another question ... pools.

[Dad of twins]

I keep reading different things regarding the pools. do DVC members get to go to pools that regular guests do not, or can anyone go to any pool. thanks!

[OKWTink]

Regular guests of WDW resorts are allowed to use only the pool at the resort where they are staying, unless there are special circumstances. For example, when the Polynesian was rebuilding it's main pool, guests could use another resort's pool.

DVC members can pool hop. Pool hopping is a bit of a perk, but not a "right of membership." It can stop at any time. You need to call ahead to the resort where you want to pool hop and see if there is room for you. Some resorts do not allow it, like the AK. I believe the BC is no longer a part of the pool hopping perk, also.

I've never found much use in pool hopping. Always seemed like too much trouble to me! :)

Does that help?

[dizzyknee]

I was a pool hopper during poly remodel and loved it. We worked it into our trip by planning a meal and a swim at another resort. We loved the Coronado pool and the Y&B pool is of course amazing. I only wish I had known before the trip I would have planned alot more. It is a great way to try out other resorts and see if you might like to stay there.

[Dad of twins]

pool hopping probably is a hassle, but with 3 kids who'd have more fun at SAB than at the OKW pools, it may be worth it. that's a nice perk if we're not staying at the BCV.
thanks!

[OKWTink]

Do double check on Storm Along Bay's participation in the pool hopping for DVC members perk. I believe since the addition of the DVC at BC this is no longer an option here. I'd hate for your children to get their hearts set on swimming there (when you are not staying there) only to be disappointed. Since I don't pool hop, I don't keep up with the resorts that participate and those that have withdrawn from the perk.

[Scoootch]

Sorry to be the one to dissappoint you with this news ... but....

Currently we DVC members are not aloud to pool hop to SAB at the Y&B Club and BCV's resort.:( The only way unfortuneatly to use SAB is to be a guest at BCV's or Y&B now. They have cast members at all the pool enterances that ask for you resort I.D. and give you a wrist band just like at a water park to be sure you belong there. The only other resort pool we are not aloud to use is the one at AKL. All other resort pools can be hopped to as long as they aren't full to capacity and it's not a busy/holiday black-out time (i.e. - 4th of July, memorial day weekend, etc.)

It's a major bummer since they stopped letting us hop there but we have found some of the other resorts pools to hop to alot of fun too - like the one at the Poly with the volcano and waterfall.

Hope this info. was of some help. Sorry it wasn't better news.

Scoootch DVC member OKW 97'

[Dad of twins]

at least I know now, so I can plan accordingly. I'm sure the other pools are nice, too. and SAB is something we can look forward to in the future with a stay at BCV.

[BigThunder]

I think I'm the one who got you started on this DAD! We loved pool hopping. I don't think adults w/out kids would get much out of it. But if you have kids the right ages they will love it! I think it was the highlight of our last trip bouncing from pool to pool. Of course we had our own transportation so it was no big deal. If you were having to catch a bus now that would be a totally different story. We will be there again in June & November & I know pool hopping will be a part of our plans. You cannot go to BC, I know that for fact. YOu can use the quiet pools though. Not much thrilling there but we went to BC to check out the villas (as a DVC member you got a free pin when you went to the model room), then they played in the sand at the beach, then the quiet pool, then off to the Boardwalk to play there for awhile. AFter we were finished, we just walked back to BC & got our car via vallet! It was so much fun!

[PumbaNY]

our home base is bwv and we usually split a 2 week stay like this:

7 days at wlv nice pool and easy access to mk fantastic lake for teens to use the water mice on the lake! (get the family plan and save money!)
7 days at BCV and get the priveledge of the sab pool. Easy access to epcot & studios (not such a great lake for water mice)

although our base id the bwv we tend to stay at the wlv more often, and although we dont enjoy the bcv, it gets you in to the best pool on disney property!!! :thumbs:

[jersey girl]

:ears: :ears:

busy times/holidays they really don't want pool hopping
...but we did do BC pool when we last stayed at the BrdWLK. O f course, didn't have to worry abouit wet suits etc- and everyone on the bus!

[Dad of twins]

Could you explain why you don't enjoy the BCV please. I'm thinking of buying there (site unseen). Thanks.

[Alexander]

I don't think I read this, but the Animal Kingdom Lodge pool is also off limits for DVC pool hopping. We did stay as DVC guests the week before Easter, however, pool hopping was prohibited because of the busy time.

[PumbaNY]

all members that bought into BCV dont hate me and my family. We are members TOO!!! we purchased in 1999 at the BWV and enjoy the BWV & the WLV much more.

It is, I guess about where you start in your disney past that creates your likes & dislikes. We started our first family trip to disney world around 1994? and it was at the Wilderness lodge. we followed that trip with 5 more stays there and our agent suggested staying at the Yacht Club, and that was our favorite! we stayed there at least 6 times since 1998 and even a few stays at the Concierge level. it is a hotel that feels warm & welcome from the front dest right to the lobby & then up to the room & the great SAB.

When we thought of byuing into DVC the BWV was being sold and we liked the location, we wanted to stay in a villa before we purchased and overall we felt the BWV was a community of it own. Seperate pools and community house it is all packaged well as a DVC! once we were DVC members they build BCV & WLV we stay at WLV almost every trip. it is also a nicely built seprate but close to WL with a very nice pool of its own privacy. you still feel that you are a part of the lodge! We stayed at the WLV at least 6 times already & like them alot. then there is the BCV it seems to us it is in left field, like they just squeezed another dvc into a already large beautyful Beach club. the atmosphere to us is not as warm & comforting as the other DVC's Its nt about room size or anything like that. I guess it is what you get accoustomed to during your life as a repeat disney guest! :wave: