Pools that have an age restriction of ages 3+? Why?

[Tulip2796]

We are sailing in about a week on the Fantasy. I just noticed on the DCL page that some of the pools are for ages 3 and up. Does anyone know why this is?

We have an almost 3 year old (2 - 10 months) who is potty trained. Will he not be able to go in the pools for ages 3 and up? (Mickey's pool on the fantasy and aqua lab)

Thanks. Getting nervous since I'm feeling we'll miss out on some things bc my son isn't 3 yet. We have a 6 yr old also.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We are sailing in about a week on the Fantasy. I just noticed on the DCL page that some of the pools are for ages 3 and up. Does anyone know why this is?

We have an almost 3 year old (2 - 10 months) who is potty trained. Will he not be able to go in the pools for ages 3 and up? (Mickey's pool on the fantasy and aqua lab)

Thanks. Getting nervous since I'm feeling we'll miss out on some things bc my son isn't 3 yet. We have a 6 yr old also.

Where are you seeing that Mickey's pool/AquaLab has an age restriction?

The only thing I can find on the DCL website is that (for AquaLab) "Please note that adult supervision is required for Guests under the age of 16." and "The United States Public Health Service requires that only children who are toilet trained are permitted to enter swimming pools and spas aboard cruise ships. Children who are not toilet trained are welcome to enjoy our kids’ wet play areas and splash zones, where they must wear swim diapers. Please note: Swim diapers are not permitted in the pools, whirlpool spas, on the AquaDuck or in the AquaLab."

But nothing about age.

 

[Weedy]

This must have just been added to the website. I've never seen this rule before.
I don't know if it's a mistake or if they have changed the rules because of accidents

 

[PrincessShmoo]

This must have just been added to the website. I've never seen this rule before.

View attachment 178887

Hmmm... I'm only guessing here, but I would say that DCL is determining that "potty trained" (meaning not wearing swim diapers) equates to being 3.

OP, you certainly may try putting your 2 year old in the pools/AquaLab, but even a 3 year old can be swamped by the other kids "having fun" there. It could be a safety issue (especially with slippery floors) for a small child to be running around in the same place as larger people.

 

[bumbershoot]

I was looking around on the website (not mobile) earlier for you, and found NOTHING like that at all.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I was looking around on the website (not mobile) earlier for you, and found NOTHING like that at all.

Actually, I was looking around and found it:
https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/faq/onboard-activities/pool-restrictions/

 

[lanejudy]

Wow, that also indicates Nemo's Reef is ages 3 and younger. Didn't that used to be 8 and under? I agree the older kids were too big, but cutting off the preschoolers seems a bit drastic.

 

[Shanti]

We are sailing in about a week on the Fantasy. I just noticed on the DCL page that some of the pools are for ages 3 and up. Does anyone know why this is?

To keep feces out of the pools.

 

[bumbershoot]

But if you click on the link, you see nothing of the sort.

https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/onboard-activities/aqualab-pool/

https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/onboard-activities/mickeys-pool/


So what's right?

 

[bumbershoot]

To keep feces out of the pools.

Then they should say "potty-trained".

And I gotta say, at my local YMCA, it's not the little kids who are pooping in the pools most of the time...

 

[ItsNettie]

This is absolutely ridiculous. My son is 2 and has been out of diapers since around 20 months or so. By the time we cruise he will be 2.5+. Im sorry, but I was unaware of this guideline and I feel like this is completely unfair. I will more then likely let him use the pool unless directed otherwise by a CM.

 

[lanejudy]

Since swim diapers aren't allowed in the pools, I wonder if too many people were just bringing their little ones in without a diaper even if not potty-trained. Therefore the age requirement which might avoid a lot of those situations.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Since swim diapers aren't allowed in the pools, I wonder if too many people were just bringing their little ones in without a diaper even if not potty-trained. Therefore the age requirement which might avoid a lot of those situations.

Good point.

 

[tlprice]

Wow, that also indicates Nemo's Reef is ages 3 and younger. Didn't that used to be 8 and under? I agree the older kids were too big, but cutting off the preschoolers seems a bit drastic.

I thought that at first too. But, it actually says swim diapers are required for ages 3 and younger, not that those areas are only for ages 3 and younger.

 

[5Texans]

If your son is "3 yr old sized" I'd just put him in the pool- probably no one will notice. My kids were all potty trained by that age too. It's sad when a few ruin it for every one.

 

[wilkeliza]

I'm guessing it was added because so mamy people were taking infants in the pool. On one of out cruises the only pool that was consistantly open was the adult pool. The family pools were closed so much that kids kept trying to sneak into the adult pool. CMs were good at making sure it stayed adults only but I did feel bad for the kids that their pool kept getting shut down.

 

[Hundredacre]

The last disney cruise we were on, the mickey pool was closed all the time because of "accidents." They are probably trying to cut down on it. But... there is also that the pools are so small and crowded that they are just not condusive to children under three.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I thought that at first too. But, it actually says swim diapers are required for ages 3 and younger, not that those areas are only for ages 3 and younger.

What it says is:

• Nephews' Splash Zone / Mickey's Splash Zone / Nemo's Reef(all ships) – ages 3 and younger (swim diapers required)

Since the whole comment on the website is indicating the ages for the different pool areas, I read that as the age limit(s) in Nemo's Reef is 3 and younger - and, by the way, swim diapers are required.

 

[ayz75]

Nemo's Reef is definitely filled with MANY 3 and older kids... (whether there's a age limit or not)
Most of the time I'm ok with it - I can totally see some timid 4 or 5 year olds preferring Nemo's Reef rather than Aqua lab (like my daughter who just turned 3.. won't go near any big splash areas) but I can't stand 8 or 9 year olds dashing through Nemo's Reef, because there are a lot of babies there! Having said that, last year my daughter did encounter a few nice old kids who helped her get up the Nemo's Reef slide and waited for her to get down.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Nemo's Reef is definitely filled with MANY 3 and older kids... (whether there's a age limit or not)
Most of the time I'm ok with it - I can totally see some timid 4 or 5 year olds preferring Nemo's Reef rather than Aqua lab (like my daughter who just turned 3.. won't go near any big splash areas) but I can't stand 8 or 9 year olds dashing through Nemo's Reef, because there are a lot of babies there! Having said that, last year my daughter did encounter a few nice old kids who helped her get up the Nemo's Reef slide and waited for her to get down.

This age restriction list is a recent addition to the DCL info. Generally, the splash areas were 8 and under (but badly policed) in the past. It seems that DCL is changing that. Hopefully they will enforce it.