2012 Beach and Yacht FAQ ~ March, April and May ~Do Not Post Here-Old Thread

[saquin]

I am beyond angry at Disney right now. We all know maintenance needs to be done from time to time but it is now 3 weeks before they begin a huge draining and refurbishment of at least 60% of Stormalong Bay... and we had to hear about it here, only after begging for information. When was Disney planning on notifying people? This did not just spring up today. They had to have known about this for weeks.

I was planning this as a relaxing vacation for my 70-year-old mom and me, with half of most days spent at Stormalong Bay, relaxing in the sun and spending time in the pool. It will basically be unusable to us now (the less than half that will be open will presumably be immensely crowded, in addition to loud construction going on at the rest of the pool. Not very relaxing.)

I would have changed my dates if I knew this was going to be happening (my dates are April 19-23) but I just booked my flights two days ago and would now have to pay an extra several hundred dollars just to change my flights.

If it was just a slide closure and emergency maintenance, I could understand. But this is a major closure and draining of most of the pool. There's no way they didn't know about this sooner and couldn't have let us know.

 

[polynor]

We're back and ready for school and work for tomorrow (or not).

I want to thank the boards for maintaining such great information -- we've been before but it's always great to get the latest!

The CL was great and the CMs there were very helpful making complete changes to our PS once it dawned on me with the time zone shift + Daylight savings we had lost two hours and with DHS opening at 8am instead of 9am -- there would be not a chance in the world of getting up in time to get to DHS to do Jedi Training. Thus changing my whole touring schedule for the week. They also canceled our Cape May without penalty after my husband got sick and determined he was too sick to go and my mom was concerned about her glucose numbers that night. They also provided bandaids for DS5 scraped knee. (DS2 also scraped his knee)

There's been chatter recently on Mousekeeping -- ours was decent -- some slipup here and there (no face towels one day), and a singular shoe of the previous occupant was left (a men's tennis shoe, not a glass slipper). But nothing to get frustrated over. (the shoe was completely tucked away behind the bed -- I only found it because I dropped by phone back there and two light sabers).

Received balloons for my birthday and my mom got a photo for hers. We were in a Std view room very far away from the lounge (only two more doors from being the furthest) but my kids could watch the buses come and go and we could see the MK fireworks from the room -- all was good.

The work on Stormalong bay didn't bother us -- the kids just want the sand and that makes them happy.
Last night was closed out at the boardwalk watching the entertainers and the weather overall was perfect.

It was really nice being able to drop in for a diet coke, banana, cookie, etc in the lounge and DS2 knew he could specifically request chocolate milk from there.

I never got around to meeting Teena -- but there will be another time I'm sure!

 

[maminnie]

Saquin:

We know how you feel as we are pretty angry and disappointed to. We were planning on lots more pool time and a bit less in the parks. The leisure pools and Boardwalk pools are likely going to be very crowded.

 

[TeenaS]

Teena

Thank you for your infromation on the pool. If I could I would give you a foot rub for your hard work! I am disappointed as my 10yo son loves playing volleyball at SAB pool and 8yo daughter loves all the games they do in that area. Maybe I should jsut book a trip on Magic instead. At least now I know what I am working with.

I think the week of Easter will be very high crowds and was planning on lots of down time at the pool. the BWI pool is nice but on the smaller side and I can't think it could accommodate all the extras.

I am thinking of keeping my dates for April 6 but checking out on April 9 or 10 and finishing up our week at another resort. now I just need to figure out what is available. Really don't want to do a split stay but it is either that or unhappy husband and kids so I'll deal with repacking and moving luggage. We will have a car so it won't be that bad.

You don't have to move the luggage. Just get it packed, call Bell Services and have them pick it up. They will transfer it to your new resort. No charge. And I'd just wear over my bathing suit to the new resort and as soon as I got there, I'd spend the day at their pool. The bags will arrive around 3-4 PM. When you get to your room at the new resort, just call Bell Services there and tell them to bring up your transferred luggage.

Honestly, I don't know anything definite, but after working there eight years and seeing their pool maintenance every year, I'm guessing that in the normal course of rehab in January and February, they may have found more additional work had to be done that they were not expecting and it was probably something that could not wait until the following January or February and had to be scheduled ASAP. I'm just guessing though. Remember, we certainly don't want to deal with the slide and pool being closed during April any more than guests want to deal with it.

P.S. I'm sending you a PM

 

[TeenaS]

I am beyond angry at Disney right now. We all know maintenance needs to be done from time to time but it is now 3 weeks before they begin a huge draining and refurbishment of at least 60% of Stormalong Bay... and we had to hear about it here, only after begging for information. When was Disney planning on notifying people? This did not just spring up today. They had to have known about this for weeks.

