Non-members blatantly using facilities

[lchez]

We just returned from the Boardwalk and I overheard a disturbing conversation. Some guy was sitting by the pool's edge talking to a woman about how the Boardwalk has the best Disney pool. One word leads to another, and she asks him if he's in the Villas or Inn. He says they aren't staying at any Disney property. They live about eight miles away and use the pool whenever they want. She tells him Disney doesn't allow this and he responds that "Disney would never turn anybody away." When I told my husband, he got angry. Said we've paid over $25K for DVC, and this guy just waltzes in with his family whenever he wants.

Just curious about anyone else's feelings on this? Should I have told someone? Is the guy right: Would Disney look the other way?

 

[CarolMN]

People have been asked to leave the Boardwalk pool if they could not show a valid resort ID. But I don't think they check on a regular basis unless someone complains and the pool/chairs are busy.

Personally, I probably would not say anything to the lifeguards or resort management unless the crashers or their kids were "behaving badly" or taking up chairs when others were obviously looking for one.

Once I called security on loud and noisy (probably drunk) adults in the hot tub and I would do it again in a heartbeat. It was after 10 pm. They were promptly dealt with, LOL. Suspect I was not the only one who called to complain about them.

 

[ITGirl50]

We just returned from the Boardwalk and I overheard a disturbing conversation. Some guy was sitting by the pool's edge talking to a woman about how the Boardwalk has the best Disney pool. One word leads to another, and she asks him if he's in the Villas or Inn. He says they aren't staying at any Disney property. They live about eight miles away and use the pool whenever they want. She tells him Disney doesn't allow this and he responds that "Disney would never turn anybody away." When I told my husband, he got angry. Said we've paid over $25K for DVC, and this guy just waltzes in with his family whenever he wants.

Just curious about anyone else's feelings on this? Should I have told someone? Is the guy right: Would Disney look the other way?

I had to think about this one and I kept changing my mind while writing the message. I just think some people are jerks and love the thrill of breaking the rules. Who knows, he probably wanted to get caught so he could cause a scene and get free stuff from Disney. Why would he tell people he didn't stay there? If you wanted to use the pool for free, wouldn't you just lie and say "the inn"? It doesn't make a lot of sense to me.

I still don't know what I would do. It would probably depend on my mood and if the pool was really crowded, if he had small kids with him, etc. Was he alone or with small kids?

 

[zorro77]

I think that if i was sure i would tell a CM and see that the person was asked to leave. I guess if they had felt comfortable talking about it then they are taking a dbl chance. I feel the same a person before and I've pd my dues and would like it to be fair. I see nothing wrong in turning some one in. We have pd for right to be here and enjoy the pool or what ever and they did not. Others that are members may walk in and see that its to busy to stay and leave and here their space in taken up by person not belonging their.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I would have notified a CM about this person. Disney pools are crowded enough with just the resort guests. If Disney did expect just about anyone off the street to use the pools, they wouldn't have signs posted at the pools that the pools are for the exclusive use of the guests at that resort. Disney needs to follow through on their rules and too bad about the "Disney Magic".

What is wrong with our society that people like this even exist?

 

[eliza61]

What is wrong with our society that people like this even exist?

Unfortunately Deb & Bill, I think it's simple a very sad reflection of our society. Even on the Dis boards we have our fare share of questionable judgement. How many times to we see post on "how to pool hop", "use refillable mugs year after year", invite Grandma & Grandpa over to use the pool so they can spend time with the little ones, etc etc.?
I actually had a poster pm me with a very nasty letter because she wanted to have her daughters 6th birthday party at stromalong bay, even though the majority of the guest were staying at the all star music. When I said this was wrong, she basically said that it was "tattle tale $%^& rhymes with witches" like me who feel the need to be the morality police that mess it up for every one else.

Go figure?

 

[Brian Noble]

Is the guy right: Would Disney look the other way?

