Just back, concerns about children and pool safety....

[kackie]

We came back last week from our 3night on the Wonder. I was very surprised to find how children in the family pool were diving into the pool. While most were jumping, several were diving and flipping head first off the top area where people will sit.

These kids were ranging in the 8-11 year range. I could not figure out who their parents were. Spoke to some of them, but was given the "Who in the world are you to tell me?" look.

I have seen first hand in my nursing career the dangers of diving into pools and was simply surprised that CM's, parents and other adults around were not alarmed.

Just my humble opinion, not wanting to be a spoil sport. Just a suggestion to you parents out there to watch for unsafe pool activity.

Kackie

 

[disneydudette1]

I'm really surprised a CM didn't say anything. There is no diving or jumping allowed. When we sailed last year there was a CM there and informed a child not to do it. Mom was there and had words with the CM but he won out.

 

[zurgswife]

I'm right there with you about that being a very unsafe activity at a pool.....I managed a pool for a number of years and we were very strick about how kids could enter the pool...I'm surprised that Disney isn't more careful.....

 

[kackie]

I was VERY surprised that nothing was said to the kids. I could see them walking around, looking etc. but it wasn't at the Mickey pool. This was the family pool. Maybe that makes a differance.

Kackie

 

[jellymoon]

We noticed some concerning behavior in the Mickey Pool on our 9/28 cruise. When the slide was closed, about ten kids started climbing up it backwards, actually breaking the "gate" at the bottom of the slide. They were running up and down it, and actually hanging off the sides. DH and I were quite aghast, and no one said anything!!! These kidsranged in age from about 6-10.

Finally, a CM came (about 15 minutes into it) and shooed them all away. Funny thing-- as soon as the CM was there, parents started coming up and scolding their children. I thought it was interesting that no one bothered to correct their children with the CM WASN'T there. And, sure enough, about 15 minutes later when the CM was no longer there, the SAME kids started the whole things AGAIN--- at least one smiling and waving at his parent.

One many sitting near me at the pool asked: "Geez. Where are the CM's to supervise this? They should know how tempting the slide is to these kids!"

My response was: "Where are their parents? These are kids that need supervision and someone could REALLY get hurt."

 

[trishy]

An unfortunate side effect to cruising on DCL is some parent's lack of supervision. I've been on other cruiselines and nowhere is it more apparent than on DCL that kids are out-of-control at times - even right in front of their parents. Sad, but true. Kind of makes me sick

 

[imgoingtodisney]

DS10 will have "freedom to roam" deck 5 - our room, lab, movie theatre - and maybe as the week goes by we'll let him free on more of the ship.
However, there is NO way he will be by himself where there is water! We're not taking the chance.

 

[Kimber1963]

I TOTALLY agree with the safety issue. There were several kids jumping onto other kids in the Mickey pool and holding them under on the 9/28 cruise. I was mortified! The one "ring leader" was about 7 years old. When he came close to getting my 5 year old, I asked him where his parents were. I was going to have a talk with them. He told me he thought they had gone ashore or maybe they were in their cabin. Who leaves a 7 year old alone on a ship????

Also, how many times did the Mickey pool have to be closed because people with toddlers would let their child poop in the pool? It was closed 3 times that I know of during our trip. The pool rules clearly state "no swimdiapers" yet everyday they were parents their with little ones in swim diapers or just plain diapers. I realize it must be frustrating to be a parent of a little one that can't go in the pool. However, these parents must realize how it affected all the other kids and families when the pool had to be closed and cleaned all those times. Again, there were no CM's around. I was VERY disappointed with Disney for this pool situation. They do need to improve their service here.

Just my opinion,

Kimber

 

[Luckymommyx2]

Isn't there a lifeguard or CM at each pool during the hours of operation?? I would never leave my children by themselves, especially around water but it sounds like from what I'm reading that there are no lifeguards consistently watching the pools. I'm disappointed that parents would let there children be so unruly but I guess you'll always have situations like that (unfortunately) whether on vacation or in your neighborhood store! Too bad you don't need a license to be a parent like you do just to drive a car!!

 

[kackie]

There are no lifeguards. At the family pool I rarely saw anyone willing to reign the kids in....The mickey pool did have a CM (not a lifeguard dressed individual) present walking around and looking. However, the mickey pool was a complete ZOO. Too many kids, and too much activity for us.

Hope this aspect changes in the future, or I do suspect that someone will get hurt. (I mean more than my child getting hit in the head, the stomach, landed on, kicked and held under.)

Where are the parents?

Kackie

 

[chucknrita]

Like I posted in another thread, I would have no qualms about confronting parents who don't supervise their children, especially if those children end up hurting mine! We're trying to teach our 3-yr-old manners and the difference between right and wrong, nice and bad, etc., and we make sure to point these things out whether we're playing at home or we're out in public. I also don't understand how some parents can let their kids run rampant without a care in the world, especially in public places where it affects other people. I'm sure these unattentive parents would also be the first to blame DCL if any harm should befall their young one!

