Split families and resort pools

[Raya]

We're planning a trip with some family members at CBR and some at WL. If we all wanted to have lunch and then let the kids hit the pool while the adults talk poolside, would that be a problem? Half of the kids will be staying at WL and half at CBR. The plan is to spend the morning in the park, head to the resort (probably CBR), eat lunch, hit the pool, and then head back into the park. I've read on here that resort guests aren't supposed to pool hop. Will half the kids have to stay out of the pool? Will someone be checking IDs?

 

[daisyduck123]

Hi! You are correct that guests are not allowed to swim at another resort's pool. The rules are posted on every sign, at every resort pool. I personally, would not take the chance. We stayed at CBR in January, and the new pool has a fence around it (at least the part by the patio & pool bar...I never walked all the way around) with a gate to go thru to get to the new pool.

It's a shame you all are not staying at the same resort. The kids would get a lot more swimming time together that way. The waterparks are a TON OF FUN. You might want to think about heading over there.

 

[robinb]

I don't think that key cards will be checked at CBR and they probably won't be checked at WL. To be on the safe side, I would go ahead and check with the front desk to OK it before you all go to the pool . There is no reason to spend money at a waterpark ... especially when you're going at a really slow time.

 

[RMulieri]

Official Disney policy is that resort pools are for guests of that resort only.However, you can always check with the pool lifeguards the day you are thinking about swimming and see if they will allow it.Most times it may not be a problem EXCEPT if the pool is very busy.Calling the hotel directly and before your trip to get permission does not always work, since 1) it is a call center that answers not the front desk and 2) the front desk may say it is ok, but the lifeguards on arrival may tell you otherwise

 

[Lynne M]

I don't think that key cards will be checked at CBR and they probably won't be checked at WL. To be on the safe side, I would go ahead and check with the front desk to OK it before you all go to the pool . There is no reason to spend money at a waterpark ... especially when you're going at a really slow time.

The best thing to do is to ask the lifeguards at the pool you want to use. They have authority in the pool area, so even if the front desk says it's OK,the lifeguard can still say no.

The good news is, if you do ask and the pool area isn't busy, they will often allow guests of guests to use the pool.

But DO ask, don't just assume it'll be OK if the pool isn't crowded. We've had reports of ID's being checked at CBR since the pool was refurbished , and I've personally seen families without ID escorted out of the WL pool area by uniformed security, during a slow time, when there were only a handful of people at the pool.

 

[robinb]

The best thing to do is to ask the lifeguards at the pool you want to use. They have authority in the pool area, so even if the front desk says it's OK,the lifeguard can still say no.

Lynne, do you think it would be best to check with the front desk in addition to the lifeguard? It might give the OP some more "ammo" if she talks to the lifeguard after already OKing it with the front desk.

 

[sharadoc]

The best thing to do is to ask the lifeguards at the pool you want to use. They have authority in the pool area, so even if the front desk says it's OK,the lifeguard can still say no.

The good news is, if you do ask and the pool area isn't busy, they will often allow guests of guests to use the pool.

But DO ask, don't just assume it'll be OK if the pool isn't crowded. We've had reports of ID's being checked at CBR since the pool was refurbished , and I've personally seen families without ID escorted out of the WL pool area by uniformed security, during a slow time, when there were only a handful of people at the pool.

Hi. I think the lifeguards will be amenable when they see the parents are NOT swimming. So, if a family of four visits a family of four and only the kids swim, then there's still 4 people in the pool - the same amount of registered guests.

I would definitely discuss it with the lifeguards to be safe but I think it's a failsafe argument for allowing the kids to swim!

 

[Mommytobree]

I'd probably check with the front desk and the lifeguard, explain what you said here (2 familes, different resorts, ect.) more than likely it wont be a problem if you ask first

 

[Tinkerbella001]

Yes, you will be allowed to swim at the other resort. Just to be sure, check with the lifeguard before. I was told by multiple CM's at the call center and the front desk DIRECTLY that as long as 1 member of the party is staying at that resort, everyone can swim. Your guests are their guests.

This is a really hot topic, and people are confusing it with "pool-hopping". That is where you all decide to just go swim in a nicer pool where none of you are staying. Someone in your party is an actual guest of that resort in this case, and it is not "Pool-hopping".

 

[2forMe]

Yes, you will be allowed to swim at the other resort. Just to be sure, check with the lifeguard before. I was told by multiple CM's at the call center and the front desk DIRECTLY that as long as 1 member of the party is staying at that resort, everyone can swim. Your guests are their guests.

This is a really hot topic, and people are confusing it with "pool-hopping". That is where you all decide to just go swim in a nicer pool where none of you are staying. Someone in your party is an actual guest of that resort in this case, and it is not "Pool-hopping".

ITA... I have been told this as well.

 

[tinkerbellybutton]

Hi. I think the lifeguards will be amenable when they see the parents are NOT swimming. So, if a family of four visits a family of four and only the kids swim, then there's still 4 people in the pool - the same amount of registered guests.

I would definitely discuss it with the lifeguards to be safe but I think it's a failsafe argument for allowing the kids to swim!

Keep in mind that just because there are 4 people in the room and only 4 people in the pool that the 4 additional guests (the 4 parents) are still taking up seating in the pool area. Believe me, we were just there in June and there isn't nearly enough seating for the amount of people that were at the pool everyday. We always had to walk around looking for someone leaving in order to get a table or enough lounge chairs for us. And even then we only ever took 3 lounge chairs (for us adults) even though we were a party of 7. The 4 kids just had to swim or sit at the foot of a chair. And no matter what time we were there there were always several families walking around looking for a place to sit or put their things.

On the other hand I don't think you will have a problem with the CMs. In all our years of going to WDW we have never had our ID checked at any resort, including AKL (which I'd always heard they check regularly). Nor have I seen anyone getting check. Of course this is excluding BC/YC. Not saying it doesn't happen, but it seems to be a very rare occasion. Out of the two resorts, our kids much prefered CBR's pool. It was much funner and there are two slides and the kiddie pirate play area that was also a huge hit with our kids.