Pool Hopping Mad!! Happened to us too!

[JerseyJanice]

I am not a DVC member, but I am finding these debates on pool hopping interesting.

One comment--it seems whenever we go to a resort, whether it's crowded or not, there are always lounge chairs taken by phantoms. I mean, people deposit a towel on a chair and believe it's their chair for the entire day.

We stayed the Contemporary this past September. It was off-season and visibly not sold out, yet it was all we could do to find a lounge chair some days. I watched some chairs with personal articles on them to see if anyone actually ever used them and honestly didn't see anyone go near some of these chairs the entire day.

This is a pet peeve of mine. Anyone else notice this?

 

[Beachangel]

I can totally relate to the "phantoms". When I go down with my sisters & the gang, we hang out by the pool in the morning to take the sun. We're alot of people & the first one down there saves the chairs. But at least we use them! We noticed too that there was always a block of chairs saved & no one ever showed up! It would irk our nerves to no end!

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

 

[Peterd]

I think their gonna have to start carding people at the pools. If you call in the morning, and the pool is not too crowded I can see letting others in. There should be a disclaimer though to let people know, that if it becomes crowded LATER on in the day, you may be asked to leave. In the middle of the day, when the guests come back from the parks to take a break by their pool, they should be able to enjoy it.
I have also seen the lounge chairs with guests clothes etc. holding them for hours without anyone claiming them until later.There's the other side though. Sometimes, if you just get up to jump in the pool, you lose your chair.
This past Feb at the Bw, while my wife and half the kids were at the quiet pool, My daughter and I went to use the slide at the main pool. We put our stuff, (which included a frozen drink) on a chair which I carried over to the hottub. We went on three slide runs ( approx. 5-10 minutes), came back to use the chair while my daughter used the hottub. Found a woman on it, our clothes on the ground in a puddle, and my drink which I just bought, gone. I asked her if she moved my stuff. She said yes she did. I asked did you notice the puddle that they're in, No she said.I said what happened to the drink that was on the chair. Oh, I threw it out, didn't look like anyone was drinking it. No apology! I told her she was amazing, and she didn't feel the least bit embarrassed. She stayed in the seat and just wouldn't acknowledge that I was standing there anymore. My daughter couldn't believe I let it go without blowing up, but I figured relax I'm on vacation. Another couple watching the whole thing, just shook their heads, and couldn't believe the woman did it too.

 

[Renee']

"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'm amazed by some of the responses here. This is fairly easy to understand. DVC members have the privilege of pool hopping when the pool is NOT over crowded. If the pool is overcrowded obviously the registered guests shall be the main concern of Disney. Although we DVCers have the pool hopping privilege this doesn't mean that registered guests of a hotel shouldn't have chairs available to them when they attempt to use their pool. This is common sense. If the CM working the pool area encounters a busy pool it is his/her responsibility to make sure that those people at the pool, taking up those chairs, are guests of the hotel. If they are not a registered guest they have every right to ask them to please leave to accommodate those who are. I'm truly amazed that some will take the "bully" mentality therefore pushing the CM to threaten security. I think I'd be happy for my time already spent and gracefully exit.

Regardless of where my deed states that "I own" the registered guests of that particular hotel take priority....period.


<FONT COLOR=Green>Renee'</FONT>
<FONT COLOR=Blue>DVC at OKW '98</FONT>
<img height="200" src="http://www.jessicasweb.com/content/about/smooches.gif">
<FONT COLOR=Green>"Life's too short not to have fun!"</FONT>

<FONT COLOR=Blue> Vow Renewal October '01 at the Happiest Place on Earth

 

[KKlecknerWray]

QUOTE: If the CM working the pool area encounters a busy pool it is his/her responsibility to make sure that those people at the pool, taking up those chairs, are guests of the hotel. If they are not a registered guest they have every right to ask them to please leave to accommodate those who are. I'm truly amazed that some will take the "bully" mentality therefore pushing the CM to threaten security.
_______________________________________

I agree that it is a CM's responsibility to check ID's in an over-crowded situation. I agree that they are entitled to ask non-registered guests to leave (of course, I'm not sure I consider a DVC member an "non-registered" guest -- but that really isn't my point).

What a CM does NOT have the right to do, is to threaten and humiliate guests. I'm not sure you read Scarlett's post, but the CM was not "pushed into calling security" as a result of bullying from the guest!!! --The CM threatened calling security as part of their initial request:
"please leave ---or we'll call security".

I think you have the "bully" part backwards. It was not the guest who had the "bully" mentality, but the CAST MEMBER!

Kara

[This message was edited by KaraKW on 04-19-01 at 11:51 PM.]

