Polynesian Pool Problem

[maryliz]

I don't mind the wristband idea ... as long as they have an easy way to get replacements, like someone mentioned about Mousekeeping I have a DS6 who loves to pull off said wristbands, just because he wants to see if he can so I wouldn't want to have to go wait in line at the front desk just to get replacements. I like that idea much better than being forced to take all room keys to the pool.

MaryLiz

 

[properlywarnedyebe]

Here's my two-cents...
I made the mistake of reading these boards about the pool-hopping complaints before going on our trip in July. I got completely riled up and was ready to pick a fight with whomever was taking up our spots at the Poly and wasn't supposed to be there. Well, we got to the Poly and I don't know if it was luck or timing, but not only was there no pool hoppers, there was hardly anyone at the pool the whole week. That being said, I completely agree that pool-hopping should not be done unless permitted by Disney. I especially do not feel that people who are staying off property can just hop on at the Monorail at the TTC and can use the pool anytime they want. No one goes to Washington DC, stays a Sheraton and decides to pop in at the Ritz-Carlton to use the sauna. We stayed at Atlantis/Bahamas and had no problems using their wrist band system and paid less for a beautiful view of the real ocean than what we paid for at the Poly. It is not a money issue. There has to be a non-invasive way for the wrist bands to work at Disney. My question is for all of you who do not want to wear a wrist band, Do you go to EMH at the parks? How come you guys can wear a wrist band for hours to ride rides, but yet wearing a wristband at the pool for a short period of time will drive you crazy and be a pain in the butt? It doesn't seem any different to me. Thanks Tikiman for the information! Hopefully some issues will be resolved.
Alicia

 

[ducklite]

other things do more such as the free dining available to Americans every year that we don't get.

Since when is free dining subject to verification of citizenship?

Anne

 

[First timer]

The pool hopping issue was especially bad during wishes. My DD5 wanted to stay in the pool during this time but it was so mobbed by pool hoppers that I could not allow it. Not only were they pool hopping but they proceeded to drag chairs from the pool side to the lagoon so that they could have a nice comfortable seat. Yes - they were pool hoppers - many bragged about their ingenuity - quite brazenly I might add. It really is inconsiderate and rude.

Something definitely should be done - I will write a letter as well.

 

[DaisyD]

They could easily give the wristbands to guests when they check-in. And they could be replaced by mousekeeping on a daily basis, if necessary.

+


They give us wristbands at a hotel we stay in the summer. At check in we get colored coded rubber bands. Certain color for kids and certain color for adults. Every Monday they change the colors. At check in they tell you that you will need to turn them in on Monday am and get new colors for the rest of your stay. There is no line. If they see you walking in the pool area without a band you are booted out. So simply! I will be writing that letter too.

 

[DVC Sadie]

The pool hopping issue was especially bad during wishes. My DD5 wanted to stay in the pool during this time but it was so mobbed by pool hoppers that I could not allow it. Not only were they pool hopping but they proceeded to drag chairs from the pool side to the lagoon so that they could have a nice comfortable seat. Yes - they were pool hoppers - many bragged about their ingenuity - quite brazenly I might add. It really is inconsiderate and rude.

Something definitely should be done - I will write a letter as well.

You are so lucky that the pool hoppers or visitors didn't choose to take all of your patio furniture to the beach to watch Wishes. This happened to us the last time we stayed at the PR and between the pool hopping, removal of patio furniture, and the total slip of the resort, we will not be staying their anymore until the quality once again is up to par.

Tikiman, You and I have had these discussions on previous occasions and it bothers me that the PR still has the same issues as last year. I have written to WDW several times in regards to these issues. Please post if things get better at the PR but until then we will be vacationing someplace else.

 

[TinkNH]

We are staying at the Poly for the first time next week, and I am so excited! My best friend is going the same week and staying at the CBR. We have dinner plans at Ohanas one evening and she mentioned taking the kids to the pool after dinner. I told her, and remember this is my best friend, that there is no pool hopping, that she could ask at the desk or whatever, but that the pool was for ppl staying there. I don't think it is unreasonable for guests to be asked to show a room key or wear a wrist band to use the pool. And I am sure Disney could come up with a way of closing off the pool that required use of a room key to enter, that would not take away from the ambiance, they have their ways. And if people dont like it..they can stay somewhere else IMHO.

 

[Disney with Triplets]

I can't say that it's ever crossed my mind to "pool hop". When we stayed at the Poly, we swam at the Poly. When we stayed at the All Star Sports, we swam at the All Star Sports. Seemed simple enough to me.

But if it is ok to stay at Pop Century and swim at the Poly for convenience sake, then can I visit Universal for a day of my WDW tickets? Yep, sounds ridiculous to me, too!

 

[Marty Joe]

What about those stamps that you get when leaving a park or going to bars to prove that you have been carded... You can't see them, they apply them in a instant. Just show your key and get stamped. You could even get stamped when you check in. They could get the ink that lasts for days. If your there for a week or two, just get a new tatoo. The staff at the Poly would check to see if you're a Poly guest by using one of those flashlights (ultra violet?) that make you're stamp glow...

If you want to swim in the Poly pool - ante up. I would not dream of swimming in another resort's pool.

