No Saving Pool Chairs **UPDATE**

[kem330]

Certainly chair saving is a rampant problem at all resorts. I don't believe posting a sign will have much impact- rude people tend to ignore them! At the Hyatt Maui this March, chairs were saved from 9am and it was kind of riduculous. Finally I noticed a note stuck on a few towel covered chairs that read something like- chair saving is not allowed, if someone is not occupying the chair within the next hour, the towel will be removed. Of course this too will only work if it is enforced. So at busy times if someone went around with these notes once an hour, then maybe more chairs would be freed up.

 

[CarolMN]

We first noticed this "chair saving" practice at VB. The first time, I just found other chairs - there were usually still several available as the resort wasn't all that full when we visited, but the vacant chairs weren't in the shady location I preferred - my nephew & I both burn easily. Kept an eye on the "saved" chairs while we were there that afternoon (about two hours). No one ever visited or claimed the "saved" chairs.

Later in our stay, when it looked like someone was "saving" chairs that I wanted, I asked the people who were nearby if they had noticed anyone using the chairs. If they said no, I also asked them how long they'd been there. If it was for 30 minutes or more, we just plopped down and made ourselves comfortable. Did this several times during our stay. Either the persons who saved the chairs never intended to use them, didn't come back until after we left or were too embarrassed to challenge us. Since we stayed 2 - 3 hours each time, I don't feel that I was rude to claim the chairs. My DH said that maybe the CMs go around in the morning putting clean towels on the chairs for the guests - he thought that was very nice of them. Guess I am the cynical one in our family. The CMs don't really do that, do they????

 

[TIdoublegaER]

Natt - I totally agree with you. When we go to the pool (family of 4) we take 2 chairs at the most. If the pool area is empty and there are tons of chairs, the kids can have their own, until the area becomes more crowded. I usually don't really swim, just hang out reading a book. The other chair is for DH or one of the kids to take a break. If DH and I are using our 2 chairs and there aren't any free around us, the kids can sit on the end of ours.

I too have asked those around "saved" chairs (and have been asked) if anyone was really using them. If they say no and have been at the pool 30+ minutes, I will take the chair. I have neve seen anyone confronted at the pool about taking a "saved" chair. What are you going to say "Hey, that was my standard, white, hotel-issued towel"? My response would be "Oh yeah, prove it!"

 

[Mickeydad]

Wow!!

Reading everybody's comments has given me an even greater appreciation for my fellow DVCers!! Thanks everyone!!!

Everything that has been said by everyone makes sense.

Let's keep this going and please, everyone send both a letter and/or email ASAP.

My hope is that there is strength in numbers!!

The more complaints DVC and Disney get just might make them situp and take notice that we are UPSET!!!

 

[jekjones1558]

Posting a sign will not stop the problem. Rude people also do not care about signs. However, a posted sign can give added backbone to people like me. Then if I take a "saved" chair and am ever approached by the "saver," I can say, "Perhaps you did not notice the sign which clearly forbids chair saving."

 

[BarbOKW]

The people that are saving chairs don't care about the rules, they know they're being selfish and just don't care. I've seen the cast members many times removing towels so it appears to me that Disney is trying. I agree with others there have been plenty of times that a chair was saved only by the hotels towel, if there are no other chairs I take those.

We also take only three chairs for my family of six, sometimes only two. I swim some but mostly like to read and relax, my DH spends time in and out of the pool and the four kids never spend enough time out to justify their own chair.

Vero was the first place I ever encountered or noticed saving of chairs and it took me a couple of days to figure out that it wasn't the cast members putting the towels out. Funny thing is I just took the chairs I was thinking it was the cast members that put the towels on the chairs and no one ever said anything to me.

 

[CK1]

I have to say, during our last visit at VWL, we never ever had a problem getting a chair if we had wanted it, and we were a party of 8 (on some days, 12!) THere were always lotsa chairs for the taking at both the main pool and the quiet pool. We visited in August, and while that's perhaps not the busiest time of year, the villas were sold out and it was HOT, so certainly there was lots of swimming going on!

We also pool-hopped to Boardwalk Luna Park Pool on a bright hot Saturday... Again, lots and lots of chairs to be had, no problem. You guys are making me wonder if I really want to stay at BCV....

Cindy (and her swimmin', loungin' family of 5)

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Originally posted by CarolA
...unless Disney hires the "chair patrols" it won't work, people will still try.

I would love that job! Just think...I could strut around Disney, all big and bad in my uniform (you know, the ones with the pool chair emblem on the sleeve), handcuffs and nightstick swinging on the side, all while looking at all the ladies at the pool......

Man, I'm losing it.....I had better take a WDW vacation!

 

[thepoohbear]

Well somebody is brave enough to take chairs. The last time we were staying at BWV, we had 5 chairs (4 adults, 3 children aged 9-13). We spent the whole day at the pool and we did have personal stuff thrown all over the chairs. Late in the day when all kids and 2 adults were swimming, a woman came over, removed the stuff off one chair, moved the chair over a bit and sat down. We very nicely told her that it was our chair but she refused to move and said since nobody was using it, it was up for grabs. We explained that the occupants were in the pool but she still wouldn't budge. Instead she opened her book and started reading while we sat with our mouths open. The odd thing was that there were plenty of other chairs around although I will say that at that time of day our chairs did happen to be in a perfect sun spot. I didn't know about the chair saving problem so now I wonder if this woman mistakenly thought we were "chair savers" and was trying to make a point. (It wasn't one of you, was it?)

