Poly pool work

[clanmcculloch]

Work on the Poly pool was originally scheduled for Jan 9 - Feb 21. Well, it's been pushed. It's now not going to start until Jan 16 or 17 which means that the work will likely still be going on over my trip (because after all, that's all that matters LOL). My kids are not going to be happy.

Per Tikiman (http://www.tikimanpages.com/tiki/news/199-resort-update):

The Nanea Volcano pool will have some work done to the rockwork and slide, originally scheduled for January 9 to February 21, last word is that it will not start until January 16 or 17th and no date of completion was given. I am told it should not close the whole pool but the slide will not be accessible. With the cold weather there will be days that the slide is closed due to lifeguards being pulled from duty.


I wonder if we'll have permission to go over to the Grand Floridian pool because of this? I don't want to hop on the monorail but we could certainly walk over (we do like the walk).

[bnoble]

When they close a slide at one pool, they almost always allow you to visit some other resort. I would guess either the Grand or the Contemporary. Ordinarily I would guess the Grand, but with the construction going on over there...the walkway might be difficult.

[clanmcculloch]

Oh, right. I wonder if we'll even be able to walk over at all with the construction going on. Thanks for the reminder.

[clanmcculloch]

I just thought I'd share updates.

Per Tikiman (http://www.tikimanpages.com/tiki/news/199-resort-update):

So the latest on the pool is that it is scheduled to be closed for phase 1 of the refurbishment (1/20-2/10) if they do not finish by then it will be closed 2/13-2/27. The work is to the volcano itself (being theme painted) now scheduled to start on the 1/30. The pool will be closed for this work to be done.


I emailed IPO to ask about the pool during our upcoming trip. Our dates are 02/23 - 03/01. Their response:

Sadly, the Nanea Volcano slide will be closed during your stay. The pool itself will still be open, however. Because of this refurbishment, we will have boat transportation to the Grand Floridian Resort so that you can use the slide in their feature pool.


The boat they're referring to; do you think that's just the regular one that'll have to go to MK before going back to GF or do you think they'll be doing some kind of boat shuttle? I'm figuring the regular boat but that does take a while so I'd like a shuttle though I'm not holding my breath.

Isn't the slide at GF closed for refurb? I can't seem to find anything on that but I'd swear I read that somewhere.

Which GF pool is considered to be the feature pool? Is that the beach pool? It's the one with the actual water features from what I'm seeing but it's also the one that's out of the way while the other one is smack in the middle of the resort.

I know this sounds bad but I think I believe Tikiman more than IPO which means the whole main pool rather than just the slide. I've had issues with IPO in the past giving me completely wrong information (they seem to be a lot like CRO CMs in that regard which frankly annoys me considering the fact that they're helping the people who are supposed to be getting a higher level of service since we're staying club level) but Tikiman seems to have some great sources. I am looking forward to spending time at the GF pool since we've been wanting to anyway but it's just a pain. We've got 2 full resort days scheduled. One of them we do have dinner at the GF so I figure maybe we'll just bring our clothes and shower and change there before dinner but it does stink since we do get in the pool just about every day.

[WDW Vet]

I would ask to see if the GF has rooms that can be used as changing/showers. A few times after check out we hung out at the pool and they had a couple of rooms set up for that. That was a few years back but since the rehab is causing you an issue as you booked your dates when the rehab was suppose to be over I'd ask.

[ke_page]

I just thought I'd share updates.

Per Tikiman (http://www.tikimanpages.com/tiki/news/199-resort-update):
So the latest on the pool is that it is scheduled to be closed for phase 1 of the refurbishment (1/20-2/10) if they do not finish by then it will be closed 2/13-2/27. The work is to the volcano itself (being theme painted) now scheduled to start on the 1/30. The pool will be closed for this work to be done.


I emailed IPO to ask about the pool during our upcoming trip. Our dates are 02/23 - 03/01. Their response:
Sadly, the Nanea Volcano slide will be closed during your stay. The pool itself will still be open, however. Because of this refurbishment, we will have boat transportation to the Grand Floridian Resort so that you can use the slide in their feature pool.


