Yet Another Poly Question

[4disneygenerations]

First, thanks for the quick answers to the laundry question. Are the no swimming rules enforced at the Poly beach? I remember something about signs "No Swimming". I also remember reading a forum that children do play in the Lagoon water. My grandaughter loves the beach and will be so happy with the zero entry pool. I am just concerned that she will want to run into the lagoon if she sees other children in there. She listens, but will be confused if she is told not to while other children are. Both my granddaughters love Disney and we have never had a negative moment there, well except last year "LOVE BUGS" I know I am the worry wart grandmother.

 

[disneyag]

Kids can certainly play on the beach, just not in the water. I have seen the rules enforced, so you shouldn't have a problem. Let them build sand castles--Boutiki has some relatively inexpensive beach toys for sale.

 

[ObsessedwiththeMouse]

Hi!

I believe that absolutely NO ONE is allowed in the lagoon area anymore. We were told it was because the sunscreen was destroying the water in the lagoon......?

Anyway, your granddaughter shouldn't see anyone in the water, just the sand. She will love the pool at the Poly!

Enjoy your trip!

 

[HM]

I can see why you are concerned.

A few years ago, we were staying at WL. There was a family there that was playing frisbee in the lagoon off the beach. They would 'reach' for the frisbee when it was out of range and end up in and under the water. They may as well have been swimming in the lagoon for as wet as they were getting. No on came along to tell them to stop while we were there.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

I know what you mean. There were a few kids going into the lagoon water when we were there both in July and January. My kids already knew the reason why they weren't allowed in (snakes and alligators). They couldn't understand why the parents let the kids go in. I showed them the signs the first day so they knew it wasn't allowed.

My kids had a great time digging on the beach though. Get some sand toys and your granddaughter will have a ball.

 

[disneyag]

I hadn't heard that sunscreen was the reason to stay out of the lagoon, but I was told that because the lagoon is a waterway--lots of boats--it's not safe for swimming.

 

[CanadianGuy]

I suspect that sunscreen is the least of the lagoons problems. Disneyag is pretty much on the mark.

For the most part, it's a closed watershed -- swampland. Disney made a lake by digging out swampy areas and putting the earth together to make more solid land. Or something like that.

Closed watershed mean the water stagnates. Given the sheer volume of the amount of frequent and scheduled motorized boat traffic on the waters of the Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake.. I can't imagine that mostly stagnant water isn't more or less polluted in some way by now.

I suspect that the problems with the lagoon water closed River Country. Even tho River Country supposedly was separate water all together.. It was awful close to the lagoon.

In short, I wouldn't let my frisbee in that lagoon water.. let alone my kids! (If I had any kids.. which I do not)

Knox

 

[traci]

I've even heard alligators were the reason

 

[disneyfan67]

I have never heard the sunscreen theory before, but be assured that isn't the reason why that water isn't fit for swimming. CanadianGuy brought up some good reasons why it not fit for man or beast. When WDW opened up back in 1971 the Seven Seas lagoon was pretty much brand new. People were allowed to swim back then because we didn't know better. The EPA was just formed in 1970 and was still in it's infancy when WDW opened in 1971.

I doubt much testing was done on the quality of that water in the early days. There's no way that the Seven Seas lagoon can clean itself naturally due to the closed man made design of it. Whatever toxins and pollutants gets put in that water, it's there to stay. I can't even began to imagine how much traffic that body of water has seen over the years since WDW opened to the public.

You then factor in all the dangerous wildlife that can be in that water at times. Then the real chance of guests getting sick or injured in that water due to simple fact that no one can clean and control a body of water that big. I'll take a properly maintained, chemically balanced pool over a dirty lake, any day of the week and twice on Sundays.

 

[CanadianGuy]

I have never heard the sunscreen theory before, but be assured that isn't the reason why that water isn't fit for swimming. CanadianGuy brought up some good reasons why it not fit for man or beast. When WDW opened up back in 1971 the Seven Seas lagoon was pretty much brand new. People were allowed to swim back then because we didn't know better. The EPA was just formed in 1970 and was still in it's infancy when WDW opened in 1971.

I doubt much testing was done on the quality of that water in the early days. There's no way that the Seven Seas lagoon can clean itself naturally due to the closed man made design of it. Whatever toxins and pollutants gets put in that water, it's there to stay. I can't even began to imagine how much traffic that body of water has seen over the years since WDW opened to the public.

You then factor in all the dangerous wildlife that can be in that water at times. Then the real chance of guests getting sick or injured in that water due to simple fact that no one can clean and control a body of water that big. I'll take a properly maintained, chemically balanced pool over a dirty lake, any day of the week and twice on Sundays.

What he said goes double for me. Four times on Sundays.

And I'm not just saying that cause he agreed with me. It's cause he's right!

Knox

 

[RayaniFoxmur]

I suspect that the problems with the lagoon water closed River Country. Even tho River Country supposedly was separate water all together.. It was awful close to the lagoon.

Actually we were told by a CM that River Country was closed because of a state law requiring no water parks be made off open water (like a lake) since it could not be chlorinated and regulated... which is what closed River Country. I kinda wish they'd at least clean that area, that water is nasty! But I digress... I don't know how accurate that information is, but I figured I'd share it!

 

[CanadianGuy]

Actually we were told by a CM that River Country was closed because of a state law requiring no water parks be made off open water (like a lake) since it could not be chlorinated and regulated... which is what closed River Country. I kinda wish they'd at least clean that area, that water is nasty! But I digress... I don't know how accurate that information is, but I figured I'd share it!

THANK YOU! I knew it was something like that. Either way.. the "law" didn't want you in that lagoon!



Knox

 

[Allison]

Even though they aren't supposed to do it, I saw people wading/playing in the lagoon water every day of our stay at the Polynesian. I think it is very likely your granddaughter will see people in the water.

I wouldn't let my kids do it but I guess some people just ignore the signs.

The Polynesian is beautiful.

Welcome to the DIS.

 

[tripplanner]

I'd be surprised if you didn't see a couple of kids in the water. We just showed our kids the signs and explained to them that they could get sick in the water. They just played in the sand and never tried to go in the water. The only bothersome thing was that our kids kept asking us (and do every trip since when they see kids in the lagoon) why people let their kids in the water.