Do People Really.......???

[palmetto]

But I really get hurt by the idea that if we have to do this on the cheap we're somehow less "Mouse-worthy" or something. Should we maybe be using this money for something else? Maybe. But I know my children won't be children for very long, and I will split meals, pal mickey swap, buy souvies at Walmart, or whatever it takes to share this dream with them, as long as it's within the rules. (so no, no extra people snuck in the room or mug swapping)

I'm with you. I have no kids (I am a kid, who are we kidding!), and I live in Florida, so it's easier for me to get there, but honestly. My truck runs, my rent is paid, and my student loans are current--and frankly, I'd rather spend a weekend camped out in a dive-y hotel room with three girlfriends and trekking my butt around Disney than buying an iPod with the money I have left over. Yeah, so we're cheap. Most of us were raised rural/poor and don't like to waste money or food. We share counterservice meals, tend not to even do table service, and tend to limit our souveneirs to hats. Are we breaking rules? No. We don't even break in line.

What upsets me, though, is that I've gotten the "you're not worthy of the Mouse, poor kid" feeling every so often since I joined these boards. I haven't commented on it until now, but--geez. I paid my way to get into the park, I'm behaving myself (I learned the hard way after I got a spanking the first time I went to Epcot when I was seven and was obnoxious to the bearded guy and Figment), and I'm having a magic time with my friends. Isn't that what's important?

 

[Zoemakes5]

*Tie dirty diapers to their strollers? Not the "dirty" diaper (as suggested in the Unofficial Guide), but other things that are connected to the stoller that makes it easy to spot and less likely to accidentally get taken.
*"Swap" things in the parks with complete strangers? Pins
*Order a double cheeseburger & ask for an extra bun? yep, did this when the boys were little. neither one of them could eat a double cheeseburger, but they wanted burgers. Didn't feel the need to throw away food, especially that which I paid for.
*Make meal sized salads off of the toppings bars? Nope, haven't done that one.*Sneak more guests in a resort room than Disney allows? Yep, with a family of 5, we've done this fairly frequently.

As to the point about if someone is that concerned about money, they shouldn't be doing disney....I have to agree with another poster. For us, often we have a certain dollar amount for a vacation. I could go somewhere close by and have a non-disney experience or I could take cost cutting measures and give my family a Disney trip. Whether it be DL or WDW, I'd want a Disney trip, even if it means splitting a hamburger or eating a meal or two outside of the parks or other tips and tricks. For our DL trip, it meant only DD and I going to the Princess meal instead of the whole family. While I would have liked us to enjoy the sit down dinner together with all of us, the boys could care less about the Princesses and they got some time alone with dad. I also used the autograph books we had purchased years before, used the penny books that *gasp* we had gotten at Sea World instead of getting Disney ones, brought big pens with us that I purchased at WalMart, brought breakfast stuff for the room, split a CS meal with my DH. Would I have preferred to go to DL and just buy all that stuff and eat what I wanted to, oh you betcha, particularly this Disney fan. But, would I have skipped the opportunity because of those measures I had to take? Not a chance. For the most part, DH and I were really the only ones who understood that this was a budget trip, didn't phaze the kids at all, except we cut short the "I wants" and tried to focus them on drinking from their water bottles instead of getting pop.
Sometimes it means waiting a year (like it will probably mean this year). But, even when we have to budget, I still want my family to experience disney.

 

[Laurajean1014]

Well, I haven't see or done any of these things, but if you look hard enough, I'm sure you will find some inscruppuleous people.

I'm sure it happens everywhere; Sheraton, Hilton, Holiday Inn.

 

[Disney Girlie-Wirlie]

Maybe they cannot enjoy themselves because they cannot get a pool chair because they are being taken up by pool hoppers!!

Densie

Did you ever think that MAYBE there are no pool chairs b/c they're taken from all the people staying at the resort?! You can't just assume that you aren't getting a chair b/c of pool-hoppers. And, yes, you can still have a good time. Remember people, this is WDW. You know what you're getting into before you get there. It's a very crowded place to be.

