Adult Only Pool Areas/Deck...

[flexsmom]

Other than the concierge rooms that are on the same level of the cove pool area, couldn't the occupants of the forward rooms on the other decks walk to the midship elevators before going up to the pool deck? Wouldn't that eliminate the "need" to walk through the adult areas? Shouldn't the adults with kids on the ship respect the adult areas and enforce in their own children that they shouldn't be in the adult areas? I mean, there already is no casino on board, and the kids have so many areas set aside for them. Why do the need to invade those adult areas? Even if it's just passing through. My kids always understood that they needed to avoid those areas when we were on any cruise ship.

We just left the Dream this morning and had a forward stateroom. The problem with this is that there are forces pushing everyone to the midship elevators, and let me tell you, they stink. (As in, they take forever.). On the Magic/Wonder, at least when you come out onto the pool deck in the adult area, you are on the sides so can walk through and be quite so obvious. On the Dream, the door spills out dirctly into the middle of the area. But back to my point, which is that the aft elevators on the pool deck come up in the middle of Cabanas. That was a total cluster just about all of the time. So if you want to avoid that, you go.....midship. As a result of either avoiding the Cabanas craziness or the adult area, lots of people go midship. That doesn't really make a whole lot of sense for using all of the routes available to keep crowds evenly dispersed. That said, if they really want to avoid the problem and have people reroute to keep kids out of the area entirely even for "passing through" DCL could post "reminder" signs in the elevator (or something like that) to advise people about what is on Deck 11 forward and that it is over 18 only.

 

[KSDisneyDad]

Overall, I think DCL keeps the adult-only areas restricted to only adults (i.e. Palo, clubs after a certain hour, spa, fitness room, Serenity Bay, Cove Cafe, etc.).

The above places are not in the middle of a traffic-flow area. In other words, you have to be wanting to go to them to access them. You don't have to cross through the above areas to get to another parts of the ship.

With respect to the Quiet Cove pool, it is my opinion that DCL had poor ship design on this by making it in a traffic area to access the forward elevators. Yes, a family can walk up or down a floor first. However, this is not enforced by Disney, thus, making it acceptable for families with kids under 18 to cross-through (but not linger or swim!). Personally, I see nothing wrong with this as long as the kids don't stay in the area. A family crossing through the area may have their kids witnessing drunk adults belly-flopping in the pool or otherwise acting like overgrown children themselves. I don't think I've seen anything at Quiet Cove that's truly appalling that my kids haven't already seen at a public beach. (I'm sure they've seen women in thongs before!).

Anyway, I guess I don't see what's wrong with a family using the area to cut through. If they go down a floor, they'll have guests complain about noisy kids in the hallway, plus in the hallways, they have to dodge service carts and other guests in a very narrow space. Going up a deck is out of the way and if Disney wanted to enforce it as strictly adults-only, they would do so all the time like they do the other adult-only areas. If Disney isn't enforcing it, isn't this equivalent to those who wear shorts in the dining room? Disney asks for no-shorts, but it has become acceptable to wear them at dinner. In either case, the family cutting through the Quiet Cove area OR the family in shorts doesn't really affect anyone else's cruise experience - does it? Whether or not it's right or not is a whole other debate, but it's going to happen so one must either simply accept it or write to DCL to complain. (Sorry to be redundant, but again, I am only talking about cutting through the area. I don't think it's right for anyone under 18 to linger in the Quiet Cove area or any other adult-only area. That's a whole other topic IMO.).

 

[n2wdw]

If a kid stays in the adult only area, that's bad and people have a reason to complain to the parents/kids

If a kid walks through the adult only area because that's the most convenient way to go from point A to point B, that's a problem with the design of the boat, not with the parents/kids. I would without hesitation give my kids permission to quietly and quickly walk through such areas, and to ignore any unfriendly stares of adults (and I'll be doing this in our Spring break cruise in 3 weeks). Remember, it's their vacation too, and they are as subject to the design of the boat as the adults (and by the way I think it was adults who designed the boat, not kids).

 

[DisneyJenn23]

I was on the 3/20 Dream and did notice the unfortunate layout of the Quiet Cove Pool. I usually spend a lot of time there and have no problem with kids walking through to get where they need to go.

I can say my experience on this cruise was a very negative one. I was only able to go to the adult pool a few times this cruise and both times I went there were kids in the area. One time a father and his sun were sitting on a lounger. The kid was maybe 10. They ordered smoothies and even took a little nap. Another time there was a 5 or 6 year old sitting at the bar with his mother. I just don't understand why it is so hard for people to follow the rules? If it says the age is 18 and over then it should be 18 and over. You don't see me trying to sneak into Vibe or play in Andy's Room.

 

[KSDisneyDad]

I was on the 3/20 Dream and did notice the unfortunate layout of the Quiet Cove Pool. I usually spend a lot of time there and have no problem with kids walking through to get where they need to go.

