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

[Jynohn]

I'm sorry to hear that the pool will be closed during your visit. We just missed the cut-off, as our trip is Jan. 12-21st. We were disappointed to hear that both Splash Mountain and Test Track will be closed during our visit, but unfortunately that's the trade-off we make when we book for the off season. As someone else stated, when a resort operates 365 days a year, there is bound to be someone who is affected by rehab schedules. However, if things weren't refurbed regularly, we'd all be on this board complaining about the lack of maintenance. Disney is in kind of a lose-lose situation...someone will be upset no matter what they do.

I do agree that it would have been nice to have more notice, but the dates may have just become "official."

For what it's worth, the weather in January isn't always warm enough to swim, so your trip may not be affected as much as you're anticipating.

Hope you have a great time!

 

[DisneyKidds]

Sorry you have to deal with the closure. Never good when rehab has to be done while you are there, but I don't suppose we'd be any happier if they never rehabbed anything. I hope you still enjoy your trip. While I imagine it will be a bit crowded, we enjoy using the Hidden Springs pool and hot tub more than the main pool. You also can hop to some decent pools without too much trouble. The small resort launch to the Contemporary is quick, and the docks are right next to the CR pool. Also, once you get to the CR you can hop the monorail to the Poly or the GF. Look at it as an adventure, and enjoy the boat and monorail rides. It may be fun. Lemons to lemonade, ya know what I mean? Though it would be nicer if the pool at your resort was open.

As for notice, both here and at BW, I think conspiracy theories about Disney lying and not informing guests and members so as not to discourage ressies are a bit misplaced. I'm quite sure that letter went out as soon as dates certain for the work were known. Sure, at 11 months out I suppose they could tell you that we may be doing some pool rehab during February, but we don't know exactly when......but what good would that do. And that assumes they knew that much at 11 months out. We just got the BWV letter a couple days ago for an arrival on Jan 7. It's likely that the contractor didn't set the actual date to commence work until now, so while while 19 days seems short, it's likely the best they can do.

Sorry that VWL hasn't been able to offer pool hopping to SAB. My guess is that it is up to the individual resorts to work out whatever accomodations they can, and given that BW and BC are in close proximity it was easier to work that out than it might be for the WL.

Chin up.....make the best of it......and I'm sure you'll still have a great trip.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

I don't think you're over-reacting, but I'm afraid there is also nothing you can do other than changing resorts. Here is a link to the rehab schedule for all the resorts and park attractions.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/rehab.htm

 

[bcvillastwo]

We'll be at WLV in the middle of February. We were a little surprised when we got the notice that the main pool would be closed but like others have said the smaller pool will be open and we can pool hop if the mood hits us.

Besides, how bad can it be to not have access the the "main" pool in February? Chances are the weather won't be conducive to swimming anyway and by gosh we'll be at WDW where everday is a holiday and every meal a feast. (ok that's a little over the top)

To me this falls in the category of don't sweat the small stuff.

However, if you are a swimmer and you were counting on using the "main" pool at WLV well I can understand your dissappointment.

 

[WelcomeHome]

First & foremost, I want to thank everybody for all their info, suggestions and support - you are the best!

The boat shuttle to pool hop at the Contemporary was an EXCELLENT idea and one that I would have never thought of on my own!

It winds up that I was able to successfully switch to Old Key West today. I completely understand and support the need for renovations, so the switch was worth it for me (I love my feature pool!).

Now I'm going to have a fantastic time at Old Key West in February and save my next VWL visit for another time when renovations are over - something else to look forward to. Seasons greetings to all!

Best wishes,
Dave

 

[LIFERBABE]

The boat shuttle to pool hop at the Contemporary was an EXCELLENT idea and one that I would have never thought of on my own!

It winds up that I was able to successfully switch to Old Key West today. I completely understand and support the need for renovations, so the switch was worth it for me (I love my feature pool!).

Now I'm going to have a fantastic time at Old Key West in February and save my next VWL visit for another time when renovations are over - something else to look forward to. Seasons greetings to all!

Best wishes,
Dave

AWESOME Dave!!

Congratulations on being able to switch. I think that was a good move!! VWL is nice, but being DVC, we have flexible options and opportunities. That is DVC at its best!!

 

[crisi]

Glad you were able to switch.

 

[lisareniff]

There is a reason they call it Value Season. It makes sense to perform maintenance during the slower times.

