Adults Only?

[Kate7]

How good is Disney about keeping their adult only areas adult only?

 

[kcashner]

It depends...and many times they are not. They are better with adult only shows and in the nightclubs at night, and we have seen shows stopped when a parent brought a kid in. However, we've also seen 10-11 year olds in the adult show (on the 12/17 Magic cruise) and absolutely nothing was done!

The pool deck is a BIG problem, starting with the signage. It needs to be made clear that deck 9 forward (Magic and Wonder) are adult only areas. The signs make it look like the POOL is adult only and the Cove Cafe coffee shop, but only one sign looks like it applies to the area. It is not unusual to find families and/or kids who use the space as a "walk thru," and parents who bring kids into the Cove Cafe while they get their coffee and goodies. The CM in there wants his tips; he isn't about to tell them that the kid can't be there. I have seen "white suits" say something to the parents and even offer to keep the child in the midship area till the parent gets their brew.

We have seen a 5 or 6 year old in the adult pool--brought by his daddy! We have seen infants in strollers sitting by mommy's sun lounger. Enforcement is sadly lacking most of the time.

On other occasions, we have seen anyone who looked under age being carded--usually in response to guest complaints.

 

[justmestace]

For the most parts, pretty good. The biggest problem is the location of the adult pool. It's situated so that everyone walking outside from the forward part of the ship passes through the adult pool area. Not a lot can be done about that.
Also, one deck above the adult pool...forward...is an area where the ship is divided by Currents Bar. Facing forward, to the left is a family area, to the right is a smoking and adult area for sitting and sunbathing. The adult side wasn't patrolled very well. Especially on Pirate Night with the fireworks. Lots of families were on the "adult" side and then were complaining about the smoke in the area.
From what I noticed, the easiest way to access the family side of that area is up the outdoor staircase right at the adult pool.

On the Fantasy, there will be a new water feature for kids of all ages, and it will be located one deck above the adult pool, as you would be making your way toward the aft. I have a feeling that's going to cause a lot of noise for the so-called adult "Quiet Cove" pool.

As far as the clubs & spa go, they're very good at making sure there aren't any kids in them.

One thing I found annoying is that they allow kids into Bingo. Since they play for money, that's basically gambling, and I don't think kids should be there. They are disruptive and slow the games down.

 

[WDdaughter]

As an adult that has sailed 8 times with no kids, I have to say that Disney is not very good at keeping adult areas for adults only. As the OP have said, the nightclubs after 9 are fairly well enforced. The main problem area is the adult only pool areas. This is a topic that is often debated on the boards and you will often see people with children say that they are just "passing through" the area and it shouldn't be a problem. Unfortunately, hundreds of families are just "passing through" constantly and it is very distracting when you are trying to read or relax. It is even worse on the Dream where they have the elevator bay dump people right beside the adult pool with only a small sign posted on the wall not even on the glass doors leading to the pool, that the area is reserved for guests over 18. Most people likely don't even realize they are in the adult only area when they are passing through from the elevators. There are glass partitions coming from the cove cafe side that clearly state guests must be over 18 but my observations are that most people ignore them and keep "passing" through.

I guess the argument can be made that you shouldn't be on a Disney cruise if you don't want children around. My argument isn't that I don't like children, I do. But I should be able to seek out a quiet area other than my own cabin if I choose as well. I would think that Disney will never fully enforce these areas because the lions share of their cruisers have young children.

And to be fair to the cruisers with children, they didn't design the ship. It is a very poor design and from what I understand, the Fantasy will be the same. I actually will be trying to find cruises on the older ships now because the adult pool area was so busy on the Dream. Many people move on as soon as they realize that they are in the adult area, but as I said earlier, there are hundreds of families an hour that just happen upon the adult pool. It should have been placed at one end of the ship with a clear solid partition stating that the area was for adults. Instead, they reserved that area for the gym and spa.

But, having said all of that.......there are worse things in life than to be distracted by happy children running by as you are sailing around on vacation

 

[DVC Jen]

I am wondering about the other side of the coin. Both of my DDs will be with us and they will be 19 and 23 when we sail. I know they are going to want to hang out in the adult areas versus with all the kids. Both of them look YOUNG. The oldest looks younger than her sister. she will love that some day.

So I am hoping we are not given dirty looks and my DDs id is not constantly being checked. Once or twice - ok - i get it.. but more than that would really make them uncomfortable.

 

[allears]

Some how my experience has been rather different. I haven't noticed kids in the night clubs, though I can picture people disregarding the "rules". And I've never been disturbed by kids around the adult pool. True people pass by, kids and adults, but it's not that distracting and it is a ship after all with finite space.

However, I have seen kid's brought by parents to adults only programs, and no one ever said anything. But again, there are those folks who feel it's their vacation and have a right to do what they want since they paid for it.

That being said, when I've gone without kids or wanted kid free time, I have found pleanty of places that are quiet and relaxing.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

How good is Disney about keeping their adult only areas adult only?

In my experience, they've done well. On our recent MR cruise, I can recall that there were 2 instances of children in Wavebands during the adult entertainment time (well, one time they were already in the room before the entertainment started, and one time some parents were attempting to enter with children after the show started ). Both times, the CMS were quite quick about approaching and directing them out.

