Question about Pool for Day Visit from Son

[Billmel]

Our son and his family will be coming up 1 afternoon while we are staying at AKL Kidani. They will only be able to spend that 1 afternoon, have dinner and then leave. Would the kids (2 & 9) be able to use the pool while they are visiting. We have dinner at Boma scheduled for later, then after dinner they will be going home. Just didn't want to tell them the kids could use the pool, if there was going to be a problem. We are new DVC members so we aren't familiar with the rules yet.

 

[fers31]

Per Disney rules, they are not allowed to use the pool. You might be able to talk to the front desk and have them allow them to use the pool.

 

[dbs1228]

Could you add your son and the kids to your ressie for the 1 day they are visiting then there would be no problem?

 

[RescueRanger]

Our son and his family will be coming up 1 afternoon while we are staying at AKL Kidani. They will only be able to spend that 1 afternoon, have dinner and then leave. Would the kids (2 & 9) be able to use the pool while they are visiting. We have dinner at Boma scheduled for later, then after dinner they will be going home. Just didn't want to tell them the kids could use the pool, if there was going to be a problem. We are new DVC members so we aren't familiar with the rules yet.

Just ask at the front desk the day that they are arriving. As long as the resort says it is OK, then you are all set. There shouldn't be any problem if it's not too crowded.

 

[chalee94]

they need to be on the reservation (and have room keys) to use the pool.

if you have room in occupancy for the reservation, you can add them to the reservation.

if it's not crowded, the lifeguard has the final say...but i wouldn't count on it working out at AKV... too many people at the resort - that's why you can't "pool hop" to AKV.

 

[jodifla]

I would add the kids to the reservation. That way, they'll have room keys (add parents too if you have room. If not, just a couple of adults can sit by the pool with the kids...although I bet a lifeguard will likely let you in the area if you are dressed in street clothes. Not like you'll be going in the pools.)

When we were at AKL last year, I actually don't remember anyone checking room keys. It's not like they do at Stormalong Bay or even Vero.

 

[camlace]

Our son and his family will be coming up 1 afternoon while we are staying at AKL Kidani. They will only be able to spend that 1 afternoon, have dinner and then leave. Would the kids (2 & 9) be able to use the pool while they are visiting. We have dinner at Boma scheduled for later, then after dinner they will be going home. Just didn't want to tell them the kids could use the pool, if there was going to be a problem. We are new DVC members so we aren't familiar with the rules yet.

Disney absolutely allows you to spend time with your family and friends at your resort and use the amenities whether or not they are on your reservation, staying on property, staying off property, whatever. This topic comes up repeatedly and everyone chimes in and says NO NO NO. I have on numerous occassions at numerous resorts, including BCV have had friends and family visit me at my resort for the day and join me at the pool. Pool hopping...agreed not allowed, enjoying vacation with your friends and family is perfectly acceptable in the eyes of Disney.

 

[vicki_c]

Check the pool hopping thread at the top of the Resorts Board for a lengthy explanation of what may/may not be allowed. In the end, it's at the discretion of the lifeguards at the pool.

 

[Greysword]

Another advantage to adding them to the reservation is they would get a parking pass and be able to come and go as they need, since they will have their own key.

 

[CarolAnnC]

I agree with the others here, adding them to your reservation would be the safest way to ensure they can enjoy the AKV pool. That way you do not have to worry about guests being asked to leave the pool area, and I have seen that happen. Have fun!

 

[csharpwv]

REALLY?!??!?!

Of all of our trips to the 'world' we have never been asked to show our room keys - and would they REALLY ask at the pool for everyone in the party to show their KTTW Card???

I'm not disputing this - or doubting this - I'm just asking - REALLY?

They do that?
They would ask someone to leave- even if one member of the party had a KTTW card?

 

[eliza61]

Disney absolutely allows you to spend time with your family and friends at your resort and use the amenities whether or not they are on your reservation, staying on property, staying off property, whatever. This topic comes up repeatedly and everyone chimes in and says NO NO NO. I have on numerous occassions at numerous resorts, including BCV have had friends and family visit me at my resort for the day and join me at the pool. Pool hopping...agreed not allowed, enjoying vacation with your friends and family is perfectly acceptable in the eyes of Disney.

So let's see, my son's 16th birthday is coming up, I can invite his 10 friends to hang out at the pool and have a party?

See that's the problem when rules begin to "bend". Sure 1 family member here and there is no problem but what happens when you've got 7 families with brothers wanting to swim. and if this is acceptable why can't I invite my sister and her family that's staying at Pop to visit with us for the day?

How is that any different?

The rule isn't ther because disney is trying to prevent guest from enjoying themselves, it's there because there is limited resources.

