No hot tubs open, GF, Cont, Poly! January 28,2008

[jim and meesie]

We just returned from a short trip to WDW and stayed at Boardwalk Villas. On our last day we decided to go exploring and do a little DVC pool hopping. We went to the Polynesian which had a nice enough pool. Since it was coolish in the water we went looking for a hot tub. Finally asked the lifeguard and he told us that there was none (or at least none open). Is that true? No hot tub at the Polynesian? Anyway he told us that the hot tub at the grand Floridian was also closed for renovations and we should go over to the Contemporary if we wanted a hot tub. So we packed up and went to the Contemporary. First hot tub we came upon was closed for repairs!!! So again we went to the lifeguard and she said that both of the Contemporary hot tubs were broken. One was closed and the other one although warm was filled with leaves and debris and had no bubbles. She suggested that we take the boat to Wilderness Lodge because their two hot tubs were working. We didn't! So whats the deal????

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

My guess is you went during the wrong time and there is nothing more to say. It's unfortunate that both hot tubs at the Contemporary and Grand Floridian were not working, however I am sure any guests staying at those Resorts during that time had an even more right to upset because they were staying there and you were not. I am not trying to be mean or anything, I am just saying since you were staying at the Boardwalk Villas they must have had a hot tub which was working, where as those guests at the Contemporary and Polynesian could not use them. As for why the lifeguard at the Grand Floridian said to try the Contemporary, my guess they did not know their's was also broken and that would not surprise me.

 

[jim and meesie]

Wrong time??? It's not a question of who has more or less right to be upset with this situation. I think it's unacceptable for a resort that charges as much as Disney does to have such significant maintenance issues. Not one or two resort but 3 out of 3 resorts with hot tubs out of service on one day. I also think people reading these boards have a right to know that these things happen. As a DVC member I am allowed to pool hop (it is considered a "perk). Quite honestly I would expect a working hot tub at any Marriott Fairfield Inn so why would I settle for any less at Disney? As for maintenance issues at Boardwalk and Boardwalk Villas I was shocked at the mediocrity we found across the board. Years ago when we first considered DVC membership we viewed Disney resorts (especially Deluxe resorts) as on par with the nicest hotels. Today these resorts are barely on par with an average Marriott. Don't take personal offense, unless you are the one responsible for pool maintenance!

 

[John's Mom]

No flames, please. I'm not a DVC member, but I was under the impression that DVC members could only pool hop at other DVC resorts. Am I wrong?

 

[jim and meesie]

Pool Hopping Information for 2007

You and any Guests staying with you at Disney's Old Key West Resort, Disney's BoardWalk Villas, The Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge, Disney's Beach Club Villas or Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa are permitted to use other Disney Vacation Club and Walt Disney World Resort hotel pools (in addition to the pool at the Resort hotel at which you're staying) if they are not at capacity.

If the pool you are visiting reaches capacity, you may be asked to leave in order to accommodate Guests of that Resort hotel. Please check with a Host/Hostess at the Front Desk of the Resort hotel you wish to visit to find out about pool-access availability. You must present your current "Key to the World" card with your Disney Vacation Club "Member" designation on it to use other Resort hotel pools. Pool hopping is not available at Uzima Pool at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge and Stormalong Bay at Disney's Yacht & Beach Club Resorts or at the leisure pools of these two Resort hotels. There are no exceptions to this policy.

Resort hotel pools may become unavailable from time to time because of capacity limitations. Due to expected high occupancy, Disney Vacation Club Members may not "pool hop" during the following dates*:
February 18 - 24, 2007
March 31 - April 8, 2007
May 25 - 28, 2007
June 30 - July 7, 2007
August 31 - September 3, 2007
November 19 - 25, 2007
December 16, 2007 - January 2, 2008
*Other restricted dates may be added based on projected pool capacity.

 

[DeborahB]

Is that true? No hot tub at the Polynesian?

Yes it's true. No hot tub at the Polynesian. Never has been.

I wish there was!

 

[brergnat]

The no hot tub at the Polynesian is a big factor in us not wanting to stay there.

