VWL quiet pool. DVC or not?

[LakeAriel]

There seems to be some question about the quiet pool. When I bought into DVC I was told the quiet pool was for villa guests only and saw the sign that said "members only" in August of 2003. Has this changed? Some posters say it has. I enjoyed the fact it was less crowded. There is no slide, neither is there a lifeguard. I needed neither. I will be disappointed if the rules have changed. It was very tranquil there. For those who say why shouldn't everyone use it, it is because VWL members pay dues, in my case nearly 1,000 a year , not to mention the initial investment. Why shouldn't we get extra perks?

 

[KNWVIKING]

The last I heard it was open to both and honestly that doesn't bother me. The way I look at it is that WL guests are paying major bucks to stay there. Now they have to share their feature pool with a 1000 or so DVC guests. That fact that I pay dues is my choice, not the fault of WL guests.

 

[jarestel]

I'd rather share the DVC pool with the WL guests, since if push came to shove, I wouldn't want to be denied access to the WL pool. Share and share alike. Hasn't been a problem so far.

 

[LIFERBABE]

But I agree with jarestel.

It is possible (stated in our POS, although highly unlikely) that all DVC's could be limited to their villa pools which wouldnt phase some but upset many.

 

[spiceycat]

I though the sign was not at the pool entrance but most all the gym entrance - but I would be surprise if it is not taken down complete - considering they are now allowing WL to use the gym for free.

before you get upset over it - the more WDW guests who see how great being a DVC member can be - the DVC member there will be - and I am sure that is part of this new policy.

 

[littlestar]

I think the sign at the pool says welcome members and guests. I like sharing the facilities with the Wilderness Lodge resort. I have no problem with that. I like the hotel feeling vs. a condo feeling. That's why we bought at BCV and VWL. I figure most resort guests are probably paying big bucks to stay there.

 

[crisi]

I stayed at the Lodge several years ago as a non-DVC member. The quiet pool was listed in the check in literature and marked clearly on the map. There was no indication as a resort guest that it was for members.

But this was several years ago (2002).

 

[Granny]

I don't mind the WL people using the quiet pool...as has been pointed out, they don't seem to mind about 200 VWL guests a day descending on the main pool.

What I do mind, is the continued pool hopping from Fort Wilderness people at both the main pool and even the quiet pool! I do wish they'd crack down on that...in my opinion, it's just not right.

BTW, is this a problem at any other DVC resort like BWV or BCV quiet pools?

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by Granny
I don't mind the WL people using the quiet pool...as has been pointed out, they don't seem to mind about 200 VWL guests a day descending on the main pool.

What I do mind, is the continued pool hopping from Fort Wilderness people at both the main pool and even the quiet pool! I do wish they'd crack down on that...in my opinion, it's just not right.

BTW, is this a problem at any other DVC resort like BWV or BCV quiet pools?

There are often pool crashers at BWV. IMHO, it's gotten worse since SAB was fenced off and consistently policed. At very busy/crowded times, Luna Park is fenced off too, but so far the fence has only been temporary.

ASAIK, pool crashing is not a problem at any of the BW quiet pools

 

[Johnnie Fedora]

Keep in mind the the quiet pool maintanence is likely paid for exclusively by the VWL members. Members also pay a portion of the maintenance for the facilities shared with the lodge (i.e. the themed pool, recreation facilities, bus service, etc.)

VWL owners are not just sponging off the WL by using "thier" facilities. If WL guests get to use member facilities as a perk of staying at the WL, I hope WL resort is kicking in $$ to pay for these DVC member ammenities (quiet pool, health club) and keep our dues down. Does anyone know?

 

[KNWVIKING]

I don't know much about pool maintenance expense, but does it cost more to maintain a busy pool as opposed to an unbusy one ? The filtration system runs regardless of the number of users, chemicals shouldn't care either. Other then more trash left by rude people, I don't see a great deal of additional expense.

