MS Letter Re VWL Feature Pool Closing 45 Days before we arrive!

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I'm not sure how to react - can MS get away with this on such short notice? I received a letter yesterday (45 days before we arrive at VWL) that the feature pool will be closed from January 29th thru the end of March.

The letter stresses the "exclusive privilege" I have as a DVC member to pool hop but makes no mention of the long and inconvenient procedure of using bus service to first go to a park so I can get a 2nd bus to the hotel I want to pool hop in. And while Disney is providing a shuttle and access to Storm Along Bay for BWL guest because the Keister Slide will also be closed, there is no memtion of any shuttle service to any other feature pool for us stranded VWL guests. To add insult to injury, my letter specifically reminds me that Storm Along Bay & the Uzima pool are exempt from my pool hoping priviledges.

Am I over reacting? What should I do? Any suggestions or advice would be appreciated!

Best wishes,
Dave

 

[OKW Lover]

Sorry, you're over-reacting. You'll still be able to use the pool at VWL (its the main WL pool that is closing) and you'll still be able to pool hop as noted in the email. If you don't want to take a bus to one of the other resorts, how about taking the launch to either the Contemporary or Ft. Wilderness?

Also, 45 days isn't "short notice".

 

[keishashadow]

Quite the contrary, not many wouldn't be upset. Pool amenties are the big part of the overall experience IMO.

Even though I read of the BW Luna Clown Slide closing here approx. a month ago, MS knew nothing about it & assured me it wasn't going to be closed...each week that I called to check on it (if nothing else, i'm persistent lol). Two CM even put me on hold & said they called the BW desk directly, still the answer was "no".

Would you clal 18 days prior last minute? Got letter from MS yesterday 18 days prior to DSs honeymoon trip as to the bad news. I'm antsey that since he doesn't have a DVC member card, they won't be able to "pool-hop" to SAB along w/the other DVC guests...

Don't know about everyone else but, our vacations are inflexible. We need to request our dates the November prior to the next year. Not to mention those of us who book non-refundable airfare.

Very disappointing IMO.

 

[crisi]

Unfortunately, the pools need to be closed and repaired and cleaned on occation. Would it be nice if they posted the cleaning/repair schedule a year out so that people could make resort decisions based on the pool status - yep. But they don't. And I'm not sure it would be a good move for them to do so.

Its similar to planning on going to WDW and discovering the Space Mountain will be down during your stay. Its never pleasant to have something you were counting on closed during your stay, but its part of keeping the parks and resorts functional over the long term.

 

[jandk95]

Sorry, you're over-reacting. You'll still be able to use the pool at VWL (its the main WL pool that is closing) and you'll still be able to pool hop as noted in the email. If you don't want to take a bus to one of the other resorts, how about taking the launch to either the Contemporary or Ft. Wilderness?

Also, 45 days isn't "short notice".

I know everyone has their own opinion but I disagree with the above poster. I do consider 45 days (and in my case 30) short notice since the DVC system promotes (requires) long-range planning if you want specific resorts. For my family, we enjoy spending a couple of days at the "themed" pool and that is why we chose BWV for this trip. I understand that we can make use of the quiet pools or get shuttled over to BCV, but I would rather go swimming at Luna Park. Nonetheless, sometime during the year someone is going to lose out on using the pool and since Jan is typically cooler and slower it makes sense to shut them down then. I just wish they would notify us a little sooner to allow for the possibility of shifting our plans.

 

[dumbo71]

You are NOT overreacting.

Problem is these refurbs need to be done sometime. Winter months make the most since because fewer guests use the pool. WDW is also saving on the heat during the process.

Your mistake, if there was one, was booking during an off month. Those months have the most ride closers and the highest percentage of pool refurbs happening.

I feel your pain.

You can still cancel. You are outside 30 days.

 

[lovinthemouse]

I am sorry you are faced with this, but they have to be maintained. This would be the slowest time of year IMHO . I know it is a pain in the rear, however it must be done. We would complain if they were not taken care of. We can't have it both ways. I agree a maintenance schedule would be great, but we don't have that either. Go and try to enjoy your trip regardless of the pool problem.

 

[JandD Mom]

I agree with you it is a hassel. Why not try to change to a different resort? BW's pool is nice. And then there is Stormalong Bay....

