WL - pool crashing problem

[wtg2000]

The WL pool is small and gets very crowd. This problem is exacerbated by the fact that MK goers use it as an afternoon stop-off. I stayed there last week and lying around the pool I'd see groups get off the boat from MK with backpacks, go into the poolside restrooms, enjoy the pool, then head back to the boat. One day, security did an ID check and they told me that the WL pool is the worse one on property for pool crashing.

My parents are currently staying at PO-FQ. I was just talking to them on the phone and they said that a family spent the afternoon at the pool then said, "we have to head back to our hotel." The kid then said, "I wish we were staying on Disney property." (or words similar)

It's a bit annoying knowing that many of the people I was bumping into in the WL pool were not staying there - and that they had my deck chairs, which can be very hard to come by!

 

[jaysue]

And it is busy at the time then feel free to report to a CM or at the Front Desk (or Manager) and ask them to take action

I would not thought the WL pool or access was that great for people to pool hop to it - maybe they are not as strong at enforcing the no pool hop compared to Poly/CR/GF?

No idea just speculation

Thanks
Jason

 

[ducklite]

Actually if you take the boat it's very convenient to reach WL from the MK. Other than the three monorail resorts, it's definitely the easiest to reach from the MK.

I just wish they'd gate all the pools and check every ID like they do at SAB, and then this problem would be resolved once and for all. I'm more than willing to pay a $1 per night surcharge per room for it. To me it's an average of $7 well spent to know I'll have a chair when I want to use the pool.

Anne

 

[MELSMICE]

Pool hopping is an ongoing topic on the boards. I don't condone it, I don't do it, but for whatever reason many people do. Even some people that are off-site, obviously, as you witnessed. (now that is very bold if you ask me)

I agree that unless Disney does ID checks at the entrance to the pools, the majority of people that pool hop will continue to do so, regardless of the policy & regardless of whether they get caught.

Disney has to be the one to enforce it - not the DISers!

Also, keep in mind that some of the people with the backpacks could have already checked out but are staying on a LOS pass & are able to use the facilities until midnight on their check out day. This could explain some of those people (probably not all though!)

 

[DisneyFreaks]

I totally agree with ducklite. They need to start checking ID's. And if fencing off the pool is the only way to stop this then so be it. When we were staying at WL my family was using the pool and I was sitting at one of the umbrella tables drinking my coffee and a family of about twelve people got off the boat and had the nerve to ask me if they could put their backpacks and things on my table so I could watch them since I was fortunate enough to be staying at the lodge. I was shocked. I have heard about pool hopping but I don't think I ever realized how bold people are about doing it. I politely told them I would be leaving shortly. I know I should have reminded them that what they were doing wasn't allowed but I'm not too good at confrontations. LoL I did notice two CM's that were wiping off the chairs watching them though so maybe something got said.

 

[lizzie64]

I don't understand why disney hasn't started a wristband program for their pools. Why not a different color wristband for each on site hotel. This way a cm or a lifeguard could easily tell if someone was pool hopping by the color of or lack thereof a wristband.

We vacation in Myrtle Beach every year. The resort has six different outdoor pools. But the pools that are in the towers are specifically for those staying in the towers. Tower guest are given wristbands upon checkin. NO wristband. No tower pool.

Seems simple enough.

I agree that Disney has to police this, not anyone on the DIS boards. If I see obvious pool hopping and I'm out a chair, I would definitely make mention of it, but I wouldn't go there looking for them.

JMO

 

[seashoreCM]

What if you said "yes I will watch the backpacks" but then a few minutes later get up and leave anyway?

A good place to check ID's is at the rest rooms or anywhere that someone might change clothes.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[chrissyk]

It's possible that the people that the OP saw at the WL pool were DVC members. DVC members can pool-hop to any pools except Stormalong Bay and the pool at the AKL. It's also entirely possible that they were random people sneaking into the WL pool...I just wanted to mention that DVC members can legitimately pool hop to that pool

 

[lizzie64]

I don't know but, I must be the only one that thinks to get a backpack together for 4 kids, myself and DH with bathing suits, towels and what have you is simply too much trouble to go through to swim at another pool.

This thought just doesn't even exist in my realm of possibilities. I'd rather go eat at another resort than swim there.

 

[ducklite]

Lizzie--I'm with you on that one!

With all of my WDW trips, I've pool hopped once. About two years ago we spent 11 nights at the BWV (DVC Members). One afternoon we hopped over to SAB (after calling to make sure it was OK for that day, and this is when it was still allowed).

We had a nice afternoon, ordered lunch delivered poolside, and spent a lot of $$ at the pool bar. It was not crowded that day, had it been we wouldn't have stayed because of the crowds, plus I wouldn't want to deny someone actually staying at that resort the space.

But walking from the BWV to SAB in our pool clothes and coverups was a lot different than packing a backpack and hauling it around and changing in a restroom to me!

I LOVE the idea of wristbands for resorts! They would have to work out something for DVC members, but I don't see that being a big deal.

Anne

 

[DisneyFreaks]

You and me both lizzie64! I never use public pools myself. I have heard too many horror stories. {mostly my own because I am far from being a perfect size 6! teeheehee} And as for just telling them I would watch their belongings and walk away....I did think about that at first because I felt very put upon by their rudeness. I would never think of asking a stranger to be responsible for my personal things. I must be very honest looking. LoL {oops, not to say I'm not}

 

[lizzie64]

Originally posted by ducklite
Lizzie--I'm with you on that one!

