Electrical Water Pageant

[goofy4tink]

You know.....now that bicker mentions it, this was something that did concern me at the Polynesian. I know a lot of people worry about being in the moderates/values because of those open hallways (for lack of a better word), and would rather stay in a deluxe because they feel safer in the interior halls. But, those bldgs are open all the time. The Polynesian kept it's longhouse doors open until around 11 every night. What is to prevent someone, who isn't staying there, from going into the longhouses.

But as far as who should be at the resort and who shouldn't....until Disney changes it's rules, anyone can wander around any of the resorts. They can eat in their restaurants and shop in their shops. They can sit at the tables, and even sit at the pools (although that is one I disagree with...I think if you want to relax by the pool, you should take a seat further away from the pool and allow those staying at the resort and using the pool to have to actual pool-side seats/tables).

As far as having paid big bucks to stay at a deluxe and being upset if others come and use the beach area to view fireworks or the ELP....it's really not a huge deal. Most people don't make a special trip to the Polynesian to do this..they are usually there to eat and then head to the beach area to watch. With the exception of the 4th of July, I can't see it as a huge deal. There is more than plenty of room.

 

[SAWYERMAW1]

We normally make dinner reservations at the Poly and time them so we can go out and watch the fireworks show. This way we are patrons of the Poly too!!!

 

[Thierry444]

We normally make dinner reservations at the Poly and time them so we can go out and watch the fireworks show. This way we are patrons of the Poly too!!!

You get what you pay for, want better, it costs you. I paid the price

Ok dear pepe of ohio... what do you think of these brand new rules :

Rule #1 : Values guest are not allowed to come into Deluxe resorts. They're not allowed either to dine or shop here.They're not even allowed to look at. VIOLATORS WILL BE PROSECUTED. You get what you pay for.

Rule #2 : Deluxe guests pay more... that's why the best attractions of the theme parks are for their exclusive use. Values guests are just allowed to look at them having fun. You get what you pay for.

Rule #3 : During very high attendance (temperature) periods, values guests are allowed to share theaters with Deluxe guests but it is clear that they are not allowed to take the better seats in it. You get what you pay for.

Do you really want WDW to become this stincky place. I hope you don't.
One more thing. Just in case, some of your party wanted to see Toy Story giant dolls in ASMO... don't worry... You're the very welcome and I promise not to complain to anybody !!!

 

[disneydave2003]

You get what you pay for, want better, it costs you. I paid the price

Ok dear pepe of ohio... what do you think of these brand new rules :

Rule #1 : Values guest are not allowed to come into Deluxe resorts. They're not allowed either to dine or shop here.They're not even allowed to look at. VIOLATORS WILL BE PROSECUTED. You get what you pay for.

Rule #2 : Deluxe guests pay more... that's why the best attractions of the theme parks are for their exclusive use. Values guests are just allowed to look at them having fun. You get what you pay for.

Rule #3 : During very high attendance (temperature) periods, values guests are allowed to share theaters with Deluxe guests but it is clear that they are not allowed to take the better seats in it. You get what you pay for.

Do you really want WDW to become this stincky place. I hope you don't.
One more thing. Just in case, some of your party wanted to see Toy Story giant dolls in ASMO... don't worry... You're the very welcome and I promise not to complain to anybody !!!

umm, hmmmmmmmm
rule #1 we weren't talking about dining and shopping. we were talking about using other amenities so feel free to dine and shop at any resort you want to.
rules#2 & #3 why are you talking about attractions? EVERYONE pays admission for the theme parks so everyone can enjoy every aspect of the parks they pay admission to

why are you turning it into value vs deluxe? i wasn't saying you shouldn't go over to poly and take up chairs from paying poly resort guests b/c you are staying at a value. i feel guests of any of the resorts, value/mod/deluxe should not be taking up beach chairs/pool chairs/pool space at any other resort. for example, i wouldn't go to yacht & beach, swan/dolphin or boardwalk while staying I'm staying at poly or anywhere else and hog up their beach chairs to view illuminations (not even sure if you can view illuminations from those areas but just trying to make my point). you want to use amenities at pofq, pay to stay there. you want to use amenities at allstars, pay to stay there, if you want to be able to walk to mk, pay to stay at CR, if you want to watch fireworks/ewp from poly, pay to stay there, if you want to relax on hammocks of the cbr beaches, pay to stay there, etc. however, dine and shop anywhere until your little heart contents.

finally, enjoy your vacation

 

[goofy4tink]

