There are about to be some major changes coming to the pools of Walt Disney World Resorts, and it appears they are long overdo.
Beginning on Sept. 29, 2013, the Value Resorts at WDW will introduce a new policy where the main feature pools will only be allowed to be used by guests when lifeguards are present.
A full rollout to the all Walt Disney World Resort hotels is expected by Nov., 2013.
What’s expected to happen is that feature pool operating hours will be from 7:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m., depending on the time of year. Once the lifeguards are off duty, then the pools are considered closed and not available for use by guests.
The “Quiet Pools” at the resorts will still not have lifeguards and will be open 24 hours per day. This new policy is not going to affect them whatsoever.
This is a change that has been expected for some time ever since a young boy died back in March, 2013. He had been swimming in the feature pool at Disney’s Pop Century Resort outside of lifeguard hours, and died later at a nearby hospital.
I think this is a great idea. in 2007 my Daughter who was 15 then was walking with us back to our room around midnight when all of a sudden my daughter handed her phone to her cousin and dove in the pool at Pop and pulled out a girl around age 3 or 4 of age. It happened so fast the grandmother was screaming from the other side of the pool for some one to help the little girl. I heard the grandmother and turned and looked and my daughter had her out.
It’s so easy to get distracted that it happens more than people know. I think even the quiet pools should be adult only after a certain time. Let the adults put them self at risk and protect the children. Just my opinion.