Current Youth Activities CM -- Ask me anything!

[KT2038]

Thanks for replying! I agree that there isn't enough info out there for such a major change. It is so amazing that you are doing this! Do you know of other forums where CMs chat?

p.s I apparently cannot PM as I do not have enough posts lol

 

[KT2038]

Aww but that's good that you can still all chat!!

What are shifts like? Is there a daily routine?

Should I be nervous or excited? lol

 

[KT2038]

This question reminds me of some of my best, favorite memories working in the youth spaces on board, and I'll gladly answer why:

I think a lot of people can stand to a learn a lot from watching how children interact with other children with disabilities. When I first started I was always nervous and a bit worried for them - after all, kids can be cruel sometimes (As you can imagine, we tend to get our share of Make-A-Wish children as well) - and so I tended to keep a close eye whenever anyone with physical disabilities was on our spaces to step in, just in case anything that amounted to teasing or exclusion happened.

What I've experienced first-hand over the past few contracts as a Counselor has made me have so much faith in our next generation, it's insane! What I mean is that these kids, without fail, have openly embraced their peers with physical disabilities and go on to do so much more about making their cruise special than I would've been able to as a CM.

Some examples are:

-The 4-year old Deaf girl who this other 4-year old boy was crazy about and always played with her despite never speaking

-The little boy with a breathing tube who the older kids would sit with during programs

-The 5-year old in a wheelchair who the other girls worked together to put on a princess dress and helped push her around at the Royal Ball. (Cinderella confessed in the hallway later on that she almost cried seeing that!)

-The 8 year old with leukemia who made friends with two new "sisters" who held her hands for the whole cruise whenever they walked from one part of the room to the other

-The blind tween dude whose first dance was with every girl in Edge!


It always starts off with innocent, maybe blunt questions from the other kids: "Why does she walk like that? Why is he wearing that? How come she won't talk to me?" But then, when answered they simply say: "Oh, ok".

And I don't mean to get your hopes up or anything, but I gotta say watching these very nonjudgmental interactions between the kids was far more magical than -dare I say it - Mickey Mouse doing the same thing! It's wonderful that he's social, that will go a long way in making that first introduction to the other kids. Hope he enjoys the cruise!

Children are just too adorable aren't they?? I have had very similar experiences to this with the children I have worked with and it always makes me cry!!

 

[Weedy]

We cruises last May/June and Yo Yo was one of the counselors in the Vibe. My kids loved him!!! Is is still there? We will be cursing May 31st and they hope to see him.

 

[mom4fun]

My son is a tall 13 year old and he loves sports. Would he be allowed to participate in organized sports with vibe also, even though he will be in edge?

 

[Disneybridewifemama]

Is there ever a do-si-do with Snow White in the afternoon on the wonder? From the navigators I've seen it's always around 9 am and my mega Snow White loving four year old is a late sleeper.

 

[KT2038]

I have been reading some more info from the Onboarding site. I think it's a case of the more i read the more confused I am!! haha. Was that the same for you?

 

[KT2038]

I was reading about Pixie Hollow. My son (who will be 4 when we cruise) LOVES dress up and imaginative play. Are there dress up options for the boys too? If not, he's perfectly happy to put on princess dresses (it's not uncommon to see a all of the boys in his preschool class running around in princess dresses since that is their only dress up option)

Was considering purchasing some "costumes" for him to take along on the cruise but don't want to overpack or waste the money if it's not going to be an issue.

Will other kids or CMs give him a hard time for that?

I LOVE that your son will dress up as a Princess!! As a teacher, I think that children should be able to express themselves through play however they choose without the stigma gender stereotypes, and dramatic play in all its forms is vitally important for development at this age.

 

[CMontheseas]

I LOVE that your son will dress up as a Princess!! As a teacher, I think that children should be able to express themselves through play however they choose without the stigma gender stereotypes, and dramatic play in all its forms is vitally important for development at this age.

Look- you're an excellent Counselor already.

It's good to be excited, a lot of the things they send to us are nothing compared to the onslaught of information you'll get in the first week. (No idea why they do it like that, we could be doing SO much reading in advance!). When you're able to send PMs, I'll walk you through everything as much as I can, sister! (some things on the job can't quite be shared publicly )

We cruises last May/June and Yo Yo was one of the counselors in the Vibe. My kids loved him!!! Is is still there? We will be cursing May 31st and they hope to see him.

Oh I would LOVE it if Yoyo was here! I have no idea! They don't share with us everyone's contract details as they are often subject to change.

My son is a tall 13 year old and he loves sports. Would he be allowed to participate in organized sports with vibe also, even though he will be in edge?

Only if the activities are listed as "Open House" in the personal navigator. But Edge does it's own share of the exact same sports activities!

Is there ever a do-si-do with Snow White in the afternoon on the wonder? From the navigators I've seen it's always around 9 am and my mega Snow White loving four year old is a late sleeper.

Sometimes, yes. But usually done on a Port Day, often in Open House. If she loves Snow White THAT much, she'll rise up early just like Snow's forest friends!

 

[DisFan01908]

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer all these questions and provide so much great information!!

I just finished reading through the whole thread and I've learned so much. I always knew how wonderful the YA staff was, and how hard you work, but after hearing the not-so-great working conditions, I have an even deeper level of appreciation for all you do to make all of our cruises so magical!

