Changing a resort due to THEIR changes

[smallworldnh]

I just heard that the Surfboard Bay pool at ASSp is now closed for refurb throughout September, possibly until 10/5! We specifically requested a poolside room in Surfs Up and paid the preferred extra fee because we wanted to be close to the main pool. This was important to us so obviously we're upset about his. (Why they would close a pool during one of the hottest months of the year instead of during the cooler months makes no sense!) They said guest can use the Home Run Pool, but why pay for preferred when the main reason was to be near the other one. Why have to trek over to the other pools? I know it's not a big deal to some, but it is to us.

What are the chances that Disney would move us to a different resort because of this? Would it be a waste of time to do so? Would we lose the dining plan package? Had we known the pool was going to be closed when we booked this back in February, we wouldn't have booked there. And if they moved us to the Homerun pool area instead, would they reimburse the preferred charge?

I wonder how people who don't read the boards or get any info prior to going feel when they arrive with the news a pool is closed.

Thanks for any info!

 

[dansdad]

What are the chances that Disney would move us to a different resort because of this?

If there is availability, I'm sure they would. You'd have to pay the difference if there was a price increase. If you have a special like Free Dining, there would have to be rooms available that are eligible for Free Dining.

Would we lose the dining plan package?

See above answer. Depends on if you booked with Free Dining.

And if they moved us to the Homerun pool area instead, would they reimburse the preferred charge??

Yes. Again, if there's availability.

I wonder how people who don't read the boards or get any info prior to going feel when they arrive with the news a pool is closed.

It happened to us during the CBR Main Pool refurb. Didn't bother us because there were other, albeit smaller, pools at the resort. I'm all for Disney upgrading/maintaining the ammenities. No matter when they do it, somebody is going to be inconveinenced.

 

[kjetjl]

I would call sooner than later. I don't have the answers because I don't know all of Disney's policies but I hope can find a suitable alternative without any fees for the changes you might make.

I know for us that a main pool being closed during our stay would be a bummer! Especially if I paid more to be near it.

Good luck!

 

[nkereina]

PPs are correct. The easiest resolution would probably be to request a room near one of the other pools and ask for the preferred charge to be refunded. That way, you won't have to pay an upcharge or try to find a room elsewhere that is eligible for free dining, which may not be easy at this point.

I also agree that it stinks they refurb pools during one of the hottest months. Unfortunately, September is the second slowest month of the year statistically (January being the first) so it makes sense for them to do these refurbs when there are fewer people around.

 

[ellie05]

The only way that you can know for sure is calling them. Because regardless of any pass experiences that will hear from here, it might not be the same. Hotels specially with special discount are all about availability. I am sure they will try to accommodate your request or at least be able to down grade the room and get the extra money back.

 

[disnut8]

I'm staying at Sports for Labor Day weekend and I didn't know this was going on so for the OP - good you know about it now.

Doesn't bother me any, though. In fact, although I know the OP is very irked, it makes me happy. Not a pool person.

 

[DisneyGal24]

You can change your reservation to a standard room but request to be in the baseball or football sections. This will put you right beside the Grand Slam pool.

 

[POOHsie]

Wdwinfo.com lists the Surfboard Bay Pool closing from 8/6/2012- 9/7/2012
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/rehab.htm

Mousesavers Newsletter, August 2012 reads: "Surf Pool (All-Star Sports Resort) closed through 9/7/12 for refurbishment. The Grand Slam Pool will remain open."

disnut8: Looks like the Surfboard Bay Pool will be closed for your Labor Day Visit.

smallworldnh: It seems the Surfboard Bay Pool is only closed until Sept. 7th. I checked 2 sources. Since you have a reservation there, perhaps you should call and ask about the pool refurb schedule, and make alternate plans if necessary. You didn't mention when your trip was scheduled, and hopefully it's after Sept. 7th, so you can enjoy a brand-new rehabbed pool!

 

[WalkingintheFog]

And even if you reconfirm it on checkin, doesn't mean the CM will tell you the pool is out of service!