For the most part, yes. Disney doesn't inconvenience its guests (or spend money) unless there's a pretty compelling reason. At stormalong bay, ID checking is a hassle, and checking them requires an extra Cast Member or two, but they do it because, otherwise, the pool area would be insanely crowded.

 

[Dean]

This has been a problem at all DVC resorts since inception. BCV likely less than most simply because they police it more/better. Unfortunately there are many low life's out there and many that not only think this is OK, but that it's expected. I have been frequenting a couple of Aruba boards lately in preparation for our Jan exchange and this came up in regards to hotels. On a thread about this very subject well over half that posted not only felt it was OK but were abusive to those that didn't. There are timeshares that offer owners day use privileges but many don't including DVC. Marriott and Bluegreen do subject to availability.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

I am a bit surprised. Even at VB this June they had a CM standing at the gate checking people (who slipped in the gate behind someone) to see that they had a room key on them. I would think security would be even higher at the WDW resorts.

 

[JimMIA]

I'm with Deb. I would report the person to staff. He and his family are using our facilities, which we pay a LOT of money each year to staff and maintain.

Especially if he's a big enough moron to brag that Disney won't do anything, his kids deserve a little "life lesson." It would be good for them to witness him causing his whole family to be embarrassed.

I'd not only tell a CM; I'd tell the CM he's bragging about them not enforcing, and as an owner I expect them to do their jobs. If they didn't throw him out, I'd be looking for the Manager On Duty.

 

[Halle]

I would have told a CM about the family. While staying at OKW we saw a large group get out of a minivan at the Turtle Pond pool, we called security...they were locals and were asked to leave.

 

[Flyerfan]

I actually had a poster pm me with a very nasty letter because she wanted to have her daughters 6th birthday party at stromalong bay, even though the majority of the guest were staying at the all star music. When I said this was wrong, she basically said that it was "tattle tale $%^& rhymes with witches" like me who feel the need to be the morality police that mess it up for every one else.

Go figure?

I second Deb & Bill's comment....WHAT IS WRONG WITH OUR SOCIETY? No morals, no common courtesy or decency? I'm only 40 and I was not raised to do things like that. It's scary the direction our society is headed. If it's not right, it's not right. Period. What happened to make people think and act like they have a right to do anything they want?

 

[Mike©]

I'm with Deb. I would report the person to staff. He and his family are using our facilities, which we pay a LOT of money each year to staff and maintain.

Especially if he's a big enough moron to brag that Disney won't do anything, his kids deserve a little "life lesson." It would be good for them to witness him causing his whole family to be embarrassed.

I'd not only tell a CM; I'd tell the CM he's bragging about them not enforcing, and as an owner I expect them to do their jobs. If they didn't throw him out, I'd be looking for the Manager On Duty.

I'm right with ya Time to give folks like these a "Reality Check". And if Disney doesn't want to enforce rules, maybe they need one to. It's not like it would take more than one CM per pool to enforce. It's a pool, people aren't turning over every 3 minutes like a ride and the pools aren't THAT big. Besides it would be fun to see a CM start obveously checking room keys and see a bunch of foks jump up and leave all of a sudden

 

[tjkraz]

What is wrong with our society that people like this even exist?

I do think that's a bit of an extreme reaction. We all draw our own moral and ethical lines throughout our lives. All of us make some decisions in our driving habits, shopping habits, vacation habits, etc. that others would find distasteful.

The problem with pool hopping is that the folks in OP's story are exactly right--Disney doesn't want to do anything about it. At least not with any consistency.

While this situation may be a blatant abuse, I suspect most pool hoppers are just people who didn't know any better. I've never hopped myself--either to an approved or non-approved pool. But we do have relatives who did it while staying at a moderate resort. (If it matters, the patriarch is an attorney with his own law firm.) AFAIK, he had no idea that pool hopping was not allowed. And since Disney doesn't go to any lengths to reinforce that people are allowed to use the pool at their resort of residence only, I can understand how some may think the entire WDW resort complex is open to them.