The funny thing is I've never pool-hopped b/c if I ever use the pool, which is hardly ever, I just use the one at the resort I'm at b/c it's just convenient. But I know their are people pool-hopping to different resort pools, and it does not bother me one bit. Big deal! They're just trying to have a good time, the way I look at it. They're on vacation! I don't think they're thinking to themselves, Hey! Let's be bad and pool-hop! The hotels and pools are just as much an attraction to some people as the theme parks. Just like, how some people spend a day hotel hopping. People hotel hop don't they? But ya know what, while I wouldn't let another guest tell me what I can or can't do, I DO have alot of resepct for the people who work there. And if a WDW employee ever said to me that I can't go to the pool b/c I am not a guest of that hotel, then I respect that and I respect them because that person is just doing his or her job.

 

[santonucci]

It is the (flawed) logic in post such as these:



[You teach children to follow the rules, then share a refilliable mug meant for exactly one person with two or more? And carting out quart after quart of ketchup & mustard is morally OK solely because you "need" it? Yeesh]

Huh?

Since your questioning logic, can you explain how my original statement transformed into this? You might want to read a little bit better before you comment.

My suggestion merely pointed out that I can grab a few pickles or tomato slices (if I chose), since there is no "right amount" of toppings. How that translated into a quart of mayo, you lost me?

I'll make this simple for you: If you buy food, you're entitled to fixin's. How much? If you have to ask, you're probably one of them...

Steve

 

[santonucci]

But I don't see how someone cutting you in line or smoking in your face compares to someone pool-hopping. I mean you have to admit they are 2 very different things. And I am a VERY respectful person, that's why I would never just cut someone in line and not think anything of it.
But, when someone cuts you in line, that is something they are doing DIRECTLY TO YOU. So, you have every right to say something to that person about it, b/c that is not fair. An when someone is smoking around you where they aren't supposed to, then that affects you directly b/c it affects your health.
But when someone is swimming in a pool of a hotel that they are not staying at, why do you let that "irk" you? It's doesn't affect you directly in any way. Can you pin-point the pool-hoppers? How do you even know who the pool-hoppers are? I mean, yeah, if there was ever a situation where Disney employees actually said to you 'No, you can't swim in this pool b/c it's over-capacity", which I've never heard of happening, then I would understand, and then instead of telling you you can't go in, they should tell the people who are guests to get out. But if that's not the case, and everyone is swimming and having a good time, no harm done, then how can that bother you so much?!

Whether they directly affect me or indirectly affect me, it really doesn't matter, since it shouldn't even be an issue! Pool-hoppers have no more right to be at "my pool" than someone staying on International Drive. If I went to their hotel, I'd be denied entry to their pool. Just because someone has a room on property, they do not get "full access" to everything. I've stayed at the concierge level of the WL, but I wouldn't go up there for freebies if I wasn't entitled. People PAY for the entitlements, and when you take them without entitlement, it's stealing.

FWIW, philosophically it bothers me. In reality, I don't care what other people do, and I doubt I'd call the 'mouse police" if I found a pool-hopper because it is indirect. But I have been known to "accidentally elbow" (box out, in hoops terms ) people that we're trying to cut the lines and "sneeze" on people who blow smoke in my face ("I can't help it, I am allergic")

steve

Buying my new Poly mug in August and only swimming at the Poly.

 

[snusnu]

Putting an extra person in a room exceeding Disney limits...this is a hot topic for me. The whole vacationing world, not just Disney, is designed around a "family of 4". and help us that have exceeded that "norm". Because I have 3 children, does Disney offer me an upcharge on my room rate? Heck no! My family would be perfectly content in one room but I have to pay for an entire additional room for my 6 yo. Because I have a third child I pay DOUBLE, being forced to get a second room. So at the POP I am paying 79.00 extra per night for my 3rd child! I certainly agree that if you have more children you need to pay more but DOUBLE? So, if someone is "sneaking" an extra person into the room in this situation can you blame them? Sorry, I won't feel the least bit guilty about my family sharing one mug! QUOTE]

This is not the case at every resort, though. You can add an additional occupant if you get a certain category of room at the mods and deluxes without having to pay for a whole extra room.

