For those of you who Pool Hop......

[RLRDA]

We are doing a more or less non-park trip in the Fall. We will be staying at BWV and we are thinking of pool hopping one day. Which resort(s) have better overall pool areas for 3 young boys? Do some pools have more interactive games/activities than others? Thanks!

[disneynutz]

We are doing a more or less non-park trip in the Fall. We will be staying at BWV and we are thinking of pool hopping one day. Which resort(s) have better overall pool areas for 3 young boys? Do some pools have more interactive games/activities than others? Thanks!

You are limited to SSR, OKW, or VWL. All have nice pools but I don't know about the activities.

[disissue]

We are doing a more or less non-park trip in the Fall. We will be staying at BWV and we are thinking of pool hopping one day. Which resort(s) have better overall pool areas for 3 young boys? Do some pools have more interactive games/activities than others? Thanks!

VWL had some nice activities a couple years back have not been there in a while but they some arts and crafts for a small fee as well as a nature scavenger hunt and the pony from WCG came over for a visit my niece and nephew had a great time when we stayed!

[KAT4DISNEY]

You are limited to SSR, OKW, or VWL. All have nice pools but I don't know about the activities.

I had gotten the impression that you could pool hop to all resorts, even non-DVC except YC/BC and AK? Did I get that wrong? :confused:

[disneynutz]

I had gotten the impression that you could pool hop to all resorts, even non-DVC except YC/BC and AK? Did I get that wrong? :confused:

I may be wrong. I thought that we were limited to DVC resorts with the above restrictions.

I can't believe that Disney would let thousands of Guests pool hop where ever they want to.

[KAT4DISNEY]

I may be wrong. I thought that we were limited to DVC resorts with the above restrictions.

I can't believe that Disney would let thousands of Guests pool hop where ever they want to.


And of course I am assuming the person is a DVC owner, not a renter or staying on cash......but that was the impression I had gotten as other people talked about hopping to the Poly and other places. :confused3

[disneynutz]

I just got the official pool hop word from Disney. DVC Members are limited to pool hopping at BWV, SSR, VWL, and OKW only.

[robinb]

I just got the official pool hop word from Disney. DVC Members are limited to pool hopping at BWV, SSR, VWL, and OKW only.Since when?!? We have always been able to pool hop to all other resorts except AK and Stormalong Bay.

[bobbiwoz]

The members site still has the 2007 information, but pool hopping was not restricted to DVC resorts, and I do not think that has changed.

Pool Hopping Information for 2007
You and any Guests staying with you at Disney's Old Key West Resort, Disney's BoardWalk Villas, The Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge, Disney's Beach Club Villas or Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa are permitted to use other Disney Vacation Club and Walt Disney World Resort hotel pools (in addition to the pool at the Resort hotel at which you're staying) if they are not at capacity.

If the pool you are visiting reaches capacity, you may be asked to leave in order to accommodate Guests of that Resort hotel. Please check with a Host/Hostess at the Front Desk of the Resort hotel you wish to visit to find out about pool-access availability. You must present your current "Key to the World" card with your Disney Vacation Club "Member" designation on it to use other Resort hotel pools. Pool hopping is not available at Uzima Pool at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge and Stormalong Bay at Disney's Yacht & Beach Club Resorts or at the leisure pools of these two Resort hotels. There are no exceptions to this policy.

Resort hotel pools may become unavailable from time to time because of capacity limitations. Due to expected high occupancy, Disney Vacation Club Members may not "pool hop" during the following dates*:
February 18 - 24, 2007
March 31 - April 8, 2007
May 25 - 28, 2007
June 30 - July 7, 2007
August 31 - September 3, 2007
November 19 - 25, 2007
December 16, 2007 - January 2, 2008
*Other restricted dates may be added based on projected pool capacity

Bobbi:goodvibes

[disneynutz]

Since when?!? We have always been able to pool hop to all other resorts except AK and Stormalong Bay.

