Pool Hopping Mad!! Happened to us too!

[Peterd]

You know after listening to people complain so much about their bad experiences with pool-hopping, I was wondering What DVC will do to correct the problem? Easy answer,They will cancel it. Why should they come up with all of these great plans to make it work for the DVCers, when some Dvcers won't be reasonable. What should they do? What they do now doesn't work. You call in the morning to see if it's allowed, they say yes, but they can't guarentee that it will be crowded later. It's not their fault. It's not fair to the cash and point paying guests to not be able enjoy their pool. The resort owes it to their GUESTS first, not the poolhoppers. To say check IDs every couple of hours, would be very annoying to the guests of the hotel. I know after awhile, I would say enough.
Let's say DVC makes a plan to let DVCers poolhop, but to check IDs later as it does get more crowded. This won't work! We know some of the poolhoppers responses,"How dare they ask for my ID! Others will see this, and I will feel humiliated." We have already heard that some will try to intimidate the CM just doing his job. I would think the CM would only say, " we will get security if you don't leave and continue to make a scene". (I could be wrong though.) Would you really call your husband to scare the CM because of his size, and make a big scene to try to prove your point? How unfair to the poor CM who is only doing his/her job. Do you really think that you DESERVE to be at THEIR resort? Or do you agree that you are there because they allow you to be there? The resorts don't want this.
Best solution, it's a perk, if you're let in, ENJOY it! If asked to leave, LEAVE! The cash and point paying guests deserve to not only enjoy their pool but to be comfortable also.
If pool hopping is SO important to you, stay where you want to play, or don't have your feelings hurt when asked to leave.

 

[CaptainMidnight]

Well said Peterd.

I'm 6'4" around 250lbs and have some martial arts training. That doesn't mean I should treat a CM inappropriately.

I also agree that the result of all this will be the loss of the pool hopping privledge.

I guess when Disney does take it away, I'll have a good understanding of the reasons and inappropriate conduct that caused them to take it away....

 

[Werner Weiss]

No DVC members should be asked to leave. Why? Because it's not necessary if Disney and the DVC members stick to the simple pool hopping rules.

Before you leave your DVC resort room, you determine that there's no pool hopping restriction at your destination pool. You can then go to that pool without worrying that a half hour after you get there, a CM will ask you to leave (and that you've wasted valuable vacation hours getting ready, parking, and getting situated at the pool -- and that the same thing might happen if you now try to go to another pool). It's simple.

The incidents last week were isolated exceptions because flyers handed to DVC members upon check-in could easily be interpretted as saying that only Yacht & Beach Club had a pool hopping restriction.

By the way, DVC members also fall into the category of "cash and point paying guests."

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

[This message was edited by Werner Weiss on 04-20-01 at 01:38 AM.]

 

[PKK/MJK]

I certainly hope that Disney does not eliminate the pool hopping privilege. While it is not important to me personally, many people get a lot of pleasure out of it. Disney is known for its creativity. They certainly can come up with a solution to this problem that does not entail eliminating the privlege. On another pool-hopping thread, someone suggested colored wristbands--each resort having its own color. The wristbands are issued at check-in. To use the pool you must wear your wristband. That way the pool area could be patrolled discreetly. Those with no wristbands would be asked to leave. CM's could easily identify the remainder of pool people by the color of their bands--as to whether they were from OKW, VWL or BWV. Then, if the pool area became overcrowded, CM's could quietly ask the proper guests to leave. Something along this line might work.
It goes without saying, that CM's should only resort to threats of calling security, when they are in a truly dire situation. Embarrassing guests, even if they are being obnoxious , is just not the Disney way of doing things. It is poor public relations. Very bad "show." I have a strong feeling that if this situation had been handled differently by the CM, we would not being seeing all this pool hopping brouhaha. I feel terrible for everyone involved in these pool problems--the guests for being embarrassed and the CM for trying to do his job but ending up with this mess.

Phil and Mary Jo

WDW--82,83,85,87,89,93,95,96, 97,98,99,00,01
DVC/OKW

 

[Peterd]

Captain, 6 4' 250 here also. We should start a football team.
WW Quoted above:
"By the way, DVC members also fall into the category of "cash and point paying guests."".
Yes that is true, but ONLY at the resort they are staying at. At the resort they are hopping to, yes they are DVC members, but they are DVC members visiting another resort. As for getting there then being told to leave, It's the risk you take when you pool hop.