 

[KNWVIKING]

After the CM looked at Scarlet's id, do you think the first words out of his mouth were: "please leave or I'll call security" ??

 

[KKlecknerWray]

KNWVIKING --

There is no justification to threaten to call security on a DVC member who is only exercising their vacation club rights.

Obviously BWV members should be able to use the pool first, but DVC members should not be singled out. EVERYONE should be checked upon entry, and if there's an over-crowding problem, other pool-hoppers should be asked to leave first (i.e., off-property, other resort/non-DVC guests). DVC members should be the last people asked to leave.
I find it hard to believe that involving security would ever be necessary. If you speak to people in a considerate way, they respond in kind.

--KKW

 

[PKK/MJK]

Who knows what the first words were out of the CM's mouth. He/she might have threatened to call security right away--or possibly he/she became annoyed because Scarlet wouldn't immediately respond to his demands. I wouldn't be surprised if Scarlet was rude and said things that made him angry--most of us would have protested in the same situation. Scarlet felt she was being singled out,and treated unfairly. She was being publicly embarrassed/humiliated by this CM. Regardless, the situation was initiated by the CM and it is his/her job to treat all the guests with respect. My daughter worked at WDW last summer and she told us many stories about the rude treatment she received from guests . A few times she had to go "backstage" and cry just to relieve the tension. But she said she was trained to be polite NO MATTER what the guest was doing. This CM did not do that. He treated Scarlet terribly. Very poor guest relations!!!

Phil and Mary Jo

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

 

[Tiggeriffic]

Just to be clear. I believe that Pool Hopping is only allowed for DVC Members. Therefore, people staying at other Disney resorts or off-site are not pool hopping. They should not be using the pool at all.

I definitely think that if they don't start carding everybody, then more and more people will start using the pool when they are not allowed to. Some will do it because others told them incorrectly that it is okay. Others will do it because they want to and they get away with it.

Before Disney even considers getting rid of pool hopping, they should make sure that it is a problem due to people who are legitimately allowed to use the pool. Then if the pools are still too crowded, they will have to do something and hopefully not before.

 

[KNWVIKING]

FIRST: One thing all of us here agree on is the RULES are clear as mud.SECOND: Read Scarlet's opening post, the CM was checking ID's of other people, these people and Scarlet protested. What should the CM have done... let them stay because they protested and evict only those that don't ? Just said the hell with it and walk away,maybe getting himself fired in the process ? What was the tone of the protesters,were they going over the edge with abusive language ? I would think in the Disney Handbook-if there is such a thing- threatening to call security is a CM's last resort when dealing with guest that just won't listen.

[This message was edited by KNWVIKING on 04-19-01 at 06:28 PM.]

 

[Doctor P]

This whole discussion has gotten a bit out of hand and really opened a Pandora's Box.

Seems to me that there is another solution here that would seem reasonable, and we know that they have the technology to do it! Why not have a FastPass type of machine that is used to enter the pool area? It would be programmed to only accept certain types of room keys and spits out a ticket good for two hours stay at the pool. When capacity is reached, the machine issues no more FastPasses (you could put a monitor on the exit to account for people leaving). You must have a valid pool ticket in order to sit in the pool area and may not be issued another pool ticket (giving you another two hours) until at least 1:50 has passed since your previous ticket. You could program the machine to have differential acceptance of DVC room keys depending on season and capacity issues. In this way pool hopping could be monitored while still being allowed, and cash guests could be more assured that there are not general interlopers and that DVC guests, on a space available type of basis, will have only limited access to the pool at peak times

 

[PKK/MJK]

You are correct. Only DVC members have pool hopping rights. Many years ago, Disney allowed anyone who stayed on-property to pool hop but that privilege has been gone for a long time. The problem in this case, was that DVC members were asked to leave without checking to see who else might be in the BWV pool area who shouldn't be--like people staying off property,in other resorts etc.Those are the people who should leave--even if the pool is not crowded. They are not supposed to be there at all. If the pool is still too crowded once all the "illegitimate" pool hoppers leave, then DVCers staying at other resorts could be asked quietly and politely to leave so that resort guests could have some room. There are ways to handle this tactfully. Hopefully Disney will come up with a solution to this situation promptly--and a solution which does not eliminate the DVC pool-hopping privilege as that would be the "easy way out."

Phil and Mary Jo

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

 

[KNWVIKING]

The concept is a step in the right direction but first and formost a cash paying guest has to have first rights to unlimited access to their pool, not just a couple hrs at a time.Second, do you really believe that people would honor their 2 hr limit ?? someone would still need to go around checking time cards and we know how well that goes over.

