Adults only areas on Disney Fantasy (pools ect)

[Douvres Family]

Originally Posted by neg58

I have two kids who are 16, and even though that means they can't go to Palo or Remy even though they would enjoy it and even though they could 'pass' as adults (and act like it), I'm glad DCL has the rules and enforces them. If exceptions were made for my kids, then someone else would want an exception for a 13 year old's birthday, or a 15 year old winning a contest and celebrating on board.

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.

[Disneyholic]

Originally Posted by Douvres Family

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.

How do you know the boy was 15-16? Did you see him elsewhere on the ship where 15-16 years olds can only go? Did you know the boy? My DD looked 16 when she was 30. At 39 she is still carded at bars & casinos. My son on the other hand was being offered drinks at restaurants when he was 16 because he looked like he was over 21. He has never been carded.

[TDC Nala]

Palo's usually quite strict, while it's possible they let a 16 year old in because they weren't checking, it's also possible it was an 18 year old who looked younger.

In my experience if they even see anybody who looks too young, they ask to see their room key card (which are coded so they can tell if they're under 18)

[Douvres Family]

Originally Posted by Disneyholic

How do you know the boy was 15-16? Did you see him elsewhere on the ship where 15-16 years olds can only go? Did you know the boy? My DD looked 16 when she was 30. At 39 she is still carded at bars & casinos. My son on the other hand was being offered drinks at restaurants when he was 16 because he looked like he was over 21. He has never been carded.

Yes, we had seen him. I know what you mean...I'm 42 and ppl often say I look 32-35. My mother is 72 and often I hear she looks like she's 50.
I'm sorry, maybe I forgot to mention we were on the cruise with our son who was in the teen club and made a lot of friends. We "knew" the family.

[Disneyholic]

Originally Posted by Douvres Family

Yes, we had seen him. I know what you mean...I'm 42 and ppl often say I look 32-35. My mother is 72 and often I hear she looks like she's 50.
I'm sorry, maybe I forgot to mention we were on the cruise with our son who was in the teen club and made a lot of friends. We "knew" the family.

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.

[kcashner]

Originally Posted by Disneyholic

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]

Originally Posted by kcashner

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]

Originally Posted by Henlady

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]

Originally Posted by TDC Nala

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]

Originally Posted by ethanash1

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]

Originally Posted by jelliott04

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]

Originally Posted by hubbard53

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]

Originally Posted by neg58

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.