had a great time...BUT

[GeneralTso]

We stayed at Beach Club Villas a few months ago and they were very serious about making sure there weren't any pool hoppers in the area. Checked wristbands regularly.
I think it's different for the cheaper properties. And clearly on these boards, pool hopping is a high crime
People pool hop all the time, it just happens. People break rules, which is the other hot button topic on these boards. Doesn't make it right, but it happens.

OP shouldn't have posted this, as it only causes a riot.

Kiddie pools completely gross me out--just filled with sewage, and you can't tell me a "swimmer" diaper handles all that. Ugh. No thank you.

 

[Ensusieasm]

I've been following the POFQ thread for a couple of months now because we're staying in April. It's my understanding that POFQ had no kids splash pad before this last week when the brand new one opened. If I'm understanding that correctly, there wouldn't have been an announcement when you made reservations at POFQ that the kiddie pool was down, because, until just recently, there was actually no kiddie pool/splash pad at the resort at all. So the announcement about no kiddie pool when there has never been a separate kiddie pool would have been moot.

I'm sorry things disrupted your trip though, OP.

They did have a shallow kiddie pool at POFQ but closed it to turn it into a kids splash area. It was supposed to be completed before the pool work began at POR, but had a lot of problems. So, that's why both kiddie pools were closed at the same time, even though it wasn't planned that way.

 

[cdnSpinalTap]

OP, you are fortunate that the Pop gate security is lax! @ AKL, they are super strict, to keep the pool hoppers OUT, we were told. And yes, AKL has a kiddie pool. They required scanning a magic band to prove your were either staying there, or had an ADR @ one of their restaurants. AND we were returning via taxi!
Pool hopping is only allowed for DVC members, & even THEN certain DVC/Deluxe resorts are excluded from ANY pool hopping.

Just tell the guards at the security gate that you are valet parked at another resort - I do this all the time and it allows me to park at any resort, even if I am not staying there. For example, I can park at the Contemporary for a day at Magic Kingdom.

Waiting....

Just kidding

I do sympathize with the OP for the situation and it's always good to ask for solutions when things don't suit you. Unfortunately the solution did not meet your requirements and you've obviously learned something from the experience. I imagine it won't happen again in the future. Hopefully, other than this, your vacation was enjoyable.

[EDIT: To correct spelling]

 

[xipetotec]

That's interesting, because we all felt this past trip ( just got back too ) had some really GREAT cast members compared to some previous trips. Really outstanding!

My complaint is that we're really starting to SEE the cutbacks. For example, I like to get the pulled pork sandwich at Fairfax Fare at DHS. and this year... it was SAD. tiny bun with a scraping of pork. As a very WEIRD contrast though, when we went to the Flower and Garden festival, I got the pulled pork *SLIDER* ( aka a SMALL sandwich ) and it was a full on sandwich with plenty of meat in it. I dunno, weird inconsistent mix.

But the staff was great!

 

[Nancyg56]

But in the op's mind, she didn't get what she paid for - use of a pool that was appropriate for her young children.

OH. Understand that the OP felt wronged. No one is disputing that the kiddie pool was a big deal to the OP. WHat we are saying is that these things happen. COnstruction and refurbished occur all of the time, and thee will be times when whatever is down is a huge disappointment. Disney tried to rectify the situation using the tools that were available, but this is nto wha the OP wanted. What the OP wanted was no within Disney policy and at that point decided to circumvent the rules. This is the issue that I have.

IIRC, upthread the OP said they offered to move her to POP but she refused. She was quite willing to use POP pools, but not move. Would a move to a Deluxe have fixed the issue????

I do know that if the OP had been downgraded there would probably been refund of the difference in cost, but if upgraded at her request, I think the cost would have been on her.

 

[SaintsManiac]

I know, but I think my point is germane to the conversation as a whole.

Of course it is. Let's remember that she was offered a move to another hotel, compensation, etc. If it were that important to me I would have taken them up on their offers.

 

[KateP85]

We stayed at Beach Club Villas a few months ago and they were very serious about making sure there weren't any pool hoppers in the area. Checked wristbands regularly.
I think it's different for the cheaper properties. And clearly on these boards, pool hopping is a high crime
People pool hop all the time, it just happens. People break rules, which is the other hot button topic on these boards. Doesn't make it right, but it happens.

OP shouldn't have posted this, as it only causes a riot.

Kiddie pools completely gross me out--just filled with sewage, and you can't tell me a "swimmer" diaper handles all that. Ugh. No thank you.

