Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<But saying that they need lifeguards at all times when the pool is open, is excessive.>> Right. Making WDW as safe as possible is excessive. Sure. This incident wasn't Disney's fault. But that doesn't change the fact that there should be guards at all times when the pools are open.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip William... please stop putting words in my mouth. Perhaps it's time for you to re-read my initial post: <<Don't really know what I think about this. Accidents happen, and there is perhaps no way it could have been prevented. The boy died around 9:30 PM... Pop Century pools are open from 7AM - 11PM but lifeguards are only on duty from 10 AM - 8 PM. Couldn't Disney afford to have lifeguards for those other six hours, or at least during the late evening hours when pool usage is probably higher? Yes, we all know that people use the pools outside of the hours they are officially "open". But shouldn't the "open hours" at least be covered? I just don't know.>> Nowhere did I say it was Disney's fault. I wasn't even sure what the answer is, or if there is one. I just asked a very valid question. I would appreciate it if you could look at a totally non-political post without going on a political rant.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt I'm still waiting for someone to present proof that the boy would still be alive if a lifeguard had been present.
Originally Posted By WilliamK99 The only thing that would have changed if the lifeguard was present is if the kid drowned, Disney could be sued, as of now the parents don't really have a strong legal leg to stand on. Not like that's ever stopped anyone before though.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<Based on his recent comments over the past 3 or 4 months it seems Road Trip feels everyone in America needs their hands held for them and treated like a child because they can't take care of themselves...>> Pretty much a right-wing political rant...
Originally Posted By ImTempest Stop it, please!!! This is Disney, not Washington D.C.! Can we get back to feeling very bad for a family that's lost their child? Not blame, not "well, this should have been done by...(fill in the blank). I know how I would feel if it were my child.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt Excuse me, but fussing and fighting over trivial details is what we do best here.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<Can we get back to feeling very bad for a family that's lost their child?>> Of course everyone here feels bad for the family. That's why we look to see if there is anything that could reduce the possibility of it happening again. If we didn't care we'd just say "Oh well... accidents happen. Kids die in home pools too... bathtubs for that matter."
Originally Posted By ImTempest Yeah, yeah, I know. Been there, done that. But maybe just a little bit less, just for today. I don't think I'm asking for too much.
Originally Posted By sjhym333 No this is not Disney's fault and it is a very terrible accident. I feel sorry for any family that loses a child. And drowning deaths happen regularly in Florida. Having said that. I think with the number of guests from all over the world who stay at the Disney resort hotels, it would be wise to ensure that there is a life guard on duty at all times. Even if that means closing some pools (at hotels with multiple pools) early and keep just one of them open with a life guard. A life guard not only is watching the pool but is also trained in rescue and cpr if something terrible should occur. And honestly...tell me what sense it makes to ask anyone to prove that the child would be alive (or not)if there was a life guard on duty. We will never know that answer to that. But several more eyes at the pools watching for children and adults can never be a bad thing. And considering the cost of a Disney resort room, Disney can afford to many the pools during their operating hours.
Originally Posted By wahooskipper I'm in the parks and recreation business. I think Disney should have lifeguards as long as the pools are open for a number of reasons. Safety is number one. You have people in those pools who may not be around water much, if ever. And, young people at that...even late at night. When you are on vacation kids stay up later and at Disney they are pretty tired come the end of the day; all recipes for disaster. I think it is a maintenance issue. As a pool manager I'd prefer to have the supervison to make sure people aren't doing anything to the pool, bringing stuff into the water that they shouldn't be, clogging up the drains, etc. In this particular case I don't think Disney can be faulted. There is nothing that says they MUST have lifeguards and if signs were posted saying there weren't any then the parent/guardian becomes the resposible supervision. But, Disney cannot use money as a reason not to have guards at the pools so I just think it is ridiculous to not guard them during all operational hours.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "And honestly...tell me what sense it makes to ask anyone to prove that the child would be alive (or not)if there was a life guard on duty." There are thousands of people using that pool and others around the resort every day when lifeguards are not on duty. Why and how did this one visitor of thousands drown? Was he unable to swim, did he have seizure or something else? Knowing his physical condition at the time of accident is an important part of understanding what safety measures are needed at hotel pools at WDW. "We will never know that answer to that." More than likely we will after an investigation is done.
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub I believe the policy at the DL resorts is much stricter. The resort pools are fenced in and gates locked and security guards monitoring the closure. I am not sure about the lifeguard's hours. It has always been swim at your own risk policy for the really early morning exercise/lap swimming and the evening hours for the hot tub jaccuzzi, etc. This is an unfortunate tragic incident and should serve as a warning: Safety First and education and common sense... but I do not believe we should expect any hotels to be required to have lifeguards on duty 24 hours a day. I know the new Art Animation pool is enclosed by a fence but I notice the gates are occasionally left open. Personal experince; True story i was standing poolside and the mother was in the pool as I watched my grandaughter and the mother was really close by but interacting with the slightly older brother. All of a sudden I realized my granddaughter could not touch the pool bottom and was going under. It seemed like a lifetime until my daughter reached her side. She swallowed a lot of water but was safe but it does not take long for accidents to turn deadly. Remember children drown in the toilet seats if they are not closed because they can tip over into the water and can not upright themselves. Accidents happen and it is very horrible and sad. My condolences to the family as they grieve.
Originally Posted By disney pete sad sad Time for the Boys family im split on this one when we stayed at All Stars Music it was same dance Lifeguards left about 6pm if i remember rightly and then about 9 all the mad teens would be in the pool being over boisterous and i think Disney or not the pool should be monitored by a lifeguard whilst its open,on the other hand totally agree with william and parents or guardians should also be in charge of the kids, no matter what though sad times for this family going to Disneyworld for the holiday of a lifetime and losing your child.
Originally Posted By sjhym333 When you consider that Pop Century has over 2800 rooms and a good many of them are filled, Disney could and should have a life guard on duty at all times
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub That will never happen BUT they will install a locked fence surrounding the area if people continue to demand 24 hour lifeguards! I am surprised legal has not begun to implement this already. If you have a pool in your backyard , it is a legal requirement to have a locked fence. Correct? I would hate to see this at POP because I hate the surrounding fence at the new Art of Animation Resort. But very worthwhile if it saves just one life!
Originally Posted By RoadTrip I don't like the look of fences around pools either. But I never suggested that Disney provide 24 hour lifeguards... only during the hours the pools are officially open, which is typically until 11PM. I don't think anyone can expect lifeguards when the pool isn't even officially open. Almost all using the pools really late at night are adults away. It might be a good idea though to have security ask people to leave the pools when they are supposed to be closed. More than once I've had a room overlooking a pool and been disturbed by people taking a late-night alcohol fueled swim... especially at the Boardwalk where bars are open really late.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom I'm surprised that Disney isn't providing lifeguard coverage during all official pool open hours. There always seems to be multiple lifeguards on duty during the day when most guests are visiting the parks. Seems kind of odd that evening pool hours, when guests are more back at their home resort, is not no lifeguard coverage. I would also think evenings are when you really want an extra set of eyes watching things. Still very sad.