 

[Wishing on a star]

I totally agree about the roughhousing and unsupervised kids at the pools.... I would have NO reservations whatsoever in confronting other kids and/or their parents. At the pool where I sometimes take DS, on more than one occasion I have been the one to stand up and take responsibility for roughousing bigger kids taking over the kiddie pool. ( Once asked a lifeguard about the bigger kids doing this and was simply shrugged off by the young student aged lifeguard as if, hey, it is a public pool, the big kids are welcome too.) I am quite capable of standing up, and with a very loud voice, instantly recognizable to all kids as the voice of an unhappy parent, saying "Boys... Boys!... " followed by whatever is necessary to explain that 'this is the kiddie pool', or whatever. Usually works And, would probably cause the appearance of at least a couple concerned CM's as well!!

Disney does not have see an injured child to suffer from this lack of supervision at the pools. Here is why... Just reading these posts here describing the situation at the pools as both dangerous, and a zoo.... This alone is enough to make me consider dropping my reservations on DCL and consider another cruise line!!!

I think I will email DCL about this right away... Anyone else with me on this? There may be strength in numbers.

Seems to me most all pools have some sort of regulation to the effect - Children under __ must be accompanied ( and supervised - my emphasis!) by a parent or guardian. Disney would do well to follow suit, and then enforce it.

 

[mmouse37]

Unfortunately I have seen the same type of behavior on other cruise lines as well. Yes, safety is a main concern surrounding any pool. But, I do not think this problem is only on DCL.

MJ

 

[jellymoon]

Unfortunately, I think there is bad behavior anywhere you go--- from both adults and children. I don't think DCL is likely any different than anyplace else. I also think it is important to point out that it is so much easier to see the unruly kids than it is to see those who are kind and considerate.

On our cruise, I saw countless and endless wonderful children, teens and parents. Kind, considerate, helpful, and loving towards their families, other adults, other kids, and children younger than themselves. I saw exemplary young women and men, young boys and girls, at dinner and the shows every evening. I heard so many "please" "thank yous" as well as "yes sirs" and "yes ma'ams."

Kids will be kids--- and as parents I'm sure we've each had our moments when we haven't responded the way we'd like to hope we would. But I'm a firm believer that in general, the good far outweighs the negative--- even though the negative is easier to point out.

 

[trishy]

I've written a letter to DCL on this very subject of unsupervised kids (after my 7/7/01 cruise) and the liability risks to not only the passengers, but the monetary risk to DCL in the case of potential lawsuits. I got the basic reply of "Thanks for your input. We welcome guest's comments." blah, blah, blah basically put: MYOB. So you have DCL's attitude of "We don't care" mixed with the parents' attitude of "We don't care" and that equals some dire consequences sometime in the future. As far as other cruise lines, I've been on Princess and NO WAY would you see anything comparable to the amount of unsupervised kids on that line. My brother goes on RCL and said their staff cracks down pretty hard on "loose kids", but he hasn't seen anything like the problem my dh & I have described to him from DCL. Usually when I see kids being polite and on their best manners, they are alongside responsible adults. Though there are a lot of these, they are not the issue. It's the smaller group of unruly ones that ruin it for other passengers. We have a pool here at home and my kids don't have any interest in using the pool on DCL because of the chaos - we avoid it. And... since we knew how much the kids would love the clubs, we decided to do more grown up activities this last cruise....low & behold kids outside the bingo area, kids outside the comedy show (the comedienne had to watch his words because of their presence), kids hanging around outside the lounges. Where were the cm's? Got me! If we hadn't already promised some friends of ours we'd do the Western together, we would have sailed on Princess or RCL next time.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Trishy,

I am sooo glad that you did write DCL... Of course you got the standard response letter. But if tons of DCL cruisers are writing and emailing, then maybe it is catching somebodys attention!

I do not see this as an issue of, rowdy kids, bad parents, etc... Yes, you will occasionally find those anywhere.

In my opinion, kids getting jumped on, kicked, pushed, held underwater, etc... Kids around the 'adult' areas with the lanquage, drinking, etc... younger kids completely unsupervised, at risk of whatever may happen to them... These are MAJOR issues!! I feel that just like any other travel/vacation provider (airlines, etc...) DCL has the responsibility to provide a reasonably comfortable and SAFE passage for ALL passengers! Obviously, they are not.... If another parent lets their kid be unruly, then that is their problem. When DCL allows children on their ship to become unruly, affecting all surrounding passengers, and outright compromising basic safety, then that is DCL's, and EVERYONES problem! Unsupervised children are simply inexcusable, anywhere, even(especially) on a cruise ship!
(Hey parents, that is what the kids clubs are for.)


Indeed, word of this problem is gettiing around. I have been on other boards and seen comments about the kids on DCL... Until now I had written it off as just unfortunate situations.... After this thread, no longer feel that way. It is clear that I could spend about 1/2 the money to cruise with another line, and avoid this problem. I seriously have to ask myself, do I want to subject DS (who would NOT handle this well), and myself, to this?

DCL will indeed be hearing from me as well.

