Pool Hopping Mad!! Happened to us too!

[Dean]

Werner, it has been rumoured for about a year that pool hopping was on the way out. Lets assume you're Disney and you are getting alot of complaints about now. You can chose to institute a more formal policy that is spelled out and somewhat restrictive or you can eliminate your problem, I know what I'd do if I were DVC. Regardless of the rumours, we've seen the policy go from Pool hoping, to SAB being closed without warning on the spur of the moment in ?97 to announcements the last few years that SAB was closed for Spring Break and now to sporatic and diffiuclt BW pool closings during Spring Break. Also at Poly where you can PH but can't park.

As I noted "I suspect" this is the beginning of the end, my opinion only and I have given you my main reasons for suspecting that.. As an experienced timeshare owner, you know not to believe anything that's not spelled out in writing so what the sales staff say is irrelevent if not in the contract or POS. Even if it were written out in the guidebook but not in the other documents, it could be changed or elimiated at DVC's discretion.

I also suspect that a minority of owners use this benefit and that the overall impact would be small from DVC's standpoint. Sure they'd have a vocal minority to deal with and I'm sure they will consider that and that is likely the only hope for the program to continue in some form. Since SAB is the main pool that is used for Pool Hopping, I suspect it will be closed for pool hopping around the opening of the BCV due to the built in extra traffic.

Dean

 

[mikesmom]

They do need a system to check ID as you enter the pool area. From comments here AND posts I have read elsewhere. there is a problem with folks who aren't DVC "hopping" in, folks who aren't staying at ANY wdw resort hopping in, and even folks who aren't visiting the parks at all coming in (the pushy neighbors).

If all those folks were kept from pool crashing I suspect there might be less of an issue with DVC owners getting in even in busy season.

 

[CaptainMidnight]

OK, so I guess the lesson here is call the front desk of the resort you plan to visit prior to visiting and make sure to write down the time you called and the name of the person providing you with the answer. If you are then told you can use the pool, then make your pool hopping visit.

But, would that really do anything if you were asked to leave the pool area and told you would be escorted out by security guards?

I'm sorry, but I don't see how ownership plays into this if you are using your points at another resort. I don't see that my BW ownership allows me to use the BW pool at any time, even though I'm staying at another resort. If I was staying at my BW resort and all the pool chairs were taken by people who were just visiting, and who did not properly check ahead to see if pool hopping was allowed during the busy Easter/Spring break week (when it is properly closed to pool hopping), and who were not even members, I would want CM's to take appropiate action and clear unauthorized person's from the pool area.

I guess this is all because OKW folks won't pay for a slide....(smile)....

I don't want to take pool chairs from properly staying guests in the resorts they are paying for or using points for during a peek vacation week, by my not properly following pool hopping policies when I'm visiting from another resort. I can just use my own resort's pool or pay for one of the water parks.

I'm concerned about people who aren't really following policies or who are really taking advantage of Disney's "freindliness" and abusing a priveledge and ultimitely causing its demise.

People complaining and raising a stink with this attitude that they should be able to deny BW cash or point using guests from the use of the pool at thier resort during peek vacation week doesn't past muster with me, and is just going to cause all of us to loose this priveledge.

Please reconsider the voracity with which you plan to complain. I'm not sure I agree with your position, especially when I'm was staying at BW and can't get a chair to use the pool outside my room door.

 

[BenStone]

After reading these posts for several days, I'm flabbergasted at the lack of comprehension of the way DVC ownership works. Allow me to quote Scarlet...and paraphrase LIDISNEY


<<Since when is a DVC owner a non-paying party?? I
have paid thousands of dollars in investments in
the BWV; and my monthly maintenance fees pay for that pool and that chair.>>


In actuality, you own nothing. If you think otherwise, try taking one of those pool chairs home with you after your visit. You simply own TIME (points) which allow you to use that "pool and chair" while you are a registered guest AT BWV. If you aren't a registered guest at the time of your removal, instead of being unhappy you should have been glad for the time you had AT the pool. I don't really mean to sound harsh but facts are facts. We all are adults so lets not try to skirt the rules.

Now, before all the "we have pool hopping privilege" people start screaming...again, you don't. Disney says who gets to stay and who goes. Again this is painfully obvious to those that are unprepared but it's there for all to read. Just because we "own" a membership does not give us imagined "rights" because we are on vacation.

"All opinions expressed are my own....for a small fee they can be yours too."

