Better control of pool hopping at the Poly?

[ducklite]

I would be one of those hammock taking people. Now, I knew pool-hopping was off limits, but I did not realize after spending $25 on drinks at the lounge to take out to the beach to watch the electrical parade, that taking up a hammock or a few minutes was off limits. Pool rules are posted, but I must of missed the posted rules about hammock-hogging.

Your $25 on drinks doesn't give the right to take away from the enjoyment that someone paid $225 a night for. The sign is right there, having a cocktail or dinner does not entitle you to use the pool or beach (or hammocks).

Anne

 

[ducklite]

I'm confused !

According to reservations on several occasions, they informed me that
DVC resorts had pool restrictions for only vacation club guests. The other resort pools were open to all disney guests.

Is this true or false ?

Quite false.

Anne

 

[ducklite]

In Oct 2003, DH, DD & I had dinner at Ohanas, which we really enjoyed. After dinner, when the waiter brought us our bill, he encouraged us to head down to the beach to watch the fireworks. When he brought us our change, he even told us how to get to the beach. We did walk down to watch the fireworks, and there were very few people on the beach.

Last summer, again, my family had dinner at Ohanas, and once again, we were encouraged to stick around for the fireworks! Our waiter told us that we'd get a great view from the beach. We headed out, and played around on the hammock and even enjoyed swinging on the swing. We didn't see any signs on the beach, but to be honest, we weren't looking for signs either. Both times, our waiters told us we could go. And, I have to say, I did hear him telling other people around our table about the excellent view down on the beach. (We didn't stay for the fireworks though; we caught the monorail back and as we got to the bus stops, the fireworks started!)

We didn't know we were doing wrong. We knew we couldn't swim in the pools, but didn't think anything about sitting around on the beach. (Not that it makes any difference, but both times we were there, there were not that many people on the beach. There were still lots of chairs.)

Servers make their money on tips, so of course they were going to say anything to make you want to give a little extra.

Anne

 

[ducklite]

I have a problem with the idea of not being able to linger at a resort after dinner. I will in the future continue to use the facilities at the AKL, Poly, GF, etc. My husband and I can drop more on dinner (at the California Grill, Victoria & Alberts, Narcosses etc) than most people spend on their room. So if I feel like staying around to watch the fireworks, electric pagent, or animals on the savanah I am going to do it with no regrets.

Well, that's an entitlement mentality if I"ve evre heard one.

My DH and I also drop a bundle dining at WDW every year. Doesn't give us the right to break posted rules. We RESPECT that people have paid a lot of money for the exclusive use of amenities of certain resorts, and if we wish to use those amenities, we'll book a room there.

Anne

Anne

 

[dBugged]

First, I hate pool hopping. Second, I hate people who think that just because they spend a lot of money for dinner that they can use any of the services of the hotel that they are visiting... your money paid for the food and drink... it didn't pay for you to be an honorary hotel guest.

On a less serious note... this gives me an idea for a new page on my Disney photo site... "Disney's Most Wanted Pool Hoppers." I think I'll make sure I have my small waterproof digital camera ready at the pool to snap pictures of pool hoppers.

 

[Rozzie]

Deliver my backscratcher to my room at Tahiti....i can't count how many times I have gotten all dressed to go to the pool and can't find a chair anywhere while the "backpackers" take up the entire pool area. it makes you wonder how many other things these packers "bend" the rules on.


I think we all should start speaking up on this, I know I will my next trip....

 

[shellybaxter]

In Oct 2003, DH, DD & I had dinner at Ohanas, which we really enjoyed. After dinner, when the waiter brought us our bill, he encouraged us to head down to the beach to watch the fireworks. When he brought us our change, he even told us how to get to the beach. We did walk down to watch the fireworks, and there were very few people on the beach.

