11 year old & almost 7 in oceaneer lab?

[FirstTimeDisCruiser]

Hi everyone,

We had a question on what people would recommend about signing up our kids to the Oceaneer club (5 to 7 year old), versus the Oceaneer Lab (8 to 12)

Our sons are 11 years old, and 6 old that will turn 7 soon. We'll be going on a 7 day cruise in the next month or so, and wanted to know if it'd be better to sign up our younger son up for the oceaneer lab...

Our younger son (almost 7), is very social, loves to play with cars (and would like that regatta racers loves to play with computers, is very social -- not shy at all playing with older kids. It seems like the oceaneer club has activities more geared for younger kids. We're also thinking that if our 7 year old son goes to the Oceaneer Lab he can be with our older son...

Anyone have any thoughts or personal experiences with what's worked for your kids in this age range?

Thanks, Ed

 

[Eeyorefan12]

From what I've seen, Disney is pretty careful about the age ranges. My DD is 11 and her brother is 9. The 8-12 group is further split up unto 8-9 year-olds vs 10-12 year-olds. Some of the activities for the two groups are combined but many of them are not. I think, from others' experiences, your 6-year-old would be allowed in the 5-7 group but probably not the 8-12. There's also a different level of responsibility required of the kids based on their ages.

CB

 

[Landy]

We are going in October and my sister-in-law called about moving her 12 year old son moving up to the teen group. She was told that unless he turns 13 within a month of the cruise he couldn't. They said this was the case for all age groups.

 

[lbgraves]

I would be concerned about my 13 yo being in the stack to be honest. There is a difference between the clubs & the stack. The clubs will work with you, however I agree that with this age difference it really wouldn't accomplish what you are asking. They could both be in the lab but not the same group. My 6 yo enjoyed the 5-7 group. They did science experiments over at the lab (when the 8-12 yos were not there) with gases and flubber. They also do more advanced things than the 3-4 yo group.

Have you signed up on your cruise's meet thread? You can find out who is cruising with you & chances are that there is someone with a child his age. Have them email each other with your help & he will have a friend to meet up with in the club.

 

[erikthewise]

For what it's worth, I believe the older group in the Club (6-7) does spend some time in the Lab, during times when the Lab kids are elsewhere. If it turns out your younger one ends up in the Club (as I suspect will happen), I think he'll be fine.

We had one in each on our first cruise, and it seemed like we spent half the cruise checking them in and out of both clubs. But they both had a great time!

 

[goofymama]

Yes, the 5-7 age group does spend alot of time in the lab ... even the 3-4 year olds go to the lab some. The Navigator each day will tell you what times each age group is in the club versus the lab... if he hates the lab (he probably won't!), then only check him in while they are at the lab.

 

[kcashner]

The policy is that a child must be within 30 days of the birthday to allow them to move up to a different group, and that they are only allowed one "move" during a cruise. Yes, there are some exceptions made.....

My suggestion would be to start your child in the age appropriate group. DCL has LOTS of experience with kids, and the activities are geared to the age groups. If that doesn't work out for some reason, then you can ask for a move and it will be considered based on space available and the child's maturity. If you request the move at the beginning and it isn't the best fit, you can't move back!

As to The Stack....DD celebrated her 13th birthday in The Stack and absolutely LOVED it. Yes, the supervision is much less than in the Club or Lab, but it is age appropriate. Yes, she is a very mature 13 (takes classes at the local university, so is used to handling herself with older teens and adults)...but we have only good to say about The Stack, the staff, and the way a problem was handled during her second cruise as a teen. We'll be back in August (at age 14) with no worries.....

 

[dianagee]

When the 5-7 yo go to the lab, what can they do there? I remember reading somewhere that the lab has video games and computer games. Can the 5-7 age group use those too?

 

[lbgraves]

When the 5-7 yos go to the lab it is usually for a specific activity. DS says that he did have the chance to play with the video games one time but he wanted to draw instead. If you check out the kid's navigators at http://www.dcltribute.com/ you will get an idea of how often they go there. If you see an open play time, they will be able to use the games.

 

[goofymama]

The policy is that a child must be within 30 days of the birthday to allow them to move up to a different group, and that they are only allowed one "move" during a cruise. Yes, there are some exceptions made.....

do you know if there is a policy for moving "down" an age level? My sons will be 7 and 5 for our next cruise - great for them as they will be together. However, our friends are going with us and their twin sons will still be 4 (about 2 months prior to turning 5). My 5 year old is VERY small for his age and would probably be fine being with the 4 year olds and with the twins. Do you think this will be possible?

 

[lbgraves]

Yes, considering the age they will allow a child to move down one age group too. I would go over the navigators for both groups with your son & see which activities he prefers. My DS was just 5 the week that we cruised & he signed up with the 3-4 group in case DD 3 went to the club. We hadn't done anything Disney before & this group had alot of interaction with the characters in the club. He LOVED it!