The boat they're referring to; do you think that's just the regular one that'll have to go to MK before going back to GF or do you think they'll be doing some kind of boat shuttle? I'm figuring the regular boat but that does take a while so I'd like a shuttle though I'm not holding my breath.

Isn't the slide at GF closed for refurb? I can't seem to find anything on that but I'd swear I read that somewhere.

Which GF pool is considered to be the feature pool? Is that the beach pool? It's the one with the actual water features from what I'm seeing but it's also the one that's out of the way while the other one is smack in the middle of the resort.

I know this sounds bad but I think I believe Tikiman more than IPO which means the whole main pool rather than just the slide. I've had issues with IPO in the past giving me completely wrong information (they seem to be a lot like CRO CMs in that regard which frankly annoys me considering the fact that they're helping the people who are supposed to be getting a higher level of service since we're staying club level) but Tikiman seems to have some great sources. I am looking forward to spending time at the GF pool since we've been wanting to anyway but it's just a pain. We've got 2 full resort days scheduled. One of them we do have dinner at the GF so I figure maybe we'll just bring our clothes and shower and change there before dinner but it does stink since we do get in the pool just about every day.

I agree that the IPO tends to be off. When I emailed them they stated that it would start on the 30th and last up to 8 weeks. That seems odd to me. It would put it out of commission during peak crowds! I'd tend to lean toward Tikiman on this one as well. (But then again, we arriving on the 3rd of March so maybe that's just wishful thinking on my part!)

[clanmcculloch]

wdwinfo.com and I think a couple other sites (though not all sites) are reporting that the Pool slide at Beach Pool at GF will be closed 2/6/2012-3/2/2012. Lovely. I emailed IPO to find out if there's an alternative plan with the GF pool slide being closed as well. I know IPO is closed for the night so I figure I'll hear back some time tomorrow. I'll let you all know what if anything else I find out.

[clanmcculloch]

Poly IPO just responded.


We have not heard of a plan to refurbish the slide at the Grand Floridian at the same time. The plan is that Polynesian guests may use the pool at the Grand Floridian for use of their slide, since the slide at the Polynesian Volcano Pool will be down for refurbishment.


You know, I'm just not sure if I believe them or not. Their track record isn't the best so now I'm wondering what the pool situation will be. If it's just the slide in the volcano pool that's closed then we'll be fine swimming there most of the time and we'll go to GF once or twice for the slide action assuming it's open and we'll just deal with it if it's not. If the entire volcano pool is closed then we'll use the quiet pool part of the time but we'll want to go over to the GF to swim several times but if the slide there's closed then the trip over seems like more effort than it's worth (we'll likely do it once anyway just to check it out). It's just disappointing.

I think what's really frustrating me more than anything is this lack of communication and inconsistent reports. If we could at least get consistent information that we can count on then we can plan accordingly and set our expectations accodingly. With the info they're giving us right now, it just seems like they're setting up a lot of people for a lot of disappointment which isn't fair to the guests or the CMs who will have to deal with it (I promise, I won't be giving any CMs there a hard time about it).

[bnoble]

Somewhere on this site, someone posted a link to the WDW and DLR refurbishments from the same web site as the travel agent hours. Whether or not it is current I do not know, but it does list the GF pool slide for those dates:

http://media.disneywebcontent.com/StaticFiles/DTA-Domestic/pdf/D-MailPDF/IntlDmailWDWRefurbishments.pdf


this lack of communication and inconsistent reports.

It's a big company. With *any* big company, this sort of thing is pretty common. Ultimately, you won't know for sure until you get there what is what. Roll with those punches!

[bnoble]

For what it's worth, that PDF does not list a slide closure at Poly, just the clear coat for the volcano---I suppose it might be closed as a side effect, but usually if the slide is going to be closed, it is mentioned explicitly. You might actually be okay.

