Kids club - activities
- Thread starter ANT2304
- Start date
Susan C
Susan C
- Joined
- Jun 4, 2007
My son was 7 on his last cruise he loved it when they made Flubber..
He pretty much loved EVERYTHING..I had to beg him to come to the shows with me..
2Princess&aPrince
no matter how your heart is grieving, if you keep
- Joined
- Mar 16, 2009
We cruised in November 2008 and my then 10 year old loved Oceaneers Lab. She loved hanging out with the friends she met. She liked making cookies (and eating them). She loved the computer games. Her group also went to Studio Sea for some charades and other activities that she really enjoyed.
My then 6 year old loved Oceaneers Club where she made "flubber" and she still is ticked at me that I forgot to get it from the counsellors and take it home!!lol. She liked the animation program where they learned how to draw Mickey Mouse and other characters (in Animator's Palette of course!).
My 3 year old didn't spend a whole lot of time in the programs as he wanted to stay with us, but his favourite activity was watching 'Finding Nemo" on Ariel View while swimming in the Goofy Pool!! When he was in program, I was with him and he really liked playing with all of the toys and the pirate ship climber. Jo-Jo from Jo-Jo's Circus was there once while we were. Another favourite activity of his too, was making his own hot chocolate at the beverage station on deck 9....his version of coffee he said! lol.
There is bracelet making, colouring, computer games, Nintendo Wii, movies,....so much to do and so little time. You would think that seven days would be plenty of time to do things....nope. That's why we are going to go again next year to get the rest of it in!!! lol.
My kids didn't complain at all about the programs they did so all in all our family gives the programs great reviews!!!
So many things to do in Studio Sea too that we didn't get around to doing....
My then 6 year old loved Oceaneers Club where she made "flubber" and she still is ticked at me that I forgot to get it from the counsellors and take it home!!lol. She liked the animation program where they learned how to draw Mickey Mouse and other characters (in Animator's Palette of course!).
My 3 year old didn't spend a whole lot of time in the programs as he wanted to stay with us, but his favourite activity was watching 'Finding Nemo" on Ariel View while swimming in the Goofy Pool!! When he was in program, I was with him and he really liked playing with all of the toys and the pirate ship climber. Jo-Jo from Jo-Jo's Circus was there once while we were. Another favourite activity of his too, was making his own hot chocolate at the beverage station on deck 9....his version of coffee he said! lol.
There is bracelet making, colouring, computer games, Nintendo Wii, movies,....so much to do and so little time. You would think that seven days would be plenty of time to do things....nope. That's why we are going to go again next year to get the rest of it in!!! lol.
My kids didn't complain at all about the programs they did so all in all our family gives the programs great reviews!!!
So many things to do in Studio Sea too that we didn't get around to doing....
OurOhana
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Jan 10, 2009
Hi there
To be honest, there were so many things our 3-year-old daughter did in the club that she never really told us about. (When she comes home from school most days, she's the one who when I ask what she did that day, she says "Played.") So I can tell you of only a few things.
We were with her when she did the do si do with snow white. There were a ton of boys and girls in there that day, and they had a blast learning how to dance. The counselors are very entertaining, I thought. Snow White came in for a while at the end.
We also took her to something called Playhouse Disney in one of the lounges one morning. She loves most of the shows on the Disney Channel in the morning and we thought she would like it. It was basically them signing and dancing to the tunes they hear on the shows. There were a lot of younger kids in there.
I also sat with her in the club while she made arts and crafts, which she loved doing, and as she learned to play some games on the computers (she's still not great at video games, but she wanted to try. And sometimes they counselors would tell stories (often the counselors would be dressed up in character, which I thought was cute and more entraining.)
And almost every time we went to get her, she was in dress up clothes (Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella, etc.) And often they had free time where they play on a big indoor slide.
We tried to time it for her to be in the club when it looked like there would be something she would be familiar with. For instance, I remember they had something associated with Jo Jo one day. Well, she's never really watched that show, so we didn't rush to get her there. But when they mentioned Peter Pan, we knew she's like to be there. They also had a cute pajama party one night we had in for a while. I can't tell you what they did during each of the activities since our daughter didn't chat about it a lot last time around. But I can tell you she had fun and often didn't want to leave.
Our little one tends to go to bed early most nights at home - usually around 7:30. So we didn't have in the club much later than that, other than on a couple of occasions. But my understanding is they had movies on when it was pretty late. They may have done that some in the afternoon when some kids napped (they didn't force naps) But that was usually the time we would get her back to the room for a nap, since she won't fall asleep if a movie is playing.
By the way, I will say that every time I went into the club, either to visit for a while or just to pick up my daughter and go, I always saw counselors engaged in activities with the kids - whether telling stories, doing crafts, building things, etc. It was just nice to see.
To be honest, there were so many things our 3-year-old daughter did in the club that she never really told us about. (When she comes home from school most days, she's the one who when I ask what she did that day, she says "Played.") So I can tell you of only a few things.
We were with her when she did the do si do with snow white. There were a ton of boys and girls in there that day, and they had a blast learning how to dance. The counselors are very entertaining, I thought. Snow White came in for a while at the end.