 

[KimberlyC]

We need to find a way to personalize our strollers.

FWIW I just did this to DS's stroller. I have no distorted perceptions of reality. I'm lazy and DH is even lazier so there is no way we would take the time to lock the stroller in any way. I figured I'd deter intentional theft and accidental appropriation by personalizing. So I bought iron on patches and letters and ironed them on the the back of the sunshade. Its easy to see, cute, relatively inexpensive (lion patch about $3 and letters $10), and even I know how to work an iron. If you bring your own stroller, this is simple to do.

As for rentals, what about neon duct tape? It comes off most surfaces with relative ease. I never tried but could you duct tape a big neon/lime green X on it? That would serve the dual purpose of "hey I'm a diser" and "this is NOT your stroller"

 

[snusnu]

How on earth do people come up with this stuff? I would never walk into a restaurant and think, oh look, a double cheeseburger, why don't I dissect it and make two meals. Not that I care, especially if the consumer pays for the bun, but I'm flabbergasted that peoples' minds are so devious.

I would feel so guilty about sneaking an extra person into a room that it would ruin my vacation. As for pool hopping, it's my understanding that a hotel pool's capacity is based on the number of rooms at said hotel. Therefore, if people from other resorts jump in, there's less room for those staying there.

I have to say that I don't see a problem with stroller swapping. The stroller is rented for the whole day, and if the renter is not going to use it for the whole day, as the consumer, they have the right to transfer it to another user.

 

[Mickeyistheman]

The only issue that I have on here is the Double Cheeseburger and an extra bun thing.

And my real big issue is the pool hopping... Why would you do that?

Each resort category is done that way because of the different amenities at each resort, case in point the pools.

Rules are not made to be broken and what do you tell your children when they ask why? Are you going to lie and tell them Mickey Mouse said it is ok?

I mean everyone knows that Disney is expensive so if you are vacationing, whether it be 2 people or a family of 5 then you should estimate how much everything will cost. I mean its not like you are surprised.

You can find all of that information on this website!!

It just seems to me that people are trying to find a way to beat the system in some way because they feel its owed to them because they already paid "enough" for the room and "enough" for the park passes.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[santonucci]

I have to say that I don't see a problem with stroller swapping. The stroller is rented for the whole day, and if the renter is not going to use it for the whole day, as the consumer, they have the right to transfer it to another user.

First- I'm not a lawyer. I've never read the rental agreement(see below), but I'm going to assume that you don't have the right to assign the stroller to another person. Most contracts forbid this type of behavior because it impacts revenues AND assigns liability. You signed the contract, which means you have waiver rights and such. By giving the stroller to another person, Disney asumes the risk that this person will not injure themselves or someone else. If you read the fine print, I'd bet this is a no-no. (I do negotiate contracts for a living, and this language is in all of them!)

Second, we bring an umbrella stroller (cheap) when we go, because we need it at the airports and we're not going to put our babies in "a rental". In addition, a cheap stroller, is cheaper than a rental, and you can keep it for the airport, home and beyond. I don't know what the rentals cost, but I'd rather put the money into something permanent.

steve

Bringing my twins double stroller in AUG!

 

[J.C.&ALI'SMOM]

*Tie dirty diapers to their strollers? I think the diapers are "fake" dirty, as stated before.

*"Swap" things in the parks with complete strangers? Yes, they do

*Order a double cheeseburger & ask for an extra bun? Yes, my Mom and Dad do this and if I ate burgers I probably would too

*Make meal sized salads off of the toppings bars? Not, me, but I will dress whatever I buy at that location from the topping bar including cheese on my fries

*Sneak more guests in a resort room than Disney allows? Yes, people do this too. When we have had 5 in a room I have always told the front desk.

