This seems counter intuitive. If Disney actually is having problems with lifeguard staffing, they should be able to reassign SAB staff elsewhere. Winter pool refurbishments are commonplace across WDW, so there's always some movement. Also the Disney College Program is a rotating source for staffing in that area. If they don't need as many lifeguards with SAB closed, don't bring as many on board thru DCP.I feel really bad for the cast members who work at SAB - they'll basically be dumped for 6 months, at a time when life guards are in short supply. We've heard they're not opening both water parks at the same time due to life guard staffing issues - losing more from SAB, which requires similar training to the water parks, wouldn't be good. There's also a large group of non-life guard staff that will be impacted. I hope they don't have issues getting them back so they can reopen on time in 2026....
Or use the extra staffing to jump start having both waterparks open at once. Perhaps not coincidentally, 2025 is when Disney announced everyone will get free water park admission on their arrival day. They may be targeting spring / summer for having both open at once.