Pool Hopping -recommendations

[susieh]

We always used to go to Stormalong Bay on our last afternoon in Orlando but now that pool is not open for Pool Hopping. We do enjoy pool hopping and seeing what other resorts have to offer and have been both surprised and disappointed at what we've found.

For those who have stayed in the WDW resort hotels can you recommend any pools to visit? So far we've been to Grand Floridian (disappointing), Polynesian (OK), Dolphin (OK), Coronado Springs (Good - I think - we're not certain our memories are correct!), Port Orleans (Quite Good) and Wilderness Lodge (disappointing). We're staying at OKW for 15 nights so have plenty of time to try a few pools out.

Thanks for any replies

 

[Deb & Bill]

SSR has three themed pools now and the Congress Park pool, though not themed, is a nice pool.

We stayed at the Contemporary many years ago and I liked both of those pools. You won't be able to hop to the BLT pool, but the non-themed pool at CR is a nice deep circle/square pool - like a target.

And we also like the Coronado Springs pool, you didn't just have a bad memory that made it seem nice. It was nice.

If you like creepy clowns, you can always go over to the BW pool at Luna Park.

 

[castleri]

May be doing some pool hopping also the end of the month and then I realized that the last 4 days of the trip are on the black out list so will have to hit them the first 3 days. We have hopped to the CSR a couple of times and liked that one. Also like SSR but was not impressed with WL. May try the Poly or GF for a midday break from MK if the kids want to swim. Since we will be at BLT we will definitely have to try that one out and then OKW is always great ( love the SP and TP pools as well as the main one so since we will be there during the balckout dates will just hop between them.

 

[Sammie]

Not sure if the OP stayed at the Dolphin to use the pool just did not want any new members to think it was on the approved list of pool hopping locations.

It is not owned by Disney.

 

[Junebugwv]

We're staying at VWL Sept 9-16 and would like to try CR's pool. Would we just need our room keys?

 

[sweetdana]

SSR I think is the 2nd best pool in DW (only to BC). There is the springs pool the new Pad pool, and the grandstands splash area.

I also like FQ

And the Poly (espe for fireworks at night).

I have not tried them all.

 

[DenLo]

I think your memory of the pool at Coronado Springs is correct, it's a great pool. Most of the deluxe resort's pools are that large when you consider the size of the resorts.

Since you like to pool hop just make a list of the ones you haven't tried and go for it. I would double check the dates where pool hopping is suspended first before you make your plans.

Here are the dates through January 1, 2012. You can assume if it's around a holiday pool hopping is suspended.

February 20-26 (Sun – Sat)
April 16 – April 30 (Sat – Sat)
May 27 – 30 (Fri – Mon)
June 26 – July 5 (Sun – Tue)
September 2 – 5 (Fri – Mon)
November 21 – 27 (Mon – Sun)
Dec 11, 2011 – Jan 1, 2012 (Sun – Sun)

Have you ever thought about trying out a water park as a treat?

 

[magicaldisney]

I read that the new themed pool at SSR is not available for pool hopping. Does anyone know if that is true?

 

[dzorn]

I read that the new themed pool at SSR is not available for pool hopping. Does anyone know if that is true?

I have not seen anything to confirm that.

Checked members site and it is not listed as off limits to pool hopping.

Denise in MI

 

[Deb & Bill]

We're staying at VWL Sept 9-16 and would like to try CR's pool. Would we just need our room keys?

And your blue member card.

 

[miprender]

Question: You can pool hop at other non-DVC resorts like the Poly? If so that would be great. And another question, when pool hopping do you check in at the front desk?


TIA

 

[dzorn]

Question: You can pool hop at other non-DVC resorts like the Poly? If so that would be great. And another question, when pool hopping do you check in at the front desk?


TIA

Yes you can pool hop to all the Disney hotels except SAB at YC/BC, BLT and AKL/AKV.

I beleive you are suppose to check at front desk though I doubt many people do.

Denise in MI

 

[Deb & Bill]

Yes you can pool hop to all the Disney hotels except SAB at YC/BC, BLT and AKL/AKV.

I beleive you are suppose to check at front desk though I doubt many people do.

Denise in MI

You cannot pool hop to any of the pools at YC/BC/BCV, not just SAB.

 

[crisi]

You cannot pool hop to any of the pools at YC/BC/BCV, not just SAB.

True, but honestly, silly. We walked by three quiet pools (I think that is all of them) in August, and at the busiest, one of the pools had SIX people in it.

But they aren't anything special in pools.

The best pool at VWL is the Community Pool by the Villas - not the theme pool.

 

[MomDad&2boys]

Can you park at the resorts while you are planning to pool hop?

 

[Donna M]

Can you park at the resorts while you are planning to pool hop?

Yes

 

[miprender]

Yes you can pool hop to all the Disney hotels except SAB at YC/BC, BLT and AKL/AKV.

I beleive you are suppose to check at front desk though I doubt many people do.

Denise in MI

Thanks we may have to pool hop at the Poly then. I just love that resort.

 

[goofy4tink]

SSR has three themed pools now and the Congress Park pool, though not themed, is a nice pool.

We stayed at the Contemporary many years ago and I liked both of those pools. You won't be able to hop to the BLT pool, but the non-themed pool at CR is a nice deep circle/square pool - like a target.

And we also like the Coronado Springs pool, you didn't just have a bad memory that made it seem nice. It was nice.

If you like creepy clowns, you can always go over to the BW pool at Luna Park.

Hey....that 'creepy clown' is at my favorite pool

Not sure if the OP stayed at the Dolphin to use the pool just did not want any new members to think it was on the approved list of pool hopping locations.

It is not owned by Disney.

One of my favorite pools and one of the few I would actually pool hop to.

There really aren't very many pools that I would take the time to hop to. They just aren't all that special. The Volcano Pool at the Polynesian is always over crowded...one reason I no longer stay there.
The pools at both CR and BLT are nothing great.

I just don't understand the pool hopping thing. Why spend all that time getting to and from a different pool?? I would much rather spend that time at my own pool. But, that's just me...lazy.

 

[bumbershoot]

You won't be able to hop to the BLT pool, but the non-themed pool at CR is a nice deep circle/square pool - like a target.

I didn't actually realize* that you could hop to the CR, so thank you for that! (* or I'd forgotten)

 

[crisi]

I just don't understand the pool hopping thing. Why spend all that time getting to and from a different pool?? I would much rather spend that time at my own pool. But, that's just me...lazy.

We've done it twice.

One day we hopped to the Poly on a MK day. It was a LOT of bother (and we did get asked for our blue member cards). But our day was laid out on that end of the world, and we were staying at the Boardwalk - and we were just doing "reruns" at the MK - so it wasn't a full day of park. I wouldn't do it again, even in those circumstances. A pool is a pool and its a lot of bother to deal with wet swimsuits, or changing rooms.

The other was when we were staying at BCVs and the kids missed Luna Park. So we hopped over there. That wasn't bad since we wore our swimsuits, walked over, and walked back. I'd do that sort of thing again - hop to a pool that it takes five or ten minutes to get to without being wet in a car or bus or changing in a changing room - in the DVC world though, that's pretty much hopping the BWV from BCV. (I suppose you could do it between SSR and OKW, although the distance might be too much, and potentially the boat between CR and VWL might not be bad).