Those were the questions asked by the OP. Since this has now turned into mainly a thread arguing about pool hopping, I wanted to weigh in.

Some have stated that we should not care about hoppers. If you don't like it, don't do it, it doesn't take anything away from those staying in the resort, blah, blah, etc... Don't worry, I wouldn't schlep all our stuff over to some other resort I am not even staying at when there is a pool at the resort I am staying at!!

POOL HOPPERS!!! I will be at WDW in one of the monorail resorts (not sure yet) from July 8th to the 16th. Do not pool hop to my resort! Chose another resort pool to crowd and mooch a lounge chair at.

The pools are crowded BUT the only ones using the pool should be the ones staying at the resort. Pool hoppers will crowd the pool even more AND they are not supposed to be there. There is a pool at your resort, use that one! Don't take a lounge chair that should be used by someone staying at that resort.

 

[soupy11]

Does anyone else think that if you are so strapped for money that you resort ot some of these tactics, you really should be putting your money somewhere (ie, bills) other than Disney.

Oh boy. So now Disney should be just open to people who are financially well off and don't need money saving tips?

The peering down your noses that goes on at this site is getting worse and worse everyday. I feel like I am in high school trying to get into the cool kids clique. What ever happened to live and let live?

The only issue that I have on here is the Double Cheeseburger and an extra bun thing.

Ok what possible issue could you have with this? They charge for the BUN! It is paid for. The only one who should have issue with it is Disney, and since they make concessions for it, I think that it's a non-issue.

 

[mrzrich]

For Palmetto sanctus and other frugals like me
There are a lot of people who think they are more mouse worthy becuase they stay strictly at deluxe hotels.

There is a lively discussion going on at the Camping Boards about how some people turn up their noses the minute they hear that someone is camping at WDW. They treat us like we are beneath them for not staying at the GF.

For many people camping is the only way they can afford to be on site, and campnig allows them to cook many of their own meals.

However, the truth is many of us just like to camp!!! And many of the RV's I've seen at the Fort are worth several hundreds of thousands of dollars!

I mysellf am an RN in a hectic ICU. I have a child on the Autistic Spectrum, My life is very stressfull. I need a break every three months or so. Being frugal, like sharing meals, packing snacks and water, and eating breakfast at the room has allowed me to have 4 trips to WDW, this year alone, I imagine with the money of my 4 trips (2 in my Pop-up at FW) I could have had one blow out week at the GF Concierge with premium dining.

Get ready to gasp now...in my nursing school days when we were extremely strapped for cash we even packed sandwiches an ate them while watching Beauty and the Beast. Tacky? Maybe, but I needed the trip for my mental health. By the way, the security guard saw our sandwiches and chips and remarked "Wow you brought the good stuff! Where can I meet you at lunchtime?" Obviously Disney doesn't have a problem with it so why do other guests?

 

[soupy11]

"Wow you brought the good stuff! Where can I meet you at lunchtime?" Obviously Disney doesn't have a problem with it so why do other guests?

Nice post. This whole buger thing has literally left me flabbergasted. I can't believe anyone would have issue with it. Does anyone have issue with someone bringing in PB&J sandwiches?

 

[traviesojmt]

I'm with you. I have no kids (I am a kid, who are we kidding!), and I live in Florida, so it's easier for me to get there, but honestly. My truck runs, my rent is paid, and my student loans are current--and frankly, I'd rather spend a weekend camped out in a dive-y hotel room with three girlfriends and trekking my butt around Disney than buying an iPod with the money I have left over. Yeah, so we're cheap. Most of us were raised rural/poor and don't like to waste money or food. We share counterservice meals, tend not to even do table service, and tend to limit our souveneirs to hats. Are we breaking rules? No. We don't even break in line.