 

[Peterd]

Right now, Scarlet has a very good complaint. No one told us this is how they would handle this situation. As the rules are today, I wouldn’t bash any DVC owner for being upset about being asked to leave another DVC resort. If Scarlet and other DVC owners knew what the rules were before they went and then were asked to leave, they knew what to expect. Someone posted about the BW having a meeting this week about how to handle this new problem. I think it’s great, but they have to let the rest of the membership know about the results of the meeting.
Asking guest services doesn’t always help. Our past trip at the BW in Feb, we were going to go to IOA, and my mother in law and daughter wanted to just visit the Y and B. to relax at their pool. Before we left, I went down to guest services to ask if they were allowing pool hopping. She was new, never heard of it. I asked her to call Y and B guest services, another new one, never heard of it. So just to avoid embarrassment to all involved, there should be some sort of explanation to members and CMs.
We do like the option of Pool hopping, but I feel that it’s probably going to end very soon. I kind of feel that if they had some sort of way of monitoring who came in and out at the pools, it would still be a great thing. They don’t, except at the Y and B. It really isn’t fair to the people staying at the resort, if they can’t get a chair by the pool, while Dvcers not staying there and other visiting guests are taking them up.
They should have realized that after awhile this would happen. They blocked the Y and B., so it was just a matter of time. BW has the easy access to the pool and the parking for the parks. The Y and B has the one entry to the pool, the BW used to have children get a stamp on their hands at the towel area during busy times figuring this would reduce the non dvc hoppers. (I’m not sure if they still do that). We stay at the Boardwalk three different times of the year, and it seems you can never get a chair by the main pool.This is why we usually set up at the quiet pool, some kids hit the community hall, and the rest of us kids hit the main pool.
Like I mentioned above about some people pool hopping who just happen to be local residents using the pool as a country club , we have also talked to Swan and Dolphin guests because their kids happened to be playing with our kids in the pool, they said they were rejected at the Y and B, but were here. You can’t blame them, there’s no HARD rule against it.
Dean,Ben, Msmon,Downneckboy, beachangel and the captain have some very good points (which I completely agree with). I can’t see getting upset with a member not being told the new rules about pool hopping, but the rejected members have to also see the other side.

Let’s say, a member wants to visit the Bw from another resort in the morning. The resort pool is very open all day, and around 3 pm, the BW DVC or cash guests decide the parks maybe too crowded or they just feel they want to go back to their resort to enjoy their pool. They get back to the pool, and it’s a madhouse, no chairs, nothing, how relaxing is that? The resort guests should be able to enjoy their pool! Regardless of squatters rights of non guests who set up shop 2 hours earlier.
I know it’s not the poolhoppers fault, but the rules have to change. Until they come up something better, checking Ids is probably the best thing for now. Simply saying, we called in the morning, and they said it was Ok, is not Ok. Things change, in the morning, it could be quiet. We all know the pools get busier later in the day. Guests want to use their resorts later in the day after the parks get crowded or for some other reason. You can’t plan for that. I think DVC is going to realize with all of the recent complaints about the BW pool, (who would of thunk it), that’s it’s too much of a headache. Pool hopping will either be greatly reduced or eliminated. IMHO.

[This message was edited by Peterd on 04-18-01 at 02:28 AM.]

[This message was edited by Peterd on 04-18-01 at 02:30 AM.]

 

[mikamouse]

well I myself...not that anyone cares ...after numouros times ..."almost" buying into DVC...I think that there should be no pool hopping preilegles...for the reasons stated above! I had not once been told by them that they do this....and I myself as someone had said.."should beable because I am DVC"..well I have paid out MORE then what you have paid overt time just to stay there...so why would I NOT beable to use a pool at where I have paid Higher prices then you??? I opted NOT to join the DVC...for whcih I ealy could have paid cash for. so I feel that whcih every resort you are at tat the time....that is where your pool is!! personaly I would not want to treck all over Disney in a wet bathing suit...just to swim!!
But I do feel for the embassring sistuiton you must have felt at the time....I would have been ticked to!
so that pool thing should not be avabalile....it would make everything that much easyer!!

ok....just my .2 cents!! Bye!

<font color=333366><marquee>HAPPY SPRING EVERYONE!!</marquee></font>

<font size=1 color=333366>
78,90,91,92 WDW
5/98 BWV
12/98 BC
12/99 WL
8/00 WL
8/00 YC Concierge
9/00 BWI Concierge&Villas
9/00 Poly Concierge
1/01 Swan Ex Suite
5/01 BWI Concierge&BC Concierge</font>
www.angelfire.com/ma3/mickeypics
www.angelfire.com/weird/disney

 

[Sammie]

I have to agree with the posts about the pool hopping being under consideration to be disbanned.
According to friends that work at Disney, this is what they have heard.

