Wilderness Campers pool hop on Easter Sunday

[mrsgus06]

Maybe, just maybe, these people are not actually campers. If they check in at Ft. Wilderness, they have to sign a form that states no pool hopping, among other no-no's. I think because Ft. Wilderness has the "over flow" lot that is open to people visiting the campground and does not have a security guard gate that you need to go through, people from other resorts park there (maybe resorts that are not even Disney property). Disney has no way of knowing what time you arrived, nor does it have an hourly time limit on how long you can stay. The other resorts near the MK have a way of tracking these. Maybe, people are coming over, using the transportation in Ft. W to get to the Marina and then taking the boat to the resort of their choice. After all, people are booking sites at the campground with no intentions of camping there, but need resort ID's for emh? Maybe these are the same "campers" that you witnessed or overheard bragging about hopping. O.K., conspiracy theory is over!

 

[shantay1008]

They probably need to do away with pool hopping. But to do that they would (should) have to make sure that all of the pools are up to disney standards. I think the campground pools are not up to disney standards and should be updated.

Jenny

While I was reading this thread, I was wondering if the campground pool was nice. Maybe the solution to this problem lies in improving the pool at the campground.

 

[Johnnie Fedora]

While I was reading this thread, I was wondering if the campground pool was nice. Maybe the solution to this problem lies in improving the pool at the campground.

I have wondered this often. We went to the campgrounds many years ago and really enjoyed river country. It was a lot of fun and the theming fit well into the campgound atmosphere. I think the pools at the campgrounds are really dated and boring.

In many ways WDW management just doesn't treat the WL as a deluxe resort in the same class as the other "real deluxes". It is just a step above the campgrounds where "y'all come" is the attitude for pool and facility use at the lodge.

If they ran separate boats for the campground to the MK, the pool abuse would drop dramatically.

 

[bicker]

Unfortunately, the campgrounds aren't deluxe resorts -- this is really the problem about having the deluxe resorts so accessible to non-resort guests.

 

[chips]

The campground pool is small and outdated. The campground is also very spread out. Without a golf cart, it could be a very long walk to the pool depending on the camp site location. I think the campers feeli it is just easier to pop over to the Wilderness Lodge on the boat and use those pools and hot tubs.

 

[canda]

Last time I was at VWL I left the main pool for the quiet pool, because of a bunch of wild kids playing very rough. I went to the pool bar to get some drinks when I saw the lifeguard kick them out of the pool for their behavior. Their mother was very mad at the lifeguard. She then told them to go the the quiet pool because there where no "self important ***holes" over there.
(that is what she told her 12-14 year old boys and their friends)

Now my family was at the quiet pool (and was quiet) and they come running like a hord and jump in that small pool and began to start splashing and soaking the entire area. Family gets out and runs back to the room. OUr stuff gets wet.

I pick up a house phone and say to call security because there was fighting at the quiet pool. (they were wrestling each other and trying to drown each other)

The mother comes running to the guard after he told them to go back to the main pool. she starts complaining about how she has spent all this money to stay here and has had nothing but hassle and disrespect the entire time.
Then he asked for her room key........ooops I left it in my room.........."Go get it........So they pack up and get on a boat to FW.

 

[bicker]

The selfishness of some people never ceases to amaze me.

 

[mrsgus06]

Unfortunately, the campgrounds aren't deluxe resorts -- this is really the problem about having the deluxe resorts so accessible to non-resort guests.

I am not trying to start anything, but the cabins are consindered "home away from home" and are just as expensive as some of the delux resorts. I camp at Ft. Wilderness every summer, all summer. I also choose to stay in the cabins if we are staying for less than a week. We will be there from June 1 to Aug 5 this year. I have never allowed my children to pool hop, but they were told by a cm that Ft. W and WL are considered together and the kids could go there to swim, but my kids have no desire to go there. The pool at the campground is boring. Both the main pool and cabin pools have no theming at all. Maybe this was because of River Country or maybe because the campground was there from the very beginning when people were satisfied with just swimming. I have heard, don't know if it is true, that Ft. W pool will be updated within the next 2 years. I don't know if they are going to update the main pool or do something with a part of River Country. Hopefully, after they do update the pool, the hopping situation will stop.

 

[bicker]

the cabins are consindered "home away from home" and are just as expensive as some of the delux resorts.

Actually, the Disney website lists "Cabins and Campgrounds" as its own category, separate from Deluxe and Disney Vacation Club. The misunderstood "Home Away From Home" category has been eliminated.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/resorts/resortOverview?id=ResortOverviewPage

Ft. Wilderness does not have the following deluxe resort amenities listed on WDW's website: Concierge Available, Fitness Centre / Spa, Room Service / Full Menu, Themed Pools, Valet Parking, Whirlpools.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/resorts/resortCategoryComparisonPopUp?id=resortCategoryComparisonPopUpPage

 

[mrsgus06]

Ft. Wilderness does not have the following deluxe resort amenities listed on WDW's website: Concierge Available, Fitness Centre / Spa, Room Service / Full Menu, Themed Pools, Valet Parking, Whirlpools.

I said they were just as expensive as some of the deluxe resorts, not listed as deluxe. My question is why would cast members, and it was more than one, tell my kids to go to WL if they want a themed pool? I have even had a cast member tell me last summer (she worked at Trails End) that if I wanted hot chocolate in my mug, I had to go to WL and they would provide me with hot chocolate? I can drive my golf cart back to my fifth wheel, make my own, and drive back faster than it would take me to get to WL! I think the pool hopping has a lot to do with the cast members! They tell people to go to WL ! Shame on the campers that do take advantage of this mistake because as I stated before, we sign a no pool hopping form from the very beginning.