I also wonder why you went through so much trouble to get in a hot tub when there was a working one at your own resort? I mean, I can understand being upset/surprised that the Poly did not have one, but really, you went over to the Contemporary? Just for a hot tub? Weren't you all cold/wet from being in the Poly pool? Not trying to be offensive or anything, but it seems like a lot of trouble to go through.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

While I know you are entitled to pool-hop, your sense of entitlement bothers me. Out of all the resorts, the ones you chose did not have hot tubs available. I see you have been on the boards for over 3 years, yet you never knew that the Polynesian didn't have a hot tub? Ever picked up a Passporter guide, or looked at Deb's site? It is old news if you've done any research.
If one hot tub at the contemporary was warm, perhaps it had just broken recently--and they can't see that in the future when they decide to close one down.
I'm a past DVC member and if things didn't go our way on a trip, my thought was always "oh well, we've done it before and/or can do it next time." Hopefully on your next trip the hot tubs will be all you've dreamed of.
Robin M.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Wrong time??? It's not a question of who has more or less right to be upset with this situation. I think it's unacceptable for a resort that charges as much as Disney does to have such significant maintenance issues. Not one or two resort but 3 out of 3 resorts with hot tubs out of service on one day. I also think people reading these boards have a right to know that these things happen. As a DVC member I am allowed to pool hop (it is considered a "perk). Quite honestly I would expect a working hot tub at any Marriott Fairfield Inn so why would I settle for any less at Disney? As for maintenance issues at Boardwalk and Boardwalk Villas I was shocked at the mediocrity we found across the board. Years ago when we first considered DVC membership we viewed Disney resorts (especially Deluxe resorts) as on par with the nicest hotels. Today these resorts are barely on par with an average Marriott. Don't take personal offense, unless you are the one responsible for pool maintenance!

It has nothing with you being a DVC member and you being allowed to pool hop. I know they can do that, but what I meant was guests staying at those Resorts would have more of a right to be upset about the hot tubs not working since they were the ones staying there and you were not.

 

[CPer'sMom]

I guess I don't understand why it's really a big deal to you but since you chose to post about it I just have a couple of thoughts ~~

You must go very often if, on a "short stay", you chose to basically waste a good deal of your last day by pool hopping. If you really wanted to just use a hot tub why not just use the one at the BW?

The only reason you knew that hot tubs at 2 of the MK resorts were not working on the same day is that you were pool hopping. Guests staying at the resorts *probably* may not have been upset about it if it was only a one day thing. They had other days of their stay to use the hot tub. (yes, maybe someone was very upset about it - maybe not)

I also think people reading these boards have a right to know that these things happen.

I'm sure most people realize there are always on-going maintenance issures at every resort. It shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone reading these boards. Yep, "these things happen".

Today these resorts are barely on par with an average Marriott.

No one is forcing you to stay at a Disney resort!!

 

[CanadianGuy]

It IS worth noting that during the slower periods in January and February, the hot tubs and pools at ANY resort are generally 'in play' for routine maintenance and rehab purposes.

Unfortunately, this can sometimes mean the facilities are down at multiple resorts at the same time of year.

C'est la vie.. They gotta be shut down sometime and I imagine Disney figures better a slower week than Easter or Fourth of July.

Knox

 

[jim and meesie]

Let me clarify, we have been going to Disney at least 2x a year for over 20 years. We have stayed at most of the major resorts. Subsequently the reason we became DVC members. This is the first time we have ever "pool hopped". We usually feel no need to swim at a pool other than the one at the resort we are staying at at the time. This time we did so because we had already checked out of our room at BWV (and didn't have a flight until 9 pm) and decided maybe we should see some of the resorts we had never stayed at, basically the Polynesian. It didn't make or break our vacation that there was no hot tub but I do think the lack of maintenance was worth noting for other visitors. I am by no means upset or indignant but I can imagine the person who has saved for years for that once in a lifetime visit to these resorts would have every right to be upset. I think my comments should be construed as helpful. Wouldn't anyone else out there want to know that none of the hot tubs at these resorts were operational? I guess I'm the only one who expects these hotels to operate like other four star (???) resorts. By the way we made it clear to the lifeguard at the pool we were pool hopping and he didn't think it was weird, unusual or not allowed. They were very welcoming and suggested we could shower and change in the locker room at the pool after our swim.

By the way these days we don't even usually got to the parks. I had a pile of unused park and water park passes in my wallet which I could have used if our goal was something specific. We just decided to go exploring to see if maybe we would find something new. The trip to the Contemporary also included a couple of stops to take pictures of my now 16 year old daughter in the exact same spots we had taken some pictures when she was 4. It was somewhat spontaneous to try and do something different.

