when are pools most crowded?

[antidiva]

Hi, everyone! This is my first post, so feel free to correct any form/etiquette errors I commit here...
My question: because we have a shy and very gentle almost four-year-old son, who will definitely want to use the Mickey Pool and slide (probably just as soon as he sees it!), I am hoping that someone can recommend times when the pool and slide are available, but not swarming with older (and less docile) kids. I have read some reviews on epinions that worry me... reports of kids jumping on other kids, throwing hard objects, etc. Does this really happen? And if so, does this sound to you like a description of mid-afternoon on a sea day craziness, or all-day, everyday antics? We would simply remove him from an unsafe situation, but it would be heartbreaking for him to be close to the pool, ready to swim, and not be able to go in... BTW, we will be on the Magic for her 11/29/03 departure (our first cruise!).
Thanks!

 

[PizzieDuster]

We packed our bathing suits in a day bag when we embarked. When we boarded, our room was ready and we changed into our suits and just headed to the buffet and then right for the Mickey pool. It was empty! Little by little - like 30min. or so, a couple of kids would join in but our 3 kids were having a blast. Up and down the Mickey slide and my DD was 4 yrs. old, DS 10, DS13.

The best adviced that I received from this forum. Pack your suits or wear them underneath and upon boarding.... we ate and went right to the pools before the drill.

Have a wonderful trip! You will just love it!

 

[antidiva]

Dear, dear PizzieDuster,
Thank you for your reply! What a fabulous idea! I think we'll do just that! Ds might not want to leave the Club after he spends time there, anyway--- I keep reading about how most kids really embrace the club and club experience. Did you find times later in the cruise when you were able to enjoy the pool nearly as much as that first day?
Thanks again--- I cannot sleep tonight... I'm way too excited. And we still have eleven days to go! oh!

 

[my3kids]

Really early in the morning was a good time to find the pools fairly empty, but the slide isn't open then. The rest of the day the pools were out of control. I've never seen that many children in that small a space.

 

[ChattyKathy]

about kids jumping on other kids and throwing hard objects...?
OUCH, I dont like that idea either, How old of a kid can get in these pools...and where are they're parents if they are acting like that...
We had the same thought about keeping the swimsuits on under clothes while boarding ...
I have to stay with my daughter while she swims, she cant be alone when she is in the water.
hmmm makes me wonder now if I should just steer her away from the water altogether...


Kathy

 

[RagamuffinMom]

Our experience on the Wonder was a bit different.

The most crowded time was before we set sail on the first day. It was an absolute madhouse. The rest of the cruise it wasn't nearly as crowded.

The parents I saw were very involved in what was going on. Many were in the pool with their kids. Children that started going wild were dealt with by their own parents pretty quickly.

There were some older kids that came into the pool from the Goofy pool. Two of them were out of control and the other parents suggested they either be more respectful of the younger kids or they go back to the Goofy pool. They did leave. The other older kids were very gentle and mindful of the younger kids so no one said anything to them. They just wanted to go down the slide.

I had two little ones at the time (a 3yo and a 4yo) so I needed to stay right there with them but it wasn't stressful.

I suspect it's just the luck of the draw, that and what season you're sailing in. We were in early October so the crowds of kids was pretty low.

 

[tkd lisa]

Pools are usually less crowded on port days when many people are not on-board. We also had really good luck with the late afternoon early evening when the early seating diners were getting ready for dinner. A couple of times, we stayed in the water til about 6, then went to the shows before getting ready for our late dinner.

 

[mmouse37]

It really is like all situation where you have a large amount of kids in a smaller area. There are always going to be few who are more wild than others.

We have sailed DCL 9 times and yes, I have seen the Mickey pool out of control and I have seen it full and very calm. It is the luck of the draw. There is a CM there who oversees things and I have seen him/her ask unruly children to leave the area.

Sea days are by far the most crowded....on the other hand.....the pool is virtually empty on port days. This is always a great time to be in any of the pools.

Click on the link to see some different pool shots from our trip.


Adult pool on a sea day
http://community.webshots.com/photo/47984596/47992855zFYMwY

Adult pool on a port day
http://community.webshots.com/photo/92712226/93389857dJxwHX

Pretty much the same scenario for the Mickey pool.

MJ

 

[BuzzBoyMom]

Antidiva - definately try early mornings. And if other children get too rowdy and their parents don't want to do their job, I have NO problem doing it for them. No need for our children to be hurt or not be able to enjoy a pool because some children don't know how to behave.

 

[Bev J]

Another really good time is around 5pm, the early seating people are going back to their cabins to get ready for dinner so the pool emptys out. Our son had the pool with only 2 other kids from a little after 5 untill it was getting dark, (we sailed in October so around 6:30). He just loved the mickey pool, he was 5 at the time and the goofy pool was too deep for him, he called the ears his hottub.

 

[MrsPete]

I'll second what others have already said:

Go to the Mickey pool quickly after embarking (you could stay at the pool with your son while your husband goes for Palo reservations).
The pool should be fairly empty early in the mornings and while most people are off the boat on shore excursions.
My girls had a blast at the pool LATE at night too. I took them several times AFTER dinner (and we had late seating). They literally had the pool to themselves.

What you want to avoid is mid-day and at-sea days. Let him to to the kids' clubs, movies, etc. during those times.

 

[aprilgail2]

The Mickey pool was really crowded most of the time...I only let my daughter in it one time though early in the morning when there were only 3 other kids in it....by mid afternoon the water was so gross and murky I didn't want her near it. I am hoping now that kids can't go in in diapers and unless they are potty trained that it will be a bit cleaner.

 

[izzinmac]

antidiva,

I see that you are on the 11/29/03 departure. A group of us have our own discussion going on in the section at the top of this board reserved for Cruise Meets. Go there and check out our group, and please join us. Look for the 11/29/03 thread.

Welcome to the next Eastern 7 day to depart!!!

 

[antidiva]

Thanks, all!
I have such a great feeling about our upcoming departure... I can tell you all that your advice and enthusiasm are both bolstering and contagious (respectively!). I can't wait to see the 11/29/03-er's in ten days! Wahoo!!!!!
Thanks again! Oh, just so you know... the "bad" reviews of the pool (Mickey's) activities were from Spring Break-time in 2003... mid-march...). And the reviewer was critical of more than this...so take it with a grain of salt, ana other applicable cliche's!
10 days and counting! Hooray!

 

[jlawall]

If you go early on the first day, you should be okay. Then definitely use the pool late in the day, most days it is really nice. However, the special events usually occur during busy times and they are NOT TO BE MISSED! Have a great cruise!

 

[Tluvs2talk]

My Niece and Nephew had both the Mickey pool and Goofy pool to themselves when we first boarded. They wore their bathing suites under their clothes and enjoyed almost 2 hours of swimming before the crowd hit. We also came back early from CC and had only a handful of peop;e swimmmimg.


Teri