Anyone have 'only' children who don't care for oceaneer's lab?

[chrisn]

My son was 4 when we cruised on on the Magic. He did not like the club but did not refuse to go. He called us to get him once and I guess you could say he tolerated it so we did not take him that much. The following week we cruised on RCCL's Voyager and he LOVED their club. He begged to go. I could not drag him out. I had to force him to come and eat with us. I had a chance to observe and while Disney's club is visually appealing, at that time it just didn't have the Physcological(sp?) appeal/stimulation? that RCCL's did. I was shocked to say the very least. I never would have dreamed that would have been the case. From what we experienced at that time (maybe things have changed-one can hope for 2005), there was just something missing with the program and I probably wouldn't ever have thought that had I not seen the part that was missing bubbling over like a fountain in RCCL's Oceaneer Club. On the other end of the spectrum, DD loved Common Grounds and hated the teen club on Voyager.

My question is when we cruise in 2005 my son will be 7 1/2. I am assuming he will still be in the club? Would DCL allow him to be moved up to the lab? Maybe that would make a difference?

 

[kcashner]

The requirement for a child to move up an age group is that they be within 30 days of the birthday that would qualify them for the higher group AND have permission of the kid counsellors after they meet the child. So, a 7 1/2 year old would not be allowed in the lab unless he/she met the 30 day rule.

However, the 5-7 group does visit the lab during their programming (at a time when the older kids aren't there).

 

[TinkHappy]

This is so funny...When I read this I thought...OMG I am not alone. My two DD's (then, 6&7) did not enjoy the Oceaneers Club that much. I kept thinking...What is wrong with my kids, I kept hearing how some parents had to drag their kids out of there. Don't get me wrong, they went during activities like slime making and pillow case making, that is when we planned our "adult" night out or our spa treatments, but they did not LOVE it like I thought they would.

 

[jollytammy]

I have one son 9 and one 13. The thirteen year old didn't fit in at the Stack (the other teens were older), so he wasn't going and doing anything with anyone. The 9 year old went one day, and had a good time. But.....since the older child wasn't going, he didn't want to go back. I think he is always thinks that he'll miss something if he's not with us, and if he stayed at the club he wouldn't be swimming.

It wasn't a problem since the only time we actually had to have him at the club was when we went to Palo's. I'd occasionaly mention something the clubs were doing, he wouldn't be interested and that was that.

 

[Mickeyhugger]

I'm in good company w/all who've been posting

It's great that so many DCL'rs kids like the clubs, but good to know there's also others out there who's kids like to go elsewhere.