Can we have friends over......

[jdaa]

We will be in Disney the same time as our neighbors. We are staying at AKL - they are staying at All Star Music. Their 5 yr old is best friends with our 5 yr old. Can we get permission for them to be at our pool with us for one afternoon?

[DMRick]

We did ask at the front desk when we had friends from FL come and visit, and they said no problem, as long as one person in the group had a room key. We've often wished we could make friends with someone staying at the Beach Club, so we could swim in their pool LOL!!

[ducklite]

Originally posted by DMRick
We did ask at the front desk when we had friends from FL come and visit, and they said no problem, as long as one person in the group had a room key. We've often wished we could make friends with someone staying at the Beach Club, so we could swim in their pool LOL!!

With the opening of Beach Club Villas, I'm hearing that they are going to get even more strict about SAB, and that EVERYONE entering the area will need to have a room key. If you do'nt have a room key you won't even be able to come in to "watch".

Anne

[gepetto]

I'd ask at the front desk first. They check ID's at AKL pool when it's crowded.

[MELSMICE]

Last year we stayed in a Wilderness Cabin & my brother-in-law stayed at the Lodge. We went there to swim one day. No one asked us, however, just in case, he gave me his wife's room key, while he kept theirs. That was during peak Spring season & no one bothered us. This year we are staying at the Contemporary & my brother-in-law's family is planning to come swim there one day.

However, asking at the front desk is probably a good idea.

[Purrrrfecta]

I think that is outrageous.

I have travelled all over the world with my family as a child, and many of my father's colleagues had children who would come and visit me for an afternoon swim.

It is not like your friends are just going to go and jump in a pool where they are not staying - they will be visiting you!

How would they not allow people to walk around Hurricane Bay when Beaches and Cream is located there?

I do understand that people do take advantage at times, but a deluxe hotel has to be careful how they handle these types of situations. They need to establish rules that will not make the guest of these $250.00 + a nite hotels feel like they are staying in a bargan hotel.

On the other hand, with so many discounts going around people may feel Disney should lower their standards at deluxe resorts. I, however, do not.

I can see their putting restrictions on visitors from other hotels,
but it would, in my opinion, be tasteless to do that to someone who is just inviting friends over to swim with them for the day.

[ducklite]

Originally posted by Purrrrfecta

How would they not allow people to walk around Hurricane Bay when Beaches and Cream is located there?

I do understand that people do take advantage at times, but a deluxe hotel has to be careful how they handle these types of situations. They need to establish rules that will not make the guest of these $250.00 + a nite hotels feel like they are staying in a bargan hotel.

Beaches and Cream is outside the gated area of SAB. And that's exactly WHY they are doing it. It's already too crowded at SAB on many days. With the addition of the DVC units, it's only going to be worse. They are trying to keep the guests of the $250+ per day hotels happy by ensuring that their PAYING guests can get seats and enjoy themselves.

Anne

[DMRick]

, I'm hearing that they are going to get even more strict about SAB, and that EVERYONE

Where did you hear that? We go two to three times a year..and it's never been a problem having friends over. I often hear that people "hear" things, but I wonder if they hear from another guest, or someone who is in authority. I realize the pool at the Beach Club has to be more strick than others, because of the nature of the pool, but having guests visit you has been ok'd at front desks up til now. We never have more than one key on us (usually five of us), and we haven't had to show them in years (other than one key when driving into some resorts).

[ducklite]

Originally posted by DMRick


Where did you hear that? We go two to three times a year..and it's never been a problem having friends over. I often hear that people "hear" things, but I wonder if they hear from another guest, or someone who is in authority. I realize the pool at the Beach Club has to be more strick than others, because of the nature of the pool, but having guests visit you has been ok'd at front desks up til now. We never have more than one key on us (usually five of us), and we haven't had to show them in years (other than one key when driving into some resorts).

I heard it from a friend who works in the executive offices at the Beach Club. Up until now is the key word here. Please reread what I said. With the opening of the BCV rooms, they will be cutting off pool hopping privileges for DVC guests, and all guests entering the SAB pool area will have to present a valid YC/BC/BCV ID. In past years they were able to be more lenient. But they just added another 205 units (BCV) which adds a lot of people per day using the pool facilities.

Anne

[jk1]

I'm curious to know why the people staying at the deluxe resorts never want to go visit their friends who are staying at the value resorts and go swimming there???

[ducklite]

Originally posted by jk1
I'm curious to know why the people staying at the deluxe resorts never want to go visit their friends who are staying at the value resorts and go swimming there???

I'd like to know the answer to this as well.

