Can we stay at one resort and relax at another?

[Katieanndy]

My husband and I are planning a return trip to WDW after our honeymoon 3 years ago. On our honeymoon we stayed at a moderate resort but are not in the same position to put out the extra funds this time. We thoroughly enjoyed the relaxing environment of the POR resort last time and would like to visit it and reminice.
Does anyone know if it is possible to stay at a value resort, but relax by the pool of another nicer resort?
When we were thinking about it we thought that it might just be as easy as getting on a bus back to another resort and then staying by the pool with their towels and maybe even eating at their resturant. Anyone tried it?

- Katie

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

I do admit, I think the Pool Hopping rule is ridiculous for those staying on property.:lookaroun:lol:

 

[majortom1981]

hmm

The only places pool hoping is allowed is between dvc resorts and dvc owners (except treehouse villas and bay lake towers)

 

[Lynne M]

I've never pool hopped, but would like to some day. DH is a stickler on following the "rules". Plus we're always afraid we'll get caught. I understand that you pay to stay at your resort and don't want others there, but I think if you're staying on Disney, then why not be able to swim at any Disney pool? :shrug:

Because of the sheer numbers of guests at Disney resorts, it's just not possible to do allow pool hopping for all resort guests. It was one thing when there were just two resorts, but it's a logistical impossibility now.

You've got thousands upon thousands of people staying on-property. At something like 20 different resorts. If just three guests - only three - from each Disney resort decide tomorrow afternoon that they want to go swim at the Poly....can you imagine SIXTY extra people in that pool and pool area, in addition to the Poly guests using the pool? There probably aren't even sixty chairs around that pool, it would be overrun. Not a happy experience for the people who paid hundreds of dollars a night to stay at the Poly, that's for sure.

And it's further complicated by the fact that the pools get fancier as you go up through the resort levels. If they allowed pool hopping, everyone would head for the deluxe pools. You're sure not going to be seeing the YC/BC folks leaving Stormalong Bay behind to go swim at the rather basic value resort pools.

It just wouldn't work.

 

[Lynne M]

Lots do it and cm don't say anything and it's not enforced, so why not? :shrug:

Yep, they do enforce it. SAB requires a resort ID for entry, and many other resorts do random ID checks in the pool area. I've seen many, many reports of folks being booted out of various pools because they couldn't product the proper resort IDs.

I've personally watched uniformed security guards at WL stand by while a family of pool-hoppers packed up their things, and then escort them out of the pool area.

I'm sure they don't catch every pool-hopper, the checks are random. But the rule is posted, and they do check IDs from time to time.

 

[sleepybear]

No, I'm not kidding. I don't see what the big deal is. We've stayed at all levels at Disney before. But like I stated early, we've never done this, but I've always wanted to. We visit the other resorts, mainly monorail resorts, but never have used services meant for those resort guests. But, I honestly don't see what the big fuss is. Lots do it and cm don't say anything and it's not enforced, so why not? :shrug:

I know you didn't start this thread and are simply stating your opinion. And I'm pleased that so far you haven't done this. But here's what the big fuss is: If you saved all year so you could stay at the Polynesian and enjoy the nice volcano pool, would you want to be in the lounge chair next to the family of seven who didn't do the same thing?

Disney's rates for deluxe resorts are ridiculously high, which sadly puts them out of reach of many families traveling on a budget. But that still doesn't give those who can't afford Grand Floridian or Boardwalk the right to use resort facilities reserved for those who can.

 

[Testtrack321]

Want to go to a nice pool on property that's not a value resort?

Try Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon...

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Um, yeah. I'm not a snob or stuck up or anything like that. If I've saved and busted my rump doing without all year to shell out well over $3K just for my hotel room only to not be able to use my resort's ammenities because it's packed with non-resort guests you better believe I'll have a big-biiiig issue with that. Not only do pool hoppers need to be concerned with random resort id checks by CMs or security, if I catch on to what you're doing (and I'm pretty observant) I'll rat you out in a heartbeat. I have no problem with that. Right is right and wrong is wrong. Rules are in place for a reason, not for us to select which are important enough to follow from day to day. Don't like the rules? Don't go. Wanna hang out by the Volcano Pool? Great! Get a room at the Poly. Oh! And then there's karma. Remember: dishonest deeds will come back to you in time. Why wish such upon yourself?:veryconfu

 

[slappy magoo]

what sweetpee said.

I suspect that, for most resorts, checking IDs at pools is random because it only becomes an issue on occasions-namely, when either the World is bpacked, and if resort guests complain. If it's dead, like early November, and there's plenty of room for everyone, security probably gets more lax. But I remember one Spring Break week, my wife & I stayed at PO-R and couldn't even step into the pool, it was so crowded, let alone find a chair to leave our stuff. If I found out there were non-resort guests, taking advantage of amenities I paid for, I'd be mighty ticked, and yeah, I'd rat, too.

 

[mickey7879]

We've stayed at the Poly and went by the pool area and honestly wasn't impressed by it at all. I think if we were to pool hop, it would be to SSR. Our son had so much fun when we stayed there last year. When we go to Disney, there has been a few times that friends or family have been there and stayed at a different Disney resort. We've always planned on meeting up and all swimming together, either at their resort or ours. It's not that people are trying to ruin it for others, but relax together as a family. Usually we book our rooms way in advance and the others traveling do it last minute so they can't get into our resort. Not everyone who goes to Disney is going to pool hop and I've never seen it being enforced. I know there are people who agree and disagree with me and that's fine, but still don't see the big deal.

