The Poly Pool Gate Debate

[goofy4tink]

The gate should be closed behind you. What if a little kid is running ahead of his family, gets into the pool area because you've left the gate open behind you, and he falls into the pool? His family wasn't there to keep an eye on him. Yes, a lifeguard will pull him from the pool, but is that something you want a child to go thru?

And those that say there's 'outrage' here? No. Not so much. But those that pay the high rates at deluxe resorts, in part because of the pools, shouldn't have to search for poolside seats. I've had that happen to me.....twice at the Polynesian. I've walked by people taking up multiple chaises, right beside the pool, as well as two tables, chatting g about how nice this pool is, and wonderi g how much it is to stay there, but probably nowhere near as cheap as the Motel 6 they're at.
I've seen it happen at Boardwalk before, but not as frequently as the Polynesian.

I own DVC...I can pool hop, to most pools, if I want. But, it's just too much hassle for me. But....I do have a very nice pool where I'm at...no need to go in search of that 'better' pool. Tikiman summed it up quite nicely!

 

[Tink415]

Sure, I'd close the gate if no one was behind me. Closing a gate behind me if another group or adult is right behind me is entirely different, and as far as I can tell its not a rule.

A little kid running in while I've got the gate open is a dramatic example, but if it happened I'd likely say 'slow down sweetie' and walk the kid to a lifeguard or point him/her out to a lifeguard!

 

[kiki02]

And...thread. I think we're done here.

 

[jhaig]

I think WE'RE DONE HERE. Moderator? WDYT? Getting nasty.

Who's being nasty? Really? This discussion is pretty tame and informative if you ask me.

 

[pixarmom]

It's just really sad to hear all these examples of non-guests knowingly and deliberately violating the rules, and teaching their kids how to do the same. And I appreciate the system they have in place at YC/BC. I probably wouldn't close the gate behind me at Poly - primarily out of habit and in part because I'm constantly reminding our three boys to hold doors open for others. So I'd probably forget the issue and be on auto-pilot. Would be great to see the BC/YC situation carry over to Poly.

So many examples of clear pool-hopping, but some of the questionable situations may be legitimate. We have three boys/fish who love to swim and usually do so on both arrival and departure day. We also splits stays frequently. For example, we split between AKL and GF. We check out of AKL and allow Bell Services to transfer our luggage. We spend time at MK and monorail over to GF. We check in at GF, change in the bathroom and head down to the pool with our park bags beside us waiting for that "room ready" text. Similar situation on departure days. Example: In March while staying at WL, we left our luggage with WL Bell Services, went to Epcot in the AM, returned to WL, changed in the bathrooms and swam until it was time to leave. No pool hopping - we were registered guests either arriving or departing that day with full use of the facilities - but it might not have been apparent.

 

[LvsTnk]

Similar situation on departure days. Example: In March while staying at WL, we left our luggage with WL Bell Services, went to Epcot in the AM, returned to WL, changed in the bathrooms and swam until it was time to leave. No pool hopping - we were registered guests either arriving or departing that day with full use of the facilities - but it might not have been apparent

I was wondering about this I have a day before our Polynesian DVC stay at WLV so how does the magic band work will it get us into just the Polynesian on check out/check in day. I only ask because we actually are back at WL for a dinner reservation at WC on check out day from there. My husband wanted to have dinner there for his Bday so just trying to figure out a plan if my Polynesian wait list doesn't come through.

 

[spiceycat]

check in day is all days regardless.

check out day is until midnight.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

I love my time at WDW, and alternate between Deluxe and Moderate resorts. I also spend a lot of time at the pool on most trips. I still don't get the angst - and there is a lot of angst in this thread.

If Disney really wants the gates closed, all they have to do is install springs on them. I have them on my pool gates at home. For less than $50, problem solved. The rest is just hysterics as far as I am concerned.

 

[pixarmom]

I was wondering about this I have a day before our Polynesian DVC stay at WLV so how does the magic band work will it get us into just the Polynesian on check out/check in day. I only ask because we actually are back at WL for a dinner reservation at WC on check out day from there. My husband wanted to have dinner there for his Bday so just trying to figure out a plan if my Polynesian wait list doesn't come through.

