Saving pool seats with towels

[Asnell]

Is it common for people to put down towels and belongings to "claim" spots on the chairs and loungers around the pool? How do the CMs handle this?

I certainly don't mind someone leaving their things there while they go grab a drink, use the bathroom, even swim... but I object to the practice I've seen at some resorts where people go out and "claim" a spot for the day that they may not even use for much of the day. Heck, for our family of four I don't even like to take up four chairs unless we're someplace with lots of empties, as I figure the kids are swimming most of the time, and they can share my lounger for what little time they're out of the pool.

Anyway, just wondering if there's a Disney policy on this and how it's handled IRL.

 

[PCMama]

Is it common for people to put down towels and belongings to "claim" spots on the chairs and loungers around the pool? How do the CMs handle this?

I certainly don't mind someone leaving their things there while they go grab a drink, use the bathroom, even swim... but I object to the practice I've seen at some resorts where people go out and "claim" a spot for the day that they may not even use for much of the day. Heck, for our family of four I don't even like to take up four chairs unless we're someplace with lots of empties, as I figure the kids are swimming most of the time, and they can share my lounger for what little time they're out of the pool.

Anyway, just wondering if there's a Disney policy on this and how it's handled IRL.

I don't know how they do it on the ships but ar aulani, they fold the towels and place it at the top if the chair. If its not touched by a certain time its removed and the chair is free to use by anyone

 

[Embraer]

There's a standing joke in European beach resorts that the Germans are so organised they put their towels on the best seats early evening for the following morning, the Brits then come along in the early hours a little worse for ware and throw the towels in the pool

Doesn't really answer your question but it's a good story none the less

 

[Disney mam]

Is it common for people to put down towels and belongings to "claim" spots on the chairs and loungers around the pool? How do the CMs handle this?

I certainly don't mind someone leaving their things there while they go grab a drink, use the bathroom, even swim... but I object to the practice I've seen at some resorts where people go out and "claim" a spot for the day that they may not even use for much of the day. Heck, for our family of four I don't even like to take up four chairs unless we're someplace with lots of empties, as I figure the kids are swimming most of the time, and they can share my lounger for what little time they're out of the pool.

Anyway, just wondering if there's a Disney policy on this and how it's handled IRL.

On the Magic in the Med recently I saw lots of empty loungers with people stuff on!! I was having a coffee by the adults pool at about 7:30am one morning and a women came and claimed a lounger then walked away.

Also, 2 families took almost all the front row of loungers by the goofy pool on a sea day and looked like they had been there all day and were still there after me. Not minding that they had loungers or how long they were there, but they had towels and belonging over lots, then ate on them, put kids to sleep on them. I just thought that they should put the kids to bed if they need to nap. CM's did nothing but that may have been because there was the odd 1 or 2 spare lounger scattered around empty.

And then the 3rd time by the adult pool there a quite a few loungers with belongings on and only 2 people in the pool. Lots had people on, but there was a group of men by the bar and as it turns out they had anout 5 saved and no intention of using them. They were in the in sunny bar with loungers saved, but when the loungers became shaded the funny things was they got their stuff and secured the sunny area of the bar seats. I am not saying what language they spoke, but I am sure lots can guess. I had to chuckled because it became very humorous after finding out where they were from.

Lots of spare loungers were up on deck 10 though.

 

[drb116]

This is not as much of a problem as other cruise lines, and I don't think Disney has a policy for removing items like Carnival.

It is usually possible to find a seat throughout the day, but it the middle of the day it may it be exactly where you want to be.

 

[lanejudy]

DCL policy is no saving seats - and it is posted. That said, the CMs don't seem to do much about it. The pool area is likely to be most crowded in the afternoon. We just find other activities to do during that time, not as much because of the seats but because the pools are too crowded.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[mmouse37]

Our last few cruises we have seen CM's actively removing items left for long lengths of time. I do believe with all the complaints people have been making and all the threads on this subject that come up that DCL is trying fix the problem. Problem is you can't fix human nature and human nature seems to be on vacation that u can put stuff down and then head off for hours and come back to expect to use that seat.

It can be an issue. Personally, we have not had hard times finding seats on our cruises but we also don't need to sit right by the pool. We usually go up to a different deck to sit. I do know the family area can be tough mid day but I do believe DCL is trying.

