Poly needs your $$$

[flynnibus]

So one person can plop down all day while their family is swimming or eating lunch etc?

If they are legitimately using it... Sure

Would you like me to create a rule that says you must be a party of at least four to use a cabana? Excluding your family?

Reality is the majority will not invest the time and energy to station a keeper for hours... So the system would do what it's intended... Free up cabanas when people aren't around anymore

 

[Master Yoda]

So instead of banning fake accounts here, you'd be ok if wdwmagic just opted to charge everyone to post to combat the fake accounts?

It is completely up to the business owner to make that decision and the market to decide if he/she was correct.

 

[21stamps]

If they are legitimately using it... Sure

Would you like me to create a rule that says you must be a party of at least four to use a cabana? Excluding your family?

Reality is the majority will not invest the time and energy to station a keeper for hours... So the system would do what it's intended... Free up cabanas when people aren't around anymore

Yes they do. people use a spouse as a placeholder all of the time..or they leave their towels for quite some time. What if it's 59 minutes and not 63? Is someone else still being inconvenienced? What if I'm there with my family of 2, one being a child, so I can't use a placeholder when going to the bar..and someone moves my towels after 5 minutes?
This gives everyone a fair opportunity to reserve a spot for 4 or 8 hours. It allows people who want a cabana for 4 or 8 hours to enjoy it, and not worry about their stuff being moved. It also prevents the placeholders.

This and the GF water taxi thing are both positives for many people I'd bet. I don't think it's a coincidence that the people who are complaining about these things are the same ones who complain about Every. Single. Thing. that Disney does.

 

[flynnibus]

It is completely up to the business owner to make that decision and the market to decide if he/she was correct.

It's a decision? Thanks Capt Obvious. That wasn't the postulation presented. If people really think the answer to any problem is 'just charge people' - then I don't think people are quite ready to reap what they've sowed.

 

[21stamps]

It is completely up to the business owner to make that decision and the market to decide if he/she was correct.

It's a decision? Thanks Capt Obvious. That wasn't the postulation presented. If people really think the answer to any problem is 'just charge people' - then I don't think people are quite ready to reap what they've sowed.

I'm willing to bet that these will sell out daily. Therefore the market will probably prove that this was the best decision to remedy a problem.

 

[Master Yoda]

It's a decision? Thanks Capt Obvious. That wasn't the postulation presented. If people really think the answer to any problem is 'just charge people' - then I don't think people are quite ready to reap what they've sowed.

Is charging the solution to every problem? No.

Is it the answer to some? Yes.

In the case of the cabanas at the Poly, charging certainly appears to a way to both fix a problem and provide better service for customers.

 

[21stamps]

@flynnibus and all of the other lovely chronic complainers, here's how I look at it,

A Disney trip is SOOOO DIFFERENT than what it once was. There are just too many people who go now. Hence the creation of FP at 60 day mark, 180 day reservations etc. So what happens to the people who don't do 60 day FPs and 180 ADRs? They are left out of a lot. What happens when you have sold out resorts? The pools are crowded.

What is a solution to this? Provide alternatives. i.e. Cabanas, dessert parties, early morning magic events, etc.

Do people love paying more? Not at all.
Are plenty of people willing to pay more to not have to stake out a spot at the pool as soon as it opens, or not have to line up for a parade an hour or more in advance, or to get in the park early with a guaranteed lower number of guests so they can ride something that they were not able to get a FP for? Yes.
Is there a large market of consumers who will pay for convenience and time saving? Absolutely Yes.

Edited to add- There is also a larger market who will not pay for any of these things, this is why they are options, and available to a certain number of people. The people who do not see value in any of these things still have plenty to do without ever having to pay an 'upcharge'.

That's not "money grabbing" . It's knowing your market. That is called smart business.

 

[flynnibus]

Yes they do. people use a spouse as a placeholder all of the time..or they leave their towels for quite some time. What if it's 59 minutes and not 63? Is someone else still being inconvenienced? What if I'm there with my family of 2, one being a child, so I can't use a placeholder when going to the bar..and someone moves my towels after 5 minutes?

