Do you pool hop?

[lovwdwalot]

Never have, and never will! Just to much of a hassle, just better off swimming at our own resort, which happen to be the BCV.

 

[Simba's Mom]

We are fairly new to DVC, but I can't ever imagine doing this. Pool hopping was NOT a factor in our decision to purchase DVC. To me, pool water is pool water. All of the DVC resorts seem to have nice pools. We don't rent cars. I can't imagine wasting time using Disney transportation just to swim at another resort's pool. We have DVC friends who don't pool hop and complain it makes the BWV pool too crowded. They have this thing where they go on and on how it's not fair that it's banned at BCV, but allowed a BWV. They started staying at OKW because of it! It's kind of funny to us. Of course, we don't do "pool days" like they do. I guess I can see how it would be annoying to always have your pool crowed .

I wonder if anyone has done a Poll on how much the pool hopping ability was a factor in the purchase of DVC. I know that to me, although it really wasn't a deciding factor, I thought it would be a great perk. So in almost 3 years, how often have we pool hopped? Never! Sounded great at first, but like others have said here, too much of a hassle.

 

[Sammie]

No, it is just too much trouble. I have never even told my guests they could do this.

I agree with Carol, we don't hop.

The pools are fun but not enough to warrant the extra time and energy to travel to another location. We just book a room at any location if we want to experience the pool.

 

[DVC-Don]

Only pool hopped once in 2001 from BWV to YC/BC before the BCV came along and stopped that.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

We used to pool hop from the BWV over to SAB. When we found out they were closing SAB to pool hopping, we purchased at the BCv so we could get our yearly fix. We now no longer pool hop.

HBC

 

[jaysue]

We have pool hopped on some of our trips - DS#1 has just gotten into water slides and wants to try them all on the properties

It is a nice perk to have

cheers
jaysue

 

[Bribrittmom]

We used to pool hop to BCV for SAB when it was allowed. I still find it fun to pool hop to another resort such as Grand Floridian on hot Summer days when we aren't doing a theme park.

 

[Lexxiefern]

I never thought we would pool hop. But then on a trip last sept we were waiting for our room to be ready and our friends who traveled with us did not want to waste a day on their tickets. So I came up with the idea to pool hop to WL. (our friends are DVC members too). The husbands took out the water mice while us moms and kids went swimming in both the WL pools. We had so much fun!!!

On our last trip in december we pool hopped to CSR. What a great pool! The water was cold (at some resorts it is too warm) and the slide was wonderful. We will definately return there.

On our upcoming trip I would like to try out the Poly - last time we stayed there it was way too cold to swim - so I would like to see what I missed.

 

[Chim Chiminy]

Yes, we have.
We usually get the Family Boat plan on our trips, we use the Contemporary marina.
Our last trip we called to see if it was okay, wore our suits under our clothing, went boating then we swam. When I posted on our experience afterwards it touched off a debate on pool-hopping.
We also hopped to the POFQ pool, again we called to see if it was okay.

I enjoy the perk, but would not go out of my way to do it. Both times, we were going to be at that resort anyways so we thought it would be fun.

 

[dougmatt]

Always.... Every trip... Can't remember a time when we haven't since we became DVC members... (and many before)... My family gets bored with hanging out at a single pool, so we move around. Almost like park hopping! We pin trade at all the resorts, go for a dip then move on. Couldn't imagine a trip without it.

D

 

[tjkraz]

Only two reasons I could think of that might justify pool hopping:

1. If the kids wanted to. As long as I get a lounge chair to read my book, I'd be content.

2. If we have some other reason to be in the area. For example, if we planned to visit the Boardwalk some morning while staying elsewhere, perhaps we'd consider a little time at Luna Park.

But I have no overwhelming urge to visit one pool over another. Certainly nothing I'd choose to do--others would have to twist my arm.

 

[mrsswat]

We LOVE to pool hop! Out favorite is the Poly, followed by the GF. We don't really consider it hopping, as we usually spend most of the day at that resort. With the Poly and GF you can change in nice changing areas, then hop the monorail to the other monorail resorts to mosey around. Different atmosphere breaks up the vacation, seems like you're getting "more for your money". Try it.

 

[newholidayx2]

thanks
Im planning on breakfast at Kona then using their pool. I'll have my suit on under my clothes - DS can change.
Later in the wk if we need a break from Stormalong Bay we can check out Luna Park.

Will I have a prob at the Poly if our keys dont say DVC? (this may be a reason to stay at the villas instd of Lodge) Is pool hopping allowed if we pay cash for the studio?

 

[DVCPAT]

We Pool hop every trip, it’s really no trouble at all. Valet parking makes it very convenient. The kids have a blast and we usually combine lunch and shopping. The Polynesian’s volcano pool is probably the kids favorite. Its fun to take a monorail ride and visit the other resorts. It’s a great way to spend some down time and see what the other resorts have to offer.

 

[disworldnum1]

We have never pool hopped and as long as we have an AP and the waterparks are open we never will.

 

[NMW]

thanks
Im planning on breakfast at Kona then using their pool. I'll have my suit on under my clothes - DS can change.
Later in the wk if we need a break from Stormalong Bay we can check out Luna Park.

Will I have a prob at the Poly if our keys dont say DVC? (this may be a reason to stay at the villas instd of Lodge) Is pool hopping allowed if we pay cash for the studio?

It's my understanding that you can only hop when staying on "points". I'm not sure if you have to be staying at a DVC property. I would think so, but I bet there are plenty of people on this board who know way more than me!

 

[RumpleMom]

We never thought we would care about using another resort's pool. However, this last trip the main pool at OKW was closed so we went to SSR. We really enjoyed the pool and had lunch at Artist Palette.

We had so much fun we pool hopped to the Poly on another day. I didn"t care for the sand and the birds were a nuisance.

We would like to pool hop somewhere else in the future. No specific plans for where...

 

[tjkraz]

It's my understanding that you can only hop when staying on "points". I'm not sure if you have to be staying at a DVC property. I would think so, but I bet there are plenty of people on this board who know way more than me!

Here's the language regarding the perk:

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 "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. In addition, this restriction includes the leisure pools at these two resort hotels. There are no exceptions to this policy.

So, the requirements would be:

1. DVC resort only
2. DVC points stay (although I bet that DVC member cash discount would also apply, but NOT CRO)
3. DVC Member on the room key

Part of the reason for the restrictions is to keep members who might live in the Vero Beach or HHI area from using their respective pools daily as a personal swim club.