After the DVC at YC/BC is open the SB will be closed to anyone not staying there. No pool hopping, the same will be in effect at WL, GF, and the Poly. Basically all the pools anyone would be interested in.

Recently Disney has been flooded with complaints about this priviliege. As to why so many complaints. Many non DVC guests had no idea until the advent of boards such as these, that DVC pool hopping was even allowed. They just assumed the pool was busy due to high occupany at the resort. However the word is out now and guests that are staying at BW, YC/BC and WL are heavily complaining about the pool hopping privilege of DVC taking up their space at the pool and in the parking lot.

So I have to agree the privilege may be on the way out.

 

[LIDisneyFan]

BenStone,

Actually, you are incorrect. We each own an undivided share as "owners", defined in the POS, of all common elemnets, including all recreational facilities, conduits, infrastructure, etc. and pay our dues based upon that undivided real property ownership interest. We did not buy membership into a club. We bought real peoperty.

Section 12 of the POS (under Restrictions of Use) states that use of the common elements is restricted to owners, their guests, etc. It is clear about use of the units as vacation homes, but not the common elements (i.e. we can't expect to just use our share of any unit at any time- we bought into a club for reservations of vacation units) It doesn't say anything about being there on points, or even staying at Disney. I'm sure there may be other language in the POS to contradict this or clarify it, but I have not really been able to find it. So, I would reasonably assume that I 'own that pool and that chair'

I am not an attorney, nor pretend to understand each aspect of the POS in great detail. But I don't think the issue is a clear as you think it is. At least it isn't to me.

Again, this had to do with communication from Disney about how 'pool hopping' is handled.

By the way, I am a bit frustrated that since this happened to Scarlet on Fri the 13th, and my conversation with the BW GM was on Thursday the 14th, that his sincere apology for the treatment of my family did not translate into any material change in the way the situation was handled the following day. I think that says something about the sincerity of Disney's response.

Finally, I have not let this sour me on DVC, but rather on how a specific situation has been handled. If Disney chooses to eliminate or restrict pool hopping, it is not because a few people complained about their communication on the policy. It would be because it was their intent all along.

Now, I REALLY won't post any further on this subject (I mean it this time).

 

[Beachangel]

Maybe in the beginning the PH policy was in full force with no restrictions. Then maybe popular pools like SAB got overly crowded at certain times of the year ie Spring Break, so Disney implemented some restrictions to pool hopping. Makes sense to me. I for one don't pool hop but I can tell you with all these complaints Disney is having, I would think they would consider nixing the program. Or maybe Disney will limit PH to the least crowded times of the year.

As I previously stated,does a member who's staying offsite, have the "right" to swim at their home resort even if they're not a registered guest there?

"Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the THINKS you can think up, if only you try." Dr. Seuss

 

[Synonymous]

What alot of discussion over a simple thing. If you want to pool hop- call the resort where you're going before you leave. If they don't tell you "yes, it's okay" then don't go.

Tom

 

[Stinky_Pete]

I've only been a DVC member for a little over a year now. I have not read and memorized every word of the "POS" or whatever it's called, but it's been clear to me from the beginning that if I want to "hop" to any pool, at any time, that I need to call ahead. I believe it's mentioned many times in numerous pieces of DVC literature.

While I am always sorry when someone feels embarrassed, if someone doesn't follow that procedure then they have only themselves to blame.

And unless there is a fence surrounding the entire pool area (which I think would really be a tragedy) I think the argument that someone "shouldn't be asked to leave if they were allowed to enter the pool area" is ludicrous. They weren't "allowed" -- by not checking if it was o.k. first they entered without authorization!

 

[Jimbo]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> What alot of discussion over a simple thing. If you want to pool hop- call the resort where you're going before you leave. If they don't tell you "yes, it's okay" then don't go.[/quote]

It's not simple at all. You can try calling the front desk at the GF or the Poly and ask if DVC members are allowed to use their pool today. But I can pretty much guarantee that the person on the other end of the call will have no clue what you are talking about. In fact, many CMs have never even heard of the DVC, and will probably confuse it with the Disney Club.

It's the DVC that needs to straighten this out on behalf of its members. There's lots of ways to do that, but the simplest way is to just eliminate the perk. And I suspect that's what they will do.

 

[A1A1]

We have been posting about pool hopping by DVC owners, but it seems like there is a bigger problem that affects us all that is not being addressed by Disney:

Locals using the resort pools as their own personal water parks.

