>> Using Pools at Other Resorts - FAQ and Questions Thread (No Debate) <<

[Mindy5767]

Originally Posted by sixcats

I honestly wish they would have bands at all of the resorts that are close to the parks. We've watched large groups take up two or three tables at the BW pool for hours. Later they all packed up and headed back to the campground. I also wish there was a way to keep people from saving chairs for hours while not in the pool area.

How did you know they were going back to the campgrounds? If they aren't staying at BW, they don't belong at BW. If you suspect they're interlopers, I don't see why you coudln't discreetly mention the issue to the lifeguard. If they're staying at BW, they'd have to have a BW KTTWC to get back into their room, so they'd be able to show it. If not, they're not staying there.

[alicia080979]

We are going in September staying at a Mod, have friends that are staying at Pop and have another group of friends staying at BCVillas. We talked about our friends from Pop coming to hang out one evening so we can all go fishing at POR and then swimming. We were supposed to meet our other friends at BC on our off day for lunch at Beaches and Cream and a couple hours of swimming. I knew you couldn't pool hop just randomly but had no idea you couldn't join guests at their pool for a couple hours. I am glad to hear it is up to the Lifeguard on duty. I never realized how strict SAB was but can see why now...do you know if their lifeguards ever let anyone join their guests for a couple of hours? It would just be 2 of us with their family.

[crostorfer]

Originally Posted by alicia080979

We are going in September staying at a Mod, have friends that are staying at Pop and have another group of friends staying at BCVillas. We talked about our friends from Pop coming to hang out one evening so we can all go fishing at POR and then swimming. We were supposed to meet our other friends at BC on our off day for lunch at Beaches and Cream and a couple hours of swimming. I knew you couldn't pool hop just randomly but had no idea you couldn't join guests at their pool for a couple hours. I am glad to hear it is up to the Lifeguard on duty. I never realized how strict SAB was but can see why now...do you know if their lifeguards ever let anyone join their guests for a couple of hours? It would just be 2 of us with their family.

No, they do not allow this. In some cases, they don't even let children join their parents if they forgot the room keys back in the room, they have to go back and get them.

[alicia080979]

Originally Posted by crostorfer

No, they do not allow this. In some cases, they don't even let children join their parents if they forgot the room keys back in the room, they have to go back and get them.

aww, that's a bummer. I totally understand why but I was really excited about checking it out bc that's where I want to stay next Oct. for our 5 yr anniversary. Guess I'll just have to wait until then!

[Deb & Bill]

Originally Posted by alicia080979

We are going in September staying at a Mod, have friends that are staying at Pop and have another group of friends staying at BCVillas. We talked about our friends from Pop coming to hang out one evening so we can all go fishing at POR and then swimming. We were supposed to meet our other friends at BC on our off day for lunch at Beaches and Cream and a couple hours of swimming. I knew you couldn't pool hop just randomly but had no idea you couldn't join guests at their pool for a couple hours. I am glad to hear it is up to the Lifeguard on duty. I never realized how strict SAB was but can see why now...do you know if their lifeguards ever let anyone join their guests for a couple of hours? It would just be 2 of us with their family.

If the friends at BCV are DVC members and it's not during the Labor Day black out period, they could join you at your pool, but not the other way around. Or they could join the friends staying at Pop Century.

But is won't work for the two non-DVC families to pool hop to SAB. Even DVC members can't pool hop to SAB.

[alicia080979]

Originally Posted by Deb & Bill

If the friends at BCV are DVC members and it's not during the Labor Day black out period, they could join you at your pool, but not the other way around. Or they could join the friends staying at Pop Century.

But is won't work for the two non-DVC families to pool hop to SAB. Even DVC members can't pool hop to SAB.

No one of any of our groups are DVC members. From what was posted earlier, it seems like they can still join us if our lifeguard says it is okay. I was just asking if the lifeguards ever give permission at SAB. They have a group of 9 staying at the BC and we are just 2 people that wanted to have lunch & spend a couple hours with them. They were shocked when I told them today that we weren't allowed to do that. Obviously it is easier for us to meet up with them than all 9 of them come to us. She said they are going to ask the lifeguard anyways...can't hurt I guess.

[Deb & Bill]

Originally Posted by alicia080979

No one of any of our groups are DVC members. From what was posted earlier, it seems like they can still join us if our lifeguard says it is okay. I was just asking if the lifeguards ever give permission at SAB. They have a group of 9 staying at the BC and we are just 2 people that wanted to have lunch & spend a couple hours with them. They were shocked when I told them today that we weren't allowed to do that. Obviously it is easier for us to meet up with them than all 9 of them come to us. She said they are going to ask the lifeguard anyways...can't hurt I guess.

Just don't be surprised if they say No. They have said No in the past. If every guest asked to add just two more people, SAB would be worse than it is now.

[crostorfer]

They will let you through to Beaches and Cream to eat, you are certainly welcome to meet them there for that, but there is no way you are getting in that pool to swim. Sorry 'bout that, but rules are rules and that is the one resort on property where they will strictly enforce them.

