Pool Hopping and restricted access to resorts.

[profdsny]

I know the rules about pool hopping, the when and wheres, but I'm wondering how this works out for people when they go to a resort where it is allowed and the security at the gate says that the resort is restricted for parking to guests there, or who have reservations at one of the restaurants. How has this worked for people?

 

[vicki_c]

With rare exception (very rare), you won't have a problem at most DVC resorts if you say you are coming to visit the resort. I wouldn't announce to the parking guard that you are coming to pool hop because I'm sure many of them wouldn't know that was allowed for DVC members.

As an example, while CR and BLT have more restrictive parking policies much of the time, you can't pool hop there anyway. At most of the pool hopping allowed locations,you shouldn't have an issue.

 

[Deb & Bill]

...As an example, while CR and BLT have more restrictive parking policies much of the time, you can't pool hop there anyway. At most of the pool hopping allowed locations,you shouldn't have an issue.

DVC members can pool hop to the CR, just not the BLT pool. But they still might not let you park there.

 

[vicki_c]

Oh thanks, didn't realize the distinction between CR and BLT hopping.

 

[amym2]

We've never had an issue visiting a DVC resort, whether to dine, shop, pool hop, whatever. You'll have a parking pass on your car for your DVC resort, so they probably won't blink twice about you parking at any of the other resorts. The only exception I've heard is BLT or BWV during crazy busy times like F&W.

 

[Sammie]

If parking to the resort is restricted and yes at times it can be limited to guests staying there and guests with an ADR, then you have to take the bus, boat, monorail if you want to swim there.

 

[profdsny]

This didn't effect us this way, but last month we wanted to go to both the Polynesian and also Beach Club to see the Xmas decorations (this was still in the time allowed to'hop'.) Both places wouldn't let us in to park, even with our DVC window pass, saying that they were restricting access to guests at that resort. I wonder if this doesn't become an issue. DVC is giving you a perk that you can barely use, or can only use with great difficulty.

 

[crisi]

I'm surprised that the perk is still given and wouldn't be at all surprised it it goes away. Parking is one of the issues it contributes to.

But if you can't park, you need to take a bus or cab to get there. Which, yes, makes the perk difficult to use. But the primarly priority for resort parking has to be the guests staying at that resort. When they have as many guests with cars as parking spaces, they need to turn away everyone else.

 

[rlovew]

This didn't effect us this way, but last month we wanted to go to both the Polynesian and also Beach Club to see the Xmas decorations (this was still in the time allowed to'hop'.) Both places wouldn't let us in to park, even with our DVC window pass, saying that they were restricting access to guests at that resort. I wonder if this doesn't become an issue. DVC is giving you a perk that you can barely use, or can only use with great difficulty.

All the near park resorts can get very crowded at certain time of the year- holidays with the decorations are one of those times. At those times they do restrict parking to guests at those resorts- the poly has been very limited in parking all year due to the construction there. Many people try to park at them for theme park access and then resort guests cannot get parking. (I have had this issue at both the BC and BLT over the years as the resort guest). Beach Clubs pools are redistricted anyway so you cannot pool hop there any time of the year.

 

[dunningdisney]

Another way to ensure parking might be to have a restaurant reservation also.

 

[kittyab]

I would imagine if you show your DVC Membership card no one will say a word to you. (Or I hope not. We plan to visit the BWV on our next trip to just to check it out)

 

[Sammie]

I know the rules about pool hopping, the when and wheres, but I'm wondering how this works out for people when they go to a resort where it is allowed and the security at the gate says that the resort is restricted for parking to guests there, or who have reservations at one of the restaurants. How has this worked for people?

I would imagine if you show your DVC Membership card no one will say a word to you. (Or I hope not. We plan to visit the BWV on our next trip to just to check it out)

When parking lots are on restricted parking it will not make any difference if you are DVC or not. You will not be parking unless you are staying there or on the list for an ADR. This is not year round but there are more times now that they are restricted than they used to be.
As to the BWV you should be able to park in the over flow lot behind the Hess station.

 

[kittyab]

When parking lots are on restricted parking it will not make any difference if you are DVC or not. You will not be parking unless you are staying there or on the list for an ADR. This is not year round but there are more times now that they are restricted than they used to be.
As to the BWV you should be able to park in the over flow lot behind the Hess station.

What if you took the Disney bus/transporation? I can walk from my resort over to the Poly.

 

[Sammie]

What if you took the Disney bus/transporation? I can walk from my resort over to the Poly.

That would work.

 

[DenLo]

This didn't effect us this way, but last month we wanted to go to both the Polynesian and also Beach Club to see the Xmas decorations (this was still in the time allowed to'hop'.) Both places wouldn't let us in to park, even with our DVC window pass, saying that they were restricting access to guests at that resort. I wonder if this doesn't become an issue. DVC is giving you a perk that you can barely use, or can only use with great difficulty.

When we were at WDW in early December 2014 I heard a CM saying that the Poly parking was being restricted to guests only because of their construction. But it sounds like during the holidays many of the DVC resorts restrict parking for non-guests. I would expect if you had dinner reservations they would have changed their tune though.

 

[rlovew]

What if you took the Disney bus/transportation? I can walk from my resort over to the Poly.

You are allowed to pool hop to resorts that are allowed using Disney transportation but getting there does not guarantee there will be room in the pool for you once you arrive. You are still subject to the lifeguards allowing it.

 

[Dean]

I know the rules about pool hopping, the when and wheres, but I'm wondering how this works out for people when they go to a resort where it is allowed and the security at the gate says that the resort is restricted for parking to guests there, or who have reservations at one of the restaurants. How has this worked for people?

It's never guaranteed and is always subject to availability. You could even be allowed to be there then asked to leave later if it got busy.

 

[CMOORE185]

This didn't effect us this way, but last month we wanted to go to both the Polynesian and also Beach Club to see the Xmas decorations (this was still in the time allowed to'hop'.) Both places wouldn't let us in to park, even with our DVC window pass, saying that they were restricting access to guests at that resort. I wonder if this doesn't become an issue. DVC is giving you a perk that you can barely use, or can only use with great difficulty.

All you have to do is take Disney transportation to these resorts. So it is not difficult to use.

 

[gdrj]

This didn't effect us this way, but last month we wanted to go to both the Polynesian and also Beach Club to see the Xmas decorations (this was still in the time allowed to'hop'.) Both places wouldn't let us in to park, even with our DVC window pass, saying that they were restricting access to guests at that resort. I wonder if this doesn't become an issue. DVC is giving you a perk that you can barely use, or can only use with great difficulty.

Understandable with Poly construction and a large area of the parking lot closed. I wouldn't agree that its a perk that you can barely use. We've been members since 1999 and frequently visit other hotels.

"Hopping" is related to the pools and both resorts you mention are not pool hopping resorts. As far as visiting the hotels during the holidays especially in the evening I can understand limiting parking to hotel guest or guests with dining reservations. If I was paying 300-400-500 a night I would not want to have to drive around the parking lot looking for a place to park like a mall lot the Saturday before Xmas. We've gone to Contemporary plenty of times to shop or even eat QS. depending on how crowded we have been turned away. There are so many "customers" that park at these resorts to avoid paying parking for the Parks or to park closer to avoid the monorail/Boat/tram, I understand that they have to keep access for guests. When staying on property at XMAS we will visit monorail hotels after or before park visit and take bus or monrail to them from parks, or we will attempt to drive to it. Most times we try to park we can or we will park at BWV overflow for Beach Club and visit both hotels. With 30,000 guest rooms on property (plus local day guests and local residents) can't expect to be unlimited parking at resorts