SSR Pool Closed in March!

[mtmbyck]

I have been on a DVC thread and thank goodness I have a heads up and won't find out when I arrive that my resort costing me $$$$ has decided to close the main pool in one of the busiest seasons of the year!

DVCers rec'd a letter advising them of this in Dec. If you were to call and book a regular reservation at SSR as of this morning, they would have told you the pool was open but I have now gotten off the phone with Recreation Services who confirms that the main pool is scheduled to be closed the entire month of March for resurfacing (provided other scheduled work gets done first).

They did say that extra transportation will be offered to OKW (so those at OKW can expect larger than usual crowds) and keep in mind BCV pool is also closed.

Very dissappointing.

 

[Ham Ham]

Just spoke with the front desk a SSR and no refurb is scheduled for any of their pools during the month of March and none are scheduled as of yet. There is work going on at some villas.

Has anyone out there received a letter telling you the SSR pool will be closed?
If so do could you post it so we can see for ourselves? Please remove any personal info.

Very confusing. Some staff say there is a refurb scheduled others say none.

 

[mtmbyck]

a DVC member sent me his letter - I will try to copy and paste it but you can see it on the DVC Planning boards. It is dated Dec 2008 and clearly sayd March 4th - 29th it will be closed. BUT, I know that the resort is unawre and this is why I dug further only to have the Mgr Rec Service tell me what I did not want to hear and I told her she needs to speak with the Mgr at the front desk!

 

[Ham Ham]

Just got off the phone with DVC member services and they said the High Rock Spring at SSR is scheduled for refrub in March.

Quite frustrating the different messages you get when speaking with different CM's

a DVC member sent me his letter - I will try to copy and paste it but you can see it on the DVC Planning boards. It is dated Dec 2008 and clearly sayd March 4th - 29th it will be closed. BUT, I know that the resort is unawre and this is why I dug further only to have the Mgr Rec Service tell me what I did not want to hear and I told her she needs to speak with the Mgr at the front desk!

Found this on the thread you mentioned.

Directlink to post.
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=29491660&postcount=26

"Dear Disney Vacation Club Member,

We are delighted you have selected Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa as your upcoming vacation destination!

In order for Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa to continue to flourish as a magical destination, it is necessary for us to make enhancements from time to time. If you have stayed with us before, you are most likely familiar with our swimming and recreation areas, specifically High Rock Spring Pool. Beginning March 9, 2009, the pool and slide will be closed so that we can begin a resurfacing effort. We expect the work to be completed late March 2009. During this time, the leisure pools will be available for your enjoyment.

As a Disney Vacation Club Member, you also have the exclusive privilege to "pool hop" and experience numerous themed pools across the Walt Disney World Resort, subject to pool-hopping guidelines and pool availability. If you plan on pool hopping during your stay, please call ahead to the Front Desk of the destination hotel to check availability.

We apologize for any inconvenience the pool and slide resurfacing may cause. If you have any questions regarding your upcoming reservation, please call Member Services at (phone numbers given).

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,

Disney Vacation Club Member Services"

 

[mtmbyck]

ok Ham Ham - that photo just bummed me out even more!!!

I'm still not convinced that there isn't a miscommunication problem so I will continue to watch for it but I can only imagine the complaints for all those that were not told!

Heck I even requested to be near the main pool!!

 

[Sheribo]

I got that letter too and I'm not impressed. I can't imagine why they would do this during spring break.

 

[Ham Ham]

Last August we were in the Grandstand area at SSR and loved the quite pool. We only went twice to the HRS pool.

 

[mtmbyck]

we were hoping to do more of the resort and less of the parks. What happens to the activities scheduled around the pool everyday?? Do they hold them at one of the quiet pools (which essentially will make those not bery quiet pools). I am telling you, we need to get on the phone and complain enough that they hold off.......there's a whole trhead of DVCer that are pretty mad too - and some of them just booked and weren't even told.

Keep in mind, I have been told 2 different things - that is was scheduled but has been cancelled, and that it is scheduled IF they get all of the other work done. Wish I could find the decision maker and call them.

 

[Ham Ham]

we were hoping to do more of the resort and less of the parks. What happens to the activities scheduled around the pool everyday?? Do they hold them at one of the quiet pools (which essentially will make those not bery quiet pools). I am telling you, we need to get on the phone and complain enough that they hold off.......there's a whole trhead of DVCer that are pretty mad too - and some of them just booked and weren't even told.

Keep in mind, I have been told 2 different things - that is was scheduled but has been cancelled, and that it is scheduled IF they get all of the other work done. Wish I could find the decision maker and call them.

