Best Non-Scary Slide For a Pre-Schooler

[robinb]

We are in the final planning stages for our Summer trip . We're doing 4 nights in a studio at BCV and then 3 days at another WDW resort. My 3 year old DD loves the little slide at SAB, but is *really* boring for me to hang out in the tiny pool behind the shipwreck for as long as she wants to slide. I know I will have to do it anyway , but I'm hoping for something different for my last 3 days.

I am looking for a pool with a non-scary slide for little kids. Specifically, I am looking for a short, non-enclosed slide where she could easily see the other parent at the bottom of the slide.

I currently have reservations in a standard view room at WL. We stayed at the VWL last year, but I don't remember the slide. It looks open, short and at a shallow angle from the pictures that I can see. Is it?

I'm also thinking about a standard view room at AKL. The slide at that pool also looks open and shallow. The price is the same for a room at AKL.

I'm also thinking about a PO-FQ. The sea serpent slide looks like it might be OK too. The start of the slide is right at the sea serpent's mouth, right? There is no enclosed slide, right? FO-FQ is about $45 less per night.

Lastly ... my DD is becoming a good swimmer with her weekly lessons. She jumps readily into the pool and will even hold her breath and go under water. Still, I will still borrow a lifevest for our stay at both resorts. Can my DD wear her official WDW resort lifevest down the slides? I saw some kids at the Polynesian and the Contemporary go down the slides with vests (or arm swimmies) on, but they did not allow it at SAB on the big slide.

So ... which of the slides do you think is best?

 

[vbfamily]

Probably AKL

The slide at WL is enclosed at the top and part of the way down, not sure how a 3 yr old would like it-I know some probably love it, others don't.

At AKL, you get a nice slide that isn't too difficult for great children plus a GREAT pool any adult would love.

I believe that she will be able to wear a life vest down the slide at AKL. I know they will allow you to go down without it if that is your choice.

Have fun

I would say the water at the end of the AKL slide is slightly more shallow than the water at the end of the WL slide but I could be wrong. I'm sure someone else may know the exact answer.

 

[onceuponadream]

Just a note on POFQ slide. My then 2 year old loved it with swimmies. However, you can't see them from the pool when they first start sliding. You can wait at the bottom but if it's important for her to see you at the bottom she can't (because of the curve). It was also fun for my then 4 and 7 year olds. I wouldn't classsify it as "wild" but it wasn't super slow either.

 

[kimmar067]

...about the AKL slide, but I DO know that parents MAY NOT accompany their "lil ones" down the WL slide. It isn't too overwhelming; however, it curves slightly, so your child may not be able to see you at the bottom end.....hope this helps

 

[eeyore0062]

I haven't really seen the slide at AKL, but I know that the one at PO-FQ is fairly tame... doesn't have enclosures, is not deeply slanted, and only has the slightest curve. Plus, just the sight of it appeals to any age!

The slide at the WL was a bit more intimidating, as you can't see your child, and they can't see you... not only that... it is quite fast, and has turns in it. The water is pretty deep at the end and the current is strong, as well.

All of the pools have to have a certain depth at the bottom of the pool for safetly reasons, to it would be best to have one adult (or older child) take the child to the top of the slide (unless she is fearless), while the other stays at the bottom to catch them. They definitely will need life vests, and I know that they are allowed and are available through the lifeguards.

 

[mirlow]

This was a big issue for me last summer We usually always stay at the Polynesian. My dd who is 7 loves that slide, but it was to scary for ds who was about to turn 4. I thought it would be nice to try another resort and I put alot of thought into what kind of slide that had. We stayed at the BWV and he wanted nothing to do with the clown slide. Once we got to AKL all he did was go down the slide My oldest thought it was boring, but I was just so happy for him. It's nice to see them stand up at the top and go down. He even took part in the little ceremony they do in the morning. I thought since he was a bit older on our trip in January that the slide at the WL would be ok. Well it might have been if my dad would have been paying attention when he came down. The little guy went under for one second and that was enough for him not to go down again Another plus to the AKL is the zero-entry. Oh yeh you might notice a giraffe hanging out too