We also took her to something called Playhouse Disney in one of the lounges one morning. She loves most of the shows on the Disney Channel in the morning and we thought she would like it. It was basically them signing and dancing to the tunes they hear on the shows. There were a lot of younger kids in there.
I also sat with her in the club while she made arts and crafts, which she loved doing, and as she learned to play some games on the computers (she's still not great at video games, but she wanted to try. And sometimes they counselors would tell stories (often the counselors would be dressed up in character, which I thought was cute and more entraining.)
And almost every time we went to get her, she was in dress up clothes (Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella, etc.) And often they had free time where they play on a big indoor slide.
We tried to time it for her to be in the club when it looked like there would be something she would be familiar with. For instance, I remember they had something associated with Jo Jo one day. Well, she's never really watched that show, so we didn't rush to get her there. But when they mentioned Peter Pan, we knew she's like to be there. They also had a cute pajama party one night we had in for a while. I can't tell you what they did during each of the activities since our daughter didn't chat about it a lot last time around. But I can tell you she had fun and often didn't want to leave.
Our little one tends to go to bed early most nights at home - usually around 7:30. So we didn't have in the club much later than that, other than on a couple of occasions. But my understanding is they had movies on when it was pretty late. They may have done that some in the afternoon when some kids napped (they didn't force naps) But that was usually the time we would get her back to the room for a nap, since she won't fall asleep if a movie is playing.
By the way, I will say that every time I went into the club, either to visit for a while or just to pick up my daughter and go, I always saw counselors engaged in activities with the kids - whether telling stories, doing crafts, building things, etc. It was just nice to see.
OurOhana
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Jan 10, 2009
I should have also mentioned - the counselors were really good about not trying to force kids to participate in activities, if they weren't interested. There were times my daughter was playing dress up with only two or three girls, while everyone was participating in another activity. I just thought it was nice that they encouraged children to participate, but didn't seem to try to force it when the kids just wanted free play time.
Michele325
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Oct 28, 2006
DS (5 at the time) LOVED the pirate night activities (so you want to be a pirate) and Flubber (had that stuff in my fridge forever! lol). And he loved the water games on CC. DD (8 at the time) loved when they went into the teen area. They are both excited to go back for a longer cruise this time.
tvguy
Question anything the facts don't support.
- Joined
- Dec 15, 2003
I would just make the comment that one of the best things about our Disney cruise was....our kids didn't find anything in the clubs they wanted to do,so we spent the entire week together as a family. 24/7. I would suggest that for others, this may be an option to consider. Our kids were 12 and 16 at the time....we got to be their friends for a week, and hung our "mom" and "dad" hats in the cruise terminal when we got on the ship. We found out we had a couple of really neat people as kids, and they found out mom and dad were pretty cool too.
At least in our household, at the time, with DW and I working, kids in school and involved in sports, we only saw our kids for an hour or two a day during the week. It was really nice to spend quality time with them.
We applied the lessons we learned on that cruise this past weekend. The "kids" as 18 and 22 now. Packed them in the car, with DD as the designated driver, and went wine tasting. Then headed to the Indian casino which allows gambling at age 18 so DD got to do something she wanted to do. I know it's a cliche, but they really do grow up too fast.
At least in our household, at the time, with DW and I working, kids in school and involved in sports, we only saw our kids for an hour or two a day during the week. It was really nice to spend quality time with them.
We applied the lessons we learned on that cruise this past weekend. The "kids" as 18 and 22 now. Packed them in the car, with DD as the designated driver, and went wine tasting. Then headed to the Indian casino which allows gambling at age 18 so DD got to do something she wanted to do. I know it's a cliche, but they really do grow up too fast.
I know our kids are not going to want to spend 24/7 with us they are 7 and 3, and they spend enough time travelling around on DH and I crazy schedule, therefore I want them to explore the clubs, and enjoy it. Right now we are in Canada and they are in summer theme week camps and our loving it, so I know they will love the club, but I want to keep a balance between the club and family time, that is why I want an idea to see what kids/parents loved about activities.
Your help has been greatly appreciated
Your help has been greatly appreciated
We took our 7 year DGS with us on the Magic in March & he loved the club, although we brought him out for all meals, movies & shows. His favorite activities were Flubber & the volcano, but he loved hanging out with other kids.
They are not made to participate if not interested in a particular activity. They made picture frames one day & when we went to pick him up I had to laugh when I saw his frame. Some were jewel embellished paper frames that obviously took a lot of time while his had 3 stickmen drawn on to represent the 3 of us. I wasn't laughing at his effort, only the fact that he obviously completed it as quickly as he could so he could go off & play.
They are not made to participate if not interested in a particular activity. They made picture frames one day & when we went to pick him up I had to laugh when I saw his frame. Some were jewel embellished paper frames that obviously took a lot of time while his had 3 stickmen drawn on to represent the 3 of us. I wasn't laughing at his effort, only the fact that he obviously completed it as quickly as he could so he could go off & play.
When I look at the Navigators and other lists of activities in the kids' clubs, it seems most of the activities are geared towards boys. 
