Update on kids in pools

[PolyGirl]

Wow,

DCL sure has their hands full trying to incorporate this new policy.

I think this new policy is going to be very tough on the families that have older ones and younger ones.

However, the good news about this new policy will be hopefully the Mickey pool won't close as often. On our last 7-day cruise I felt the Mickey pool was closed 1/4 of the time because of all the "accidents" the little ones were having. It was very frustrating!!!

I do feel however that DCL's programming for the under 3 is VERY weak and hopefully with this new policy it will FORCE them to come up with some better programming for these children.

I guess in final words don't blame Disney entirely they are just following the rules that are being enforced onto them.

 

[RIDISNEYLOVERS]

I am a little confused on this subject and figured I would post it now - did DCL in fact close the pool (to non potty trained kids) because they were not wearing swimmer diapers and they had "floaties" in the pool?

How would DCL know if your non potty trained child went in the pool with a swimmer diaper under their bathing suit?

Thanks for the insight.

Lisa

 

[RIDISNEYLOVERS]

I am a little confused on this subject and figured I would post it now - did DCL in fact close the pool (to non potty trained kids) because they were not wearing swimmer diapers and they had "floaties" in the pool?

How would DCL know if your non potty trained child went in the pool with a swimmer diaper under their bathing suit?

Thanks for the insight.

Lisa

 

[jel0511]

RIDISNEYLOVERS - DCL has closed all pools on board to all non-potty trained children. Children aren't allowed into the pools even with a swimming diaper on, and if they are seen in the pools they will be asked to be removed by a CM. I assume they will be asking most children under 3 to vacate the pool going forward, unless the parent can prove the child is potty trained. DCL is adhearing to US regualations in implementating this policy. I'm angry that this is occuring, I can't really blame anyone, just DCL's disregard for those under 3. Since DCL advertises itself as a "true family cruise", and now had to basically ignore an entire age group, they can say they are a "true family cruise" in my opinion, unless they come up with some alternative programming. Hey, if there was a club for those under 3 for them to go and have fun and games, I'd gladly pay what I'm paying for my DD, but there isn't, only the limited hours and space AND extra cost of Flounders. Hey, give me a couple of hours for free in Flounders, I'd gladly stay with my DS for him to play. Set up some paper and give them some pudding to finger paint with, there really are some things that can be done and very inexpensively to make those of us with under 3 children happy.

 

[RIDISNEYLOVERS]

Jel0511: I believe we are on the same 11/3 wonder cruise.

Anyway DCL has been cruising now for a little over 4 years and they are all of a sudden making this change? If children ALWAYS wore swimmer diapers there wouldn't be "floaters" in the pool so this must just be a new epidemic on the cruise. I don't know why parents would let their children swim (in a public pool) with no clothes on. That baffles me. If ALL children ALWAYS wore swimmer diapers I don't think this would have ever come to be a problem.

Lisa

 

[taswira]

Okay, you are going to hate me for this (if you don't already), but I would like to ask a question. As a p/t TA and Disney Specialist, I <I>know</I> that DCL touts the availability of Flounders (at extra cost) for those who choose to bring babies on the cruise. But aside from that, WHERE in any of DCL's advertising has it ever been geared toward the non-potty trained? The baby in the stroller in the TV commercial was the result of a cruise and did not go <I>on</I> the cruise. Maybe I've missed something in all my Disney training, but my impression was never "<I>Use the Mickey Pool to entertain your infants</I>." People do it, but I don't think DCL ever actively encouraged it. My perception has always been that they are marketing to families with kids 3 and up, but that those with infants can cruise and Flounders is available for a fee. That still makes them a "true family cruise" in my opinion. I can't believe anyone would bring their baby cruising with the idea that the Mickey Pool is the only thing that will entertain them. You don't need to flame me, because I can already feel the rotten eggs and tomatoes being thrown!

 

[RIDISNEYLOVERS]

If something was happening in the 7-8 age group that doesn't pertain to my family I probably could care less about it. Families with small children use the Mickey pool as something else to entertain their little ones. You can only do activities for a certain amount of time when meltdowns start happening and frustration sets in and the Mickey pool was a great alternative. Most kids love the pool (and of course this one is more fun because its Mickey).

The aggravation that I have as a parent to a small child (almost fully potty trained) is that this decision came out all of a sudden. Why??? We are cruising in a few weeks and that was one thing I knew she would have a great time doing.

Someone mentioned that you could bring your own inflatable pool on board (I am not sure if they were being sarcastic or not) but this may be an alternative - the only thing is you will probably share it with other families with small children. Along these lines - where can you fill it with water? Where can you dump the water when you are finished? Like I said this may have been a sarcastic remark, but hey it is an alternative to kids that really want to swim.

Just my thoughts.

Lisa

 

[DISNEYGATOR]

Taswira, I agree completely... in all the DCL info, the web site, the info video and catalog it spells it out, no children under 3 in programs, and no non-potty trained children in programs. It also always says that flounders is an additional cost and space is limited. Under 3 sales for a much lower rate because of this.

