Poly pool refurb????

[mouseketeermama]

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.

I got the offical word today from IPO about the slide closure. It starts Jan 30 and will last 6-8 weeks. They said that it will not effect the pool though and we can use the pool at GF, they will have extra boats running.

 

[solana131]

I got the offical word today from IPO about the slide closure. It starts Jan 30 and will last 6-8 weeks. They said that it will not effect the pool though and we can use the pool at GF, they will have extra boats running.

But I thought the GF pool was being refurbed too?? I quit. I am just gonna wait and see what it looks like when I get there. I'll let you all know Feb 12th

I hope you're right. I don't want the whole pool closed. Fingers crossed.

 

[mousemamma]

A couple of years ago we were booked at Poly for 5 nights (regular garden view rooms). We were so excited as this is my all time favorite resort. I found out a few weeks before that the pool would be closed. They mentioned that we could use the pool at the Grand Floridian.

I told them I didn't see myself packing up our two small children and our stuff, jumping on the monorail and hiking it over to the GF for an afternoon swim with a slide. And at the prices we were paying, we shouldn't have to do that.

They agreed to switch our reservation to the GR with no price increase. When we checked in, there was Pixie Dust in the air because they actually upgraded us to the SugarLoaf Concierge building.

So if the pool closure is really bothering you, you might want to call and see what they can do for you. Have fun on your trip!

 

[jandkmom]

I got the offical word today from IPO about the slide closure. It starts Jan 30 and will last 6-8 weeks. They said that it will not effect the pool though and we can use the pool at GF, they will have extra boats running.

Cool, so we'll get a few days before the slides closes. My DD will be thrilled! Thanks for the info.

 

[sandym718]

This newest info has the slide closed during our stay - March 3-10. We (our group will have 3 Poly rooms for a week and 4th for 2 nights) will be discussing what to do over the next few days. A full pool closure would likely mean we'd switch resorts. But the slide only??? Not sure. My kids LOVE that slide, they will definitely be disappointed. But will we all be more disappointed if we don't stay at the Poly at all? We do have the water park option, so I'm considering staying put and doing the following - a day or two just swimming at the Poly, no slide. A day or two going over to the GF to check out their pool and slide (assuming allowed). A day or two swimming at my sister's resort -CSR (we were allowed last time and it was a busier time). And then maybe doing an extra afternoon at BB ( one morning, one afternoon maybe) We'd still miss that volcano slide, for sure, but it is what it is. If we would decide to switch, I wouldn't even know where! And watch us switch and then it end up being too cold!

 

[Principessa1284]

Aloha! I noticed this thread the other day, so I asked a friend of mine to work at the Poly to look into this. Let me tell you, she was SO frustrated because everyone she asked gave her a different answer. So, she started a huge hunt for the correct information involving several managers and eventually came to the conclusion that the SLIDE will be closed from sometime during the first week of February for approximately 4-6 weeks for work on the actual slide, as well as rock work on the volcano. It was originally supposed to start on 1/20, but it was pushed back for some reason or another. They will be running boats over to the GF for people who would like to use a slide.

Please be understanding and keep in mind that things happen, so this may change tomorrow, or they may have to close the pool for a day or two if something goes awry. I BEG OF YOU - don't let you vacation hinge on a silly slide!! And please don't take your frustration out on the Cast Members - the ones you speak too are probably more frustrated than you are and they get the same information you are getting, sometimes less - the CMs planning and executing these refurbs and construction almost NEVER have to deal with Guests. If you are upset, please request to speak with a manager and give them a chance to make it right for you (in a reasonable fashion) and/or write an email to Disney when you get home. THOSE are what they listen to - surveys and Guest letters. Screaming at a lifeguard or front desk clerk who's trying to make the best of the situation is not going to help ANYTHING.

 

[glovergirls]

I'm confused the GF slide will be closed too so where are they going to send people to use the slide?? Obviously the GF isn't going to be very helpful or is there a chance they would delay the closure of the GF slide until the Poly refurb is done??

 

[auprincess]

when is the GF pool slide supossed to be done? Soon? If so, makes me wonder if the Poly reno was postponed until GF is done so that guests can use GF slide.

Also, I know it might sound silly to some to stress over the slide, but, I know if I was in the position I would be pretty upset about it too. My DD6 saw pics of the pool and slide and all she is talking about is staying at the place with the Volcano slide.

 

[glovergirls]

I believe the GF slide is something like 2/7 - 3/2. I just know it covers our dates for sure which are 2/21-2/28. I am extremely frusturated because I don't think it is a silly slide. We are going down for the princess half and not going to the park just doing the races and swimming so the slide IS A BIG deal.

