Stormalong Bay - Is it just me?

[geppetto]

I'm not sure if I have just been unlucky on my two most recent trips (April 2004 & October 2005) but is Stormalong Bay slipping? On both occasions neither the sinking sand or the water jet (across from the whirlpool area) areas were functioning. I even asked one of the lifeguards about the sinking sands and he said he had no idea what I was talking about. He then said there was sand over in the kid/shallow area at the Yacht Club end of the pool.
Also witnessed a lifeguard by the outlet of the waterslide having to jump in because a young child looked like he was under too long. Turns out the parents were right there. The lifeguard was visibly angry, fussed at the parents and actually stormed off. Odd thing was he was fully dressed w/ shirt, shorts, hat and shoes. I've seen lifeguards go in before and they just get right back in their chair.
Still love the place but I hate to see our favorites slip.

 

[crazy4wdw]

The water jet area has not been working for several years. I have asked about this on several visits and have been told that the pump that works the jets failed and was never replaced.

 

[minijeanie]

I am probably the only NON-FAN OF Beach Club. Did it once, so totally un-impressed with pool, room, service..

switched to BW and I am very happy.

Personally, I love all the die hard BC fans, makes it easier for me to book BW

 

[dixipixi]

While we did not have any "problems" with SAB during our stay, I have to say that I like it for its appearance more than anything else. It always seems too crowded and the water is way too warm, IMO.

I love to walk by it at night, though. When it is empty and all the lights are on, I think it is a beautiful area.

We spend the majority of our pool time at the YC quiet pool. It is never crowded and the pool temperature is much lower than SAB.

 

[lisareniff]

I believe the stopped operating the bubble area across from the whirpool due to visibility problems. The life guards would be unable to see if there were any problems in that area. I was talking to a life guard on our last trip and gained a greater appreciation of their job.

 

[Beca]

SAB is slipping...it's totally slipping...in fact, the whole resort is slipping...really...no one should ever stay there again.

Sorry...just couldn't help it!!

Beca

 

[Ladyhawke10]

I guess I never knew to miss the bubble jets or sinking sand. I like SAB but it seems like serious pool-goers are attracted and I dislike the rowdy splashing. I guess that might go with crowdedness... I like the other theme pools just because they seem more peaceful...or at least I've never been caught in horseplay or crazy swimming in the others


I love the place when I can swim and just have fun without sudden waves-in-the-face in the deep channel area

I wonder if the temp has anything to do with time of year? I've been to SAB in November and December, and it wasn't too warm at all.

 

[gilld]

I LOVED the Beach Club but NOT Stormalong Bay which I thought rather tacky.

 

[PamNC]

We love Stormalong Bay, however I will have to say I have noticed it slipping a little the last few years. The jets are gone, I noticed that too. The sand is still there although unless I'm imagining things there is less sand than there use to be. All that said, I still love it and it's a major draw for us when choosing a resort. We love the YC/BC, but it's not our favorite resort. That would be the Poly. The volcano pool is pretty darn nice too, but SAB still gets my vote for the #1 pool @ WDW.

PamNC

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

I believe the stopped operating the bubble area across from the whirpool due to visibility problems. The life guards would be unable to see if there were any problems in that area. I was talking to a life guard on our last trip and gained a greater appreciation of their job.

This is what we have heard also.

 

[Tikiman]

While we did not have any "problems" with SAB during our stay, I have to say that I like it for its appearance more than anything else. It always seems too crowded and the water is way too warm, IMO.

I love to walk by it at night, though. When it is empty and all the lights are on, I think it is a beautiful area.

We spend the majority of our pool time at the YC quiet pool. It is never crowded and the pool temperature is much lower than SAB.

I noticed the water was WAY too warm also. I wrote it in a trip report from our Honeymoon in 2001.

I was very excited about SAB when we stayed at the YC but first off it was not as big as I thought. Than we had the issue with the water being so warm that we could not cool off unless we got out of the water. I tried the slide because if looked like a lot of fun and I was totally unimpressed. Once down the slide was enough for me. Now the Polynesian slide I can go down all day and not get tired of it. My friends love going there but they hate how they cannot see the kids from their lounge chair since it is easy to get out of view.

I think it looks nice and the sandy area is great but after spending part of the day there we never even went back to the pool and I am the type that can be in a pool all day.

 

[Twende]

This will be our first stay at BC and I am thrilled to hear the water is too warm! We are going in December and it is usually too cold to swim.

I am confused about the number of pools. Can you swim at the YC too? Isn't that considered pool hopping? Is there a diagram, online, of the two resorts that shows the pools?
Thanks!

 

[Beca]

This will be our first stay at BC and I am thrilled to hear the water is too warm! We are going in December and it is usually too cold to swim.

