Boardwalk Pool Closed Jan/Feb 2008 Crowded?

[alexlizdrew]

We are staying at the BWI Jan.29-Feb.5th. Saved and planned for Club Level. Found out today that the main Pool will be closed. Not wanting to drag 3 children under the age of 7 across to the Yacht/Beach Club to swim (which is the resolution) I asked for our reservation to be changed to another resort. I was told that all Club Level Rooms are sold out across Disney property. I cannot believe it could be that crowded, and have shelled out a premium to stay at a resort with a non-working main pool. Has anyone walked from the Boardwalk to the Beach and Yacht pool? Are their changing rooms? It just does not seem like a great option. I know that there are quiet pools, but part of the reason we stay at the Deluxe is for the main pools. THanks so much.

 

[Booyakasha]

We have travelled during this time many times and due to the Weather the pool may not be your main focus so I would not worry about it. The pool at the BC is better anyway so you are OK. It is a bit of a walk but shouldn't be that bad. Sometimes they also finish the pool refurbs early so you might luck out.

Room wise there might be a day or 2 holding you up in terms of getting a club level. Did the CM try different combos where maybe you stay a night in a regular room or a suite or a DVC and then move to club level? Or maybe a split stay?

B.

 

[alexlizdrew]

Thanks B for letting me vent. I was just surprised of such late notice, you are right it will be ok. Thanks for pointing out that there may be dates, and maybe I could split it up.
I appreciate the wisdom.

 

[2Princes2Princesses]

Just wanted to say that Stormalong Bay at the BC is known to be THE best pool on property. For us, it would be worth the trek.

So if you cannot get switched or a split stay, at least know I would kill to be told I HAD to use SAB when we stay at the BWV next Fall.

 

[StrwLady]

If they state the Main pool will be closed then I would imagine the quite pool still will be open. I can't imagine that being too crowded seeing that it's kind of cold during that time and I think many will jump at the chance to go to Storm Along Bay.

Check out the map to get an idea of walking distance from Boardwalk to Storm Along bay.

http://willcad.org/maps/misc/2006-10/wdw-epcot-resorts_2006-10.pdf

http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=h&om=1&z=17&ll=28.368576,-81.557715&spn=0.005334,0.009495

If you do decided you would like to be at a different resort you might try calling CRO again. From time to time rooms do open up. On the day you arrive before you check in, ask a CM to check if any Club Level rooms has opened up at another hotel.

I hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

[Lamandpercy]

We stayed at BWV and BCV last year and the pool at Beach Club is way better. It's not too long a walk or you can always jump on the friendship going towards MGM, sorry Hollywood, and get off after 1 stop.

The quiet pool at the BW was ok, warmer than the main and was plenty big enough to swim in. The BCV pool was great, the only thing that bothered me was the sand. I hate the beach beacuse of sand and although it is fairly big chunky sand it still got everywhere! Watch out for the whirlpool if your little ones can't swin beacuse it is VERY powerful and difficult to get out of. You end up going round and round for ages!

 

[JennSaint]

A few years ago when we stayed at the Beach Club Stormalong Bay was closed and we could use the Boardwalk pool. They provided a golf cart shuttle service to the pool at the Boardwalk. Find out if they are going to be providing shuttle service.
Is Club level really that important? I think I would switch to Beach or Yacht Club for the easier access to the pool and skip club level this trip.

 

[goofy4tink]

We are headed to BWV in a week. I got the notice from DVC that the main pool was going to be down for rehab about a month ago. Not too happy about that. But, they did say that they were going to provide shuttle service back and forth. My dd is looking forward to riding around in a golf cart.

 

[cherylclt]

It was 29 degrees in Orlando yesterday and 40 today. Might be too cold for swimming anyway.

 

[StrwLady]

It was 29 degrees in Orlando yesterday and 40 today. Might be too cold for swimming anyway.

I guess it all depends on where the OP is from! I know for this Southern Gal it would have to be at least in the mid to upper 70's with lots of sunshine for me to jump in the pool!

 

[kstinw19]

We too are staying at BW (villas though) Jan 18 - 26 and we got our "the pool is closed" letter too.

I did read in the letter, however, that they will be providing a bus from BW to BC to use the pool. So that shouldn't be too bad.

We were disappointed too but I am assuming that we won't be doing too much swimming that week due to weather. My kids are four under 7 so we are in the same boat, but we are just going to try to ride bikes on the boardwalk, or take our time more in the parks. If the kids need a break mid-day, hopefully the will rest in the room a bit more.

It is disappointing but BC does have a great pool and the trek isn't too bad. It is too far to walk with three under 7, imo, but there is a bus and also the boat if you want to take that route too. You have some extra stops along the way but you would still get there.

 

[alldiz]

I would be upset too.....

No way I would shell out that kind of money for a rehabbed pool....

it is a little hike....especially if your wet and it's cool out.

Why don't you switch out of CL and stay at Yacht or BC...
Kerri

 

[kstinw19]

I would be upset too.....

No way I would shell out that kind of money for a rehabbed pool....

it is a little hike....especially if your wet and it's cool out.

Why don't you switch out of CL and stay at Yacht or BC...
Kerri

Sorry that I am hijacking your thread, but tried to find another suite, or even two rooms together during the time we are there and there are none to be found! I guess it's b/c of MLK day??

If we took that out of the equation maybe we would be able to find one, but with four kids it's not easy to move.

Hopefully you have more luck, alexlizdrew!

 

[GQ's Ghost]

It's never too cold to swim. But walking the 1/2 mile from SAb to the BW with cold wet hair would be a challenge. A golf cart may be worse, with the wind.

There is a large bathroom that doubles as a changhing room of the main pool area, but it is by no means a locker room.