Also, the first sea day we were out, we were sitting in the Cove pool area and a father and 2 young (about 12-13) girls entered and the father directed the girls into the hot tub while he got in the pool. It was less than 1 minute before a CM went to the father and explained that they needed to move to the family pool area.

I agree, it is a pain that the families need to walk through the area because the forward elevators are on the opposite side of the adult pool area from the family pool, but as long as they WALK though (no running/yelling) I can accept it.

 

[La2kw]

Unfortunately, some parents (a vast minority) think that the rules don't apply to them or their kids. There are so many areas dedicated to children, that it's inexcusable to bring a minor into the adult areas.

 

[Gigi22]

And, if you observe children in adults-only areas, you are quite free to draw it to the attention of any CMs present so that they can enforce the rules.

 

[commdoc]

I'll confess that I thought (based on poor signage) that walking through was acceptable and just the pool area was adults only. So, while there are those who think rules don't apply, I'm sure there are many who don't know they are breaking any rules.

 

[Kate7]

Thanks for all the answers! I'm taking my children, but I know there are times when I will not have them with me. For those times I think I'd like to be in the adult pool area some, and don't think (may change my mind after the experience) I'd mind the pass-throughs, just kids remaining in the pool area and pool itself.

Ok, one more question. I know this is a Disney cruise and that they cater to families/children, which I love, but in the spirit of this thread, does anyone know when the fewest children might be found onboard?

(I can't believe I just asked that on a Disney Cruise board )

Kate

 

[kcashner]

Ok, one more question. I know this is a Disney cruise and that they cater to families/children, which I love, but in the spirit of this thread, does anyone know when the fewest children might be found onboard?

(I can't believe I just asked that on a Disney Cruise board )

Kate

When most schools are in session, especially when standard sessions have just started--September, January, first 2 weeks of December. Yes, we all know that there are a zillion different school schedules out there, but most kids are in school at these times.

There will be a lot of families with toddlers on board at these times, but they are rarely a problem in adult areas as they are with an adult at almost all times. The school aged kids are the ones who run/skip/skate thru the adult areas while yelling to their buddies--a very different situation than calmly walking through!

 

[Kate7]

And, if you observe children in adults-only areas, you are quite free to draw it to the attention of any CMs present so that they can enforce the rules.

Okay, so they WILL enforce the rules if you point it out to the staff? I think I can live with that, though I do think they should enforce the rules without passenger intervention.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Ok, one more question. I know this is a Disney cruise and that they cater to families/children, which I love, but in the spirit of this thread, does anyone know when the fewest children might be found onboard?

(I can't believe I just asked that on a Disney Cruise board )

Kate

I would pick a cruise that sails during school-time and does not have a Kids Sail Free offer going. Also the longer cruises tend to have fewer kids. That would be like the 14 night (transatlantic/Panama Canal/Hawaii) cruises.

 

[over50visits]

How good is Disney about keeping their adult only areas adult only?

Unfortunately, it's not Disney that doesn't keep the adult areas that way, it is the parents who either cannot or will not ensure their children follow those rules. Some parents even directly cause the problem, such as bringing their children into the adult pool.

Sorry, I don't believe this is Disney's problem; it is not up to the CM to enforce. It is up to parents to ensure their children act appropriately, and it is a problem.

 

[kcashner]

I agree totally with the above. My daughter, now an adult, has remarked that she remembers the days when she wasn't allowed to go thru "those doors," as she gestures toward the doors between the forward elevators and deck 9 forward (Magic). And that is how, IMHO, it should be! There is no reason that a child cannot "pass through" on deck 10 or any other public deck on the ship.

 

[Ella de Vil]

I am wondering about the other side of the coin. Both of my DDs will be with us and they will be 19 and 23 when we sail. I know they are going to want to hang out in the adult areas versus with all the kids. Both of them look YOUNG. The oldest looks younger than her sister. she will love that some day.

So I am hoping we are not given dirty looks and my DDs id is not constantly being checked. Once or twice - ok - i get it.. but more than that would really make them uncomfortable.

I wonder about this on the other side of the coin as well. My oldest will be 18 and she looks young. I wish people wouldn't automatically assume.

 

[kcashner]

As a mom of a 20 year old...your 18, 19, and 23 year olds will have a KTTW card that clearly indicates that they are 18 or over. Unfortunately, they need to be willing to show that to any CM who asks.

Reality--unless there have been complaints, they rarely card on the pool deck. Unless they are acting inappropriately, it is unlikely that anyone will bother them. Entering the clubs--the cruise staff will get to know them within a night or two...no problem.

DD has been carded once in our MANY cruises. It just isn't a hassle under most circumstances.

 

[ielusivemusei]

On our first Disney cruise (Wonder) Every time we went to the "Quiet Cove" Pool in the adult area there were a mess of adults completely obliterated. Their drunken revelry led us to seek out the family areas for peace.

 

[kcashner]

On our first Disney cruise (Wonder) Every time we went to the "Quiet Cove" Pool in the adult area there were a mess of adults completely obliterated. Their drunken revelry led us to seek out the family areas for peace.

Was it a 3 night cruise? We haven't had this problem on longer cruises, but the guest behavior on our 3 night was such that I don't want to experience another one.