The system is one to steer behavior - it is not necessary to enforce with such precision to serve it's purpose (in fact, it would be detrimental to do so... who likes the parking meter situation where there is no slack and you get a ticket 2mins late?). Its a logical fallacy to argue because the system doesn't recover the 2-3 minutes so its ineffective in trying to steer and recover the much larger sum. You don't need to save 3 minutes to benefit from saving MANY HOURS from these campers. A system that encourages a behavior does not need to change 100% of incidents to be effective.

Two, your test about going to the bar is invalid.. unless it takes you 60-90mins to get a drink from the bar?

This gives everyone a fair opportunity to reserve a spot for 4 or 8 hours

It does not add any fairness at all. It doesn't add capacity, nor does it limit usage. If the problem is availability, and its still first come first serve (advanced or not) its not changed access or capacity - hence no fairness change at all.

What it does is try to discourage people from using them for long periods by forcing them to 'pay to play'. The negative of this is it impacts ALL users of them, even those who were courteous previously. And that's the gripe.. we punish EVERYONE to catch the few.

 

[flynnibus]

I'm willing to bet that these will sell out daily. Therefore the market will probably prove that this was the best decision to remedy a problem.

I bet they don't - as proven by the empty cabanas you see at most facilities. I can't think of an hotel (that isn't a club) pool that I've ever seen the cabanas all full when they are pay-to-play. I only see it at clubs and waterparks where getting chairs/space in the shade is such a premium.

 

[flynnibus]

In the case of the cabanas at the Poly, charging certainly appears to a way to both fix a problem and provide better service for customers.

Providing better service would mean making sure there is ample facilities to meet the need.

This only provides a better service in removing campers by making it a pay-to-play system. Which doesn't do anything to actually improve the utilization of the service.. it just makes it so if you pay, you can still camp.

The guests that were used to a service level before now must pay to have what they had access to before, and Disney isn't doing anything to ensure the supply meets the demand.. just discouraging free-loaders at the expense of everyone.

Remember when everyone says all these upcharge events, opportunities are just add-ons and not charging for what used to be free? Well here you go...

 

[flynnibus]

@flynnibus and all of the other lovely chronic complainers, here's how I look at it,

A Disney trip is SOOOO DIFFERENT than what it once was. There are just too many people who go now. Hence the creation of FP at 60 day mark, 180 day reservations etc. So what happens to the people who don't do 60 day FPs and 180 ADRs? They are left out of a lot. What happens when you have sold out resorts? The pools are crowded.

So your argument is... demand outpaces supply because we're stuffing the parks... so instead of addressing the demand, lets just make it pay-to-play so those willing to pay can have it?

That's not customer service - that's opportunistic.

And to your 'its a business' retort coming... Disney became a leader not by being the most profitable company in the segment, but by leading in product quality and customer service. Making it the most 'successful business' as your primary focus means you will lose your identity, brand, and ultimately, your customer's loyalty.

 

[21stamps]

Providing better service would mean making sure there is ample facilities to meet the need.

This only provides a better service in removing campers by making it a pay-to-play system. Which doesn't do anything to actually improve the utilization of the service.. it just makes it so if you pay, you can still camp.

The guests that were used to a service level before now must pay to have what they had access to before, and Disney isn't doing anything to ensure the supply meets the demand.. just discouraging free-loaders at the expense of everyone.

Remember when everyone says all these upcharge events, opportunities are just add-ons and not charging for what used to be free? Well here you go...

So, ummm...you do know that these have only been open for a year or less, right? Before that it was construction. Prior to construction there was in fact a cabana for rent, at a much higher charge than 20/45.

 

[monothingie]

So, ummm...you do know that these have only been open for a year or less, right? Before that it was construction. Prior to construction there was in fact a cabana for rent, at a much higher charge than 20/45.

Said cabanas offered food and drink beyond just the cabana. It may have been overpriced, but you still got something tangible for it beyond just the cabana which had previously been free.

As much as it pains me to say @flynnibus is right here.

 

[21stamps]

Disney tried to do a good thing for Poly guests and offer free (which is very uncommon) cabanas. Inconsiderate guests messed that up. So now we have a charge. The thing is- the charge works out in the non-inconsiderate people's favor. How aren't you understanding that?

I have read plenty of posts of people dropping off their bags at a cabana on the way to breakfast at Captain Cooks. I'm glad they don't have that opportunity now.