I was at POR last Sep & had asked for a Manor room near a quiet Pool. When we checked, we asked where the room was in relation to the quiet pool: it was right around the corner! Just down the stairs and around the corner, as per the CM at the checkin. Lovely! A swim was to be in order anytime we got cranky, hot, or just wanted to chill.

We went to the room, my sisters wanted to 100% unpack before they ventured out (why, oh, why). Then we went to the pool.....
Imagine our chagrin, when we discovered, yes, the pool was that close alright... but it was drained, parts of the concrete walkway were up, & stacks of concrete blocks, pipes & tarps all around.

Went back to the Checkin counter, they, apparently, were surprised that the pool was under maintenance (how could that be? Isn't that a need to know item?) We checked, and were told it would be back up and running within the week (we were there for 2), but they could move us if we wanted.... They offered to send us in a CM vehicle to the room they proposed to move us to (bldg next to the other manor quiet pool).... we went, and the room reeked of mildew. Definitely didn't take it. Didn't want to rock the boat too much (but inwardly fuming at people who 100% unpack before scoping out the territory!), and ended up staying where we were.... and that pool did not reopen during our entire stay!

Definitely taught me to 1. don't let anyone unpack until you've surveyed your surroundings. 2. If they offer you a move, insist upon a selection of rooms to check out (they did have a selection available at the time, but innocent me thought all rooms were equal).
We still had a quality vacation, but didn't get the pooltime in that I hoped for... it was a looonnnng trek to the other quiet pool, we used the Ole Man Island main pool instead.

 

[maxiesmom]

And even if you reconfirm it on checkin, doesn't mean the CM will tell you the pool is out of service!

I was at POR last Sep & had asked for a Manor room near a quiet Pool. When we checked, we asked where the room was in relation to the quiet pool: it was right around the corner! Just down the stairs and around the corner, as per the CM at the checkin. Lovely! A swim was to be in order anytime we got cranky, hot, or just wanted to chill.

We went to the room, my sisters wanted to 100% unpack before they ventured out (why, oh, why). Then we went to the pool.....
Imagine our chagrin, when we discovered, yes, the pool was that close alright... but it was drained, parts of the concrete walkway were up, & stacks of concrete blocks, pipes & tarps all around.

Went back to the Checkin counter, they, apparently, were surprised that the pool was under maintenance (how could that be? Isn't that a need to know item?) We checked, and were told it would be back up and running within the week (we were there for 2), but they could move us if we wanted.... They offered to send us in a CM vehicle to the room they proposed to move us to (bldg next to the other manor quiet pool).... we went, and the room reeked of mildew. Definitely didn't take it. Didn't want to rock the boat too much (but inwardly fuming at people who 100% unpack before scoping out the territory!), and ended up staying where we were.... and that pool did not reopen during our entire stay!

Wow! I had a very similar experience at POR a couple of years ago, except it was the main pool slide they had closed down. When I explained to the manager that I would have moved to POFQ if I had known (the pool slide was the only reason I had booked a moderate that trip and I was unhappy) he said I was free to walk there. Problem was we were as far away from POFQ and their slide as you can be at POR. I didn't want to switch resorts at that point, as we were on the dining plan and I was afraid of that being messed up if we switched.

I thought maybe someone had just dropped the ball that trip, but it sounds more like their normal way of doing things. Don't inform the guests, and let them find out the hard way. Kinda makes me glad my next trip is booked at CBR.

 

[disnut8]

disnut8: Looks like the Surfboard Bay Pool will be closed for your Labor Day Visit.

Yep - and I'm not concerned. There's another pool at Sports and there's two at each of the other All Stars so I'll be very happy if we decide to sit by a pool. And, for all those people who are wondering, no, any person staying at any All Stars resort can use the other pools at the All Stars so we are not pool hopping.

I was just telling the OP that I didn't know the main pool was going to be closed so she/he should have been happy to know now so they could make alternative arraignments if that was a big deal to them.

 

[smallworldnh]

I just got off the phone with Disney Reservations and they were completely understanding and moved us to All Star Movies in a preferred room by the pool without any changes in cost or losing the free dining!!! The CM did confirm that the Surfboard Bay pool is closed until September 30, so if it's a big deal to anyone else, like it was to me - please call them. They were more than accomodating!! Thank you all!!

