Do you Pool Hop?

[Noelle]

I was planning on having my teenage daughter pool hop over at the GF while she was waiting for her Spa treatment appointment on our trip this summer. (We're staying at BCV on our points.) Since her appointment is 30 minutes after my Mother's and mine, I thought she'd enjoy just swimming or sunbathing while she waited. But after reading some of the posts on the resort board, I kind of got the feeling that people view pool hopping as bad.
I know that you're supposed to call the resort ahead of time to make sure there's room and I have every intention of doing just that. But I was wondering how many of you actually use your Pool Hopping privileges?

Thanks,
Noelle

 

[DVC-Don]

We only pool hopped once about 3 years ago. That was from BWV to the BC pool before it became off limits to pool hopping. My take is it is a privilige of DVC members and if you follow the guidelines there is no problem with it.

 

[BWVDee]

We used to pool hop all the time from BWV to SAB, pre BCV. Now the only time we might pool hop is if friends are staying at a different WDW resort and even then most times they come to BWV. Pool hopping is not worth the hassle, imo. Pool hopping from BWV to SAB was a snap because you could either walk or take the boat, but we find pool hopping anywhere else is not worth the effort. I can't stand getting in a car or a bus with a wet bathing suit, pool bag, etc. Plus we stay at so many different WDW resort during the course of the year anyhow, that we get our fill of many different WDW pools and slides. So now we usually stay put at the pool of whichever resort we are staying at.
I enjoy going to the different resorts for a nice leisurely lunch/dinner/drink a lot more than I enjoy pool hopping there. SAB from BWV was a different story because the pool alone is worth the effort to get there, plus getting there from BWV was very easy and very quick. But now that is no longer an option, I couldn't care less if pool hopping was stopped.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

With us it's the same as DVC-Don and BWVDee. We used to always visit the BCV at least once per trip from the BWV. That's why we ended up adding on some points at the BCV a couple of years ago so we could continue going to SAB once in a while. Since hopping to SAB ended we really have no desire to hop elsewhere.

It's not bad. If it's something you want to do, go ahead and enjoy the privilege.

HBC

 

[wdwdvcdad]

Haven't & most likely wouldn't. Too much effort with little benefit. water is water.

 

[Sammie]

Don't use it. We swim only where we are staying.

 

[DVCPAT]

Pool hopping is a nice way to spend some down time away from the parks. My kids have been going to Disney since birth so after many trips, it’s a nice way to keep things fresh. No one really knows who is pool hopping or a guest at the resort, I wouldn’t worry how other people feel about it.

It’s nice way to take in the atmosphere of another resort. The kids will swim for an hour or two and take a lunch break. We allow our kids to shop on certain days so they don’t nickel and dime us. Pool hopping days are also shopping days, so the kids usually pick up a pin or souvenir at the resort.

Valet parking makes it easy to visit any of the deluxe resorts. I can understand why some don’t care for it but the kids seem to enjoy the various themed pools.

 

[jaysue]

We pool hop from time to time - usually to the CSR and POR/POFQ pools - they are very nice pools

thanks
jaysue

 

[ruddydvc]

Never, way too much effort as far as I'm concerned.

 

[gopherit]

We "hop" once per trip. It's just something the kids look forward to, as if we've stepped into a new park! Last trip we hopped from VWL to bWV for the day; we arrived at BWV at about 10 am, swam unti around noon, then dried off, enjoyed some lunch, strolled the Boardwalk, had ice cream, and then headed back to VWL. Very nice!

This August we plan to try GF pool for our hop. Kids will already be at GF for the Pirate Cruise, so a hop there after their cruise would be rather pleasant.

We enjoy the hop -- now, we won't cry a huge river if the perk disappeared -- but we do enjoy the hop privilege while we have it! <a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/4/4_1_111.gif' alt='Bouncy 2' border=0></a> <a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/4/4_16_1.gif' alt='Bouncy 8' border=0></a> <a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/4/4_16_1.gif' alt='Bouncy 8' border=0></a>

 

[Uncleromulus]

Always pool hop--.

