Masks at the pools - need info from recent WDW guests

[JoshF]

I'm considering a trip in early September. I called the resorts phone line and asked about mask requirements. The rep said that masks are required at the pool area unless you're in the water. She said that includes if you're in a chair sunbathing. She said the lifeguards would possibly enforce this.

For those who have gone recently, is there strict enforcement of this at the pools? If I'm in a chair with more than 6 ft between any other guests, will I be required to wear a mask while in a chair getting some sun?

I plan to spend a few hours at the pool each day, so this requirement may be a deal breaker.

 

[Engineman02]

Only had to have a mask coming and going to the pool. Once in the pool area didn’t wear it even when in the chairs. Believe was told this was the case.

 

[Spazz2k]

Once you get to your chair...no mask needed unless you leave pool area...so in and out of the pool you don't need a mask

 

[Jen0107c]

I was told we only needed to wear one while walking to the restroom/ pool bar. While I was going in and out of the pool and at my lounge chair I didn’t wear one. I was at the poly last week.

 

[westie55]

I was there in early August. Staff are everywhere enforcing rules such as no drinks within 6' of the pool, no running on the pool deck, etc. They are absolutely not making guests wear masks in chairs poolside. Everyone wore masks to and from the pool but NO ONE wore masks in chairs or moving about within the pool area. You must put on a mask at the pool bar. You are 100% fine not to wear masks while lounging.

 

[soniam]

If you go to the bar to order food/drinks, then you are supposed to wear a mask and from your room to the pool chair and back.

 

[runbikeswim3]

Stayed at Pop 8/3 no one had masks on unless they were entering or exiting the fenced area. Lifeguards did wear masks the entire time. I did just lounge one night on the way back from parks clearly in non bathing attire and it was fine.

 

[armerida]

So not technically Disney property, but at the Swan, you do not have to wear a mask on the pool deck, only when going up to the bar or leaving the area to use the restroom etc. I was also surprised you are allowed to bring drinks into the pool, as at other Disney-owned properties, you cannot.

 

[cvjw]

Just spent a week at the poly and went to the pool everyday. Wore a mask in and out of the pool area and when going to the restroom. Nowhere else. Sat in our chairs maskless every day. There were cast members at the pool every day and never saw one telling anyone to do anything. They just chatted with guests and constantly cleaned.

 

[gratefulfred]

So not technically Disney property, but at the Swan, you do not have to wear a mask on the pool deck, only when going up to the bar or leaving the area to use the restroom etc. I was also surprised you are allowed to bring drinks into the pool, as at other Disney-owned properties, you cannot.

I've Brought my own cooler to the oasis pool at the Poly, full of canned beer no one said anything

 

[Engineman02]

I've Brought my own cooler to the oasis pool at the Poly, full of canned beer no one said anything

Bring it to the pool area, yes. Bring it in the pool, no. The life guards will get on you if you get close to the pool with a drink.

 

[nkereina]

I haven't seen any reports that you're required to wear a mask on the pool deck while seated in your lounge chair. I think that was a case of a misinformed CM, or perhaps he or she was erring on the side of caution if they weren't entirely sure of the answer.

Ironically, resorts in Las Vegas currently ARE requiring people to wear masks even in their lounge chairs. Unless you're physically in the water, you must have a mask on there. Its entirely possible Disney can change the rules at any time, but that's not currently the requirement WDW.

 

[SarahC97]

We were at BLT at the end of July/beginning of August and we only had to wear masks when moving around the pool area not in the pool, so like going to the bar or the restroom. If you were in the pool or sitting in your chair, you did not have to wear a mask.

 

[alisaurusbot]

Do current guests need to scan their magic bands to get access to the pool, to prove that they are staying at that resort?

 

[shoegal9]

Do current guests need to scan their magic bands to get access to the pool, to prove that they are staying at that resort?

You do need to scan a magic band to get into gated pool areas. However, its possible that someone could enter a pool at a resort where they are not staying if someone is exiting the pool area and holds the gate open. This won't happen at Stormalong Bay though- they generally police that pool really well.

 

[alisaurusbot]

You do need to scan a magic band to get into gated pool areas. However, its possible that someone could enter a pool at a resort where they are not staying if someone is exiting the pool area and holds the gate open. This won't happen at Stormalong Bay though- they generally police that pool really well.

Thank you for the information! I will be at OKW and Copper Creek in 2 weeks!

 

[EasternShoreGal]

We are at CCV right now and have been since Sunday. While we have mostly been at BRC pool, we also spent a little time at the feature pool. When we first arrived, a cast member asked us if we were familiar with the pool deck rules. I had read reports but wanted a “boots on the ground” confirmation. We were very specifically told that masks were required to enter the pool deck but once we were there masks were not required the whole time we were in the gated area, including walking to the restrooms which are inside the gated pool deck area. We do wear our masks when we walk to restrooms but we were told specifically since restrooms at BRC pool were inside the pool deck they were not required. Hope that info helps since it is specific to your resort. The BRC pool is gorgeous, and totally uncrowded. We have been here since 8:30 and not another soul has been here except for cast members spraying chairs that haven’t even been used.

 

[4Ds4Diz]

Any updates on this, any new protocols? Heading to Board
Walk/Bay Lake split stay in June. We will definitely need some pool time sans masks.

 

[fancymouse]

Any updates on this, any new protocols? Heading to Board
Walk/Bay Lake split stay in June. We will definitely need some pool time sans masks.

Was just at Fort Wilderness and the procedure is the same. There was a CM standing at the entrance to the pool asking people leaving the pool area to wear a mask, but in the gated area no one had to wear a mask.

 

[OKW Lover]

You'll be fine relaxing by the pool, or in the pool, without a mask. You'll be expected to put one on if you head to the restroom, etc.