Pool Hopping?

[halekai64]

The DVC Perks guide lists Pool Hopping as a perk.

Have any of you tried it? There's something about it that makes me feel a little uncomfortable.. so I want to understand the "rules"..

Here's a question that's making me feel uncomfortable about it. If we went pool hopping at the Poly can we use the Poly beach? Are there dressing rooms we could use if we wanted to change after swimming and before our dinner at Kona Cafe?

I want to use the Perk without feeling I'm doing something I'm not supposed to do..

 

[bicker]

I, like you, would feel uncomfortable using the regular bathrooms. I believe the intent of the perk is to allow folks to go from their villa to the other hotel, swim, and then return to their villa. I don't think the intent is to provide a sort of "swim club" arrangement (as is common around these parts of Massachusetts).

 

[La2kw]

The DVC Perks guide lists Pool Hopping as a perk.

Have any of you tried it? There's something about it that makes me feel a little uncomfortable.. so I want to understand the "rules"..

Here's a question that's making me feel uncomfortable about it. If we went pool hopping at the Poly can we use the Poly beach? Are there dressing rooms we could use if we wanted to change after swimming and before our dinner at Kona Cafe?

I want to use the Perk without feeling I'm doing something I'm not supposed to do..

There are showers and changing areas in the restroom under the volcano at the Poly. We have done just what you suggest, having dinner at O'hana after a swim at the Poly pool. Just show your resort ID which says "DVC Member" on it and they will even give you towels to use.

 

[AFMom]

We had a great time pool hopping the last time we were there. Went to SSR, BWV, and the Poly pool (we were staying at OKW and the main pool was under construction for the new slide).
No problems anywhere - just make sure you have your resort id with DVC Member on it - as mentioned before. No one checked ours while we were there - but I always had it with me just in case.

 

[Sammie]

We don't use this perk, we swim where we stay. If a pool really interests us we book a stay there.

 

[dznymom1]

Pool hopping is a DVC perk, and there is absolutely no issue with you enjoying everything the resorts have to offer without guilt. They are more than happy to have you use the dressing rooms, change, and enjoy the remainder of the resort you are visiting. Especially when you are dropping your hard earned cash along the way

We consider pool hopping to be resort hopping, and have always enjoyed the pools, playgrounds, food courts, restaurants and whatever else a resort has to offer. Go and enjoy it to the fullest!

 

[bicker]

I wasn't aware they had added changing rooms with the Poly pool rehab. Do any of the other hotels have such areas? I know the GF recently had a pool rehab as well... were changing rooms part of that?

 

[Ksp]

We pool hop occasionally. Just make sure to check w/the front desk...you can't hop if the resort is at capacity.
Poly has changing rooms; I think most of the pools have a shower/changing area available. You could certainly ask the front desk when you call, just to make sure.

 

[bicker]

I don't remember changing rooms at the resorts I've recently stayed at (BoardWalk, Wilderness Lodge, Port Orleans Riverside). Can someone fill me in about where the changing rooms are for each?

 

[Ksp]

Changing rooms are usually near the pool; for instance, OKW has shower/bathroom/changing area just next to community hall and the main pool.

 

[castleri]

QUOTE: Do any of the other hotels have such areas?

Coronado Springs has showers and changing rooms near the snack bar.

 

[Ksp]

I think that SSR also has a changing room--of course, you could certainly use the spa area, as long as you are staying on property as DVC--but there are bathrooms on ground level between DVC offices and the stairway up to the spa....those might have the shower/changing area....is anyone familiar with those?
BW has a bathroom/changing area near their large pool, too.

