The Poly Pool Gate Debate

[CT Disney]

Hey, maybe instead of gates at the pool entrances they should have put turnstiles. One scan of the magic band = One click of the turnstile. No having to police other guests, and no need for a CM at the entrance.

It would be pretty funny to see a covert pool hopper trying to climb over or under a turnstile with all their pool stuff...I'm thinking that would be a pretty dead giveaway that they weren't supposed to be there.

Maybe put the turnstile right behind the entrance gate. The gate would stay open all day and would get shut at night for security and safety. I guess there would have to be an alternate access for wheelchairs, strollers, etc...but it's an idea.

Edited to add...when we were at the Poly in August 2013 we were sitting next to a huge family of pool hoppers. There was maybe 8 of them and they were taking up two of the best tables pool side. They kept talking about how they had snuck in for the afternoon and were staying off property. I still kick myself for not telling a life guard. So...pool hopping at the Poly definitely seems to be a problem.

 

[gogo]

[QUOTE="gogo, post: 53789400, member: 160655]And, if using the pool is important but you can't use it due to pool crashers taking all the chairs, etc., then don't stay there.

Really? So I should change my plans and spend my money based on the inconsideration of others? Wrong. The Poly should just have CM's scanning bands and be done with it.[/QUOTE]

 

[gogo]

Really? So I should change my plans and spend my money based on the inconsideration of others? Wrong. The Poly should just have CM's scanning bands and be done with it.

[/QUOTE]

Yes, you should spend your money where you can enjoy all the amenities that you paid for. You should change your plans not because of pool hoppers but because Disney doesn't strictly enforce their own rules. I'm certainly not defending pool hoppers, but they wouldn't be hopping if they knew the rules were enforced.

 

[maxiesmom]

Really? So I should change my plans and spend my money based on the inconsideration of others? Wrong. The Poly should just have CM's scanning bands and be done with it.

[/QUOTE]


Or maybe just close the gate behind you. If the people behind you are staying at the Poly, they should understand and be grateful. It doesn't harm anyone staying at the Poly, but is a huge benefit if it keeps out pool hoppers.

 

[lala5176]

I agree. I would have no problem closing the gate or just letting someone go ahead of me to be sure they belong. If you are not paying the premium to stay there then you should not be lounging at the pool....... Period!!!!

 

[Tink415]

It's amazing how many people are so willing to display no common courtesy.

 

[kiki02]

I agree. I would have no problem closing the gate or just letting someone go ahead of me to be sure they belong. If you are not paying the premium to stay there then you should not be lounging at the pool....... Period!!!!

Wow. just Wow. This POST IS getting nasty. Time to close ?

 

[kiki02]

Hey, maybe instead of gates at the pool entrances they should have put turnstiles. One scan of the magic band = One click of the turnstile. No having to police other guests, and no need for a CM at the entrance.

It would be pretty funny to see a covert pool hopper trying to climb over or under a turnstile with all their pool stuff...I'm thinking that would be a pretty dead giveaway that they weren't supposed to be there.

Maybe put the turnstile right behind the entrance gate. The gate would stay open all day and would get shut at night for security and safety. I guess there would have to be an alternate access for wheelchairs, strollers, etc...but it's an idea.

Edited to add...when we were at the Poly in August 2013 we were sitting next to a huge family of pool hoppers. There was maybe 8 of them and they were taking up two of the best tables pool side. They kept talking about how they had snuck in for the afternoon and were staying off property. I still kick myself for not telling a life guard. So...pool hopping at the Poly definitely seems to be a problem.

I have never seen that. I think I would notice, but have never had this at the Poly or GF.

 

[jhaig]

It's amazing how many people are so willing to display no common courtesy.

Who, the pool hoppers, or the guests closing the gate to keep them out? Just wondering...

 

[jhaig]

[QUOTE

Yes, you should spend your money where you can enjoy all the amenities that you paid for. You should change your plans not because of pool hoppers but because Disney doesn't strictly enforce their own rules. I'm certainly not defending pool hoppers, but they wouldn't be hopping if they knew the rules were enforced.[/QUOTE]

I agree that if rules were enforced hopping would certainly be discouraged. How hard would it be to assign CM's to scan bands at the pool entrances?

 

[JohnDaleswife]

Disney needs to cough up the dough to staff this pool!!

 

[Sue M]

It's amazing how many people are so willing to display no common courtesy.

