** More 'Pool Rudeness' - I received a survey from DVC..** [Archive] - The DIS Discussion Forums

wheeler

04-13-2002, 12:56 PM

(GraceDVC's thread reminded me of this....)
After I returned from my first trip "home" (stayed 2 nights at WLV and 3 nights at Poly in Dec.) I received a "srvey" in the mail in the form of a postcard, asking me to log onto such and such website and type the "code" provided and I would be prompted to complete a (VERY LENGTHY!) survey about my visit. It requested SPECIFIC details about virtually every aspect of the trip. When I got to the question about anything I was unhappy about, I did bring up a pool situation.......it's too long to go into detail here, but suffice it to say people who admitted to me via conversation that neither they, nor any member of their party was a DVC member or even staying at WL or VWL, were constantly at the pool and jacuzzi. Most had never heard of "DVC" , they just heard it had a "cool pool". I suggested in the survey that maybe it would be possible, to just set up some kind of a "gate" in front of the pool area, that required a valid room card to be slid in to gain entry. They wouldn't need to pay someone to "police" the pools for "crashers" asking for I.D. This may have a few minor inconveniences, and of course there would be people who would "weasel" around it by sneaking in behind someone who opened the gate, etc - there always is, but I think the benefits of putting a stop to all the endless and varied abuse of WDW resort pools would far outweigh what I assume to be reasonably inexpensive to implement, and not involve anyone on the payroll. Sure, the initial expense of "gating" the pools tastefully and within the theme (hopefully) of the resorts, and setting up the "card scanners" like the ones on the doors of the resort rooms, but over time, wouldn't that be far less money to just be able to wash their hands of all the complaints and all the staff required (especially in the peak seasons) to check resort ID's, etc? I mean, once you check out of your resort, you lose access to its amenities, right? So why should someone who never checked *IN* have free and easy access? I'm sorry, but I do not think this is unreasonable, or "un-Disneylike". Disney should look to the extravagant resorts of Las Vegas, which ALL do this. At Mandalay Bay, you can't even "look at" the pool (well it's really a water park) without a room card.....it has a TEN FOOT fence around it! (which I'm obviously not advocating!) And at Bellagio, Mirage, Venetian, Aladdin, and I think, Caesar's Palace, you need a room card to get to the pool area. It's no big deal. No one makes a stink about it. Let's be honest folks, we all know you're not "just going out for a peek and we'll come right back - promise!".....if that were true, they never would have started doing this card-entry only in the first place! I mean, Las Vegas looked to Disney for local transportation, and actually bought WDW's old monorails (I've been on them, and a hotel industry friend told me they were from WDW), so why can't Disney look to Las Vegas and their economical, simple, pool-crashing solution? No card, no pool. Period.
.........okay, let the flaming commence!
I truly want opinions here.....anyone?

jmatias

04-13-2002, 01:36 PM

We haven't been to Disneyworld yet...going in May and staying at OKW but for Xmas 2001 we stayed at the Disneyland Hotel and they did have a gate around the pool that required your room card key to enter.

No complaints and thought it was tastefully done.

Jen

kidzmom3

04-13-2002, 01:47 PM

I don't belong to the DVC but I think this is a reasonable solution. I was dismayed to see how crowded the pool was on a summer afternoon at the Beach Club, so now I wonder how many people weren't even staying there. I honestly never even thought about going to another hotels pool. Except in the context of , someday when we stay there, it will be fun to go in that pool.

wheeler

04-13-2002, 02:28 PM

see............???????????

no big deal, was it?

