Enough debate on pool hopping, can we get the chair situation resolved?

[luckytso]

I accidentally read the heated thread about pool issue at AKL.

I am more concerned with the pool lounge chair issue. What is the best way to get a chair without feeling threatened if someone comes back? We don't stay at the pool long, but I would hate to go to the pool with my little ones and realized that there are no chairs left, even though most chairs are empty.

What is the best way to just get one of those chairs without feeling guilty or get dirty looks when someone does show up? I don't believe those people have more rights than I do to sit on these chairs and I am totally against the idea of saving chairs for later use. But I don't want to run into an ugly situation to get the rest of my day/night ruined.

How would you go about this? Thanks

 

[BarbaraMB]

From reading everyone's advice I have decided to ask those around, maybe they know how long those chairs have been vacant. If I take a chair that someone is really using then I will get up an apologize and never trust my judgement again! But if they come walking up looking as if they haven't been to the pool yet then I will probably tell them that I am sorry, don't know what they are talking about and that there wasn't any towel on the chair when I came. But I bet if that was the case they probably will not even approach me.

 

[lmhall2000]

I hear that alot of the time the chairs are being saved by hotel pool towels-
These pool towels have not paid for their vacation- why I don't even think they like to get wet. I asked the towels as I was folding them where they like to be- and they all unanimously replied "With all the other towels- that way we're nice and cozy"

So I feel it is my responsibility NAY, DUTY to safely return the towels to the towel storage shelf so they can be nice and cozy. If I see personal items like a bag or glasses- I'd think they'd like to stay where their owner left them- for fear the owner may never retrieve them.

In all seriousness- we are a family of five- we only take 2 chairs because usually we're all in the pool or just one or two of us needs a break. But I don't want to leave our towels/beach bags on the ground- and we would never place our items on a chair unless we were AT the pool. For those trying to reserve a spot for later down the day- PSSHAW! I have no problem at all removing hotel towels that are tossed on a chair and replacing it- but I would feel awkard about moving someone's stuff when they might be in the pool. And if all I bring down with me is a towel- there are certainly more where those came from.
But, luckily we travel during the slowest times and I don't remember this being an issue.

Tara

 

[Sammie]

The problem is everyone has a different idea of what is appropriate. I think if you go to the pool to swim, you should put your things in one of the small upright chairs, and leave the chaise lounge chairs for those sunning and reading.

I also agree that a family of 4 or more does not need one chair for each family member if most are going to be in the pool.

I personally think if you leave the pool to go back to your room, you give up the right to the chair.

However many disagree and somewhat heatedly with this. Read the discussion about this topic recently on the DVC board and you will see why this is a problem.

After reading some of the comments I can see why you would be concerned about a confrontation.

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=360736

 

[jeannej]

If the pool chairs are empty for a half hour or more I would take them. I would never think of saving a pool chair for later in the day. It is rude. If I am at the pool, I do take four chairs. One for each member of my family and our beach towels, my beach bag and books and such will be on the chairs.

Move the stuff and don't worry about it.

jeannej

 

[*Fantasia*]

Originally posted by jeannej
If the pool chairs are empty for a half hour or more I would take them.

Yeah, I would wait also...but I don't think I would want to patrol the chairs looking to see if it is occupied for half hour. I would hate to waste my half hour or so doing this on my vacation.

At the RPR, all the chairs were taken...so I ended up putting our stuff on the side by the trees. What else can I do? The pool wasn't even crowded!

I agree...I think they are very inconsiderate and very LAZY for those people who leave their towels on the chairs and knowing that they no longer going to occupy them. It doesn't take much to return the towels.

And these rude people think it is OK to save the chairs for the whole day...from dusk until dawn. I bet if they could only keep the chairs for the duration of their stay...they would probably put their names on them (every each one in their party including their 2 yr olds and even a baby gets one too!!) and use a permanent marker. My suggestion to these people...bring your own chairs!!

One great suggestion is to change the hotel rules...is bring your own towels. For sure...no one is going to leave their own towels behind once they are done using the chairs. I don't mind bringing my own towel, this lets people know that I am still using the chair. The when I am done...I take my towel with me. Simple as that.

What do you guys think about that?

 

[vicb]

Like Tara, we have only gone at non-busy times and have not had "hot" weather so this was never a problem.

I think the pool staff might be able to take a more active role. Sweep the resort towels off chairs every so often, especially if they look a "being saved" situation.

I guess I too would probably consider moving resort towels but never personal items. Nobody likes confrontations and especially not on their Disney vacation!

