Stormalong Bay at the Beach Club

[LeeHarman]

Hi All,:wave:

Please can anyone tell me if you have to be staying at the Yacht or Beach Club resort to be able to have access to Stormalong Bay and all the delights of that area?

We will be staying at the PO Riverside but have always wanted to take our little ones over to Stormalong Bay as I have read so many great reports and reviews about it.

Many thanks in advance:sohappy:

 

[tigsmom]

Yes, you have to be staying at the YC/BC to use Stormalong Bay. It is like any other pool area, you need to be a guest of the hotel to use it.
The stores and restaurants are open to all.

 

[ClemsonTigger]

there are CM's at the main entrance that issue wristbands after you provide your room key. Lifeguards also check as people make their way in the bay. This is not enforced as much during light attendance days, and some brag about beating the system, but it is made clear that you are not supposed to.

 

[Disney05]

I just stayed there. They never checked for wrist bands. If you have to get a towel, they'll give you a band there.

 

[cindy'smom]

There is a reason the room rates at the deluxe resorts are higher. It pays for the amenities supplied to the guests of that hotel. Anyone else thinking they are "beating the system" by getting in by an unauthorized way is actually taking something they did not pay for.

I relate this to the same way people always ask: "Do you think it's ok if I fudge about my kid's age to get them in to the parks free or onto a cheaper dining plan" No, it's not ok, it's lying & stealing!

OP: I know you were just asking an honest question, so I'm not attacking you, but I wish these issues could just be put to rest. BTW, the pools at Riverside & French Quarter are lots of fun - your kids won't miss anything!

(Stepping off soapbox :wave

 

[wdwmagic]

It's a great pool, but it's not a water park. Not really worth heading over there from another resort in my opinion. And as everyone says above, the resort pools are designed to handle guest numbers from the resort that they are in. If people head there from other resorts there will be capacity problems.

My advice, head to a water park instead

 

[Phonedave]

SB is unique in that even DVC pool hopping is not allowed there. The only way you are permitted to swim there is if you are actualy staying at YC/BC/BCV and they do use wristbands.

I also don't what the big deal about the pool is. The slide is great, but after a very short while the sandbar, lazy river, and whirlpool just become trite. Its a pain to try and swim there, as opposed to play around.

-dave

 

[slappy magoo]

there are CM's at the main entrance that issue wristbands after you provide your room key. Lifeguards also check as people make their way in the bay. This is not enforced as much during light attendance days, and some brag about beating the system, but it is made clear that you are not supposed to.

The question is, if you want to "beat the system," what are you prepared to do if you're refused? Do you want to take time out of your day to go to Y&BC for the express purpose of trying to get into the pool? And what will you do with your time if you fail? I know some people would be willing to pitch a fit, under the assumption that "the customer is always right," even though that you're not a "customer" of the Y&BC per se ("Big whoop, same difference, it's all Disney" is the usual refrain).

We've never stayed at Y&/or BC, and have never tried to worm our way into the pool (we've never tried to pool hop, as when we visit other resorts, it's usually for a meal and we're not dressed for swimming anyway). But last time we were at WDW, on our honeymon, we had lunch at Beaches and Cream and walked along the pool. A lifeguard congratulated us (we were wearing our Just Married buttons) and asked if we were staying at the resort. We told him we were at the Boardwalk. He smiled and said "close enough. Do you want to go for a swim?" We were tempted to take him up on the offer, go get our swimsuits and head back, but we were just too tired at that point (and, of course, it WAS our honeymoon, heh heh).

 

[Craig & Lisa]

When did they start the wristband thing?? We stayed there in 04 and I or any of my family were ever asked to show a room key. We just walked in from the resort side and never had a problem, even when we were using the great slide the lifeguard never asked are you staying here? Out of all the pools we have used since going to WDW from 97, BCV stormalong bay has the best slide and pool. Got a shock when I hit the bottom of the slide and found sand.

 

[pacochran]

We stay at the BCV and I think only once were we asked to show our key and get a wristband most times they don't check. But we also go during slower times of the year (1st week of December). Though the rules are you need to be a guest. As others have said do you want to take a chance and get there and not be able to use it?