Poly pool refurb????

[Kac923]

Has anyone heard any more about this? We are considering switching to a poly stay but would be arriving Feb 29th and I don't want to take any chance on even a slide closure. My kids would really not be happy with me!
Kac

 

[mouseketeermama]

Has anyone heard any more about this? We are considering switching to a poly stay but would be arriving Feb 29th and I don't want to take any chance on even a slide closure. My kids would really not be happy with me!
Kac

Very curious about this too! We actually booked the Poly totally based on the slide. Everytime we visit for dinner at Kona or Ohana, my 7 year old pratically begs to swim there. We are going from Feb 7th-10th and if this is true, we are changing our reservations.

 

[i_heart_the_mouse]

I can post an update with what I find out next week when I get back

 

[mouseketeermama]

This is the email that I just got back from IP

Aloha

As of right now I can not confirm the the Volcano pool slide will be
down at the time of your reservation. We have not yet received the exact
dates yet. As soon as we get the exact dates I will let you know.

Please feel free to contact us if you have any further questions or
request. Have a magical day!


Mahalo,
Nicole

Walt Disney World Itinerary Planning Office
Phone: (407) 824-2466
Fax: (407) 824-3174
Polynesian.Itinerary.Planning@disneyworld.com

Sadly, this doesn't really answer anything.

 

[CanadianGuy]

Just "Talked" to a CM on thier live chat on the WDW site. She said she didn't see anything about it on the system. But it is listed online on lots of different sites (wdwinfo.com, tikimanpages, undercovertourist, mosuesavers) Yikes, if a CM can't tell me, who am I supposed to call?

This isn't surprising, many are full of wrong info or no info at all.

Also keep an eye on the refurb schedule. In my experience, it's usually pretty updated and accurate.

As nkereina notes, it's entirely more likely the refurb schedules posted out on the internet are more accurate that information you're getting on the phone.

If its a package, I don't think you can change anything within 45 days. But I'm pretty new at this, so not really sure. And if there is a closure, I would think they would do anything to keep you happy. Worth a try if you want

...
I know. I could see if we were asking these questions a couple months in advance, but come on people...its right around the corner. One place says they are starting work on it Monday. Shouldn't they know something?!

This is the email that I just got back from IP

Aloha

As of right now I can not confirm the the Volcano pool slide will be
down at the time of your reservation. We have not yet received the exact
dates yet. As soon as we get the exact dates I will let you know.

Please feel free to contact us if you have any further questions or
request. Have a magical day!


Mahalo,
Nicole

Walt Disney World Itinerary Planning Office
Phone: (407) 824-2466
Fax: (407) 824-3174
Polynesian.Itinerary.Planning@disneyworld.com

Sadly, this doesn't really answer anything.

Unfortunately.. Nicole probably knows less about this refurb than you or I. And that's not her fault.

You have to understand how Disney distributes this information .. and how the refurb/work process is completed by the various departments at Disney.

The long and the short of it is .. No, they often don't know till 24-48 hours prior exactly when the work will start due to fluctuating time schedules on work being done elsewhere. A project can be scheduled to take 5 days. In some cases, the work takes five days, in other 3 and sometimes 7 or 8 depending on what they might discover once the work begins.

Because of all that, a given job often is scheduled to start on xx/yy date.. but sometimes doesn't begin til days later.. and runs longer. Sometimes they start earlier.

Regardless, ANY person you can reach on the phone at Disney, either at Disney reservations, IPO offices, resort "front desks" etc.. only has access to the information in Disney's internal programs. And frequently, that information is out of date or simply not updated in a timely fashion. It often leads to outside sources who get the same refurb information and post it promptly .. being way out of in front of "official Disney information system computers" .. yes, it should be different or fixed -- but years of this and Disney not making changes in their operations should teach us that institutional change is a real tough task. (or the Titanic doesn't turn on a dime -- whatever metaphor you like)

While everyone wants to stay at their dream resort and believe the person on the phone *(or in email) who says the pool, slide, splash area or whatever will be open and available. And most notably, you can NOT go back to that person and seek compensation from them when they turn out to be wrong. We'd all like to think they could just pick up a phone and call "The Refurb Department" -- but they cannot.

