Using pools if not a guest

[Isthisnormalatdisney]

It definitely is. We’ve been at both pools where we could tell people who were not staying there were using the pool. How? You overhear them discussing it or referencing it. I’ve even seen people on these boards talking about “hanging out” at Vero when not staying there. Disney needs to come down on this hard. They need to come down on all resort amenities hard, not just the pools. And Disney also needs to ban some of vloggers. It’s just too much. We watched one the other day who said she went to a resort lounge to work but it was too loud!! She wasn’t staying at the resort. There are thousands of vloggers now. If they all hang out at the resorts every day “to work” that’s a significant amount of people using resort amenities who are not staying there.

I’m so curious to see what people think Disney need to come down on hard besides pools when it comes to resorts.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

I’m so curious to see what people think Disney need to come down on hard besides pools when it comes to resorts.

I'm not sure what 'coming down hard' even means. But with regards to the pools, they just need to enforce their own policies. No pool hopping and pools are only for registered guests on reservation at the resort.

So many other places we go for vacations have the simple process of swiping an active room key when entering the pools and being given a wristband so staff doesn't have to keep asking you if you're a guest all day.

 

[Isthisnormalatdisney]

I'm not sure what 'coming down hard' even means. But with regards to the pools, they just need to enforce their own policies. No pool hopping and pools are only for registered guests on reservation at the resort.

So many other places we go for vacations have the simple process of swiping an active room key when entering the pools and being given a wristband so staff doesn't have to keep asking you if you're a guest all day.

Me either, that’s why I’m curious what the poster had in mind. This poster clearly had issues with resorts use beyond pools based on their post.

Most resorts I’ve stayed at don’t have the wrist band policy, except for places that have a water parks that they charge outside people (aka people can pay to go that aren’t staying at the hotel) extra for. The only places that I’ve seen use the wrist band policy tend to be attached to a “residence” like condos or similar.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

We do a lot of the casino resorts - Bahamas, Florida, California, New Jersey, and almost all require proof that you're an active guest before entering the pools...... That's likely because they certainly encourage the day guests to come in and spend their gambling money, but don't want them in the pools!! But it is a system that wouldn't be that difficult to do normally at the Disney pools, especially during the high usage times of the year.

 

[Isthisnormalatdisney]

We do a lot of the casino resorts - Bahamas, Florida, California, New Jersey, and almost all require proof that you're an active guest before entering the pools...... That's likely because they certainly encourage the day guests to come in and spend their gambling money, but don't want them in the pools!! But it is a system that wouldn't be that difficult to do normally at the Disney pools, especially during the high usage times of the year.

Well that explains why we haven’t experienced it as much as you, we don’t go to casino resorts lol. But I do remember going to the hard rock and the pool being locked down extremely tight, but I believe you can buy a pool day pass to it so they were actively making money off ensuring no other guests can enter. Plus like you mentioned if they at the pool they can’t be losing money gambling.

I think the fact that casinos all offer parking, most of the time free, is the issue and I think the Disney spring buses are another huge issue. Otherwise getting to the actual pools as a non-guest is very difficult or at least not free except for Disney springs.

I remember during Christmas time when I was at the grand Floridian the bus line was insane every single night and went way past the ramp, until I realized everyone was there for the Disney springs bus, and barely anyone maybe less than 2-3% of the other people needed any other bus. It was also awkward trying to get to the front since we were waiting on a different bus!

Disney springs is the issue

 

[muppets3d]

If they had cast members at each gate handing out wristbands, it would take care of the issue.

 

[Isthisnormalatdisney]

If they had cast members at each gate handing out wristbands, it would take care of the issue.

That’s a lot of additional cast members needed. Some pools have numerous gates. Then if they start only allowing entry and exit from one gate people will complain, rightfully so.

 

[muppets3d]

That’s a lot of additional cast members needed. Some pools have numerous gates. Then if they start only allowing entry and exit from one gate people will complain, rightfully so.

They can leave the other gates open but with magicband entry for folks who already have wristbands.

 

[Mle8308]

That’s a lot of additional cast members needed. Some pools have numerous gates. Then if they start only allowing entry and exit from one gate people will complain, rightfully so.

I think most would agree the ends justifies the means! Meaning most people would be fine with one or two entrance/exits if they were monitored by a CM. That's how it works at SAB and I would argue it's just about the busiest pool on property. Edited to say one or two entrances!

 

[Mle8308]

They can leave the other gates open but with magicband entry for folks who already have wristbands.

