Poly Pool Hopping Problems

[Goofy Fan]

I was recently at BWV, and on July 8 I had ressies for a character breakfast at Ohanas, and then was planning to pool hop at the Poly pool into the afternoon. Security was very blunt and gave me a pass until 12:00 when I arrived at 8:30 for breakfast. He said he had instructions that no all day parking was to be had at the Poly. I showed him by DVC card and explained our plans, but to no avail. I asked does this policy apply to DVC members. All he told me were his instructions. Pool Hopping was in fact restricted from June 28 through July 5 due to the holiday crowds. I did call on the 7th and pool hopping was back in effect.

The guy was not rude, just professional. However, the right to pool hop by DVC members does not seem to filter down to the troops, or they are imposing a time limit. I also felt that he was looking at me saying, "Right buddy. You're just here to park and use the monorail. Who are you kidding?" That kind of attitude from CM's really gets under my skin if that was indeed the issue. But being told that you have 3 1/2 hours for breakfast and to use to pool is not what I think our privilege implies.

Anyone else run into this type of situation? :confused:

[PamOKW]

I'm sorry to hear they had parking restrictions in effect. This isn't actually a restriction our ability to pool hop. You just have to take WDW transportation (or a cab) if you plan to spend more than 3 hours at the resort. I agree this is inconvenient for planning out an entire day.

Thanks for sharing the info. It's something we'll have to keep in mind when making pool hopping plans.

[KarenB]

We were there in mid-June and took a drive to the Poly to pool hop. DH told the guard that we were simply visiting the resort. He gave us a parking pass no questions asked, for about 4 hours.

I was asked for ID at the pool when looking for towels. I know I looked extremely lost trying to find these towels! :rolleyes: But I had my card ready and the man was very nice! I did notice that he was asking everyone for IDs...not just confused, lost people like myself ;)

[Goofy Fan]

I guess it makes sense for the 4 hour parking pass to control spaces in the parking lot. It just seems inconvenient if you have your own car. I can pool hop morning till night if I take a bus from BWV to Poly, but if I drive I can only pool hop for 4 hours as they need to control spaces. I don't see parking spaces being exhausted by DVC member's cars, but I'll buy the reasoning. Thanks.

[Shadeaux]

Originally posted by Goofy Fan

The guy was not rude, just professional. However, the right to pool hop by DVC members does not seem to filter down to the troops, or they are imposing a time limit. I also felt that he was looking at me saying, "Right buddy. You're just here to park and use the monorail. Who are you kidding?" That kind of attitude from CM's really gets under my skin if that was indeed the issue. But being told that you have 3 1/2 hours for breakfast and to use to pool is not what I think our privilege implies.



We had a similar experience at the Poly in early June. We were planning to eat breakfast, wander around the Poly awhile, then swim. Most likely, the wandering would have involved spending money in one of the shops. The guard insisted on seeing our OKW room key even though we had the parking permit that says DVC member on it and refused to give us a parking pass for longer than 3 hours. I also go the impression that he was accusing us of trying to park at the Poly to use the monorail. I didn't like the way we were treated, so we ended up going elsewhere to eat & spend our money. Eating & shopping at the Poly is something we usually do a couple times while at WDW, but not this year. We also went to AKL, Yacht Club, Beach Club, Boardwalk & Port Orleans several times during our stay & were waved in at every resort after the guard saw the parking permit in the window. I don't understand why the guards at the Poly seem so snotty. I was going to call the manager at the Poly, but decided not to waste my time.

[LisaR]

The same thing happened to us in May (well, almost). We went to the Poly with dinner PS and then planned to shop. While the guard was not rude, he was not very nice. He gave us a pass for exactly 3 hours! I parked the car and threw the pass in the garbage. I understand that they have rules to enforce but I am sorry, I am there to spend money. If I want to spend 4 hours instead of 3, I will. As it turned out, we were out of there in the alloted 3 hours but I wouldn't hesitate to throw the parking pass away again. I can understand them cracking down when the parking lot is full. However, when we were there, there was PLENTY of parking. I also understand their concern that people are parking at the Poly to use the monorail. I don't know how they can figure out if a person is lying to the guard or not. However, my conscience was clear so I didn't worry about it.

