Magical time!

[Bonniec]

This is what my conclusion is on the DCL pool rules.....

They won't allow swim diapers in the pool (swim diapers will hold the poopy in, they won't hold the pee pee however).

So the kids cry to go swimming cause heck its vacation and its Mickey's pool.
SO the parents solution just take off the swim diaper and let them swim.

I'm not saying thats right because rules are rules.
But if the kids go in with the swim diaper on disaster averted.

We couldn't even go to that deck with our Grandson during our cruise because he wanted that pool so badly and he wasn't fully trained yet.
It really seemed so unfair to me that he couldn't swim, but we followed the rules.

First, thanks for taking precautions with your child. I know it stinks that he couldn't swim but it would be awful to ruin it for all the other passengers. I wish more people would follow your example.


So I have a question since I haven't been on the cruise yet. Don't they have an area for children that are not fully potty trained? I know only the Fantasy has the splash pad, but doesn't the Mickey pool have a splash pool or something?

I do understand the frustration that parents can feel. I have 3 kids, my youngest is 6, and it took forever...FOREVER...for him to be potty trained due to some GI issues. I know if we had cruised back then I would have been frustrated. But I'd be mortified if my child had an accident causing the pool to shut down and I knew he was't fully potty trained.

As it is, I doubt we'll use the pool anyway. It just sounds too risky and gross.


ETA:

Here are my fears about our first ever cruise coming true before we even leave. We're probably going to be surrounded by holier-than-thou "super parents" who think they know everything, like the person above. If they're on the boards, they'll most certainly be on the ship. Bummer.

And my fear is the self-entitled parents who don't care if their kids have an accident because, hey, they paid for their vacation so can do whatever they want...despite it ruining things for everyone else. And they'll most certainly be on the ship. Hence, while we'll just stay out of the pool.


And I don't think anyone is talking about children who get sick. We all know things happen. But if the pool is getting shut down daily, I'd say Disney needs to work on their policies.

 

[lorimay]

Children whom are not potty trained are not supposed to be in the pools, just the splash zones. They can be kids, but parents need to be parents. The parents need to respect the pool rules, so that the kids can learn the same. Not sure why is this such a difficult concept to grasp? The OP and others are commenting on children whom are obviously not potty trained/in swim diapers (e.g., I witnessed an approximately 18 month old with a binky in his mouth, but sans any clothing) in the Mickey pool. Parents right there. Aw, isn't he cute? I told my 7 y/o to get OUT of the Mickey pool. "Why, Mommy?" "Because you don't want to swallow pee or poop from the babies that are not supposed to be in this pool" (pointing to naked baby).
REALLY??????

EWWWWWWW.......completely naked?!?!?!?!?!
Thats just gross. What were they thinking?

 

[ImDMous]

This is what my conclusion is on the DCL pool rules.....

They won't allow swim diapers in the pool (swim diapers will hold the poopy in, they won't hold the pee pee however).

So the kids cry to go swimming cause heck its vacation and its Mickey's pool.
SO the parents solution just take off the swim diaper and let them swim.

I'm not saying thats right because rules are rules.
But if the kids go in with the swim diaper on disaster averted.

We couldn't even go to that deck with our Grandson during our cruise because he wanted that pool so badly and he wasn't fully trained yet.
It really seemed so unfair to me that he couldn't swim, but we followed the rules.

The problem with swim diapers is that they are poo teabags. Water goes in - pooey water comes out. They do absolutely nothing to stop any bacteria or other nasties from getting in the water. This is why they are banned by the CDC in cruise ship pools, it is not just a Disney rule. They aren't allowed in any pool on a ship for disease control.

http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/pools/swim-diapers-swim-pants.html

 

[lorimay]

First, thanks for taking precautions with your child. I know it stinks that he couldn't swim but it would be awful to ruin it for all the other passengers. I wish more people would follow your example.


So I have a question since I haven't been on the cruise yet. Don't they have an area for children that are not fully potty trained? I know only the Fantasy has the splash pad, but doesn't the Mickey pool have a splash pool or something?

I do understand the frustration that parents can feel. I have 3 kids, my youngest is 6, and it took forever...FOREVER...for him to be potty trained due to some GI issues. I know if we had cruised back then I would have been frustrated. But I'd be mortified if my child had an accident causing the pool to shut down and I knew he was't fully potty trained.

As it is, I doubt we'll use the pool anyway. It just sounds too risky and gross.

Yes, there is a toddler splash pad. Its very small and RIGHT next to the mickey pool so he played there but then saw the pool and of course he wanted to go in.

I'm not sure but I hope the newer ships have improved the splash pads on them.

 

[lorimay]

The problem with swim diapers is that they are poo teabags. Water goes in - pooey water comes out. They do absolutely nothing to stop any bacteria or other nasties from getting in the water. This is why they are banned by the CDC in cruise ship pools, it is not just a Disney rule. They aren't allowed in any pool on a ship for disease control.

http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/pools/swim-diapers-swim-pants.html

Thanks for the info.

He's now fully trained YAY! so next cruise he can swim all he wants.

 

[princess aleya]

Probably not going to happen because it'd be too hard to prove the poop!!!! Hahhaahaha, , but you're right! more the parents fault than Disney's. People disregarding the rules...

LOL!!

 

[mamasha]

Isn't there a staff person to remind parents w/ children that they aren't trained(naked babies) not to use the pool?

 

[August2012Magic]

There is NO staff person monitoring the pool!! It would be cheaper to hire a monitor than to deal with the mess every day.