We are from Washington state so my kids hardly ever get to swim and have been looking forward to the pool and SLIDE. While I understand things hapeen disney could at least notify their guests and give them another option! Having them just be suprised upon arrival just seems WRONG to me when you are paying such high dollars to stay there but that's just my opinion.

 

[sandym718]

I agree with the above posters, for many it's not just a silly slide. For some kids, it is one of the main highlights of their vacation!! Of course, no one should be rude or screaming, that's ridiculous. But the pool and slide is an amenity we consider when booking a resort. And when you're paying these prices, you don't expect to be "slighted" I guess is a way to say it. I think a heads-up from Disney, letting us know what the Plan is (GF?) and the offer of alternatives is reasonable.

I'm waiting to hear what happens next week and we'll go from there.

 

[solana131]

Aloha! I noticed this thread the other day, so I asked a friend of mine to work at the Poly to look into this. Let me tell you, she was SO frustrated because everyone she asked gave her a different answer. So, she started a huge hunt for the correct information involving several managers and eventually came to the conclusion that the SLIDE will be closed from sometime during the first week of February for approximately 4-6 weeks for work on the actual slide, as well as rock work on the volcano. It was originally supposed to start on 1/20, but it was pushed back for some reason or another. They will be running boats over to the GF for people who would like to use a slide.

Please be understanding and keep in mind that things happen, so this may change tomorrow, or they may have to close the pool for a day or two if something goes awry. I BEG OF YOU - don't let you vacation hinge on a silly slide!! And please don't take your frustration out on the Cast Members - the ones you speak too are probably more frustrated than you are and they get the same information you are getting, sometimes less - the CMs planning and executing these refurbs and construction almost NEVER have to deal with Guests. If you are upset, please request to speak with a manager and give them a chance to make it right for you (in a reasonable fashion) and/or write an email to Disney when you get home. THOSE are what they listen to - surveys and Guest letters. Screaming at a lifeguard or front desk clerk who's trying to make the best of the situation is not going to help ANYTHING.

Thank you for the "more informed update" And please thank your Poly friend too. I work in customer service and I know all about people yelling at you for something that is not your fault. I get that on a daily basis.

The slide isn't that important to me and my family, but the pool is. And having construction going on right outside our balcony is a problem. I am not changing resorts because of this, but I will expect to be placed in a room not overlooking the pool. Since I chose a garden view room, I wouldn't think that would be a problem. Regardless of what is going on with the pool, once I step onto my plane in Manchester, I am on vacation and I am not going to let anything bother me. At least that is the plan and I am going to try to stick with it I have heard absolutely amazing things about Disney CMs and about Poly CMs in particular, so I am sure they won't let us be too upset throughout the week.

Yay! I'm in the single digits now! 9 days

 

[honeymom]

I wouldn't yell at the frontline people. However, it would be nice to know what department and who is in charge of the decision and to be able to write to them asking them what exactly is planned since nobody can seem to get a clear answer on this.

 

[haleofafamily]

Disney's travel agent website lists the refurb to be going on at the GF:

"Pool slide at Beach Pool - Pool remains open.

02/06/12 - 03/02/12"

The only refurbishment mentioned for the Poly is the "sand renourishment" which should be finished by now.

I will be there during the Princess half and am confused as well. Hopefully we will here from people going there soon.

 

[havoc315]

Interestingly, most of the closure websites list about half the slides at Disney going through Refurb... Thought I saw the Wilderness Lodge slide, the Contemporary Slide, the GF slide...
and I can't imagine that all those slides would takes weeks and weeks. So... just a stupid guess.. maybe that's just a large window, during which time they are going from slide to slide to re-coat.

 

[honeymom]

Interestingly, most of the closure websites list about half the slides at Disney going through Refurb... Thought I saw the Wilderness Lodge slide, the Contemporary Slide, the GF slide...
and I can't imagine that all those slides would takes weeks and weeks. So... just a stupid guess.. maybe that's just a large window, during which time they are going from slide to slide to re-coat.

I've kind of wondered about this. Even if they paint the darned volcano, why should this take more than a few days. I looked at some past historic info and it seems like many years the pool or slide is down for a couple of days here and there. I wonder if this is all this is and we are all worrying for nothing. Look, my kids will live without the slide for part of our trip. But, if they can't get on it at all the disappointment will be tangible. I'm sure that many people are that way. We actually did look online at pics of all the pool slides in making out decision about where to stay and the volcano slide was the winner. not our only reason for staying at the Poly, but definitely was a big reason.

 

[honeymom]

I had written to WDW about the slide/pool earlier this week and received this reply today.


