The 2009 Yacht & Beach Club FAQ Thread

[Momtomouselover]

OK OK, shock is wearing off and I suppose I am just being unfair but am so disappointed. I'm not telling the kids yet or the rest of the family. Maybe they will finish whatever they need to do to the slide quickly.

Atleast the rest of the pool is open and I'll be sure to stress that and put on my smiley face if/when I have to tell them. Trying hard to keep it positive.

 

[TeenaS]

Hi, everyone! I mostly lurk on this thread, so your information has been great! That being said, I hope I can help here. After reading your posts re: the slide at SAB, I called IPO. (We're staying CL at the BC May 8-17.) Per the person who answered the phone, the slide WILL close May 2 to be re-opened sometime toward the end of May. (no firm date yet) He said the slide has become less slippery (?) and "lost its friction" so they need to fix it. He said it just happened fairly recently and that a shuttle would go to the Boardwalk pool during this time so we could use the slide there. The rest of the pool, lazy river, etc. will be open.

I know my kids will be SO bummed! However, I guess my "bright side" is that I still don't feel completely comfortable having them leave the SAB area to go to the slide on their own (without me or DH watching them) so I guess they can be more independent at the BW pool. We'll just have to play it by ear.

For the PP who asked about life jackets, yes they had them last year. They had all different sizes and you just gave your room # as collateral. If you didn't return it at the end of your stay they charged $50, I think. Otherwise, they were free. Pool innertubes were rented by the day or hour and noodles could be purchased, but life jackets were free.

Hope this helps!

Have a great trip everyone!

Unfortunately, I just received the same information. Apparently this all happened very recently and has to be fixed as soon as parts/repair contractors, etc. could be scheduled. It was only just scheduled and that's why letters were just sent out and people were not told when they booked their reservation. It is no different than a tree falling on a roof and the resort quickly scheduling it to be fixed.

When the slide and/or pool has been down for scheduled rehab in the past, it was always done in winter but that's when they actually scheduled it for normal rehab. Apparently this just developed ... like something goes wrong all of a sudden with your car, etc.

Honestly, in my opinion, if the slide being down is totally going to ruin your vacation, and I can understand why some people might feel that way, maybe you should consider changing your dates or changing resorts. Maybe, and I'm only saying this as a guest, not a cast member, if you explained why you needed to change the dates (because you just found out about the slide), they will honor the package or rate you now have? It's certainly worth a try. If it were me, that's what I would do if the slide being down was that big of a deal to my kids. I always fly Southwest so changing my airline reservations wouldn't cost me anything either.

When Boardwalk's slide was down, they shuttled people over to SAB. This is normal operating procedure when we have scheduled rehab. I know they will do their utmost best to get it finished as fast as possible. This was totally unavoidable and not something that was planned. And the rest of the pool will be open. Thank goodness they don't have to close the whole thing down. So maybe just taking the short shuttle over to Boardwalk to use the slide for an hour and then returning to enjoy the rest of SAB will work for some families.

 

[TeenaS]

OK OK, shock is wearing off and I suppose I am just being unfair but am so disappointed. I'm not telling the kids yet or the rest of the family. Maybe they will finish whatever they need to do to the slide quickly.

Atleast the rest of the pool is open and I'll be sure to stress that and put on my smiley face if/when I have to tell them. Trying hard to keep it positive.

I feel so bad for all the kids that will be disappointed. If I had a pool at my house with a large slide, I'd have you all over!!

 

[Remosgirl]

Teena you are so sweet! I hope you are there on May 1st so we can meet you!

Amy

 

[Momtomouselover]

I feel so bad for all the kids that will be disappointed. If I had a pool at my house with a large slide, I'd have you all over!!

Aww! Now that would make it worth it

I'll just have to cross my fingers that they get it fixed quickly. I know things happen but boy does it put a wrench in the plan and brings disappointment. Changing dates is just not an option though with so many of us the airline fees alone would be horrendous and then there are summer schedules, work vacation schedules, etc. Just please, please, please don't let them close the rest of the pool due to any unforeseen things.

 

[TeenaS]

Teena you are so sweet! I hope you are there on May 1st so we can meet you!

Amy

Not sure about the 1st but I'll be there the 2nd and 3rd for sure.

 

[TeenaS]

Aww! Now that would make it worth it

I'll just have to cross my fingers that they get it fixed quickly. I know things happen but boy does it put a wrench in the plan and brings disappointment. Changing dates is just not an option though with so many of us the airline fees alone would be horrendous and then there are summer schedules, work vacation schedules, etc. Just please, please, please don't let them close the rest of the pool due to any unforeseen things.

We should all say our prayers to the powers above (Mother Nature included) to keep the pool safe and sound!! They are so good about preventive maintenance and scheduling things during January and February ... but as we all know, things happen unexpectedly. Even during the HUGE rehab last year, we only closed one-third of the pool down at a time. I'm just hoping we have great weather so it's doesn't hinder the work and the repairs are done quicker than anticipated!