Lisa

[Kick it up a notch!]

It must really stink for them to have to tell people stuff like that and have people give them crap about it all day long. I work in the restaurant business and you really can only take so much crap from people before it affects your attitude. They are just doing their jobs.

Parking at the Poly is a problem and I'm sure the paying guests there complain about it regularly. If people did it at the DVC resorts I'm sure we would all be upset too. They are trying to make a delicate balance and trying to keep everyone happy.

[Peter Johnson]

We had the opposite experience when we visited the Poly in late May. At the guard shack I already had my OKW ID out, as well as my OKW parking pass in the window. When the guard saw I was a DVC member, he said normally parking is only 3 hours, but for DVC members there's no limit.

This happened on two separate occasions with different guards. I asked a friend of ours who works in MK Security, but he didn't know what the resort rules were.

BTW, yes, we did go to MK for the day from the Poly. We had a friend with us who is wheelchair-bound, and we refuse to use the ridiculous handicap "accessible" parking at MK.

[Richyams]

Do you have the same problem with the parking pass and its time restriction if you valet park?

We have been valet parking at the GF, eating there, doing some shopping, then using the monorail to go to MK and/or Epcot and then come back late for the car. We have never had any time restriction.

[Lisa F]

No, you don't have the same problem when you valet park. We always valet park when we visit monorail resorts now because it gives us a lot more freedom. They will still give you a 3 hour parking pass upon entrance but since you are paying $6 to valet your car, you may leave it there as long as you wish.

Lisa

[Doctor P]

I, too, think that the parking restriction is reasonable. They aren't saying you can't pool hop and go to Ohana (and take as long as you want). Several people have mentioned options already, but there is another one: park at the TTC and take the monorail. I am glad that we have free parking, and I am glad we have pool hopping privileges. I am willing to accept a minor inconvenience once in a while if it means keeping the larger privileges intact. If they need these rules to help protect these privileges and to protect the interests of individual resorts' guests, I am willing to cut some slack. Sorry you were disappointed, but I am glad you were being allowed to pool hop.

[nhmomx2]

The 3 hour parking limit for non-hotel guests has been in effect for a number of years - most notably at the CR. This has absolutely nothing to do with pool hopping and everything to do with guest staying at a particular resort and not having a parking space because of day visitors to that resort. Just think of how you would feel going back your resort and not having a space to park in...

[Dean]

This issue has been raised on this board a number of times. While I can see the delima, it doesn't make sense for me to say you can park 3 hours only but PH all day long if you want. I suspect this is a case of people not realizing this is a special situation, not wanting to put in a rule for a special situation due to the increased hassle or both. I'd write to the General Manager at Poly with a copy to MS or simply contact Jackie at MS and let here pass it along. To me, saying you can pool hop should be saying you can park to do so.

BTW, apparently it's been a lot worse at the Contemporary. I remember those being turned away from parking at all even when PH was open.

[gracelrm]

We generally stay at the VWL, isn't there a boat that goes from WL to the Poly? So we could use the boat to pool hop and not have to worry about parking - right? By the way, does the pool have a slide?

[ralphd]

Wilderness Lodge

There is a boat between the WL and The Magic Kingdom and one between the WL and the Contemporary.

ralphd

[Lewisc]

Grace--The boat goes to MK, switch to monorail or boat to POLY. If parking is limited it makes sense to limit parking to nonguests. It really isn't any different if you PH for more than 3 hours or have a leisurly meal and spend time looking around the resort (shopping) or if you go to the parks. There isn't enough parking to handle non-guests. You can either pay for valet parking or take Disney transportation (TTC parking is very close to POLY).

