Giant inflatable pools - are they much cop?

[handlemecarefully]

I've been feeling all summery (plus my ADs have kicked in so full of the joys of spring - if not overflowing) and have been looking at these:

come on in the water is luvvverly

Hope my link works - am living dangerously and haven't checked it.

Anyone got any experience of these large inflatable pools. Are they easy to put up and maintain? I'm slightly put off by the product description which says that they come with an instruction video (am thinking that if there is an instruction video it must be complicated). Don't want to make an expensive mistake.

Do you think these would be safe given that I have a 2.8 year old and nearly 1 year old. They do come with a lid....

its the sort of pool they use for try diving at boat/water sports shows. so they must be good.

Don't know much about how good they are, but they have a slightly smaller one on the D&A website for half price. £49.99 rather than £99.99!

I'll have a look at that blueteddy. The GLT one is £249!

Oh just checked it out & it is actually only £40, down from £100!

Thanks blueteddy and mnosam...

Would you guys be tempted to get one? I can't decide....

I'm going to keep bumping this periodically. There must be some mumsnetter who actually has this in her back garden and can rate it from first hand experience.....

Ah - that wouldn't put me off too much Irishbird. I'm not a lawn person

lol irishbird....

anyone else any experience of these ?

Have you had a look at the one on the D&A website?
It is a 10ft one, where as the GLT one is 16ft, but is pictured with the whole family in it.
For £40 (under half it's original price) it does seem a very good buy!

You're right - it does seem a very good buy

Have a look on ebay, there are some bargains to be had on there with pools etc, i have been comtemplating getting one for the summer too, you can even get solar sheeting to put over the top for the days you aren't using it and it heats the water.

The web address for D&A is www.datoys.co.uk
if you want to check it out.

Here is one, its only £148 inc postage.

Paddling Pool

Thanks for the D&A web address.

Also, I didn't know about the solar panels. Sound like an excellent idea.

Right, going to flex the credit card now.

I've bought one of the d & a site, can't wait for thehot weather now

Have you bought one yet hmc?

I'm very tempted by these too, but worried that it might be a bit CHILLY?

Not heard of the solar panels idea - any links?

we have one with the rigid frame - like a gazebo/tent poles. bought off ebay last year. great fun BUT the solar cover was just a huge circle of bubble wrap - still effective but a bit of a disappointment on unwrapping. Also we bought an electric heater - expensive but worth it - don't forget you have to buy the chemicals to stop it going green and yucky

what are the solar panels ?

Do you need chemicals? I thought they came with some sort of filter that meant you didn't need chemicals?

Blueteddy - not yet, I'm not very organised but I will definitely be placing an order within the next couple of days.

Vkr where do you get the chemicals and the electric heater?

I've been thinking bout this too. Really wanted a proper pool - but was going to cost £40k! have a google for above ground pools, then you can see the range of chemicals, covers and heaters.
I think you can get small heaters that you can just plug in and more powerful ones that require an electrician.

ps - anyone know the electrical running costs and how much the water would cost (we are on a water meter)

We haven't got one of these but we do have a pretty big inflatable pool (about 10ft across I guess). It's great and dd loves it but it is cold and even in hot weather it takes a long time for the water to warm up a bit. It's never been warm enough for me to get in and ours is only a couple of feet deep so I would definitely recommend a heater.
They do take a long time to fill TracyK so the water could be expensive if you're metered but it is only once.