Again, for the most part, those at the Polynesian (and this is where is it most prevelant) don't really care if there are some people on the beach watching either 'Wishes' or ELP. There really isn't a huge crowd there. The issue tends to be that the Polynesian is the most popular deluxe to go to and 'check out' the extra amenities. It's on the monorail, has a terrific view of MK, has a wonderful pool, great restuarants, TTC is a short walk away. It is probably the easiest of all the deluxes to get in and out of. So, it gets more than it's fair share of 'resort lookers'. But, as long as those people aren't trying out the different ameneties (pools) then there shouldn't be a huge issue. I have stayed at the Polynesian...love it there. And I never had an issue with people that stopped by, after dinner, to watch the happenings off the beach. Most people are very well mannered.
This is not about the 'haves' and 'have-nots'......can I afford to stay at the Polynesian? Yep, but sometimes I like to stay at POP, but I can still head over to the Polynesian for my lunch at Kona and a stroll around the grounds. Or dinner at 'Ohana and then maybe fireworks after...I promise I'm not taking any space in the hammocks!!

 

[fakereadhed]

The simple answer is yes you can. WDW doesn't discourage this. It is to their advantage that people check out the different resorts, as they may shop eat or stay there in the future. Let's not forget that this is a business, although a magical one. If people are that upset about how much they pay at the Poly maybe they are secretly wishing they had made ressies at an All-Star?

 

[MiaSRN62]

however, dine and shop anywhere until your little heart contents.

This is the thing....I think alot of people who do go to the Poly/WL/Contemp beach/viewing area are watching EWP AFTER having dined or shopped there. It's just too much of a hassle to go there, park, walk to the back of the resort, simply to view a 5-10 min parade. I have never witnessed any crowds taking up chairs or blocking views at any of the above mentioned resorts during EWP (and we've done this maybe 6 times in the past 10 years). In fact, it's been quite the contrary----it's usually sort of deserted that late in the evening. NEVER encountered any resort guest being denied a chair or view or whatever. I think this is really blown out of perspective
I'm glad the DCL isn't like this. Whether or not you're in a top-notch cabin or an inside stateroom with no windows, the DCL treats everyone the same. Everyone is entitled to the amenities the ship has to offer. I feel WDW is the same. They don't begrudge someone coming in for a meal or shopping and then wanting to stand on the beach for 5 min. It's a REAL short parade by disney standards. I think the percentage that come in soley to view this short-lived parade are far and few in between.

 

[bicker]

I'm glad the DCL isn't like this. Whether or not you're in a top-notch cabin or an inside stateroom with no windows, the DCL treats everyone the same. Everyone is entitled to the amenities the ship has to offer.

However, unlike the Polynesian, DCL doesn't have to worry about guests from the RCCL and Carnival ships coming on board, using the amenities of the Wonder or the Magic. So perhaps without intending to, you've identified half the problem: allowing off-site guests use of on-site resort amenities.

Let's carry your cruise ship analogy forward. The amenity that we are talking about here is an exclusive place to view something, as an alternative to the common place to view something. Note that, by all accounts, the common place to view Wishes is superior to the exclusive place -- what the exclusive place has going for it is that it is, well, exclusive. So here's the best analogy to that on a cruise ship: We had a balcony cabin on board our RCCL cruise, and so we sole use to that exclusive place to view the islands drifting by. Folks with inside cabins had to go to the common place to view the islands; they weren't entitled to use our balcony. I grant that it isn't an exact match to the Poly beach scenario, but it is the best match, and the reality is that there is no exact match, because cruise ships are so much more limited in what they offer to even their elite passengers. However, don't be deceived: Passengers who pay more do get more, not only in terms of the size of their accommodations, but in terms of the quality of their service, and often the amenities they enjoy.

I think the Poly beach scenario is really a non-issue: People are objecting to the practice on principle, not because it represents a real serious harm. The harm, rather, comes from a culture of entitlement which has worked to eat away at many of the better things that folks like Disney have offered, such as the original Guest Recovery programs. It's a shame we've put so much focus on something that is really just a touchstone for a real problem, instead of focusing on the real problem itself.

 

[fakereadhed]

Folks with inside cabins had to go to the common place to view the islands; they weren't entitled to use our balcony.

Sorry to add to this trainwreck, but I don't think the issue is viewing the parade from someone's balcony at the Poly either. A verandah attached to your stateroom is assigned only for your use. Totally not the same as watching a parade from the beach. I wasn't planning on going to the Poly to see it, but I am going now on principle. Just kidding!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

I have worked for and with some very rich and famous people in my life and I have found that those who truly HAVE are the most generous and down to earth people that you would ever want to meet. HOWEVER, many of those who just aspire to being Got Rocks often are not as self assured and more jealous of their imagined perks.