 

[kirbsam]

sounds like a case of bad luck.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I am by no means upset or indignant but I can imagine the person who has saved for years for that once in a lifetime visit to these resorts would have every right to be upset. I think my comments should be construed as helpful. Wouldn't anyone else out there want to know that none of the hot tubs at these resorts were operational?

That would only be good for DVC members or guests staying at sister Resorts (All Star Sports, Music & Movies as an example) because they are the only guests who can legally pool hop. So for them knowing this info might be good, however for the average guest who is not a DVC member or not staying at a sister Resort it does them no good because they are not allowed to pool hop. They are free to visit other Resorts to eat, shop and look around, but when it comes to swimming or using hot tubs, it can not be done.

 

[momof3littlelilos]

I am by no means upset or indignant but I can imagine the person who has saved for years for that once in a lifetime visit to these resorts would have every right to be upset. I think my comments should be construed as helpful. Wouldn't anyone else out there want to know that none of the hot tubs at these resorts were operational? I guess I'm the only one who expects these hotels to operate like other four star (???) resorts.

thank you for the info. We are those people, saving up for a big deluxe vacation in a few years. Honestly we would be really bummed out to find no hot tub, because it's part of the whole package we're saving for...
If the deluxes keep disappointing other guests, I want to know. It would help me make a decision later when it's time for our BIG trip.
(BTW - I had no idea that there was no hot tub at Polynesian...so I guess it's not my dream resort anymore.)

 

[CarolA]

My guess is you went during the wrong time and there is nothing more to say. It's unfortunate that both hot tubs at the Contemporary and Grand Floridian were not working, however I am sure any guests staying at those Resorts during that time had an even more right to upset because they were staying there and you were not. I am not trying to be mean or anything, I am just saying since you were staying at the Boardwalk Villas they must have had a hot tub which was working, where as those guests at the Contemporary and Polynesian could not use them. As for why the lifeguard at the Grand Floridian said to try the Contemporary, my guess they did not know their's was also broken and that would not surprise me.

I mean after all it's only a "Deluxe" resort. Why should the guests expect things to be in working order? I mean for ONLY around $300 a night you should just be glad they "let you stay there" Don't expect much other wise!

Disney Deluxe Equals so so service, so so amenenities (See Poly NO Hot Tub) but WORLD CLASS pricing!!!!!!

I am sorry, but folks keep defending Disney for FAILURE to live up to the standards for which they ADVERSTISE and CHARGE. If Disney want's to start advertising these resorts as "an Expensive Marriott Courtyard" then maybe you can decide it's still worth it. However the GF is Disneys' FLAGSHIP resort in Orlando...

If you want REAL deluxe in Orlando (often at a more resonable price) may I suggest the JW Marriott or Ritz Carlton. Or just save for a few more years and stay at the new Four Seasons being opened at Disney!

 

[sotoalf]

Presumably anyone saving years for a deluxe resort vacation would do a little research before spending all that cash – like, say, finding out if their dream deluxe has a hot tub.

 

[Telcogirl]

That would only be good for DVC members or guests staying at sister Resorts (All Star Sports, Music & Movies as an example) because they are the only guests who can legally pool hop. So for them knowing this info might be good, however for the average guest who is not a DVC member or not staying at a sister Resort it does them no good because they are not allowed to pool hop. They are free to visit other Resorts to eat, shop and look around, but when it comes to swimming or using hot tubs, it can not be done.

So, are you saying this is not helpful and good information because it is only useful for a certain percentage and type of guest?

 

[momof3littlelilos]

Presumably anyone saving years for a deluxe resort vacation would do a little research before spending all that cash – like, say, finding out if their dream deluxe has a hot tub.

Yeah well that's why I'm here.
Snarky much?

 

[CarolA]

Presumably anyone saving years for a deluxe resort vacation would do a little research before spending all that cash – like, say, finding out if their dream deluxe has a hot tub.

Personally I think this is unreasonable. If I pay for a "Deluxe" hotel my ASSUMPTION is that it has certain features.... and I research my vacations extensively.

Plus even if people staying at the GF or CR during the OPs visit "researched" they would have been disappointed!

But it's OK. It's Disney. They are allowed to "be below the standard"