Using WL pool?

[Lory]

If you are staying at FW are you allowed to use the pool over at WL?

Thanks,

Lory

 

[tim5055]

Sorry, but no. Pool hopping is against the rules. When you check in they will stamp your receipt "No Pool Hopping" and ask you to initial it.

 

[auntie]

When we were at the WL last year they checked resort id to make sure you weren't pool hopping. I read on another board that last week..with the crowds from spring break they have you wearing wrists bands if you are a guest of the WL. So I think it would be pretty hard to swim there without one. This is, I guess, a pet peeve with me...I think they really need to offer the campground guests better swimming facilities. With the closing of River Country ..which they offered at a discounted rate to the campers, the WL pool has been a place where campers gravitate to. I can't say I blame them...the pools at FW are really lack luster in comparison to the other Disney Resorts. Time for some updating there. We love the campground and hope to be able to bring our travel trailer down to Fw this summer. But I will tell you that we will miss the WL pool. I don't think it is fair that the WL pushes the campground amenities ..when you check in ..you get information about the petting zoo,bike path, trail rides, and the Hoop Dee Doo. Which is great, however they don't want any of the campers comming over to use the facilities of the Lodge. Doesn't seem fair. Especially if you are paying to stay in the "cabins" at FW...sometimes those rates can be as high as those paid at the WL. I think some folks are pretty surprised when they find out that the other resorts offer themed pools at their resorts and they are paying way more than a moderate or value resort and left with little to choose from.

 

[ftwildernessguy]

Originally posted by tazdeb
We pool hop every trip to FW. You just have to know how to do it. I've seen people get on the launch in swimsuits, 3 kids in tow, holding pool toys, dad carrying a cooler, and when they try to get into the WL pool they get stopped. BIG SURPRISE THERE!!! Be subtle, have your family eat at a onsite resturant while you stake a site at the pool bar, slowly infiltrate the area. Act and dress like you belong, (especially at the GF and AK ) dont draw attention to yourself, get there early etc..... We've hopped in every pool, some are hard to get in( Y&B resort), some simple (Allstars)most just take confidence.....Now we have to hop in the new Saratoga Springs .......TAZ

Hmmm...how aggravating.

 

[VAN]

hmmm, is this why we have to sign in blood upon check-in that we won't pool hop?

 

[gardendame]

But are we certain that Fort Wilderness and Wilderness Lodge are not 'sister resorts'? I was always under the impression that they were. So, in that case, it wouldn't be pool hopping, would it?

 

[Lory]

My question was intended as a yes or no question only. We have never stayed onsite before and I wasn't sure if FW and WL were sort of connected, as if you could swim at either. We will only have one full day at campground because the other 11 days we will be at the parks!! Our swims, if warm enough will be fine at FW, I was just curious.

Thanks everyone,

Lory

 

[VAN]

No WL and Ft W are not interchangeable. Wilderness Lodge is considered a "Deluxe" resort and Ft. W a "Home Away from Home." They are near each other but VERY, VERY different.

 

[Live4FW]

OK, OK,

I have seen this discussed and debated in several posts. Personally, I will not pool hop if I am told not to. However, I have to share the opinion that those of us who pay as much as a value resort to stay in FW are being cheated in comparision to the other resorts. It is our only complaint on an otherwise perfect campground!

Does anybody have any ideas how we could get this point across to FW/DISNEY? My thoughts are that since the campground is full and they are able to raise prices every year, why should they invest in more.

However, if this issue is reviewed in the nostalgic DISNEY way (not cost cutting is paramount), then they would recognize that the pools are inadequate and do something about it. I believe that nearly everyone on this board agrees that the pools are inadequate. We should be able to be a loud enough voice to get their attention.

 

[sweet maxine]

I agree that the pool hopping issue is a very touchy subject. I wandered in on a thread a couple of days ago that I thought was intended as a joke. Turns out, some people didn't see the humor as it was intended. I also agree that the pools at FW probably need some updating or whatever - maybe a slide or two would be nice. I do know that last year we noticed loads of people having fun in the pool at the trading post. They seemed completely happy with things as they were. We don't pool hop and don't plan to. But I completely understand about the WL "sister resort" thing. They both share a boat to MK and I think have a trail that leads to the other. I would have asked the same question myself. I do know we will probably go over to the WL just to look around while we are at the Fort. I would like for my kids to see the lobby and maybe eat in the restaurant there.

