Little kids and pools

[Tara1988]

A few pool related questions. For reference, it will be Me, DH, DS(5), DS(almost 2), and DD(3months) And we are staying at AoA

• Are floats allowed? If so, what kind? (Water wings, baby float/seat)
• I know the little ones will need swim diapers, but do they have to be the disposable little swimmer type, or are reusable swim diapers okay?
• Does anyone have any experience babywearing in the pool? I found a water carrier on Amazon, but wondered if it made sense to try it.
• Any suggestions on handling 3 little ones at the pool?
• How chaotic will the main pool be in late September/early October?

 

[monorailsilver]

I swear I had my kids in a swim ring and swimmies but it's been so long!

Not sure in the reusable diapers as we just did the disposable.

Didn't baby wear kids in the pool, that sounds interesting!

I have 3, but the first visit with 3 they were 2.5, almost 5 and 7. The 7 yo could swim. The almost 5 yo was just starting and the 2.5 yo was attached to dh or I if the 5 yo wasn't. We mainly stayed in the low part of the pool if possible.

Not sure about the chaotic pool during that time of year.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

have heard the seat floats are not allowed but do not know for sure. for toddlers make sure what ever you chose is coast guard approved. as for main pools Sept/Oct having never been at that time butt I would expect them to be crowded as it is still hot at that time of year. I would be worried about being knocked over by another adult when baby wearing as not everyone watches. with 3 little ones I would be looking for a resort with a splash area for that many littles or at least a toddler pool

 

[DSNY4ever]

The main pool at AOA can get very crowded, unless you swim early in the morning...which we did once and it was so nice! The other pools were often practically empty and they are pretty cute too. Is it you alone with three little ones? I honestly couldn't handle that, good luck! We did use a reusable diaper, no one cared or asked, I didn't see any rules anywhere. Our son was 2 at the time and we had him wear a lifejacker that they provided at the pools. Have fun, it is such a great resort!

Ps- we were there at that exact same time, and also the splash pad is great there, but they can easily sneak away to the main pool area from there when it is crowded and sometimes the structures and jellyfish block your views to be able to scan and see everything.

 

[Tara1988]

The main pool at AOA can get very crowded, unless you swim early in the morning...which we did once and it was so nice! The other pools were often practically empty and they are pretty cute too. Is it you alone with three little ones? I honestly couldn't handle that, good luck! We did use a reusable diaper, no one cared or asked, I didn't see any rules anywhere. Our son was 2 at the time and we had him wear a lifejacker that they provided at the pools. Have fun, it is such a great resort!

Ps- we were there at that exact same time, and also the splash pad is great there, but they can easily sneak away to the main pool area from there when it is crowded and sometimes the structures and jellyfish block your views to be able to scan and see everything.

My DH will be with us. Do they have life jackets to fit most little kids? Our youngest boy will probably spend most of his time in the splash pad, but my 5 year old took swim lessons this year, so he is convinced he can swim in the big pool on vacation. (He didn't graduate to the next level, so I'm not so confident)

 

[DaisyLynn]

We get the swimsuits with the built-in diaper from iPlay and they are CUTE! They take forever and a day to dry, though.

 

[DaisyLynn]

Oh, and there was a life jacket to fit my tiny two year old!

 

[Betty Rohrer]

I have seen all kids sized lifejackets but I do not remember infant sized ones. one of grandsons wore a jacket at 4 years old in large pool at Fort Wilderness. he loved being able to go down the slide by himself. with the jacket we did not have to jump in the line of parents trying to catch their child. we just stood a little further down the line and caught him as he floated by. yes he did go under the water but jacket brought him right back up. had to fight to get him off the slide spent a couple of hour doing this

 

[PackYourPixieDust]

There are no infant jackets. And my son was too small for the smaller jacket at 2. We did bring one of those canapy floats for my son when he was 1 year old but he wasn't interested in at all.

 

[Belle's Castle]

When my son was between 18 and 24 months we used this. It was really compact without the air rings blown-up. He was able to splash and have tons of fun. We had no issues at the Bay Lake Tower or Kidani village pool.
http://www.amazon.com/SwimWays-Baby...8&qid=1457815978&sr=1-46&keywords=Swim+floats

Once he turned 3 and had his first swim lesson the lifeguards recommended this for vacation. It is AMAZING. He can float, turn, kick, use his arms and pops up right back up when he jumps in. I am never more than a foot away because it is not a life saving device, but it is helping him learn to swim.
http://www.amazon.com/Stearns-Puddl..._SL500_SR135,135_&refRID=08GG9N922CW9FVA1KJF7

 

[Gracie09]

When my son was between 18 and 24 months we used this. It was really compact without the air rings blown-up. He was able to splash and have tons of fun. We had no issues at the Bay Lake Tower or Kidani village pool.
http://www.amazon.com/SwimWays-Baby...8&qid=1457815978&sr=1-46&keywords=Swim+floats

Once he turned 3 and had his first swim lesson the lifeguards recommended this for vacation. It is AMAZING. He can float, turn, kick, use his arms and pops up right back up when he jumps in. I am never more than a foot away because it is not a life saving device, but it is helping him learn to swim.
http://www.amazon.com/Stearns-Puddle-Jumper-Deluxe-Jacket/dp/B00364E1DE/ref=pd_rhf_se_s_cp_38?ie=UTF8&dpID=41Ii-xHiMPL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_SL500_SR135,135_&refRID=08GG9N922CW9FVA1KJF7

We used the second thing with out girls. It worked well. They may not allow the first because there have been a couple drownings on Disney property in recent years and hey are stricter with what they allow now. The lifeguard needs to see all the way to the bottom of the pool.

 

[gatormom2tots]

I used a baby bjorn in the pool with no problems!

 

[lanejudy]

It's my understanding that I believe any floatation device must be U.S. Coast Guard approved. The Stearns puddlejumper linked upthread is very popular. Please please please do not use water wings, arm floaties or whatever you call them -- those things are SO dangerous; they can actually slide down the child's arm and end up holding his/her arms above the head while the head is underwater. As a former lifeguard, I highly encourage you to please discard them.

As for baby-wearing in a pool... sounds like an accident waiting to happen. I can't imagine it would be allowed, but all it takes is one bump or jostle and you and baby are underwater. I suggest lifejackets from the pool or bring puddlejumpers for the 5 yr old and almost 2 yr old, and rotate adults -- one with the older kids and one with the infant.

Enjoy your vacation!