Polynesian Pool Problem

[Tikiman]

There has been an increasing problem of people from outside the Polynesian resort using the pool. I hear that there is nothing they can do about it but I myself have seen how something can be done. I suggested that they use wrist bands but they said without it being gated off like the YC/BC pool they could not do that. Also other people have said it would be inconvenient to have to get a wrist band or be checked for one. Well when we were in Maui this July there were larger pool areas open from all sides and on a busy beach where even locals could walk right in. They had about 3 people walk the pool area and ask your name and room number. They would give you a wrist band and be on their way. They looked for people without wrist bands and if they did not have one checked the list for their name and gave them one or asked them to leave. I am sure even this is not 100% perfect but it does an excellent job of cutting down on locals and people at other resorts crowding the pool.

Lately there have been reports of people coming from the parks and other resorts to use the pool at the Polynesian. I myself heard a lady talking about how they did not like their pool and decided to try this one. She was with a group of about 14 staying at the Contemporary and they boated over. On the forums many people have admitted to doing this and actually suggest that people try it because no one will stop you.

I understand that it would take some staff to do this but if it took 3 to do the pool in Maui that was 3 times the area it extended than it should not take more than one or two for the Polynesian.

If anyone wants to voice their opinion on this to the people that can do something about it than write to General Manager Dave Venables and the recreation manager Jerry Davis at

1600 Seven Seas Drive
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

This is the only way to let them know you want something done.

 

[dis-happy]

We pool hopped there toward the end of August, but did so legitimately during a DVC stay. I checked with the front desk first (as required) then my family of 5 went to the pool area and very obviously went into the restrooms to change (we had gone there to eat at Kona and brought out suits with us). Truthfully, I was surprised that not one lifeguard even questioned what we were doing. It wasn't terribly crowded, we had a big bag of clothes, traipsing around. At BW and SAB they check a lot more and hand out wrist bands, and even WL has asked for our room card on occaision. If Disney were consistent about checking then people would stop trying to break the rules.



ETA: I'd be all for having an extra room key check person. Ask me about the large family at WL that got on the ferry practically dripping wet while obviously hopping from the Contempororary. Maybe the Cont. needs to upgrade its pool facilities.

 

[Pooh Bear Hugs]

I don't want to wear a wrist band, I don't want the pools policed and I don't care about pool hoppers. Its just so anti Disney. Sorry but thats how I feel if Disney impliments this system then I will go to a different resort. More cast members working it will also make it more expensive.

You said people were asked to leave, but they only have to leave the pool so they will still be around on the beach in the resort, dining reservations and taking the boats out.

 

[kaysmommie]

Thanks for the names and address. I will be writing them about my experiences last week with pool hoppers. It really has to be stopped so Polynesian guests can enjoy the pool. There were at least 3 different occasions when I overheard or saw people pool hopping that were not staying at the poly or even onsite. I'm sure there are alot more that weren't as obvious. I would definately be willing to wear a wristband and I think they need to check peoples ID, as I never saw them check anyone. Love your website! Thanks again.

 

[kribit]

I asked DH about this and he was flabergasted that people actually do this. The thought of "pool hopping" would had never occured to us.

Unforturnately, this type of thing happens and there is ALWAYS going to be a bad apple. It's really sad but I try not to think about what the everyone else is doing and do the right thing for myself and my family.

 

[Pooh Bear Hugs]

I asked DH about this and he was flabergasted that people actually do this. The thought of "pool hopping" would had never occured to us.

Unforturnately, this type of thing happens and there is ALWAYS going to be a bad apple. It's really sad but I try not to think about what the everyone else is doing and do the right thing for myself and my family.

Me too. I like things as they are, anyone with the guts to do it must be mad I would be too afraid. I've got to say we go in September and have never had a problem getting a seat or found the pool too crowded. I might be wrong but arnt the toilets locked anyway so you have to use your room card to get in.

