NOT a pool hopping question- key cards @ pools

[purpliequeen]

Disclaimer: This is NOT a pool hopping question. I am not interested or planning on breaking any DVC rules/regulations/etc. Please do not flame me or tell me where I can and can't pool hop. That is NOT the question.

I will be going on a spring break trip in a few months and am curious to know what the key card situation is at DVC resorts. Surprisingly, I have not spent much time swimming in DVC pools at the resorts we stay at- mainly because we travel in the winter and FL is apparently now exemplifying Alaska temperature-wise, but also because a lot of the summer travel we have done, we stayed at deluxe resorts. My main experience from past DVC stays (and even deluxe resorts in general) is that I have never been asked to show my KTTW card. (With the exception for Stormalong Bay while at the BCV. All members of the party had to show key cards to receive a wrist band.) We will of course carry the KTTW card for charging privileges and whatnot; however, do all people in the party have to show up with the key card? I will be staying at BLT and a few friends will be over at AKV and are wondering the same question. We only are curious because the less people carrying their KTTW cards, the less chance of losing the card/the card being stolen, etc. (Yes, we're thinking worse scenario just in case!) Thanks so much in advance; I really appreciate your help.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Any place they check room IDs, everyone will have to have their room ID, even the three year olds. So at BCV and Stormalong Bay, everyone better have their room ID.

But at the others where you need a key to get into the gate, you might get away with just having one or two. Just ask at the pool when you arrive if you will be needing a KTTW for everyone or if one will do.

 

[Sandisw]

BLT does have a gate that requires KTTW card to open. So, if people in your party will want to come/go at different times, it might be wise to have at least two keys for this reason.

We made that mistake last summer as I only brought one with me to the pool and DD wanted to go back up before me. I ended up having to go with her and then back to the pool so I would have it.

 

[purpliequeen]

Thank you so much, Deb & Bill, you're always answering the questions I post on the DVC boards.

Also, thanks to Sandisw. Will bring key cards in case party wants to split up. I didn't think of that! Did you try the pools over at the Contemporary? Did they require a key card to get into as well?

 

[jasonfc13]

My wife and I stayed at the Boardwalk Villas in April and had friends staying at the Beach Club and we all wanted to have a day the pool. We went to the Beach Club/Stormalong bay and had no problem spending a good part of the day there without being questioned or asked for our KTTW cards. Maybe we were just lucky.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

There isn't a fence around the Contemporary pool so no keys are required for access. For the time that you are going though they may check keys if the pools are very busy.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

My wife and I stayed at the Boardwalk Villas in April and had friends staying at the Beach Club and we all wanted to have a day the pool. We went to the Beach Club/Stormalong bay and had no problem spending a good part of the day there without being questioned or asked for our KTTW cards. Maybe we were just lucky.

You were lucky. I often sit near the entrance and have watched a lot of families be told "go back and get the cards for everyone" (Also heard a lot of creative stories that didn't work! )

 

[crisi]

You were lucky. I often sit near the entrance and have watched a lot of families be told "go back and get the cards for everyone" (Also heard a lot of creative stories that didn't work! )

Yeah, they were being VERY strict on it in August when we were there. No key card for everyone, no entrance. We did get in short one card once - half an hour before the pool was going to shut down for the night. At that time of night they weren't picky. But we also walked back to the room once.

 

[n2mm]

At BLT you need your key card to access the gated pool, but the bigger thing is is that you need a key card to get into the building as all doors are locked all of the time, so you will most likely need to be carrying more than one key card. While I certainly understand the need to lock down the BLT building, you have to make sure you have the card just to get into the lobby. This took us a while to get use to, esp. when carrying groceries. Our 5 yo granddaughter was in charge of openning the lobby doors for us when our arms were full. BTW -- the pool at Kidani is also gated and requires a key to enter. As other's have mentioned, we have ALWAYS had to show our room cards at SAB.

 

[purpliequeen]

Thanks, everyone. I'll nag everyone (the group at BLT and the group at AKV) to carry their cards around at all times. I forgot that BLT is really strict about key card access- that's something that I'll have to get used to as well.

I appreciate all the responses. Cross your fingers that no key cards get lost. hhaha