Casey Jr. Segment

[coopersmom]

Thanks for the review but, <big sigh> ... I know that my son will want to do this, desperately. I usually avoid these sort of "splash pads" locally (for the reasons Pete stated; they seem like bacteria factories to me), but there's no way I'm keeping my son away, short of blindfold and shackles, from a train-themed water feature with lots of kids running crazy around at DisneyWorld. Glad I at least have heads up about attire, but not at all looking forward to this--and carrying an extra set of clothes and a beach towel are the least of the reasons why not. (Saw the "lots of water" and "totally drenched" comments on another site too.)

I HATE that there's more than one entrance-exit AND blocked viewing for parents. Trust me, NO ONE needs to see me in a wet t-shirt contest trying to locate my five-year-old, and your kids may be "very good" about staying right next to you, and I'd love to say I'm the sort of superior parent who can make that happen too, but there is no way, no how my son isn't going to be one of the ones that finds another kid, gloms on to him and runs out of my sight in 2.7 seconds, dire mommy warnings and enticements not withstanding.

It sounds like that boneyard playground at Animal Kingdom, which my son also adores, and has me on high stress alert for our entire visit. Bridges that connect one play structure to another, slides that twist and curve everywhere, totally obstructed views, caves and high/low walkways. It's a kid-losing nightmare. Even if you try to follow your own, it always seems like you're up when they're sliding down, or four kids run in from another angle and, zoom, you've lost yours. My husband and I together, tag-teaming, couldn't keep our single always in sight. Heck, we brought in a third friend and still had to do an emergency locate about a half dozen times. It's a nightmare but AT LEAST it's a contained area with only one entrance and exit, and they won't let kids leave without a parent. That's the one thing that let me keep my sanity while in there.

And the other option, keeping him him from doing those things--which he just loves--doesn't seem fair. One thing about Disney that we learned the first time we took my son, back when he was three, is that there are kids EVERYWHERE, but very little chance for them to meet, interact and, you know, play with each other. These playground type features are really the only time that happens. Since my son is a social butterfly (have NO idea where he gets it; as his father and I generally hate other people), that is torture for him. (The "water, water everywhere but not a drop to drink" problem.)

 

[NitroStitch]

We saw the area last Saturday, and I was thinking it was very odd to have no gate or barriers around the area. We don't have children, but even as a non-parent, I thought that may have to change for safety's and security's sake. They would have plenty of nicely themed options that would fit in with the decor and area.

I hope they do that soon, so there's less concern over children (unprepared with a change of clothes and towels) racing in and getting soaked without a change of clothes, and more importantly for the security of children with the visual barriers in the area.

 

[BriarRosie]

I saw something else from pictures that I found disturbing. There's a low fence area around the trains, but there were plenty of kids who either went through the slots on the fence or climbed over it to play on the trains. You'd think if Disney is putting a fence there, it means, "We don't want you in this area". I have to wonder where the parents are when I see stuff like that.

I think soon we'll see barriers that will prevent kids from getting on those trains.