[Shadeaux]

Originally posted by nhmomx2
This has absolutely nothing to do with pool hopping and everything to do with guest staying at a particular resort and not having a parking space because of day visitors to that resort. Just think of how you would feel going back your resort and not having a space to park in...

Before becoming DVC members, we stayed at the Poly numerous times and never had a problem finding a parking space close to the main entrance. This was before they had a guard at the entrance of the parking lot. As I said in my previous post, we've gone to the Poly to eat every time we're at WDW; not once have I ever seen the parking lot more than half full. This past June, the lot was emptier than I've ever seen it, so the 3 hour pass made no sense. The one place they should have been giving out 3 hour passes but didn't was at the Beach Club. Half the parking lot was closed for maintenance & there were very few empty places the times we visited.

My biggest gripe about the Poly was the attitude of the guard. I had called the Poly before we went to be sure we'd be able to pool hop after we ate & was told sure, come on over. Because we'd been waved into every other resort that week and not given a 3 hour pass, I assumed the Poly would be doing the same. We should have done what LisaR did; throw the pass away & not worry about it, but decided instead to spend our money elsewhere where we felt welcome.

[Maistre Gracey]

Originally posted by Shadeaux

Before becoming DVC members, we stayed at the Poly numerous times and never had a problem finding a parking space close to the main entrance. This was before they had a guard at the entrance of the parking lot. As I said in my previous post, we've gone to the Poly to eat every time we're at WDW; not once have I ever seen the parking lot more than half full...

My biggest gripe about the Poly was the attitude of the guard...
Interestingly enough, we have had the exact opposite experience with The Poly lot. We hardly ever found a close space, and have even parked in the very back row on numerous occasions. My wife and I have fumed about this, as we knew many cars did not belong to Poly guests.

Perhaps you hit it lucky, or us unlucky.

I have never had a problem with the security guard at the parking entrance. We have always found them friendly and curtious. :cool:

[doubletrouble_vb]

DVC pool hopping privileges does not mean DVC parking privileges.

It doesn't really matter if the parking is wide open or not. The monorail resorts have a problem with people parking to go to the Magic Kingdom. This would include DVC'ers who would otherwise have to pay to park if they drove to the Magic Kingdom. There really isn't any other way for the guards to handle this except to make it 3 hours no exceptions (although I would give an exception to Annual Passholders since they don't pay to park anyway).

There was another decidely inconvenient option...after the leisurely breakfast & shopping expedition one person could have been delegated to go out, remove the car and come back through the gate.

[Lewisc]

Doubletrouble--Guests at Disney resorts get free parking in the theme parks. It doesn't matter what kind of pass you have. AP holders get free parking even if they are staying offsite. Does free parking extend to DVC guests?

[LisaR]

Originally posted by doubletrouble_vb


This would include DVC'ers who would otherwise have to pay to park if they drove to the Magic Kingdom.

Unless I missed something somewhere, we (DVC'ers) have never paid to park at any of the parks. I was under the impression that our parking pass for our resort gave us free parking at the parks. I have never paid or been asked to pay at any of the parks. We are AP holders but the parking attendent wouldn't have any way of knowing that. Have I missed something??

Lisa

[DebbieB]

We go in early May and early December and I noticed that the Poly lot was less than 1/2 full in the afternoon (when passing on the monorail back to the TTC where we parked). If it's not crowded, then I don't see a problem giving DVC members pool hopping a break. If it is full, then it's understandable. I would guess that most members pool hop in the morning & afternoon, a time when the Poly lot is not as full as it would be in the evening when guests return.

Why would you give an exception to AP holders because they don't pay to park anyway? WDW resort guests,including DVC members, do not pay to park either.