 

[PKK/MJK]

Yes, you're right--the rules are clear as mud!!! And, yes the people next to Scarlet were also asked to leave. Apparently no one else was checked though. We really don't know for sure. Checking ID ` should be an all or nothing thing--not just singling out certain people. The point is that The CM initiated the situation. I'm sure he/she was instructed to clear the pool area by someone higher up. He/she had a nasty job. Guests probably got rude and the CM got annoyed. Of course, he couldn't just say "Oh, you don't want to leave? OK, you can stay." On the other hand, he should have been able to handle things in a more tactful way without threatening DVC members with being thrown out by security. Frankly, none of us will known exactly what happened at the pool that day since we weren't there and only have one side of the story. CM's, however, should be able to do their job without upsetting guests , humiliating them and threatening them with security. It is just bad Public Relations to upset guests this way. Disney usually bends over backwards to make guests happy. Unfortunately, on this day things went very wrong, the situation was handled badly and things spiralled out of control from there.

Phil and Mary Jo

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

 

[RussDog]

I think that Doctor P's idea has merit.

Combining the pool Fast Pass with the concept of "The Luna Park Pool Ride" would alleviate much of the frustration and tension surrounding the pool controversy.

This new attraction would feature a rotating, luggage-like carousel fitted with chaise lounges. At their designated Fast Pass time guests could could board the Chaise Lounge Carousel for it's two hour cycle and disembark at the end of the ride.

The Stand By Line--for those without a Fast Pass -- could begin at the bottom of the slide staircase. Once a chaise lounge becomes available, they are signaled to proceed down the slide, out of the pool, and to their designated chair assignment.

This could be very costly to implement, but, in the end, "The Luna Park Pool Ride" would save guests and cast members needless aggravation.

 

[rickster57]

I can understand the busy time to ask DVCers to leave the pool such as Chistmas and Easter Break however I beleive the other times there should be a SPECIFIC rule such as>>>>>>If the pool have a capacity of 75 people, you will only need to leave if there are more than 60% in the pool. I would be very MAD if I was ask to leave if there were only 10 people in the pool. It would that security to get me out.

http://members.aol.com/mpatrickmd/airdvc.jpg

 

[robinb]

Kara:

you go girl! I'm with you 100%.


-- Robin

 

[CaptainMidnight]

Kara:
I'm afraid I disagree.

No sense compounding your error and mistaken impression that BVW ownership entitles one to unlimited year round access with being stubborn and indignant, and impose on other's vacation.

If you didn't check regarding pool hopping ahead of your visit during a peak vacation week, it doesn't matter whether you noticed others being called on their error or not, your in the wrong.

People staying at BWV on cash or using thier points should have first choice in using the pool they are paying for whether by cash or by directly using thier points at the time of visit.

 

[Doctor P]

There are several issues all intermingled here. I agree with the sentiment that common decency and respect among people would go a long way to solving almost all of the problems we like to discuss on this board.

I am just concerned about "throwing the baby out with the bath water." I don't think DVC members should expect to have run of the pools anytime and anyplace. Furthermore, I don't think any guest (cash or otherwise) at peak seasons should expect to monopolize resort facilities to the detriment of other guests. I doubt very highly whether DVC pool hopping actually causes a substantial increase in the pool usage at any of the pools even at the most peak times. However, I understand the perception problem and the need to treat the cash guests with some priority at their resort home. Nevertheless, as the adage goes, "lack of planning on your part should not constitute an emergency on my part." To the extent that pool hoppers enter the pool area when it is under relatively low use, stay a reasonable period of time (not all day, certainly), and are sensitive to the pool becoming crowded, there should not be a problem. Furthermore, a limit on pool hopping at peak seasons could be something less than a full ban if there were ID checking that took place (you could have a sign in/sign out for pool hopping). I guess my point is that restrictions on the length of time a pool hopper could stay or the number of pool hoppers at any given time could allow some compromise situation to exist that could allow the perk to continue without being any onerous imposition on the cash guests. I am not owed a pool hopping privilege but I think it is a nice perk and I hope that it will be available when it comes time for us to want to use it. I am optimistic that a system and set of rules can be developed to improve the situation.

 

[KKlecknerWray]

Captain Midnight --
You missed my point entirely.

Your meandering and disjointed message makes VERY LITTLE SENSE. I am willing to overlook your awkward attempts at insults, however, considering that people who have poor writing skills usually have poor reading skills as well. Given this, I am assuming that you just did not understand my message. I will simplify it for you.

My post does not concern the
privileges of DVC members.

It has to do with the
RUDE TREATMENT of guests by cast members.


That was my point. Plain and simple.

Also, Doctor P., I couldn't agree more --
"Lack of planning on your part, does not constitute an emergency on my part!" AMEN!

--KKW