 

[ClarabelleCow]

well i am here right now, at vwl, and i am disgusted with the pool hopping, i am so glad i pay my dues so that the campers can enjoy the pool and all there is at VWL, now don't get me wrong, i am not holding a grundge against all campers, (i love to camp), but they ride there bikes over and spend the day at the pool, refill their trails end cup in whispering forks (i saw that twice), and not a word is said to anyone!!! i dont get it! Today was the final straw then a a 4 year old announced he had to go potty (#1 thank goodness), and the mom said she didn't know where the bathroom was so took him behind the fake rock by the hot tub (quiet pool), i politely said the restrooms are right through the doors labled health club, or you could always go to your room!!! she said our camper is too far away!!!! I did bring this to the attention of the front desk and they said they will tell the mgr, but what are they really gonna do!!! Its so obvious its a problem, there are bikes that are definately not rentals all over down by the beach, I have overheard at least 4 different families this trip say they are from the campground, and have seen many kids on bikes riding over with their towels around there necks!

 

[AFMom]

I can certainly understand your grudge against the non-allowed pool hopping from the campground. But this issue was with pool hopping as a DVC member staying on points which is allowed. The only place they couldn't go is the AKL pool and Stormalong Bay.
They do really need to consider enforcing the WLV Pool with the same wrist bands they do with the BCV pool since there are so many people abusing the pool area

 

[ClarabelleCow]

can all resorts pool hop, or just dvc members, and can dvc members pool hop to all resorts or jsut dvc properties?

 

[AFMom]

Pool hopping is only allowed for DVC members (not renters) staying at a DVC property using their points for the reservation. The only places that are restricted to pool hopping are the AKL pool and the Stormalong Bay pool at BCV. At peak times, pool hopping can be restricted at other resorts and you should always call ahead before pool hopping to the resort you're going to to make sure their pool isn't at capacity.

 

[Dean]

Actually all BC pools are restricted on some lists. PH years ago was a perk of all WDW guests but now it's only DVC members staying on points AT a DVC resort.

 

[La2kw]

well i am here right now, at vwl, and i am disgusted with the pool hopping, i am so glad i pay my dues so that the campers can enjoy the pool and all there is at VWL, now don't get me wrong, i am not holding a grundge against all campers, (i love to camp), but they ride there bikes over and spend the day at the pool, refill their trails end cup in whispering forks (i saw that twice), and not a word is said to anyone!!! i dont get it! Today was the final straw then a a 4 year old announced he had to go potty (#1 thank goodness), and the mom said she didn't know where the bathroom was so took him behind the fake rock by the hot tub (quiet pool), i politely said the restrooms are right through the doors labled health club, or you could always go to your room!!! she said our camper is too far away!!!! I did bring this to the attention of the front desk and they said they will tell the mgr, but what are they really gonna do!!! Its so obvious its a problem, there are bikes that are definately not rentals all over down by the beach, I have overheard at least 4 different families this trip say they are from the campground, and have seen many kids on bikes riding over with their towels around there necks!

That is a problem. Campers paying $30 a night should not have access to the same facilities as someone paying $200+ a night. I remember the last time we stayed at the WL, our buses would often stop at the campground on the way to Epcot or any of the other parks. It was way out of the way, and very annoying. Often the buses were jam packed with campers. I don't think a deluxe resort should have to share a bus with a campground. Nothing against campers, I enjoy camping too. I just think that a deluxe resort guest should have better service. I haven't stayed at the WL since.

However, as already mentioned, DVC members are allowed to pool hop.

 

[mugglemomof3]

We love pool hopping. Like someone earlier in this thread, I am always afraid of doing something that is 'against the rules'. I called the front desk where ever we wanted to pool hop. It was never a problem. There are black out dates, but we never hit them. Its a great perk, and for what we paid for our points, we plan on using every perk that works with our lifestyle. Enjoy!

 

[Ksp]

Some of this is old news, already posted--my typing took too long, sorry.

Pool hopping is only for DVC members who are staying on property. You can pool hop during certain times of the year--check DVC website and also your check in information packet--it lists whether you can pool hop during your visit.
Don't forget that you need to call the front desk of the resort to which you want to pool hop before you go over.
Make sure that they have room that day. Two pools are off limits--SAB and AKL. You would have to be staying at BC or at AKL in order to swim in those pools.