Adults only areas on Disney Fantasy (pools ect)

[kcashner]

It depends on when the cruise was. A few years ago they were letting kids who had just turned 18, but were still in high school to go to the teen clubs, too. Because of an incident in the clubs involving an older teen they discontinued this practice.

The policy of allowing 18s who were in high school or had just graduated ended in December 2011, so any cruise before that could have had an 18 in the teen programming.

Palo is totally strict--you cannot make a reservation for a guest under 18. THey don't have to "card," it just can't happen. The only way I can see it occurring is if the reservation was made in an adult name and then a teen went in place of the adult--if there was a reservation for grandma, grandpa, and the parents but grandma decide she didn't want to do a "fancy dinner", they aren't likely to ask if 4 people show up.

We did DD's 18th birthday in Palo--getting that booked in advance took some intervention from the supervisor (the computer keeps your age at boarding as your age for the entire cruise.)

 

[TDC Nala]

The policy of allowing 18s who were in high school or had just graduated ended in December 2011, so any cruise before that could have had an 18 in the teen programming.

Palo is totally strict--you cannot make a reservation for a guest under 18. THey don't have to "card," it just can't happen. The only way I can see it occurring is if the reservation was made in an adult name and then a teen went in place of the adult--if there was a reservation for grandma, grandpa, and the parents but grandma decide she didn't want to do a "fancy dinner", they aren't likely to ask if 4 people show up.

We did DD's 18th birthday in Palo--getting that booked in advance took some intervention from the supervisor (the computer keeps your age at boarding as your age for the entire cruise.)

This is what happened on the Magic once at brunch - guy came in with his daughter instead of his wife. The manager sidled over to ask how old the daughter was. Apparently she wasn't 18 yet because the guy started yelling "But she LOOKS eighteen." They sent the daughter away, and the wife came up. She filled a plate with food and took it down to the daughter and Dad ate by himself.

 

[neg58]

The reason Cove Cafe is "inside" the adult area, is that it is an ADULT venue.
You would be welcome to purchase a beverage for your teen, but they may not stay there with you.

I know, I just said I wish the actual counter was in a neutral zone so that she could have gone in to order her own coffee. If it were, the adults could go out to the Cove pool area and the younger set to the family deck. It's not like a bar where there is no reason for a child to be ordering a drink, but my kids order a coffee or a bakery item all the time at Starbucks.

Nancy

 

[ethanash1]

This is what happened on the Magic once at brunch - guy came in with his daughter instead of his wife. The manager sidled over to ask how old the daughter was. Apparently she wasn't 18 yet because the guy started yelling "But she LOOKS eighteen." They sent the daughter away, and the wife came up. She filled a plate with food and took it down to the daughter and Dad ate by himself.

That's a great idea for parents who insist that their children are "fine diners". Take a plate back to them. We had an AMAZING server at Palo for Brunch and dinner, who insisted on us taking an extra plate back to our rooms filled with food. Even wrapped it in foil. My 7 year old will try anything, and he was super excited. But until he's 18, he's not setting foot in any adult area.

I think the bigger picture here is teaching kids that rules need to be followed, and NOT teaching them that its OK to do whatever you want.

 

[Douvres Family]

I cannot assume or jump to conclusions as to why this teen was eating in Palo with his family, but he was. He was also in the Vibe with my son. It didn't bother me...well, just that I wish my son could have experience Palo...but it was meant for DH and I to have a romantic dinner.

I would prefer for the adult areas to remain as such with all guests respecting it.
Mutual respect and courtesy.
That being said, we didn't experience too many occasions where minors were in adults' areas and/or that it bother anyone.

 

[Douvres Family]

That's a great idea for parents who insist that their children are "fine diners". Take a plate back to them. We had an AMAZING server at Palo for Brunch and dinner, who insisted on us taking an extra plate back to our rooms filled with food. Even wrapped it in foil. My 7 year old will try anything, and he was super excited. But until he's 18, he's not setting foot in any adult area.

I think the bigger picture here is teaching kids that rules need to be followed, and NOT teaching them that its OK to do whatever you want.

 

[hubbard53]

What do you have against knitting?????

(stopped knitting my disney washcloths to post this) LOL

sigh..now everyone's going to be knitting on my next cruise!



I bet somewhere, there's a 20-something complaining about the 30-something who was wasting space in the adult only area reading a BOOK! *GASP*

 

[Douvres Family]

sigh..now everyone's going to be knitting on my next cruise!



