Pool Hopping Allowed to Swan/Dolphin?

[frndofpooh]

Are people staying at a Disney resort allowed to use the pool area at the Swan and Dolphin? If so, is there a place to show a room key or other proof of where you are staying? If not, how do they check to make sure that only Swan/Dolphin guests are using the pool? Thanks in advance for your responses.

 

[JillU-DVC]

The official word is that pool hopping between Disney Resorts is NOT allowed ever (unless you are a DVC member staying on points, and even then there are limitations).

The Swan and Dolphin are not actually offical Disney hotels, so even if Pool Hopping was allowed between resorts, it would not apply to the Swan and Dolphin.

 

[swilphil]

We just stayed at the Dolphin, and there was no room id required to use the pool, only to check out towels and life jackets. If you look like you stay there and behave, it probably wouldn't be a problem.

 

[CarolA]

NO! You are not allowed to go to pools where you are not staying and use the pool. Do you do this in your home town? Why would other places allow it?

There are signs stating that you must have hotel ID on you at all times and they can check. Personally if I figure out that you are "crashing" the pool and I am a paying guest who can't find a beach chair I will go find the hotel management and I expect them to deal with it. (I have done it before!)

Where do these ideas come from?

 

[jk1]

Where do these ideas come from?

Probably from responses like "If you look like you stay there and behave, it probably wouldn't be a problem."

 

[frndofpooh]

CarolA -

I asked because I did not want to violate any rules. We stayed at the Swan a few years ago and enjoyed the pool, and we may or may not choose to stay there again. Pool hopping privileges, or lack thereof, could influence whether we choose a Disney resort or the Swan. If only Swan/Dolphin guests may use the pool, then our enjoyment of the pool makes it more likely that we would choose to stay there as opposed to a Disney resort. Your post provided the answer that I was looking for. Thank you for your response.

 

[Gillian]

I don't see what the big deal is with people asking questions like this. If I didn't know any better, I would probably think that all Disney facilities can be used by anyone staying at a Disney resort. There are a lot of resorts where you can use facilities at a different, nearby hotel. Often city hotels without their own health club or pool will send you to another hotel to use theirs. And places like Sandals will shuttle you over to other Sandals locations.

It's not so uncommon that we should just KNOW that it isn't allowed.

 

[LIFERBABE]

FrndofPooh I agree with you.

Sometimes the questions on this board get misinterpreted on these boards. Some think the only reason you want to know the rules is so that you can skirt them.
What needs to be understood is that you must know the rules before you decide to play. Not knowing the rules can cost you time and money. I don't fault you for asking "how do they check" everyone should know how they check if they are going to pay their money to stay there. If they don't check that is good enough reason to bypass a Resort if non enforcement of rules is an issue for you.
In Vegas, the Mandalay Bay Beach has strict enforcement of Pool Rules. Every infant, child, and Adult must have a valid room key to enter the pool area.
The casino hotel is huge and last year when we were there I forgot my Key (DH had his) and I had to go all the way back to the room to retrieve it to gain entry. Although you get briefed at checkin, it is nice to know these things in the planning stages of a vacation as usually one checks in and the other gets the bags and things get lost in the excitement.
I wish we could all be more patient with our new members ( and old ones too) and provide helpful information when we can. You can always tell the rules or your experience without condoning deviant behavior.

 

[Sammie]

Originally posted by Gillian
I don't see what the big deal is with people asking questions like this. If I didn't know any better, I would probably think that all Disney facilities can be used by anyone staying at a Disney resort. There are a lot of resorts where you can use facilities at a different, nearby hotel. Often city hotels without their own health club or pool will send you to another hotel to use theirs. And places like Sandals will shuttle you over to other Sandals locations.

It's not so uncommon that we should just KNOW that it isn't allowed.

You are right that it is understandable for people to ask, but it does surprise me at the replies that think it is acceptable to do this, especially after others have stated the Disney policy.

I wish Disney would get tougher with the enforcement of the policy and eliminate the arguement completely.

 

[jk1]

Sammie is right...it's not the original question that leads to the arguments and dissensions on the boards. It is the replies from those people who feel it is ok to pool hop and those replies who tell you how to skirt the rules.

 

[peachgirl]

It is the replies from those people who feel it is ok to pool hop and those replies who tell you how to skirt the rules.

