Pools

[Bean786]

When you stay at a resort, do they give you a wrist band when you go to the pool? How does this work? It's 4 of us but if somebody else wanted to join for a few hours, is that ok? Or no. And what's the most kid friendly pool? Deciding if I'm going to stay for a night. Mostly for an awesome pool.

 

[ghtx]

No wrist band.

At some of the more popular pools during the high season, they will check your resort ID. I am not sure about guests. We have brought guests to the pool before with no problem, but maybe they can be more strict.

All of the pools are equally kid-friendly.

The most popular pool (and the best) is the one at the Beach Club. If you're picking a hotel just for the pool. that's the one.

 

[Bean786]

No wrist band. At some of the more popular pools during the high season, they will check your resort ID. The most popular pool (and the best) is the one at the Beach Club.

So would a friend be able to swim for a few hours or that's looked down on lol

 

[lanejudy]

So would a friend be able to swim for a few hours or that's looked down on lol

Resort pools are officially only for resort guests - guests at that specific resort, not another WDW resort. Whether your friend could join you for a few hours...it's probably possible, but they could be asked to leave if lifeguards are checking IDs.

You might check out the Resorts board for more information.

 

[Raenstoirm]

The most popular pool (and the best) is the one at the Beach Club. If you're picking a hotel just for the pool. that's the one.

So would a friend be able to swim for a few hours or that's looked down on lol

Not at Yacht and Beach. They are VERY picky. Every member of your party must have their MB swiped to get in.

 

[purple figment]

There's a very long thread on the Resorts board that addresses your question.

Basically as others have said, the pool is for the registered guests of that particular resort. Your friends may be able to swim, but you should ask the lifeguards at the pool first. A pool such as Stormalong Bay at the Beach and Yacht Club would be so popular, it requires BC/YC MB or room keys from all guests entering the pool area.

Your question is answered in the first post of the Pool thread here:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2450438

 

[chartle]

No wrist band.

Is this new? Last trip we did some resort hopping and all three deluxes we visited used wristbands. The first was the one you would expect, Stormalong Bay, but at the Poly and WL we saw guests of the resort (or maybe freeloaders) commenting that they had to go back to the front desk to get wristbands.

Maybe I just heard it wrong but I'm pretty sure everyone had them.

 

[Siriusblack]

We had wrist bands last time we were at the Beach Club.

 

[mm1971]

So would a friend be able to swim for a few hours or that's looked down on lol

The official line is that pools are for resort guests only so in general it is not allowed. I think they are a lot more diligent when it is busy and the pools are full than slower times. As with most things, it is a liability issue to have a non-guest in the pool since they are not covered under Disney's insurance policy.

I'm sure guests pool hop and that it happens. If they are caught, there are potential trespassing charges if the CM's are in a not so good mood.

 

[SharonZ]

If adding your guest to your reservation wouldn't put you over the occupancy limit, you could pay the extra adult fee - which is $15 per night. If you are only staying one night, it would be the easiest way to avoid any pool issues.

 

[goofy4tink]

You will need to prove you are a guest staying at either YC or BC in order to use SAB. Either Magic Band or room key. AoA pools are room key accessible. I was just at WL 2 weeks ago, and there were no wristbands in use.
Pool use is for those paying to stay at that resort. Now, that's not to say that you wouldn't be allowed to ask about bringing some guests to the pool with you. But there is signage, at each pool, that theology is for resort guests only.

 

[outahere]

If adding your guest to your reservation wouldn't put you over the occupancy limit, you could pay the extra adult fee - which is $15 per night. If you are only staying one night, it would be the easiest way to avoid any pool issues.

Not sure about the cost at the value and moderate resorts, but the cost is $25 per extra adult (more than 2 in the room) at the deluxe resorts. I'll also add that they are very strict at SAB at the Yacht and Beach Clubs. You must show a room key or magic band, or they will not let you into the pool area. I once asked the CM checking key cards how many people they turn away. She said it depends on the season/weather but they have turned away as many as 300 people in a day.

 

[Princess Katherine]

You can only swim at a pool of you are staying there.

Katie

 

[nydancemom]

We had no idea this was against the rules. In August of 2011 we went to WDW on vacation with our son, DIL, and 4 grandchildren. They stayed in a family suite at ASMu. We stayed offsite. One night after a long, hot day at the parks we headed to their suite and then swam in the pool for a couple of hours. No one ever said a word and we had no idea we were breaking any rules. Oops!

 

[Deb & Bill]

When you stay at a resort, do they give you a wrist band when you go to the pool? How does this work? It's 4 of us but if somebody else wanted to join for a few hours, is that ok? Or no. And what's the most kid friendly pool? Deciding if I'm going to stay for a night. Mostly for an awesome pool.

This is the thread you want to read:

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2450438

All pool threads are supposed to be posted there.