Polynesian Pool Problem

[MermaidsMom]

Oh get a life people....its as if pool hoppers are the riff raff who arent good enough to touch deluxe waters...(BTW 99% of them are staying at the Floridian or Contemp. too hotels just as expensive as the Poly). Lighten up and hop the monorail for a swim at thier digs all the cool kids are doing it

In my humble opinion, they actually ARE pretty much the riff raff who aren't good enough to touch the deluxe waters (wasn't that your quote?.... This seems to be a classic fight between those who follow rules and respect the rights to others privacy and those who do whatever they want without regard to anyone else. Is there any other way to describe it? Those who claim there are just so "laid back" that they don't even care are actually those who would pool hop if they woke up and felt like it themselves, so they dare not judge anyone else. Some people will always be takers and grab everything they can from others. (Yes, MermaidsMom is cranky this a.m.)

 

[safetymom]

Last chance to keep this on topic.

 

[ConcKahuna]

It's one of the reasons we won't spend the money to stay at the PR anymore. The cost of having an $8/hour CM checking wristbands at the pool divided by the number of rooms in the resort works out to less than $1 per day per room--and that's factoring in the cost of payroll taxes and benefits.

Since when does Disney pay $8 an hour?

 

[Pooh Bear Hugs]

In my humble opinion, they actually ARE pretty much the riff raff who aren't good enough to touch the deluxe waters (wasn't that your quote?.... This seems to be a classic fight between those who follow rules and respect the rights to others privacy and those who do whatever they want without regard to anyone else. Is there any other way to describe it? Those who claim there are just so "laid back" that they don't even care are actually those who would pool hop if they woke up and felt like it themselves, so they dare not judge anyone else. Some people will always be takers and grab everything they can from others. (Yes, MermaidsMom is cranky this a.m.)

What utter rubbish.

On another point, the money issue comes up a lot. Someone who has stretched their finances or saved for years would be more upset than someone who can comfortably afford it.
I'll also say there is nothing wrong with the quiet pool or playing on the beach.

 

[CamColt]

I havent read all the replies so if this is redundant I apologize.

I would prefer they give all members of the party a wrist band at check in...party of 4, gets 4 wristbands with their names and dates.

This would eliminate having to "check in" with a CM and possibly have to wait in line when entering the pool area. I know when we are there one of us may leave to get food or drinks, or return to the room for something, or do laundry, etc... I would hate the thought of having to check in with someone each time I leave and reneter the area. Everyone getting them at check in just seems easier to me.

 

[01Sweetpea]

Pool hopping concerns me. We are staying at the Poly for our Thanksgiving trip. The resort will be full enough as it is due to the week we are going, add in all the "pool hoppers" and I'm wondering if we will even get a seat at the volcano pool!

 

[mandy200587]

I went to the volcano pool once the whole time I was at Disney and had trouble finding a seat. It's slowly been getting worse every year that we are there. I would be all for the wristbands. I'm paying the money to stay there, not paying the money for others to use the pool. That's all I'm going to say now.

 

[DaisyD]

What utter rubbish.

On another point, the money issue comes up a lot. Someone who has stretched their finances or saved for years would be more upset than someone who can comfortably afford it.
I'll also say there is nothing wrong with the quiet pool or playing on the beach.

I consider anyone that knowing breaks rules to be riffraff. I don't care if you are staying at a suite at the GF or a tent at Ft Wilderness. Whether you are onsite or offsite, have millions of dollars or live paycheck to paycheck. If you knowingly get in a pool when you know your riffraffing behind doesn't belong you are disgusting. There is nothing wrong with playing the pool you PAY for. You are certainly defensive about this. I imagine you are one of the poolhoppers of which we speak of.

 

[First timer]

Personally, I am unable to look at someone and know what resort they're staying at. Are you sure this is a genuine issue? Maybe the pool area is just too small for the number of rooms. I've stayed at the Poly many times and was never impressed with the pool. It's hard to imagine anyone scheming to get in. SAB is a different story.

When wishes is over and you see more than half the parents swooping up the kids and hollering that they do not want to miss the next bus to their resort - then yes - you know they are pool hoppers. Not to mention they are quite proud and vocal about their great achivement of using the Poly pool and chairs to view wishes.

