Pool question- I need your help and advice

[Belle68]

Last year when we went to ASmovies i took with us a large inflatable tyre for DD then 12 who has DS and ASD. on the first days there a life guard told us we couldn't use it although there were younger children in the pool with small rings(DS to big for these), i didn't argue or cause a sceen explaining that DD has special needs and requires the ring in the pool for safety and support as i thought the next day there would probably be a different a life guard on duty and we would end up going through the same thing again. Instead i got one of the life vests, DD was not very happy about this but we managed to convince her to wear it, the only problem was it only just fitted her and it was the biggest one available. As we are going to POP in the summer i was wondering whether any one can offer any advice on this matter as the life vests will no longer fit her this year.
I know I'm not the only one who has had this problem as a few days later I watched someone with a teenager in a wheel chair being told that they could not use their ring in the pool either!
It seems such a shame as Disney are normally so helpful and adaptable with special needs and disabilities.

 

[DIS-NH]

This may sound drastic.....but if you can move up to the "moderate" level hotel, each has "quiet pools". They all have the main theme pool, but they also have smaller pools spread out throughout the property that do not have
life guards on duty. no one will bother you.

My boys and I enjoy an early morning swim which is rarely possible at the main pools. We never have an issue at the quiet pools.

Good Luck

 

[ducklite]

In general rings and tires are not allowed in pools for safety reasons. Particularly the ones that aren't clear. The safety of all guests trumps that of the individual, even if that individual is disabled. The infant rings are much different in that they are considerably smaller and an adult will be with the infant at all times.

I would call Pop in advance and tell them yuo have a disabled non-swimmer who weighs "X" and will need a life vest, even if it means they need to get one from someplace on property.

Anne

 

[SueM in MN]

In general rings and tires are not allowed in pools for safety reasons. Particularly the ones that aren't clear. The safety of all guests trumps that of the individual, even if that individual is disabled. The infant rings are much different in that they are considerably smaller and an adult will be with the infant at all times.

You could also call and ask if they would allow a clear one. It's possible that they would. We saw someone turned away with a white printed plastic ring because the lifeguard said it could prevent them from seeing someone under the water.

I would call Pop in advance and tell them yuo have a disabled non-swimmer who weighs "X" and will need a life vest, even if it means they need to get one from someplace on property.

Anne

That's the best option.
Pop probably only has the small life vests available because they don't have any boats. Other resorts have various sizes; up to large enough to fit a large adult.
With advance notice, they could get a larger one. Call and then also remind them of your need when you check in.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

The rules that we have at the Water Parks are the only rings which are permitted are the ones with a solid bottom but two holes for legs. These are designed to allow an infant to sit up in the ring. And these are only permitted in the lazy river, not on any slide.

A life vest or life shirt is also permitted.

Lifeguards are not permitted to change these rules and if they do it will subject them to disciplinary action up to and including terminaiton.

Basically these are safety rules and Cast Members cannot relax them.

 

[daisyduck123]

We spent 9 days at CBR last May, & my DD11 & DS8 were allowed to use their swim rings every day. (We had brought them from home. They are the 36 inch rings from Target).

On our arrival day, I asked the lifeguard at the main pool if the rings would be allowed (I wanted to know before I had DH blow them up) & the lifeguard actually gave me a funny look like, "Why are you even asking?"

That place is full of lifeguards, & none of them ever told us we couldn't use them.

*BTW, our rings were see through - one had a pink tint, the other a light green.

 

[SueM in MN]

You could also call and ask if they would allow a clear one. It's possible that they would. We saw someone turned away with a white printed plastic ring because the lifeguard said it could prevent them from seeing someone under the water.

I meant to add that they did allow someone who had a clear one to use their own. That was at SAB at Beach Club.

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

our son gives us a really hard time with the life vest also which can be stressful. I would definitely check into a clear float like others have said. Also I know SSR gives out noodles. Would she be able to use a noodle? They make noodles in all different sizes or some people double up on the skinny ones.
http://www.poolcenter.com/pooltoys_noodles_water_logs.htm

They also sell connectors. Maybe you could custom make a ring out of noodles since SSR definitely allows noodles so I am sure other resorts do.

 

[Belle68]

Thanks 3Disneynuts, I noticed noodles for sale in the shop at ASmovies last summer so I guess most of the shops will sell them which probably means they can be used in most pools. I didn't know about the connectors thought so I will look into that. I know Alice is happy to use noodles at our local swimming pool so my problem might be solved.


Thank you to everyone else to who posted a reply to my question I have also taken your suggestions on board, and I am still open to anymore.

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

here they are
http://www.pooltoy.com/noodcon2pac.html
or
http://www.yourpool.com/mm5/merchan...Product_Code=NT244&Category_Code=outdoor_toys

 

[Belle68]

I just wanted to say thanks to all the people who replyed to my post in particular '3DisneyNUTS'. I found your links very useful, unfortunately here in the UK no one seems to have heared of the noodle connectors, however I managed to find some on Ebay and they arrived today. All we have to do now is buy a noodle when we arrive at Disney.
Thanks again.

 

[vacation dreamer]

Thanks 3Disneynuts, I noticed noodles for sale in the shop at ASmovies last summer so I guess most of the shops will sell them which probably means they can be used in most pools. I didn't know about the connectors thought so I will look into that. I know Alice is happy to use noodles at our local swimming pool so my problem might be solved.


Thank you to everyone else to who posted a reply to my question I have also taken your suggestions on board, and I am still open to anymore.

They also sell a mesh kind of seat that goes around the noodles. We use then with our bigger disabled children at my school.

 

[SueM in MN]

I just wanted to say thanks to all the people who replyed to my post in particular '3DisneyNUTS'. I found your links very useful, unfortunately here in the UK no one seems to have heared of the noodle connectors, however I managed to find some on Ebay and they arrived today. All we have to do now is buy a noodle when we arrive at Disney.
Thanks again.

I don't know about the other resorts, but we are at OKW right now and I noticed they have noodles to use at the place that rents bikes.

 

[daisax]

I believe they sold noodles in the Pop century Gift shop when we were there. Probably worth checking ahead. However, if you have a vehicle, I'm sure they'd be a LOT cheaper at one of the regular off-site stores.

 

[F4disneyfan]

This may sound drastic.....but if you can move up to the "moderate" level hotel, each has "quiet pools". They all have the main theme pool, but they also have smaller pools spread out throughout the property that do not have
life guards on duty. no one will bother you.

My boys and I enjoy an early morning swim which is rarely possible at the main pools. We never have an issue at the quiet pools.

Good Luck

Actually all the values have secondary (quitepools) All Star Sports has the main Surf pool and a smaller quieter baseball pool All Star Music has the main Guitar pool and a smaller piano pool and AS Movies has the main Fantasia pool and a smaller mighty ducks hockey rink pool. So even teh values have options for this but I would reccomend going out and buying your own lifejacket to bring our kids are decent swimmers but we still bring their life jackets from home as a precaution. This little bit of preventative foresight can help save headaches in the long run.

So to the OP if you get your daughter her OWN lifejacket she will likeley feel much more comfortable with it knowing itis hers and be less inclined to have an issue while at the pool also you may want to look at using the smaller pools at the value resorts.

 

[spotdog]

I am a rather round adult with anxiety problems who loves to swim and snorkel. I bring my own life vest in the bottom of my suitcase when I travel. This saves me from embarrassment when resort or tour boat ones don't fit.