Unsuccessful attempt to Pool Hop at Poly..

[Nanajo1]

I think I'll just call the front desk and ask "how crowded is the pool?" If the answer is "not very" then I'll say "great we'll be over."

 

[slp87]

I'm still confused as to why all of SAB was closed (or was it just the kiddie part). Personally, I don't know why Disney would close the entire pool for an "accident". After the physical clean-up, there is not much more that can be done, so why close down the entire pool for an extended time.

We had an accident similar to this at our local pool and our state has a policy that now requires that the pool go through an entire cycle before swimmers can be readmitted. I'm not sure what Florida policy entails or what the cycle consists of, but it took 3 hours for this to be done.

The one time we decided to pool hop we went to CSR and discovered that they had had one of these accidents as well. We never did get to get in the pool.

 

[SnowWitch]

When we visited the Poly pool in Dec. I tried to call and ask and they had NO clue what I was talking about. We had already planned on dining at the Kona that night and watching the fireworks so we threw caution to the wind and headed over. The pool had maybe 15 people in it. So we proceded to allow the kids to swim. I walked over to a lifeguard to let her know we were DVC members. Again, NO CLUE! Then I notice a gentlemen with a management title under his name. So I intorduce myself and tell him of my attempts of being a responsible DVC member, calling before, letting know I'm there, blah, blah. He was very nice and we chatted a good hour. He told me anytime I'm getting the run around to ask for the pool or recreation manager, which would have been him at the Poly. He then went over and explained to the 2 lifeguards the poolhopping privelege allowed to the DVC members.

 

[marymrg]

I was also staying at the Poly on 8/31 and when we went back in the afternoon for a swim, (around 3-3:30) the pool was very crowded. However, there were a number of lounge chairs available. I would guess that the CM didn't know about DVC pool hopping privileges.

RE: Valet Parking - I had to remind the BW attendant once that DVC gets free Valet. He said, oh, that's right. Maybe it doesn't happen that often??

 

[PKS44]

SnowWitch's story is further evidence of what I have always believed--that poolhopping is not a very significant activity for most DVC members...if it were more CM's would have encountered these situations and known about the policy....

 

[LIFERBABE]

When we visited the Poly pool in Dec. I tried to call and ask and they had NO clue what I was talking about. We had already planned on dining at the Kona that night and watching the fireworks so we threw caution to the wind and headed over. The pool had maybe 15 people in it. So we proceded to allow the kids to swim. I walked over to a lifeguard to let her know we were DVC members. Again, NO CLUE! Then I notice a gentlemen with a management title under his name. So I intorduce myself and tell him of my attempts of being a responsible DVC member, calling before, letting know I'm there, blah, blah. He was very nice and we chatted a good hour. He told me anytime I'm getting the run around to ask for the pool or recreation manager, which would have been him at the Poly. He then went over and explained to the 2 lifeguards the poolhopping privelege allowed to the DVC members.

Snow Witch this was exactly my feeling about them not having a clue, but being new I did not know whom to ask!

I really did not want to start a Pool Hopping thread as much as a "how do I work with in the costraints of the policy thread"

I don't expect for the Resorts to have a designated Pool Hopping authority, but if the Resorts are not aware of the DVC policy it makes it difficult for the member to benefit from this Perk.

SnowWitch's story is further evidence of what I have always believed--that poolhopping is not a very significant activity for most DVC members...if it were more CM's would have encountered these situations and known about the policy....

PKS44, I agree! We would not have even tried to Pool Hop that Day if SAB had not been closed. I'm sure many members don't Pool Hop which makes the policy even more obscure to the Resort CM's. That's why I wanted to know if anyone takes that section of the guide or informs the CM regarding the policy to clarify.

We were moving to the Contemporary on Labor Day so that's why we didnt try to hop there. We were able to swim at the BW, so it was not a big deal regarding the Poly, just want to be better prepared if we are in that situation again. I understand it was Labor Day weekend, but that is not a black out date for pool hopping for DVC. Whether it should be is up to DVC and I will follow the policy.

We were told that SAB would take 6-8 hours for the water to fully circulate after the shocking. The quiet pools were packed as a result. The BC front desk did state that the Health Department would not allow the Pool to continue to operate so Im sure they were following code.

I have gathered alot of great information from this thread and appreciate all the input!

 

[OneMoreTry]

From another forum I learned that crashing the Poly pool is an amusement for quite a few Orlando locals. I suspect that problem causes some of the staff to become jaded.


I agree that pool-hopping is not a common thing. What a hassle to go to another resort's pool. Even after you've been to SAB a couple of times it gets old. We used the Contemporary pool a lot last trip but only because we were over there renting water mice quite often -- family plan.

BUT we didn't call the hotel or let anyone know we were DVC members. I suspect most DVC members DON'T. That may be part of the reason the hotel staff are largely clueless.

(THe contemporary pool is a great pool with a very good slide and not crowded at all in mid-June. On one occasion CM actually asked us if we were Contemporary guests. Probably because we had 6 kids -- 5 of our own and a niece, ruffians all -- and that seems to be quite the exception at WDW. .)

 

[LIFERBABE]

The more I read, the more I think I'll make up some "Policy Flashcards" before we go to reflect current DVC policy.

I will put the policy ie, Valet, Pool Hopping, etc and the DVC phone number on them if they should have further question they can call.

If the policy changes while Im there or does not apply, it will be an honest mistake, and I will gracefully accept it.