Last summer, again, my family had dinner at Ohanas, and once again, we were encouraged to stick around for the fireworks! Our waiter told us that we'd get a great view from the beach. We headed out, and played around on the hammock and even enjoyed swinging on the swing. We didn't see any signs on the beach, but to be honest, we weren't looking for signs either. Both times, our waiters told us we could go. And, I have to say, I did hear him telling other people around our table about the excellent view down on the beach. (We didn't stay for the fireworks though; we caught the monorail back and as we got to the bus stops, the fireworks started!)

We didn't know we were doing wrong. We knew we couldn't swim in the pools, but didn't think anything about sitting around on the beach. (Not that it makes any difference, but both times we were there, there were not that many people on the beach. There were still lots of chairs.)

Ducklite's responce to this was as follows (sorry - I don't know how to "double quote")

Servers make their money on tips, so of course they were going to say anything to make you want to give a little extra.

Anne


So here's my question. Even if Magic2000 was told by a Disney employee that they were not only allowed but encouraged to go to the beach and watch the firework that is, in your mind, still wrong?? I have to admit I knew that pool hopping was not allowed, but I've read several posts about watching the fireworks from the beach at the poly and had no idea that the beach was posted off limits.

This makes me wonder about the Savannah's at Animal Kingdom Lodge. Are they for the exclusive use of guest at the lodge? Or can anyone go to the overlooks and watch the animals and go out to Arusha rock and look through the night vision goggles? Can anyone listen to the storytelling around the campfire at night? Can children visiting for a meal with their parents participate in the activities in the lobby during the afternoon (drumming, animal games, etc)? And if they can, how come? Didn't the people staying at the AKL pay to stay there and therefore deserve exclusive access to these activities?

The other thing that confuses me is that Disney seems to encourage guest to explore all areas of their overall resort (parks, hotels, DTD, Boardwalk). But we here on the DIS seem to think there should be/is?? more exclusivity than, in my opinion Disney does, or even wants to offer.

Shelly

 

[ducklite]

Shelly,

When things are not specifically posted/signed that they are for "exclusive use by registered guests" then they are open to anyone.

There are some activities at the AKL that are closed to non-AKL guests BTW.

I think that if the Polynesian general manager wanted non-registered guests on the beach, the signs would be quickly repainted to eliminate that statement.

There's nothing wrong with limiting some things for exclusive use of the registered guests of certain resorts.

I look at it this way. I buy 80% of my clothes in a particular store. I spend more money there in a year than many people spend on a week at WDW. A few weeks ago they had a special event, and the store was MOBBED. There are six fitting rooms. The clerks know me by name there. They took the outfits I wanted to try on and held them in a fitting room for me. They held that fitting room available for my use when I was ready for it, even though there was a line for the other fitting rooms. I didn't ask them to, they did it as a courtesy for a very valuable customer. Was it the right thing to do? Depends on your point of view. A lady who got upset because she had to wait to try on a single blouse which was marked down to 75% off and she was not a regular was upset about it. Who do you think they want to keep happy? I walked out with $800 worth of clothes. She put away a $20 blouse and left empty handed.

Apply the same concept to WDW. It's just good business sense. It keeps guests who are willing to spend more money for exclusive privileges coming back.

Anne

 

[Pedler]

There are some activities at the AKL that are closed to non-AKL guests BTW.

What are the activities that are limited to AKL guests? We are staying at WL for 7 nights but did plan on dinner at BOMAs one day. We are not planning on pool hopping but did want to check out AKL. We would have like to split our stay but the MYW packages with dinning don't let you do that without paying a penalty in tickets. (Yes, I know there are ways to work it so you could but we are going for the "land cruise" type of package and did not want to get creative with it.)

We did think about checking out the public animal viewing areas but I want to make sure those are not for AKL guests only. I don't think we would do the kids activities and such. I wouldn't feel right about my kids taking up space from guests that are staying there.

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[scousemouse67]

QUOTE "I spend more money there in a year than many people spend on a week at WDW."

