Pool closure/upgrades

[ashaddiesmom1]

So, back in may I made reservations for Caribbean Beach Resort... primarily because of the pirate kiddie pool area, with the small water slides. I have two kiddies who were very excited... well I just found out that area of the pool will be closed the week we will be there. My question is, if I ask do you think that they will do something for us to make up for that inconvenience? Like maybe an upgrade or a resort credit or something?

 

[gators123]

Were locals, and visit the parks at least once a week. Disney has changed significantly over the past 5-10 years. It used to be filled with cast members who cared and went out of their way to accommodate people. Sadly, due to the recession, Disney let go of the older experienced people who made the difference in the product. Today, it is filled with teenagers who are not "decision makers" and don't hesitate to say NO.

My advice is to call asap and see if they will accommodate your request. If not change your reservation, not a big deal. If someone says they will give you credit, please ask for an email confirmation of the special request. If they say no, no big deal... Just take your money off property... Their are plenty of super nice hotels off property that will give you the experience you desire. In most cases, you will make it to those faster than when you wait in line for a bus.

 

[Andrew015]

I went through a similar situation not long ago with my upcoming October trip. We were originally scheduled to stay at WL, and our trip was booked many months prior. Then in June, only a few months before our travel dates with nothing else available, Disney drops the bombshell that the main pool at WL will be closed from September - November. Needless to say, this was quite a blow to those of us who are paying for and expecting to use the Silver Springs pool at WL.

I made three calls to DVC Members Services. The first call, I was met with a rather unsympathetic CM. The second call, I was accidently disconnected after holding for roughly 20 minutes. On my third attempt, I was connected to another unsympathetic CM who could do nothing for me. I asked to speak with a manager, and was finally connected to someone who 1.) cared and 2.) was empowered to do something. After some back & forth, I was finally moved from VWL over to BLT.

It is imperative that 1.) you get to a CM who has the authority to make a change. If you strike out with the first CM, do not hesitate to ask for a manager. 2.) Your case has to be compelling. "We have been saving for and planning for this trip for well over a year! The reason we chose CBR was because of the kiddie pool, which is now closed... our kids are SO disappointed". Don't be afraid to lay it on thick. 3.) Most importantly, keep your cool and communicate your frustration politely. It's not the CM's fault that the pool is closed. Don't shoot the messenger with whom you are seeking help from, as it won't further your cause. 4.) Have an idea of what concessions will make you happy. If it's being transferred to another resort, have one in mind that will satisfy you. The honeymoon suite and GF is probably not reasonable, but being transferred to another moderate resort with a functioning splash & play area is. Have a preferred backup resort in mind before making the call.

If no other moderates w/ adequate splash & play areas have availability, then I do not think it would be unreasonable to ask about the possibility of being upgraded to a deluxe. If no transfer could be made, I would push heavily for some kind of room discount at CBR.

Best of luck!

 

[maplesuga]

Yes, please please let us know how it goes. I have the exact same issue...my little one is 5, but she's a really lousy swimmer, so we were super excited about the awesome kiddie pool...and massively disappointed to find out it's closed. We're on the free dining plan, so I don't know if that changes my leg to stand on, but it's still costing us $3200USD...which is a huge chunk of change to find out that one of the main selling points isn't available!!

 

[maplesuga]

Well I answered my own question. I called tonight, and pled my case. I did have to speak to a manager (Guest Services) - as the really nice rep I originally spoke with said she couldn't waive the change fees (we're 10 days out). She also said that my only choice was Coronado Springs or a deluxe to change to.

The Guest Services lady was actually pretty nice, and not only found a preferred room available at Port Orleans Riverside (where the free dining we had booked at Caribbean Beach wasn't originally available except through PIN), but somehow it cost $75 less. When I asked why she said "To be honest, I don't know...and I don't ask those questions, because then I might find out why!"

All my dining reservations, tickets, memory maker, fast passes and Not So Scary Hallowe'en tickets are all still intact and shown in the My Disney Experience App.

I'm bummed that I won't be able to use the cool Pirate kiddie pool, and that I won't be able to use the hammocks on the beach...but I am glad to have Queen beds (we had preferred, and as far as I know, they hadn't started the Martinique buildings yet, so we would be SOL), in a gorgeous resort. We stayed at French Quarter last time we went, and know how beautiful the whole area is....so I guess my overall is that I'm pretty darn happy.

Good luck!

 

[smidgy]

I guess I am confused about why you would want to switch form CBR to POR.. they don't have a kiddie water area either. at least at CBR there is a zero ground entry to the pool , and th eoriginal "kiddie" slide at the pool.

at POR there is niether. or though, you have use of the sister esort, POFQ, which doesn had a kiddie slide (the toungue of the dragon).. but, again, no zero entry.

