Are parents allowed in the kids club? How does this all work?

[Nicole Valentine]

Hi All! Potentially booking our first (Disney) cruise on the Fantasy. My daughter will be 4.5 and she gets a bit nervous in new situations. Am I allowed to walk her in to Oceaneers or is it just a drop off type thing? Also, is it just a free for all where they can run around to whatever room they want at any time? I saw maybe they have some structured events. I'm just worried about her being super shy and me having to drop her off in a new environment where she won't know anyone. Thanks!

 

[Mr. Drauer]

There is open house on the first day where you can explore together. Once they move to regular programming, it is just a drop off, though there is also open house during the cruise when one of the two are open for all to explore while the other remains in structured programming. There are various areas within each club so some structured activities going on like crafts or drawing or an organized game, and other play areas like Andy's room for just free play. You can search for more info in the trip reports section of the Dis, or try Scott's blog at www.disneycruiselineblog.com

 

[mickeymom22]

You can go in there and hang out during their Open House times, but other than that it should be a "kiss and go" type of thing. There are structured activities and some kids will just roam.

My daughter is a quiet soul too. We went there first thing when we boarded so we could walk around with her and show her all the different areas. The first time she went we said we would be back in 30 minutes to check on her. After that first time she was ready to stay longer.

She mainly stayed in the arts and crafts area. She was always sitting with a cast member at a table drawing and coloring or making a craft when we would pick her up. At pick up they were able to locate which area she was in by where her band and we walked there to get her. They used to make you have a secret password to ensure you were the right person picking up your child.

The only structured activity that I know she took part in was the Pluto Slumber Party one night. She wanted to see what it was like and she said it was a lot of fun!

I hope this helps! Happy 1st Sailing!

 

[Nicole Valentine]

You can go in there and hang out during their Open House times, but other than that it should be a "kiss and go" type of thing. There are structured activities and some kids will just roam.

My daughter is a quiet soul too. We went there first thing when we boarded so we could walk around with her and show her all the different areas. The first time she went we said we would be back in 30 minutes to check on her. After that first time she was ready to stay longer.

She mainly stayed in the arts and crafts area. She was always sitting with a cast member at a table drawing and coloring or making a craft when we would pick her up. At pick up they were able to locate which area she was in by where her band and we walked there to get her. They used to make you have a secret password to ensure you were the right person picking up your child.

The only structured activity that I know she took part in was the Pluto Slumber Party one night. She wanted to see what it was like and she said it was a lot of fun!

I hope this helps! Happy 1st Sailing!

It does thank you! I also plan to join a group for our sailing in hopes maybe she can connect with someone else her age. I know the second she makes a friend she'll want nothing to do with us the rest of the time haha. It is just the intial getting her in she will be uneasy about

 

[brent02139]

on the first day or embarkation day, there is open house, you can go with your child, see how things are, talk things through with her, ask CM questions etc. Also this is a good time to get registered, they'll put a magicband on her wrist. There will be other open house scheduled here and there, and when they do they'll shut down either the lab or club, but not both

Next day, it opens at 9am, and you go with your child to the entrance. She'll tap her magicband and will be registered that way. The glass door will open and that's where you'll say you good byes.

There are events scheduled throughout the day, but due to covid things have slow down a bit. They are starting back up but expect one every couple hours. It'll be on the navigators.

Our mistake with oceanier's club/lab was dropping off our DS4 like it was daycare. He became really anxious and broke down after an hour asking for us. So would have been better had we done baby steps, starting with 30 min, so he knows we would be back for him and didn't abandon him. But if something is wrong, CM will message you through the navigator app.

I would ask the CM if they plan on feeding or giving drink, our sailing on Wonder was no food or drinks, only the water fountains and couldn't bring any food inside either. Was strange but it limited how long we're comfortable how long our DS4 and DD7 being there at a time.

It's montisory like, where there are pods to watch movies or play games, or arts and crafts, or participate in events such a Sarge's ultimate challenge or Princess story time or Frozen play. So your kid could very well end up watching movie on the wall the whole time and you wouldn't know it until you go pick them up. CM also might not know their day as it's a big place with lots of kid going in and out and CM goes on/off duty as well