 

[auntie]

I think part of the problem is that with River Country being closed, and that was offered to camp ground guests at a reduced rate..it has led many campers over to the WL. Believe me, it's not that easy to hop anymore. We stayed at the WL last year...and they asked us for our resort ID. No infiltrating...looking for seats or sitting by the bar would have changed that. Now it is my understanding that they require a wrist band...as they do at the Beach Club Pool.
Also, they do give the impression to those unfamiliar that the resorts are "sister" type resorts because when you stay at the WL they push the amenities that the campground offers. The petting zoo, bike trails, Hoop dee doo. Only they don't want the campers sharing the facilities of the Lodge. I love both resorts. Have stayed at the WL many times...and plan to bring our travel trailer to FW...only...I will really miss the pool at the Lodge. Not that you can't have a good time in the campground pool...but it's a pool...nothing special. When the kids know about the pool at other resorts...well it doesn't make for "happy campers!"

You would certainly think if they don't want the pool hopping they would do something to curtail it...like make some improvements to the campground pools. It would make everybody happy...happy campers, and happy lodge guests.

 

[auntie]

I think part of the problem is that River Country being closed, and that was offered to camp ground guests at a reduced rate,..it has led many campers over to the WL. Believe me, it's not that easy to pool hop anymore. We stayed at the WL last year...and they asked us for our resort ID. No infiltrating...looking for seats or sitting by the bar would have changed that. When the pool was crowded they ask anybody. Also.. it is my understanding that they require a wrist band...as they do at the Beach Club Pool. At least they did from reports of those who stayed there durring the spring break period.
Also, they do give the impression to those unfamiliar that the resorts are "sister" type resorts because when you stay at the WL they push the amenities that the campground offers. The petting zoo, bike trails, Hoop dee doo. Only they don't want the campers sharing the facilities of the Lodge. I love both resorts. Have stayed at the WL many times...and plan to bring our travel trailer to FW...only...I will really miss the pool at the Lodge. Not that you can't have a good time in the campground pool...but it's a pool...nothing special. When the kids know about the pool at other resorts...well it doesn't make for "happy campers!"

You would certainly think if they don't want the pool hopping they would do something to curtail it...like make some improvements to the campground pools. It would make everybody happy...happy campers, and happy lodge guests.

 

[gardendame]

Perhaps FW should only offer Trails End Buffet to other resort guests, and reserve the petting zoo, campfire, etc., for campground guests only.
I just find it odd that the only thing that can't be 'shared' are the pools. All resorts have activities open to all on-site resort guests, so why stop short of the pools? You can eat at any resort restaurant, no matter which resort you are staying in. You can go to a different resort to have a spa treatment or to watch the fireworks. Why can't you try a different pool each day?
Yes, we are rule followers and will not pool hop. I just find that rule odd in comparison with the other rules on-site.

Again, I just do not understand the rule. Seems a Disney resort guest is a Disney resort guest and ammenities are ammenities (spelling???). Just trying to understand if there is a method to the madness

 

[Mcert01]

Originally posted by auntie
Not that you can't have a good time in the campground pool...but it's a pool...nothing special. When the kids know about the pool at other resorts...well it doesn't make for "happy campers!"

You would certainly think if they don't want the pool hopping they would do something to curtail it...like make some improvements to the campground pools. It would make everybody happy...happy campers, and happy lodge guests.

I have to be honest, I'm not sure what all the pool fuss is about.

While the FW pool may lack some of the theming of the other pools, it seems to be just fine. Besides, part of the beauty of FW is that you can be at Disney but not enveloped in Disney 24 hours a day.

We use the pool for that purpose - an afternoon or full day away from the parks to refresh and relax. The pool is large enough to accomodate everyone, has refreshments, and is in a very nice wooded setting. Besides, most of the other resorts just offer differently shaped pools and a sculpture or two - not real value add over FW in my opinion.

I had an opportunity to tour AK Lodge in December, and was honestly struck by the lack of theming at the pool. I was surprised because after reading some of these threads you would think the other resort pools were quasi-water parks, and the FW pool a dump by comparison.