I kind of agree with you. Guests at Disney break the rules all the time, it's annoying to those who follow them, but I can't be bothered to work myself up over all of them. However, it's pretty stupid to come onto these boards, tell everyone you broke the rules (and that you'd do it again) and then be confused as to why people aren't all agreeing with you.

I also agree with you on kiddie pools. My son is 3 so we take him in the big pool now, but I hated those toddler pools SO much! I hated that the water was warm, it made me feel like I was wading around in pee.

 

[prestoncaldwell]

I'm not going to thump the rulebook in your face. Just because there is a rule doesn't mean it's the right rule. Even if it is the right rule (which this rule probably is), exceptions should be made in cases like yours. I've been in the hospitality business for a long time, and I would have called the RM at another resort and arranged for them to accommodate you at their pool. And the RM at the other resort should cheerfully oblige. We bend rules for guests with extenuating circumstances every day. Especially if the extenuating circumstances stem from our own closure.


I know the Church Ladies here wanted you to put your 3 year old in a 4 foot pool, but I can fully understand that being carried around the deep pool by dad and splashing around a toddler pool are two entirely different experiences.

Worst than the fact that they wouldn't accommodate you is the rudeness with which two levels treated you, and I hope you have communicated your disappointment with Disney. You paid too much to be treated like you're a body at a Super 8.

 

[Dismama2boys]

Of course it is. Let's remember that she was offered a move to another hotel, compensation, etc. If it were that important to me I would have taken them up on their offers.

Yes, I know. I might have taken them up in it too. But I sympathize with her on how hard it is to pack up and move everything one totes along with small children. I also understand being frustrated at lack of communication issues - it's one of my pet peeves. If an amenity at a resort is unavailable, guests should be aware of it ahead of time. I can totally see that she thought using another resorts pool should have been fair, and easily accommodated. What she didn't know at the time is that there is no way for them to make that happen. There is no piece of paper to give to another resort, or whatever. I once went to a resort who had to close all of their hot tubs, so they allowed us to use the ones at their sister resort next door. It does seem reasonable that one could expect that accommodation. But that's not an option, and that didn't make sense to her. I get it. I think she's been beaten over the head with it now, so now she knows.

 

[Ensusieasm]

We stayed at Beach Club Villas a few months ago and they were very serious about making sure there weren't any pool hoppers in the area. Checked wristbands regularly.
I think it's different for the cheaper properties. And clearly on these boards, pool hopping is a high crime
People pool hop all the time, it just happens. People break rules, which is the other hot button topic on these boards. Doesn't make it right, but it happens.

OP shouldn't have posted this, as it only causes a riot.

Kiddie pools completely gross me out--just filled with sewage, and you can't tell me a "swimmer" diaper handles all that. Ugh. No thank you.

Feature pools at Disney have been suddenly closed due to diaper accidents. I don't think any diapered kids should be allowed anywhere except a kiddie pool. Keep all the muck over where they all are mucking it up together.

 

[Lisa F]

I wouldn't have moved. Once you're unpacked that's a big pain in the butt. However, I agree with those who say if she was offering you tickets to blizzard beach, why didn't you go there and use their toddler pool facilities rather than insisting swim happen at another resort? It seems to me that she gave you a solution that was within the rules and even better than what you were asking for - if you had to pack up to pool hop, what is the difference between that and packing up to go to a water park?

 

[poppinspenguins]

I regret even bringing this up (as probably every one does!). I Wasn't looking for sympathy. I wished someone had posted about this before I went...I would have changed the hotel. Hopefully it helped lolone person. ( but now i read it has reopened!) I really only pay much attention to boards when I'm planning. I know the boards occasionlly get rough, but not worth it the aggravation. I think I had like 130 posts before today in 2 years. And I still think the service is going down. My husband worked there and was appalled at some of the behavior he saw.

I thought I was making a reasonable request and still do. I was very kind to all involved and didn't break rules...I was even told where to go. I admitted to doing it like twice in the past after a dinner res but not having done so since. (Specific example...we had dinner at kona...got a dole whip...sat by the pool waiting 10 or so minutes til water pageant started) we also let my son play at the playground at ak waiting for boma reservation. I guess thats bad too. I didn't want access to anything...did not want any refund or free tix..just a replacement pool. (Which is offered for the regular pools when they are down ) Something a bit safer. My husband was golfing 1 of those days and I really didn't want to attempt the real pool by myself with 2 little ones. I dont like the big pool for them when both of us are there! When they offered something it wasn't a big dramatic "that is unacceptable". When I said I would do it again...only in this specific situation. Which won't happen again as I will talking to them before hand.