I am confused about the number of pools. Can you swim at the YC too? Isn't that considered pool hopping? Is there a diagram, online, of the two resorts that shows the pools?
Thanks!

Actually, anytime there are "twin" resorts (such as POR and POFQ, or YC/BC) you can use the facilities between the two.



Beca

 

[crazy4wdw]

Stormalong Bay is located in the central area between the YC & BC. Each resort also has its own small "quiet pool" with spa/jacuzzi.

Here is a link to map of the resorts: http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/map_bcyc.jpg

 

[Sammie]

I'm not sure if I have just been unlucky on my two most recent trips (April 2004 & October 2005) but is Stormalong Bay slipping? On both occasions neither the sinking sand or the water jet (across from the whirlpool area) areas were functioning. I even asked one of the lifeguards about the sinking sands and he said he had no idea what I was talking about. He then said there was sand over in the kid/shallow area at the Yacht Club end of the pool.
Also witnessed a lifeguard by the outlet of the waterslide having to jump in because a young child looked like he was under too long. Turns out the parents were right there. The lifeguard was visibly angry, fussed at the parents and actually stormed off. Odd thing was he was fully dressed w/ shirt, shorts, hat and shoes. I've seen lifeguards go in before and they just get right back in their chair.
Still love the place but I hate to see our favorites slip.

I don't consider it to be slipping, as stated the sinking sands were removed for safety concerns which means they are on top of the situation, definitely not slipping.

Also the lifeguard situation, where you just sharing that, or was that part of your slipping concerns. If so I see nothing that the lifeguard did that was not as expected and part of his job.

 

[geppetto]

I don't consider it to be slipping, as stated the sinking sands were removed for safety concerns which means they are on top of the situation, definitely not slipping.

Also the lifeguard situation, where you just sharing that, or was that part of your slipping concerns. If so I see nothing that the lifeguard did that was not as expected and part of his job.

First, I don't want to be viewed as a Disney basher, nothing could be further from the truth. Those features of the pool were just a couple of my kids favorites. They both thought they were just unlucky on their 2004 visit and were disapointed this time that both were not operational. If safety is the actual reason I am fine with that but I wish they would change the signage and SAB maps indicating that these areas are still there. Again we are huge fans of the BC & BCV and will return as soon as $ allow.
The lifeguard situation had nothing to do w/ "slipping" it just struck me and a few other witnesses as very abrupt and created a very uncomfortable situation for both the parents and kids. He just appeared to be very angry that he had to do his job.

 

[Sammie]

First, I don't want to be viewed as a Disney basher, nothing could be further from the truth. Those features of the pool were just a couple of my kids favorites. They both thought they were just unlucky on their 2004 visit and were disapointed this time that both were not operational. If safety is the actual reason I am fine with that but I wish they would change the signage and SAB maps indicating that these areas are still there. Again we are huge fans of the BC & BCV and will return as soon as $ allow.
The lifeguard situation had nothing to do w/ "slipping" it just struck me and a few other witnesses as very abrupt and created a very uncomfortable situation for both the parents and kids. He just appeared to be very angry that he had to do his job.

I don't imagine he was angry he had to do his job, but angry that parents would stand by and let a child get in this situation.

If you will let me what signage and maps you are referring to that have these areas listed, I can pass the info on to friends that work there for consideration. Of course the signs and maps would have to be official and not something found on the Internet.

 

[geppetto]

I don't imagine he was angry he had to do his job, but angry that parents would stand by and let a child get in this situation.

If you will let me what signage and maps you are referring to that have these areas listed, I can pass the info on to friends that work there for consideration. Of course the signs and maps would have to be official and not something found on the Internet.

The signs/maps as you enter the pool area at both the entrance by the slide and the entrance by Beaches & Cream. They are made to look like Pirate Maps. So are you sure that these areas will never be in operation again? Did an event occur or after 15+ years they just decide that they were a safety hazard?
The point of the lifeguard and the parents is there appeared to be no situation. I have seen many instances when lifeguards have had reason to fuss from their chairs and even jump in but I have never seen such an angry exchange between staff and guests. His storming off was very odd and as I mentioned the parents, kids and all those who were in the general area were uncomfortable. I was uncomfortable and I was 20 feet away and they weren't my kids!
Again, love Disney, love BC and still love SAB

 

[dis-happy]

SAB is slipping...it's totally slipping...in fact, the whole resort is slipping...really...no one should ever stay there again.

Sorry...just couldn't help it!!

Beca

Beca, you are naughty, very naughty! Getting ready for another rofr yet?

 

[Twende]

crazy2wdw

Thanks for the map. I had no idea there were other pools there !