Goofy pool question

[val2001]

How old does a child need to be for goofy pool? after reading all the negative comments about Mickey pool, I'd like to avoid it if possible--doubt I'll be able to totally avoid it as my youngest dd is 4, but I'm wondering if she can stand up in some area of goofy pool. She's not quite a strong swimmer yet, but often goes to our neighborhood pool.

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

The goofy pool is 4 feet deep all around. I would stick to the Mickey pool with her. The crew does a very good job of keeping the pool clean. If you see some parent obviously breaking the pool rules just notify one of the crew and they will take care of the situation. The staff onboard are fantastic.

 

[Pixie Mom 3]

We had no problems with the mickey pool my DS age6 loved the mickey pool.... however if you would prefer your 4yold to swim in the goofy pool just bring a life vest for them... (we did for our 6yold)

 

[tink5697]

I just wanted to post and give the Mickey Pool a little positive publicity here!
There are a lot of negative opinions surrounding it, but when my 6 year old dd saw it - she was in awe.
A Mickey themed pool with a slide, all the kids splashing and having fun, and that she had to walk up a cool stairwell to get to the top of the slide....she was in all her glory.
It is a shallow pool intended for small children, so parents can visually SEE their kids play. Which means that it's not the greatest for actual swimming but I still think it has a lot going for it.
As far as shallow children's pools go, I thought the lay out was pretty terrific. We have seen children's pools in water parks, resorts, or public pools and it was comparable or better. Actually I have never seen such a tall swirly slide for small children. And we were on a ship!
It does get crowded, and maybe they should have thought ahead to make the main kiddie pool a tad bigger - but it's still pretty awesome in my opinion. JMHO!
Good Luck!

 

[ZebraStripes]

My DD really liked the Mickey pool. She was 5 when first cruised. Yes, there are some darling out of control kids, but they are few and usually a stern warning will get them to calm down or move away. I It was nice because I could always see her where as in the Goofy pool I have to be right up to it in order to see her.

 

[JJsmama]

Can adults use the slide into the Mickey pool? My kids have seen the Mickey pool on the DVD. I don't think they will allow any Goofy pool for us.

 

[tink5697]

I don't think adults can go down the slide. I only saw children (Perhaps up to 12 year olds) going down it.

 

[Zandy595]

No, adults are not allowed on the Mickey slide. I was disappointed when I found that out before our first cruise.

I've heard some bad things about the Goofy pool also. Kids jumping in on top of other kids heads.

 

[tink5697]

I definitely agree, I had a hard time with the Goofy pool more than the Mickey Pool
You have to sit right on top of it to see your child and because it is older kids I guess people tend to NOT watch them as closely??

 

[S.S.WILSON]

Are all the pools pretty bad? I would like to be able to lay out and ocasionally get wet, hopefully I can find a chair and do this at the adult pool or is this crowded too??

 

[crisi]

I don't think you'll get wet at any of the pools. The chairs are pretty far away from the edges.

Our kids (4 and 5) both had a great time in the Mickey pool. We also enjoyed (with swim vests) the Goofy pool.

I'm not sure what issues you have, but if its crowds, swim early or late (swiming at 3:00 in the afternoon is asking for overcrowded pools filled with children who will jump on your child). We had the Goofy pool to ourselves in the morning and the afternoon when we were in port, the Mickey pool was uncrowded likewise in the morning and while we were in port. Also, the Mickey pool isn't bad the day you board - some DISers report going straight to the pool and grabbing a burger from the burger window for lunch (Topsiders/BBB is also right there if adults want to do more substantial eating).

If your issue is the unpotty-trained, it wasn't a huge issue on our cruise (I noticed on person who had a toddler with swim diapers in the main part of the pool, and they were asked by a CM to go to the appropriate ear). And potty training does not keep every kid from peeing in the pool.

 

[Annae]

Do they allow children to wear the swimmie devices in the pools?

 

[S.S.WILSON]

Basically I was just wondering how crowded the adult pool is and if the chair hogs hung out there too... ?????

 

[cathie]

We've been on two Disney Cruises & have only been in the adult pool once ( we travel with kids). The adult pool wasn't as crowded as the other two & you'll still have people who will stay in their chairs probably to save them, or maybe just relaxing & getting away from the kids for a while. We don't spend a lot of time in the pools because there are so many other things to do. We just like to go in for a little while & cool off. Hope this helps, enjoy your cruise! Cathie & The Gang

 

[markmyboy]

My five year old son is a fairly strong swimmer & does well in the Goofy pool, but he LOVES the Mickey pool. Whether it is all the kids around to play with or the fact that he doesn't have to actually "swim" & he can just splash around, I always have a hard time trying to get him to come into the Goofy pool with me when I want to swim!! I am 5' 3" and I can just reach the bottom of the Goofy pool....my husband said from his pool chair that I looked like a floating head!!

There are better times to go to the Mickey pool when it is less crowded, some mornings my son would have the pool all to himself. Around 9 or 10 we started to see more kids & by 11 it is chaos!! My son does not mind this at all, but I sit cringing by the side of the pool as a handful of kids narrowly miss some big falls or being jumped on. BUT if you go to the Goofy pool at those same "busy" times it is even worse, bigger kids...bigger falls & jumps!!

When the pool starts to get a little too crowded for my comfort I have my son go down the Mickey slide until he gets tired of that & we usually leave the pool for the day, maybe gettting a quick dip in later in the day.

I would say there are certain times to avoid the Mickey pool, but definitely don't avoid it all together. It is nice to be able to sit on the side of the pool & watch the little ones have a great time swimming & splashing.