Pool Usage

[danamay]

Just returned from a Disney Cruise and attended a DVC presentaton while onboard. DH is now hooked on DVC so we are planning to buy. However, I have one question that will help me decide whether to buy from Disney or resale due to home resort location.

Can you use other resorts' pool/amenities? Example: If we stay at OKW can you go over to BWV to use their pool/waterslide during our length of stay?

Thanks in advance for all your help.

 

[AJKMOM]

There are certain restrictions. You cannot pool-hop to Storm-A-Long Bay(unless you own BCV) or the AKL pool. They also can set time limits,( ie: during Christmas) when you cannot pool-hop at all.

 

[Lew]

Yes, you can use the pools at BWV while staying at OKW. You cannot, however, use SAB at BCV unless you are actually staying there.

Originally posted by AJKMOM
You cannot pool-hop to Storm-A-Long Bay(unless you own BCV) or the AKL pool.

You cannot pool hop at SAB even if you own there when staying at another DVC resort.

There are blackout periods at various DVC resorts when no pool hopping is allowed. Also, pool hopping my not be allowed because of capacity retraints. It's a good idea to check with the resort front desk before you travel to another resort to pool hop.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

You should also know that "pool hopping" is not something that is guaranteed to us as DVC members in the future. If DVC wanted to end this privilege tomorrow they could. So don't buy based on being able to do this now.

HBC

 

[PamOKW]

Thought you might like to see the actual policy:

Pool-Hopping Information for 2003

Members and their Guests staying with them at Disney's Old Key West Resort, Disney's BoardWalk Villas, The Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge, and Disney's Beach Club Villas are permitted to use other Disney Vacation Club and Walt Disney World® resort hotel pools (in addition to the resort hotel at which you are staying) if the resort hotel pools 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/Hostess at the Front Desk of the resort hotel you wish to visit to find out about pool-access availability. You must present your Walt Disney World® Resort ID card with your "DVC Member" designation on it to use the other pools. This offer is not available at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge and Disney's Yacht & Beach Club Resorts.

Resort hotel pools may become unavailable from time to time due to capacity limitations. Due to the high occupancy that is expected, Disney Vacation Club Members may not "pool hop" during the following dates*:

November 24 - 30, 2003
December 20, 2003 - January 3, 2004

*Other restricted dates may be added based on projected pool capacity.

 

[danamay]

PamOKW: Based on the policy, does that mean we can use the pool in the Disney Resorts as well?

Once again, thanks to all.

 

[lurontravel]

Danamay,
Yep, you can pool hop to the resort pools too, as long as they are not at capacity, or one of the two pools that do not EVER allow hopping (SAB and AKL, unless you are ACTUALLY STAYING at that particular resort, that particular trip), or during the restricted peak capacity times (Disney actually decides this, usually 4th of July and Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving would be examples of times that Disney might restrict DVCers from pool hopping).

 

[DeeP]

Many feel, myself included, that pool hopping is something that will shortly be something of the past as a DVC perk for members. So if an enhanced pool with a pool slide and life guards is important to you, you might want to take this into consideration.

 

[Dean]

Do not buy with the non guaranteed perks in mind. They are simply fluff and could evaporate at any time. Buy to stay at the resorts and take all other benefits as a bonus.

 

[CaptainMidnight]

Originally posted by Dean
Do not buy with the non guaranteed perks in mind. They are simply fluff and could evaporate at any time. Buy to stay at the resorts and take all other benefits as a bonus.

Good advice, I agree.

The following thread may help in trying to determine a home resort:
http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=428249