Anyone concerned about the current pool situation at the resorts?

[CaliMickey]

We were at BCV from this past Sunday through today. We used the pool everyday except Monday (by choice). I wouldn’t be too worried as we never had more than a few minute wait to get wristbands.

 

[Cheburashka]

I'm at Grand Floridian now and there is no problem at the pools.

 

[Mike Mantis]

Is the pool space issue a Value/Moderate issue (due to more rooms within the resort area and only a single "feature pool") or one impacting Deluxe as well?

I just booked Wilderness Lodge over Coronado and one factor was the thought of competing for pool space in June (granted Coronado is a larger pool)

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

Is the pool space issue a Value/Moderate issue (due to more rooms within the resort area and only a single "feature pool") or one impacting Deluxe as well?

I just booked Wilderness Lodge over Coronado and one factor was the thought of competing for pool space in June (granted Coronado is a larger pool)

Coronado does have a large feature pool, but they just added an entire tower of rooms and while they added some other things, they did not add any pool space. In Florida.

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

I am a little concerned for pool capacity in the summer. Yes, I could go swimming in the morning, but what I'd like to do would be go to the parks in the morning before it's blazingly hot, then swim in the afternoon before returning to the parks. Unfortunately, this is the typical touring plan. Of course, this all gets thrown out the window when the afternoon thunderstorms roll through.

I stayed at Beach Club in summer 2019 and my favorite time to swim was in the evening, after returning from the parks. No sunburns and it was less crowded. The pools were open quite late then - 10 or 11 I believe, and the quiet pool at the Polynesian was open until midnight.

 

[Dug720]

Did a resort only stay back in October at the Yacht Club. SAB was a ghost town all four days.

Things have changed a LOT since October.

 

[SL6827]

Things have changed a LOT since October.

Right. We were able to go back and forth between SAB and our room at the Yacht without worry of not being able to get back in 15 minutes later. Not the case now.

 

[Nabas]

We stayed at BCV in November. We waited in a line for about 15 minutes to get into SAB around 2 PM, even though it was a rather cool day.

2 days later, we got in with no wait at 11 AM. No doubt because most people are at the parks at that hour.

We walked past SAB during recently and there was a very long line to get into SAB.

 

[Nabas]

Ugh. I really want to go this summer or fall but I have small kids and they can't handle long waits for rides with no fastpass or similar option AND the pool. Something's gotta give. Yes, this is very concerning to me.

All the main pools get crowded (i.e. no place to sit) during the afternoon on hot days. Obviously, it's worse during COVID since deck chairs have been removed to allow for social distancing.

We've had more success with the quiet (i.e. smaller) pools. So far, we have been able to get chairs at the quiet pool. Of course, we have been going during the cooler months. The quiet pools might be just as bad with the weather getting hotter.

 

[Lisa P.]

Just posted our pool experiences at SSR from this past weekend & today on another thread...

With limited seating due to social distancing, the 2 feature pools have each opened at 10 a.m. and reached full capacity on hot days (>86 degrees F) by noon. More guests are not allowed to enter the pool area. A CM takes your name and phone number, then text-messages you when your (cleaned) seats become available. They're held for you for 15 minutes. No choice of seats.

At ~2 p.m. today, we met guests returning to the High Rock Springs Pool after a 2-hour+ wait and guests returning to the Paddock Pool after a 1-hour+ wait. We added ourselves to the Paddock waitlist and got our seats after a 35-minute wait in our room, nearby. Other guests told us they haven't seen the 2 quiet pools hit capacity yet. There is no way to join a waitlist without showing up in person, FYI. Around 5:30 p.m., enough people have left to clear the waitlists so you can go right in. HTH someone with your planning.

 

[justafigment27]

So does this at least eliminate pool chair savers? I remember being super frustrated during our last stay at Wilderness Lodge when people would drop by in the am BEFORE heading to the parks to reserve their loungers for their afternoon break.

Does everyone have to be present to get your chairs? Or can non-park going Grandpa claim a space for his family of 8 at 10:00am and sit on it all day?

 

[HiStitch626]

Or can non-park going Grandpa claim a space for his family of 8 at 10:00am and sit on it all day?

I would ask Grandpa when the family was coming and use the area until they arrive. Happy to get a CM involved in that situation.

 

[justafigment27]

I would ask Grandpa when the family was coming and use the area until they arrive. Happy to get a CM involved in that situation.

Oh, wait ... I was thinking that there was a CM with a list right at pool opening. But, Duh! That’s not the case, so someone can save as many chairs as they want at 10:00am. But, can the other family members get there to the chairs if they don’t show up until after the pool becomes restricted?

 

[HiStitch626]

I do not think the CM would tell Grandpa he cannot come in, but I think there is an issue is one person wants to save a number of seats for an extended period. Is he there at 10 and the family joins him soon after that - no problem. Is he there at 10 and the family joins him after lunch - more of an issue if others are there and need a space to sit.

 

[Evita_W]

So if there is a wait for the pool, do you have to stand in line or are they doing a wait-list or reservations?

Out here, Knott's Berry Farm makes you reserve a pool time, they then give you a colored wristband that says what time your slot begins and ends. They only really enforce the end time if the pool area is full, otherwise you can stick around longer. Wouldn't it make sense for Disney to do the same?

 

[MMSM]

So does this at least eliminate pool chair savers? I remember being super frustrated during our last stay at Wilderness Lodge when people would drop by in the am BEFORE heading to the parks to reserve their loungers for their afternoon break.

Does everyone have to be present to get your chairs? Or can non-park going Grandpa claim a space for his family of 8 at 10:00am and sit on it all day?

I am at the Grand Floridian and the pool is packed. No chairs. But not turning people away. I scored 2 chairs in the play area next to the pool when I asked the people next to chair if they had seen anyone there (an old beer can and soda were there). A cast member came by and said that she didn’t see anyone there for at least 30 min so she cleaned chairs and it was mine. Told her if someone came by and said they were still using I would move. I do not think there is any chair saving. They have people walking w cleaning bottles and watching chairs.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

I’ve been at CBR for a week. It’s been super hot and the pool is very crowded, but so far I’ve not seen them turn anyone away.

 

[lanejudy]

Oh, wait ... I was thinking that there was a CM with a list right at pool opening. But, Duh! That’s not the case, so someone can save as many chairs as they want at 10:00am. But, can the other family members get there to the chairs if they don’t show up until after the pool becomes restricted?

Occupancy is based on those present. So grandpa getting in early will not necessarily mean the rest of the family can join him if there is a waitlist.

 

[JenBush]

I’m not personally concerned about the pool situation. I almost never visit the pools at Disney resorts. However, if pools were a big part of my vacations, I would definitely be concerned.

 

[Brett Wyman]

Im very concerned but waiting to see what the post spring break pool crowds are like before we get too nervous. Also we have young kids and we are waiting at the gate when they unlock the pool and we are usually resting in the room during the peak 2-4pm hours. Curious what time of day people are reporting these insane crowd levels.