Resort's swiming pools slides

[pilgrimr]

We took our children to our local swiming pool today, and they discovered the big slides. Now, my wife and I had to work together on the slides (one on top and one on bottom). Our son is 6 and autistic and loves to be in the water and swim. Our questions are about the pool slides at the resorts. First, how deep is the water at the bottom? How big do they have to be as my 3 year old also wants to go on it? Would they allow one of us to be at the bottom to help them? Plus can they go down with a swiming vest on? I would appreciate any information. Any information would be appreciated. We have always gone swiming before but never bothered because they were too small.
Thanks.
Ray

 

[KPeveler]

i am a BIG fan of the slide at coronado springs... i am not sure how deep the water is, but it is fairly deep... i think there is either a play ground or a kiddie pool or both there as well

the only thing that may be a problem is that you cannot see the top and bottom at the same time... will your child be okay being out of sight for about 5-10 seconds? there is no way for him to get off the slide, and he will be having so much fun that he probly wont notice, but some kids get uncomfortable not seeing parents

 

[honugirl]

I know at most waterparks and pools I've been at they have to be able to go down on their own and swim to the side on their own (that's how it is at the pool in my town). Most places, in my experience, will not allow life jackets because they can get stuck on things and come out of position due to water pressure (at least that's what I've been told). But ask the individual lifeguard on duty that day. I would also guess that the water at the bottom would be around 4 feet. I'm 5'6" tall and the water normally hits me mid-chest I believe?

 

[bookwormde]

Most of the resort pools are 3-4’ at the slide exit. There are signs at some slides that say no flotation devices but I have never had a lifeguard not let our children go with coast guard approved live vest on. A 3 year olds vest will have a “submarine” bet to keep to from coming off over his head.

We packed ours since that was what our DS9 aspersers was used to but most pools have life jackets available.

bookwormde

 

[blondietink]

I think the slide at CS is one of the best on Disney property. BW is too straight and steep for me or my kids. AK is pretty dull, We're trying BW in October and I have heard it is pretty good.

 

[Schmeck]

At both AKL and SAB, the lifeguards have been very vigilant (as in shouting very loudly while standing at the edge of the pool) about keeping the area at the bottom of the slides clear, including keeping parents from catching kids. It's a safety issue - the child could come down a lot faster than expected, knock the parent out, and then both people would need to be saved.

 

[pilgrimr]

Thank you everyone for the info. He is not afraid of the water or losing sight of me. The main problem is that after he is done, he does not want to move. Mom would not really be there to catch him but to get him out of the way. On our trip in Dec we are staying at the Polynesian for one day and then to SSR (of course depending on the weather it may be a moot point). Would the lifeguards let my wife stand close by to get him out?

 

[bookwormde]

At SAB there is a float line that divides the slide outlet area from the rest of the pool, the line is about 25’ from outlet so if you wait by it there should not be a problem an then when your child exits the slide you are within range to move towards him to direct him away from the end of the slide. In other pools as long as you are to the side of the outlet area you should not have a problem. When in doubt just brief the lifeguard. At SAB they have a lifeguard up top who has the lifeguard at the bottom on Nextel direct connect for quick communication. On the first run it might be wise to let hem know that that child may need a little extra time to “clear” and he can adjust the spacing of the next “slider” or better yet come down after him after waiting a little extra time. That is what I did on our son’s first slides.

bookwormde

 

[wpxc]

Just ask the lifeguard, it tends to vary by resort. As far as I know on all of the resort slides you are allowed to wear a lifejacket, in fact the lifeguards appreciate it very much if your child is not a great swimmer. Usually they don't allow tubes/rafts on the slides. Most of the lifeguards will allow you to be "near" the bottom of the slide to catch or assist your child just as long as you're not directly in front of it waiting to get knocked out by that unexpected XL child flying down the slide at 50 mph.

Again, when in doubt...ask the lifeguard, it's their pool.

 

[mykidsintow]

I talked to a few lifeguards about slides this yr. Both were POLY and SSR. SSR pool is fairly steep and fast. They also have a small slide for toddlers (very cute).

You can stay at the end to help get your kid. You can't be at the bottom and try to "catch", but if they go in and you need to go help, that is fine. You can bee right off to the side at the end. I was told repeatedly "Our slides at resort pools have no limitations. We are not here to tell their parents what to do with their children. If you feel your child is ok, we will be happy to watch them closer, but you cannot double ride." I think its speech they are taught. They did recommend that we go down first to make sure we felt Julia could "handle" the slide. As it turns out she LOVES AK and POLY slides. SSR was too steep and fast and she was happy with the toddler slide there.

They can go down with water wing type things, but I don't really recommend it.... as they can come off when they land. All the pools have life jackets you can go somewhere to get if they aren't just in bins by the pools (some have them in bins and some you have to go give your room key to check them out, etc).

Good luck and enjoy the pools!

 

[pilgrimr]

Again thank you for the provided information. This will help me to be prepared. I really appreciated and I know my kids will be excited when they get to ride.