Is there a guest pass for resort pool?

[shellybaxter]

To the OP, Back in 2007 when we were staying at the YC. We had friends join us for dinner. We were all dressed up and we wanted to show them SAB before dinner. We asked the CM at the gate if we could just show them the pool and he politely said no. With that, we said thank you and left. Personally, I would not have asked if they could join us for swimming but I figured since we were all dressed up it would be ok. Guess not.

I find that so strange - because you can simply walk into SAB through Hurricane Hanna's. That's how we say it the first time. We were on our way to the Yachtsman Steakhouse - didn't even know we were walking through the pool area until we were

 

[CoachBagFanatic]

I find that so strange - because you can simply walk into SAB through Hurricane Hanna's. That's how we say it the first time. We were on our way to the Yachtsman Steakhouse - didn't even know we were walking through the pool area until we were

We excited out of the back entrance of the YC and ventured to our left. We went to the first gate that was right by the smoking area. When ever we were at SAB, which was every other day, we always saw a CM over at HH's checking IDs. So I don't know. Believe me we surely didn't look like we were going to go swimming considering we were all dressed up for the Yachtsman Steakhouse which by the way is one of our favorite restaurants.

 

[daisyduck123]

I find that so strange - because you can simply walk into SAB through Hurricane Hanna's.

Anyone can walking the boardwalk can just walk up to Hurricane Hannah's and order food/drink.

If you try to go beyond the tables there, into SAB, there is always a guard stationed there checking resort IDs.

 

[shellybaxter]

We excited out of the back entrance of the YC and ventured to our left. We went to the first gate that was right by the smoking area. When ever we were at SAB, which was every other day, we always saw a CM over at HH's checking IDs. So I don't know. Believe me we surely didn't look like we were going to go swimming considering we were all dressed up for the Yachtsman Steakhouse which by the way is one of our favorite restaurants.

Anyone can walking the boardwalk can just walk up to Hurricane Hannah's and order food/drink.

If you try to go beyond the tables there, into SAB, there is always a guard stationed there checking resort IDs.

Maybe because we always go in the winter season - but we've never seen a guard. In fact, when we stayed at BCV we went to the pool a couple of times and there wasn't even anyone at the towels checking keys. Most days that was the only time we were asked for a key - to get a towel and a bracelet. The first day we only had one key - didn't know we needed more - and they gave a bracelet to me, my husband and my niece with the one key. Must just be in the off season that they aren't as strict.

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

Anyone can walking the boardwalk can just walk up to Hurricane Hannah's and order food/drink.

If you try to go beyond the tables there, into SAB, there is always a guard stationed there checking resort IDs.

I think you're pushing that a little too far in saying "always" especially when I have never seen that happen including during Spring Break.

And during the past few trips I have been able to walk right through snapping pictures of SAB without any issue whatsoever... no one even stopped me.

To OP, I agree with PPs in just asking one of the lifeguards if you can or not but make sure you get his/her name so that if you are questioned after that lifeguard leaves his/her shift, you can tell someone "Name" said it was ok, if you are asked to show some form of resort ID. And I would also be ready and ok if they said no.

 

[eliza61]

Not sure about akv, but stromalong bay issues wrist bands and I have seen them ask guest politely for their room keys then inform them (politely again) that the pool was for guest of the resort.

 

[Bell30012]

A couple of years ago we were at WDW for a wedding at the Wedding Pavilion. The party was very large with guests staying at many resorts all across the property. A phone call to somebody and it was arranged for us to all be able to swim at the Grand Floridian pool one evening. It really didn't overcrowd the pool because it was November and in addition most seemed to stay at the bar rather than in the water.

It never hurts to ask especially if the pool isn't crowded. Disney likes to be very guest-friendly especially when people are dropping large sums of money.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

When we were there in July they always had someone stationed at the two entrances to the pool (not at Hurricane Hannah's). We saw someone stopped who was staying at the BWI and didn't realize they couldn't pool hop. They were politely told they couldn't and left.

 

[lustergirl]

Ok am I to understand you cant swim at another pool if you are staying in a different resort? I ask because my sister is staying in Animal Kingdom Lodge and my sister and myself decided to join her for a few days, but my other sister is a florida resident so we got a better rate at all stars, I just assumed we could go over and swim with them, is this not the case?

Oh I am sure you will find the answer from one of the pool monitors here on the disboards

 

[Cool-Beans]

I've had guests do pool time with me at my hotel. I've gone to other hotels and done pool time with them there. Come arrest me, Nick hotel! (By the by, Nick hotel has the best pool play area for toddlers that I've ever seen.)

And I'll be having a friend join me for some pool time again this November. Poly spies, be on the lookout!

If I were worried about someone asking for her room key, I'd list her on the reservation. But I'm not. And I'm not asking permission. And I don't care who doesn't like it.