And every time Disney confronts a hopper they run the risk of permanently alienating a customer.

In general, reporting a family that's merely lounging by the pool won't do much more than ruin their day. Contacting management is probably the best way to encouraging a more permanent solution, but I suspect they have better justification for keeping things as-is.

 

[Dean]

And every time Disney confronts a hopper they run the risk of permanently alienating a customer.

One of the problems with Disney's no backbone approach to this and similar issues is the "give an inch, take a mile" issue. If you don't take any type of stand, you get more and more people taking larger chances in more areas.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

I do think that's a bit of an extreme reaction. We all draw our own moral and ethical lines throughout our lives. All of us make some decisions in our driving habits, shopping habits, vacation habits, etc. that others would find distasteful.

The problem with pool hopping is that the folks in OP's story are exactly right--Disney doesn't want to do anything about it. At least not with any consistency.

While this situation may be a blatant abuse, I suspect most pool hoppers are just people who didn't know any better. I've never hopped myself--either to an approved or non-approved pool. But we do have relatives who did it while staying at a moderate resort. (If it matters, the patriarch is an attorney with his own law firm.) AFAIK, he had no idea that pool hopping was not allowed. And since Disney doesn't go to any lengths to reinforce that people are allowed to use the pool at their resort of residence only, I can understand how some may think the entire WDW resort complex is open to them.

And every time Disney confronts a hopper they run the risk of permanently alienating a customer.

In general, reporting a family that's merely lounging by the pool won't do much more than ruin their day. Contacting management is probably the best way to encouraging a more permanent solution, but I suspect they have better justification for keeping things as-is.

While I can understand some of your reasoning... these are not a reason to NOT inform CMs of the issue. Letting someone (ignorantly maybe) take advantage of property that people pay a lot of money to have access to is ignorant too.

This is not a matter of morals like, I don't think anyone should own a gun, but you think everyone has the right to. This is about private property owned by DVC owners and some people trespassing either intentionally or not.

I can't imagine taking my family to a resort I am not staying at and NOT questioning myself "is this ok?" Even if it is Disney. Yes, I am sure Disney tries their best not to upset potential customers, but DVC is the managing company for the DVC owners. And they are tasked with keeping our private property private.

Stepping down from my soapbox now.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

And every time Disney confronts a hopper they run the risk of permanently alienating a customer.

Not to mention run the risk of being assaulted.....in today's world, I would not want to confront anyone.

 

[toocherie]

as far as I'm concerned, I don't see the difference between someone illegally (too strong a word, I know, but can't think of an alternative right now) pool hopping and someone camping out in MY DVC villa. I would certainly call a CM if I came back and found a family intending to share my room, I would also do it if I knew they were using the pool (or other) DVC facility and didn't belong there.

 

[blondietink]

I would have reported this person to a CM. When we stayed at the BC, we had to show our room card every time we got a pool towel. In the post 9/11 era, I thought Disney security was better than this. When we went to GF for character breakfast, we had to check in at the gate and the security officer checked to make sure we had a reservation before allowing us to park our car. I am assuming this man drove his family into BW, so how did he get a parking pass? Did he happen to be a Florida passholder? If so, I don't think it gives the passholder a right to go to any hotel he pleases to use the pool. We have 2 upcoming trips, AKV in August and BWV in October. You can be assured that if this happens to us, we will get a CM to take care of it.

 

[mgilmer]

I'm with Deb. I would report the person to staff. He and his family are using our facilities, which we pay a LOT of money each year to staff and maintain.

Especially if he's a big enough moron to brag that Disney won't do anything, his kids deserve a little "life lesson." It would be good for them to witness him causing his whole family to be embarrassed.

I'd not only tell a CM; I'd tell the CM he's bragging about them not enforcing, and as an owner I expect them to do their jobs. If they didn't throw him out, I'd be looking for the Manager On Duty.

I completely agree with you.