Better control of pool hopping at the Poly?

[skiwee1]

I have to believe that this is a problem that Disney does not really want to make an effort to correct.

When we go to Ocean City Maryland we stay at the Holiday Inn Suites on the Beach. It has a nice pool with a slide, a current section, whrilpool, kiddie slide. It is probably the best pool on the boardwalk. As such they have secured the pool with a simple system. They have a different colored wrist band for each day of your stay. When you check in you are given the number of wristbands for each person in your party for each day. You can not get into the pool without the wristband on. At $400 per night for a ocean front suite I definitely appreciate that they keep control on the pool.

This could easly be adapted to Disney. The only modification would be to have a mechanism for DVC members to get a wrist band at the front desk by showing ID on the day they want to use the pool. They would also need to have resort specific wristbands to keep out guests from other resorts.

Its not a fool proof system by any means but it is simple to implement, low cost and would most likely keep out the vast majority of pool hoppers.

As for the people on the beach. Thats another story.

We stay at the same resort! I thought the same thing about Disney using those wristbands. That pool is nice, isn't it?

 

[skiwee1]

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.

You must be joking. I hardly think you can drop more then the $350 it costs for a room at the Poly. Sorry but there is no restaurant at the Poly that you can spend that much so you can't use that excuse to use their facilities. By all means if you have that much money perhaps you should pony up the bucks to actually STAY at that resort.

 

[chamonix]

Sorry but there is no restaurant at the Poly that you can spend that much so you can't use that excuse to use their facilities.

I agree, the only way you could spend over $350 is if you and your dh brought ten of your closest friends with you to Ohanas, LOL! Now, Narcosees, V&A's, Jiko, etc you can drop much more than that--believe me, I know!

Lagoon view concierge rooms at the Poly are much more than $350--they can be nearly twice that actually. Fortunately that's why I don't care so much about who's on the beach--we watch the fireworks, EWP, etc from our balcony.

 

[Ladyhawke10]

For the record, this isn't something that has been a problem for us--the beach/fireworks thing, but the poolhopping is bad. We rarely can find lounge chairs at the pool and we go in the off season. If I saw someone who was obviously poolhopping I would be tempted to alert a lifeguard. I would think non-resort towels would be a good tip-off. Or, using the poolside bathrooms to change into swimsuits.

Is the beach off limits at the GF as well? I know you watch the fireworks from the dock, not the beach (I usually stay at GF and it never occured to me that people on the dock might not be GF resort guests...but I don't know what the rules are). Is this only at the Poly?

 

[dallastxcpa]

Like I said, I don't have a problem with it, but the Polynesian resort does. They obviously have a rule, clearly stated on their signs that the beach area is for resort guests only (and the pool as well). If you feel entitled to break their rules, you join the legions of many who feel entitled to do so by virtue of whatever their own rationale is--maybe it's that they paid for theme park admittance, maybe that they paid for dinner at Kona's or Ohana's (hard to spend that much there, really) or maybe they feel like they paid for the allstars so deserve to hang around where ever they want to at WDW. Who knows?

I also can spend a ton of money at Narcossees for example, but would never think it entitled me to swim in the GF pool. We all have our own personal feelings for right and wrong and what we are entitled to, I guess. Noone is saying you shouldn't "linger" at a resort after dinner--look in the shops, take a walk on the beautiful paths at the Poly, walk out to the Point, or out on the dock--whatever--but there are some rules about where and how you linger--the rules say no sitting on the beach, and no swimming in the pool. If you choose to ignore that, you aren't the only ones, obviously--and therein lies the problem, eh?

As for the resorts you mention (who have the more high end restaurants where it's possible to spend large amounts of money) the activities you mention (seeing the animals, for example) are not against the rules, and are open to all. It's just the Poly with the beach rules. I'm assuming you aren't going swimming in the pools. (?)

Number one I am a DVC member so other than the AKL and BC I can pool hop to any pool that I like, except for the most popular weeks of the year (about four of them out of 52)

Number two my husband and I drink on vacation because we don't have to worry about driving and at $8 - $10 per drink plus this adds up. In addition to that we normally bring an average of 6 people with us and stay in a two bedroom villa. So 8 adults at approx $25 for Ohana plus 2 drinks each at $10 each. I believe thats roughly $360. And that's a low estimate on the liquor bill.

By all means if you have that much money perhaps you should pony up the bucks to actually STAY at that resort.

Like I said above I am a DVC member and have ponied up the money. If I wanted to stay at the Poly I could however it does not really appeal to me.

 

[efinn88858]

Number one I am a DVC member so other than the AKL and BC I can pool hop to any pool that I like, except for the most popular weeks of the year (about four of them out of 52)

Number two my husband and I drink on vacation because we don't have to worry about driving and at $8 - $10 per drink plus this adds up. In addition to that we normally bring an average of 6 people with us and stay in a two bedroom villa. So 8 adults at approx $25 for Ohana plus 2 drinks each at $10 each. I believe thats roughly $360.