Give SSR a buzz and ask to speak to the general manager and tell them the conflicting stories and request she/he get back to you after a thorough investigation.

My DD 10 loves the Community Hall at the resorts. Always lots of actives for the kids.
As for the pool activities due to refurb not sure about that one.

It is never a good time to shut down a main resort pool but I believe it would inconvenience far fewer guests at the end of April and beginning of May.

 

[Joann]

Actually we have stayed there end of April begining of May and it is busy , the pool has always been very busy with chairs when we were there, May is not so quite of a time to go in the last few years

 

[Ham Ham]

There never really a good time to close a main pool.
March to mid April is Spring break mid-April to the end of May most schools in North America are back in class.

 

[Jeffan1ca]

I scoured the member site for any information on High Rock Spring pool refurbishment and found no mention of it. As we are going for March break, I'll remain optimistic that it is open.

 

[drag n' fly]

I have found dvcnews.com to have the most accurate up to date information. That is where I originally read it.

Here is a link to the announcement.

http://dvcnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=759&Itemid=1

 

[mtmbyck]

But again, I did speak with someone about 2 weeks ago that said it WAS scheduled to be closed but now it will not be. But then yesterday spoke to the Mgr Recreation at the resort and she says it is scheduled to be closed.

I suggested to her that she tell the hotel General Manager as guests are not being told this when they book which is NOT VERY DISNEY LIKE for them - considering when you book AK there are big warnings about the construction and when you book BCV there is a note about their pool closure.

I originally requested Springs area but have since changed and requested Congress Park.

 

[Goofy's apprentice]

This is definitely a disappointment. For our family, we usually prefer the Congress Park pool anyway but this means that it will be much busier.

Our first DVC trip the main pool was closed at OKW as they were installing the slide. It ended up not making too much of a difference as we were so far away from it, we wouldn't have gone. In subesquent trips, our kids have usually only went once to check out the slide.

However, our kids are teenagers. The slide is just a novelty to try.

At SSR the zero entry pool is really nice for young kids.

For those that don't regularly stay at DVC resorts, the pools tend to be less used during the day (as people are at the parks) and the busiest in the mid to late afternoon before everyone heads to dinner. We have been at SSR in some very busy times and the quiet pools were amlost empty in the late morning through to mid afternoon.

The Grandstand pool is also nice with the waterplay area and the pool bar. I think this would be a good alternative for those with kids wanting the activity. It is also very close to the main building. This would probably be the best alternative to the main pool.

We have pool hopped before but it does take time and really is a big effort for those with smaller kids.

Regarding postponing the rehab until April. I don't think that will happen as this would then conflict with Easter, an even busier time. For those going in later March they may be done early.

 

[pkitty]

Maybe if it was an emergency repair, but not a scheduled one, not in peak season. They are in the business of holiday vacations and are the best and know better not to do this. I have a SSR DVC and have not been informed of any repair on the main pool.

Having said this however, there are alot of other smaller pools closer to your condo's. We use them more than the main pool just for the convenience.

 

[rkpatteson]

I saw 2 different dates mentioned in the thread, pool closed starting 3/4 and the other date said it would be closed starting 3/9...does anyone know which one was right?

Thanks!

 

[mtmbyck]

DVC Member Services only sent it to members with reservations during that time - and didn't do a great job at this as my "landlord" who I am renting from did not have the letter.

As per the letter on page 1 of these posts - it says March 9th. I realize there are other pools on property but when you have 2 kids who have seen the slide and the splash pad and you are paying top dollar to be there......I cannot figure out how WDW is justifying this closure.

I'm still hoping for a big miscommunication but I am there in 2 weeks on business and plan on going and speaking with the Manager at SSR when I am there so we can know 100%.

 

[Sheribo]

I saw 2 different dates mentioned in the thread, pool closed starting 3/4 and the other date said it would be closed starting 3/9...does anyone know which one was right?

Thanks!

My letter says the 9th! We requested the Grandstand for a bit more quiet but I suspect it'll be pretty busy now.

 

[mtmbyck]

quick update, now the reception at SSR does say that the pool is closed March 9th - 27th. They claim that anyone who has a reservation during this time has received a letter or email.

I asked what do they do about the activities around the pool - the movie nights, the lifeguard games, daily scheduled activities that they usually have each week.....se said it is being "discussed" and might occur at Grandstand.

I am guessing that alternatley they will say to go to OKW for these activites. Given we were expecting to spend more time at the resort than the parks...this really S!@$%&*!

IT'S LIKE SPENDING $$ TO STAY AT GWL AND BEING TOLD THE WATERPARK IS CLOSED!