Resort Pool Hopping

[rpk4444]

What are the rules for resort pool hopping? I'm staying at Caribbean Beach in August and my kids wanted to know if we could use other resort pools. I realize that the Beach/Yacht Club pool is off limits but, are there any other No No's?

 

[pax_65]

I lied and said I was 16 when I'm 15 to get on the segways at EPCOT, is that bad?

After I thought about this a while... I wonder if Disney's insurance company requires guests to be 16 to ride Segways... and I wonder if you got hurt (as a 15-year-old who lied about their age) what the financial/insurance/legal consequences of such an accident might be.

 

[captainkidd]

After I thought about this a while... I wonder if Disney's insurance company requires guests to be 16 to ride Segways... and I wonder if you got hurt (as a 15-year-old who lied about their age) what the financial/insurance/legal consequences of such an accident might be.

They'd be pretty severe.

 

[Phonedave]

I agree. This was my point about "if everyone did it". The rules exist so that the system can work. Obviously if every resort guest in Disney World went to Stormalong Bay one afternoon, the system would break down. You aren't any different from me - the rules apply to all of us.

I won't waste energy looking for "evil pool-hoppers" on vacation, and as long as the pool isn't full and my family has chairs, I really don't care if you pool-hop at my pool - heck, I will even buy you a beer! But if they ask you for your resort ID and you get asked to leave the pool, I don't want to hear you complain. (I saw people get rejected at Stormalong Bay once, and BOY were they ed! LOL.)

I also think there is value in showing my kids the importance of being honest and having integrity. I have a friend who had her child lie about her age to get the "child" rate on a Disney pass (she was 10, parent said "If they ask, tell them you're 9!", the child got upset, saying, "But Mom, I'm not 9... I'm 10!").

Call me old-fashioned, call me fanatical, whatever... I just wouldn't ask my kids to lie to save a few bucks. I think that's pathetic and sad. In the same way, my kids are pretty aware... my son has already pointed out the signs that say "Pool is for guests of this resort only" when we're pool-hopping ("Dad, we're not guests of this resort!") and I've had to explain to him that as DVC members we're permitted to pool-hop.

I'm not perfect - and my kids know that too (my son also points out when I'm speeding LOL) but I want them to know that in general we're respectful of the rules and (even more importantly) considerate and respectful of other people. That's how I want my kids to grow up, and the kind of people I hope they will be.

Oh, and I'm not a boy scout. FAR FROM IT. :lol:

I agree 100%

It is not the breaking of rules that bug me, it is the excuses people make.

I don't follow every rule. But when I do break one, I make no excuses. It is theft, or trespassing, or lying, or what ever it is.

If someone parks in a resort parking lot and then goes into a park, I don't want to hear "WDW charges so much" or "who does it hurt?" Just man up and say "I am a thief"

If someone pool hops don't say "Other all inclusive places allow it" or "there are plenty of chairs and towels" or "we are near that resort" Have some stones and say "I am trespassing and not following the rule that says I have to be a guest of this resort"

If people have problems making those statements, then maybe the need to take a look at their actions in a new light.

-dave

 

[LeafsFanNL]

I agree. This was my point about "if everyone did it". The rules exist so that the system can work. Obviously if every resort guest in Disney World went to Stormalong Bay one afternoon, the system would break down. You aren't any different from me - the rules apply to all of us.

I won't waste energy looking for "evil pool-hoppers" on vacation, and as long as the pool isn't full and my family has chairs, I really don't care if you pool-hop at my pool - heck, I will even buy you a beer! But if they ask you for your resort ID and you get asked to leave the pool, I don't want to hear you complain. (I saw people get rejected at Stormalong Bay once, and BOY were they ed! LOL.)

I also think there is value in showing my kids the importance of being honest and having integrity. I have a friend who had her child lie about her age to get the "child" rate on a Disney pass (she was 10, parent said "If they ask, tell them you're 9!", the child got upset, saying, "But Mom, I'm not 9... I'm 10!").

Call me old-fashioned, call me fanatical, whatever... I just wouldn't ask my kids to lie to save a few bucks. I think that's pathetic and sad. In the same way, my kids are pretty aware... my son has already pointed out the signs that say "Pool is for guests of this resort only" when we're pool-hopping ("Dad, we're not guests of this resort!") and I've had to explain to him that as DVC members we're permitted to pool-hop.