If it were me, i'd skip the free beer and pretzels of the club access, and just get a standard room at the YC / BC.

Were will be there in 3 weeks, and have done the late jan early feb time at the YC / BC many times before. SAB is never crowded day or night, so there should be plenty of room for the extra people.

 

[Pinkshells]

Everyone knows that the Beach Club/ Yacht Club is the better pool, that is not the issue. What is the issue, is the inconvience that it poses. And most improtanly, Disney felt that notifying the DVC members a month ago about the pool closure was priority but failed to feel that the concierge level guests who are paying $500 a night, are important enough to notify with sufficinet time to reschedule their reservations. Would it have pinched their budget to send a letter to all Boardwalk guests with reservations?

The inconvenience of a closed pool a 20 step process...
* spend morning at theme parks; kids want a break and a swim
* 2 kids want swim; 1 kid wants nap
*DH walk to BWI parking lot with kids
*load kids, swimming gear into rental car
*drive to BC/YC-argue with gate attendant that you really do have a right to access the "prestigious pool"
* find parking space
*haul kids and swimming gear out car, trek through lobby avoiding looks of fellow travelers who glare at you because you are going to hijack their pool
*change kids into swimming gear, becuase couldn't let kids walk through "upty" BC/YC lobby in swim suit, & weather maybe freezy cold
*kids swim
Back at the Boardwalk...
*Nap kid wakes up and decides he wants to swim too.
*Negotiate with Nap kid for a different activity; Lose
*Call DH on cell
* make DH pull screaming kids from pool; promise make it up to DH later
*trek back through the lobby soaking wet (because honestly who is going to change kids into plain clothes when you know you are coming right back to the pool)
*DH drive back to BWI
*Pick up DW and Nap kid
*Drive back to BC/YC
*Laugh at gate attendant when he rolls eyes
*Trek back through lobby; swim kids still soaking wet
*Push all kids in pool
All for the low, low price of $500 a night. (Even without concierge level standard room is $495/night at BC/YC)

And for all those who believe that taking Disney transportation (including golf cart idea) will be easier, & time saving...apparently you don't have 3 kids under 7.

 

[Booyakasha]

And most improtanly, Disney felt that notifying the DVC members a month ago about the pool closure was priority but failed to feel that the concierge level guests who are paying $500 a night, are important enough to notify with sufficinet time to reschedule their reservations. Would it have pinched their budget to send a letter to all Boardwalk guests with reservations?

I received my letter well over a month ago and I am not a DVC member.

B.

 

[GQ's Ghost]

And most improtanly, Disney felt that notifying the DVC members a month ago about the pool closure was priority but failed to feel that the concierge level guests who are paying $500 ................


The inconvenience of a closed pool a 20 step process...
.

#1 - $500 a night gets you nothing more than the guy paying $225 for the same room except you get free drinks and get to grab snacks like it's a meal. Club access is not supposed to replace meals, but people do it. no biggie. But noone will feal sorry for you or give you special treatment because of your $500 a night room.

#2 - There is always the quite pools.

 

[MermaidsMom]

Everyone knows that the Beach Club/ Yacht Club is the better pool, that is not the issue. What is the issue, is the inconvience that it poses. And most improtanly, Disney felt that notifying the DVC members a month ago about the pool closure was priority but failed to feel that the concierge level guests who are paying $500 a night, are important enough to notify with sufficinet time to reschedule their reservations. Would it have pinched their budget to send a letter to all Boardwalk guests with reservations?

The inconvenience of a closed pool a 20 step process...
* spend morning at theme parks; kids want a break and a swim
* 2 kids want swim; 1 kid wants nap
*DH walk to BWI parking lot with kids
*load kids, swimming gear into rental car
*drive to BC/YC-argue with gate attendant that you really do have a right to access the "prestigious pool"
* find parking space
*haul kids and swimming gear out car, trek through lobby avoiding looks of fellow travelers who glare at you because you are going to hijack their pool
*change kids into swimming gear, becuase couldn't let kids walk through "upty" BC/YC lobby in swim suit, & weather maybe freezy cold
*kids swim
Back at the Boardwalk...
*Nap kid wakes up and decides he wants to swim too.
*Negotiate with Nap kid for a different activity; Lose
*Call DH on cell
* make DH pull screaming kids from pool; promise make it up to DH later
*trek back through the lobby soaking wet (because honestly who is going to change kids into plain clothes when you know you are coming right back to the pool)
*DH drive back to BWI
*Pick up DW and Nap kid
*Drive back to BC/YC
*Laugh at gate attendant when he rolls eyes
*Trek back through lobby; swim kids still soaking wet
*Push all kids in pool
All for the low, low price of $500 a night. (Even without concierge level standard room is $495/night at BC/YC)

And for all those who believe that taking Disney transportation (including golf cart idea) will be easier, & time saving...apparently you don't have 3 kids under 7.

I didn't pay close attention to the beginning of this thread so forgive me if this has already been answered, but have you ever stayed at this hotel before? If not, it really is MUCH easier to either walk to the BC/YC or take the offered transportation. I would not even consider driving, no matter what. It would be a longer walk to get your car than it would be to walk to the pool.

However, I do completely understand the point you are making. The entire point of a hotel stay, especially at a deluxe, is to make things easier while on vacation. And having to travel to another hotels pool is NOT easier than walking out to your own pool. I don't blame you for being annoyed. And people who act like it's not a big deal clearly have different priorities and should not be unpleasant about it.

 

[GQ's Ghost]

1 of the 3 pools is closed.

It's no big deal folks.

 

[Colleen27]

It isn't a bad walk at all, and I think SAB would be well worth it!