What's with all of the "adults only" stuff on the DISNEY cruises?

[ethanwa]

I don't get it... I'm going with my KIDS on a DISNEY cruise... why are there so many adult sections and restaurants on the ship? My kids want to spend the whole time with us and I feel like it cuts off part of the boat for us...

Am I the only one who is confused by this? If you want adults-only why don't you go on a Royal Caribbean cruise?

Ethan

 

[sweetpee_1993]

I cruise Disney because I love Disney. I'm a big kid at heart. I've loved Disney my whole life since well before I ever dreamed I'd even be a mom. My "babies" are now 15 & almost 17. We all still very much enjoy the Disney experience with the nostalgia and whimsy mixed-in. That said, I love that the Disney ships offer spaces and activities geared towards all age groups. "All" includes adults-only. There's plenty of designated spaces and activities that are kids only. There's clubs & fun stuff for the tweens and for the teens. Believe me, the TEENS really don't want us adults crashin' their digs! There's spaces and activities designated as family entertainment. Why shouldn't there be spaces and activities designated as adults only? Disney isn't just for little kids. It's for kids at heart of all ages. That's why I choose Disney. I'm not down with casinos, party boats, and sailing sans my favorite Big Cheese. Disney is for everyone. Not just adults. Not just families. Not just kids. Everyone. So on a Disney cruise with your family you can do things together then you can do things independent of each other. It's the best of both worlds all rolled into one fantastic experience. That's why I go!

 

[pharmjenn]

Well, you don't have to be travelling with children to take a Disney Cruise. Lots of people travel with only adults in their party, either because they have no children, grown children, leave the kids at home etc.

Others like doing adult activities while our kids are in the clubs. Our son didn't want to be at the pool much on our cruise. He wanted to stay in the club all day, so I would have been pretty bored without adult activities. Plus, I love the tastings and dining at Palo. I didn't use the adult pool or the spa, but I know many do as a break from the kid-centric activities on the rest of the ship

 

[TheReeders]

My husband and I love Disney so we are going, just the 2 of us. I'm sure a lot of couples go without kids. It's not just for families. It's for anyone. I haven't been on a Disney cruise yet, but every cruise line provides a different experience.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[ethanwa]

I hope my question doesn't come off as being rude. I've never been on a Disney Cruise before... I just found it curious and I wanted to see the appeal for why adults would go. I know my kids don't want to be separated from us so the adults-only sections are something we probably won't even be able to see.

 

[chris31997]

Not only that, there are times when our kids have been doing things in the kid's club. Free time for mom and dad.

Like you, we spend alot of time together as a family, there are times when we like to get away for date night or some adult conversation.

 

[Disney Dreams]

I don't get it... I'm going with my KIDS on a DISNEY cruise... why are there so many adult sections and restaurants on the ship? My kids want to spend the whole time with us and I feel like it cuts off part of the boat for us...

Am I the only one who is confused by this? If you want adults-only why don't you go on a Royal Caribbean cruise?

Ethan

While I understand your question, maybe the best way to answer it is as follows:

I am going with my husband on a Disney cruise. Why shouldn't there be adult sections and restaurants on the ship for us to enjoy without kids? My husband and I don't want to spend the whole time with kids around us as much as we enjoy children and feel like the adult only areas are a nice little secluded area of the ship. Just because we are adults, with no kids, does not mean that we don't love Disney and the quality of service and entertainment DCL provides its guests compared to other cruise lines.

Does that help?
Dreams

 

[luv2sleep]

I hope my question doesn't come off as being rude. I've never been on a Disney Cruise before... I just found it curious and I wanted to see the appeal for why adults would go. I know my kids don't want to be separated from us so the adults-only sections are something we probably won't even be able to see.

Your kids won't like ANY of the kids club activities? Making flubber, making chocolate chip cookies, parties/events with the characters, story time with princesses, and not to mention the multitude of video games, the climbing structure in the Club (Magic/Wonder), and the opportunity to make new friends and hang out and have fun? If your kids go to the club at all then you can check out the adult areas? Also, they can't go with you to things like the spa or hang in the gym if you work out, etc. Then there's Palo and Remy that are adults only. Oh and the night time activities. Nice for a night out as parents.

