Most AGP's are not supposed to be buried below the surface. That being said, quite a few people bury them and have few problems. I buried mine but covered the part the sits below ground level with roofing tar.

It only stands to reason that the pool will not last as long buried under ground, where it will be in contact with moisture as it would above ground. I was willing to sacrafice a year or two on the lifetime of the pool to have it not stand out in my yard.

With the pool buried 2.5 feet, my deck is now only 2 feet above ground level.