Oh well, then I guess it is ok to be rude to the people who just ask simple questions.

Personally if I figure out that you are "crashing" the pool and I am a paying guest who can't find a beach chair I will go find the hotel management and I expect them to deal with it. (I have done it before!)

If that's how you choose to spend your vacation time, that's your business, but do you really think it's neccessary to be so rude to someone who only asked if they could do it or not?

Whether you like it or not, the truth of the matter is that many people have reported asking at the resort if they could use the pool and have been told they could.

frndofpooh....
First, welcome to the DIS! Secondly, I'm sorry that you're being subjected to these types of posts regarding your question. Please don't let them give you the wrong impression about these boards. There's a certain group of people who seem to thrive on attacking others regarding certain WDW subjects. Then there's another group who feel the need to apologize for them everytime they do it.

Regarding your question.....WDW is very generous in trying to accomodate their guests and do so whenever it's possible. Generally pool hopping isn't allowed, but as I said WDW does frequently allow their onsite guests to visit other pools. Since the Swan and Dolphin aren't WDW resorts, I don't know if they allow it or not, but if you'd really like to use their pools I'd just ask them about it.

 

[Eeyore1954]

Originally posted by peachgirl
Regarding your question.....WDW is very generous in trying to accomodate their guests and do so whenever it's possible. Generally pool hopping isn't allowed, but as I said WDW does frequently allow their onsite guests to visit other pools. Since the Swan and Dolphin aren't WDW resorts, I don't know if they allow it or not, but if you'd really like to use their pools I'd just ask them about it.

I totally agree! It doesn't hurt to ask and the worst that can happen is the CM says "no." But you may be lucky and the CM says "yes" and you get to have yet another magical experience!

 

[swilphil]

On the "Pool Hopping" thread, several people reported instances where you can just call the resort, tell them you are staying at a Disney Resort, and ask if you can use their pool. It sounds like most of the time these requests are granted.

As far as taking someone else's chair, I was staying at the Swan/Dolphin right before July 4th and there were plenty of chairs whenever I went to the pool.

 

[baloo722]

uh-oh, there's another one to add to the list.......geez...frndofpooh, i hope the surgery to attach your head to your neck after someone bit it off goes well. welcome to the boards. Ignore the grumblers...If you use manners and ask, there probably won't be a problem.

 

[ducklite]

You should also ignore those who encourage people to break the rules, in order to avoid embarressment when you are asked to leave an area you do'nt have the right to be in.

Anne

 

[Eeyore1954]

Originally posted by ducklite
You should also ignore those who encourage people to break the rules, in order to avoid embarressment when you are asked to leave an area you do'nt have the right to be in.

Anne

No one is encouraging people to break the rules. Several people suggested that the individual ask for permission first. If Disney grants that permission, it's not breaking any rules. Except for those created by the self-appointed WDW pool police.

 

[frndofpooh]

Thanks to all for your informative responses. It's pretty clear at this point that the official Disney position is that pool hopping is not allowed between Disney resorts, but that exceptions are often granted for those who ask permission first. I focused upon the Swan/Dolphin in my original post specifically because it is not owned by Disney, and I did not know whether the policy was the same or different at Swan/Dolphin. After reading the replies, it sounds like the official policy is the same as Disney, but it is unclear to me whether the possibility for exceptions at Swan/Dolphin may also be the same as Disney. Even though others have asked for and received permission to pool hop between Disney resorts, has anyone ever asked for permission to use the pool at the Swan/Dolphin when staying at a Disney resort? Thank you again for all of your help. It seems that I unintentionally asked a question generating some strong opinions, but I appreciate those who took the time to respond.

 

[goofy4tink]

You know, I've been to other places that are like the Mandalay. You have to use a room key to gain entrance to the pool. I wonder if this might be an option at WDW at some point. Just seems that if I'm paying the extra money to stay at a resort with a terrific pool area, then those that aren't paying for it shouldn't be allowed to use the facilities. The pools are one of the deciding factors for us when we decide which resort to stay in.
Now, I don't think we need to be rude to others though in responding to an honestly asked question. It's much better to be informed than to make a mistake and be embarrassed!!

 

[Trekker]

Enough!

Get a clue people this type of of petty bickering has to stop.

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