 

[Dalpal]

Originally posted by lmhall2000
I hear that alot of the time the chairs are being saved by hotel pool towels-
These pool towels have not paid for their vacation- why I don't even think they like to get wet. I asked the towels as I was folding them where they like to be- and they all unanimously replied "With all the other towels- that way we're nice and cozy"

Hey!
I thought I was the only one who talks to towels!

 

[MEM]

Well, if its just a hotel towel "saving" the chair, then yes, I move it, assuming the person left it there and could not be bothered to return it. I have never been confronted by anyone accusing me of taking "their" chair. Even if someone had, I could honestly say that I assumed they forgot to return their towel to the hamper.

 

[*Fantasia*]

MEM...Great response!! I would tell the folks if they return back..."I am very sorry...I thought might have just forgotten to return the towels and I assumed that you were done occuppying the chair and will never come back...here is your chair back...my appology to you." Be sincere and I don't think they would be upset about it and you're giving their chair back anyway.

 

[musicmom3]

I asked a lifeguard about this at WL, and she told us that if the chair was "toweled," just move the towels, but if the chair held personal objects like a book, suntain lotion, keys, etc., to leave it be. Made sense to me.

 

[Sammie]

I guess if people can not be reasonable then Disney might have to go to the rental chair policy that beach resorts use.

LOL, boy that would get people started.

At least you would have your own chair for the entire day with your name on it.

 

[inaminute]

The last time I checked with the towels they told me they all wanted to be made up into those cute little towel animals everyone loves so much. I guess those positions are very competitive!

 

[BarbaraMB]

Do you think it is safe to leave your beach bag with your personal things inside when you swim or do you have someone watch your resort key and money, camera, other valuables that you bring down to the pool? Do you think they are safer at the resort pool than at the water parks? I guess I am trying to ask if theft is an issue at Disney?

 

[dreamflight99]

This is a serious problem at many of the pools, and even the water parks. Some folks will toss your REAL stuff (beach bag, sunglasses, themed towels) on the ground and Plop right down on your chair. As you walk back to your seat, balancing the LUNCH items you purchased from the nearby eatery, they PRETEND to be asleep. This only works until I accidentally "spill" some of the iced tea on their legs. They jump up, defensively, acting upset. I calmly set my food down on the chaise, and retrieve MY items from the ground (where they placed them), and take my rightful place!

Well, I have a new & top secret weapon. It's called, affectionately, "fake Rubber bird plop, dog poo, chewed gum & fake vomit". It works like this....you place any one (or a combination) of these items on the chair of your choice, and casually toss the towel over the end. Voila...no one will find the chair desirable! I have not tried it yet...but with this ongoing problem, anything's worth a go! (LOL)

JK!!!

 

[bunnyfoo]

Do the resorts have a place for guests to dispose of the towels once they are done? I was thinking that could be part of the problem... if you don't know what to do with the towels, they might get left on the chairs.

dreamflight99 that's gross! *lol* ... Actually, your story reminds me of some of the people I run into on the bus when I'm on my way to work ... those people who feel their briefcase or purse needs a seat when everyone else is standing... Then when you ask them if you can sit down, they give you a dirty look.

 

[shovelhd]

I've only been on these boards for a few months but these pool threads have been by far the most enjoyable fun read! It's like Survivor - WDW: Episode 9 - Pool Chairs!

This will be our first trip to WDW. We've stayed at some very nice resorts over the years that had crowded pools, and I honestly can't remember ever having to deal with this nonsense. We've always nicely asked if empty chairs were occupied, or if we could share a partially empty table. Most of the time things turned out positively. There are rude people everywhere, and I deal with them all the same way. Politely dismiss them and move on. This is my vacation. Being nice and enjoying every hard earned minute of it is priority #1. We'll see how far it gets in a place where commando vacations are commonplace. Maybe that's part of it.

 

[MEM]

Yes the WDW resorts have clearly marked towel returns, at least at ASMu and POFQ where I have stayed. The chair situation is a big issue during the summer months and peak periods. We did not have a problem finding a chair in November or January.

 

[Canadian Tom]

Here the solution: If there is a peron in the chair, we can assume it is being used by someone. If there is personal property on or under the chair, we can assume it is being used. All else is fair dinkem. Afterall, I can't imagine that anyone would go to the pool without at least some personal things they can't take swimming with them(shoes, hotel card, cover-up). Hopefully a cover-up and shoes while walking through the hotel at the bare minimum.

 

[bunnyfoo]

Originally posted by MEM
Yes the WDW resorts have clearly marked towel returns, at least at ASMu and POFQ where I have stayed. The chair situation is a big issue during the summer months and peak periods. We did not have a problem finding a chair in November or January.

Oh okay, I wasn't sure... this will be my first time at a Disney resort. I know some of the other hotels I've stayed at don't have anywhere for you to drop your towels off.