 

[Pooh Bear Hugs]

What about those stamps that you get when leaving a park or going to bars to prove that you have been carded... You can't see them, they apply them in a instant. Just show your key and get stamped. You could even get stamped when you check in. They could get the ink that lasts for days. If your there for a week or two, just get a new tatoo. The staff at the Poly would check to see if you're a Poly guest by using one of those flashlights (ultra violet?) that make you're stamp glow...

If you want to swim in the Poly pool - ante up. I would not dream of swimming in another resort's pool.

Thats the first good idea this thread has come up with. Not sure about the kids but don't see it being a problem.

 

[Sammie]

I think I am entitled to a viewpoint the same as everyone else! It costs me over £5000 sterling to come and stay at the Poly, I don't see why I should be tagged in order to use the pools, I will not go to PI as I didn't like being tagged. Pool hoppers don't bother me that much, other things do more such as the free dining available to Americans every year that we don't get. Should I write to complain about this and how unfair it is???

No I just get on with my life and enjoy my holiday.

Why are you not able to purchase a stay during free dining?

Also when you pay your money to stay at the Polynesian it would not bother you at all, if the pool is so crowded you can not find a place to sit, a chair to lounge in and the pool is standing room only due to this situation.

 

[Castillo Mom]

I haven't been to the Polynesian yet but have a coworker who just returned recently. She's not a DISer but made the same observation - lots of folks were coming over from the parks who were not Polynesian guests.

Last trip we stayed at the BC and I didn't mind having to wear a wrist band. I actually welcomed it. Never had a problem getting pool chairs or overcrowding.

Tikiman, I appreciate your posting this information. As our vacation dates get closer, I will be writing WDW regarding my concerns.

 

[Tikiman]

Ok here comes my rant. I spent many years I here and dealt with some abuse but it is posters like Pooh Bear Hugs that just turn me away from this place. You are entitled to your opinion and it is no less valuable than anyone else’s but give your opinion and move on. Instead of cluttering up my posting that was just trying to give some information and a solution for some to a problem many of us see, start your own posting and rant all you want so I don’t have to get an email every time you want to say something. Sorry but sometimes I have had enough with how people treat others in here (not that I am being very nice right now).

I see it as a problem and I see the wrist bands as an easy and widely used fix. Stamps that need a special light cannot be seen from across a pool deck. You need one person or maybe two for the size pool the Polynesian has to go up to the guests and check their names and issue a wrist band. No line to wait in and no light to have to chase everyone around with. Will it get everyone…NO. Will the word get out and discourage some…YES. Will it catch some….YES. Would I pay more per night for this to be implemented…YES.

I don’t care if they use the beach, boats, walk the grounds, or eat at the restaurants. Just don’t hall the family over to a pool when you are not staying there or are not DVC. Yes in today’s society there are posted rules that do nothing and only physical enforcement will change the situation.

Again I am just posting some information for those who want to do something. I usually only send this stuff out in my email updates but I wanted more to have the opportunity to get the info. This was not intended to be another boring, long and eventually locked debate. Do with the information what you will. If you will not return to the Polynesian because of this than you never really enjoyed the resort in the first place and lucky for you there are many other resorts to choose from.

See you in the other forums.

 

[BigOnDis]

I think something should be done to stop pool hopping, it sounds like everyone agrees to that, the only question is how it is implemented as to reduce the impact of people staying at the hotel.

I am sure there are some smart people at Disney, maybe put those Imagineers on it, that can come up with a solution.

 

[Pooh Bear Hugs]

Why are you not able to purchase a stay during free dining?

Also when you pay your money to stay at the Polynesian it would not bother you at all, if the pool is so crowded you can not find a place to sit, a chair to lounge in and the pool is standing room only due to this situation.

Uk tour operators wern't offering the dining plan let alone free dining. They are as of next year but this only came out a few weeks ago.

 

[Sammie]

Uk tour operators wern't offering the dining plan let alone free dining. They are as of next year but this only came out a few weeks ago.

then that seems that would be a complaint with the UK tour operators and not Disney. You could have booked the Free Dining on your own.

 

[Pooh Bear Hugs]

As for tiki this is the only issue I have an oposing issue on if someone having an opinion upsets you that much then there isn't a lot I can do about it.
I do think your site is great and helps a lot of people.

 

[Pooh Bear Hugs]

then that seems that would be a complaint with the UK tour operators and not Disney. You could have booked the Free Dining on your own.

I could book the hotel and tickets with disney but would have had to pay more for the airfare as my local airport only does charter flights.

 

[mordux]

Sadly, we have reached a point of societal entitlement. Rules do not mean much these days. More and more people just disregard rules, and they pick and chose which apply to them and rationalize their behavior.
It's time to close the pool to the Griswolds relatives of the world

'nuf said.

 

[Tikiman]

As for tiki this is the only issue I have an oposing issue on if someone having an opinion upsets you that much then there isn't a lot I can do about it.
I do think your site is great and helps a lot of people.

When read your first post I appreciated getting a different opinion. When you keep coming back to prove the same point and than it turned into a dinning plan rant I would rather not have to read through it (just a personal issue) and since I was subscribing to this posting I did not want to get an email about the same thing every time.

On the other hand I guess I don't have to read any of this or post anything. That would make things easier for me.

If anyone wants additional information or updates than go to my site and sign up for the email updates.