Pool-hopping question

[karylrocks]

I will be renting points for a reservation next year and wanted to get up to date info on pool-hopping privileges. As I remember, no hopping is allowed at SAB but are there any other pools not allowed?

 

[CarolAnnC]

Pool Hopping is a DVC Member benefit and is not available to those who are renting from a DVC owner.

 

[eva]

No pool hopping is allowed at BCV or AKL for DVC members.

 

[Deb & Bill]

In fact, you are not entitled to any DVC member perks or benefits. You just get a nice room at a good price. That's it.

 

[karylrocks]

That has changed then from last time I rented points. At that time whoever was staying in the room on the owner's reservation was allowed the privileges.

 

[eva]

That has changed then from last time I rented points. At that time whoever was staying in the room on the owner's reservation was allowed the privileges.

Well, it's never actually been allowed. It's just that a majority of people don't ask for the membership card along with the room key. It is starting to change. A lot of restaurants are starting to ask for the membership card now. For pool hopping, it's tough to say. They don't card much unless the pool gets crowded. Renters are just that, a renter. They are not considered a member. I really wish that DVC would get their stuff together and only print "DVC Member" on room keys where an actual member was staying in the room. But I'm sure that it is easier to just print it on all cards for point stays. I guess you can always try. But don't be surprised if they ask you to produce a membership card as well as the room key.

 

[crisi]

We were asked to provide both blue card and room key at the Poly last week. Course we were coming from the MK and it was pretty obvious that we weren't changing in our own room at the Poly.

And Eva's right, its never been allowed. Member perks are for members and always have been. You just were informed wrong and got away with it. As DVC membership increases - and the number of renters seems to be increasing as well - Disney seems to be doing more enforcement.

(We also needed our blue card for a discount at Marrakesh - its the only trip where we've ever used member benefits - we've never pool hopped before and usually forget to use dining discounts).

 

[What-r-ya Goofy?]

Just so I understand, DVC members can pool hop to any resort (except SOB) not just DVC resorts? I didn’t realize you could go to the Poly.

 

[crisi]

Just so I understand, DVC members can pool hop to any resort (except SOB) not just DVC resorts? I didn’t realize you could go to the Poly.

DVC members can hop to any pool except SAB or AKL, except during blackout periods (Thanksgiving, over Christmas, etc.) when no hopping is allowed. You are supposed to call the resort first and check (we didn't, we were in the MK) and make sure the pool has ample room and you may be asked to leave anyway if the pool is crowded. Reports on calling ahead seem to get more from desk "huh?" than any good response. You may be asked to show your room key and/or blue DVC member card. Its a perk that can be suspended at any time.

The Poly Volcano pool was nice, but my kids were less impressed than we imagined. However, we checked out that morning, so we no longer had our BW room and were spending the day at the MK and eating at the California Grill that night. It was actually kind of a hassle - carrying swimsuits, changing in the bathrooms, having all our stuff with us (my husband and I didn't do much swimming, we were watching stuff), changing back in the bathrooms and then having wet swimsuits to haul around. I can't imagine us making it a regular practice.

 

[Sammie]

Just so I understand, DVC members can pool hop to any resort (except SOB) not just DVC resorts? I didn’t realize you could go to the Poly.

That would be AKL pool and SAB at Beach and Yacht, not SOB, I believe that pool is the one full of pool hoppers without permission.

 

[eva]

DVC members can hop to any pool except SAB or AKL, except during blackout periods (Thanksgiving, over Christmas, etc.) when no hopping is allowed. You are supposed to call the resort first and check (we didn't, we were in the MK) and make sure the pool has ample room and you may be asked to leave anyway if the pool is crowded. Reports on calling ahead seem to get more from desk "huh?" than any good response. You may be asked to show your room key and/or blue DVC member card. Its a perk that can be suspended at any time.

The Poly Volcano pool was nice, but my kids were less impressed than we imagined. However, we checked out that morning, so we no longer had our BW room and were spending the day at the MK and eating at the California Grill that night. It was actually kind of a hassle - carrying swimsuits, changing in the bathrooms, having all our stuff with us (my husband and I didn't do much swimming, we were watching stuff), changing back in the bathrooms and then having wet swimsuits to haul around. I can't imagine us making it a regular practice.

Totally agree! We tried pool hopping a couple times in the past and it ended up being more trouble than it was worth. We decided that we would rather go to a water park for all that trouble, or just skip it all together. The only time that it was worth the bother was back when there was no BCV and you could still hop from BWV to SAB. But now they have it totally gated and you have to have a wristband to swim. For pool hoppers, remember that you may be asked for both cards, but you will definitely need a room key that shows you are staying at a DVC resort on points. Hence the "DVC Member" on the card.

 

[What-r-ya Goofy?]

That would be AKL pool and SAB at Beach and Yacht, not SOB, I believe that pool is the one full of pool hoppers without permission.

Perhaps a Freudian slip? Nice catch

 

[DebbieB]

One thing I noticed when I stayed at POFQ for a night on points a couple of weeks ago, my room key said *MEMBER*. So I guess I could have used it to pool hop, even though I didn't think it was allowed when not at a DVC resort.