Anyone else find Stormalong Bay overrated?

[TigrLvsPooh]

I like SAB but I really wish there was a way to have more seating. It just can't serve 3 resorts comfortably during peak times. If people were allowed to sit along the inside ledge of the pool with their drink that would help. I know when we go to Vegas many people will use the ledge instead of a chair and I think it would disperse the crowd.

 

[pepe of ohio]

WAAAAAAY overrated, along with Dole Whips and Turkey Legs.

For sure... Been at both, Y&B, wasn't impressed on how the pool was operated... Too many chair savers with no moderating... Always packed even with key card checks... Too easy to sneak in from the main slide area....

We felt like herded. Fenced in cattle.....

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

We stayed at BC in April and it had been 5 years since our previous stay there. I had really great memories of SAB but then once we were there again I was sort of "meh" about it. I was thinking to myself, "I remember it as being more fun." But it was a disappointing stay all around at BC so maybe those feelings transferred over to my thoughts about SAB. Now that I'm not as enchanted by the pool, which along with the Epcot location, was the big draw for me, I don't see myself staying at BC again anytime soon.

 

[jcjen519]

when i was a kid/teenager my sister and i loved it. this last time with my almost 4 year old i didnt love it. didnt dislike it but its so big and spread out i couldn't let my guard down. where at other pools we can float nearby or sit with feet in the water while he swims.

 

[kpm76]

I stayed at YC for the first time in May with my mom and my DD6. My mom loved SAB, I thought it was ok and DD really liked it, though she said the Volcano pool is still her favorite. We are returning to WDW in Aug, this time with my DH, DD6 and DS2. We were planning to stay at YC so DH could check out SAB, but after some consideration, we decided against it. DS2 is very active and I didn't see a scenario in which we would actually enjoy SAB, especially with Aug crowds. I also didn't like the location of the slide. I never felt comfortable letting DD6 walk over to the entrance alone, so that meant I really didn't get a chance to enjoy the pool. Adding DS2 to the mix seemed like a recipe for disaster....so we decided on BWI, our favorite resort anyway, and we'll try YC/BC when DS is older.

 

[mickeynut1]

We got back last week from 11 nights at Beach Club. I enjoyed the Villas pool more. I guess I can see how kids would like SAB, but I thought it was way overrated. It's a pain in the neck getting to the slide. The slide is incredibly uncomfortable. The sand bottom is neat, except I was always stubbing my toes where it went from sand to concrete. The lazy river would be nice with a tube, but without one, it's just too deep.

We enjoyed trying SAB when we stayed at the BC, but we don't think it's the ultimate pool on property and it's not our favorite. Our favorite is the volcano pool at the Poly, followed by the WL pool.

 

[Kim1964]

We love SAB, but I do think it is overrated in one respect. I often see it referred to as a "mini water park", and I disagree with that characterization. The lazy river in no way resembles the lazy river at BB or TL. There are also no raft rides. While I like the SAB pool slide, it isn't in the same league as the slides at the water parks. I think the "mini water park" descriptor gets people's hopes up and then it can't live up to that hype.

 

[sonofanarchy]

Hoping BWI's Luna Park can live up to my daughter's lofty expectations, especially when she'll be able to see her beloved SAB across the way.

I loved Luna Park. Easier to swim in, great slide (much more comfortable than SAB), much more room.

 

[conandrob240]

A nice pool but agree on it being overrated. Hate all the sections and getting from one part to another. My least favorite slide at WDw because of how you get to it. Current too strong at the lazy river. I do like the sand bottom. My favorite pool is AK Jambo and SSR. Poly is nice too and GF. I like the set up at BLT but pool itself is kinda small.

 

[gtpoohbear]

We didn't really care for it either. The kids did have fun playing in the sandy areas, but that was really the only positive thing I could say about it. Personally, I hated the sand and the only blister I got the whole week was from walking barefoot in it.

As others have mentioned, it is very awkward to get around, and very tedious to go back and forth from the slide.

I think the biggest turn-off for me was that it just felt so sterile- like it was all concrete. The pools at CBR and Poly felt so much more lush and relaxing, whereas SAB was just chaotic. And it wasn't even particularly busy (we never had trouble finding chairs) But it was not a relaxing place to spend the afternoon for sure.

 

[kallanach]

We got back last week from 11 nights at Beach Club. I enjoyed the Villas pool more. I guess I can see how kids would like SAB, but I thought it was way overrated. It's a pain in the neck getting to the slide. The slide is incredibly uncomfortable. The sand bottom is neat, except I was always stubbing my toes where it went from sand to concrete. The lazy river would be nice with a tube, but without one, it's just too deep.

Yes. Agree. Overrated. I thought it was difficult to walk around the pool. Choppy layout. Too spread out and too crowded. Did the shipwreck slide one time. That was fun but the line is long and it is out of the way. The kids had fun. We have a very nice pool in our home community. I am sure that influenced my tepid reaction to SAB.

