Current Youth Activities CM -- Ask me anything!

[UmmGooD]

Just an FYI, the whole family can come back for the encounters if you want them to. Our parents stayed on the observation deck and took photos and videos. It was a great experience for everyone.

I felt bad because a mother and son did the sea lion encounter and the dad stayed back because he didn't know he could come with the group, do the educational part together, and then watch the encounter from the platform. He missed half the day with them.

You don't have to be IN an encounter to go back and be an observer! Just thought you should know in case the wife and son wanted to watch your encounter and THEN go to the beach for a fun time!

Thanks so much for giving us some insight. We are concerned that our son will not understand why he is not in the water and will have a major melt down. Unfortunately melt downs are a new way he is trying to get his way and he is at that age where communication is difficult so the meltdowns tend to be large and draw lots of attention to him. As well causing lots of stress to the parent that is holding him. We haven't decided how to deal with this yet. If it would be better to just take him straight to the beach and avoid this from occurring or try it out, if it happens take him to the beach. At this point he wants to do whatever his big sisters are doing and doesn't understand why some things he cannot do. His fits are getting better but they still do occur and we think currently he will have one just because sisters are doing something he can't do. If we take him straight to the beach he will be having fun and not worrying about what sisters are doing. We might change our mind on it but that is the direction we are thinking about going at this point.

We did the tour. You're in a van without seatbelts driving through Nassau. You go into a small chocolate store with chocolate and cookies and good-smelling bath items out in hand's reach. You have to be quiet and listen to the tourguide. You have a walking tour where you are standing and listening quietly. And not touching things. You then sit on hard, tall, stools for nearly an hour, making your chocolate creations. And then having the creations taken from you to harden, then again to have them boxed up. At one point when you are making the chocolate bar, everyone is slamming their trays on the metal tables, making a huge racket that would have terrified my son just a couple years ago. Then the tour is done and you're milling around the store again for about half an hour until the tourguides come back.

It's good they have an age requirement.

That said, it's possible you can organize it through Greycliff themselves, perhaps one that's just a walking tour and not a making tour, so you don't have to try to keep bitty kids on their stools and not eating everything?

Thanks for this! I guess it just isn't how I was expecting it to be. I have been on two chocolate tours in my life. One was the Hershey tour when I was a kid and it was inside the factory seeing all of the machinery. That factory in California is no longer open as far as I know but I think my kids could handle that tour.

The other tour was at the Cailler chocolate factory in Switzerland. That one had a history of chocolate tour with animatronics and effects. Then after that tour you were dumped into a small section of the factory where you could see a small factory line and sample chocolates. Again it would be appropriate for any age (there were 2 year olds with us).

I was thinking it would be like these but thanks for the explanation. It helps me understand why they have an age limitation. I thought chocolate tours were similar My kids have never been on one and I always enjoy them so I thought they would plus who doesn't like free chocolate samples.

 

[MissDaisyofTexas]

Open House Ratatouille Cooking School is by FAR the superior option to do this program on the cruise.
Spread the word to all of your other friends cruising! This is because most parents drop their children off for the program during secure programming, and this is a HUGE, PACKED, PANDEMONIUM TIME. Don't even think about being able to pick up your children in any easy, quick fashion at the end of secure cooking school either.



Smart parents will check and see if it will be offered during Open House because:

• The program will be less attended and not as busy (think maybe 6-7 families at its busiest!) , meaning more attention to you and your children.
• You can help supervise and encourage your child who might otherwise get lost in the shuffle of 200 children doing cooking school when it's not in Open House.
• There is no limit to how many can participate. The whole family can come if they want to!
• You can join in at any point of the Cooking School. The first 10-15 minutes will involve introductions, handing out aprons and hats and gloves and going over rules with the kids so hopefully you won't miss much. So no rush!
• You can take photos! Nothing cuter than seeing your little chef all dressed up and mixing away and being able to snap photos with them, our chef, and the finished product! When the kids do this in secure programming, no photos are allowed.
• You can eat the final product, whether it's a cookie or cupcake. Because numbers are lower during Open House, there may be more to go around!

Oh! And be prepared to act silly. It's one thing to be silly chefs with children, but when you have unimpressed grouchy parents just staring at you, it's not nearly as fun. So get into it!