I was planning this as a relaxing vacation for my 70-year-old mom and me, with half of most days spent at Stormalong Bay, relaxing in the sun and spending time in the pool. It will basically be unusable to us now (the less than half that will be open will presumably be immensely crowded, in addition to loud construction going on at the rest of the pool. Not very relaxing.)

I would have changed my dates if I knew this was going to be happening (my dates are April 19-23) but I just booked my flights two days ago and would now have to pay an extra several hundred dollars just to change my flights.

If it was just a slide closure and emergency maintenance, I could understand. But this is a major closure and draining of most of the pool. There's no way they didn't know about this sooner and couldn't have let us know.

They sent out letters to everybody as soon as they found out the pool needed this maintenance and they got it scheduled with the pool contractors. The letters went out immediately. This was not scheduled months ago like other routine pool maintenance. And what needs to be done cannot wait until next January or February. If you booked with a travel agent, your travel agent got the letter. If you booked directly through Disney, you would have gotten the letter yourself.

Remember, if you want a relaxing pool experience, most people don't go to SAB. It is very noisy with loud music and games going on and loads of kids. Guests looking for a nice relaxing pool experience go to the three "quiet pools".

My husband and I spend 90% of our time at SAB in the lazy river. We get our noodles and float around the river and solve the world problems. The part of the pool that is closed is always full of children and that's where the games take place so we find the lazy river the place to be. Our friends can't stand SAB. They always go to one of the quiet pools ... they enjoy reading and relaxing and can't stand the noise at SAB.

 

[TeenaS]

Another question for anyone who's been there when such a large portion of the pool is drained - was there a lot of construction noise? I'm already picturing being sardines in the open area, I'd hate to think there'd be jackhammering or other noise on top . Ugh, I just don't know what to do. BWI isn't even available for our dates so that switch is out and moving to a monorail resort would cost a lot more not to mention having to scramble to switch around our Epcot centric plans.

Remember the three quiet pools! The noise level will depend on what work is being done. I agree that BWI's slide pool will be crowded.

The price of the monorail resorts should not be very different than the cost of the Y&B but changing your plans might be hard to do (dining at least).

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

Here's a picture of Teena's adorable grandaughter Lily celebrating the luck of the Irish:

about 8 months old, Teena?

Aw Teena Lily is just gorgeous

8 months and 6 days. She's crawling and pulling herself up and standing real good. Not trying walking though. And she's very vocal. She talks to her stuffed animals nonstop.

Doctor told Jeanne to start on solid foods but Lily wants no part of it. Jeanne puts a Cheerio in her mouth and she gums it and spits it out. If anybody has any helpful hints, let us know.

I would love to give you tips but I live with the pickiest eaters on the planet Seems like you got some good advice though

 

[Wee Annie]

Btw, Teena, I want to make sure you know how extraordinarily thankful I am for the "inside scoop" you have provided us. It would have been far, far worse had we arrived without this knowledge, expecting to do "our usual" of pool every afternoon at the awesome SAB and then seen what was going on. This way we have an opportunity to regroup, figure out whether we want to switch resorts, and, well, if we don't/can't, temper the kids (and our) expectations.

Really don't know what to do. The kids and even my DH (who really doesn't care where we stay) are not happy. The pool is the single biggest draw for us at any resort (and we were not big fans of the Poly pool because it was just too crowded for us -- were SO looking forward to the expanse of SAB). All of our ADRs were made with our location in mind -- very Epcot centered. And BWI is not available.

We just have to decide whether this will adversely impact our stay, given that we chose SAB primarily for the pool (sounds like a given, unfortunately).

For those who have said that they have stayed with pool work going on and it's no big deal, was it really this large a portion of the pool that was out of commission when you stayed? I'm really interested in experiences from people who are pool people and have dealt with this comprehensive a pool closure.

Thanks in advance for any insight you can provide. And Teena, thanks again, and thanks for your recommendations about what you would do. Unfortunately budget also comes into play for us when deciding where we can go (we are booked under the spring offer).

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Teena - just wanted to say Lily is adorable!

Also I feel sorry for you and all the other cms during the pool construction - not our BC/YC thread family, but I'm sure other guests will have the "blame the cms" attitude. For them to do this maintenance during spring break, to me, means they definitely found something that needs their attention right away.

We do use the slide, but I believe the kids would still have a great time at SAB even without the slide. Like Teena said there are always the quiet pools too!

 

[TeenaS]

Teena - just wanted to say Lily is adorable!

Also I feel sorry for you and all the other cms during the pool construction - not our BC/YC thread family, but I'm sure other guests will have the "blame the cms" attitude. For them to do this maintenance during spring break, to me, means they definitely found something that needs their attention right away.

