New restrictions coming for pool use?

[beer dave]

~Great post & thanks for the link! LOL @ "The Dark Side of Disney." Where in the world did you find this? Anyway, I'll have to read this later on and I'll let you know what I think. But, your post is a real eye opener! That is just sad -- all around.

I thought everyone on here would know Adam the Woo!

 

[AJ1983]

First:

If you notice...the last 3 pools constructed are fenced and keyed...bay lake, kidani, and art of animation...
This was gonna happen anyway.

Second...some places it will look like crap...mainly Jambo, the poly, old key west, movies, the small pools at the moderates...
Does anybody know if there some type of ground system where the fence could deploy/retract and be hidden during the day?

Third:
Lawyers rule the world (and defense contractors)

Actually the law rules...Disney was smart enough to listen to their team team when advised"You know, you have already had one drowning..if you do nothing to prevent another one, and it happens anyway, you will likely be sued for negligence".

I know Disney has signs that say, use at your own risk, and if a tragedy occurs while parents are watching their children, and the pool itself was safe they likely would not have much of a case. However, in laws relating to negligence, Disney cannot account JUST for the guests who are watching their kids. They have to account for the three year old who runs away from their parents who are stuggling with twins in a stroller after a long day at the park, and RUNS for the pool. In this case, a sign would not suffice to absolve Disney of liability because you cannot realistically expect a three year old to read that sign-or to obey it, if they CAN read it. Therefore, you need something else to keep that child out of the water, ie a fence.

In an ideal world, people would properly supervise their children and only reasonable adults would use the pool. Maybe Disney could look into having lifegaurds on duty, even if it is just certain nights per week, until 11 pm, to allow safe nighttime swims?

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

You're correct in that many times you don't know. However, many posters have mentioned that they've heard people bragging about how "savvy" they are by paying for an offsite or Value resort & still getting to use the Deluxe pools.

We love BCV, and I've seen a LOT of people turned away from SAB who didn't have wrist bands. I've never seen anybody complain that they're actually hotel guests who should be let in.

There are other ways too. I've noticed an increase in the number of people leaving the pool area in soaking wet swimsuits & heading straight for the parking lot or the buses. It's possible that these are hotel guests heading to the park who decided not to change (for one reason or the other), but doubtful. Similarly, if they're there with bags full of a change of clothing, they're probably not hotel guests, who would just change in the room.

The main way I can tell is watching what happens when they leave. The parents almost always have to convince their kids that it's time to get out of the pool. I've heard lots of parents tell the kids "Come on, it's time to go back to our hotel." That's solid proof right there.

And just for fun, here's a story of people sneaking into SAB by bringing their own wristbands: http://www.darksideofdisney.com/?p=240 Fortunately, Magic Bands won't be so easy to fake.

~OMG, this is just scandalous! Wow, these guys have this Disney pool con thing down to a science. I clicked on the Sept link to see what else this menacing duo was up to, but I see that he will no longer post to the blog and has moved to twitter. Hey, whatever works I guess.

~Anyway, they sure have acquired a lot of inside info and know exactly how to exploit the loopholes to their advantage. I really hope this is not the norm -- it just couldn't be. Anyway, I agree that Disney could use Magic Bands to deter pool hopping, but they would need to have something there to actually read the Magic bands -- or else this could make it easier for people to access the pools. And, I don't understand the need to pool hop with two huge fabulous water parks nearby! Are water parks really excluded from Florida Resident AP's??? I certainly hope not.

~It's so sad how you've witnessed all of this on vacation and not just you because I've heard it from other guests as well. Looking back at all of our vacations to Disney, I can't think of a single guest or incident that would raise a red flag that alluded to pool hopping. And unlike AKL, I have yet to see a full pool at the Poly. But, maybe I can correlate this with a combination of traveling during the peak hurricane season and back to school for Florida residents in late August. I swear with the exception of this year, it does not matter what day we choose in August, there is always some hurricane or TS close by. But, it does start to get a little more crowded toward the end of our vacation because of free dining.

I thought everyone on here would know Adam the Woo!

~LOL. Is this Adam the Woo? I'll admit, the first time I have ever heard of him was here on Rumors and he somehow managed to get himself banned from WDW for life. Actually that's the first and last -- I've heard about him. He's has a lot of fans, so I'm sure he's moved on to a new hobby.

 

[Rumors Rocks]

First:

If you notice...the last 3 pools constructed are fenced and keyed...bay lake, kidani, and art of animation...
This was gonna happen anyway.

Second...some places it will look like crap...mainly Jambo, the poly, old key west, movies, the small pools at the moderates...
Does anybody know if there some type of ground system where the fence could deploy/retract and be hidden during the day?

Third:
Lawyers rule the world (and defense contractors)

 

[mukorasirish]

We have stayed at the Poly a few times. What we have seen and over heard are families driving to the transportation center , spending time day at Magic Kingdom then walking the pathway dragging their cooler to spend the afternoon at the Poly pool. When we have gone off peak - September or October - it's not too bad. This year we went the end of June and it was crazy. The pool was beyond packed. We saw at least 4 families in bathing suits heading back to the transportation center carting on their junk when we were walking over to get the monorail to Epcot.
I do realize DVC members can hop but these were very obviously NOT DVC members. We love the Poly but will never go back during the busy season again unless they make some changes in regards to how the pool is secured. I'm not paying that kind of money to have someone from the campground or the Best Western take up all the pool tables and chairs.

