App for Kids Club Communication

[nearlyfallinstar]

I tried to find a thread about this since I'm sure it has been talked about, but I couldn't find it. When we upgrade our iPhones, we always keep the old phones and use them as iPods. I am thinking about taking several of these with us for use on the ship.

I hated the Wave phones. If you lose one/break it the fee is crazy. Too bulky and difficult to text on, but they were necessary since they were the only way my kids could contact me while in the clubs. Now that my kids are old enough to be trusted with an iPod and the app's texting has become more reliable, I am considering communicating through the app when they need me (since CMs are not using the app yet to communicate) and ditching the Wave phone.

Have you done this with your kids? Did it work okay for you? TIA!

 

[bumbershoot]

We've done it and we like it. DS has a "fauxn" (fake phone lol) with no SIM. It gets wifi. Any device that gets wifi will work.

So we downloaded the app then once we were onboard we launched it and got it all ready to go. He carries it with him and texts us when he's thinking of wanting to go. He knows there can be a delay in getting texts (the app doesn't notify you so you need to be proactive in opening the text part of the app to check) so if there's an urgent need he would know to talk to the CMs. Although we don't carry the wave phones (they call the room or wave phone) so that's a problem lol.

If we take DCL again he'll be too old for the club/lab so he will use it to apprise us of his teen-type activities, I suppose.

 

[jne7043]

Just a few limitations I wanted to point out. The app doesn't always alert you when you have a message. You will want to make sure your kids understand that they need to check it occasionally to see if you are trying to reach them. Also, if you have kids in the kids clubs you will still have to carry around the wave phone. They make it a point to tell you this. If there is an emergency it's the only way they have to contact you.

 

[disboardlover]

If your kids are old enough that you will allow them to check in and out of the clubs on their own, then using the app on smart devices is fine since wifi is pretty good all over the ship for this purpose. If your kids are younger and you are going to check them in and out, as much as I don't like the Wave phones, I would consider keeping on with you in case a cast member needs to get a hold of you.

 

[disboardlover]

Just a few limitations I wanted to point out. The app doesn't always alert you when you have a message. You will want to make sure your kids understand that they need to check it occasionally to see if you are trying to reach them. Also, if you have kids in the kids clubs you will still have to carry around the wave phone. They make it a point to tell you this. If there is an emergency it's the only way they have to contact you.

Yes, the app now does not make a sound when a message is received; however, if you have vibration on, it will vibrate, though whether that will be noticed depends on the specific device and the person using it.

 

[Quellman]

I'll point out that earlier this year I noticed a dead spot while on castaway cay. It was located between Summer Time Freeze and Buy the Seashore at the start of the Castaway Cay 5k. This was before and after the race. I had sent a message to my wife onboard as we were about to start so she would know about how long it would be before I was done. She didn't get the message, nor the one I sent after the race saying I was done. It wasn't until I was closer to Pelican plunge that both messages sent. My wife laughed and asked if the 10 seconds between the "we are starting" and "I'm finished" texts meant I had a new personal best race time!

They may have fixed the issue with the dead spot, or it might not have been on at the time. But just be prepared that some of the areas of the Island may not have reliable app service.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Disappointed to hear that I'll still have to carry a wave phone. I'd assumed we could opt for texting via the Disney app rather than need to carry 2 devices. Hope they change that!

 

[nearlyfallinstar]

I keep hoping at some point that the app will become an alternative way for CMs to contact parents. It seems like it could be capable of that.

 

[nearlyfallinstar]

Just a few limitations I wanted to point out. The app doesn't always alert you when you have a message. You will want to make sure your kids understand that they need to check it occasionally to see if you are trying to reach them. Also, if you have kids in the kids clubs you will still have to carry around the wave phone. They make it a point to tell you this. If there is an emergency it's the only way they have to contact you.

I would give them the wifi capable device more so they could get a hold of me. I'm not too worried about getting ahold of them.

 

[Weedy]

With the app you have to set up each phone to accept a text from each person. It's not hard but takes a few minutes. We set our phones up while at lunch the first day. If you have any problems there is a help desk available.

 

[bbel]

Just want to point out a couple of things too. Like other people have said, if there is an emergency or any issues of any kind, the only way CM can contact you is the WP or room phone.

Also, if anything of value (eg phones, iPads) are left unattended then they are taken straight down to guest services. So if it gets put down for a game of gaga ball, or they switch computers and it gets left behind there's no guarantee they'll find it where they left it.
I've seen it happen, a kid put their phone down for gaga ball. No one claimed the phone and it got taken to GS. The kid wasn't a self check and the parents didn't have the WP. Safe to say the kid wasn't impressed when they ended up staying nearly 3 hours when they'd only gone in for 30 minutes of gaga ball...

 

[anricat]

We've done this with my daughter on our last two cruises. She's able to check herself in and out (she's 8) and we gave her an old iPhone with the app on it. She keeps it in a pouch around her waist. Unfortunately, we also have to carry the wave phone in case of emergency, which is a bummer. When she's leaving the club, she has to send us a message and also receive a confirmation before she can leave. Then she has to tell us where she's going. She pretty much only has two options: the room or wherever we happen to be (if not in the room).

Make sure you start the app up on all your devices each morning or you may miss messages. People complain a lot around here about missed messages, but we only found that happened when we hadn't loaded up the app each morning. It actually has to be running in the background in order to receive messages.

 

[SoozCruise]

The Navigator requires iOS 7.0 or later, so very old iDevices will not be able to run it. I think we have an old iPod touch that we were hoping to use bc we wouldn't weep if it were lost, but it was incompatible. (So I ended up carrying around both my iPhone to message my older daughter's iPhone, and a wave phone to message my younger daughter. Ugh. This means we need to upgrade our devices more often, I guess. )

 

[bumbershoot]

They make it a point to tell you this.

