Poll: Should the Poly beach be just for paying Poly users?

[Poppinsme]

aaaaaaaaaaaaaa

 

[DisneyWisher]

Granted it's been 6 yrs since I stayed at Poly, is the beach getting that crowded with people not staying at the resort? I didn't notice that it being overcrowded but that was years ago. I'm on my iPhone so I can't vote.

 

[luvthemouse71]

I voted yes..however, we are staying Club Level this trip, so it won't impact me this year. I'll be in the lounge,having a glass of wine.

 

[DisneyWisher]

I voted yes..however, we are staying Club Level this trip, so it won't impact me this year. I'll be in the lounge,having a glass of wine.

Please take the wine and go sit in the bench swing. That's where you would have found me 4 of the 5 nights we stayed there. Sipping my Baileys and cream. It was such beautiful view.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I voted no. I don't stay at the Polynesian, and I wouldn't go there to watch Wishes or the ELP from the beach because it's too much trouble for too little return. But Stormalong Bay isn't a valid comparison; when you go to the Beach Club/Yacht Club, Stormalong Bay is the ONLY 'public' feature the non-Guest can't use.

At any WDW-owned property, Guests can explore the grounds, dine, shop, relax, look around... if there's truly a space problem, it should be addressed with resort management.

---

OP, are you aware you set up the poll to allow multiple responses?

 

[Planogirl]

I don't see the big deal. Whenever we stayed there very few people came out to the beach in the evenings to watch the fireworks. Nowadays we might stop briefly if we dine at the resort but we never take up chairs.

I would imagine that Disney sees it as a selling point to lure people to stay at the resort.

 

[jaci-h]

I am guilty of visiting the Poly beach during my March '10 trip to get an awesome view of Wishes with my best friend. This was fabulous because a) we were poor college students without Park Hopper passes and had already spent the day at AK, b) there was practically no one out there with us, so we didn't have to battle the stroller derby, monorail chaos that ensues after the show, and c) It made me absolutely determined to stay at the Poly one day. Loved the atmosphere.

I agree that Disney guests are allowed to explore the grounds of the resorts (for dining, shopping, pictures, etc)... we should be allowed to watch Wishes from the beach, too

 

[DisneyFirefly]

I've never done it and probably never will unless I happen to be staying at the Poly, but I don't see how they'd police it. I voted no. I like being able to wander around the various resorts. On my last visit down there, my dad and I spent a lot of time wandering around at Wilderness Lodge and the Grand, taking in the architecture (he's a carpenter), even though we were actually staying at my apartment in Orlando (I was moving back to Chicago two days later). I don't see why it matters that there are people on a beach. I'm sure it's big enough to hold those people who want to see the fireworks from it, Poly guests or not.

 

[rie'smom]

Why the big deal? Should only those staying at the GF be able to go to 1900 Park Fare or only those staying at the CR go to Chef Mickeys? We've stayed at the Poly and have never gone to see the fireworks from the beach.
If it's that bad a problem tell the Poly management or stay club level. You could also join become DVC members and stay at BLT. The CR has rooms with MK views as does the GF.

 

[bakie21]

I think all resorts should only allow hotel guests to use the pools at their hotel. Other areas however should be open to all.

 

[ancestry]

Other than the pools, I feel that areas of the resort should be open to the general public. The same thing happens at the Grand Floridian especially down at the dock but it never bothered me. We were still able to see the Fireworks even with other people there. Beaches, docks, etc. should be open to everyone.

 

[TisBit]

This falls into the category of "I should be treated special because I paid a lot for my room"......the advantage of staying at the Poly is to be able to use the beach every night if you choose without traveling. It would be plain silly for the entire resort to be open to the public, including the restaurants/shows and then to say "get out" as the fireworks at the Magic Kingdom are going off. Just like every other resort that has views of the parks/fireworks, they are open to the public and should remain so.

 

[Mamu]

While I agree the beach is very crowded in the evening, and as soon as the fireworks are over it thins.