As for the wrist bands, sounds nice but what a hassle for people staying there. Who wants to wear a wristband during vacation at a pool?Maybe they could come up with something similar that wouldn't be a hassle to the guests.

We used to pool hop, and I don't understand how some don't see it being a problem for DVC. You have to realize that if they allow hopping in the morning, and in the afternoon, when the guests return to their pool, it will become overcrowded.
It probably doesn't happen often, but how is DVC to know? One morning they say yes, and later it doesn't overcrowd. The next day it does overcrowd. It's hard to tell at 9 in the morning, what the intentions of the guests might be at 3pm.
How should they handle this situation? The guests deserve to enjoy their pool. The only solution at that time, would be to then ask non guests to leave. Mentioning security sounds like it might be said if people refuse to leave and make a scene at the pool.
What do others think they should do? They can't NOT do anything. They can't ban guests who are staying there on points and cash. When some say, " we called this morning and they said we could pool hop, we're not leaving." Well, they are telling you now you can't. How do they think the amount of people at that time will decrease? Maybe they should just let everyone know that this can and will happen in the future so people won't have their noses bent out of shape, when it does. Pool hopping is a nice perk sometimes, but if some people want to complain to Disney about it, feel free. They're not going sprinkle pixie dust on it, and make it better. They're just going to say too many problems, and cancel it.

[This message was edited by Peterd on 04-20-01 at 09:51 AM.]

[This message was edited by Peterd on 04-20-01 at 09:53 AM.]

 

[christiansmom]

BWV is my home resort and I have yet to stay there using points. My first DVC stay (aside from one night at OKW last month) will be in May at the VWL. During that time, we have planned on pool hopping one day to SAB. I will, of course, check with the front desk before heading over but if I am asked to leave once there I will do so quietly and respectfully. It is true that one cannot ascertain in the AM what the capacity will be like in the afternoon. Often times, people do the parks in the AM and then enjoy the pools to cool off early afternoon. I would never dream of or feel comfortable taking a chair from a paying guest (points or otherwise) and would leave just as freely from the BWV pool (where I am an owner) if not staying there. I would only hope that I would be asked to leave tactfully and respectfully and that my family and I were not intentionally singled out. I think it is an uncomfortable situation for a CM on its own to have to ask people to leave and I certainly would never add fuel to the fire by being difficult. I agree with Peterd that unless people comply when requested to leave, this perk will soon become obsolete and that will be a shame for most of us.

Lisa
christiansmom
DISNEY MAGIC 9/23/00
DVC-BWV 9/00

 

[Sammie]

It would not surprise me in the least if both the DVC member offended; and the Cast Member asking the member to leave, needed lessons in public relations.

My gosh, most here can't even discuss a situation that did not even involve them personally without being rude to each other.

Just think how these people would act at the pool, if asked to leave.

I figure if you are booked at a resort (either as a cash guest or a points guest), you have the right to the pool. Others don't.

If you are allowed a privilege of using the pool, then good, if you are asked to leave for whatever reason, then you leave.

If you are asked to leave and do so politely and are mistreated, then by all means you have a complaint.

 

[RussDog]

There has been a great deal of discussion on this board regarding how they would have handled this situation if they were there... It seems to me a lot of you should be sainted. It sounds as though many of you are not susceptible to typical human nature....

Think of this situation. You and the family decide today is the day you want to use your Disney Pool Hopping privilege. You note to yourself that you should avoid the use of the Yacht and Beach pool because you feel you will be thoughtful to the guests of the hotel. It is the busiest pool after all. So, you decide to head to a DVC pool with a slide for your kids. Thus, off to boardwalk pool you go. You find a chair (somewhat difficult, but still many around), get some towels, maybe go and get a drink from the leaping horses carousel bar and settle in for a couple hours of relaxation by the pool. You figure ... "Oh, this is great! I finally get to sit down and read my book and the kids can have a great time on the slide and swimming in the pool!"... But wait, it looks like the pool is getting a little more crowded than when you first got there... 20 min earlier.

Many of you posted that you would have left the pool using "Common Sense" because the pool was getting full. I suppose you would say, "Look kids... I know you wanted to go down the slide and play in the pool, but its getting a little busy and we should leave and give a Hotel Guest our chairs. Yes we are allowed to be here according to the DVC Rules, but I feel it would be the nice thing to do to leave and give our chairs to someone else." ------ All of you are FULL OF IT!

