New pool heat policy? ***update see post 549 ****

[murcor]

Thats great news!!! Just yesterday I received a reply and it said they were looking into the situation...Im very impressed

 

[smjj]

I am convinced behond any doubt that this thread had a lot to do with WDW deciding to raise the pools temps. See, it does pay off to let them know your concerns. The door that squeaks to most get oiled first. I found this to be true several months ago when a very active thread about the change to the menu at Garden Grille sent many a e-mail to the powers to be....smjj

 

[manning]

43% of the resorts energy according to manning’s link. I’m not aware of the new pixie dust heaters that don’t require capital expenditures. Don’t get upset when the bill arrives in the mail. Just be willing to pay for what you want, nothings free.

Waiting for the proposed budget for next year. Wondering about three things

1. How many people will come out of the wood work complaining about high dues increase.

2. Will we get to vote after all?

3. Can we in fact have our cake and eat it too.

And I'm glad I own energy stock.

 

[LisaS]

Lets see, gas is $1.75 a gallon, lets let it hit $3 for a while, then when we get it back down to $2.50 we will look like heros and everyone will say "its a lot better than when its was 78 degrees-I mean $3".

I was thinking along the same lines myself.

As I've thought about this whole fiasco over the past few days, I wondered why Disney didn't try a small temperature drop (1-2 degrees) and post signs stating something like this: "Given the significant increase in energy costs and our desire to avoid passing additional costs on to our guests, we have decreased the temperature of our pools by 2 degrees. This small reduction in temperature will allow us to save a significant amount of energy. We hope that this small decrease in temperature will not affect your enjoyment of the pools."

That would have allowed them to lower the pool by 2 degrees and see how people reacted. By being up front with people and telling them what they are doing and why, it might have gone pretty well. There would still be some people complaining that they paid big bucks to stay there and the pools should be as warm as they always have been, but I think a lot of others would have been open minded about it and just tried the pools to see how the water felt to them. Instead of making people feel like Disney took something away, they might have felt that they were being asked to participate in an experiment to see if we could be happy with an 82-degree pool and help keep a lid on costs.

On the other hand, if Disney's resorts division makes record profits this year (similar to the oil companies) then the whole thing will backfire!

 

[LIFERBABE]

Yeahhhhh!!!!

I for one will be happy to pay the bill if it means we can swim in December. What's the point if we cant?

I wonder if this is for all the DVC's or just SSR. She said "rec department" not "rec departments".

I too believe that this thread had alot to do with the adjustments. No way was I waiting to jump into a cold pool before I complained. Especially after they admitted they lowered the temps at the beginning of the winter season.

Thanks to the OP for posting!

 

[lisareniff]

I am very happy they are going to be raising the temperature of the pools to the correct temperature for rec. swimming.

However, if the price for heating to this temperature year round does get extreme (after solar covers, etc) I would rather see Disney shut down the pools in Jan and early Feb then bearly heat them. JMHO.

 

[DisFlan]

I am very happy they are going to be raising the temperature of the pools to the correct temperature for rec. swimming.

However, if the price for heating to this temperature year round does get extreme (after solar covers, etc) I would rather see Disney shut down the pools in Jan and early Feb then bearly heat them. JMHO.

I could see this going over like a pregnant pole vaulter.


DisFlan

 

[Olaf]

Exactly. What's the point of heating pools to 78-80 degrees in the winter, if no one can bare to swim in them? Might as well shut them down for the cold months.

I really think Disney ought to look into the pool covers, which a previous poster had mentioned. They'd have to be custom made for each pool, but worth it in the long run.

 

[scottb8888]

HI, OP here again. I was delighted to find this in my inbox this morning:

Dear Mandy and DH,

Thank you for contacting Member Services. I apologize for the delay in my response.

I appreciate your taking the time to write concerning the pool temperatures during your recent
visit, and I would like to apologize for your disappointment. Based on feedback we have received
from our Members, our Recreation department will be adjusting the thermostat temperature on our
feature and leisure pools to 82 degrees. We value our Members' comfort, and want to be sure all
Members have an enjoyable Recreation experience when visiting the Walt Disney World Resort. Setting
the thermostat at 82 degrees will ensure our pools will be heated to a minimum of 82 degrees.

I would also like to apologize for your concerns with the menu options at Disney's Saratoga Springs
Resort & Spa. Thank you for taking the time to share your suggestions. You may be assured that I
will share them with the appropriate Leaders at the resort. I also appreciate the compliments you
have shared and will make sure the individuals mentioned are recognized for their great service.

Thank you again for sharing your feedback. We are glad you are a Member of our Disney Vacation Club
family, and we look forward to entertaining you for many years to come.

Sincerely,

Carli A. D'Agostino
Member Satisfaction Manager


Well I am so pleased. Looks like Disney did listen to our concerns. What a great result.

In a rush to go out now, did anyone else get this email too? If so,sorry if I missed it, in the middle of moving house and could have missed a previous announcement.

Mandy

Is it possible to post the correrct email address to reach Carli?

 

[LIFERBABE]

Jade1, I do agree with you that in the end, we lost 2 degrees and yet DVC comes out as looking responsive. They could have handled it better, that is for sure.

I do have a suggestion on how to save ENERGY if that is truly their main priority.

