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Polynesian Resort beach closed to resort guests only for Jul 3 and 4?
- Thread starter wdwmagic
- Start date
olinecoach61
Well-Known Member
I've heard the same from another source too. It's unfortunate but I understand why they would do this. If you paid all that money you don't want to be crowded out by people who didn't. Any idea of how they will enforce this? So many people come for dinner or shopping, where will they check ID?
Word is there will be check points with wristband distribution. Unusual for Disney not to get the word out though beforehand.
menamechris
Well-Known Member
I figured this would come. Last year they were monitoring towel distribution - they didn't want non-resort guests getting towels. It's a case of a great secret getting out.... It was pretty amazing how many people there were last year on the beach. I figured they justified it by all the alcohol sales though. Whatever - another scenario of Disney focusing on pesky matters as opposed to real issues, in my opinion.
menamechris
Well-Known Member
I am actually shocked they aren't taking the opportunity to charge non-resort guests for a wristband. That way they could actually make some cash off it.
ShookieJones
We need time for things to happen.
As jealous as I am of people that can afford to stay at the Poly on a regular basis and enjoy these kind of benefits I have to say that I totally understand why they would want to do something like this.
I wouldn't want to spend all that cash and have some broke a$$ Moderate Resort bum like me bumping me out of a spot on that sweet beach. You know kind of like the old saying "I wouldn't want to be a member of a club that would have me as a member"
I wouldn't want to spend all that cash and have some broke a$$ Moderate Resort bum like me bumping me out of a spot on that sweet beach. You know kind of like the old saying "I wouldn't want to be a member of a club that would have me as a member"
bethymouse
Well-Known Member
I have to agree. I can't imagine the POLY beach being as crowded as Main Street USA!
Disney had to do something!
Disney had to do something!
asianway
Well-Known Member
I think there's definitely some money being left on the table. $10-15 a pop and there you go. Not cool that they waited till the 11th hour though.
WDWFigment
Well-Known Member
I think this is entirely warranted.
That said, I'd be equally frustrated if I were a Grand Floridian guest at Christmas-time. For that reason alone (nevermind that it's way overpriced), I'd never stay at the Grand Floridian at Christmas. It's a bit more difficult to "police" the GF at Christmas, though, especially given that Disney advertises it to non-guests.
That said, I'd be equally frustrated if I were a Grand Floridian guest at Christmas-time. For that reason alone (nevermind that it's way overpriced), I'd never stay at the Grand Floridian at Christmas. It's a bit more difficult to "police" the GF at Christmas, though, especially given that Disney advertises it to non-guests.
Ex-Floridian
Active Member
Probably someone started this thread is at the Poly and doesn't want a bunch of people there...lol
menamechris
Well-Known Member
I think Disney's hands are tied as far as resorts being open to anyone. I don't think they were designed to be in any way exclusive or for hotel guests only. Even moreso now with the need for the restaurants to be booked. Not to mention, people touring the hotels is the best form of marketing and advertising. Pictures often do not do justice - GF being a great example.
I am guessing since someone reported that this didn't ultimately happen tonight - it may be an idea that was kicked around in a meeting, and it just happened to get out. It would be extremely difficult to enforce (you would have to have a cast member at every entrance, as well as the boat dock). And I just don't think it ultimately would be worth dealing with the (hundreds) of angry guests that are turned away. Monitor parking and put up signs for the beach. That may deter enough ruleplayers to make the crowd manageable in the coming years.
Polydweller
Well-Known Member
They do this on the busiest evenings and start clearing the beach about 1.5 hrs before. Tikiman is reporting this on his site. This really is something they do. And I would anticipate they will do as they have in the past around July 4, start closing off the beach and then asking people without Poly KTTW cards to leave.
Now it will surprise many to hear this but, the official policy is that the man beach is not one to the public at anytime. However, they ignore this policy except on what are expected to be extremely heavy nights. And they do ignore it for some of the reasons mentioned. All hotels everywhere are not public property, they are private businesses. They allow public access to some areas for business purposes but they can deny that access at anytime.
Now it will surprise many to hear this but, the official policy is that the man beach is not one to the public at anytime. However, they ignore this policy except on what are expected to be extremely heavy nights. And they do ignore it for some of the reasons mentioned. All hotels everywhere are not public property, they are private businesses. They allow public access to some areas for business purposes but they can deny that access at anytime.
menamechris
Well-Known Member
I have to be honest - this is the first time in three years I haven't gone to the beach at the Polynesian to see 4th of July fireworks - and I have NEVER seen them "clear the beach" or ask for room keys. They bring out snack and alcohol carts... Obviously, it's private property, as is all of WDW. But if they are indeed doing that, it is the first time.
WDWFigment
Well-Known Member
I'm not saying that Disney can do anything about it in most cases (or even wants to do anything about it). I'm saying that if I were a guest of the Grand Floridian at Christmas, I'd be irritated.
Even if the resorts were priced the same, I'd much rather stay at Wilderness Lodge or Animal Kingdom Lodge at Christmas over Grand Floridian.
menamechris
Well-Known Member
I'm with ya there...
WDW1974
Well-Known Member
I have never seen them do that. I have seen them discourage people at certain times of the year. But I saw the fireworks there on 7/4/09 and had no issues getting in, spending money on drinks and watching them from the beach.
I am sure this 'free' entertainment has been figured out by more people thanks to things like ... the Internet, the Twitverse, Social Media etc ... but I doubt that is any sort of problem. People go see the fireworks from the MK resorts every night of the year. Always have, always will.
I have never seen it causing a problem for guests at said resorts. If Disney is doing it, then they're just playing the heavy yet again.
My last Fourth visit (09) I saw the show from the MK on the 3rd and from the Poly on the 4th and I'm sure you can guess which was the more pleasant experience.
I am sure this 'free' entertainment has been figured out by more people thanks to things like ... the Internet, the Twitverse, Social Media etc ... but I doubt that is any sort of problem. People go see the fireworks from the MK resorts every night of the year. Always have, always will.
I have never seen it causing a problem for guests at said resorts. If Disney is doing it, then they're just playing the heavy yet again.
My last Fourth visit (09) I saw the show from the MK on the 3rd and from the Poly on the 4th and I'm sure you can guess which was the more pleasant experience.
gtapcyates
New Member
We have been going to the Poly Beach for over 20 years now, on the 4th and sometimes on the 3rd (since they started doing it on the 3rd as well). Never have seen any type of enforcement on the beach. Yes, Parking is VERY strict, you have to have a room or a confirmed dining reservation that they look up, Otherwise no parking. Tonight we went in and had reservations at kona Cafe. The car in front of us did not have any reservation, and we heard the guard explain to just park in the MK log (using the not so secret road into it) and then walk over.
In fact the past few years, the Poly has even setup a extra Food/Beverage location on the beach that serves hot Dogs, Aloha pork sandwiches, chips, drinks etc. They expect the influx of guests and welcome it. After I saw this post earlier tonight I asked a Food/Beverage manager that was at the outside stand about restricting it, and she said they would never do it, so I would take that as not happening tomorrow either.
George
In fact the past few years, the Poly has even setup a extra Food/Beverage location on the beach that serves hot Dogs, Aloha pork sandwiches, chips, drinks etc. They expect the influx of guests and welcome it. After I saw this post earlier tonight I asked a Food/Beverage manager that was at the outside stand about restricting it, and she said they would never do it, so I would take that as not happening tomorrow either.
George