10, almost 11 year old...will he be bored in Oceaneers club/lab?

[LynneyPooh]

I think you need to take into account a couple of things. we were on the wonder last week with DD10. she was not a happy camper in the lab/club. most of the kids were younger (considerably -they all looked 3-7).

we checked out the edge all the kids were older (12ish). she did not really fit in either place. this was sad for us as all she talked about prior to the trip was going to the clubs. for us, the changes really affected DD. on our previous cruise she fit in great. there was a definite place for her age. this time when we went for an activity, she felt like she was with babies, & would not stay. the edge when we went was too intimidating for her. it was obvious the girls were middle school age, interested in make-up, texting, and all things that were appropriate for their age. DD is newly 10, and not yet in middle school, this was apparent at the edge. in addition, the boys @ the edge were rambunctious (once again appropriate for their age), thus also off putting for DD.

what affects where your child should go? :

1. the ages of the OTHER children
2. the sex of the other children ( I forgot to mention boys truly out numbered girls DD's age)
3. your child's personality

now, I'm not complaining, as we all had a great time, but the kids programming was not utilized by us this trip. (She went only 2x & stayed; one of those was under duress as we had brunch reservations). by the time we go again she'll definitely be out of the club/lab. hopefully she'll be ready for the edge. Remember what often works for one child may not work fort another.

 

[NAB]

Good thread. My DS will be 11 1/2 on our upcoming August cruise. He is very close to my DD 8yo, who will be in the lab. I am unclear if he would be able to switch from one club to another, once he picked one. Since you can't register anyone 11 or older online, I assume it has to be done in port or on ship.

You have to pick one your can not go back and forth. They will give you a day or two to decide which one but there is no going back and forth.

As for what they do in the edge:

They give the kids a choice of things to do to make there own scheduled things for that week. The first night they ask the kids to write down there interests and they go from there.

Really they do the same kind of things, make pizza, cookies, play video games and other savenger hunts arount the ship. My dd had to count all the ducks they could find with a few girls against other groups. I believe they had to take pictures of them as well. Not sure how they did that anymore someone had a camera I think, they also had to find all the mickey heads one time as well. They loved running around the boat.

My dd didn't want to move up either but she was 11 and was glad she did the counselers made her really welcome. The space for the lab/club looks really cool compared to the edge when she first saw it but the elevator made up for it...they are the only ones that can use one of the mid ship elevators to go right up to the 13 floor with the room key.

 

[Coconuts]

You have to pick one your can not go back and forth. They will give you a day or two to decide which one but there is no going back and forth.

As for what they do in the edge:

They give the kids a choice of things to do to make there own scheduled things for that week. The first night they ask the kids to write down there interests and they go from there.

Really they do the same kind of things, make pizza, cookies, play video games and other savenger hunts arount the ship. My dd had to count all the ducks they could find with a few girls against other groups. I believe they had to take pictures of them as well. Not sure how they did that anymore someone had a camera I think, they also had to find all the mickey heads one time as well. They loved running around the boat.

My dd didn't want to move up either but she was 11 and was glad she did the counselers made her really welcome. The space for the lab/club looks really cool compared to the edge when she first saw it but the elevator made up for it...they are the only ones that can use one of the mid ship elevators to go right up to the 13 floor with the room key.

Thanks. I guess we'll just have to see what he wants to do after we get on the ship.

 

[TexasGirl]

Thanks. I guess we'll just have to see what he wants to do after we get on the ship.

My 11 year old DD went to both open houses and chose lab. edge didn't have enough structured activities... She saw it as playing wii, listening to music, and talking to kids she didn't know. she wanted to just let loose and play!

 

[johnlatte]

My 11 year old DD went to both open houses and chose lab. edge didn't have enough structured activities... She saw it as playing wii, listening to music, and talking to kids she didn't know. she wanted to just let loose and play!

My girls hated the clubs last summer on the Magic. They could never get a turn on the computers or the wii (they were taught to wait their turn and not hog things when others were waiting a turn). When they did have activities, they were more structured for the smaller kids. I think Disney should do some more work on the programs for tweens. When my kids were smaller we couldn't get them out of the clubs, but now, they don't really want to go. I can't say that I blame them really. I am going to take them to the open house for the Edge when we sail the Dream in August and let them decide. But I am thinking that they would rather hang at the pools and make friends there than be bored at the clubs.