 

[LIFERBABE]

You are NOT overreacting.

Problem is these refurbs need to be done sometime. Winter months make the most since because fewer guests use the pool. WDW is also saving on the heat during the process.

Your mistake, if there was one, was booking during an off month. Those months have the most ride closers and the highest percentage of pool refurbs happening.

I feel your pain.

You can still cancel. You are outside 30 days.

I agree with much of this. You could cancel or try to switch resorts. SSR just released another building into inventory so they may have availability and you could save VWL for when the pool is open and you can get the full enjoyment out of the resort.
There is a reason they call it Value Season. It makes sense to perform maintenance during the slower times. They close 1 waterpark every winter for 3 months. Every trip there has been something closed for refurbishment. We just know that we will be back and will get to do it next time.
There is a boat to CR and FW and CR has a feature pool

 

[3DisneyKids]

Yes, it is true that the rehabs need to be done a some time, and it makes the most sense to do them during low travel time and poor pool weather.

That being said, no feature would be a deal-breaker for me. My kids live for the feature pools...and being from Maine, we swim any time in Florida...it is always warm enough for us!

I hope you are able to either change dates and/or resorts so that you have the vacation you want.

FWIW, yes, I think that 45 days out is very short notice. DVC is set up to encourage members to do long-term planning. If that is the case, they should do their long-term planning right along with us.

 

[littlestar]

I'd try to book at Saratoga if the main feature pool is important to you. I, too, think they may have released some new inventory at Saratoga because I was able to call last Saturday and get a studio next week for family that's going to be in Orlando.

 

[dis-happy]

I guess I'm in the minority, but I don't see how it's DVC's fault that the pool is being refurbished--they're just letting members with reservations know (probably when they found out). The pool closure affects the entire resort, including non-DVC guests. Our first trip to OKW the pool was closed (they were adding the slide) and it didn't make a dent in our vacation fun. At WL you can go pool hop to the Poly---we did that last trip and had a blast.

Since the BW has told all their guests they can go to SAB, no DVC card is required. I wish they had offered us the use of SAB last Christmas when the heater at the main BW pool was broken---all they did was point us to the quiet pool instead.

 

[Demosthenes]

I agree with the posters who've said that, while this stinks for your plans, there really isn't much else that MS can or should do here. Pool maintenance is needed on occasion, just like attraction maintenance is needed. It stinks when this happens when you are on vacation, but it has to be done some time. Additionally, from a business standpoint, if they did let people know this sort of thing months in advance, they would have difficulty filling these rooms. It is hard to blame them for making a decision that will keep occupancy levels higher.

 

[dumbo71]

FWIW, yes, I think that 45 days out is very short notice. DVC is set up to encourage members to do long-term planning. If that is the case, they should do their long-term planning right along with us.

This is very true. Why can't they schedule something well in advance? Seems a reasonable expectation.

 

[dumbo71]

Additionally, from a business standpoint, if they did let people know this sort of thing months in advance, they would have difficulty filling these rooms. It is hard to blame them for making a decision that will keep occupancy levels higher.

I don't agree.

So basically you are saying that it is OK for DVC and WDW to lie to guests or be less than truthful in order to maximize profits?

It is flat out wrong to not notify guests in advance of scheduled closers. Regardless of the lower occupancy.

I'm choosing to believe DVC did not know sooner as opposed to willfully deceiving.

 

[Demosthenes]

I don't agree.

So basically you are saying that it is OK for DVC and WDW to lie to guests or be less than truthful in order to maximize profits?

While I don't ever think it is appropriate to lie, I don't think that is what DVC or Disney is doing here. It is no more a lie to fail to mention that the pool is going to be under rehab during a guest's stay than it is to fail to mention that an attraction may be closed, a character may not be seen in the park, a guest room may or may not be refurbished, or any other foreseeable but unannounced plan for the resort. It would only be a lie if by company proclamation, Disney specifically stated that the pool would be open, all the while knowing it would be closed. In fact, their travel literature and our purchase contracts specifically state that the resorts will experience refurbishment, and that not all amenities are guaranteed to be be usable. To suggest otherwise would be a lie.

