Pool hopping no longer?

[merin]

In the past we've taken a "down day" to visit another resort's pool, and always understood that was okay to do except for stormalong bay.

I was just perusing Disney's byzantine website for things to do, and under their elaborate section for pools as their own "attraction", the second sentence now says "Please note pools are for the use of guests of that specific resort."

Is that new? Or has this "rule" always existed but just been very little enforced?

 

[vicki_c]

Many moons ago, it was allowed.

But it has NOT been allowed for a really long time.

Maybe someone else can tell you when that was -- but it's quite a long time ago - I'm guessing 10 years?

 

[terribm]

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Pool hopping is only allowed for Disney Vacation Club members staying on points, however they can not pool hopp to Stormalong Bay and the Uzima Savannah pool at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Also guests staying at sister resorts like All Star Sports/Music/Movies and Port Orelans French Quater & Port Orleans Riverside can pool hopp to any of the pools offered at those resorts.

 

[RMulieri]

This is the MOST hotly debated question on these boards. In short it is not allowed anymore.The only people that CAN pool hop ( and not to SAB) is DVC members, and they have blackout dates.I remember in the early 90's it was allowed and even encouraged.Now it is not .

 

[LUVDZNY2008]

You swim in the pool that is at the resort you paid to stay in..that's the rule.

 

[merin]

Yikes, I had no idea it was a hot topic, and checked all the FAQ's first for info and everything!

I wonder why Disney would have a whole featured section on "Pools" under attractions, most of the pools, with the exception of SAB are not that much to sneeze at.

Didn't mean to stir a hot topic. I'm not having much luck with my posts at all here lately.

 

[merin]

I should have searched old posts before I posted, I'm sorry. I thought looking thru FAQs is enough. Maybe something could be added to the Resorts FAQ thread since this is apparently such a sparkler.

This thread should be closed if it's going to get people upset, I don't want that.

I just didn't search because it's so slow and I'm trying to get a lot done at once, but now I know...

 

[AnimalKingdomLover15]

 

[sotoalf]

To stop this once and for all, why don't moderators create a sticky post at the top of the page? Unless, of course, it's not done so that posters create yet another new pool hopping thread to entertain the rest of us.

 

[Lynne M]

OP, no reason to be sorry. You asked a perfectly legitimate and reasonable question, and there's no reason for anyone to be upset about that.

You are correct, at one time guests were allowed to use pools at other resorts. But that was back in the day when there were only a couple of resorts and they had similar amenities, and comparable pools. Probably 15 or more years ago.

Then they started to build the very large moderate and value resorts, with many thousands of additional rooms, and pools that were not as fancy as the deluxe resorts. And the newer deluxes got even nicer pools, like SAB. It became pretty apparent that allowing resort guests to use any pool wouldn't work. Of course, guests would flock to the 'better' pools, which would quickly be overwhelmed.

At any rate, pool hopping is no longer allowed except for DVC members, and even their access is restricted to certain pools and certain times of year. There are signs at every resort's pool stating the policy, and many resorts now check guests' resort IDs, either on entering the pool area or by doing random checks at the pool. Guests who can't produce the proper ID are asked to leave.

 

[RMulieri]

I should have searched old posts before I posted, I'm sorry. I thought looking thru FAQs is enough. Maybe something could be added to the Resorts FAQ thread since this is apparently such a sparkler.

This thread should be closed if it's going to get people upset, I don't want that.

I just didn't search because it's so slow and I'm trying to get a lot done at once, but now I know...

Ohh Don't apologize. you didn't know. But for reference.Here are Hot button topics- Using child CS credits for an adult meal, Re-using refillable mugs, Putting your 6-10 yr old in a stroller, fudging your childs height to get on attractions, fudging your childs age to get in free,fudging your childs age to get a cheaper price at a buffet, booking more adrs then you need so you have a choice of several restaurants for the same day....I am sure there are more .

 

[tami82]

I know you really have to think about what you write on these posts sometimes, they will bite your head off. Its obvious that you didnt know any better and was just asking the question.

 

[merin]

To stop this once and for all, why don't moderators create a sticky post at the top of the page? Unless, of course, it's not done so that posters create yet another new pool hopping thread to entertain the rest of us.