My DD8 is a girly girl. 
She has no interest in pirates and probably will not be all that interested in Flubber. Are there any activities geared towards girls?
My DD8 is a girly girl. She has no interest in pirates and probably will not be all that interested in Flubber. Are there any activities geared towards girls?
lbgraves
Little Cinderella's Mommy
- Joined
- Feb 25, 2003
When I look at the Navigators and other lists of activities in the kids' clubs, it seems most of the activities are geared towards boys.
If you are looking at the 8-9 yo activities linked in the FAQ thread you need to include the 10-12 activities on the Magic since the group is now 8-10 on that ship. There is also cooking, experiments with gases, Wii and dance contests, crafts, computer games, board games...pretty much whatever they want to do. Most of the girls in our groups on the ship loved Flubber just as much as the boys as they showed their ziplocs full of the stuff off to the parents. LOL!
MarcyIn Florida
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 7, 2004
When I look at the Navigators and other lists of activities in the kids' clubs, it seems most of the activities are geared towards boys.
Absolutely! The Snow White do si do is a huge girly event, as are some of the arts and crafts activities. I have a girly girl, as well, though, and flubber was her favorite activity.
That being said, most of my kids' favorite activities on the ship aren't in the kids' club, but with us. The princess meet and greet is a huge family event for us, as is jogging on the decks early in the morning. You can also play board games in the library, and we bring crafts on board to do on our own in the library as well.
The kids' club also has lots of dress up clothes. My kids loved that part of the club when they were younger.
IIRC, the 8 year olds made cookies in the Lab last time we were on board. Both of my girls loved that activity, and they were in full chef hat garb to do it.
OurOhana
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Jan 10, 2009
Yes. They are open when you're in port. My husband and I did a mini-boat, snorkeling excursion on St. Croix and our 3-year-old stayed on the ship. The clubs open earlier on port day for the early excursions. We also left her briefly on the ship in the afternoon when we went to St. Thomas to do a little shopping. She went out with us earlier, but didn't want to shop with us later in the afternoon.
I'm going to open myself up to being very honest. Please try not to bash too harshly....
Our son is not the easiest to get along with. We're not proud of this at all.
It has been very difficult at times.
He's emotionally a late bloomer and has trouble listening (what 4.5 year olds don't?) but with him, it's to an extreme. He can clear out a room with his screaming. I've been working with him all summer.....and don't know how he's going to be come Sept when our cruise is scheduled.
So my question is......we would like to go scuba diving. We plan to leave him in the club while we're out. What happens if they need to get in touch with us because of his behavior? He's got nothing mentally wrong with him.....he just has these major tantrums when he doesn't get his way.
Like I said, opening myself up.....please be easy with me....
thanks
Our son is not the easiest to get along with. We're not proud of this at all.
It has been very difficult at times.He's emotionally a late bloomer and has trouble listening (what 4.5 year olds don't?) but with him, it's to an extreme. He can clear out a room with his screaming. I've been working with him all summer.....and don't know how he's going to be come Sept when our cruise is scheduled.
So my question is......we would like to go scuba diving. We plan to leave him in the club while we're out. What happens if they need to get in touch with us because of his behavior? He's got nothing mentally wrong with him.....he just has these major tantrums when he doesn't get his way.
Like I said, opening myself up.....please be easy with me....
thanks
Susan C
Susan C
- Joined
- Jun 4, 2007
I'm going to open myself up to being very honest. Please try not to bash too harshly....
Our son is not the easiest to get along with. We're not proud of this at all.
He's emotionally a late bloomer and has trouble listening (what 4.5 year olds don't?) but with him, it's to an extreme. He can clear out a room with his screaming. I've been working with him all summer.....and don't know how he's going to be come Sept when our cruise is scheduled.
So my question is......we would like to go scuba diving. We plan to leave him in the club while we're out. What happens if they need to get in touch with us because of his behavior? He's got nothing mentally wrong with him.....he just has these major tantrums when he doesn't get his way.
Like I said, opening myself up.....please be easy with me....
thanks
Dear Wispy,
I suggest that you try out the kids club for your son before the Scuba Diving lesson. That way if things don't go well they can page you. Things will probably go very well. I have found that when my son has been "challenged" by a situation he usually rises to the occassion. When he was 3-4 he was a high matience kid... now at 9 he is pretty flexible, and loves the kids club, for us it is the main reason we travel on DCL because with his being so happy in the Club, we all get a great vacation.
Have a great trip
lbgraves
Little Cinderella's Mommy
- Joined
- Feb 25, 2003
No need for flames. You are not oblivious to his issues like some parents about their kids and every kid is different. (((HUGS))) to you. As far as the club CMs being able to contact you off the ship, the pagers will not operate very far away from the ship, except on CC. I do not know if they would be able to call you on a cell phone from the ship. Are you going to be with a DCL excursion? That may help with communication but you will still be a distance from the ship. Not sure what to tell you. You have more experience with his temperment and are the only one who can decide if you will be comfortable with the lack of communication. Will DS have a chance to spend time in the club before your excursion to see how he will respond to the environment?
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