Human nature has come into play here... We have been informed our privileges and the rules that govern these privileges. When it appears that these rules are instantly changed, we question the rationale.

Obviously these people feel wronged and singled out; thus forced into a defensive position of their actions. Instinctually, if we are pushed in one direction, we push back. Many of us will push back with resentment and anger. If you feel humiliated, the natural instinct is to reciprocate-thus, often resulting in "making a scene". No, not all of us push back in the same way, but we all do it! I for one would respond similarly to Kara... And many of you would too. GO KARA!

Before casting your high and mighty option on how you would react in this situation... Experience it! Many of you will drastically change your opinion!

Disney:
1. Keep to the rules you provide us. Inform us of these specific situations. You will not find a more understanding group of people anywhere. If you want us to leave... We will leave. Just don't surprise us of this news and make us feel like fools.
2. Monitor and remove the people that DO NOT have pool hopping privileges. I know for a certainty there is abuse of this by many non- DVC members AND local people from the community!

JR

 

[christiansmom]

I don't know who you are referring to as, "FULL OF IT", but I assure you that your assumption is incorrect at least as far as I am concerned. I can only speak for myself, not for others, but I stick by the comments expressed in my original post. Although I would probably not leave just because I viewed a pool as becoming crowded, if I were asked to leave I would do so calmly and without reservation. If I were treated poorly, I would take up my concerns with the proper personnel. I am not saying that it would not be an inconvenience but I would comply. I have a three year old who loves slides but we would make due with another activity before we would take chairs away from point or cash paying guests. If that makes me a saint, than so be it but I don't see it that way at all.

Having said all above, there is never an excuse for rudeness to guests by CMs. I am sorry that Scarlett and LIDisney had such a poor experience and hopefully with efforts on both sides situations like this will be eliminated in the future.

 

[RussDog]

This is one of the posts I was talking about when I referred to "Common Sense". This was a passage from the "Are people planning on taking some action on Pool Hopping?" thread.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>"Rule #2: If you are pool hopping and the pool becomes crowded, practice the "common sense clause" which states: When pool hopping, guests will use their common sense to determine when they should stay and when they should go. If the pool area becomes crowded, leave without being instructed by a CM and allow resort guests access to their amenities." -Kamgen [/quote]

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Click here to read this message
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[This message was edited by RussDog on 04-20-01 at 06:47 PM.]

 

[christiansmom]

I wouldn't say that voluntarily leaving a pool that appears to be crowded constitutes common sense. As stated above, I wouldn't make the assumption based on a visual so I guess I wouldn't necessarily adhere to rule #2. I do agree with the premise of common courtesy though and would readily leave if asked to do so, regardless of the inconvenience it caused me and my family. To me, that would just be the right thing to do.

 

[BenStone]

And to think I clearly understood Captain Midnights ideas _and_ message. I know I feel disjointed now. Perhaps those of us that actually work in areas where the "Northeasterners" vacation understand their attitudes better than they do. They come and go, but the attitude never changes. <IMG WIDTH="15" HEIGHT="15" SRC="/infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif" alt="razz">

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

 

[Dean]

Werner, unfortunately under the interpretation currently in force at BW and by at least some at MS, checking ahead of time wouldn't necessarily solve the problem. The current interpretation would seem to allow them to close the pool on a moments notice. It's entirely possible that you checked, got someone who actually could give an intelligent answer, that answer be "come on overs, the water's fine" and THEN, they closed the pool just after you got there. This is where I have a problem. DVC needs desperately to come up with a clear and easily understood policy and a way to notify the members with confidence that the notification will hold up. Moreover, the policy needs to be spelled out in writing. It also seems that some education of the CM at the usual destination resorts about pool hopping is in order.

Dean

 

[CaptainMidnight]

Well, I don't know that being surprised by a CM with a request that I would necessarily do the right thing, I make human errors a plenty. But there's a difference between and unplanned surprise reaction and boasting about inappropriate behavior and implying others should follow suit.

Go Kara Go???? ...... Nonsense.

[This message was edited by CaptainMidnight on 04-23-01 at 07:15 AM.]

