Are people planning on taking some action on Pool Hopping?

[Figaro30]

With all this talk lately about the pool hopping...are people trying to propose to Disney ideas on improving pool hopping restrictions???? I'm just curious because this is what is sounds like is going on. BTW, I'm all for it if you are!!!

Rules make thing a lot easier for everybody. And hopefully we won't have people being kicked out after swimming for hours which I think is quite unfair!

Like my mommy used to say, rules are there to HELP people!!!

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[Renee']

Rules make thing a lot easier for everybody. And hopefully we won't have people being kicked out after swimming for hours which I think is quite unfair!

Okay, how exactly do you handle it then. At 9am the pool area is virtually empty. Pool hopping would be fine. The pool fills up to capacity by noon (30% are hoppers). Anyone (registered guests of the hotel) attempts to get chairs and use the pool. They are then turned away because the hoppers who have been swimming all morning have been there first????? Something is very wrong with this picture.

Regardless of whether pool hopping was okay a few hours ago, if the pool is crowded it's time for the hoppers to leave. Allowing registered guests to use their facilities. This isn't rocket science. The only "rule" that is misunderstood or not followed is common sense.

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[This message was edited by Renee' on 04-19-01 at 03:29 PM.]

[Figaro30]

I have no idea Renee, I don't work there...I just visit!!! LOL

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[kamgen]

Let's issue a few simple rules and a "clause of common sense"! :)

Rule #1: Pool hopping is permitted as declared by each resort (duh!) :)

Rule #2: If you are pool hopping and the pool becomes crowded, practice the "common sense clause" which states: When pool hopping, guests will use their common sense to determine when they should stay and when they should go. If the pool area becomes crowded, leave without being instructed by a CM and allow resort guests access to their amenities. :)

Rule #3: If treated poorly by a CM, take your issue to the resort manager. Refrain for causing a scene and realize that the CM is probably just delivering a message from someone higher up.

Sounds simple to me :)
If we all practice common sense, whether we have been there for 5 minutes of 5 hours, we will continue to enjoy all the amenities DVC has to offer.
Just my two cents! :D

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[Figaro30]

Maybe if it was written in our guidebooks that

expect that you can be expelled at any moment regardless of whether it's a busy season or NOT

maybe this will stop people from being so angry if this happened to them.

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[DavidRoss]

Pool hopping is a nice benefit for DVC members. However, common sense is the key. We have our own homes away from home. Likewise, people who pay cash for rooms at other resorts are using the hotel as their home while they are on vacation. Most of them don't even have access to visit other pool areas. Since we are hopping to someone else's "home", what makes any of us think we have the right to overstay our welcome? Plain and simple, people who do this are just rude and inconsiderate. Imagine if your neighbor allowed you to use their pool but they were planning on having a private party later on in the day. It would be rude to stay and intrude. You shouldn't have to be told to leave. You should just know better. After all, if we are all adults, we should act like them.

[RoutemanDan]

I'll take some Action on the Pool Hopping issue.I'll give you 2 to 1 odds that it will be discontinued inside a year. Anyone going to plunk down some $$$$ on this one? :D

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[wdwnut]

Dan: you're bad!! LOL. i would think that some "additional guidelines" will be forthcoming. i'm really interested to see what happens with stormalong bay once bcv opens.

[jctwizzer]

Unfortunately, I think Dan has hit the nail. At the is time, WDW is shutting down those things that are not producing the desired results. If pool hopping gets to be more trouble than its worth, it will terminate. It's sure not needed as a sales stimulant. IMO we will be better served by keeping our comments here; aggressive action toward DVC can only lead to a bigger problem. I usually advocate standing up for what you think is right but I think it would be counterproductive in this case <IMG WIDTH="15" HEIGHT="15" SRC="/infopop/emoticons/icon_redface.gif" alt="red face">

[KNWVIKING]

It's not how full the pool is at 9:00 am, it's how full the resort KNOWS it's going to be at noon. Certain times of the year- Easter,Christmas etc you can plan on heavy use. YBC announces well in advance they are closed to pool hopping,BW will probably have to start doing the same.

[KNWVIKING]

I truely believe that over crowding is not caused by DVC'ers but rather the off-site and local parasites that use the pools without paying a dime to WDW. If they start checking ID's then I don't think we have a pool hopping problem. I've read where people say they leave their ID in the room...If you are staying on-site,isn't your ID also your room key,why would you leave it in your room ?

[Renee']

Viking,

I was simply using that example (9am empty pool) to illustrate my point. This whole thing is completely out-of-hand. I think I'll be the first to recommend that DVC discontinues pool hopping.

Common sense clearly wasn't a prerequisite for purchase into DVC....I guess you can't expect it to suddenly appear.

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[kamgen]

using our common sense, raise your hands! :D

sounds too easy huh?

I say, let's move on!

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[LIDisneyFan]

Renee'

I'm starting to find your posts a bit offensive - just because someone does not agree with you does not mean they lack common sense. If you are the first to suggest discontinuing pool hopping, I suggest you avoid doing it.

