Are kids allowed to walk in the bars?

[Chandra C]

I am not a big drinker at all, but I didn't get to see any of the bars(other than one by the pool) on my one cruise on the Dream. My 11 year old is very shy and refused to go to any of the kids clubs. Now I am booked for the double dip on the Fantasy in May. I don't want to hang out in the bars with a minor obviously. I just wondered if I could walk in and order a drink to walk around the ship with. And if I can't talk him into going into the kids club, would anyone make a fuss if he walked into a bar with me? Some of these bars look really neat and I would just like to see them in person even if I can't hang out in them.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

I am not a big drinker at all, but I didn't get to see any of the bars(other than one by the pool) on my one cruise on the Dream. My 11 year old is very shy and refused to go to any of the kids clubs. Now I am booked for the double dip on the Fantasy in May. I don't want to hang out in the bars with a minor obviously. I just wondered if I could walk in and order a drink to walk around the ship with. And if I can't talk him into going into the kids club, would anyone make a fuss if he walked into a bar with me? Some of these bars look really neat and I would just like to see them in person even if I can't hang out in them.

Kids are welcome in the lounges during the day. The age restriction doesn't kick in until the evening. In some of the lounges they might have activities going on during the day for families, and I believe the "pub" themed bar has board games available during the day. DD and I played a Disney Tunes trivia game in one of the adult lounges during the day on one of our cruises, and did an animation class in another lounge on another cruise. Embarkation day afternoon might be a good time to take a tour of the adult lounge area with your son. Lots of families will be walking through while exploring the ship. If there isn't an activity going on, your son will probably get bored pretty quick, but at least you can walk around and see them all. If you are looking for a place to pick up a drink in the evening when your son is with you, you can always stop by the bar outside the atrium area on deck 3.

 

[Drusilla99]

9pm is generally the time the lounges/bars turn to 18 and up. My girls love hanging out in the lounge before dinner and getting a soda.

 

[wilkeliza]

The lounges are not adult only until about 8pm I believe so yes kids can be in the lounges and bars before then.

They can walk through the adult pool area as well but can not stop for any length of time. They should also not enter Cove Cafe for any reason as that is the "official" policy even though enforcement seems to change based on CM according to reports here. I have never been in Cove Cafe when kids were allowed though.

There is one bar up on 13 I believe that is adults only all day.

 

[bbel]

I've seen kids go in cove while their parents get a drink during the day. I think that's generally accepted as long as their with an adult and not stopping.
As for bars I'm not as sure. I've seen kids try and enter a venue to find a parent, and a CM will stop them at the door make them wait there while they go and get the parents and bring them to them.
I've never seen anyone go in with a child, I don't know if I've just never been around if it has happened or it is because there's so many CM that stop it before.

You could always check out the kids clubs before during open house and introduce him to some Counselors. At 11 he has the choice of club, lab and edge. I always tell parents not to feel bad dropping kids off for a little while even if their kicking and screaming. At the end of the day you're the ones who worked hard for the cruise and more than deserve a little kid free time and don't have to feel guilty about it.

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

We were on the Wonder last week and friends of ours had their 9 year old daughter with us (whom I adore) and we were doing trivia in Crown & Fin and she was the only kid in there. I really do think people don't understand kids *can* be in there up until a certain time. No one said anything and everyone was having fun!

I think it's a lot like the Cabanas situation - cruisers don't realize you aren't supposed to stand in line per se like a true buffet - you wait your turn but then you go to each pod as you need to, skipping people if you need to.

Thanks,
Heather

 

[clten]

OP - if you are wanting to go to a bar and have your child with you, check the navigator. Some bars become 18+ after 9pm so you can go before that. But there are some that are 18+ at all times (Oh La La/Pink; Skyline; Meridian; Cove) so you should only check them out if your child is elsewhere (like the clubs)

I've seen kids go in cove while their parents get a drink during the day. I think that's generally accepted as long as their with an adult and not stopping.

You may have seen parents take their kids with them to the Cove but it isn't and shouldn't be generally accepted. This is designated as 18+ at all times. If the parent is going in to get a drink, they are by definition stopping. By taking kids in there (no matter how quiet and well behaved they are in the parents' eyes), you are being rude to your fellow guests and putting a crew member who works for tips in an awkward position.

 

[bbel]

@clten just sharing my experiences

 

[apathetic]

During the day, bars/lounges are regular venues. Occasionally, they have events that kids can't attend, but that is pretty rare. Our son hangs out with us at the pub to play games, trivia or just watch the live sports. Once night hits, it is a different story. Plus on the Fantasy they have a bar outside the restaurant on deck 3 for people to get a drink while mingling before dinner.

