Non-members blatantly using facilities

[3DisneyKids]

But the difference here is that WE pay for the pools. These are not just more pools owned by Disney. They are owned by us. And to me, that makes a world of difference.

Don't get me wrong, I am not advocating pool hopping in general. It is a DVC perk and it would be nice for it to be kept intact. But somehow I have much less of a problem with someone who is paying to stay at POR and then uses the Poly pool than I do with someone who is not even vacation at Disney staying at the BWV pool. (Again, not saying it is ok for the POR guests to illegally hop to the Poly...it just seems the lesser of the two evils.)

 

[chrisann]

I could never think to do that, I'd be afraid of getting caught and also, how would you explain that to you children. "Okay boys, if anyone asks, tell them we're staying at this hotel" Geesh, this next generation is going to be scary with all the great values they're being taught by their parents!!

 

[stings]

I have been a member of these boards for many years now. And it seems as if this subject surfaces often.

My opinion is that in as much as we as DVC owners pay for these facilities we should have a say as regards Disney's enforcement of security issues as they pertain to these thoughtless, uncaring, freeloaders using facilities that they are not entitled to use.

I propose that we, the members of this discussion group (but not as "agents" of the DIS), draft a letter stating our concerns on this subject. And further that we fully expect Disney to monitor who is using the facilities for which we have paid.

It may come to nothing, but if we all sent this "complaint" as co-signers we may see some positive results. What do you think?

 

[Chuck S]

A reminder that petitions and form letters are not allowed on the DVC forums. You may encourage others to voice their concerns, in their own words, but "co-signed" and "group signed" letters and petitions and their respective links will be removed.

 

[CarolMN]

I have been a member of these boards for many years now. And it seems as if this subject surfaces often.

My opinion is that in as much as we as DVC owners pay for these facilities we should have a say as regards Disney's enforcement of security issues as they pertain to these thoughtless, uncaring, freeloaders using facilities that they are not entitled to use.

I propose that we, the members of this discussion group (but not as "agents" of the DIS), draft a letter stating our concerns on this subject. And further that we fully expect Disney to monitor who is using the facilities for which we have paid.

It may come to nothing, but if we all sent this "complaint" as co-signers we may see some positive results. What do you think?

Respectfully, I think our dues would go up for very little in return.

 

[CarolA]

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?

What I fail to understand.... if it bothers you enough to come on here and post why didn't you say anything?


Now I am not writing a letter of complaint based on this post. IMHO that's just plain useless.... what are you going to say "Somoene I don't know told me that sometime on some date I don't know there was someone who claimed they live 8 miles away and used the pool"? Yeah that's effective... what that does is get you in the "people who complain about everything file" If it happens to you, get details and complain then!

 

[blondietink]

What exactly happens at the annual shareholders meeting? Would this be something to bring up then, or is it just a vote on maintenance, busing, housekeeping, etc?

 

[Chuck S]

What exactly happens at the annual shareholders meeting? Would this be something to bring up then, or is it just a vote on maintenance, busing, housekeeping, etc?

If you are talking about the annual DVC meetings, the legal "meeting" is scripted, cut & dried. Remember, we don't get to vote. After the legal meeting, there is a limited Q & A from members and some discussion of what the plans are for the coming year, or any new perks.

 

[dwelty]

I think if this was a major problem that actually impacted guests severly, Disney would enforce it. We stayed at BCV the week of Easter this year (as we all know a peak time) We had no desire to go into the parks that week since we were also there the next week when crowds would be lower. Enforcement was hit or miss. Some days they did the bracelet thing, some days they did not. THe pool was always busy, but we could always find a chair no problem. In the evening there was no enforcement at all and the pool was empty. I think the spot checking is actually working for the most part. I think most people would be embarrased to be thrown out, and those that have no desire to follow rules will find a way to break them. I think on any given day, pool crashers are a minority of visitors to SAB. IF more people had the backbone to say something to them when they are admitting to what they are doing, it might stop all together.

 

[2Princes2Princesses]

I don't really have much of an idea of what should be done about this, since I have other things going on right now.

But we live near Six Flags Darien Lake and it would be a cold day in hell before I had the nerve to just take my kids and head over to swim at the pool at the hotel there.

Seriously, that is very strange. I know, it is Disney. But it seems like this guy was not a DVC member, he lives in Orlando.

I mean, if you don't have a pool at your home, have you EVER considered putting the kids in the car and going to the local Clarion or Hilton and taking a dip in their pool?

 

[CarolA]

I think if this was a major problem that actually impacted guests severly, Disney would enforce it. We stayed at BCV the week of Easter this year (as we all know a peak time) We had no desire to go into the parks that week since we were also there the next week when crowds would be lower. Enforcement was hit or miss. Some days they did the bracelet thing, some days they did not. THe pool was always busy, but we could always find a chair no problem. In the evening there was no enforcement at all and the pool was empty. I think the spot checking is actually working for the most part. I think most people would be embarrased to be thrown out, and those that have no desire to follow rules will find a way to break them. I think on any given day, pool crashers are a minority of visitors to SAB. IF more people had the backbone to say something to them when they are admitting to what they are doing, it might stop all together.

My expereince at slow times is that BCV has ALWAYS enforced. I generally stay there in October and get asked for a room card and get a wrist band every time I go to the pool,.

