The Poly Pool Gate Debate

[ShirikiUtundu]

I can't be convinced that any significant percentage of people at any pool are pool hoppers. Disney pools are crowded because the parks are crowded, the resorts are crowded. Warm weather = crowded pools. The pools are not meant to accommodate everyone at the resort at once. By many reports (including my own experience) Magic Bands working 100% of the time is still not even close to being a thing that happens so I wouldn't have a reason to think a person was lying if they said it wasn't working for them to enter a pool area.

 

[Tonberry]

I was checking out another board last night, finding out what people say about the Disney pools. One topic there was "Where can I swim at Disney?"
Someone replied saying that the Polynesian has a pool with a slide shaped like a volcano and they go there for a swim every time they come back from a hot day at the Magic Kingdom. Another poster agreed and said it was one of the best and closest free spots to swim in all of Disney.

I came to two conclusions.
1) People try and cheat the system and don't care about the rules, only as long as it benefits themselves.
or perhaps the more I thought about it:
2) People have been swimming unchecked at the Polynesian for so long, that they think it's OK and they have a right to be there, or they have other people tell them it's OK, so they think there's nothing wrong with it.

 

[wdwrich]

I can't be convinced that any significant percentage of people at any pool are pool hoppers. Disney pools are crowded because the parks are crowded, the resorts are crowded. Warm weather = crowded pools. The pools are not meant to accommodate everyone at the resort at once. By many reports (including my own experience) Magic Bands working 100% of the time is still not even close to being a thing that happens so I wouldn't have a reason to think a person was lying if they said it wasn't working for them to enter a pool area.

Having stayed at the Poly numerous times, I can tell you that it happens there- a lot. I'm hopeful that the fence/gates will significantly reduce the amount of crashers.

 

[ShirikiUtundu]

Having stayed at the Poly numerous times, I can tell you that it happens there- a lot. I'm hopeful that the fence/gates will significantly reduce the amount of crashers.

I have also stayed at the Polynesian numerous times. What percentage of swimmers there do you claim to be staying somewhere other than the Polynesian?

 

[wdwrich]

I have also stayed at the Polynesian numerous times. What percentage of swimmers there do you claim to be staying somewhere other than the Polynesian?

I think it's silly to expect anyone to give you a hard number, but based on the conversations overheard around the pool, the number is high enough that I believe it's having a negative impact on the amenities I paid to enjoy at the Poly.

 

[ShirikiUtundu]

I think it's silly to expect anyone to give you a hard number, but based on the conversations overheard around the pool, the number is high enough that I believe it's having a negative impact on the amenities I paid to enjoy at the Poly.

I don't think it's silly at all considering that some people have stated it's significant enough to cause issues at the pool. What percentage would that have to be? >10%? >25%? I simply don't think the number of pool hoppers is as high as some people are claiming they are. The pools are crowded; it's just another mob of people we have to learn to deal with if we are going to keep visiting WDW.

 

[ShirikiUtundu]

I also want to add that I do believe pool hopping happens, and I do think it is wrong. But I don't think it is the reason the pools are crowded, and I don't think guests should take on the unpaid role of gate policer.

The WDW bottom line is money so unless guests are willing to back up their complaints by not spending money at WDW, nothing will change.

 

[wdwrich]

I don't think it's silly at all considering that some people have stated it's significant enough to cause issues at the pool. What percentage would that have to be? >10%? >25%? I simply don't think the number of pool hoppers is as high as some people are claiming they are. The pools are crowded; it's just another mob of people we have to learn to deal with if we are going to keep visiting WDW.

As you say, the pools are crowded. To me then, even one non-resort family at the pool I'm paying for is too many. If you're okay with the extra people, that's fine. I'm not, and I have no problem closing the gate behind me whether or not someone is lingering in the area waiting to get in.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

I don't think it's silly at all considering that some people have stated it's significant enough to cause issues at the pool. What percentage would that have to be? >10%? >25%? I simply don't think the number of pool hoppers is as high as some people are claiming they are. The pools are crowded; it's just another mob of people we have to learn to deal with if we are going to keep visiting WDW.

I agree, and would add that the biggest problem with the Poly pool is the size of the pool relative to the number of resort guests. I don't pretend to try to guess who might or might not be a legitimate resort guest when at the Poly pool (or any other WDW resort pool) but, aside from Stormalong Bay, pool sizes at Deluxes are the bigger problem. To avoid the crowds, enjoy the quiet pools. No one hops to jump in a quiet pool. In my experience, the water is just as wet.

 

[wdwrich]

I agree, and would add that the biggest problem with the Poly pool is the size of the pool relative to the number of resort guests. I don't pretend to try to guess who might or might not be a legitimate resort guest when at the Poly pool (or any other WDW resort pool) but, aside from Stormalong Bay, pool sizes at Deluxes are the bigger problem. To avoid the crowds, enjoy the quiet pools. No one hops to jump in a quiet pool. In my experience, the water is just as wet.

But - the one other Poly pool is going down for a major refurb that will take several months to complete.

