Can our friends join us at the DLH pool?

[bumbershoot]

And yes, DVC members are allowed some pool hopping that normal on-property guests are not.


It looks like DL is catching up with WDW. They finally built a pool complex popular enough to start the desire for pool hopping.

DVC members have limited hopping privileges at WDW, but NO hopping privileges at DLR.

We booked the PP for one night in February. When we checked in, we were told that we were welcomed to use the pool at the DLH. I was surprised, and even doubled checked that the clerk said we could pool-hop. I do not know if this is still the case- if this was temporary or what, but he was perfectly clear that our room keys would work at the DLH and he encouraged us to go check it out (which we did). I also don't know if that was only for guests at the PP or also the GCH.

So, per Disney, it may be ok to pool hop.

That is BIZARRE. I had another answer, but you mentioned...

Nope it wasn't. In fact it was open with kids in it swimming around. We visited both pools that stay.

Which makes it MORE bizarre, because as far as I was reading (and experienced), the PPH pool was closed for most, and I honestly remembered ALL, of February.

We checked in on the 5th and we left on the 9th, and we were allowed to go to DLH because the PPH pool was closed-o-rama. Mouseplanet said "The Paradise Pier Hotel pool deck is also closed January 9 – March 2. During the pool refurbishment, hotel guests can use the pool at the Disneyland Hotel." There was no other mention of it, and I cannot recall if they opened it early or not.



Interestingly, Disneyland DID used to allow pool hopping. When we were planning our first BIG trip there for Sept '07 (planning from the year before that), the current-at-the-time material said that hopping was allowed. Before our stay, that ended.

 

[Virgoinab]

Or when they tell you that you are invited to check out another pool.

Yup, they allow resort guests to use the other hotel's pools as part of one of the perks of staying on site. But you are allowed that access because you are paying to stay on their property.

As for those who think it is okay for people to use the pools, which, are gated, and have signage that states "for the use of hotel guests only", then I guess they would be okay if people entered Disney land itself and did not pay for that, since at least one person they are with did. Maybe they could just jump the fence, cause it is only one or two people.

Sorry, but it is not cool to abuse the system, and as someone who pays for all her family member's to use the facilities, I for one wish there where more honest people in the world.

If that upsets some people, so be it, if I want the right to use the pool, or the workout room, or any of the other area's of the resort that are for paying guests only, then I will darn well pay for it.

Spin it anyway you want, justify it anyway you want to make yourself feel better, but it is not right.

 

[Astylla]

I can't speak for any Disney property but want to offer a perspective from someone who works in a hotel.

Our policies clearly state among other things , non hotel guests using the facilities is not allowed. Now there is a little leeway in our property due to the fact we are not in a resort area and it is rarely used as a business/corporate hotel. We do discourage the use , as the pool area must be activated using a room key but if a friend visits we dont have a way to track it unless someone makes a scene or a big deal.

I think it is wrong , plain and simple. Whatever hotel you are staying at has amenities for a reason - for you to make use of. While I can understand how perhaps disappointing it could be to tell a child or family "no" , it isn't meant to be to make anyone feel left out. Everything has a capacity - we have had people sneak extra people into a room by coming in separately and have unfortunately had to ask them to leave or buy an additional room since our max occupancy is 4 per room for safety and fire regulations.

Having unaccounted for guests also raises liability for the hotel. Should the unthinkable happen and the guest is not staying there or registered it could be very difficult to reach family members.

I'm a firm believer rules are there for a reason. If one chooses to take it personally it's on them. I would never make use of a facility on false pretense , it could come back and bite you with other repercussions.

 

[dsny1mom]

.

Yup, they allow resort guests to use the other hotel's pools as part of one of the perks of staying on site.

We have stayed at all three DLR hotels. Our first DLH stay was in 1987, our last Oct 2011 and our next in 26 days. We stay 20-30 days a year at a DLR hotel and have since 1987.

I have been told by assorted uninformed CMs througout the years that access to sister hotel pools is allowed. It is NOT, unless there is an issue with the pool at the hotel you are a registered guest at.

All anyone has to do is try and use their hotel key to open the gate at a hotel pool they are not a guest at to get the answer. If the gate doesn't open then they don't have access. I'll lay a bundle of money on the keys from one hotel not opening the pool gates at another hotel. LOL

Not sure what was going on at PP Hotel last Feb when the OP was told they had access to the DLH pool but I do know there was a refurb that happened at PP Hotel earlier this year. I know the OP said the PP pool was open so I'll try and find out if it was being allowed and why or just more misinformation being given out. I'll be having cocktails with the PP Hotel GM next month so I'll try and remember to ask him.

dsny1mom

 

[larina]

...Dont' try and cheat.
Remember, your children are watching. You don't want them to be cheaters and liars, so don't do it in front of them.

Sharing our experience, and this was contrary to what has previously been Disney hotel policy.

We booked the PP for one night in February. When we checked in, we were told that we were welcomed to use the pool at the DLH. I was surprised, and even doubled checked that the clerk said we could pool-hop. I do not know if this is still the case- if this was temporary or what, but he was perfectly clear that our room keys would work at the DLH and he encouraged us to go check it out (which we did). I also don't know if that was only for guests at the PP or also the GCH.

So, per Disney, it may be ok to pool hop.

In February the pool at PPH was closed so they let you use the other pool.

By any chance, was the pool and/or slide at PP closed for maintenance during your visit? I've heard that pool hopping is allowed in such a case.

Yes it was closed. Had been since January 3rd and reopened on March 2nd. I thought I remembered that, so I checked it out and sure enough, it was closed all of February.

