--1st DVC trip-VWL pool issue--

[wheeler]

I just got back from my first DVC trip and LOVED the VWL. I am sooooo happy with my purchase. The ONLY issue I had.......(and I am *NOT* trying to start a debate in any way,shape, or form please!) was with the non-DVC people using the pool & spa. Now, being my first trip, I was very excited to talk to other DVCers, but I quickly found out that virtually every single person I encountered in the spa over the entire trip, was *NOT* a DVC member! I would start a conversation with, "So how long have you been a member here?" and I really got the impression that people knew they weren't supposed to be there, because they would sheepishly say, "I'm not", and not offer an explanation as to why they were there. Now if they truly did not think they were doing anything wrong, wouldn't they have said, "Member of what?" and then I would assume they were innocent of anything, given that there is no signage telling them it's for DVC members........and incidentally, why ISN'T there any signage? There is a pretty sign at the entrance of the pool area that says, "The Villas at Wilderness Lodge, a Disney Vacation Club Property" and that's the only sign. What would be the harm in adding to the sign, "for Disney Vacation Club Members Only Please". Now I realize of course that there will ALWAYS be those that stop at nothing, but I truly think a sign like that would be a deterrent to some.....people who otherwise would hop right in, might feel a little paranoid. Luckily, I was there at a not too busy time of year, so it didn't really bother me too much, but I would assume that things get pretty busy at other times of the year, and it would make me a little peeved knowing how much I'm paying, and having to share the spa with EIGHT ill-behaved, unsupervised kids under 10, (which is what happened when I was there) who were literally running and JUMPING into the SPA (not the pool) and playing with the shower. There was an "uncle" in the pool, but he was the only adult apparently responsible for all of them, and he was not watching them too well. Because it was night, there was really no one around to rectify this, and when the "uncle" came over to the spa, that was when I asked how long he'd been a member, and he said he wasn't, and that most of the kids were his brother's and sister's kids (2 were his) and he was just watching them....they were having a family reunion and staying at Port Orleans! I really would like to write to someone about this....I just don't think it's right, and I think it's one of the few things that so easily could be rectified without having to "pay" a CM to monitor things. Why not have a sign, or maybe even a gate that reads your DVC card? Sure there'd be an initial cost to implement one of those, but didvide that by the 20k or so VWL owners and I for one would be happy to pay (although I don't think we should have to, really......Disney should have provisions in place so that we don't need to be concerned about these things) Anyone else agree, or experienced something similar to what I did? I really, really wanted to just soak and relax after a long day at the parks (and horseback riding!) and I love kids to pieces, I have two under 10 myself, but these troup just ruined it, and in my opinion, it just doesn't have to be that way. I also realize DVC members could have 8 unruly kids jumping into the spa, and that I would just have to accept, but I don't think I should have to accept it from people who admittedly don't even belong there, and there's no one or nothing to stop them, unless I tried to be a "bad guy" and run off and report it on the spot, which is the last thing I wanna do on vacation and shouldn't have to.

 

[PamOKW]

There may be some people who don't belong in the pool but not everyone has to be a member to be using the pool. Folks rent out their points, bring guest AND Disney rents out DVC accomodations to paying guests. All of the above have just as much right as you to be using the facilities yet if you ask are they members the answer is no. In addition, people who are staying at the WL can use the DVC pool and spa and vice versa.

The instance of someone staying at Port Orleans is an abuse. However, even then, it could be that someone in their party was staying and/or a member at VWL/WL and Disney usually does let a family group share the pools on a case by case basis.

I do agree with you that I'd like to see more enforcement in general for using the pools. Show an ID, swipe a key card, etc. I'd like to see the same for use of Disney transportation as well. They used to check at least the ID of one member in the party.