[daisyduck123]

Originally Posted by crostorfer

They will let you through to Beaches and Cream to eat, you are certainly welcome to meet them there for that, but there is no way you are getting in that pool to swim. Sorry 'bout that, but rules are rules and that is the one resort on property where they will strictly enforce them.

Yep - ITA. I would just figure out some other plan. A day at the waterparks together for a large group might be a great alternative.

FWIW, I watched the lifeguard by the poolside gift shop last year "kick out" a pool crasher at SAB last July. She didn't even give him a chance to say one word after telling him to leave. She said, "you've got to leave now". He replied, "Because I'm not wearing a wristband?" (See? He knew about the policy) and she said yes & immediately radioed to someone.

Literally in less than 30 seconds, a cm (no bathing suit, not a lifeguard) appeared. The guard pointed out the pool crasher who was already exciting the pool, & the cm followed him out to the boardwalk.

[nonnasally]

Just read the last few pages of this thread. We are going in July for a Grand Gathering for my 60th. We have booked five rooms at the Poly ( there are 18 of us) My DB who is a single dad is meeting us for two days but staying with his son at Pop due to finances. A day around the Poly pool sounds like it is out of the question from what I have read here. A waterpark is a great idea if you like waterparks. I personally have done it all when kids were small and wasting an entire park day is not for me.
I even rented a cabana for the little ones for one day while we are there. Any thoughts on this?

[alicia080979]

Originally Posted by Deb & Bill

Just don't be surprised if they say No. They have said No in the past. If every guest asked to add just two more people, SAB would be worse than it is now.

I don't expect to be able to swim after reading everything here and it is no big deal to me as we are staying there next year. I figure it won't hurt to ask but no biggie to me if they say no. We will just have lunch and have a look around to get excited about our next trip.

[crostorfer]

Originally Posted by nonnasally

Just read the last few pages of this thread. We are going in July for a Grand Gathering for my 60th. We have booked five rooms at the Poly ( there are 18 of us) My DB who is a single dad is meeting us for two days but staying with his son at Pop due to finances. A day around the Poly pool sounds like it is out of the question from what I have read here. A waterpark is a great idea if you like waterparks. I personally have done it all when kids were small and wasting an entire park day is not for me.
I even rented a cabana for the little ones for one day while we are there. Any thoughts on this?

Which cabana did you rent? You can't fit more than 6 people in the regular cabana's, (and that wouldn't exactly be comfortable), and I think it's 10 in the premium. You will be given a number of wristbands for the people in your cabana, who are only supposed to be guests staying at the resort. The Poly has recently adopted a wristbanding policy for their guests to kee non-guests out of the pool. I'm not exaggerating when I say that the pool will be jam packed. Please be considerate of the resort guests using the pool and don't bring your guests there intending to sneak in under the radar and swim.

[nonnasally]

Originally Posted by crostorfer

Which cabana did you rent? You can't fit more than 6 people in the regular cabana's, (and that wouldn't exactly be comfortable), and I think it's 10 in the premium. You will be given a number of wristbands for the people in your cabana, who are only supposed to be guests staying at the resort. The Poly has recently adopted a wristbanding policy for their guests to kee non-guests out of the pool. I'm not exaggerating when I say that the pool will be jam packed. Please be considerate of the resort guests using the pool and don't bring your guests there intending to sneak in under the radar and swim.

Thank you for your concern and advice about our comfort in the cabana. As an educator and very considerate person, as well as a long time guest at the Poly, I have no intention of "sneaking" my family members into the cabana or pool to swim " under the radar" All 18 in our party will have wristbands as they are all staying at the Poly, paying high dollar to honor me on my birthday. My concern was for my brother and nephew who will be guests at another Disney resort. They are still part of our Grand Gathering. The rented cabana is for the comfort of my small grandchildren and ailing husband as I am well aware of the crowds in July at the pool area and the lack of space and shade. Perhaps I miscommunicated my concern.

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Originally Posted by crostorfer

Which cabana did you rent? You can't fit more than 6 people in the regular cabana's, (and that wouldn't exactly be comfortable), and I think it's 10 in the premium. You will be given a number of wristbands for the people in your cabana, who are only supposed to be guests staying at the resort. The Poly has recently adopted a wristbanding policy for their guests to kee non-guests out of the pool. I'm not exaggerating when I say that the pool will be jam packed. Please be considerate of the resort guests using the pool and don't bring your guests there intending to sneak in under the radar and swim.

I am just wondering does it actually say anywhere that you need to be staying at that specifc resort to reserve a Cabana? The reason I ask is because I remember an old thread where someone mentioned they reserved one at the Grand Floridian and they weren't staying there. Also when looking at the booking restrictions for the Contemporary Cabanas it does not say you need to be staying there in order to reserve one.
http://contemporaryresort.net/cabana.html

[amosser]

We recently returned from the Poly and wanted to reserve a cabana one morning. They did not have any available at the Poly but the conceirge told us we could reserve a GF cabana. We declined as I would have felt like a pool hopper but the conceirge assured me it was ok. We were able to book at the Poly on another day and loved it!!!