To be fair, I just went to Deb's site and looked at photo's of the main pools at most of the resorts. WL does have a wonderfully decorated and landscaped pool, as does Caribbean Beach. Beyond that, I was not overly impressed - though again I did not look at them all. The pools at the value resorts are cute, but nothing exceptional in my opinion.

I think Disney could find ways to better spend money at FW - such as returning to twice a day cleaning of the shower houses and improving internal transportation. Given a choice between these options, improving the pool would be the lowest on my priortiy list.

At the end of the day, when we want water related theming and excitement we go to the water parks. Summit Plummet Here We Come!

Just my two cents ...

 

[sweet maxine]

I would have to say that I guess as far as the pools at FW go, we are pretty safe from an onslaught of pool hoppers! I haven't heard of anyone expressing a great desire to swim in the pools there. Maybe that's really a big plus for us-- we know we don't have to worry about the ID band check there. Just leave the cabin, jump in the golf cart, scoot over to the pool and jump in! Hey, maybe there really is a method to the madness!

 

[sweet maxine]

Oh, I forgot to say this. My 16 y/o daughter is a lifeguard here in our spot-on-the-map in Mississippi. She loves the pool at FW and even expressed an interest in working as a lifeguard there one day. I'm sure to her a pool is a pool. I agree with Mike C., when we want a little more excitement, we go over to Typhoon Lagoon. That really does it for us Delta folks!!

 

[John VN]

The simple answer to your question is NO.

In response to those that have a need to pool hop, I feel that they should just stay at those resorts if they want to use that pool. The only legal pool hopping can be done by DVC MEMBERS and even then there are special restrictions. The right to pool hop has been granted to DVC Members and it can be withdrawn at any time.

 

[Carrie Ellis]

Kind of on the same subject but not...ha! Can you use blow up toys at the FW pool? I bought two awesome pool toys, I believe one is a big animal of some type, on the web (One Step Ahead). I have not opened them yet but I was thinking I would save them for our Sept. trip to FW. That way the kids would have something special to do in the pool since there are no slides or what not.

We are doing Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon so hopefully those two parks will make up for the wimpy pools at FW.

Thanks!

 

[LuAnimal]

Originally posted by tazdeb
I've stayed in many world class resorts in Hawaii, St Martin, Japan,etc...and never have seen anyone check room keys to see if you "belong".

Maybe because the resorts you are speaking of all have world class beaches and noone uses the pools. I know I just returned from St Martin and I grew up at a resort beach. Ppl don't use the pool under this scenario, but I have seen resorts world wide that limit the use of their facilities (spa, pool, etc) to guests only. Even the Marriott in Paris had all hotel guest use their room key for morning coffee, elevator, excercise room before allowing them service.

The real reason is entitlement. It's the same mentality that keeps coach passengers from using the first class toliets. There on the same plane!

I travel a lot using both 1st and coach and believe me coach passengers are more than welcome to use all lavatories. Got that t-shirt. Heck even the 1st class flight attendants helped me with changing my daughters diaper and it's disposal while I was a coach passenger. Maybe it's the users expectations that make the difference, just a thought.

Since they pay the most should GF quests be able to use any pool they want? Disney wants people to resort hop. They want you to sample all the shops, resturants, shows, bars and grounds. JUST DON'T USE THE POOL. I say whats the big deal.

Disney wants their guests to be comfortable and the big deal is if I pay to use a deluxe, moderate or value resort I should be able to use their amenities.

Lu

 

[VAN]

We just got back 2 weeks ago from a 2 week stay.

The life guard told families with pool toys they could use them until the pool got crowded. I think it is a matter of safety. If everyone has pool toys and there are lots of people, the life guard can't see if anyone is in trouble.

Again, the life guard allowed toys when the pool was not busy.

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I also have to say that I don't have a problem with the FW pool. For pool excitement we also use our plus feature on the PHP passes and go to TL. When you get down to it, most of the other pools are just different shapes with a slide. It might make it a bit more interesting, but we tend to just lounge at poolside and then take a dip when we get hot.

If I wanted to swim in another pool that bad, I'd just book a room.