It doesn't advertise as the Cruiseline for infants, but a cruiseline for families. And I think most resorts target families where the majority of the members can take part in a wide range of activities and experiences (ages 3 and up). But to make things more convienent, they will provide accomidations for families with infants and young children (such as child care) to allow for the family to do some of the activities and experiences they offer. I think any family, with a child under the age of 3 should anticipate a limited amount of activities for the young child. If you go to WDW, they can't really go on the rides, etc... its just how it is. I know people want to do things as a family, and of course swimming is a fun activity for everyone, but bottom line its a US regulation for the safety of ALL children, and DCL is just trying to abide by it. It will now just take DCL some time to field what is the best thing to do, create programs and charge more for children under the age of 3 to sail or to continue to offer flounders at an additional cost?

I know its a big major bummer for families with young children, especially ones that are used to pools at home and I feel for them, but I doubt its going to change, so maybe creatively, we could start brainstorming ways for some to find new family time activities?

 

[wovenwonder]

I assume that you were not planning on letting your ''under 3'' child go to the Mickey Pool alone -- unsupervised - right? You were going to be going with your child. You can ALSO take your child to the kids clubs even if your child is UNDER 3 and NOT potty trained. But you have to stay and watch your child play in the club. I AGREE that MORE activities need to be set up for the under 3 -- something as simple as a 'mommy and me' type activity throughout the day. It could even include a time for water play -- with squirt toys, etc. -- BUT in the meantime - you still have the option of going WITH your young child to enjoy the kids clubs during the day.

 

[taswira]

Originally posted by DISNEYGATOR
Taswira, I agree completely... in all the DCL info, the web site, the info video and catalog it spells it out, no children under 3 in programs, and no non-potty trained children in programs. It also always says that flounders is an additional cost and space is limited. Under 3 sales for a much lower rate because of this.

THANK YOU, DISNEYGATOR! I received several PMs from supportive DISers who agree but don't care to invite the flames! On another thread, "I Just Called DCL," the starter of the thread was told by DCL that "<I>DCL has never offered anything for the under 3 crowd</I>" and that their option is to put them in Flounders for a fee. The under-3 cruisers are allowed to cruise, but have never been encouraged in advertising <I>or</I> catered to.

 

[garyss7]

I'm sure disney will poo-poo this (lol) but how about bringing a blowup kiddie pool onboard
and using that for the potty-challenged set?

 

[mrsltg]

I can appreciate the fact that everyone has different opinions on this issue, and no, people should not flame you, Taswira, because you don't agree. Now here comes the big BUT!

... Small children are part of the world. If it weren't for small children, there would be no big children. If it weren't for big children, there would be no adults. If it weren't for adults, there would be no Disney $$$$$$$$$$$$$$! Us parents of small children need vacations, too. Our money is just as green, and our plastic is just as good. I want a vacation where my daughter can have fun. She is an absolute water rat! We spend our free time during the Summer at our community pool. Disney needs to do something about this YESTERDAY! They need to implement young children's programming quickly. There needs to be some sort of program set up for free, and soon. Water spickets sound like a good idea as well as ankle deep wading pools reserved for the "potty-challenged". If they have to redesign the entire ship, SO BE IT! Us Moms and Dads of small ones have some serious buying power, it would serve DCL well to avoid ticking us off!

Erin

 

[Tluvs2talk]

I have been told by a CM at Disney World that they win 99% of their lawsuits. I think this is beacause Disney tries to stop a problem before it happens. If they had problems with poop in the kiddie pool, we are looking at a potential hazard. If Disney knows this is a problem and doesn't take measures to stop it, they are leaving themselves wideopen for a lawsuit. If one of your children got seriously ill from swimming in the pool would you sue Disney??? In this day and age people are sue happy and I can see where they have to do something. Like a poster said earlier in this thread. Her child pooped in the pool and she left without telling anyone. The poop could go unnoticed for sometime and cause a lot if sickness. I bet this happens a lot and people are to embarrassed to let a CM know. I do think Disney will come up with some sort of water play area in the future for little non-pottytrained children. Then they should ban all older kids from using that area. Let it be for little ones ONLY..

 

[pal2pluto]

This is happening on all the cruise ships right? This is not just a DCL thing. Okay, so we all know about it, but how are they getting the info out to the Travel Agents? And do the TA's take this as seriously as we do? And how is DCL informing those who have already booked for the next year? It appears that this is law, and we can do little to change it, so where do they go from here?

 

[taswira]

Originally posted by mrsltg
I can appreciate the fact that everyone has different opinions on this issue, and no, people should not flame you, Taswira, because you don't agree. Now here comes the big BUT! ... Small children are part of the world.