We were on the Magic earlier this year, and I took my son and daughter to the cooking school during open house. It was a madhouse! Barely room to squeeze in at a table despite the counselors putting out more tables and bowls. There had to be over 100 people there. Nobody could hear or see anything. My kids were so frustrated that we left and just ordered chocolate chip cookies from room service. Of course, we were on a "Kids Sail Free" cruise, so there were probably a ton more kids.

 

[byejou]

I been forgetting to ask, what is on Castaway Cay for the Edge club? My 12 yo will be there. My 9 yo will be in the Lab. We usually head over to Serenity Bay for lunch and drinks.

 

[bumbershoot]

(sorry to keep talking about this in your thread, OP, but it seemed good info for UmmGooD)

Thanks for this! I guess it just isn't how I was expecting it to be. I have been on two chocolate tours in my life. One was the Hershey tour when I was a kid and it was inside the factory seeing all of the machinery. That factory in California is no longer open as far as I know but I think my kids could handle that tour.

The other tour was at the Cailler chocolate factory in Switzerland. That one had a history of chocolate tour with animatronics and effects. Then after that tour you were dumped into a small section of the factory where you could see a small factory line and sample chocolates. Again it would be appropriate for any age (there were 2 year olds with us).

I was thinking it would be like these but thanks for the explanation. It helps me understand why they have an age limitation. I thought chocolate tours were similar My kids have never been on one and I always enjoy them so I thought they would plus who doesn't like free chocolate samples.

Glad to help. I did a chocolate factory tour in the Bay Area when I was 11 and it was a HUGE factory with nothing hands on about it. This place is teensy tiny and the whole thing is very different. I mean you are standing *right there* at the machines. They had chocolate tempering while we were there, and there were some jokes about putting our heads under it to drink. While that would have ultimately been gross and would have ruined a whole lot of chocolate, we COULD HAVE done it, it was so close. Also with the roasting machine, separating, etc etc (although THOSE machines were not on). Tiny little place.

You could always take a taxi or something over there. The chocolates that they make aren't *that* much, and are both beautiful AND delicious.

 

[cypressmom]

This IS a difficult age! When Disney first came out with its programming for the ships over a decade ago, 10-12 year old girls were simply very different creatures to the ones we have today. We didn't mature quite as quickly, the things that would keep up interested just aren't going to cut it for the same age group today.

Especially when so many of them come in trying to look like this now:

So for our more mature adolescents, I'd direct them more to the Create & Invent programs - but her Self-check privileges will be key!! Our 10-12 year old girls who meet at the beginning of the cruise end up roaming the ship in packs and end up hanging out in each other's rooms more than in our space!

This cracked me up! My daughter is not quite at this stage. She is pretty naïve. I would describe her more as an old soul, very intellectual. Although we will allow her to sign herself in/out, she will not be allowed in any stateroom that is not her own. I am very grateful that she is a rule follower, so I trust she will make the right choices.

 

[Notso]

I am loving this thread! Thank you so much! I have two quick questions.

You mentioned that the kids do art projects. My 3 year old has celiacs (can't ingest gluten). This can be a problem with most finger paints and all playdoh, anything that can get under her nails and into her mouth when she sucks her thumb. Can you give me an idea of what materials they use, and if it would be possible to request she not participate if its dangerous?

My second question involves lunch. I know I can get her a gluten free lunch in the club if I need to (we have a Remy brunch one day), but I don't know how to do it.

Thanks again!

 

[twindaddy]

Loved the top ten list.

I am SO guilty of the getting to the port early. Our first cruise we got to the port at....wait for it...9am. The terminal didnt even open till 9:30. We were first in, first through security, first in line for the kids club check in.

That is all part of the excitement to me. My girls sat watching old time Mickey Mouse videos and making friends, they were happy.

I can imagine getting to the port at 2 or 3pm. That is 3 hours on the ship I just missed!

 

[heidibilotti]

Wow can't thank you enough for taking your time to help us all out. I will never throw out my magazines during travel again. The cm's on dcl bring us so many magical moments and wonderful vacations it's fun to spread some cheer to them too. My kids have been traveling dcl since they were born and it is hard to pry them away from the kids areas as the cm's are so fantastic to them. Thanks for sharing hope to meet up with you one day to thank you in person.