 

[trishadono]

We stayed at YC 11/10 and we had mixed feelings. I felt with dd15and ds13 that there were way too many munchkins around. Whenever I tried to sit n the hot tub several small ones would plop in and splash around without a grown up

I actually watch my kids on vacation but I don't want to watch yours

We never made it to slide , too inconvenient. However ds now 16 has asked to go back. Think he liked the fact there was deep water. Poly and GF have taken out their deep sections so not too many options left.

I still love cr! Nice pools, quiet hot tub, close to beach, can see monorail etc, my happy place

 

[RainK]

I probably shouldn't have read this thread less than 25 days to our vacation at BC. I am honestly worried we won't LOVE BC and SAB as much as people rave about.
We LOVE POP and the many pools and overall size. This is our first deluxe and we are serious pool lovers but NEED to have chairs to relax while the kids swim. I am REALLY worried we will be "chairless" and not enjoy SAB due to crowds and possibly the size and set up.
Not to mention, my family has no idea we are staying there....they think we are at ASMU.
I hope hope hope we love it and I don't regret booking there.

 

[bwifan]

I probably shouldn't have read this thread less than 25 days to our vacation at BC. I am honestly worried we won't LOVE BC and SAB as much as people rave about.
We LOVE POP and the many pools and overall size. This is our first deluxe and we are serious pool lovers but NEED to have chairs to relax while the kids swim. I am REALLY worried we will be "chairless" and not enjoy SAB due to crowds and possibly the size and set up.
Not to mention, my family has no idea we are staying there....they think we are at ASMU.
I hope hope hope we love it and I don't regret booking there.

More people like it than dislike it.
There ARE chair hogs. They come early and "save" chairs with a resort towel and walk away. Do not be afraid to move them after 40 or so minutes. I did every day.

 

[clapton]

We love the BC and the atmosphere at the pool, also like the quiet pool and the BCV pool. I do agree while we like SAB it is overrated! I wouldn't let it discourage me from staying there, it's still a great resort and we always have a great time when we stay there!

 

[Couchy]

I probably shouldn't have read this thread less than 25 days to our vacation at BC. I am honestly worried we won't LOVE BC and SAB as much as people rave about.
We LOVE POP and the many pools and overall size. This is our first deluxe and we are serious pool lovers but NEED to have chairs to relax while the kids swim. I am REALLY worried we will be "chairless" and not enjoy SAB due to crowds and possibly the size and set up.
Not to mention, my family has no idea we are staying there....they think we are at ASMU.
I hope hope hope we love it and I don't regret booking there.

SAB rocks. I pay the premium to stay there for the pool. It is the best.

 

[Robbi]

I probably shouldn't have read this thread less than 25 days to our vacation at BC. I am honestly worried we won't LOVE BC and SAB as much as people rave about.
We LOVE POP and the many pools and overall size. This is our first deluxe and we are serious pool lovers but NEED to have chairs to relax while the kids swim. I am REALLY worried we will be "chairless" and not enjoy SAB due to crowds and possibly the size and set up.
Not to mention, my family has no idea we are staying there....they think we are at ASMU.
I hope hope hope we love it and I don't regret booking there.

While I'm not crazy about SAB, I do love the Beach Club.
I'd wager that is everyone on this thread listed their favorite Disney resort, there would be lots of people who wouldn't agree with their choice. It's all about personal preference. I hope you do love the Beach Club and SAB!!!

 

[Ofinn]

I like SAB because I can actually swim in it. I really don't care for pools that are 3 feet deep. I love the Poly and WL, but never go in the pools when we stay there. It may be overrated, but it's probably the best Disney has to offer. The only other pools I like are at BWI and CSR.

 

[Ofinn]

We stayed at YC 11/10 and we had mixed feelings. I felt with dd15and ds13 that there were way too many munchkins around. Whenever I tried to sit n the hot tub several small ones would plop in and splash around without a grown up

I actually watch my kids on vacation but I don't want to watch yours

We never made it to slide , too inconvenient. However ds now 16 has asked to go back. Think he liked the fact there was deep water. Poly and GF have taken out their deep sections so not too many options left.

I still love cr! Nice pools, quiet hot tub, close to beach, can see monorail etc, my happy place

The hot tub next to sand bar is usually loaded with kids, but there are two other hot tubs up on the rocks that are usually just empty or full of adults. At least that has been my experience the four times we have stayed there.

 

[katiee37]

I'm honestly not much of a swimmer and not one for slides or lazy rivers...my favorite part of Stormalong Bay was just sitting in an area that was probably two feet deep as most and most likely designated for children. Sooo relaxing and at the time there weren't little kids nearby so I wasn't invading them and I still got to enjoy some peace and quiet