What month would be too early/late for...

[MyMagicKingdom]

swimming in the resort pools? I'm planning our trip for next year and we don't really want to go in the middle of summer for obvious reason (crowds, heat, etc...) so we were thinking about going late winter/early spring like Marchish (can I make up my own words here?!) or maybe early fall like September or October. Would it be too cool in March or October for swimming? Keep in mind that we're from Syracuse, NY so we're used to snow virtually 8 out of 12 months so our idea of chilly is probably not the same to a native of Orlando's idea of chilly! Our trip definitely isn't based on swimming, but I was just curious so I can start making more concrete plans. Thanks everyone!!

 

[d1sneyf4n]

I was told that the pools are heated to either 83 degrees or 86 degrees. We went in Dec of 08 and we were able to swim twice. The air was rather chilly for me so I did not stay in the water very long but I am wimp when it comes to the cold. My kids stayed in there longer as did my DH.

 

[marmalade]

I am from Buffalo NY so I know your pain when it comes to snow . We went in March and it was an average of 80 everyday. So coming from snow it was HOT to us and definately pool weather. It did get chilly in the evening. We have never been in October but I can only assume the weather will be hot enough for swimming also.

 

[MyMagicKingdom]

I was told that the pools are heated to either 83 degrees or 86 degrees. We went in Dec of 08 and we were able to swim twice. The air was rather chilly for me so I did not stay in the water very long but I am wimp when it comes to the cold. My kids stayed in there longer as did my DH.

Great, at least the heated pool with give us an option for swimming. I'm not a huge fan of the cold either, so I may sit along the sidelines with DS and DH swim. Thanks!

I am from Buffalo NY so I know your pain when it comes to snow . We went in March and it was an average of 80 everyday. So coming from snow it was HOT to us and definately pool weather. It did get chilly in the evening. We have never been in October but I can only assume the weather will be hot enough for swimming also.

Isn't it funny when you're somewhere warm and you're in a tank top and shorts but some of the natives are in sweatshirts because its only 70?! Once it gets to 55 here we almost forget what sweatshirts are! Anyway, this sounds great! 80 is perfect for me!!

 

[scrappingizlife]

I've been to FL in both March and September. Both were hotter than Hades. You can definitely swim both months.

 

[MyMagicKingdom]

Well I certainly feel at ease now as far as being able to use the pool. But now I don't know which time would be better! Any opinions on crowd size during those months? Is spring any better than fall?

 

[robinb]

We go in December/January of every year and we always swim. The air might be chilly, but the pools are heated. Be aware that the pool slides are sometimes closed when the temperature dips down below 55-degrees. It happened to us twice on our last trip ... but we we still in the pool and hot tub!

 

[peimikes]

My personal favorite trips to WDW we ever had were in May 06 and Sept 09, much better than any we had in march or april. The lighter crowds and great deals are pluses. Crowds were so light last Sept we walked on rides like Everest and Splash Mountain and never waited had a train to our selves on Thunder Mountain. Not waiting in lines gave us alot more free time and we did quite a few things we hadn't planed on because of the extra time we made.

 

[PolyndianPrincessJes]

We've been in March, May, June, September, October and December and used the pool/water play areas each time. Some days were colder (or rainier) than others, but we've always made a point to have at least one half of a day dedicated to the pools.

I will say May, June and September were PERFECT swim weather for us.

 

[daisyduck123]

DH & DS have swum on Xmas eve at AKV...no problem for them. There were plenty of people in the pool.

DD & I stuck to the hot tub.

 

[Elmo888]

We have been able to swim in December, January, and early Feb. Some days were colder than others, but there were still days for swimming.

Looking at your sig (it appears that you don't have school-aged kids), if you are looking at winter, I would stick with January and early February for the lighter crowds and avoid late Feb. and March. It seems like the NE (and other parts of the US) have a winter break in Feb. (not to mention Louisiana's break for the week of Mardi Gras), and some spring breaks are in March (ours is usually the second or third week in March).

Have a great trip!

 

[MyMagicKingdom]

We go in December/January of every year and we always swim. The air might be chilly, but the pools are heated. Be aware that the pool slides are sometimes closed when the temperature dips down below 55-degrees. It happened to us twice on our last trip ... but we we still in the pool and hot tub!

I'll keep that in mind. One of the reasons we're considering CSR for our next trip is because I think the slide is so cool! I wouldn't want to miss out on that!

My personal favorite trips to WDW we ever had were in May 06 and Sept 09, much better than any we had in march or april. The lighter crowds and great deals are pluses. Crowds were so light last Sept we walked on rides like Everest and Splash Mountain and never waited had a train to our selves on Thunder Mountain. Not waiting in lines gave us alot more free time and we did quite a few things we hadn't planed on because of the extra time we made.

Get out! I'd love to just be able to walk onto rides without getting a fastpass every time! I think I might be leaning more towards September.

We've been in March, May, June, September, October and December and used the pool/water play areas each time. Some days were colder (or rainier) than others, but we've always made a point to have at least one half of a day dedicated to the pools.

I will say May, June and September were PERFECT swim weather for us.

Yeah, we're (by we I mean me trying to convince DH) hoping to go for a week or so so we don't have to rush the parks and so we can spend time just hanging around the pool and such.

DH & DS have swum on Xmas eve at AKV...no problem for them. There were plenty of people in the pool.

DD & I stuck to the hot tub.

Oooh how was Xmas? I've always wanted to go during that time!

We have been able to swim in December, January, and early Feb. Some days were colder than others, but there were still days for swimming.

Looking at your sig (it appears that you don't have school-aged kids), if you are looking at winter, I would stick with January and early February for the lighter crowds and avoid late Feb. and March. It seems like the NE (and other parts of the US) have a winter break in Feb. (not to mention Louisiana's break for the week of Mardi Gras), and some spring breaks are in March (ours is usually the second or third week in March).

Have a great trip!

I didn't even think about Mardi Gras! Our winter break is in Feb so I was thinking of avoiding that time. I'm thinking September or late winter like January, as you said. I'm sure it would be a nice break from the cold!!



Thanks everyone!!!

 

[daisyduck123]

Oooh how was Xmas? I've always wanted to go during that time!

Absolutely the best trip we ever had! We would go every Xmas if DH could miss work that week, but he can't...Xmas eve is his busiest day.

 

[brandylouwho]

We go in December/January of every year and we always swim. The air might be chilly, but the pools are heated. Be aware that the pool slides are sometimes closed when the temperature dips down below 55-degrees. It happened to us twice on our last trip ... but we we still in the pool and hot tub!

You are such a northerner. We were swimming in Dec 2009 (it was in the 70s or 80s--great weather) and the southerners were like, "Oh so you're from the north, huh?" Although the one 50 degree day we did decide not to swim.

 

[Kimmy0879]

We love to go Late April/Mid May. The crowds are not bad at all and the weather is swimming weather...for sure! Of course, we are from Cleveland. But really, April (post Spring Break) to May is great!

 

[MomtoEmIs&Ow]

I didn't get a chance to read though all the posts but October is hot! And we were able to swim in Feb also. It was a little chilly getting out of the water, but I am sure that others have mentioned that the main pools are heated.

 

[MyMagicKingdom]

woo hoo for being able to swim!! I think we're now thinking November because my brother will still be in his soccer season in October. I'd love to go this coming January but if all goes well I'll be pretty late into a pregnancy by then and I don't want to waddle through the parks all day long...well, mostly I want to be able to ride all of the rides still!