Depth of the Pop pools?

[allyphoe]

Anyone know the depth of the "shallow end" of the Pop pools? (I don't know where we'll be, so don't know which one will be closest.) Last on-property trip, DD was only 2, so was in the kiddie / zero depth pool or wore a life vest, but she's hoping to be able to touch bottom on the next trip - she's not a fan of water that's over her head, even with a life vest on. If she can touch, she'll have a lot more fun in the pool, and we're more likely to be able to avoid the water parks.

Thanks!

 

[karibritt01]

I don't know the depth, but my DD5 could barely tiptoe in the bowling pin pool. She wore her swim float because it was too deep for her to play in the pool. She is the type to generally play on the steps!

 

[distips]

The shallow end of the main pools at most Disney Resorts are around 4 feet deep. Last time we stayed at Pop was a few years ago, my kids were around 6-7, and they could tippy toe around some areas, but mostly needed to swim.

 

[SnowWtch]

I know the deepest part was less than 8 feet b/c our apartment's pool is 8ft and DH commented that it was deeper than the deepest part of POP's main pool. Shallow end is 4ft and that's where I stayed.

 

[allyphoe]

Thanks! 4 feet is too deep for DD (who is only about 46"), so life vest + hanging on the stairs it is.

While I think it's weird that the pools are so deep ("typical" pools seem to be about 3 feet in the shallows), I can totally see why they do it. A kid tall enough to touch bottom is going to get less parent supervision than a kid who can't, regardless of age. The average kid is going to be 10 or so before they could comfortably (flat-footed) touch bottom in a 4-foot-deep pool - where as my just-turned-6yo could comfortably touch bottom in a 3-foot-deep pool.

 

[allyphoe]

As a follow-up, for anyone else who might be curious:

The computer, bowling pin, and Hippy Dippy pool all have sections that are 3'3" deep. Those shallow areas seemed to be smallest at Hippy Dippy (which was always so crowded with teenagers that DD6 didn't want to swim there), and biggest at the computer pool, where two of the 4 sides were 3'3" along their entire length.

All 4 pools are 4'9" at the drain. The deepest spot along the edge is either 3'9" or 4'1" (I think the latter, but couldn't swear to it).

DD6, at 46" (never measured for EE or M:S; clearly far too short for PW and RnRC) was comfortable without a life jacket in the 3'3" areas, but preferred having a life jacket. She's not a swimmer, and the life jacket gave her the freedom to explore the pool independently.

5yo niece (probably 44" - she didn't want to ride the 44" rides) was not comfortable going off the steps without a life jacket, because the shallowest water was too deep for her.

Also, being a life guard at the Pop pools must be nerve-wracking. Overheard in the pool:
5yo (who was playing with our kids, so we knew her age rather than guessing), to her father, as he approached from the other end of the pool: Mom told me I had to wear a life jacket so she didn't have to watch me. Can you watch me so I can swim without it? (Mom was halfway down the pool, napping on a lounge chair.)

That same kid, who had been bragging to ours that she could swim and they couldn't, slipped out of her depth within arm's length of the stairs we were all sitting on, couldn't get her nose above the surface again, and had to be fished out by her father.

 

[Bell30012]

My daughter asks why you don't just use one of the yellow thingies. When my daughter was only only two she swam in all three pools at the POP. There is also a fun play area called Goofy's Pop Jet Area.

 

[jana616]

Do they have life jackets readily available? And are we allowed to bring our own floatie arms if we'd rather?

 

[littlestix]

Yes to both questions.

1. they have a big bin of life jackets at the pool areas

2. when my son was 2 he wanted to bring his own because it was more comfy.

 

[Bell30012]

Not only do they have life jackets, but many sizes of them. If you can't find the size you need ask the lifeguard. They'll call the other pool and someone will bring some right away. (They have many of each size but we were there when a group of pee wee cheerleaders were... there went all the small sizes!)

 

[allyphoe]

They have lots of life jackets. But. DD6, at 46 inches and ~38 pounds, was in an extra-small, which was the smallest size, with the chest straps adjusted as small as they'd go, and it was still a bit loose on her.

When she was 2, she'd just sink down through the neck hole in the life jackets and go under, which is why she wanted to be able to not use one. This trip, they fit a lot better.

 

[stinkerbellsmomm]

What about bringing a pair of arm swimmies? My DS-5 and DD-almost 3, live in these in deep pools, happily swimming along. The are inexpensive, even the good ones are less than $5 for a set, and because they are inflatable you can pack them easily in your luggage without taking up alot of room. Just a suggestion that has worked for us.

 

[Baltazar]

I believe the shallow part (by the edges) of the main pool is 3 feet.

I remember it saying .9 meters which is 3 feet.

I'm 6 ft 3 and I can tip toe through the deepest part (the Center of the flower).

The Bowling Pin and the Computer pool range between 4 and 5 feet.

There is also a zero entry kiddie pool