 

[wheeler]

Thanks PamOKW, for pointing some of those things out to me.......probably a typical "DVC newbie" mistake! That is the first I've ever heard though that guests of the WL "hotel" are welcome to use it too. I did not know that. I mean, it's "there", and everyone can "see" it, so I suppose that's why. I know in busier seasons, CM's literally "check ID's" and ask people to leave at some resorts, which would be quite humiliating (IMHO), but again, a "card swipe" machine would solve the whole problem, would not be an inconvenience, and hardly seems "unfair".......unfair to WHOM? To the people who shouldn't be there? We moved to the Poly after 3 days at the VWL, and at the Poly, they make you show a room card to a CM at the boat rental stand just to get a towel! Now THAT was inconvenient (way on the other side of the volcano, and you must wait in line for this if there are others ahead of you!) Also, not expecting this, I had sent the kids to get towels and they turned them away and told them to get a room card, or a parent with one, I thought, "you've gotta be kidding me" and walked around back, and sure enough, the CM asked for my room card, and dripping wet, I did not have it on my body and had to walk back to my stuff and get it or he wouldn't give one to me! So IMO, although I understand WHY they were doing it, it was BOTH inconvenient AND humiliating (standing there dripping wet and told to go get my card). A card-swipe machine involves no one on the payroll and would ensure only guests were using the pool and the towels, and no one has to be asked to "leave" or embarassingly "denied" a simple towel to dry off. Doesn't Storm Along Bay have a gate? I thought I saw on the DIS that it did. Anyway, no biggie.....I just wasn't in the mood that night for a bunch of 7 year-olds (and I have one myself) doing cannonballs and trying to go "around me" to make a "whirlpool" in the spa. Yes, they were cute....and had the cutest southern accents, just way too wild in the spa at 9PM after a long day!

 

[MickeyMcMouse]

I'm pretty sure that when we were at WL in march/april this year, before we joined dvc, that we were told by a cm or that I read it in some docs that any WL resident could use the small pool.

Long time ago tho' .....


David

 

[CaptainMidnight]

A card-swipe machine involves no one on the payroll and would ensure only guests were using the pool and the towels,

Sometimes when used at gate entrances, local crashers simply wait for a member to open the gate and catch it before the door closes, rendering them ineffective. Being the courteous people that most DVC members are, I think we also tend to hold doors and gates open for others, (perhaps a practice that should stop.)

I'm pretty sure that when we were at WL in march/april this year, before we joined dvc, that we were told by a cm or that I read it in some docs that any WL resident could use the small pool.

Makes sense since WLV residents use the WL pool. A loud pool and a quiet pool available to all WL and WLV guests makes sense.

Locals crashing the pool scene? That's what needs to be eliminated, and seems to be the biggest part of the problem.

 

[scal]

Maybe I am missing the point of your post...We paid full price rack rate to stay in a 2 BR at WLV (I hate to admit this on these boards, but I had no clue then & spent loads of time at the pool there...Isn't the pool for all guest of the WLV?

 

[KNWVIKING]

.. we were there from 11-25 till 12-6. We we're in the tub several nights,seemed like a 50-50 mix of DVC and WL guest. For a couple days our tub was out of commission so we headed over to the Lodge- what a disappointment,I understand why they come to ours. They have two,side by side. One was only luke warm and neither one had jets working properly. All less then half the jets were doing were blowing air,no water. If I'd paid big $$$$ to stay at the Lodge I'd have been mad. Also, we talked with a few non-DVC guest in our tub and they had no idea what DVC was or that VWL wasn't just another portion of WL and I believe they honestly thought there was nothing wrong with being in our tub. I don't feel card gates are the answer,but they should have better,more clearly worded signage.

It was a slow season,there was never a crowd problem and I enjoyed talking to all guest. Lastly,the unruley kids you mentioned: Just learn to grin and bear it. Just because people have DVC memberships don't make them better parents the those without membership. When we were at "parents orientation" at our youngest's college, we overheard a conversation two fathers seated next to us were having. Basically the one father stated that years ago people would comment on how rude a child was- they were rare.Now people will comment on how well behaved a child is-they are rare.

 

[KNWVIKING]

...as a guest of VWL you have every right to use the pool and spa.

 

[Granny]

When I visited VWL I asked the sales person there about the quiet pool and health room. She indicated emphatically that these were for VWL guests only and not for the general WL guests. I remember because she said she used it as a selling point to prospective buyers.

Personally, we've stayed at the WL and I can't see why someone would want to take their kids all the way to the VWL quiet pool when WL has such a great pool for kids. Go figure.

 

[baileybrad]

What a salesperson tells you and what you get in writing are 2 different times. My impression with the "quiet" pool as VWL is that it and the hot tub are for any registered guest staying at the VWL or WL. In some cases it could also be used by DVC members who are legitimately poolhopping. The health club is a different issue. For DVC members only???

 

[DaveH]

My understanding is the health club is free to DVC members staying at the VWL on points, others there is a fee.