[spiceycat]

I had this problem in December with the Poly - MS when asked say that the Poly was full - so parking was not permited period. despite the fact that I given a 3 hour pass and the parking lot was not full. It has to do with the Polyn rooms being full - not the parking area. then the guards are told to turn people away - be glad you have a parking permit from a WDW resorts otherwise they won't allow you park at all.

[robinb]

Originally posted by Dean

BTW, apparently it's been a lot worse at the Contemporary. I remember those being turned away from parking at all even when PH was open.

Parking is bad at the Contemporary. I stayed there the week of July 4th and the parking lot was always full before the MK closed. Then *poof* there were plenty of parking spots! This was even with security kiosk, which I swear was a revolving door considering the number of cars which would pull in, turn around and pull out again.

BTW, the CR has a terrible pool. Don't bother pool hopping to it.

[DeeP]

I wish they would do the same thing with the parking lots at Boardwalk. Many people park in the lots to go to Epcot or take a boat to MGM and their cars are in the lot all day and into the night, which makes it hard for paying guests and DVC members to get a parking space. A 3-4 hour parking permit would allow guests staying at other resorts plenty of time to eat a one of the Boardwalk restaurants and enjoy the boardwalk but it would also eliminate all the other guests using Boardwalk as their personal parking lot to gain easy access to Epcot and MGM.
As for pool hopping, I agree with another poster, DVC members have pool hopping priviledges not unlimited parking at any WDW resort. If you want to pool hop to another resort for longer than the 3-4 hr permit then just take WDW transportation to the other resort.

[CarolMN]

Wish Disney would find a way to better manage resort parking. It doesn't seem right for those who are actually staying at a resort to have problems finding a parking spot. I know I get angry when I can't find a place to park at the BWV when I'm staying there. Wish there was at least a portion of the BW lot reserved for only BWI/BWV guests.

I've often wondered why Disney doesn't just begin charging for parking at the monorail and EPCOT resorts. Perhaps they should charge everyone who isn't actually staying at the hotel $15 (or maybe more) when they enter. Then give them a $15 certificate that can be redeemed at the resort's gift shop or restaurant on that same day. I would think something like this would discourage most who park there to go to the MK or EPCOT, and make little or no difference to those who plan to eat at one of the resort restaurants. Of course, they'd have to adjust the valet parking somehow as well, though. Just a thought.

[Pumbaa_]

Quick question, are people not using the valet parking? I have only had a car once at Disney, but the valet parking was very convenient. Just curious.

[Goofy Fan]

I happen to agree with Dean. There is an inherent problem in and of itself (forget about used parking spaces for a minute) to say you can pool hop all day and night wherever you want (besdies SAB and AK), but if you drive to the Poly, GF, or Cont., you only have 4 hours. I have never been given a pass at WL, or CS, or POR, etc. The passes show up at the MK resorts. You also cannot imply that passes come out when the hotel is full unless you agree that WL, CS, or POR are never full. The passes come out because of the monorail access at the MK resorts, plain and simple.

My kids love the new Volcano pool, and have always loved going to the Poly pool. I don't care for the Cont. pool, and there's something about watching people walking around the pool in robes at the GF that just makes me turn around (just not my style). I am not there for the monorail. It happens to be more of a hassle to do that, as taking the bus from OKW or BWV is too easy and convenient even if I have a car. I'm also one to give someone my last $5 if they needed it more than me, so if I felt that someone staying there couldn't find a parking space because of me, I'd hurriedly move and apologize.

I have written to MS. Let's see what they say. In the meantime, I like the valet approach as apparently that is exempt. The $6 to valet park is a non issue to be able to have the convenience of driving from OKW or BWV to the Poly pool. Or, if I'm really adventurous, I can drive to the WL (no passes), take the boat to the MK, then board the boat to the Poly! Solution solved! ;)

[colleen costello]

We were at BCV the week of July 4th when the DVC site claimed that "pool hopping was restricted." We ignored this, with the idea that if we visited a pool and it was crowded, they would ask us to leave and we would. We had no problems and none of the pools seemed particularly busy.

