Why are people nervous about SAB?

[lisareniff]

Helicopter Parent?? At SAB?? You bet!!!

Although not terribly spread out the sight lines are terrible. My first experience is taking my DD7 and 2 to SAB without DH who was golfing. It was not a relaxing morning. DD2 wanted to play in the sand (and that day screamed when held in deeper water) while DD7 a good swimmer wanted to be in deeper water ...that was on the other side of the 8' deep lazy river and out of my sight. When DH joined us we were much happier with a one-to-one parent to child ratio.

Even if I was not concerned about the water aspect of SAB, I would be concerned about having my young children out of my sight in a very public place.

Now everyone has to make these decisions for themselves. How comfortable you are allowing you children to do what and at what age. Now my girls are 11 and 6, and I would not as much a 'helicoper' parent with the older one at this point.

 

[nboicepardee]

www.tagrel.com has a great slideshow of SAB and all the areas.

SAB can be overwhelming for parents trying to keep up with younger kids.

You cant catch your kids at the bottom (unless you ride the slide) and they cant wear vests.

Also, the kids have to cross the wide path that separates the beach from SAB and there is alot of traffic on that path. You have Surrey Bikes, joggers, carts, lots of people, etc.

If the older kids help you out, you should be OK.

I dont have any older kids, so when we go to SAB, we all stick together and Dh has to go.

Just wondering why they can't wear vests. Lots of kids at the AKV pool were wearing vests when we were there last week. I actually think the pool provided them. Just curious!

 

[keys2kingdom]

I don't hover over my kids constantly, but the first time I went to SAB I stepped off unknowingly into the 8 ft deep lazy river and freaked out - as an adult.

OT I once saw a man (grandfather) step off into the 8 ft current with an infant in his hands!! His adult daughter (baby's mom) was screaming at him to hand off the baby and as he hoisted the infant up he hit the baby's head on the concrete rim of the pool!! It was horrible and all of them were in tears, I nearly was too. The markings around the pool aren't terribly clear and I've seen a lot of kids get into trouble in that current, it's strong enough that the lifeguards swim against it in the mornings for exercise. Some caution is definitely in order.

 

[keys2kingdom]

And who can forget mother duck and her babies - what a neat sight to see the ducks swimming through.

Yes, delightful until a human touches one of the babies and then guests are subjected to seeing mother duck and its siblings peck it to death because it has the human scent on it. (I had heard this was a myth until I actually saw it for myself.)

I've seen some graphic stuff around SAB let me tell you.

 

[crisi]

Just wondering why they can't wear vests. Lots of kids at the AKV pool were wearing vests when we were there last week. I actually think the pool provided them. Just curious!

They can't wear vests down the slide, which is unusual for Disney slides - most of them will let a kid in a vest go down - don't know if its the length or the tunnel or the depth.

SAB is one of the pools with toddler slides - that let off into fairly deep (waist deep on an adult) water. So the vested kids can take a slide - just not the big slide.

And, like all things at Disney, different people have had different experiences, I've heard of some kids being allowed to wear lifevests on the big SAB slide.

 

[BCV23]

I agree with Crisi, Jim, Lisa et al. SAB is a great water experience with absolutely wonderful lifeguards. But the sightlines and depths demand that parents be with their children unless they are truly strong swimmers.

Last I knew there was a sign in the bathroom near the BC lobby to not let your children out of sight. Good advice at SAB I think.

But for the OP, I think your child will be fine as long as your kids stick together. The good old buddy system still applies to swimming as far as I'm concerned.

 

[atpatt]

I was going to post earlier that we had no issues with our 3 and 7 year olds when we were there in October...but Lisa's post reminded me of the day my dh had to stay in the room and make some business calls while I took the kids to the pool. I am totally not a helicopter parent, nor do I let my children run wild and do as they want, but for the first 15 minutes or so I had real issues coordinating what we were going to do so that I could deal with them both in that huge area.

That said, I LOVE that pool and it wouldn't keep me from returning. I was just a bit freaked out initially. I do understand why it would not be the place for everyone...what is best for everyone isn't the same. My mom would not have liked it at all when we were kids!

 

[buzz5985]

I'm not a Copter Parent and my DS at the time 9 was a strong swimmer. I was uncomfortable at the pool. It was impossible to keep him in my sight - all little boys look the same in a pool.

I didn't think the pool was that large either until I stayed there. And realized it is actually 4 sections to the pool.

Then there are the non-helicopter parents. We ran into a couple of them at HH. A 5 yo boy and 4 yo sister showed up at the pool, and told the lifeguards that their parents told them that they would watch them. The lifeguards called the manager. Come to find out the parents had gone off site for Lunch. Could you even imagine??? Poor kids.

Janis

 

[bobbiwoz]

Our whole family's first BCV trip will be in November and I know that I'm glad there will be at least 4 pair of eyes on our 3 DGC for this first stay.

Bobbi

 

[lisareniff]

Bobbi - I like that ratio! One for each child and someone to go get the drinks!

I forgot to address the OP situation - I think you should be fine. As long as your older ones don't ditch you younger son you should be fine. Even if they do, you can be with him. It's really the younger children and those with more kids then adults and larger age ranges.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Bobbi - I like that ratio! One for each child and someone to go get the drinks!

....

I like the fact that someone here is always thinking! There will be other adults, but one is my (sort of wild) DSis! Lets just say that she will be in charge of everything other than taking care of the DGC, and she's very very fine with that!!!