 

[JLitfin]

My son is a lifeguard at a hotel pool near our home, he had to close the pool last week because a 10 year old pooped in the pool. This kid was 10 and not a young child. A kid 10 years old should know better. I'm sure this also happens at the Disney/DCL pools, older kids are too lazy and having too much fun to get out of the pool to use the bathroom.

I'm glad my kids are all adults now and we use the adult pool, hopefully there's no problems with this pool.

 

[WinstonC]

Lots of strong opinions here, but remember that if this is an issue that's important to you, write to DCL about it! Posting here may be a good way to vent (and for me, a good way to get in trouble ), but DCL's rules, policy, and enforcement are more likely to change if you speak your mind directly!

 

[jenseib]

My son is a lifeguard at a hotel pool near our home, he had to close the pool last week because a 10 year old pooped in the pool. This kid was 10 and not a young child. A kid 10 years old should know better. I'm sure this also happens at the Disney/DCL pools, older kids are too lazy and having too much fun to get out of the pool to use the bathroom.

I'm glad my kids are all adults now and we use the adult pool, hopefully there's no problems with this pool.

I guess thats the point I was trying to make. many kids who are having accidents are not newly potty trained kids...it's kids who have been trained for quite awhile.

 

[jlwhitney]

If a kid pooping in a pool grosses you out, then maybe the pools are not a place for you and your kids. Can you even imagine how many kids pee in the pool?

Its going to happen when in public places, not a whole lot you can do about it.

 

[love280mickey]

Here are my fears about our first ever cruise coming true before we even leave. We're probably going to be surrounded by holier-than-thou "super parents" who think they know everything, like the person above. If they're on the boards, they'll most certainly be on the ship. Bummer.

Well, of course, no one knows exactly WHEN a kid is going to relieve himself!

The point is, YOU, as the parent, are responsible to watch out for your kid, REMIND that kid that it is time to get out of the pool and TRY to go to the bathroom, in the real bathroom! Will they cry and say they don't have to and they don't want to leave Mickey's pool? Of course they will, but it takes all of 5-10 minutes, and saves the tears from happening later when Mickey's pool gets closed.

Which also gives another opportunity for learning. When that pool DOES get closed, remind your little ones to go so hopefully it doesn't happen again and everyone can swim all day long.

Yes, accidents do happen. We all realize that, even with the most responsible parenting. Sometimes though, many parents need to remember that the vacation is for EVERYONE, not just their family and what they want to do.

People should be more respectful of other people when traveling in large groups such as the cruise, playgrounds, public pools, etc.

 

[amandaroseziegler]

Here are my fears about our first ever cruise coming true before we even leave. We're probably going to be surrounded by holier-than-thou "super parents" who think they know everything, like the person above. If they're on the boards, they'll most certainly be on the ship. Bummer.

Agreed, I'm a little disappointed with how people are being plain rude and calling kids parents who have accidents bad parents, it has really made me dread my cruise coming up with our dd2. I only wish I was the perfect parent with the perfect kid so I don't ruin your cruise. I know plenty " toddlers" who are potty trained and if the site of them in pools mean they are bad parents I guess you better stay away from us!

 

[Heyriddle]

Our community association pools do not allow swim diapers because they leak. They require kids under a certain age to wear plastic diaper covers under their suits. They also have the hourly "safety" breaks and remind kids to use the bathrooms. While not a perfect system, it does reduce the number of pool closures.

As for parents who break the rules, I hope they remember that their kids are watching and learning from them. While no one is perfect, I try to set a good example for my kids.

 

[threewilmingtonwalls]

I am by no means a perfect parent, but my child has never pooped in a swimming pool...at home, on vacation, swim team...anywhere. I'm sorry, but if your child does not recognize the urge within the 60 seconds it would take to get out of the Mickey Pool, then they are not "potty trained." That doesn't make you a bad parent, it just is what it is. Keep them in the splash pad area until they truly are potty trained.

 

[lilpooh108]

I am by no means a perfect parent, but my child has never pooped in a swimming pool...at home, on vacation, swim team...anywhere. I'm sorry, but if your child does not recognize the urge within the 60 seconds it would take to get out of the Mickey Pool, then they are not "potty trained." That doesn't make you a bad parent, it just is what it is. Keep them in the splash pad area until they truly are potty trained.

 

[Aggiegrl]

There is NO staff person monitoring the pool!! It would be cheaper to hire a monitor than to deal with the mess every day.

There was definitely staff around Mickey's pool 11 days ago on the Magic. I saw a couple of babies get kicked out and a handful of kids get escorted out of the end of the slide.

 

[PizzieDuster]

Evening Mickey Pool - pee soup - eww.

I remember being young - like 7 - and went swimming in my Uncle's pool. He told all us kids that he put a special chemical in the water. If you pee, the water will turn green.

Anyways, it scared the pee out of me and I've always told my kids this. Don't pee in the pool, it will turn green and everyone will know it was you! Heck, I STILL believe it.

Was that true? Or was Uncle a very smart Uncle? Maybe Disney should put out a sign like that. "Don't let this happen to you! Don't pee or poop in the Pool!"

 

[Fielhol]

Evening Mickey Pool - pee soup - eww.

I remember being young - like 7 - and went swimming in my Uncle's pool. He told all us kids that he put a special chemical in the water. If you pee, the water will turn green.

Anyways, it scared the pee out of me and I've always told my kids this. Don't pee in the pool, it will turn green and everyone will know it was you! Heck, I STILL believe it.

Was that true? Or was Uncle a very smart Uncle? Maybe Disney should put out a sign like that. "Don't let this happen to you! Don't pee or poop in the Pool!"

Hahahaha my best friends mom used to tell us a red ring would appear around us if we peed in the pool.