Does anyone NOT like Storm Along Bay??

[jandm]

As I've posted before, we are torn between staying at either the BC/YC or Boardwalk Inn. I got lots of responses telling us to pick BC because of the pool. I looked at pics of Boardwalk's clown pool (no, my kids do not have a fear of clowns) and I really think they'd have a great time there too. We have 3 kids, I'm wondering is there anyone out there who doesn't care for SAB and if so, why? Just trying to weigh the pros & cons. Thanks!!

 

[madalex]

First, I think kids will like any pool, no matter how elaborate (or not) that it is. I have stayed at YC, BC, BWI, GF and AKL with my kids and they have loved all the pools. I wouldn't make a resort decision based on the pool, because I know my kids will like the pool no matter where we stay.

That being said, SAB is pretty great, but it does have its drawbacks. It's very big and there are lots of different areas to explore. The sandy bottom is great and the zero entry area in the shallower pool is great with little kids. The big slide is a blast.

However, with SAB being so big, that means there is a lot of pool to monitor and it is easy to lose track of where your kids are. It also makes it tough, at times, to get from one part of the pool to another. The slide is great, but the stairs up to it are across the walkway from the main pool, which is somewhat inconvenient.

In the end, I really like SAB, but am sure that you (and your kids) will be happy with the pool no matter which resort you choose.

 

[mcd2745]

Overall, SAB is awesome and my kids (DS9, DD 6) absolutely loved it. The biggest problem I had with SAB was that it closed too early. I don't know what time Boardwalk's pool normally closes, but when we were at the Beach Club back in late August, SAB was closing at 10pm every night. That's ridiculous IMO, and completely unnecessary. When paying those outrageous prices to stay at the BC, I'd like to be able to use SAB after getting back from the parks. Last year, when we stayed at CBR, the main pool stayed open 24/7 - even though the lifeguards went off duty and they closed the slides at 8pm. I realize SAB is a different animal because they have people checking to make sure you're staying at YC/BC...but they could at least left it open until midnight - it was still summer afterall. The result was that the quiet pool was anything but quiet for 2-3 hours after SAB closed.

 

[KimK2006]

We just got back from our first stay at the YC and really liked it. The location was awesome! We only used the pool once. It was great, but we definitely wouldn't choose YC again because of the pool.

We thought we would try Boardwalk next time because we really like the shops, eateries, etc. there.

I think you would like any of the three. Don't choose based on the pool only.

 

[OKW Lover]

I'm sure that somewhere there is somebody that doesn't like SAB. After all there are people that don't like chocolate.

There's a lot to like about SAB. Its a mini-water park with something for everybody. Perhaps the downside is that its sometimes crowded, perhaps too crowded for some.

 

[jandm]

We just got back from our first stay at the YC and really liked it. The location was awesome! We only used the pool once. It was great, but we definitely wouldn't choose YC again because of the pool.

We thought we would try Boardwalk next time because we really like the shops, eateries, etc. there.

I think you would like any of the three. Don't choose based on the pool only.

Thanks for the advice. I'm kind of thinking the same thing. We are only taking 1 day off from the parks to swim, so I agree about not picking the resort just for the pool. Something about the looks/atmosphere of the Boardwalk appeals to me more, yet never have visited either, I want to make the right decision.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I don't like SAB. My son and husband both like it and head that way when we stay at BCV. I'll head to the Dunes Cove pool at the villas. I find it difficult to find a chair or two. It's very crowded and noisy. And I hate the sinking sands. Plus some areas are very deep (8' deep) with a swift current. If you aren't a good swimmer that area can take you by surprise and sweep you off your feet.

 

[KimK2006]

Thanks for the advice. I'm kind of thinking the same thing. We are only taking 1 day off from the parks to swim, so I agree about not picking the resort just for the pool. Something about the looks/atmosphere of the Boardwalk appeals to me more, yet never have visited either, I want to make the right decision.

The Boardwalk is a 3 minute walk from YC, so it is still really close. We like to eat at ESPN, get muffins from the bakery, watch the street performers on the Boardwalk. We found ourselves going there for those things. After we left, we decided it might be easier just to stay there!

 

[padawans]

We just did a split stay between BW and BC. My kids 7 and 9 loved both pools. The older preffered the BW and the younger the BC. I think the bc pool is a little overhyped. Its nice, but not any better than any other resort pool. The one thing I don't like about its your kids have to walk across an public walkway to get the slide. Its also impossible to watch your kids from one spot at the pool. The BW pool are is enclosed. My dh and I hung out in the jacuzzi a lot while the kids swam. It was nice being able to see where they were. The only bad thing I can say about the BW pool was that it was not warm enough, but they may have been having problems with the heater when we were there.As far as slides go my kids say they are equal and both are better than the poly slide.

IMO the BW is the nicer of the two resorts with better views. Both resorts have long hallways which I hate, but the rooms are equal in layout and size.

Both resorts have 4 restaurants. The only thing the Bw does not have is a place to refill your mug, but they will give you coffee or a soda if you show them your mug.