I'm telling you........I've seen this more and more in the past 3 years or so, and no one thinks anything of it. I think in trying to keep everything "magical" Disney has found itself victim to people who take advantage of the "magic". Personally, I think it's more distasteful and unpleasant to have to watch/listen as a CM grills a family at poolside and upon discovering that they are not staying at that resort, it is embarassing to watch the family looking embarassed as they gather their things and get "kicked out". Everybody stares. It definately (for me anyway) detracts from the "magic" to watch this happen to a family, and I've seen it happen more than once. The poor kids don't understand what's going on, and the parents look embarassed/angry and the whole thing just seems so unnecessary and time-consuming. Plus when resort pools get crowded/rowdy, most people probably can't help themselves from "assuming" that a portion of this crowd doesn't "belong here", which causes resentment, and whether or not it is true doesn't even matter at that point (it's their own decision to let it bother them).
With a gated entry, no one would probably feel that way....they would just accept that the pool was crowded that day, as they can clearly watch people using their cards to get it (if one is so inclined to do so on vacation!) I really think this would end ALL the pool problems.......from overcrowding by people not staying there (or not staying at DISNEY for that matter! - which REALLY takes NERVE), to "greedy chaise lounge-reserving", to lack of towels, etc etc.

I mean, when I stayed at the Poly, I thought it was a rude way to treat guests when I was in the pool, and I had forgotten to get towels before getting in the water, and my two girls wanted to get a snack, so I told them to go get 3 towels. Imagine my shock, when they came back to me 5 minutes later, dripping and shivering, saying, "they won't give them to us. They said you need to go or give us the room card". I was like, "WHAT??!!" I thought there must be some misunderstanding here! So I, dripping wet mind you, walk around to the rental shack and see a crowd of about 10 people, mostly dripping wet like me, but some in clothes renting the water mice, and I realize I am expected to wait in LINE to get a darn TOWEL???? HOW much am I paying to stay here again??????? Well, I kept my cool, showed the card, got the towels, and as I was walking back I thought to myself, "Well, obviously, they had to institute this policy because others were using the pool and towels and there were none left for paying guests." Then I thought to myself, "WAIT A MINUTE!!!!! HOW COME THE PAYING GUEST IS THE INCONVENIENCED ONE???? What's going to stop people from coming and just bringing their own towels? which is what I, myself did, so I wouldn't have to wait in "line" if I forgot again! " HELL-OOOOOO???? What's wrong with this picture?!
BOTTOM LINE:
If they've already gone so far as to staff a "towel stand" to ensure that only paying guests get a towel, then how is that so different than ensuring only paying guests should get to use the pool? Isn't it sending the same message????!!!!!!!
No card, no towel.
Then why not:
No card, no pool.
Somebody please give me a valid argument against this. I'm not an unreasonable/unkind person, and like I've said.....I've already seen this approach used in several resorts elsewhere and no one is upset over it. (sorry I'm ranting......it just seems like the obvious solution to so many guests' complaints)

PamOKW

04-13-2002, 02:48 PM

They already have this set-up at Vero. It's true that people can still sneak in when the gate is open but it does cut down on pool crashers. You also have to show your ID to use the pool snack bar or to get towels. It helps the lifeguards pick out the crashers. I don't understand why they can't do the same thing at the WDW pools.

Just like being in a casino where I've spent a lot of money doesn't entitle me to use the pool unless I am also a guest at the hotel, paying a lot of money to get into the Disney theme parks doesn't justify using the pools.

wheeler

04-13-2002, 02:58 PM

So if Vero and the Disneyland Hotel are already doing this successfully..................

TIdoublegaER

04-13-2002, 03:58 PM

At HH there is key entry at the main pool, but the gate was always unlocked. But at the Beach House, if you didn't have your room key, you weren't getting in either from the beach or the parking lot. Since the resorts at WDW require a room key to get into most parking areas, I don't see why it would be that big of a deal to add them to the pool areas. I think this would definately get rid of the locals and the others staying off property from using the resort pools (DVC and non-DVC).

Terry S

04-13-2002, 04:22 PM

I think this would be a good solution!

ErinC

04-13-2002, 04:45 PM

I think the gate idea is a great one, but I was wondering about DVC members poolhopping. Would the gates only work with cards from that particular resort, or would they work with, Key to the world cards? Since we are allowed to poolhop, to other resorts that we are not staying at, how would we get in? (Just a thought, maybe a dumb one, but a thought!) Erin

Olaf

04-13-2002, 04:45 PM

I like this idea, but I'm wondering just how much "gate" it would take to fence in the pools? Could it be done without messing up the beauty of the pools? I've never seen the gates at Las Vegas, so I'm having trouble visualizing everything.

