DVC Pools, Pool Hopping, Etc.

[bcvillastwo]

............but we don't very often. Fortunately our home resort is BCV and we love SAB. When we do we walk over to BWV just for a change of pace.

 

[WDWMom]

How do you know what something is worth, or how much fun/hassle it could be if you haven't tried it ? We began pool hopping when some of the food choices got old at WDW. We decided that we would try the food courts/restauarants at some of the other resorts. This led to sightseeing/shopping/pin trading, and eventually pool hopping. There are so many things to do and see at WDW. Every family is different I know, but the " World ' is so much more than just parks.

 

[kathleena]

We have pool hopped, although we didn't this time. We surely will in the future.

 

[slk537]

Since joining DVC we have been down twice and have not pool hopped. We thought it sounded like a lovely idea for a break (Poly during MK day) or being able to check out the other resorts and pools, but after reading about the controversy on the subject here, we decided it wasn't worth it.

 

[spiceycat]

I haven't tried it either - but I still want the option to do it.

My friends and family have and enjoyed it.

on my solo trip in May - I am planning on pool hopping

 

[lllovell]

WOW!! I learned something new today. I had no idea that pool hopping included places other than the DVC resorts (excluding SAB). I have boys, so changing into a swinsuit is no biggie really (heck, in the summer, I sometimes have trouble getting them OUT of their swimsuits lol) so that might be a real option for us on our way out of the parks and back to the room for a nap. A little swim first would be fun and by the time we got up from nap time, the evening cooling would have begun.

hmmmmmmmmmmm.....*plotting*

 

[Kick it up a notch!]

I will admit I have read threads on this before and I am shocked and frightened at what I am reading in this thread. I just have a few comments-

1) Any poster who made a comment about those people who stay at value resorts and meant it as a cheap shot at them - Grow up! Everyone has the right to enjoy Disney anyway they see fit and how they can afford to do it.

2) Those of you who stay at the value resorts and misunderstood some of the posts, please learn how to read. I have seen comments from the people who stay at the value resorts who are upset at posts where people used the value resorts as an example of how the perk is being abused, not to take a cheap shot at you. I don't think there were many posts where poster meant that the people who stay at the value resorts are any less important than they are. They are just upset that some people do not follow the rules, and it impacts their enjoyment and vacation that they paid good money for. The people who abuse the rules do come from the value resorts as well as off property and other resorts that do not cost as much as the DVC resorts.

3) Pool hopping is a feature that I enjoy (with my family) at DVC and non DVC resorts, and we do it because we are entitled to. Not because we are better than everyone else, we paid for that right and it is granted to us by DVC and WDW. If you are offended by that, too bad. I personally paid almost $40,000 plus about $2500 annually for dues and I feel that since I am allowed to pool hop that is great. If they took that away I would be very disappointed, but I would follow the rules and not pool hop.

4) Those of you who are reading these posts and pool hop when and where you are not supposed to listen up - I personally think that if you are caught you should be removed from the property immediately, escorted by several cast members for all to see. The rules should be explained to you so you have a full understanding of them and warned what will happen if you do it again. If you are caught a second time, you should be escorted from Walt Disney World. If you are staying on property, you should be forced to check out and not allowed to stay on Disney property for the duration of your vacation. You need to find accomodations somewhere else and Disney should not be obligated to help you. You have violated the rules and that impacts others enjoyment of their vacation. That may sound harsh to some, but there are posted signs and the people who do this know that they should not be.

5) They can't possibly enforce this rule with cast members, and they know it. They are negligent in protecting DVC members rights and we should let them know we are not satisfied, whether you do it while you are there and see it (ask to speak to the resort manager, don't just tell a cast member) or you send a letter, e-mail or make a phone call. Do not be rude, just tell them that it is an issue and you are unhappy. If you ask for a manager they will find one and you will be taking them from other tasks, this will get back to the people in charge and they will do something, although it will take time effort and energy on our part. Do not be passive, take an active role in protecting your vacation home. Do not just gripe about it here, do something about it.

6) It seems to me that the only feasible solution is to gate in the pools at the DVC resorts. If they wish to do it at the other resorts (which they should BTW) great, if not then the people staying there should complain. Our DVC dues pay for the operation of the resorts including the pools and the cost of installing and maintaining a gate system would be somewhat offset by the reduced wear and tear on the property, reduced chemical usage for the pool, less staff to patrol the pool and probably so slight an increase in dues that it would maybe cost each member pennies annually to operate. This seems to be a no brainer but they will not do it if no one complains about it.

I hope no one was offended by this post and if you were I am sorry that you did not like my comments. If you understood them and disagreed, great, but they were not meant to offend anyone. I just can't believe the sniping at each other that I read in this post and I hope that reason will take over.

 

[icydog]

WOW!! I learned something new today. I had no idea that pool hopping included places other than the DVC resorts (excluding SAB). I have boys, so changing into a swinsuit is no biggie really (heck, in the summer, I sometimes have trouble getting them OUT of their swimsuits lol) so that might be a real option for us on our way out of the parks and back to the room for a nap. A little swim first would be fun and by the time we got up from nap time, the evening cooling would have begun.

hmmmmmmmmmmm.....*plotting*

I just got a great idea. Take the monorail to any resort, swim, lunch and relax and then go back rejuvenated a few hours later. I might try this with the Grande Floridan. If we are in the neighborhood why not drop in and swim.