 

[vicki_c]

REALLY?!??!?!

Of all of our trips to the 'world' we have never been asked to show our room keys - and would they REALLY ask at the pool for everyone in the party to show their KTTW Card???

I'm not disputing this - or doubting this - I'm just asking - REALLY?

They do that?
They would ask someone to leave- even if one member of the party had a KTTW card?

I've seen it at WL and seen people made to leave the pool area.

 

[Dean]

Disney absolutely allows you to spend time with your family and friends at your resort and use the amenities whether or not they are on your reservation, staying on property, staying off property, whatever. This topic comes up repeatedly and everyone chimes in and says NO NO NO. I have on numerous occassions at numerous resorts, including BCV have had friends and family visit me at my resort for the day and join me at the pool. Pool hopping...agreed not allowed, enjoying vacation with your friends and family is perfectly acceptable in the eyes of Disney.

Technically no, practically, usually it's OK. It's ultimately up to the management to say OK and the lifeguards to enforce number availability. Adding them is the best, only adding part would be dishonest.

 

[Billmel]

Has anyone ever added anyone to the reservation for 5 hours. That is how long they will be there. They will be joining us for dinner at Boma, we were hoping that we could spend a few hours before at the hotel. Any idea how much it would cost to add them, we also have the deluxe dining plan, will we have to add them to that also? We are DVC members, and this is our first trip.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Has anyone ever added anyone to the reservation for 5 hours. That is how long they will be there. They will be joining us for dinner at Boma, we were hoping that we could spend a few hours before at the hotel. Any idea how much it would cost to add them, we also have the deluxe dining plan, will we have to add them to that also? We are DVC members, and this is our first trip.

You'd have to pay for the dining plan for them as well.

If they are staying at another WDW resort, you could pool hop to their resort as long as it wasn't BLT, or YC/BC/BCV.

Or you could just show them around the resort, take them to the savanna areas where they can see the animals and avoid the pool altogether.

 

[mckryan]

REALLY?!??!?!

Of all of our trips to the 'world' we have never been asked to show our room keys - and would they REALLY ask at the pool for everyone in the party to show their KTTW Card???

I'm not disputing this - or doubting this - I'm just asking - REALLY?

They do that?
They would ask someone to leave- even if one member of the party had a KTTW card?

You must show it at Stormalong Bay, and you are issued a wrist band. They may not be as strict with this rule during low season, but during peak travel times you cannot get into the pool area without a room key for YC/BC.

 

[Dean]

Has anyone ever added anyone to the reservation for 5 hours. That is how long they will be there. They will be joining us for dinner at Boma, we were hoping that we could spend a few hours before at the hotel. Any idea how much it would cost to add them, we also have the deluxe dining plan, will we have to add them to that also? We are DVC members, and this is our first trip.

I have, to get keys and/or a parking pass, you will need to add them. Your choices as I see them for non guests are to do one of the following for items that are restricted to guests only like the pool.

• Head to the pool and take your chances on them being asked to leave.
• Getting Permissions from a manager and/or lifeguard.
• Adding them to the reservation.

The last one is likely both the easiest and safest in the long run as the other 2 risk both prevention of the activity and possible embarrassment to you and your friends. BCV, BLT and AKV have a higher degree of risk in this area than do the other DVC resorts. The only other kicker is if you have the DDP. If so, and you add them, technically you'd be obligated to get it for them also for the LOS. Practically, that's not going to happen if you go to the desk and tell them you have guests coming for the day and need to get them keys.

 

[DenLo]

This is what the Disney WDW website states about pools:

Please note that pools are for use only for Guests of that specific Resort hotel.

The only exception I know to that policy is that DVC members and their guests staying on points can pool hop to other WDW pools with some exceptions (no pool hopping at BLT, AKL/AKV, BC/YC/BCV pools and some dates are restricted). So if you really want the grandsons to use the pool they'd need to be on your reservation. And since you are on the DP, it looks like the best thing to do would be to ask at the front desk if it's okay. I say have a back up plan to have the boys spend some time at Pumbaa's Fun & Games Arcade at Jambo House. Between that, viewing the animals and a snack or lunch they should be entertained.

 

[daisyduck123]

I agree with the others here, adding them to your reservation would be the safest way to ensure they can enjoy the AKV pool. That way you do not have to worry about guests being asked to leave the pool area, and I have seen that happen. Have fun!

I saw it happen at Kidani Village last year & just this past July in SAB. The lifeguard saw a guy (about 20 something) in the water & told him he needed a wristband. She then radioed for someone else to come over. That person came over and watched/waited while the guy left and headed out onto the Boardwalk. Several of us thanked the lifeguard.