We do use the slide, but I believe the kids would still have a great time at SAB even without the slide. Like Teena said there are always the quiet pools too!

Thanks Robyn!!!

 

[Wee Annie]

As a somewhat aside from the whole quandary of the huge SAB closure during our stay, my oldest has been wanting to know if it's possible to swim laps in the quiet pools (she's a competitive swimmer and worried about staying in shape while on vacation). Anyone do this? Are they large enough? Unfortunately, if they are, they may be too crowded with over 50% of SAB closed

Sigh. Still wondering what to do. Again, we could totally deal with "just" a slide closure and such, but to have such a large area drained....

So thankful we know about it (haven't received a letter yet).

But if anyone has swum laps before and likes doing so in the quiet pools, pls let me know. Thx!

 

[TeenaS]

As a somewhat aside from the whole quandary of the huge SAB closure during our stay, my oldest has been wanting to know if it's possible to swim laps in the quiet pools (she's a competitive swimmer and worried about staying in shape while on vacation). Anyone do this? Are they large enough? Unfortunately, if they are, they may be too crowded with over 50% of SAB closed

Sigh. Still wondering what to do. Again, we could totally deal with "just" a slide closure and such, but to have such a large area drained....

So thankful we know about it (haven't received a letter yet).

But if anyone has swum laps before and likes doing so in the quiet pools, pls let me know. Thx!

Sent you a PM.
The pools are pretty large but they are certainly not lap pools. I've seen people swimming laps in the pool on the Disney Magic so I guess the quiet pools would work fine.
I really don't think you will find the pools that crowded. The weather isn't normally 95 degrees in April (remember I said "normally") so I honestly think most people come to WDW to hit the parks, not just the pools.
And if the whole SAB was open, swimming laps there would be impossible in my opinion ... volleyball and games going on in the pool!!

 

[Wee Annie]

Sent you a PM.
The pools are pretty large but they are certainly not lap pools. I've seen people swimming laps in the pool on the Disney Magic so I guess the quiet pools would work fine.
I really don't think you will find the pools that crowded. The weather isn't normally 95 degrees in April (remember I said "normally") so I honestly think most people come to WDW to hit the parks, not just the pools.
And if the whole SAB was open, swimming laps there would be impossible in my opinion ... volleyball and games going on in the pool!!

Thanks, Teena. Nope -- she didn't think she'd be swimming laps in SAB. Just was thinking it might be possible in the quiet pools.

I'll check my PM after I get my youngest on the bus. You're truly incredible to be so involved here and provide us with this info, etc. Speaks volumes for the quality of the BC in general.

 

[TeenaS]

I'm off to the BC for another day in the lobby. I'll check back with you all tonight.

 

[brajfamily]

We have not yet received a letter from Disney and we are booked from 4/13 - 4/21 at BC. Have you all received letters?!?!??

 

[scottmel]

TEENA - Lily is ADORABLE. Love the St. Patty's day pictures.

I have read this thread with much interest of late due to the SAB closure and I hear everyone's thoughts on it. it is a tough call. SAB is SUCH an amazing drawn. Teena had a good point though on April weather - very iffy! I remember being there in May one year and vendors had gloves for sale it was FREEZING out. Never touched a toe in the pool that week.

Teena you are awesome! Thank you for keeping everyone so informed and being the messenger of a lousy message unfortunately. I know I speak for many that we soooo appreciate your kindness and always getting the inside track for us. Can't wait to see you again in June!!! thx melissa

 

[Wee Annie]

We have not yet received a letter from Disney and we are booked from 4/13 - 4/21 at BC. Have you all received letters?!?!??

Nope. And I booked my ressie myself.

Sigh. Scratching head. Trying to figure out how to make the best of a disappointing situation. There's always a way....

 

[brajfamily]

Does it say somewhere on the Disney website that SAB will be closed? Just curious how one would find out if not for the boards. I'm assuming it's somewhere just don't know where.....probably the same place my letter is!!!

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

I'm off to the BC for another day in the lobby. I'll check back with you all tonight.

Have a great day, Teena! And thank you again for keeping us in the loop!!

We have not yet received a letter from Disney and we are booked from 4/13 - 4/21 at BC. Have you all received letters?!?!??

We get there a few days after you and have not gotten a letter yet.

Has anyone made a decision to switch? I am so torn, I actually lost sleep last night (ashamed to admit it ).

 

[brajfamily]

Worst night sleep....no idea what to do!! Considering switching to Poly. I know the pool is smaller and does get crowded, but based on the scenario at SAB, what's open will be crowded and BWI pool will too. At least this way we can be at one resort, with a pool and slide for our kids! Just don't know.....

DH suggested we have a few mai tai's tonight and then decide!!