 

[debloco]

As a pool owner myself (albeit a much smaller one!) it does cost more to run a busy pool than a quiet one. You go through the chemicals more quickly with a "heavy" swimmer load than a light one. It also needs cleaning more frequently, both the pool itself and whatever filter system you are using. As an aside, I agree with the previous post regarding who is paying the costs for the pools. He is correct in stating that we maintain the quiet pool with our dues, and we also pay a portion to WL for the "shared" facilities. I would not characterize our use of the main pool as "invading", nor would I give credit to the regular hotel guests for "sharing". It's just not the way it is.

CLC Tiger Pom Mom

 

[LakeAriel]

That is my point. I understood that our dues exclusively were maintaining the villa's, including the quiet pool. Does it matter how many people use it? Of course, the more wear and tear the more expensive to maintain. Th initial investment contributed to the maintenance of the resort in general. Keep your ideas coming. I'm hoping to hear from members that were there recently.

 

[jarestel]

Originally posted by debloco
I would not characterize our use of the main pool as "invading", nor would I give credit to the regular hotel guests for "sharing".

I get your point debloco, but still I'm not sure I want to go down the road of putting up barriers between WL and VWL guests. Once you begin, you don't know where it will stop. I think no good can come of that. VWL would lose a lot of its charm for me without access to the WL amenities, so I still think it's in our best interests to "just get along".
I don't have my dues breakdown handy, but would be surprised if pool maintenance amounted to much of anything in the big picture. Anyone know what this line item comes to?

 

[DisneyMim]

I too have stayed at WL lodge (not on points, paid cash) and was told by the CM checking us in and in the written info you get at check-in, that both pools were ours to use. I don't think this has changed in the past year or so.

 

[littlestar]

I definitely wouldn't want to see a "split" between the main lodge and the VWL on sharing amenities. I'd feel like a little old poor kid peeking into the store window at Christmas with my nose pressed against the window wishing for something I couldn't have. How awful! ahhh

 

[LakeAriel]

Problem IS...If the quiet pool, built for the Villa's, was meant to be shared it is ridiculously small!

 

[canda]

Last time I was at Vwl, I had the "quiet pool all to our selves. Then the rowdy bunch of kids from FW (I asked) came jumping in. There were about 15 kids in this pool playing that game where you knock each other off the sholders. They came to this pool because they were kicked out of the theme pool by the Lifeguards. I did ask where there parents were and they said at the campground. I also asked them if they knew that this was a private pool for the guest in these buildings. They said that there parents sent them over here and said they could go swimming here. I was not mad or ugly with them, nor did it ruin my day. They also were not snotty or anything like that. I was just curious about what I was observing and asked some questions. I did not call a CM or anything like that. I actullay stayed around cause I was worried one might get hurt playing that game. Well one did (not serious) and then they all quit and went home. I had the pool back.

 

[Johnnie Fedora]

I'm sure VWL members pay 100% for anything having to do with the VWL pool. I also bet we pay "our fair share" (determined by Disney) for the maintenance of the WL themed pool. The portion we pay for any shared ammenity is likely based on the occupancy of the 2 resorts. So, as a guess, lets say the VWL pays 20% and the WL pays 80% of the costs for the shared WL ammenities. If the VWL pool (and health club) is now considered a shared ammenities, then WL should be paying 80% of the upkeep. Do you think that happens....I don't. But if the cost of pool chemicals or replacement pool furniture goes up I'm sure DVC won't hesitate to add the cost to our annual dues.

At the very least, signs and the check-in resort map should clearly indicate that the quiet pool is for VWL members and their guests only. And front desk CMs should be telling the same story to WL guests.

Now...who knows about the heath club?

 

[DVC Mary]

IMHO I don't mind sharing, want to use both, & wouldn't want to push this issue. We just stayed at VWL & found the quiet pool very quiet--almost empty frequently & noticed mostly adults there during our stay. Our kids want to use the big pool. When we stayed BCV, most of the people we talked to were members, & thus was unaware of crashers.