Once and for all...can u invite guests to swim @ resort?

[wildernesslodgelover]

We will be at AKL soon. My cousin, her DH and their two sons want to visit us at the lodge. I thought if it is a nice day, we could all go swimming. Is this allowed? Is it frowned upon, but they will look the other way? Any experiences out there? Thank you!

I know this has been addressed before, but heard so many different opinions. Just wanted to know if there is a rule or not.

 

[MrsJ Henry]

I believe there is a rule that you can not do this. However I have no idea if many people have been able to do it.

 

[DiznEeyore]

I'm afraid this isn't allowed. Pools are strictly for the use of paying guests. The only exception is DVC members who are allowed to pool hop.

I'm sure people ignore the rules and get away with it on occasion, but they have been known to check for resort IDs and ask those without them to leave.

 

[Dopey's twin Dippy]

i think what i would do, is when you are there go to the front desk and ask one of the managers. i know one year when we were there, we were talking to the front desk and had mentioned (we were at asmusic) , how we would like to try the CBR some time. they said , if you would like to go over and spend time and swim ,they would call over for us. We did not end up having time that trip. so thats what i would do, you never know what they might say..................

 

[JESW]

One of my good friends just went to WDW for the first time in august. She and her family were staying at CBR and her sister was staying at the Polynesian. One day they went over to visit her sister and her family and to swim. She did not know that you are not supposed to do that but no-one asked where they were staying.

The only pool I have ever been at where they check room cards is at Stormalong Bay at the YC/BC.

Jill

 

[sfbank]

Dizneyore I see we have the same countdown. We will be staying at the Boardwalk Inn Concierge. I see you are staying at the villas. We will have to say hi!

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Thanks for the responses! I have a feeling if it is not a busy weekend they will not check so much, but if it IS...well, then they might ask for resort ID. But let me ask you...what is resort ID? A key? Can't my DH hold one key and my cousin hold another and I can say I am with my DH...we share a key...and my cousin is with her family...and they show our key?

My cousin lives in Orlando and cannot understand my DISNEY OBSESSION...but she has never set foot in any resort! I want to show her how awesome it is. I guess we can try and if they kick us out...well, we will just have to deal with it!

 

[Deb & Bill]

At busy times, they do occasionally check every person's room ID. So your plan to hold one and give one to your cousin might not work. How about getting both families over to TL or BB instead to swim?

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

No one wants to pay that entrance fee! We have Seasonal passes, not AP...so we cannot get into TL or BB without paying. Plus, I really wanted to "show off" the resort. My cousin thinks I am crazy for spending more than $100 a night at a hotel. I want her to see the splendor that is AKL!!! LOL!

Thank you for yous suggestions. Keep em coming!!

 

[totalia]

Most hotels do not allow pool hopping in most areas in north america. They also do not allow anyone from outside the hotel to swim in the pool.

There is a reason for this. They are only covered for liability for paying guests of the hotel. If you are not a guest, they aren't covered and they don't want to take the risk of a law suit if something should happen.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Hmmmm, I didn't think about it that way. I just figured that if the resort was almost to capacity, the pool area will be full enough without "Guests of guests"...ya know? I understand if it is not allowed. I guess I will just have to feel out the situation.

 

[safetymom]

There are signs posted at each resort pool stating that the pool is for resort guests only. Just ask at the front desk if you are allowed to have guests swim in the pool. That way you aren't doing something you shouldn't be and you have the permission of WDW. Most have reported when they asked they were granted permission. No need to be sneaky this way.

 

[lmhall2000]

There's no problem with her visiting your room and going to a restaurant...both are highly rated....and even listening to the stories out by the fire...lots to do without breaking the rules.

Tara

 

[DiznEeyore]

Originally posted by sfbank
Dizneyore I see we have the same countdown. We will be staying at the Boardwalk Inn Concierge. I see you are staying at the villas. We will have to say hi!

Yes! It seems so very far away still, doesn't it? At least today we've broken that 400-day mark!

 

[ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!]

I haven't been asked for my resort id once...and quite frankly I'd feel insulted if they did

 

[blowinbubbles]

Every time I go to WDW, my brother drives over from Melbourne to spend the day with me and my kids. And part of that day, we might hang out at the pool, and he might even get in the water for 10 minutes or so. I've never had a problem with this, and I don't think there is anything wrong with this at all! I am a paying guest and he is with me, period.

Last time, he spent a couple of days with us. I asked the front desk (POFQ) to issue him a room key, as he was arriving around 8 p.m. and we would still be at the parks. . they did with no problem! Of course, he didn't push us over the room limit, either. .that may be a factor.

I personally don't see a problem with letting a guest or two of a guest swim in the pool. Now. . . if a resort guest invited the whole clan for a family reunion, that might be a little different!

 

[pixiedust23]

Ahh the pool hopping policy. I am actually very familiar with this being a DVC memeber and having used it myself. The ruling is, no pool hopping except for DVC members. But it's not even that simple. If you are DVC you can pool hop to any resort, except BC/YC's Stormalong Bay and AKL. If it is crowded season poolhopping priveledges are revoked. Technically you are supposed to call the resort you want to hop to and tell them you are coming and make sure that the pool area is not too over-crowded and that they can accomodate you. You will then have to check in at their front desk to get a wrist band.
As for people actually checking cards, I stayed at BCV last June and everytime we were at the pool we were asked to supply our room keys, and then they would slap on one of those paper (but the paper doesnt get wet) wrist bands.
I realize a lot of people don't agree with me, but I do like this system. If I'm staying at a deluxe hotel, part of the extra money it costs to stay there is b/c of the pool. It really isn't fair if someone staying at the POPs or the moderates could come and use the pool, make it more crowded and pay less for their hotel.

Well with all that being said I hope this clears up your problem a little. (Also if you just have children with you, you can always say that you didnt' bring their keys with you and I'm sure there will be no problem as long as there arent' a lot of kids.)

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Thanks to all! Hello, Ahhhh, fellow LOTW! Now that I think of it, I have never been asked for an ID at either the CSR or the few times we have stayed at WL. BUT...I think it is interesting that AKL is one of the few pools that DVC members CANNOT pool hop to. That makes me think they may be strict there. I think I will ask in the morning at guest services and see what they say.

Hello PD! Another LOTW! I understand. believe me, I would be VERY annoyed if the pool area was crowded and then I found out that many guests have brought non paying guests to hang out with them. That is why I am gonna feel out the situation. My cousin and her two kids and her DH are gonna visit between 11 a.m. and 2 pm and swimming just seems like the logical thing to do to entertain us all.

Thanks to everyone else for their opinions!

 

[pixiedust23]

WLL- I wish you luck with you endeavors. My suggestion would be just to meet up with your cousin in your room and then head down to the pool together. Tell them you only brought one room key b/w the two of you so you wouldnt lose any, if they ask. Also I would be interested to know what the drink speciality is at the AKL pool bar (When we were at the BCV they introduced us to Vanilla Mudslides...let me tell you they were sooooo yummy!) I would ask this only to another member of LOTW of course...

 

[delilah]

When we were at GF in July, my brother and his family came up from Ft. Myers. We weren't all staying together at the same hotel/resort, so we met up at our room and all went to the pool at GF. It was in mid July during the day, and the pool was nearly empty except for us. There were plenty of empty chairs. My brother and his family even got towels at check out. I guess if you behave yourself and aren't bothering other guests, the resorts must ignore the situation.