Polynesian Pool Hopping

[Frances999]

Hello,

I was reading a thread and somebody said that the reason they don't stay at The Polynesian Resort anymore is because they are fed up with the amount of non-polynesian guests helping thereseleves to the pool.

Is this a major problem? How crowded does the poly pool get?
Do they often check for resort I.D.?

I hope this isn't too much of an issue, but it will frustrate it me if lots of non-paying, non-polynesian guests are using the pool, as this was a major decision factor for us choosing the resort.

Thankyou

 

[goofy4tink]

We stayed at the Polynesian last August. While the pool/slide were nice, I didn't think they were worth traveling over to use!!! But, that being said, the main pool did get pretty congested at times. We found ourselves using the quiet pool quite often. We very seldom found a table or chaise to use either. If there was one to be found, it was way around the back. But, they were working on something at the time and had quite a bit of the area by the beach fenced off, so that cut back a lot on the chaises. So, is it crowded? Yes. But, I could never tell where people were from.

 

[mr.mike]

Originally posted by goofy4tink
We stayed at the Polynesian last August. While the pool/slide were nice, I didn't think they were worth traveling over to use!!! But, that being said, the main pool did get pretty congested at times. We found ourselves using the quiet pool quite often. We very seldom found a table or chaise to use either. If there was one to be found, it was way around the back. But, they were working on something at the time and had quite a bit of the area by the beach fenced off, so that cut back a lot on the chaises. So, is it crowded? Yes. But, I could never tell where people were from.

Except for any work being done this was exactly what i would have said.
mike

 

[Bojangles]

I was a pretty big issue for us. There were a lot of non guests there that came over from Magic Kingdom on the boat. Many of them brought backpacks with swimsuits and changed in the bathrooms or they just swam in their shorts/t-shirts.

Afternoons were the most crowded. I guess whether or not it would be a problem would depend on when you like to swim.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

I'm curious, how can you tell they are not Poly guests? My son, who is slightly overweight and self-conscious, always wears a t-shirt when he swims. And I have seen many posts from people who, when they switch resorts, pack a bag/wear their swim gear and head to the new resort's pool until their room is ready.

So, how do you know they are not paying guests? Just wondering.

 

[Bojangles]

Originally posted by k&a&c'smom

So, how do you know they are not paying guests? :

How about when the children are whining about going back to "their" hotel? Trust me they don't even try to hide it.

There were big groups of teens coming off the MK boat and swimming in their clothes from the park. If they were staying there and self conscious, they would have put a swimsuit on under their tshirts.

And I have seen many posts from people who, when they switch resorts, pack a bag/wear their swim gear and head to the new resort's pool until their room is ready

at 7-8 PM everyone already has their room, don't you think?

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Sorry, didn't mean to sound offensive, I really was just curious.

 

[Sammie]

Our family will not stay there anymore during the peak summer months due to this problem and the fact that it is very hard to drive and find a parking space in the lots for your car due to guests that do not stay there parking in the lot.

As to how you know. As stated they seem to like to brag about how they get around the system and get this great pool without paying for it. Also they love to share how they got this idea from the Internet or some guidebook.

As to the car situation, after riding in the lot for 30 minutes without being able to find a space you begin to wonder where are all these cars from. So finally after getting a space you begin to notice the dash board 3 hour parking passes on many cars and dash board parking passes from other Disney resorts.

This is a very popular pool to pool hop to for DVC members. We are DVC members and this is one perk we don't use as I personally do not feel it is right for the paying guest to have to be crowded out. I wish they would eliminate it completely or at least during the summer months.

I am sure some would say how many extras does this really contribute. According to friends at the Beach Club before they stopped DVC pool hopping to SAB on a busy day it contributed 100 extra guests at the pool. With the addition of the villas it was just too much and they stopped it.

I think the Polynesian pool and Wilderness Lodge pool and Boardwalk pool have now become the destination pools of choice.

 

[skiwee1]

Originally posted by k&a&c'smom
I'm curious, how can you tell they are not Poly guests? My son, who is slightly overweight and self-conscious, always wears a t-shirt when he swims. And I have seen many posts from people who, when they switch resorts, pack a bag/wear their swim gear and head to the new resort's pool until their room is ready.