I, too, have heard people at the VWL pool sit and talk about how they are staying at one of the bargin resorts. I wish I had had the nerve to interject something like, "How clever of you!"

trishy

04-13-2002, 05:14 PM

Vegas has the pool issue tastefully handled. The gates are in keeping with the beauty of the landscape (especially the pool at the Mirage). When we pool hopped from BWV to Beach Club, we were carded by the towel guy and had our hand stamped. Is this no longer done? It seemed to me at the time that it was a flawed system since anyone could wait for the right moment to sneak in. I like the idea of some type of guarded arrangement - landscaping around fencing would keep it beautiful.

PamOKW

04-13-2002, 05:35 PM

I'm not sure if this will work but if you zoom in on the 360 Vero pool picture at www.disneyvacationclub.com you can see the fence. The gate is obscured by the gazebo. It's very attractive.

Trying to Show the Vero Gate (http://dvc.disney.go.com/disneyvacationclub/shared/popups/ipixpopupindex?id=VBRPoolIpixPopup&popup=true&w=610&h=400&resizeonload=true)

Zimbubba

04-13-2002, 05:47 PM

""I think it's more distasteful and unpleasant to have to watch/listen as a CM grills a family at poolside and upon discovering that they are not staying at that resort, it is embarassing to watch the family looking embarassed as they gather their things and get "kicked out".""

GOOD! They should be embarrassed! They deserve more than a grilling. Maybe if a few examples would be made, less of this would go on.

Johnny

04-13-2002, 06:05 PM

I am an owner of a condo in Ocean City Md which the building we own in of course has a big pool [2 in fact] they were always very crowded.
Being a member of the board I decided one summer several years ago to just watch where people came from to use the pools.
I dicovered alot of people were comming from the beach.a trailer park and off the street. Over the winter the board decided to put a "tastefull" fence around both pools with only one entrance and we had simple ID"s made for each owner which would allow 6 persons per unit to use the pools. A volenteer would "guard " the gate and check ID's and PROBLEM SOLVED. No ID no entry no exception. We probably cut down on visitors to the pools 50%.
Now people that pay the condo dues and their guests use the pools, and it is much more enjoyable.
So this idea of the hotel pass will work!!!

TIdoublegaER

04-13-2002, 07:32 PM

For the issue of DVC members pool hopping, our room keys could be coded to allow access to the other resorts pools. If they can allow us to use the magnetic strip on the back to charge to our room, I know they could allow DVC members into the different pools! It could also be used to restrict access to DVC members during high capacity or non-pool hopping dates.

KNWVIKING

04-13-2002, 08:16 PM

I agree that something needs to be done,especially when it comes to the local parasites. But when we stayed at VWL in Dec we noticed a couple thingss. 1) Our pool never had more then 6 people in it at any one time. 2) The spa in the evening was never over crowded. 3) People who were staying at WL and using our spa had a vague or no idea what DVC was. 4) None seemed aware that this was "our" pool and spa and not open to all guests staying at WL. 5) We didn't see any signage that clearly stated this was a DVC only area. 6) We fellow DVC'ers at the spa had a great time bragging about DVC.

One thing to reember about the Vegas resorts was that they were designed & built with every intention to keep non-paying guests out of the pool area, Disney resorts were not. To try and up-fit them with fences and gates may be more of an inconvienance then we think.

I would have no problem showing my ID card to a CM who was politely checking and I hope the parasites are embarrassed to death when they are TOLD to leave.

Rather then spending $$ on fences and gates,I'd rather see all the resorts - including OKW :0 - upgraded to SAB standards, then all paying guests would stay at their own resort. But I don't think this will EVER happen.