I like to live on the wild side, in the fast lane, sitting by the pool with a friend.

 

[camlace]

Well I called disney because of this thread. He said they are trying to discourage pool hopping from one resort to another, but in the case like ours where we have family at two different resorts he said it would not be a problem, to just go and talk to the resort upon arrival and let them know and they would allow us to come as guests, so I feel better

I totally agree with this statement and have also received the same information numerous times over the years at various resorts (DVC and others, even SAB). Pool hopping and swimming as a friend/family guest of a guest are totally different. Disney knows that Family A might be staying at Beach Club and Family B might be staying at Port Orleans (for what its worth Family B may even be people not even staying on Property...but happen to live close by). What message would they be sending if they told families members they could not visit each other at their respective resorts and enjoy the amenities offered?

I agree you cannot pack up your beach bag and jaunt over to any pool you would like at any time (as a non-DVC member)...this would be pool hopping. But if you would like to visit your friend at their resort and let the kids play in the pool together there is absolutely no problem there. Again, this is information I have repeatedly confirmed with Disney over many trips including stays at the Beach Club. All this being said...if any pool is at capacity I would not be suprised if they told people that were not actually guests of the specific resort to please leave, however I have never had that happen to me.

Enjoy spending time with your family!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Sorry to be a downer but what message does it send to the paying guests if everyone was allowed to bring guests from other resorts to swim? Sometimes it's hard enough to get a table and chair or a lounge chair at SAB just with the paying guests!

Same thing at the Polynesian. I really wish the Poly would start using the wrist band like SAB.

I might sound mean but for all the money we spend to stay in a deluxe resort I'm not happy about not being able to get a chair because someone invited their family, who is not staying at the resort, to spend the day at the pool.

Putting flame suit on!

 

[shellybaxter]

This is not a flame - but I honestly think the message it sends is that Disney wants all of its guest to be happy. I think allowing cousins - who sometimes don't get to see each other very much - to have a fun memory of swimming together at WDW is a wonderful policy - full of the magic of Disney. Honestly, if the pool is full - its going to still be full if the extra 4 people who are guests leave. Sometimes Disney pools are full.

Sorry to be a downer but what message does it send to the paying guests if everyone was allowed to bring guests from other resorts to swim? Sometimes it's hard enough to get a table and chair or a lounge chair at SAB just with the paying guests!

Same thing at the Polynesian. I really wish the Poly would start using the wrist band like SAB.

I might sound mean but for all the money we spend to stay in a deluxe resort I'm not happy about not being able to get a chair because someone invited their family, who is not staying at the resort, to spend the day at the pool.

Putting flame suit on!

 

[Sammie]

Sorry to be a downer but what message does it send to the paying guests if everyone was allowed to bring guests from other resorts to swim? Sometimes it's hard enough to get a table and chair or a lounge chair at SAB just with the paying guests!

Same thing at the Polynesian. I really wish the Poly would start using the wrist band like SAB.

I might sound mean but for all the money we spend to stay in a deluxe resort I'm not happy about not being able to get a chair because someone invited their family, who is not staying at the resort, to spend the day at the pool.

Putting flame suit on!

No need to flame you, as your response is the logical one. The pool is as much of the resort experience as your room is, surely no one would expect to use a room without paying.

Friends visiting friends that are legitimate guests is a situation where the actual resort is the best place to get an accurate answer and to get one at that time, not weeks in advance.

There is no way to know if the pool is going to be crowded until that day.

As to those that would give you grief over your comment either they have broken the rules themselves or they have never paid the big bucks to stay at certain resorts and had the pool too crowded to use.

 

[CoachBagFanatic]

Sorry to be a downer but what message does it send to the paying guests if everyone was allowed to bring guests from other resorts to swim? Sometimes it's hard enough to get a table and chair or a lounge chair at SAB just with the paying guests!

Same thing at the Polynesian. I really wish the Poly would start using the wrist band like SAB.

I might sound mean but for all the money we spend to stay in a deluxe resort I'm not happy about not being able to get a chair because someone invited their family, who is not staying at the resort, to spend the day at the pool.

Putting flame suit on!

I totally agree. We have stayed at the GF many times and there have been times that we weren't able to get a chair around the feature pool. Although the quite pool had chairs, we much prefer the feature one better. This is the reason why we love the cabana's at the GF. Should we have to pay extra to guarantee a chair, no, but we do anyway. I do wish that some of the other deluxe's had the cabana's at their feature pools like the GF.

You play where you pay. If there are families at different resorts, your option would or could be the water park.

 

[daisyduck123]

You play where you pay. If there are families at different resorts, your option would or could be the water park.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I do wish that some of the other deluxe's had the cabana's at their feature pools like the GF.

A few months ago the Contemporary started offering cabana's, although there was only four of them available and they are located by the quiet pool that is closer towards Bay Lake.
http://contemporaryresort.net/cabana.html