 

[thumpersfriend]

I don't think anyone staying at the Poly should have to settle for using the quiet pool if the volcano pool is so busy it is impossible to enjoy. Don't get me wrong, the quiet pool is nice too but the selling point to me is the beautiful theme pool. I was there last April and was very dissappointed that there was standing room only in the volcano pool. I almost booked the Poly for this coming April but changed to GF mostly because of the pool situation. It may be a small thing but I will have to vote with my feet until they can change this situation. I know it doesn't matter to them, but it does to me. I will also write to them for my 2 cents.

 

[bellebud]

Steve, thank you for the address of where to write. This is a genuine problem and has kept my family from returning to the poly. we've stayed there 2x's and loved everything else about it but the pool situation. even the quiet pool was packed when we were there. not even 1 chair for my family of 4 to share. had to put our bag and towels on the ground. and yes, the pool is too small, but i've personally heard pool hoppers conversations on the ferries... seen them changing clothes in the pool bathroom and overheard their conversation so was certain they weren't poly guests. I've had the same problem at the boardwalk. This is disney's biggest issue to me. our resort stay is probably 70% of our vacation.

to those who think it's no big deal... i'm going to bet you don't stay at the resort where the hopping is taking place, or you don't use the pool. i can't imagine anyone being "that" laid back that they'll gladly give their pool chair to a complete stranger who is trespassing, all with a smile. give me a break! and if you really just are that laid back, please let me know when you're staying there so i can direct the pool hoppers to you for you to happily give them your chair so they don't take mine!

Again Steve, thanks and i'll definitely be writing.

 

[kaysmommie]

I don't think anyone staying at the Poly should have to settle for using the quiet pool if the volcano pool is so busy it is impossible to enjoy. Don't get me wrong, the quiet pool is nice too but the selling point to me is the beautiful theme pool. I was there last April and was very dissappointed that there was standing room only in the volcano pool. I almost booked the Poly for this coming April but changed to GF mostly because of the pool situation. It may be a small thing but I will have to vote with my feet until they can change this situation. I know it doesn't matter to them, but it does to me. I will also write to them for my 2 cents.

Well said! When you pay over $4000 for a vacation why should I not even be able to get one chair for my family of 4 at the main pool. I want to stay at the poly again but sure this gets under control. Rules are rules, swim where you pay to stay.

 

[huey578]

I'm confused about pool hoopers... are these guest staying at other WDW resorts or they staying off site?

 

[Tikiman]

I swore I was going to stay out of here but I don’t think this needs to get ugly and people don’t have to make comments to antagonize others. I see a problem I proposed a solution and gave people the information to do something about it. Lets all calm down.

You can agree or disagree that it is a problem. You can take Zip-a-de-dude-da’a advise and not pay attention to any rules or you can follow the rules Disney put up for a good reason (by the way it is spelled POLYNESIAN).

I myself have heard people brag about sneaking over to the pool from other resorts but I also have never had a problem with the pool being too crowded and I have never not gotten a few chairs in a row for the family to lounge on (even during busy 4th of July week). I still hear from many that it is a problem so I contacted the Polynesian to find out the best way for guests to communicate their concerns and they gave me the names and addresses. I am passing them along for you to do what you want with the information.

If this is a growing problem because the pool is so popular (yes I think it blows away SAB even if it is smaller but that is another discussion) than voice your opinion to the people in charge and lets see what gets done.

For those of you who never vacation anywhere other than WDW or who have never seen wrist bands used I will reiterate that they are in use now in many places with the same problem and they work well. You don’t wait in line, they come by and see you have no bracelet and ask for your name and room number. I did not even have to get out of the pool and once I gave them my name and number they gave the family all bracelets. It took a whole 30 seconds of my time. If 2 or 3 people can cover the area that they did in Maui than 1 person could do it at the Polynesian. Its not rocket science.

I will end with saying that it is the “Disney Way” because Disney was built by having a great place to go and enjoy. They use to have many RULES and REGULATIONS that even the staff had to follow to work there. Their parks handle all the people they do by having RULES that keep it operating well. They have cameras all over to make sure people are following the RULES. I think it is time that they start kicking some tail of people that think the RULES don’t apply to them and for those that just like to ignore the RULES I hope you are not setting this example in front of kids.

 

[DaisyD]

I'm confused about pool hoopers... are these guest staying at other WDW resorts or they staying off site?