[clanmcculloch]

Thanks for that link Brian. I hadn't seen that one before. I think I need to save it.

The PDF doesn't actually say what the impact of the clearcoat will be. The best I can find is that they're expecting only the slide to be impacted but they may have to close the whole pool if anything gets in the water. I can understand this because they only want to close the pool if they absolutely have to but it doesn't mean I'm happy about it. I do think that they should make it clear that the slide will be closed. For now I guess it's best to plan as though the slide is closed and if they have to close the pool we can pop into the quiet pool if it happens while we're in the pool. Not a big deal on that front. It's just frustrating for those of us who will actually swim every day (we've been a few times in February so yes we know it'll be cold; doesn't stop us from swimming).

What I don't buy is that it's such a big company that it's ok to not be aware of backup plans not being viable. If they're able to put together a list like that PDF then how hard is it for a person to look to see if the alternate is on the list before scheduling? It's not like these are completely unrelated activities; they're actually stating that one pool will be the backup for another. The person making this call can take 30 seconds to look up if that's a viable option or not before telling everybody publicly that this is what'll be done.

I definitely will roll with the punches, it just feels like I'm getting a lot of them from Disney right now (I think my frustration with the Special Diets department is making me very intollerant of everything else).

[bnoble]

I'm not sure the slide *will* be closed. That's my point. For all of the other pool refurbishments, the text is specific: "slide will be closed, main pool will be open." For this one, that statement does not appear. But, again, you'll know for sure when you get there.

As for the communications issue: it's an imperfect world. Expecting it to be otherwise won't make it so, but will give you heartburn. I'd rather not have heartburn, myself.

[ke_page]

I just got another email from the IPO this morning so I emailed back asking about the pool. (Figured I might get someone different.) Sure enough... different cast member... different answer! LOL

Yesterdays response: We will be closing the slide from Jan 30th for 6-8 weeks.
Today's response: We will be closing the slide from Feb 6 for 4-6 weeks.

Who knows! I guess it's going to be a crap shoot. My mom is none to please and now wants to switch to the GF. However, with this new news maybe she'll stay put.

[Keri]

FWIW (and probably not much!), I did speak to one of my contacts in groups and expressed concern about this. She spoke with someone at the Poly and was told the following:

" ...it seems that rehab is scheduled around the pool area (volcano where the slide is located) during their dates but the pool will be still open according to the resort cast member. If they wish to use the slide, they can take a boat to the Grand Floridian Resort to use their pool."

[clanmcculloch]

Thanks Keri. What did your contact say about the fact that the GF slide is listed as being closed? I just don't understand how that's going to work as an alternate slide option when it's not going to be available either. I bet the folks at GF are planning to send people from there over to Poly.

[kbmoore]

Trudy,

Can you call GF and ask about this from their end?

[josh]

From WDWMAGIC today:

http://www.wdwmagic.com/Resorts/Disneys-Polynesian-Resort/News/28Jan2012-Disney%27s-Polynesian-Resort-feature-pool-refurbishment.htm

[clanmcculloch]

I have no idea how to contact GF directly. The publicly available phone numbers just get you a call center who knows where in the world even if they answer as though they're at GF.

[bnoble]

Trudy, I've said this a couple times already, but...you probably will not know for sure what the situation is until you get there. If both resorts have slides down while you are there, the most likely thing they will do is let you use CR's pool. But, there's also a chance that there will be No Sliding. Don't let that ruin your trip.

[clanmcculloch]

Brian, I do get that. I really do. It won't ruin my trip. I promise. I huff and puff but in the end I really do just roll with the punches. It's impossible for our trips to go perfectly, especially with my daughter's autism and the issues she's been dealing with over the past year, and I learned a long time ago to just "go with it" when things go wrong. But, I do whine some and I do vent, at least where my family can't hear and won't get upset by my ranting. But, I still would like accurate info if I can get it even if it's not the answers I want. If I can get it, otherwise I'll just be prepared for the various possibilities which is better than not knowing anything which I bet a lot of guests will unfortunatly be dealing with.

