Pool hopping remedy.

[nappmandoa]

Hello i'm relatively new here, been lurking for a while. I have a suggestion regarding how to regulate the wide spread, often hated, rarely accepted pool hopping. Why can't disney created a pool environment within a resort that you would need to use your room key to enter? Fence off the whole area and put in turnstiles like at the entrances of the parks that allow you to enter the area only if you're a resort guest.
People here seem to try and enforce the policy more than the actual employees at the resort so with somethin like it will be prevented from being a real issue. Pesonally I dont use the pools so I can't say that I really care what people choose to do but I can completely understand where everyone is coming from. Just my two cents. Have a great night

**edit**

Oh and I really hope that this doesn't start a debate on what people should and shouldn't do. I've never seen a pool hopping thread go well but as far as I can remeber I've never heard anyone mention something like this. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm only here to help.

 

[Tinkerbell04]

I am with you on the pool issue...we use the pools occasionally and have never had trouble swimming..crowds etc. The card key admission would be a great idea! But it porbably would detract from some of the themes that Disney has developed?

 

[nappmandoa]

Well I suppose that they could turn it into a themed entry way. Disney is wonderful with making boundries look like they're not even there. Let's take the Poly for example, never been there but I'd love to go, tiki torches would be a great touch and they wouldnt even need to be lit, just look like they are. Then where the gate would be, there could be on of those cute little pygmy statues that you could send the card through the mouth of. Kids would love it and Im sure the cast members could give them some kind of pool entry, honorary life guard card. Im sure that everyone could come up with something but if disney was to do it then it would be magical and memorable.
Ok I'll stop now since its past my bed time, road trip tommorow. :0

 

[luvmarypoppins]

I am all for something like a scan gate. When I pay $300 plus for a garden view room at the poly, I only want to swim in the pool with those who are suppose to be swimming there. I really dont feel like you get your moneys worth at the deluxes anymore, its always in the back of your mind like is someone suppose to be there who isnt and anyone can go on the beach to watch the fireworks. I will probably end up at the swan next time too unless disney has a good value for the money. Paying rack rates at spring break times is just too much. If we cant get an ap rate again, then back to the swan and just visiting the poly. or maybe a split stay. I want my cake and eat it too.

 

[Planogirl]

I never minded people watching the fireworks from the Polynesian's beach. Maybe it was because there weren't ever all that many people there so it wasn't a bother.

We haven't stayed there in a while but we go to shop and dine and visit the lounge when we can. But we don't go near the pools or the beach.

 

[Scoootch]

Actually, gating off the Poly pool for room card entry has been brought up many a time as well as doing the wrist bands like they do at SAB

Many people are for it and just as many are against it because they feel fencing off the pool area will detract from the ambiance.

Personnaly, I'd be for it if they could do it tactfully but that's all up for debate and yes.....this subject along with pool hopping itself has been talked out to death

 

[HeatherAnn23]

The pool at the Grand Californian at DLR is gated, and you must use a key to enter. We were exploring there last year and discovered this. I guess it might be because there is a direct gate to CA from the hotel, and they don't want it to be a bonus destination for CA park goers. The funny things is I don't remember what the pool looked like at all - but I don't think it was heavily themed.....hmm....maybe I blocked it out since I can't afford to stay there!?

 

[auntpolly]

I've seen it done well -- for instance at the 4 seasons at Las Vegas. You used a room key to get in the gate and it was so well landscaped that you never noticed the fence. It was lovely, actually. Plenty of chairs, cute young things offering you drinks and snacks, people picking up abandoned towels. You know WDW could do it if they wanted to -- apparently it's not high on their priorities.....

 

[DISLOVE]

Originally posted by luvmarypoppins
I am all for something like a scan gate. When I pay $300 plus for a garden view room at the poly, I only want to swim in the pool with those who are suppose to be swimming there. I really dont feel like you get your moneys worth at the deluxes anymore, its always in the back of your mind like is someone suppose to be there who isnt and anyone can go on the beach to watch the fireworks. I will probably end up at the swan next time too unless disney has a good value for the money. Paying rack rates at spring break times is just too much. If we cant get an ap rate again, then back to the swan and just visiting the poly. or maybe a split stay. I want my cake and eat it too.

