I just called DCL

[buzz&woody'smom]

I called DCL. First I spoke with Shelby who could care less, then I spoke with a supervisor Allen Hirschman who could care even lesser then I was put into the voice mail box of Michelle Baker.

This all over the the disney policy that little runs that are not potty trained can not use the pool. I asked him my options for entertaining my 17 month old while his 4 year brother is in the pool. He said and I quote "you can pay to leave him Flounders or let him put his feet in".

I was furious. I told him I picked this cruise based on things the whole family could do and the mickey pool was one of the only things for him to do. I am now within 45 days of sailing and would lose money if I cancelled. I would have spent the week at WDW at not cruised.

I also told him this was a family vacation the point was to spend time together not stick him in Flounders so everyone else coould swim.................

I am disappointed and sad. My boys have always worn swim diapers and I have read the last few weeks of posts but bottom line if they decide to get into compliance after all of this time they should offer a wading pool or something for the little ones............he told me DCL has nevered offered anything for the under 3 crowd and I told him then I guess I should leave him home that would be real family oriented............

 

[DisneyKids]

You are obviously in a difficult situation. But, I think it might work out just fine. Part of the Mickey pool (the blue area surrounding the Mickey face) is very shallow. From everything that I remember, your 17 month old could certainly wade there. Even the remainder of the pool is pretty shallow. I hope it will work for you.

If you can look at a picture of it, I think you'll see what I mean. If you don't have access to one, look at Dave's site (www.dcltribute.com) in the photo gallery.

Have Fun!

 

[DISNEYGATOR]

I know this is an upsetting policy, but really don't let it ruin your entire cruise. I know its seems like there will be NOTHING to do now, but were you planning to swim 24/7? You and the entire family, little one included will still be dining together, can go to family activities together, will go to Castaway together, can walk the dock together, sit at the pool together, you can let him put his feet in and splash around, he can go to shows with you, movies, etc...

DCL is looking out for the safety of the children under 3 and trying to be in compliance. I know it came at a bad time for you, 45 days before your cruise. And I am sure DCL is trying to evaluate the situation and see what the best course of action is. But you have to remember, children under the age of 3 sail at a substantially less rate, and because of this that is probably why there is little to no programming geared to them. DCL has to figure out if it is better to develop programming and charge more for infants and toddlers to sail, or to continue to offer the flounders babysitting service at a hourly rate.

Just try not to let it ruin your entire cruise. He will get to swim at Castaway, and you can take an excursion to a beach at the other ports of call and swim together as a family. Besides, even if you did do your entire cruise at WDW, your 17 month old would still be excluded from a lot of the activities. 17 month olds can't go on Space Mountain, they can't go on Tower of Terror, or Rockin-Roller Coaster, or Big Thunder Mountain, or Splash Mountain, or STar Tours, or Test Track, or lots and lots of other stuff.

It's a vacation, enjoy what you can do all together as a family, it might be limited and one thing you had planned might have changed, but there are always things to do as a family so enjoy them and you'll have a great time. And then enjoy all the things that the cruise has to offer for everyone else.

 

[buzz&woody'smom]

You are both right. I hope hwen they mean wade they mean he can walk around the "ear" part of the pool.

I am just worried about the day at sea. I also respect the safety issue but I just feel bad for my 17 DS because you know they always want to do what the older one is doing .

Thanks for your support.....

