Why such a concern about pool hopping? (sorry so long)

[kamgen]

First of all, let me say that I am not trying to ruffle any feathers here. I am a DVC member who enjoys all aspects of my WDW experience. I consider myself someone who knows a great deal about WDW, however I am feeling clueless here.
IMHO some resorts have better pools than others, so I see what might make people want to visit other pools. BUT I don't understand where the anger comes from.
It seems that there are a lot of people angry about their pool hopping experiences and whether or not there are restrictions. I say, we are lucky we have the option at all. I did not join DVC to have pool hopping privelages.
Maybe someone can clear this up for me. What is the draw to pool hopping?
Yes I know that Y&BC has Stormalong Bay. I guess I just never felt that when Disney puts restrictions on pool hopping that my trip would suffer. I love to use the pool when I am "home", but I just love to swim, so I am happy to be out of Michigan and swimming in the Florida sunshine.

I guess I think that if you really are that concerned about using a specific pool, make that the resort you stay at. Seems a simple solution to a problem that, in the grand scheme of things, is not much of a problem at all.

Off site '94
AllStar-Movies '99
DxL '00 Honeymoon
DVC Member 4/00
BWV 9/00
VB 9/00
DCL-Wonder 1/01
OKW 1/01
Upcoming:
VB 5/01
VWL 12/01
BWV 12/01
DCL-Magic 12/29/01

My new Disney website!
http://gennaroworld.topcities.com

 

[tarzanman]

Ditto

Book at place where you want to swim.

some trips as a child
DxL 4/00
DVC member 4/00
BWV 9/00, 12/01
VB 9/00, 5/01
DCL 1/01, 12/01-1/02 New Years Cruise
OKW 1/01

http://gennaroworld.topcities.com

 

[MarkW]

First of all, some people are upset that they were "kicked out" of the pool area after having been there for awhile. That would be downright embarassing and is totally unacceptable behavior on Disney's part. I totally understand if they need to restrict access to certain pools, but do so before they get to the pool, not while they are there.

Also, some people claim that their sales reps told them they would have pool privileges and may have failed to give all of the restrictions. I personally don't remember this happening when I purchased but I'm sure it may have happened to others. All I know is if someone promised something to me verbally while trying to sell me something and failed to deliver afterwards, I would be ticked! I generally take what I hear with a grain of salt and actually read through the contract after I signed it so there were no surprises if we decided to keep it after our recission period.

You love to just swim in the warm Florida sunshine. Others prefer different types of atmospherics and scenery and so may prefer one pool over another. Again, I feel if Disney needs to restrict access for capacity issues, that's just fine. However, do it at the point of pool entry or find another way besides booting people out. It reminds me of a movie theater we used to go to that would randomly walk through the seating area checking IDs for rated R movies. They smartened up and instead posted a guy at the door to check IDs.

 

[PamOKW]

It sounds like several DVC members who own at BWV were staying elsewhere this trip and were upset when asked to leave the BWV pool. I think it's especially annoying because it feels like you are being kicked out of your "home" rather than just another Disney hotel. It doesn't sound as if this was handled in the most tactful way. I think a better solution needs to be found. My guess is that BWV's pool will have the same "no hopping" restriction next Spring Break.

 

[tarzanman]

It sounds like during Premium Season the pool hopping privelage might just be suspended if this keeps up. It is not that bad though. All of the resorts have nice pools. I would have to post another question for everyone though.

How would you feel if you paid top dollar (which everyone does at Disney) to stay at BWV and while you were there you couldn't use the pool because people not staying there are using the pool now?

I would be pretty ticked off about that. The rack rates for BWV is whoa high! They deserve to freakin swim and use the slide. Pool hopping is a privelage. Not a right.

some trips as a child
DxL 4/00
DVC member 4/00
BWV 9/00, 12/01
VB 9/00, 5/01
DCL 1/01, 12/01-1/02 New Years Cruise
OKW 1/01

http://gennaroworld.topcities.com

 

[kamgen]

