Does anyone else NOT like SAB?

[DVCajun]

I know what you mean about the ducks, but I think they're cute. Everytime I've seen ducks there it's been a momma and her babies.

Awww....

 

[drtpaper]

I like spending one afternoon at SAB. I love letting the kids play in the sand and sitting in the shallow end watching them. Everyone on this thread has already hit the highs and lows of the SAB area. The only thing better than BWV pool is the ability to sit in the water and watch the kids play in the sand. I have a 7, 4, and 2 year old and they all love it. I will miss being able to pool hop, but I figure I can round up the arm band if I need it. They were giving them out last week, but they weren't checking them and weren't stopping anybody from using the pool.

 

[LisaR]

Dave,
I am curious about the arm bands you mentioned. I was there last week and pool hopped to SAB. I called to make sure we could pool hop and they said "sure". They didn't say anything about arm bands. I didn't notice anybody wearing anything that would indicate they were staying there or not. Just wondering...

Lisa

 

[KaraKW]

DVCajun -- I, too, think the ducks are cute... but when there's something that strikes me as a big unhygenic about having wild fowl in the pool.

I like to joke that it's Donald and his nephews!

 

[MarkRG]

LisaR. Once the Beach Club Villas open for occupancy, people at Boardwalk won't be able to pool hop to Stormalong Bay any longer. Notice was given in the last Member Newsletter. I would guess at that point they're either going to start looking for room keys or armbands or something.

 

[drtpaper]

They were issuing armbands by the towels at the entrance by the beach club. You could walk right in through the entrances by the lake. Only about 25% of the people had armbands. I only got one to see what they were like so I could track some down for a future visit. They were nothing special, just a fluorescent orange with a small serial number on them. I went over there on two days - the 22nd and 23rd, and they were handing them out.

 

[invalid_char]

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to address some of the concerns people have with SAB:

1) Regarding overcrowding, starting on July 1st pool-hopping will be eliminated. Only those with a valid BC, YC, or BCV room key will be admitted through the entrances. Given SAB's fame and popularity, the overcrowding problem should be lessened, even with BCV coming on board. So the overall SAB experience should be more enjoyable and less stressful from that point forward.

2) Ducks have frequented not only SAB but every other WDW pool we've visited. And besides, ducks are not the worst pollutants of the pools, our kids are. But never fear, that is why chlorine is here.

3) Regarding child supervision, if you have young children, consider bringing some sand toys and keeping them in the shallow sandy area, as others have mentioned above, when you do not feel like being in the water with them. This area is very quiet and non-intimidating for little ones. They will play, build sand castles, and splash around for hours while you relax in your chair or lay out your towel on the sandbar. If your kids are too old for this area, then they are probably old enough to be responsible and stay in the areas in which you feel comfortable having them.

If you still don't think SAB is your style, then the rest of us are truly grateful that you have found a pool you like better. There's that much less competition for the rest of us!

 

[Lesley]

Nothing against those of you who love SAB...but I thought it was nice to try once and I don't really mind that we won't be able to pool hop there anymore. If we decide to give it another shot we can make ressies at the BCV...no big deal.

Honestly I didn't think it was so gosh darn cool as everyone makes it out to be. Could be an issue of just hearing too much hype about it, I guess. The Rising Sands are cool and the idea is neat...but in the end, its just another pool. I think my kids would like to spend an afternoon in the sand/kiddie area....but we have more interesting things to do at WDW! We go to the beach for that!

Oh, we went when it was empty (early on a Mon. in January)....and my biggest problem with it is that the texture of the walkways hurt my feet. But you can't really wear your sandals to the edge of the pool because you'll probably be getting out elsewhere!

 

[Tom R]

Am I safe to assume this pool is heated in the winter time? With it's size, I wasn't sure about this. How about the lazy river? Is it heated too?

 

[TerriBelle]

We stayed at the BWV (home resort) in October and pool hopped twice to SAB. We are returning to Disney for Thanksgiving and we are staying at BCV so the kids can use SAB. My twins loved the sandy kids pool and the small slide. They still talk about the pirate slide! My older daughter loved the whirlpool and the sinking sand. The sand was working this October!

I agree it is difficult to keep track of kids but when we were there it was not very crowded. My daughter was 8 and is a good swimmer. She met a girl from England and they swam together.