Stormalong Bay Pool Complex to be refurbished

[Disney Enthusiast]

Just got a letter from DVC telling me Stormalong Bay Pool will be refurbished beginning January 3 until February 25, 2005, including the Flying Jib Slide. We stayed at BWV last year and walked over to BCV to "try" out the pool. Of course, we were sent away, even though we own points there and it was a quiet day. So we booked our stay this year at the BCV so we could swim at SAB. Now we get this letter. Bummer. The letter and the hotel both say some parts of SAB will be open during that time. I have 2 small children. Does anyone know if any zero entry, sandy bottom areas will be open for the youngsters, or must we do all of our swimming in the quiet pools? Thanks in advance for your info. I could switch my ressies to another DVC resort, but I just don't have the energy right now to work w/ new dates, new point amounts, and the such. So what do you think I will encounter if I stay at BCV? Thank you.

 

[DVCconvert]

The refrub has been underway for some weeks now. They are doing it in parts at a time. In early November they were doing the part closest to the main walkway into the YC. At that time the river part, sandy parts away from the refrub area were all open. I'd 'take the risk' and stay there, I'm sure you'll have parts of the pool you can enjoy with the young ones!

HTH

 

[SSDonut]

We just returned from BCV (11-7-11-15) and the zero entry area was blocked off. We were a bit disappointed, as it would have been perfect for our 3-year-old, but so it goes.

I imagine that area (zero entry) will be back up and operating for your stay.

Perhaps the jib slide will be closed, but your kids might be too young for that anyway. . .

Good luck!

 

[Pa@okw95]

I don't know when you are going but during that time of refurbishment it would be a kind of cold to go swimming anyway, most days.

 

[Disney Enthusiast]

DVCconvert: Although it doesn't say so in my letter, I've heard that the refurbishment has already started in some areas. I didn't know if it was just a rumor or what. I think I will take the risk and stay there. It's just such a bummer that parts of it won't be available seeing as we booked there mostly to try out the pool. That's all my DS wanted to do the last time....swim. But the good thing is that it's just certain areas. I didn't know if the whole pool was connected and had to be shut down entirely, or if certain sections could be shut down. Thanks for clarifying that for me.

SSDonut: Maybe we will get lucky w/ the zero entry because that would be perfect for our 3 yr old too. My DS didn't like the clown slide at BWV even though we sent him down it twice. The first time, he had no idea what he was getting into. The 2nd time, he knew, and was upset the whole way down. We didn't have the heart to send him down again. So we may have freaked him out forever when it comes to slides. The Jib Slide is to be closed during our stay, but I don't think my son will be disappointed. I'm sorry the youngster sections were closed for your stay, but maybe that means they'll be open by the time our trip rolls around. Thanks for your insight on the pool.

It was nice for both of you to respond so quickly.

 

[SSDonut]

Disney Enthusiast,

I feel confident that you will have the zero entry area available to you. Although I couldn't figure out what Exactly they were doing, there was definitely work being done on that area every day during our stay.

My 3-year-old did like the Luna Park slide (but I wouldn't have been shocked if she hadn't--man that thing is fast and it can spin you around on the curves!), but we didn't even try the jib slide with her. Our 6-year old Loved it, though. 3-year-old was quite content with the small slide into the (verywarm!) little pool underneath the sunken ship. She also liked the whirlpool when she had a lifevest on!

Enjoy--I'm sure you'll make the best of whatever Is open!

 

[Disney Enthusiast]

Originally posted by SSDonut
Enjoy--I'm sure you'll make the best of whatever Is open!

You betcha! I will make the best of any situation when I get there. I just like to be a little prepared beforehand, and then I can put forth my best 'tude once there. My DS might have been a little young for the Luna slide at 2. He loves roller coasters and fast swings, but the getting-dumped-in-a-pool-of-water part of the slide may have startled him. I was hoping at 3 he might be ready for the fast one at Blizzard Beach. Maybe not. But the youngster slide at SAB sounds great. Hopefully that'll be open.

Pa@okw95: Are you kidding? No way! We swam in January last year and it was a bit nippy, but nothing a 3 yr old can't handle. I'm originally from New England, I swam in the mtn rivers and watering holes of NH. Heated pools in WDW in January are hot tubs compared to what I was subjected to as a child.

 

[DemoBri1]

We just returned from BCV on 11/15/04, and as of that date I can tell you that the sandy-bottom portion of SAB nearest the YC entrance was re-opened. I was really disappointed as I had hoped that they would have finished this a bit earlier so my to young'ns could have swam in their favorite spot in the pool.

As it turned out they enjoyed themselves in Dunes Cove instead, but next trip we will hopefully be back at SAB.

Brian

 

[Disney Enthusiast]

Woo Hoo! Thanks for the update DemoBri1 ! So glad to hear that!

 

[lisareniff]

From what I have read on these boards....

The kiddie sand area will be closed from Nov. 1 unti before Thanksgiving. (Sounds like it's open now!)

The lazy river section will be closed Dec. 1 until before Christmas.

The main slide and main pool area (slide exit, whirpool, little waterfalls, etc.) will be closed Jan 1 - Feb 25. I heard the shipwreck pool with small slide will be open then.

I'm hoping they will open a few days early. We will be there on Feb. 20th!

 

[Disney Enthusiast]

Thank you so much for the low down lisareniff! I am so glad you have been paying attention so you could let me know what is up w/ Stormalong. I really must play catch up on the DVC forum! But until I can do that, I appreciate you summarizing the info for me.