INTEX Inflatable Pool Float: Pool Toy for Kids

For context here, I am an "inflatable furry", which means I am a furry who has a special affinity for inflatable toys. If you don't know what that means, feel free to look it up on YouTube as there is a super informative and wholesome doc about it there. However, this isn't what the review is about so I will move on. Anyways as the review date indicates, I have bought this in February so I haven't had the chance to test riding the toy in a pool yet as intended, however so far I just adore this cute little whale. The blue transparent vinyl is just absolutely beautiful in light, and is pretty soft for most current consumer toy standards*. I will note that these are a little smaller than what they appear to be in photos, so if you're an adult of a larger build and wish to ride the toy in or out of the water, keep this in mind and go with the regular "OG" orca whale instead as it is much bigger and perfect for just about any adult who wants a midsize ride on. However, the Lil Whale is a great size for cuddling and those of us with smaller builds like myself can still ride the toy just fine either in or out of water if that is something you wish to be able to do. My only suggestion for Intex regarding improvement would be to make the right pectorial and tail fins a separate air chamber for both added durability and the ability to not inflate the entire toy for cleaning or "impromptu cuddling in small space" purposes if you wish, plus randomly having the left pectorial fin be a seperate air chamber whereas the other isn't just makes no sense to me. Otherwise for the price, this is a solid inflatable and a must have if you collect them! *It's certainly not Inflatable World quality softness wise but for a consumer grade toy, it isn't bad at all. I also will recommend the Poolmaster hippopotamus that's also featured in the review photo as a great must-have consumer ride on for our community as while it is a bit more expensive, it is decently large, has quite soft vinyl yet a durable build and has that signature smell when first opened; which is the only thing about the Lil Whale I was slightly disappointed about as mine hardly had a smell at all when first unboxed and the faint smell it did have was that new smell a lot of Intex and Bestway toys have now instead of the sweet classic smell of the old stuff (iykyk).

I’m not your average pool toy purchaser. For the first 16 years of my life, I dreamed of owning this toy. Her gorgeous eyes, that lovely shape, the soft vinyl texture, it all called to me, day after day. When I was 16, I finally worked up the courage to place the order. That orca arrived, and she was everything I wanted and more. Since then, I’ve acquired a lot of pool toys. From standard mass-market rides to some of the most high-end, custom-designed inflatables you’ll ever see, the kind reserved for niche collector circles. You can see them in the photos from my birthday pool party. But right there, front and center, next to all those rare and expensive designs? The classic Intex orca. And she held her own, effortlessly. I spent my whole childhood staring longingly at this exact design. That smile. Those big, gorgeous eyes. The graceful swoop of her fins. There’s something magical about her, the way she made fun look cool and cute feel strong. Now, nearly 14 years later, she’s still unforgettable. Durable, adorable, perfectly shaped for lounging, and ridiculously photogenic. Even next to toys that cost twenty times as much, this little orca never looked out of place. She’s the inflatable equivalent of comfort food: timeless, beloved, and always welcome. Some designs become iconic for a reason. This orca is one of them. She’s got staying power. She’s got heart. And if you treat her right, she’ll always make your space feel like home, pool or no pool. Honestly, they’re like giant sea plushies. And let’s face it: everyone deserves to have an Intex orca in their life. If you’re on the fence about buying one, just do it. You’ll see what I mean.

I used the INTEX Giant Gator Inflatable Pool Float for a kids' pool party I planned, and it was an absolute hit! The kids loved it! The gator design is fun and eye-catching, and it was a huge hit with both the boys and girls. It’s really sturdy, with two heavy-duty handles that made it easy for the kids to climb on and off, even with the splashy excitement of a pool party. The size is perfect for younger kids—there was plenty of room for them to comfortably float around, and it has a 176lb weight capacity, so it held up well with even the rowdiest little swimmers. It also stayed inflated the whole time, which was a relief because I've had issues with other floats deflating mid-use. The kids spent so much time on the gator, and it really kept them entertained throughout the event. If you're looking for a fun and reliable float for a kids' party or any pool gathering, I highly recommend this one. It added a lot of fun to the party and looked great in photos too!

Christmas gift for my grandkids (two boys 8 and 6). They wanted to blow it up immediately to play with even out of the water! We took it to the pool and they had a BLAST! It has handles which helps to stabilize and easily sit/play on. We were glad we had an electric air pump to inflate fairly quickly. It's a good sized pool toy! Easily deflated to store and are looking forward to their next visit to play with again!

Great shark - held up 1 season - wish it were a little tougher retained air well until it developed a hole that we could not locate. It is huge and was fun.

Lemme just start out by saying that to absolutely no one’s surprise, this is a great inflatable. Intex always does a great job with their inflatables. They’re always very durable, very comfortable, super cute, and they work really well in the pool. The vinyl is very thick and feels much better quality than most others on the market. Amazing price for such a cute fun little inflatable, I can buy 3-5 at a time and not feel too bad because the price is so good. Will be buying more.

Kids loves this float. It held up to quite a bit of use. Large enough even the old kids could use it.

I picked this up for a weekend pool party, and it was easily the best money I’ve spent all summer. It’s the perfect size for kids, and unlike some of the cheaper floats we’ve tried, the vinyl feels thick and durable—it actually survived a whole afternoon of "shipwreck" games without needing a patch. It inflates in just a couple of minutes, and the colors are so bright that it makes the pool look like a vacation spot instantly. My kids have been dragging it in and out of the water all week, and it’s holding air perfectly. It's simple, fun, and honestly essential if you're trying to keep the little ones entertained while you actually try to relax in your own lounge chair. For a basic pool toy, you really can't beat the quality!