I can see the security issue somewhat however I feel that if someone is up to no good they might very well just charge a room at a deluxe to a card that they have no intention of paying anyway so they could gain access. JMO

I have found very few people willing to slep all the way over to the Poly just to see the EWP unless they are driving as it is quite a venture to get back to your home resort. The beaches around the lagoon are big enough to hold any hoards who might decide to join me there and I welcome the company as I am often saddened to be the only one on the beach of whatever resort I am looking from.

We did the monorail tour last trip to see the Christmas decorations and had a lovely time. I do not feel one bit guilty. I enjoy looking at the fancy resorts but have no desire to stay there as I feel they 'might' have a no shoes/no service rule and I just plain would not fit in.

The most wonderful thing about DW is the fact that there is something for anyone and that no matter what our individual tastes are we share one thing in common, our love for the Mouse.

Bicker, I just love your before and after pics. Congratulations from one who is struggling to attain normalcy, perfection is out of the question.

Thierry and Fakeredhead, I would love to share the beach with you guys any old day. We would have a hoot and a half. (btw, I do believe you have something there when you say that some of the people at the deluxes might rue the expense altho I am betting that there are an equal amount of people at the AS who wish they could be at the deluxes- the secret seems to be that when you CAN afford the deluxes the values are all that much sweeter since they are a choice and not a necessity).

These are just the ramblings of my early morning mind and not meant to be a slam at any person or idea. I love ideas, even ones that are not mine and I might not agree with or not. Opinions, everyone has them. Good for them!!

Slightly Goofy

 

[bicker]

Totally not the same as watching a parade from the beach.

It is the closest analogy available. Perhaps what you're pointing out is that Mia's comparison to DCL was not a good analogy -- that there is no way to compare DCL to the Polynesian in this regard.

 

[MiaSRN62]

DCL doesn't have to worry about guests from the RCCL and Carnival ships coming on board, using the amenities of the Wonder or the Magic. So perhaps without intending to, you've identified half the problem: allowing off-site guests use of on-site resort amenities.

I see the point Bicker. I am one of those offsite guests who has been on the beach to view the EWP. We stay at our offsite timeshare (Vistana) as well as our DVC stays. But we've never made the trip over to the Poly or WL without having a meal or doing shopping there---it's just not worth the trip imho. So, even offsite (non wdw hotel) guests can be considered patrons of the Poly (or inject any hotel here). Unlike someone coming from the RCCL ship and sneaking on board the Magic to use the spa or whatever. A guest from RCCL or Carnival would not be patroning the Magic. For one, you have to show your ID card to identify you as a guest on board the Magic/Wonder. So even if a RCCL passenger was willing to pay for a spa treatment or whatever, they would not be allowed because they wouldn't have their Key card. Also, as someone stated, an inside stateroom guest would not be able to crash another passengers' private verandah any more than a non-Poly guest could get inside a Poly guests' room and use their balcony.
The Poly/Contemp/WL (or any of the disney resorts), pretty much don't care if I'm staying at the Vistana and want to dine at O'Hana's and then walk out to the beach at 9:45 pm to see the 5 min parade. In fact, I'll tell you.....having done this over the years has led to us actually staying at some of those resorts (WL and Contemp Tower). I'm not sure had I not seen them up close, would I have pursued staying there.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Perhaps what you're pointing out is that Mia's comparison to DCL was not a good analogy -- that there is no way to compare DCL to the Polynesian in this regard.

True...might not have been the best analogy. It was all I could come up with this early in the morning

 

[MaBelle]

Post ended up in wrong place - sorry! (I had 2 windows open and thought I was replying on a different thread)

 

[MareQ]

I wonder how many people enjoying all there is to enjoy at the Boardwalk are actually guests there? Maybe all those people should just stay at their resorts and use the amenities they paid for. If they decide to come and enjoy the restaurants then I fully expect them to not look at the street performers or enjoy the views from the boardwalk - please walk with your head down and only look at your feet until you get to your destination and by ALL means - do NOT wander around to check anything else in the area out - if you didn't pay for it you are not entitled to see it.


Seriously though - while I can understand how annoying this is for guests staying there, obviously Disney doesn't perceive this to be an issue otherwise they would have restricted it by now. I detest the whole pool hopping thing because it's NOT allowed and it's one of MY perks as a DVC member - I am ENTITLED to that perk - per Disney - while other guests are not. Going down on a beach to watch the fireworks is not a perk advertised and restricted for certain groups/individuals. It is what it is and nobody should be coming down on guests for doing something they are allowed to do.