Olaf

04-13-2002, 10:25 PM

I didn't know that the quiet pool and spa were for DVC only at VWL. Is that something new? Is that the case at all DVC resorts?

ohiominnie

04-13-2002, 11:19 PM

I had always heard that the VWL pool was open for WL guests and vice versa.

Granny

04-13-2002, 11:19 PM

I have been told that the quiet pool at VWL is for VWL and WL guests alike.

I had thought my guide told me differently, but several folks on this board provided this information.

Can't speak for the other DVC homes, but I would assume that the BC guests could go over to the quiet pool at BCV as well.

eva

04-14-2002, 05:48 AM

I think that this is a great idea! We've been to Vero and thought that the gated fence was an ideal solution. I did turn a couple in at OKW who were not staying at the resort. I probably wouldn't have except they were in the sauna just bragging about that they always stay off-site and use the buses to travel to a number of the resorts during the day to use their pools and facilities. It just burned me that they were bragging to another couple about it and that I was paying the dues to up-keep that pool for their pleasure. I went and found a CM and the CM went immediately over to them and asked for an ID. They were then asked to leave. I'm sure that they knew who turned them in, but I was so mad that it really didn't bug me that much. The one thing that I kept thinking was if it happens at OKW it must be happening on a wider scale at a lot of the other resorts. The fence with a gate is an ideal soution IMHO.

gscott8075

04-14-2002, 06:41 AM

We pool hopped to Stormalong Bay last summer.

Every once in a while, a CM would come around and ask for cards and we were issued an orange strap. They also asked for them at the entrances. It worked.

Fence building is a big expense.

It would be ashame if pool hopping is eliminated when I think the real issue is non-Disney guests.

vernon

04-14-2002, 08:29 AM

While I'm not a great fan of the wristband idea that also operates at Vero, I do think this is a matter that needs to be dealt with. If each hotel had a different type of wristband and you collected it when you got your towels it would be easy for CMs to know who they should be checking. This would be a lot cheaper than fencing/gating and probably more effective. If the banding idea didn't completely solve the problem you can always bring in the gates etc at a later date.

RLevy29

04-14-2002, 08:53 AM

The Grand Californian Hotel in DL has a fence and you have to use your room key to gain entry to the pool but not for towels.

DVC1996

04-14-2002, 09:08 AM

Pam.....you are correct. It is attractively done at Vero. Vero is my home resort and the gate has been there since we joined in 1996. Of course....I have noticed people sneaking in behind others but these were mostly people who had forgotten their cards. I mean.....most people at the Vero Resort are vacationing at that resort!! It certainly makes more sense to do it at the WDW resorts where there is more of a problem with people abusing the pool rules.

StevieD

04-14-2002, 09:19 AM

Count me in for the wristband idea. This is widely used at resorts in the Caribbean, and it would be less intrusive than a gating system.

Zimbubba

04-14-2002, 01:26 PM

""The Grand Californian Hotel in DL has a fence and you have to use your room key to gain entry to the pool but not for towels.""

But we too are guilty of visiting here, not staying here, and wanting to see the pool. We aited until the gate was opened by someone else. A cast member placed here would have discouraged us from doing that. We did not swim as we were in street clothes.

Luv2Dream

04-14-2002, 01:30 PM

I agree that something should be done and this gate idea is great. I endorse this idea wholeheartedly and I hope Disney is listening.

stings

04-14-2002, 02:10 PM

I for one think that "securing" the pool areas resort-wide is a great, and unfortunately, necessary idea. And as a DVC owner would be willing to pay a one -time surcharge to make certain that the DVC pools were secured first.