 

[Arkansan]

No, it won't ruin our trip--we're still at Disney, right? It is just disappointing to have it happen so close to our dates. We were really looking forward to having some relaxing time at the pool and even just recently extended our dates to be able to do just that. But we got a great PIN rate and we love other things about the BC so I won't even try to change resorts. I can't change dates because my kids are on break during that time (year round school) and, of course, the aforementioned airline change fees.

The kids were sad initially, but then I showed them the pictures of the slide at the BW and they started to get excited again. Just like you said, Teena, we'll spend time at SAB and then go to BW to use the slide for awhile and then come back. And, on the plus side, we can say we "pool hopped!" That should make for some good DIS conversation!

I haven't received any letters yet. It was quite a shock to read it here first!

 

[disneyfan61]

I do feel for the families with little ones that picked BC & the pool. As with most kids I think they enjoy the swimming & the pool & slide more than the parks (especially in the warmer months). But like Teena said this was unexpected & I I'm sure they realize this is not the best timing & will do what they can to get it done & fixed as soon as possible.

I will have no kids with me this trip so it will not impact me but I do feel bad for those that were looking forward to enjoying the slide. You plan so long for these trips & want everything perfect & sometimes it just does not happen the way we planned. I know I am so looking forward to my stay there & the end of the month cannot come soon enough!!

 

[TeenaS]

FYI:
In the past, people got letters about scheduled rehabs only if they booked the reservation themselves through Disney. If guests used a travel agent like AAA or Expedia or through an airline, etc. to make their reservations, then they didn't receive the letters. I was told the letters went to the travel agencies.

 

[lomillerin]

Does anyone know how this might affect crowds at the BW pool? Do most people usually pool hop for the slide?

If the BW pool gets too crowded, can BW guests hop to the SAB?

 

[djp0630]

Boy, I am a little disappointed about the slide, but with 2 little ones, we probably wouldn't use it too much. But it does suck that they are doing this in May instead of winter, but I understand things happen.

 

[Nermel9]

I read about this earlier today and I was upset for maybe 2 seconds. I was looking forward to trying out the slide at SAB, but that's probably all I would do, is go down it once. It's just going to be my fiance and I, on our honeymoon, and we don't have kids, so I feel kind of stupid going down slides at pools.

As long as the rest of the pool is open and available to use, then I'm happy! I can't wait to get to BC!!! Only 29 more days!!!!

 

[WeCantWait]

I know I told everybody I'd be there all of May (on my normal Sundays and Mondays) but Bob just said, let's go back on a four day Disney cruise so we can get you back to Stormalong Bay since it rained two weeks ago when we were there.

So, maybe I'll be missing one of those Sundays and Mondays in May afterall. I'll keep you all informed once I figure out if we are doing it and the dates.

That's awesome Teena! I hope you geta beautiful Castaway Cay Day! Enjoy it!

 

[PrincessInOz]

FYI:
In the past, people got letters about scheduled rehabs only if they booked the reservation themselves through Disney. If guests used a travel agent like AAA or Expedia or through an airline, etc. to make their reservations, then they didn't receive the letters. I was told the letters went to the travel agencies.

My TA just advised me of the closure. Guess I got one of the "good ones". My 9yo DS was in tears when I told him; but I pointed out that we can still use the pool and then head over to the BW and use their pool and slide as well. He's still sad....but I'm sure he will come round in an hour or two. Afterall, there's not much anyone can do about it and if the slide wasn't as slippery; it wouldn't have been much fun anyways.

Enjoy your cruise! I'll be one of those May-er's waiting to see your plans and then working out if we'll cross paths or not. If not, then maybe next time

 

[mster425]

I'm a little jealous of the people who get to "pool hop." I hear that while SAB is the best pool, BWI's slide is as good or better. You get the best of both worlds!!

I'm sorry that it's disappointing to people though.

 

[bmoc_ny]

We are staying in a stone harbor club room with a lagoon view do any of these rooms have a view where you can see the Epcot fireworks........

I think I got lost with all the Pool/slide posts, but anyway does anyone know if you can see Epcot from any of these rooms...

 

[TeenaS]

I think I got lost with all the Pool/slide posts, but anyway does anyone know if you can see Epcot from any of these rooms...

Maybe if you lean over the balcony and twist yourself so you look to the left you might see some of Illuminations. You probably can see some of the fireworks at the Studios. It takes me 45 minutes on a good day to drive to work and I can hear (loudly) and see the highest fireworks every night at Magic Kingdom. Sometimes you will hear the bands at England and Canada if the wind is blowing in the right direction.

 

[BCV23]

I think I got lost with all the Pool/slide posts, but anyway does anyone know if you can see Epcot from any of these rooms...

I'm not sure but looking at this aerial, it would appear that Illuminations would be visible from some of these rooms....at least the higher effects:
http://mosa.unity.ncsu.edu/photos/misc/epcotdvc.html

 

[kaysmommie]

I saw the rehab update on Mousesavers last night about the slide being closed in May. Our trip is not until the first week of June so hoepfully it will be open by then. We are looking forward to SAB but not the end of the world if the big slide is still closed. I would just take them over to BWI for a swim on one afternoon so they can use the slide there. Things like this happen and it's not going to ruin my vacation still looking forward to Beach Club.