Using amenities and pools at other resorts

[muppets3d]

lol just thought of this thread while out and about at WDW this week. Doing some resort hopping and I shared a Skyliner with a family who is staying at Pop but wants to go over to GF, eat lunch and then use the pool. They were very confused when I told them that only GF guests can use the pool at GF.....

Best to live and let live tbh. They'll learn on their own.

 

[snacks]

Taking the time and expending the energy to change into a swimsuit and lug everything required for an afternoon at the pool with kids is enough of a chore at our own resort. Why would I add to that the hassle of traveling to a completely different resort. I really don't get why people want to do this

 

[Nabas]

lol just thought of this thread while out and about at WDW this week. Doing some resort hopping and I shared a Skyliner with a family who is staying at Pop but wants to go over to GF, eat lunch and then use the pool. They were very confused when I told them that only GF guests can use the pool at GF.....

I'm not surprised by their confusion.

If I were not familiar with the rules, I'd expect pool hopping to be allowed for anyone staying onsite. For example, Universal Orlando allows pool hopping (except for those staying at Endless Summer). I'm paying to stay onsite. Can't I use all "free" onsite amenities?

IMO, it's more understandable why those staying offsite (or locals) cannot use the pools. They are not paying for pool maintenance, so it makes sense why they cannot use them. I cannot drive to a hotel near my home and then start using the pool. It makes sense that Disney is the same.

 

[Elephantay]

I guess they did Caribbean Beach because it's a skyliner resort, and they probably had issues with Pop/AoA guests riding the skyliner up to use the nicer pools?



I think the issue is not all WDW resorts are equally appealing for pool hoppers. Riviera is actually fairly popular due to the influencsters and the fact that it's on the Skyliner, so it is locked down (with varying levels of success). Likewise Polynesian and Stormalong Bay. But how many locals or off-property guests are sitting at the Paddock pool at Saratoga Springs right now? Or for that matter, the quiet pool at Beach Club Villas?

Lots of people visit AKL to see the animals and many people also use the pools! I'd like to see access given by having to scan your band like they do at SAB, at every resort.

And I was just told about locals using SS pools from DS ( by a nice local family we met).

Once when we were playing mini golf, there was a birthday party full of families who lived locally ( its a popular thing to do) and they were all gathering up to walk over to swim at BW. They were talking about whether or not the kids would be able to get on the SAB slide without MB's!

 

[Elephantay]

We saw a family hanging out by the gate at poly last time we were there. Literally just standing there. I walked all the way to the back gate by the beach to go in. I wasn’t letting them in

With all of the money WDW makes on onsite guests, I would think paying minimum wage to ensure a great ( and fair) pool experience would be worthwhile. Someone to just scan a band like they do at SAB.
My family would appreciate it!

 

[Elephantay]

I'm not surprised by their confusion.

If I were not familiar with the rules, I'd expect pool hopping to be allowed for anyone staying onsite. For example, Universal Orlando allows pool hopping (except for those staying at Endless Summer). I'm paying to stay onsite. Can't I use all "free" onsite amenities?

IMO, it's more understandable why those staying offsite (or locals) cannot use the pools. They are not paying for pool maintenance, so it makes sense why they cannot use them. I cannot drive to a hotel near my home and then start using the pool. It makes sense that Disney is the same.

I'm surprised at this! You're paying to stay at whatever resort you've chosen, so you can use the amenities there! Why someplace else??

 

[muppets3d]

Lots of people visit AKL to see the animals and many people also use the pools! I'd like to see access given by having to scan your band like they do at SAB, at every resort.

And I was just told about locals using SS pools from DS ( by a nice local family we met).

Once when we were playing mini golf, there was a birthday party full of families who lived locally ( its a popular thing to do) and they were all gathering up to walk over to swim at BW. They were talking about whether or not the kids would be able to get on the SAB slide without MB's!

I am not denying it happens. My question is how often does it happen. At any given moment how many locals or off-property guests are sitting at the paddock pool, for example.

AKL would be tough because at Kidani, you have to walk through the pool areas to get to the animal viewing areas. Unless they want to cordon all that off for guests only, which honestly would be OK with me if they decide to do it.

 

[muppets3d]

I'm not surprised by their confusion.

If I were not familiar with the rules, I'd expect pool hopping to be allowed for anyone staying onsite. For example, Universal Orlando allows pool hopping (except for those staying at Endless Summer). I'm paying to stay onsite. Can't I use all "free" onsite amenities?

IMO, it's more understandable why those staying offsite (or locals) cannot use the pools. They are not paying for pool maintenance, so it makes sense why they cannot use them. I cannot drive to a hotel near my home and then start using the pool. It makes sense that Disney is the same.

Many other timeshare systems work the same way. In Myrtle Beach for example, if you're staying at one resort owned by timeshare company A - you can park at, and use the amenities of, any other resort owned by that timeshare company.