 

[05MM08MM]

WOW! It must have taken me well over an hour to read through this whole thread.

Thanks for the info about ways to appreciate the CM's onboard.

Friendship Rocks was on the Disney Magic both times we were onboard (Oct 2012 & Feb 2013) although there is no telling at this point what types of activities will be have next month since everything will be all new.

My daughter is one who would rather be in the club than with me or doing anything else onboard. I have to beg her to come out to go enjoy other parts of the ship (pool & slide) for a little while. We are stuck with the late seating now for every cruise so she she can do play & dine. As soon as she is done eating she is looking at the restaurant entrance to see if the 'yellow shirts' are coming to pick her up.

Usually late in the evening (10 p.m) when I go to pick her up she is usually doing some sort of activity (puzzle, game, etc) with on of the YAC. I truly appreciate all that you do to love, entertain, and keep safe our babies when they are in your care. THANKS!

 

[cruisemomma]

Thank you so much for taking the time to do this!! We are in the beginning stages of planning our first cruise and this is great info
At first I wanted to sail on the Dream but now I am reconsidering that in favor of one of the Classic ships. I will have a 4 year old, 15, and 17 year olds. It sounds like the kids' programming is more involved with more activities than just video games for the younger ones which is what I would prefer. But I also want to make this enjoyable for the teenagers. Are the teen spaces and activities comparable to the newer ships? For a first time cruise do you think one ship would be better than the others? We'll be taking a 4 night cruise. I'm getting excited to hear people's opinions of the new Magic. Hope you get there soon!!

 

[CMontheseas]

I am loving this thread! Thank you so much! I have two quick questions.

You mentioned that the kids do art projects. My 3 year old has celiacs (can't ingest gluten). This can be a problem with most finger paints and all playdoh, anything that can get under her nails and into her mouth when she sucks her thumb. Can you give me an idea of what materials they use, and if it would be possible to request she not participate if its dangerous?

My second question involves lunch. I know I can get her a gluten free lunch in the club if I need to (we have a Remy brunch one day), but I don't know how to do it.

Thanks again!

Ahh no worries, because of the higher incidence of children with celiac coming into our space, a lot of materials and programming got removed in recent times! Which does include - playdough. There may be the rare occasion in pops up though, so the best thing to do when registering and getting her Mickey band is to reiterate this and tell them you want them to make sure she doesn't come into contact with ________. We do this plenty!


As for mealtime, talk to your Head server at dinner on the first day and discuss your plans and suggest a gluten free meal they could prepare for her. (Ive seen it usually be grilled chicken, broccoli, and fries or rice). As soon as this happens, call Youth activities, ask for management, and give them your daughter's info, and the name of your head server to follow up.

 

[CMontheseas]

Thank you so much for taking the time to do this!! We are in the beginning stages of planning our first cruise and this is great info
At first I wanted to sail on the Dream but now I am reconsidering that in favor of one of the Classic ships. I will have a 4 year old, 15, and 17 year olds. It sounds like the kids' programming is more involved with more activities than just video games for the younger ones which is what I would prefer. But I also want to make this enjoyable for the teenagers. Are the teen spaces and activities comparable to the newer ships? For a first time cruise do you think one ship would be better than the others? We'll be taking a 4 night cruise. I'm getting excited to hear people's opinions of the new Magic. Hope you get there soon!!

If I was a teen, having been around the fleet I'd like the spaces on the new ships much better. It's just more stuff than the classics. A teen pool? Sold. But if it's their first cruise and don't have anything to compare to, I'd go classics.

On a 4 night cruise, I'll say Fantasy.

 

[LisaLuka]

As for the pizza - we wouldn't be able to eat it right then and there, but it'll be "tossed in the trash" in a CM-only space out of sight. And then we'd take turns "going to the bathroom" to "see the trash".

I just want to say thanks for starting this thread--you're hilarious and insightful, and your statements make me smile. We'll be on the Magic in December--and we'll work on some CM gifts. Hope you'll be around!

