Grand Californian Hotel Pool before check in

[sonnyjane]

but if "everyone" frowns upon it then why do resorts not make a policy about it? A bigger issue than just DLR in my opinion its at every resort...in my opinion until the resorts decide to do something about it I can't see why you can't or shouldn't do it other than "its rude".

In Vegas, many hotels have signs posted saying that chairs left unattended for longer than 30 minutes will be cleared by pool staff. In Hawaii, we saw a similar sign but I believe it was an hour.

 

[bbeagle]

Or move the chair ... then you're not touching property.

Hahahaha... I guess I never thought about that.

So, it's 'okay' to move the ENTIRE chair with all the belongings on said chair 100 feet away, but it's NOT 'okay' to push the BELONGINGS over 2 feet. Okay. \

So, I guess if I USED said belongings to dry off with, and put them back in the same spots I found them, would that be okay?

Actually - if more people did THAT, I think less people would leave out their towels!

 

[Iceman93]

For example, I've arrived at a near-empty resort pool before, and there are folded up towels on chairs everywhere, mostly in the prime by-the-pool seating.

Perhaps I'm just an ignoramus, but I always thought those folded-up towels left on prime spots early in the day were put there by the hotel staff for the use of guests who want those chairs.

 

[DharmaLou]

I may be a prude, but I don't think a thong is family-friendly or Disney appropriate.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

I may be a prude, but I don't think a thong is family-friendly or Disney appropriate.

I agree. I know everybody has their own level of appropriate, but I wouldn't be happy, especially with my kids there.

 

[australiankaren]

Re: my friends swimwear, she cant understand why in the USA those types of bottoms are frowned upon whilst in Europe its the norm. I guess Europeans have a more open & natural attitude to sex and body image.

Re: moving her stuff, she'd be horrified and panic thinking someone is stalking or following her, and knowing her this would make her retreat into her room & they would stay there.
If this really is a huge problem, then I really think this task is best left to the life guards/pool attendants on duty, as normal people really wouldn't like others touching their stuff, this is like when someone moves your bag from the overhead locker on a plane because they want that space instead. Just rude IMO.

Re: reserving pool lounge, she will be checking in at 7 am, as a previous person noted you get your room key at that time allowing you pool access. She will be trying to reserve a shaded lounge away from the pool aka not a prime location as her son has a skin disorder and needs full shade thus the panic and disappointment re not getting a cabana. I really think that people with medical issues should be fast tracked to get the cabanas before others as its a medical need not just for enjoyment .

Once again thanks for the input.

 

[DarthMole]

Why come here and ask these questions if all you're going to do is disregard the responses? When traveling to a foreign country, one should adapt to rules (written or unwritten) of the country they are visiting. Historically, Americans in general have deservedly been labeled as arrogant when traveling abroad for not adapting. We've been branded as rude and disrespectful. I really don't see much difference here. I really appreciate when people from non-tipping countries come here asking about the rules and customs because it shows their willingness to adapt to our culture and do something they wouldn't normally do in their homeland. I really thought that was direction this was originally heading and am disappointed it isn't the case. Regardless, I hope your friend and her son have a good time and do not have any pool related issues today.

 

[Dot2Vegas]

Re: my friends swimwear, she cant understand why in the USA those types of bottoms are frowned upon whilst in Europe its the norm. I guess Europeans have a more open & natural attitude to sex and body image.

Re: moving her stuff, she'd be horrified and panic thinking someone is stalking or following her, and knowing her this would make her retreat into her room & they would stay there.
If this really is a huge problem, then I really think this task is best left to the life guards/pool attendants on duty, as normal people really wouldn't like others touching their stuff, this is like when someone moves your bag from the overhead locker on a plane because they want that space instead. Just rude IMO.

Re: reserving pool lounge, she will be checking in at 7 am, as a previous person noted you get your room key at that time allowing you pool access. She will be trying to reserve a shaded lounge away from the pool aka not a prime location as her son has a skin disorder and needs full shade thus the panic and disappointment re not getting a cabana. I really think that people with medical issues should be fast tracked to get the cabanas before others as its a medical need not just for enjoyment .

Once again thanks for the input.

I am aware that this will come off as insensitive, and that is not my intention, but I feel this needs to be said. If your friends son needs the shade and that can be secured early in the morning, as you planned, then I feel that someone needs to stay and stake out the spot. If shade is the priority, then treat it as such. Have someone stay in your desired spot. When we visit busy pools this is what we do. Is it fun to have someone sit and hold a spot for the group? Nope. But if it is important that is what we do. Send a "runner" to hang out with a book and claim our turf. Placing items on a chair isn't going to secure anything. As far as cabana rentals to those with medical needs, it is a good idea on theory but if they did that where do they draw a line? Lots of folks have issues with skin and sun and the cabanas would probably book up for those with medical problems, leaving none for any one else. There probably is no way for a happy medium.
Despite the issues I hope everyone has a great time!

 

[aliceindisneyland]

I'm more concerned that your friend understands enough to ask whether her thong would be ok, but lacks the sense to buy an appropriate swimsuit for a USA hotel teeming with kiddos. On the other hand I hope she is at the GCH pool when we are next week because my kids would get a kick laughing at the crazy lady with her booty hanging out. (They still rotfl at my dad who wears a Speedo in the spa because his regular trunks billow up with the bubbles.) I imagine pretty much every kid there will do the same. Thongs are not at all the same as cleavage in US culture.

