How Busy Is SAB Going To Be This Summer Now That The BCV Will Open In July?

[mirlow]

We want to try an Epcot resort and we thought the BC would be a good choice. I thought that SAB would be great for my 3 kids (7 and under). I just read that the BCV will be opening in July now, and that is when we are planning our stay. That means more people at SAB. Now I know the pools at any resort can get pretty crowded in the summer, but will SAB just be a zoo? I was hoping to hang out and relax with the kids rather than have to worry about where they are because I can't see them through the crowd I've never been so I don't know what to expect

 

[mkymouse4ever]

We've stayed at yc/bc in spring and summer before but sab was ALWAYS packed! IMHO, it was over crowded even on colder, cloudy days. I would be very interested on how the new bc villas will affect this. My guess, way overcrowded. MKY

 

[josierac]

The news is that once BCV open, other DVC resort guest can no longer pool hop to SAB. I don't know if that will help but it may.

 

[10drum]

We were at the yc last Aug. and sab wasn't ever what I called overcrowded, I could always find a couple of chairs and shade. Sometimes the slide would be crowded in the mid afternoon. Also I've been wondering if the bcv will have a nice main pool or will sab be the main pool?

 

[cindala]

Okay, I'm hoping that when the BCV open on July 1st, they are not going to be filled to capacity. Especially since we will be arriving on June 29th for that week!

The July 4th week can be pretty crowded at SAB in the afternoon. If there are even more people to share the pool with, then it could be a problem. Since it is opening way earlier than first planned, I hope not as many people will have planned to be there.

 

[donnamerry]

I checked the BCV and CRO said they were not opening til Aug 1st so you will be safe!

 

[tomi]

DVC members just got word that the BCV will be opening July 1. The Villas will have their own pool but it will be a quiet one (no slide) so I am sure many people will still be using SAB.

 

[mirlow]

It's rather silly but one of the reasons why we are staying at the BC is because SAB has a kiddie slide My ds who will be almost 4 when we go, hates that his older sister can go down the slide at the Polynesian, he is to afraid to give it a try I wanted him to be able to go down a water slide. I have looked at all of the other deluxe resorts and the only other pools I would give a try based on zero-entry and their water slide is the GF and AKL.
We are already staying at a MK resort (the Polynesian) and the AKL is to remote for me (I want to wait until we are out of strollers )
I have read here that there are many outsiders that get into SAB (not those of the DVC) Maybe now they will really work on keeping those who are staying at the resorts the only ones allowed to use SAB? Why not give the guests a wristband to wear when they are down at the pool?

 

[10drum]

Mirlow, The cm's check everyone who enters sab during the afternoon, and I've seen them turn alot people away. But if the bcv start using sab it will be more crowded.

 

[Tess]

Our IDs weren't check at all during our time at BC last June. I had heard that there were ID checks at SAB and we always came prepared, but it didn't happen--not once during our stay--not even on Saturday/Sunday.

The pool was crowded (yes, even on a day that a thunderstorm broke loose at 11:00 a.m.), but we were always able to use it. Finding chairs and a table weren't difficult IF you were there before noon. The afternoon heat brought people by the hundreds.

Our kids are older, so we weren't as concerned about a constant visual contact. It didn't appear the kiddie end of SAB was nearly as crowded as the quicksand, whirlpool, lazy river, and slide areas.

In a different vein, how do DVCer's feel about losing the pool hopping privileges at the resorts? That sure wouldn't make me happy given the proximity of BWV and BCV to the active pools at the resort. Then again, I can certainly understand how crowded those pools could become if the villas were booked as well as the resorts.

 

[drusba]

Disney has officially announced that BCV will open July 1. I am not sure you will notice any difference at SAB which is always hugely crowded anyway during summer.

 

[cindala]

Well, I'll let you know how crowded it is when we get back from our trip the week of July 4th. Like I said, I sure hope the BCV are not filled to capacity since they will just be opening!

We have always been ID checked at SAB that week anyway, stamped and asked to show resort ID. Maybe they will start doing that all the time now or at the very least, add more chairs to the pool area. We have 2 teens, so we don't need to be on top of the pool to keep an eye on them, still, I would like to be able to sit.

 

[RAV]

We have stayed at the Y/C many times, and the crowds can get uglyat SAB. For the last 3 years we were there on Labor Day Weekend. The pool was crowded beyond belief. We saw local people get one room and bring in up to 20 people. They were chatting about it at the pool and very proud of their accomplishment. We recently stayed in a hotel in Las Vegas with a very nice pool. When they checked your ID at the gate they knew how many people were in your party and only let that number in to the pool area.

For the first time in many years, we will be splitting our time between other resorts. The Yacht Club is a lovely resort in a great location but last year we had a bad experience with a rude CM when we checked in and the pool was terribly overcrowded. If we are paying for a deluxe resort we figure that maybe this year we should see what else is out there. We will be spending several days at the Polynesian or GF.

 

[alot]

I stayed at the YC in early Dec. While I did not partake of SAB during my stay, I did notice that they had lifeguards at each entry point and they were handing out wristbands to qualified guests of the resort/DVC. I even saw them ask groups of people to hold up their wristbands, and those without them were asked for ID.

Has anyone who has been recently verify that they are still doing this?

Thanks!

 

[Prince John]

what is sab? sorry, I just can't figure it out.

 

[Terry S]

SAB - Storm Along Bay. The pool/mini-water park at Yacht and Beach Club.

 

[Prince John]

of course...

 

[Tess]

Stormalong Bay and Beach Club Villas.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

We've stayed at the BC 3 times and BWV once (this past year) during the week after Thanksgiving, and were NEVER asked for IDs at SAB.

As a new DVC member, I'm hoping they make every effort to get rid of the people who don't belong at SAB before they just eliminate DVCers.

 

[oshun]

Prince John -
SAB is Storm Along Bay (the pool for BC/YC which the CM who took us on our Illumination Cruise told us is the only Disney resort pool that is licensed as a water park).