Busted

[LakeAriel]

Do you think a letter to the CEO might have been slightly overkill? Perhaps you would get more personal attention, not to mention a better chance of resolution, if you directed your mail to the general manager of the resort or the VP of DVC. Just a thought.

After attempting to correct it on a lower level, after two vacations , speaking to three people in supervisory capacity, one who told me they know it's going on but can't correct it, I decided that's it. One more letter. I am certain the CEO won't ever see it but perhaps I'll get an answer. Perhaps not!

 

[Caskbill]

About 3 years ago while staying at VWL, I was walking out to the car in self-park. Just ahead of me was a younger couple, probably mid to late 20's, walking to their vehicle. They were in swimming attire, and wearing sandals and shirts and were carrying a number of items.

She made a call on her cell phone, and like many others who use cell phones, was talking loud enough to be easily heard by us, about 20 feet behind them. She told whoever she was talking to that they were just leaving and would be home in about 30 minutes.

They stopped at their vehicle. As we walked past I observed it was a pickup truck with lots of junk in the back, and Florida plates. Obviously not a rental vehicle.

Were they guests of someone they knew who was staying at the Lodge or the Villas? Possibly.

Were they DVC guests who were pool hopping? Maybe, but the word 'home' and 30 minutes didn't seem to fit going to another DVC resort. I know I personally always say I'm going back to the villa, I don't say I'm going home.

Were they local Floridians who were crashing the pool? Also possible.

I'll never know

 

[DrTomorrow]

I agree with this concept. They would have to rotate the colors per day, but that would make it more secure too. Each person registered at a resort would have a color per day of their stay. If they used 8-20 different colors, the color could be changed in a difficult to determine pattern each day. I think it's a marvelous idea! Wouldn't be much sense in selling them on EBay then, because they wouldn't know what days to use them.

Just get some of each color, see what the folks are wearing that day, then snap one on and hit the beach! If you're a local, it's not too much of an investment to get year-round access.

I don't see why a Resort ID check isn't appropriate. In Las Vegas - where they have some pools that put SAB to shame - they do an ID check to get in the area. One employee, right at the entrance, does the job nicely. No "random confrontations" - everyone has to show the ID. And lately they've simply added a swipe reader, to make sure the key is active - there was an eBay aftermarket for Mandelay Bay keys before they did this. No wristbands needed in Sin City, folks....

And with the proposed wristband solution: don't you have to show your ID anyway? What are you going to do if you want to swim: get dressed for the pool, go to the front desk, show your ID to get your wristband, take the ID back to the room, then go to the pool? If this rigamarole is simply to avoid a CM having to evict an intruder, I suggest they suck it up and learn how to do so in a professional way; I bet that any guest who sees this would spontaneously applaud. But forcing me to wear wristbands to minimize CM confrontations seems poor customer service.

 

[LakeAriel]

I don't see anyhting wrong with checking ID's. They just don't do it!

 

[megrod74]

The only problem with randomly checking id's around the pool is the same problem the Jersey Shore has with checking beach tags - everyone runs into the water! Unless they are going to harass people in the water to get out and show id I don't know how effective it would be. I guess that's why so many are in favor of the bracelets.

It sounds like something definitely needs to be done, though. I like the idea of checking at the entrance, but this isn't practical in a place like WL where anyone wanting to get to the boat rental or MK boat would be checked.
I wouldn't mind wearing a bracelet if it was removeable. But what if I walk to High Rock Springs from Congress Park and I forgot it? Then I have to make the 3 hour trek back to my room, up the elevator, down the elevator and 3 hrs back. It'll be dark by then.

 

[Doctor P]

After hearing the 20 people to a studio stories a couple months ago, anything short of non-removable wrist bands will not be much of a solution. The other two possibilities would be room keys with your photo on them or, don't laugh too hard (LOL), instead of a nonremovable wrist band how about implanting a chip under your skin that can be programmed for access during your length of stay and only allows one person to go through the "turnstile" at a time.

 

[CharlesTD]

To be completely honest our family has never had a problem with the pools and could really care less who is and isn't swimming in them I can think of worse things to worry about than somone crashing the pool at the DVC resorts while I am there.

 

[Laurajean1014]

I'm glad to see Disney sticking up for its members, clients, guests. How did they know/think that they did not have a room key????

I like Vero Beach's gate, they should not allow any obstructions to keep it open.

 

[DrTomorrow]

After hearing the 20 people to a studio stories a couple months ago, anything short of non-removable wrist bands will not be much of a solution. The other two possibilities would be room keys with your photo on them or, don't laugh too hard (LOL), instead of a nonremovable wrist band how about implanting a chip under your skin that can be programmed for access during your length of stay and only allows one person to go through the "turnstile" at a time.

"Renew! Renew!"