 

[PKK/MJK]

I think Russdog was quite right when he said that none of us really know exactly how we'd react when we haven't been in the situation ourselves. It's easy to type words on the computer saying how we'd gladly, and politely gather up our children, give up our seats and leave the second the CM asked us. And frankly, now that we've been alerted to the possibility that his could happen and the reasons why, many of us would graciously exit the pool area. But that's the point--we now KNOW this could happen. The people who started this discussion were caught completely off guard and, as Russdog suggested, were put in a defensive position. They felt they were being unfairly singled out and subsequently they were embarrassed and humiliated. We all react differently when we feel we are being threatened. Some of us are more volatile than others. My understanding of what KaraKW said was that IF she were unexpectedly put in a situation where she felt she was unjustly singled out and threatened with security, she would "stand her ground" and fight for what she thought was right.Perhaps other people, because of their personalities, would behave in a more calm way. Because we are different people, we react and behave differently. But no one likes to be embarrassed and humiliated in public. That was the real problem here. None of us will ever know exactly how these pool scenarios unfolded--who was rude to whom etc. Somehow the situation got out of control and both the guest and the CM were put in terrible positions. It is up to Disney to remedy this by making very clear rules and being sure all DVC members understand them. It is also up to Disney to be certain all the CM's are trained thoroughly in guest relations.

Frankly, I don't see why wearing wristbands would be such a hassle. Perhaps others don't agree. It was just a suggestion on another thread.

In closing, I will say that I was extremely offended by that "crack" about people from the Northeast!!!! I have lived in other parts of the country as well as the Northeast where I now reside. People here are just as kind, considerate and helpful as they are elsewhere including the South. I think we should avoid insulting various parts of our wonderful country and the people who live there!!

Phil and Mary Jo

WDW--82,83,85,87,89,93,95,96, 97,98,99,00,01
DVC/OKW

 

[normr]

Please straighten this out for me since I don't own there.

Isn't is both a hotel side and DVC villa side? (2 operations under one roof?) The pool facilities have to be shared by both these groups? It's not like OKW or which is strictly a DVC resort except that 4% of the rooms are held by Disney to rent out

 

[GrammieMame]

The color-coded wristbands were my suggestion. They wouldn't necessarily solve the problem but would eliminate off-site and other resort guests from using the pool. Then, I guess we'd have to see if the pool is big enough to accommodate those who are actually staying at the particular resort, plus any DVC pool hoppers. If not, another step needs to be taken.

I'll take the hassle of a wristband if it would allow only legitimate guests to use the pool.

 

[dianthus]

That was a very inappropriate and offensive post!

 

[Olaf]

Here's an excerpt from my original post on this topic. It concerned LIDisneyFan's eviction from the boardwalk pool. From 4/12/01, yes we've been yacking about this for almost two weeks now.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>I've often thought that resort guests should be issued some sort of plastic bracelet on checkin. They could be colored coded and changed frequently. Guests would be instructed to wear their bracelet and when they didn't have it on, be asked for resort ID. [/quote]

Since then several people have pooh-poohed this idea. I won't take it personally , but I really think this idea could work. We do this at military pools all the time.

When guests check in, hand them their bracelets and inform them that this is to keep the pools for the resort guests. Virtually all of us knows someone, or has actually spoken to people at the pools who have no right to be there. I can assure you, people would wear the bracelets. They'd probably wear them all day, just so everyone knows they're staying onsite. It would end up having a certain snob appeal.

It would also be a lot easier for the CMs when things got busy and they needed to empty out chairs. I don't have problem with leaving, just as long as they are "carding" everyone. That was LIDisneyFan's biggest gripe, he'd been singled out.

Steph
DL - 1966
DL - 1970
WDW - 1973 - Contemporary
WDW - 1975 - Day trip
DL - 1988 - Day trip
WDW - 1993 - CBR
WDW - 1995 - SOG
WDW - 1997 - SOG
WDW - 1999 - SOG
WDW - 2001 - SOG & PO

[This message was edited by Olaf on 04-21-01 at 07:35 PM.]

 

[PKK/MJK]

I totally agree with KaraKW!!! As I noted in another post, this Board is not the place to make nasty comments about other DVC memebers just because they live in different part of the country. I found this totally offensive!!! The person who posted this negative comment has every right to hold these opinions but posting them and purposely insulting an entire group of people is NOT acceptable!!

Phil and Mary Jo

WDW--82,83,85,87,89,93,95,96, 97,98,99,00,01
DVC/OKW