Does Disney have any regrets with Storm Along Bay?

[ScubaCat]

Newsflash. SAB is always crowded. It can be hard to find a lounger or a bit of shade.

Sure, that can happen anywhere, but there's still a ton more available than the others. And, at least the pool itself doesn't get to where you're being bumped constantly. Go into the POR main pool on a hot, busy summer day and you'll see the difference.

 

[SL6827]

I remember when there were first rumblings of DVC at the Poly, they were going to put in a complex that would be something along the lines of Stormalong Bay. Never happened though.

I remember that too.

 

[tarak]

Newsflash. SAB is always crowded. It can be hard to find a lounger or a bit of shade.

I’ve had two separate two-week stays at BC/YC during the summer months and haven’t had trouble finding a lounger. Not saying it doesn’t happen and it can’t get crowded, but the “newsflash” was unnecessary and, in my experience, inaccurate.

 

[ScubaCat]

I’ve had two separate two-week stays at BC/YC during the summer months and haven’t had trouble finding a lounger. Not saying it doesn’t happen and it can’t get crowded, but the “newsflash” was unnecessary and, in my experience, inaccurate.

We have had that issue before at SAB, but that's true of any pool complex. All I'm saying is the ratio is a lot better there (rooms-to-chaises) and the pool itself is massively bigger to where there's more than enough room for everyone. We stayed at POR once and it felt no different than being in our public county pool on a hot summer day. It was wall-to-wall people to the point where we just got out and left after 10 minutes because it was really uncomfortable. Even the quiet pools were constantly busy when we were there.

I, myself, just don't see why Disney would ever again build a big pool complex at an onsite resort. All it does is increase their overhead and eliminate our need to visit the water parks. They'd much prefer for you to be in the parks or disney springs spending money, not hanging out at the resort. Why build a big pool complex if all the rooms are booked anyway? The honest truth is that if you want a big pool, stay at YC/BC or stay off site.

 

[MomOTwins]

I booked an August stay at BC not to long ago and the CM on the phone tried to pitch the upsell to parker hopper + water parks, and I just said "No thank you, we basically have a water park at our hotel" and she just laughed and said "Oh, right, you do." That to me answers why they won't build more of these pools. The overhead cost of the water parks has got to be high, and from what I hear those parks are underutilized. They don't want to compete with themselves by giving guests a resort water fun option.

 

[DSLRuser]

My favorite resort that I have stayed at on Disney property is the Yacht Club, and I don't think that will ever change. The draw to the Yacht/Beach Club for me is SAB, the best pool on Disney property and I bet it ranks as one of the best hotel pools in all of Florida? Anyway, I was wondering if Disney has had any regrets with installing such a elaborate, over the top, resort pool? I know it costs them extra just to pay cast members to stand guard at its entrances and I wonder if having the sand at the bottom of it makes its upkeep and maintenance harder?

Any thoughts? Wonder if they will ever go with such an awesome pool at any of the other resorts they will build in the future?

UH 30 years of 90% + occupancy says......they are getting their monies worth. Especially at the rates they charge. Paying 2 or 3 people minimum wage to guard the pool is nothing.

 

[SL6827]

I booked an August stay at BC not to long ago and the CM on the phone tried to pitch the upsell to parker hopper + water parks, and I just said "No thank you, we basically have a water park at our hotel" and she just laughed and said "Oh, right, you do." That to me answers why they won't build more of these pools. The overhead cost of the water parks has got to be high, and from what I hear those parks are underutilized. They don't want to compete with themselves by giving guests a resort water fun option.

That is a good point.

 

[SL6827]

I just hope we can find at least a couple of the loungers when we go for our one night stay in a couple of weeks. I know the pool opens at 9, so I am trying to plan our arrival at no later than 10. You still have to have a bracelet along with your Magic Band to get in, right?

 

[nkereina]

I know it costs them extra just to pay cast members to stand guard at its entrances

Do they actually do that there? I've not stayed before but it was my understanding the gated pools just require an MB scan to gain access. Do they have a second level of security for entering SAB?

 

[coast2coastmickey]

There is a cast member that monitors entrances into Stormalong bay. They also give out wristbands so you don't have to keep getting verified.

 

[ErinsMommy]

Sadly SAB is the only pool my daughter wont go to because of the sand bottom (sensory issue). =(

 

[sunnybunnies]

Newsflash. SAB is always crowded. It can be hard to find a lounger or a bit of shade.

We walked by and had a good look (and sat near the fence eating ice cream from Beaches and Cream) on a Friday evening, around dinner time, at the end of May and it was *far from crowded.* Many empty lounge chairs. Two of the smaller pools at SAB were virtually empty most of the time we were there.

Maybe it depends on the day and perhaps evenings are the best time to enjoy the pools?

 

[sunnybunnies]

There is a cast member that monitors entrances into Stormalong bay. They also give out wristbands so you don't have to keep getting verified.

We were there a couple of weeks ago. Lots of open and unsupervised gates. Very curious.

 

[Spencer Wright]

I do not know if it has been brought up yet, but in years past there have been rumors that River Country would be rebuilt to essentially be SAB with a Wilderness theme, for WL and Ft. Wilderness Guests.

SAB is beautiful and a huge draw. It has been mentioned above, but with what they charge they better be able to easily fund SAB!! We thought about staying there but found the cost astronomical.

From what I've observed, it seems all the pools now have the possibility of requiring gates where MB are scanned, however whether there activated or monitored varies. SAB is one I would assume undergoes heavy monitoring.

 

[nkereina]

I do not know if it has been brought up yet, but in years past there have been rumors that River Country would be rebuilt to essentially be SAB with a Wilderness theme, for WL and Ft. Wilderness Guests.

Recent news stories indicate construction for a new hotel and DVC property has started on the old River Country site. But perhaps this new hotel will have an awesome pool!

 

[SL6827]

Recent news stories indicate construction for a new hotel and DVC property has started on the old River Country site. But perhaps this new hotel will have an awesome pool!

Hopefully so!!!

 

[Vader-was-framed]

SAB is easily the best pool at Disney world but I think the only regret would be the 8ft deep section in a lazy river. What sense does that make?
The lifeguard told me she gets that question a dozen times a day. They also have to place a lifeguard at that spot at all times.

 

[SL6827]

SAB is easily the best pool at Disney world but I think the only regret would be the 8ft deep section in a lazy river. What sense does that make?
The lifeguard told me she gets that question a dozen times a day. They also have to place a lifeguard at that spot at all times.

Ya, I wondered what was up with the 8 ft section when we were there before.

 

[ninafeliz]

I recently read an article somewhere, I can't remember where, that they are taking the MB scanners away from all of the pool gates because EMT/emergency workers have to be able to access them freely. I haven't seen it written anywhere else, but I'm pretty sure it was a legit site (maybe here?). But if I remember correctly that won't affect SAB because it had free access sites, they were just manned in the busy hours of the day with CMs with IPads to check your MBs and give you a wristband. Later in the day they weren't there and you could just walk through and swim, I know when we went after 5 or so in may 2016 we didn't have to do that.

 

[ToyStory3]

Newsflash. SAB is always crowded. It can be hard to find a lounger or a bit of shade.

That's our favorite place to stay and we've never once had trouble finding a lounger. We spend a lot of time at the pool, too.