I haven't ever tried because I love walking through the lobby area all the time, but can you cut through the pool area from the DVC to get to DCA entrance faster?
Yes, with some old/new exceptions:
-In the early morning the pool isn't open. And the lifeguards will use their lifeguard voices before you can get your key in the gate.
-They've started using the wristband system at the pool. I've had lifeguards ask "are you just passing through" since we are dressed for parks and let us pass. I've also had lifeguards try to direct me through the lobby to the Parks until I ask nicely if we can just pass through to Craftsman Grill, etc.
-We used to pass through easily at night using the gate at Craftsman Grill (WWS). Our last trip, that gate was locked for our keys at night. We went to see if we could pass through Craftsman Bar, and there was a lifeguard at the stairs to block access to the pool. It wasn't that late, but it was December and the pools were empty so they seemed to close the pool early...maybe it was a one-off for nightly maintenance. Not sure.
So we used to cut through a few times a day to drop coats, change, break etc. But these days it's hit and miss for us. I think wristbands and the new Bar were the reason. I wouldn't be surprised if it goes away completely which would be a bummer.