Unfortunately, issues like this one are why Disney is forced to have hard and fast rules that allow for no exceptions. Some people will try to take advantage of breaking the rules, always with a perfectly reasonable rationalization. “But the concierge lounge isn’t that crowded, bottled water and canned soft drinks are provided for concierge guests only”, but you only gave away a couple to your friends. The limited snacks are specially prepared for the Concierge Lounge, not the general public, but you took a plate full of deserts to share with people who did not pay for the privilege. It can sound so reasonable for one person to break the rules and “share the wealth” of concierge amenities to people who neither paid for or entitled to them.
This is similar to,the arguments made about the Adult only areas. But “my child is very mature”, “he’ll turn 18 soon”, it’s easier for the kids to walk through the Adults only area”, “it’s not as crowded in the Adults only pool”, etc., etc. “My child eats in upscale restaurants all the time and knows how to behave in Remy and Palo”.
Some people want to break the rules in regards to the age limits in the kids clubs as well. “My kids should be in the same club, even if one is too old/young”, “we are traveling with family and the cousins want to play together even though one is too old/young to be in the Oceaner’s Club” “My child turns 18 and ages out to the kids club on this cruise, so they should be allowed to stay in the kids club”. “My child is small/large/autistic/shy for their age so they should be in the kids club, even if they are too old/young.”
As for all these excuses, there is a solution to the problem without breaking the rules. The Concierge Lounge and amenities are for Concierge guests use ONLY. But don’t despair, free food and drink is available all over the ship for everyone to take advantage of. There are also some lovely places on board to sit with your non Concierge friends while you partake in the free food and drink available to everyone.
Adult areas are for adults ONLY. But their are plenty of family spaces with pools, water activities, bars and stairs with elevators that don’t go through the adults only areas.
Children are divided into different Kids Clubs with age appropriate activities by their actual, calendar age. But all the kids club have open house periods that are listed on the Navigator and are open to everyone, regardless of age. Plus there are plenty of family areas and activities throughout the ship where youth of different ages are free to mix and mingle.
Everyone trying to break the rules set out by Disney has a reasonable excuse as to why the rules don’t or shouldn’t apply to their situation. But the rules exist for a reason and they apply to everyone. It is sad that some people break the rules then Disney is forced to take Draconian measures to enforce the rules. Like constant checking of Key to the World cards in the Adults only areas, patrolling the Cabana areas and beaches on
Castaway Cay all day to remove non Cabana guests, etc.
The Concierge Lounge already requires a swipe of a gold Concierge card to enter the lounge, maybe they’ll have to start checking everyone cards in the Concierge only areas to make sure no one is breaking the rules. It appears that, for some, the honor system isn’t working. Not sure what Disney can do to prevent concierge guests from stealing concierge provided food and bottled drinks for guests not entitled to those amenities, but knowing Disney, they are working on a way.
I will agree that it can become a slippery slope when people begin to break rules they don’t think should apply to them for whatever excuse they have reasoned out. But the solution is really simple, just follow the rules, no matter how one feels about the rules. Adults only, Concierge guests only, take and use the hand sanitizer before entering food areas, don’t fill your personal cup or bottle directly from the Beverage Dispensing Machines and any other Disney rules I may have forgotten here apply to ALL guests. If one doesn’t agree with the rules, contact Disney to have them changed or don’t take a cruise on one of their ships.