"Pool hopping" when not staying on points

[Anthony Vito]

So general question before the specific circumstance of which I'm thinking: If a resort pool is open to pool hopping, to what degree is it enforced as to whether one is staying on property with points or with cash? How do they really check as to the method that you're staying on property?

Specifically, we are staying at Yacht Club in August with the Free Dining, so not on points (just bought in last month at CCV). I see that the Boardwalk pool is not excluded from hopping privileges. I don't have any intention to go actually use the Boardwalk pool, but am actually interested because of the pool bar for food. Technically, I don't believe even the pool bars at pools only open to guests staying on site are accessible to those not staying. Does trying to access for food give me even a little more leeway? (Sadly, I'm looking at this because we're figuring out QS/snack food options around where we're staying for our kids, and it's somewhat limited. Leaping Horse Libations has a pretzel dog that my son would likely eat. The hot dog stand is not on the dining plan.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

You are required to be staying at a DVC resort and they do scan your band. YC is not DVC.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

It’s been a year since I stayed at Boardwalk but I don’t believe there are any “checkpoints” to enter Leaping Horse Libations when entering from the Boardwalk (I’m assuming you’d walk/boat over). If attempting to drive over, the guard would likely want to verify your status. As I recall there aren’t really dining tables around it like there are at Hurricane Hanna’s at Yacht & Beach (Leaping Horse is primarily a bar) so you might need to take it “to go.”

Congratulations on your purchase. Welcome home!

 

[Anthony Vito]

It’s been a year since I stayed at Boardwalk but I don’t believe there are any “checkpoints” to enter Leaping Horse Libations when entering from the Boardwalk (I’m assuming you’d walk/boat over). If attempting to drive over, the guard would likely want to verify your status. As I recall there aren’t really dining tables around it like there are at Hurricane Hanna’s at Yacht & Beach (Leaping Horse is primarily a bar) so you might need to take it “to go.”

Congratulations on your purchase. Welcome home!

Yeah, I would walk over and take it to go. It would probably be a situation where we're eating back at our room and we'd be piecing together a lunch/dinner from other quick service but would anticipate our son wanting a hot dog. Since we'll have the Dining Plan, I'd rather not go pay cash for a hot dog from the hot dog cart on the Boardwalk. I'm pretty sure from what we've looked at (it's all starting to blur together), there are no hot dogs at any of the quick service at Yacht/Beach. We knew from reading and researching before, but the quick service options around there really aren't very good. We're also talking about whether to just try to hurry and go in to Epcot to get stuff. With security, etc., I feel like that would be a lot more of a time suck than we'd otherwise anticipate though.

And thank you!

 

[Deb & Bill]

From the member website:

How it Works
Swim, slide, splash, play and lounge—with several unique pool options to suit your style.

When staying on your Membership at any Disney Vacation Club Resort at Walt Disney World Resort or at Disney's Vero Beach Resort, you and any Guests staying with you are permitted to take advantage of complimentary alternative pool use, which provides access to:

• The pool or pools at the Disney Vacation Club Resort where you are staying
• Select pools at Disney Vacation Club Resorts
• Select pools at Walt Disney World Resort hotels

Note: Capacity limits and blockout dates apply. To find out about pool-access availability, please check with a host or hostess at the front desk of the Resort you wish to visit.

You must present your MagicBand or valid Disney Vacation Club Membership Card to use the other Resort hotel pools.

Know Before You Go
View details about capacity limits, blockout dates, excluded pools and more.

Capacity Limitations

If the pool you are visiting reaches capacity, you may be asked to leave in order to accommodate Guests of that Resort hotel. 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.

Blockout Dates

Resort hotel pools may become unavailable from time to time due to capacity limitations. Due to the high occupancy that is expected, you and your overnight guests may not pool hop during the following dates:

• Friday, May 24, 2019 through Monday, May 27, 2019
• Sunday, June 30, 2019 through Saturday, July 6, 2019
• Friday, August 30, 2019 through Monday, September 2, 2019
• Monday, November 25, 2019 through Saturday, November 30, 2019
• Friday, December 20, 2019 through Thursday, January 2, 2020

As a reminder, please be mindful of the limited number of pool chairs available, and refrain from leaving towels or personal items on unoccupied pool chairs.

Important Information

• Pool hopping is not available at the following pools—with no exceptions to this policy:
  • 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
• Other restricted dates than those listed above may be added based on projected pool capacity or maintenance needs.
• Alternative pool use is subject to change or discontinuation at the sole discretion of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.
• Complimentary alternative pool use (pool hopping) is not considered a Membership Extra. This benefit is offered to all Disney Vacation Club Members, regardless of how they purchased.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

You're supposed to check in at the desk or with a guard to use another pool.

 

[CarolMN]

Check out Picabu at the Dolphin. They have a grill and might do hot dogs. Can't remember for sure. Bring your DVD member card & photo ID to get a 20% discount.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Check out Picabu at the Dolphin. They have a grill and might do hot dogs. Can't remember for sure. Bring your DVD member card & photo ID to get a 20% discount.

Picabu has a kids' hot dog. The Fountain at the Dolphin has both an adult hot dot and a kids' hot dog. You can check the menus on line at the WDW site.