I used to have issues with this until I started with my new philosophy. The drum roll please... I'm on vacation. I follow rules and act responsibly. I don't allow myself to even THINK about what the Smith family is doing, it doesn't matter!

Hope that helps!

 

[princesstommi]

Since it's in place at very large and high profile resorts, I'm sure it's something Disney is well aware of. However, at this time, they haven't chose to employ that sort of method. If the ever do, some people will love it, and some people will hate it and most will accept it. Same thing with not having gates - some want them, some hate the idea, some don't care.

Personally, I wouldn't be a fan of gates at the pools I'm familiar with for the theming and ambiance reasons.

 

[sters]

Originally posted by HeatherAnn23
The pool at the Grand Californian at DLR is gated, and you must use a key to enter. We were exploring there last year and discovered this. I guess it might be because there is a direct gate to CA from the hotel, and they don't want it to be a bonus destination for CA park goers. The funny things is I don't remember what the pool looked like at all - but I don't think it was heavily themed.....hmm....maybe I blocked it out since I can't afford to stay there!?

California law requires pools to be fenced.

 

[DukeStreetKing]

Originally posted by sters
California law requires pools to be fenced.

So does Florida law. However, I believe the Reedy Creek district is again exempt from this law. I'm not 100% sure of the exemption, just a thought.

 

[auntpolly]

Originally posted by DISLOVE
I used to have issues with this until I started with my new philosophy. The drum roll please... I'm on vacation. I follow rules and act responsibly. I don't allow myself to even THINK about what the Smith family is doing, it doesn't matter!

Hope that helps!

You'd think about them if they had your chair or your cabana or your poolside table. And they were guests of AKL or something and just wanted a little break from the MK.

I suppose there are some saying, "They didn't $300 a night like I did, so they can't have it." I think most of us that have issues with pool hopping are just saying, "As long as it doesn't infringe upon the vacation that I just paid $300 a night for." If you pay that much, you want a chair. You'd like not to have to have the public pool at your resort.

 

[llij]

Last month, we stayed at the Disnyland Hotel in Ca. and they gated their pool and our room key was required to get in. I didn't think it took away from the ambiance at all. Both my husband and I wondered why they didn't do this at WDW since it seemed to work well at DL. Oh well....

 

[Frances999]

Great Idea.

Something just has to be done ASAP. The amount of pool hoppers is growing and to me it seems as if Disney couldn't really care less. Slapping up a few signs mentioning that the pools are for the exclusive use of 'x' resort guests doesn't really help - as most pool hoppers probably should they are doing wrong anyway. I wouldn't just stroll on other to a local Hilton and start using their pool

Wristbands are extremely cheap and would be quite effective IMO, also the fencing idea could work as long as it was all well planned out and kept with the theming.

The Poly beach thing also really annoys me. When the hammocks are all taken up by off-site or other resort guests and I'm paying $370/night for a lagoon view room I am not happy

Frances.

 

[frstimer128]

October will be my first trip to DW and I just assumed that if you are a guest of any of the hotels, you could use any pool.

We have PS for Wonderland tea and Pirate Cruise both held at the GF for the same day and I figured that we could use the pool there in between the two events which will be almost a 2 hour wait. I am happy to hear ahead of time that it is frowned upon. I would hate infringe upon the space of guests who are paying a fortune to stay there.

Are we allowed to use the arcade at the GF while we wait for the tea party to start or should I plan on leaving and coming back?
Thanks!

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by frstimer128
Are we allowed to use the arcade at the GF while we wait for the tea party to start or should I plan on leaving and coming back?
Thanks!

You are allowed to use the arcade. You might also want to take the monorail over to the Contemporary and use the arcade there, I understand it's the best on property

Anne

 

[frstimer128]

Ooooh...thanks. I didn't think of that!