Pool bars if not staying at resort

[kurts mom]

We are staying at the Wilderness Lodge on an upcoming visit and will be on the dining plan.
Will we be able to go to Grand Floridian and order QS from one of their pool bars? I know they are participating, but will we be able to access the pool area since we are not staying there? Thanks

 

[Anthony1971]

Both of the GF pool bars are behind gates and not accessible unless you are guest. I guess you could ask a CM if you see one or stop by the front desk. GF has a good non pool CS with far better food selections so all will not be lost if you are told no.
The pool bar at the Poly always had a few chairs outside the gate I cannot confirm they are still there but I see no reason for removing them so that may be an option.
I am guessing this is for a "real drink" that WL does not offer as option for QS however the food will be the sacrifice. Try Polite pig they in fact serve real drinks and you will not have to sit in the beating sun to enjoy it.

 

[NYCgrrl]

Both of the GF pool bars are behind gates and not accessible unless you are guest. I guess you could ask a CM if you see one or stop by the front desk. GF has a good non pool CS with far better food selections so all will not be lost if you are told no.
The pool bar at the Poly always had a few chairs outside the gate I cannot confirm they are still there but I see no reason for removing them so that may be an option.
I am guessing this is for a "real drink" that WL does not offer as option for QS however the food will be the sacrifice. Try Polite pig they in fact serve real drinks and you will not have to sit in the beating sun to enjoy.

Agreed. Can’t think of anything extra special at the pool bars but maybe I’m missing something?

 

[Darklord77]

We were passing through the Grand Floridian last year and got a drink at the pool bar closer to the villas. That pool didn't require special access. We didn't try the main pool since it wasn't our intention to use the pool, just a drink to go.

 

[bbn1122]

Go over to Poly and check out the Island Tower's Wailulu bar. Great views of MK (fireworks) food too.

Or outside patio for drinks at Poly (Trader Sams) and some food offerings.

And if you want something more elegant, try The Rose upstairs of the GF lobby, its loverly, food offerings too.

My friend and I did Wailulu and Trader Sam's patio two weeks ago. We also, went to California Grill's bar, if you plan it right you can watch fireworks from up there. They too have food and desserts off menu.

 

[Mle8308]

Both of the GF pool bars are behind gates and not accessible unless you are guest. I guess you could ask a CM if you see one or stop by the front desk. GF has a good non pool CS with far better food selections so all will not be lost if you are told no.
The pool bar at the Poly always had a few chairs outside the gate I cannot confirm they are still there but I see no reason for removing them so that may be an option.
I am guessing this is for a "real drink" that WL does not offer as option for QS however the food will be the sacrifice. Try Polite pig they in fact serve real drinks and you will not have to sit in the beating sun to enjoy it.

You can still order from the main pool (Lava Pool) at the Poly and not have to enter the pool area. The walk up area is around to the left side if you are facing the pool, or go to the right and walk about 3/4 of the way around outside the pool gate, you will get there. There are probably better options for QS food than most of the pool bars, Gasparilla Grill at the GF is great and not at a pool. You may not find seating at a pool bar, either.

 

[jillt2ph]

Both of the GF pool bars are behind gates and not accessible unless you are guest. I guess you could ask a CM if you see one or stop by the front desk. GF has a good non pool CS with far better food selections so all will not be lost if you are told no.
The pool bar at the Poly always had a few chairs outside the gate I cannot confirm they are still there but I see no reason for removing them so that may be an option.
I am guessing this is for a "real drink" that WL does not offer as option for QS however the food will be the sacrifice. Try Polite pig they in fact serve real drinks and you will not have to sit in the beating sun to enjoy it.

Unfortunately, neither of these pools requires a magic band. I wish they did. But as long as they don’t, if I am staying at the poly, I will actually walk over and have a quick service meal using a credit at the beaches pool bar at VGF. Because if you order your meal at the bar, you can get any alcoholic drink as your beverage. If you order it around the corner at the window, you can’t. I would never do it to use the pool, but most times when I go to the bar to do this, there are plenty of empty seats at the bar. I am more than happy to pay a tip when using a quick service credit if it means, I can have a piña colava with my meal.

 

[Peaseblossom36]

I'm hoping to be able to do this. The pulled pork nachos were probably the favorite thing I had on my last trip.

 

[jimmymc]

The Polynesian's pool bar has a window outside the gate which allows anyone to order. I'm not sure if Grand Floridian has the same.

 

[Isthisnormalatdisney]

Unfortunately, neither of these pools requires a magic band. I wish they did. But as long as they don’t, if I am staying at the poly, I will actually walk over and have a quick service meal using a credit at the beaches pool bar at VGF. Because if you order your meal at the bar, you can get any alcoholic drink as your beverage. If you order it around the corner at the window, you can’t. I would never do it to use the pool, but most times when I go to the bar to do this, there are plenty of empty seats at the bar. I am more than happy to pay a tip when using a quick service credit if it means, I can have a piña colava with my meal.

When you use the dining plan at a pool bar does it even give the option to add a tip? When we did it the option wasn’t there and we had no cash on us

 

[Simba's Mom]

The Polynesian's pool bar has a window outside the gate which allows anyone to order. I'm not sure if Grand Floridian has the same.

And I know that SAB at the Y&BC does.

 

[mrsap]

The latest reports are they are checking MB’s at the GF pools now, so I’m not sure you will be permitted to enter the gates.

 

[jillt2ph]

When you use the dining plan at a pool bar does it even give the option to add a tip? When we did it the option wasn’t there and we had no cash on us

Yes, at least at both the Oasis pool bar and the Beaches pool bar. At both of these places, it was the bartender who takes the orders and so you get your bill and receipt just like you would at a restaurant. I am more than happy to pay a tip if it means I get one of my frozen drinks

 

[jillt2ph]

The latest reports are they are checking MB’s at the GF pools now, so I’m not sure you will be permitted to enter the gates.

When I was there last week, they were checking the people using the pool chairs and grabbing towels.

 

[Isthisnormalatdisney]

Yes, at least at both the Oasis pool bar and the Beaches pool bar. At both of these places, it was the bartender who takes the orders and so you get your bill and receipt just like you would at a restaurant. I am more than happy to pay a tip if it means I get one of my frozen drinks

Hmm interesting, idk why I didn’t get that option. I was going to tip cause the drinks were better than a boring can of beer.

 

[jillt2ph]

Hmm interesting, idk why I didn’t get that option. I was going to tip cause the drinks were better than a boring can of beer.

Now I am curious...Where did you eat?

 

[Isthisnormalatdisney]

Now I am curious...Where did you eat?

Animal kingdom lounge. It didn’t give the option so I just though Disney just includes the tip in those situations because it would get confusing especially since a lot of non-Americans who aren’t used to the complex Disney tipping situation use the dining plan

Same thing when you get a pretzel at a pool bar on the dinning plan. Never got a receipt to tip

 

[jillt2ph]

Animal kingdom lounge. It didn’t give the option so I just though Disney just includes the tip in those situations because it would get confusing especially since a lot of non-Americans who aren’t used to the complex Disney tipping situation use the dining plan

Same thing when you get a pretzel at a pool bar on the dinning plan. Never got a receipt to tip

Do you mean one of the pools at Jambo or Kidani?

 

[Isthisnormalatdisney]

Do you mean one of the pools at Jambo or Kidani?

Yea idk what they are called