DVC Pools, Pool Hopping, Etc.

[Dean]

3DisneyNUTS, I don't doubt your were told it's OK but it's not been an issue that the guides have consistently touted like buy anywhere and you'll have not problem at the 7 month window (HH, VB, SS) or that it's OK to exceed the occupancy limits. So I don't think it's been a common misrepresentation from the guides. But as noted, they are timeshares sales people, and if it's not in the contract it means nothing.

Disney1fan2002 as for DVC offering a ton of perks, I don't believe that's accurate. DVC offered ONE BIG PERK to early members at OKW and VB, which is no longer applicable. As for sheer options, DVC has a lot more now than they ever have.

 

[Kelly Nelly]

Las 388 and Poohnpiglet3 you are both so right it is not funny.

Pooh you are correct, kids are way to spoiled these days, they demand every thing in front of there parents and the parents now a days think that this is just so cute. When I was a kid I felt I was so lucky to be in WDW that I never really expected anything more. 99% of the problems of loud kids at quiet pools stem from there parents allowing them to act in such behaviour.Like Las 388 stated, the theme pools are made for loud and rowdy groups, why do the people think that they and there kids should act at a quiet pool like they would at a theme pool. That line of " Hey if you don't like kids don't come to WDW", or " I paid for this service so me and my kids can act any way we want" is really getting old. Hey I really do not have a problem with kids but I really do feel that they and there parents should respect the quiet pool areas for the folks who want to relax.IF you want to make lots of noise and throw you footballs or frisbees go to the theme pool. I would like to hear the opinions of the folks who let there kids act in this behaviour 20 years from now.I would bet my life that they would totally agree with some of my points that I have just made.

 

[Mickmse2002]

Originally posted by Kelly Nelly
Las 388 and Poohnpiglet3 you are both so right it is not funny.

Pooh you are correct, kids are way to spoiled these days, they demand every thing in front of there parents and the parents now a days think that this is just so cute. When I was a kid I felt I was so lucky to be in WDW that I never really expected anything more. 99% of the problems of loud kids at quiet pools stem from there parents allowing them to act in such behaviour.Like Las 388 stated, the theme pools are made for loud and rowdy groups, why do the people think that they and there kids should act at a quiet pool like they would at a theme pool. That line of " Hey if you don't like kids don't come to WDW", or " I paid for this service so me and my kids can act any way we want" is really getting old. Hey I really do not have a problem with kids but I really do feel that they and there parents should respect the quiet pool areas for the folks who want to relax.IF you want to make lots of noise and throw you footballs or frisbees go to the theme pool. I would like to hear the opinions of the folks who let there kids act in this behaviour 20 years from now.I would bet my life that they would totally agree with some of my points that I have just made.

I agree with much, but not all of this. The only thing that has irked me about this entire thread is the sweeping generalization that all kids today are loud, rude and bad and therefore should be relegated to some other place. That simply is not the case. I certainly did not post that I would allow my kids to act any way they wanted because I paid to be there. The point I made was that I should feel very free to use any pool at the resort I am staying at. If anyone is disruptive, rude, vulgar, etc. they should be asked to stop or leave. I sometimes wonder if the whiners of today weren't spolied by their parents 20 years ago and now we are all paying the price of their very narrow-minded views.

 

[wdwa1]

Originally posted by Kelly Nelly
Las 388 and Poohnpiglet3 you are both so right it is not funny.

Pooh you are correct, kids are way to spoiled these days, they demand every thing in front of there parents and the parents now a days think that this is just so cute. When I was a kid I felt I was so lucky to be in WDW that I never really expected anything more. 99% of the problems of loud kids at quiet pools stem from there parents allowing them to act in such behaviour.Like Las 388 stated, the theme pools are made for loud and rowdy groups, why do the people think that they and there kids should act at a quiet pool like they would at a theme pool. That line of " Hey if you don't like kids don't come to WDW", or " I paid for this service so me and my kids can act any way we want" is really getting old. Hey I really do not have a problem with kids but I really do feel that they and there parents should respect the quiet pool areas for the folks who want to relax.IF you want to make lots of noise and throw you footballs or frisbees go to the theme pool. I would like to hear the opinions of the folks who let there kids act in this behaviour 20 years from now.I would bet my life that they would totally agree with some of my points that I have just made.

ITA!!!!!
When our kids were under 18, we almost always went to the main pools because they wanted to jump in the pool, use the slide, play Marco Polo etc. When we rarely did go to the "quiet" pool the kids were much more quiet and less active in consideration to the people that were attempting to nap, read, relax. Stupid us......we thought that was what "quiet" pool meant.

 

[Harley-Mouse]

we stayed at our home BCV and at the main pool the bay thay asked for room keys and gave us a wristband to ware. i was fine with this also AKL and BCV are two pools you are not aloud to use. well i love the pool at BCV

 

[jarestel]

Unfortunately for the pool napping and library crowd, everyone's idea of vacation fun isn't sitting around and reading books or dozing at the pool. It's all well and good to talk about respecting the "silence is golden" rule, but it's also a good thing to respect that people who want to engage in non-literary pursuits should also have that right at the small pools. A great place for quiet reading is on balconies that don't overlook pools.

