Lifejackets on slides???

[BABY_EINSTEIN'S_MOM]

We just switches our ressie from POR to Poly. Now I am getting a bit worried because I have been reading that lifejackets aren't allowed on some of the deluxe hotel slides. I keep reading that it depends on the lifeguard that you have.

My ds5 was very excited about using the slide, but would probably need a lifejacket. So, does anyone know which pools allow them? Btw, I was told that POR allowed them, so I never thought that Poly or the other pools wouldn't. Makes no sense to me why some would allow them and some wouldn't?!

 

[A_Princess'_Daddy]

I think, like with so much as WDW, that there is probably an official rule somewhere, but it's application seems to come down more to the CMs on hand (in this case, the lifeguards).

When we were at the Luna Park Pool at the BWV in May, DD5 was allowed to wear her life jacket down the Keister Coaster, AKA the Clown Slide. We asked two lifeguards before going up the stairs, and both said it would be no problem. Only later did I notice a sign saying that life jackets are not allowed, but obviously they did not enforce it and I did not know about it. Whether it's still the policy or not, I don't know.

I will say, speaking only for the Keister Coaster, that DD came rocketing down at such a high rate of speed that she still went out of control and hit the water hard and was completely submerged. Obviously that is what happens when you hit the water at the end of a waterslide, life jacket or not, and she was fine and bobbed right to the surface, but she did NOT want to ride it again after that, so if your DS5 is not a strong swimmer, you may want to prepare him for the fact that while he'll be safe and will come back to the surface, he should be prepared to be submerged when he hits the water.

 

[AJsMomma]

DD (2.5) rode the waterslidses (in the big pool) at CBR with a life jacket on at the suggestion of the lifeguard! I walked up to the top with her and DH caught her at the bottom. I would NOT let her hit the water herself.

 

[CinderellaDreamer]

My dd was not allowed on the slide at POR last May with her life jacket on. As previous posters have said, its up to the lifeguard on duty.

She wore it at Stormalong Bay in March though.

 

[n2mm]

My 2.5 yo granddaughter wore her personal life vest on the main pool slide at BLT. It was not a problem and the lifeguard on duty had no problem letting mom stay near (not in front of) the end of the slide. My 5 yo granddaughter can swim, so she didn't need any device and probably went down the slide 20 times in one day. We are heading back to BLT in November, so the girls are excited to do the slide again. Though I do have to say, you might want to prepare any little ones, because my 2.5 yo granddaughter did get turned around while coming down the slide and ended up hitting the water backwards which really scared her. She was pretty much done for the day after that, but did try again on another day.

 

[BABY_EINSTEIN'S_MOM]

My dd was not allowed on the slide at POR last May with her life jacket on. As previous posters have said, its up to the lifeguard on duty.

She wore it at Stormalong Bay in March though.

Oh wow, now I'm really not sure what to do! I was thinking I might have to switch back to POR because I was told many times that POR did allow them. I guess it is just a tossup depending on the lifeguard!

 

[Manda]

We swim daily when on vacation and my son has worn a life jacket on the slides at AKL, Poly, Beach Club, BLT, and WL. Plus the water parks. I've never heard or seen anyone stop a child from wearing one either. People report otherwise, but it seems to be that the vast majority of the time, life jackets are fine. Of course, I've never had any problem standing near the bottom of the slide to fetch him either, and people have reported issues with that, too.

Although, my son went down the slide at Poly at just barely 4 and I'd go down first and wait at the bottom to catch him. I don't recall the water being very deep, but I don't remember exactly. Your 5 year old may be tall enough to stand on his tippy toes at least. My 6 year old (who's not tall for his age at all) could stand easily at the bottom of the slide at POFQ last month with his head above the water.