[breezy2]

I totally understand your frustration Trudy. I would feel the same way. I see you have become hooked on Poly concierge now. LOL No wonder, I am sure I would too, if ever given the oppurtunity to stay there once. :)

[Havoc315]

I'm annoyed. We had considered switching to the GF, probably too late now. Or would probably lose our discount now.
But had we known about the Poly slide, we probably would have switched. (as it was, we were right on the fence).
Of course, if both slides are really going to be down at the same time, then I guess it doesn't matter.

[Havoc315]

The latest from tikiman:





So an update. Today they said the pool will not be closed for the work to be done but the slide will at times. All the work that is to be done will start this week and be completed by April 1.

[bnoble]

A few more tidbits from WDWRadio:

http://www.wdwradio.com/2012/02/wdw-radio-newswire-peter-pans-flight-queue-embarks-into-the-interactive-era/


For our final bit of news today, let’s venture over to my favorite Resort: Disney’s Polynesian Resort. A few days ago (Mon Jan 30th) work began at the Nanea Volcano Feature Pool, and things aren’t scheduled to be completed until Sunday April 1st (no foolin’). This work will not result in the closure of the pool itself, but the water slide will be out of commission from Monday February 6th through the first week of March.

[clanmcculloch]

Here's Tikiman's latest update. http://www.tikimanpages.com/tiki/news/200-february-update


here was the Official announcement “The Nanea Volcano Pool at Disney’s Polynesian Resort will be under refurbishment from January 30 - April 1, 2012. Guests may use the Nanea Volcano pool; however, the slide will be down for four weeks beginning February 6, 2012. Guests wanting access to a pools slide can take pontoon transportation to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.”

On the 5th of February they put letters in the rooms to let guests know about the work being done. The photos I was sent show work being done on the volcano. The waterfall is off, the bridge over the slide is closed and the slide itself was closed. From what I hear the slide will be down and from time to time while they work on re-theming the rock on the volcano (repainting). The official report says the pool will not be closed but two sources at the resort have told me that there will be times that the pool is closed. Work is expected to be completed by April 1. During this time there will be a pontoon boat available to take guests from the beach of the Polynesian to the beach near the pool of the Grand Floridian.

You know, I'm glad I've known about this for a while because I've come to this point of acceptance now while before I was frustrated. No, I'm not happy, but at least I've had time to process this and accept that it's happening and plan for it (and get kind of excited that we'll be allowed to try the GF pool with official sanction from the Disney pool gods).

[Havoc315]

Here's Tikiman's latest update. http://www.tikimanpages.com/tiki/news/200-february-update

You know, I'm glad I've known about this for a while because I've come to this point of acceptance now while before I was frustrated. No, I'm not happy, but at least I've had time to process this and accept that it's happening and plan for it (and get kind of excited that we'll be allowed to try the GF pool with official sanction from the Disney pool gods).

My son is disappointed he won't be able to use the volcano pool... but he will gladly take a pontoon ride over to the GF, a bit of excitement in itself. And DW was disappointed that Poly doesn't have a hot tub. So maybe a pontoon over to GF isn't so bad.

Any idea how often they are running the pontoon though?

[bnoble]

kind of excited that we'll be allowed to try the GF pool with official sanction from the Disney pool gods
I got to visit SAB last year despite "only" staying at BWV under a similar set of circumstances.

My conclusion? SAB is not all that and a bag of chips. But it was cool to be a squatter.

[clanmcculloch]

I got to visit SAB last year despite "only" staying at BWV under a similar set of circumstances.

My conclusion? SAB is not all that and a bag of chips. But it was cool to be a squatter.

I agree about SAB (and I thought I was the only person to still say that phrase much to the embarassment of my kids). I am looking forward to the whole "legal squatting" thing plus I've wanted to check out the pool at GF even if it is just another pool (I don't have super high expectations but it looks nice). I am also looking forward to the hot tub.

Do they charge for the lockers at the GF pool? If yes, how much?