I'm not positive if they require them all the time, but know that they have been known to give them out during busy times - holidays, spring break, etc. It is always possible to use a pool when not staying at a resort, but it is also possible that you will be asked to leave because you do not belong there - there are signs at all resort hotel pools stating that they are for the use of guests staying at that resort hotel/DVC only (with some exceptions for certain pools, and certain DVCs)