Waterparks vs the beginner swimmer

[k80girl]

Hi Everyone. This is my first thread woo hoo Im trying the lingo so pardon me if I mess it up.

We are traveling in May 2014 and have the 5day PHWF&M ticket. We will be going to BB and TL during our trip. I have a 48" 5 yr old DS. He is an ok swimmer in the pool but when he gets shot out of slides with a tube Im not sure how he will do.

Are the lifeguards right there to grab the little ones and help them to the steps?

Are kids allowed to wear lifejackets on the slides to assist them with swimming.

He is a daredevil and is tall enough to get on some of the slides. I will ultimately be making the decision if its mild enough for him but either way the slides usually shoot you out into a 3ft pool of water where you have to swim to the steps with your tube in tow.

Thanks for any help you can provide in advance.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

They have free life jackets on hand. We used one for our 6 year old. Also, many slides spit out into ankle deep water. The deeper ones about 30".

 

[chartle]

He is a daredevil and is tall enough to get on some of the slides. I will ultimately be making the decision if its mild enough for him but either way the slides usually shoot you out into a 3ft pool of water where you have to swim to the steps with your tube in tow.

Thanks for any help you can provide in advance.

If he is 48", in 36" of water he should be able to hit the bottom and just stand up and walk. In fact I think the height requirement takes into account how deep the water is and makes sure you are tall enough to walk.

Years ago we went to water parks where the height limit was to your arm pit so that was how high the water was.

 

[Wishes Count]

The biggest concern is going to be the wave pool. If he is not a strong swimmer he should wear a life vest there for sure. Don't forget that although the water may only be waist deep at a calm time the waves will cause the water to go right over his head!

 

[tanyaandallie]

The biggest concern is going to be the wave pool. If he is not a strong swimmer he should wear a life vest there for sure. Don't forget that although the water may only be waist deep at a calm time the waves will cause the water to go right over his head!

Agree. The wave pool is CRAZY! My kids are both swim competitively so are what I would consider very strong swimmers and that wave pool made me very nervous! For a 5 year old a life jacket is an absolute must. Honestly, my kids could both swim at 5 and I still made them wear life jackets at any water park we visited.

 

[k80girl]

Thanks Everyone. I will make sure I get a life vest. I really appreciate the responses.

 

[kathy884]

As a former lifeguard, swim instructor, and swim coach, first -- I would despite there being lifeguards be watching my young children at all times.

When DS was 7 (He loves wave pools), I only took him to Blizzard Beach not Typhoon Lagoon, as I did not feel he was a strong enough swimmer to handle the wave pool at Typhoon Lagoon and didn't want to have to tell him I would not let him go in. The waves at the Typhoon Lagoon are huge (large enough to actually do real surfing) and despite my competitive swimming and lifeguard background, even if I were right with my son, I was not confident that I could keep him safe and protected there.

I think you could have a great time at both waterparks, but only go if (1) you will be watching your children the entire time and (2) I would advise your not bringing your children into the large wave pool at Typhoon Lagoon which IMHO is not appropriate/safe for anyone who is not a strong swimmer.

 

[ucfknight]

The biggest concern is going to be the wave pool. If he is not a strong swimmer he should wear a life vest there for sure. Don't forget that although the water may only be waist deep at a calm time the waves will cause the water to go right over his head!

Great point, especially at Typhoon Lagoon. The wave pool there is very dangerous for small kids and weak swimmers.