(and the main pool at CBR is still pirate themed) just want to make sure you know what you are changing to.

I too, would be upset if I tried to decide between, say, the cool icons at the AOA or POP resort, and the cool water splash area at CBR, and then found out that the kiddie water splash area was closed.

you DO realize the it is ONLY the water SPLASH area that is closed ? and NOT the pirate pool itself? (with the sero entry , kiddie slide, AND bigger slide)?

 

[magictam2]

I guess I am confused about why you would want to switch form CBR to POR.. they don't have a kiddie water area either. at least at CBR there is a zero ground entry to the pool , and th eoriginal "kiddie" slide at the pool.

at POR there is niether. or though, you have use of the sister esort, POFQ, which doesn had a kiddie slide (the toungue of the dragon).. but, again, no zero entry.

(and the main pool at CBR is still pirate themed) just want to make sure you know what you are changing to.

I too, would be upset if I tried to decide between, say, the cool icons at the AOA or POP resort, and the cool water splash area at CBR, and then found out that the kiddie water splash area was closed.

you DO realize the it is ONLY the water SPLASH area that is closed ? and NOT the pirate pool itself? (with the sero entry , kiddie slide, AND bigger slide)?

I did pay for an upgrade from All Star Music to CBR just for the Pirate Pool. I've called & emailed Disney 4 times asking about the closure and have been assured there is no closure. I leave in 16 days and am really confused. Has it been confirmed anything is closed or is it still just rumor?

Smidgy I didn't know there was just a "splash" area, I thought it was for the kids pirate ship that sprays/dumps water on them.

 

[smidgy]

yes, it does have the pirate ship and the big bucket that dumps water on them.. I would not be happy if I had booked there with my 3 and 5 year old grand kids myself, for that reason.
but the pirate "pool" (with the zero entry and the small slide) will still be open.. not sure of the dates.
I was jsut mentioning that the POR poll doesn't have a kiddie splash area of a small slide either.

 

[smidgy]

sigh... I hve tried to paste.. to no avail.. anyhow, under the PLANNING window of the disboards, you will see REHABS AND CLOSINGS.

it will say that the water splash area will be closed from sept 2 till I think> the 28th? not sure.

that includes the little slides, the big buckets that dumps water on the kids. , etc. there is no "pool;"
there. and there is a hieght limit.. I dont' know it, but only little kids are allowed.
if you ask about the actual POOL, they will tell you it is not closed. the pirate pool, with the zero entry, and one smaller slide for smaller kids is open.. as well as the bigger slide.

however, the water splash area for little kids IS closed. to me, my 3 and 5 year old grandkids would love that.
there is a GREAT water splash area (not a pool)at kidanin village at AKL) there is a really cool water splash area by the NEMO pool at Art of ANimation.

 

[magictam2]

Thanks for the info. I'm not a fan of AoA and I can't afford AKL. I'm bringing my 4 yr old grandson so a bit disappointed. Maybe if I really whine at check in they'll give me a great refurbished room.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . do you think that they will do something for us to make up for that inconvenience? Like maybe an upgrade or a resort credit or something? . . .

1) Nope.
2) We might move you to another resort.
3) But, typically, nothing monetary (ie. comps, upgrades, credits)
4) Maintenance is maintenance.
5) We are told that folks just need to grin-and-bear-it.
6) After all, they ARE at Disney.

NOTE: While our pool is down, I try to send a wine & cheese baskets to
the room of a complainer -- IF they were nice and didn't push or talk in angry
tones. Sometimes I get caught and have to rescind the basket request. But,
on other occasions, it sails through (kind of, sort of, without managers knowing).
Under no circumstances was I allowed to upgrade - at least with our managers
knowing about it. So, every know and then, we term it Pixie Dusk and do some
thing for nice folks. (People do not realize how much a concierge can and cannot
do. We are WDW gods --- more or less. There is a lot of latitude for guests
we wish to help/honor/please/assist)

 

[maplesuga]

Well crap. I switched bc apparently there is a bit of a kiddie pool, and I know POFQ has one bc we stayed there last time. I didn't realize that CBR had a zero-entry pool...every photo I saw showed it from the back end where it's a regular pool.

I screwed up. Boo. Well, I guess at least I saved $75.

 

[magictam2]

1) Nope.
2) We might move you to another resort.
3) But, typically, nothing monetary (ie. comps, upgrades, credits)
4) Maintenance is maintenance.
5) We are told that folks just need to grin-and-bear-it.
6) After all, they ARE at Disney.

