Blizzard B. - rides to avoid (worried mom)

[Torontogal]

Hello all,

We are going to BB for the first time and my kids are not the strongest swimmers (ages 6 and 9). Wanting to verify what rides they should avoid..for example attractions with very deep water or too wild.
I am thinking of avoiding Summit Plummet, Slush Gusher, Downhill Double Dipper. Any others? The WDW site does not seem to indicate the exact depth of pools for some reason...thanks!

[Manda]

There's a good article on this site that discusses this:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/guide...d/blizzard.htm

The one I really noticed was that t-bar thing in the ski patrol training area. I sat there for a long time while my son (wearing a life jacket) repeatedly went down the tube slide right next to the t-bar. I swear to you that nearly every 3rd kid had to be rescued. Literally. As soon as the lifeguard would get settled back in his chair, another kid would sink... and then a clueless parent would jump in after the kid and sink, too. It's not a good situation.

My advice would be to get your kids life jackets if they aren't strong swimmers - you can use one for free at the park. I kept my son in one all day. He's a decent swimmer, but it's disorienting when you hit a pool of water at the bottom of a slide and it's above your head.

[offtoseemickey]

I agree with the life jackets. It's better to be safe than sorry...

There were so many lifeguards when I was there in September-I don't think any harm would come to your kids with so many people watching & checking, if you know what I mean...

Have a safe & happy trip!

[Torontogal]

Thanks guys for the tips. I will definitely get the life jackets and avoid the T bar. Thanks again!

[RabFlmom]

Originally Posted by Manda

There's a good article on this site that discusses this:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/guide...d/blizzard.htm

The one I really noticed was that t-bar thing in the ski patrol training area. I sat there for a long time while my son (wearing a life jacket) repeatedly went down the tube slide right next to the t-bar. I swear to you that nearly every 3rd kid had to be rescued. Literally. As soon as the lifeguard would get settled back in his chair, another kid would sink... and then a clueless parent would jump in after the kid and sink, too. It's not a good situation.

My advice would be to get your kids life jackets if they aren't strong swimmers - you can use one for free at the park. I kept my son in one all day. He's a decent swimmer, but it's disorienting when you hit a pool of water at the bottom of a slide and it's above your head.

The water at t-bar is 8 1/2 feet so poor swimmers should all be in life jackets and be able to make forward motion by at least doggie paddling as soon as they surface. Parents do become an added safety hazard for the life guards when they jump in. Most cannot tread water without using their hands like lifeguards do and the added weight of their child makes them sink like a rock. That means the lifeguard has to rescue 2 people instead of one which puts all three at risk in the water.

I think people might be surprised how many rescues are made a day. If you are not coming for a few months, find a swim teacher and teach your kids to swim. By 3 all kids should be able to jump in water and swim to the side. If you are a parent and never learned to swim, make your kids proud of you, get lessons, too.

[nicknamy1996]

I'd say avoid the wave pool. But then again that's my advice for ages 1 to 99. Ask about those and you'll hear LOTS of horror stories. We went in one on our honeymoon and I came out bloody (and I've been swimming since I was 2 or 3) I've probably been to a water park 10 times in my lifetime and 3 of those times I've seen someone being 'rescued' from the wave pool.

If you must... 1) life jackets, 2) shallow end and 3) (which I'm sure you would but) stay close to them.

Be safe and have fun!