Don't know since when, but here is the info:

http://disneyworldforum.disney.go.com/questions.aspx?where=home&sort=&page=&qid=9331&pid=45&cid=109

[TenThousandVolts]

Well, you're half right. Any Disney guest can visit any of the Disney hotels to shop, dine in the restaurants, or just enjoy the unique themeing. I recently spend the better part of a day just bopping from hotel to hotel to check out what each had to offer.

But pool hopping (Disney lingo for swimming in another resort's pool) is another story. For the most part, this is prohibited. Disney Vacation Club members can pool hop (but not to the Yacht and Beach Club, and there are blackout dates). Guests of the All Star resorts can use the other All Star pools. And guests of the Port Orleans resorts can use the other Port Orleans pools. Other than that, pool hopping is not allowed.

The Yacht and Beach Club pool (Stormalong Bay) is almost universally considered to be the best at WDW. It is 3 acres big and is almost a mini water park all on it's own. In general, the pools get better as the hotels get better. The value resorts have fairly basic pools. The moderates have larger pools with more themeing. They often will have slides or nearby water play areas. The deluxe resorts have large slides. Many have waterfalls or other unique features. I love the pools at the Wilderness Lodge and the Animal Kingdom. But all the deluxe pools are great.

I am not sure what you see here that says DVC members can only hop to DVC pool barring SAB and AK. It sounds like you can hop anywhere but those 2 pools.

[robinb]

Don't know since when, but here is the info:

http://disneyworldforum.disney.go.com/questions.aspx?where=home&sort=&page=&qid=9331&pid=45&cid=109

BUT ... that link does not restrict DVC members to only DVC resorts as you said. I just checked on the DVC Website and got this:

You and any Guests staying with you at Disney's Old Key West Resort, Disney's BoardWalk Villas, The Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge, Disney's Beach Club Villas or Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa are permitted to use other Disney Vacation Club and Walt Disney World Resort hotel pools (in addition to the pool at the Resort hotel at which you're staying) if they are not at capacity.

If the pool you are visiting reaches capacity, you may be asked to leave in order to accommodate Guests of that Resort hotel. Please check with a Host/Hostess at the Front Desk of the Resort hotel you wish to visit to find out about pool-access availability. You must present your current "Key to the World" card with your Disney Vacation Club "Member" designation on it to use other Resort hotel pools. Pool hopping is not available at Uzima Pool at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge and Stormalong Bay at Disney's Yacht & Beach Club Resorts or at the leisure pools of these two Resort hotels. There are no exceptions to this policy. So, the OP can pool hop to non-DVC resorts as long as she is not traveling during a black-out time (Thanksgiving).

I really liked pool hopping to the Poly when my DD was younger since it was zero-depth and the view of the castle can't be beat! Sadly, there is no hot tub :scared1:. I also really liked the pool at CSR. The slide was fun and we liked sitting in the "ruins" waterfall. The pool at WL is nice and older kids will like the fast "current" in the deep end. The hot tub is located so you can keep an eye on the kids while relaxing ;). Honestly, if your boys are "slide kids" then any other pool that you can go to will pale in comparison to the Scary Clown Slide. It's the second best slide at a Disney resort, IMO (SAB being the best). I think CSR's slide is probably 3rd.

[disneynutz]

Looks like I need thicker glasses. :cool2:

[RLRDA]

And of course I am assuming the person is a DVC owner, not a renter or staying on cash......but that was the impression I had gotten as other people talked about hopping to the Poly and other places. :confused3

Yes, I'm an owner and we are using our points for our stay 9/28 to 10/3 at BWV. My question was for any/all WDW resorts (with the exception of BCV and AKV which are prohibited). We've stayed at SSR, AKV, BWV, BCV (soon - 3 weeks!) and WL so we were contemplating trying out the pool at the Poly, OKW, i.e. somewhere we haven't been.

I had gotten the impression that you could pool hop to all resorts, even non-DVC except YC/BC and AK? Did I get that wrong? :confused:

This is what I've always thought as well. I'm glad that this is, indeed, the case.

BUT ... that link does not restrict DVC members to only DVC resorts as you said. I just checked on the DVC Website and got this:

So, the OP can pool hop to non-DVC resorts as long as she is not traveling during a black-out time (Thanksgiving).