Both. You are poolhopping whether you are staying at another WDW resort or offsite. You can't stay at the WL and the poolhop over to the Poly. The only ones that are allowed to do that are DVC members.

 

[Jennygt]

I don't get why Disney does not address this problem. What kind of respone have others had when they did contact managment about this. no need for people to get upset, rules are rules,and just asking for them to be enforced is certainly reasonable, no debate required. Thanks for all the great info Tiki!!

 

[thumpersfriend]

Thanks for the address Steve. My letter is in the mail as we speak. It may seem silly to some to complain about this but I am sure alot of us save for quite a while to vacation at this beautiful resort, see beautiful pictures of the volcano pool and then not be able to use it. I consider the resort we stay at to be very important. I also think you should get what you pay for. Thanks again Steve!

 

[Pooh Bear Hugs]

Steve, thank you for the address of where to write. This is a genuine problem and has kept my family from returning to the poly. we've stayed there 2x's and loved everything else about it but the pool situation. even the quiet pool was packed when we were there. not even 1 chair for my family of 4 to share. had to put our bag and towels on the ground. and yes, the pool is too small, but i've personally heard pool hoppers conversations on the ferries... seen them changing clothes in the pool bathroom and overheard their conversation so was certain they weren't poly guests. I've had the same problem at the boardwalk. This is disney's biggest issue to me. our resort stay is probably 70% of our vacation.

to those who think it's no big deal... i'm going to bet you don't stay at the resort where the hopping is taking place, or you don't use the pool. i can't imagine anyone being "that" laid back that they'll gladly give their pool chair to a complete stranger who is trespassing, all with a smile. give me a break! and if you really just are that laid back, please let me know when you're staying there so i can direct the pool hoppers to you for you to happily give them your chair so they don't take mine!

Again Steve, thanks and i'll definitely be writing.

I'll be at the poly next september feel free to join me, as for giving up chairs I've never had to. I have said earlier I don't mind hand stamps, I don't want wristbands or the pool fencing off.
The only time someone is tresspassing is when they enter the pool. They are allowed to be in other areas of the resort. I don't see why tons of people would rush over to use the poly pool anyway. There are two great water parks and each resort including the All stars and pop have their oven pools. If someone was pool hopping surely contermpory is closer. I honestly havn't seen a massive problem with pool hoppers.

 

[lillygator]

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).

Steve - first thanks for posting the address and for your awesome website. It has proved very very helpful to me. I for one would love to see something implemented at all the pools not just the deluxe pools, although I am sure it is more of an issue with the more themed and pools with slides.

I understand that poster went a bit off topic but I think to call them out like that is a bit harsh. Mods are here to keep people OT and to close threads, you could have simply reported it.

Yes, all of us have an opinion on everything Disney otherwise we wouldn't be here...usually thought one of our issues turns into another issue as does most things Disney.

I hope you won't stay out of this forum as your knowledge is wonderful and a treat to us all.

ETA: we've pretty much only been to the Poly during the cooler months and the pool wasn't an issue...now at the Boardwalk, that was a whole 'nother thead!

 

[t-beri]

I have stayed in different resorts from a room at the poly w/ a great view of MK to CBR (we go 3-4 times a year) and I really could care less about pool hoppers. partially maybe b/c my family is working class and I know what it's like to want nicer things for your family, even if it is a nicer pool on your vacation. I have to admit I only stayed at the poly b/c it was a business trip and was paid for by one of our distributors. When we stayed at coronado springs I talked w/ several Disney intern students and a few people that live in Oralndo just there to hang out cause it has a great slide(personally I think it's one of the best pools) Also my sister inlaw who has money stays in the deluxe resorts and still pool hops. they don't go to the parks, they come down from NY to enjoy the weather and hang at the dis. pools. but to move from night to night would be teadious, so they just go to the GF for breakfast and take their suits with them.
I think maybe you should keep in mind all that you have and remember the generosity and philanthropy of our dear Uncle Walt. Maybe the children sharing your pool are staying in a value resort that their parent scrimped and saved to take them on what will probably be their only childhood trip to the magical kindom of WDW. Maybe those parents who have next to nothing wanted their children to have a trip to remember.
or maybe just stop being so darn stuck up
your trip could just as easily be ruined by guests of that hotel who leave poop on the pool deck.
...t.