 

[tjkraz]

Five hundred-odd families staying at the Boardwalk at any given time, and suddenly we're using one admittedly-rowdy group as window into society's ills. For what it's worth, we recently stayed three nights at the Boardwalk, in a room overlooking the Quiet Pool, and didn't have any unruly groups outside our window. Guess it was "good parents and empty nesters only" week.

As a parent, it's hard for me to get too riled-up about the comments here because a) my children don't act like that, b) if they did, you certainly wouldn't see me laughing about it, and c) we've NEVER been to a Quiet Pool, Leisure Pool, Boring Pool, or whatever you want to call it.

The only constant I'm seeing in this entire debate is that Disney has shown NO interest in enforcing either the perceived "quiet" nature of the pool or even something as simple as the operating hours. If you want to change that fact, contact Disney and DVC. As I've already said elsewhere in this thread, if they want to designate a pool as "Adults Only", I have absolutely no problem with that. (Unless, of course, you get a group of adults who choose to ACT like children--and don't try to tell me that's any less likely than some of the other things we've read in this thread )

When we need to start defining "quiet" and providing our own interpretations of what is and is not "considerate", IMO the complaints are venturing in to the world of Pet Peeves. I'm not crazy about the neighbor that mows his lawn at 8am on Saturday or people that refuse to use the turn signals in their cars, but posting on an Internet message board isn't going to get me far.

 

[Mickmse2002]

Well said

 

[wdwa1]

Originally posted by tjkraz
......................When we need to start defining "quiet" and providing our own interpretations of what is and is not "considerate", IMO the complaints are venturing in to the world of Pet Peeves. I'm not crazy about the neighbor that mows his lawn at 8am on Saturday or people that refuse to use the turn signals in their cars, but posting on an Internet message board isn't going to get me far.

Posting most of the questions/threads that are on an internet message board won't get you very far! Think about how many times you have read: What are my chances of getting a villa in Dec, or of being able to buy sold out resorts directly through DVC, etc., etc. IMO, the way to get far with those questions is to call DVC and speak to a CM, not ask on an internet message board. But these types of threads are posted everyday.
Everyone is merely discussing their varying opinions regarding the quiet pools at WDW. Just like they discuss many other issues.
No one is trying to solve the world's problems....it is just simple meaningless discussion just like what happens everyday on internet message boards.

 

[PJMPA]

I don't post much and admittedly haven't read all the threads on this topic but because it is something I just complained about to OKW management, I'll add my thoughts. I hope i'm not off topic. Throughout our last several trips to OKW, the level of annoying behavior at the Turtle Pond Pool has become unbearable. To some extent, it's not started by kids but rather, the adults. Balls are thrown across the pool from one end to another between 3 or 4 people who seem oblivious to the fact that the ball is landing on or near other guests. I've had balls hit me while seated on a lounge on the pool deck. Many times, things roll under your lounge and you're almost expected to retrieve it. Then you have the parents who like to launch their kids in the water without consideration to the splashing and screaming it creates. Does anybody else find the Marco Polo game to be highly annoying when those works are screamed over and over. I honestly believe in kids having a good time but think things are out of hand, especially at a "quiet pool"..

 

[Desperado]

Originally posted by Dean
If it's limited to owners at that resort it's certainly workable. The Marriott's on HH do it as does Ocean Pointe in West Palm and the ones in Orlando. However I'm not saying they should or will do it, only that they could if they wanted.

Repeating the same statement doesn't make it any less absurd. There's no way the Vero Pool could handle much additional capacity on some of the prime days. It is clearly not workable IMO. (by the way, how many pools to the Marriott's on HH have? Doesn't the Grande Ocean have 3?) Regardless of what the Marriott's on HH do, as I said, I completely dissagree.

 

[jarestel]

Without lifeguards around to blow whistles and tell people who are being a nuisance to cut it out, there's not much one can do. Most members probably don't want to cough up the increased dues to pay a dedicated small pool monitor, so that leaves the option of sticking it out and hoping for the best, or leaving the pool and returning at a ( hopefully ) quieter time.

By the way, did you see Doc's pictures of the Turtle Pond and Southpoint pools on another thread? They're great! And definitely look pretty quiet in those pictures!

 

[las3888]

Thanks for those who agree with me - I was starting to feel like I was the only one who had expectations of 'relative' quiet when I went to the quiet pool.

Look, somebody said it best who didn't side with me on this one - Disney is for everyone. That being said, while Disney could be called the kids-capital-of-the-world as a previous poster mentioned, it could also be said it is the honeymoon-capital-of-the-world. Believe it or not, people go to Disney for romance. There are several books out there written for Disney without kids (WDW for Couples, WDW for Adults etc.). The attitude that if I don't want to be around kids then don't come is really just plain old inappropriate. I enjoy kids and have a fun time in the parks - sometimes watching other people's kids that I don't even know doing Disney things just adds to the Disney Magic. Disney is alot of different things to alot of different people. It might mean nice dining, relaxing spa visits, and leisure evenings in the parks to some, while it might mean watching your kid experience the Disney characters for the first time at a Character breakfast and having a great time riding down the slides at the pool. It's not just about YOUR KIDS having it all.