Anne

[The Pluto People]

No pool slides at the value resorts...;)

[ducklite]

Originally posted by The Pluto People
No pool slides at the value resorts...;)

You get what you pay for.

Does this mean that I can pay for a concierge room at the YC and invite my friends that are staying at the AS to come to the concierge lounge to eat and drink?

Anne

[jk1]

Ducklite is right, your hotel rate pays for the amenities at your hotel. This includes how nice the pool area is and whether there are slides.

[TimNDansMom]

Last week, my DS(17) and I went for ice cream at Beaches and Cream and afterwards decided to walk through the pool area and check it out. We were stopped by a CM who asked to see our Room Key. She seemed to be looking for something on the key card and I told her we were staying at ASMu and were just interested in looking at the pool area. She explained about the pool restriction and relunctanly said she'd let us go in but that we might be stopped by someone else~I don't know who she meant. Anyway, we didn't want the hassle so we didn't go in.

[jk1]

The keys are numerically coded with your resort name.

[Purrrrfecta]

I wonder what it would be like if some could reflect on the negativity and sarcasm that seems to be the continuous theme for their replies. Take a look and review some of them, and you will see the common thread.

People look for help- they do not look to be belittled or challenged, which often seems to happen.

Please take the time to step back and think about your motives before you reply.

Thank you

[Debbie]

:)

Check at the desk. Ignore any rude, all-knowing posts, but most importantly,

Have a great time!

I wish I were going!

[Kay1]

Once we stayed at the Contemporary and my s-i-l tried to get a room there but could only get the WL. She explained to CRO the situation and was told no problem, we could visit back and forth at the pools or anywhere. She called the WL just to make sure and was told the same. I imagine it happens from time to time that groups can't all get into the same hotel.

[Disneylvr]

The original poster is simply talking about two little 5 year old best friends who want to swim together for ONE afternoon. I see no harm in that and I doubt Disney will either. To put your mind at ease, just ask at check-in. I know at least one exception would be Stormalong Bay as it is more of a mini-waterpark and everyone staying in WDW wants to swim there.

[Chele]

I had the same question regarding visiting another resort's pool. Our friends are staying at the Contemporary (tower) in September, they had no availability when we checked so we are staying at the Poly.

Our two 4yr old boys are also best friends and was hoping that we could visit each other during some "relaxation time". I will just ask at the desk and if they say OK then great! If not, I am sure we will spend alot of park time together. I really dont want to anger anyone and it seems that this could be a touchy subject.

[Purrrrfecta]

Thank you so muchfor your reply Michelle - you hit the nail right on the head!

[DeeP]

Does this mean that I can pay for a concierge room at the YC and invite my friends that are staying at the AS to come to the concierge lounge to eat and drink?

Believe it or not, I have read trip reports where people do this!

[ducklite]

Originally posted by Disneylvr
The original poster is simply talking about two little 5 year old best friends who want to swim together for ONE afternoon. I see no harm in that and I doubt Disney will either. To put your mind at ease, just ask at check-in. I know at least one exception would be Stormalong Bay as it is more of a mini-waterpark and everyone staying in WDW wants to swim there.

That's exactly where they wanted the girls to swim together. I don't think it will be nearly as much of a problem if the people staying at the BC want to go swim at the AS pool.

Anne

[Disneylvr]

Please read the original post again ducklite.

Originally posted by jdaa
We will be in Disney the same time as our neighbors. We are staying at AKL - they are staying at All Star Music. Their 5 yr old is best friends with our 5 yr old. Can we get permission for them to be at our pool with us for one afternoon?

It sounds like they are talking about the Animal Kingdom Lodge.

[ducklite]

Originally posted by Disneylvr
Please read the original post again ducklite.



It sounds like they are talking about the Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Oops, my bad. Apologies. Last I knew AKL is also enforcing a no visiting rule for the pool. During a slow period they might allow it. My previous advice still stands though, there will be far less hassle for them to swim together at the AS pools.

Anne

[mikesmom]

The problem at the BC is that Stormalong Bay is an EXTREMELY popular pool area. It flows, it meanders, it has slides... you'd have to see it to believe it. Because of this they have had numerous problems with over crowding. People "pool crash" from other resorts, they visit their friends, there have even been incidents where people from offsite hotels ar the Orlando area in general come and use this pool. It has often gotten to the point where resort guests cannot enjoy their own pool or get a seat.

BC/YC is definitely on the pricey side and the pool is one of the reasons. I can understand why Dsiney is trying to protect the guests who stay there.