To answer a question...no...wouldn't have moved to a deluxe. Can't say it enough...we weren't looking for anything additinal, just an replacement and I thought bb was too extravagant an offer. It just seemed silly. When she said how about a mickey fp I said don't worry about it and she insisted. Probably because I wasn't demanding and she understood I was only asking for a replacement


I'm out now...no time left for fruitless discussion.

One thing we can agree on...we like disney.

 

[SaintsManiac]

Yes, I know. I might have taken them up in it too. But I sympathize with her on how hard it is to pack up and move everything one totes along with small children. I also understand being frustrated at lack of communication issues - it's one of my pet peeves. If an amenity at a resort is unavailable, guests should be aware of it ahead of time. I can totally see that she thought using another resorts pool should have been fair, and easily accommodated. What she didn't know at the time is that there is no way for them to make that happen. There is no piece of paper to give to another resort, or whatever. I once went to a resort who had to close all of their hot tubs, so they allowed us to use the ones at their sister resort next door. It does seem reasonable that one could expect that accommodation. But that's not an option, and that didn't make sense to her. I get it. I think she's been beaten over the head with it now, so now she knows.

Again, I have no idea why you've singled me out to argue with. I don't really care either way.

 

[lugnut33]

Hey OP, I'm a pool hopper!! A few years ago while staying at Kidani Village my wife and I rented a boat for 2 hours from the Contemporary. When we finished we used the Contemporary pool for a few hours.
Signed,
Fellow pool criminal

 

[prestoncaldwell]

Hey OP, I'm a pool hopper!! A few years ago while staying at Kidani Village my wife and I rented a boat for 2 hours from the Contemporary. When we finished we used the Contemporary pool for a few hours.
Signed,
Fellow pool criminal

The DIS Police are currently getting a warrant for your arrest issued.

 

[Dismama2boys]

Again, I have no idea why you've singled me out to argue with. I don't really care either way.

I was responding to your post with my opinion, not trying to argue. But I'll remember not to interact with you in the future.

 

[cruisingtwins]

What a weird thing to get upset about. I could care less who uses the pool of the hotel I'm staying in. Most people are in the parks anyways.

 

[Dug720]

Yes, I know. I might have taken them up in it too. But I sympathize with her on how hard it is to pack up and move everything one totes along with small children. I also understand being frustrated at lack of communication issues - it's one of my pet peeves. If an amenity at a resort is unavailable, guests should be aware of it ahead of time. I can totally see that she thought using another resorts pool should have been fair, and easily accommodated. What she didn't know at the time is that there is no way for them to make that happen. There is no piece of paper to give to another resort, or whatever. I once went to a resort who had to close all of their hot tubs, so they allowed us to use the ones at their sister resort next door. It does seem reasonable that one could expect that accommodation. But that's not an option, and that didn't make sense to her. I get it. I think she's been beaten over the head with it now, so now she knows.

Again, something that could have been avoided had they gone to the front desk rather than straight to the room. I have yet to check in on person at a hotel or resort that they don't advise me then and there if there is an issue with part of the facilities. And I can ask to verify something that is important to me. We have to take some responsibility to ASK about things important to us and not just assume. If that means taking an extra 15-20 minutes (if that) to go to the front desk in person, so be it.

That could have solved the whole "we would have moved but we had already unloaded the car and unpacked" issue.

Sometimes the quickest way isn't always the best way.

 

[anniemae]

People break rules all the time at Disney it seems. Some things are totally fine to people, like booking campsite when staying offsite to get all the "perks" of staying onsite without staying onsite. Also seen some creative finagling to get extra fp's by creating a new MDE account and using old bands. Totally fine according to the boards. But pool hopping? That is a crime punishable by death on here.

While I do not agree with pool hopping, I know lots of people do it. With the exception of SAB, there is nobody checking at other resorts. We stay at CBR and they have an awesome pool. I overheard guests talking about going back to ASM "once the kids get tired." It really is easy to do, just hop the resort bus and walk into the pool area and swim.

We have friends who told us all about how they would take a break from Epcot and go swim at boardwalk pool, and at MK they rode over to the poly to swim. Disney does not check at the pools to make sure only resort guests are swimming there (again, with the exception being SAB). Same argument can be used for the campsite thing. Disney does nothing to stop it, so it must be okay. I am not a pool hopper, nor do I condone it, just presenting the other side.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

Yes I was booking Wilderness Lodge until I found out the pool was closed or being refurbished. The pool is a big deal to us. While I could care less if the person next to me is a resort guest or not (unless they're really obnoxious; then I hope they get escorted out - j/k) I wouldn't pool hop because the pool is part of my relaxation. If I have to go anywhere else that kills the purpose for me.