The only confusion we encountered was at the Poly parking stop. Some of the gentlemen waved us right on in, without even issuing us a parking paper; others stopped us and wanted to know what we were up to. We purposely didn't mention swimming -- I thought that was a bad idea. My husband would just say "We are visiting to have a meal" and show our card. If the parking paper they gave us had a time on it, Scott would fold up the paper so that only the date showed. We stayed over twice and NEVER had a problem. I can't imagine Mickey towing my minivan!

We guess that the one time we were questioned was the time we went to the Poly EARLY -- they must be trying to keep you from parking there and using the monorail to go to the MK (I admit we did this in the past -- am I going to Disney Hell?) Later in the day they were more relaxed.

Hope this helps.

[dvc_bwv]

When we were staying at OKW in May we went to the Poly for breakfast on two different days and were given an "all day" parking pass because we were "DVC Members". This was a complete surprise to use, but we thought it was very nice as we were expecting to get the 3 hour parking designation.

[BigTigger]

Hmmm ... reading this post I guess I'm bound for Disney Hell as I've parked at the Poly for MK visits.

But the real reason for this post is to share my Shades of Green parking experience. I golf at the Palm/Magnolia courses each visit and the parking area is shared with SOG. Even in the lowest season, that resort is close to 100% full and never has parking for early tee times. The golf starters/clubhouse helpers have been great about taking the keys and moving the cars over to legal spots as the morning checkouts happen. I'll never complain about BWV or Contemporary parking after the last three years parking at SOG for golf.

[Goofy Fan]

I talked with Jackie at MS this morning. She did say that during times of peak occupancy at the parks and resorts, security has been instructed to hand out 4 hour passes to non-resort guests, including DVC members who are pool hopping. I mentioned that the Magic Kingdom resorts seem to be the only ones handing out passes. She agrees it is because people try to bypass TTC and attempt to use the resort monorail to gain access to the park. She did say that this shouldn't be the policy 365 days a year, only during peak or busy times. That would explain why at other times you may be waved through. Of course, it also seems to depend on specific guards at the gate as well.

I understand that they are trying to protect the MK resort guests and their ease of parking cars. While I don't think that DVC members trying to pool hop are creating too much disturbance with parking spaces, I'll agree to the principal of looking out for the resort guest.

I guess the best way would be to use valet or park at TTC and walk the path to the Poly.

[Frank in WI]

Originally posted by colleen costello
We were at BCV the week of July 4th when the DVC site claimed that "pool hopping was restricted." We ignored this,

If Pool Hopping gets shut down completely, you can thank people like those above. Instead of helping solve the situation by working with Disney to keep the situation from getting out of control, let's all just ignore the attempts to keep pool hopping an option or help resort guests find a parking spot when they return to their hotel. The utter disregard for policies just amazes me. People like this are going to kill our benefits. I guess I'll thank them and people like them in advance. It will wipe out one of the ongoing gripes they have on this site.

If you notice someone laughing his head off when you are asked to leave a resort pool or have you car towed, that will be me.

[KNWVIKING]

Couldn't have said it better myself,Frank.

[colleen costello]

I believe the information that DVC members get is often misleading. The website before July said that pool-hopping was "limited" (cancelled? something like that) -- around July 4th, and that this meant "you might be asked to leave if it's at capacity." Isn't this disclaimer ALWAYS in effect? So we assumed it was OK to go on over, ask for towels, and if they said "too full," then we would go back to where we were staying. What are your opinions? How can this cause a problem for all DVCers? If we ask for towels once we arrive at any pool, this always gives the guards the option to say "Sorry," which we would of course respect. Not once were the pools super-crowded, and not once were we turned away. I think the "warnings" about pool-hopping around holidays are meant only as that: WARNINGS that if you try, you may be aksed to leave.

