Pool hopping

[Brandie]

This will probably be in Gregg's FAQ, but I'm curious now . . .

With my DVC membership I can "pool hop" while I'm staying on points. Is that just to DVC pools (with the exception of Storm Along Bay and the one pool at Animal Kingdom Lodge) or to any WDW pool (with the above noted exceptions)?

[josh]

Officially, you should be able to "pool hop" to Saratoga Springs, Old Key West, Wilderness Lodge Villas, and the BoardWalk Villas. Anything else other than the resort you're staying at would be "off limits." DVC isn't my "specialty" though.

[Brandie]

Oops! Forgot about Bay Lake Tower. Looks like that one is off limits, too.

[vicki_c]

As a DVC member, you can pool hop to any resort pool - DVC resort or not - except for those not permitted, which as stated are Stormalong Bay (and the quiet pools at Beach Club as far as I know), the 2 pools at Animal Kingdom Lodge/Villas and the Bay Lake Tower pool. And you can't hop during the published blackout dates - which I don't have handy for 2011, and it's still @ the discretion of the lifeguards - you are supposed to ask.

[texhanddoc]

As a DVC member, you are allowed to pool hop to any DVC or Disney resort hotel pool. There are a couple of exceptions. You can NEVER hop to AKL, Stormalong Bay or the BLT pool under any circumstances. Disney has the right to refuse you if the pools are "at capacity." I dont really know how they police that, but there it is. In addition, the Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving week and Christmas/New Years week are normally blocked out as times where pool hopping as DVC is not permitted.

They actually suggest that you call ahead and ask if its at capacity to see if you can hop. I dont think I know anyone who has actually done that. In my opinion, if you are going through that much trouble to hop, just hop into BB or TL IMO.

[Brandie]

In my opinion, if you are going through that much trouble to hop, just hop into BB or TL IMO.

We like to visit other resorts to see if we'd be interested in staying there. Hopping to the pool is one excuse to do so. We seldom have WPF&M, so it's a cheaper option than BB or TL.

Thanks for the advice to call ahead!

[blyday]

We are planning on using this option in May. Instead of going all of the way back to our resort after a 3/4 day at MK, we will enjoy the pool at GF and then have dinner at 1900 PF followed by watching Wishes from the Poly Beach (and DNiece will probably hop in the pool there also.) We aren't doing anything where we are making a special effort to hop, just going to the pools because they are close by (so, BWV during our Epcot day and GF/Poly on MK day, etc.) We are staying at AKL - Kidani so get to go to that pool and have plenty of time planned there also. The idea of checking out the other resorts while cooling off in the pool (very important to DNiece) just sounds like a good plus to us. We don't want Water Parks.....just a nearby swimming pool!!!

[andraskoj]

I wonder why we can't hop to the AKL pool? I can understand Stormalong Bay and BLT, but I don't really see anything that special about the pool at AKL. Maybe because of the play area at Kidani?

-john

[vicki_c]

AKL pool has always been off-limits, even before Kidani. I believe it's a pool size to # of guests reason.

[bnoble]

I dont really know how they police that

You are supposed to ask someone at the destination resort before using the pool---I thought it was at the front desk, but it might be the lifeguards instead, I don't know.

I suspect most DVCers don't do this though.

[blyday]

You are supposed to ask someone at the destination resort before using the pool---I thought it was at the front desk, but it might be the lifeguards instead, I don't know.

I suspect most DVCers don't do this though.

Yep.....you are correct. Here is what it says on the DVC site:

Please check with a host or hostess at the front desk of the resort you wish to visit before you go to find out about pool-access availability. You must present your current Key to the World card with your "DVC Member" designation on it to use the other resort hotel pools.

I'll admit.....the first time (and only time so far) that we hopped, we didn't check in because I really wasn't sure how to do it. I'd just heard that we could hop....so we did. I do know now and will check at each of the pools that we are planning on hopping to this upcoming trip.

[MichaelColey]

FWIW, we're staying at AKV (Kidani Village) right now. We've been down to the pool twice and they've never asked for IDs. We stayed at BCV in February and they did check IDs there.

[breezy2]

the discretion of the lifeguards - you are supposed to ask.

So if the lifeguard says no, you traveled to another pool for nothing? I don't know if I would want to take that chance. However, in some situations I can see wanting to do it.

[blyday]

So if the lifeguard says no, you traveled to another pool for nothing? I don't know if I would want to take that chance. However, in some situations I can see wanting to do it.

It is definitely a risk that you are taking. That is why we are only considering doing it on days that we are in the general area to begin with. (GF on our MK day as a break between our park touring and our 1900 PF meal, BWV on our DHS day as a quick break to cool off, etc.) If the pool is really busy when we get there, then we're okay just lounging around in the lobby areas, etc. There is no way that I'd hop over to a different pool just to use the pool because you could be told no and as you mention.....you've traveled there for nothing. Oh and for what it's worth.....the only times you should be turned away are if the pool is at or close to capacity.