Pool privileges for POFQ guests only-how strict are they?

[ella6599]

Are you actually wanting to swim as part of your gathering? Evening in November can get a bit chilly- we were usually out of the pool by 5 when we stayed there- even though the pool is heated the air temperature was a bit too cool. Plus, having taken my 2 year old to a barbeque where there was a pool- there's nothing LESS relaxing than have a toddler around a large body of water- I'd sooner take a sit down restaurant any day!

I like the suggestion of Downtown Disney- it's free to access- those of you using Disney transportation would pass through there to transfer to a bus to get to POFQ- so it would save time and hassle for those folks- and there's tons of stuff to see and do...

 

[davispigeon]

Hmm, I certainly don't want to cause problems. Is the pool area at POR bigger?

It looks like half of the people at the gathering will be staying at PO.

The ones staying offsite (10 of the 26) all have cars so they can go anywhere.

We considered DTD but didn't know that there were good places for the kids to play. My issue with DTD is that people are going to show up over a two hour period. It might be hard to meet up.

Some people will probably leave before everyone has showed up, depending on how cranky/tired their little ones get. I'm pretty sure 7pm is bedtime for most of the kids.

 

[dizneyluv]

You aren't getting it.

Moving to POR is no different than having it at POFQ.

People at POR won't want the party there either.

I understand where you are trying to come from but this board is not going to give you the answer you want.

Schedule a early Character Dinner with the whole group and let them know it's a birthday. This will be ALOT MORE FUN than a pool party.

We did this with youngest ds and they made it wonderful for him.

 

[LisaNJ25]

Are you even supposed to bring food into the pool area?

 

[Allison]

Are you even supposed to bring food into the pool area?

That's not a problem. Some of the resorts sell food poolside.

 

[davispigeon]

Thanks everyone for the advice.
I'm gonna take my singed head away now.

 

[f7prez]

ducklite had the best idea. Forget the pool party. Besides, pools and babies aren't the best combination.
Everyone should meet at Downtown Disney Marketplace. There is plenty of room. Lots to do while waiting around, and some good food choices.
26 people at most pools is significant.

 

[Laren]

Sorry you feel singed, but tell you the truth when I read this post at first I thought it had to be a troll trying to start a fight because I can't believe anyone would seriously try this with so few of their party actually staying at the hotel in question.

I do have some helpful advice, though! When we got married and my in laws to be insisted on staying off site, they rented a house and ten people stayed there! They said it was very cost-effective and I know it had a pool.

Since some people are staying offsite anyway, why doesn't someone look into renting one of these houses? Then you can all either share car rides or take taxi's from WDW to the private house and have your pool party there. You can order pizza delivered or something locally.

You just can't plan this type of thing on the say-so of one CM you talked to on the phone. I doubt even Grand Gatherings would put something together like this, but you could always call them and ask.

Sorry you didn't hear what you wanted to hear, but believe me, if you show up with 26 people, the majority of whom are not POR guests, the outcome will not be good, fun or enjoyable for anyone.

Good luck!

 

[mtemm]

have you considered meeting at the boardwalk? that would be perfect...you can get the pizza at the spoodles window, and there is lots to do/see to keep toddlers entertained. its a nice area for something like this. doesn't sound like you need a pool, just a place to be.

 

[shellybaxter]

Disney has the right to allow you to have a pool party if they choose. Dis members are by and far guest of Disney. They have different interests from Disney. They do not want extra people at the pools while they are swimming. I don't blame them, but they don't get to decide. You've called the hotel. They've told you your party is fine. I might call back and ask for confirmation from the hotel management for piece of mind. I wouldn't let the opinions of other guests dictate what I decided to do.

Some will simply say they feel that what you've proposed is rude. I don't agree, but they would be entitled to their opinions. I don't think what you are proposing is any different than the tour groups that Disney allows to attend. Do I as a guest like that a group of teens took over the pool at POFQ last I was there, no. Is it Disney's right to allow them to do so, absolutely.

