Pool Hopping - how to do it?

[tigger2on]

We are going in SEpt. and are thinking of doing some resort touring for breakfast when using our DDP. Thought it might be nice for kids to get a quick swim in after we eat and walk....
How do we do it? Do we just need to carry our DVC membership cards?
Advice pls

 

[Granny]

If you're staying at a DVC resort on points, your room key will say "DVC Member", so you probably won't even need your blue membership card.

Officially, you're supposed to call the front desk and make sure the pool isn't too crowded, but in practice we've found that the front desk is usually not familiar with this DVC perk and we get sporadic responses.

In September you shouldn't have any problem getting into any resort's pool (except BCV and AKL) with the pool hopping. Just show your ID at the pool. If the CM there isn't familiar with the DVC pool hopping perk, ask to see the supervisor. But usually we had no problem with just going to the pool and showing the room ID.

 

[JC Butterfly]

so is pool hopping allowed to those who are renting DVC points or is that a member perk only?

 

[Granny]

Those renting points do not have the right to receive any DVC member perks. The truth is, though, that your room key will say DVC member so you can probably access many of the perks such as pool hopping or dining discounts. Let your conscience be your guide.

 

[crisi]

so is pool hopping allowed to those who are renting DVC points or is that a member perk only?

Strictly speaking, its a member perk. They can ask for your blue DVC member card. Realistically, your key will say "DVC Member" and that is all anyone asks for. Its also limited - you can never hop to SAB or AKL, and you can't hop during certain busy times of year, and you can be asked to leave any pool if the resort feels its too crowded.

I honestly don't know how many members use it. We've had good intentions of taking a break by using pool hopping privledges at the Poly on our MK days, but have never gotten around to doing so. Its a pain to carry swimsuits around, change in the bathrooms, etc., and our resort pool is plenty nice. We did take advantage of hopping to SAB when the BWV slide was under repair, couldn't miss that opportunity and it was a short walk from our resort.

 

[JC Butterfly]

Hmmm, based on these answers, guess that was a controversial question! Didn't want to take away any member perks, just wondered what (if any) apply to their guests. Thanks!

 

[utahkennedys]

DD3 and I pool hopped last year from OKW (we are DVC members) to POFQ just to see what it was like and for the dragon slide. We just walked in, grabbed a towel...It was Sept. and totally dead. I don't think I'd bother calling the front desk, etc. If someone asked to see my card, I'd have it with me, but I would just show up...

 

[Noelle]

We've pool hopped once. My Mom and I had made spa reservations at the Grand Floridian and my teenage daughter had nothing to do for a couple of hours. She didn't want to go to the parks by herself or go golfing with Dad and Grandpa. So she chose to hang out by the pool. We called ahead...None of the Cast Members knew what the heck we were talking about. The pool was pretty empty when we got there. She had her room key that said "DVC" and I gave her my blue membership card to carry with her. At the end of the afternoon, she had no problems. No one even approached her. Would we pool hop again? Probably not, unless we had friends staying at that hotel and a reason for actually being there.

 

[beachblanket]

Officially, you're supposed to call the front desk and make sure the pool isn't too crowded, but in practice we've found that the front desk is usually not familiar with this DVC perk and we get sporadic responses.

Sporadic is being polite. We are are hard core DVC pool hoppers (it's a great way to take a summer mid day break from the parks), and while we always call the target resort in advance to "check," we have yet to find a single CM (front desk, pool, you name 'em) who had any knowledge whatsoever of this policy, and in some cases that's been a problem.

As example, in one case (last summer at the Poly), I had to get a hotel manager there into the loop after a pool CM -- during a late afternoon period when the pool was pretty much empty -- told me (in less than polite fashion) that we couldn't use the pool since we weren't guests of the hotel (despite the fact I'd displayed our DVC member cards and explained the policy to him). Suffice to say said CM and manager ended up fleeing with tails between legs by the time I got done with them.

 

[crisi]

Sporadic is being polite. We are are hard core DVC pool hoppers (it's a great way to take a summer mid day break from the parks), and while we always call the target resort in advance to "check," we have yet to find a single CM (front desk, pool, you name 'em) who had any knowledge whatsoever of this policy, and in some cases that's been a problem.

As example, in one case (last summer at the Poly), I had to get a hotel manager there into the loop after a pool CM -- during a late afternoon period when the pool was pretty much empty -- told me (in less than polite fashion) that we couldn't use the pool since we weren't guests of the hotel (despite the fact I'd displayed our DVC member cards and explained the policy to him). Suffice to say said CM and manager ended up fleeing with tails between legs by the time I got done with them.

While I'm sorry you got a bad time for something you were entitled to, part of me rejoices in a CM that is actually trying to keep pool crashers out.

 

[spiceycat]

if you want to try it out - do it now.

for years other DVC members have say the program will end - especially now that all DVC resorts have the slide.

so far it is still going - but there is another way to end it - the hotels become part of DVC like the BC/YC did and that ends access to their pool....

so enjoy it now - while it is still around.

I am thinking about using it for our latest trip - when we need a break from the MK.

this is just a DVC member, or do you have to be staying in a DVC resort, to do it.... I think you have to be in the DVC resort right?

 

[beachblanket]

While I'm sorry you got a bad time for something you were entitled to, part of me rejoices in a CM that is actually trying to keep pool crashers out.

Granted; if you really want to see the CM crasher cops in action, just walk anywhere near BCV.

 

[1000th happy haunt]

DVCmember says:

Pool Hopping Information for 2006

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 current "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 or at the leisure pools of these two Resort hotels. There are no exceptions to this policy.

Resort hotel pools may become unavailable from time to time because of capacity limitations. Due to expected high occupancy, Disney Vacation Club Members may not "pool hop" during the following dates*:
May 26 - 29, 2006
July 1 - 8, 2006
September 1 - 4, 2006
November 20 - 26, 2006
December 17, 2006 - January 2, 2007
*Other restricted dates may be added based on projected pool capacity.

 

[surfer_ed]

I think when we were there last we just took a towel and went for a swim at Poly. No one said anything to us. I had my cards if there was an issue but didn't see the need to line up at the front desk.