Typhoon Lagoon - Anyone else get bruised?

[Hillbeans]

First, let me preface by saying that Typhoon lagoon was the unexpected highlight of our family trip last week. The only problem was that I got a very nasty bruise on my back from scraping the concrete in the wave pool. I also saw about 5 other people with similar injuries. Anyone else get these cuts and bruises? I was sitting in the shallow end with my 3 yo and the wave knocked me over and dragged me backwards, hence the huge bruise on my back.
Just curious how many other DIS'ers have gotten similar injuries.

 

[Jen in MA]

For some reason, the bottom of the wave pool is really rough in texture... I have gotten scraped many times... and it hurts!

 

[EmmasGrammy]

Sitting in the shallow end thinking it's a safe place is a big mistake. DH and I did this on the 1st trip to TL with our 3 young DDs. The waves hit the shallow end so hard it swept our girls out of our hands and drug them, and us, across the "sandpaper" pool bottom. We all came away looking like we had been through a war!!! We have learned to go out a little deeper and STAND were the wave "breaks". It was unbelieveable, the strength of the water's force!!!

 

[Kirsty]

Yep, same goes for me! I can guarantee when i leave TL I will have bruised/cut myself at some point! the past twice ive cut my foot thanks to the floor of the wave pool!
But its worth it!

 

[VelvetGloves]

I got a nasty abrasion one year from the wave pool. Like others, I was sitting in the shallows when the wave broke. It would have drug me, but a lifeguard had come over to tell me not to sit there when the wave came, and she grabbed my arm. I felt like a total idiot. My scrape could have been a lot worse though; thank goodness for the lifeguard...who had a grip of steel by the way.

VelvetGloves

 

[Daisy-J&D]

I got pretty scrapped up too. I decided to swim in as far as a could before walking out of the pool... Big Mistake! A wave broke and I was trapped.

 

[Hillbeans]

Yes, it felt like being scraped with sandpaper...that's exactly it. I was embarassed, first of all, because I should have been helping my 3 yo, and he also got knocked over, but he had on a life vest and was not sitting on the bottom like I was. I had on a 2-piece suit as well that was almost ripped, but instead it has about 100 pulls in it from the concrete.

Just a fair warning to all...go and enjoy the wave pool, but DO NOT sit on the bottom in the shallow end.

 

[Hillbeans]

I just wonder if other wave pools similar to this are lined with a vinyl liner? I'm sure that'd be way too expensive.

 

[jaysue]

I sat in the shallow end with my 3 1/2 yr old but it was way in the back where there was almost no wave break - more some lateral inbound wash and outbound - the lifeguard said it was ok to be sitting as long as I was in the back

for those dragged along the bottom

thanks
jaysue

 

[DVC Jen]

this has happened to us as well. my youngest DD got a NASTY scrape on her leg/knee one year. Now we go to Blizzard Beach. The waves there are much more managable for those who enjoy things a bit calmer.

 

[Hillbeans]

I really enjoyed the wave pool, and really had no business sitting on the bottom of the pool. I must not have paid attention to the sign. We'd definitely go back there though, we enjoyed TL very much, minus this mishap.

 

[marijeff]

Another warning to those with little ones....water shoes are a must! My DS, 5 yrs had the pads of all his toes scraped raw from the wave pool. The wave pool was his favorite, and he never complained about anything! Then, later that night.....well, you can imagine. Water shoes, water shoes, water shoes! We love TL!

 

[binkyj826]

I know that they purposely make the floor rough so that you can "grip" the floor with your feet and not have them slide out from under you while you are trying to leave as the case would be if the floor was smooth.

But it sounds like they over did it!

--Tammie

 

[loriandmatt]

i second the notion on the water shoes. no matter how dorky i or DH think we look in them... they are a must if you plan on spending time in the wave pool and want to not be walking on raw hamburger the rest of your vacation.

totaly get WDW's theory on the ruff bottom - for traction as you come and go in that area, but if you don't keep that in mind it can be a shredder to skin and suits.

- lori

 

[cheerdaddy]

another vote for water shoes! I found that out on our first visit back in 96' and always make sure to wear them now...another unsuspecting area are the lazy rivers at both parks: I have a scar on the top knuckle of one of the toes on my right foot from a nasty little brush with the bottom of the lazy river at TL eight years ago.....I also seem to develop a bruise on my upper back/shoulder blade area from "summit plummet" every year! I keep doing these every year though!! I guess either the thrill is worth the pain or I'm just really stupid!!! but again, I cannot express in words how much the water shoes can help...not only while in the water, but, also for walking around the water parks; there's alot of concrete(especially at BB) that gets very hot and the shoes can keep your feet from burning as well.

 

[sodaseller]

I have aggravated my bad neck holding my daughter from hitting as we got knocked over by the wave. My daughter and wife got scraped - warned the wife how strong the wave was, which I don't think she appreciated

 

[disneyfan551]

Wow! I haven't even thought about this happening! Thanks for the warning!

A quick question for all of you... If you have a toddler (2yo ), where is your favorite place to sit? We usually sit to the top left of the wave pool, in a nice, shady spot. Now that my 2yo can 'get around', I'm wondering if we should sit at the end of the wave pool for her to walk around occasionally. Or, how is the toddler's play area? I've only seen it once, but our dd was 7mo at the time, and we didn't really use it. So, I can't remember much about it. Any recommendations would be great!

 

[Virgo10]

Let me start by saying I LOVE TL! However add me to the DOH list. Several years ago I thought sitting in the shallow water and taking a picture would be great. I don't think I was in more than 3 inches of water but that was enough. That wave hit me and I slid a good couple of feet on my left arm before coming to rest. My arm was a mess! I ended up at the nurses station to get a few bandaids for the worst of it but it took several weeks for it to heal completely. Bottom line: Don't ever sit on the concrete in the wave pool!!

As for water shoes, I've worn them every trip since I parted company with the skin on the bottom of my feet during one visit. You know all those callouses you get? Well the water and cement at TL wore them all off during one of my earlier visits. Talk about pain! Actually a bit of a cure was also found at TL... The salt water dive pool. Must have been the salty water that made them feel better. The results were nearly instantaneous.

Roberta

 

[bigtinkfun]

I've never been nailed by the wave pool, but some of those twisty slides have really done a job on my legs and elbows in the past. I've had some colorful bruises from hitting the sides of those things! Frankly, I stick to Castaway Creek. That's my idea of big fun! I love the water parks, I go for a least half a day every day I'm there. I think I log more water park time than theme park time!

I think the wave pools have rough textured bottoms to prevent people from slipping and falling. I think a smooth surface would be very slippery.

I love your beautiful kitties, Virgo10.

 

[lucky978]

The same thing happened to me and my husband at TL. We were relaxing sitting in the shallow end of the wave pool when *SLAM* a very small looking wave came and knocked us both onto our backs. What a shock. We also lost the key holder (the plastic thing that goes around your neck). Lost our rental car keys. It was a nightmare!!! We were both scratched up on our backs.