Those of us who enjoy it and STILL believe it is a member benefit until it is taken away should be able to enjoy that benefit with clear understanding of the policy. Disney should be capable of providing that. It's like any other benefit of the program.

[KNWVIKING]

Common sense is important,but I think common courtesy is what's really being abused.

[Dean]

Dan, I'll take that bet. Though I too am convinced that DVC will totally stop pool hopping, I don't expect they'll be that fast. They may curtail it a bit by then though. OK, how about this. A large pizza at BW if pool hopping is gone in a year. A dinner for 2 at Artist point or Narcossee's if it's still in existance in ANY FORM in a year from today. A few rules, if it's available for any Disney resort on 19 April or after next year I win even if it's been announced it will stop at some future date. That's roughly $20 vs $40. Let me know. This should be fun either way.

As we've already noted, the rule is somewhat vague, arbitrary and open for major interpretation. It's not even written down for all to see. Sure we old timers know what it is supposed to be but even then it keeps evolving on various CM whims. No reason to fault those that were caught with this. True they didn't follow my understanding of the rules but how could you expect them to if they didn't know and it wasn't in any of their paper work.

I hope the program continues, not because I use it but because I think it's a nice perk for many people and many of my DVC friends really enjoy it. Besides I stand to win a dinner for two at one of my favorite WDW restaurants.

Dean

[RoutemanDan]

You're on Dean.One condition though,I like sausage on my pizza. ;)

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[KNWVIKING]

If Disney and DVC had any idea there would be this many problems with pool hopping they would have either never started it or taken 8 pages to explain and regulate its useage. Somebody probably thought it would be a cool perk to the members that wouldn't cost WDW a dime. In the last week or so this board has been full of post about 2 families who were asked to leave Luna park. Are these families the tip of the iceburg, are dozens of pissed off members who know nothing about this board venting elsewhere ? Maybe it's an issue Disney will have to address but maybe it's just a little problem we're blowing way out of proportion.

[CaptainMidnight]

jtcwizzer:

Good post, I agree. The number of inappropriate complaints from people taking advantage of the situation will cause it's demise.

[KNWVIKING]

Can someone post about the evils of renting points ? Pool hopping's been pretty much covered.

[mickeyc]

My family and I have been going to disney since 1972. We stayed all over the park and I have never been asked for ID while in the various pools. Also, the pools have not been crowded. We usually vacation latter part of July beginning of August. Holidays I understand would be the exception concerning crowds. I guess I am surprised that CM members have been questioning guest at the pool sites. I have found CM to be very helpful and not to intrude on guest. As most of us know they usually treat guest like royalty. I can't help but think there is more to this story.

Pool hopping is a nice perk and I hope it is maintained for DVC members. However, if the program becomes to much of an administrative nightmare I could forsee Disney eliminating the privilege. Enjoy the pools and Disney!

[Scarlet]

KNWVIKING:

I think you hit the nail on the head with the comment "Are these two families just the tip of the iceburg, or are there other DVC families out there who are pissed off and don't know about the
message boards?" I am one of the "two families"
who have posted of my experience at BWV. I personally know the other family next to me on 4/13 were SO put out that they went to the DVC sales office to complain, while I was packing my
6 yr old daughter up to leave the pool. I did not stay to see what their outcome was, however.
I was not going to be further humiliated by being
escorted out by security guards with my 6 yr old
in tow. After my conversation with the BWV General Manager after my return home, he mentioned that between Sat. 4/14 and Sun. 4/15,
over 350 people were turned away from BWV. Now I have to believe that a great majority of them were
also DVC members (and possibly, probably) BWV
owners, too who were equally as "pissed". Frankly
at this point I am surprised that myself and LIDISNEYFAN are the only ones who have posted on this unfortunate situation. I, for one, have expressed my thoughts to the BWV GM that the pool
hopping should be CLEARLY and TIMELY suspended during peak seasons. This was our first trip outside our home resort of BWV (due to late booking) and the first time I have pool-hopped.
The only reason I even attempted it was to pacify
my daughter who was disappointed we could not stay
at BWV and use the slide. I figured one afternoon
would do the trick, but the trick was on us. I
will always remember this incident each time I stay at my home resort again.

Scarlet
BWV '99

[baileybrad]

isn't going anywhere...there may be more resorts disallowing it at so-called busy times but not that many DVCers hop at any given time for Disney to do away with it entirely. And for those that are tired or uninterested in hearing anymore about it then that's simple...you don't have to read posts on the subject...that's why the posts have subjects so you will know if it is of any interest to you or if it is something that you may want to learn more about. Fenceman hopefully you are heavy in the "new" bull market that just took off because you are going to need deep pockets to pay off your bets because PH will still be here come 4/19/02. I just wish the trespassers would be stopped from using the various Disney pools. They are a tidal wave on the pool crashing scene compared to the tiny ripple made by legal pool hopping DVCers.