I bet somewhere, there's a 20-something complaining about the 30-something who was wasting space in the adult only area reading a BOOK! *GASP*

 

[DsnysGr8t]

We are about to take our 9th cruise and have always chosen 2nd seating (even when our 20 year old daughter was 7). In any restaurant situation, whether it be at sea or on land, when she had a melt-down, we took her out of the restaraunt. I've never felt that someone else should be subject to my child's issues.

2nd Seating on Disney Cruises now has a deal where the Club Counselor CM's come in about 30 minutes after the meals start and take those kids out that want to go back to the clubs (the serves are told in advance and bring the kids food out first). This looks to work great!

 

[kcashner]

I know, I just said I wish the actual counter was in a neutral zone so that she could have gone in to order her own coffee. If it were, the adults could go out to the Cove pool area and the younger set to the family deck. It's not like a bar where there is no reason for a child to be ordering a drink, but my kids order a coffee or a bakery item all the time at Starbucks.

Nancy

The new ships have the Vista Cafe--exactly the same coffees, alcohol, and snacks as the Cove Cafe but in a family area of the ship.

 

[chirurgeon]

sigh..now everyone's going to be knitting on my next cruise!



I bet somewhere, there's a 20-something complaining about the 30-something who was wasting space in the adult only area reading a BOOK! *GASP*

I know a lot of 20 something knitters and readers I just have to train my nieces so we can start taking over the world.

 

[Plaid Princess]

I know a lot of 20 something knitters and readers I just have to train my nieces so we can start taking over the world.

Been knitting since I was 16. I learned at the yarn/liquor store near my school.

And reading? Usually about 3 books at a time.

 

[jelliott04]

Been knitting since I was 16. I learned at the yarn/liquor store near my school.

And reading? Usually about 3 books at a time.

It doesn't happen often, but I LOVE to just sit and knit and listen to an audio book. I'm also always reading one book and listening to another when I'm carpooling or doing errands or chores.

*YEAH* for so many knitters!

Jen

 

[jahber]

Been knitting since I was 16. I learned at the yarn/liquor store near my school.

And reading? Usually about 3 books at a time.

Pretty sure a yarn/liquor store would motivate me to knit, too! I wonder if there are any near me...

 

[kayaker35]

For what it's worth.....

I'm coming from an older perspective. I'm 67... my husband is 70. We're definitely the grown-up kids Walt referred to. We love Disney! We took our first Disney cruise in November (along with our grown children and our two grandchildren) to the Bahamas, and will be taking another in August to Alaska and in March of 2014 to the Western Caribbean.

I'm going to sound like an old fuddy duddy, but "back in the day" there seemed to be more respect for rules. I can't imagine ever trying to sneak my children into a venue that was reserved for adults. If I didn't like the rule, I would have taken my children somewhere that didn't have the age restriction. I assume that those people who flout the age rule on the Disney cruises knew about the age-restricted areas before booking. If they weren't willing to abide by Disney's policy, why did they book the cruise at all?

My husband and I loved spending time with our grandchildren on the Dream...... splashing with them in the pool..... waving to them as they floated by in the AquaDuck..... having meals with them in the dining rooms...... enjoying soft serves several times a day (!)...... and sharing in the magic of the wonderful stage shows. It doesn't seem too much to ask that we be allowed to have a small area of the ship set aside for adults to unwind and share each other's company without children being present.

JMHO
Karen

 

[love280mickey]

I understand and I agree. I've been taking my son to 5 star restaurants in NYC since he was 9yrs old...dates with mom. I figured the best way he would learn is through exposure. He is 15 yrs old and has better table manners and most adults I know and is not afraid to try anything. He really does enjoy the "finer cuisine" (and McD's...lol).

When DH and I dined at Palo we mentioned dishes our DS would enjoy...along with the atmosphere. HOWEVER, though we felt guilty...this time was about us...for us.
You may be able to understand how bothered I was as I was leaving to see a 15-16 yr old boy sitting in Palo dinning with his family. Apparently, exceptions are made!

I did not say anything AND I DO NOT want the policy for adult dinning to change.

Well, I think I would have said something to the Palo manager!

 

[Dawg91]

I don't knit, but I still wanted to say that on the Dream, there were lots of quiet adult lounging areas inside and outside that had NO traffic if you looked for them. I found some of them just wandering around off the beaten path.

Our cabin was forward so we always used that elevator to access deck 11 with pools and food. I did think it odd that the adults only pool was in a high traffic area.