Hot tub discussion and kids

[Lesley]

Liferbabe, I also do not recall ever seeing a rule stating that children aren't allowed in the hot tubs. My children do enjoy the hot tub, either with me or under supervision.....as someone said in another thread, no one should ever go into a pool or spa without someone else either with them or supervising. But being a child does not prevent a person from finding hot bubbling water enjoyable, nor does it mean they'll be disruptive.

I will admit I don't like sharing a hot tub with strangers (kids or adults) and don't usually go in if there isn't lots of room.

Honestly I think the issue is unsupervised children allowed to run amok....and yes, that bothers me and is dangerous.

 

[colleen costello]

We were just at WDW and I swear I woudl have seen the sign if kids were prohibited. I agree with the posters above that claim the rule is "Kids 12 and under need adult supervision." This makes sense. With the bubbles going, the water is murky and I supervise my children ANYWHERE there is no lifeguard! But I don't think kids are PROHIBITED from the hot tubs. My kids like to sit with me for a few minutes. None of us last very long!

 

[CarolynK]

Originally posted by LIFERBABE
I appreciate all the info this thread has provided, but I dont recall seeing a hard and fast rule posted on children not being allowed in the hot tubs.

I am referring to the posted rules next to each spa. I believe it stated that children under 12 should have Adult supervision.

I would hate to try to encourage the enforcement of a rule that wasnt.

We returned today from staying at BCV; on my one trip to the hot tub, I read the posted sign, which states (among other points) that children who wear diapers must wear a swim diaper and children under age 12 require adult supervision. Nowhere does it say that children are not allowed in the hot tub.

 

[Uncleromulus]

I can't recall a trip to WDW when we haven't seen unsupervised children in the hot tubs. Of course, they're basically unsupervised in the main pools as well, so it comes as no suprise.

 

[gopherit]

Originally posted by mickeymouse710
I have no problem with kids sitting nicely for a brief time next to their parents in the hot tub, but unfortunately this is not the case many times at WDW pools. I have been to many WDW resorts where the hot tub is treated like a kiddie pool by some, especially in the cooler months. Not only is it not healthy for the kids it is darn annoying as an adult trying to use something meant for adults.

This is probably a good summation of what irks most folks -- not that there are kids in the hot tub -- but that there are UNSUPERVISED kids -- Period. And typically, if the child is unsupervised, you can almost bet that a conversation with his/her parents will be a useless venture -- or met with, as this poster found, a colorful retort to "buzz off".

Our kids have, on occasion, dipped a toe into the hot tub. However, when we explain to them that the hot tub is for sitting and chatting -- with adults about adult things -- no swimming, jumping, splashing or cavorting allowed ... just sitting... and chatting... and sitting... and chatting... while the MAIN pool is for jumping, swimming, sliding... well, it doesn't take a kid very long to figure out that for a kid, hot tubs are ho-humm dullsville.

I will also add that as parents, we don't have time or occasion to be in the hot tub, either -- our kids are in the main pool and that's where our responsibility therefore is. You can't watch your children AND jacuzzi yourself at the same time -- the secluded placement of the hot tubs and surrounding shrubery etc. at most places definitely prevents it. Lifeguards are not there to supervise my kids -- that's MY job. Lifeguards are there to guard lives (hence the names); they are there in case of medical emergency. Otherwise they would call them "child guards" or babysitters. They aren't. As a former lifeguard/WSI and also as a parent of 3, I am consistently amazed by parents who don't realize this. Besdies, I brought my kids to the pool as a family to enjoy it as a family... not ship 'em off for someone else to deal with while I have a Calgon moment alone.

JMHO, FWIW.

 

[wintergreen]

Like some other posters, I too was baffled by the assertion that children are not allowed in the hot tubs. I always read posted rules, and have never seen such an outright prohibition. I do allow my children to use the hot tubs for short periods of time with me there. I do not allow them to do anything other than sit still and warm up. I am not breaking any of the posted rules by allowing this, so no dirty looks, please.

 

[jmak]

I also let my son sit in the hot tub, under my supervision, and only if he just sits in there to warm up. I can't imagine a bunch of adults in disneyworld, a place for children, being upset their are children in the hottub. One of the joys for my family about disney, is that children are welcome everywhere.

Now, children unsupervised, splashing around is another story...

 

[LIFERBABE]

Some people take these boards literally and I did not recall seeing a direct prohibition of children in the hot spas at either the quiet pools or the theme pools.

I did not miss the other points that were made, and appreciate the info and surely don't want to demean their importance.

But technically, requiring a CM or mgmt to enforce a "perceived" rule is incorrect, especially when those children are with their parents in the spa.

 

[manning]

gopherit - If only we could get more parents like you.

 

[barb45]

Gopherit - it's too bad that all parent aren't like you! I'm sure if you were sitting in the hot tubs with your kids they would be well behaved and supervised at all time. I have a huge problem with the kids that are in there without the parents - it is NOT a kiddie pool. I even had a kid take mouthfuls of water and spit it in my face - several times. Of course I told him to stop but I just had to get out. For that reason (even though it is the happiest place on earth), I think hot tubs should be off limits to kids. There are other places for them - I won't invade the kiddie pool and they can stay out of the hot tub. I have sat many times with other people and their kids sitting nicely and didn't mind at all but the rotten ones ruin it for everyone.

