Pool Hopping & Other Musings

[etemplet]

I am considering a couple of properties for point purchase as a first timer in the DVC. Someone posted that as a guest of the BLT, we could pool hop at the Poly, and I don't remember if they mentioned the GF as well. Our preference so far is the BLT but we also like the Boardwalk.

Can guests staying at the Boardwalk pool hop at the Beach Club ? On occasion of course. I'm trying to jusitify paing $20 per point premium at the Beach Club for the swimming pool. Is that it or am I missing something. Both seem to be comparable properties.

Thanks for any input on the pool or other issues, as the mood my strike you.

Gene
Pearl River, LA

 

[erionm]

Pool Hopping information from the member website:

When staying on your Membership at Disney's Vero Beach Resort or any DVC Resort at the Walt Disney World Resort, you and any Guests staying with you are permitted to use most of the other Disney Vacation Club and Walt Disney World Resort hotel pools (in addition to the pool at the resort hotel at which you are 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 or hostess at the front desk of the resort you wish to visit before you go to find out about pool-access availability. You must present your current Key to the World card with your "DVC Member" designation on it to use the other resort hotel pools.

Pool hopping is not available at Bay Cove Pool at Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort, Uzima Pool and Samawati Springs Pool at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, Stormalong Bay at Disney's Yacht & Beach Club Resorts, and the leisure pool at Disney's Beach Club Villas. There are no exceptions to this policy. As a reminder, during times of high occupancy, please be mindful of the limited number of pool chairs available, and refrain from leaving towels or personal items on unoccupied pool chairs.

For the pools in bold text, you have to be staying at the resort the pool is located at to use them.

 

[Dean]

Pool Hopping information from the member website:


For the pools in bold text, you have to be staying at the resort the pool is located at to use them.

That list is not complete. Add the quiet pool at YC and the pool at CR as well.

 

[etemplet]

Pool Hopping information from the member website:


For the pools in bold text, you have to be staying at the resort the pool is located at to use them.

I see I need to find out where this information is located so I can read it for myself and not bother you guys with obvious answers to questions.

Is the Pool the only amenity that warrants such a significant value increase over the BWV ?

Thanks,
Gene

 

[erionm]

I see I need to find out where this information is located so I can read it for myself and not bother you guys with obvious answers to questions.

Is the Pool the only amenity that warrants such a significant value increase over the BWV ?

Thanks,
Gene

Perks like pool hopping are not guaranteed and can be eliminated at anytime with no notice. The details of most perks will be either on the member website or contained on a Portable Perks sheet that is given to members when they check-in for a stay at a DVC resort.

 

[Sammie]

Beach Club is very small compared to the BW, and yes I guess to some the pool makes a difference. To me it would not.

Also Beach Club Villas are much newer to the system and therefore you don't have as many owners getting rid of it, due to being tired of it.

And yes that does happen.

I would never buy DVC for any of the perks. As stated they can come and go. Personally I think it is time for pool hopping to go, as DVC keeps adding new properties and limiting pool hopping to them, I think it is unfair to those that own at other properties. It should be open to all, or none at all.

 

[etemplet]

We're not pool hoppers for sure. I was only asking about the BC as it is so close to the BW and the pool is reported to be the number one pool. I'd just as soon go to a water park if I am looking for pool excitment.

We're just narrowing it down to which site we want to make our home resort.

Thanks,
Gene

 

[karana]

for us it was mostly a matter of location in the park and whether we liked to be closer to the action or farther away. The pools are important, but not worth a $20pp differential. Since both the BC and BWV are located in the same great area, I would go with the cheaper pts. and use the savings to perhaps buy more points. You could always book at the BC 7 months out to enjoy the pool if you want to experience it just one trip. It is amazing.. and the whole resort has a more upscale feel to it than the BWV, but not worth a $20 difference to me..

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

The other thing not pointed out is that there are seasonal blackouts on pool hopping. Basically around the major holidays there is no pool hopping.

I won't be surprised when it does get eliminated, but there will be sceaming and crying on here. (And if the GF rumors are true and it gets a DVC expect Pool Hopping to be gone from the GF)

 

[LSchrow]

I see I need to find out where this information is located so I can read it for myself and not bother you guys with obvious answers to questions.

Is the Pool the only amenity that warrants such a significant value increase over the BWV ?

Thanks,
Gene

as pp stated, BCV is a smaller resort.
the pool is the big draw there - personally, we dislike the noisiness and crowded, chaotic feel of SAB (we own at both resorts), and only use the quiet pool after a few stays there (as well as at BC and YC).
BWVs also has certain features that the other doesn't: lower point option for standard view, community hall, BW entertainment, and imho the most important, that amazing BW view standard and BW views can be difficult, and at certain times of year (christmas, NYE, F&WF) next to impossible to get without owning there (interesting note: BW view is one of the few DVC options never available for cash reservations - it can ONLY be reserved with points).
if you prefer MK, BLT does cost more, but the MK view rooms can be difficult to get (again) at certain times if you are not an owner. if EPCOT and/or DHS are your favorites, BCV/BWV are your best bets.
and if your tastes change, there are quite a few options at 7 months at many times of the year. and/or, you can add on at another resort eventually .(as many do).

 

[Dean]

The other thing not pointed out is that there are seasonal blackouts on pool hopping. Basically around the major holidays there is no pool hopping.

I won't be surprised when it does get eliminated, but there will be sceaming and crying on here. (And if the GF rumors are true and it gets a DVC expect Pool Hopping to be gone from the GF)

Not only are there seasonal blackouts, there is a built in gotcha for every attempt. The rule is one must contact the front desk at the DESTINATION RESORT and ask for permission/availability. Even if one is told it's OK, they may get to the pool only to be turned away or to be asked to leave later if the pool reaches capacity in the view of officials at the destination resort.

 

[etemplet]

After much research. If I want to use the pool...I'll book there. LOL

Thanks all,
Gene

 

[bumbershoot]

That list is not complete. Add the quiet pool at YC and the pool at CR as well.

Interesting take on it. I, and others, read that to mean you CAN hop to those pools, as they are not restricted in the written info.

 

[Dean]

Interesting take on it. I, and others, read that to mean you CAN hop to those pools, as they are not restricted in the written info.

DVC has a long history of not being complete in this list. My info suggests what I posted. Don't get too wrapped up in the wording listed.