Mickey527

04-14-2002, 02:30 PM

I can't wait to swim at Stormalong bay again this year. I pool hopped last year when I stayed at my home resort WLV. But I do love their quiet pool, each night I used the pool and spa and no one was ever around. All the kids staying at the resorts wanted the big slide, so we had the pool to ourselves.
But my trip this year falls during the week of the 4th of July. I know that they have blocked pool hopping in the past during this week so I made sure to get resservations at Beach Club Villas this year. We stay one night at WL, then change to BCV on July 1, the day they open. We have a 2 bedroom and my boys are all going with me this trip.

stings

04-14-2002, 03:05 PM

After reading Vernon's post regarding the issuance of wristbands that does seem to be a great way to go. As someone else posted fencing off each and every pool would be a major expense, and may in some cases detract from the theme of the pool area. If wristbands were issued to those people who rightfully should be there and the policy was policed hopefully word would then spread and keep the... lets see, a polite term... "cheaters" from using the pools.

madcoco

04-14-2002, 06:38 PM

We have yet to pool hop to Storm a long Bay. If you get there in the morning and then it fills to capacity do they then ask "pool hoppers" to leave.

Of course....I have noticed people sneaking in behind others but these were mostly people who had forgotten their cards.

Hey I resemble that remark. ;) LOL Wristbands sounds like the way to go. We ran into numerous people from Ft Wilderness at the VWL pool/spa on our stay last year.

HookdonWDW

04-14-2002, 06:47 PM

Originally posted by Mickey527
We stay one night at WL, then change to BCV on July 1, the day they open. We have a 2 bedroom and my boys are all going with me this trip.

Wow! We may see you there! We're staying 2 nights at WL, and then switching over to the BCV on the 1st!

Deb & Bill

04-14-2002, 08:00 PM

So do they give you one wrist band per bed space or registered guest (whichever is least) at the DVC resort per day? Different color coded bands each day? If you are staying for 8 nights, do you get 8 days worth of wristbands when you check in? How do you keep people from selling them on E-bay? If you only get one wristband per person for the entire LOS, what happens if you lose it/tear it/remove it because you are going to V&A for dinner and you don't want to look like a doofus?

The card reader might work, unless you had people staying at the resort letting all their friends/family who stayed at AS resort in under the one card.

At Easter time at the BWV, they had a fence around Luna Park and CMs checking IDs. They stamped hands when you showed your ID. They didn't fence or gate the quiet pool at BWV.

At OKW, the main pool was extremely crowded during Easter week. We found it nearly impossible to find even one chair. When we thought we were going to be able to get another for my husband (I had begged someone sitting at a table if I could use one of theirs), someone else moved in on the chairs and saved them for their entire family. I didn't see the kids use the chairs at all.

vernon

04-15-2002, 04:21 AM

At Vero, it works that when you go collect a towel from the window around the pool , you show your room card ( which you should do at most of the pools anyway) and are given a waxed paper wristband. This is a one day/one use band that you can take off at the end of the day. While it doesn't neccesarily stop people from getting extra bands and giving them to their friends/guests, it would at least stop people with no connection to the hotel camping down for the day.

I don't think different bands for different hotels is a problem, the CMs would pretty quickly get to know what is their own hotel's bands. In order to stop people getting the hang of it and making their own bands ( I know that sounds extreme but I wouldn't put it past some of the parasites that get up to these tricks) a routine changing of each hotels colour/motif would , hopefully, make it more difficult to copy/use old or unused bands.

There are always going to be people who try to sneak in, but at least with bands etc , it is obvious that these people KNOW THEY ARE CHEATING, and can't pull the old " oh I didn't realise I couldn't use (other) Disney hotels pools" .

jsinohio

04-15-2002, 06:18 AM

I always agreed with the use of wristbands at Vero although, they have not used them the last several times that we have visited. My only problem with them was that they were only "marginally" enforced. If you're going to issue them, then you must expect people to 1: Wear them and 2: have lifeguards "routinely" check for them and enforce/eject those who will not.

slp87

04-15-2002, 06:23 AM

My idea would be to get some type of "permanent" wrist band (something elastic so that I'm not stuck wearing it the entire trip) that is issued at check in, for the number of people using the room. I would be expected to turn these in at the end of the trip. A fee would be charged if I lost (or gave away) my wrist band. Each resort would have a different color with DVC members having a color all their own so pool hopping would be permitted without having to get a different band at each resort.

