8am pool stalkers

[SamSam]

I admit that when we are in HH, at least one member of our party (usually me, the mom) gets up early, grabs a cup of coffee and a book, and sits down at a pool table to reserve it for the rest of us when we show up as we wake up. I don't think it's a terrible thing to do. At least a few of us remain at the table throughout the day. If we decide to go somewhere else, like the beach, we clean up all our stuff and leave the table open for someone else to use.

We had rooms overlooking the pool last year and LOVED it. We were worried it would be too noisy, but found it very convenient for keeping an eye on kids down at the pool when making dinner or taking showers, etc. I am actually hoping we get the same rooms this year when we go in August!

To me, what you're doing is totally different. You are there, and if you go elsewhere, you clean up your stuff. Have fun!

 

[tjkraz]

It sounds like you should borrow my super soaker given your vantage point. Always take the high ground when using a squirt gun. Just ask someone or move the towels yourself and give them to a CM if you're confident they haven't been there in a couple of hours.

Nice!

I have to admit I have never been to a pool (Disney or otherwise) where I wasn't able to find a single vacant chair. That said, if I were in that position, I can't see how a chair could be considered "saved" unless someone's personal belongings are on/under it. If there are no flip-flops, tennis shoes, t-shirts, beach bags, cover-ups or other paraphernalia, I doubt anyone is using the chair.

Last weekend our family took a quick vacation. One afternoon my wife and I were reading books from the same two chairs for about 2 hours. Over that time, at least 3 different groups came along and used the chairs sitting right next to us. Each group left used or clean towels in their wake, and yet were never seen again. I think part of it is just carelessness on people's part. They don't bother to throw the used towels in the bin or they end up moving to another section of the pool without cleaning up.

OP's case may be different since it's first thing in the morning. But still I would just remove the towels if push came to shove. IMHO, the absence of personal belongings suggests the chair is not being used.

 

[LIFERBABE]

To me, there is a difference in actually occupying a table or lounger or even being in the pool area, than using items to hold your spot while you go back and eat breakfast, sleep, etc.

Nothing wrong with the early bird getting the worm. But using a towel or a shoe or a magazine to reserve your spot and vacating the area is infringing on others that want to enjoy the area also.

We stopped getting a chair for all of us years ago. We used to, but found we were never all using the loungers at the same time. Now we get 1 or 2 for the 4 of us so someone else can have a seat. We do travel in the summer and the pools are crowded. We are also just back from DCL and people do the same things on the ship and at Castaway Cay. They will come up first thing in the morning lay out towels go back get dressed, go to breakfast, do an activity and then around noon they show back up to claim their seat. If i am sitting poolside and see others looking for a seat I will let the pool attendant know if anything next to me has been abandoned for a long time.

We all want what we want when we want it but the rules are no chair saving and a little consideration goes a long way. It really gets out of hand.

 

[Corinne]

We typically stay at the BCV in the summer and this is a major issue. People have tables and lounge chairs "saved" all day and never show up. Why anyone would think this is OK is beyond me (of course, we are talking about people who clearly think rules do not apply to them). Some have posted that they save the chairs but they, or someone from their party is there, which of course is fine. But the people who go down to the pool early in the morning and place belongings on chairs and tables so they can utilize them whenever they decide to show up is simply rude.

 

[marynvince]

If there is no one from the saving party there at the pool, all bets are off. Simply move their towel, magazine or whatever to another saved chair in the vicinity and take the chair. If you want to avoid confrontation move the chair to another location that way they don't know who the "chair stealer" was. Too often people assume they are the only people that matter and they fail to recognize or acknowledge the world around them.

 

[Juls]

Thanks for all the replies, Im glad Im not the only one this bothers. If the people were actually using the chairs or in the near vicinty more power to them!!
Witnessed poor kids sitting alone not even in swimsuits crying into a cell phone asking when they would be able to leave the pool chairs and get to have fun.
I just felt bad for the families with young children in tow I watched wandering around the pool with an ocean of green striped towels on chairs as far as the eye could see, and 3 people in the pool.
The only time to find available chairs was dinner time for obvious reasons.
Oh well we are home now and had a great time in and out of the pool while we were there.

 

[LIFERBABE]

Witnessed poor kids sitting alone not even in swimsuits crying into a cell phone asking when they would be able to leave the pool chairs and get to have fun.

Yep, I think that is the saddest part!! Using your child as a placeholder while going off and doing other things like sleep, fix breakfast etc. The child is on vacation too!

To me, it is not that serious!! And if everyone just used the seating while they were in the area instead of moving in like furniture, you could have breakfast, etc and still get a seat at the pool when you wanted or shortly thereafter.

