Age to go into clubs

[jeneric997]

Our 8-year-old hated the club/lab as well. It didn't help that it was the beginning of open houses on the Dream (they had started dong that the week we went on). She would get pushed to one side or the other and it was crazy and chaotic! When she was on a computer a little one would wonder up and start moving the mouse, she didn't want to be mean, so she did nothing, but it frustrated her! When the CMs did activities, it was over run with kids, too many to actually do the activity.

She will be 3 weeks shy of her 11th birthday when we go on our cruise and she will start middle school before she turns 11. We will ask about the Edge, but will encourage her to try the Club once. If she hates it, at least we are in Port most of the cruise!

Sometimes I think Disney should consider grade as well. My oldest DD is born in April and she has kids a full year older and 9 months younger than her in the same grade. What grade you are in can make a big difference on what you are ready for!

Alas, there is no perfect answer!

 

[midwestpat]

We had the same experience on our last cruise. We cruised in February and DD will not be 11 until October. She was already on the list for Edge when we went by to check on her being allowed in. There were never more than 25 or so kids in the edge when we went by, but many times the clubs seemed to be overflowing with easily 100+ kids.

Yes. Exactly! Same here.

 

[midwestpat]

You might want to make sure you are dropping your son off at the LAB, rather than with your youngest at the Club. On eht Dream and Fantasy both spaces are connected and kids can go back-and-forth at will; on the Magic and Wonder I believe they have to ask for a CM to escort them to the "other" space. While both are open to ages 3-12, the rooms and programming in the Lab is geared towards the older set (8-12) while the rooms and programming in the Club are geared at the younger kids (3-7). If he only went into the Club area, he may well have thought it young. As PP suggests, look at the Navigator with him and try to pick out some activities he'd enjoy.

Enjoy your cruise!

There are very different activities in the Lab and Club. Our daughter (just 10, and last cruise was just 8) really didn't care for the Lab at all (either time). She loves the club! I think the computer issues PP already stated about other kids playing with the mouse may be the type of thing she encountered. Playing in the club she felt more comfortable - and yet - she successfully navigated the Edge this time very nicely. It isn't necessarily a matter of maturity - just different activities.

Probably best to let them try each and decide what they like.
And I also agree with another PP that you should prepare your under-11 year old(s) so they know they may or may not be allowed in the Edge, if that's what they're hoping for. You really won't know until you get there.