Splash Pad ages now 4 & Under

[dreamer17555]

So I noticed recently that DCL quietly changed the splash pad age from 6 & under to 4 & under. Curious to what families feel about this?

I personally like 6 & under so siblings can play together but curious if other cruisers think this is a good change or not?

 

[5Texans]

I have a lot of kids (5) close together. We have used the splash pad a lot on the Fantasy. I think that this is the right call. The splash pad is for kids that are too small to use the pool. Big siblings sprinting around makes it less safe and less fun for the little ones. My big kids are very well behaved, but I didn't let them play in there- they're too big. I get wanting to supervise everyone at once, but the little kids deserve their space.

 

[Dug720]

If there was a change made there's a reason for it - likely something happened caused by a 5 or 6 year old since they made the cut-off 4. Disney doesn't make those kind of changes randomly.

 

[dreamer17555]

I have a lot of kids (5) close together. We have used the splash pad a lot on the Fantasy. I think that this is the right call. The splash pad is for kids that are too small to use the pool. Big siblings sprinting around makes it less safe and less fun for the little ones. My big kids are very well behaved, but I didn't let them play in there- they're too big. I get wanting to supervise everyone at once, but the little kids deserve their space.

Unfortunately, though many of the ships don’t have that additional splash pad. And the rumor is that the fantasy is going to lose it during dry dock this fall.

 

[sponica]

Honestly, I like this change, I went with an unpotty trained 3 year old and it was really obnoxious to have to avoid the potty trained 5 and 6 year olds. Those kids HAD other options, mine didn't and we constantly had to avoid the bigger kids.

 

[dreamer17555]

Honestly, I like this change, I went with an unpotty trained 3 year old and it was really obnoxious to have to avoid the potty trained 5 and 6 year olds. Those kids HAD other options, mine didn't and we constantly had to avoid the bigger kids.

So this gets murky because there are plenty of neurodivergent kiddos at 5 & 6 who are not potty trained and on several of the ships will now have no options.

 

[Drfate102]

Unfortunately, though many of the ships don’t have that additional splash pad. And the rumor is that the fantasy is going to lose it during dry dock this fall.

The Dream still has it's Splash Pad and the Fantasy is going through the same changes.

 

[SnowWhite2]

The ship is only so big and has limited space. Not everyone can be accomodated for their wishes so rules have to be made so the largest population can participate safely. Maybe they can have an older kid time each day like the open houses in the kids programming? It’s so hard to make everyone happy.

 

[lanejudy]

Unfortunately, though many of the ships don’t have that additional splash pad. And the rumor is that the fantasy is going to lose it during dry dock this fall.

The Dream and Fantasy both have Nemo's Reef and the Wish and Treasure both have Toy Story Splash Zone, which is also expected on the Destiny. The Adventure looks like Toy Story Place is planned. It's only the classic ships that were never designed with splash play areas.

Didn't Nemo's Reef used to be up to age 8? DD was 7 on our first cruise and I remember her allowing her in when it wasn't crowded.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

It's only the classic ships that were never designed with splash play areas.

Magic 2016 - Nephew's Splash zone


Wonder - Dory's Reef

 

[lanejudy]

Magic 2016 - Nephew's Splash zone
View attachment 965323

Wonder - Dory's Reef
View attachment 965325

I stand corrected!

 

[cinnamoroll]

How strict are they are with this? My 5 year-old is tiny (still wears 3T-4T clothing) and finds the other pools intimidating

 

[PrincessShmoo]

How strict are they are with this? My 5 year-old is tiny (still wears 3T-4T clothing) and finds the other pools intimidating

Typically, on DCL, anything that has an age limit on it (kids' clubs, excursions, whatever) is firm.

 

[laurelew]

How strict are they are with this? My 5 year-old is tiny (still wears 3T-4T clothing) and finds the other pools intimidating

On my April 2025 Fantasy cruise no one was monitoring ages at the Splash Pad area, however ymmv. I suspect that if your son looks like he falls within the correct age range and acts appropriately, you will be fine.

 

[dreamer17555]

The Dream and Fantasy both have Nemo's Reef and the Wish and Treasure both have Toy Story Splash Zone, which is also expected on the Destiny. The Adventure looks like Toy Story Place is planned. It's only the classic ships that were never designed with splash play areas.

Didn't Nemo's Reef used to be up to age 8? DD was 7 on our first cruise and I remember her allowing her in when it wasn't crowded.

I was talking about the additional splash pad like the aqua lab on the fantasy that have a higher age range. The post I quoted was talking about the fact that she sends all of her kids to the one made for the older kids, however many of the ships do not have a splash pad geared for five and up

 

[dreamer17555]

The Dream still has it's Splash Pad and the Fantasy is going through the same changes.

The dream never had an aqua lab. I was talking about the splash pad that is designed for kids older than five

 

[lanejudy]

I was talking about the additional splash pad like the aqua lab on the fantasy that have a higher age range. The post I quoted was talking about the fact that she sends all of her kids to the one made for the older kids, however many of the ships do not have a splash pad geared for five and up

Oh, your OP is about the AquaLab? Are they changing age limits for that? I thought you meant Nemo’s Reef. The poster you quoted (5Texans) doesn’t seem to be talking about AquaLab because she states “The splash pad is for kids that are too small to use the pool. … My big kids are very well behaved, but I didn't let them play in there- they're too big.” That sounds like Nemo’s Reef.

 

[dreamer17555]

Oh, your OP is about the AquaLab? Are they changing age limits for that? I thought you meant Nemo’s Reef. The poster you quoted (5Texans) doesn’t seem to be talking about AquaLab because she states “The splash pad is for kids that are too small to use the pool. … My big kids are very well behaved, but I didn't let them play in there- they're too big.” That sounds like Nemo’s Reef.

Maybe I misunderstood the person I quoted . I thought she meant the aqua lab (which sadly are in short supply these days)

 

[5Texans]

Maybe I misunderstood the person I quoted . I thought she meant the aqua lab (which sadly are in short supply these days)

Yeah, I was talking about the Nemo’s Reef. I see what you mean, though about not having an alternative on the other ships.

We have had 2 adults when sailing with toddlers, so we can divide and conquer. My toddlers have also been happy to sit poolside and watch tunnel vision. Or I would take the little ones to the splash pad while the big one was in the kids club.

There are so many options on the ship and in port. It shouldn’t be a deal breaker IMO.

 

[sponica]

How strict are they are with this? My 5 year-old is tiny (still wears 3T-4T clothing) and finds the other pools intimidating

On the Wish they let my older daughter in the splashpad to play with her sister but the guy was like, uh, she's going to be bored.

Not sure what ship you'll be on but I vaguely recall a small wading pool near the slideasaurus rex that not too many people were using.