Too Cold For Swimming in January?

[AndreaA]

This is something I've been wondering about for a while. What is the general feeling about swimming weather in January? With two pool-crazy kids, I would not want to go at a time of year when they'd be unlikely to enjoy the pool.

 

[countryblonde314]

Last time we went in January it was in the low 70s. I personally thought with the breeze it was to cold but for some that might work. Most all of the pools are heated also.

 

[DisUniversal]

It's all relative to where you're from and what you consider cold. Here in Florida, January is typically way to cold for swimming. Can also be a bit unpredictable. It's actually possible to get a freeze in January/February.

 

[beccasmom]

We visited in mid-Januamry for my birthday one year and it was cold enough to turn on the heater in our room. On a February visit, it was pleasant with temps in the 70's. I thought it was too cold for swimming, but the pool was pretty crowded. With Disney our experience is that the only weather you can really count on is hot, hazy and humid in the late spring/summer/early fall. You can look for historical data, but I have found it to be all over the map in the winter.

 

[TinkerTracy]

January weather can be really tricky. We have gone in January several times and some trips it was nice and warm; perfect swimming weather. Some trips we needed jackets every single day and we never set foot in the pool. Most pools are heated so it's not that bad once you get in. My advice is to pack your bathing suits as well as jackets and see how it is once you get down there!

 

[alle]

We're from Wisconsin! Do you really need to ask us We just break through the ice & dive right in

 

[Disfan1968]

In all seriousness, I'm from one of those "cold weather" locations (Buffalo, NY) and I visited in January once. I don't recall any particular day where it was really comfortable swimming weather. Like a PP said, days for me fluctuated from upper sixties to low 70's. A bit too chilly.

 

[DOOM1001]

I remember seeing this teenage guy in the SSR pool one morning in January during those cold 2010-2011 winters.It was literally freezing,seriously,about 32 degrees and he was in the pool that was full of steam from the difference in temperatures between the water and the air temperature.I don't care if he lives in Saskatchewan or Siberia you have to be not quite right to go in that pool.

 

[LSUfan4444]

I swim outdoors in a pool heated to 82 degrees year round, even when temps dipped in the 20s earlier this year. But, I do it for training not recreation.

That being said, I have been every January except 2010 (the yeah they had snow flurries) and every year we have been for marathon weekend we have been able to swim and enjoy the hot tubs.

The last two years, on multiple days, we have been able to be poolside in normal pool attire (bathing suit, no shirt, etc) and been perfectly fine with temps in the 80s.

BUT, that is above average and you won't know until closer.

Pack for it all and dress accordingly from day to day.

 

[bumbershoot]

January of this year DS had a great time swimming for a few hours at Pop. We were going to swim the next day, but the weather was changing rapidly and I noticed that that day was predicted to be much warmer than it was going to be the next. So we swapped plans and he swam. (I would have, but was already getting sick and was already very very cold and shivery)

The next day it was really cold. Next day colder. etc.

Be prepared to swim, be prepared to not be able to swim. If you have basic plans and then it's lovely, swim right then and there and do your plans later on.

During the rest of our trip in January, it got so cold the pools were closed a few times even during the daytime. Just too dang cold. The pool at Boardwalk was entirely closed, with a lifeguard posted to tell people "it's closed" despite all the lights being off and the signs up and whatnot, one day. So I'm not sure what the PP said about swimming at 32 degrees is even possible now. (though I do believe it was possible then!)

And swimming in a heated pool is quite lovely in the cold; while you're in the pool. It's the getting OUT part that hurts!

 

[Kristallc]

We went last year the last week in Jan. We are from WV. My kids swam 3 times. Some evenings were too chilly, but it got up to around 80 most days. That is plenty hot to swim

 

[tndisney5]

I agree....it all depends. We have been twice in early Feb and were able to swim both visits. The first time it was not super hot...around low 70s, but the kids enjoyed it anyway. Last visit it was mid 80s and we loved having a pool break. A few days later friends visited and it was cooler and rainy. So I agree with others--pack for swimming but it's not guaranteed.

 

[kohlby]

It was too cold when we went in Jan. I'm not talking about 70's, I'm talking about 30's and 40's. It was a record cold Jan in 2010. We could have handled swimming in the upper 60's probably. But 2010 was no where near that warm.

On the flip side, we went Christmas week three times - meaning end of Dec/start of Jan and it was warm enough for swimming every day. Our other trip was in later Jan and a record cold month. So - you never know!

 

[DOOM1001]

The kid in the pool at 32 degrees was in one of the smaller pools in the congress park area of SSR.There was no lifeguard and it was very early in the morning.It may be possible the pool had a closed sign and he was still in it but I don't remember.All I know is we were in thick winter coats and this guy was only wearing shorts inside the pool.Even with the heated pool to exit and enter the pool must have been a mission.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

Born and raised in Pittsburgh.

When we visited in December my husband and kids were swimming. I was wrapped in my beach towel laying on a lounger.

Doesnt matter where this girl is from, if its below 85 no swimming for me.

 

[librarymom2007]

We went once in January. Beautiful weather for the parks but too chilly to swim.