Thank you for contacting the Walt Disney World® Resort. We are delighted
to hear you are planning a visit!

The Nanea Volcano Pool at Disney’s Polynesian Resort will be under
refurbishment from January 30 - April 1, 2012. Guests may use the Nanea
Volcano pool; however, the slide will be down for four weeks beginning
February 6, 2012. Guests wanting access to a pools slide can take
pontoon transportation to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.

There are also several "quiet" pools located at Disney's Polynesian
Resort, where you may wish to enjoy quiet time.

We hope this information is hepful to you in your planning, Felicia, and
we wish you a magical visit.

If you have questions or need further assistance, feel free to contact
us.

Please include your full name, E-Mail address, and reservation number if
applicable on all correspondence.

Sincerely,

Ann Polson
WDW Online Communications

PLEASE NOTE: All information is subject to change without notice and
should be confirmed just prior to your visit.

 

[Debrn]

I had written to WDW about the slide/pool earlier this week and received this reply today.


Thank you for contacting the Walt Disney World® Resort. We are delighted
to hear you are planning a visit!

The Nanea Volcano Pool at Disney’s Polynesian Resort will be under
refurbishment from January 30 - April 1, 2012. Guests may use the Nanea
Volcano pool; however, the slide will be down for four weeks beginning
February 6, 2012. Guests wanting access to a pools slide can take
pontoon transportation to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.

There are also several "quiet" pools located at Disney's Polynesian
Resort, where you may wish to enjoy quiet time.

We hope this information is hepful to you in your planning, Felicia, and
we wish you a magical visit.

If you have questions or need further assistance, feel free to contact
us.

Please include your full name, E-Mail address, and reservation number if
applicable on all correspondence.

Sincerely,

Ann Polson
WDW Online Communications

PLEASE NOTE: All information is subject to change without notice and
should be confirmed just prior to your visit.

My last stay at Boardwalk the pool was closed,
I really was looking forward to relaxing at pool for quite a bit of our stay, guess we will have to wait and see without the slide kids don't spend as much time in pool which I'll mean less relaxing for me and I don't want to
Go back & forth to GF.

 

[momto3boys1girl]

Just came back last night from a week at the Poly. We loved the Poly. The night Tikiman posted that, I went to the front desk to ask as I was concerned about it happening while we were there. I was told it will start the 30th. I also had a long conversation with a manager there on Friday night, and mentioned it, and he begged me not to pay any attention to speculation on websites.
For the amount of money that I pay to stay at the Poly, I do expect my ammenities to be up and running. A boat to another resort does not cut it for me. I asked for 1st floor samoa on the pool side for a reason (we got it). I have 4 kids, and they like to swim.
As it was when I read the pool was open from 7am-midnight, I mistakenly assumed that meant the lifeguards were on duty and slide was open from that time. I was disappointed to find they leave at 7pm and close the slide. This was our 1st time staying on property and I did a ton of research and no where did I see this.

 

[honeymom]

Just came back last night from a week at the Poly. We loved the Poly. The night Tikiman posted that, I went to the front desk to ask as I was concerned about it happening while we were there. I was told it will start the 30th. I also had a long conversation with a manager there on Friday night, and mentioned it, and he begged me not to pay any attention to speculation on websites.
For the amount of money that I pay to stay at the Poly, I do expect my ammenities to be up and running. A boat to another resort does not cut it for me. I asked for 1st floor samoa on the pool side for a reason (we got it). I have 4 kids, and they like to swim.
As it was when I read the pool was open from 7am-midnight, I mistakenly assumed that meant the lifeguards were on duty and slide was open from that time. I was disappointed to find they leave at 7pm and close the slide. This was our 1st time staying on property and I did a ton of research and no where did I see this.

Precisely why I wrote to them. Did not want to speculate. That being said, the work is fast approaching and there would be no "speculation" if the manager sent out a letter or somehow otherwise informed his guests. Instead, he seems to be leaving it to chance that somehow people won't hear about it and that when they get there and see the slide shut down it won't bother them. We will probably still stay there although we may switch to another resort if I can still get a pin discount there. It is a resort that we were also considering when we chose the Poly and it was cheaper to begin with.

 

[momto3boys1girl]

Also, speaking of Refurbs. They are doing work to the side walks. With no notice. Thursday night when coming back from DTD, we got off the bus and were walking past the quiet pool and ended up having to back track around because the walkway was closed. They were tearing it up and repaving it seemed. When we left yesterday they had the area behind Samoa on the quiet pool side blocked off for work.

Also, we got a voicemail message on Friday night that we could experience a hot water outage sometime Friday night or Saturday morning. Luckily, we didn't end up encountering it.