 

[indymom1]

Hi there. I am also one of the parents impacted by this new change and I want to let you know what I have been told about the mickey ears and the wading pool. I spoke with the same supervisor you did and he told me they only way the little ones could get into the pool was for me to hold him and dangle his feet in the water. He is not allowed to walk in the ears or get into the pool in any way. I hope this clears this up for you. I hope that everything works out for you and that you have a great time
Kathy

 

[jel0511]

buzz&woody'smom you must have gotten the same guy I had yesterday!! He said the exact thing to me, your little one can just stand on the edge and put his feet in, or splash is hands around. I almost laughed when he said that!!! I responded very nicely, "I have a question for you. Do you have an 18 month old?" Of course it got all quiet on his end and then I said, "I guess you don't, well if you did, you never would have suggested something like that, because an 18 month old isn't going to be content with just splahsing his hands and getting his feet wet!" Well, that didn't get me anywhere, and I got the same response that I could use Flounders. I agree with you that this is unacceptable and I don't like it. I understand that those under 3 are only charged for port charges and not charges for any part of the cruise, but it's still disappointing that I'll have to spend more money to take an excursion to occupy my children then before. I'm in the same situation as you, I have a 4 year old DD and my DS is 18 months, so it looks like both will be out of the MIckey pool, since I can't let one do it and not the other without a tantrum. I know one of us could take the 4 year old to the pool and the other occupy the 18 month old, but this is a family vacation and we want to be together, not separate so we can enjoy the ammenities of the ship.

Also, what cruise are you booked on, we're on the 11/3 Wonder and that's 45 days away, if we're on the same boat, maybe we could set up a play group, since our kids are the same age. It could help keep them occupied!!!

 

[buzz&woody'smom]

You know exactly what I am talking about. Keeping my 17 month old DS from wanting to get down would be like fighting a baby elephant.

Once again it is not about the charges I would glady pay to have a wading area or some type of compromise for this situation.

I said the same thing to the supervisor and he was rude, rude, rude....to feeling like he was reading from a memo.

I told him obviously you don't have children.....my todler hears the bath water running and starts running and stripping down.

I said to the supervisor "Gee Allen let me go on a family vacation and leave the baby in the nursery or at home".

I have just cancelled out October 2003 because he will be only 2 then and to close to tell if he will be potty trained or not.

The only day I am worried about is the day at sea............

 

[jellymoon]

Did they say how they will determine who is potty trained or not? My two girls are little, but basically trained.

 

[mrsltg]

This all seems so sureal, but I can't imagine that there's not a legal issue here. I posted this on the other thread, but I think that it bears repeating. You have entered into a contract with Disney. They seem to have voided their part of the contract which means that you should legally be under no obligation to fulfill your end. Double chcek your documents. It seems to me that you should be able to cancel with no penalty based on the fact that they have MAJORLY changed the amenities offered. It's worth a shot! Good luck to all of you bringing little ones on the cruise. I feel for you... and if you listen closely, I think you can hear Walt spinning!

Erin

 

[DiznyMagic]

I know this issue is very upsetting and Disney is going to have to find a way around it. They are just going to have to find ways to provide entertainment for children under 3. To expect parents to take the kids to Flounders and pay extra (above the high amount that already has been paid) just so that they can swim is a little unreasonable. I know that because of this policy we have put booking another cruise on hold until our DD is out of diapers.

 

[jel0511]

Unfournately mrsltg, I tried that. Basically I was told by DCL, that since they were being "forced" to change their policy, there would be no ammendment to any cancelation policies. I tried to force the issue with a supervisor, but I got nowhere.

 

[mrsltg]

Lori-- I am so sorry. This, to put it mildly, sucks! I really feel for those of you who have invested thousands on a vacation that is now not what you had expected. I really hope that this does not overshadow your entire vacation. I can certainly see where this really lets the air out of the balloon though. Good luck!

Erin

 

[Cruise]

Originally posted by buzz&woody'smom

This all over the the disney policy that little runs that are not potty trained can not use the pool.

I know this was just a typo, but it kinda fits with the theme, huh?


Julie

 

[gottaluvdisney]

Lori -
If I see it correctly, you are on the Disney Wonder 4 night cruise to Nassau, Castaway Cay, and Freeport. You do not have a day at sea so in essence each day you can go to a beach. So, I wouldn't be too upset and start planning your beach days and that will give the little ones plenty of time in the water and the sand.

