If we pay for admission, and just want to hang out for a while, say midnight-8am, do we have to get a hotel room or can we just hang out by the pools/lounge area? Says 24 hours for some things, we get that. We have a 16 hour drive, this is halfway.

I not sure if you have to get a hotel room. But there is a number on the website to call and ask them.

You don't have to get a hotel but they are nice

The spa part is closed from 12 midnight to 6a. It is 24 hoirs but I would pick a different time frame to enjoy. There are longe areas in the spa and others that can be used during the 12a to 8a time frame. You don't have to get a room but expedia and other travel sites do offer them at less than is advertised and week day rates are of course better. Its a fabulous experience either way!