Another thing that was not clear was the parking restriction. When we visited another hotel, we ALWAYS did some activity that cost money. At the Poly, for example, we rented boats. At Riverside we went fishing. At both places we also swam a bit. Is is OK for us to stay in a parking spot longer if we are doing something that we are paying to do? As it turns out, we never stayed longer than the 3-4 hours, but what if you wanted to rent a boat, then swim, then go for a meal? When you are a "paying customer" (DVC or not) does this OK a longer parking-lot stay? I think it does... what do you all think?

[Maistre Gracey]

Originally posted by colleen costello
Another thing that was not clear was the parking restriction. When we visited another hotel, we ALWAYS did some activity that cost money. At the Poly, for example, we rented boats. At Riverside we went fishing. At both places we also swam a bit. Is is OK for us to stay in a parking spot longer if we are doing something that we are paying to do? As it turns out, we never stayed longer than the 3-4 hours, but what if you wanted to rent a boat, then swim, then go for a meal? When you are a "paying customer" (DVC or not) does this OK a longer parking-lot stay? I think it does... what do you all think?
Colleen, I agree.

What I don't like is when people park at The Poly to use the monorail. I have stayed at The Poly many times, and have paid "the premium price", partialy for "the premium transportation". I don't like when we have to park in the back row at the resort we are staying. Granted, we don't always have to park in the back, but many times we are not up front either.

By the way, if I didn't say so earlier...WELCOME HOME, AND WELCOME TO THE DIS! :cool:

[Dean]

I don't have the exact wording for the pool hopping restrictions but don't recall any ambiguity to the wording. My impression is that it was a clear statement of no PH during that 2 week period. The parking restrictions is a much different topic. It's not a published item and has not been noticed at all. I also think it's unreasonable to limit parking at a resort where you have a bonafied reason to be there like sanctioned Pool Hopping. My feeling is that PH is on the way out anyway so I don't think we can blame this on one group only. Any blame lies with DVD and DVC.

I do realize there are those that park at the monrail hotels then go to Epcot or MK and that WDW should be able to find a way to police this matter.

[KNWVIKING]

Personally,I think Poly is in a no-win situation. The architecture of the resort is unique enough to draw people to it just to look around. The monorail is a natural draw to people. The luao(sp) is another. Pool hoppers like to go there. It has great themed resteraunts. I think Poly would love to have a parking lot the same as size as MK so it wouldn't be put in the position of appearing "unfriendly".

[TiggerFreak]

Has anyone actually seen or heard of a "parking abuser" being towed?

We too will visit the Poly for shopping and dinning. Many times we'll take a Monorail ride to MK. Out of the 5 or 6 times we have done this, not once has the lot been more that half full.
But we usually visit in Oct or Nov when it is ;) not crowded;)

[PamOKW]

Pool-Hopping Information for 2002

Disney Vacation Club Members and their guests staying with them at Disney's Old Key West Resort, Disney's BoardWalk Villas, The Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge and Disney's Beach Club Villas are permitted to use other Walt Disney World® Resort and Disney Vacation Club resort hotel pools (other than the hotel at which you are staying) if these pools are not at capacity on any given day. Please check with the front desk of the destination hotel regarding pool availability. A Walt Disney World Resort ID card identifying you as a "DVC Member" is required to use the other pools. This offer is not available at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge and Disney's Yacht and Beach Club Resorts.

Hotel pools may become unavailable from time to time due to capacity limitations. Due to the high occupancy that is expected, Disney Vacation Club Members may not "pool hop" November 26 - December 2, 2002 and December 21, 2002 - January 2, 2003. If you are using the pool at a resort other than the one where you are staying, you may be asked to leave in order to accommodate guests of that resort.

*Other restricted dates may be added based on projected pool capacity.


This is what is currently listed on the site. It is the same wording with different dates. Members should also note the sentence, "Please check with the front desk of the destination hotel regarding pool availability. " That will give you an answer whether the restriction is lifted on a particular day.