Although this pool closure starts during value season (or Adventure season), half of it is in peak season (or Magic season). Peaks season starts right before President's week which maybe the 4th or 5th busiest week of the year. So to say it is happening during slower times is only half true. We have gone to Florida during Feb break for most of a decade and have had great luck and wonderful swimming weather. This pool closure truely stinks because it affects ME, ME, ME!!!!

We are doing a split stay and I wanted to try out VWL. I was hoping we would love it, but we will not get the full feeling of the resort with out the pool. I was waitlisted for one more day at VWL.... I canceled it.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

Lisareniff is right...that was the first thing I noticed. This pool closure hits right on President's week. I regularly go in the first half of February and if the weather is right you can swim. My guess is the reason that Uzima and SAB weren't included as a bone in the pool hopping privilege is not the lack of proximity to BCV but is instead because President's week onward is included in the rehab.

In fact every guest at WL should have the opportunity to poolhop to the other Magic Kingdom resorts not just the DVC guests. The quiet pool is much too tiny to accomodate the whole resort. If I came down from the snowy northeast paying premium prices to stay at WL during Magic season and had to face a pool closure I would NOT be happy.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I just opened my notice this morning regarding the pool closure. We will be staying at VWL in March. I spoke to DH about it, we decided to leave our ressies intact. March's weather is so variable that good swimming weather is not a guarantee. We gave some thought to trying to change resorts, but will hold.

Bobbi

 

[Hibernians]

Would it be crazy to think that Disney could offer some sort of compensation for their incovenienced guests ?
Why couldn't they offer something like a $50 gift card to spend at the Disney Store or maybe some free meals or discounted tickets to a water park ?

I know they have a profit/loss to run, so I would not expect much; its just that even the gesture of compensating guest for the inconvenience would go a long way towards the "We feel your pain" motto.

Joe

 

[jpeka65844]

I also got the letter and we have a March stay as well. The letter states it will reopen in "late March". Internet sources say it will open 3/2. Maybe I better call MS? Has anyone heard differently?


Denice T.
Olathe, KS

 

[Dean]

I can see both sides and my emotions are split in both directions as well. The truth is that it has to happen to someone sometime and they have no technical obligation to notify anyone at all. Knowing DVC, I'm guessing they would waive the penatlies on a short notice cancellation but what else could they do?

 

[lisareniff]

What would be a nice is... if they gave a pass to a water park for a day for each family staying at the WL/VWL for the inconvenience of not having a pool at the resort. I believe the pool is a major part of any resort in Florida.

 

[Groucho]

Would it be crazy to think that Disney could offer some sort of compensation for their incovenienced guests ?
Why couldn't they offer something like a $50 gift card to spend at the Disney Store or maybe some free meals or discounted tickets to a water park ?

I know they have a profit/loss to run, so I would not expect much; its just that even the gesture of compensating guest for the inconvenience would go a long way towards the "We feel your pain" motto.

Joe

Probably because I suspect that most guests never use the pool, especially in January. And there is another pool available at that resort. And other pools available at other resorts. Etc. It would be foolish of Disney to start handing out money to guests based on this when they don't have any way of knowing who would and wouldn't have used the pool if it were open.

I'm bummed that Splash Mt and Rock-n-Rollercoaster will be closed for most of my upcoming trip, but I don't expect Disney to reimburse me in any way.

I could maybe see slightly discounted tickets to a water park (of course, we already get those as DVC members) since those will be used by someone who's specifically interested in water activities.

 

[lisareniff]

Probably because I suspect that most guests never use the pool, especially in January. And there is another pool available at that resort. And other pools available at other resorts. Etc. It would be foolish of Disney to start handing out money to guests based on this when they don't have any way of knowing who would and wouldn't have used the pool if it were open.

...I could maybe see slightly discounted tickets to a water park (of course, we already get those as DVC members) since those will be used by someone who's specifically interested in water activities.

First, It is Feburary not Janurary!! And being from Rochester, Groucho, you should know WDW is fine for swimming in Feburary (ave. high in the mid 70's). I'm sure it is fickle but we have had great weather in mid to late Feb.

I think the half price water park tickets sounds like a nice idea. You make the resort guests happy, compensate for a loss in service and perhaps create new water park customers. I have never been to a water park with my family and if given a discounted opportunity to go we might give it a try, love it, and go back every year.