Why do people pool hop?

[ShellyLynn3630]

I mean I really don't understand this. It seems like to me that it would be a lot of trouble or maybe I'm wrong. I just can't see waisting what very preiscous time that I have at Disney to do this. Maybe the locals do it more. But would'nt it be extremely embarrassing to get caught?

 

[safetymom]

I don't think the problem is with the locals. It is more a problem with people going to WDW.

Please remember everyone this is a thread about resort hopping not a debate.

 

[Stinky_Pete]

I admit to pool hopping a couple of times. I was a DVC owner staying at my home resort (BWV) and at that time DVC owners could go to SAB, so we walked around the lake and enjoyed the pool. In that instance it was very easy to do.

There are a couple of reasons why I think people do it:

1). They believe their kids will have more fun at a pool with a slide, or a bigger slide, than the one at their own resort. However, it has been my experience that most kids don't need a slide to have fun in a pool.

2.) People are traveling with friends but aren't staying at the same resort but they want to spend time together at a pool. But isn't it interesting that the question is usually "Can my friends who are staying off property or at a value resort come visit me at my moderate or deluxe resort (with great theming and a slide) and hang by the pool?" Just once I'd like someone to say that they are staying at All Stars and ask if their friends who are staying at the Poly come hang with them by the All Star pool...

 

[Dawn68PA]

I don't get it either. We stayed at value resorts the last 2 visits and the pool was great. I'm with the OP. I don't want to waste my time running to swim at another resort. If it's the friend thing, like Pete mentioned, that's different, but I still wouldn't want to waste the time. I'd spend that time just with my family at the pool.

 

[goofy4tink]

I own DVC and can pool hop, but I don't. I think another issue is those travelers that used to go to WDW back in the 90's. At that time you could swim in any pool. I have an aunt, well it's dh's aunt, who had last traveled to WDW in '95 or so. She, and her family, returned a few years ago. We got to talking about swimming and she said how she just takes a large tote bag with the swimsuits in it and puts it in a locker for the day at MK. Then, they would head over to the Polynesian for a swim midday and return to MK for the rest of the day. Now, understand...they were staying elsewhere. When I told her that she could no longer do that, she got a bit miffed and said she always had and was planning on continuing to do so...that she was paying a fortune for this family vacation.
I just shrugged and walked away. I was not getting into an argument about it. I also think that people like the more themed pools but can't afford to stay at those resorts. So, they stay at a value and try to swim at a deluxe.
But I have to agree....it's a lot of extra work. Who wants to lug the suits around, then change, swim and worry about someone saying something to you, then change again, and carry around now wet swim suits. Nope, just too darn much trouble for me. I swim where I stay.

 

[Cinders Mum]

we alternate our stays each year between the values and the Poly. While staying at the values, we will go visit our favourite resort, we will eat there, wander around, but NEVER would it occur to any of us, to bring our swimwear and jump in the pool, no matter how inviting it is. Apart from the fact that it is just plain wrong and against Disney rules, I couldn't be annoyed messing about with it all.

 

[abner1776]

Our PH days are over, but I will admit that when we stayed at the Dolphin back in the 90's we stole over to SAB on more than one occasion. WDW must have got wind of what we were doing because suddenly you had to have a special color towel to use SAB and us interlopers from the Dolphin only had our white towels. Oh well...it was good while it lasted. When we returned a few years later, I noticed a fence around SAB.

From a practical standpoint, I would not load my kids in a bus and go across WDW just to use someone others pool, but I can see Disney's issue in that most of the deluxe resorts have fancier pools than the values and with the deluxe resorts costing far more than values, WDW has to control access somehow.

 

[spiceycat]

the people I have found that pool hop are either locals or people staying offsite.

there are a few that stay at different resorts at WDW and pool hop - but most of the people I have talked to in the pool - were locals.

plus of course the people who were visiting their friends or relatives - don't see a problem with that -

 

[WillCAD]

Well, although I don't agree with pool hopping, I certainly understand the motivation.

The pools at Poly, AKL, and particularly SAB are really impressive, beautiful pools; it's not strange that people might want to swim in them even if they are staying somewhere else. Even the pool at CBR is quite nice.

I think people do it because A) the pools are great, B) it seems like a victimless crime, and C) it seems like it's easy to get away with.

 

[DisTeach1]

We pool hopped when my son was younger. We are DVC'ers and were missing Wilderness Lodge. So, we swam in the pool there after a park day and we also swam at French Quarter one time. These are places we've stayed at, and miss, but don't necessarily stay there again.

 

[Lilolvr]

Before I starting visiting the DIS, I thought it was permitted. It wasn't until I became a DIS member and read it that I learned it was against the rules. I would bet many folks that stay at WDW resorts (non-board members) don't realize that its against the rules. Maybe they just want to see a resort before actually staying there. Not everyone reads the DIS. TA's don't tell you, or at least mine didn't mention it.

 

[polyfan60]

I think it depends. My impression is that if you are staying at a resort that is related to each other such as Port Orleans it is fine. I think otherwise you should stay at your own resort's pool, unless it is closed!

 

[WDW Newsletter]

We pool hop because we usually have a week or so at WDW. We like it because it kinda breaks things up for us and lets our girls experience a different pool. To us water is water, but each pool setting does hav a unique atmosphere.

 

[ShellyLynn3630]

I guess I can see wanting to spend some time with another family member or friend at another resort. I suppose it dosent mean that much for me to do it because we will be spending like three or four days at the AWESOME water parks that Disney has.

 

[Beavertails Queen]

I love to spend a day visiting the other resorts to eat, shop and look around - not to swim (not judging just not my idea of fun to carry all my swim stuff with me for the day) But I think that what those of us who are on this board have to realize is that we are relatively informed and passionate Disney goers. I think there are a lot of people out there who don't visit boards like DIS, or who are first time visiters to Disney, or who are just not aware that pool hopping isn't allowed. So I always try to remember that.

 

[skipperkim]

I don't pool hop. I barely use the pool at the resort. It seems way to complicated to pool hop and a big waste of time. I do visit the deluxe hotels all the time to dine, but never to pool hop. I guess I'd rather spend my time outside of the water. I don't like carrying any more than I have to into a park. I use resort package delivery. I can't imagine dragging along swimsuits and towels. Besides, aren't there signs posted about the pool is for that resort guests only?

 

[DisneyWorldOct08]

Seems weird to me. Like way more hassle than it would be worth.

 

[lustergirl]

 

[spiceycat]

though the signs at each and every pool - say that the pool was only for the guests at that hotel.

this means that most guests at WDW don't read signs.

now that to me is scarey.....

no wonder kids are allowed by their parents into the spa (hot tubs) they don't read the signs.

 

[skipperkim]

though the signs at each and every pool - say that the pool was only for the guests at that hotel.

this means that most guests at WDW don't read signs.

now that to me is scarey.....

no wonder kids are allowed by their parents into the spa (hot tubs) they don't read the signs.

I guess the real question is what happens when the kids read the sign and ask the parent why they aren't following the rules. How does the parent respond then? Rules are made to be broken. I'm not sure I'd want to set that example to my kids.