Trying to meet up with local friends

[BestFaceForward]

Hi we are going to be staying at Carribean Beach Resort in a few weeks, we are trying to figure out the best way to meet up with some dear friends who live in the Orlando area. I called and asked Disney support whether we could invite them over to our pool and lunch/dinner and they told me the pool area is for guests only.

We can go to their house but trying to figure out how we’d get there with 2 small children and no car seats. Are there any local taxi services that would have car seats available? I’ve had bad luck with requesting Uber’s with car seats in the past let alone two of them. But maybe they are more available in the Orlando area since it’s so family oriented?

Another idea was Disney Springs but is there much to do there for rambunctious 18 mo, 4yo, 9 and 6 yo?

 

[Kathryndisney]

You could meet at Disney Springs and go bowling or to the Lego store

 

[ManmanMoana]

Do they check wrist bands at CBR? I've never stayed there but the only place I've seen people get checked is yacht/beach.
Our 13 month old loved Disney Springs last month. He's obviously younger but he loved the fountains that kids can run through and all of the live music and entertainment everywhere.

 

[jtopp]

Not sure how closely they enforce the rules, but we have had family visit us at our hotel on a number of occasions. While we did not utilize any quest service at the hotels, we did make use of the Disney transportation to go to restaurants and shopping. As suggested above, we have also met them in DTD (hard to get used to calling it Disney Springs). Good luck, and enjoy spending time with your friends and family.

 

[PollyannaMom]

We can go to their house but trying to figure out how we’d get there with 2 small children and no car seats. Are there any local taxi services that would have car seats available? I’ve had bad luck with requesting Uber’s with car seats in the past let alone two of them. But maybe they are more available in the Orlando area since it’s so family oriented?

This one says they do, you just have to request them in advance:

https://www.towncarnow.com/faq

Another idea was Disney Springs but is there much to do there for rambunctious 18 mo, 4yo, 9 and 6 yo?

https://www.disneysprings.com/activities/

We've met non-guests at Disney Springs several times, and we love it! There's so much there for the kids to see, fun restaurants I think they'd enjoy, and of course for the older three, the Lego store!

 

[wilbret]

I don't want to jinx it, but every single time we stay at a WDW resort, our family drops by so all the cousins can swim and spend time together.

 

[Deb & Bill]

The themed pool at CBR gets really crowded during the day. You could invite your friends to dine at the resort or meet them somewhere to dine instead of heading to their house. But you won't be able to swim together unless you all go to the water parks.

 

[katyjeka]

If they live in Florida they may be able to get a weekday pass for the waterpark at a good price. If they are not interested I would probably stick to Disney Springs or you could rent a pontoon boot and spend some time on the water. I believe the pontoon hold up to 8 and the canopy hold 6. Have a great time.

 

[Nancyg56]

I would plan a DS day to spend together. The CBR pool is not an option.

 

[wilbret]

I would plan a DS day to spend together. The CBR pool is not an option.

Curious... why is it not an option? We have literally had local cousins visit at Key West, Coronado, CBR, AK, and Saratoga Springs. What am I missing?

 

[katyjeka]

Curious... why is it not an option? We have literally had local cousins visit at Key West, Coronado, CBR, AK, and Saratoga Springs. What am I missing?

There was a time that you could have anyone swim at the resort with you and you were seldom questioned. It's seems lately that the lifeguards are asking more often if you are a registered guest. I don't see a problem with it but if it is a really busy season and the resort is full it isn't fair to make it more crowded if you are not a paying guest. There are so many things they could do and if they are determined to spend the day at a pool pay the price and visit a water park. Another option would be to grab a resident rate on a room only for one night and enjoy the pool.

 

[Nancyg56]

Curious... why is it not an option? We have literally had local cousins visit at Key West, Coronado, CBR, AK, and Saratoga Springs. What am I missing?

Let me rephrase. Visitors are not allowed to use the pool. One must be a registered guest. If a lifeguard chooses to overlook visitors, consider that a gift.

I would never suggest that the OP count on her friends being allowed to use the pool because first, it is against the rules, and second, who wants to scramble for Plan B when you already have kids primed to swim together and they are told no? I would hate to be that person who told her that unless you are staying at the “popular” pools the lifeguards will let everyone in and then they get blindsided. Best to just plan a day everyone is allowed to enjoy.

 

[mousefan1972]

Curious... why is it not an option? We have literally had local cousins visit at Key West, Coronado, CBR, AK, and Saratoga Springs. What am I missing?

 

[wilbret]

https://disneyparksmomspanel.disney...-hang-us-wdw-hotelswim-usone-day-park-272934/

That's a few years old...

Go with your gut. They tell the guard what they are doing, and it hasn't been a problem. Technically, the sign is telling you the pool is for registered guests, not that's everyone has to be registered. Call me crazy, but if I'm in a $1500/night room, a couple guests for a couple hours is good business.

 

[Nancyg56]

https://disneyparksmomspanel.disney...-hang-us-wdw-hotelswim-usone-day-park-272934/

That's a few years old...

Go with your gut. They tell the guard what they are doing, and it hasn't been a problem. Technically, the sign is telling you the pool is for registered guests, not that's everyone has to be registered. Call me crazy, but if I'm in a $1500/night room, a couple guests for a couple hours is good business.

It could be a problem for the other folks paying 1500 per night. I actually do not care what the guard allows, so if it's not busy and friends are allowed in, fine. What I do have an issue with is folks who are not registered taking chairs from me, who has paid for the amenities. The key is getting permission, but I would not take a chance that I get kids all wound up to swim only to be told they are not allowed in.