Of course small children are part of the world, but it is a fact of life that just because someone is a part of the world does not make them old enough to do everything. As someone pointed out on another thread, WDW is for families, but not all children can go on all rides. People have to grow a little sometimes to participate in things. I have nothing against infants on the cruise, but I don't personally (JMHO as everyone has theirs) feel that DCL is responsible to entertain those infants since they promote their cruises to the 3 and over market. That does not mean they won't come up with something to please the parents with non-potty trained kids. It is just my view (and apparently theirs) that they are not responsible or required to instantly produce entertainment for them. But again, I want to say that I <I>deeply sympathize</I> with those who have already booked with their babies.

 

[jel0511]

RIDISNEYLOVERS you are on the same cruise as us!!! We'll see you there. I guess we'll be in the outcast area for non-potty trained children!!! Also, you bring the blow up pool, and I'll toss the dirty water overboard!!! (Just kidding people!!)

 

[my3kids]

It sounds like this is just how it is going to be and no amount of people getting angry is likely to change things if it is, in fact, a new regulation affecting all cruise lines. Last week everyone was so excited that the ships got a 99 on their sanitation inspection. Lots of laws had to be followed to the letter to get the high marks. This sounds like it is one of those things that just has to be followed. Last year my son was so sad he couldn't ride one of the rides at MGM, but he wasn't the right height. We said, "Next time you'll be big enough." My youngest sat on the pool edge many times because their older brother was swimming in the big pool. I said "You'll have to wait until you are a little bit bigger." On the flip side, often my older child got dragged to things for the tiny tot set that he'd much rather have avoided. I said "This is their turn." Spending some together time in the Oceaneers Club with the 4 year old and the 18 month old sounds like a great time for the families to spend time together. The Mickey Pool sounds shallow enough that the 4 year olds can play alone while Mom or Dad is beside the pool, maybe with the little one with a turkey baster squirting water, or a plastic ladle to scoop water into a bucket.

There are always rules regarding ages, and usually they are for a reason. I know parents were planning on this activity for their children, but it really can't be the only thing to do. If that one pool is the only fun thing on the ship, then I've planned the wrong vacation for my family. One of mine will likely want to go into Common Grounds or play the midnight basketball games for the teens....but he is only 12. He won't get to do those things this time.

I think the risk of ecoli is probably pretty rare....other intestinal diseases I don't know. But just on this one message board, several have posted that they have a direct connection to a child infected with ecoli from a pool. Would any parent want that responsilibilty on their shoulders just because the child was crying to get in the pool. And yes, I have had 15 month olds, and 18 months olds and 2's and 3's and children late to be trained.....and twins to boot, so yes, I can see from that perspective. If mine were still that small and our trip was within the 60 day mark(which it is), would I be sad....probably a bit. But I wouldn't let it ruin the trip. I didn't plan the vacation for 1 pool, and I wouldn't let 1 pool ruin the vacation either.

 

[jellymoon]

I do agree that rules are important and should be followed. I disagree, however, about not marketing to families with kids under 3. Prior to booking our cruise, I called DCL and asked them about crusing with my two toddlers. They mentioned as activities Flounders (for an extra fee), and the child-friendly Mickey-pool where babies and toddlers can splash and play without the water being over the heads. So, maybe this isn't photographically pictured in the cruise documents, but certainly this was the impression we were given from the CM at DCL when we booked in June for our cruise next week. Also, it was a fair assumption since when we cruised four years ago, the pool was packed with kiddos under three.

In addition, Family Fun Magazine (owned by Disney) had an article talking about Disney being a true family cruise because there WERE activities and options for all ages, including infants and toddlers.

 

[Kelsie]

As a part time Travel Agent, Customer (Cruising next week!!) and a Mom, I am so sorry this has happened. I know how much my DD loved swimming at that age and although I understand why DCL did this, it still stinks for those of you with small children.

DCL is for families and they often include children under 3 (we were all one ). I have faith that DCL understands this and will do all they can to provide more activities for these children.


I can't offer any more than a ((hug))

 

[taswira]

Originally posted by jellymoon
I do agree that rules are important and should be followed. I disagree, however, about not marketing to families with kids under 3.

I guess it's all in the interpretation. I personally have never heard a CM recommend a DCL cruise for those under 3, but they DO always mention Flounders for those who have decided to bring their infants. It is interesting that in WebmasterMichelle's post near the top of the board on <a href="http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1598">DCL Children's Programming - Participation Guidelines</A>, I could not find mention of the pools as a suggested activity for those under 3 or non-potty trained who could not fit in the Programs. It reads:

If your child's needs cannot be accommodated, there are a multitude of events and activities throughout the ship, which the entire family can enjoy.
- Main Stage shows
- Family game shows
- First run movies
- Deck parties and events
- Selected shore excursions
- Castaway Cay

As a TA who is more interested in the happiness of my clients than in booking everyone who inquires, I always advise those with children under 3 to wait to take them on a cruise . . . <I>any</I> cruise. I do not view cruise lines as designed for babies in general. If families cruise with infants and manage to do so happily, it is usually because the PARENTS make it a wonderful experience through their interaction with the child. It IS possible. There is another thread about making the best of this situation and turning it into something positive. It's all in the attitude.