CaptainMidnight

04-15-2002, 08:24 AM

We have gates at Vero, and I actually don't think they work. It's common practice to hold the gate open for the next person, which would allow any gate crasher in, especially if they had lots of kids with them or were in a great swim suit....
;-)

I presume they were put in due to the public beach next door. Pool crashing is a problem in WDW when in impinges on paying guests and members resort experience. Perhaps wrist bands are a better alternative, although I think enforcement with local crashers with some type of penalty ($50 fine for tresspassing?) would easily solve the problem. It probably wouldn't take too many fines before the word got around. Right now, if a pool crasher is caught, they are simply asked to leave. They probably try another pool.

NancyDVC

04-15-2002, 08:04 PM

I agree that a gated access to the pools would be ideal. Having stayed at HH and VB and the DL hotel I found the pool gate access not to be a problem. Actually it was a relief to know that the guests at those resorts were given priority to use the facilities. After all who is paying for the facilities? We are whether as DVC members through our dues or as paying guests. And yes I'm sure that if we can charge using our room key/IDs then they can make them acees all the pools for DVC members.
I remember staying at WL the first year it was open and the trials they had trying to keep non WL guest out of the pool. They limited towels by having guests bring their room towels to the pool and then replacing them upon request. I don't know how successful it was but there were any awful lot of people just 'wandering' around that resort that year.

:smooth:

mickey7861

04-16-2002, 08:17 AM

I think both the card reader and the wristband ideas are good. Maybe the gates don't keep everyone out but it probably curtails alot of crashers. Having to show your card for towels doesn't work, the pool crashers just bring their own towels. The CM's are either unable or unwilling to check ID's of every person at the pool area. Last July the Poly pool was almost SRO, no one was being carded and there were at least 4 families of crashers that I heard from. I know some one who lives in Orlando and for a fun day they routinely go to breakfast at Kona Cafe then use the Poly pool. They've done the same at other resorts, Poly is just their favorite. I'm sure they're not the only ones doing this.

wheeler

04-16-2002, 08:35 AM

getting back to the Las Vegas thing:
Their fencing "matches" the decor of the hotels/pool areas, BUT - I assume that was "planned" from the beginning, unlike Disney, which would have to do it after the fact, and I'm sure it would be spendy. The other thing they do (and this is probably not even possible at most WDW resorts as I assume it has to be part of the construction plan from the beginning) is that there is only *ONE* entrance to the pool area and it's from within the hotel, and the elevators have their own "stop" for "pool/spa", and when you get out of the elevator, their are doors that require a valid room key that you must pass through before you can even get outside. The Aladdin had this system as WELL as a guard checking, so I asume pool crashing is a huge problem in Vegas, but I suppose that's bound to happen in the desert for pete's sake! But the Poly for example, you can walk right into that pool area from the boat launch, monorail, parking lot, ANYWHERE, and no one would stop you, so it just wouldn't be practical there......maybe the wristbands is the way to go. Even if some people think it's a pain in the neck, or impractical (I don't-personally) it's still a heck of a lot cheaper, and I agree with what someone else said about, "ONLY IF THEY ENFORCE IT", which seems "spotty" at best, right now with the resorts that currently do it (SAB? Luna Park?)

madcoco

04-16-2002, 01:58 PM

Alot of us "locals" stay away from the strip most of the time that don't work there.On the same account you have a lot of locals and people staying at Motel 6s that would try to "gate crash" the resorts to use the facilities. Our next door neighbors were a prime example and they use to succeed at a few of the older resorts then brag about it.:mad:

Wheeler is right as most of the resorts have designed pool security from the beginning.VB system might not be perfect but it works I never see it being overun by locals.In WDW you have alot more people to contend with.

crisi

04-16-2002, 02:22 PM

I like the elastic wristband idea. They wouldn't even have to collect them at the end of the stay - just make them in dozens of different colors and patterns with the resort name, month and year. - Hey, they'd be collectable! DVC members would have to check in at the front desk and pick up that resorts wristband when pool hopping (which would also put the kabosh on DVCers who pool hop during blackout periods).

