What was your pool hopping experience?

[lat]

We are going to WLV in April and are planning to do most of the things outside of the theme parks.

I would like to take the kids to Poly's pool (our favorite pool) since we are allowed to pool hop and I doubt that will be a time when they would restrict pool hopping due to capacity issues.

However, logistically, how do you pool hop? Should I call someone at Poly to ask them for permission? Can I get towels and all that? Have you ever had complications? I want it to be a pleasant experience and do not want any surprises.

What was your experience in pool hopping? Thanks

 

[WDWDad]

We have pool hopped to the Poly several times. We always call the desk first to ask if their pool is open and have always gotten an ethuisiastic " yes, come on over ". Once there we get pools from their boat rental desk by showing our OKW room card with " DVC Member " on it. Never had a single problem. Enjoy !

 

[lat]

Originally posted by WDWDad
"Once there we get pools from their boat rental desk by showing our OKW room card with " DVC Member " on it. Never had a single problem. Enjoy !

Thanks for the reply. Do you mean get towels from their boat rental desk?

 

[pnelson]

Please don't flame me, but I did break a rule! We pool hopped on the last day of the restriction-November 30. It was our MK day and we were ending the day at WL and I know my son wanted to swim there. I didn't call or ask because it was very cold and windy that day. He swam anyways and was the only one in the pool. We packed his swimsuit in our backpack, picked up towels and drinks by the poolbar, and he changed in the restroom. I knew it wouldn't be a problem because of it being Sunday evening and cooler weather. But, if it's allowed, I wouldn't ask, to be honest. I would go and wait to be approached by a lifeguard. I sometimes think asking is a waste of time because everyone has different information and different knowledge.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Just remember that if you pool hop at the Poly and drive over, when you park you'll likely be given a 3-hour parking pass. When we pool-hopped to the Poly a few trips back, I thought 3 hours might not be long enough time to swim. When I mentioned that to the guard at the Poly gate, he simply laughed at me and handed me the usual 3 hour pass.

 

[Granny]

We have pool hopped to the Polynesian pool....it was no problem at all, though the first CM we encountered didn't know anything about DVC...had never heard of it! But that was quickly remedied and we had a very nice swim.

Logistically, we pool hopped from MK. We brought a beach bag with the swimwear and such with us to MK, stowed it in a locker and then took the monorail over to the Polynesian when we wanted a break from MK. It was very easy, very smooth and very enjoyable. From there, we took the monorail to EPCOT and enjoyed the rest of the day.

Have a great time!

 

[PamOKW]

There are some restricted dates in April. Here's the most current posting of blackout dates:

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*:
April 3 - 11, 2004
May 28 - 31, 2004
June 28 - July 4, 2004
November 22 - 28, 2004
December 18, 2004 - January 2, 2005

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

 

[kathleena]

We have pool hopped to the BW and to SAB before it was off-limits. No one ever asked us for ID.

This trip we plan to pool hop to CSR and maybe WL.

I think it is better to call ahead. You never know if the pool is closed due to some accident.

And they do request that you call ahead, so it's polite to respect the request. Although, there is nothing in their request that says you can't pool hop if you don't call.

 

[lat]

Thanks for all your replies. We are going the last week of April so I think pool hopping will be allowed. Thanks for the pool hopping restriction info.

Never pool hopped before so this will be our first time. Thought about staying at BCV initially but DH wants to do the watermouse, so we might get the family plan boat and bike rental, use the pools around the resorts, go to Typhoon Lagoon for a day, go to the park for a day (not sure if that is possible ), and maybe check out Celebration and Premium outlet that many people talk about. No AP anymore for this year. After this trip, we won't be back until at least 2005.

How is the pool at Wilderness Lodge?

Thanks again.

 

[MiaSRN62]

We pool-hopped, most recenly, to the Poly pool in 2002. I totally forgot you were supposed to call, so we just headed over. We got the 3 hour parking pass, but stayed around 4 1/2 hours. It was not a problem in regards to the parking pass. The pool was moderately busy as this was the end of July, but not overly crowded. We had brought our own towels with us and none of the lifeguards ever asked to see our ID, though we had our DVC keys with us.
Though the slide at the WL pool is not as "thrilling" for my kids (or me! lol), we love the scenic view of the geyser and lake. We also like to relax over in the part of the pool that bubbles down from the Silver Creek falls.

 

[Disney Doll]

I didn't know you were supposed to call first!!!! I have just always gone to the pool at the hotel without asking!

 

[rocketriter]

Resorts reserve the right to temporarily close a pool to pool-hoppers if it becomes very crowded with guests. I imagine that in the rare times that this happens, it only lasts for a few hours. However, it's an excellent reason to call ahead.

 

[DISNEYMOMx5]

We had a wonderful time pool hopping last summer as we only did the MK one day & BB on another. It was probably one of my favorite vacations.

We did call ahead & got really nice receptions. At the GF, we had our car valet parked--Here our crew comes loaded down with our beach stuff & here comes a manager-type lady...I was ready to pull out my DVC card, but she smiled & said, "Looks like everybody's ready for a fun day at the pool." We ended up having a very nice visit with her. We also pool hopped over to the BWV since we were at the BCV b/c my youngest DS wanted to try out the clown slide. Very fun!!

 

[SheriB]

We pool-hopped to BWV from BCV last June. My DS wanted to try the clown slide. It was pretty cool, because we came out of SAB, dried off, and rode the boat across the lake to the BW. We didn't have to change, just rode over with our bathing suits on (with appropriate cover-ups/t-shirts and sandals). I had called earlier to see if it would be ok, and was told no problem. Someone did check our ID, because it was somewhat crowded, but we had no problems. We stayed in the pool only about a half hour, but it was fun. We got out, toweled off again and went back to SAB.

You should have no problems, but I would definitely call out of courtesy. Have fun!

Sheri

 

[OneMoreTry]

Pool hopped to Contemporary. I love that pool. Wide open space and nice lake view. Good slide and fountain. And not crowded with pool hoppers.

We went several times last summer so we could use the family boat rental plan. When my wife and I were tired of the boats, the older kids stayed out on the lake and we took the little ones to the pool. The kids loved the slide. We made good use of the refillable Contemporary mugs.

 

[WDWMom]

We have pool hopped to every pool except the All Stars. Only place we have ever had problems is BW. Called ahead and said no, the resort was at capacity. Took the boat from MGM to somewhere and saw them remodeling BW and noticed they could not be at capacity because they had to close some rooms down. Oh well, guess we got a crabby CM that day.

 

[Jillpie]

We pool hopped for our very first time last month and loved it. We stayed at the BCV's and loved SAB, but we went over to the BW pool for ME to try their slide and LOVED it, my kids liked it, but I loved it!! I even liked it better than the SAB slide because it went around and not straight down. We spent an entire afternoon there and it was one of our favorite days.
We also hopped to the Poly one day, but didn't like their pool or their slide. I felt so claustrophobic in that thing and you had to lie down, something I hate to do on slides. You were always surrounded by people right around you in the pool, it was just way too small, no where to swim. I guess we were so used to Stormalong Bay and were getting spoiled, lol.