Current Youth Activities CM -- Ask me anything!

[CMontheseas]

My guess is that the rule is in place for the protection of the male counselors. While I'm sure the overwhelming majority of passengers would feel totally fine with their young children being cared for or escorted from place to place by a male counselor it only takes one paranoid, misinformed parent to hear their child was left alone with an adult male to make an issue. I'm not saying it's fair, I'm just saying that I think in this case Disney is just trying to protect itself (and the counselors) from perceived wrongdoing.

You've hit the management's reasoning square on the head, they repeat that line like a mantra. The flipside is that it kinda undermines our whole process of selecting Counselors that's supposed to be incredibly thorough (if we can't trust our own CMs, what credibility do any of us have?).

I feel for them though, as we're expected to pay for our own background checks and they're so limited in what they're allowed to do, it's just not efficient for DCL. I wouldn't be surprised if we ended up with all-female staff in the next few years!

 

[Meghatron]

I wouldn't be surprised if we ended up with all-female staff in the next few years!

I am actually hoping that the cultural swing towards positive fatherhood (men taking care of their kids as basic parenting rather than "babysitting", etc.) will prevent this from happening. Some of my favourite kids' CMs have been male (even in the nursery) and I think it's important for youth to see males in that kind of joyful and playtime-based leadership position.

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[su_A_ve]

And then we wonder why there's a shortage of male teachers...

Anyway, we should switch back to topic...

Not sure you mentioned by I believe more open houses have been added partly to help those families with kids with special needs so the caregivers can attend to them while allowing them to enjoy the space.

My .02...

 

[CMontheseas]

And then we wonder why there's a shortage of male teachers...

Anyway, we should switch back to topic...

Not sure you mentioned by I believe more open houses have been added partly to help those families with kids with special needs so the caregivers can attend to them while allowing them to enjoy the space.

My .02...

Very accurate.
This was in addition to the growing numbers of parents with 2-year olds who would write a comment about more activities for their toddler beyond the nursery. At its peak we used to get 20+ comments about more Open House time, so I suppose they listened!

 

[GetGlowing]

A couple more questions I thought of ... and really, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME! You are awesome and if I were sailing with you I'd bring you lots of chocolates and Starbursts and Werthers and little bottles of shampoo. ha

1) Can a child be located anywhere on the ship if they are wearing their Mickey Band?

2) Does the programming schedule in Club/Lab change much from cruise to cruise? If I look at a Navigator of a 4-night Dream to see what activities were offered at which times on which days, would it be likely those same things are offered on the same days/times on future cruises as long as they aren't too far in the future?

 

[CMontheseas]

A couple more questions I thought of ... and really, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME! You are awesome and if I were sailing with you I'd bring you lots of chocolates and Starbursts and Werthers and little bottles of shampoo. ha

1) Can a child be located anywhere on the ship if they are wearing their Mickey Band?

2) Does the programming schedule in Club/Lab change much from cruise to cruise? If I look at a Navigator of a 4-night Dream to see what activities were offered at which times on which days, would it be likely those same things are offered on the same days/times on future cruises as long as they aren't too far in the future?

Awww thanks!

1) Good question, the easy answer is no unfortunately not. We can only read their location once their band number has been scanned into the system and even then, depending on the ship, the band will only accurately indicate the child's location within the Lab/Club (with SOME exceptions, they've been known to read up on the Sports Deck, the buffet, some places like the D-Lounge or Studio Sea, the theatre, to a limited extent, for now practically-defunct programming where we'd be take them to remote areas of the ship.)


2) As a general idea, these things tend to remain consistent (unless you're sailing around a major thematic holiday)! Unless a Manager of Youth Activities was feeling particularly ambitious, or recently took over the position from a previous one then there'd likely be scheduling changes but for the most part within a 6-month span these tend to be fairly the same for the same length- cruises.

 

[Disneymomoftwinz]

As so many others have commented....thank you for taking the time to educate us and share a glimpse of your DCL life with us...it has been great spending time with you . We will be cruising the Fantasy on January 25th so I hope that our paths cross, even if I am unaware of your presence. I am all prepared to bring magazines and bite size candies. As my kids are 11 (a boy and a girl), I expect they will spend their time in Edge and maybe occasionally in the lab so I am not sure how often you would be interacting with them but I will be sure to tell them to be on their best behavior! Other than visiting on the first day, what are some of the other Edge "must do's" that I should highly encourage my kids to attend? We have only taken one other Disney cruise before and they were 10 so it was 100% Oceaneer Lab for them.

Again, thanks for answering our questions and I hope you enjoy the Fantasy!