I have seen them deny admission to a LOT of folks......

 

[Lancer]

the real solution would to be follow them home and all the dvc owners turn up and camp out on their lawn see how they like it.
dave

Excellent, I love it! Lets all go, invite all the kids , set up a horse shoe pit in the front yard, a volleyball net in the backyard ,oh, and there is plenty of free parking in the driveway. And when the owners come out to complain, simply ask them, why is it ok for them to use our facilities without being a guest/member but its not ok for us to use their yard without being the homeowner? And if they dont put up a fence around their yard, then we will assume that its ok to keep coming back.

 

[travelbug]

My expereince at slow times is that BCV has ALWAYS enforced. I generally stay there in October and get asked for a room card and get a wrist band every time I go to the pool,.

I have seen them deny admission to a LOT of folks......

That's what I've seen too, but I've also seen a hole in the system. The gate over by the end of the slide is often left open so that people can go back and forth to the water slide. I've seen a number of people enter the pool area that way instead of going by the CM at the main entrance. Is it possible that those people are staying at the YC/BC anyway? Sure it is, but it's also possible they aren't.

I did see one family come in loaded down with bags of souvenirs. They had come from Epcot and were wearing swimsuits under their clothes. One of the kids said loudly that "this pool is way better than the pool at our hotel" and his parents shushed him.

 

[thelionqueen]

I agree with many comments made here, but, have to interject. We did a split stay @ OKW, BCV & POP (weekend). When we checked into BCV, we had a room closest to the boardwalk to Epcot, and walked the path into the pool (by slide). No one ever questioned us about the lack of wristband, nor did I see anyone making any looks our way (wasn't looking honestly..but). Second day, they made us show our ID for a towel, DS10 is the only one who had a key (DH was parking car) and we got our wristbands. ONLY on return to our room did we notice that it was the room key for POP. SO, my question, is, how could they tell (obviously they couldnt or didnt look) at the room key.

Long story short, don't assume everyone without a wristband is an illegal scum bag, some of us are just clueless

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

My expereince at slow times is that BCV has ALWAYS enforced. I generally stay there in October and get asked for a room card and get a wrist band every time I go to the pool,.

I have seen them deny admission to a LOT of folks......

We were asked for a key all last week......

 

[Chuck S]

I agree with many comments made here, but, have to interject. We did a split stay @ OKW, BCV & POP (weekend). When we checked into BCV, we had a room closest to the boardwalk to Epcot, and walked the path into the pool (by slide). No one ever questioned us about the lack of wristband, nor did I see anyone making any looks our way (wasn't looking honestly..but). Second day, they made us show our ID for a towel, DS10 is the only one who had a key (DH was parking car) and we got our wristbands. ONLY on return to our room did we notice that it was the room key for POP. SO, my question, is, how could they tell (obviously they couldnt or didnt look) at the room key.

Long story short, don't assume everyone without a wristband is an illegal scum bag, some of us are just clueless

They could tell by looking closely at the room key which resort it is from. The two digits following the 99 identify the resort.

 

[NEDisneyFans]

Disney could very easily installed keyed gates at all entrances to the pools if they really wanted to enforce the rules. If you were a DVC member pool hopping then a CM could let you in with proper DVC id, yk?

I wonder if such a system was put in place, how crowded the pools would still be?

We stayed at the Grand Californian in DLR this spring, and they DID use a gate system where you had to swipe your card to enter. I'd like to see this implemented in all DVC properties as well.

 

[tjkraz]

We stayed at the Grand Californian in DLR this spring, and they DID use a gate system where you had to swipe your card to enter. I'd like to see this implemented in all DVC properties as well.

The system works well at the GC because it was designed to be part of the resort from the start.

Pools like those at Saratoga Springs and the BoardWalk have a very open feel to them. They could each have a dozen different access points. You either have to throw gates up at every entrance (probably not feasible if for no other reason than fire laws) or you lose space around the pool by moving a fence inward 6-10 feet from all entrance points.

And that's not even taking into consideration how the look of the area changes when you put up an 8' wrought iron fence.

Besides, a fence is only a minor deterrent. Is anyone really going to slam the door in the face of another individual, telling them to "find your own key...assuming you even ARE a guest." Even at the Grand Californian, they have wooden benches 3' from the entry gate. Camp out there and someone will come along to open the gate soon enough.

 

[OurDogCisco]

I just came back from a resort in Kauai and there was this couple there Saturday and you could totally tell they were pool crashers. The pool where were staying is nice but not something I'd crash to visit. Anyways... we were sitting there reading our books minding our own business. They spent a good amount of time in the pool at least an hour. The people in the lounges in front of us left their pool towels to save the chair. Anyways, this couple gets out and grabs their towels to dry off and walked off with them. LOL... Ewwwww....

Anyways... I couldn't believe it... They even walked off with the towels. At this resort they don't have towel service so, you get 8 towels in your room for the week.

Just thought I'd share.. People do weird things. I couldn't even make eye-contact with them because I think they realized I busted them.

 

[janni518]

My expereince at slow times is that BCV has ALWAYS enforced. I generally stay there in October and get asked for a room card and get a wrist band every time I go to the pool,.

I have seen them deny admission to a LOT of folks......

My experience was quite different. We stayed this past May and only on one day of the weekend did they even attempt to do that and it was kind of half-heartedly.