Question about WL and FW

[lrab1126]

I watched the show Great Hotels tonight and the host was at WL. (by the way this is a great show if you have not ever seen it and the host is great) Anyway....she also visited FW for a brief part which i thought was cool. She mentioned how WL guests are welcomed to use FW facilities and ammenities as they choose. So my question is, why is it that WL guests can use FW how ever they want but FW cannot do the same at WL? I ask only because when I had booked FW the CM I spoke to at Disney has told me that yes we could use WL amenities, but I had read on here that it was forbidden.

Just curious if anyone has insight. thanks!

 

[jimmytammy]

Im not sure I have insight, but since I own pts at VWL through DVC, maybe I can help. As far as I know, all resorts amenities can be used by resort guests. As for pool hopping...certain busy times of the year this is a no-no. The same is true of any resort guests that may want to use the pools at FW. Busy times wont allow it.

We love the fact that FW and WL are so closely connected. MOst of the amenities that WL has, FW has the same...such as the Mouseboats, pontoons, bike rentals, etc. Fact is FW has more amenities than WL does, with the stables, campfires, movies, etc. And again, that is pretty much open to all resort guests.

But we have seen folks come over from FW to swim at the WL pools and have no problem with it. Why they would wont to go to the trouble, I dont understand, but hey, its a free country.

 

[lrab1126]

I am totally in agreement about pool hopping, but my thought has always been what is the harm in spending some time at WL pool if its not hectic, even if just for a quick dip after taking the trail over from FW. I certainly would not want to be at any resort pool when its insane, I have seen the polynesian one where you cannot even move. But I know some are very heated on the topic. We love all the FW amentities which is why we chose it.

 

[auntie]

We've stayed at the WL many times..and we've stayed at FW twice(in the cabins...but hope to stay in our travel trailer in the camping loops one day). You are correct in that they do push the entire "shared amenties" over at the WL. However..they do not want the FW guests using the WL pool. Frankly..it doesn't bother me one way or the other. However...the pool is small for a resort of it's size, and I've been there at times when they have checked resort ID's. I've never seen them pull anyone out of the pool..but they do ask if you are sitting pool side or at a table. I've only seen this when the pool was very crowded, and it also appeared that people were saving seats by placing towels on them, from very early in the day.
I do think it is a bit confusing when they encourage the guests of the WL to use the facilities and amenities of FW..but then tell the FW guests not to use the WL pool. Doesn't seem in very good taste to me.
A nicely renovated, themed pool at FW would go a long way toward stopping any pool hopping to the WL however, I don't see that happening anytime soon.

 

[jimmytammy]

Most of the time when we vacation at WL, it is more in the off season. SO that is probably the resaon we havent seen anyone being asked for resort ID. I do agree that if amenitities can be shared by one resort they should be equal across the board. But pool hopping at BC is strictly forbidden. I would love to swim at Stormalong Bay while staying at WL, but that is one reason why people stay at BC, the pool.

So Im not sure why FW guests are told not to use WL pools. As another poster stated, it could be because the pool is a bit small for such a large resort

Again, I love the fact that FW/WL are so close to each other. Honestly FW IMO has way more to offer than any other WDW resort, but to a certain degree, it remains a hidden gem amongst the majority of WDW guests. That doesnt mean you can always get a place to stay there, cause the FW regulars know its value.

I for one thank you for allowing us to share your amenities. And as a VWL owner, I say come on over and do the same

 

[Boomer1]

I have always understood that there was no pool hopping and that is for all resort guests( you can only use the pool at your own resort). I believe that DVC members can pool hop. We have toured other resorts while staying at FW during Christmas time and have stopped for special events hosted by characters and have never been questioned or asked to leave. We have also enjoyed the Holiday decorations at the other resorts and usually spend a day travelling via monorail or WDW bus to do this. This is a nice way to visit other resorts and Disney seems to encourage this by having elaborate displays in many of the Deluxe Resorts , I have always thought of it as very smart marketing. It would be nice if FW guests could have access to the fitness room at WL. How about they redo River County into a really nice pool and allow it to be shared by FW and WL guests, I agree that the pool facilities at FW are below WDW standards and that the pool at WL is far too small for a resort of that size.

 

[John VN]

No need to wish for a RC redo since it will not happen.

Again, as far as pool hopping, it is not allowed for any guests at WDW Resorts other than DVC Members and even then there are certain restrictions. DVC has received a special exemption in writing regarding pool hopping and this exemption can be removed at any time.

At time of check-in, in the paper work that many people do not read, it states that the pool is for the use of the guests staying at that resort and hopping is not allowed.

 

[ftwildernessguy]

Despite what others say or do, Disney's official policy is no pool hopping with the exception of DVC members with certain restrictions. It doesn't matter how you rationalize it, the official Disney policy is no on pool hopping.