I just always assume the worst case when it comes to refurbs and work at the resorts.. and sometimes I have a pleasant surprise, but most times my cautious thinking pays off.

ULTIMATELY, If a pool / slide is VERY IMPORTANT to you on your vacation, you may wish to either travel at a different time or save the resort being worked on for a future trip.

 

[solana131]

Well this is nerve racking! This trip is a once in a lifetime trip for us. We do not have the luxury of going every year or even every few years. We can't just say "oh well, next time we will stay at the Poly". Our budget normally wouldn't allow for a deluxe at all if we didn't get a HUGE christmas present towards it. And I have heard they are doing a major refurb of the Poly in 2013, so this might be our only chance to stay at the "original" Poly.

I guess we will stick it out and hope for the best. I don't really care about having the pool to swim in, I think it is gonna be chilly while we are there. But I don't want the noise and fumes and chaos of construction right in front of us all week either.

Can any of you give me any advice? Is it really worth it to stay there and deal with the inconvenience, or should we just switch to someplace else (prob POFQ or Wilderness)?

 

[mouseketeermama]

Well this is nerve racking! This trip is a once in a lifetime trip for us. We do not have the luxury of going every year or even every few years. We can't just say "oh well, next time we will stay at the Poly". Our budget normally wouldn't allow for a deluxe at all if we didn't get a HUGE christmas present towards it. And I have heard they are doing a major refurb of the Poly in 2013, so this might be our only chance to stay at the "original" Poly.

I guess we will stick it out and hope for the best. I don't really care about having the pool to swim in, I think it is gonna be chilly while we are there. But I don't want the noise and fumes and chaos of construction right in front of us all week either.

Can any of you give me any advice? Is it really worth it to stay there and deal with the inconvenience, or should we just switch to someplace else (prob POFQ or Wilderness)?

In my situation, I am going to keep the reservation for the Poly and hope for the best. If the pool turns out to be closed, we are going to ask to be moved to GF. I have no problem paying the difference, but the pool is honestly why the Poly won over the GF for us. Hopefully we won't have to worry about it at all and if we do, I really hope that IPO let's us know in time so we can change.

 

[havoc315]

So any word?

 

[solana131]

Last I heard they said they might possibly close the slide for a while, but not for a long period of time. My son is too little for the slide anyway, so we are sticking with our dream resort and just hoping for the best.

 

[havoc315]

Last I heard they said they might possibly close the slide for a while, but not for a long period of time. My son is too little for the slide anyway, so we are sticking with our dream resort and just hoping for the best.

My son loves pool slides. And he has been looking forward to the volcano slide :/

 

[solana131]

The way I understood it, they might close it for an hour or so while they are working right next to it, but it shouldn't be down even a whole day. I would think you would be fine, but you might want to call right before your trip just to make sure.

 

[solana131]

Now TikimanPages.com says " So the latest on the pool is that it is scheduled to be closed for phase 1 of the refurbishment (1/20-2/10) if they do not finish by then it will be closed 2/13-2/27. The work is to the volcano itself (being theme painted)now scheduled to start on the 1/30. The pool will be closed for this work to be done. "

What would you do? I am 11 days out right now. I am not paid in full because we did room-only. Would you switch resorts even if this was a one-time shot at the Poly? GF pool is closed during our stay too, so we can't just go over there. And Contemp pool isn't that great.

 

[cameyer85]

Refurb again?
We were there in May '11 and out of the 5 days we stayed there the pool was closed for four of the days for maintence...we were not happy campers regarding that...going back in June '12 and if it happens again that will be the last time we stay at the Poly which otherwise we really like a lot!

 

[solana131]

They are putting new clear coat on the rocks of the volcano. Not really refurbing the pool, but I guess that clear coat is nasty stuff and they have to close the pool in case some gets in the water. I am really really bummed. This is a once in a lifetime trip for us. We would normally not be able to stay deluxe...def not Poly. I just don't know what to do. Wondering how intrusive the construction will be. I don't really care that much about swimming (too chilly I think) but I just don't want the smells and noise of construction to ruin the magic. At $400 a night I think we deserve better!