Bobbi

 

[crisi]

Bobbi - I like that ratio! One for each child and someone to go get the drinks!

I forgot to address the OP situation - I think you should be fine. As long as your older ones don't ditch you younger son you should be fine. Even if they do, you can be with him. It's really the younger children and those with more kids then adults and larger age ranges.

I agree that if I were the OP, given his description I'd be fine. His older kids are old enough to act as "pool guardians" and he only has one younger child who is apparently a fairly strong swimmer - and his younger child is nine, not five. That is far different than my own situation, where my oldest is nine, his sister is eight and flighty and both of them are decent swimmers, but I wouldn't describe either of them as "strong." We were considering time at SAB next trip - when they are nine and ten - but have elected against it for a number of reasons, none of them having to do with our kids and the pool.

In fact, most people are probably going to do "fine" here, it just may be more work and worry than they really want - and in that case, DVCers can hop over to Luna Park easily or use the community pool. However, its a shame to expect a fantastic pool experience (it is a really cool pool) and go through some of the hoops involved in getting BCV for those that have to book at seven months just for the pool, and then find yourself overwhelmed by the pool.

 

[goofy4tink]

We've used SAB also, and found it to be pretty spread out. My dd is a strong swimmer and I have no fears about her safety in the water. But, I can't see her at all times there. I have no way of knowing if someone is bothering her, or if she feels that she may be in trouble (of any type). Helicopter mom? No, I don't think so. The thing is that SAB spreads out, with lots of little nooks and crannies (like the muffins!!). If you end up sitting in some of those out of the way spots because you can't get a closer lounge chair, you may very well have a lot of trouble keeping an eye on your kids.
My dh stayed at YC last month. He was there for a conference. One afternoon, one of the guys said he was going to the hot tub...wanted my dh to join him....knock off those thoughts!!!.....dh wasn't crazy about the idea but since it was a client, he went with him. Well, they wanted to get a quick drink, but found it to be pretty convolueted getting to Hurricane Hannah's....no quick or easy way to do that. What with all the little pathways and bridges, well, even two grown men got turned around. And no, they had not been 'drinking' beforehand!
Just be careful and keep an eye on your kids. The kids should have a great time at this pool.

 

[ddhoeg]

They can't wear vests down the slide, which is unusual for Disney slides - most of them will let a kid in a vest go down - don't know if its the length or the tunnel or the depth.

For what it's worth, our past 3 stays at BCV my kids were allowed to wear vests down both slides at SAB. The lifeguards also allowed me to stay close to the ropes by the long pirate slide to catch them when the current carried them along at the end. So although I couldn't stand right under the slide to catch them, I was able to be there to celebrate with them within a few moments!

 

[goofy370]

We were there this past september. I bought all the kids waterproof watches from target. We met up at certain times in a pre-determined area. All the kids were great with it. The kids were DS11, DS9 and DS7.

 

[addicted2disney]

For what it's worth, our past 3 stays at BCV my kids were allowed to wear vests down both slides at SAB. The lifeguards also allowed me to stay close to the ropes by the long pirate slide to catch them when the current carried them along at the end. So although I couldn't stand right under the slide to catch them, I was able to be there to celebrate with them within a few moments!

We just stayed at BCV a few weeks ago, and we got a life vest for our DS 6 and he wore it on the slide too! He loved the pool! Especially where the kiddie pool area had the sand right there in the middle to build sandcastles!

 

[Sammie]

SAB is over 3 acres so yes it is big. As stated if you are using the big slide you have to get out of the pool and walk a good distance across the walkway, watch for surrey bikes and climb the spiral stairs to the top of the slide.

Unless you go with your child to the stairs you can't see them from the pool. That is a major concern for parents of smaller children or one who might be tempted to wander off to the lake or BW or even Epcot.

That said the swift current area is a 8 feet deep, which catches many off guard.

Its just a pool with lots of area to lose visual contact with a child.

 

[lenshanem]

I know this is gonna freak many of you out, but right next door to SAB over at the Swan and Dolphin...

Man accused of videotaping, molesting girl at Disney pool

The Associated Press

April 30, 2007, 5:10 PM EDT

A man accused of molesting a girl at a hotel pool on the Walt Disney World property and videotaping the act was being held today, police said.

William Bishop, 61, of Estero, was arrested Friday at the Walt Disney World Swan, which is on the popular park's property but not owned by it. Bishop has been charged with a felony count of lewd or lascivious acts to a minor.

According to the Orange County Sheriff's Office, guests at the hotel reported seeing Bishop take a young girl into the bushes of the pool area, touch her inappropriately and videotape it. Authorities said the victim was about 6 to 8 years old and said Bishop rubbed her genitals and exposed his own.

Bishop denied such action, according to the police.

Deputies said besides the handheld video camera Bishop was carrying, they found a small digital camera concealed under his shirt and held in place by a lanyard.

He was being held on $100,000 bond.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news...0,2533220,print.story?coll=orl-home-headlines

 

[JimMIA]

Like I said...anyone can just walk into these areas.

 

[Sammie]

Like I said...anyone can just walk into these areas.

Exactly and actually lenshanem I am glad you shared that. I see way too many young children unsupervised at these pools coming and going by themselves.

Disney is not immune to problems. They just try very hard to not let it make the news.