Then you run into the issue of "gate huggers".

 

[muppets3d]

Then you run into the issue of "gate huggers".

There's only so much that can be done. If they have wristbands and the lifeguards etc around the pool are monitoring for wristbands, it won't take long for tailgaters to get sniffed out. Honestly just a little bit of enforcement is all it takes here.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

I think most would agree the ends justifies the means! Meaning most people would be fine with one entrance/exit if it were monitored by a CM. That's how it works at SAB and I would argue it's just about the busiest pool on property.

I know what you're saying - but SAB has at least 2 entrances for wrist bands. The key would be to have a single location (or perhaps 2) where guests would scan and get a wristband. If a person is by the pool without a wrist band, the CMs should question them and require they get one. It's not perfect, but it wouldn't require a CM at every location

 

[Isthisnormalatdisney]

I think most would agree the ends justifies the means! Meaning most people would be fine with one entrance/exit if it were monitored by a CM. That's how it works at SAB and I would argue it's just about the busiest pool on property.

They have more than one entrance and exit at SAB………… I personally would not want to have to walk around a large portion of the perimeter of the pool then potentially wait in the line because of some paranoid people. Based on your own admission the busiest pool in Disney does apparently what you want and yet it’s still the busiest…………….

 

[Isthisnormalatdisney]

They can leave the other gates open but with magicband entry for folks who already have wristbands.

No one on vacation wants to deal with ensuring they going through the correct date the first time to get the right wrist band. I lived in a building with a popular pool who did the wrist band procedure and it was very annoying to have to deal with getting a wrist band everytime we wanted to use our pool.

 

[Mle8308]

They have more than one entrance and exit at SAB………… I personally would not want to have to walk around a large portion of the perimeter of the pool then potentially wait in the line because of some paranoid people. Based on your own admission the busiest pool in Disney does apparently what you want and yet it’s still the busiest…………….

It's the busiest because it's really not all that large and supports two resorts. And it is a novelty pool. It's not the busiest because they check for wristbands. Imagine if they didn't!

 

[Isthisnormalatdisney]

There's only so much that can be done. If they have wristbands and the lifeguards etc around the pool are monitoring for wristbands, it won't take long for tailgaters to get sniffed out. Honestly just a little bit of enforcement is all it takes here.

The lifeguards should be focusing on the safety of everyone. Not tasked with checking wrist bands. At some point the biggest thing that needs to be looked at is how these people are even getting there……….. it seems that is the biggest issue and they all come from Disney springs.

 

[Isthisnormalatdisney]

It's the busiest because it's really not all that large and supports two resorts. And it is a novelty pool. It's not the busiest because they check for wristbands. Imagine if they didn't!

It’s also one of the easiest pools to get too. I don’t think it’s as big of an issue as it’s being made out to be, so I don’t think there would be much of a difference.

 

[Mle8308]

The lifeguards should be focusing on the safety of everyone. Not tasked with checking wrist bands. At some point the biggest thing that needs to be looked at is how these people are even getting there……….. it seems that is the biggest issue and they all come from Disney springs.

I agree 100% with you on this point!!! They do have the pool "housekeeping" CM's who remove/stock pool towels, they could do the checking (they wear the blue shorts, lifeguards wear red). Lifeguards absolutely need to focus on safety, though they could make it a position in the lifeguard rotation that would not take them away from their normal lifeguard duties (monitoring the pool).

 

[Moonspinner]

I’m so curious to see what people think Disney need to come down on hard besides pools when it comes to resorts.

Disney may need to find a way to limit resort space to paying guests. I realize this is hard but it can be done. I cannot walk into the plaza hotel in nyc for example unless I am staying there. Not all hotels are completely open access. There are certain spaces Disney should be reserving for the people paying to stay there. It is probably vlogging that makes this an issue. There are too many vloggers using resort space as if it is their living room. And then they inform everyone else how to do it. There is nothing wrong with the occasional non guest meandering about a hotel, but it is starting to reach a critical mass.
Disney is starting to do this. For example, you cannot get into lounge space in the poly tower without a room stay. I have no doubt that they will be doing more of this in the future.

 

[Dave006]

The lifeguards should be focusing on the safety of everyone. Not tasked with checking wrist bands.

They don't need lifeguards to man the gates. A regular Disney College Progam CM with a tablet and a pack of wristbands to bolt on to guests for the day. Back in the early days of SAB there were 4-5 Gates open all the time.

Dave