 

[CMontheseas]

As so many others have commented....thank you for taking the time to educate us and share a glimpse of your DCL life with us...it has been great spending time with you . We will be cruising the Fantasy on January 25th so I hope that our paths cross, even if I am unaware of your presence. I am all prepared to bring magazines and bite size candies. As my kids are 11 (a boy and a girl), I expect they will spend their time in Edge and maybe occasionally in the lab so I am not sure how often you would be interacting with them but I will be sure to tell them to be on their best behavior! Other than visiting on the first day, what are some of the other Edge "must do's" that I should highly encourage my kids to attend? We have only taken one other Disney cruise before and they were 10 so it was 100% Oceaneer Lab for them.

Again, thanks for answering our questions and I hope you enjoy the Fantasy!

The best things I've experienced as an Edge Counselor have been our karaoke nights, our scavenger hunts where counselors are stationed around the ship getting the kids to accomplish challenges (like the Amazing Race), and Pizza Perfection - where they get to make their own pizzas and get them baked for them!

Also, some of the most magical moments I've seen on board are around "Picture this" times in Edge, or when characters randomly pop in. Instead of the usual hugs and photos that they'd give when they visit the Club or the Lab, it's always awesome to see them interact with the teens/tweens by playing video games and dancing or lounging with them on the couches. So awesome!

 

[randomiam79]

Thanks for the tips! We just got back from the Magic and made sure to drop off some good non-disney sweets to the counselors in the club and lab on the last night around closing time. I did notice they quickly tossed it in a drawer under the check in computers ha. I did get a good laugh when I saw a well-meaning lady with 2 trays of mickey bars, trying to give them to a counselor around 9:45 one night. I hope they eventually found a way to get them to the CMs.

One note: the corridor between the club and lab is now used by kids (and parents picking up) to freely go back and forth like on the Dream and I assume the Fantasy. Was catching up on this thread now that we're back and thought I'd add that.

 

[breeeex0x]

I've read some of this thread, and you're so helpful!

My family is planning on cruising with again next year and I will just have turned 18. We are trying to decide whether to go with Disney or not. I understand there is a strict rule against going into Vibe even though I will still be in high school but there is an 18-21 group. My question is how do you find out about the group? Is there a CM that gets them together at first and then lets them do whatever or something else? I'd just like to know how likely it will be for me to meet people my age since there's not an "official" place to meet.

 

[CMontheseas]

I've read some of this thread, and you're so helpful!

My family is planning on cruising with again next year and I will just have turned 18. We are trying to decide whether to go with Disney or not. I understand there is a strict rule against going into Vibe even though I will still be in high school but there is an 18-21 group. My question is how do you find out about the group? Is there a CM that gets them together at first and then lets them do whatever or something else? I'd just like to know how likely it will be for me to meet people my age since there's not an "official" place to meet.

Hey! I was in the same boat a few years ago (hehe...same boat. ), and it was all organised by the Cruise Staff. I didn't get the memo on my first day, but after speaking with one of the Cruise Staff team they very strongly encouraged me to go and gave me a rundown of the mixers we'd have. Our group was...eclectic and friendly, the big bummer is that if you're from any other part of the world besides the States and are used to drinking already (and not 21) it'll be a bit awkward. All the Canadians and Brits and Europeans and South Americans commiserated on our lack of drinking on board and ended up making plans together to go bar hopping in port! So great.

So yes, go ask Cruise Staff, meet people, then plan own (non-dry) social events!

 

[CMontheseas]

Thanks for the tips! We just got back from the Magic and made sure to drop off some good non-disney sweets to the counselors in the club and lab on the last night around closing time. I did notice they quickly tossed it in a drawer under the check in computers ha. I did get a good laugh when I saw a well-meaning lady with 2 trays of mickey bars, trying to give them to a counselor around 9:45 one night. I hope they eventually found a way to get them to the CMs.

One note: the corridor between the club and lab is now used by kids (and parents picking up) to freely go back and forth like on the Dream and I assume the Fantasy. Was catching up on this thread now that we're back and thought I'd add that.

Yes!
Just a bit of a follow-up on those trays of Mickey Bars (according to the Magic CMs on Facebook), the managers were around and had to confiscate them because there was no place to stash them in the space! Luckily a few very nice ones managed to shove them in the manager mini-fridge and out them out after closing.


Also, I'm relaying much love from CMs across all four ships - everyone keeps taking photos of all of the great goodies we've been getting, the magazines are a hit!
And I don't know if she was from here, but super thanks to the lady who brought down baskets of chicken fingers every night on the Fantasy on the last cruise!!! They ended up inviting our Character friends upstairs to share (everyone was starving that night )

 

[Keggy]

Wanted to thank you for the tips - was able to give magazines and candy to the nursery staff on Magic. I never knew what to do to thank them before. Such great ladies and they took such good care of our little girl!! We made sure to mention them by name in the survey!

