New Pool Entry Requirement? Share Wristband Experiences by Resort!

[CarolynFH]

I think the headache of managing DVC resale members who don't get benefits

Pool hopping plus renting DVDs from community halls were among the few DVC benefits that resale members were entitled to. That's why some online member cards for resale-only owners still say they can pool hop.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

I just printed my temporary DVC ID card and no mention of pool hopping. Weird how some have it and others don't. I agree they should probably just do away with the printable ID card thing because it isn't even usable anymore.

Is it possible it's a 'blue card' vs 'white card/resale' membership thing? I thought I recall reading a bit ago that the white cards still show pool hopping. But I could be misremembering. Just a possibility to explain the differences folks are seeing.

Seems silly since there's no longer pool hopping and no longer valid temp cards!! We shouldn't even be having such a conversation!!

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Pool hopping plus renting DVDs from community halls were among the few DVC benefits that resale members were entitled to. That's why some online member cards for resale-only owners still say they can pool hop.

So I did read it! They really need to update the 'card' on the site!

 

[ParrotBill]

Pool hopping plus renting DVDs from community halls were among the few DVC benefits that resale members were entitled to. That's why some online member cards for resale-only owners still say they can pool hop.

Ah interesting did not realize that. Basically believed resale got.... nothing! (Willy Wonka emphasis)

 

[Skywalker3]

here's an old article online, There were always many DVC resorts that never allowed pool hopping. We never took advantage of pool hopping, we're in the camp of it seemed like a pita to do all of that. and there werent' very many convenient DVC pools to do this at anyway.

https://dvcnews.com/dvc-program-men...4661-riviera-pools-excluded-from-pool-hopping

 

[kgou]

While discussion of pool hopping is interesting, it would be helpful for this thread to be focused on real time experiences at the various resort pools as it relates to band scanning/reservation checking/etc.

 

[kgou]

Wrist band required VDH on 7/7/2025.

Week of 15Jun I was at BWV and we only used pool few times but was never asked to give information and don’t recall seeing any bands. Week of 22Jun I was at GFV and every day they checked for reservation and used bands.

As a follow-up, I can confirm SSR went back to no wristbands on 7/6.

No wristbands but they were checking for room keys around the pool randomly at Vero Beach on Saturday 7/5 only from what I saw (was there from July 3-6).

Thank you all for your reports!!

Well, the way Disney may/may not be rolling out stricter pool entry requirements is certainly a head scratcher. It seems like not a lot of consistency in timing and methodology.

A couple of questions:

-has anyone been to AKV recently, or have an upcoming trip? Reports of enforcement over MDW but none reported over 7/4. Wondering if anyone has a recent report
-does VDH always require confirmation of resort eligiblity/wristband? Or just sometimes?
-has anyone been back to Stormalong Bay since reopening? Assume the enforcement prior to the closure is back in effect, but looking for confirmation.
-does VB always require a room key for entry?

I am going to think about how to clean up the reports on the first post on this thread to make it easier to read and more consolidated. If anyone has any ideas lmk but I will work on cleaning up the first post so that it's easy to scan and see any recent reports that have come in!

 

[Smilelea]

I went to the pool at VGC on May 11, 2025. There is a stand where cast members are standing and they ask for your name.

They have a list that they look up your name, no scanning magic bands or pulling up the app and then they lead you to find seating that works for your family. I thought it was very thoughtful and helpful.

This was our exact experience today.

 

[monorailmom]

We were at Kidani 7/5-7/9. They had wristbands on 7/5 and 7/6 and that was it. I really wish all the resorts would institute this policy!!!

 

[teamsamant]

There was a post on another social media site recently where people were mentioning how great the value resorts were including that on your rest day you can resort hop to another deluxe resort enjoy their amenities and just go back to your room to sleep. That alone describes why the wristband policy should be in place and really any amenities that are included free of charge.

That being said I can confirm the entire last week of June scanning and wristbands were done at Grand Floridian.

 

[TheDailyMoo]

Split BC and Poly last 10 days. BC never felt overrun and you knew 99.9%-100% of everyone in there was allowed to be there. Poly? Besides the fact that Lava pool is people soup on a good day, we definitely saw people getting in that were not staying there.

"How do you know they weren't staying there tho?! Do you work at the Poly check in desk??"

....They weren't staying there trust me.

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

Split BC and Poly last 10 days. BC never felt overrun and you knew 99.9%-100% of everyone in there was allowed to be there. Poly? Besides the fact that Lava pool is people soup on a good day, we definitely saw people getting in that were not staying there.

"How do you know they weren't staying there tho?! Do you work at the Poly check in desk??"

....They weren't staying there trust me.

I own VGF not PVB so while I personally prefer VGF enforcement, it seems completely nuts to me that Poly isn’t closely checking…especially since they are trying to sell new tower points!

 

[Mouseforward]

Split BC and Poly last 10 days. BC never felt overrun and you knew 99.9%-100% of everyone in there was allowed to be there. Poly? Besides the fact that Lava pool is people soup on a good day, we definitely saw people getting in that were not staying there.

"How do you know they weren't staying there tho?! Do you work at the Poly check in desk??"

....They weren't staying there trust me.

Its one of the reasons I just sold my Poly points, the pool and the GCH on weekends is people soup. Putting almost all of the food and shopping in GCH was a good idea in the 70's not so much now.

 

[TheDailyMoo]

Its one of the reasons I just sold my Poly points, the pool and the GCH on weekends is people soup. Putting almost all of the food and shopping in GCH was a good idea in the 70's not so much now.

Best thing we did towards the end is mobile order from Wailulu, pick up the food and eat it in the absolute private feeling lobby of the tower. Comfy seats. Tables. No noise. New fresh look. Great food from Wailulu. Can't be beat. We said we'd do that a lot more next time.