Now Even More Disney Hotel Pools Require Wristbands
Disney has been cracking down on resort amenities. Although it makes the experience a little less enjoyable for visitors without a hotel reservation, it helps preserve the experience for paying guests.
Disney Restricts Pool Hopping
There was a point in time when guests of the Walt Disney World Resort could sneakily squeeze a little extra magic out of their stays by enjoying the amenities at other resorts. Pool hopping became a popular rest-day activity.
However, pool hopping is not technically allowed at Walt Disney World. Even so, people looked for loopholes such as taking resort transportation to get to pools where the policy wasn't strictly enforced. It wasn't uncommon to find people running to the Internet to share which pools require a MagicBand for entry and which do not.
For the sake of resort guests, Disney has found simple ways to close this loophole. And lately, there has been a major crackdown on pool hopping at Disney World hotels.
The Wristband System for Disney Hotel Pools
One way Disney has worked to ensure that the pools are reserved for resort guests is to implement a wristband system. A Cast Member stands at the pool entrance and scans Magic Bands or room keys. Then, once your reservation is confirmed, you and other party members who are physically present receive armbands for pool access.
Resort pool access is avaliable for your entire stay, including check-in and check-out dates. Some resorts allow you to keep the same armband all week; others may require you to get a new band each day.
Stormalong Bay at Disney's Beach and Yacht Club, unsurprisingly, was among the first to introduce armbands. After all, it is accessible by a walking path and a boat from EPCOT and by a walking path, boat, and Skyliner from Hollywood Studios and multiple other hotels.
But other resorts have joined in requiring wristbands at pools. These include Caribbean Beach Resort, Boardwalk, and Port Orleans French Quarter.
The policy might be enforced intermittently, depending on the season, but guests should always expect it at this point. If someone tries to tell you that the pool hopping rule isn't real, they have been misinformed.
Port Orleans Riverside Now Requires Armbands
Wristbands have officially made their way to Disney's Port Orleans Riverside. The pool has had a sign reading, "This pool area is for the exclusive use of Disney's Port Orleans Resort-Riverside Guests."
Port Orleans Riverside has joined in on the pool wristband requirements.
It would seem that there is not even hopping allowed between Riverside and French Quarter at this time. This is doubtless a welcome change for resort guests looking to enjoy the amenities.
What do you think about Disney's move to enforce the no pool-hopping policy? Will it improve Guest experience? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.
