The Poly Pool Gate Debate

[Alyissa]

Ok.. so quick question.. What resorts allow you to pool hop, or visit? I like to visit the resorts to plan my future stays. I'm staying at AKL this time, but was planning on checking out the Polynesian, and Contemporary resorts while there. Of course I wanted to see the pools. I've stayed at Polynesian before, but I heard they redid the pool area. If we are staying at a Deluxe resort, will they let us check out those areas while visiting?

 

[wdwrich]

Ok.. so quick question.. What resorts allow you to pool hop, or visit? I like to visit the resorts to plan my future stays. I'm staying at AKL this time, but was planning on checking out the Polynesian, and Contemporary resorts while there. Of course I wanted to see the pools. I've stayed at Polynesian before, but I heard they redid the pool area. If we are staying at a Deluxe resort, will they let us check out those areas while visiting?

You can visit any resort you want to check it out, shop or dine. You just can't use the pools. Most of the pools can be viewed without actually being in the pool area proper or within the pool's fenced area, so if you want to see what the pools are like, you can do that.

 

[Alyissa]

You can visit any resort you want to check it out, shop or dine. You just can't use the pools. Most of the pools can be viewed without actually being in the pool area proper or within the pool's fenced area, so if you want to see what the pools are like, you can do that.

Awesome!! Thank you!!! I love seeing the different resorts! Helps me plan the next trip!!!

 

[kiki02]

Until Disney staffs this pool with gate checkers this will not stop.

They have staff walking around (quiet pool too) and checking name with their reservation list.

 

[spiceycat]

They have staff walking around (quiet pool too) and checking name with their reservation list.

they don't need that now with the magic bands - they will tell the CM who you are and if you are staying at the poly and the dates. plus who knows what else....

 

[Melanie415]

I work at a large resort on Maui (Grand Wailea) with a very popular pool that is massive. There are lots of other resorts within walking distance with people wanting to sneak into the pool. The pool has Many different areas, water elevator, slides and lazy river. What we do is have guests get a color coded bracelet at the towel kiosks before you are allowed to swim. It's very easy for the pool attendants to see who has the unique pool band (for that particular day) without having fencing or stopping each person for a scan. Each room is only allowed a certain amount of bands (noted upon bracelet retrieval). Seems like a much better alternative than fencing and scanning everyone. Sure, a few ignorant or willfull rule breakers don't have them, but they are easy to spot.
On a funny note, some of the people sneaking into the pool are celebrities/elite people (along with many locals, lol). When they are "caught". They will just pay for a standard room (at least $400 a pop) for a room for the day that they won't even use, to use our pool.

Also, from the pictures, it seems like most resort pools are very crowded! In your experience is this usually the case? Are there cabanas you can rent?

 

[goofy4tink]

Ok.. so quick question.. What resorts allow you to pool hop, or visit? I like to visit the resorts to plan my future stays. I'm staying at AKL this time, but was planning on checking out the Polynesian, and Contemporary resorts while there. Of course I wanted to see the pools. I've stayed at Polynesian before, but I heard they redid the pool area. If we are staying at a Deluxe resort, will they let us check out those areas while visiting?

Visiting is different than pool hopping! You may visit just about any resort, any area within that resort. Well, you can't enter the gated pool areas at those resorts that have a gate. But, you can walk around outside the gate and check it out. As far as using the pools, that just isn't an option unless you're a DVC owner, staying on points. Staying in a deluxe resort doesn't make one whit of a difference. A guest staying at All Star Music can check out AKL or the GF or the Polynesian.

 

[Alyissa]

Visiting is different than pool hopping! You may visit just about any resort, any area within that resort. Well, you can't enter the gated pool areas at those resorts that have a gate. But, you can walk around outside the gate and check it out. As far as using the pools, that just isn't an option unless you're a DVC owner, staying on points. Staying in a deluxe resort doesn't make one whit of a difference. A guest staying at All Star Music can check out AKL or the GF or the Polynesian.

Good to know!! I love seeing the other resorts.. it helps with future planning!!!