Nope it wasn't. In fact it was open with kids in it swimming around. We visited both pools that stay...Or when they tell you that you are invited to check out another pool.

Actually, that must have been a bird in the pool, because it was closed to guests all of February of this year.

Yup, they allow resort guests to use the other hotel's pools as part of one of the perks of staying on site. But you are a...
Spin it anyway you want, justify it anyway you want to make yourself feel better, but it is not right.

Actually, Disney does not allow park hopping between resort hotels UNLESS your pool is closed.

...Not sure what was going on at PP Hotel last Feb when the OP was told they had access to the DLH pool but I do know there was a refurb that happened at PP Hotel earlier this year. I know the OP said the PP pool was open so I'll try and find out if it was being allowed and why or just more misinformation being given out. I'll be having cocktails with the PP Hotel GM next month so I'll try and remember to ask him.

dsny1mom

The pool, as we suspected, was down in February of this year. Totally explains why they let them use the DLH pool. I was disappointed that they didn't start that work in December. I would have loved to check out the DLH pool while we were there. LOL

 

[larina]

Here's the blurb from U.S. News Travel page:

"January 9 through March 2, 2012 Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel pool deck closure Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel's swimming pool and spa will be closed from January 9 through March 2, 2012 for scheduled maintenance and refresh. Guests will receive a letter informing them of pool closure. During this time, the guests' room key will be programmed for access to pools at the Disneyland Hotel. The newly renovated pool area at the Disneyland Hotel includes E Ticket and D Ticket pools, as well as the Monorail pool & slides, Minnie Spa and Mickey Spa."

and directly from the Disney Hotel and Resort FAQ page on the website:
"Can I use the services of the other Hotels, although I am not staying at that specific Hotel?
The restaurants at all 3 Hotels of the Disneyland Resort are open to everyone.
However, all other services at the Disneyland Hotel, Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel and Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa are exclusive to the hotel a Guest is staying at with the following exceptions:
If there is a closure or other situation whereby a Guest or Guests have been granted access to services at hotels not specific to where they are staying, they will be duly notified of the temporary policy change.
Guests of the Disneyland Hotel and Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel may use the massage services and Pinocchio's Workshop (children activities center) at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa for an additional fee. Advanced reservations are required.
Guests of all 3 Hotels of the Disneyland Resort can enter and re-enter the Resort using the exclusive entrance into and exit from Disney California Adventure Park with valid theme park admission."

 

[Virgoinab]

.

We have stayed at all three DLR hotels. Our first DLH stay was in 1987, our last Oct 2011 and our next in 26 days. We stay 20-30 days a year at a DLR hotel and have since 1987.

I have been told by assorted uninformed CMs througout the years that access to sister hotel pools is allowed. It is NOT, unless there is an issue with the pool at the hotel you are a registered guest at.

All anyone has to do is try and use their hotel key to open the gate at a hotel pool they are not a guest at to get the answer. If the gate doesn't open then they don't have access. I'll lay a bundle of money on the keys from one hotel not opening the pool gates at another hotel. LOL

Not sure what was going on at PP Hotel last Feb when the OP was told they had access to the DLH pool but I do know there was a refurb that happened at PP Hotel earlier this year. I know the OP said the PP pool was open so I'll try and find out if it was being allowed and why or just more misinformation being given out. I'll be having cocktails with the PP Hotel GM next month so I'll try and remember to ask him.

dsny1mom

Yes I am aware that the Disney resorts do not allow access to the hotels pools that you are not staying at unless there is an issue with your pool.

I stated that in my first response, and should have continued to clairfy that in my second statement.

That was the same situation that we encountered in Feb of 2005 when we stayed at the PPH, the pool was down for one day of our stay, and we where allowed to use the DLH pool or the pool at GCH hotel.

Regardless, the use of the resort pools are for resort guests only, just like the use of Disney land itself is for only those who have bought a pass to enter.

 

[engo]

Once my daughter and son in law stayed at the Grand. I drove up for the day and joined them in their room and at the pool. I did not use any towels while in the room. I did not mess up the bed. I did not swim in the pool, I just sat and watched my grand kids. It was in February and not busy at all. I don't feel guilty in the least and will probably do it again.

Hum. Did you happen to use one of the lounge chairs? My biggest complain at the GCH pool is that it's close to impossible to find a lounge chair in the summer. We are DVC owners at VGC and highly suspect part of our annual dues go to pool maintenance, life guards, and perhaps the purchase of those lounge chairs that we feel we have to fight for on a regular basis.

I am all for quality time with family. There are other options at the GCH perfect for family hang out, such as the beautiful lobby and the outdoor fireplace with rocking chairs, none of which are gated nor controversial. If you prefer the pool there is always the cabanas for rent.

 

[dsny1mom]

Regardless, the use of the resort pools are for resort guests only, just like the use of Disney land itself is for only those who have bought a pass to enter.

I totally agree. If someone isn't a registered hotel guest they don't belong in the restricted pool area.

If a guest wishes to spend time with non registered guests they can go to DL together, stroll DTD, have a meal together at a restaurant, invite them to sit in their room to chat, etc.

I have close family (sister and bil) and friends that live near the DLR and we always meet up with them when we are at DLR. In all the years we have been staying at DLR hotels never once did we invite them to the pool area nor did they ask or expect to go to the pool area because we all knew they were not hotel guests and did not belong there.

IMHO it is stealing an amenity. Stealing is wrong and not something my freinds, family nor I do.

dsny1mom

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I think the question has been asked and answered. It was a fair question.

It is not okay to bring guests who are not staying in the hotel to the pool. However, my recommendation would be to go to the front desk and ask them if you are in this situation.

Thank you to everyone who was courteous in this discussion. I'm going to go ahead and lock this now.