 

[Disneydenise]

I really don't mind if folks want to jump in the pool and take a dip at any resort. I stay at the Poly and frankly I like the quiet pool better. No one ever seems to be hogging any chairs or tables there. Its quite delightful. We usually have a late flight out so we check our luggage and go to the park and then head back for a swim. We get a quick shower and then off to the airport. I think that there are many folks who do that so they can enjoy the last moments of the vacation. You really can't take that away from the guests of the Poly.

 

[TiggerAllie]

Having stayed at the BC... the "pool police" wristband system didn't really work very well. We had to stand in line in the sun for 20 minutes waiting to get into the pool as resort guests because they were wristbanding people soooooooo slowly. And, they only asked for 1 room key per party (which of course makes sense, because why risk losing everyone's room key at the pool). It was terribly inefficient, and I don't know if it was really making a difference. There are enough guests between YC, BC, and BCV that even with just those guests the pool is full. Fortunately, they only did it 1 day during the week we were there (maybe because it was so busy that Monday)?
We're going to the Poly for the first time in Dec, but I'm guessing there won't be the same excitement for swimming then as there was in July/August...

 

[ducklite]

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.

As far as it being un-Disney, no more so than requiring people to use a ticket to get through a turnstyle at a park. What's un-Disney is not being able to enjoy the amenities at the resort you've chosen to stay at due to having too many people not staying at that resort utilizing them.

Thanks for the info Steve, I'll write a letter today.

Anne

 

[madalex]

Having stayed at the BC... the "pool police" wristband system didn't really work very well. We had to stand in line in the sun for 20 minutes waiting to get into the pool as resort guests because they were wristbanding people soooooooo slowly. And, they only asked for 1 room key per party (which of course makes sense, because why risk losing everyone's room key at the pool). It was terribly inefficient, and I don't know if it was really making a difference. There are enough guests between YC, BC, and BCV that even with just those guests the pool is full. Fortunately, they only did it 1 day during the week we were there (maybe because it was so busy that Monday)?

What you experienced regarding the line sounds like something of an aberration. I have stayed at YC numerous times (10+) and never had to wait in line to get a wristband.

That being said, I do agree that even with the wristband policy keeping non-YC, BC and BCV guests out, the pool area does still get pretty full.

 

[Pooh Bear Hugs]

Then there are two solutions
1 lock down the resort so only guests staying there can use any of the amenities
2 stay somewhere else

As I've said I don't want wristbands, certainly not with a 20 min wait in the heat to get one. I will be writing to the poly to state this. I do understand people get upset but feel you are trying to change it for the worse.

 

[Skroops]

This is an important issue. Thanks for the information.
I think that the pool should be restricted to those with an active key card. If you have previously checked out you could arrange upon check out to use the pool until the end of the day.
Many resorts around the world restrict pool/spa usage to hotel guests only. All they need to do is check keys upon entrance, and you wouldn't need wristbands, just the key card to return back to the pool area if you leave.
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.

 

[kaysmommie]

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.

As far as it being un-Disney, no more so than requiring people to use a ticket to get through a turnstyle at a park. What's un-Disney is not being able to enjoy the amenities at the resort you've chosen to stay at due to having too many people not staying at that resort utilizing them.

Thanks for the info Steve, I'll write a letter today.

Anne

I agree! I think it is UNDISNEY to pool hop in the first place. If not wristbands then someone to come around and check ID's is a good idea at the very least IMO. I would be willing be willing to pay the $1 per day to at least get a pool or beach chair while my kids and DH play in the sand or in the pool. Some days we were lucky to even find one chair (the kids don't lounge so they don't need one). If we are paying to stay there I want to be able to enjoy the pools. If they gave you wristbands at check in to wear when you go to the pool then why would they need a line? They don't need a fenced in area like Beach club but they should defiantley have wristbands or check ID's by the pool.