During the winter months, they keep 1 waterpark open and it is heated to 82F. Give resort guests free admission to the waterpark during the winter months explaining that it is an effort to save natural resources. They could add it to the resort key at check in and it would expire when checked out.

It would be a win win because it would increase attendance at the waterpark, increase their food sales, revenues, and they could reduce the resort pool temps for the members of the Polar Bear Club, that would rather swim in a cold pool than go to the waterpark. They would be giving guests a choice and an incentive to visit in the cooler months.
What are they really giving away? Not much at all. The waterpark is open from 10am to 5pm daily for a handful of guests. It is fully staffed with lifeguards and dining/retail Cm's. We went to BB last Dec. and we were one of the few families there.
The die hard swimmers (Like us) that will swim in 35F air temps, would visit the waterparks in the winter if they were free and heated.
The Resort Hot Tubs should not be affected and should remain heated to 104F.

I also agree that solar covers should be utilized also.

 

[DrTomorrow]

I am convinced behond any doubt that this thread had a lot to do with WDW deciding to raise the pools temps. See, it does pay off to let them know your concerns. The door that squeaks to most get oiled first. I found this to be true several months ago when a very active thread about the change to the menu at Garden Grille sent many a e-mail to the powers to be....smjj

Or instead, perhaps it was the dozens - or hundreds - of actual on-site guests who actually stayed at WDW Resorts, actually experienced the cooler temperatures and actually had the courage to express their displeasure to management in-person while they were there.....

 

[Fonzy13]

I waited an entire day, but I can wait no longer. 38 pages of screaming and yelling, they change the policy, and you get 4 responses of thanks.

I can only imagine the reputation of people on this board with the Disney company. It's sad really, because I'm sure not everyone is as crazy as they appeared.

All well, I guess I'll have to give up my hopes of easier booking, looks like no one will be selling.

 

[mrsminniemouse]

I waited an entire day, but I can wait no longer. 38 pages of screaming and yelling, they change the policy, and you get 4 responses of thanks.

I too am very surprised that given the amount of people who were upset about the lowered pool temps, so few have responded to hearing of a positive conclusion.

But still, the result is the same, no more freezing cold pools!

Mandy

 

[Markstudy]

I too am very surprised that given the amount of people who were upset about the lowered pool temps, so few have responded to hearing of a positive conclusion.But still, the result is the same, no more freezing cold pools!Mandy

Its bitter-sweet

They took a nice 84 and dropped it to 78 then rasied it to 82 and we should be happy? We still lost 2 degrees, and now see how Disney plays rough when the price of oil goes up (how high will it be next year?).

Happy that everyone here helped. Thanks guys and gals

Not feeling all that safe, about the long-run future, for this issue

 

[Jen D]

I too am very surprised that given the amount of people who were upset about the lowered pool temps, so few have responded to hearing of a positive conclusion.

But still, the result is the same, no more freezing cold pools!

Mandy

Guys... this thread is up to what 38 pages? A lot of people stopped reading, figuring it was more of the same! I haven't clicked back in days but today I decided to just for the heck of it. It is great news (although I agree 84 would be nicer.) But you might want to post the news in another thread.... a lot of people start to tune out of a thread once it tops 30 pages

Good news!

 

[manning]

From time to time people have complained that they were not treated well by CMs. The reason given was the CMs felt DVC members were more demanding. The impression was we are not liked. I have never had any problems. Is this true??

 

[conciergekelly]

Guys... this thread is up to what 38 pages? A lot of people stopped reading, figuring it was more of the same! I haven't clicked back in days but today I decided to just for the heck of it. It is great news (although I agree 84 would be nicer.) But you might want to post the news in another thread.... a lot of people start to tune out of a thread once it tops 30 pages

Good news!

Thats me. I haven't checked in a long time. I bet many don't know about it. It is great news!

 

[toesmom]

Sorry that I didn't post how happy and grateful I am that I can leave freezing Canada in winter to swim in a heated pool.

I wrote an email, called my guide, and got responses from Carli and from my guide about the situation. I hope that my letter prompted a change in the policy.

Am I grateful, you bet I am. But with 2 kids I can't post every thought in my head.

I did, however, send a note back to Carli.

I suggest others do the same.

 

[LisaS]

I waited an entire day, but I can wait no longer. 38 pages of screaming and yelling, they change the policy, and you get 4 responses of thanks.

I agree with Markstudy. I'm glad that the temperature has been raised. I would be happier with 84 degrees but I'm willing to give this a try. But overall, I'm still left with the sobering realization just how easily Disney can take away something very important to me. We are owners when it comes to paying the bills but we have no say in how things are run.

Yes I know Disney is a business and needs to turn a profit but I always thought they were a company that prided itself on superior customer service. In turning the pool temps down as far as they did, they really spoiled many people's winter vacation and I feel sad about that.

I'm also still feeling a lack of trust. Yes the pool temps have been raised up a bit again but will that policy hold? I still have my January vacation planned and will be wondering until the day I actually arrive whether or not I'm going to find the pools warm enough for swimming. Given what just happened, I will be wondering if they will suddenly decide to put the pool temps back down to 78 degrees the day before I arrive. I guess I just don't like uncertainty when it comes to my vacations.

 

[twister]

Someone should e-mail them about putting in a cooling system for the summer mths.