Pete- please tell me the pool manager from the Royal Pacific finally called you back

[Cherinva]

That kind of music is NOT acceptable for younger children under any circumstances.

 

[jeanigor]

That kind of music is NOT acceptable for younger children under any circumstances.

I am by no means a young child, and I would find it offensive to play it in public. Some people's decency filters need to have a recalibration. Just because you CAN play something doesn't mean you SHOULD.

Way back when, Pleasure Island played 'Disney-fied' versions of songs even though it was a 18+ only crowd. (Before they opened the island up to whomever wanted to stroll through.)

 

[WebmasterPete]

I never go anywhere touting what I do for a living, unless its in casual conversation and someone asks. Especially when I'm doing a review, I try to stay under the radar as much as possible. I'm looking for the same experience my site visitors, listeners and clients will have and trying to recreate that experience as closely as possible.

This experience at the pool really stayed with me, and cast a cloud over the rest of the review. I had to fight hard not to let it effect my opinion of the rooms, staff (other than the pool), food, etc. I try to be unbiased and sometimes that's hard to do, especially when you have an experience like that.

I'm incredibly disappointed that this manager hasn't called me back. I really expected much better form Loews - they are well known for their level of service and I hope this isn't an indication that its slipping.

Such a shame, because everything else was great. But, as I said on the Universal show, that's like saying "other than that Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?"

Pete

 

[lugnut33]

The manager not calling back should not surprise anybody.

Couple of things in the past that have happened. Dreams U. was going to do a podcast cruise that involved RC and Universal. I was totally psyched to do that. Well, Pete pulled the plug on it because the people from RC wouldn't work with Dreams U. and wouldn't return phone calls. So I wrote a big letter to RC demanding they answer back. I got nothing. Guess I'll never be going on a RC cruise.

Recently in a discussion thread some Dis'ers were complaining about the removal of benches from Epcot. I wrote up a letter to them and sent it through the Disney World website. Lo and behold, about 3 days later, somebody called to discuss with me my concerns. I totally did NOT expect a phone call from somebody at Disney.

Guess which company makes me feel like my opinion is being heard and that they care about me as a customer?

 

[lugnut33]

Hey, I really like the show!!! And I like pie

 

[Schrute Farms]

.... would your child actually take notice of the particular vulgar word when they are running round, shouting and laughing with each other?

Kids hear things and repeat it. Even if they don't know what they are singing at the time it will influence them.

I as a 35 year old man don't want to hear that crap while relaxing at the pool even if kids are not around. This is a "family" resort in Orlando, not the Rehab Party at the Hard Rock in Vegas.

My company is tentatively planning a national meeting at the Portofino Bay in the fall. I was considering bringing my family. During the day when I am in meetings they would probably spend a good bit of time around the pool. After this I guess the will remain at home unless I see something that makes me believe Loew's is addressing things.

 

[Kaler131]

If this was at the Royal Pacific...I can imagine what the Hard Rock will be like. We were planning on taking my 8 year old neice with us this summer and staying for a couple of nights there.

We stayed at the Hard Rock last summer and never had a problem with the music. They were very family friendly. Unless they use the same dj....you should not have a problem (hopefully!!)

 

[Zdog]

And just to add to the response Pete received from the DJ/Manager: there's a little agency called the FCC that prohibits vulgar lyrics from the public airwaves, and stations face a hefty fine for doing so. Public complaints lead to the initiation of FCC investigations. I'm guessing songs like that (sorry, my musical tastes tend to fall in the 60s to 80s range, since most hip hop music sounds like crap to me) are played at clubs, not on the radio, and certainly not poolside at a family resort.

 

[FireDancer]

And just to add to the response Pete received from the DJ/Manager: there's a little agency called the FCC that prohibits vulgar lyrics from the public airwaves, and stations face a hefty fine for doing so. Public complaints lead to the initiation of FCC investigations. I'm guessing songs like that (sorry, my musical tastes tend to fall in the 60s to 80s range, since most hip hop music sounds like crap to me) are played at clubs, not on the radio, and certainly not poolside at a family resort.

The FCC would not have jurisdiction over something played on a closed system on private property. The same rules that would apply in a club would apply at a family resort. Of course that doesn't make it a good business decision but it also isn't an FCC violation. Public airwaves doesn't mean the public that is on your private property can hear them. It means you are distributing the content via FCC regulated channels.

