OKW Live-should they be ckiing room id for pool?

[Chuck S]

We had a large gap between visiting WDW from 1996 until 2009. We were so surprised during our April 2009 visit that the buses no longer required that you show your KTTW card to get onboard.

That's because you don't need to have a KTTW to board WDW transportation. I'm not sure about the various park tickets that are sold at the parks, but the tickets sold to UK visitors always state that they include "unlimited use of WDW transportation." This isn't a new thing either - we have been visiting WDW since 1980 and it's been that way since then.

But DenLo is referring to the fact that in 1996 we were required to show our room charge ID (OK, at that time it was a separate card, as the room keys weren't electronic, except at the very newest resorts) to be ablw to board resort bus transportation. No ID was needed for monorails, and park to park transport, but to/from the resorts, you needed to show proof that you were a resort guest. I wish they wouldn't have stopped that.

 

[dianeschlicht]

But DenLo is referring to the fact that in 1996 we were required to show our room charge ID (OK, at that time it was a separate card, as the room keys weren't electronic, except at the very newest resorts) to be ablw to board resort bus transportation. No ID was needed for monorails, and park to park transport, but to/from the resorts, you needed to show proof that you were a resort guest. I wish they wouldn't have stopped that.

I'm with you on that one, Chuck! Maybe OKW and SSR wouldn't have all the issues with people parking at DTD and riding buses and looking lost in the resorts trying to figure out how to get back to their car at DTD.

 

[tink too]

No ID was needed for monorails, and park to park transport, but to/from the resorts, you needed to show proof that you were a resort guest. I wish they wouldn't have stopped that.

I'm with you on that one, Chuck! Maybe OKW and SSR wouldn't have all the issues with people parking at DTD and riding buses and looking lost in the resorts trying to figure out how to get back to their car at DTD.

I hear what you're saying, but I guess they might have stopped this since so many guests are now dining at the resorts as well as the parks.

With so many people visiting WDW on any given day, it must be a transport co-ordinator's nightmare!

 

[DenLo]

We were there in January. I also did not think the latch looked like it had anywhere where you would swipe your KTTW card. When I came back and made a comment on another board that it is okay for AKL guests to use the Kidani pool (which is currently is) - I got in a discussion where it was insisted that the latch at the Kidani pool was made for a card swipe. Now I wasn't investigating it that thoroughly, but I didn't see anything that looked like that. It was just a button/bar type thing that you pushed on to release the gate.

When we stayed at BLT in March, there was one gate that is similar, where you push a button and lift the release to go in or out. The employees go in and out of this gate all of the time. We left by that gate and after it closed, checked it to see if we could reopen it the same way. There was no scanner for the KTTW card. I thought that was strange security.

 

[joandegennaro]

Yes, your right about Vero Beach. We were there the beginning of May and the CM told me she caught 25 people trying to get in that didn't have room keys.

Are you able to pool hop to Vero Beach if staying on DVC stay at WDW?

 

[Capt. Barbosa]

I don't think it would be too hard. You go to the pool show the lifeguard your KTTW card, they give you a wristband, no wristband, no pool.

 

[Chuck S]

Are you able to pool hop to Vero Beach if staying on DVC stay at WDW?

I have no idea, it seems like a lot of trouble to pool hop, to a relatively small pool.

I don't think it would be too hard. You go to the pool show the lifeguard your KTTW card, they give you a wristband, no wristband, no pool.

But most of the quiet pools have no lifeguard, so that would be an expense, just like a gate. Plus the cost of the wristbands. Yep, wristbands are cheap, but still a cost that would be added to dues, along with additonal staff.

 

[5forDiz]

Are you able to pool hop to Vero Beach if staying on DVC stay at WDW?

According to member's website yes this is allowed & if staying at Vero Beach Resort you may pool hop to WDW pools that are included in pool hopping. Be sure to check dates because there are various dates throughout year when pool hopping is suspended.

 

[dianeschlicht]

The gated entry to all pool areas would be a one time cost, and well worth it as far as I'm concerned.

 

[Simba's Mom]

The gated entry to all pool areas would be a one time cost, and well worth it as far as I'm concerned.

Although I used to agree, now I'm not so sure. That's because the last several times I was at the Kidani pool, the gate was left ajar so I never had to use my room key-just walk right in. Made me question why they spent the money if it could and was so easily bypassed.

 

[dallastxcpa]

I think they could issue you a plastic wrist band that you could wear for your whole stay. Then there would be no need to issue it at the pool and it would be a simple check for those life guards on duty or a CM at the quiet pools.