 

[Kelsie]

I just returned a few weeks ago and the only thing I witnessed were kids being kids. Yes, they are running, jumping, playing but..that is what kids do. Maybe I was too busy watching and having fun with my DD to notice but I really didn't see anything different than what you would see at even a neighborhood pool.

Is Disney really expected to make sure parents watch their kids? I don't understand what you want them to do? Maybe coming up with some suggestions might be a better way to approach this. I am sure DCL would appreciate that type of feedback.

DCL's embracing of children is why I cruise with them.

 

[Michelle]

I have to agree with Kelsie, in 8 Disney cruises I have rarely seen any problems with kids, either at the pools or in other places on the ship.

Sure, it IS crowded and noisy at the Mickey pool, and I wish my daughter wanted to go to the Goofy pool instead, but she likes it there. We usually try to go to the pools on a port day as they are MUCH less crowded.

I have seen kids jumping into the Goofy Pool and agree that the no jumping rule needs to be enforced.

But overall, I have never seen a huge problem with kids running wild on the ships.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Thanks Kelsie and Michelle, you are such wonderfull moderators!!

And, I really do appreciate your comments, and smoothing over the matter. And, I am in no way trying to be fanatical or a troublemaker on this issue...

However.... here again are quotes from this one thread alone... I will not attempt to mention other comments that I have read elsewhere. (PS: to those that I am quoting here... please do not take any offense. I have NO personal meaning here whatsoever in quoting these comments. And I do not mean to take anything out of context....)
__________________________________________

- about ten kids started climbing, actually breaking the "gate" at the bottom of the slide. They were running up and down it, and actually hanging off the sides. DH and I were quite aghast.

- about 15 minutes later when the CM was NO LONGER THERE, the SAME kids started the whole things AGAIN.

- The one "ring leader" was about 7 years old. When he came close to getting my 5 year old, I asked him where his parents were. Who leaves a 7 year old alone on a ship????

- I've been on other cruiselines and nowhere is it more apparent than on DCL that kids are out-of-control.

- There are no lifeguards. At the family pool I rarely saw anyone willing to reign the kids in...., the mickey pool was a complete ZOO. I do suspect that someone will get hurt. (I mean more than my child getting hit in the head, the stomach, landed on, kicked and held under.)

- I TOTALLY agree with the safety issue. There were several kids jumping onto other kids in the Mickey pool and holding them under. I was mortified!

- low & behold, kids outside the bingo area, kids outside the comedy show (the comedienne had to watch his words because of their presence), kids hanging around outside the lounges. Where were the cm's?
__________________________________________


So, I too have to wonder, where are the CM's?
I have to say again.
Unsupervised children are simply inexcusable, anywhere, even (especially) a cruise ship!

I am very very sorry, especially to other new cruise virgins here, but after reading these comments that I just copied above, (again, not mentioning other comments that I have read elsewhere....) I have to say that this is indeed a valid concern.
Broken gates...
No CM's
a complete Zoo
Young children completely unsupervised
Kids out of control
Child hit in the head, stomach, jumped on, kicked, held under....

On my own personal level, my DS is a very non-aggressive, positive, well behaved child.... (truly not to brag, but this is just the way he is. No credit to me! I have been truly blessed.) Most importantly, he is also very sensitive to unruly, aggressive behavior. Believe me, I know that kids will be kids, But, the behavior I see described here is not normal, acceptable behavior... I would not be able to sit by and watch my child jumped on, kicked, drowned, etc. I just couldn't. He would be in tears. This is simply not the experience that I am planning on paying this kind of money for.

So, Kelsie, what do I want DCL to do... Lay a few common sense ground rules, and ENFORCE them! It seems to be the real LACK of enforcement ( on everything from dress-codes, filming shows, little ones in the pools, etc. etc.. etc.. etc..... Okay this would be a whole new thread!!) This is what undermines a Magical Disney Cruise experience for everyone else.

Unsupervised children, and disruptive children, should be taken aside immediately, parents contacted. etc..... What about Wristband ID's for each under-age child. Common sense stuff to me.

Thanks again to everyone for letting me vent a little here.
And, again, so very sorry to those who may not agree!

 

[Kelsie]

Yes, I am a Moderator but when I visit this Board, I am just a poster like everyone else. What I said was truly my feelings and I was not trying to smooth anything over. I <b>REALLY</b> did not see any of the issues you have addressed. Did I see children acting like children? Yes! Were they excited? Yes! But I did not witness young children left unsupervised, nor did my DD get jumped on, kicked, etc. She is also a very sensitive child and would have been in tears if anything like this would have happened <b>NOT</b> to mention how I would have reacted.

We all have our own opinions of DCL and what we expect from a DCL vacation. I am also not bothered by <b>how people dress</b> or if they film one of the shows. I guess I am too busy enjoying the experience and to me it really does not matter. I also have to believe that if this is truly a major issue, DCL will take the necessary steps to correct some of the issues however, I do not believe it is DCL's responsibility to parent or police our children. They <b>HAVE</b> provided many activities for our children but where does thier responsibility end and the parents begin? I agree there may be issues but, I do not agree that DCL should held responsible for all of them.