Yes, locals would get them for a one night stay and then get to pool crash, but the locals that are pool crashing anyway would need to invest in a one night stay once a month. And yes, resort swapper could spend one night at the poly and six at all stars and swim at the poly. But it would probably catch 90% of the abusers, be cheap to implement and not cost a lot in additional staff.

(And when I stayed at the WL in Feburary as a non-DVC guest, all the literature mentioned the quiet pool and spa as an amenity. Not that we got over that far).

Laurajean1014

04-20-2002, 08:17 PM

I agree on an entry key at poolside. Vero has a tasteful gate and is only minorly inconvenient (when you forget and have a stuff in your hands). I always have my key with me. With a little one who's always hungry or wanting something from the General Store, I need to have it at all times.

Locals do use the Disney beach often!

I wonder if it matters to the sharks?

JK,

L

Mooobooks

04-21-2002, 01:07 AM

Here's a vote for wrist-bands--the only solution that you're likely to get from a very money-conscious Disney Company at the moment.
Considering the extent of the security they make you go through to get into the parks, isn't it odd that almost anyone can walk into most of the hotels and use the facilities? I'm not an alarmist, and I don't think a terrorist is going to blow up the Wilderness Lodge, but if they can check people going into the parks that thoroughly, it would seem within reason to check people using the rest of the facilities equally well--and that means those roaches who use the pools and don't stay at the hotel!

donmil723

04-21-2002, 10:29 AM

I like the idea of using room keys for entrance to the pool area. SAB is fenced off now and CMs stand at 3 entrances (that I can think of right now) and check IDs and stamp your hand. I think it would be economically feasible for Disney to put in the gates with room key access rather than pay CMs to stand there all day. I'm not as familiar with the other deluxe resort pools, which seems to have most of the problems, so fencing might not be a feasible option at all of them.

I don't like the wristband idea. #1 because it's something else to remember to take with you from the room. I always double check that I have my room key when I leave my room so that's not a problem. #2 because I don't like to even wear a watch to the pool because of tan lines.

Hand stamps are annoying because they wash off!

So my vote goes to the room key solution!

mzzbuzzlightyear

04-21-2002, 11:02 AM

I like the wristband solution. As was previously mentioned, this is done routinely in the Caribbean. Personally, I don't feel that it is a problem at all. Each hotel could have its own color, and all of DVC could have the same color. Therefore, overcrowding would be reduced with each Hotel having its own guests at their pools, and DVC being able to pool hop, as was promised us.

I think that eliminating crashers, and locals would really relieve a lot of the congestion.

Perhaps, then, poolhopping would not need to be suspended for DVCers

Cru*Ella

04-21-2002, 10:45 PM

instead of a wristband, how about a tatoo.. and maybe pool crashers could just be shot?

The second crasher might think twice..... :)

tongue in cheek folks! :)

Seriously though, I agree wristbands (or some REAL system) is needed. I hate paying dues for someone else to take advantage. I'd probably pop a cork if I heard someone bragging about it! No, I wouldn't.... I'd go get a CM like a nice little lady and let THEM take care of it... :)

tax58

04-22-2002, 02:58 PM

I think ID cards or wristbands might be a good way to save poolhopping for DVC members.

trishy

04-22-2002, 08:26 PM

Nice, Cru*Ella :smooth: - think it just may work :p Sounds like a good entry to a poll - probably will get lots of votes for that option. :bounce:

CaptainMidnight

04-04-2003, 08:16 AM

I think in trying to keep everything "magical" Disney has found itself victim to people who take advantage of the "magic". Personally, I think it's more distasteful and unpleasant to have to watch/listen as a CM grills a family at poolside and upon discovering that they are not staying at that resort, it is embarassing to watch the family looking embarassed as they gather their things and get "kicked out". Everybody stares. It definately (for me anyway) detracts from the "magic" to watch this happen to a family, and I've seen it happen more than once.
I think word will get around to the local pool crashers and these scenes will stop. Sorry, but they should be embarassed since they are not guests at the resort and are using the pool. There needs to be effort to curb pool hopping.

wheeler

04-04-2003, 08:52 AM

in the context of that entire post, I meant it was more distasteful to watch families w/children get grilled and kicked out than it would be to just put a carded gate around the pool, because some posters were expressing that a gate would look ugly or out of place at certain resorts. I agree with you.......they should be embarassed (wow! this thread is from a year ago!)

