Problem at VB Pool - Tresspassers

[RJake1]

I complained to the recreation mgr at VB after I noticed several obvious non-DVC members (tresspassers) sneaking into pool. I thought it odd that Disney built VB right next to public access beach. All the tresspassers have to do is walk down beach to VB boardwalk, then onto VB property, and zip into pool. There is really nothing to stop them. The gate to pool requires card entry, but so many people go in/out its not a problem to enter w/out a card. VB posted a staffer at the gate after I complained. The rec mgr said they are aware of the ongoing problem but don't have a solution for it.

 

[PamOKW]

They have been working on this since the resort opened. All of Florida's beaches are open to the public so people could always walk up from the waterfront.

Besides the gate, they also require (or did in the past) that you show your resort ID to order food from the snack bar and I also think to get towels. I've seen the lifeguards ask people to leave as well.

I have no idea what makes folks so bold. I even knew a "friend of a friend" who lived in the area. These were very wealthy people who wintered in Vero and then moved down there permanently. They thought nothing of bringing their grandchildren to the resort pool for the afternoon! This was when the resort first opened and before the gate was installed. I haven't heard whether that stopped them.

 

[donald@home]

How hard are they working on finding a solution for it? I would imagine there are a number of things they could do to crack down on it including issuing wrist bands, having a CM take a walk around the pool deck and ask to see peoples resort IDs, having a staff member at the gate asking to see peoples IDs as they enter the pool area... etc. etc. etc.

 

[vernon]

there are a number of things they could do to crack down on it including issuing wrist bands

they tried it, people/kids kept taking them off. It caused a lot of hassle but I think they may still do this at major public holidays.

having a CM take a walk around the pool deck and ask to see peoples resort IDs

Tried it, guests complained about getting hassled

having a staff member at the gate asking to see peoples IDs as they enter the pool area

Think they tried this as well, but if BC (SAB) is anything to go by guests complain about this "intrusion" when only one out of a group of 5,6,7 12... has valid ID as few people want to take all their roomkeys/ID etc to the pool/beach all day.

I know they are fully aware of the problem and have tried ( and continue to do so) to curtail this abuse as much as possible without making the valid guests feel like they are in a prison camp. As Pam correctly points out some of these interlopers are incredably bold and will think nothing of "fronting up" a CM and making a scene "I'll report you how dare you question me .... etc". Without posting a guard on each of the gates ( 2 or 3??) all day everyday it's not easy to irradicate this practice.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Hmm:
How about a sign "'Private Property" no tresspasing??
I know there are some local, private pools in Delaware (near Rehobeth/Bethany that will have you arrested if you even attempt to swim in their pool. Because if you do, then you ARE tresspasing.
A bit extreme , I know, but getting tough may be the only way to correct a problem such as seems to exist here. It seems that enforcement is the key.
Funny tho--guests who are allowed to swim in the pool complain about being hassled when asked for ID. Or take off the ID. Or don't even bother to BRING their ID.

 

[roelongo]

Couldn't they issue a pool pass at checkin that says how many in each room, dates of stay, etc. sort of like the parking pass they give you this way a family only needs one for everybody.

 

[ducklite]

I've only been to VB once, and it was a while ago, so forgive my memory if it's wrong, but isn't there a fairly steep dropoff to the beach that you have to come up the stairs to the higher ground of the property? Perhaps the solution is not at the pool, but rather a gate at the top of those stairs restricting access, they could require a keycard to get and out of that gate.

Of course it won't stop all, but certainly some.

Anne

 

[PamOKW]

A gate at the beach sounds like a good idea....until you remember it could become a problem for resort guests. They would also be "trapped" on the beach if they forgot to bring their key to the beach.

As Vernon mentioned, there is a balance between keeping the trespasser out and keeping life easy for the guests. From what I observed, the lifeguards are pretty good at catching those who sneak through the different blocks that are already in place. I'm also sure they would be able to identify repeat offenders and, in that case, maybe they should threaten legal action. The pool area is gated from the rest of the resort and clearly marked as being for guests only so a case could probably be made for trespassing.

 

[ClarabelleCow]

I don't see what the difficulty is handing out wrist bands. We stayed at the Atlantis in the Bahamas about 2 years ago, each morning you went to get your towels, they had a list with your name and room number on it, once verified, they gave you a colored band, each day the color changed, really not a big deal. I would think this is the simplest solution.

 

[CaptainMidnight]

Wristbands should become common practice as a solution, same as SAB.

 

[PamOKW]

While it doesn't concern me, the wristbands are shunned by real sun worshippers (leaves a tan line).

 

[pat-rick]

Never been there but is it possible to have a hand stamp station between the resort area and pool where you could get your hand stamped coming from the lodging area or main building?

 

[ducklite]

At SAB the wristband can be worn on the bathing suit strap rather than the wrist, heck you can put it on your ankle or ponytail if you prefer. So that isn't a valid argument for the skin cancer...oops I mean sun worshippers.

Anne

 

[CaptainMidnight]

Tresspassing fines for pool crashers? Once the word gets out, that should curb it.

 

[MaryJ]

Originally posted by PamOKW
A gate at the beach sounds like a good idea....until you remember it could become a problem for resort guests. They would also be "trapped" on the beach if they forgot to bring their key to the beach.

I would think that someone in the party would need a key to get back into the room!

 

[CaptainMidnight]

Originally posted by MaryJ
I would think that someone in the party would need a key to get back into the room!

Good point. Besides, one of the problems is members being courteous to one another and holding the current gate open for the next person, who may or may not be a paying guest. Wrist bands are the best solution, especially if they can be worn in alternative places like on a suit.

I wonder if this will become part of the custodian's responsibilities?
http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=425758

 

[PamOKW]

You wouldn't necessarily have a key with you on the beach. For example, the rest of the family is still getting ready for the day/sleeping and two of the teen-agers want to go watch the sunrise on the beach. They wouldn't necessarily take a key if they know people are in the room and/or they are going to meet up at the restaurant. Or, a couple is lazing by the pool. One of them wants to go to the beach for a bit. They run down not thinking to take the key. At the pool they could signal their friend to let them in but it would be difficult to yell up from the beach. Basically, it's the same reasons why people forget their keys to get into the pool but this time they would be stuck out on the beach....a little more disconcerting. Of course, some kindly person will eventually let them in, defeating the trespass blocking feature of the gate anyway. Guest inconvenience vs. pool crasher blocking effectiveness.

 

[tripletvan]

We were at VB after our DC for Easter and witnessed a birthday party going on and these people were proud of the fact that they were locals using the facilities. My husband and I were seated in a nice area and these people came right in took over three tables, had cake, minature golf, swam and had a grand old time thanks to our maintance fees!
My husband did mention it to a CM and nothing was done.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Oh, how I hope I don't see this happen. I'm just not sure I can keep myself as composed as many of you...

 

[married@wdw]

While I've never really had the situation happen to me, I'm quite vocal. If I saw something like a birthday party going on, I'd definitely find the hotel manager right away and DRAG him to the event, gawking and pointing at the people.