Who's disappointed with the GF courtyard pool refurb?

[Seabean]

I wanted to start a thread where people could register their disappointment with how the GF refurb'd the courtyard pool. (There's already a few posts expressing this on WDWmagic, which I don't belong to) Here's a link of pics that's already been posted here:
link

OK, don't get me wrong, I get the issues with pool-hoppers, and I get the issues with toddler safety. We've had our own toddlers in that end of that pool and we've held/watched them very carefully (or we took them to the beach pool)

But to me, the GF courtyard pool was something special. It was big, it was in an elegant setting. You could do decent laps from one end the to the other. It was grown up. For the kids, there was the beach pool with the big fake mountain and slide and zero-entry and blaring Hannah Montana music.

The fencing looks tacky. And it's probably going to be annoying to have to walk ALL the way around.

And the zero-entrance is an abomination. They've essentially turned a grown-up pool into a kiddy pool. Half of the pool is now unswimmable. This is really bad.

Who else?

 

[DebbieB]

I wanted to start a thread where people could register their disappointment with how the GF refurb'd the courtyard pool. (There's already a few posts expressing this on WDWmagic, which I don't belong to) Here's a link of pics that's already been posted here:
link

OK, don't get me wrong, I get the issues with pool-hoppers, and I get the issues with toddler safety. We've had our own toddlers in that end of that pool and we've held/watched them very carefully (or we took them to the beach pool)

But to me, the GF courtyard pool was something special. It was big, it was in an elegant setting. You could do decent laps from one end the to the other. It was grown up. For the kids, there was the beach pool with the big fake mountain and slide and zero-entry and blaring Hannah Montana music.

The fencing looks tacky. And it's probably going to be annoying to have to walk ALL the way around.

And the zero-entrance is an abomination. They've essentially turned a grown-up pool into a kiddy pool. Half of the pool is now unswimmable. This is really bad.

Who else?

The zero entrance is for the handicapped.

 

[Seabean]

The zero entrance is for the handicapped.

Nothing against that... but this is based on what information?

 

[maxiesmom]

The zero entrance is for the handicapped.

Nothing against that... but this is based on what information?

Where is your information that states it is for the kids?

Also, where did you see any sort of info that the courtyard pool was for adults only?

It is obvious you don't like the changes they have made to the pool, based on your own feelings that the courtyard pool was for adults only. That was never the case. The pool is still big, and it is still in an elegant setting. The fencing doesn't encircle the whole pool. I'm not sure how putting in a zero entry end makes it less grown up. It seems like you are getting upset over some relatively small changes.

 

[Dixiemom]

Never been there so I don't know what the pool was like prior. That said, the pictures look really nice to me.

 

[germ539]

I've never been to this pool but isn't the point of a pool that it is for everyone, no matter if they are young or old. And I think that it is nice that they made it handicapped accessible by having zero entry. So I guess if you want to do laps or have a pool for adults only, you'll need to go elsewhere. After all you are in Disney.

 

[AliceIn]

OP it's ok to be disappointed with the changes with the pool. You liked how the pool used to be, and the things you liked about it aren't there anymore. That's totally understandable. I don't think there are any Disney resort pools that are good for swimming laps.

I've heard that the Swan/Dolphin's lap pool is really nice. That could be an option if you were looking for the Disney onsite perks and also have a pool that's dedicated to adults or serious swimmers.

 

[Sugardimples]

I'm not handicapped but I love a zero entry pool.

 

[sydneysmom]

I think I'm in the minority, but I like it. Personally, it's not going to make or break our trip, and the upgrades were made for reasons that mattered, I'm sure. And if there's one thing you can be sure, Disney is going to make sure it looks gorgeous. So maybe reserve judgement until you see it in person....maybe the pictures don't really show how nice it looks in real life.

Personally, I like a zero entry pool to just sit in the water and relax while I'm watching my DD play.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Zero entry doesn't bother me, I actually prefer it. I'd rather slowly walk into the water than use stairs. But I can see how the new fence could be an issue. We stayed in Boca Chica last year and we always cut through by the pool when we went to the main building or Gasparilla's. Is that blocked off now?

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

And it probably keeps kids from playing on the stairs and blocking everyone's way into the water!

 

[Seabean]

I'm thinking the REAL reason for the zero entry has to do with the GF-DVC. A while back I had posted this thread asking if the GF beach pool would become exclusive to the DVC. What we didn't know at the time is that the courtyard pool would have a fence around it. As someone posted in the long GRAND VACATION 2012 FAQ there's been some chatter that the courtyard pool would soon require showing your room card to keep out the nearby DVC guests. This means that the beach pool becomes a defacto DVC exclusive pool.

