2014 - Changes to Platinum Pass Benefits

Is that a lot more ride nights offered this year than last? It sure seems so, that's great!

We just visited Castaway Bay last Friday so we're done for the year! :) It's nice, just wish they had a lazy river. I think they might have toned down the wave pool because last year it was violent. Also, the hot tub has a restriction now of anyone under 16 has to be accompanied by an adult! :O That's a little much. The water coaster is a lot of fun.

3snoH un=l said:
Also, the hot tub has a restriction now of anyone under 16 has to be accompanied by an adult! :O That's a little much.

That seems like a perfectly reasonable restriction. In fact, I'd prefer the age limit to be higher. There's plenty for the kids to do, so give the adults something to enjoy.

When we were there in October there were kids sneaking into the hot tub and using it as a warm swimming pool so they were being very picky about enforcing the age thing. We actually had other peoples' children following us in trying to make it look like we were their parents trying not to get caught. We had to point out to the life guard "mine, mine NOT mine, also NOT mine..." I don't mind the teens if they're relaxing but the 10 yr-olds splashing each other don't belong.

The hot tub is not an adults only alternative one like at Kalahari which has both. I think it's painting all children with a broad brush. My then 8 year old last year would get in for a minute to warm up then go back to the slides. They're not wild children. We don't helicopter over our kids and follow on their heels at their age in a place like this, but do have rules they cannot go to the wave pool without our observation, my younger one especially. I could accept the logic of 10 and under perhaps but a 15 year old cannot get in without their mommy or daddy? Further infantilizing of children in this society. The Red Cross has babysitting courses starting at age 11 but apparently they are incapable of sitting in a hot tub properly.

Adults being there does not stop some children from doing some splashing. In fact, that evening it was adults who were getting out of the tub outside and running to the snow, rolling around and getting back in the tub, like some kind of dare when there are signs posted on the ropes clearly saying they cannot go on the deck in the winter. Maybe no adults should go in unaccompanied without a senior.

It's just another sad message telling kids they are incapable.

I've only been there once, do they enforce the age limits more some days than others or are they always strict? I wonder if the age is set high just to give them the option of booting someone out if they are a problem or if they really would kick out a 14 or 15 yr-old just for being under 16?

The wave pool is meticulously guarded by the life guards, the hot tub is basically unguarded. I wouldn't let an 8 year old alone in the hot tub for the safety issue alone. They are actually much safer alone in the wave pool. I would guess the safety issue is the main reason behind the 16 year age minimum.

My husband and I spent most of the time in the hot tub ourselves. They don't technically have a lifeguard but they must have a camera because when a child was sitting on the side of the tub they were out with their whistle within a few seconds. Another minor thing happened that I can't recall but they were out there again like white on rice. But I do remember it made me laugh a little and say we all need to sit still with our hands folded. It's not like there was anything close to chaos. However, when my older son observed the adults getting out that evening to run to the snow he started to get a gleam in his eye and I told him don't even think about it. For whatever reason, the adults weren't called on but I told my son she'd be out with her whistle if he did it plus they were disobeying the rules. It's a little difficult when it's the adults setting the bad example.

If they're worried about safety it's too shallow for an 8 year old (he's actually 9 now) and I would think they would impose a height limit if they're concerned but it's pretty clear it's a behavioral issue in which all children up to 15 are too immature instead of kicking out the occasional trouble makers.

What happened last year is that he would get done with the slide, would be freezing, then sit in the tub by the gate for a minute to warm up then get back out and slide again. He couldn't do that this year so we had to kind of follow him around so he could warm up. Near closing when I was mostly dry and he wanted to get a few more slides in I just asked the guard if he could sit there a minute while I stood by the gate and watched him and he said okay. It just made my son feel bad like he can't be trusted and I sympathize with him.

I just want to add that I saw that the wave pool was guarded and I think their staff is very professional and alert. However, I feel more comfortable having the extra eyes especially since I am not as confident in our children being able to take those waves, making sure they don't go too deep as opposed to sitting in a hot tub.

Came back to post that I talked to my husband about this and he said he was told by the gate person it was state law. I cannot find the code for this under 16 business but I did see somewhere else how it can be dangerous for a child under 5 lest they get sleepy if the water is too hot. Some states have age 12. Funny, on Castaway Bay's website it says for The Grotto "A responsible adult must accompany children under the age of 1". I think that is a typo.

I don't think a 1 year old should be in a hot tub at all. So it's OK to leave a 2 year old in there alone? Yeah, that's definitely a typo.

I'm sure it's a mistake. You're right, although my kids haven't been in hot tubs until the last couple years, I found it is not recommended for toddlers or babies.

Be glad it is what it is. Wisconsin law prohibits kids under 6 from entering hot tubs at all, even with an adult.

3snoH un=l said:
I could accept the logic of 10 and under perhaps but a 15 year old cannot get in without their mommy or daddy? Further infantilizing of children in this society. The Red Cross has babysitting courses starting at age 11 but apparently they are incapable of sitting in a hot tub properly.

Did you ever think that maybe the adults in the hot tub just don't want kids around? Just because your kids are awesome and well behaved doesn't necessarily mean I want to sit in a hot tub with them.

There's more than enough there to keep kids occupied. Let adults have something for themselves.

I was always annoyed at castaway when a lifeguard would stop me to ask my age. I was 15 years old and I couldn't join my parents because I wasn't one year older. Ive always thought it was a stupid rule.

When you're 15, most rules seem stupid. :)

When you're older, you come to appreciate certain ones more.

^It seems you're still misunderstanding, it is NOT an adults only hot tub, children can come in but apparently a 15 year old is not mature enough to be able to sit in it without an adult supervising. I had a real job at 15, yeesh!

Maybe you can petition to get the ruled changed to all kids under 16 except your awesome kids.

:)

But not all kids are responsible at that age. I have been in there at times where kids are just playing around and disturbing everyone. Its a good rule.

I agree with the minimum age limit. Yes, its possible you have a well behaved 9 year old, or 15 year old. Unfortunately in today's society, not all kids are like that, and it is unfortunate that they get stereotyped. But when I was that age (not too terribly long ago) I viewed hot tub time as a time to sit down and talk with my parents, as I was always off doing my own thing that they didn't want to do.

It's not just today's society, it's being a kid. Of course there are wonderful, well-behaved kids out there, and of course there are adults that will, at times, act like idiots.

The rule makes sense.

Kevinj said:
Maybe you can petition to get the ruled changed to all kids under 16 except your awesome kids.

:)

This isn't cute. I am not trying to brag on my kids. I am saying they aren't wild in a place like that and I don't think most children are either.

It's sad that society has placed such a low bar on all children that it is expected that they are helpless and misbehave. Maybe that's why you think they haven't got their act together by the age of 15.

I do not agree.

But then again, I'm one of the few parents that lets her children walk to school, without me.

I cannot imagine that when I was a sophomore in high school that my senior boyfriend would have had to have been required to escort me into the hot tub at Castaway Bay. That's a laugh.