Resort Pools - Kids can't swim

[johnvree]

My kids love the water. The problem is, they can't swim. They are 4 and 5. I have been looking forward to hanging in the pool with the. I guess I never really thought about it but if they can't swim, is that going to be fun?

I know they have those little life vests. I have no experience with them (since I can swim, and I don't think they would have them in my size anyway :lol: ). How safe are they? Can you use them on the water slides?

Thanks a million.

 

[The Mom]

My recollection is that lifejackets cannot be worn on the water slides; there's always the chance they can get caught up on the way down.

My children learned to swim as toddlers, so it was never an issue. That said, this might be a great chance to spend an afternoon teaching your kids basic water survival skills. You don't have to get fancy; teaching them how to paddle a few feet to the edge will do. That way, your wife could stand at the top with them, and you could be at the bottom. You are NOT allowed to wait in the water to "catch" them; they must be able to "swim" to the side, where you can help them out.

I did this with mine until they could really swim, and I could trust them to behave at the top of the slide. I was still (and still am) at the pool; I'm just not hovering anymore.

 

[Chefjason1974]

I think all resorts have kiddie pools. The slides in th resorts are going to be too fast for a kid who can't swim.

 

[DisneyPhD]

I don't know if every resort has a kiddy pool. Some are better for little ones then others. BCV has the worlds best sand bottom pool for young kids, really big and sandy, tons of fun and 2 feet deep at the deepest. We love this place.

Some other resorts have zero entry, meaning it starts off at zero and gradually gets deeper, great for kids of all ages. Poly, GF and AKL has these. WL has a big kiddy pool.

For mod resorts, I think POR has a kiddy pool (along with playground) and POFQ has a good slide for younger children. CSR has a great kiddy pool. OKW has a kiddy pool, and they ares starting renovations for a new slide fall 2004.

I can't tell you about All Stars or PC. Sorry.

BTW your kids might really like BB and TL too, there is tons of fun stuff for younger kids. BB is better for 18 to 4 or so, and if they don't like getting spashed in the face. There are many small slides just for kids at both parks.

 

[crazygirley]

If i'm not mistaken, I think I remember reading that you are staying at AKL. When I was there in June of last year, I could not believe that little children could have so much fun in a foot of water...

...At AKL, because of the zero-entry, there is a large section of pool that get's gradually deeper from zero feet...ala zero-entry.... :snore: ...anyways...

There were always little kids (oh, about 4 and under), life vests or not, swimming and splashing around having the time of their life in the foot deep area...crying and screaming when their parents tried to get them out...

...I think it's safe to say that your kids will have a blast in that pool. I suggest buying little swimming toys for them to play with in the pool.

Oh, and if the "big" pool is too much, there is also a "kiddie" pool near the Mara...the kids seemed to much prefer the "big" pool, though...the "kiddie" pool was almost always empty, and the zero-depth part of the "big" pool was always packed with kiddies...

Good luck!

 

[swimmom]

Don't know where you're staying, but the zero depth pools are great for kids that can't swim. If I were you, I would consider staying at a resort with a zero depth pool. Or maybe consider swim lessons before your trip through a local swim club or park district if there's time. FYI regarding swim lessons - a program with two or more lessons per week is best. Kids tend to forget what they learned a week ago when they take lessons once a week.

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

What about inflatable arm bands ? These are completely safe and the kids will be able to build up confidence in the water - however, it still won't solve the problem of allowing them to use the slides.

 

[johnvree]

Thanks for all the info. We are staying at the Poly and the AKL, and the zero entry sounds great.

My kids actually had swimming lessons last year. Don't think they passed because they sink like stones still.

 

[Bill]

Great! Poly and AKL both have zero entry pools.

 

[DisneyPhD]

Originally posted by johnvree
Thanks for all the info. We are staying at the Poly and the AKL, and the zero entry sounds great.

My kids actually had swimming lessons last year. Don't think they passed because they sink like stones still.

Both those resorts are great for kids that age. AKL has a great playground also. ( I read poly had one, but I couldn't find it. They do have a water splash area and a great beach with the best view of MK fireworks and the water parade.)


Word of warning for the parents, Poly does not have a hot tub (not one at the whole resort, a major pet peve of mine.) AKL has 2 great big ones.

Have a magical and wonderful vacation.

 

[Raven66]

At TL my daughter, who was 5 at the time, wore her life vest down the slides. But the other post was right, you can't wait for them at the bottom, which was a little nerve racking. So what we did is I went first and walked slowly out of the water and then my daughter went. My hubby followed up in case she fell off her tube he could scoop her up. My daughter wanted nothing to do with the "kiddie" pool. She wanted to be in the big pool. But we had so much fun. It was like one huge family hanging out. Kids would come over and play with her. I'm sure your kids will have a blast and so will you. Take care and have fun!!:wave:

 

[Bill]

Originally posted by DisneyPhD
AKL has a great playground also. ( I read poly had one, but I couldn't find it. They do have a water splash area and a great beach with the best view of MK fireworks and the water parade.)

Poly's playground was demolished. As was the hot tub.

 

[Nansafan]

When my son was 6 (he's 17 now) we got him a life vest when we swam at the Poly and for Typhoon (no BB yet). The vest was free. We just had to leave an ID (used our driver's license) at the hut where you could rent boats etc. at the Poly. He felt much more comfortable and secure with the vest. We see kids of all ages with vests and arm floaties.

 

[johnvree]

Originally posted by Bill
Poly's playground was demolished. As was the hot tub.

Thanks. I've heard that people have been unable to find the playground. Kind of odd that they would demolish it since it is otherwise such a kid friendly resort.

Geesh, what the heck are supposed to do with our kids done there now? :lol:

 

[ddrongowski]

As of my last three trips to WDW (Sep01, July02, Oct03)

The vests are free for use by resort guests. Yes you can use them on the water slides. They offer your child a chance to just have some fun. Also I have stood at the bottom of the sides off to the side to catch my son, and there has never been any problem.

 

[DisneyPhD]

Originally posted by Bill
Poly's playground was demolished. As was the hot tub.

Why the smilely face after demolished? I still don't understand those choices. We made sure WDW resorts knew that we felt those are the major lacking things in a otherwise wonderful resort after we stayed there in 2001. I know they put in a cool new pool with the volcaono slide, but really why no hut tub?

Every other Deluxe and mod resort has at least one, some up to 5 (Y&B) Also, how hard is it to have a small playground? Once again, only resort with out one. the water play area is great, if you want to get wet, but somethings that isn't an option.