 

[bicker]

You've raised a very good point: The BoardWalk was designed and intended to be a place where non-resort guests come to enjoy the entertainment the BoardWalk offers. That differntiates the BoardWalk from the rest of the resorts.

I wouldn't say that Disney "would have done" everything they ever plan to do. Disney is constantly changing, updating, adjusting to what they encounter. There are a long list of amenties and services that Disney has changed over the years, changed after having worked the same way for many years, based on the manner in which guests came to use the amenities and services.

Practically everything is subject to change without notice.

 

[disneyfan67]

There's been some interesting posts so far on this thread and some very valid points made as well. I'll try and see if I can add something worth while to this discussion.

The're posters here who are saying it's not a big deal and that beach by the Poly is for everyone. In theory it's sounds great and we should all be one big happy Disney family. In real world application there are guests who don't stay at the Poly but do use the beach for access for the ELP and fireworks. I know this for a fact because I was there for 5 nights last May and like clockwork the beach would fill up, all the chairs taken, then go back to normal after everything was done. I noticed this every night I was out there swiming with my children and you would see alot of people head toward the GCH, bus stops, ferries, etc.

My sister who stayed at the Poly for the first time last May wondered what was going on and I explained it to her. When a newbie to the resort can pick up on this then you know it may be a problem. One day (due to some rude guests) the beach at the Poly wiil probably be restricted to guests of the Poly. I didn't have too much of a problem with people taking up the chairs because I wasn't using them, but I could see how some Poly guests may have issues with this. I don't understand why someone can't grasp that concept?


It's not being rude to enjoy what you pay for.

Guests of the Poly are not trying to act like they have money for the first time in their lives and more have than enough self assurance, thank you.

All WDW guests are welcome to tour the resorts, it's just the bad apples who ruin it for everyone else. It never ceases to amaze me how rude some people are, take advantage of something and then act shocked when the rules change. I see this happen more and more in everyday life and why can't some be more respectfull of others around them? There should be enough room for a limited amount of non Poly guests to enjoy the beach area for firework viewing, but I could see it getting out of hand if a lot of guests did it.

The security issue that has been raised is a vaild one and I wonder when Disney will make some changes? It may not happen for awhile. but it only takes one bad incident to change things forever. I'm surprised that the doors to the longhouses don't stay locked all the time and it's not that big of a hassle to use your keycard.

My last thought on adding to this thread. I'm always surprised that some members get nasty or make snarky comments toward each other on threads like this. There's been some real issues raised here and members like Bicker have debated it very well.

 

[CheshireVal]

Sheesh, a lot of you people need to come down off your high horses.

No, really, it's okay. Those of us down here on the ground won't bite and infect you with our "common-ness."

Part of the experience of WDW is resort hopping, wandering around the resorts, the grounds, and the food/shopping. If you don't like sharing your beaches with others, then pay for a lagoon view so that you can watch the shows from your balcony, high above the commotion on the beach.

I've seen a lot of ridiculous things on the Dis, but this thread goes a lot farther into that category than really it needs to. Some of you sound like a bunch of whiny 2 year olds who don't want to share their toys.

 

[Pats Dragon]

I've been on the beach at the Poly both as a "legitimate" paying person and also as a Ohana guest who happens to step outside to see the electric pageant. The pageant and locations to view it are listed in the "official guide" to WDW which means to me that Disney plans for all sorts of visitors to enjoy it at these sites. By the way, usually I stand for the very brief show but I have never seen ALL the chairs etc. taken! If the beaches became as crowded as wishes then poly guests really have a legitimate complaint which should be addressed with the manager.

 

[DaisyD]

Have to add my 2 cents to the mix. I stay at the Poly a lot. It is like a second home to me! I have seen the beach empty but more then not I see it quite crowded. There are many times when there are no chairs to be had to sit on the beach for the fireworks. Everyone has dragged them off the pool deck. I know for a fact that many folks are not Poly guests. Heck, many aren't even Disney resort guests! I can't tell you how many people I've talked to over the years that are staying offsite and had read about the Poly beach in a book or online. The place has really gotten crowded over the years. I cruise a lot of the boards and there isn't a day that goes by that a poster is recommending viewing the ELP or Wishes from the Poly beach. This does have an effect on the crowds whether some want to admit it or not. Now I'm far from a resort snob but I really think it is wrong to even consider hanging out when I'm not a guest. It would never occur to me to even ask if it is okay to do as I just wouldn't want to infringe myself on paying guests. I think there should either be a limit as to how many non Poly guests are allowed on the beach or just keep everyone but Poly guests away. I know that sounds harsh but what I've seen over the years gets worse and worse. I go during offseason so I can just imagine how bad it gets during peak.