I can say my experience on this cruise was a very negative one. I was only able to go to the adult pool a few times this cruise and both times I went there were kids in the area. One time a father and his sun were sitting on a lounger. The kid was maybe 10. They ordered smoothies and even took a little nap. Another time there was a 5 or 6 year old sitting at the bar with his mother. I just don't understand why it is so hard for people to follow the rules? If it says the age is 18 and over then it should be 18 and over. You don't see me trying to sneak into Vibe or play in Andy's Room.

That has nothing to do with the layout of the ship and I agree that such behavior is inappropriate (by the parents who allow it) and I would have complained to a CM, Guest Services and even the Cruise Director about it if it had continued. We have never had an issue with kids lingering in the adults-only area. From what I've read, this seems to be more of an issue during Spring Break cruises for some reason. I understand that this is a Disney cruise and there are lots of kids on board (including ours), but an adult-only area should be enjoyed without kids utilizing the services of the area (i.e. chairs, loungers, pools, etc.). Again, I don't mind them cutting through, but lingering is inappropriate.

PS - I hope that this didn't ruin your entire cruise, but that you meant to say that your experience with kids in the adult-only area was negative. How was the rest of the cruise?

 

[DisneyRN1]

We were in a forward room on the Magic deck 8. Often without thinking (we tried to remember if we were with our kids!) we would go up to deck 9 forward. My kids would get freaked out. I noticed that the signs that said Adult only were on the dividers surrounding the pool area, and not throughout the walkways on the side. I took this to mean "keep on walking". If we found ourselves 9 forward we would quickly walk through quietly. Poor design.

A few times DH and I were alone enjoying the area. We did witness drink servers telling parents their kids had to leave. Occasionally we saw a "check in" where a kid would come in and the parent would quickly stand up and escort them out. That I believe was fine. Another time though a child stood next to her parents table for at least 5 minutes having a conversation, and I believe some whiny tears about something. A server came over and told the parent she had to leave. The parent obliged. I believe it was handled appropriately.

What I didn't get was parents sitting in there with strollers and children. Indeed it made me wonder. Is it ok if the child sleeps? Is it ok if the child is contained to the stroller and not running around? Is it ok if the child doesn't make noise? I'm not sure how I felt about that.

We also were in the Piano bar and saw many families with kids stroll down not knowing what it was and each one was immediately approached. I think they do a good job of policing when it needs to be. How to weed out the older teens?? That's a much harder job.

NO ONE under 18 should be in there sleeping , talking, or whatever. I do understand about the layout, but other than quickly AND QUIETLY walking through, children should not be in the area. if i am not mistaken, (and i may be) there is a coffee area for the teens on the Dream. They should be grateful they don't live where i do-there are separate adult and family pools---and adult here means 30 and over!!!! i don't care if you are the best parents in the world-you can predict when your adorable sleeping child is going to pitch hissy fit!!!!

 

[dsneygirl]

If a kid stays in the adult only area, that's bad and people have a reason to complain to the parents/kids

If a kid walks through the adult only area because that's the most convenient way to go from point A to point B, that's a problem with the design of the boat, not with the parents/kids. I would without hesitation give my kids permission to quietly and quickly walk through such areas, and to ignore any unfriendly stares of adults (and I'll be doing this in our Spring break cruise in 3 weeks). Remember, it's their vacation too, and they are as subject to the design of the boat as the adults (and by the way I think it was adults who designed the boat, not kids).

I passed through many times with my kidlet quickly and quietly and never noticed a nasty look, as did many other parents.

And I also enjoyed the adult only area when my kid was in the Club downstairs. The only child that I saw loitering was a young baby (less than 6 months) in a sleeping stroller with grandma. I wish a CM would have said something. Sure the baby was sleeping now but what happens when she wakes up.

 

[DisneyJenn23]

That has nothing to do with the layout of the ship and I agree that such behavior is inappropriate (by the parents who allow it) and I would have complained to a CM, Guest Services and even the Cruise Director about it if it had continued. We have never had an issue with kids lingering in the adults-only area. From what I've read, this seems to be more of an issue during Spring Break cruises for some reason. I understand that this is a Disney cruise and there are lots of kids on board (including ours), but an adult-only area should be enjoyed without kids utilizing the services of the area (i.e. chairs, loungers, pools, etc.). Again, I don't mind them cutting through, but lingering is inappropriate.

PS - I hope that this didn't ruin your entire cruise, but that you meant to say that your experience with kids in the adult-only area was negative. How was the rest of the cruise?

I totally agree that the issue was not the layout. It was the parent. I wish I would have complained, but I did not get to spend that much time in the area (I had my Goddaughter with me). If it was my normal adults only Disney Cruise I would have been talking to all of those people!

The negative experience was only the adult pool area. The rest of the cruise was fabulous as usual! This was my 8th Disney Cruise and even though I think there are some things that can use a little tweeking, it was still fantastic!