 

[POOHsie]

Yep - and I'm not concerned. There's another pool at Sports and there's two at each of the other All Stars so I'll be very happy if we decide to sit by a pool. And, for all those people who are wondering, no, any person staying at any All Stars resort can use the other pools at the All Stars so we are not pool hopping.

I was just telling the OP that I didn't know the main pool was going to be closed so she/he should have been happy to know now so they could make alternative arraignments if that was a big deal to them.

Enjoy your visit!

I just got off the phone with Disney Reservations and they were completely understanding and moved us to All Star Movies in a preferred room by the pool without any changes in cost or losing the free dining!!! The CM did confirm that the Surfboard Bay pool is closed until September 30, so if it's a big deal to anyone else, like it was to me - please call them. They were more than accommodating!! Thank you all!!

I am surprised to hear about the extended pool closing, and disappointed that the info on two websites was inaccurate. But I'm glad that Disney was so accommodating to your family. Have a great stay!

 

[nkereina]

And even if you reconfirm it on checkin, doesn't mean the CM will tell you the pool is out of service!

I was at POR last Sep & had asked for a Manor room near a quiet Pool. When we checked, we asked where the room was in relation to the quiet pool: it was right around the corner! Just down the stairs and around the corner, as per the CM at the checkin. Lovely! A swim was to be in order anytime we got cranky, hot, or just wanted to chill.

We went to the room, my sisters wanted to 100% unpack before they ventured out (why, oh, why). Then we went to the pool.....
Imagine our chagrin, when we discovered, yes, the pool was that close alright... but it was drained, parts of the concrete walkway were up, & stacks of concrete blocks, pipes & tarps all around.

Went back to the Checkin counter, they, apparently, were surprised that the pool was under maintenance (how could that be? Isn't that a need to know item?) We checked, and were told it would be back up and running within the week (we were there for 2), but they could move us if we wanted.... They offered to send us in a CM vehicle to the room they proposed to move us to (bldg next to the other manor quiet pool).... we went, and the room reeked of mildew. Definitely didn't take it. Didn't want to rock the boat too much (but inwardly fuming at people who 100% unpack before scoping out the territory!), and ended up staying where we were.... and that pool did not reopen during our entire stay!

Definitely taught me to 1. don't let anyone unpack until you've surveyed your surroundings. 2. If they offer you a move, insist upon a selection of rooms to check out (they did have a selection available at the time, but innocent me thought all rooms were equal).
We still had a quality vacation, but didn't get the pooltime in that I hoped for... it was a looonnnng trek to the other quiet pool, we used the Ole Man Island main pool instead.

The SAME thing happened to me at POR last September as well! I didn't request a room near a quiet pool though. They placed me in Acadian House and when the CM at the front desk was showing me where to go on the map, she pointed out the quiet pool that was right next to our building and said it would be nice to be so close to a pool. Having read the refurb schedule, I knew it was closed but the CM did not. Made me scratch my head.

 

[scrapper2k]

We were supposed to stay there this past week and were never told the pool was going to be closed. Why would a pool be refurbed in Aug? We found out here on the dis and canceled.

 

[smallworldnh]

We were supposed to stay there this past week and were never told the pool was going to be closed. Why would a pool be refurbed in Aug? We found out here on the dis and canceled.

Did you ask to be moved scrapper, or did you cancel completely??

This is where I found out about the extended closure too, actually I subscribe to the DIS email updates (GREAT extra!!) and they also updated it on this forum site. You can count on the DISboards for up to date info and I appreciate it!

 

[nkereina]

We were supposed to stay there this past week and were never told the pool was going to be closed. Why would a pool be refurbed in Aug? We found out here on the dis and canceled.

I believe slow season/value season begins at the tail end of August. As a result, so do refurbs. Even though it doesn't make sense since its still so hot, it makes sense based on pools-per-capita for their refurb schedule.

 

[canopynut66]

NO would want moved if had paid for preferred pool view and they did not have one...We book year out and they either give me the money difference back or find me type of room that we paid for. If you had FD then you should stil have it if they move you as well. go over to POP is a value and bus service much better