Wilderness Campers pool hop on Easter Sunday

[Granny]

But back to the topic: Is pool-hopping a problem everywhere, or just at WL? When we next stay at SSR, are we likely to run into these problems? I think someone mentioned people sneaking into the SSR pool from DTD, too. You hate to go on vacation with a chip on your shoulder, but our days at WDW are too important to us.

I think that pool hopping is especially an issue at WL because FW is so large, its pools are nothing special, and Disney has made it extremely convenient to pool hop there with the boat route.

This is kind of the same problem that SAB had since it was easily accessible to three large resorts (Swan, Dolphin and BWV/BWI). Of course, SAB is quite an attraction in itself and I can imagine many BC and YC guests being very upset to pay that kind of money and not have access to their own pool.

SSR might run into some problems, but frankly I don't see many people wanting to take a bus to DTD then walk over to SSR (or take that bus) to swim.

Disney certainly can cure this issue at WL by going to an ID system, at least during the summer months when the WL pool is extremely crowded.

I guess I'm just wondering if you think resort guests/DVC members would give the pool staff a hard time about having to show their room cards all the time (and if that's one of the reasons why they don't seem to enforce that rule now).

I think there will always be an element of guests who will complain no matter what Disney does. So yes, there will be eye-rolling and complaining from some who didn't bring a room key with them. But most would understand that it's just for their own benefit (per Dr. T's comments).

I think the reason that Disney doesn't enforce the rule right now is twofold. One, it would cost money to have someone checking ID's all the time and even more if they fenced the pool. The other is that Disney tries to keep all guests happy all the time....so they usually look the other way at what they consider minor infractions, and often CM's give downright incorrect information in an effort to please a customer.

It's a situation that will only be addressed if enough people complain. And not here on the DIS.

 

[crisi]

We recently spent a weekend at the Kalahari waterpark at the Dells. Each day, you showed your room key and were given bracelets, colored differently each day, for your party. You could pick them up at the pool, you could pick them up from the front desk, you could pick them up from conceirge. They just ran your key to make sure it was valid, checked the number of people in the room, and gave you the right number of bracelets - which were good until 3:00 on checkout day. When my daughter lost one, they gave her another, but did note in the computer - so light abusers wouldn't get caught, but serial abusers would.


They could do something similar at Disney, even handing out the bracelets for your party in your folder at check in with the color coding for the days.

While its a shame they'd need to make those of us who belong wear those tacky bracelets, I'd rather wear a bracelet than have an overcrowded pool filled with non-resort guests.

 

[DiznEeyore]

While its a shame they'd need to make those of us who belong wear those tacky bracelets, I'd rather wear a bracelet than have an overcrowded pool filled with non-resort guests.

I totally agree!

 

[dsneygirl]

Someone mentioned having to sign a form about No pool hopping allowed, but when I stayed at the cabins recently, we didn't sign any such form. Is it possible that these campers didn't know that pool hopping was wrong?

That was me. It wasn't a seperate form it was the standard one you sign at check in, it was stamped "No Pool Hopping" and "No pets". So I don't think you (generic you as in any FW guest )could claim ignorance.

 

[SuzieQMomof3]

I'm really enjoying this lively discussion.

We are DVC members.

In March, we stayed for the first time at FW Cabins for a long weekend. When I checked in, I asked about the pool, saw the "No Pool Hopping" notice on my paperwork, and then I asked the CM if we could pool hop because we're DVC members, she said, and I quote, "Oh yes, DVC members can always pool hop, except to Beach Club."

I know now that I have to be staying on points to pool hop, but we pool hopped during that weekend, because the pool at FW is terrible!

Maybe I'm spoiled, but even the kids were dissapointed in the pool. It was nothing special-unbelievably boring.

We spent at evening at OKW with dinner poolside from Goods-to-Go and a margarita from the poolside bar while the kids played in the pool.

Whoever invented the poolside bar ought to get a nobel prize.

However, now that I know I'm not supposed to pool hop from the Cabins, I won't. But the CMs need to give accurate information. Rules are rules!

Susan

 

[Deb & Bill]

...However, now that I know I'm not supposed to pool hop from the Cabins, I won't. But the CMs need to give accurate information. Rules are rules!

Susan

You're expecting a CM at a non-DVC resort to know the DVC rules when even the CM at the DVC resorts don't know them?

 

[DrTomorrow]

You're expecting a CM at a non-DVC resort to know the DVC rules when even the CM at the DVC resorts don't know them?

Too true

Hey, here's a thought: maybe we could have DIS DVC members staff (on a volunteer basis) a "Get your DVC Questions answered correctly here!" booth at each DVC resort. Think about it - how many CMs have actually taken a thermometer to the pools? How many CMs know there are two different bathroom door configs at OKW - and which buildings have which? How many CMs know the occupancy rules - both official and semi-official? But here on the DIS we have folks that know all these things and much, much more.

Think about it......

 

[cavecricket]

What Disney needs to do is give the camprgounds a pool worth staying at....have you seen it?!

Not even a year round snack bar....no mixed drinks.....ect

While I understand your aggravation, understand theirs.

I was a FW camper for many years....and people think because the sites are "cheaper" then hotel rooms they deserve "less" ( visit the pools... ) ...dont forget that these campers are spending a pretty penny on the rigs they drive to their destination. Golf cart rentals... ect.

Every hotel has a "themed pool" and "Pool Bar" why not the campgrounds?

Lets not forget how many "hotel guests" like to attend FW's campfire singalong and movie?! How many times as a child did I have to sit WAY in the back because the CR kids flooded the place?

I am curious to know the average # of guests that are staying at FW ....compare that to the all stars.....is the figure close?

Now look at the pool size difference.......

