The Poly Pool Gate Debate

[freediverdude]

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!

I would have thought that they would make the magic bands work at both resorts on that particular day, but I don't know if that's possible, maybe the system will only let one resort access at a time. Maybe somebody at a resort who knows can speak to this, interesting question. I would think in case a package starts on the day of checkin to resort #2 that they would need to make the package valid as of that day, whether or not you've checked out of resort #1, because of the ticket entitlements and dining.

 

[pixarmom]

I would have thought that they would make the magic bands work at both resorts on that particular day, but I don't know if that's possible, maybe the system will only let one resort access at a time. Maybe somebody at a resort who knows can speak to this, interesting question. I would think in case a package starts on the day of checkin to resort #2 that they would need to make the package valid as of that day, whether or not you've checked out of resort #1, because of the ticket entitlements and dining.

Not sure how it works for packages - we have APs and always make room-only reservations with no dining plan. And we haven't actually tested it to see what happens if we don't check out of Resort #1. So far, the advice has been consistent from CMs at all of our "Resort #1s" since the magic bands - leaving POFQ, Pop, AOA, AKL and GF. But again, we've just checked out as advised and haven't tested it so definitely not sure.

 

[LvsTnk]

It's a DVC stay so resort only. I have also been advised they have to check you out of the first resort before you check in the second on other stays. You are allowed to use facilities till midnight so I was maybe thinking of leaving my much older children(28,26,23) to swim at WL while I go check in at the Polynesian. I was concerned with them going in and out of the gate.

 

[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.

No, not our job to police but I would go tell a lifeguard.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

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.

Isn't pool hoppig allowed at VGF right now? My brother was able to pool hop there last month. He is a DVC member.So is pool hopping only for DVC members?

 

[CMNJ]

Isn't pool hoppig allowed at VGF right now? My brother was able to pool hop there last month. He is a DVC member.So is pool hopping only for DVC members?

Yes but certain hotel pools are excluded (including the Poly now) and certain dates AND you must be currently staying on property at another disney hotel to use that DVC benefit

 

[goofy4tink]

I do have to say that this is probably the most well-mannered pool hopper discussion I've seen in a very long time!!! No nastiness..just differing opinions.

Did I bring up the 'drowning child'? Sure, and yes, it is an extreme example. Disney has had several (to the best of my knowledge) kids with issues in the pools...usually unattended, with no lifeguard present. So, one can't blame them for wanting to be overly cautious.

And as far as some saying that there is a 'hysteria' here, or that some feel 'entitled'? If you pay for something you should expect that those not paying for it don't get it!! That's pretty simple. There is a reason that we don't see guests complaining about non-resort guests heading to the pools at Pop! Or All Star Movies, or even POR. It's not as easy....no direct park access. It's so much easier to just go to a park, rent a locker, and when you want to relax, go to the locker, get your stuff and head to a nearby pool! It doesn't happen at the CR very much simply because their main pool isn't all that inviting. And Bay Lake Towers pool has always been gated, and you have to go through the main bldg to get to it...not as easy to get to as other pools.

Is it rude to not hold the gate for those behind you? Probably. But, on the other hand, is it wrong to not want to allow non-resort guests into the pool area? Perhaps the lifeguards should start doing sweeps every hour. Or, better yet....just post a CM at the gate. Swipe your MB and enter. That wouldn't be a hard thing to do, at least for the more popular times of day, especially in the summer months. No, the guests shouldn't be expected to be 'pool police'...so sure, tell a lifeguard if you know someone is there that shouldn't be.

 

[WillAustin]

Is it rude to not hold the gate for those behind you? Probably. But, on the other hand, is it wrong to not want to allow non-resort guests into the pool area? Perhaps the lifeguards should start doing sweeps every hour. Or, better yet....just post a CM at the gate. Swipe your MB and enter. That wouldn't be a hard thing to do, at least for the more popular times of day, especially in the summer months. No, the guests shouldn't be expected to be 'pool police'...so sure, tell a lifeguard if you know someone is there that shouldn't be.

Sure, it's probably rude to shut the gate in front of someone, but not any more rude than using a facility you haven't paid for. I have been at resort pools when CMs went around asking everyone for proof they were staying there so it's not something Disney ignores. They probably need to do it more often.

 

[freediverdude]

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.

 

[LvsTnk]

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 obe

What are you talking about?? I'm confused

 

[lala5176]

I wonder how many people have used the pools on the monorail that are only spending the day at a park, using resort amenities they didn't pay for and go home. It's wrong to do it if you are hopping from one Disney pool to another but if you aren't even paying for a resort at all???? well that would really be rude!!! I'm sure this happened a lot more before there were magic bands.

 

[kiki02]

Sure, it's probably rude to shut the gate in front of someone, but not any more rude than using a facility you haven't paid for. I have been at resort pools when CMs went around asking everyone for proof they were staying there so it's not something Disney ignores. They probably need to do it more often.

Several times in past years we were staying at the Poly and several - YES, SEVERAL employees walked around checking that all guests (quiet pool too) were registered.

 

[TinkerbelleMom]

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

I have to laugh at this because many moons ago(when it was brand new) I tried to convince my parents we needed to bring our swimsuits to MK to do this. She said no lol.

 

[jhaig]

Sure, it's probably rude to shut the gate in front of someone, but not any more rude than using a facility you haven't paid for. I have been at resort pools when CMs went around asking everyone for proof they were staying there so it's not something Disney ignores. They probably need to do it more often.

In all of my WDW trips this has never happened to me. Is this something new?

 

[maxiesmom]

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.

It is kind of sad that it would take all of that for some people to get the rules apply to them and their family, and not everyone but them.

 

[goofy4tink]

I wonder how many people have used the pools on the monorail that are only spending the day at a park, using resort amenities they didn't pay for and go home. It's wrong to do it if you are hopping from one Disney pool to another but if you aren't even paying for a resort at all???? well that would really be rude!!! I'm sure this happened a lot more before there were magic bands.

This is really the issue more often than not. Most people staying on-site will use their own pools. It's those day guests, either from the area or those staying at off-site resorts, that try to use the pools. I've had extended family that has been guilty of this...sad to say.

 

[WillAustin]

In all of my WDW trips this has never happened to me. Is this something new?

No. We've had it happen several times over the past 6 years at monorail resorts. We usually are there in June/July/August.

 

[jhaig]

No. We've had it happen several times over the past 6 years at monorail resorts. We usually are there in June/July/August.

We are usually there in September. Maybe that makes a difference.

 

[lala5176]

This is really the issue more often than not. Most people staying on-site will use their own pools. It's those day guests, either from the area or those staying at off-site resorts, that try to use the pools. I've had extended family that has been guilty of this...sad to say.

I figured that too. If it's easy enough to do people will find a way. It is unfortunate for the guests paying top dollar to not find a seat by the pool because of these pool bandits!! I hope I don't come across any when I am there. Not sure what I will do. Don't want to be policing anyone but sure as heck won't stand around and wait for a seat if someone who doesn't belong is taking up space.... we'll see I guess.

 

[JohnDaleswife]

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