I was also lurking over at the WDWmagic forums and there's a few good opinions there that the whole POINT of the GF is to be an elegant adult flagship resort... and this pool refurb runs counter to that.

Sure.. the pool looks great when it's empty... but when occupied, one side of it will look like a beach with people standing around:

http://cdn.wdwmagic.com/imgstore/El...Grand-Floridian-Resort-and-Spa_Full_18458.jpg

They've basically taken a nice big pool and cut it in half.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Well they changed the elegant adult atmosphere when they added DVC.

(((going to hide now)))

 

[pixie921]

I'm thinking the REAL reason for the zero entry has to do with the GF-DVC. A while back I had posted this thread asking if the GF beach pool would become exclusive to the DVC. What we didn't know at the time is that the courtyard pool would have a fence around it. As someone posted in the long GRAND VACATION 2012 FAQ there's been some chatter that the courtyard pool would soon require showing your room card to keep out the nearby DVC guests. This means that the beach pool becomes a defacto DVC exclusive pool.

None of the resorts that have DVC buildings "keep out" DVC guests from the main pool. DVC members can use any pools at their resorts. BC and BCV guests can use Stormalong Bay or the quiet pool; WL and VWL guests can use either pool, and the same applies to the BW/BWV and AK/AKV. In fact, unless things have changed, the only restriction I know of is at the Contemporary, where DVC members can use either the BLT or CR pool, but CR guests cannot use the BLT pool.

With the new elaborate children's play area at the GF's beach pool, I can't imagine them ever making that pool exclusive to DVC guests either.

So I don't think any of the pool work had anything to do with DVC, but that's just my opinion based on how the other resorts are set up.

 

[bdklein]

Zero entry is fine, but between the fence, getting rid of the deep end , and building the DVC (it feels like its right on top of the volcano pool), they've really killed the resort (IMO).

 

[msjprincess]

I'm thinking the REAL reason for the zero entry has to do with the GF-DVC. A while back I had posted this thread asking if the GF beach pool would become exclusive to the DVC. What we didn't know at the time is that the courtyard pool would have a fence around it. As someone posted in the long GRAND VACATION 2012 FAQ there's been some chatter that the courtyard pool would soon require showing your room card to keep out the nearby DVC guests. This means that the beach pool becomes a defacto DVC exclusive pool.

I was also lurking over at the WDWmagic forums and there's a few good opinions there that the whole POINT of the GF is to be an elegant adult flagship resort... and this pool refurb runs counter to that.

Sure.. the pool looks great when it's empty... but when occupied, one side of it will look like a beach with people standing around:

http://cdn.wdwmagic.com/imgstore/El...Grand-Floridian-Resort-and-Spa_Full_18458.jpg

They've basically taken a nice big pool and cut it in half.

Do you mean keep out people from other DVC resorts or GF DVC?

 

[Deb & Bill]

I'd bet the fence was installed to keep people from coming over from the MK for an afternoon swim when they aren't even staying at the GF. This is now the fourth pool that requires a key to enter the pool area. I wouldn't be surprised if more didn't do this.

I really enjoyed this pool when we stayed at the GF in the Sugarloaf building because it was so close. And it wasn't very busy because most of the guests were over at the themed pool. I think the renovations to the pool make it more usable by more guests at GF.

The Villas at the GF are going to be smaller, so those guests won't have a large impact on the pools at the GF.

 

["Cinder" Ella's Mom]

I stayed there many times as a teen and now as an adult with my own kids and I think it looks lovely. I'll need to look at it for our upcoming trip, but the DVC construction has kept me from considering it (we are staying at CR this time). If the fence keeps out people who don't belong, great! Fence the volcano pool at Poly because that pool has the most offenders IMO.

 

[Shaden]

Personally, I don't like zero entry either but I can see the use and the appeal. I think the real issue with this is that it will halve the swimming area of the pool. That pool is now mostly a wading pool, with an end to quickly dunk yourself. Not a good change imo.

 

[Elinor Dashwood]

I actually like the improvements. It still looks classy, beachy and now more family friendly and handicapped accessible. My kids are old enough now that they don't need the zero entry but they still play in it. And I agree with others that if the fence (which I don't find all that offensive) keeps people out, great! I always wonder how many are truly resort guests or just people exploring the pool.....