Universal resort pools

[DizMom11]

I am staying a RPR for the first time. Do the universal resorts do a good job at keeping out non-guests? Thanks

 

[rpbert1]

We where there last July and not sure how they know who are guests and who are not, although i did see them put people out, they also checked other people but they where staying at HRH

 

[damo]

You have to have a hotel key to get into the pools unless you are going through the lobby.

 

[Cass]

They gave out wrist bands at Hard Rock, last time I was there.

 

[DizMom11]

Thanks! We switched to PBR. We have been to Disney many times, and have felt that they do not do a good job at keeping out non-guests from the pools. It would be great to know that hotel guests are the only ones in the pool

 

[micksterlee]

Pool hopping is encouraged though right? Guests at the hotels are allowed to use any of the other resorts pools as opposed to Disney's no pool hopping rule.

 

[Holly Goheavy]

One big difference at USO is that they encourage pool hopping between resort guests-I've never noticed the pools at any of the 3 hotels being overly crowded, though.

 

[DizMom11]

Thanks for the info! What is the best way to go from resort to resort?

 

[bg4]

non guests used to be a problem but I believe with wrist bands it has been controlled.

Always look for the guests with their own towels and large bags. Dead giveaway. I believe that anyone can walk into pool area (at least at HRH) but to get towels you need to show room key.

Kinda like when we went to the Grand Floridian and were the only ones without those robes on. We made out as interlopers quickly.

Resort to resort - as always - walk, boat, drive or bus but walking is usually the best method.

 

[robvia]

Right, I could see the HRH needing wrist bands because it is a "hip" pool with lots of people hanging out on the beach.
PBH has a cool pool but I don't think people will crash it. Why? The PBH pool isn't as large, and there's only 1 way in thru a gate. As you enter the gate, a worker is waiting at a table to give out towels. Someone showing up at the PBH pool trying to sneak past the greeter, then sit down with their own towels and bag would stand out.

It's a grey area because the hotels have no problem when off site people visit the restaurants, buy drinks at the pool bar, then hang out. Yet they don't want free loaders visiting who don't spend money and take up pool space.

For example, take someone who wants to eat at Tchop Chop and is staying offsite. What if they're leaving the restaurant and want a drink at the pool bar? Should they be turned away? No. The local mom who brings 3 kids, and doesn't spend any money? Yes.

 

[DizMom11]

Thank you everyone. It seems that Universal is on top of things! Looking foward to my first stay there after many times at WDW

 

[Fan2CSkr]

I've been there a lot at all the pools and havent seen any wrist bands. Just returned from last trip a little over two weeks ago and we rented a cabana at HRH and stayed at PBH and spent much time at that pool too.

 

[chobie]

I've been there a lot at all the pools and havent seen any wrist bands. Just returned from last trip a little over two weeks ago and we rented a cabana at HRH and stayed at PBH and spent much time at that pool too.

I was there over Memorial Day weekend and saw no wristbands and I was given towels several times at both HRH and PBH without ever being asked to show a room key. The HRH pool was crowded most of the time but we were still able to find chairs.

 

[DizMom11]

Thanks for the additional info. One of the reasons I picked PBH is that it would be more private then he others. I know we will not spend alot of time in the pools, but It seems that the more expensive a hotel is, the more chance of non-guests coming to try the ammenities, such as he pools. Maybe that is the reason the hotels put up with it, to entice non guests to stay there. Kind of ironic

 

[disneyag]

We were just at HRH last week. We didn't get wristbands, nor did we see anyone with them. The woman at the towel stand did look at our room keys to give us towels. To access the pool from anywhere but the lobby, you'd have to have a room key to open the gate.

 

[damo]

No wristbands here either.

 

[Kimberle]

During our Aug stay, the RPR had PLENTY of room. Lots of chairs, pool not crowded. Of cource, the pool is HUGE!!

We went to the HR one day to use the slide. That pool was crowded. People seemed to be standing in the pool drinking. Not a lot of "swimming" going on. Thought, the slide was very busy. No wristbands there.

JMHO, but when people are visiting US, they don't seem to be thinking of the onsite hotels. They go to the park(s), then leave. The resorts are set back a bit, and more private, I'd bet many day visitors don't even realise they are there. The HR resturant is not even on site at the HR resort. It's in CityWalk.

 

[morningstar]

I can remember getting wristbands at HRH one time out of all our visits. Seems to me it was a crowded holiday weekend and they made you wear the wristband for the weekend, then once the Monday came around, it was back to normal (no wristband).

 

[nyfinfan]

Anybody know what time HRH pool is open until?

 

[ReallyFunMom]

I was there over Memorial Day weekend and saw no wristbands and I was given towels several times at both HRH and PBH without ever being asked to show a room key. The HRH pool was crowded most of the time but we were still able to find chairs.

I was also at PBH as a HRH visitor Mem weekend and witnessed same thing. Just assumed they don't have much of a problem so don't bother. That said, sat next to some people that openly admitted pool crashing for the day. They were nice enough; I'm not the type to get riled up about it but maybe if I'd paid 300 something a night at PBH and couldn't find a lounger I'd feel different. It was a local who figured the $15 guest parking fee was worth it to spend the day at a nice pool. The bar seemed to be making good money off of them so maybe they really don't mind it so much. They weren't tacky enough to bring their own beverages at least!