I would be really embarrassed if I was kicked out after being there for awhile. Still, on the other hand, I would be equally (if not more so) mad if I was denied entry to the pool where I WAS staying due to capacity including people who were not guests there.
It seems an easy solution for Disney to put someone there to card people as they enter, but that is not how it works right now. We can hope that they will see the growing problem. Many of the pools have multiple entry points, that would require multiple people to card guests. That doesn't seem practical either.
I guess I am different, I know that if I am pool hopping and it starts to get busy, there is a chance I may be asked to leave. Period. I would not be shocked or surprised by this since it is the way it was meant to work. And I would hope that the manner in which I was asked to leave would be subtle and pleasant, and in turn I would thank them and leave in a pleasant manner. If we are treated poorly by a CM, we should not react the same way.
Most of the time we are only taking our anger out on the messanger.
I don't know. It just seems like people are surprised when asked. Did they not know that pool hopping privelages can be revoked at any time?
I hope that Disney comes up with a solution. I say they should cut off pool hopping privelages during peak season all together. This would limit any undue embarrassment and over crowding.
But for now we must realize that we are lucky to have the privelages at all and enjoy our WDW experience despite which pool we may be swimming in.

Off site '94
AllStar-Movies '99
DxL '00 Honeymoon
DVC Member 4/00
BWV 9/00
VB 9/00
DCL-Wonder 1/01
OKW 1/01
Upcoming:
VB 5/01
VWL 12/01
BWV 12/01
DCL-Magic 12/29/01

My new Disney website!
http://gennaroworld.topcities.com

 

[kamgen]

post!

Off site '94
AllStar-Movies '99
DxL '00 Honeymoon
DVC Member 4/00
BWV 9/00
VB 9/00
DCL-Wonder 1/01
OKW 1/01
Upcoming:
VB 5/01
VWL 12/01
BWV 12/01
DCL-Magic 12/29/01

My new Disney website!
http://gennaroworld.topcities.com

 

[kamgen]

is my home resort too. If I could not get a room there and had to stay elsewhere, I would look at it as an opportunity to "experience" another environment and enjoy their amenities. That is just me though. I would not feel kicked out of my "home", but ready to try something else!
I love all the resorts I have been to, and their pools. But again, everyone has a preference.

Off site '94
AllStar-Movies '99
DxL '00 Honeymoon
DVC Member 4/00
BWV 9/00
VB 9/00
DCL-Wonder 1/01
OKW 1/01
Upcoming:
VB 5/01
VWL 12/01
BWV 12/01
DCL-Magic 12/29/01

My new Disney website!
http://gennaroworld.topcities.com

 

[baileybrad]

for those who have been DVC members a long time and have been coming to DVC resorts since 92/93 there is much more to do than just go to the parks. PH is something that some folks enjoy experiencing. It is their priviledge until the DVC takes it away. It is being restricted at times in a somewhat haphazard way in some folks opinions. But my thought is people can concern themselves about anything that they want. I have seen posts from folks who don't want kids jumping into pools. Do I agree? No, but it is their right to voice their opinion. Same for those who don't feel that folks should take their young children to the World until they are older. Dead wrong, in my opinion, but folks still seem concerned about what others do with their own children and they voice their opinions about it as is their right to do so. Does OKW need a slide? Most say no way and others argue strongly for one. These boards are a way to get information out...and I feel that the way that the pool hopping is being discussed is very informative....others are perfectly warranted to diaagree.

 

[RONfromRI]

KAMGEN, I started a similar thread just a few days ago. I had responses that echoed your opinions on pool-hopping. It was good to know that others feel as I do. I didn't get any responses that would make me feel otherwise.

Meaning no disrespect to those who enjoy pool-hopping, I don't see the importance, attraction, enjoyment etc. of lugging myself, my family, my belongings to another resort so I can swim in different water. Other that a few water slides that might draw some comparisons, what would make someone go through the trouble? Again, this is just my feeling on the subject.

The only point that I hadn't considered and which pointed out to me was the convenience of taking a break from a theme park to visit the most convenient pool in the area. That's something I might consider

 

[dianeschlicht]

I have to agree with Kamgen and Ron. It just isn't important to me either. I understand the embarassment of being kicked out, but in re-reading those threads, I didn't quite understand if they had called ahead to check if it was all right to go before hand. That has been and still is the policy, no matter what time of year it is. We also know that pool hopping is a priveledge that is not guaranteed. I think I will just stay at one of the quiet pools in my OKW, since that is where I always book anyway.

Disneydiane

 

[mickeyc]

I enjoy reading the boards and the information offered is invaluable. I think the boards offer a great opportunity for everyone to express themselves. However, some seem to do it with such anger. I have stayed at various Disney resorts since 1972 and we (member of our party) have never been asked for ID.