MJ

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

If all you put is a towel, it will be removed and the chair "open" as the DCL does their towel sleep.

Now last week someone moved the "rudes' stuff. You should have heard to SCREAMING from the 'rude' "THIS WAS MY SUN BED" screamed over and over to every CM and guest within range in a LOUD British accent. "IF ANY OF MY VALUABLE STUFF IS GONE" (really you left valuable stuff) "WE ONLY WENT TO LUNCH" (for two hours LOL!)

Disney pulled them aside but they didn't get their beds back.. (they claim they won't ever be back on the ship, no loss IMHO)

 

[ONMom]

On our recent Fantasy cruise in May, the CM's regularly came around and removed towels from chairs. If there were personal belongings they left those alone but if it was just a towel, it got scooped up!

 

[the_bUg]

Is it common for people to put down towels and belongings to "claim" spots on the chairs and loungers around the pool? How do the CMs handle this?

I certainly don't mind someone leaving their things there while they go grab a drink, use the bathroom, even swim... but I object to the practice I've seen at some resorts where people go out and "claim" a spot for the day that they may not even use for much of the day. Heck, for our family of four I don't even like to take up four chairs unless we're someplace with lots of empties, as I figure the kids are swimming most of the time, and they can share my lounger for what little time they're out of the pool.

Anyway, just wondering if there's a Disney policy on this and how it's handled IRL.

I choose a room directly below the pool deck so I can hear the second that the chairs are being arranged/set up for the day. I then promptly grab every towel I can find available to me and head up to the pool deck.

I delegate the wife to spreading out our personal belongings along with 1 towel per each chair while I go get us some alcoholic drinks to start the morning.

Usually by around my 3rd or 4rth bevvy I'm feeling pretty sassy. I'm sure some of the people mulling around the pool deck without chairs are wondering why there is about 15 seats reserved surrounding the entire area where an adult couple is sitting with nigh a kid in sight, but if they say anything to me I muster all the liquid courage I can and release a tirade having to do with things like, "do you have any idea how important I am? These chairs are first come, first served. I'm staying in the Royal Suite, I can do whatever I want!" (meanwhile, I'm actually 5A).

If a castmember becomes involved, I make several statements to the effect of how "un-disney" this is and swear that I will see that they loose their job over this.

Finally, I will leave all of my things on these chairs and stumble back to my stateroom to pass out returning several hours later to rinse lather and repeat if anyone has dared to sit in any of MY CHAIRS! And this is all done by 9:00 AM!


Hoo boy... that was fun.

Seriously though... Chairs cannot be reserved on the pool deck, and the CM should have your back on that... I mean, of course within reason.

 

[lbgraves]

Also, 2 families took almost all the front row of loungers by the goofy pool on a sea day and looked like they had been there all day and were still there after me. Not minding that they had loungers or how long they were there, but they had towels and belonging over lots, then ate on them, put kids to sleep on them. I just thought that they should put the kids to bed if they need to nap. CM's did nothing but that may have been because there was the odd 1 or 2 spare lounger scattered around empty.

If someone wants to stay in a lounger all day, there is nothing wrong with that. CMs are not there to time how long someone is at the pool. If the family has kids of different ages, some take naps and some don't. Nothing wrong with having one of the little ones curl up and rest while the parents are still keeping an eye on the others. We don't eat at the same time when spending time at the pool. The kids get food when they are hungry, come sit with us on the end of our loungers and eat, then continue on. DH and I get our lunch when we feel like it and eat sitting in our loungers.

 

[lbgraves]

On our recent Fantasy cruise in May, the CM's regularly came around and removed towels from chairs. If there were personal belongings they left those alone but if it was just a towel, it got scooped up!

We have seen CMs place the personal items on top of the clean towel bins around the pool area, and direct guests there when they return looking for their things hours later.

 

[PrincessTrisha]

Do CM's regularly put clean towels on the chairs in the adult area in the morning (like at the top of the chair, like a pillow?).

When I was on the Magic, I'd gone up to the adult area one morning and I thought it was odd that all of the chairs were "taken" as there was a neatly folded towel on the top of each chair.

After a while of no one coming for the chairs, I kind of assumed it was CMs who had put the towels there (since it was so neatly done and on every single lounger).

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Do CM's regularly put clean towels on the chairs in the adult area in the morning (like at the top of the chair, like a pillow?).