Anyway, LOL, I had to respond because I can't imagine this life! I am a single mom and part of this vacation is for me to relax and have some kid free time. It's my vacation too! My son goes to the clubs for a couple of hours per day.

If your kids will definitely not leave your side then, yes, the adult areas will not be available to them or you.

 

[ethanwa]

Anyway, LOL, I had to respond because I can't imagine this life! I am a single mom and part of this vacation is for me to relax and have some kid free time. It's my vacation too! My son goes to the clubs for a couple of hours per day.

Yep, our kids are with us constantly on vacations. I understand some people need "time away" from kids, but for us we enjoy the family vacations with all of us together. My son specifically has high anxiety and autism-like qualities at times, so dropping them off at kids activities can be very stressful for the whole family. They are currently 5 (girl) and 7 (boy). Maybe if they were older (10+) it would be easier... As far as night time activities, how can we do that with a 5/7 year old? We can't just leave them in the room alone while they sleep.

We do have time away here at home with date-nights for my wife and I, or vacations to Vegas, etc, but we usually have trusted grandparents watch the kids then.

Maybe a Disney Cruise just isn't right for us then?

 

[luv2sleep]

Yep, our kids are with us constantly on vacations. I understand some people need "time away" from kids, but for us we enjoy the family vacations with all of us together. My son specifically has high anxiety and autism-like qualities at times, so dropping them off at kids activities can be very stressful for the whole family. They are current 5 (girl) and 7 (boy).

Maybe a Disney Cruise just isn't right for us then?

That totally makes sense! My son has some special needs too but he does ok in the clubs for a short time. He actually is not an, "I made a new friend person" either. He doesn't like group activities with the characters but loves playing, climbing, watching movies, making stuff, and playing some games. That's why I try not to have him go but 2 hours a day. He's been there a little longer before but that's not common. Lots of kids love all of the stuff though.

Why do you say DCL might not be for you? Is it because of a few adult areas? There's plenty to do in the other areas on the ship so I wouldn't worry about that. I think people talk about the adult areas because they just enjoy them so much.

 

[ethanwa]

Why do you say DCL might not be for you? Is it because of a few adult areas? There's plenty to do in the other areas on the ship so I wouldn't worry about that. I think people talk about the adult areas because they just enjoy them so much.

No I was referring more to the "maybe it's not right for us" because it sounds like a lot of the kids activities involve us dropping them off... i just want to make sure there are enough family activities for people like us who like to stay together.

 

[Maza]

Yep, our kids are with us constantly on vacations. I understand some people need "time away" from kids, but for us we enjoy the family vacations with all of us together. My son specifically has high anxiety and autism-like qualities at times, so dropping them off at kids activities can be very stressful for the whole family. They are currently 5 (girl) and 7 (boy). Maybe if they were older (10+) it would be easier...

We do have time away here at home with date-nights for my wife and I, or vacations to Vegas, etc, but we usually have trusted grandparents watch the kids then.

As far as night time activities... how can we do that with a 5/7 year old? We can't just leave them in the room alone while they sleep.

Maybe a Disney Cruise just isn't right for us then?

Maybe cruising isnt right for you...if neither yourselves or your kids are going to participate in any activities ...although the sightseeing in new ports might appeal...it certainly wouldn't have to my children at that age.
For them...the clubs and making new friends..trying new activities...was the whole fun bit about cruising.
And as an adult couple about to embark on our first child free holiday in 19 years...on a Disney cruise...it's not just about kids!
Disney provide a very high standard of service, and that is why we sail with them. It can be as Mickey Mouse as you want it to be...r not.
I am looking forward to adult only areas...the spa...the pool..the coffee shop..the bars.

 

[luv2sleep]

No I was referring more to the "maybe it's not right for us" because it sounds like a lot of the kids activities involve us dropping them off... i just want to make sure there are enough family activities for people like us who like to stay together.

