Will GCH let us use their swimming pool if room isn't ready?

[edit1]

The day we check in to the GCH may be a non-park day for us. We will be checking in in the morning and it would be great if our room was ready. If it's not, will they let us use the swimming pool if we ask?

 

[Oshawa]

I am hoping so. We are planning on doing the same thing. We leave very early in the morning Ontario time and will get there by 10:30AM. We want to just relax and swim. I know when we have gone to WDW they let you use the pool even though you are not officially checked in.

 

[funatdisney]

I have been able to use the pool before my room was ready. Many a time, I have sat at poolside, calling the phone number they give to see if your room is ready, watching my kids swim with a Long Island.

 

[Caseystigger]

I have been able to use the pool before my room was ready. Many a time, I have sat at poolside, calling the phone number they give to see if your room is ready, watching my kids swim with a Long Island.

We've done the same thing. And they gave us our room cards so we were able to get into the pool area without a problem.

 

[bumbershoot]

Yes, when you check in you get your keycards (with names on them!), and those keycards are what opens the gates to the pool. Later on they will link the keycards to your room number.

Of course, this means you'll need to have a bag with your pool stuff, etc, assuming you will leave the rest of your luggage with Bell Services.

 

[edit1]

Thanks, it is good to know that we should be able to use the pool if our room isn't ready.

Yes, when you check in you get your keycards (with names on them!), and those keycards are what opens the gates to the pool. Later on they will link the keycards to your room number.

OK, please excuse the silly question I'm about to ask, but the keycards with personalized names on them sound neat...are the names permanently on them and if so does that mean they can be kept as souvenirs?

 

[bumbershoot]

OK, please excuse the silly question I'm about to ask, but the keycards with personalized names on them sound neat...are the names permanently on them and if so does that mean they can be kept as souvenirs?

They are absolutely souvenirs! I have one in front of me. (yes my desk is a MESS, with 18K projects going on at once)

Since the keycards are what get you in for MM (along with your valid admission), there's a keycard with each person's name on them, even for my 5 year old.

 

[edit1]

They are absolutely souvenirs! I have one in front of me. (yes my desk is a MESS, with 18K projects going on at once)

Since the keycards are what get you in for MM (along with your valid admission), there's a keycard with each person's name on them, even for my 5 year old.

Oh, that sounds really good! I'm glad to know we can keep them. Not too many opportunities at DLR for free souvenirs!

 

[bumbershoot]

Oh, that sounds really good! I'm glad to know we can keep them. Not too many opportunities at DLR for free souvenirs!

Best free souvenir...the picture you create at the Animation Academy at DCA. Check with the podium guy for what characters they are drawing that day, and come back for your fave. We LOVED drawing Jack Skellington, and even my 5 year old did a good version of him (I helped a bit...the artist goes a little bit fast for a 5 year old). The Ducks, however, are very difficult, and Daisy looked scarily like a skull for WAY too long (it wasn't just me thinking that I could hear others mumbling about how freaky she looked).

 

[Disney Dreams]

My key from a recent visit. ETA: I stayed at the DLH.

 

[edit1]

Thanks, that's very cute!

We are also staying at the PPH for part of our DLR stay. Do they use these cards there too?

 

[edit1]

Best free souvenir...the picture you create at the Animation Academy at DCA. Check with the podium guy for what characters they are drawing that day, and come back for your fave. We LOVED drawing Jack Skellington, and even my 5 year old did a good version of him (I helped a bit...the artist goes a little bit fast for a 5 year old). The Ducks, however, are very difficult, and Daisy looked scarily like a skull for WAY too long (it wasn't just me thinking that I could hear others mumbling about how freaky she looked).

Yes, I agree this is a great souvenir. We finally discovered the Animation Academy last year and the kids LOVED it. I liked it too and found it to be a nice escape from the crowds and lineups.

 

[Disney Dreams]

Thanks, that's very cute!

We are also staying at the PPH for part of our DLR stay. Do they use these cards there too?

I should have mentioned: I was staying at the DLH. I don't know if PPH and GCH have the same keys (in terms of graphic design).

- Dreams

 

[funatdisney]

The last time I stayed at the GCH (in May), we had the same cards.

 

[Caseystigger]

I should have mentioned: I was staying at the DLH. I don't know if PPH and GCH have the same keys (in terms of graphic design).

- Dreams

They had those at GCH last September when we were there, was nice too because the year before (2007) they didn't and we had trouble getting in for MM.