Not sure of the current situation - our last stay was in April of this year. But during our split stays in January, March and April, CMs always advised us to check out of Resort #1 before checking in at Resort #2 to make sure the magic bands work at Resort #2. So we've never been in a situation where we checked into Resort #2 and tried to go back and use Resort #1 amenities. We just leave Resort #1 in the morning and consider Resort #2 our home from that point forward!

 

[grecorj]

I think WE'RE DONE HERE. Moderator? WDYT? Getting nasty.

Lol, a mod has been posting in this thread, they're perfectly aware. Report a post if you feel it's "nasty".

 

[PetePanMan]

would I be pushing it to ask if they have hammocks on beach that stay out over night? Say, hypothetically, enough for a family of 5?

 

[kiki02]

Lol, a mod has been posting in this thread, they're perfectly aware. Report a post if you feel it's "nasty".

Not so fast re the mods.

 

[king kamehameha]

would I be pushing it to ask if they have hammocks on beach that stay out over night? Say, hypothetically, enough for a family of 5?

This will be the next topic of debate. Now you gave people a new way to stay at the POLY.

 

[maxiesmom]

Sure, I'd close the gate if no one was behind me. Closing a gate behind me if another group or adult is right behind me is entirely different, and as far as I can tell its not a rule.

A little kid running in while I've got the gate open is a dramatic example, but if it happened I'd likely say 'slow down sweetie' and walk the kid to a lifeguard or point him/her out to a lifeguard!

Why else would they put a gate up, unless they wanted it closed behind people who go through it? Even at homes with pools, people have fences with gates. I can't imagine if a child drowned an acceptable defense would be But No One Told Me I Had To Close The Gate.

Close the gate or don't. But no one should whine about pool hoppers when they feel above closing a gate with a lock.

 

[johnsonet]

would I be pushing it to ask if they have hammocks on beach that stay out over night? Say, hypothetically, enough for a family of 5?

"If you can dream it, you can do it."

 

[EmilyS90]

This will be the next topic of debate. Now you gave people a new way to stay at the POLY.

Well I really HAVE been wanting to go camping this summer...

 

[spiceycat]

would I be pushing it to ask if they have hammocks on beach that stay out over night? Say, hypothetically, enough for a family of 5?

you are too late - the hammocks have been replaced with swings - like at BC.

 

[BagOLaughs]

If Disney really wants the gates closed, all they have to do is install springs

I don't think that's the issue that's being discussed here. I'm 99% sure that the gate already has springs on it. The issue being discussed here is if you've touched your band to get through the gate and there's someone right behind you, do you close the gate and get them to touch their band too or hold it open for them.

I personally would hold the gate open. Its something I've been told to do since I was a kid. Its Disney's responsibility to police the gate if that's what they want to do, it shouldn't be the responsibility of guests staying at the hotel. But ultimately its your own decision on whether to hold the gate open or not.

 

[PantherPete]

What if they did this with the CL lounge? They wouldn't dare. They make sure those who are at the lounge are supposed to be there.

I'm not so sure about that. On one of my pre-Magic Band era trips, I saw an extended family bringing people up from other floors to eat breakfast in the CL at the Beach Club. Having said that, I haven't seen it since Magic Bands were instituted, however no one has ever asked to check my magic band, so I'm sure it still goes on.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

I don't think that's the issue that's being discussed here. I'm 99% sure that the gate already has springs on it. The issue being discussed here is if you've touched your band to get through the gate and there's someone right behind you, do you close the gate and get them to touch their band too or hold it open for them.

I personally would hold the gate open. Its something I've been told to do since I was a kid. Its Disney's responsibility to police the gate if that's what they want to do, it shouldn't be the responsibility of guests staying at the hotel. But ultimately its your own decision on whether to hold the gate open or not.

Folks have also said that the gates are being left open - hence the "child drowning" drama introduced - but thanks for the clarification.