is in the low 80’s in the day and 60’s at night that time of year. We swim all winter because our pool is heated.

 

[stacktester]

We've spent the last 4 TG Weekends at the fort and the 1st 2 were pretty cold and the last 2 were warm. The weather can change so quick though. I remember before we got to the fort last year it was pretty cold but all of a sudden warmed up. Be prepared for both because it will change without notice.

One thing to consider is that the fort pool is supposed to be in rehab this year and they're saying over the winter. Now, if that gives you permission to go to WL then you will be fine because we've seen people in that pool when it's freezing.

 

[2goofycampers]

We spent 10 Christmas trips at WDW swam all but 1, so chances are good you will be able to swim.

 

[RNmomnFL]

Okay guys - I'm still hoping to get my family back to the Fort over Thanksgiving weekend and Monday through Tuesday of the next week with my brother-in-law, after having spent an absolutely wonderful time there over Memorial Day weekend. There's still a lot up in the air, but I can't help but plan anyway, which leads me to my burning question of the day: Can you (comfortably) swim that time of year? I know they supposedly heat the pools, but I don't know whether that means 8 year olds or (cough) those older than 8 could tolerate it. I'm sure the kids would be fine, but we had so much fun at BB over Memorial Day that I'd like to go back, but don't want to be unrealistic about whether we'd be shivering - not my idea of a good time, especially when we could be hanging out playing tetherball or on the TE porch instead.

So, any thoughts? And, more important, anyone else going to be at the Fort over Thanksgiving??????

Leslie

We'll be there in the TT for two nights. We were swimming last Thanksgiving in our pool (just built) and the water temp. was 76 degrees before it was heated. My kids insisted on getting in. Yikes was that cold. I bet the pools at WDW will be in the upper 80s.

 

[Tri-circle-D]

The pools are always warm enough for swimming at the Fort! Getting out of the pool might be another story.

I agree that you never know about Thanksgiving week weather. We have camped at the Fort for the entire week in '06 and '07. In '06, it was so cold early in the week that there were snow flurries in Orlando. In '07, I don't think we ever even turned the camper's heater on.

If you want to know what is going on at the Fort Thanksgiving week, check out my Thanksgiving '07 Trip Report:

TCD's Thanksgiving 2007 Trip Report

TCD

 

[lklasing]

Thanks everyone! I figured y'all would be able to shed some light on the swimming options over Thanksgiving. I'm sure we'll do it, although the ride back to the cabin in the golf cart may get a little cold.

BTW, Southwest just opened up its flights through January, and I booked this trip so it's now official - we're going!!! I need to get a new ticker!

TCD - I'm definitely going to check out your TR. Thanks for the link!

Leslie

 

[3gr8kids]

we've seen people in that pool when it's freezing.

I think where you're from might have something to do with it as well. I know for us, being from New England, we'll (well, okay, maybe not me or DH, but definitely the kids, lol) swim even if it's high 60's low 70's out. To us that seems almost balmy. My kids were swimming in the ocean off Maine the weekend before Memorial Day and the water temp was only about 55-57. (Crazy if you ask me, lol)
On the other hand, my girlfriend, who lives in Florida, thinks that 60's is freezing and would be wearing sweatshirts/jackets and turning her heat on in the house, lol.
I say "to each his own" and if you're hot, jump in and enjoy!"

 

[TxTink :)]

Pools are nice and warm- we swim when we're there in Nov/Dec

 

[ILoveDisney&Cruising]

It really varies from year to year ..... but we are usually able to get at least one trip to the pool in for each November trip. Sometimes temps vary widely even on the week we're there - one day in the upper 80's, one day in the 60's. We try to stay flexible and move our pool day if the forecast favors one part of the week over the other.

 

[KristinU]

We'll be there for Thanksgiving too - right there with you swimming unless its freakishly cold - like 3gr8kids, we're crazy New Englanders that think 70's is almost balmy I can't wait!

 

[MBMacs]

We have always swam while there during December.