 

[MUN]

The lounges are not adult only until about 8pm I believe so yes kids can be in the lounges and bars before then.

They can walk through the adult pool area as well but can not stop for any length of time. They should also not enter Cove Cafe for any reason as that is the "official" policy even though enforcement seems to change based on CM according to reports here. I have never been in Cove Cafe when kids were allowed though.

There is one bar up on 13 I believe that is adults only all day.

I think it is ok for children to accompany their parents into Cove Café to pick up a beverage. No bouncers are at the door at Cove Café and most CMs working there won't run the kids out if they're just there with their mom or dad to pick up something.

 

[Donna3271]

My son watched the football games during our Thanksgiving cruise in O'Gills with my husband. At night, he watched them by the pool. I believe the other posters are correct. 8 pm adults only.

 

[wilkeliza]

I think it is ok for children to accompany their parents into Cove Café to pick up a beverage. No bouncers are at the door at Cove Café and most CMs working there won't run the kids out if they're just there with their mom or dad to pick up something.

Again it is an adults only area and says so on the door. If you want specialty coffee with your kids there is a place on 4 to get it. People should respect the adults only area they same way they expect the kids club rules to be respected as well. It says it on the door that the area is for guests 18 and older.

 

[MUN]

Again it is an adults only area and says so on the door. If you want specialty coffee with your kids there is a place on 4 to get it. People should respect the adults only area they same way they expect the kids club rules to be respected as well. It says it on the door that the area is for guests 18 and older.

But you believe it is ok for children to be in the adult pool area?

 

[wilkeliza]

But you believe it is ok for children to be in the adult pool area?

That is due to Disney design flaw. Walking through because there is no path from the concierge rooms direct to the family pool area is different then grabbing a drink at the bar. If a parent stopped to grab a drink while in the adult pool area I would hope a CM would direct them to the bars further along. It is one of the biggest design flaws of the dream class that I hope they learn from and don't make with the 2 new ships.

 

[bbel]

Again it is an adults only area and says so on the door. If you want specialty coffee with your kids there is a place on 4 to get it. People should respect the adults only area they same way they expect the kids club rules to be respected as well. It says it on the door that the area is for guests 18 and older.

If you're going back to your cabin from that area, maybe deck 4 is well out the way. I think its worse to expect young children to hang out on their own in the family area. The times Ive seen it happen, I haven't even seen the kid because they've been so quiet, literally grabbing a drink and going.
Am I saying its right, no. Nor am I saying it wrong. I feel people try and make argument just because a lot of the time.

And not all adults respect the kids clubs rules either. Ive had guests yell at me because Ive asked them not to take photos in secured programming, its on the registration form you signed, maybe they should read the small print, could say anything! I regularly had to ask parents to leave because they were hanging around too long, you're allowed 5 mins, and just get ignored or told their playing a game with their kid on a family vacation...thats what open house is for.

Just saying, it works both ways.

 

[wilkeliza]

If you're going back to your cabin from that area, maybe deck 4 is well out the way. I think its worse to expect young children to hang out on their own in the family area. The times Ive seen it happen, I haven't even seen the kid because they've been so quiet, literally grabbing a drink and going.
Am I saying its right, no. Nor am I saying it wrong. I feel people try and make argument just because a lot of the time.

And not all adults respect the kids clubs rules either. Ive had guests yell at me because Ive asked them not to take photos in secured programming, its on the registration form you signed, maybe they should read the small print, could say anything! I regularly had to ask parents to leave because they were hanging around too long, you're allowed 5 mins, and just get ignored or told their playing a game with their kid on a family vacation...thats what open house is for.

Just saying, it works both ways.

I respect the kids club rules. The it works both ways is what I was mentioning. If people would be upset with adults in the kids club during closed programing then they also should respect the posted signs about the adults only areas. I don't complain unless it gets out of hand and no it doesn't ruin my trip or anything but nothing is more frustrating then using "adult" language and having an adult tell you to stop it because there are children present when it is the adults only pool and coffee bar. I'm not even talking about cursing or anything just a conversation about say Scandal or Walking Dead that I wouldn't have in front of children but wouldn't mind having with friend in an adults area. That or having to listen to comments about the bathing suit choice because "children are present" even though it is again an area that is suppose to be adults only.

 

[clten]

Just saying, it works both ways.