When I was on the Magic, I'd gone up to the adult area one morning and I thought it was odd that all of the chairs were "taken" as there was a neatly folded towel on the top of each chair.

After a while of no one coming for the chairs, I kind of assumed it was CMs who had put the towels there (since it was so neatly done and on every single lounger).

Yes, they do that every morning. I saw them do that on the Magic several times. Nice touch, but not a 'reservation'

 

[tweis]

Do CM's regularly put clean towels on the chairs in the adult area in the morning (like at the top of the chair, like a pillow?).

When I was on the Magic, I'd gone up to the adult area one morning and I thought it was odd that all of the chairs were "taken" as there was a neatly folded towel on the top of each chair.

After a while of no one coming for the chairs, I kind of assumed it was CMs who had put the towels there (since it was so neatly done and on every single lounger).

When we were on the dream a couple of weeks ago, they did regularly change out the "pillow" towels. The loungers have like a loop or strap at the top and the CMs put clean towels on/in these. This was in the adult areas also.

 

[Rogillio]

If I were running things my policy would be just like in airports, any item left unattended would be picked up and taken to lost/found. Afterall, it might be a bomb. If you have to go to the bathroom, it means you've been there for a while and it's time to let someone else take a turn.

Fortunately, I do not set policy.

 

[fairfax]

I choose a room directly below the pool deck so I can hear the second that the chairs are being arranged/set up for the day. I then promptly grab every towel I can find available to me and head up to the pool deck.

I delegate the wife to spreading out our personal belongings along with 1 towel per each chair while I go get us some alcoholic drinks to start the morning.

Usually by around my 3rd or 4rth bevvy I'm feeling pretty sassy. I'm sure some of the people mulling around the pool deck without chairs are wondering why there is about 15 seats reserved surrounding the entire area where an adult couple is sitting with nigh a kid in sight, but if they say anything to me I muster all the liquid courage I can and release a tirade having to do with things like, "do you have any idea how important I am? These chairs are first come, first served. I'm staying in the Royal Suite, I can do whatever I want!" (meanwhile, I'm actually 5A).

If a castmember becomes involved, I make several statements to the effect of how "un-disney" this is and swear that I will see that they loose their job over this.

Finally, I will leave all of my things on these chairs and stumble back to my stateroom to pass out returning several hours later to rinse lather and repeat if anyone has dared to sit in any of MY CHAIRS! And this is all done by 9:00 AM!

Hoo boy... that was fun.

Seriously though... Chairs cannot be reserved on the pool deck, and the CM should have your back on that... I mean, of course within reason.

Best comment ever Thanks for making me laugh this morning!

 

[feelthenspeak]

I choose a room directly below the pool deck so I can hear the second that the chairs are being arranged/set up for the day. I then promptly grab every towel I can find available to me and head up to the pool deck.

I delegate the wife to spreading out our personal belongings along with 1 towel per each chair while I go get us some alcoholic drinks to start the morning.

Usually by around my 3rd or 4rth bevvy I'm feeling pretty sassy. I'm sure some of the people mulling around the pool deck without chairs are wondering why there is about 15 seats reserved surrounding the entire area where an adult couple is sitting with nigh a kid in sight, but if they say anything to me I muster all the liquid courage I can and release a tirade having to do with things like, "do you have any idea how important I am? These chairs are first come, first served. I'm staying in the Royal Suite, I can do whatever I want!" (meanwhile, I'm actually 5A).

If a castmember becomes involved, I make several statements to the effect of how "un-disney" this is and swear that I will see that they loose their job over this.

Finally, I will leave all of my things on these chairs and stumble back to my stateroom to pass out returning several hours later to rinse lather and repeat if anyone has dared to sit in any of MY CHAIRS! And this is all done by 9:00 AM!

Hoo boy... that was fun.

Seriously though... Chairs cannot be reserved on the pool deck, and the CM should have your back on that... I mean, of course within reason.

Lol!! We could be great friends.

 

[Justacruiser]

On the Magic last month they had a message saying that seats cannot be reserved or left unattended scrolling accross the tunnel vision screen. Did not see any inforcement, but I really wasn't looking.

 

[Slappy32]

Your cruise is too short to play lounger roulette. You cannot control boorish behavior so don't sweat it. There are more than enough shaded and sunny loungers for everyone. Why anyone would want to be around the human soup that are the pools is beyond me anyway.