[Dean]

OK Dan, should make this discussion all the more fun the next year or so. Hopefully as a minimum DVC will come up with a clear and easily followed policy. Even if it's somewhat restrictive, it should be better than being kicked out of the pool.

Dean

[Peterd]

Renee', I totally agree with you. I don't see why some don't see this also. Pools get more crowded later in the day. If hoppers get there early, they should know that they might have to leave later.

[jeffdivi]

The problem is not with DVC Members, it's with Disney. Before they gave the privilege in the first place, they should have anticipated DVC Members would take them up on the offer. Therefore, should have made the facilities larger. It seems to me, ever new Vacation Resort gets smaller and smaller. Disney uses all privileges and benefits as a selling point, so they should live up to their expectations. Disney needs to fix the problem to satisfy DVC Members as well as other Guests. Everyone please remember this is Disney Vacation Club Resort first.

[Renee']

I'm starting to find your posts a bit offensive - just because someone does not agree with you does not mean they lack common sense.

LI.....
I'm very sorry that you find my posts offensive. I'm simply voicing an observation which is crystal clear. Common sense and common courtesy needs to be practiced on and off of vacation. If I'm offensive due to this view I'm so sorry.

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[Figaro30]

Geeeeeez!!!! I was simply asking a question. This post was not meant to start such a nasty debate between people. Although I have to agree that Renee comment was alittle bit snotty but I refrained from answering how I really wanted to answer at that moment. Everybody needs to chill out a bit. All i wanted to know is if people were starting to gather this information to relate it back to Disney to somehow solve this huge debate. THAT'S IT.

I'm getting alittle annoyed at people on this board for immediately jumping down everybody's throat over every issue that comes up. You all need to take a HUGE VALIUM!!!!!!!! In my opinion most of you don't deserve to be "in the happiest place on earth!!!"

PLEASE CLOSE THIS POST!!!

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[normr]

DVC had better get something resolved quickly, we are utilizing a benefit given to us as DVC members, we shouldn't be treated as some group of people crashing the pools.

I will certainly make sure I e-mail MS about this.

[jennybobenny]

Since "most of you don't deserve to be in the happiest place on earth" I'm dutifully volunteering to take those future unused points off everyone's hands. I know, I know, it's a tough job, but someone has to do it. I'll be thinking of you all as I pool hop from resort to resort. ;) ;)

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[walter]

Although I think it is a nice perk to pool hop, we as DVC'ers must understand that other guests have also paid to stay at one of the premier resorts and should be offered the oppurtunity to use their resorts' pools especially during the peak seasons.

[Caskbill]

OK, the answer is really very simple....

1. Disney should set up a point charge for hopping to another pool. Maybe something like one vacation point per family per day.

2. Member Services should have no problem keeping track of any PH (pool-hop) points you use and tacking them on to your resort stay points.

3. PH points follow same bank/borrow rules

4. If you don't have enough points you can always buy some more on E-Bay. Also, non DVC members can buy PH points at auction and use the pools freely.

5. The points would vary by what kind of unit you're staying in. EG 1 point for a Studio, or 1-BR, 2 points for a 2-BR, and 3 points for a GV.

6. Of course, if someone has 5 people staying in a studio, then technically they would owe 2 points and not one. The pool CM's can verify this when you check-in.

7. Pool areas should all be non-smoking. If anyone is caught smoking in a pool area they are immediately fined 2 extra points as Disney would have to de-ionize the pool area air to get the smell out.

8. If the pool is in your home resort, you're allowed to use it for 11 hours during the day. If it is not your home resort, you can only use it 7 hours of the day.

9. If you cancel your pool hopping points at least 30 minutes before your schedule time at the pool, they are returned to your account. If you cancel less than 30 minutes, they go into a pool point holding account. In this case, you can only use the points within a 30 minute notice and only on a space available basis.

10. You can buy additional pool hopping points but it works best if they're the same use year as your original php's.

There you are...Just 10 EASY steps to solving this problem.! :D

Caskbill

[BarbOKW]

I would be very sad if they stopped pool hopping. We love to try different pools on days that we don't want to hit a park or just go for a short while. There is no doubt in my mind that Disney should check ID's when you enter every pool. I was at BWV's the last week in March, staying on points not hopping, and it took me half and hour to get a seat. I then started talking to the nice lady next to me and found out that she was a local there with her 4 kids. She says all her friends use the Boardwalk pool, it's allowed as part of the "Boardwalk experience". I did rat on her and she was asked to leave. I've heard others with similiar stories. The problem is locals, people staying off site and people at other than deluxe hotels at Disney it's not the DVC pool hoppers.

The problem seems easy to solve to me. Disney knows when the crowded days are (it shows in the points they charge DVCers and in the rate they charge for the rooms)they should make a policy that during the "peak" weeks there is no pool hopping period. Then they don't have to kick you out if you happen to have gotten there before everyone else, they know the pool is going to be crowded so why let you in in the first place. If it's clear that for certain weeks or days there is no pool hopping then the cast members can remind everyone at check in that its a peak time and therefore NO pool hopping.