 

[Malcon10t]

Re: moving her stuff, she'd be horrified and panic thinking someone is stalking or following her, and knowing her this would make her retreat into her room & they would stay there.
If this really is a huge problem, then I really think this task is best left to the life guards/pool attendants on duty, as normal people really wouldn't like others touching their stuff, this is like when someone moves your bag from the overhead locker on a plane because they want that space instead. Just rude IMO.

You feel it is rude to move unattended belongings. Most of us feel it is rude to leave the belongings if they aren't there.

Cabanas went fast for this weekend. When she booked her room, she should have been put on the list for a cabana then.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

I am aware that this will come off as insensitive, and that is not my intention, but I feel this needs to be said. If your friends son needs the shade and that can be secured early in the morning, as you planned, then I feel that someone needs to stay and stake out the spot. If shade is the priority, then treat it as such. Have someone stay in your desired spot. When we visit busy pools this is what we do. Is it fun to have someone sit and hold a spot for the group? Nope. But if it is important that is what we do. Send a "runner" to hang out with a book and claim our turf. Placing items on a chair isn't going to secure anything. As far as cabana rentals to those with medical needs, it is a good idea on theory but if they did that where do they draw a line? Lots of folks have issues with skin and sun and the cabanas would probably book up for those with medical problems, leaving none for any one else. There probably is no way for a happy medium.
Despite the issues I hope everyone has a great time!

I am so glad you said this. I tried to form a response this morning but couldn't articulate it well.

I want to add, that if your friend's son really needs the shade, she should have booked a cabana long ago before they were sold out. A hotel should hold cabanas they could have rented on the off chance somebody with a medical need may need one? That is crazy and honestly not realistic at all. I am fair skinned and burn really easily. I have two options - get out there early abs stay to get a shade spot or we spend very little time at the pool.

As for the bathing suit - you asked and many of us told you it would be inappropriate, so tell your friend that. Let her think Americans are prudes. But please don't ask questions and then disregard the answers given.

 

[australiankaren]

Why come here and ask these questions if all you're going to do is disregard the responses? When traveling to a foreign country, one should adapt to rules (written or unwritten) of the country they are visiting. Historically, Americans in general have deservedly been labeled as arrogant when traveling abroad for not adapting. We've been branded as rude and disrespectful. I really don't see much difference here. I really appreciate when people from non-tipping countries come here asking about the rules and customs because it shows their willingness to adapt to our culture and do something they wouldn't normally do in their homeland. I really thought that was direction this was originally heading and am disappointed it isn't the case. Regardless, I hope your friend and her son have a good time and do not have any pool related issues today.

hi again....
I am not going to disregard the answers, I'm just trying to collect the relevant information to pass to my friend. As we all know, most people who travel often as we do have the mind set to change to varying environments. I was just gauging the reactions of the patrons of a 5 star resort in California (home of beach boys, katy perry and lindsay lohan) re: bathing wear, as most people I find who frequent 5 stars a tad more traveled and open IMO. We just go on what we see re the usa by the way you portray yourselves on multi media.
I also would be really disappointed if parents encouraged their children to ridicule other people re clothing when its different, that's why I love the fact that in Australia we have school uniforms, thus not allowing people to be picked on because they dress differently.

As for booking the cabana, she did put in a request when she booked her room over 2 months ago but the person who reserved it on the phone lost /didnt add the request, thus the panic now.She is now at the bottom of the wait list, but that doesn't help her. That's why I am trying to get her a decent shaded spot, not due to lack of planning on her part.

So from what I gather, I should tell her...don't wear the swimmers unless you want people pointing and mocking , and don't mind lounge chairs. Apart from that, try and have a good time.

 

[disneychrista]

I may be a prude, but I don't think a thong is family-friendly or Disney appropriate.

 

[darcie2000]

I may be a prude, but I don't think a thong is family-friendly or Disney appropriate.

Nope, you're not a prude. I would expect to see thongs poolside at Vegas, not Disneyland.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

My response to your questions...

1) If I understand correctly, your friend wants to know if she should put her stuff on a lounge chair early in the morning, then leave the pool area to do other things, and when she comes back, a chair will be ready for her? I think that would be very inconsiderate. If her son needs to be in the shade, then she can probably get a chair that is available, and pull it over to the shade (provided that there is shade). I would hope that one of the hotel attendants would help her to accommodate her son when they did arrive at the pool. If the pool doesn't have any appropriate space for her son, then perhaps they can go the next day. Still, I bet the Grand Californian would do their best to work with her.

2) Regarding the thong, I wouldn't tell your friend that people would mock her, but that people would be shocked at a Disney resort pool if she wore something that bared so much. There are beaches here in the States, and probably other resorts that cater to more adult themed swimwear, but if she wants to be more respectful of customs here, especially a family environment, then you might let her know that her outfit would cause a stir. If she doesn't want that kind of a reaction where she might be embarrassed, and distracted from tending to her son, she might look for a suit that is more appropriate in this particular environment.

I'm going to close this thread now since australiankaren got her answers, and we want to keep this friendly.

Thanks.