No one has EVER told us this. FWIW.

And on our first cruise with DCL when we were carrying around the wave phones, the club called *our room*. Didn't call either of the wave phones. We got back way later to find a message on the room phone. Asking us to confirm that DS was indeed a vegetarian so he could have a cheese sandwich, because he said that he was vegetarian but they wanted to make sure that he was. Which made ZERO sense, and he ended up going hungry, because they called the room and not the waves. Thanks CMs!

Yes, the app now does not make a sound when a message is received; however, if you have vibration on, it will vibrate, though whether that will be noticed depends on the specific device and the person using it.

Hasn't vibrated for us. I have apple, DH has android; no vibration at all.

Just want to point out a couple of things too. Like other people have said, if there is an emergency or any issues of any kind, the only way CM can contact you is the WP or room phone.

Also, if anything of value (eg phones, iPads) are left unattended then they are taken straight down to guest services. So if it gets put down for a game of gaga ball, or they switch computers and it gets left behind there's no guarantee they'll find it where they left it.
I've seen it happen, a kid put their phone down for gaga ball. No one claimed the phone and it got taken to GS. The kid wasn't a self check and the parents didn't have the WP. Safe to say the kid wasn't impressed when they ended up staying nearly 3 hours when they'd only gone in for 30 minutes of gaga ball...

Make a way so the phone doesn't have to be put down.

It actually has to be running in the background in order to receive messages.

Didn't make a difference for us.

The Navigator requires iOS 7.0 or later, so very old iDevices will not be able to run it. I think we have an old iPod touch that we were hoping to use bc we wouldn't weep if it were lost, but it was incompatible. (So I ended up carrying around both my iPhone to message my older daughter's iPhone, and a wave phone to message my younger daughter. Ugh. This means we need to upgrade our devices more often, I guess. )

Or use a non-apple device if you have any of those. DS and DH use Samsungs.

 

[nearlyfallinstar]

Also, if anything of value (eg phones, iPads) are left unattended then they are taken straight down to guest services. So if it gets put down for a game of gaga ball, or they switch computers and it gets left behind there's no guarantee they'll find it where they left it.
I've seen it happen, a kid put their phone down for gaga ball. No one claimed the phone and it got taken to GS. The kid wasn't a self check and the parents didn't have the WP. Safe to say the kid wasn't impressed when they ended up staying nearly 3 hours when they'd only gone in for 30 minutes of gaga ball...

My daughter wears a cross body purse so that shouldn't be an issue. The benefits of having girls!

 

[jne7043]

Perhaps it's new that they require you to have the wave phones. We cruised 3 weeks ago and were definitely told this. They have an automatic text system now that alerts you when your child wants to be picked up. It was hard when we were at the spa. Left the phones in the locker and came back to several text messages from the kids club.

 

[bbel]

Perhaps it's new that they require you to have the wave phones. We cruised 3 weeks ago and were definitely told this. They have an automatic text system now that alerts you when your child wants to be picked up. It was hard when we were at the spa. Left the phones in the locker and came back to several text messages from the kids club.

I've been in ya for over three years now and I tell every family that I register about the wave phones and than it our only way to contact you easily.

But if your off to the spa (or palo or getting off the ship or any other event) just let us know. We can put a note on the child's info and then we can at least explain to them that they're grown ups are busy until .... Or will be back as soon as they're done... Or just go do this activity and then come back and we'll send a message, just makes it a little easier on the kids!

 

[disboardlover]

Hasn't vibrated for us. I have apple, DH has android; no vibration at all.

On an Apple iOS device running iOS 10, we would have to change it to silent mode by flipping the switch above the volume control on the left side of the phone, or go into setting and turn on vibration and ring. Not sure what to do on Android devices, since it could be different for each device. On our Motorola Moto E, vibration is always on, so it worked.

 

[nearlyfallinstar]

I asked Disney's Moms Panel if they had any plans to make the app a viable alternative for CMs to contact parents. This is their reply:

"I hated the Wave Phones on board. They are bulky. Plus, there is a hefty fine if you lose/damage it. Is there any chance DCL will start using the app as an alternative way for the kids' clubs to contact parents?”

Ahoy Danielle –

Welcome back to the Disney Parks Moms Panel. I am happy to assist you with your questions about the Wave Phones. As a courtesy to guests, Disney Cruise Line provides 2 telephones for use while onboard. These phones are the way that Youth Counselors get in touch with you if there is a problem or if your sea pup wants to leave the Oceaneer Club early.

I am sorry that you hated the Wave Phones onboard. The Disney Cruise Navigator Line App has a great messenger function – but sometimes internet connectivity can be variable and it can be difficult to get a signal. Wave Phones are the most reliable way to get in contact with others on the ship. There are no current plans in the works for switching them out for a different mode of communication.

If your pirate kids have a cell phone, they can use the Disney Cruise Line Navigator Messenger to send you a message if they desire to leave the Club early. I usually will designate a pick up time for my sea pups in case I forget my Wave Phone so they know when to expect me.

Danielle, I hope this helps answer your question, but if you need more assistance, please come back again!


Brandy

 

[jne7043]

But if your off to the spa (or palo or getting off the ship or any other event) just let us know. We can put a note on the child's info and then we can at least explain to them that they're grown ups are busy until .... Or will be back as soon as they're done... Or just go do this activity and then come back and we'll send a message, just makes it a little easier on the kids!

Good tip! I'll be sure to let the staff know next time.