I second that. Unless I firsted it above and then I third it. I agree it would help - I'm sensitive, and right now I am so embarrassed to have asked such a stupid question, and thought I did my homework first!

OP, no reason to be sorry. You asked a perfectly legitimate and reasonable question, and there's no reason for anyone to be upset about that.

You are correct, at one time guests were allowed to use pools at other resorts. But that was back in the day when there were only a couple of resorts and they had similar amenities, and comparable pools. Probably 15 or more years ago.

Then they started to build the very large moderate and value resorts, with many thousands of additional rooms, and pools that were not as fancy as the deluxe resorts. And the newer deluxes got even nicer pools, like SAB. It became pretty apparent that allowing resort guests to use any pool wouldn't work. Of course, guests would flock to the 'better' pools, which would quickly be overwhelmed.

At any rate, pool hopping is no longer allowed except for DVC members, and even their access is restricted to certain pools and certain times of year. There are signs at every resort's pool stating the policy, and many resorts now check guests' resort IDs, either on entering the pool area or by doing random checks at the pool. Guests who can't produce the proper ID are asked to leave.

thank you thank you. I am such a rules abiding person, which is why I even asked, and part of the reason I asked was that I was curious if we had done something "wrong" a few years ago, I guess we did!

It's probably one of those things where when something is "once okay" it takes a long time for the message to get out that it isn't anymore, back when we started going to disney we wouldn't have even thought there was a message board to discuss it, and the disney website itself is byzantine, I don't think I would have thought to search for "rules" there.... I'm sure we found out about the idea from some guests of another resort we met at OUR resorts pool actually, and just thought it was a cool perk, not something "sneaky" we could do to milk the man.

Ohh Don't apologize. you didn't know. But for reference.Here are Hot button topics- Using child CS credits for an adult meal, Re-using refillable mugs, Putting your 6-10 yr old in a stroller, fudging your childs height to get on attractions, fudging your childs age to get in free,fudging your childs age to get a cheaper price at a buffet, booking more adrs then you need so you have a choice of several restaurants for the same day....I am sure there are more .

thank you. None of those other things would have occurred to me! I don't understand the 6-10yr old in a stroller thing - is that to try to say they are under 3?? And are you not supposed to refill the refillable mugs? Or do you mean from visit to visit.... nevertheless I'm notgonnadoanyofthose things I sweaaaaar...

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Oh! And stay out of the *#@! lakes! Another hot topic!

 

[merin]

I know you really have to think about what you write on these posts sometimes, they will bite your head off. Its obvious that you didnt know any better and was just asking the question.

thank you. even in virtual reality it's no fun to feel like an idiot. i wouldn't have started a post with the goal of that kind of fallout for sure.

 

[LUVDZNY2008]

I should have searched old posts before I posted, I'm sorry. I thought looking thru FAQs is enough. Maybe something could be added to the Resorts FAQ thread since this is apparently such a sparkler.

This thread should be closed if it's going to get people upset, I don't want that.

I just didn't search because it's so slow and I'm trying to get a lot done at once, but now I know...

Don't worry..you are new to the boards and did not know..now don't ask any questions about reusing your refillable mug too

 

[Kae]

Oh! And stay out of the *#@! lakes! Another hot topic!

I just LOL on that one. Thanks I needed that.

 

[Worfiedoodles]

I just LOL on that one. Thanks I needed that.

I'm listening to the podcast right now, it was a natural!

 

[Lynne M]

To stop this once and for all, why don't moderators create a sticky post at the top of the page? Unless, of course, it's not done so that posters create yet another new pool hopping thread to entertain the rest of us.

The DISboards exist to facilitate sharing of information; we're here to help each other plan and enjoy our trips. There's nothing wrong with asking the question 'is it OK to use other pools'. Nothing wrong with most questions - we generally only draw the line at questions that specifically ask how to break the rules.

Yes, it's true that certain topics tend to agitate certain people, but new members can't, and shouldn't, be expected to know that. We can't ban every topic that gets some forum members upset, or we'd have no posts on the DISboards.

Really, there's no topic that pertains to Disney resorts that can't be discussed in a civil manner, with respect for each other. After all, we're talking about vacations at beautiful resorts, and using pools, and getting sodas in our money-saving refillable mugs. It's all good.