I really liked pool hopping to the Poly when my DD was younger since it was zero-depth and the view of the castle can't be beat! Sadly, there is no hot tub :scared1:. I also really liked the pool at CSR. The slide was fun and we liked sitting in the "ruins" waterfall. The pool at WL is nice and older kids will like the fast "current" in the deep end. The hot tub is located so you can keep an eye on the kids while relaxing ;). Honestly, if your boys are "slide kids" then any other pool that you can go to will pale in comparison to the Scary Clown Slide. It's the second best slide at a Disney resort, IMO (SAB being the best). I think CSR's slide is probably 3rd.

OOOh, I hadn't even thought of CSR! I've read they have an awesome pool. I know we'll spend time at the BWV pool on this trip anyway and, you're right, the slide there is great. We had fun on our trip to WL a few years ago and the lifeguards seemed to have activities out by the pool (my DS won a "duck race" and got a free boat rental that trip!). I wasn't sure if other pools had games, etc. like that. The Poly was on the list - wasn't sure if it had a decent slide.

[KAT4DISNEY]

OOOh, I hadn't even thought of CSR! I've read they have an awesome pool. I know we'll spend time at the BWV pool on this trip anyway and, you're right, the slide there is great. We had fun on our trip to WL a few years ago and the lifeguards seemed to have activities out by the pool (my DS won a "duck race" and got a free boat rental that trip!). I wasn't sure if other pools had games, etc. like that. The Poly was on the list - wasn't sure if it had a decent slide.

I'm glad the pool hopping is allowed to the majority of the resorts! I haven't stayed at CSR but agree that the pics look like it's a great pool. Of the resorts I have stayed at (not mentioning the ones that you've already tried) I think the Poly would also be a fun one to hop to, but don't know about any games or activities at any of the pools.
Have fun!!! :goodvibes

[keishashadow]

we haven't had the energy to pool hop - yet;) ; i did enquire as to procedure from MS last year & was told that you are supposed to call or checkin with the resort desk before going to the pool area to determine capacity issues:confused3 . Does anybody do this or just go directly poolsidepopcorn::

[Deb & Bill]

I'd take most of the information that the Disney Moms Panel provides with several grains of salt. They are notorious for being wrong. They merely provide their personal information and not Disney policy.

I sent a message to MS to ask about dates for pool hopping black out a while back and here is what I got:

Dear Deborah,

Thank you for contacting Member Services.

Here are the Pool Hopping Blackout Dates for 2008:

February 17 - 23 (Sun - Sat)
March 15 - 29 (Sat - Sat)
May 23 - 26 (Fri - Mon).
June 28 - July 5 (Sat - Sat)
August 29 -September 1 (Fri - Mon)
November 24 - 30 (Mon - Sun)
Dec. 14, 2008 - Jan. 4, 2009 (Sun - Sun)

Sincerely,

Larry

Member Services | Online Communications
Disney Vacation Club


We're hopping over to CSR and probably the Polynesian in early June since we decided not to get the PAP this year and are only getting the AP.

[SaratogaShan]

If you are looking for water features, you may want to consider SSR. There is a Donald splashpad at High Rock Springs. (Also has two slides, big slide and toddler slide. Pool is zero entry here.)

At Grandstand pool there is a second themed splashpad with horse water cannons. My kids love the pools here!

Have fun!

[RLRDA]

we haven't had the energy to pool hop - yet;) ; i did enquire as to procedure from MS last year & was told that you are supposed to call or checkin with the resort desk before going to the pool area to determine capacity issues:confused3 . Does anybody do this or just go directly poolsidepopcorn::

Yeah, normally we don't have the energy either but we won't be doing parks every day this trip (so excited about that!) - just one EPCOT day and will buy tix to MNNSHP one night. That leaves us with more time than usual to explore WDW.

I would like to hear if we have to call ahead but I'm thinking Sept/early Oct. is not that crowded.....am I correct?? What will we have to show, our room keys that say "DVC Member" or our actual membership cards?