I'm not perfect - and my kids know that too (my son also points out when I'm speeding LOL) but I want them to know that in general we're respectful of the rules and (even more importantly) considerate and respectful of other people. That's how I want my kids to grow up, and the kind of people I hope they will be.

Oh, and I'm not a boy scout. FAR FROM IT. :lol:

Well said. Pool hopping seems to be a pretty greasy thing to do.

HB

 

[mastif]

I think they (as well as everyone else that think's it's wrong) is saying it's wrong because you're on Disney property and they say it's not allowed.

It's really sad how people are trying to make excuses and justify why they don't follow the rules.

It's wrong for the family who saved for years to stay at the contemporary. The pools always full of people that aren't even staying there, or aren't even on vacation!! wouldn't that make you upset if half the people using the pool weren't staying at the contemporary? it's to keep crowds down. that's why it's wrong. nobody wants to go to a pool that overflowing with people

 

[gjpjtj]

I agree 100%

It is not the breaking of rules that bug me, it is the excuses people make.

I don't follow every rule. But when I do break one, I make no excuses. It is theft, or trespassing, or lying, or what ever it is.

If someone parks in a resort parking lot and then goes into a park, I don't want to hear "WDW charges so much" or "who does it hurt?" Just man up and say "I am a thief"

If someone pool hops don't say "Other all inclusive places allow it" or "there are plenty of chairs and towels" or "we are near that resort" Have some stones and say "I am trespassing and not following the rule that says I have to be a guest of this resort"

If people have problems making those statements, then maybe the need to take a look at their actions in a new light.

-dave

Very well said!!!

 

[pax_65]

Also the indignation when they get caught. I mentioned I saw a family get refused entrance to Stormalong Bay last year. They were SO ED - ranting and raving about how they give Disney so much money, well no more! From here on they will stay off site, BLAH BLAH BLAH.

I'm sure the cast member who got screamed at enjoyed it. But he kept his cool - probably not that unusual of an event.

I can understand the frustration - I'd be ed too if I packed up my entire family to go to a pool only to get refused at the door - but you tried to break a rule and you got caught. So man up and accept it and go back to your pool wherever that might be. This is what I mean by the attitude of an entitled individual. You have no more right to swim there than anyone else, unless you are a guest at that resort. So SHUT UP!

If you really want to take your family to Stormalong Bay, save your $$$ and book a room at the Y&B club.

I'm leaving for there myself in a few weeks. I heartily recommend it.

 

[DisneyDude]

Lucky you, I am soooooo jealous have fun

 

[pax_65]

Lucky you, I am soooooo jealous have fun

Thanks. The best is how much Stormalong Bay completely wipes out my kids. They sleep really, really well when we stay there!

LOL

 

[captainkidd]

Thanks. The best is how much Stormalong Bay completely wipes out my kids. They sleep really, really well when we stay there!

LOL

We're staying at the YC this August. I'm just afraid I'll never get our 9 year old out of there.

 

[pax_65]

Is this your first time at Y&B? I'll be curious to hear how you like it compared to the GF. I've been to Y&B 3 times since DVC opened up, but have never stayed at GF. Based on visiting a few times I think I would still like Y&B better except for the convenience of the monorail (a big exception I will admit).

Have a great trip!

 

[captainkidd]

Yup, first time. I only stayed at the GF for 2 nights. I'll say this for it - I liked it a lot more than I thought I would. The rooms were very nice and spacious. The balconies were large and had beautiful views. The beach was very nice, and the service was pretty much impeccable.

 

[WDW 3]

They'd be pretty severe.

Technically, even a 16 your parents (guardian) have to sign for you so they would be responsible.

 

[captainkidd]

Technically, even a 16 your parents (guardian) have to sign for you so they would be responsible.

We went through something similar last year. I wanted to take my oldest horseback riding at FW. Minimum age is 9. He was gonna be 2 months away from his 9th birthday. I thought about it, but then thought better of it. I have no iea why the age limit is 9, but it is. So we waited.