What is this fascination with money with you yanks, why do people feel they have to mention how much "they have spent" and compare it to WDW, just becasue you spent more money than someone else doesn't automatically mean you have more. In this world Rich means much more than bragging about how much you have, shallow and I dont mean the pool springs to mind

 

[ducklite]

What are the activities that are limited to AKL guests? We are staying at WL for 7 nights but did plan on dinner at BOMAs one day. We are not planning on pool hopping but did want to check out AKL. We would have like to split our stay but the MYW packages with dinning don't let you do that without paying a penalty in tickets. (Yes, I know there are ways to work it so you could but we are going for the "land cruise" type of package and did not want to get creative with it.)

We did think about checking out the public animal viewing areas but I want to make sure those are not for AKL guests only. I don't think we would do the kids activities and such. I wouldn't feel right about my kids taking up space from guests that are staying there.

Thanks in advance for your help.

The animal viewing areas and storytelling are all open to the public. Enjoy!

Anne

 

[ducklite]

QUOTE "I spend more money there in a year than many people spend on a week at WDW."

What is this fascination with money with you yanks, why do people feel they have to mention how much "they have spent" and compare it to WDW, just becasue you spent more money than someone else doesn't automatically mean you have more. In this world Rich means much more than bragging about how much you have, shallow and I dont mean the pool springs to mind

What I was getting at was that I am an extraordinarily loyal customer, and therefore the store makes sure I am well cared for, even if it inconviences others. The management at WDW does the same thing, and rightfully so. I was trying to give an example of HOW loyal a customer I am, because if I had simply said "I spend a lot of money there", to some people that's $100 a year.

If I am spending more money than another customer, I do expect to get the best service, the best seat, the best cut of meat at the butcher. It's a reward for loyalty.

Anne

 

[chobie]

Your $25 on drinks doesn't give the right to take away from the enjoyment that someone paid $225 a night for. The sign is right there, having a cocktail or dinner does not entitle you to use the pool or beach (or hammocks).

Anne

It was dark and I assumed the signs were to warn against swimming in the lake, the beach was deserted and now that I've seen the electrical parade once I have no desire to see it again. However the attitudes of some people l make me want to run out and do it again any way. However, I'm not one to knowingly break written rules so I instead I will bring my children to Jiko and Narcooses and encourage people with small children to do the same.

 

[TLinden16]

I'm going to lock this thread now. As Ducklite was kind enough to post the picture of the sign, the Poly's beaches and pools are for the use of registered guests only.

Please note that the DIS does not encourage breaking the official Disney policies.

Have a good afternoon.

Karen

 

[Lewisc]

Allowing you, and other special customers, to shop before the store opened would have been a lot less intrusive than leaving a dressing room open for you while having a long line for the remaining 5 rooms. They should have had a special advance sale the night before for selected customers. Alternatively the could have opened an hour early. They also could have allowed you to use an employees lounge to change. I can certainly understand other customers not being happy. There isn't any reason they had to treat others like "second class" customers. If the store is a local boutique the owner could have just given you the discounted pricing, on the qt, a day or two before the sale. I'd say the store did a poor job.


The fact is Disney does very little to enforce guest only rules. The sign at the POLY beach might as well be a speed limit sign on the NJ Turnpike. Disney has very little interest in stopping pool hopping, beach use or even mug re-use. As long as CM are telling restaurant guests to watch the fireworks on the beach you can't blame anyone but Disney. Have a CM check room keys or even put an card reader at the entrance to the pools and beach. Most of the Vegas hotels swipe your room key to make sure it's current.

I stayed at PBH twice. Amazing how empty the pool and common areas are even when the hotel was sold out. The pool area might be larger, relative to the number of rooms, than the Disney deluxe hotels BUT I think there are a lot fewer resort crashers than you find at the Disney resorts.

What I was getting at was that I am an extraordinarily loyal customer, and therefore the store makes sure I am well cared for, even if it inconviences others. The management at WDW does the same thing, and rightfully so. I was trying to give an example of HOW loyal a customer I am, because if I had simply said "I spend a lot of money there", to some people that's $100 a year.

If I am spending more money than another customer, I do expect to get the best service, the best seat, the best cut of meat at the butcher. It's a reward for loyalty.

Anne