Who pool hops, and why??

[Mickeyfan0805]

I was going to ask this question on the swimming pool thread, but didn't want to divert the conversation, so I'll post it new.

I'm simply curious how many people take the time and energy to pool hop, and why? I am a newbie and we have not yet traveled on our points (we don't officially have them yet), but the concept of going through the travels necessary to go to another pool at a different resort seems like a lot to me. What is it that makes it worth the effort? I'm really curious to know if we should do some of this ourselves.

[DVCerLee]

We did last time. We were staying at OKW and on an off-day we went over to Boardwalk to look around and let the kids swim. The pool was great, and nobody even asked for id or anything.
The only problem was that it took a while to get over there and back, so the day wasn't as relaxing as I would have liked. Next time we'll just hang around at whatever resort we're at.

[greenban]

It's in the Genes for me.

Some Darwin thing about hopping between various sources (pools) of water!

:goob:

-Tony

[ciannamea]

My kids like to try different pools sometimes. If we stay at AKV they want a different pool. They don't like the AKV pool...it's "boring". Their favorites are OKW, BCV, and Poly.

[Cruisin]

We love dinner at the Poly, and hop in the pool and watch fireworks, at least once a trip. One year we did a number of them just for the slides. The kids enjoyed that a lot.

[DonaldD]

Does that mean you can pool hop at resorts that are not part of the DVC?

[glypnirsgirl]

Yes - you are allowed to pool hop to non-DVC resorts.

We regularly go to the pool at the Poly also. I love the Poly. My sister and brother in law love the Poly also. Sometimes just the three of us will go over there and enjoy the pool.

I love the theming. The pool seems slightly warmer to me. I enjoy the view from the Poly pool.

Elaine

[jiggerj]

I love the theming. The pool seems slightly warmer to me. I enjoy the view from the Poly pool.

Elaine

I agree! Sipping a pina colada while sitting under a palm tree gazing at the Castle while your youngest is having a blast going down the Volcano slide pool just cant be beat! :clappingh

[Daitcher]

I've pool hopped a couple of times. Once we went from BWV to SSR and that was a needed change. At least SSR has lunch nearby to eat poolside. We've also went over to the Poly once or twice.

For us it is a lot of work and when we aren't registered guets at a resort we just don't feel that comfortable there. We really save pool hopping for when we aren't happy at the resort we are staying at. Lets say the water is cold, the people unfriendly, poor fod choices, etc. etc. etc. Not worth it to us otherwise.


DAVE

[JimP]

It has been ages since we have pool hopped. DW and DD26 remember hopping over to the GF... and that was probably when the kids were staying in the child care place there so that would have been close to 20 years ago!

We have invited friends who were staying off property to join us at SAB one year and the kids really enjoyed being with their friends.

For me... it is just too much hassle. Since we always had PAP's (or equivalent) we would usually go over to the water parks for a couple of hours instead.

/Jim

[Mary]

We love the pool hopping--I have tons of water park passes but pool hopping at another resort is relaxing for me. I also like the Poly and the GF. They added a slide to the GF a few years ago that I enjoy. In fairness, I've always had a car when i pool hop so maybe that makes it easier. Mary

[JimP]

BTW:

The very best time to hop over to a waterpark is right after (or during) an afternoon rainstorm. Obviously it closes during a thunderstorm... but they usually do not last long. It is unbelievable how empty the water parks get. I suspect people are afraid they will get wet.

/Jim

[carolina_yankee]

I could be tempted to try the Polynesian pool for a couple of hours, and the Grand Floridian pools look relaxing. I'm not sure I'd pool hop without a car, though.

Alas, my favorite pool - AKL - is off the hopping list.

Dirk

[mountainjourno]

We're dinner hoppers. If we're having dinner at another resort, we'll go a few hours earlier and enjoy the pool. :)

[JimP]

We're dinner hoppers. If we're having dinner at another resort, we'll go a few hours earlier and enjoy the pool. :)

This seems like a reasonable method. I heard that the Poly is especially nice to relax and watch the fireworks after dinner too. They pipe the music into the area.

Maybe we will do some more pool hopping in the future... but probably not during our next main trip in Dec/Jan. It is not great pool weather.

I am not 100% sure that park hopping into non-DVC properties is actually a DVC perk. In any case... I am certain that there is no enforcement at all other than at SAB and possibly AKL. Does anyone know if AKL actually issues wrist bands etc?

/Jim

[carolina_yankee]

This seems like a reasonable method. I heard that the Poly is especially nice to relax and watch the fireworks after dinner too. They pipe the music into the area.

Maybe we will do some more pool hopping in the future... but probably not during our next main trip in Dec/Jan. It is not great pool weather.