But what you are describing is not going "both ways" in both situations you are describing a parent that feels entitled to do as they wish. (It's a high likelihood that the same parent that felt entitled to bring their child into Cove Café was also the parent that was screaming to take pictures in the Kids Club.)

Do you get a lot of adults traveling without children barging into the Kids Club when it is not Open House? That would be it going both ways. I respect the Kids Club area and have never ventured in on any of the ships. And as an adult traveling without children, I expect that I can enjoy adult only areas without children.

You also say that "people try and make argument just because a lot of the time". Have you traveled as a paying guest? I have and have seen where they haven't said anything to one parent with a child because they were just ducking in to get their coffee and their child was well behaved. But then the next guest sees them so it is okay for them to pop in with their child. And well they weren't there that long and the child was only spinning on the chair while waiting, what else are the going to do? and so on until 15-20 minutes later there's been a constant parade of families and now there's a couple in the corner trying to quiet a screaming baby (they came in because they needed to get their coffee but the baby was sleeping and noone was sitting in the corner so they thought they'd just stay to drink their coffee because they weren't disturbing anyone). Even if it didn't come down to the screaming baby, the constant traffic of families changes the atmosphere and it isn't as peaceful as it should be.

Sorry OP for taking this down this very familiar path. I thank you for asking what is acceptable.

 

[bbel]

But what you are describing is not going "both ways" in both situations you are describing a parent that feels entitled to do as they wish. (It's a high likelihood that the same parent that felt entitled to bring their child into Cove Café was also the parent that was screaming to take pictures in the Kids Club.)

Do you get a lot of adults traveling without children barging into the Kids Club when it is not Open House? That would be it going both ways. I respect the Kids Club area and have never ventured in on any of the ships. And as an adult traveling without children, I expect that I can enjoy adult only areas without children.

You also say that "people try and make argument just because a lot of the time". Have you traveled as a paying guest? I have and have seen where they haven't said anything to one parent with a child because they were just ducking in to get their coffee and their child was well behaved. But then the next guest sees them so it is okay for them to pop in with their child. And well they weren't there that long and the child was only spinning on the chair while waiting, what else are the going to do? and so on until 15-20 minutes later there's been a constant parade of families and now there's a couple in the corner trying to quiet a screaming baby (they came in because they needed to get their coffee but the baby was sleeping and noone was sitting in the corner so they thought they'd just stay to drink their coffee because they weren't disturbing anyone). Even if it didn't come down to the screaming baby, the constant traffic of families changes the atmosphere and it isn't as peaceful as it should be.

Sorry OP for taking this down this very familiar path. I thank you for asking what is acceptable.

At the end of the day, Ive said it on another post about saving sun beds, Disney is about keeping everyone happy. So if it really offends you (which is obviously does a little) then say something. Unless someone is in danger or someone else is kicking up a fuss, a CM probably isn't going to tell a parent popping in for a coffee with a child to get out (which is all I stated, which again, I didn't say was right! I said nothing about the whole scene you were playing out), because the reprocussions for them if that person complains can potentially be worse than childless people complaining in a corner.

And no, random grown up don't walk in (not that some don't try), because they have 'bouncers' on the doors.
The easiest way to solve it would be to give grown ups bands, and they can check in and out of the adult only areas...

Thats it. Im done! Peace out!

 

[DLgal]

We took our kids into Pink on the Dream so I could get a glass of champagne. It was just before first seating dinner. I was going to go by myself but the cast members in there basically forced my husband and kids to come in and join me. They were going to just wait outside until dinner while I had my drink. We were the only ones in there. My kids sat with my husband at a little corner table while I sat at the bar. They were very explicit that kids were permitted in all the bars until 9pm.

 

[JW9DVC]

I respect the kids club rules. The it works both ways is what I was mentioning. If people would be upset with adults in the kids club during closed programing then they also should respect the posted signs about the adults only areas. I don't complain unless it gets out of hand and no it doesn't ruin my trip or anything but nothing is more frustrating then using "adult" language and having an adult tell you to stop it because there are children present when it is the adults only pool and coffee bar. I'm not even talking about cursing or anything just a conversation about say Scandal or Walking Dead that I wouldn't have in front of children but wouldn't mind having with friend in an adults area. That or having to listen to comments about the bathing suit choice because "children are present" even though it is again an area that is suppose to be adults only.

So what you are saying is you don't let your children watch walking dead, so the parents that let kids watch those shows or hear that language or watch Deadpool are bad parents? It's not a naked spa near the adult area. A cover up is only required in the eating area. Men and woman can wear what they want anywhere on the ship otherwise. Some people need to stop sheltering kids.

JW