8 adults = two rooms = minimum $700

 

[Pedler]

We stay at the same resort! I thought the same thing about Disney using those wristbands. That pool is nice, isn't it?

That pool is nice. The hotel in general is pretty good. Nice size rooms, good location. We made the mistake of that being the first beach hotel we took the kids to. Now they think every hotel should be like that!

 

[goofy4tink]

Sorry, but the argument about how much you are spending at a restaurant just doesn't cut it for me. Eating at a particular restaurant does not entitle you to any of the resort perks. You are getting what you paid for while at that particular restuarant. When I stayed at the Polynesian, I didn't get a break on any of their restuarants. But, I did get to swim in the pools. So, vice versa, you eat at the restaurant and pay for it but you don't get to swim in the pools. As far as the beaches go...I have to say that we never had any problem with people on the beach when we were there. To the best of my knowledge it gets to be a problem on July 4 with huge amounts of people watching the fireworks from the beach.

But, again, if you want to swim at the Volcano Pool, either buy into DVC or stay at the Polynesian. When we stay at an AllStar Resort, we know we aren't going to have a slide at the pool. So be it!

 

[WDWBetsy]

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.

I could care less how much people spend in the many restaurants at WDW. If I'm paying for a room at a resort, I expect the facilities to be available to the registered guests (and DVC members) first and foremost. If people get it in their heads that they can hop on over to the Poly to enjoy the fireworks (and yes, I have seen numerous posts suggesting this as a wonderful evening activity), then the potential for crowds on the beach increases.

Now if you're enjoying a nice dinner at O'Hana and notice the beach is rather deserted and want to take a quick stroll, I don't see it as much as a problem. But if you're taking up a hammock, swing or chair - and registered guests have no place to sit down and relax - that's an issue. If you're sitting there and it's obvious that it's getting crowded, non-registered guests should leave the beach area. If you want to walk around the resort grounds and see the different features, fine.

Unfortunately, there are always going to be those who do what they want. I can only do what I can to respect others and hope they'll do the same in return.

 

[Peter Pirate]

Someone mentioned thaty the Poly DOES care about these rules because they posted a sign...LOL! They never enforce it, ergo they aren't too concerned.

I always watch the fireworks from the Poly beach after dinner at 'Ohana and have been known to take a dip in a pool while visiting a resort on occasion.

Like others we're always eating lunch, dinner or otherwise spending money at the resort as well and we're not tying up the locale for a long period. I think this is why the resorts don't make a fuss is because they DO NOT want to discourage guests from visitng other resorts (because of the restaurants).

Bottom line, if I can walk down to the beach and watch the fireworks after dining at 'Ohana without a security check I'm going to continue to do it. Sorry to you folks who paid $900.00 per night for a room...Sorry about the rate, I mean, not the fact that you'll be sitting next to non Poly staying guests watching the fireworks..

One more thing, I can't believe the number of people who are so anal that this type of 'abuse' will cause them to quit enjoying their vacation in favor of becomeing resort police...Drink a couple Backscratchers and things will look much better!

 

[BostonRob]

Personally, I've never understood the appeal of 'Pool Hopping' anyway. If I'm going swimming, I want to have my room nearby so I can shower and change clothes when I'm done. And if I want something more than my resort has to offer, I'll plan a day at one of the water parks - cause if I'm going to drive or take a bus to and from a pool, it had better be something more exciting than some volcano pool.

 

[bethbuchall]

I wonder if pool hopping was allowed back in the 70's when it was just CR and Poly. We were staying at CR and I remember we went over to the Poly and used their pool one day. We thought it was so cool because they had a slide.

The CR pool was pretty lame compared to it.

Maybe my mom did a big no no and I am scarred for life?

Pool hopping was allowed back then. I think that is why some people don't realize that it isn't allowed now. Guess that's a couple of less scars you need to worry about.

 

[Scoootch]

They virtually never check anywhere but SAB and even there their attempt is token. Pool hopping is against the rules per se, but Disney doesn't care enough about this rule to enforce it.

And there ya have it folks

I personnally don't think Disney will do much about the problem as even though all these pool crashers,beach crashers whovever may be crashing in one way or another are causing all the overcrowding for the paying guests...Disney stands nothing to loose IMO. All these extra "crashers" in Disney's eyes are seen as extra $$ They may be taking up extra space for the registered guests enjoyment but at the same time are often spending extra $$ at the pool bar and things like that. Yes there are also the extra crashers who are just hopping the monorail or bus or however they are gettting there and not spending a penny too...but as long as Disney thinks that many of them will be extra dollars spent, I don't see them doing much about the problem unless it's a peak holiday week. I just think they don't really care much as it benefits their pocket book

 

[disneyfan67]

I could care less how much people spend in the many restaurants at WDW. If I'm paying for a room at a resort, I expect the facilities to be available to the registered guests (and DVC members) first and foremost. If people get it in their heads that they can hop on over to the Poly to enjoy the fireworks (and yes, I have seen numerous posts suggesting this as a wonderful evening activity), then the potential for crowds on the beach increases.