 

[dizneedoll]

I would think that the theming of that resort would lend itself well to some tropical music -- fun and relaxing, and perfect for lounging by the pool. I would be disappointed to hear Top 40 there; it seems like an intrusion on the environment. Does that make sense?

Makes total sense. That's exactly what I was thinking...why are they even playing top 40 to begin with if it's a Polynesian type theming?? I wouldn't want to hear loud music by the pool period. Vulgar music makes it 10 times worse.

The audience may change with Harry Potter opening - even if they have a target audience there are plenty of songs of that genre which don't include obscenities or they can be bleeped out.

Personally I don't like that sort of music and knowing that was what they played would put me off staying there (well loud music in general in that setting) - if I want to go to a club I will but to have it at the pool? Not my idea of a relaxing time.

I'll be staying at Disney

Yup, you nailed it.



I've really been on the fence about whether or not to include Universal in my December travel plans. I've never been there and I'm a HP fan so it seemed like a perfect time to include a couple of days for IOA. But now I'm really taking a wait and see position on the whole HP thing. I want to see how this all plays out and what others report back about it before planning on giving them any of my precious vacation days. It doesn't sound like the onsite hotels are right for us, I'm hoping maybe Portofino might be more up to par.

 

[vegetablegirl]

Like someone previously mentioned, the songs played on the radio are "radio versions" with modified lyrics. The DJ should have at least played these "safe" versions.

But, they'd have to make completely different lyrics to the whole song to make some of them appropriate

 

[BriarRosie]

Like someone previously mentioned, the songs played on the radio are "radio versions" with modified lyrics. The DJ should have at least played these "safe" versions.

But, they'd have to make completely different lyrics to the whole song to make some of them appropriate

I agree that the idiot playing the music was probably playing an uncensored version of the song. I don't like rap music, so I would have been turned off hearing it at the pool area, period.

I think this issue should be escalated to Loew's itself. I'm sure they'd be interested in hearing how their specific resort management team dropped the ball. And how a guest was treated poorly by two different employees.

 

[Zdog]

The FCC would not have jurisdiction over something played on a closed system on private property. The same rules that would apply in a club would apply at a family resort. Of course that doesn't make it a good business decision but it also isn't an FCC violation. Public airwaves doesn't mean the public that is on your private property can hear them. It means you are distributing the content via FCC regulated channels.

Not suggesting pool music is subject to the FCC, which of course it isn't. But Pete said the DJ claimed this is music that can be heard on any top 40 station. If its vulgar, you wouldn't. Perhaps its being played in clubs, but again, a club is for young adults, not kids, and certainly not kids playing in a pool at a resort.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

I can understand they have a target audience, but then you advertise/warn patrons about the DJ event.

We go to Las Vegas with our kids. The music at the pool during the day is always the "clean" versions of songs. The hotel staff actually closes the pool in the evenings and makes it an adult only area.

The manager's excuse is wrong. Most top 40 songs are the clean versions played on radio.

 

[disneygirl 17]

I have to say I had been contemplating go to Universal and IOA on my next trip to FL (end of this year) but I have to say...this is turning me against it. First the resort has poor taste in management etc.... and then they made a bad decision with the Harry Potter opening. You can only get in if you have the package (for the first month or so). Seriously!!!

 

[Poohbug]

After staying at RPR for the first time in January, I have to say Pete's review is right on.

Some differences: We are a family on five and we were in a standard room because I am too cheap to upgrade. I need my money-we are a family of five. I thought the room was a little tight. I would end up putting the stroller in the bathroom-it was huge(the bathroom that is). Not bad, but a little crowded. The room and beds were very nice.

The pool area was beautiful. We only went swimming in the middle of the day-it was a little cool. I only heard the music on the weekend and only in passing. I didn't notice the songs but it was really, really loud. The pool seemed to have an adult feel. Maybe it was the people sitting around in business clothes having beers?? It was off season, I'm sure there are more families there in the summer.

The biggest problem we had was communication. The washing machine was broken-the only one not taken. After calling management they said someone would be right down to look at it. I had my two oldest waiting to go swimming. We waited and waited and waited. I wish they had just told me where another laundry was since they were going to take their own sweet time to look at it. Never did fix it and never did let us know where else we could find a washer-we just had to wait for a machine to open up.

