The Poly Pool Gate Debate

[LvsTnk]

I don't think anyone was pool hopping yesterday has anyone seen Tikiman's FB page.

 

[Madame]

I don't think anyone was pool hopping yesterday has anyone seen Tikiman's FB page.

Wow. That's a mess.

 

[Sue M]

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.

I would have said something to the lifeguards

 

[JohnDaleswife]

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?

Really? I pay less a night at the Yacht/Beach Club and get a pool with no pool hoppers. Disney has every ability to afford to staff that pool at the $400-$500 a night rates as it is. But I do believe that is exactly what they would do, throw in a few more cast members and a uptick on the price as well.

But the gate police does work well at SAB.

 

[piccolopat]

Disney could put a cast member at each gate and have them also sell sunscreen, hats and sunglasses. They would make money that way.

 

[Bree]

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).

 

[WillAustin]

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

Every time I think I've found the low bar for human behavior it always seems to move lower.

 

[freediverdude]

I just really don't get it. Is the pool where these people are staying really that bad, that they feel they have to pack the kids and all the stuff into the car, drive to the MK parking lot, take a tram, get on the monorail, then get off and try to get in these pools at the monorail resorts? And then get back on the monorail in wet clothes?? I can understand maybe locals trying to take their kids somewhere for the day (although our Florida resident discount on the Disney waterpark annual passes and much more to do at TL or BB would make that a much better option IMO). I really don't get the reasoning behind it.

 

[maxiesmom]

Really? I pay less a night at the Yacht/Beach Club and get a pool with no pool hoppers. Disney has every ability to afford to staff that pool at the $400-$500 a night rates as it is. But I do believe that is exactly what they would do, throw in a few more cast members and a uptick on the price as well.

But the gate police does work well at SAB.

Just a guess, but I bet part of the reason for the gate police at SAB is the proximity to a public walkway. Not to many people stroll right past the Poly pool, but many stroll right past SAB.

It seems very silly to make something simple so difficult, and needing of a Cast Member to do. Close the gate behind you. Simple.

 

[sndral]

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).

Sounds like they stole the towels as well.

 

[chartle]

I just really don't get it. Is the pool where these people are staying really that bad, that they feel they have to pack the kids and all the stuff into the car, drive to the MK parking lot, take a tram, get on the monorail, then get off and try to get in these pools at the monorail resorts? And then get back on the monorail in wet clothes?? I can understand maybe locals trying to take their kids somewhere for the day (although our Florida resident discount on the Disney waterpark annual passes and much more to do at TL or BB would make that a much better option IMO). I really don't get the reasoning behind it.

These people could also be offsite day guests just wanting a mid day break from the MK.

 

[kiki02]

We just heard from friends who are there is that they're putting a few people at the gates to check now. At all entrances whenever the pool is open. And when and if there is no one there (?) they will be locked and apparently larger (?) gates.

 

[HopperFan]

I never thought someone from MK with a day pass would try to use a pool at a resort. I agree with folks who said it seems like that would be way too much work. But I guess people who live nearby may do that. I don't know. How many people do you think actually do this? Maybe it's really just a small number. No way to really tell. It's like looking at people who decorate their MB in here. It seems like everyone is doing it...yet people report seeing very few decorated bands their entire trip. So....it is hard to get any real numbers. It may be much smaller than people realize.

Been staying at Disney resorts over 20 years. Very common that if we are at the main pool and it is busy I usually overhear a conversation where a person says "Oh we are staying at such-and-such-offsite hotel."

 

[BWV Dreamin]

We were there in mid May. I could rarely get my MB to unlock the gate. There's not a mickey head on the "reader" so I had trouble putting my MB in the right area. I wonder how many people thought I was a gate crasher. Luckily DH was already there and let me in twice, a third time another guest let me in.

here the dvc pool hopping rules - the Polyn is no longer on it - so like the BC/YC it is only for those staying at that resort
You must present your Magic Band or current Key to the World card with your "DVC Member" designation on it to use the other select Resort hotel pools. Pool hopping is not available at Bay Cove Pool at Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort, Uzima Pool and Samawati Springs Pool at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, Stormalong Bay at Disney's Yacht & Beach Club Resorts, the leisure pool at Disney's Beach Club Villas, the Lava Pool and leisure pool at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort and the pools at Disney's Art of Animation Resort. There are no exceptions to this policy.

any talk that maybe pool hopping will be done away with at all DVC resorts? Looks like the exclusion list is getting bigger and bigger

 

[chartle]

. 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).

Thinking got them from ebay.

 

[spiceycat]

any talk that maybe pool hopping will be done away with at all DVC resorts? Looks like the exclusion list is getting bigger and bigger

Only AoA and YC are not DVC resorts - that are on the list.
all the others are DVC resorts - so think if you want to use that pool then stay at that DVC resort. Is the message that DVC is sending us.

soon with YC becoming a DVC resort - then it will only be AoA that we can't hop too.

 

[Allison]

Thinking got them from ebay.

You can buy MagicBands in the park or they could be from a previous visit.

 

[sleepymouse]

We just heard from friends who are there is that they're putting a few people at the gates to check now. At all entrances whenever the pool is open. And when and if there is no one there (?) they will be locked and apparently larger (?) gates.

Hope this is true. Anyone else know anything about this?

 

[WillAustin]

You can buy MagicBands in the park or they could be from a previous visit.

You can buy them from the Disney store online too.

 

[jhaig]

Hope this is true. Anyone else know anything about this?

I'm interested in hearing if this is actually happening as well