New Toddler swimming rules?

[pollyanna]

I read on a locked Cruise Line thread that kids under 3(not potty trained) will no longer be able to be in the pool on the ship. Does this rule apply to the resorts as well?

[Kermit]

No, it does not. The resort pools operate under different regulations. Also, I'm not positive, but I think that the resort pools, including wading pools, each have their own water system. It sounds like on the cruise ships they have to close multiple pools when one of them gets dirty. Obviously, the reprocussions are a lot greater when that happens.

[ZooMommy]

When we were on the Magic in July, there were lots of little kids that weren't potty trained in the Goofy and Mickey pools. They just can't get in wearing the Little Swimmers any longer. Those don't keep the #2 accidents from getting in the water! :eek: Ewww! The kids have to wear washable swimming pants instead. I did notice that the water in those pools was quite yellow by the afternoon, so I only let my kids get in there for a couple of hours in the morning!

[LvsTnk]

What are washable swimming pants?

[Michelle]

ZooMommy, actually the regulation is now that kids that are NOT potty trained are not allowed in the ship pools on DCL. It does not matter which type of swim diaper they wear, disposable or washable.

[cinder1]

I hope they are telling people of the new regulation before they book a cruise. We considered one and we have a non-potty trained DS who is old enough to be very upset if couldn't swim. That could ruin a vacation.

[Gillian]

DCL didn't tell us about it, before or during.

[eeyore0062]

Although upsetting, I can definitely understand the reasoning behind it. So, if you are planning a cruise, you may want to wait until DD or DS is potty trained. It is for the health of everyone!

[ZooMommy]

Originally posted by WebmasterMichelle
ZooMommy, actually the regulation is now that kids that are NOT potty trained are not allowed in the ship pools on DCL. It does not matter which type of swim diaper they wear, disposable or washable.

They must've just changed this in the past couple of months, since there were plenty of babies in the pools. Either that or it's not enforced by the CM's. And I really thought the whole point of the Mickey pool was for them, since it's pretty shallow, at least in the ears part. Those poor kids. :(

[wdisneyaholic]

First let me say that I can understand the whole thing with non potty trained children. But I must say that I would be furious if I got on board the ship and my 3 children could not swim in the pool. Isn't this a "family" vacation. How many families with small un potty trained children go on Disney cruises? Could you imagine somone's reaction if they told you while booking your trip that if you have children under 3 who are not potty trained they cannnot swim in the pools? I certainly would not booked a trip if my kids were not allowed to go swimming.

[hallie]

I agree with the poster above, I'd flip if they didn't let me know BEFORE I booked.

I don't see what's the big deal. Urine is actually sterile and a swim diapers keeps the other in. The chances of becoming ill are very slim especially if they are monitoring the chorline/chemical levels as they should be.

[Schmeck]

But urine/urea (especially if the pool is turning yellow in the afternoon???) can play havoc with the chemicals already added to the pool - and poop floating around in the pool is just not nice :eek:

Would you want your little one to get a mouthful of dirty pool water and end up with hand/foot/mouth disease during your vacation?

Schmeck, who has done the h/f/m routine with a child, and it is not fun...

[gepetto]

Originally posted by hallie


I don't see what's the big deal. Urine is actually sterile and a swim diapers keeps the other in.

Dude I don't care if urine is sterile or not, I don't want to swim in it. GROSS!!! :rolleyes:

[ZooMommy]

Speaking of hand, foot and mouth disease.... my kids both missed the first week of school because of this ungodly mess - whew! My 11yo dd got it from babysitting and then shared it with her little brother. I had no idea you could get it from dirty pool water. But here's a recipe from their pediatrician that can be repeated every 2-3 hours if your kids can gargle & swish without swallowing (although watch that first mouthful - I ended up wearing it, compliments of my son) :( 1 T. Benadryl, 1 T. cherry mylanta, 1/2 tsp. Anbesol, mixed together. Very nasty tasting, according to my ds, but it sure worked wonders to keep him quiet (non-stop crying for 2 solid days). I'd welcome a vaccine against this monster!

[slp87]

There are very strict guidelines as to what must be done when "accidents" happen in a pool. This happened at our local pool this summer and the pool had to be evacuated for 3 hours while they did a full filter cycle. Just like Kermit said, these pools may all be connected some how and if one gets contaminated, it affects them all. Then you have an entire boat load of people who can't swim. But I agree, if this is policy, people should be told ahead of time

[Fox&Hound]

My DS got H/F/M last summer -- it was running rampant through the neighborhhod and no one knew where it came from! My guess was that it came from the local wading pool, where I, and several other neighborhood moms, brought the kids a few afternoons that summer. HFM is NOT a fun thing for kids to get. My (then) 2 1/2 year old cried for days with mouth blisters.

We considered the Disney Cruise and heard about the change in the swimming policy while reading the discussion boards -- and then opted to go to Disney World for vacation (in December)instead. I have a one-year old who is a few years away from being potty-trained. The Disney Cruise looks wonderful and postponing a cruise for a few years until DS #2 is potty-trained isn't a problem. I think the new policy makes a lot of sense and it makes me feel better knowing that when we DO go on the cruise, the kid's pools will be cleaner and safer.

[ceecee]

That happened at our area pool as well. A few kids got really sick from it. I know for a fact this pool moniters very well in the AM. No more kiddie pools for us. I have seen babies in NO diapers (cute little bikinis won't fit over them I was told by one mom!!!). Some kids who are considered potty trained and aren't are also a problem. My daughter was at McD's and a little girls went in her pants (both ways) TOO GROSS!!! They had to close the playplace...the manager said it happens a lot. Parents have to know the kids limitations...

[Trekker]

Offv Topic - This is Disney Resorts.

The original question was about rules at the pools - how did we get on ???????