It is flat out wrong to not notify guests in advance of scheduled closers. Regardless of the lower occupancy.

I'm choosing to believe DVC did not know sooner as opposed to willfully deceiving.

DVC/Disney is running a business. It is naive to believe that they aren't making calculated business decisions about when to make these kinds of announcements, in much the same way that they make calculated business decisions about when they decide to do these renovations. Whether or not anyone likes it, they will make decisions that they believe will make their business more money, as well they should. It is certainly possible that this sort of repeated action effecting the right number of customers in a negative way could result in people deciding to stay elsewhere, and that would effect their bottom line; however it is undoubtedly true that making this announcement 1 year in advance will discourage guests from visiting during the refurbishment. Disney would be foolish to employ such a practice.

 

[n2mm]

I got my letter today too for our Feb. 4th arrival. It was not a surprise to me because this news has been posted several times on the resort boards. What surprised me is the MS actually told us prior to arriving. At least we got a notice because the folks who booked WL as regular resort guest haven't even gotten a notice or anything. And they are the ones most affected by this news, since it's the main pool that will be closed, not the DVC pool/quiet pool. I've stayed at WL many times and their main pool is nothing to get excited about. I'm just happy to read that all of the hot tubs will be open. On the resort boards and allears, they are reporting the hot tubs at the main pool will be closed, but the letter says differently. My only concern when I heard this news several weeks ago was that the nice quiet pool I enjoy will NOT be very quiet, so plan to spend more time at the beach area looking for some quiet time. These things are expected, so no big deal for us. Can you imagine the folks who paid big bucks for a courtyard view of the mainpool, only to see it boarded up and closed....now that might bother me. I've been to WDW for the last 3 years in early February and don't think I've been in the pool yet because it's never been warm enough for us to get in....however, the hot tub is a different story.

 

[dumbo71]

While I don't ever think it is appropriate to lie, I don't think that is what DVC or Disney is doing here. It is no more a lie to fail to mention that the pool is going to be under rehab during a guest's stay than it is to fail to mention that an attraction may be closed, a character may not be seen in the park, a guest room may or may not be refurbished, or any other foreseeable but unannounced plan for the resort. It would only be a lie if by company proclamation, Disney specifically stated that the pool would be open, all the while knowing it would be closed. In fact, their travel literature and our purchase contracts specifically state that the resorts will experience refurbishment, and that not all amenities are guaranteed to be be usable. To suggest otherwise would be a lie.



DVC/Disney is running a business. It is naive to believe that they aren't making calculated business decisions about when to make these kinds of announcements, in much the same way that they make calculated business decisions about when they decide to do these renovations. Whether or not anyone likes it, they will make decisions that they believe will make their business more money, as well they should. It is certainly possible that this sort of repeated action effecting the right number of customers in a negative way could result in people deciding to stay elsewhere, and that would effect their bottom line; however it is undoubtedly true that making this announcement 1 year in advance will discourage guests from visiting during the refurbishment. Disney would be foolish to employ such a practice.

I'm certainly not naive about the ways of doing business. I've also unloaded on WDW and DVC on these boards, in letters and phone calls.

Maybe I'm holding on to a glimmer of hope that DVC would not do that to an unsuspecting owner.

It is hard to argue with your post. It makes perfect sense, unfortunately.

 

[Sammie]

Pool repairs and rehabs are often done by outside companies. Disney sometimes gets final notification close to the time of the project. If they told you when you booked 11 months ago that the pool would have been closed and you had booked elsewhere. Would you be upset if the project had been delayed or even cancelled and they did not close it during the orginial time period. Because of this uncertainity they don't notify until they are certain what is going to happen.

They are open 365 days and 24/7. Someone is always going to be inconvenienced. Sorry to say this time it was you.

 

[keishashadow]

Easy to be forgiving when a rehab doesn't personally affect your vacation plans.

Of course,

1) rehabs need to be performed &

2) Yes, they should be scheduled for the "slow periods".

However, DVC members

1) Shouldn't have to read of said rehab on a message board

2) DVC should be able to verify the info at least 30 days out, when members call to verify said "rumour"

3) Members should receive written notice ASAP.

As indicated earlier, I didn't get a letter until 12/18 for a trip beginning 1/7...not acceptable IMO.