Now if you're enjoying a nice dinner at O'Hana and notice the beach is rather deserted and want to take a quick stroll, I don't see it as much as a problem. But if you're taking up a hammock, swing or chair - and registered guests have no place to sit down and relax - that's an issue. If you're sitting there and it's obvious that it's getting crowded, non-registered guests should leave the beach area. If you want to walk around the resort grounds and see the different features, fine.

Unfortunately, there are always going to be those who do what they want. I can only do what I can to respect others and hope they'll do the same in return.

Good job and I think that pretty well sums it up. People need to realize that when they get something for free, that usually means that someone else ends up paying for it down the line. Enjoying a good meal at a resort that you're not staying at is fine but when you use services that people like me pay hard earned money for that's just wrong. Far too many people have the attitude of "I deserve this or they owe me" when they don't pay for what they are getting. I have saved for a long time for my upcomming trip and as a paying customer of the Polynesian the use of the pools and other services are mine to enjoy until I check out.

If no one is on the beach then go ahead and enjoy yourself but when it's crowded and filled up with non Poly guests then that becomes a problem. It all boils down to doing the right thing instead of doing what you want or makes you feel good. Respect for others and thinking how your actions can affect others is one of the things that is missing from society today. How many of us has seen people use the handicap parking spots at the store when they don't deserve or need to? Or how about the neighbor who cuts his lawn and uses his leaf blower at 7am on a Sunday morning waking up everyone else around him? Same principal when you think about it.


This topic may seem trivial to some and they may view it as a joke but when everything is said and done it comes down to respect for the rules and others. A little decency and respect for others can go a long way.

Eddie.

 

[ducklite]

They virtually never check anywhere but SAB and even there their attempt is token. Pool hopping is against the rules per se, but Disney doesn't care enough about this rule to enforce it.

Actually they have become very strict and proactive at SAB and the Polynesian pools.

I saw a family kicked out of the Polynesian last July, and they had the NERVE to argue about it. I was snickering.

Anne

 

[Pedler]

I sense that this thread is channelling the spirt of the mugs thread....

 

[spiceycat]

a couple of year ago for the July 4 fireworks - (we were staying at the polyn) - several people were asked to leave.

the security guards were definitely checking ID's.

I got mad - I can't look at the fireworks and get my ID out - so I missed some of the fireworks - they left shortly after - I got mad....

but I was trying to watch 2 girls and the fireworks - and suddenly having to find my key to show the guards I had a legal right to be there - was in my opinion pushing it....

if the Polyn wants to do this - they should issue wrist bands for the pool and the beach - then the security guards can tell immediately who is not surpose to be there!~

 

[goofy4tink]

I sense that this thread is channelling the spirt of the mugs thread....

No, not so much. It's just that some of us get tired of paying for deluxe amenities, while others aren't but are enjoying them anyway. May as well stay at AllStars. No one pool hops there!!! However, I did see the most blatant mug abuse there!!

As for becoming the 'mug' or 'pool' police...sorry, just don't have the time. Now, if I overhear someone next to me at the pool, stupidly advertising the fact that they are not entitled to be there, well, that's different. I may say something to the lifeguard. If you keep your mouth shut, swim and then go away quickly, fine (sort of). It's the 'in your face' attitude that gets me. And for those of you on the boards that advocate pool-hopping because you think it's okay, then that's your choice. But it might be nice if you didn't encourage others to give it a shot. Just because others do it, doesn't make it right!!!

 

[Scoootch]

Actually they have become very strict and proactive at SAB and the Polynesian pools.

I saw a family kicked out of the Polynesian last July, and they had the NERVE to argue about it. I was snickering.

Anne

I would've been too Anne

And yes, I too have seen them check at the Poly on occassion...but for the most part, I don't see it all that often...I think they figure most of the time that it's extra $$ in their Disney pocketbook unless it's a REALLY crowded day or they are receiving alot of complaints on a given day
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Pool hopping is a nice benefit to being a DVC member, does it apply to renters too?

Technically, renters are not entitled to the members perks. However, your room key will say "DVC member" on it if you rent points for a stay and therefore, you may be able to get some of the perks. Be aware though that they are starting to ask more and more for the blue membership card in addition to the room key as proof of eligibility so you will not be able to get the perk if they ask for the blue card. I was asked for my blue card when I valet parked at the WL 2 weeks ago for example.

HTH's

 

[scousemouse67]

UPBRINGING

I believe its all down to your upbringing, if you have been brought up to disrespect others, flout the rules and expect something for nothing, then your life will reflect your actions.

As for justifying spending money in WDW entitles you do what you like,

What goes around comes around