Trending over on the DVC Forums this past week was a discussion surrounding the recent removal of pool hopping privileges at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. In reading through this, I quickly began to question how many members currently utilize this benefit and why Disney would limit its availability at certain resorts.
For those unfamiliar with this perk of Disney Vacation Club ownership, members are allowed to visit a variety of pools around the Walt Disney World Resort during their stay. This is not considered a Membership Extra and is available to both direct and resale DVC owners.
In recent history, however, this “benefit” has become subject to capacity limitations, blockout dates during peak seasons, and a steadily increasing lists of pools where pool hopping is not available. These excluded pools include:
- Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort – Bay Cove Pool
- Disney’s Art of Animation Resort – pools
- Disney’s Beach Club Villas – leisure pool
- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa – pools
- Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort – The Lava Pool and leisure pool
- Disney’s Wilderness Lodge – Boulder Ridge Cove Pool and The Copper Creek Springs Pool
- Disney’s Yacht Club Resort and Disney’s Beach Club Resort – Stormalong Bay
While I am sure there are many who have utilized and enjoyed this benefit, I personally have never been drawn to the idea of pool hopping. With each DVC resort having its own unique pool to enjoy during ones stay, the idea of packing up for the day and traveling across property (especially with Disney Transportation) does not sound like a relaxing way to spend a rest day away from the parks.
If Disney’s increasing restrictions are any indicator of things to come, I would expect that the days of pool hopping may be numbered. With the pool options that are currently under construction at Disney’s Riviera Resort, this will likely immediately join the list of excluded options when open in December 2019.
Share with me in the comments below whether you have pool hopped during a DVC stay and whether you believe it is still a valuable benefit of ownership!