I am not 100% sure that park hopping into non-DVC properties is actually a DVC perk. In any case... I am certain that there is no enforcement at all other than at SAB and possibly AKL. Does anyone know if AKL actually issues wrist bands etc?

/Jim

Pool hopping to all resorts, except for Stormalong Bay and the AKL pool is a perk of DVC membership. They don't distinguish between DVC and non DVC resorts. (AKL pool hopping wasn't permitted before AKV, either.)

AKL didn't issue wrist bands 2 years ago. I don't know about now. It would have been easy to pool hop as long as you didn't shout out, "Hey - we're from another resort" before diving in.

Dirk

[Mickeyfan0805]

BTW:

The very best time to hop over to a waterpark is right after (or during) an afternoon rainstorm. Obviously it closes during a thunderstorm... but they usually do not last long. It is unbelievable how empty the water parks get. I suspect people are afraid they will get wet.

/Jim :ROTFL:

Brought out the little blow-up pool for the girls for the first time yesterday. It started storming after dinner and DD3 was very upset and crying because her pool was getting wet! Wish 3 year-olds understood irony! :idontgeti

[JimP]

Pool hopping to all resorts, except for Stormalong Bay and the AKL pool is a perk of DVC membership. They don't distinguish between DVC and non DVC resorts. (AKL pool hopping wasn't permitted before AKV, either.)

AKL didn't issue wrist bands 2 years ago. I don't know about now. It would have been easy to pool hop as long as you didn't shout out, "Hey - we're from another resort" before diving in.

Dirk

Dirk,

Thanks for the update. I wasn't too sure about the resorts since we virtually never pool hop. I thought we hadn't at all... but DW/DD26 reminded me of our GF pool hop prior to my earlier post. I still don't remember pool hoping there... but I am outnumbered 2:1 plus they have younger fresher minds :)

From what I observed... people wishing to pool hop to SAB can probably do it in the evenings if they have the "rule breaking" genetic traits. It seems that the wrist band police go off duty in the evening. I have never done it personally... so this is just an observation.

:ROTFL:

Brought out the little blow-up pool for the girls for the first time yesterday. It started storming after dinner and DD3 was very upset and crying because her pool was getting wet! Wish 3 year-olds understood irony! :idontgeti

I hope you had the camcorder running!

/Jim

[dvcnewgirl]

:help:I am thinking of pool hopping to the poly on my next trip in June, can you see the fireworks from the pool or where do you go to get the best view? Thanks!:goodvibes

[JimP]

:help:I am thinking of pool hopping to the poly on my next trip in June, can you see the fireworks from the pool or where do you go to get the best view? Thanks!:goodvibes

Yes... it is a great area. Walk to the beach if you like. The music is playing sychronized with the fireworks.

/Jim

[carolina_yankee]

Yes... it is a great area. Walk to the beach if you like. The music is playing sychronized with the fireworks.

/Jim

I was somewhat disappointed watching the fireworks from the Polynesian beach - the music wasn't as loud as I would have liked - and the castle is deceptively far. That said, it is lovely if you weren't expecting it in the first place.

Here's a shot - the fireworks are great but the little blue thing near the bottom is the castle!!
http://carolinayankee.smugmug.com/photos/309165466_2Ge5d-M.jpg

Dirk

[greenban]

Yes... it is a great area. Walk to the beach if you like. The music is playing sychronized with the fireworks.

/Jim


Ah, so that's what synchronized swimming is all about!

-Tony

[JimP]

Ah, so that's what synchronized swimming is all about!

-Tony

For those who prefer to avoid physical exercise... you can perform synchronized eating up at Ohanas. I like to book a table about 90 mins prior to the fireworks... and then request a window table. The closer you get to the fireworks... the fewer people will leave their table... so 90 mins seems to work well, and then we have a leisurely dinner.

The music plays in the restaurant too.

/Jim

[dgaston]

And the music is louder closer to the pool, view not quite as good. You need to detect those semi-hidden speakers.

[greenban]

To answer the OP's question, "Why pool hop?"

Because we can! :jumpingbe:tongue::wearenumb

-Tony

[harmrose22]

We have never pool hopped before but are planning to next trip. We're staying at VWL but on one of the days we head to Epcot, we are going to take an afternoon break at Boardwalk and swim instead of heading back to VWL. Then back to Epcot after our break.

[Mickeyfan0805]

To answer the OP's question, "Why pool hop?"

Because we can! :jumpingbe:tongue::wearenumb

-Tony

Always a good reason!! :thumbsup:

[Daitcher]

To answer the OP's question, "Why pool hop?"

Because we can! :jumpingbe:tongue::wearenumb

-Tony



And that is the best answer yet!


DAVE