I have the plastic type that have a panel that rolls in or out of pool to prevent a child from using the ladder. They have a larger platform at the top, which is wonderful to turn around, or just sit and watch my daughter. She uses it to jump into the pool. You have to fill the legs with water so they won't float out. The only negative I have encountered is that the unit is quite heavy filled with water and I would like to move them a bit to vacuum behind the steps better. I wouldn't go back to the flimsy style just because of this issue. Flimsy style has made a nice entry ladder for the trampoline, however.