For those who enjoy pool hopping I hope this privilge is not eliminated, although better communication at the resorts would probably help. Even Disney is not perfect.

Enjoy your vacation we all have enough pressures in our everyday lives without added stress on vacation.

As Shakespear stated: " Much ado about nothing".
(smile)

 

[kamgen]

Thanks everyone for voicing your opinions.
Pool hopping is a great perk for DVC members, but any restrictions will not make or break my experience at WDW.
I understand that there are many other things to do at WDW besides the parks, that aspect of it is a major draw for us. And some of the resorts offer wonderfully themed pool areas. But, like others have stated, I am not the type to drag all my things over to another resort just to swim in different surroundings.
IMHO, this argument seems to lack importance when you really get down to things.
If I was to sit here and argue what I feel are important issues with DVC and/or WDW, pool hopping privelages would not be high on the list.
Just my opinion.

Off site '94
AllStar-Movies '99
DxL '00 Honeymoon
DVC Member 4/00
BWV 9/00
VB 9/00
DCL-Wonder 1/01
OKW 1/01
Upcoming:
VB 5/01
VWL 12/01
BWV 12/01
DCL-Magic 12/29/01

My new Disney website!
http://gennaroworld.topcities.com

 

[jeffdivi]

Bottom line, Disney needs to create a consistent policy regarding the pool hopping issue. I was told before I agreed to the contract, that I was able to use the different pools. (Yes I was told it could be suspended if the pools were full, but was also told "don't worry, that is never an issue" I was also told I could have five in a studio. What else are they telling people to get you to sign, then Members having problems later down the road. I think all DVC members need to be on the same page to protect our benefits. What's next?

 

[kamgen]

Once Disney makes a concrete policy I am sure we will all benefit from it!
I just can't wait till my next trip "home".


Off site '94
AllStar-Movies '99
DxL '00 Honeymoon
DVC Member 4/00
BWV 9/00
VB 9/00
DCL-Wonder 1/01
OKW 1/01
Upcoming:
VB 5/01
VWL 12/01
BWV 12/01
DCL-Magic 12/29/01

My new Disney website!
http://gennaroworld.topcities.com

 

[danicaw]

I posted to another thread about this same thing, but just need to say....
Call ahead.

Then you will know.
And don't think of it as being "kicked-out", PH is not a crime. If you are asked to leave due to capacity, no problem. How many other pools are there at WDW? Aren't DVC members the only ones who have access to all of them.

Danica
T.T.F.N.

 

[Jimbo]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> I posted to another thread about this same thing, but just need to say....
Call ahead.
Then you will know. [/quote]

And as I posted to another thread, there's almost no hope that the CM at the other resort will know what you are talking about. You're more likely to get a CM that's never heard of the DVC. That's why it's the DVC's responsibility to provide us with the availability information, via a hotline, or a sign in the lobby of the DVC resort, etc.

Or to eliminate it all together, which is where I suspect we are headed.

 

[PKK/MJK]

I think the point many people are missing, is that being asked to leave the pool was not the entire reason the original posters were angry. Their annoyance was so great because of the the way it was handled by the CM. Not only were these people publicly embarrassed/humiliated but it was done on an arbitrary basis. If the BWV pool was overcrowded, CM's should have checked ALL ID's. The first people requested to leave should have been those who were not entitled to be there--eg people staying off-property, Florida residents who enjoy swimming at BWV, Disney guests from resorts such as All-Stars, Polynesian, etc. At this point, if the pool BWV was still overcrowded, then DVC members from OKW, VWL etc. could have been asked to leave--in a very tactful, discreet manner!!! Disney should never have publicly embarrassed a guest. That is horrible guest relations. Very good solutions to this problem have been suggested--a phone line to check availability, ID checks before entering the pool area etc. Hopefully, Disney will rectify this public relations snafu quickly!! Meanwhile, posters who suggest that the parties involved should have called first etc are missing the point. Disney issued a statement in Vacation Magic indicating that SAB would be closed. They said nothing about BWV. So DVC members used their pool-hopping privilege to go there. Obviously they assumed, as most of us probably would, that this was acceptable. The key word here, is assumed. It is apparent that we cannot assume these things anymore.

Phil and Mary Jo

WDW--82,83,85,87,89,93,95,96, 97,98,99,00,01
DVC/OKW