So, how do you know they are not paying guests? Just wondering.

I knew they weren't paying guests when they have the nerve to brag about it! These morons tell anyone within earshot how they are from another resort or just got hot over at the MK and decided to take a dip. I would have no problem if someone wanted to card me at the resort as I have nothing to hide. I also wouldn't have a problem with ratting on someone that wasn't supposed to be there.

 

[goofy4tink]

I'm with you Terry. I certainly wouldn't mind if I was asked for my room card or DVC card. Please CM's.....bug me!!!!! I also heard folks sort of bragging about the fact they weren't staying at the WL but wasn't the pool terrific. Now you tell me it's happening at Boardwalk too?? There is plenty of signage up that tells people the pools are for resort guests only.

 

[dreamflight99]

Originally posted by Bojangles
How about when the children are whining about going back to "their" hotel? Trust me they don't even try to hide it.

There were big groups of teens coming off the MK boat and swimming in their clothes from the park. If they were staying there and self conscious, they would have put a swimsuit on under their tshirts.

I see entire families of them on the BUS dressed in nothing but swimsuits, and cover-ups. I always ask them if they enjoyed the "waterpark?" (knowing darned well the bus we are on does not stop at a waterpark). They loudly and shamelessly inform me their "passes" for the parks expired, so they are POOL-HOPPING around each resort for entertainment. These parents are setting the example for a whole new "generation" of pool hoppers!

TTFN...DF99

 

[ryansmom]

If you are overhearing these comments, then surely the CM's and lifeguards are. Why wouldn't they say something to these intruders???

 

[ducklite]

Refillable mugs from another resort hanging from their backbacks as they stroll in is another pretty good giveaway.

As far as why nothing is said...I think that as it has become more and more of a problem, and guests are becoming more and more vocal about their disatisfaction, more and more IS being done.

Everytime I stay at a WDW resort I get a postcard asking me to take a survey. And almost every time this is one of my few complaints--full parking lots is generally the other! (Except cold January when I dont care who is swimming in the pool--as long as they are staying at a WDW resort--someone needs to keep the ducks company!--But parking lots are still a problem)

Bottom line, if you feel something needs to be fixed, write a letter and send it to WDW, do'nt just complain about it on these boards.

A little off topic, we stay at a beautiful mountain inn every year. Last year I noticed the indoor pool felt very cool. I wrote a nice note telling them that it would be much more pleasant if they raised the temp by a few degrees. I got a letter from them a few weeks later telling me that they had taken my suggestion and done so, and several guests had commented that it felt much better.

Anne

 

[kenman]

I don't know why they don't put up fences and ask for Id's?

 

[chadfromdallas]

Fence off pools? That would be terrible.

 

[ducklite]

The only people it would be terrible for are the ones who can't get in because they don't belong there in the first place.

SAB has been fenced off for several years now. The BW has a fence that goes up in busy season. The GF theme pool has limited access. The AKL has somewhat limited access as well.

I think it's a great idea, and something they should be looking to spend a few dollars from M.E.'s retirement fund on--it would make more LEGITIMATE guests happy than it would make unhappy...

Anne

 

[chadfromdallas]

If were talking some regular fencing here that would take away from the atmosphere....that what Im talking about when I say terrible.

 

[jcemom]

Originally posted by chadfromdallas
If were talking some regular fencing here that would take away from the atmosphere....that what Im talking about when I say terrible.

I know what you mean. When I first read that comment an image of a big 'ol chain link fence around the pool popped into my head!

 

[BCV23]

As a longtime and frequent guest of the Polynesian, I sure hope they don't add a fence! I do wish that IDs were checked these days and even that poolhopping for DVC members to those pools was eliminated (and I am a DVC member).

I though Stormalong Bay was much more attractive pre-fence days. But that is such a large and meandering pool that I can understand it was a necessity to prevent poolhopping. I think the Polynesian pools could be more easily monitored. Of course, that's easy for me to say!

 

[skiwee1]

Originally posted by ryansmom
If you are overhearing these comments, then surely the CM's and lifeguards are. Why wouldn't they say something to these intruders???

Why yes they do. As I've said the lifeguards kicked out the 4 groups I heard bragging. It made my day!