With all of my WDW trips, I've pool hopped once. About two years ago we spent 11 nights at the BWV (DVC Members). One afternoon we hopped over to SAB (after calling to make sure it was OK for that day, and this is when it was still allowed).

We had a nice afternoon, ordered lunch delivered poolside, and spent a lot of $$ at the pool bar. It was not crowded that day, had it been we wouldn't have stayed because of the crowds, plus I wouldn't want to deny someone actually staying at that resort the space.

But walking from the BWV to SAB in our pool clothes and coverups was a lot different than packing a backpack and hauling it around and changing in a restroom to me!

I LOVE the idea of wristbands for resorts! They would have to work out something for DVC members, but I don't see that being a big deal.

Anne

Anne,

I'm not familiar with how DVC works, but maybe all DVC'ers could have the same color since they are allowed to pool hop. Let's say Red - Then any CM or lifeguard would know that red could be at that pool.

Like I said, I'm not familiar with where you can pool hop, but that might work.

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by lizzie64
Anne,

I'm not familiar with how DVC works, but maybe all DVC'ers could have the same color since they are allowed to pool hop. Let's say Red - Then any CM or lifeguard would know that red could be at that pool.

Like I said, I'm not familiar with where you can pool hop, but that might work.

I thought about that, but it won't work because you can only swim at SAB when you are staying at BCV. Perhaps a double band system for DVC members, one to signify the resort they are staying at, and a second to signify they are members? It doesn't seem that it would be too hard to figure out, and the Tyvek wristbands will stay on for DAYS, never fade, and cost about .001 cent each when bought in bulk.

Anne

 

[Sammie]

Disney has wanted to install a wristband system for it's pools for years, but guests complain about having to wear them.

It ruins their tan, is the most common complaint. Others included I don't have time to get a wristband and I don't have time to get another one if I leave and come back later.

I personally think they should just gate the pools and give each guest a code to open the gate. The code is given when you check in. Unless you are staying there you do not know what the code will be. Or have the gates open only to your resort ID. DVC members would have to check in at the front desk to get the code or a temporary ID card to use. That way they would also know if the pool is closed to them due to occupancy levels.

This way no tan problem and you do not have to keep up with your ID.

This is what they do at the really nice resorts on the Florida panhandle.

Only when enough guests complain to Disney directly and not here on Net forums will anything be done.

 

[lizzie64]

Sammie -

That's too funny about ruining the tan line. So does a watch!!!

I was thinking the same as Anne - the Tyvek ones that stay on for the length of stay. Really not a hassle at all. I've done it at other resorts. And the kids all think they're cool with the different colors.

Anyway, the code is a good idea too, however, I can just see the next thread about people giving the code out to their friends in the area so they can visit together at the pool. I see another locked thread with that one.

And I'd hate to see these beautiful pools fenced in. I think it would detract from their beauty. Kind of look like the pool at the local Days Inn.

I really think Disney should employ some of us to solve their problems.

 

[ducklite]

The reason I don't like the code idea is that it will allow people to just "piggyback" in. They've had an ongoing problem at Vero. The pool is gated, and your room key opens the gate, but no one ever closes it tightly, and people just kind of wait until someone opens it and walks in with the opener. It's not quite as bad there because the entire resort is somewhat "gated", but they still have problems with non-guests using the facillities.

As far as not having time--the wristbands should be issued at check-in for the number of registered guests in the room, so that problem is resolved. As far as ruined tans, give me a break...it'll keep you from getting skin cancer on your wrist. If you don't want it on your wrist, you can always wrap it around the strap of your bathing suit.

It would also help keep track of who was who for theme park "early entry" days.

Anne

 

[TIdoublegaER]

They would have to work out something for DVC members, but I don't see that being a big deal.

Our room keys say DVC Member when we stay on points (and the only way we can legally pool hop), so all they would need to do is check the room key. I have also read that each room key has a code that indicates the resort the guest is staying at, so the CM would know if someone from BWV was trying to hop to SAB.

If you're staying on site and not allowed to pool hop, I don't think you should. But really burns me is the locals and people staying off site who think they can just use the pools at the resorts. That just takes away from everyone else who paid their hard earned money to stay on-site.

We pooled hopped from OKW to BWV last summer (we are DVC members), but we drove to the resort and already had our swim gear on so that wasn't too bad. I don't know that we will do it on a regular basis though - more hassle than I really want to deal with on vacation.

 

[MELSMICE]

The wrist bands seem to work at SAB. If people are concerned about their tan, they could always wear them loosely & remove them while they are tanning or pin them on their swimsuit.

My feeling is, if that is the policy then guests should abide by it. If you need to wear a wrist band to use the pool, then that's it. If guests are concerned about their tan, they can lay on the beach instead of at the pool. JMO.

I honestly could care less what others do, but as more guests visit Disney & this becomes more of a problem/issue then I do think something should be done.

 

[Blondie]

I think the wrist band idea is a great one!

Hopefully, in our lifetimes, we'll see this idea put into action for all the WDW resorts!

 

[ducklite]

You are correct in that our room keys indicate we're members, but I think the idea was for the life guards to be able to see at a glance if someone "belonged" there or not, without having to check every room key.

The more I think about it, the better the idea of issuing the wristbands at the front desk at check-in makes such sense as far as time management for CM's and less hassle for guests.

Anne