Now that being said, you may have options. First, it is possible that the front desk will alow it IF there is not an over crowding situation. Second, there is a "quiet pool" area at YC/BC. If this is really an issue of two 5 year olds having an afternoon together, perhaps the quiet pool would do? Third, since when does a 5 year old carry a room key? If an adult with a room key escorts two children to the pool, I assume the adult will be checked, not the little ones. If you are inviting the parents to the pool, you may have another issue.

[Gagebre]

Although we're staying at the Dolphin (not a Disney Resort) and my friends are staying at the Ft. Wilderness on Disney property, I never gave a second thought to visiting each other's pool or resort. A few of these posts made it sound like people were trying to get away with something and sounded a little snobby.

[ducklite]

Originally posted by Gagebre
Although we're staying at the Dolphin (not a Disney Resort) and my friends are staying at the Ft. Wilderness on Disney property, I never gave a second thought to visiting each other's pool or resort. A few of these posts made it sound like people were trying to get away with something and sounded a little snobby.

You probably won't have a problem with visiting your friends at FW, but there will probably be a problem with them using the Dolphin pool. The themed pools are very expensive to maintain. They tend to attract a lot pf people who aren't staying in taht resort because they are so nice. The problem then arises when people who ARE paying to stay in those resorts can't find a place to sit or find the pools overly crowded because the pools were built assuming that "x" number of guests from taht resort would be using them at any given time. When that number is multiplied due to people from other resorts also using the pool, problems as described above arise.

Now you might think "what's one or two poeple". Well, face it, the members of this group are just a timy little microcosm of the people that might try to use one of these themed pools on any given day. They just aren't equipped to handle the extra load, especially at busy times.

Look at it this way--lets say that you are staying at the AS resort. You go to the pool and can't find a seat because several familes staying at other resorts or off-property hotels have decided to swim in the pool that you are paying your hard earned money to have the priveledge to swim in. How would you feel? (And yes, they do spot check ID's around the AS pools during busy times, as they've had problems with locals and people from non-Disney resorts pool crashing there.)

Anne

[Ricola]

:rolleyes:

Check with the desk. Chances are, you will have no problems. Promise to keep one of the people in your party away from the pool area at all times while your guest is swimming, and the pool police will probably go leniently on you.

With all of the things in the world to worry about (for example, I've heard that some people tape sporting events without the express written consent of Major League Baseball!) why worry about this?

let's lighten up, just a little! :)

[Disneylvr]

More than one poster in this thread has suggested that it is more acceptable for a person staying in the deluxe resort to go swimming at All Stars. It reminds me of the Titanic movie where it is okay for the 1st class to visit 3rd class but 3rd class passengers are not allowed to visit 1st class areas. Although I know it isn't meant this way in most cases, it can sound like snobbiness or elitism to a person who usually stays in a value or moderate resorts.

I think the original poster should use his or her own judgement about this. If the pool is not overly crowded, ask a CM if it is okay for your friends to join you at the AKL pool for a couple of hours or vice versa about joining them at the All Star pool. However, based on my experiences, the All Star pools are ALWAYS crowded.

[ducklite]

Originally posted by Disneylvr
More than one poster in this thread has suggested that it is more acceptable for a person staying in the deluxe resort to go swimming at All Stars. It reminds me of the Titanic movie where it is okay for the 1st class to visit 3rd class but 3rd class passengers are not allowed to visit 1st class areas. Although I know it isn't meant this way in most cases, it can sound like snobbiness or elitism to a person who usually stays in a value or moderate resorts.

I think the original poster should use his or her own judgement about this. If the pool is not overly crowded, ask a CM if it is okay for your friends to join you at the AKL pool for a couple of hours or vice versa about joining them at the All Star pool. However, based on my experiences, the All Star pools are ALWAYS crowded.

I'm not saying it's acceptable to swim at any resort other than your own. But I am just trying to turn the tables. Yes, AS pools are often very crowded, as are the deluxe pools. But why is it that people always ask if their friends can join them at the deluxe pools instead of vice versa. That's the question no one seems to be able to answer. I don't think I've EVER seen a post from someone saying "I'm staying at the Polynesian, can I swim with my friends who are staying at the ASM?"

Of course the best solution is to go to a water park together, or to stay at the same hotel. Depending on the tim of year, it could actually make sense for the two families to split the cost of renting points for a 2BR at a DVC resort.

Anne

[Ricola]

Of course people would rather "visit" a nicer resort's pool. That's human nature. I don't think you need any more explanation than that.

So what if I'm staying at AKL in a standard room, can I visit my friends staying in the King Kamehameha suite at the Poly? Or to they have to "slum it" and come to my home resort? This discussion is getting silly.

[Disneylvr]

Well Anne, you and I both know the reason. ;)

I do like your suggestion about the waterpark. That might be the perfect solution.