ETA: Ft. W. does have concierge available at the front check in, must be something new because last visit was the first time I noticed. I am glad they are offering this service, but no one was in line to use it. However, valet parking? Can you see some one trying to back a 45 foot motor home into a site that has never had experience? What about the huge 40 foot fifth wheels that go one way and the truck goes the other? Now that would be pure entertainment for us campers to have someone else park our rigs!

 

[bicker]

I said they were just as expensive as some of the deluxe resorts, not listed as deluxe.

Yup, understood. That raises the question as to why people would pay so much without getting the same set of amenities. I suspect the answer is that what you're paying so much for at the cabins is the extra sleeping surfaces, the kitchenette, and the greater privacy. It's definitely a trade-off: nice pools for more space. Folks need to decide between the two (or pay A LOT more, and get both, in the 1BR and 2BR villas at Disney Vacation Club resorts).

My question is why would cast members, and it was more than one, tell my kids to go to WL if they want a themed pool?

Because the CMs at Ft. Wilderness aren't concerned about the guests at WL. Cast members are notorious for saying whatever they think will make this guest happy, without regard to how what they say may adversely affect other guests. In the past, it wasn't so much of an issue, since people generally wouldn't push for more than they were promised. However, of course, that's changed now, where there are many people who believe in squeezing suppliers until they pop, in order to get the most they possibly can out of each circumstance. Unfortunately, many CMs haven't gained the ability to satisfy guests while still saying No.

 

[mrsgus06]

I think we stay at the cabins because it is "home" for us. I take my 5 youngest, ages 4 to 11, and need a really big place for us to spread out! I am not sure why I don't ever go for one of the villas, I know they are out there and can accomidate my size family, but I never consider them. Also, staying for the summer, we have made many friends that are cast members and it is nice to see them again.

I would also like to add, for a laugh, that we are camping in our 5th wheel, parked on the driveway beside our house at the moment. My husband has demoed the downstairs of our house (even the sheetrock) and the 3 br/ 1 bath addition is framed on the back of the house. I have only a sink and dishwasher left in my kitchen, so we go cook in the camper. I can take the kids swimming at my friends house or we can go swimming at my father in laws house. My kids consider that "pool hopping"! They spend waaay to much time at Disney!

 

[shantay1008]

I think we stay at the cabins because it is "home" for us. I take my 5 youngest, ages 4 to 11, and need a really big place for us to spread out! I am not sure why I don't ever go for one of the villas, I know they are out there and can accomidate my size family, but I never consider them. Also, staying for the summer, we have made many friends that are cast members and it is nice to see them again.

Camping can be great fun, like you said, and I don't think that people who choose to camp are necessarily doing it to save money. We've camped at FW because we met up with my grandparents, who were traveling around in their RV, and we all wanted to be together. We were actually very pleased with the amenities at the campgrounds and felt like regular Disney guests.

We all get away with what we can...some people just need a little more help to be "their best selves." (For example, I should be making beds and doing laundry right now, but here I am typing away on the computer.) I think it's great that the poster called security for help and that the mother of the rude gang was held accountable for her actions. And while cast members should have the chutzpah to say "no" to guests, maybe sometimes rules or circumstances need to be changed so they don't have to be put in that position. (Like making sure all resorts have the best facilities possible or reasonable.)

 

[bicker]

I believe the facilities at Ft. Wilderness are "reasonable". I don't think it would make sense for all different classes of resort to have the best facilities "possible" -- the purpose of each class of resort is to offer something appropriate for a specific price-point. The issue isn't that the WDW resort fails to provide deluxe amenities to all its guests, but rather that some guests expect deluxe amenities even though they're not paying for deluxe amenities. That isn't "reasonable".

 

[Lenc324]

Bicker:

I agree.

 

[donaldbuzz&minnie]

I agree with others that the best solution would be for Disney to give Ft Wilderness a fabulous pool. Whether or not it is technically a deluxe resort, their are a huge number of people there, and they pay at least enough to qualify as a "moderate", which all have themed pools. A really wonderful themed pool would be a win-win...great for Ft Wilderness folks, pressure relieved from the crowded WL pool, and a new venue for DVC members to pool-hop to!

 

[bicker]

Would folks staying there be happy to pay a commensurately higher rate? Be sure that if they upgrade the amenities, they will upgrade the price.

 

[shantay1008]

I believe the facilities at Ft. Wilderness are "reasonable". I don't think it would make sense for all different classes of resort to have the best facilities "possible" -- the purpose of each class of resort is to offer something appropriate for a specific price-point. The issue isn't that the WDW resort fails to provide deluxe amenities to all its guests, but rather that some guests expect deluxe amenities even though they're not paying for deluxe amenities. That isn't "reasonable".

Obviously, people shouldn't expect deluxe accommodations if they're not paying for them. But if guests who are paying to stay at WL are having their day at the pool ruined by loud, profanity-spewing trespassers, then the current situation isn't working very well, is it? So, management either has to be a lot more strict and keep the pool at WL private for WL guests or, if for some reason they don't want to do that, they could try to make the pool at the campgrounds a lot more exciting so that the campground guests are content to remain there. Perhaps the phrase "best amenities possible" brought visions of an Atlantis-like pool. I simply meant that the campground should have the best facilities possible given financial constraints, etc.

 

[shantay1008]

Would folks staying there be happy to pay a commensurately higher rate? Be sure that if they upgrade the amenities, they will upgrade the price.

And that's where the marketing people come in.

 

[bicker]

There is no reason to believe that the campgrounds don't already have the best facilities possible given financial constraints (i.e., their price-point).

The best answer, of course, is for guests to behave with integrity, and not use facilities not intended for them. Posted signs, which are evident, shouldn't even be necessary, but they're there, so that perspective is thereby doubly-supported. That's the best answer. Barring that, Disney should enforce the prohibition.