I do understand everyones interest in seeing the fireworks, but feel because I'm staying there I at least should be able to get a seat. One of the reasons I've picked the Poly in the past is because of it's closeness to the MK, it's very Magical when you look out over Bay Lake after the fireworks and EWP are over and sit while the MK throws out it's Goodnight Kisses. I know a lot are waiting for their ADR. Even the lounge is very crowded. Once the fireworks and the EWP is over most of the crowd disappears. I do like meeting other Disney Visitors and talking to them, so I guess I can't complain.

I also understand how some would be upset. You pay a lot to stay at the Poly only to find you can't even find a seat on the beach at your own resort. I wish I had an answer but do feel the Poly should be open to all visitors too, and the grounds and the beach are all part of the Poly's Magic.

 

[Commander Cody]

I agree guests should be permitted to explore any Disney resort, but I would argue the Poly beach is an extension of the Volcano pool area. Obviously any guest can check out the GCH, dine at O'Hana's or shop, but allowing everyone access to the beach may infringe on paying guests ability enjoy the pool area.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I voted no only because then guests staying at the Contemporary would want the 4th floor observation deck for them only and guests staying at the Grand Floridian would want the marina by Gasparilla's Grill & Games only for them. So if they made the Polynesian beach for only the guests who stay there, I see it going down a road at the other Monorail Resorts WDW does not want to go.

 

[mickaholic4077]

I voted no because I enjoy the hammock when I come to watch the fireworks and the ELP.

 

[gillep]

I would have to say no, its a public area and should be open to all for their enjoyment. Also I bet WDW gets a lot of people who go to places like the beach at the poly, or observation deck at the contemporary to watch fireworks and enjoy it so much that they upgrade to these resorts for their future trips. One of my favorite things to do at WDW is to walk around the different resorts and I would not enjoy it if I had to worry about which areas I was allowed to be in. I also guess that I don't see the big deal about not getting a seat for the fireworks on the beach I would just stand then when it thins out grab a glass of wine and enjoy a seat.

 

[1971DBday]

I voted "yes". I have to agree with the OP to a point. I wouldn't mind people coming to view, but they take the best spots. As someone paying for the resort I am getting tired of not finding a seat near the pool when I come to enjoy what I am paying for and not to be able to once lay on the hammocks myself and cuddle with my kids.

I don't want to necessarily lock down the beach, but be courteous to those who are paying for it. I respectfully stay at my resort and use their amenities. If I do go to another resort it is for the restaurant and maybe a "look around".

This year I am going to become vocal to the CMs regarding the pool hoppers, people who plant their towels in the morning to hold spots for the afternoon after they return from the parks, and just hope that I can get a chance to watch the fireworks from a hammock on the beach.

I think we all need to just be courteous to one another!

 

[Penelope2000]

I think that the pool should be for resort guests only. I am nervous about our upcoming trip, hearing how large the crowd gets in the pool - that has to be some kind of liability issue for Disney, and I am surprised that they allow it. Also, I should be able to find a lounge chair at the pool to watch the fireworks, as this is an amenity that I have paid for.

That being said, I don't mind people from other resorts enjoying the fireworks, from the beach - the issue, from what I have read elsewhere, is people without any thought for others. Trash left all over, and/or crowding up to the longhouses. If I was on the first floor, I wouldn't like a stranger crowded up against my patio, sitting in my chairs. There should be some sort of a buffer zone between the private (rooms in the longhouses) and public areas of the resort. When you go resort hopping, you aren't allowed to camp for an hour outside some one's room. At AKL, you can see the animals from the lodge viewing area, not someone's room.

I really do not understand why they allow people not staying at the Poly to use the pools. This is against Disney policy. And I am sure that there is a safe limit to the number allowed in the pool,

Does anyone have any photos of the crowds during Wishes/at the Volcano pool that they can post?

 

[cat83]

We got to town one night early last year, and stayed at a DTD hotel for one night before our WDW package started.
That night, we decided to buy some treats from the Poly gift shop and catch Wishes from the beach.

This was the Saturday or Sunday after Thanksgiving, and the beach was empty. I couldn't believe how few people were there... it definitely would NOT have affected any of the guests staying at the Poly or taken away from their view