Common curtesy is holding gate open for pool hoppers to go where they don't belong?

 

[DisneyDoc5]

So I'm supposed to be courteous to people that don't think the rules apply to them and think it's ok to use what I'm paying my hard earned money for and they are not? I don't think so. Pay for the hotel, use the pool, follow the rules, use the magic band to open the gate, period. Yes, it would be nice if they would monitor it like BC does. There have been many examples of courteous ways to nicely close the gate and ask the next group to use their magic bands and/or bring a concern to the attention of the life guards.

 

[maxiesmom]

Disney needs to cough up the dough to staff this pool!!

I don't think they need to charge another $10 a night because it is too hard for people to shut the gate behind them. The pool is properly staffed. What some are looking for are Gate Police. How would that be less offensive than having to scan open the gate yourself?

 

[goofy4tink]

I will admit to being somewhat passive-aggressive about this....when I stayed at BLT, with a gated pool area, I would busy myself with something if there were people waiting to get in. If they didn't have a room key, I wasn't going to let them in behind me.
If you think someone is pool-hopping, then report it to a life guard. Does the lifeguard like this? No. But, perhaps, just perhaps, if Disney gets enough lifeguard complaints, they will do something about it.
I've been to the pools at the Polynesian and BW....at both pools I have witnessed non-resort guests chatting amongst themselves, saying how much they liked this pool and that they would have to stay here someday...when they saved enough!!! So, no, they weren't entitled to be there and no, they weren't DVC. Is it a huge issue? Not at most resorts.
Now, there was the time at BLT, that a family was in front of me, trying to get into the pool. They had their arms full...so I offered to hold something for them, while they opened the gate. Ummm, no thanks but you could get the gate for us. Seriously? I suddenly felt the need to run back to my room for something. Oh, that family was not in the pool area when I returned to the pool, about 5 mins later. I did overhear a woman, who had been sitting fairly close to the gate (must have loved being in the sun!!!) who was saying to her friend that that family wasn't getting in on her!!! And that it was pretty funny that they all left when no one would open the gate for them. So, yes, it happens. Is it my job to 'police' the pool area? Nope, but if I am aware of someone trying to use the facilities that I have paid top dollar for, I am going to say something.

 

[Kimberle]

Then they will close the gate after they enter, because you could be trying to sneak in for all they know.

Perfectly OK with me! I'd scan my band and enter.

 

[Newsies]

It amazes me that families actually do this? I can't imagine packing up all my beach gear and family and traveling to another pool when there is a pool steps away at my own resort. SMH...

LMAO!!! Exactly!!! People are SO extra nowadays!!!

 

[chartle]

There have also been day guests from MK (not staying at any Disney resort) pool-crashing at the Poly.

This^

Years ago when dinosaurs ruled the world and there were only the MK, 2 hotels and a campground most guests were day guests and taking a break and going swimming at one of the hotels was probably published in many tour books at the time.

So you would go back to your car get your swim stuff and head out. You also have to remember that a 2 day stay was like a 2 week stay today. In 2 days with with only a standard ticket book and no Splash or BTMR filling out 2 days was hard. You could only ride If You Had Wings so many times (It didn't require a ticket).

 

[WillAustin]

And, if using the pool is important but you can't use it due to pool crashers taking all the chairs, etc., then don't stay there. It's really not the guests problem to fix.

No, they should be actively removing the people that don't belong there.

 

[jAcKs_x0]

We just returned from our stay at the Poly villas this past week. We had no problem entering the pool area using our magic bands. One time I actually had a refillable mug, a dole whip, sunglasses, and MB all in hand so a nice guest opened the gate for me, which was appreciative as it is hard to open the gate and tap the MB at the same time with full hands. I will say that another time we were entering the pool and a mother and her two sons wearing park clothes with a stroller and pool gear in hand were standing at the gate. We walked up and tapped our MB and as we opened the gate she just looked at us and said our MB are not working and walked right in before I even could have the chance to shut the gate behind myself. At that point, there was no purpose in trying to police her, because like many previous posters said it's not my job to police the gates, but there was definitely a bit of annoyance at the fact that she could possibly not be staying at the Poly. It never impacted our pool time beyond that (as there were plenty of seats available) so I didn't think it was much of an issue. I definitely think it would be an issue mid-July when the pool is packed and its hard to find a single chair.