Pool Hopping

[zachary5]

Are guests of one Disney resort allowed to swim in another resort's pool? I was just wondering because I saw that basically all the hotels have some fabulous pools and we would like to try them out.

 

[jel0511]

No, only registered guests at a particular hotel are allowed to use that particular pool. Guests at "sister" resorts can use each other pools. The guests at the All-Stars can use the pools at the other All-Stars, and when Port Orleans French Quarter reopens, guests at both Port Orleans hotels can use both their pools. At the more popular pools; Poly, Wilderness Lodge and Stormalong Bay will ask for ID to keep non hotel guests out.

 

[>>^..^<<]

This is a popular question these days - maybe we should have a permanent thread at the top of the page on this...

Zachary - if you are staying at an allstar you can swim at all the other allstars too

If you are staying at Port Orleans - you can swim at Port Orleans French Quarter (and reversed)

If you are staying at BC/YC - you can swim at the BC Villa pool and reverse.

If you are staying at BWI you can swim at BWV and reverse...

At all the other resorts - the pool is only for registered guests at that resort.

DCV members can swim at some of the other pools - but there are some restrictions.

Hope this helps,

>>^..^<<

 

[Eeyore1954]

Zach, you've heard what Disney "says." The reality is sometimes different. There are many reports of people calling the resorts and asking nicely if they can visit the pool, even though they are staying at another Disney resort. Sometimes, Disney allows you to do this -- it's called Disney magic -- and you get an opportunity to spend time at an awesome pool.

You may get a "no" answer from YC/BC because Stormalong Bay is fairly well limited to YC/BC/BCV guests only. AKL may be another "no" because they have been somewhat restrictive about AKL guests only using the AKL pool.

That said, it never hurts to ask and the worst that can happen is a CM says "no."

The best that can happen though is they say "yes" and you have a truly magical experience!

 

[zachary5]

I think your suggestion is a good idea. That way, if the manager doesn't mind, no one else should either. I think being upfront and open with the manager is the best way to go.

Thanks for your suggestions.

 

[>>^..^<<]

Originally posted by zachary5
if the manager doesn't mind, no one else should either.

You would think so - but around here I doubt it!

>>^..^<<

 

[Lewisc]

Most of the people are asking permission to swim with friends who are registered guests of that hotel not from people who just want to try out the pool.

If the pool isn't mobbed you might get permission BUT as an alternative split your stay amoung several resorts. At lot easier than trying to get permission, having to worry about parking finding a place to change etc. For a moderate try CSR for a deluxe try WL and AKL. All have great pools and generally have attractive discounts available.

 

[ducklite]

I agree with Lewis, if you want to try out the pools then split your stay between different resorts.

Especially in the summer and peak holiday times the pools can get very crowded to the point that there aren't enough chairs even for registered guests of the hotel. It's not fair to them when people who aren't guests come and use chairs and take up already crowded water space.

Anne

 

[peachgirl]

Most of the people are asking permission to swim with friends who are registered guests of that hotel not from people who just want to try out the pool.

Not from the posts I've read. The reasons why they ask vary a great deal and whatever their reasons were, I've never read one single post from someone who was ever turned down when they asked. Pretty good odds if you ask me!

"At lot easier than trying to get permission, having to worry about parking finding a place to change etc. For a moderate try CSR for a deluxe try WL and AKL."

Nah, it's easy to get permission. Give the resort a call from anywhere onsite or if you happen to be resort hopping, check while you're there. All the resorts I've stayed at have changing rooms with showers poolside. As far as transportation, take a bus, boat or monorail...depending on where you are leaving from. It's really simple and uncomplicated.

Besides, it seems to me going through all the hassle of changing resorts would be much more trouble than just asking. Especially when it seems to be a request that they so often grant!

 

[Eeyore1954]

Originally posted by ducklite
I agree with Lewis, if you want to try out the pools then split your stay between different resorts.

Especially in the summer and peak holiday times the pools can get very crowded to the point that there aren't enough chairs even for registered guests of the hotel. It's not fair to them when people who aren't guests come and use chairs and take up already crowded water space.

Anne

Everyone may not be financially capable or even willing to split their stays. I, for one, would never do a split stay -- I'd hate the idea of packing and unpacking again just to move to a different resort.

The CMs at each resort are capable of making a decision on the pool conditions. I'm sure if they are crowded, they will "just say no." But from what I've read, the overwheming majority of CMs do everything they can to make every guest's visit magical. That's why I encourage people to just ask first.