Disney called these pools 'quiet pools' (and still does as far as I'm concerned, at least they did 2 months ago) for I would thing a reason. There are a ton of people on their honeymoon, anniversary, or just a romantic getaway. They are actually trying to cater somewhat to these people AS WELL as families (getting back to the theme that Disney is for everyone). I don't know that there is much room for argument here when I think that if DH and I want to take a dip in a pool labelled the 'quiet pool' printed on Disney documentation, handed to me by the CM who checked us in - don't think it is unreasonable to think we might experience 'relative quiet'. Of course I am not expecting a morgue, but if your kids or adults as well can't be relatively quiet, I think it's inappropriate for them to be there.

Disney built these big attraction pools with your kids in mind. They are trying to cater to you and your family - trying to give them a great vacation experience. Do you think that maybe - just maybe - they designed the quiet pool situation for those who might be looking for a more relaxing scene - a quiet dip - a snippet of romance?

The attitude that I should be allowed to take my kids to any darn pool I want to just because I paid for it doesn't float with me. I also don't agree that these are just 'smaller' pools and they are called 'quiet' because they don't have all the bells and whistles. I paid for my vacation too and if the pool is labelled 'quiet', what on earth do you think people are going to expect???

Now if Disney doesn't enforce this nor the pool hours, then I would throw flames to Disney. I think they should, otherwise, than why bother to post pool hours or call a pool a 'quiet pool'. Unfortunately, I think the bottom line is actually the bottom line. Disney doesn't want to rock the boat too much in hopes that we all come back.

 

[DIZNYFAN]

I have to ask why does this seem to be such a big deal with some people? I honestly could care less who is using the pool at my resort or any resort I am staying at. Mind you we usually travel in Dec and crowds tend to be quite light at that time.

So what I gather from the discussion is that a few members on this thread are totally against others using our pools. Also I forgot to mention that Dixie/POR and POFQ are considered one resort now also and can share pools. I would believe this could be part of the confusion with guests thinking that all pools on property are fair game for them to use. I still can't see this as much of an issue mind you because it is after all only a pool.

 

[jarestel]

Originally posted by las3888
I also don't agree that these are just 'smaller' pools and they are called 'quiet' because they don't have all the bells and whistles. I paid for my vacation too and if the pool is labelled 'quiet', what on earth do you think people are going to expect???

las3888, I was one of those that sympathized with you, but essentially disagreed with your interpretation of what Disney wants. If they wanted these pools to be "quiet", they could easily accomplish this by informing everyone who checks in that this is the case. Since they don't do this, I can only presume that your take on what Disney wants regarding the quiet pools is inaccurate.

As I said before, I understand your point. It is very nice to sit in a quiet, uncrowded area at WDW and relax. This just isn't possible 24/7. When it gets too unbearable, we just leave the pool area and return later.

 

[vernon]

Disney01fan2002 said

Ask the owners who purchased at the time the free passes were being handed out. I don't know if they still get the free passes, but at the time it was a selling point, I am sure helped people decide to buy. If the original DVC members no longer get the free passes, can they complain to Disney that it is what they purchased when buy DVC? I don't think so. Free passes are not in the contract.

Actually the free pass offer was in the contract. Free passes up to Y 2000 were what was offered and Disney fully honoured their written offer. Had they not honoured it they would have been sued from here to kingdom come as it was indeed a key point to buying into DVC at that time. It was very explicit that this particular benefit only ran until Dec 2000 not beyond. Just to clear up your misunderstanding.

 

[JessetheCowgirl]

I guess I never knew that people really do pool hop so much.

With my crew--DS5, DS2, DD2months and DH and I--it takes alot of work to get everyone dressed, suncreened, supplies packed etc to head down to the resort pool.

And I guess because my children are do young, they only swim contentedly for an hour and a half or so. And the resort pools don't have a place to change clothes, do they? So you have to travel back to your hotel in swimsuits? No thanks

That would be way too much work for me!

But, to each his own. I never really notice who "belongs" and who doesn't when we're at the pool--I'm too busy keeping tabs on my own family

 

[crisi]

If what you want is sun and an lounge chair in a quiet setting (and I'm not digging at anyone here, its just I happen to know a good spot), try the beach at WL or BC. The BC is not a bad walk from BW. Since kids can't swim in the lake, these spots are usually quite quiet - and not too far from the pool bar either.

 

[DIZNYFAN]

Actually Jessethecowgirl there are changerooms at the pools to make it easier for families to get the kids changed after a swim.

 

[JessetheCowgirl]

Originally posted by DIZNYFAN
Actually Jessethecowgirl there are changerooms at the pools to make it easier for families to get the kids changed after a swim.

Really? Now how have I missed that????

I had no idea--We've always gone to the pool wearing swimsuits/coverups/sandals, then back to the room to change.

Maybe when my kids are older and will happily swim longer we will do a Tour-de-Pools.

Of course, by then the pool hopping privelege will probably be a thing of the past . . .