Sometimes we make things harder than they need to be

 

[backyardponder]

I admit that when we are in HH, at least one member of our party (usually me, the mom) gets up early, grabs a cup of coffee and a book, and sits down at a pool table to reserve it for the rest of us when we show up as we wake up. I don't think it's a terrible thing to do. At least a few of us remain at the table throughout the day. If we decide to go somewhere else, like the beach, we clean up all our stuff and leave the table open for someone else to use.
QUOTE]

I've done exactly the same thing at VB. I see no problem with it as long as you are there most of the time. Actually, the early morning hours at the pool are my favorite time of the day. There were a couple of times at VB when I saw the guards walk around and put cards on people's towels. About an hour later, if the cards were still there, they towels were removed. If there were personal items, they were bagged and taken to the office area (Ebb & Flo's).

John

 

[Dean]

I've done exactly the same thing at VB. I see no problem with it as long as you are there most of the time. Actually, the early morning hours at the pool are my favorite time of the day. There were a couple of times at VB when I saw the guards walk around and put cards on people's towels. About an hour later, if the cards were still there, they towels were removed. If there were personal items, they were bagged and taken to the office area (Ebb & Flo's).

John

There's a difference between getting a chair or table and using it routinely during the day, but not at every moment, and saving for HOURs later just to have a chair. One is OK done by reasonable people and the other not OK done by sleazy people.

 

[ftballfan7]

Move their stuff, sit down and relax. People only get away with this type of behavior if you let them. I would ask someone nearby how long they have been there and if anyone had actually used the chairs in question recently.

 

[jstarcze]

If there is no one from the saving party there at the pool, all bets are off. Simply move their towel, magazine or whatever to another saved chair in the vicinity and take the chair. If you want to avoid confrontation move the chair to another location that way they don't know who the "chair stealer" was. Too often people assume they are the only people that matter and they fail to recognize or acknowledge the world around them.

IMO the best answer. It avoids confrontation and teaches that this behavior will not be tolerated.

 

[jjohnson]

I just witnessed this for the first time last week at Hilton Suites in Ocean City, MD. Early am every morning all the chairs would be claimed

 

[Dizny Dad]

I'm surprised at the nmber of people that think as long as there is someone at the table, you can occupy it all day! I didn't see one post here that said they use the table for a "fair" amount of time, then let others use the facilites. After all, we ALL have paid for a portion of the facilities.

Be courteous, use it for a few hours and move on; let someone else take away a story of how nice it was to have a table at the pool for a little while.

 

[5forDiz]

Oh no looks like the Germans have invaded HH

This happens all the time in European resorts and it is often the Germans who do this, although I am sure other nationalities also do it!


Claire

and your comment is just as rude as well

If there is no one from the saving party there at the pool, all bets are off. Simply move their towel, magazine or whatever to another saved chair in the vicinity and take the chair. If you want to avoid confrontation move the chair to another location that way they don't know who the "chair stealer" was. Too often people assume they are the only people that matter and they fail to recognize or acknowledge the world around them.

Good suggestion, ITA

 

[disneyeveryyear]

DD10 and I were at BCV the first week of June.

We went down to SAB one afternoon and I was looking for a table in the shade (due to the fact that I get sun poisoning fairly easily). I found a table with a reusable mug on it and nobody in sight. I sat down. My daughter asked what I would do if that person showed up. "Share" was my answer.

Ultimately an older woman came by, picked up her mug and moved on the other 2 (or 3) tables her family had "claimed." During the two hours we were there, at no point were there more than 4 people sitting there at one time, however they felt the need to hold 2 (or 3) tables.

Since I am alone most of the time at the table, I am always more than willing to share the table if someone seems to be looking for one. In addition, I never take more than 1 lounge chair, because DD never spends any amount of time at the chair. She may sit on the end of my chair for about 5 minutes, but then off she goes.

 

[CarolAnnC]

Ok folks, please be aware of Posting Guidelines, and do not name call, provoke arguments, etc. If it continues here, this thread will have to be closed and infraction points awarded. Thanks all for your cooperation...

 

[Mattsmommy]

I just received a faxed copy the the HHI recreation calendar for the week (I will be arriving there on saturday) on the bottom it states

Pool Rules Update:
We as you please do not reserve tables/chairs. All tables/chairs are first come first serve. Items left on tables/chairs unattended for more than 1 hour are subject for removal by the recreation department. Thank you for understanding and have a magical day!

 

[CarolAnnC]

I just received a faxed copy the the HHI recreation calendar for the week (I will be arriving there on saturday) on the bottom it states

Pool Rules Update:
We as you please do not reserve tables/chairs. All tables/chairs are first come first serve. Items left on tables/chairs unattended for more than 1 hour are subject for removal by the recreation department. Thank you for understanding and have a magical day!

This "rule" is in effect at all the DVC Resorts. Folks tend to feel a sense of entitlement, however, when they are paying for the villas (points or cash) and want a chair/lounge/table "saved" when they are off to breakfast, etc. I recommend speaking to a CM if this occurs and you are seeking a place to sit. They should take care of moving the towels for you.

 

[jenelope]

Pool chairs/tables should be like certain raffles: "must be present to win."

I don't have a problem if people want to camp out at a table all day, as long as they are physically present. And if it is held by one person in the party, it really should be an adult. I'm appalled at the idea of someone getting their kid to claim tables/chairs at a pool. There are too many nutsos out there these days to take that risk.