Oh there's tons to do together outside of the clubs. To me that's the best thing about DCL. I too am concerned about having lots of stuff to do with my son. I never got bored on our cruises. We did a 2 week cruise and I felt I didn't have enough time to do everything! There is no flow rider, rock wall or anything like that if you are looking for it. There are lots of organized activities, the pools, and aqueduct. We even played shuffle board on deck 4. Some areas will have board games you can play. There's bingo. There's the movie theater. There's a lot to do. Oh and there's open house times in the clubs where they have planned activities for parents and kids to participate in. This during unnsecured time so parents can have fun with their kids in the clubs too! I'm sure you guys will have fun!

Oh and there's mini golf, the sports deck (played fuse ball and ping pong there with my son)...forgot about those things.

 

[justmestace]

What are you looking at, that makes you think there are too many times that you won't be able to do things as a family?
Throughout the day, and into the evenings, the ship's Navigator will list the kids club activities, the adult activities, and also the family ones. Really the only time that you'd find exclusively for adults is late at night in the clubs, after the stage productions are over. And by that time of night, most families are exhausted and ready for bed.
If you researched the cruise before booking, and you likely did because you knew if you booked concierge you could reserve excursions early, then you would have discovered how many things you all can do together.
I feel you're worrying for no reason. Disney won't let you down. Look at copies of the Navigators that people have posted on here. Then if you still think it isn't a good fit, you might want to cancel and vacation in the Parks until your kids are ready to leave you and participate in activities in the clubs, or perhaps just not cruise at all.

 

[Bonniec]

There is something for everyone. Family time, adult time, and kid time are all available for you to pick and choose. I don't want or need adult alone time either, but if my kiddo wants to be in the kid club (and I suspect he will) then I plan to try some adult stuff. It's not something I'm used to! Lol. If he doesn't like the kids club, we will do stuff together

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[OKW Lover]

I don't get it... I'm going with my KIDS on a DISNEY cruise... why are there so many adult sections and restaurants on the ship? My kids want to spend the whole time with us and I feel like it cuts off part of the boat for us...

Am I the only one who is confused by this? If you want adults-only why don't you go on a Royal Caribbean cruise?

Ethan

I got a real chuckle out of this. Thanks.

But on the off chance that you were really serious. There are plenty areas for families on board. There are areas that are kid only too. I enjoy the adult only areas as well as the family areas and never felt that my cruise was missing anything.

 

[tessa67]

I know my kids don't want to be separated from us so the adults-only sections are something we probably won't even be able to see.

LOL, my daughter can't wait to be separated from me; she would forgo meals/sleep/pool for the kids clubs if I would let her.

 

[tajz90]

There are adult only areas not for parents wanting to get away from their kids, but to keep adults occupied so their kids can get away from them

Independence is a good thing and it's certainly a fun thing on a Disney cruise. IMO, if you don't take your kids to try out the clubs, they are missing out. If they don't enjoy the club, pick them up and keep them with you.

Lots of activities for kids, adults and families. You will not be bored.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Coming up is our 4th DCL cruise with DS's family. DS, DDiL do not just let the kids go off on their own. There are times they were with the kids in a club. Maybe this has changed?

As the DGP's we do like some time alone and some times all together. We have looked into other lines for these family cruises, and we actually had one booked, but we cancelled it. DH does not feel exactly as I do, he does enjoy another cruise line more. However, he is not going to let me sail DCL with the family without him!

 

[kalc12345]

Yep, our kids are with us constantly on vacations. I understand some people need "time away" from kids, but for us we enjoy the family vacations with all of us together.

We are the same way. Our kids don't do the clubs. We go on family vacations to spend time together not to be apart.

I do however understand the need for adult only areas. Not everyone has kids and others take Disney cruises without their kids so it is nice to have a space for them. My husband and I are going on a cruise for our anniversary in a couple of days without our kids. We are really looking forward to the adult areas and eating at the adult only restaurants.