Balconies at s/d with young kids

[KIS]

I've started a new thread on this because when I inserted it elsewhere for a discussion, nobody responded.

I'm hoping someone will see it here and offer some advise.

I've never been to WDW. We have a reservation with a teacher's discount for a standard room. I hear that there are rooms with balconies that sometimes become available.

I have read other parents' comments about opting to not have a balcony for fear of a youngster's safety.

I wanted to hear out people on this subject.

My daughter's 5 y.o. We live with a balcony on a second floor coop. She rarely has gone out there unsupervised. In fact, there have only been two times as she's a very cooperative child. When she has gone out without permission, it has been beause she forgets and something out there in the parking lot interests her. So, I wonder about the balcony at the dolphin should we be offered one.

I don't want to be foolhearty nor overly anxious. I mean, the view from these balconies must be stupendous. We supervise her well. (each of these couple of times she's gone out on our balcony without permission, we've caught her as she's going out the sliding door). Still, with us being caught up in R&R or reorganizing to get somewhere, things can happen. If the view around the bend to the side is so breathtaking, I wonder if she might "forget", lean over and fall. I think I may be overdoing it, but then, I wonder having never been there.

What has been other people's experiences with balconies and youngsters? I am guessing that there are no safety rails over these things. Are some balconies safer than others? If you had a balcony with a child, how did you manage it?

I suppose there's a lock on the sliding door.

I'm trying to think this over. The view sounds so special.

THnak.

kis

 

[#1hockeymom]

With a five year old I would not be overly anxious with the balcony. It is quite high and has not only the balcony bars but wide metal leaves for ornamentation. Since your daughter is used to a balcony, she would not be throwing down items to "watch" them fall. My only concern would be if she were to stand on a chair, which would have her higher off the ground. I am trying to remember the heights but I think that would still have them at a safe level. When in doubt, pull the chairs and the table in doors and you'd have no worries.

I am sure if you called the Swan/Dolphin directly they could give you the balcony measurements if that would ease your worries. I believe that even if you didn't have a balcony, (we did, but in the future I am open to no balcony) that your views would be gorgeous. You then would be able to get a floor higher than seven in the Swan, allowing for a full range of views.

Hope that helps,
Debbie

 

[Mskanga]

We were there last February with my then 5 yr old and the sliders have locks, but my kids know better and are not allowed out in the balcony unless a grown up is with them. We didn't have any problems, we were on the fourth floor.

 

[>>^..^<<]

Hi ~ I hope you don't think I am a bad Mom ~ but I would not worry about a 5 year old on a balcony at all.... it's not like she is a toddler with no common sense, especially as her home has a balcony that she is used to.

My girlfriend has a hyperactive 3 year old that I would worry about ~ he leaves the house when he has a whim!

>>^..^<<

 

[magicaddict]

We just returned from the Swan with my very active 5 year old son and never had a problem. There were times I couldn't get the door unlocked to go out so I'm sure you shouldn't have a problem. Also note that if the sliding door is not closed tightly the air stops working to prevent wasting resources so always make sure it's tightly closed and locked before you leave the room. Take it from me, you'll regret it when you return in the heat of the afternoon and the room is warm and stuffy.

 

[Epcotgal8]

KIS, others have given you good advice. I'm glad to know though that I'm not the only one who worries about balconies. My kids are old enough now not to worry but since I have a SEVERE fear of heights it use to scare me to death when we would stay somewhere with a balcony. If it makes you feel better (as someone mentioned already) pull in the chairs and if there is a table. We once went with another family and stayed in a high rise condo on the beach. I was really strict about my children not going out on the balcony unless my dh or I were with them. My friend looked at me like I had 2 heads and was just paranoid. One evening while we were dressing to go to dinner my friend's 3 yr. old dd slipped out on the balcony and since she couldn't see over it she pulled up a chair and got on it . I happened to walk out and be the first to see her looking over the edge and ran and scooped her up. I almost had a heart attack. After that, we pulled the chairs in and my friend realized I wasn't as crazy and paranoid as she thought. Your child is older and accustomed to balconies which this child was not so I am sure it will be fine. I just think it will give YOU and your dh piece of mind with no chairs unless you are out there.

 

[KIS]

It sounds like its just a question of supervision. My daughter's not a climber. I think we should be OK. Thanks. KIS