I know pool hopping is wrong AND THIS IS JUST AND EXAMPLE but if a camper decides they want a couple pool side coctails.....are they supposed to hike to Crockets Tavern or wait for a bus to get the drinks ....then wait for another bus ...wait a minute...no drinks allowed on the bus so hike and hope your drink stays cold....ect


I am sorry you had such a terrible experience....I tend not to pay much attention to those around me ... just my family, and unless other guests are directly offending me....I let it go

Just my 2 cents


( and I am a DVC owner )

 

[shantay1008]

I am sorry you had such a terrible experience....I tend not to pay much attention to those around me ... just my family, and unless other guests are directly offending me....I let it go

I agree with you about the camping thing...when my family stayed at FW, it didn't occur to us that WDW wasn't just as excited to have us at the campgrounds as they would have been to have us at CR.

I know we can't expect everyone to behave well at every situation, and even regular resort guests can be loud and obnoxious. But the thing that concerns me is really a safety issue. Swimming is a life and death matter, and I want to be sure that my kiddos are as safe as possible. That means that the pool should not be overcrowded, especially not by people who shouldn't be there in the first place. It's WDW's responsibility to make that happen, whether it means building an extra pool at a resort to accommodate large resort crowds, or making sure non-resort guests are not allowed in.

edited to say that I know my kids are my responsibility, and I watch them at the pool like a hawk, believe me. WDW's responsibility is to make sure that I have a reasonable chance of being able to see them in the horde. So no one needs to write that parents need to watch their kids at the pools. Because we know that.

 

[cavecricket]

edited to say that I know my kids are my responsibility, and I watch them at the pool like a hawk, believe me. WDW's responsibility is to make sure that I have a reasonable chance of being able to see them in the horde. So no one needs to write that parents need to watch their kids at the pools. Because we know that.

You sound like a great parent....while everyone else seems concerned that "they dont belong in our pool...." you are genuinely concerned for the safety of the children! kudos to you!

 

[LakeAriel]

Pool hopping is a major problem at all deluxe resorts. People take free buses from their homes and use the pools! As a result, this year I am staying at BCV instead of my home resort VWL. If I like it and the bracelets really work I may sell VWL and purchase BCV. Not finding a place to sit poolside or swim after spending thousands for a DVC membership is infuriating when you realize that 20 % of the people are not even resort guests.

 

[chips]

I felt I needed to follow through and relate my concerns to member services. I sent an initial email and received the auto respond email. They responded with an email requesting my phone number. I sent an email with my phone number. I received an email that they had no record of my email or a request for my phone number. They didn't ask for more information . They didn't apologize for the lost email.

I believe my experience with customer service mirrors other peoples experience. For me it was a dead letter office. This isn't the first time my observations were met with deaf ears.

I wonder if it would make a difference if they saw more than one email on this issue? If they owed me money I would send emails until it was resolved. In this case we will just take a break from wlv.

I love my dvc. I think the resorts are great. I think it comes down to if I don't like something, don't go there. Next time were going to bcv. Maybe it is just time to try the different resorts.

 

[MrGrumpy222]

Well, anyway, I was thinking some more about how resort guests would feel about having to show their room cards each time they want to use the pool. When we stayed at BCV in Feb., it was too cold to swim, so the issue of showing a room card never came up. We didn't show anything at SSR, either, but we wouldn't have minded in the least if the pool staff had asked every time we entered and left the pool area if it meant keeping things safe and manageable (in terms of being able to get a seat, etc.) for paying guests.

I guess I'm just wondering if you think resort guests/DVC members would give the pool staff a hard time about having to show their room cards all the time (and if that's one of the reasons why they don't seem to enforce that rule now).

It's not a question of wheather or not a DVC member or a guest would like it or not. Disney is private property and they as a corporation can impose rules as they see fit. I hate the rule that I have to pay taxes but I do so 1, because it is what keeps the country going (discounting the pork) and 2, If I don't there will be consequences and fines. You see, rules are made to protect the rights and safety of others. They are most often placed into affect because someone else has infringed on ones rights or placed their safety at risk. Only after that happens do the rules get "thought up" or realized. If carrying my room key, which weighs less than the change in my pocket (and I need to get back into your room in the 1st place) will provide me with a more enjoyable and safer expierence for my children than I am all for it. For those who complain, there's the door, I hear six flags can be fun at times.

 

[castleri]

It's not a question of wheather or not a DVC member or a guest would like it or not. Disney is private property and they as a corporation can impose rules as they see fit. I hate the rule that I have to pay taxes but I do so 1, because it is what keeps the country going (discounting the pork) and 2, If I don't there will be consequences and fines. You see, rules are made to protect the rights and safety of others. They are most often placed into affect because someone else has infringed on ones rights or placed their safety at risk. Only after that happens do the rules get "thought up" or realized. If carrying my room key, which weighs less than the change in my pocket (and I need to get back into your room in the 1st place) will provide me with a more enjoyable and safer expierence for my children than I am all for it. For those who complain, there's the door, I hear six flags can be fun at times.

ITA -
On one trip the wrist band thing at SAB was working well as far as the pool went but there were 3 women taking up lounge chairs who were loudly complaining that they had paid to stay on Disney property and couldn't understand why they couldn't use any pool they wanted. Fortunately it was not busy that day and there were plenty of empty chairs. I did see the lifeguard make a couple of people get out of the pool and show their room keys, after which he gave them wrist bands, so it can work. I seem to remember a time when you had to get a hand stamp to get into the pool area at all at SAB. There are ways to control who is at the WL and VWL pools but it would take additional personnel and possibly fences and therefore increase costs so don't know if we will ever see it. If they would just redo the old River Country at FW it might take care of the problem and then we could all "hop" over there. Then they would have to charge more than the $30 or $40 something they get for a campsite now to cover the costs of that.