I mentioned elsewhere that when I was down in November, there were at least six retired ladies that were spending the day at the BWV pool, and from overhearing their conversations, I learned that this was their regular routine. They were set up with their lunches, their cards, their sewing. What a blast they were having at my expense, I thought.

How can this situation be solved? To me, this seems to be the more pressing issue. Maybe if there weren't so many non-registered locals at the pools, there would be room for
DVCers.

This burns me up more than the no-pool-hopping-today issue we have, and could be one cause of the no-pool-hopping issue.

 

[Werner Weiss]

A1A1 wrote: <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>We have been posting about pool hopping by DVC owners, but it seems like there is a bigger problem that affects us all that is not being addressed by Disney:

Locals using the resort pools as their own personal water parks.[/quote]
I agree. On any given day at any given pool, I'm sure that a very small percentage of the pool users are DVC members. They are legitimately enjoying the DVC Pool Hopping benefit, and they have valid resort ID cards identifying them as DVC members.

In addition to locals, unauthorized pool users include:

• People staying at off-site lodging
• People staying at other WDW on-site resorts

This just means that IDs should be checked upon entry -- for the benefit of all legitimate pool users.

-----
Werner Weiss, Curator of Yesterland, featuring discontinued Disneyland attractions

[This message was edited by Werner Weiss on 04-18-01 at 03:40 PM.]

 

[Beachangel]

If locals are using the pool and NOT registered as guests, sorry to be a tattle tale but I would be inclined to contact a CM.

I think it should then be a standard practice that ID be checked during the day. I bet that would help overcrowding.

"Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the THINKS you can think up, if only you try." Dr. Seuss

 

[RLevy29]

I am an old time Disney pool-hopper and can remember staying at the Polynesian and being able to go to the Contemporary Pool and beach and also the beach at Fort Wildderness. You were only required to show your ID cards. We would have lunch at the Contemporary or a picnic at Fort Wilderness and then use the pool or beach. Sometimes we would rent a boat wherever we were.
When we bought into DVC one of the percs that interested us was being able to pool hop. I understand about a resort being filled up, but I think that if they were going to restrict use of the pool then ID's should have been checked on their arrival not after they were already there and in such a rude manner. There have been many times when we have stayed at resorts at other places than Disneyworld when the pool has been filled and there is nowhere to sit. What is the management supposed to do then? Find out who is paying more for their room and make the people that are paying less or have a discounted room because of belonging to Starwood Club or Hilton Honors or whatever leave? That is just as unfair as making someone leave who is already there and especially when that person belongs to DVC.
Scarlett, I think you are totally right. Maybe if you would have been told before you entered you would have gone to one of the many other pools that are part of WDW.

[This message was edited by RLevy29 on 04-18-01 at 09:27 PM.]

 

[baileybrad]

Rlevy29, you pretty much nailed the issue.

 

[A1A1]

Wondering if any of us have attended those annual members' meetings. Would this be an issue to bring up there? Would anyone with authority really listen?

I am concerned about:

1. Being told (as a DVC member) after the fact to leave a DVC pool. ID's should be checked upon arrival if there is a restriction due to occupancy.

2. People who shouldn't be at the pool being there: locals, off-site guests, guests from other resorts. These are the people who should be asked to leave upon entry, no matter what time of the year it is.

 

[KKlecknerWray]

I was at the BWV member and was at the BWV the same week as Scarlett. The pool was crowded much of the week, but I didn't mind that it was hard to find a chair. I was on vacation....I was trying not to take things like that so seriously!

If I had been in Scarlett's position, and was being threatened with removal by security, I would have called them on it. Go ahead -- call security. You want me to leave? Make me! I'd like to see security climb into the pool to physically remove me and my 6'4", 230 lb husband (and then where will they take us?? Disney Jail?) oooooo! I'm scared! Believe me, DVC would be hearing an earful (and I don't mean Mickey ears!) from me about that!

I don't mean to sound obnoxious, but if that's how they're going to approach the situation, they're going to get an equally assertive response (believe me, I can be very assertive -- it's the New Jersey in me, I guess!). I would be happy to leave the pool in such a situation, but there's such a thing as MANNERS. Disney handled the situation deplorably! I love the BWV, but often, I've noticed the CM's who work there are a bit lacking in politeness.

Scarlett, sorry about your situation. Thanks for alerting all of the DVC members to it. I'll be prepared should they pull that kind of bulls--t on me!

Kara

[This message was edited by KaraKW on 04-19-01 at 11:49 PM.]

 

[Joeblack]

Right On Kara.