No more Pool Wristbands?

[Nemo14]

I've seen them at Stormalong Bay.

 

[RonAnnArbor]

In dozens of visits to the resorts, I have never ever seen them check an ID, wristband, or anything else at any of the pools. Quite frankly, I don't think they bother enforcing this at all -- it costs them nothing, and if someone shells out 15.00 bucks for a drink at the bar or 30.00 for lunch in the food court afterwards, they are happy no matter who that is - resort guest or freeloader...

 

[LoveDiz]

We stayed at the Poly over spring break and they were checking for wristbands. I was happy! I agree that these pools should be only used by the hotel guests..it was crowded enough!
We are headed to GF at the beginning of June and I hope the wristbands are enforced. When we are shelling out that much money for these resorts, we should be able to get a chair at the pool!

 

[disneygirl76]

My last 3 trips I have stayed at the contemporary, grand floridian and the polynesian, they were all during busy times and I have never once had to get a wristband or asked to show my resort id to use the pool. On my last trip to the poly I overheard a lady talking to her friend on the phone saying that her and her family stopped by the polynesian to take a dip in the pool, from what I gathered from her conversation, they were just locals looking to enjoy the pool. It was memorial day weekend and the pool was packed, yet somehow this family just managed to waltz right in and use their pool?? no questions asked? how is that possible? its not like it was calm, there were ALOT of people by the pool. I thought disney's policy was to use wristbands for the pools, especially the deluxe ones on the monorail line? We are heading back down this weekend and staying at the poly again, and I want to know if disney started reinforcing the whole wrist band thing, it was tough to find a place to sit last time we were there and if I am paying all that money for a hotel room, I would expect to find a decent place to sit and not have to fight off locals for a good spot

The only resort to give us wrist bands has been BC/YC. I kind of vaguely remember like 5 years ago getting them at GF? But can't be sure.

 

[coachwnh]

From what I understand, Stormalong Bay at the Yacht & Beach Club is the only pool to use wristbands. Someone is welcome to correct me if that's wrong.

This is correct!!! Only the YC/BC pool. You have no chance of getting into that pool unless you are staying there.

 

[fireworksandfairytales]

Wilderness Lodge pool didn't use wristbands when I was there over spring break.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

Stormalong was the only place I saw them used and enforced. Even in chilly temps they were totally on top of it.

 

[dizneycraig]

We were asked to show room keys last week at BLT. We were then given wrist bands to wear.

 

[Tuvalu]

No checking room keys or wristbands at the Poly volcano pool May 4-11.

 

[wdwmom2+1]

How does this work my sister in law will be staying at Pop and we wanted to meet there and let the kids swim. Will they be allowed ?

 

[RonAnnArbor]

Yes, nobody will check. Make sure your sister in law has her roomkey in her bag and if they ask, that's all you need to show. But really, nobody will check.

 

[dreamfinder]

YC/BC will pretty much guarantee to check IDs/wristbands. The other resorts may do it depending on how busy they are.

Remember that some of the reasons why people choose to stay at an monorail loop or Epcot resort are how easy it is to get back to the hotel. Well, conversely it is just as easy for people to walk out of the park, go for a swim, and then walk back to the park. Local visiting the park for the day? Throw your suit in your bag, walk to the Contemporary, and go for a swim when it gets hot. Change in the restroom, and go back to the park for the rest of the day. I'm not advocating this by any means, but this is an example of why they do reserve the right to check.

 

[rob45]

We were told last October by a CM that Disney was stopping pool hopping and unauthorized guest entry.

 

[cinderellafan6]

I have never had them check at the Poly. It is a nice hotel pool though. I'm sure as soon as the construction starts for DVC no one will want to be there.

 

[wdwfan22]

In dozens of visits to the resorts, I have never ever seen them check an ID, wristband, or anything else at any of the pools. Quite frankly, I don't think they bother enforcing this at all -- it costs them nothing, and if someone shells out 15.00 bucks for a drink at the bar or 30.00 for lunch in the food court afterwards, they are happy no matter who that is - resort guest or freeloader...

This is not true, I have seen them check for Resort ID on several occasions at The Grand Floridian, Baylake Tower, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Contemporary and of course Yacht & Beach Club. I've also seen people escorted off property at Contemporary Resort for being in the pool with no ID. Just because you haven't seen it done doesn't mean it isn't. Busy holiday periods and of course everytime i've seen it done at the Grand Floridian the pool is normally packed when they go through. It's the recreational Cast that normally check.

 

[luv]

Being a local, I can honestly say I've never wandered over to Disney to swim in a hotel pool, nor do I know anyone who has.

I have my own pool, as do most people I know. Those who don't have their own pools know someone who does or have community pools. Why people think locals are dying to go swim at the Poly is something I've never understood. "Swimming With Tourists and their kids" is not the big attraction that some think it is.

Locals bring back refillable mugs. They abuse the GAC. They park for free and sometimes get into the parks for free. Sometimes, they get discounts they're maybe not entitled to get. But, for the most part, they do not go to Disney hotels to swim in the pools. IME, anyway.

I've been in all the Disney pools. I used to stay at the Poly a lot. Frankly, I'd rather be in my own pool. It has steps and a bench. Nobody is peeing in it. No obnoxious or annoying kids. I can hang my towel on the railing by the steps and it will be there, warm and dry, when I'm ready for it! It is also steps from my much-nicer-than-Disney's outdoor furniture, has ice water handy and is not far from the kitchen if some fruit is desired. Worlds better than WDW.

 

[Bethypoo]

I just did a split stay at POFQ and BC. The BC was checking room keys and giving out wrist bands.

 

[Goofycanuck]

This is not true, I have seen them check for Resort ID on several occasions at The Grand Floridian, Baylake Tower, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Contemporary and of course Yacht & Beach Club. I've also seen people escorted off property at Contemporary Resort for being in the pool with no ID. Just because you haven't seen it done doesn't mean it isn't. Busy holiday periods and of course everytime i've seen it done at the Grand Floridian the pool is normally packed when they go through. It's the recreational Cast that normally check.

+1. They were issuing and enforcing wristband policy at GF during our trip in May 2011. Even at times when the pool was quiet.

 

[Allie_Marie]

I've been to Disney many many times, you do not need a wristband to go into the pools. But when I stayed at AoA, I needed my room key to unlock the gate to enter the pool area, albeit it was 11:30 pm and the pool didn't have any life guards. That was the only time I ever needed proof that I was staying at the resort

 

[Hot Lava]

Seems to me with the new RFID bands they can set up the pools that it checks everyone anyway. They could just set up scanners at entrances or walk around with hand helds.