 

[Tea Please]

Originally posted by Eeyore1954

The CMs at each resort are capable of making a decision on the pool conditions. I'm sure if they are crowded, they will "just say no." But from what I've read, the overwheming majority of CMs do everything they can to make every guest's visit magical. That's why I encourage people to just ask first.

Good advice Eyeore. On our recent stay at the BWI, some local friends were visiting us and we got permission for them to swim. I actually think the CM was surprised that we bothered to ask.

 

[Lewisc]

Pools that are "destinations" (SAB, AKL) are less likely to allow for non-guest use (particularly during busy times).

OP asked if pool hopping is allowed. The answer is no.

It doesn't hurt to ask for an exception, BUT I wouldn't plan my trip around being allowed to pool hop. I'll stick with my suggestion that if there is a particular pool (or 2) that OP want to try out the easiest thing is to try to get a good rate at that resort.

 

[peachgirl]

OP asked if pool hopping is allowed. The answer is no.

But that isn't the answer, at least not the complete answer. It gives the op the idea that it's a hard and fast, never bended policy and that is definitely not true.

The complete answer is that officially, the rules state that pool hopping is not permitted. In reality, the resorts are very generous in allowing people staying onsite to make use of another resort pool. No matter what the pool, there's never been a post saying that someone was turned down when they asked. I'm sure had someone been turned down, we would have heard about it.

It's just a fact that some people don't like and others could care less about.

 

[spiceycat]

how do you go about this - I generally would not need to - I am a DVC member - but I am not staying on points for this trip -

so do you call the front desk and ask if pool-hopping is possible for guests saying at another WDW resort or what?

do you immediately ask to speak to the manager?

 

[Lewisc]

You know better

There have been numerous posts of pools being restricted to guests only at SAB, WL and AKL. Do you think when SAB is asking to see resort ID and giving out wrist bands they'll "No problem" if OP drops by and asks if they can try out the pool?
Of course permission is not always granted.

Some resorts, I think someone gave the example of Sandals have a policy of allowing resort hopping. The three Universal hotels have an offical policy of allowing pool hopping.

The official Disney policy is pool hopping is not allowed. It really is that clear. I agree if it's not busy OP may not have a trouble but I certainly wouldn't want to plan my vacation around it.

 

[swilphil]

I wonder if you ask the CM at the resort where you are staying who you should talk to. They may even make the call for you, or be able to give you a good connection.

 

[Eeyore1954]

Originally posted by spiceycat
how do you go about this - I generally would not need to - I am a DVC member - but I am not staying on points for this trip -

so do you call the front desk and ask if pool-hopping is possible for guests saying at another WDW resort or what?

do you immediately ask to speak to the manager?

Spiceycat, I've never done this -- I'm just not a pool-type person -- but what I've read on the DISboards and other places is people call the resort and talk to someone at the front desk. They just ask "if your pool is not crowded right now, may we (come over and swim?" You might preface this by indicating which Disney resort you are staying at and indicating your interest in visiting the resort and pool.

I wouldn't ask to speak to a manager; the CM who answers your call is empowered to provide you with an answer.

And if they say "no", I would thank them and wish them a magical day. If they say "yes", I'd grab my swin gear and make a bee-line for the resort!

 

[Lewisc]

Originally posted by Eeyore1954
I wouldn't ask to speak to a manager; the CM who answers your call is empowered to provide you with an answer.

And if they say "no", I would thank them and wish them a magical day. If they say "yes", I'd grab my swin gear and make a bee-line for the resort!

It's also not worth it to me go to another resort (unless I had friends or family staying there) to swim but I agree with your suggestion but also:

1) Remember the name of the CM who you spoke to.
2) Don't be rude, if you're told NO don't call back and hope to get another CM, just try a different resort

 

[peachgirl]

You know better

No, actually, I don't know better.

Of course permission is not always granted.

I never said it was. I said there hadn't been any reports of anyone being turned down on these boards that I knew of. I'm quite sure, someone, somewhere, sometime got told no. I just haven't ever heard of anyone on these boards having that experience. If you could please point me to any post where a guest made such a request and was turned down, I'd be happy to make a correction on what I said.

Granting permission to swim at other resort pools is a lot more common that some people would like to think. I wouldn't plan my vacation around it either, nor would I make an issue of it if I were told no.

I'm not quite sure what you're arguing with me about. The policy is " Pools are reserved for guests of the resort". WDW can and does make exceptions to that policy at their discretion. I don't see what there is to argue about.

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by Eeyore1954
Everyone may not be financially capable or even willing to split their stays.

And I'd like to stay in the Royal Suite at the Princeville Resort, but I can't afford it. Does that give me the right to go swim in the pool there anyhow?

Anne