ClarabelleCow

04-04-2003, 09:37 AM

We stayed at the Atlantis in the Bahamas, each day you get your towels and show your key and they give you a color coded bracelet to strap on, kind of like a hospital band, each day it is a different one. So why can't they do that at all the resorts, each day is a different collar, and if you are in the pool and don't have one one, you get asked to get out and give your room key to the attendant to get the bracelet? I would think they have the computers to show where you are staying, lets say I am at the VWL and want to go to the Contemporary for the day, I either get my "blue" band at the WL, or when I head over to the Contemporary, they swipe my card, see that I am a paying guest, and give me a towel and bracelet.

AEN

04-04-2003, 10:33 AM

What resurrected this thread?

Do you think the facilities really care? If they did wouldn't they have instituted some policies in the past? As other posters indicated, they could use straps, check at a gate (but these might require additional personnel). They could put a locking system on the towels (i.e. build a storage unit and put a typical door lock that only guest keys could open). I know we, as DVCers get real annoyed because we see our fees going up, but I don't get the impression that they are as disturbed. Sorry if I am speaking out of school.

trishy

04-04-2003, 11:07 AM

What resurrected this thread?

Well, it appears CaptainMidnight has been mulling this one over for about a year. ;) Glad you took the plunge and finally dove in :jester: (pun intended)

Richyams

04-04-2003, 11:36 AM

He probably had his response saved and just realized that he never hit "submit"

Laurajean1014

04-04-2003, 12:39 PM

When is the next DVC meeting? This should be something that is continueously brought up. Obviously, this is an issue or DVC would have never had the gate put in at VB. However, if DVC members and paid hotelers do not keep bringing it up, then WDW may not do anything about it.

Maybe WDW thinks this is a way people will get to see the resorts and aspire to stay there the next time?! Who knows. I just know that I think it is worth a letter and a discussion at the next DVC meet.

zurgswife

04-04-2003, 01:49 PM

Well as far as fencing goes...BWV owns the fence and the Director of Recreations is just waiting for Board approval...something she has found difficult to obtain. Even though she knows it has helped the SAB crashers....I wonder if
VWL don't own a fence and haven't gotten approval to put it up...

GraceDVC

04-04-2003, 02:16 PM

Last year, we were at the new BCVs and pool-hopped over to the BWV pool (the one I had visited earlier in the year and became so enraged about folks placing towels on chairs that stayed unused for hours). Well, to our delight, we noticed that pool attendants were routinely removing towels from unused chairs (that didn't have personal items on them). So, someone must be listening to our posts!

Poorman

04-04-2003, 04:02 PM

And I thought my date was set wrong on my computer..... Wow you guys do think about your posts before you submit.

KNWVIKING

04-04-2003, 04:42 PM

I thought it was bizzaire that a four page thread suddenly appeared. So I started reading it and it sounded familiar, then I got real confused when I saw my post on the top of page two. Took me a few seconds to realize i was reading a year old thread. Do we celebrate thread aniversaries now ?

But since the subject is up again, I've got a question: Was SAB giving out wrist bands back then ? We stayed at BCV in Nov and the band system seemed to work ok, but it does require the expense of a CM. I think the easiest & cheapest thing WDW could do for now is put up obvious signage that states the pool policy. Like I posted a year ago, I don't think guests at WL realize the VWL pool and spa are not meant for all guest to use. If people ignore signs,then escalate to a more obtrusive method.

Look forward to rehashing this next year.