Non potty trained children and the pool

[lisagirl88]

So I know that non potty trained children are NOT allowed in the pool for health reasons and I am good with that. My question is: I have twin toddlers and was wondering for those of you with experience with children still in swim diapers was the "splash" play area entertaining enough for the little ones on the Dream? My toddlers are used to pools so I am dreading the fact that they may be begging to go in the pool with their brothers the whole time!!! Thanks!!!

 

[jel0511]

The new Nemo themed splash area is REALLY cool, my kids 13 and 10 wanted to go in it!!!! It's actually pretty large compared to the Mickey pool.......

 

[kcashner]

Deleted because that's easier than revising.

 

[MoserFamily]

We were on the Magic in February and I was quite surprised at how much fun my son had. He turned 2 a couple of weeks after the trip and I was so worried he'd be bored in the splash pad and want to join his older sister in the pool. We have a pool at home and we go to swimming classes all the time, so he's quite used to being in the pool. So, I was happily surprised that he was quite content in the splash pad and was drawn to it way more than the pool. I think because it had water movement, there seemed to be more for him to do that just stand in the pool and splash water. Personally, I was extremely bored over there after a while, and I kept expecting him to tire of it. But, even towards the end, I think he spent a whole afternoon splashing around, other than diaper changes and food and drink breaks.

 

[JKMJ441724]

Years ago, we had my son in the diaper kids area. His big sister and cousin were in the big kids pool. He never made a peep about changing pools. He was perfectly happy with his area. It's incredible and he was fine.

I think you will get there and have the same experience with little ones who love the pool made just for them.

 

[hopeful1]

Moser good to hear! We are sailing in the Dream in June and my LO will only be 18 months...he loves the pool but I think like you said the moving water may be more intesting...thanks for the info!

 

[Makayna]

response not needed.

 

[whatsup]

I thought that if an infant or toddler was with an adult AND they are wearing SWIM DIAPERS they are allowed into the pool? If someone has a photo of "POOL RULES" stating this, please post because I have seen infants (with adults holding them) in these pools and the lifeguards don't say anything.

 

[JKMJ441724]

we are sailing in the dream in june ...

me too!!

Here's a plug for our thread - hope it's ok http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2330409

 

[peachygreen]

I thought that if an infant or toddler was with an adult AND they are wearing SWIM DIAPERS they are allowed into the pool? If someone has a photo of "POOL RULES" stating this, please post because I have seen infants (with adults holding them) in these pools and the lifeguards don't say anything.

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/faqs/kids-teens/toilet-training-pools/

 

[JKMJ441724]

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/faqs/kids-teens/toilet-training-pools/

This no longer applies to me but still good to know. Going on our cruise in 4 1/2 weeks - can I get a woo hoo?

 

[sjsjbrook]

I too was worried abouy this, especially after spending a week in the parks having our own pool to swim in.

He loved the splash area, and didn't mind when we had to sit and watch his older sisters in the other pool, (my secret was to supply him with some food, fresh fruit is like candy to him). Best of all the area is covered so you don't have to worry about tiny people burning.

The kids do have to wear swim diapers in the splash area.

Have a great time.

 

[kcashner]

From the DCL web site:

Young Children at Mickey's Pool

The United States Public Health Service requires that only children who are toilet trained be permitted to enter swimming pools onboard cruise ships. Children under 3 years of age who are not toilet trained can make waves at the Splash Zone next to Mickey's Pool. This special play area has been designed exclusively for the enjoyment of children wearing swim diapers.

Coast Guard personal flotation devices (PFDs), water wings and flotation sewn into bathing suits can be brought onboard and are permitted in Mickey's Pool. However, floats, rafts and fun noodles cannot be brought onboard and are not permitted in the pools.

As you can see, it says nothing about an adult in the pool or an adult holding a child. The rule is quite clear: swim diapers are not allowed in the pools on the ship. Unfortunately, there are individuals who violate this rule. Release of human waste into the pool results in the pool being closed and drained for cleaning, thus eliminating pool use for all.

 

[Steven41782]

Dang!

 

[lisagirl88]

Thanks for all the great responses!! I really didn't need parenting advice as I think I am already a great parent and disciplinarian. Just trying to be prepared as many of you have so nicely stated Why do I feel like I always get attacked when asking a simple question???

 

[whatsup]

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/faqs/kids-teens/toilet-training-pools/

Thanks for the info!

 

[LollieFollie]

I thought that if an infant or toddler was with an adult AND they are wearing SWIM DIAPERS they are allowed into the pool? If someone has a photo of "POOL RULES" stating this, please post because I have seen infants (with adults holding them) in these pools and the lifeguards don't say anything.

I'm positive that they don't allow toddlers in swim diapers in the pool. On our first cruise DD was nearly potty trained but I still had her in pullups for the most part. I wasn't aware of the no swimmy diapers rule until one of the lifeguards told me she couldn't be in the pool with one on. I explained to the lifeguard that it was just an extra precaution and then took DD to the use the restroom and took off the swim diaper. She was only in the pool area for a few minutes because I was too paranoid (unnecessarily) that she would have an accident and I would have been mortified.

 

[AZMermaid]

This bums me out since my son has been in swim lessons since 9 weeks old and I expect him to be swimming on his own (obviously with me in the pool too) by next summer when he is 21 months for our cruise, but oh well. I guess it makes sense. But, my question is, does this mean bigger kids are not allowed to use the splash pad? I hope so. There are always a ton of kids over 5 at our local one and they run over the little kids.

 

[anna08]

I have been in your situation on the Wonder and my son was happy to play in the splash area for a little while, but asked about every 5 minutes to go in the pool with DD. For that reason, and that I found standing or sitting in the splash area rather boring, we just didn't spend much time on the pool deck that trip. The area is much bigger and more fun on the Dream, so that might be a little better experience for your little one. There is a posted height limit (but we know how well rules on signs are followed...)

Despite the rules, there were at least 5 times that I saw adults wading with their swim diaper-laden toddlers in the Mickey pool in March. The irony was that never once did a CM appear and ask them to remove the toddler from the pool, but when my DD (6) was sitting with her toes in the water eating an ice cream cone by the edge of the pool - a lifequard looking CM appeared and told her to get away from the edge with her cone. He quickly left the area, and did not reappear later when there were two girls actually swimming with their cones in the water shortly thereafter!! He also did not appear when one child gave another a bloody nose on purpose!!

I think the pool rules signs are not highly visible and might be some of the issue. Truly, I'll bet most of those parents don't have a clue there is that rule. It ought to be communicated to parents with small kids as a separate notice, just like dress codes for Palo. It certainly affects a lot of folks when accidents cause pool closures.

If you have the kind of kids that thrive on swimming/pools on vacation then I recommend either going to beaches on port days or sticking to WDW for fun.

 

[SoCaOC-Mom]

My 4 year old has some developmental delays and as of now is not 100% potty trained- we are about 90%. She will have a few accident free days and sometimes one or two accidents in a day. I imagine she will be fully potty trained by the cruise- but even then I would have some trepidations about her being in the pool in case of a mishap.

The biggest complaint about the DREAM is the lack of pools/small pool size so I would feel so guilty if she had an accident in it. I guess I will wait and see how well she doing then.

I also have a 2 year old what is showing some interest in going on the potty- I don't know if she will be fully trained by then...so I am perfectly content to hang out at Nemo's reef.