 

[bigmama101]

I have to agree that the adult only pool and lounges should be just that adults only 18years old and up. When I choose to spend time in the adult only places I want it children free. Mom and Dad need a break too. Well with that said I now have an 18 year old and we will be on the Dream and she can't wait to hang out in the adult only places. Can't wait to see her face when Mom and Dad are there too(I dunderstand that due to the desing of the ship kids may have to walk thru this area I am talking about the ones that the parents let linger)

 

[AquaDame]

The largest problem I saw were families crossing to get up to Currents. (we were on a February sailing). I'm not sure who's idea it was to put a family bar right above the adult pool and bar! TONS of kids were running up and down the stairs and families would linger on them waiting for others or deciding what to do next. The families who were just crossing were pretty quiet and I saw a parent quickly get her daughter who paused to stick a finger in the pool out of there pronto.

 

[glassslipper2004]

To those who have been on the Dream - apart from the kids issue, how did you like the adult pool area? It looks like there isn't any way to lie in the sun near the pool, you have to do that up a deck. Were lounge chairs available? Did you find a spot to lie down and read/sleep/relax, or was that hard to do?

 

[MagicalMysteryDream]

The worst thing is having it open to the deck above. Our last experience was ruined by the children calling down to mom or dad CONSTANTLY from the deck above.

 

[sunburnin]

Curious about the deck above the pool.

On the Magic the deck above the Quiet Cove area is also adult only, but the sports deck is forward of that.

On the Dream/Fantasy plans the forward sun deck looks HUGE! Is that all adult only from the Quiet Cove forward? Or is it open to families.

 

[mom2brooke76]

Curious about the deck above the pool.

On the Magic the deck above the Quiet Cove area is also adult only, but the sports deck is forward of that.

On the Dream/Fantasy plans the forward sun deck looks HUGE! Is that all adult only from the Quiet Cove forward? Or is it open to families.

One side is for families and the other is adults only.

 

[La2kw]

If a kid stays in the adult only area, that's bad and people have a reason to complain to the parents/kids

If a kid walks through the adult only area because that's the most convenient way to go from point A to point B, that's a problem with the design of the boat, not with the parents/kids. I would without hesitation give my kids permission to quietly and quickly walk through such areas, and to ignore any unfriendly stares of adults (and I'll be doing this in our Spring break cruise in 3 weeks). Remember, it's their vacation too, and they are as subject to the design of the boat as the adults (and by the way I think it was adults who designed the boat, not kids).

Your kids will be in the minority. There were 800 kids on the cruise I just got off of and only about 8 of them chose not to honor the "adults only" rule. (We were in the adult areas every day.) Usually, it was a parent dragging them in the pool area just to say "hi" to the other parent using the area. I mean, c'mon- the majority of the ship is dedicated to them, can't they at least keep a small part of it child free? It's bad enough there's no casino on board! I was not the only adult in the area complaining about it. It's just rude to your fellow adult passengers to ignore the posted signs. It's really not difficult to follow- I saw plenty of kids waiting on deck 10 for one parent or the other to meet them, and it was not the end of the world for them! My own kids survived following this rule too, and they are now well adjusted adults.

Yes, it's their vacation too, but they are children and should be taught to follow the rules, not scoff at them. They will have to learn that sooner or later.

Thank you to the vast majority of parents who do honor the adult only signs that are posted!

 

[mmouse37]

To those who have been on the Dream - apart from the kids issue, how did you like the adult pool area? It looks like there isn't any way to lie in the sun near the pool, you have to do that up a deck. Were lounge chairs available? Did you find a spot to lie down and read/sleep/relax, or was that hard to do?

There are a total of about 6 loungers in the sun near the adult pool...that is it. Go up one flight and there are tons of loungers an chairs. Or go up two decks to Deck 13 forward...always was empty.

See the two chairs in the fore front of the pic....there are about 4 more next to it to the right. Those chairs are only in the sun when the sun is directly over the pool. The other time they are also in the shade.



Here is a pic of the deck above the pool deck (looking down from Deck 13).



Another view....



Seating in front of the bar on Deck 13...there are chairs behind where I am taking the pic from as well. Also, forward on deck 13 is tons of seating and it was always empty.



Deck 13 Forward Portside is called the Family Zone. I believe Deck 12 forward (above the Quiet cove pool is adult only).












MJ

 

[stamot]

MMOUSE37- Thanks for the pictures. They are great and give some idea to where we can go. I dont like to much the pools. I was a swimmer and I think I got tired of pools. But is great to have some place to take some sun.

 

[BlackFrank]

If there's one thing I can't stand, it's people who think they should be allowed to break the rules because their situation is "unique". Nothing angers me quite so much as this. If I were on a cruise and I saw people taking their kids into an obvious "adults only" area, I'd go straight to the captain immediately (or at least as far up the chain of command as I could go). My blood is boiling just thinking of this situation!!!!

 

[turtlesmom822]

What if you are a 17 year old married and pregnant lady who just wants peace and quiet?

She's an adult legally. Does that matter? Just curious

 

[BlackFrank]

What if you are a 17 year old married and pregnant lady who just wants peace and quiet?

She's an adult legally. Does that matter? Just curious

What part of "18 and older only" do you find confusing?