 

[BarbaraMB]

She was rude! What did you finally do? I think everyone could make threads upon threads about rude people on vacation. I would like to hear how people handle these situations.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Originally posted by thepoohbear
Well somebody is brave enough to take chairs. The last time we were staying at BWV, we had 5 chairs (4 adults, 3 children aged 9-13). We spent the whole day at the pool and we did have personal stuff thrown all over the chairs. Late in the day when all kids and 2 adults were swimming, a woman came over, removed the stuff off one chair, moved the chair over a bit and sat down. We very nicely told her that it was our chair but she refused to move and said since nobody was using it, it was up for grabs. We explained that the occupants were in the pool but she still wouldn't budge. Instead she opened her book and started reading while we sat with our mouths open. The odd thing was that there were plenty of other chairs around although I will say that at that time of day our chairs did happen to be in a perfect sun spot. I didn't know about the chair saving problem so now I wonder if this woman mistakenly thought we were "chair savers" and was trying to make a point. (It wasn't one of you, was it?)

Please, don't take pool chair matters into your own hands.
Let us professionals handle the chaos.

 

[VMS]

We were at HH last week, and one day when we went to get our towels we were given a slip of paper regarding towels and pool chairs. I don't remember exactly what it said, but they wanted only one towel taken for each person, for the towels not to be taken back to the rooms, and something about the chairs not being saved. They had been having complaints about it. There were some who put towels on chairs as early as 7:30 am! What kind of vacation could you be having if it is so important for you to get over to save chairs at 7:30?

I sat down on a chair that had absolutely nothing on it or under it, and when I got settled, someone who had the 4 chairs next to it (with no one on any of them) said they needed 5 chairs. I got up even though I had a good argument for not having to, and went and sat across the pool. Those chairs they "needed" remained empty for a good long while, and most of the time while I was there. The pool was quite crowded that day, and we kind of just shared chairs as needed when we got out of the pool. I had great conversations with those who we were "communal" chair sharing with!

 

[BarbaraMB]

Too bad there isn't a list of ways to handle/deal with rude people while on vacation. These boards are great for so much advice. I am not the best at confrontation and I just know that my up coming vacation I will encounter many rude people. I didn't even realize that I would run into problems just getting a chair at the pool!!!! I know you get the rudies waiting to see the parades, standing in line for attractions, etc. I would love to read how to handle these situations without ruining your vacation. Any suggestions?

 

[TIdoublegaER]

There were some who put towels on chairs as early as 7:30 am! What kind of vacation could you be having if it is so important for you to get over to save chairs at 7:30?

I have seen this happen at HH. I have gotten up early to run over the mercantile and watched someone put their beach towels over some chairs around one of the umbrellaed tables. The pool doesn't open till like 9 or 10, so it was obvious what they were doing. When we got to the pool when it opened, sure enough the towels were still there. We spent the majority of the day at the pool and they never showed up to use their seats. I noticed that evening that somehow those towels ended up in the shrubs that were close by - although there was still no one at the table. I figured these people were going to go to the beach or whereever and wanted to be assured of shade when they did get to the pool.

I sat down on a chair that had absolutely nothing on it or under it, and when I got settled, someone who had the 4 chairs next to it (with no one on any of them) said they needed 5 chairs.

They couldn't just drag another chair over?? Come on! You don't ask someone to move because you're too lazy to grab another chair. If there were plenty of other chairs, I probably would have moved just like you did, but if it was in a nice shady spot, well I probably would have said too bad - go find another chair to pull up.

a woman came over, removed the stuff off one chair, moved the chair over a bit and sat down.

Even with what I saw and experienced at HH, I would still be reluctant to move someone's personal belongings - especially if it wasn't just junky stuff like sunscreen.

 

[BarbaraMB]

How does someone know when going to the pool that chairs are really being used (someone swimming) or that they are just being reserved by rude people? Do you hang around, ask the people next to those chairs? I don't want to take someone chairs nor do I want someone to take mine while I am swimming!

 

[KNWVIKING]

When you head down to the pool,what do you take ? Some kind of tote bag ? Swimsuit cover-up ? Wear sandles or shoes ? Bring snacks/drinks ? When you go in the water, do you leave a book or magazine out on the lounge chair ?

I don't think an occupied chair is too dificult to spot. Just take a look at what yours looks like when you're away from it.

 

[TIdoublegaER]

I don't think an occupied chair is too dificult to spot. Just take a look at what yours looks like when you're away from it.

I agree completely! And if you're like me and like to lounge around and read, people watch, etc. you get an idea of what chairs are "saved" but unoccupied.

 

[BarbaraMB]

I am just looking for advice on when I head down to the pool looking for a place to sit to be able to tell if a chair is reallly not being used and just take it. It has been sometime since the last great vacation and I am rusty. I don't want to be the rude one by taking someones chair!!!!

 

[TIdoublegaER]

If the only thing on or around the chair is a plain old pool towel, it's fair game.

 

[anniet]

I don't get it???!!!

If you think a chair is falsely occupied then MOVE the stuff or put it beside the chair. If someone comes back to the chair in the next few moments apologize.

Chances are if they were legitemately occupying the chair, they will tell you that nicely, if they weren't and they do finally show up they'll probably just take their stuff from you and move on!!!

Although, I'm all for Chair patrols if they are hot looking men.....in speedos!!!