 

[mickey7879]

what sweetpee said.

I suspect that, for most resorts, checking IDs at pools is random because it only becomes an issue on occasions-namely, when either the World is bpacked, and if resort guests complain. If it's dead, like early November, and there's plenty of room for everyone, security probably gets more lax. But I remember one Spring Break week, my wife & I stayed at PO-R and couldn't even step into the pool, it was so crowded, let alone find a chair to leave our stuff. If I found out there were non-resort guests, taking advantage of amenities I paid for, I'd be mighty ticked, and yeah, I'd rat, too.

Most times when we go to Disney and go to the pool, we are the ONLY ones swimming. Rarely is there anyone else there, and if there is, it's far from being packed, Usually just one or maybe 2 families. Guess we just luck out! :shrug:

 

[majortom1981]

Most times when we go to Disney and go to the pool, we are the ONLY ones swimming. Rarely is there anyone else there, and if there is, it's far from being packed, Usually just one or maybe 2 families. Guess we just luck out! :shrug:

I noticed that most people go to the parks later at like 11am or 12pm so for people like me who go for opening and hit all the rides then go back at 12 to relax and swim the pool is empty.

 

[corey154]

LOL, anytime pool hoping comes up in these threads it gets heated...:ROFLOL:

 

[Master Yoda]

We're going for 13 nights but will only have the 10 day ticket. We have to plan our days out carefully so we don't plan on going more than our ticket allows us. Wish they went back to the length of stay pass. Would be sooo much easier!

I've never pool hopped, but would like to some day. DH is a stickler on following the "rules". Plus we're always afraid we'll get caught. I understand that you pay to stay at your resort and don't want others there, but I think if you're staying on Disney, then why not be able to swim at any Disney pool? :shrug:

While it was easier it was also more expensive than the current ticket structure. With a 13 day length of stay you might want to look into an AP especially if you are planing to take another trip in less than a year.

 

[mickey7879]

I think there should just be an anonomous (sp?) poll so people can vote.

Question should be: Do you pool hop?
Choice of answers:
Yes
Yes, but have gotten caught.
No
No, but want to.

Wonder how many honest answers we'd get then?

 

[sweetpee_1993]

I think there should just be an anonomous (sp?) poll so people can vote.

Question should be: Do you pool hop?
Choice of answers:
Yes
Yes, but have gotten caught.
No
No, but want to.

Wonder how many honest answers we'd get then?

Add to the choice list:

Not on your life. I can read directions and follow rules. I will flail about making a scene pointing out the perpetrators every opportunity I get.

LOL!

 

[partyoffour]

I am sitting back getting a bowl of popcorn! LOL

***waiting for someone to say they pool hop, lie about there age of kids for tickets and bring cups from previous years.

these topics always get so heated.

 

[Master Yoda]

I am sitting back getting a bowl of popcorn! LOL

***waiting for someone to say they pool hop, lie about there age of kids for tickets and bring cups from previous years.

these topics always get so heated.

And if they could also add that they hate fat people and ask about gay days....Then it will be a party!:lol:

 

[sweetpee_1993]

^^

And nobody has any business riding in ECVs because they're the transportation of the devil.

Yep.

It's always fun.

 

[JamboJohn]

Wouldn't posting a CM at the entrance to the pool requiring a room key put an end to pool hopping? I guess turning away non-resort guests is not worth the guest embarrassment and resulting negative view of Disney that the guest will have. Since they don't enforce it, it would seem that Disney doesn't really care THAT much.

They do have a CM at the Beach Club pool!! Checks your Keys to the Kingdom Pass before giving you a wrist band. At least they used to. I never had an issue at any other pool...

 

[sbkline]

Add to the choice list:

Not on your life. I can read directions and follow rules. I will flail about making a scene pointing out the perpetrators every opportunity I get.

LOL!

Ever watch that old sitcom "Leave it to Beaver"? People like you remind me of that snooty little girl in Beaver's class. I think her name was Judy. She was the one who was always watching everyone else so that she could raise her hand and tell Miss Landers that someone was looking out the window when they were saying the pledge, or that someone else is whispering in class, or whatever. She was a snooty, self righteous little brown noser who always wanted to make sure that the teacher knew just what a good little rule follower whe was. Posts like yours above put me in the mind of people like that.

Rules are there for a reason, that's true. But when the reason behind a rule, in a particular case, is obviously not an issue, then the rules can be set aside. For example, when it's a dead period and there are only 10 people in the pool, then obviously, there is no real danger of hotel guests not being able to use the pool and therefore, the need to screen for poolhoppers becomes moot. It's in those busy times when a few extra people can make the difference to me not being able to get in, that it becomes imperative to make sure that everyone in that pool is entitled to be there, then by all means, escort them out if they don't belong there. But if there's hardly anyone in the pool, then it doesn't matter if there are a few pool hoppers there, because they aren't impeding anyone else from using the pool.

Rules have their place, but they must be applied with a little common sense. I don't believe in some rigid "Barney Fife" style application of rules, in which the rules themselves are regarded as ends unto themselves that must be followed no matter what. I believe that rules are a means unto an end, (in this case, ensuring that every resort guest who wants to use the pool can do so). But if the end is already being met, by the fact that there aren't that many guests in the pool, then there is no need to fret about rules against pool hopping. Let them use the pool, but in the unlikely event that 100 resort guests all drop in on the pool at once, then those people who aren't resort guests should be made to leave at that time.