 

[Macnjac87]

I think the reason the subject came up about kids not being allowed in hot tubs at Disney was because I was the OP that started a Hot Tub thread on the Disney Cruise Board asking if the no kids in hot tubs rule was enforced during the cruise (It states in the DCL brochure that no children under the age of 16 are allowed in the hot tubs on the ship.) By the way, it is not enforced on DCL except, of course, in the hot tubs in the adult pool area.

 

[colleen costello]

I have read this thread with interest and DID wonder where the "no kids in the hot tub" idea started. Didn't realize that they weren't allowed on the cruise hot tubs. Thanks for the clarification...

Meanwhile, my extra 2 cents. While I agree that there can be problems with unsupervised kids, MY only problems at the hot tubs have been with adults. One night at OKW a group of approximately 18-or-20-somethings were in there drinking beer and smoking cigarettes. It was a cool evening and my family hoped to hop in... No such luck. These young men were not considerate of others, in behavior or language. I was thrilled when a security guard came along and pointed out NO smoking in the hot tub and NO drinking glass bottles of beer! This has happened to us more than once; just reminding everyone that little kids are not the ONLY ones who sometimes forget to be thoughtful of others!

 

[spiceycat]

please READ the listen of rules printed on the board by the hot tub - no children under 14 (might be 12) - this is not because it is adult thing - children under than age could have a bad reaction to being so hot......

so hopefully a parent would not allow their children in this thing in the first place.

I am not a nice person - I unless I am in a very good mood - will point out that rule to the parents if they are around or the child (if he/she is alone)....

if they start to fuss - I have said we can take it up with a CM or better yet (at VWL, BCV, BWV, or SSR - soon to be OKW) with the lifeguard.

WDW has very tough lifeguards - they are very, very strict - as they need to be....

 

[colleen costello]

I am the MOST neurotic Mom who overprotects my kids from EVERYTHING to the point of smothering them, and I have NEVER heard that hot tubs were not safe for kids due to "body temp issues." If this were true, wouldn't kids be prohibited from hot tubs all over the country? I understand that INFANTS have a hard time regulating their temps, but my kids are 6 and 10 and weigh 75 and 80 pounds respectively. Can anyone here say they heard this from an MD and that the idea that kids are unsafe in hot tubs is not just a notion? I am not being ornery, just genuinely asking for the info because my kids LOVE the hot tubs and have never shown any sign of ill effect from their brief dips. I have heard than anyone pregnant, ill or hypertensive should avoid hot tubs.

 

[colleen costello]

What did we do before we had the internet???


Children Are At Particular Risk

Any hot tub or pool should have restricted access to prevent accidental drownings or near-drownings.
Children are more susceptible to over-heating than adults. Parents should not let their children stay in hot tubs for more than five minutes at a time. Toddlers and infants are particularly susceptible to over-heating and should not be permitted in the pool.
Small children are also more likely to get trapped underwater by the suction from an outlet opening. All pool outlets should have a screen over them that prevents this from happening.
Parental supervision is a "must" at all times. Most hot tub accidents involving children occur when they are unsupervised, or while their supervisors are momentarily distracted.
Know Where The Shut-off Switch To The Pump Is Located!


Looks like a brief dip is fine as long as an adult is supervising! The "sucking drain" thing scares me way more than fear of overheating! Now THAT is scary!

 

[spiceycat]

since WDW has it posted at all their hot tubs - I don't think you can sue them if something happens to your children.

any lawyers around?

so if they are covered unless a guest complaints - do you really think they care?

however the lifeguards at the WL were pulling kids out of the WL hot tubs when I was there - although that wasn't his job.

this was last year.

 

[LIFERBABE]

please READ the listen of rules printed on the board by the hot tub - no children under 14 (might be 12) - this is not because it is adult thing - children under than age could have a bad reaction to being so hot......

Im sorry but the posted rules do not state this. I read the signs at SAB, Dunes Cove and SSR theme and quiet pools, and I have yet to read that children are prohibited.

It says .....children under 12 should have adult supervision or unless supervised don't know the exact wording, but it definitely did not say no children allowed.

If after all the warnings, a parent chooses to supervise their child in the hot spa at WDW, they should not be accosted by misinformed guests, when the rules are so clearly posted.

Does anyone have a legible picture of one of the signs by the spa that they could post?

 

[Macnjac87]

This link was posted over on the DCL Board on the Hot Tub topic (obviously, a very hot topic, lol!)

http://www.kidsgrowth.com/resources/advicedetail.cfm?id=1646

Just my 2 cents!

 

[Lesley]

A note on pregnant women:

I believe that pregnant women are advised to follow their doctor's (and/or presumably midwife's) advice, according to the posted rules. The concern is that women in their first trimester should not allow their body temperature to rise to or above 105 degrees, as this can cause problems for the development of the baby. Chances are, if you can tell a woman is pregnant she's beyond the point of risk...so don't give her dirty looks when she steps into the tub! The water is a great relief from the aches and pains of later pregnancy.

To be honest, its unlikely anyone who is able to choose freely whether to be in or out of a hot tub would choose to stay in long enough that their body temperature would become dangerously high....child or adult. The biggest concern, imo, is those who can't choose....mainly infants.

 

[colleen costello]

Lesley, you are a voice of reason. Actually, the only person I have ever known to stay in too long and get sick was... ME! Mom and Dad have a gorgeous jacuzzi tub and I tried it a few winters back on a Christmas trip. All of a sudden I got feeling weak, limp, nauseous, etc. Clearly got too hot. I had stayed in too deep, too long. What amazed me was how quickly it came on -- no warning! Ugh. When I visit the Disney tubs, I always keep my chest out of the water because I never want to get out after just 5 moinutes!