 

[hollieplus2]

Disney has the right to allow you to have a pool party if they choose. Dis members are by and far guest of Disney. They have different interests from Disney. They do not want extra people at the pools while they are swimming. I don't blame them, but they don't get to decide. You've called the hotel. They've told you your party is fine. I might call back and ask for confirmation from the hotel management for piece of mind. I wouldn't let the opinions of other guests dictate what I decided to do.

Some will simply say they feel that what you've proposed is rude. I don't agree, but they would be entitled to their opinions. I don't think what you are proposing is any different than the tour groups that Disney allows to attend. Do I as a guest like that a group of teens took over the pool at POFQ last I was there, no. Is it Disney's right to allow them to do so, absolutely.

But the difference here is that those teens were paid guests of the hotel and the OP's are not. If the guests at the pool paid to be there then you have no right to complain about the crowds. However, if the pool is crowded and no chairs are available because of people who are not hotel guests then there is a problem and we do have a right to complain. I understand what the OP wants to accompolish w/ the party but I think it's a little selfish for everyone else at the pool to suffer because of it. We paid and they didn't. They should be inconvienced and not us.

 

[CAJUNBLAZE]

A couple months ago my sister stayed at por. They went to pofq to try that pool which is acceptable to wdw, and they were checking each persons key before entering pool area. I have to honestly say, If there was non disney guest at the pool, guest of people staying at pofq or not, I would definetly complain. I paid for onsite rates for the perks of the resorts at wdw. There are no other pools for that resort to share. As other resorts have private pools and one big main pool.

 

[shellybaxter]

But the difference here is that those teens were paid guests of the hotel and the OP's are not. If the guests at the pool paid to be there then you have no right to complain about the crowds. However, if the pool is crowded and no chairs are available because of people who are not hotel guests then there is a problem and we do have a right to complain. I understand what the OP wants to accompolish w/ the party but I think it's a little selfish for everyone else at the pool to suffer because of it. We paid and they didn't. They should be inconvienced and not us.

I agree that you would have the right to complain. However, the OP has the right to ask Disney and receive permission for her event. Disney will have to decide. They may let the OP have her party because they don't foresee an over crowding problem on a November evening and they want to keep their guest happy. My point is that Disney gets to decide not the people on the DIS who posted their strong opposition.

 

[Sammie]

The problem is when you 'call' the resort unless you speak to a manager of recreation or a manager of guest services, the person answering the phone is at the Disney Call Center which is not even on Disney property and they don't have the authority to give you permission to do this and frankly they could care less what you do.

Call back, and ask to speak directly to the manager of recreation. Only they or the GM of the resort can authorize this.

However if you do this without permission from someone in authority to grant your request, you may very well run into problems that day.

Ducklite's suggestion of meeting at Downtown Disney is great. No problem for anyone to park, great place to eat with outdoor seating and the splash fountain is fun for all kids and open to everyone and is near Earl of Sandwich.

If anyone wants to leave, they can simply get back on the boat to Port Orleans and go back.

Earl of Sandwich has covered outside seating and plenty of it and the splash fountain is right there.

 

[ElizabethB]

We go on alot of cruises. In a port, we will often go to a nice resort and have lunch by the resort pool. We understand that the pool itself is for guests, but the hotels are always happy to have us buy drinks and food at the pool bar and dine by the pool. We did that at the Turtle Bay Resort on Oahu a while back and had a nice time. No one seemed to mind or care.

I honestly think people are being a bit too touchy over this. Some of the group actually are guests at the hotel, others are guests at a more expensive WDW resort!

It's a Sunday evening in November. I'm afraid I just don't see the big issue here. How many people are really going to be out at the pool on a Sunday evening in November fighting for a seat at a table? This seems almost to the point of saying no one can sit on the seats in "our" lobby except other hotel guests, cause then hotel guests are deprived of their right to sit in the lobby.

I realize one is well-advised to ask a question about incest on these boards, in preference to asking a question about so-called "pool hopping", but I just don't think what the OP suggests is that big of a deal.