 

[fosse76]

So if a pool hopper asks someone(a friend CM or an indifferent CM) if they can go in a different pool, that is OK? They asked. Even though they didn't pay for a moderate resort and would be taking up a chair or space of someone who did pay, that's OK? I ask because I read in the thread the one poster who got some flaming because they were invited to another resort pool. Not from you Dana, just in the thread.

The answer is yes. If an employee of the company approves your request, it is considered sanctioned by the company until another member of the company says something to the contrary. They are authorized (generally speaking, of course) to make decisions like that on behalf of the company.

I am equating this to the whole buffet deal. Why is one OK and not the other? Both are really not OK. Both are against the rules. Either one doesn't really effect Disney proper because the food on your plate would be tossed if not eaten and the pool water would still be there if someone is in the pool or not. Does it effect someone else? Yes...both could.

Again, if an employee of the company says "yes," then it is ok. They are the authorized agent of the company. Let's say I had a friend who worked at Wilderness Lodge, and I stayed at Pop Century. If my friend gave me permission to use the Wilderness Lodge pool, then I can rightfully use it. My relationship to the CM is not relevant, since he, as an employee, is authorized to say "yes" (and again, I'm speaking in generalities). Now if his boss says "no" and asks me to leave, then I no longer have that permission and must leave.

Heck, I'm all for getting something free whether it be an ice cream or an upgrade or whatever.

That brings up another question to the morality police. Would you take a free upgrade? If you argue that CM permission to swim in another resorts pool or sharing at the buffet at the permission of the CM is still against the rule, then a free upgrade should be rejected, as it essentially the same thing (i.e., "stealing" something you didn't pay for).

 

[captainkidd]

That brings up another question to the morality police. Would you take a free upgrade? If you argue that CM permission to swim in another resorts pool or sharing at the buffet at the permission of the CM is still against the rule, then a free upgrade should be rejected, as it essentially the same thing (i.e., "stealing" something you didn't pay for).

A. That's not even remotely close to the same thing.

B. If a CM has given permission to allow for someone to use another pool, then who am I to have a problem with it?

 

[dizzney]

To answer your question in a reasonable way you'll have no problem pool hopping. Honestly, I did not know it was against Disney policy except for the Yacht/Beach club and have never come across a "keep out" sign. My family and I have been doing it for years. My wife and I have three children and pay the usual $5-$6000 a Disney trip to have fun and experience a great time. We have never gotten caught and I HIGHLY doubt anyone will say anything to you as there is no security. We've stayed at about every resort, from value to deluxe (except Contemporary and Grand Floridian) and have used every pool except the Yacht/Beach club. We're heading there next Friday for 10 days and staying at the Swann (1st time there). We will no doubt be using the Boardwalk pool (Keyster Coaster) and maybe sampling the new Animal Kingdom (Kindani village) pool. I know some other folks swear its Disney policy but my understanding from checking a few years ago to make sure we could start pool hopping is that only the Yacht/Beach club are off limits. The amount of money you are giving Walt you should enjoy any pool you want.

Just becuase you pay to be at Disney doensnt mean that you should pool-hop and the Swan/Dolphin has a very nice pool area which we have enjoyed when staying there. Why dont you stay there and enjoy it. You're paying money for that pool not the others.

Also as an fyi, BLT, AKL and Stormalong Bay are off limits to all but registered guests, I know BLT is key entry, and Stormalong is wrist banded, not sure how they do AKL but its also off limts, as a DVC member we cant stay there when we can pool hop to others

 

[alphapythia]

Wow

You know I'm not really the rebellious type and so unless there were some really bizarre circumstance, I can't imagine pool hopping... but I've got to tell you the superior, "I'm richer than those nasty *value* people.... ew" just makes me want to take my valuable self and lounge across 3 chairs, put towels in the others and lick everyone's drinks when they aren't looking.

Do you really think that sort of nasty superior, "wow I have way more money than manners" attitude is going to convince anyone? If you want to make a case try maybe I don't know... logic. "Well the resort's pools are designed to accommodate the guest load they have and it's best if the guests don't move around and throw those ratios off, therefore there is a rule." No, "my pool rocks, stay out of it and in the back of the bus you icky middle-class people" necessary.

Really. Your attitude is way-gross, even if you are right.

 

[Pioneer Hall]

I'm closing this since I cannot imagine it leading to anything worthwhile.