 

[ThistleMae]

I can understand your optimistic viewpoint as I like to look on the bright side too. But if what you say is true, why does Disney find it necessary to tightly control access to SAB?
The cold hard fact is there are enough pool crashers breaking the rules that it does become a significant problem for those of us staying at deluxe resorts with attractive feature pools.

Yeah, point taken. I did read somewhere that people were observed getting off the monorail with beach items. I guess they intended to crash!

 

[ThistleMae]

I have been to WDW many times and never experienced a pool crasher and thought that it wasn't as common as I read on here....until yesterday. We were on the monorail on our way back to the Poly when a mom and her two children got on at CR. They were all in wet bathing suits with resort pool towels around them, but they all are wearing magic bands. The mom sat right next to me and starts talking with the kids. She tells them that they are headed back to their car and they are going back to their hotel. She then tells the kids to hand over the magic bands so she can put them away so they don't get lost and then says "We need these so they think we are staying here."

I was too shocked and at a loss for words (which is usually NOT the case for me LOL).

Wow....just Wow! Very sad situation. Why do you think people do it...really? Is it because they can't afford the Poly? Or are there other reasons?

 

[ThistleMae]

I agree with those who would close the gate behind them but if the people stated their bands were not working I would tell them I would share that with the CM so he could help them. Not rude but if they are pool crashers that would effectively stop them from getting in. If you do not pay to stay at a Deluxe you don't play at the Deluxe.

Good point. You do need your MB's for everything, so I would think you would want to talk to someone to get the issue resolved. Wouldn't you?

 

[ThistleMae]

We all need to be implanted with computer chips under our skin, so that Disney can tell where we are at all times, and if we step into the wrong area, a buzzer will go off, and Disney police will swoop in and handcuff us, and take us to the deepest basement below the castle, and torture us in front of Walt's frozen head. Then we will learn to be obedient, lol.

Okay...lol....this is a solution. So the question becomes.....how much policing do we desire?

 

[TwilightZoneTemptress]

Wow....just Wow! Very sad situation. Why do you think people do it...really? Is it because they can't afford the Poly? Or are there other reasons?

I would assume, or maybe they're staying off site somewhere and want that Disney feel? The Poly is very appealing after all the renovations, but that's no excuse.

We're DVC members and went to Poly to check out the new bungalows last week. We met a family there who were also DVC members, and they said they were there for the day using the pool. They waited until a resort guest walked to the gate and came in right behind them before it closed (the guest actually held the gate open for them and no staff was checking). The day before they pool crashed at the GF. Apparently this family does this all the time between these two resorts. From what I heard last, DVC members can pool crash anywhere except for the Poly and YC&BC. Not sure if this is still accurate, considering we don't ever feel the need to pool hop.

 

[kiki02]

they don't need that now with the magic bands - they will tell the CM who you are and if you are staying at the poly and the dates. plus who knows what else....

I know they don't 'need ' it. But they were doing it. ?

 

[WillAustin]

they don't need that now with the magic bands - they will tell the CM who you are and if you are staying at the poly and the dates. plus who knows what else....

I'd guess that asking for your name and checking the list is a little bit more polite than asking to scan your band.

 

[spiceycat]

I know they don't 'need ' it. But they were doing it. ?

oh I believe you - sometimes people do things the hard way.

 

[spiceycat]

WillAustin - try to quote you - but it won't let me

anyway after the Polyn security guard did it to me - won't think they would hesitate at the pool. evidently the parking permit in the car and the fact that the magic band worked to let me in the returning guest entrance was not enough for him.

 

[jhaig]

So what's the latest at the Poly pool now that summer is near?CM's checking bands? Any easier to find seating? Any more or less crowded?

 

[larryz]

The cold hard fact is there are enough pool crashers breaking the rules that it does become a significant problem for those of us staying at deluxe resorts with attractive feature pools.

Exactly. You want to swim in SAB? Stay at YC/BC.

 

[larryz]

I find it hard to believe anyone would be so concerned with whether another guest is supposed to be at the pool that they would report someone to a lifeguard.

It's every bit the same as if those non-resort guests wanted to take a nap in your room -- what's the big deal? You're going to be in the parks anyway, right?