 

[Hopefully]

Lots of folks don't like SAB. I am not one of them. Some parents with school age and younger children feel it is too big, too spread out and don't like that the slide entrance is across the walkway.
That said, we love it, but we would not choose our resort soley on the pool. We prefer the BCV to the BWV because it is closer to our favorite park, Epcot, and it is more peaceful.
However, BWV is closer to DHS so it is an easy walk to 2 parks. Plus the Boardwalk itself holds a lot of appeal to many folks.
The bottom line, both are wonderful and you can't go wrong with either. If you have children that would really enjoy all that SAB has to offer safely, that may give it a small heads up.
Good Luck

 

[padawans]

Thanks for the advice. I'm kind of thinking the same thing. We are only taking 1 day off from the parks to swim, so I agree about not picking the resort just for the pool. Something about the looks/atmosphere of the Boardwalk appeals to me more, yet never have visited either, I want to make the right decision.

You may find you spend more time at the pool than you think. Judging from your ticker you will be there the beginning of May. We always go at this time 2012 inculded. Its hot. By 2pm my kids are begging to go back to the pool and swim. The last 2 Mays we have gone the temp has been in the mid 90's. Just something to consider. My advice to you would be get the parks early and plan a swim break everyday.

 

[Pakey]

If your children are good swimmers, Storm Along Bay is that much better. If the weather is nice, our kids want to be in that pool as much as they want to be in the parks.

If you stay at BC/YC, you can easily walk to the Boardwalk to enjoy all of the limited shops/restaurants/activities there. If you stay at Boardwalk, you cannot use SAB.

Adults only, I prefer BWI. Like the rooms, hotel, location and the pool bar better. But with kids along, SAB is always the top choice.

 

[bumbershoot]

I haven't experienced Stormalong, but we stayed at Boardwalk. I *do* have an aversion to clowns, but I found the clown to be perfectly fine, and the awesome slide (note: I'm not a slide person!) MORE than made up for it! I hadn't felt the strong urge to go down any slide before we got to Boardwalk, but I didn't even get in the pool first there, just went straight up the stairs because it looked SO amazing. And it was!

 

[mickeynut1]

We enjoyed our stay at the BC and liked SAB, but there are other resort pools we prefer over SAB. We have never stayed at BWI, but I think the pool looks pretty cool, especially the slide . But with that said, our favorite resort pool is the volcano pool at the Poly. Good luck deciding, but I don't think you can go wrong with either resort .

 

[i_heart_the_mouse]

I personally think SAB is overrated. I did not like that in some sections you have to completely exit the pool to reach another. I also did not like the fact that the slide is across the walkway. The expanse of the pool was lost on us as we just picked one section and stayed there each time we visited.

That said, I didn't hate it. I just wouldn't chose to stay at BC/YC again just for the pool. We'll probably head to BWI next time we stay at an Epcot Resort.

 

[goofy4tink]

I don't like SAB. My son and husband both like it and head that way when we stay at BCV. I'll head to the Dunes Cove pool at the villas. I find it difficult to find a chair or two. It's very crowded and noisy. And I hate the sinking sands. Plus some areas are very deep (8' deep) with a swift current. If you aren't a good swimmer that area can take you by surprise and sweep you off your feet.

Ditto from me. I hate SAB. My dd, now 18, liked it well enough but she also really enjoys BW's Luna Park. I can never find anyplace remotely close to the pool to sit. I hated not being able to see my dd back when she was younger. The pool is huge, with nooks and crannies. You have to leave the pool area and cross the public walkway in order to access the pool slide. I prefer the quiet pool at the villas as well. That's one of my favorite spots to sit and relax.

But, as others have already said, it's not always a good idea to choose a resort based on it's pool area. BW has a lot to offer. It has a different feel than BC. It's more formal. But, both resorts are beautiful, with lots to offer.

 

[toodycat]

I've never stayed at BC or YC. Every so often, I consider it and then I think about SAB. Personally, I would probably love it, but DS and DH both dislike sand, so the sand bottom of the pool is a detraction for them. When DS was little, I also worried about how easily he would be able to slip out of my sight at SAB since he would have to walk pretty far away to get to the slide. So, we've been sticking with the GF's quiet courtyard pool or AKL's lovely zero entry swimming hole.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I personally thought Stromalong Bay was way overated and I honestly don't understand the hype it gets on here.

 

[Colleen27]

I enjoyed SAB but only under specific conditions - summer trip because the hours are way too short in the winter and only with at least as many adults as young children. The pool is HUGE and I wouldn't want to try to keep up with even two of my three kids at a time there because there's just too much deep water and too many obstacles to keeping an eye on kids in two different areas.

Now that my oldest is a teen and my middle child has a season of competitive swim under her belt I'd like to go back, even though I know I'd end up spending 90% of my time in the zero-entry section with my youngest, but when the older kids were 6 & 9 and I was the only swimming adult on the trip it was rather stressful keeping them together to supervise.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

My kids don't care where they swim. They like all of the Disney pools. We have stayed at BC and they aren't begging to go back or anything just for the privilege of swimming at SAB.

Me? I prefer my swimming pools to not have sand on the bottom.

As it is, my kids love the Kidani Village pool and do ask to go back to that. But lately, in choosing hotels--they are more concerned about how cool the hotel is. The pools seem to be a secondary concern to them. They are like me and all about the theming.

Me, personally? I kind of like the Boardwalk better than Beach Club. They do have Clown free pools there.