 

[crisi]

I think the issue is not all WDW resorts are equally appealing for pool hoppers. Riviera is actually fairly popular due to the influencsters and the fact that it's on the Skyliner, so it is locked down (with varying levels of success). Likewise Polynesian and Stormalong Bay. But how many locals or off-property guests are sitting at the Paddock pool at Saratoga Springs right now? Or for that matter, the quiet pool at Beach Club Villas?

While I agree some pools are more enticing than others for crashers (and lets not call them hoppers, that stopped being a thing several years ago), even the quiet pools at the near park resorts have their appeal to someone not staying at the resort for a mid-day break in Summer. And at least some people do head over to the Y&BC quiet pools in Summer from Epcot or DHS to get a mid day break.

I am not denying it happens. My question is how often does it happen. At any given moment how many locals or off-property guests are sitting at the paddock pool, for example.

AKL would be tough because at Kidani, you have to walk through the pool areas to get to the animal viewing areas. Unless they want to cordon all that off for guests only, which honestly would be OK with me if they decide to do it.

Why does it make any difference? If its one person, and they are using a pool chair, and a guest paying for a room at Disney's overpriced rates or who has bought into an expensive timeshare system can't find a pool chair, then its one too many. If its one person who isn't paying to stay whose kid running along the pool injures himself causing insurance rates to increase, its one person too many. Its Disney's property, its Disney's rules. Disney only allows pool use for guests of the resort.

(You can get to the Kidani viewing area by going into the hotel and then through the hotel to the viewing area.)

 

[muppets3d]

(You can get to the Kidani viewing area by going into the hotel and then through the hotel to the viewing area.)

That is a different viewing area than the one by the pool.

As far as your one is one too many - I agree, but it's also on Disney to enforce. And so far they have evidently only felt the need to enforce it at a few properties. I guess they feel that the number of crashers is low enough at their other properties as to not affect the experience for registered guests.

 

[crisi]

That is a different viewing area than the one by the pool.

As far as your one is one too many - I agree, but it's also on Disney to enforce. And so far they have evidently only felt the need to enforce it at a few properties. I guess they feel that the number of crashers is low enough at their other properties as to not affect the experience for registered guests.

I think the arm of Disney enforcement is getting longer. You are seeing it with the rental crackdown. I suspect pools will happen as well.

And I don't know about you, but I don't follow rules because I might get caught. I follow rules because those are the rules.

 

[muppets3d]

I think the arm of Disney enforcement is getting longer. You are seeing it with the rental crackdown. I suspect pools will happen as well.

And I don't know about you, but I don't follow rules because I might get caught. I follow rules because those are the rules.

I think most guests at WDW follow the rules - that's why Disney hasn't needed to do a lot of enforcement. But yes we are seeing things start to change.

 

[Cfabar1]

And I don't know about you, but I don't follow rules because I might get caught. I follow rules because those are the rules.

The problem is, not everyone feels that way. A lot of folks feel like "what happens if I don't follow the rules? they'll tell me I need to leave, in which case I will and have at least enjoyed it for some of the time".

That's why rules without enforcement doesn't really work - and that is the situation we have right now including at some resorts like VGF where pool hopping was never allowed in the first place!

At the very least, ensuring that all the gates properly lock with magic bands would be a great start! And by the way, if they wanted to make pool hopping a Direct Perk or a DVCY+ perk that would be just fine - if it were locked under the magic bands, you could add the access into the bands for those who qualify.

They should do the same with the out buildings at VGF. No reason for them to be open to the public. It is a security concern.

 

[crisi]

The problem is, not everyone feels that way. A lot of folks feel like "what happens if I don't follow the rules? they'll tell me I need to leave, in which case I will and have at least enjoyed it for some of the time".

That's why rules without enforcement doesn't really work - and that is the situation we have right now including at some resorts like VGF where pool hopping was never allowed in the first place!

At the very least, ensuring that all the gates properly lock with magic bands would be a great start! And by the way, if they wanted to make pool hopping a Direct Perk or a DVCY+ perk that would be just fine - if it were locked under the magic bands, you could add the access into the bands for those who qualify.

They should do the same with the out buildings at VGF. No reason for them to be open to the public. It is a security concern.

It will work if Disney does consequences. For instance - you are banned from Disney property for one week for the first offense.

 

[chalee94]

It will work if Disney does consequences. For instance - you are banned from Disney property for one week for the first offense.

not opposed to a longer ban - I like the idea, though.

 

[muppets3d]

Disney is never going to ban people for using a resort pool, except in extreme circumstances. Certainly not for a first offense, LOL.

 

[crisi]

Disney is never going to ban people for using a resort pool, except in extreme circumstances. Certainly not for a first offense, LOL.

That really depends on their insurance. Insurance costs are skyrocketing. And Disney, like all businesses, would like to see lower insurance rates.