NOTE: While our pool is down, I try to send a wine & cheese baskets to
the room of a complainer -- IF they were nice and didn't push or talk in angry
tones. Sometimes I get caught and have to rescind the basket request. But,
on other occasions, it sails through (kind of, sort of, without managers knowing).
Under no circumstances was I allowed to upgrade - at least with our managers
knowing about it. So, every know and then, we term it Pixie Dusk and do some
thing for nice folks. (People do not realize how much a concierge can and cannot
do. We are WDW gods --- more or less. There is a lot of latitude for guests
we wish to help/honor/please/assist)

I really hate the attitude "you ARE at Disney" so have no reason to complain. But as I have paid big bucks for the "magical" experience and this is not magical. In the grand scheme of life, this is just an inconvenience and I will suck it up and deal with but not with a smile.

 

[smidgy]

I agree. I too hate the worn out line "don't complain, you're at Disney!" it's almost as bad as when people tell you you're "lucky" to be at Disney. (as if you didn't work hard for the money)

to me, there is a dif. between ride closures, which happen all the time with no notice, and a main feature of a resort being closed. a lot goes into the choice of a resort. we were considering Music, for example (more adult themed) and boy am I glad we didn't because the food court is closed.

I think they should waive anychange fee if you want to change resorts due to closures.

 

[Andrew015]

Totally agree. In recent months, the closures that have been announced have been done so with very little warning. A prime example is the Silver Springs pool over at the Wilderness Lodge. The construction permits for the work were filed back in January, but the closure was not announced until the middle of June. This gave guests only a few short months notice prior to travel to try and make alternative arrangements. This is quite unfair to guests that are required to book our accommodations - room, hotel, dining and now, park tickets - so far in advance, and naturally, very few alternative options were available so close to our travel dates.

Seasonal or unexpected maintenance cannot be helped, and no one should be very upset over those instances. But the closure of a feature amenity that has been many months in the works is a different story. Disney should make every effort to communicate these instances with as much advanced warning to guests as possible. I understand why Disney does this - In my opinion, it is to eliminate mass amounts of people trying to ditch a given resort, thus leaving the resort under construction virtually empty. However, changing this strategy would eliminate hard feelings, and guests would only have themselves to blame rather than Disney.

 

[smidgy]

Thanks for the info. I'm not a fan of AoA and I can't afford AKL. I'm bringing my 4 yr old grandson so a bit disappointed. Maybe if I really whine at check in they'll give me a great refurbished room.

the pirate pool is still zero entry.. and the original slide will beg reat for a 4 year old! I hope you have fun! (maybe you could ask for special entrance to the AOA nemo splash area for the kidani pools splash area? or a free ticket to a water park, where they have kiddie splash areas? when the ply pool was closed, they were giving out free ticketsto blizzard beach

Totally agree. In recent months, the closures that have been announced have been done so with very little warning. A prime example is the Silver Springs pool over at the Wilderness Lodge. The construction permits for the work were filed back in January, but the closure was not announced until the middle of June. This gave guests only a few short months notice prior to travel to try and make alternative arrangements. This is quite unfair to guests that are required to book our accommodations - room, hotel, dining and now, park tickets - so far in advance, and naturally, very few alternative options were available so close to our travel dates.


Seasonal or unexpected maintenance cannot be helped, and no one should be very upset over those instances. But the closure of a feature amenity that has been many months in the works is a different story. Disney should make every effort to communicate these instances with as much advanced warning to guests as possible. I understand why Disney does this - In my opinion, it is to eliminate mass amounts of people trying to ditch a given resort, thus leaving the resort under construction virtually empty. However, changing this strategy would eliminate hard feelings, and guests would only have themselves to blame rather than Disney.

ITA! if you HAVE the info, give it. let people make theri choices.
we are required to make ADR's 180 dys in advance, , decide months ahead of time what day and time we want to ride certain rides, and they won't let us know in advnace if a feature pool (WL) will be closed? or the maidn kiddie areas ?

right now I have no horse in this race.. we will be at CBR in a couple weeks, but it is just the 2 of us (well, ok, maybe there will be more little ones in the feature pool than normal), but i just think fair is fair. I am thinking of when we book a trip with our grandkids. when we did one a few years back with the other son, we were shoosing between pop, for the icons, and CBR, for the water splash area. we went with pop. but yes, these things DO make a big difference when choosing resorts.

 

[magictam2]

I've been on the phone with Vicky at guest services. The splash area was announced on 8/28 to be closed. They don't consider it to be a big inconvenience so that's why they haven't notified anybody. There will be flyers in your room when you check-in.
I did do a little shinning. Explained that for my four-year-old grandson it is a big inconvenience. He's a little fearful of large bodies of water and he loves splash zones. Not much they can do for me. I don't know what I wanted them to do. But it was nice to let somebody know that it is a big issue.