My son was 4 on his 1st cruise, and 12 on his 2nd last year (only reason for the long gap was an aversion to boats for a little while..) and both times I had to beg him to take some time away from "his new friends & counselors" at the programs to spend time with me Literally. He had such a great time at Edge last year that there was no question we'd be back again this year. Not only did he make lots of friends and have a blast, but he really thought the counselors were great too. We will be on the Fantasy for Easter this year, and he'll happily be at Edge. I know you can't "reveal your identity...", but I will ask if any of the counselors remember Friendship Rocks!!

We will also be sure to bring as many goodies as we can. I know he'll be happy to help put together some CDs and bring down snacks at the end of the night too!!

Thank you for keeping up this thread & for being such a lovely, dedicated & honest CM!!!

 

[Marlismouse]

Hi CMoftheseas. I will echo my thanks... Lots of great info here!

Advice/personal opinion:

Sailing with 3 boys. My ds will be turning 8 on the cruise. I know we could give him self check out. What's your opinion? He will have his 2 younger cousins, but wondered if I told him where we are on the ship and he could come get is to check the other 2 out if they wanted might be an option. I'm really just worried about an 8 year old roaming the boat (same kid climbed UP the fire pole at the fire station

 

[Jenntx]

Hey Heather,

Not trying to plug the blog, but there is a post on there with a printable addition to the comment card. This came about because I ALWAYS mention names (restroom attendants, gift shop folks, kids club CMs, etc.) & that little two-line space doesn't cut it! I print out a few, cut in half, and then take them with us and attach them to the comment card. Last cruise, we got a post card thanking us for our kind words.

Emily

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

I'm sorry - which blog do we go to- to find the printable additional space for making comments? The DIS blog? DCL blog? Or another blog? I'd love to go there to print this off bc in Dec - I did not have enough space to write praises for the CM's. Want this for our March cruise! Thank you!!

 

[DonaldDuckDad]

I'm sorry - which blog do we go to- to find the printable additional space for making comments? The DIS blog? DCL blog? Or another blog? I'd love to go there to print this off bc in Dec - I did not have enough space to write praises for the CM's. Want this for our March cruise! Thank you!!

Try here http://disneycruiselineblog.com/201...he-guest-comment-card-feedback-questionnaire/

 

[tomatofish07]

We will be on the Fantasy soon and my daughter who is 12.5 wants to do parasailing in Castaway. She is 5'6 and looks 15 unfortunately not 12... any way, the point is she doesn't meet the 13 cutoff but will they make an exception and let her parasail without us? In our group there are 6 teenagers that want to parasail and she wants to do it with them.

 

[Danielebelle]

I have a question about open house times. I understand that families can come in and play together but how do you keep those adults/families away from the children that are there on their own? My main concern is that my child could be coerced into leaving with someone else, or interact with an adult stranger without supervision. Hope that makes sense. Thanks.

 

[lanejudy]

I have a question about open house times. I understand that families can come in and play together but how do you keep those adults/families away from the children that are there on their own? My main concern is that my child could be coerced into leaving with someone else, or interact with an adult stranger without supervision. Hope that makes sense. Thanks.

Kids in "secured programming" will be in the opposite space - Club or Lab. Only 1 has open house at a time and they move all kids to the other for the duration of open house. Your kids will have no opportunity to see if interact with adults or other kids participating in open house.
Enjoy your cruise!

 

[lanejudy]

We will be on the Fantasy soon and my daughter who is 12.5 wants to do parasailing in Castaway. She is 5'6 and looks 15 unfortunately not 12... any way, the point is she doesn't meet the 13 cutoff but will they make an exception and let her parasail without us? In our group there are 6 teenagers that want to parasail and she wants to do it with them.

DCL is very strict on ages of the excursions offered through DCL. Since they know her age, you will not be allowed to sign her up for thus excursion. Maybe you can find a private tour operator in another port who allows younger parasailing.
Enjoy your cruise!

 

[lbgraves]

We will be on the Fantasy soon and my daughter who is 12.5 wants to do parasailing in Castaway. She is 5'6 and looks 15 unfortunately not 12... any way, the point is she doesn't meet the 13 cutoff but will they make an exception and let her parasail without us? In our group there are 6 teenagers that want to parasail and she wants to do it with them.

DCL strictly enforces the excursion ages, so there isn't any wiggle room like there is with the kid clubs. This is due to insurance requirements. Since it's CC, there aren't any outside vendors to book through on your own, so your DD12 won't be able to do that excursion.

 

[Bear3412]

Regarding the parasailing; Is anyone of the teens participating 18 or older?

from; http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/cruises-destinations/shore-excursions/castaway-cay/parasailing/

"Children under the age of 13 must be accompanied by an adult 18 or older."

It doesn't say parent. Just a thought.

 

[Nannylisad]

Regarding the parasailing; Is anyone of the teens participating 18 or older? from; http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/cruises-destinations/shore-excursions/castaway-cay/parasailing/ "Children under the age of 13 must be accompanied by an adult 18 or older." It doesn't say parent. Just a thought.

Your right not does it say they have to go up maybe my 12 and 13 can go up. I'll sit on the boat watching and freaking out