 

[carissa1970]

We just visited the Poly to see the DVC units. We asked about pool hopping and they said absolutely no pool hopping is allowed. Are people sneaking in?

 

[jhaig]

But - the one other Poly pool is going down for a major refurb that will take several months to complete.

All the more reason for CM's to be monitoring the gate so guests don't need to worry about it.

 

[jhaig]

We just visited the Poly to see the DVC units. We asked about pool hopping and they said absolutely no pool hopping is allowed. Are people sneaking in?

To a certain degree, yes. However the gate is operated by your MB which knows whether you are a Poly guest or not. People who are trying to sneak into the pool can usually be found loitering around the gate waiting until a Poly guest uses their band to open the gate, then slipping in behind them before the gate closes. This issue was the main point of this thread - what would you do? Would you leave the gate open for people behind you, or would you close the gate behind you and let them open it with their bands, which if they are staying at the Polynesian shouldn't be a problem?

 

[Ceryssa]

I don't think it's silly at all considering that some people have stated it's significant enough to cause issues at the pool. What percentage would that have to be? >10%? >25%? I simply don't think the number of pool hoppers is as high as some people are claiming they are. The pools are crowded; it's just another mob of people we have to learn to deal with if we are going to keep visiting WDW.

Maybe not "silly" but rather unrealistic, as it probably varies from day to day or season to season. It might be a question that can't be answered until enough time has passed to compare how crowded the pool is now with the gate lock in effect with how it was before the gate was put in place. I don't really understand why they didn't expand the pool while they were doing all the work in that area--I mean didn't they actually move it some? Seems like they could have increased the size while they were at it, since a lot of the complaints about the pool are about how small it is. I suppose it doesn't matter now though.

 

[ThistleMae]

This is my plan: If I open the gate and people are standing there or trying to get in behind me...I will ask, "please don't be offended, but are you staying at this resort, because there has been a problem here with people using the pool who are not staying here?" If they have the audacity to lie about it, then it's on their conscience. At least I made an attempt to educate and maybe they will feel guilty that they had to lie to get in. If they are staying there, then they will now have the knowledge that there has been an issue or...they will be thankful that I asked because they know it is an issue and will appreciate that I am checking. What do people think of this plan?

 

[jhaig]

This is my plan: If I open the gate and people are standing there or trying to get in behind me...I will ask, "please don't be offended, but are you staying at this resort, because there has been a problem here with people using the pool who are not staying here?" If they have the audacity to lie about it, then it's on their conscience. At least I made an attempt to educate and maybe they will feel guilty that they had to lie to get in. If they are staying there, then they will now have the knowledge that there has been an issue or...they will be thankful that I asked because they know it is an issue and will appreciate that I am checking. What do people think of this plan?

I won't hesitate to close the gate behind me. I paid to stay at the Poly and if someone wants to sneak in and use the amenities that they didn't pay for, it won't be on me. I would just tell people behind me to use their band and if it doesn't work, too bad so sad. I do like your approach though.

It's vacation. I don't want to play pool police or be an educator. I just wanna swim at my resort.

 

[jhaig]

I stayed there last week and made a point not to use a gate where anyone was waiting--there are multiple gates. Granted, I only saw that one time...but that was the way I handled it. Another possible way to handle it is to turn the tables and approach the person waiting and say "I forgot my MB in my room...could you open the gate for me?". You should be able to read their expression and see if they belong.

Bottom line is that I won't let anyone in without their band. But I'm also not going to shut the door on anyone...so I create ways to avoid that situation.

Yup, passive-aggressive is the way to go

 

[kiki02]

But - the one other Poly pool is going down for a major refurb that will take several months to complete.

Do we know when the quiet pool is going down?

 

[2DisPrincesses]

We are driving home from the Poly as I type. Pool hoppers caught my attention twice and I was not looking for them. Once was a lady yelling at her husband as she didn't like her options for getting back to their room at the Contemporary. The other time was a group of teens debating if they were going to stay for lunch before they "hopped to the next pool" or get lunch at the next stop.

 

[CT Disney]

I have to say...this has to be my favorite thread on the DIS ever. Something about adherence to rules (closing the gate) VS politeness (holding the gate open for those behind you). I'm sure these were BOTH things we were all taught as kids. And, in this case, it seems like they can not exist simultaneously. Very interesting.

Anyway, I noticed that a lot of people seem to be suggesting this: If someone is waiting at the gate to enter after you, simply allow them to go through first. You'll be able to tell fairly quickly if they have a legitimate Poly magic band.

It made me imagine what would happen if two folks from this thread happened to meet up at the Poly gate. I imagine it going something like this:


"Please, after you."
"No, after you."
"Really, feel free...go ahead of us."
"No, no it would really make me happy if you went first."
"Here, let me hold your things while you get your magic bands."
"No, no...I must insist...after you."
"It would make my day just magical if I could let you get a lounge chair before me."
"Well, my day would just be filled with pixie dust if you could dip your toe in the water first."
"So, tell me: what building are your staying in here at the Poly?"
"I was just going to ask you the same thing."


And, on and on and on.....

Passive-aggressive-DIS-thread-knowledge-overload.