Bumping older 7-year olds to the lab

[PiperG]

We are cruising about 6 weeks before DS's 8th birthday. Although the cruise is a suprise, DH and I talk a lot about how, "someday," we plan to take another Disney cruise.

Recently, DS said he would want to go after his March 8th b-day, because he has done the club several times and wants to be in the lab.

While I realize the kids mix it up in both places (and I reminded him of that), has anyone been allowed to bump their child up when their b-day is 6 weeks away? I have heard about kids being bumped up when they were a week away from their b-day, but never six weeks.

Thanks for your feedback.

 

[CM_Mom]

The DCL info says kids can go to the older group if they're within one MONTH of the next birthday so I think you probably have a good chance of having him moved to the Lab at least on a trial basis. If he fits in well, then he stays.

When you talk to the counselors be sure he's with you because they will want to talk to him to get a feel for his maturity level. With as many kids as they work with, they get to be pretty skilled in evaluating where the best placement is.

When you tell him about the cruise, if he comments about not wanting to go to the club, I would tell him that you can always ASK the counselors and see what they say.

 

[PiperG]

Thanks for your feedback CM_Mom!

 

[hopelea]

My dd was 7 years & 3 months at the time of our first cruise. She was allowed to go to the lab. We didn't ask if she could. The first night we checked her into the club. Then took my 9 yr old dd to the lab. The counselors asked where her sister was. They said that she could try the lab and if she fit with the groups she would be able to stay. I am really glad she was able to stay, I think the lab is geared for more for the littler ones, IMHO

 

[3redheads]

I'm hoping this won't be a problem when we cruise in March. Our son will be 7 years, 2 mos. He wants to be with his sister, who is 11. He's into more of the things they do in the lab.

Keeping my fingers crossed!

Kim

 

[gail1771]

I too am also hoping that my daughter who will be 7 years and 10 months can go into the lab. That is where she would perfer to be. My son will be 3 years and 6 months. I am sure DD will want to be with the older children and the activities in the lab. We shall see???

 

[Skuba2]

The general rule is they can't move up unless they fall within the 1 month guideline. I think the exceptions may come into play when either both groups are on the smaller than normal size or the lower age group is packed and moving up will help ease the crowd. Remember, nothing is for certain but it never hurts to ask.

DG

 

[scottygirl]

On the 11/6 cruise my 7 year old twins were allowed in the Lab on a trial basis. They were 3 weeks from their 8th birthday. It worked out well and can't imagine them being in the Club.

 

[clm3]

My 7yr DS will be 8 in May, we cruise on March 20th. I'm really hoping he can move up to the Lab with his older brother.

What is the check-in process like? Do they have a rooster with ages of the children on the cruise that they go by ? This is our first cruise and have NO idea what to expect.

Would love some insite from veterans !!

 

[marley]

They have a computer right in front of them and they know EXACTLY when your child's birthday is. I saw two different sets of parents blatantly lie on our Halloween cruise about their child's age to try and move them up. The CMs called them on it both times. I feel bad for the CMs having to deal with parents like that. Just tell them the situation honestly and if they have room in the older club, they will definitely work with you. Even for those parents that lied, they called them on it but still let their kids move up (who were MONTHS from their birthdays) and I think they did it because the clubs clearly weren't full.