 

[hannahdrewmom]

They are putting new clear coat on the rocks of the volcano. Not really refurbing the pool, but I guess that clear coat is nasty stuff and they have to close the pool in case some gets in the water. I am really really bummed. This is a once in a lifetime trip for us. We would normally not be able to stay deluxe...def not Poly. I just don't know what to do. Wondering how intrusive the construction will be. I don't really care that much about swimming (too chilly I think) but I just don't want the smells and noise of construction to ruin the magic. At $400 a night I think we deserve better!

They aren't closing the whole pool, just the slide. I'm not sure how the smell would work out but I can't imagine there would be much "construction" to be honest. Maybe a little scaffolding for the putting on of the coat.

I also wonder about the IP's email. 6-8 weeks brings you potentially into late March which is peak season. I find it hard to believe that they would be doing any refurb during that time on a pool. Especially if it's just adding a clear coat. I guess only time will tell, but I wonder if they are saying that just to make sure all there bases are covered?

 

[solana131]

It was supposed to be just the slide, but this latest "intelligence" indicates that it is the whole pool. I just talked it over with the rest of my traveling party and we have decided to stay. Maybe if it is too bad they will move us, but most likely it will be a good thing and make the Poly not so busy. We are sticking with it and are gonna have an amazing time!

End of story

 

[brea]

Now TikimanPages.com says " So the latest on the pool is that it is scheduled to be closed for phase 1 of the refurbishment (1/20-2/10) if they do not finish by then it will be closed 2/13-2/27. The work is to the volcano itself (being theme painted)now scheduled to start on the 1/30. The pool will be closed for this work to be done. "

What would you do? I am 11 days out right now. I am not paid in full because we did room-only. Would you switch resorts even if this was a one-time shot at the Poly? GF pool is closed during our stay too, so we can't just go over there. And Contemp pool isn't that great.

If you believe the rumors this may be your last shot at staying at the Poly. I'd stick with it and hope for the best but be prepared to make adjustments. Disney can and usually does some pretty good things to make their guests happy. If you really want a pool day ask if you can have access to stormalong bay for some time. Then you'd get all the pool you want and more!

Given the timeframe I bet they'd make it happen.

 

[solana131]

If you believe the rumors this may be your last shot at staying at the Poly. I'd stick with it and hope for the best but be prepared to make adjustments. Disney can and usually does some pretty good things to make their guests happy. If you really want a pool day ask if you can have access to stormalong bay for some time. Then you'd get all the pool you want and more!

Given the timeframe I bet they'd make it happen.

Ok, first things first.... your ticker says 4 Days! Yay for you!

And I agree. I have heard the rumors from Tikiman on the Poly. That is why we decided to stay here this time. It may be our only chance to stay at the "original" Poly. I think it will be around 70s while we are there which is really really nice in Feb coming from Maine, but not really that hot that we will have to swim. And I think maybe the closure might just make it less busy around the beach and Great Ceremonial House. We are sticking with it and I can't wait.

 

[brea]

Ok, first things first.... your ticker says 4 Days! Yay for you!

And I agree. I have heard the rumors from Tikiman on the Poly. That is why we decided to stay here this time. It may be our only chance to stay at the "original" Poly. I think it will be around 70s while we are there which is really really nice in Feb coming from Maine, but not really that hot that we will have to swim. And I think maybe the closure might just make it less busy around the beach and Great Ceremonial House. We are sticking with it and I can't wait.

Thanks for noticing my ticker

If I remember to do it I'll post what's actually going on on the 30th as we'll be there. We're staying there because of the same reasons of it not being there when we come back possibly or in the same way.

 

[solana131]

Just called to request a room not close to the pool just in case. And they still have nothing in their system about this. But it is all over the web. I just don't know what to think.

I guess we will be surprised when we get there. Hopefully pleasantly surprised. Time will tell.