DVC Pools, Pool Hopping, Etc.

[DrTomorrow]

laceemouse, I would not have said a word.

Even assuming that I only had the best of intentions (like you did, worrying about the possibility of disappointed children), it really is a no-win situation. If she didn't take the time to 1) listen at check-in and 2) check the newsletter or 3) ask at the front desk first, then she probably doesn't want to hear it from you. As we've all seen in several threads, even the kind-hearted folks here on the DIS sometimes take exception to people pointing out the rules - and violations of them. I'd hate to think of that woman's response - at 1 AM after a loooong day - to your polite informational comment....

 

[joepoe]

Originally posted by JimFitz
Pool Hopping needs to be banned.

I AGREE! I love BWV, but it really irks me that the pool is always so crowded.

 

[3DAN]

Sorry if I am repeating things, but , I was told that you can only pool hop if 1) you are a DVC member, 2) You are staying at a vacation club resort, and 3) you are staying on points. It is not allowable to pool hop when you stay at any other Disney resort regardless of points or cash payment. In the past , VWL checked on you when you arrived at the guard station. So did BC. Are you guys staying at the value resort pool hopping?

 

[gchiker]

Just got back on election day from a stay at BCV. Each day at SAB there was a CM to check our key cards and issue wrist bands. On one occasion, there was no one in sight, so we just walked in and sat down. Within 30 seconds, a CM came over to check on us and another group. They were not from the BC or BCV and were politely asked to leave. There was no big altercation and it was handled well.

 

[icydog]

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.

I just thought this was an interesting thread so I resurrected it. We are at OKW right now and considering pool hopping to the GF. The reason, padded chaises in the main pool area. Never noticed them before. We have one more day here and I think we might try it. With the main pool closed at OKW, we figured we might try another option. We used to pool hop to SAB before the restrictions and a couple of times to AKL. The pool at Animal Kingdom Lodge was lovely when we brought our, then 5 yo, grandson with us. The slide was small enough that he could go down a million times and we could sit back and not worry. Now that he has grown up, and is 7, there isn't a slide anywhere that would be high enough for him.

But I digress, have any of you folks used the Grande Floridian pool and could offer some feedback? IN fact with the OKW pool closed for awhile has anyone pool hopped that didn't before?

 

[BAYBREEZEDISNEY]

We always pool hop....but then we are "old" and do not always go to the parks on every visit! We would truly miss the opportunity.

 

[SnowWitch]

We will pool hop to the poly on occassion when we're having dinner. The kid will swim while we wait on the fireworks on the beach but thats it.

 

[POOH&PIGLET]

We have never pool hopped and probably never will.

 

[Ksp]

We've only pool-hopped once, & that was to the Polynesian. It was a nice perk, but did take extra planning - packing suits, clothes, and all that, calling ahead to see if the pool was ok for hopping - it's a nice way to preview what might be a reservation one of our next trips, though. We will probably pool hop again, but I think it's not going to be very often for us. (maybe once every couple of years)
I like the idea of pool hopping and having dining reservations at that resort....we'll probably try that idea. Thanks!

 

[Windjammer]

Our kids are 11, 9, 8, and 5 and we pool hop all the time. I used to pool hop with the older kids while the younger were napping in the afternoon. Now that they are older we will sometimes spend a half day at another resort, just hanging out and swimming. For instance, we will go to Port Orleans- River Side and some kids will fish while others swim. We will also have lunch.

On another day we will have breakfast at the Polynesian (Ohana) or Contemporary (Chef Mickey's) and do the monorail circuit, visiting the pools and arcades. While I am at the pool with the kids my wife will visit the gift shops. It is a great relaxing day.

Steve

 

[cheyita]

I posted on this thread when it first ran, and my answer has already changed. We pool-hopped on our last trip. We were staying at OKW, and wanted to show our guests the Boardwalk area, and we brought our swim stuff and pool-hopped there. I still don't see us necessarily doing it every trip, but we enjoyed being able to do that.

 

[lspongberg]

We've never pool hopped and don't think we every will.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

I think I voted "seldom" originally. But...I could see poolhopping on occasion. When push comes to shove the variation in the hotel rooms is minimal. So what's left? The accoutrements of each hotel. Pool Hopping is a good way to relax and check out the various hotels. Thus far I haven't found a hotel I'd want to pool hop to. FWIW I think the dee luxes have showers nearby. Maybe I'll investigate that when I go.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

We have never pool-hopped nor have we ever had the interest in pool-hopping. Seems like too much of a hassle to me. And if swimming during our vacation is a priority, then we'll get a reservation at a resort where we'd be able to enjoy the pool....or just head to BB or TL.

 

[DukeStreetKing]

I don't pool hop and I doubt I ever will, either. I just don't see the reasoning behind it. It is just so much more convenient to use the pool at the resort where I am staying.

 

[WDWMom]

We have pool hopped on every vacation we have taken thru DVC. On some vacations we have been to 7 or 8 different pools. Our family would be very upset if we lost this perk. Having made around 16 trips to WDW over the past few years you look for things to do other than the usual parks,lines,food thing. Pool hopping is fun relaxing and a great way to experience the resorts and people. We have never met anyone at the other pools who minded us hopping when the heard that it was a perk that DVC(Disney) extended us with our membership. Many peolple wanted to know more about DVC after hearing that this was one of our benefits. We have always asked if the pool was open to hopping and have never been asked to leave anywhere although we were often asked for our room cards. Once at SAB we were even asked for our blue membership card. We have never thought of it as a hassle. Quite the opposite. If you have never been to the Poly, GF, or Contemporary for a leisure couple of hours then you just haven't experienced all of the Disney Magic. A late night swim at WL, or CS is awesome.

Some Pools get crowded while others go almost unused. We are usually there in March so the weather can determine a lot. We are great to have at a pool as we always clean up when we leave. We always throw our towels in the towel bin, as well as any from the chairs around us that haven't been occupied while we have been there. From spending so much time around the pools we know that there are a great many people who leave and just leave there towels laying there. I hope DVC continues this perk as we enjoy it very much and becomes a PR tool for them.

For those of you who think it is a hassle to carry everything somewhere it is not. We wear our suits on the bus (with cover-ups and shirts), use towels at the resort and we are dry before we leave. We take nothing more than reading material for DH and myself. Pretty easy.

 

[OneMoreTry]

We have pool hopped when we go boating on Bay Lake or Seven Seas Lagoon. It's a hassle, though. I don't think we would "hop" just to swim in another resort's pool.

 

[NMW]

I can't imagine our family ever pool hopping. If we wanted to go somewhere else to swim we'd go to one of the water parks. Another resorts pool just wouldn't be worth the hassle for us.

 

[DVCajun]

As BWVers we have pool hopped to SAB. Absolutely!! Would still, if it were allowed.

 

[kweaver]

If we take a "pool day" we most likely hop to another resort. Since we generally go to WDW in May or June...we're always up for a pool day and a waterpark day.

Last time we stayed at SSR and hopped to BWV (love that slide!).