What upsets me, though, is that I've gotten the "you're not worthy of the Mouse, poor kid" feeling every so often since I joined these boards. I haven't commented on it until now, but--geez. I paid my way to get into the park, I'm behaving myself (I learned the hard way after I got a spanking the first time I went to Epcot when I was seven and was obnoxious to the bearded guy and Figment), and I'm having a magic time with my friends. Isn't that what's important?

ITA. I really understand and agree with those who get frustrated because someone is breaking a rule. After reading these boards, I just don't get the problem with sharing a doublecheeseburger. It is paid for. Nothing was stolen. How is it anywhere near the universe of devious? No one is taking anything that was not paid for. The extra bun is paid for too. They didn't take it from the fixin's bar. They are simply saving money. Good for them. I too sometimes feel the elitist mentality on the boards. I do though think that it is the minority though. As far as I am concerned, the true magic of Disney is not the Signature Dining Restaurants or the deluxe hotels, but the look in a child's eyes when they see the castle for the first time.

 

[FayeW]

Ok, I really, really don't understand what possible problem anybody could have with somebody ordering a double cheeseburger, and PAYING for an extra bun! We do this at least a couple of times on each trip because it makes sense financially, and it is an appropriate amount of food. For those of you who ask WHY we just don't cut the burger in half, it's simple... paying for an extra bun means that each person gets a whole single burger, and can top it to their own tastes. For example, my daughter likes mustard and my son does not. No worries about "cross contamimination".

I came to the conclusion along time ago that I can only spend each dollar ONCE (no matter how hard I try to do otherwise ). I can't for the life of me grasp why someone would choose to pay $6.99 for a single burger and fries, and then another $4-$5 for just a single burger, when they could just order the double burger and extra bun for .79 and be done with it. I can afford to do lots of things that other DIS'ers do, but I'm just too thrifty to do them. I want to see value for my dollar so that I can spend the savings somewhere else.

 

[Evil Queen]

ITA. I really understand and agree with those who get frustrated because someone is breaking a rule. After reading these boards, I just don't get the problem with sharing a doublecheeseburger. It is paid for. Nothing was stolen. How is it anywhere near the universe of devious? No one is taking anything that was not paid for. The extra bun is paid for too. They didn't take it from the fixin's bar. They are simply saving money. Good for them. I too sometimes feel the elitist mentality on the boards. I do though think that it is the minority though. As far as I am concerned, the true magic of Disney is not the Signature Dining Restaurants or the deluxe hotels, but the look in a child's eyes when they see the castle for the first time.

Exactly. I agree with the pool hopping and mug filling, because they are stated and written rules.

But sharing a cheeseburger?? OMG-what is this board and world coming to, if people have an issue with this?

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

I don't get what the heck is so wrong with "pool hopping." I've spent an entire day checking out different resorts, and I pick my favorite pool and jump on in. If that's so wrong then sue me. I'm not taking any money away from anyone else, nor am I hurting the company in any way. If I wasn't in their pool I would just be in mine, so I'm not overcrowding. I guess I don't get the "concern."

The problem is not all pools are created equally. So yes though the total volume of pool usage across the board won't be affected, the volume at the 2 or 3 really nice pools would be. Beach Club's and Boardwalk's would be packed to the gills and Coronado Springs wouldn't be far behind. People get those resorts and pay specifically for the pool. If people are packing them, that's not fair to the guests at those hotels. Why would I pay for Beach Club only to have to go over to Pop to Swim because too many are packing the pool? The pools aren't meant to be free water parks.

 

[nuttylawprofessor]

Pool hopping. Argh. We're DVC and can hop to our heart's content within the limits set by DVC/WDW. After this last trip, I will think twice about hopping. It was impossible to find a table, let alone a shady table, in the early afternoon near the Poly pool where we were staying. What sent me over the edge was when I heard the people talking about their resorts (Hey mom, why doesn't our hotel have a slide?) and people headed on to the monorail with all of the stuff they had at the pool. There were LOTS of people that I recognized from the pool, headed out after their afternoon break at Poly.

I get it now. I understand why people get so upset and frustrated by not being able to use their own pool.

Rules are rules. Just follow them.