The next night we get everyone in bed, I take a shower then climb into bed. Five minutes later, I hear sounds coming from the floor above. Sounds like a big metal marble rolling around over our heads. Then more construction sounds-I know a sawzall when I hear one. After a bunch of run around the front desk finally reveals that they had to fix a water pipe. In the middle of the night. And did not tell us they would be working above our heads or that we would not have water for hours.

Of course after complaining they offer to move us-this is about midnight and our two youngest are still asleep but the oldest is awake from the noise. Well, I am not waking a sleeping two year old.

They have a lot of nice and competent employees but management really need some work.

 

[Disneybridein2k3]

Personally, I feel that the DJ and manager should have listened to Pete regardless of his affiliation. If a guest makes a valid complaint, it should be addressed. I'm shocked that the management at RP ignored Pete's concern. That's just ignorant if you ask me.

I totally agree, Nikki. First and foremost, Pete and Teresa were customers just like everyone else. If not for customers, they wouldn't have a business. The point was, the music being played was inappropriate for children and from the sound of the review, that was their main audience at the time. If a customer calls a manager to address a concern, a GOOD MANAGER should LISTEN and handle the issue at hand regardless of who the customer is in the real world (owner of the DIS or just you or me). Clearly that wasn't done here.

I wonder how many kids have picked up these songs and started singing them? i know my siblings sing pretty much any song they hear and like.

Unfortunately, it happens all to often. We have a 4 year old and were discussing daycare issues with friends who said they had to change daycare centers because the teacher at the center was playing Low from Flo Rida (and teaching the kids the dance). Kids hear it and repeat - they are like sponges.

I think what was most disappointing about the review is that when it began, I was really excited about how great the rooms sounded. I squealed when I heard they had a Keurig in the room! (I know, I'm easy to please - got it) The beds sounded fabulous! And the prices sounded great considering the front of the line access. Even though I wasn't planning a trip to Universal, I was thinking maybe it was time to plan one. But that is when the review took a turn for the worse. See, even though I have a 16 year old that might be their target audience, I also have a 4 year old. So I guess they really aren't looking for guests like my family considering the way they address family issues like the pool (not to mention no consideration for family-priced food options and that way over-priced self-parking!!! -- Good grief - it was cheaper to park in Vegas!) We often give Disney a hard time for being too big for their britches and doing things basically because they can. It seems like maybe RP has taken a few of the WRONG pages from Disney's best practices.

 

[sjsjbrook]

my first thought was just because it was a top song, doesn't mean it was appropriate to listen to at a family pool in florida at 4pm.

I am glad you said something Pete. If I was there and the manager of the pool said that to me, I would have gone over his head. However you did something much better. Told the world.

I am planning to visit Universal for two days on my next trip for the first time. I have young children and that kind of music would not be appropriate for them, I would question it for my older teen as well. I definately will not stay at that hotel. I had plan to spend the afternoon at the pool with the younger children while my husband took the older children to the park.

Well I am definatley staying away, it makes me madder that they can't even bother to return your phone calls.

 

[kaligal]

Pete, I think you're getting old. I am familiar with this as I'm right there with you...but am frequently told by kids and young people at work that I'm old or prudish or just silly.

I don't even like the way Disney is encouraging children to shake their asses for them. "C'mon let me see you shake your tail!" and to shake their "groove things."

I like the "Shake your groove thing" song, but was disgusted that they were encouraging kids to do that...and with those words. I also don't think children should be conditioned to shake their *** for anyone who wants to see it...sorry, their "tail," (even worse.)

I like the music and dancing, but was disgusted by the words and the "c'mon, shake it for me" thing. Blech.

But I was told by almost everyone that I'm wrong. And I think I'm getting old.

I would not care for any song about a "ho", I don't think. But, honestly, Disney is one step away from putting this crap in their parades.

That pimp song won best song. The world is changing and it's laughing at anyone with any sense of modesty or what was once thought of as decency.

I have yet to hear this stuff at PBH, but I'm usually at the little quiet pool (which Uni actually keeps for adults, unlike Disney, where people are free to make up whatever definition they like for "quiet", including, "it means 'no slides'"), so I think you'll have better luck there.

 

[LoodlesNoodles]

I was thinking of splashing out and booking a stay at one of the Universal hotels for a couple of nights, but the poolside thing put me off.
I hate music being played at the poolside, if want to listen to music bring an ipod, if you don't? great, you don't have to.
Whilst sunbathing, I would rather not listen to any songs about any 'ho' and I'm 20!