 

[beer dave]

We have stayed at the Poly a few times. What we have seen and over heard are families driving to the transportation center , spending time day at Magic Kingdom then walking the pathway dragging their cooler to spend the afternoon at the Poly pool. When we have gone off peak - September or October - it's not too bad. This year we went the end of June and it was crazy. The pool was beyond packed. We saw at least 4 families in bathing suits heading back to the transportation center carting on their junk when we were walking over to get the monorail to Epcot.
I do realize DVC members can hop but these were very obviously NOT DVC members. We love the Poly but will never go back during the busy season again unless they make some changes in regards to how the pool is secured. I'm not paying that kind of money to have someone from the campground or the Best Western take up all the pool tables and chairs.

yep. it's awful. All the pools need to be secured like they are at BLT. Best move ever.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

Must be staying on points at a DVC resort. The campgrounds does not qualify. Villas at wilderness lodge does.

With all due respect Dave, the FW cabins and campsites can be used with points. we have used the cabins 3 years ago.

AKK

 

[beer dave]

~
~LOL. Is this Adam the Woo? I'll admit, the first time I have ever heard of him was here on Rumors and he somehow managed to get himself banned from WDW for life. Actually that's the first and last -- I've heard about him. He's has a lot of fans, so I'm sure he's moved on to a new hobby.

He seems harmless and pretty funny. There are a few interesting videos he has shot around the WDW grounds, all the while narrating with whatever he can think of to say. Quite goofy, but harmless IMO. There is one where he investigates a giant mickey head in the woods a few miles outside of WDW. Very corny. You can actually see the mickey from google earth. NW of Disney about 20 miles or so.

 

[DPCummerbund]

We love the Poly but will never go back during the busy season again unless they make some changes in regards to how the pool is secured. I'm not paying that kind of money to have someone from the campground or the Best Western take up all the pool tables and chairs.

I agree. I think all the MK resorts are special targets for pool hoppers. The Poly pool, according to Tikiman, is going to be completely rebuilt in the next few months (tearing down the volcano, resurfacing the pool, and generally rebuilding the area), so undoubtedly it will be fenced in when they're done, so you should be fine.

There was a rumor at one point that the Poly was going to get another pool when the DVC opened - an Aulani-like lazy river. It sounds like those rumors have died, but I think that would have been fantastic - and a magnet for pool hoppers.

As for why people pool hop instead of going to the water parks - not everyone has the "Water Parks and More" option on their tickets. And I think some people just get a high from getting stuff they know they didn't pay for, just like shoplifting.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

With all due respect, overhearing the words, "we need to get back to our hotel" are not proof positive of pool hopping abusers. Not only do DVC owners get pool hopping privileges, but guests staying at a resort with pool construction are allowed to "hop" to a nearby pool.

I have rarely paid attention to whether other families "belong" at the pools at our resorts, but one year we noticed families on the boat launch, wearing swimming gear and obviously coming over from another resort. I was kind of put out, until I realized they were there legally - their resort was under construction.

My point is - it's kind of hard to tell who is a "legal" hopper and who is not.

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

With all due respect, overhearing the words, "we need to get back to our hotel" are not proof positive of pool hopping abusers. Not only do DVC owners get pool hopping privileges, but guests staying at a resort with pool construction are allowed to "hop" to a nearby pool.

I have rarely paid attention to whether other families "belong" at the pools at our resorts, but one year we noticed families on the boat launch, wearing swimming gear and obviously coming over from another resort. I was kind of put out, until I realized they were there legally - their resort was under construction.

My point is - it's kind of hard to tell who is a "legal" hopper and who is not.

True...but it should be DISNEY's obligation to monitor and restrict access to their resort pools. Guests at the Deluxe Resorts spend a ton of money to stay there.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

True...but it should be DISNEY's obligation to monitor and restrict access to their resort pools. Guests at the Deluxe Resorts spend a ton of money to stay there.

They make no such claims... Just like they can close you down for any reason at anytime. Fine print.

Should be...maybe. Actually... No.

This is liability and possibly staffing... Nothing more

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

He seems harmless and pretty funny. There are a few interesting videos he has shot around the WDW grounds, all the while narrating with whatever he can think of to say. Quite goofy, but harmless IMO. There is one where he investigates a giant mickey head in the woods a few miles outside of WDW. Very corny. You can actually see the mickey from google earth. NW of Disney about 20 miles or so.

~LOL, beer dave. I'll just take your word for it!

With all due respect, overhearing the words, "we need to get back to our hotel" are not proof positive of pool hopping abusers. Not only do DVC owners get pool hopping privileges, but guests staying at a resort with pool construction are allowed to "hop" to a nearby pool.

I have rarely paid attention to whether other families "belong" at the pools at our resorts, but one year we noticed families on the boat launch, wearing swimming gear and obviously coming over from another resort. I was kind of put out, until I realized they were there legally - their resort was under construction.

My point is - it's kind of hard to tell who is a "legal" hopper and who is not.

~Very well said. It would totally put a damper on our vacation for me to be acting like the Inspector Gadget of pool hopping. I hope I don't ever notice stuff like that.

 

[mikek]

True...but it should be DISNEY's obligation to monitor and restrict access to their resort pools. Guests at the Deluxe Resorts spend a ton of money to stay there.

I'm not sure what is going on to be honest- but i'm not sure if i wouldn't be annoyed to get 'proofed' non-stop at the pools. So I can see why they've avoided it till now so as not to offend people.

Now that there will be gates, scanning the magic bands does sound like a great solution though.

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

They make no such claims... Just like they can close you down for any reason at anytime. Fine print.

Should be...maybe. Actually... No.

This is liability and possibly staffing... Nothing more

Well..."should be Disney's obligation" is what I wrote with all due respect. It just makes sense that guests that pay huge sums to stay at a Deluxe Resort should be guarded from those that aren't paying to stay at that resort from taking tables/chairs/crowding the pool.

 

[scfarrell]

Art of Animation has locked gates that require KTTW/MB to open. This is just a measure to spread this to the rest of the kingdom.