Are all WDW pools fenced in? Having a debate!

[Elephantay]

We are here talking about WDW pools and transportation...A couple of times we have witnessed people who are clearly staying offsite decide which WDW pool to go to. Once this was at MK and the decision was made for/by this large family to go to the CR pool because they said it was "the closest and they could just walk through the building and right to the pool!" I'll never forget that day!
I know most ( all?) deluxe resorts are now fenced, but are moderates?
Please settle this for us lol!

 

[fla4fun]

We are here talking about WDW pools and transportation...A couple of times we have witnessed people who are clearly staying offsite decide which WDW pool to go to. Once this was at MK and the decision was made for/by this large family to go to the CR pool because they said it was "the closest and they could just walk through the building and right to the pool!" I'll never forget that day!
I know most ( all?) deluxe resorts are now fenced, but are moderates?
Please settle this for us lol!

Yes, they are all fenced, even the mods and values. I think it really takes away from the looks of the pool area at POFQ, because of how it was designed, but I understand why they did it.

 

[Smugpugmug]

I just want to point out that just because they're fenced in by a gate it doesn't mean that it stops non resort guests from using those pools. For example when I stayed at AKL last year both pools (Jambo and Kidani) are fenced in but the gate doesn't require a room key to open. Anyone can enter. One time I was at Kidani's pool, I overhead a few people talking about how they were Universal employees that decided to sneak into the pool without staying there.

The only resorts where I've seen a room key required to enter are the Polynesian and Beach/Yacht Club.

 

[happycamper47]

Our daughters were at Pop Century two weeks ago and when we went to visit the pool had no controlled access, but it is fenced and can be locked when closed for the evening.

 

[kiford]

The only resorts where I've seen a room key required to enter are the Polynesian and Beach/Yacht Club.

IIRC, the pool at Boulder Ridge requires a key, although the main pool at WL does not.

 

[Jacq7414]

We had to use our magic band to get into the Polynesian pool and there was a Cast Member at the gate of the BC pool checking to see if everyone was hotel guests, then you got a band for the day

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Fencing pools is a matter of insurance more than access control.

 

[Elephantay]

Too bad. It would be great if people who pay for the resorts could enjoy fewer crowds at the pool and access to chairs. We often budgeted especially for a moderate resort to have a pool slide, which is a big deal to our kids. It kept them happy in the pool for hours in a way that a pool without a slide never could.

 

[soniam]

IIRC, the pool at Boulder Ridge requires a key, although the main pool at WL does not.

We stayed at WL once and saw some people thrown out of the main pool. It was Spring Break. They were going around asking people if they were staying at the hotel. Some people near us said they were pool hopping as DVC members, but pool hopping isn't allowed for DVC at the WL main pool. It was nice, because the pool was really busy and you could hardly find anywhere to sit. I don't think they even had proof that they were DVC; they said it was their parents membership.

 

[musicguy856]

All Star Sports had a fence but didn’t require a band to open the gate.

 

[Dave006]

I know most ( all?) deluxe resorts are now fenced, but are moderates?

All WDW pools are now fenced and the gates are required to securely close. That is a safety requirement. Next up are the gates secure during normal hours that's where it gets looser.

WDW stated with the pool fences with that Deluxe and then the DVC resorts to limit access but due to the number of drownings at all pools when unattended late at night / early in the morning should be secured.

All pools now have a fence the just like the rest of the pools in Florida. It is a Code issue (Life/Safty) The Gates are generally kept unlocked during normal pool hours but are set to lock at 11 PM daily for the quiet pools.

Access by non-guests has been an issues since Oct. 71. WDW uses a variety of tools to check that guests using the pool are actual guests. They have attendants and specific plastic wristbands for select pools at select time of the year.

I have seen guests turned away if they did not have a wrist band or resort key card for every member of their party. Most non-guests just follow guests that hold the gate open or ask someone inside to let them in when the gates are unattended by CMs.

Dave