 

[drakethib]

I don't see why a Resort ID check isn't appropriate. In Las Vegas - where they have some pools that put SAB to shame - they do an ID check to get in the area. One employee, right at the entrance, does the job nicely. No "random confrontations" - everyone has to show the ID. And lately they've simply added a swipe reader, to make sure the key is active - there was an eBay aftermarket for Mandelay Bay keys before they did this. No wristbands needed in Sin City, folks....

I agree.

Possibly put a sign by the pool saying something like "For your convenience, please have your resort ID available as CM's will be by to check them, trespassers will be prosecuted" or something to the like.

I bet if someone snuck in the Magic Kingdom and was caught, they wouldn’t do it twice.

Also, if I see someone who I strongly feel that is not a member or guest and disturbing others, you can bet I will be heading to the front desk and have the GM take care of the problem.

 

[rinkwide]

Apologies to Lance Armstrong, but everybody's wearing a silly, feakin' wristband these days. All Disney has to do is put a cool design on the thing with different colors for different resorts and people will be clamoring for them.

I sure don't like the fence idea. I've been to the Mandalay Bay pool complex in Vegas and that thing is outfitted like a minimum security prison (SAB is better anyway DrT ).

 

[DVCconvert]

Maybe all DVC members should be required to be tattooed with our contract numbers

When a DVC'er sold their contract, Disney could use the $200 contract change fee to pay for having the tattoos removed!

 

[donmil723]

I really don't mind showing my resort ID at SAB and getting a wristband. However, I prefer wearing it on my swimsuit or on my sunvisor because I don't like a tan line on my wrist! Vain, I know, but we all have our idiosyncracies. I guess I better watch out as Disney will probably now crack down on people wearing their wrist bands on their clothing as some might start switching swimsuits or hats in the bathroom with pool "trespassers". Heaven forbid!

Donna

 

[1SickPupe]

I had the opportunity to be a witness to a confrontation last year at BWV. It was 4th of July weekend, and they were checking ID"s because pool hoping was suspended. There was a sign stating this.
An elderly woman with a large ensamble was asked for her ID. She obviously wasn't staying at BW, and was asked to leave. After giving the CM's a hard time for almost an hour they left freeing up 13 chairs.
I don't see why people give the CM's a hard time. They are only doing there job, and if your wrong just leave.
I would like to see a random check once in a while just to keep everyone guessing. We don't need to police the pools for the entire time they are open.

 

[NMW]

I think any of these methods would work IF Disney really enforced them. I read a thread on the budget board were people claimed to regularly stuff a value room with 8 to 10 people (adults &teenagers)! I laughed thinking about how some people get very upset at 5 in a 1 bdr! Anyway, the point is, I don't think Disney enforces anything very well. I have never seen CM's ask for ID at pools except at SAB no matter how crowded the pool was.
I admit fencing the pools make not look that pretty, but I bet it would free up a lot of pool chairs and swimming space. Of course, that's ONLY if Disney checks ID's. Anyone could walk through a resort into a pool complex if no one's checking!

 

[jmminarik]

The problem is there are no penalties for pool crashing. Arrest people, tar and feather them, impound their vehicles, take away their cable TV rights, make them watch Dr. Phil for 24 hours straight, make them ride Small World for 2 hours, whatever, some sort of punishment would go a long way to keeping the crashers away.

-Joe

 

[DrTomorrow]

ITA with the above few posts - Disney is the ultimate in passive-aggressive behaviour. They create a environment filled with rules - then back down when enforcement time comes.

 

[spiceycat]

WDW is a corporation not big brother - a corporation that tries not to often their customers.

they should have put the fence around SALB long ago - on the theme park boards - people were encouraging others to go swim at SALB - when they were visiting Epcot....

I am sure now that the same people are going to GF or Polyn at the MK since they can't go to SALB anymore.

I have meet people at OKW - that weren't staying at any WDW resorts - they were Florida residents. but some of them decided that they had a right to swim at a WDW pool. the problem with OKW is that they aren't any CM around when you need one....

 

[dianeschlicht]

WDW is a corporation not big brother - a corporation that tries not to often their customers.

they should have put the fence around SALB long ago - on the theme park boards - people were encouraging others to go swim at SALB - when they were visiting Epcot....

I am sure now that the same people are going to GF or Polyn at the MK since they can't go to SALB anymore.

I have meet people at OKW - that weren't staying at any WDW resorts - they were Florida residents. but some of them decided that they had a right to swim at a WDW pool. the problem with OKW is that they aren't any CM around when you need one....

I think that's why we prefer the neighborhood pools at OKW.

 

[lllovell]

I think that's why we prefer the neighborhood pools at OKW.

Now, with the new slide, aren't there at least life guards? Maybe a little more presence will help some.

(although, I was surprised to have to show ID to get towels at the pool. Just had to show one and say how many towels I needed, but since no other checking seems to be done, it just kinda caught me off guard)