[robinb]

I would like to hear if we have to call ahead but I'm thinking Sept/early Oct. is not that crowded.....am I correct?? What will we have to show, our room keys that say "DVC Member" or our actual membership cards?
At your time of year, I would suggest that you just pool hop and have your key card (with "DVC Member" on it) ready in case you are asked by the lifeguard. If you want, you can call the manager in advance and ask if it's OK. I have NEVER been asked for my key card, except when we pool hopped to SAB ("legally") before BCV opened.

[starbox]

POR has two good pools - you can ferry boat from OKW or SSR to DTD and from there to POR Riverside and french quarter. If you do a pool-hop day you could hit all five pools (SSR Rock Springs/Grandstand, OKW, POR FQ and POR RS) all via. ferry boats. Fun!!!

CSR has a great pool and food court.

[bobbiwoz]

We have only pool hopped to POR after a delicious breakfast at Boatwrights with the extended family. That's exactly what we plan to do again in June!

Bobbi:goodvibes

[toddlerhouse]

New DVC'er here. I understand there are a couple you can get to by water but what about the other resorts? Do you take the Disney buses?? We drive and have a car when we go but I can't quite figure out how we would get into the resort since we weren't staying there?? What am I missing?

[TenThousandVolts]

Hi Toddlerhouse!
Busses go to all the resorts from every park and DTD. So to get from resort to resort you generally have to get to one of those places for a connection.
If you are staying at ssr- you can walk to the DTD bus hub and grab a bus to any resort. That is a great advantage to ssr.

There are some exceptions and alternatives. Eg., if you are going to Contemporary, you can bus to MK and walk over to the Contemporary. If you are going to BWV you can bus to MGM and boat over...

[robinb]

New DVC'er here. I understand there are a couple you can get to by water but what about the other resorts? Do you take the Disney buses?? We drive and have a car when we go but I can't quite figure out how we would get into the resort since we weren't staying there?? What am I missing?While buses do go to every resort, who the heck wants to go to a park or DTD with your swim stuff, then transfer to the bus to the pool-hopping resort of your choice? It would take forever! Since you have a car, then just drive to the resort and tell them you are visiting the resort and the guard will give you a 3-hour parking pass (at the Deluxe resorts) or just wave you through. You may have to be more specific at the deluxe resorts as they try to prevent people from parking there and going into the parks. Also, if you're going to WL or BW, remember that you can valet park for free :).

[Bribrittmom]

We've enjoyed hopping to th Grand Floridian pool. Good slide,waterfall,beautiful beach and view.

[RLRDA]

There are some exceptions and alternatives. Eg., if you are going to Contemporary, you can bus to MK and walk over to the Contemporary. If you are going to BWV you can bus to MGM and boat over...

While buses do go to every resort, who the heck wants to go to a park or DTD with your swim stuff, then transfer to the bus to the pool-hopping resort of your choice? It would take forever! Since you have a car, then just drive to the resort and tell them you are visiting the resort and the guard will give you a 3-hour parking pass (at the Deluxe resorts) or just wave you through. You may have to be more specific at the deluxe resorts as they try to prevent people from parking there and going into the parks. Also, if you're going to WL or BW, remember that you can valet park for free :).

Unlike the PP who will have a car, we'll be using Disney transportation on this trip so we'll have to "suck it up" and pack our swim stuff and hop on the bus. Which leads me to think we might stick with the Poly or GF (and people here have recommended both!) as they will be the 2 pools that will be the easiest to get to (MK then monorail - which my kids love). Hey, they're right next door to each other.....we'll hit both of them! "robinb", I'm not really fond of several transfers either, and that's going there and returning to BWV! Even though I know we have no plans to be anywhere the thought of spending hours on the bus to pool hop isn't appealing. CSR still holds some appeal...I suppose we could take the boat to DHS then hop on CSR's bus (that would be the quickest route, right?)

Thanks for all of your replies :goodvibes

[robinb]

CSR still holds some appeal...I suppose we could take the boat to DHS then hop on CSR's bus (that would be the quickest route, right?)Yes, that would be the fastest. CSR isn't all that far away from Epcot, so it would be a short ride. You could also cab it over for probably less than $10.