If they buy food and it's convenient to carry it out of the food court and sit by the pool (or if they buy it at the pool bar), I'm just not seeing the crime here.

As I recall (haven't been to POR or POFQ in a while), there is also outside seating near the food court. I'd probably plan my event, assess the pool situation at the time and, if it's not crowded I'd eat at the pool if I wanted, and if it is crowded, I'd be considerate and eat at the outdoor tables nearer to the food court. I'm not sure, but I don't think anyone can stop you from eating there!

Above all, enjoy your family gathering!

 

[skipperkim]

I think the basic flaw of the "Pool Party" is children under the age of 2 and their parents being distracted. It sounds like a recipe for disaster to me. Also, finding a place to eat with 6 high chairs won't be easy. I doubt the food court has that many. I could be wrong since I don't have little ones anymore. DTD has plenty to do. There is the Legoland and Once Upon A Toy for the kiddos. I love OUAT, their Mr Potatohead section is great. If you're looking for an inexpensive meal, there is a Mickey D's there.

 

[twinspluscade]

Oh dear. I was afraid of this. I'm just pulling my hair out trying to organize this gathering. It's going to be too chaotic with all those wee ones to go to an actual restaurant. I thought fewer people would be bothered poolside.

I don't think meeting at a waterpark would work...we're looking at gathering for dinner (when everyone geti into town) and I can't imagine that anyone will want to pay the entry fee to a waterpark just for dinner. Plus there are transportation issues for those of us staying at WDW without rental cars.

LOL! I remember your other post when you were trying decide where to eat, and several people suggested the pool idea. It's funny how opinion can change depending on what board you post on.

If I were you, I would call POFQ direct and ask them. I think their main concern would be if people would actually swimming or not. If you guys just planned to hang out in the pool area, I don't think it would even be an issue. But the non-resort guests swimming might be. Although, if you guys are going off-season maybe they'll tell you it's okay.

 

[twinspluscade]

Sorry you feel singed, but tell you the truth when I read this post at first I thought it had to be a troll trying to start a fight because I can't believe anyone would seriously try this with so few of their party actually staying at the hotel in question.

I do have some helpful advice, though! When we got married and my in laws to be insisted on staying off site, they rented a house and ten people stayed there! They said it was very cost-effective and I know it had a pool.

Since some people are staying offsite anyway, why doesn't someone look into renting one of these houses? Then you can all either share car rides or take taxi's from WDW to the private house and have your pool party there. You can order pizza delivered or something locally.

You just can't plan this type of thing on the say-so of one CM you talked to on the phone. I doubt even Grand Gatherings would put something together like this, but you could always call them and ask.

Sorry you didn't hear what you wanted to hear, but believe me, if you show up with 26 people, the majority of whom are not POR guests, the outcome will not be good, fun or enjoyable for anyone.

Good luck!

Okay, I've got to come to the defense of the OP here!

He posted a question about two weeks ago on the restaurant board asking where a good place for a large party with six toddlers/babies would be. A few posters chimed in that a restaurant gathering with that many little ones maybe wouldn't work; and that a better option would be a pool party at one of the resorts they were staying at. So, this pool party idea wasn't even his to begin with. . Let's cut the guy some slack--he's getting "flamed" no matter what idea he tries going with!

 

[Stinky_Pete]

I honestly think people are being a bit too touchy over this.

Pools, mugs, heelys, you name it...

 

[ImagineerM]

Realistically, if the non POFQ guests are there and checked in with security as guests of a registered resort guest, if they want to be at the pool, they are allowed to.

If the OP wants to check with the resort and make sure that this is possible then I think this will work fine. Remember, this is a Sunday evening in November...not exactly high noon in the middle of June or July...there is a significant difference in the pool traffic.

to the OP...I'd say give them hotel a call and speak with a manager. If you'd like to do this and get approval go for it....don't let the flamers talk you out of it. As long as you go through the appropriate channels.

Cheers,
Josh