Also -
The Oceaneer's club offers family time and toddler time - so if you want to do a 'family thing' this would be the opportunity. (No fee)

I would just try now to focus on the other things to do, rather than be sooooo upset over the new US Public Health policy. Also I don't think it is something you can argue with a Disney Reservationist as they didn't make this new policy. I am sure that some of them don't agree with it either, but what can they do??

Have a great vacation.

 

[mrsltg]

but what can they do??

Disney can suck it up and let people get a full refund who are within the 60 day window. No, they didn't make this rule up, but they do have the option of being decent and not forcing people to pay penalties or go on a vacation that is no longer worthwhile due to the fact that they have a small child. Disney can afford to bend on this one and the fact that they won't is disgraceful.


Erin

 

[jel0511]

gottaluvdisney - I personally find what you are saying to me offensive. I'm just a consumer looking to find a way to get what I paid for. I'm not going to cancel my cruise, I really can't I have non-refundable airline tickets, but it would have been nice to have the option. What I decide to do on MY cruise is MY decision and I don't like you telling me what I should/should not do. This isn't the first bait and switch I've endured with DCL in booking this cruise. When I booked this cruise it included a day at sea, and then DCL decided to add the Freeport stop later. So, I was PLANNING on using the Freeport day as my day at sea, since that had already been taken away from me. Also, why should I have to pay for an excursion that will cost me $100 just so my little ones can swim in the pool? I'm not upset at DCL for inacting this rule, I know it's not their fault and I hope DCL will do the right thing and give us a little something else to do with our children. All most of us are doing here is venting our frustrations on the situation. Both of my children will looking forward to swimming in the Mickey Pool and now they won't be able to, how do I explain that one? Do you have any "sound" advice for that one??

 

[Bumbles]

Here's my 2 cents worth...

you're not paying to have access to a pool. You're paying for a cruise vacation.....if the situation were different say.....for some odd reason the day you were set to sail they had to close all pools for the duration of the cruise, they wouldn't give you anything. Same thing if for a land-based hotel...if the pool is closed...they're not discounting anything and they're not changing their cancellation policies.

If you think the right for your child to have access to a pool is guaranteed in the DCL contract, think again. There are so many disclaimers in that sucker that they've basically covered their butts completely.

I feel bad for parents in this situation..I know when I was little I lived in the pool. But by the same token, this isn't DCL's plan..this was from a higher authority. And I'd rather have a bunch of disappointed parents and kids then one little one to die from E. Coli

 

[moocow35]

Flame me all you want, but on the 3 Disney cruises I have been on so far, everytime I walk by that Mickey Pool I thank god I don't have a little one! By the end of the day that water is so brown/yellow it is discusting! You can just imagine what is floating in that water. I would never let my little one go in that. Imagine how much bacteria is in that water. I have always wondered about the health department and legal issues involved in that?

 

[MnParrothead]

I love cruising with DCL but I think the Mickey Pool AND the Goofy Pool are both disgusting, and not that much fun for my kids because there are too many people in those pools and yes, the water is cloudy with a brownish yellow tint.

 

[gottaluvdisney]

I never intended to offend ANYONE on these boards and I am sorry you took it that way.

I can't say how you will explain to a 18mos. old how they won't be able to swim in the pool. I was just giving alternative family activities. This is what a lot of people are looking for. I am sorry if it sounded offensive.

I know I had to explain to a 6yr old that is not a good swimmer why he was too tall for ketchakiddie creek at Typhoon Lagoon, yes that was very hard as he was less than 1/2 an inch too tall. But those were the rules. I know how you feel.


Also you don't have to spend $100 extra dollars to use the beaches at Freeport and Nassau. You can go on your own thing with a minimal fee for taxi rides. There are 'free' beaches there.

Sorry if you are upset - I will not post anymore on this subject as I feel it is being beaten to death and I was just trying to offer solutions.