 

[4Ds4Diz]

We will be sailing in April 2014 and my boys will be 11 and 14. Which clubs will they be in and what can they expect their experience to be like? My youngest was in the Lab last time. Will he be there again? I am concerned about boredom, yet his is my child at heart kid, who is not overly mature for his age.

My 14 year old tends to stand back and watch, not one to jump in. What will it be like for him with the older kids? I am concerned about him being on the younger side with the 17 year olds.

I do want to take a minute to thank you and all those on board for all you do. Even on a bad day it is a great experience and we are grateful to be there. Unless you have a truly rude CM, I am always amazed at what people will complain about, yet sometimes it is just their unrealistic expectations.

Thanks and I will be sure to remember the little nice things to do when we sail in April. Thanks!!!

 

[CMontheseas]

We will be sailing in April 2014 and my boys will be 11 and 14. Which clubs will they be in and what can they expect their experience to be like? My youngest was in the Lab last time. Will he be there again? I am concerned about boredom, yet his is my child at heart kid, who is not overly mature for his age.

My 14 year old tends to stand back and watch, not one to jump in. What will it be like for him with the older kids? I am concerned about him being on the younger side with the 17 year olds.

The good thing is they're both in age group "limbo", so they each have the ability to choose between 2 spaces to go to at any time!

If your 11 year old find he's getting bored in the Lab, he can go to Edge (he's in the age range).
If your 14 year old doesn't quite mesh with the 16-17 year olds in Vibe, he can also go to Edge with this brother.

It depends on the sorts of kids/teens that come with each cruise. Sometimes you'll have a very immature Edge group of 11-12 year olds running around pulling pranks of stateroom doors. Other times you could have an overly mature Vibe crowd all discussing their college/university plans.

 

[tobikaye]

Are any of the open houses less busy than others? I will be on the Dream next years, so it might be different between the ships.

I know my adult special needs sister would enjoy visiting the youth clubs to see what they are like. She is pretty high functioning, but the things that interest her are varied from preschool to adult so she will be very intrigued to see what are in the youth clubs.

 

[CMontheseas]

Are any of the open houses less busy than others? I will be on the Dream next years, so it might be different between the ships.

I know my adult special needs sister would enjoy visiting the youth clubs to see what they are like. She is pretty high functioning, but the things that interest her are varied from preschool to adult so she will be very intrigued to see what are in the youth clubs.

The open houses that take place while we're in Port tend to be nearly empty!

 

[Mommoo]

First, thank you for all you do! Hope you are enjoying your time on dry land!
I just would like to know how many of there are you on the ship at one time, and do the kids usually meet all of you in the course of a four day cruise? I wouldn't want to slight anyone!! Again, thanks!! My grandson is 8, so I guess he'll be in the Oceaneer Lab???

 

[disneyfan654]

If I want to be a youth counselor what should I major in college?

 

[CMontheseas]

If I want to be a youth counselor what should I major in college?

Good question . What country are you from?
It varies wildly, a lot of people have done Early Childhood Education, Teaching, there have been Chemical Engineers, Pre-Law, Fine Arts, Theatre, Geneticists, Historians, Music Majors, everything you can think of.

Just from experience, it doesn't seem like you need one. A lot of my fellow Brits in my department have barely graduated high school, if that's any indication. Most others from USA/Canada/Australia/Mexico/Brazil have gone to post-secondary schooling.

Just a word of advice: If you're looking for a job that will help you pay off your student loans or make the most out of your degree, or make your college experience worthwhile, this is not it. Most of us aren't here for the money (or we'd be insane), but rather for the experience of working for a Disney property. If you need to pay off loans/use your hard-earned degree, stay at home! If you LOVE Disney and want to forget about loans/your degree for a while, work with us!

First, thank you for all you do! Hope you are enjoying your time on dry land!
I just would like to know how many of there are you on the ship at one time, and do the kids usually meet all of you in the course of a four day cruise? I wouldn't want to slight anyone!! Again, thanks!! My grandson is 8, so I guess he'll be in the Oceaneer Lab???

There are about 60-80 of us on board at one time, I don't think it's very possible to meet every single one of our team unless you came to visit the Nursery, Club, Lab, Edge AND Vibe!