 

[Uncleromulus]

We always hop!!
But that might change once the "new" pool at OKW is ready.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We have pool hopped in the past to SAB and WL pool. Hopping to SAB was one of the reasons we bought points at BCV when they started selling points there. We also have points at VWL because we like that pool. Haven't pool hopped in a while.

When we stayed at the GF, the new themed pool was overrun with people, nearly wall to wall. We spent most of our time at the large unthemed pool in the center of the complex. A much nicer pool in my book.

We also liked the Dig Site at CS when we stayed there a few nights, but we didn't hop over there.

 

[timC]

Our pool adventures always include a day at a water park, usually TL. After that we're pretty much water logged, so whatever pool our resort has is fine with us.... Next summer we've got BCV ressie's so we'll probably hang out at SAB most days.

 

[TCPluto]

We never have, but like the fact that it is available.

 

[Vero4us]

Pool hopping is one of the perks our family really enjoys. Each member gets to pick a different resort and we go there for the day and soak up the 'theming' of that particular resort. What a treat! Where else can you go and stay at one themed hotel but get to enjoy so many more. That is what I love about Disney. Kinda ruins you, though, for any other hotel!

 

[Ksp]

I'm glad that we have the option.

I sincerely doubt that the total amount of DVC guests at any one time at WDW ever go pool hopping; the small percentage that do certainly don't make the pools too crowded.

After all, the front desk of each resort has the option to tell us that the pools are too crowded to hop on any given day; hopping is prohibited during the busy seasons at WDW, so DVC hoppers can't take the rap for that one.

Illegal pool hopping is another issue; I think that wrist bands would be a practical and economical solution for this problem.

I won't even dignify one of the other poster's comments about value resorts-
its sillly to classify people by where they stay. Seems to me that a person's actions really speak to what kind of person they are, not where they sleep at night.

I wouldn't want to lose the perk of pool hopping -
Seeing other resorts during our visit is actually something our whole family looks forward to....adds to our Disney Magic to see what the other themes are, the decorations, the different kinds of pools, etc.

I agree with the OP, ...I would have had a hard time telling the lifeguards about the illegal pool-hoppers....but that's just shy old me.
(If they'd been smoking around the pool....I would have overcome my shyness, though, believe me! )

 

[Ksp]

With all the talk about SSR not allowing pool hopping, I was wondering how many people really do pool hop? I know the DW & DD & I never have time to go to the other resorts to swin, even when we are at WDW for 7 days. Is it possible that pool hopping is not a big deal for alot of DVC members.

Where did you hear this from, lovwdwalot?? I haven't heard anything about this.

 

[Granny]

Where did you hear this from, lovwdwalot?? I haven't heard anything about this.

You have to look at when this thread started...it was before SSR was even open!!

There was a lot of rumors that SSR would not allow pool hopping. There was
speculation that its close proximity to DTD might encourage pool crashing from non-DVCers and it would be easier to eliminate pool hopping there rather than to monitor it (see SAB for example).

I haven't heard anything about it for a long time, and am not sure why this thread was brought back?

 

[barb45]

We have enjoyed pool hopping once in a while but I wouldn't mind it at all if they banned it completely. I hate getting stepped on by a crowd of people that aren't even staying at the resort. Let's not even think about people crashing that are "day guests" driving by and using the pool - don't think this doesn't happen. I have friends that crashed a pool at a very exclusive hotel while on shore excursion from our cruise. We found out about it later and while they were proud of themselves, it really bothered me. I think the remark about the value resorts was more to the effect that if people are staying at another deluxe resort they are not so inclined to pool hop because they have a great themed pool at their own resorts but the people paying for a value resort think they can go anywhere and use all the facilities while paying way less. Kind of "the book an inside cabin on a cruise ship and get all the same amenities as those that book a balcony cabin" (which is perfectly legit on a cruise) mentality. Blabbering now!!

 

[ahoff]

We poolhopped a few times, once when you were still allowed to hop at SAB. Also hopped to the Poly and also SSR. Haven't heard that that was not going to be allowed.

 

[icydog]

We have pool hopped in the past to SAB and WL pool. Hopping to SAB was one of the reasons we bought points at BCV when they started selling points there. We also have points at VWL because we like that pool. Haven't pool hopped in a while.

When we stayed at the GF, the new themed pool was overrun with people, nearly wall to wall. We spent most of our time at the large unthemed pool in the center of the complex. A much nicer pool in my book.

We also liked the Dig Site at CS when we stayed there a few nights, but we didn't hop over there.

What themed pool? I was there last week and I walked all around the property and didn't see a new themed pool. I was showing the resort off to friends and I could have bragged some more about the GF if I knew there was a fancy new pool. I'm sure I walked right past it and didn't see it.

 

[Deb & Bill]

The themed pool has a water fall and is right up next to the beach. When you head over towards the Spa or the Polynesian, you will find the newer themed pool. The big pool in the center of the complex is my favorite. 'Course we were staying in Sugarloaf and I could sit on the balcony watching my husband and son play in the non-themed pool.