Okayyyy...
This is leslieh's daughter, and I have many things to say in responce to this thread....
First of all, I worked at AKL, over Thanksgiving and Christmas two of the busiest times of the year at the World, and not once was it filled to capacity. If the pool can handle the amount of people which will fit into the hotel at full capacity, then it can certainly handle a few guests of the paying visitors.
I worked at The Mara, which, if you've been there, you'll know is the snackshop right next to the pool. I had a great view of the pool facilities and not once did it look even slightly crowded in my opinion.
There is no gate or "pool guard" at AKL, and the pools are open to hotel guests and their guests. The rules being discussed are to keep out random pool hoppers and locals who just want a place to swim. You are definitely allowed to have friends visit you at the resort, and these friends can accompany you to any of the facilities. It is rediculous to suggest that someone should pay to go to the water parks just to lounge around a pool with friends. That's why the hotel pools are there.
To the people who disagree with this policy: If a few extra people at the hotel pool is really going to ruin your vacation, I suggest you take a look at your priorities. These people are not cheapskates, they're not cheaters, and they are not out to ruin your vacations. They have every right to use the pool facilities as they see fit, and as long as they are not inviting along an entire family or high school reunion you will still be able to get a chair and you will still be able to fit into the pool. They paid as much money to stay at the resort as you did. It may disturb their experience if you decide to backstroke through the pool, but it's still your right. Disney actively tries to attract visitors from other hotels and resorts to the deluxe resorts, to see the resort itself, to shop in its gift shops, and to eat at its restaurants. Are you going to have the same complaints if you can't get a reservation at Jiko or Boma? Those people may not be staying at AKL, they may not even have friends staying at AKL, they probably don't even want to eat at these fine restaurants, they probably just came to ruin your vacation.
Please lighten up about these things. To the OP, please feel free to take your guests to the hotel pool, with the resort and CM blessings. This really isn't as big of a deal as many of these people are making it seem.
This is leslieh's daughter, and I have many things to say in responce to this thread....
First of all, I worked at AKL, over Thanksgiving and Christmas two of the busiest times of the year at the World, and not once was it filled to capacity. If the pool can handle the amount of people which will fit into the hotel at full capacity, then it can certainly handle a few guests of the paying visitors.
I worked at The Mara, which, if you've been there, you'll know is the snackshop right next to the pool. I had a great view of the pool facilities and not once did it look even slightly crowded in my opinion.
There is no gate or "pool guard" at AKL, and the pools are open to hotel guests and their guests. The rules being discussed are to keep out random pool hoppers and locals who just want a place to swim. You are definitely allowed to have friends visit you at the resort, and these friends can accompany you to any of the facilities. It is rediculous to suggest that someone should pay to go to the water parks just to lounge around a pool with friends. That's why the hotel pools are there.
To the people who disagree with this policy: If a few extra people at the hotel pool is really going to ruin your vacation, I suggest you take a look at your priorities. These people are not cheapskates, they're not cheaters, and they are not out to ruin your vacations. They have every right to use the pool facilities as they see fit, and as long as they are not inviting along an entire family or high school reunion you will still be able to get a chair and you will still be able to fit into the pool. They paid as much money to stay at the resort as you did. It may disturb their experience if you decide to backstroke through the pool, but it's still your right. Disney actively tries to attract visitors from other hotels and resorts to the deluxe resorts, to see the resort itself, to shop in its gift shops, and to eat at its restaurants. Are you going to have the same complaints if you can't get a reservation at Jiko or Boma? Those people may not be staying at AKL, they may not even have friends staying at AKL, they probably don't even want to eat at these fine restaurants, they probably just came to ruin your vacation.
Please lighten up about these things. To the OP, please feel free to take your guests to the hotel pool, with the resort and CM blessings. This really isn't as big of a deal as many of these people are making it seem.