Life vests, armbands, etc. for Water Parks

[lovehoney]

I want to purchase our own life vest or flotation device for my 21 month old for waterparks. Would you purchase a life vest or some other flotation device for your almost 2 year old? It's been almost 6 years since I've had one this age and I was wondering if there are new products out there. Also what are the best deals? TIA

 

[NotUrsula]

The waterparks don't allow inflated armbands, or inflatable devices of any kind that are not park-supplied (meaning the river tubes.)

I would always suggest a USCG-approved flotation device, with a collar if necessary for a child who is young enough to not reliably be able to right herself. We use our own because it is cloth covered and a bit more comfortable than foam-surfaced, it has been allowed at the water parks, and it is USCG-approved.

The currently popular new thing is the Stearns PuddleJumper, but I can't tell you if the WDW waterparks allow them. According to Coleman's website, it is "U.S. Coast Guard Approved Type V with Type III performance." It is meant for children weighing 30-50 lbs; if yours is littler it won't be a good option.

 

[lovehoney]

The waterparks don't allow inflated armbands, or inflatable devices of any kind that are not park-supplied (meaning the river tubes.)

So does Disney let you bring in the USCG flotation devices?

I would always suggest a USCG-approved flotation device, with a collar if necessary for a child who is young enough to not reliably be able to right herself. We use our own because it is cloth covered and a bit more comfortable than foam-surfaced, it has been allowed at the water parks, and it is USCG-approved.

My friends have one of these at their home pool. We used it with DS1 and it was great. I will make sure to look for the USCG-approved.

The currently popular new thing is the Stearns PuddleJumper, but I can't tell you if the WDW waterparks allow them. According to Coleman's website, it is "U.S. Coast Guard Approved Type V with Type III performance." It is meant for children weighing 30-50 lbs; if yours is littler it won't be a good option.

My guy is a little thing. Only 23lbs.

 

[Dizneydaz]

Are you buying one to just visit only Disney parks? Reason I ask is that both Disney's waterparks provide life vests, for use at their waterparks, for free. My DD11 has worn them many times. I think I finally had her out of the vest in the wave pool at TL when she was about 8, or so. Once I was comfortable with her level of swimming in that particular pool. Of course, I was still right with her, and holding her hand the whole time that first time I let her go in without the vest.

Also all of the Disney resort pools have life vest for your use there as well.

Here's DD on the zip line at BB in 2007 wearing one of their vests and a few years later without one.

2007

2009

HTH.

 

[lovehoney]

I'm getting one for our local beach stay (with watepark visit) this summer and thought I could use it at Disney as well. I want to get something we can also use at our local pool. Our waterpark supplies them as well. I've been to parks before and they've run out of the correct size so I was thinking of purchasing one. I will have to check to see if we can bring them in.


I hope to visit WDW before DS1 turns 3 in 2012.

 

[braysmommy]

Check out safety seal. My DS has used this for the past 2.5 yrs and it is great! Not sure of the age recommendations on it though. Lasts forever and as they get better in the water you can take out a sheet of floatation. Our swim instructor at the Y told us about it.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

The waterparks don't allow inflated armbands, or inflatable devices of any kind that are not park-supplied (meaning the river tubes.)

This is not correct.

We do allow vests and inflated armbands at TL and BB.

With one exception, explained below, we do not allow any other flotation devices which we do not provide in any of the water attractions.

For the lazy river only, we allow specialized infant swim rings. These must have a bottom with two leg holes, so effectively the infant is sitting up in the ring with the legs hanging underneath.