 

[Granny]

We have pool-hopped a few times. Since we go to WDW in the summer, we found that it can be a very nice break during the day. Our favorite plan is to take a small beach bag with swim suits to Magic Kingdom. We rent a locker, stow the bag and enjoy the park. About noon, we get the bag, jump on the monorail and swim at the Polynesian.

When finished, we dry off, change into dry clothes and go to another park for the afternoon. One nice thing about Disney is that when you rent a locker, you can use other lockers at WDW during that day for no additional fee!

As for those on the resorts boards, well I'm sure that they look down their noses at lots of stuff, especially those "DVC people" who clog up their pools!

At least our pool hopping is legitimate. Unlike the FW pool-hoppers.

 

[goofy4tink]

Haven't yet, but most likely will try some other pools this summer. Since it will be our first trip as DVC owners, why not. It's something we're entitled to. We'll probably go back over to the Polynesian for a quick swim. And maybe WL and POR.

 

[Pa@okw95]

I believe the pool area is off limits to anyone but guests of the resort. They are paying for it, they should enjoy it, not outsiders. There are many common areas of any resort that should be off limits, for example GF also has a beach and dock area that should be for guest use only. NOW, having said that, since DVC members have the right to pool hop when they are staying at a DVC resort to GF then I must say, even though I disagree with it, that is fine for your daughter to use the pool, just make sure she has a key showing that she is a member.

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

I have never done it and I may. I would not be put out if other DVCers hopped into our pool at SSR how else will you get the feel for the resort and if you would like to stay in the future KWIM? Plus it is a perk so we should not feel bad about it. Now for non guests and people walking over from the parks and aren't even staying on site at Disney well that gets my goat!

 

[jmminarik]

We've never hopped. That might change when we have human children of our own, but for the most part we don't even use the pools unless we have nieces/nephews with us...with an in-room whirlpool where we control the temperature and where you don't need to use a costume, we just don't seem to make our way out to the pools.

-Joe

 

[dianeschlicht]

We have never pool hopped, because we aren't really pool people. It is a perk allowed though, so I would certainly not feel badly about your daughter pool hopping to GF as long as you follow the rules. Just be sure to call ahead to make sure it is allowed on that given day, and make sure she has the key with "member" printed on it. BTW, I think it is a great idea!

 

[Kewz1]

Noelle,

We have pool hopped many times and always enjoy doing so. Let me warn you though, that EVERYTIME we have called a resort to check if it's okay no one knows what we are talking about. Once, my Dh was on hold off and on for over 15 minutes while he spoke to 3 different people. He finally just hung up.

We use common sense (I know that is something that often seems to be lacking on vacation!) when we arrive. If the pool is crowded we leave -- if not, we stay.

Have fun at the spa!

Kristen

 

[doc428]

We always pool-hop. We usually go to another resort in the AM, swim for a few hours, drink a few adult beveriges at the pool bar and,then, eat a late lunch at the resort's restaurant. There is usually 2-4 adult couples, no kids. We spend a good amount of money at the resort. If we were not allowed to pool-hop, we would probably buy some beer at a grocery store and sit at OKW pool. Thus, not spending any money at WDW.
Everyone is different. We only do EPCOT during the Food and Wine Fest. Relaxing at pools and golfing is our vacation. DVC allows us to do this. It is a legal perk, so you should have no qualms in spending time at GF pool. Just be mindful that if the pool is full, you should not be there. We are guests at the resorts.

 

[mikesmom88]

Noelle,

We have pool-hopped at teh GF many times as I almost always have a spa treatment and my family spends time near the pool. We usually eat lunch by the pool or bring a change of clothes and have dinner at the GF. It is a beautiful resort and pool-hopping is a nice perk to have if you enjoy visiting other resorts.

Have fun!