Taswira, Please know this isn't intended as a flame. I agree with you that Disney must make the change if that is what the law demands. My concern is the lack of notice. As one who is not only not within the 30 day timeline, I'm within the 7 day timeline with TWO toddlers. We made our choice to cruise based upon two things: 1) Our past experience with an infant was GREAT, and included most of our ship time around the Mickey Pool and 2) When making the reservations and determining what to do, we specifically asked about whether it would be appropriate to take the two little girls. Flounders was described (a vast improvement from when we sailed with dd an it was impossible to get, in room sitting), but Mickey's Pool was touted by the CM. So, in our case, yes the cruise was recommended by a CM and the pool in particular was listed as an especially fun activity.
The idea isn't so much that Disney must cater to those under 3. It is rather the idea that there was a SUDDEN change, which is a drastic change for those of us with small kids (and disabled children). And that DCL hasn't done any notification. We sail next week. If I wasn't on the DIS I would not even know that it was going to be an issue. To me, that would be a major disappointment and a sour way to start the trip. If DCL informs people they can choose to cancel, know that they need to pack appropriately (ie bring more toysand activities in order to entertain the wee ones during at sea days, not run out and buy duplicate swimsuits and tons of swim diapers,etc), or shrug their shoulders as they didn't plan to swim anyway.
If a cruise line markets itself as a family vacation, and it intends to exclude those under three, they have an obligation to make it noted clearly. If you look at the literature for all of the cruise lines, it is easy to see which ones welcome children and which ones accomodate them. In my research, it seemed DCL was the only one that makes efforts to accomodate the under 3 crowd. If a ship has an area dedicated to children of that age, it seems like it would not be unreasonable to assume that the pool was open. If the pool will be closed to children under 3, or 2, or however they plan to enforce that it needs to be clearly stated in their literature. Obviously, when a change happens there will be some shock. I'm the unlucky person to get the shock. But, in that case, I think we should be given the option to cancel without penalty.
A family chooses a vacation based upon the amenities available to the family. Just like shopping for which hotel to stay at--- pool facilities are one of the most commonly shopped around for features. If someone chose to stay at HIFS and got there to find that the pools were closed, or kids didn't eat free anymore, that would be a major diappointment. And, while they didn't pay specifically for the pool, they were paying for the room, they were purchasing that room in part based upon the promise of the pool. We have chosen to make a significant investment in a vacation for our family--- we shopped around, studied are options, and carefully planned what we would do aboard, etc. As we've talked with our kids about the upcoming cruise they could care less about the ports--- they are excited about swimming in the Mickey Pool. As soon as we started making reservations, they began looking at the pictures, and that is what the older two tell their teachers about--- the pool. There is no way aroundt he fact that that pool--- specifically because it is friendly to small children because of the depth--- was an integral reason for our choice to spend all that money on our FAMILY vacation.
Will we have a good time? I hope so and I plan on it. But, it will be more difficult if we really can't put our kids in the pool. I'm especially concerned that my kids won't be allowed to go in just because they are small--- they are trained for pooping and do so in the toilet. As many people know, #2 training is often done long before #1 is complete. That's about where we are, though they are now even doing #1 on a pretty predictable schedule.
The idea isn't so much that Disney must cater to those under 3. It is rather the idea that there was a SUDDEN change, which is a drastic change for those of us with small kids (and disabled children). And that DCL hasn't done any notification. We sail next week. If I wasn't on the DIS I would not even know that it was going to be an issue. To me, that would be a major disappointment and a sour way to start the trip. If DCL informs people they can choose to cancel, know that they need to pack appropriately (ie bring more toysand activities in order to entertain the wee ones during at sea days, not run out and buy duplicate swimsuits and tons of swim diapers,etc), or shrug their shoulders as they didn't plan to swim anyway.
If a cruise line markets itself as a family vacation, and it intends to exclude those under three, they have an obligation to make it noted clearly. If you look at the literature for all of the cruise lines, it is easy to see which ones welcome children and which ones accomodate them. In my research, it seemed DCL was the only one that makes efforts to accomodate the under 3 crowd. If a ship has an area dedicated to children of that age, it seems like it would not be unreasonable to assume that the pool was open. If the pool will be closed to children under 3, or 2, or however they plan to enforce that it needs to be clearly stated in their literature. Obviously, when a change happens there will be some shock. I'm the unlucky person to get the shock. But, in that case, I think we should be given the option to cancel without penalty.
A family chooses a vacation based upon the amenities available to the family. Just like shopping for which hotel to stay at--- pool facilities are one of the most commonly shopped around for features. If someone chose to stay at HIFS and got there to find that the pools were closed, or kids didn't eat free anymore, that would be a major diappointment. And, while they didn't pay specifically for the pool, they were paying for the room, they were purchasing that room in part based upon the promise of the pool. We have chosen to make a significant investment in a vacation for our family--- we shopped around, studied are options, and carefully planned what we would do aboard, etc. As we've talked with our kids about the upcoming cruise they could care less about the ports--- they are excited about swimming in the Mickey Pool. As soon as we started making reservations, they began looking at the pictures, and that is what the older two tell their teachers about--- the pool. There is no way aroundt he fact that that pool--- specifically because it is friendly to small children because of the depth--- was an integral reason for our choice to spend all that money on our FAMILY vacation.
Will we have a good time? I hope so and I plan on it. But, it will be more difficult if we really can't put our kids in the pool. I'm especially concerned that my kids won't be allowed to go in just because they are small--- they are trained for pooping and do so in the toilet. As many people know, #2 training is often done long before #1 is complete. That's about where we are, though they are now even doing #1 on a pretty predictable schedule.
