Since we are staying at GF I thought I would ask here to start. We are coming down in August and my In laws want to come for a few days. They have hotel points so they are going to stay off property. They want to come do everything with us though. Is it going to be an issue them parking at the resort and hanging out with us? Also on the days we visit the park I assume they would have to park at TTC and mono over right? I just want to make sure they are able to visit us at the GF and park for the day while we hang out there. We are staying CL, do they have to show a magic band to come into that building?
For parking at the resort when they visit you, I would expect they will be allowed if they tell the guard at the entrance what they are doing, but they do have to be prepared to be told no. It seems that will vary depending on how busy the resort is and the whim of who is manning the guard booth. For parking all day I doubt they would let them, they can either a)ask b)just say they are visiting you and not mention it will be all day and see if the guard mentions a time limit, or c)just park at the TTC and meet you at the parks. C is the most by the rules answer.
As for them visiting with you at the resort, this is the one time that CL may be a hinderance. They are of course allowed to visit with you in your room. As for hanging out in the CL lounge with you, again there are some options. Since I would feel really obvious about trying to just "sneak" people into the lounge and I can assure you we would be the people confronted and "caught"
, I would recommend just asking a CM if you want to bring them to the lounge. I have heard of CMs saying that's fine, but they could say no. If I did have them in my room I personally wouldn't feel bad about taking extra snacks/drinks to the room and letting them share with me, but that's just me.
We have had a babysitter spend the day with our kids while we are staying CL, and she takes them to the lounge and gets food for herself as well as them, and the CMs have never cared. They even chat with her about the twins while they are down there. But that's not quite the same as your situation, just a time they don't seem to have an issue with someone not staying there using the lounge.
ETA I forgot about the pool. They are not actually allowed to use the pools. If they didn't want to swim I would just have them go to the pool area with you and sit at the table/chairs to interact with you while you are there. If they want to swim you could either do that despite the rules, or you can ask a lifeguard and see if they allow them to accompany you. I have heard of them allowing it, not sure if I've heard of them saying no when asked or not. If it's a less crowded time of year or day it would help your cause. I have also read about people successfully getting a "pool pass" for guests from the front desk, I don't see any harm in asking them ahead of time and seeing what they say.