 

[Minnie824]

Maybe they should do what other 'waterpark resorts' not in Disney do...they give you wristbands for your hotel...each hotel could be a different color. You put them on yourself, therefore no standing in line. Have one person verify you have your wristband on in the area. Once you take/cut the wristband off, you go to your front desk, and exchange them for one for the next day. i don't really see that as an inconvience. The inconvience is having 50 people somewhere they don't belong.

 

[hiwaygal]

Maybe they should do what other 'waterpark resorts' not in Disney do...they give you wristbands for your hotel...each hotel could be a different color. You put them on yourself, therefore no standing in line. Have one person verify you have your wristband on in the area. Once you take/cut the wristband off, you go to your front desk, and exchange them for one for the next day. i don't really see that as an inconvience. The inconvience is having 50 people somewhere they don't belong.

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.

 

[Jennygt]

I agree that something must be done. I have also stayed on Maui and had a similar experience as Tikiman, no big deal but the people who were PAYING to stay at the resort and use the pool did not have to wory about overcrowding. You pay more to stay at the Poly for a reason and I don't think that it is fair that the resort guests would not have exclusive access to the pool.Fair is fair,just my thoughts.

 

[X2WDWCP]

Then there are two solutions
1 lock down the resort so only guests staying there can use any of the amenities
2 stay somewhere else

As I've said I don't want wristbands, certainly not with a 20 min wait in the heat to get one. I will be writing to the poly to state this. I do understand people get upset but feel you are trying to change it for the worse.

Do you really think that a 20 MINUTE WAIT is average? I've been at the SAB many times getting the wristbands and it takes less than a minute and that's in the busiest season. C'mon, you sound like someone who just wants to fight. If you are lucky enough to go in September when the pools are almost empty, why not just enjoy that and support the rest of us who are stuck going during the busiest seasons when you can't even find a chair and are swimming shoulder to shoulder with people who are staying at La Quinta for $69.00/night. Yes, find another thread where you can be actually helpful or don't even bother posting. If you go in September, EVEN IF they made you wear wristbands your "wait" to get them would be seconds, not minutes. Hardly an inconvience to help everyone else out. Why bother fighting about this? It doesnt' sound like your issue.

 

[X2WDWCP]

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.

That's a really good idea! I will be writing a letter as well. This is a very frustrating issue and it has kept us away from the PR.

 

[Pooh Bear Hugs]

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.

 

[goofy4tink]

I almost wish Disney would fence in the pools at the deluxe resorts with this problem. Would it take something away from the ambience of the pool area? Sure. But I have to say that I got tired of trying to find a seat at the Volcano Pool when we were there. It may not bother some of you, but if I'm paying $300 to stay someplace, I resent it if someone who isn't paying for that particular amenity is enjoying it...bad enough someone from a different resort stops by for a swim but for someone who doesn't even stay on-site?? And yes, I have overheard conversations from both types of pool-hoppers..almost bragging about how smart they are to be able to use the pool, without paying the 'jacked up price for the room' (their words, not mine).

If Disney made it a bit more difficult to enter a pool area, then perhaps people wouldn't be so inclined to pool-hop. But I have to tell you....it's so easy to hop on the monorail, get off at the Polynesian and walk down a flight of steps and you're at the pool area. Maybe if they made the pool less open?
If each pool area was fenced in, then all you would need to do is show your room key to gain entrance. Perhaps you could get a wristband each day at the front desk or just show your room key if you don't want to wear a wristband. But, and this is the biggie....the CMs have to do their jobs and ask to see IDs. When we stayed at BCV, there were a lot of people in SAB with no wristbands on. I'm assuming (knowing what happens when you do that) that they didn't ask for a towel, so never went to the wristband area,which is where you get a towel from. I have to wonder exactly how many of those people were actually staying at YC/BC/BCV??


Am I the pool police? No. But come on now....it's starting to get ridiculous at some of the resorts that are close to the parks....Polynesian, GF (to a lesser degree), BW, YC/BC. There always seem to be those people that 'drop by' a resort in order to cool off in the midst of their park day!