 

[21stamps]

Said cabanas offered food and drink beyond just the cabana. It may have been overpriced, but you still got something tangible for it beyond just the cabana which had previously been free.

As much as it pains me to say @flynnibus is right here.

I would much rather spend $20 than 300-400. I don't need a tv or a cabana boy.

Unless there's a football game on..then I need that.lol..but I still wouldn't pay 300-400 dollars for it.

 

[flynnibus]

So, ummm...you do know that these have only been open for a year or less, right? Before that it was construction. Prior to construction there was in fact a cabana for rent, at a much higher charge than 20/45.

It doesn't change the truth of the statement at all. The prior cabana product was a different one...

 

[flynnibus]

Disney tried to do a good thing for Poly guests and offer free (which is very uncommon) cabanas. Inconsiderate guests messed that up. So now we have a charge. The thing is- the charge works out in the non-inconsiderate people's favor. How aren't you understanding that?

Ooo goodie... being offering to buy stuff is now 'in my favor'. Next you'll be telling me being charged to sit at a table is a change 'in my favor' because it keeps all the campers away from there too!

Where do I sign up for all these awesome opportunities to BUY customer service as if it were an al la carte offering??? oh yeah.. waltdisneyworld.com

 

[monothingie]

Are you in anyway affected by this?
Do you have a Disney trip planned, staying at the Polynesian?
Who are you defending?
Are you arguing for the sake of arguing? Are you accusing Disney bc you are disenchanted but choose to hang out on a Disney website and promote nothing but negativity?

Really. Think about it. How does this affect you at all? Ask a few people, people who don't drop their bags off at 8am, if they are really going to change their mind about staying at the Poly. I highly doubt any will say yes. Several will probably be happy about this new opportunity.
The 2 other monorail resorts do have full service cabanas, at a much higher charge. Do you think most families would like to pay less and walk to the bar themselves?
Do you know the distance between the cabana and the bar?

Using that logic, you would be ok with a surcharge added to make ADR or FP reservations? Because that is the slippery slope you get on. Disney used to provide an all in one unique product offering (albeit more expensive one). Since the bean counters took over they've kept that high cost product, but cut out the perks and have been able to monetize these extras or frills as uncharges.

 

[flynnibus]

Are you in anyway affected by this?
Do you have a Disney trip planned, staying at the Polynesian?
Who are you defending?
Are you arguing for the sake of arguing? Are you accusing Disney bc you are disenchanted but choose to hang out on a Disney website and promote nothing but negativity?

Really. Think about it. How does this affect you at all? Ask a few people, people who don't drop their bags off at 8am, if they are really going to change their mind about staying at the Poly. I highly doubt any will say yes.
The 2 other monorail resort do have full service cabanas, at a much higher charge. Do you think most families would like to pay less and walk to the bar themselves?
Do you know the distance between the cabana and the bar?

So your defense is now 'who are you?' Attacking the poster instead of facing dissenting opinion.

I don't care if you like it.. that's your opinion and you're free to it. I don't like being charged every 10 feet or having to look at price tags every direction I look when I bought into the product with a different expectation based on the decades of history I have with it.

 

[21stamps]

So your defense is now 'who are you?' Attacking the poster instead of facing dissenting opinion.

I don't care if you like it.. that's your opinion and you're free to it. I don't like being charged every 10 feet or having to look at price tags every direction I look when I bought into the product with a different expectation based on the decades of history I have with it.

I've answered your questions directly every time.

Solution for you-
Then don't go. Simple.

Using that logic, you would be ok with a surcharge added to make ADR or FP reservations? Because that is the slippery slope you get on. Disney used to provide an all in one unique product offering (albeit more expensive one). Since the bean counters took over they've kept that high cost product, but cut out the perks and have been able to monetize these extras or frills as uncharges.

I'm happy about it because it is my favorite resort, and because I am not one to drop a bag at the crack of dawn to "reserve" a cabana.

I'm paying well over 100dollars for 4 hours in a cabana at GF this month. I'm happy that Poly's cost a fraction of that, we will definitely use it next time..and I'm able and willing to walk up and buy my own drink without someone serving it to me as I'm laying down.

The only thing I would "complain" about is I wish the lava pool had cabanas as well.