If you didn't want to wear the wrist band then they could remind you to have your room card available anytime while at the pool.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I think they should check for room keys. There are always CM coming a going by the pools to deliver towels or to clean up why not have them check for room keys. It's not fair that we have shelled out a lot of $$$$ to be a DVC member only to have non-wdw guest using our pool!
If we do the wrist band idea then Disney has to buy the bands and issue them to everyone staying onsite which could be costly over time. Where as the lock on the gate/use you key method would be a one time purchase for Disney. We as members would have to be mindful and make sure the gate latches tight when we enter/exit. Also this would prevent younger kids from entering the pool and possibly drowning so using the gate would prevent tragedy from happening.

 

[Chuck S]

I think they could issue you a plastic wrist band that you could wear for your whole stay. Then there would be no need to issue it at the pool and it would be a simple check for those life guards on duty or a CM at the quiet pools.

If you didn't want to wear the wrist band then they could remind you to have your room card available anytime while at the pool.

Even if they used different colors for different weeks, say 8 different colors, don't you think they'd be available on ebay in no time? Can't you see the ads:

Staying off site and want to swim, no problem, a complete set of all Disney pool wristbands for $15.00. Just show up, see what color everyone is wearing, slip into the nearest changing room and viola!

 

[Mai Ku Tiki]

I've been reading the Resorts Board & this situation is occurring even at the Poly & other WDW Resorts...Why would Disney allow this when a simple gate/card system would end the problem? So many DVC owners & Resort guests are complaining, especially with summer creating VERY crowded pools & VERY limited seating availability...
And then I thought, maybe WDW sees this as free advertising??? Who wouldn't want to stay onsite for their next visit after having enjoyed one of the DVC pools???
Just a thought.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

Sorry but I have no desire to wear a wrist band all week! I have no problem showing my room key, I actualy wished that they asked for it. I've stayed at all of the resorts except BLT, Kidani & THV and to date I've never, ever been asked to show my room key at any pool, not even BCV.

Personally, I don't pool hop either, too much of a bother so if in the end they forgo the "perk" of pool hopping, it won't matter to me.

 

[dclfun]

Currently the only pool that's monitored is SAB. I've heard of plenty of guests still managing to slip in and local families ( with up to 20+ people) booking one room on points and then passing the 4 room keys back and forth to the "day guests" so they're all enjoying SAB. People always find a way to cheat and steal and there's an entitlement mentality involved too even when someone isn't actually entitled to be there. As to monitoring, I remember once ages ago when we pool hopped from OKW to the Contemporary. We had packed a little picnic lunch (wraps) and sodas, so I guess we looked like locals. All six of us had our room keys and we were checked three times that day! First the person at the towel stand didn't understand pool hopping and finally her manager explained and we were given the towels. I guess she still wasn't satisifed though as she kept staring at us and various suits came over to examine our room keys along with, of course, all the other guests. Guess they had to make it look like they were checking everyone even though WE felt we were the ones being targeted. Funny thing was-the pool was almost empty that day. Esp on crowded days, someone needs to check room cards. Once word got out that they were being checked it might cut down on opportunists who feel like..."why not? nobody cares."--Kathy

 

[Simba's Mom]

don't you think they'd be available on ebay in no time? Can't you see the ads:

Staying off site and want to swim, no problem, a complete set of all Disney pool wristbands for $15.00. Just show up, see what color everyone is wearing, slip into the nearest changing room and viola!

And of course they'd sell!

 

[eliza61]

Truthfully, I think there are some things we, those of us who following rules are going to have to accept.
In life there are generally always going to be some folks who feel that breaking rules is no big deal.
There will always be line jumpers, pool hoppers etc, etc. My elderly father would routinely stand in the check out line and read sports illustrated cover to cover and then either take it or put the magazine back. When I mentioned that this was stealing he would always say "I just spent 200 bucks in this grocery store" and this from a retired NYC policeman.

How many times do we hear people say "I just spent 2000 bucks in Disney, I should be able to smoke in my rooms or pool hop or etc, etc"

We could probably post guards at the entrance to every pool and still have issues. Now is it some thing we want to incur the cost for?

 

[twinklebug]

I don't think it's a big enough issue to worry about (yet). Unscrupulous off site people have been crashing the pools since Disney first had pools, but their numbers are so low they don't make for much of a problem.

When the lifeguards do walk around asking for card keys there will also be a number of legitimate folk who don't have their cards on them since someone's back at the room to let them in & leaving a key in your shoes while you swim isn't the safest thing to do, particularly if it has charging capabilities.

Do I like these pool crashers? No. Can I put up with them? So far yes. Ask me again next year - I'm getting pickier as I grow with age and pick up on the Dis attitudes (dont' get me started on 'stroller warriors')

 

[dianeschlicht]

The wrist bands and checking key cards work fine at the main pools where there is a life guard, but what about the neighborhood pools? I think the OP was specifically mentioning a neghborhood pool at OKW. I feel the only way to do this is with key card locks.