 

[So_Confused]

If my 11 year old prefers to go the edge, is there anyway I can ask that he not allowed to sign himself out? Not comfortable with him roaming the ship alone?

 

[Meghatron]

If my 11 year old prefers to go the edge, is there anyway I can ask that he not allowed to sign himself out? Not comfortable with him roaming the ship alone?

If he's 11, then maybe can understand a family rule of "You are not allowed to sign yourself out, and if you do, you lose all kid space privileges," or something similar. Just because DCL will let them come and go doesn't mean you can't set your own limits, and consequences should those limits be broken.

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[CMontheseas]

If my 11 year old prefers to go the edge, is there anyway I can ask that he not allowed to sign himself out? Not comfortable with him roaming the ship alone?

You're not the only parent who's asked us this question before. A very common tactic is to firstly explain to the child that they are not to leave Edge on their own until you come to retrieve them. If they do end up going against that and leaving on their own, parents who aren't comfortable with the child being alone anywhere on the ship tend to sign them into the Oceaneer Lab/Club without self-check privileges and essentially keep them securely in the space.


From a CM standpoint this is slightly problematic since:

• For youth that want to be in Edge, they HAVE to leave the space on their own in order to use a restroom or eat anything.
• A considerable chunk of Edge programming takes place in other locations around the ship, the kids I've met who weren't allowed to leave due to their guardian's instruction were left to sit there for the hour until all of the others returned.
• 11 and 12 Year-olds who have been restricted to the Oceaneer Club/Lab without Self-Check privileges often have the least enjoyable time in the space especially after they learn the majority of their peers can sign themselves out, and they feel trapped.

It is ultimately though, up to you and your comfort level! Plenty of parents just don't feel comfortable with their children -of any age - having the freedom on board the ship. We just find that these same kids (with the exception of those with special-needs) don't quite have the same level of enjoyment as the others their age.

 

[dbarker]

If my 11 year old prefers to go the edge, is there anyway I can ask that he not allowed to sign himself out? Not comfortable with him roaming the ship alone?

DS was 12 and 14 on our 2 cruises. I left him with very specific rules (and consequences) of where he could be on the ship. Period. I knew from all of my reading that the Edge and Vibe kids had "run of the ship". I also knew that they did activities all over the ship. I didn't want him to miss out on activities, but I also wanted him to be safe.

I could not believe how well he obeyed the rules. I guess he didn't like the idea of the consequences.

The consequences: He would lose ALL privileges and be stuck with mom the remainder of the trip. (It worked with a very head-strong tween / teen).

 

[davisdenyel]

What are the dates that you are going to be on the Fantasy? We will be going on the Fantasy on Jan 11. Was wondering if you will still be in contract. I have read every page of this thread so if you are still working expect a music cd, magazines, chocolates and a midnight snack

 

[TCrawford095]

You're not the only parent who's asked us this question before. A very common tactic is to firstly explain to the child that they are not to leave Edge on their own until you come to retrieve them. If they do end up going against that and leaving on their own, parents who aren't comfortable with the child being alone anywhere on the ship tend to sign them into the Oceaneer Lab/Club without self-check privileges and essentially keep them securely in the space.


From a CM standpoint this is slightly problematic since:

• For youth that want to be in Edge, they HAVE to leave the space on their own in order to use a restroom or eat anything.
• A considerable chunk of Edge programming takes place in other locations around the ship, the kids I've met who weren't allowed to leave due to their guardian's instruction were left to sit there for the hour until all of the others returned.
• 11 and 12 Year-olds who have been restricted to the Oceaneer Club/Lab without Self-Check privileges often have the least enjoyable time in the space especially after they learn the majority of their peers can sign themselves out, and they feel trapped.

It is ultimately though, up to you and your comfort level! Plenty of parents just don't feel comfortable with their children -of any age - having the freedom on board the ship. We just find that these same kids (with the exception of those with special-needs) don't quite have the same level of enjoyment as the others their age.

Where on the ship do the other activities take place? I am going to give my kids permission to leave the Edge, but I want to restrict them to select areas if they leave-- mainly the pool level. I don't like the idea of them roaming through the hallways past a lot of staterooms alone. Which activites require kids to leave the Edge?

 

[CMontheseas]

The midship Detective agency, programs in the D Lounge/ Studio Sea, all deck parties, all scavenger hunts, Brains vs Brawns, Gender Wars, Villainous Ventures, Homecoming Dance, and Vibe Takeover all happen outside of Edge!