I know more DVCers use the Dining Perks, but what if you're CM serving you did not know the policy that you receive a 10% discount or whatever it may be? You'd have to escalate to the manager and hope they are aware of it. If it's too much of a hassle, most people just won't use them.

Especially with new Perks being added monthly, I could see not everyone being brought up to speed. I can barely keep up myself, and missed out on several opportunities because I did not know about them.

I know the main reason we joined DVC is for the accomodations, but the Perks are used as a selling point (subject to avail.) and are posted in our monthly newsletter, so we should not be leary to use them.

 

[OneMoreTry]

Originally posted by LIFERBABE
The more I read, the more I think I'll make up some "Policy Flashcards" before we go to reflect current DVC policy.

I will put the policy ie, Valet, Pool Hopping, etc and the DVC phone number on them if they should have further question they can call.

If we have to do this there is a MAJOR problem. I refuse. I'll just let them know the policy when the time comes -- verbally.

 

[zzotto]

Just a qoute from the member benefits page on the web site:

"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. "

 

[JudithM]

I was at OKW over Memorial Day weekend & I believe I read we could not pool hop during that time. So why should LAbor Day weekend be any different? It was a holiday weeknd, so I probably would not have expected to be able to pool hop.

 

[SnowWitch]

We have only once tried to use a DVC dining discount. And that was at the Cape May Cafe, our waiter had no clue and I was in no mood to deal with him. He's a jerk we've had him several times. Oh sorry back to the point. I don't think DVC perks are widely known regardless of what it is. The only time I have ever not had a dumb founded look was at Winterland /Summerland when we recieved discounts there.(Which was a few years back)

 

[CRobin]

Originally posted by LIFERBABE
The more I read, the more I think I'll make up some "Policy Flashcards" before we go to reflect current DVC policy.

I will put the policy ie, Valet, Pool Hopping, etc and the DVC phone number on them if they should have further question they can call.

I guess I'm not on board with that approach.

I've seen a number of CMs with "Earning my Ears" on their ID badges, and have stumbled onto a number of CMs who just weren't up to date with the current perks being offered to DVC members.

My take is that it's practically impossible to educate a cast of thousands in the day to day policy changes effectively, so I just go with it.

When I submit my card, I just ask, "Do I still get the DVC discount?", or "DVC members are still allowed to pool hop, right?" or "Do DVC members still get free valet parking?" . 99 times out of 100, they say "Sure".

If they say "NO" or "I don't know", then I say, "Boy, I thought that was the case, could you check with the manager and see if I'm wrong ?"

Works like a charm. Give it a try.

 

[MiaSRN62]

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.

I'll admit I have never checked with anyone when we pool-hop. Most recently, just walked right into the Poly pool. We had our DVC Member room keys and were prepared to show them to the CM if they asked, but now I'm wondering if we should make a habit out of checking with someone in the lobby before going to the pool area ? I honestly never read the "fine print" about checking in first at the Front Desk.

 

[castleri]

We didn't check in when we went to CS but then the pool was almost empty that day so guess you're not the only one who does that. I can't remember which trip it was but do remember getting a little fold-out pamphlet called portable perks that I carried around in my fanny pack in case I couldn't remember which places gave discounts. Also just looked at the paper that was in our folder at check in last year and it listed just about everything- not a good size to carry around though.
SAB seems to be about the only place they check for a room key that I have been so far. Overheard two women talking while sitting on a beach chair there last year - They were irate that they couldn't use the pool after they had paid to stay at a Disney resort (didn't mention which one). I was watching for the lifeguard with the wristbands before venturing into the pool and when I asked for one he looked at me and said oh you already have one so you're all set. He was giving out white ones and I had a bright orange one from doing the family boat and bike plan
earlier that day at another resort so even that system isn't perfect. I did have my room key in hand but he didn't really look at it.

 

[Barb]

Is it possible this was a last minute suspension of pool hopping privleges? Seems to me I was at WDW at a not too busy time once and was told upon check-in that pool hopping had been suspended for the time being. Doesn't this happen on occasion? So maybe this was the case this time.

 

[chips]

Wilderness campground does pool hop to Wilderness. The hotel pool has two jacuzzis. When I was there one was not heating properly. We were left with one jacuzzi and a troop from wilderness campground camping out at the jacuzzi.
They said they usually went to the villa jacuzzi but that was down too. After two nights disney fixed the jacuzzis and although the same crowd came to the pool it wasn't a problem because of the additional capacity.

 

[pnelson]

Well, not to add any more controversy but I noticed a little kink in my plans. We plan on spending the day at MK on November 30 and then heading over to the WL for dinner and such. I was going to let my son swim since he loved it last time we were there. Now I notice that pool hopping is not allowed through November 30. So here is what I plan on doing-I'm going to stick with the original plan and check it out when I get there and then ask. Possibly the crowds will have headed out by Sunday evening and they will allow it, otherwise not, I guess. If not, we can still hang out and I suspect my son will be just as happy with some time in the arcade and such. Does that seem fair or should I just avoid it because of the date?? Normally I would just do it, but since it is one of the dates where it is not allowed, I'm hesitating.

 

[castleri]

Just curious - is the pool hopping from wilderness campground an official benefit of staying there? I thought only DVC members had pool hopping privileges.

 

[floridafam]

castleri,

I don't believe that people from FW are allowed to pool hop to WL but it happens all the time. I think they are even told at check-in that it is okay to go over to WL and swim. It makes for some crowded pools at certain times. Usually, I don't really care about anyone else's business but I was told last October from guests staying at FW that the CM's over there said the WL was a "sister resort" and that the pool was open to them.


Does anyone know the official policy?