daycare/programs for toddlers?

[antkim]

Hi! This is the first time I have posted over here! I'm looking into going on a 3 night cruise in March. It would be myself, dh, and 2 ds's(6 and 14 months at time of travel). I know there are all sorts of programs for the 6 year old but how about my other ds? I would love for him to be involved in some sort of activity as well. If not we will most likely wait until he is 3. Any advice?

 

[shanakona26]

If you want to get the full benefit of the organized "program like" childcare programs, I would wait until your youngest is three going on four. From our recent experience, thought the 3-4 program could potentially be a little overwhelming for a young 3 or shy child. We went this May with a 5 year old and an almost four year old. Both kids enjoyed laying on the mats at night and watching movies/napping so we felt ok leaving them to enjoy some adult night time stuff. And, that alone was really worth it!!!I could not of enjoyed myself if thought they weren't safe and happy... I still peeked in a lot. On the sea day, my daughter wanted to spend most of her day in the program. She's 5. My son (3) wasn't so interested so he spent most of that day in the Mickey pool with his Dad. He isn't too in to the characters other than Mickey so simon said with Snow White just wasn't his cup of tea. We are trying the seven day next year, and I think my kids will benefit from being solidly in the middle to older ages in their groups. My son will be close to five, and my daughter 6 1/2. I think my daughter was a bit miffed she couldn't participate in some of the princess stuff they had for the four years olds. However, I think going at any age has its benefits. Both of my kids have toured Disney World when they still wore diapers, but we had a lot of fun and great memories. Just saying that I think being a little older allows the kids to perhaps enjoy the organized programs a bit more. My three year old did LOVE the dolphin experience at Blue Lagoon. Also, both kids really enjoyed the shows at night. We did the shows together and then had late dinner (as we all are night owls). Two nights they ate with us, and two nights we got them food before our dinner and they went happily to the clubs. We thought it was better to enjoy the shows as a family whereas sitting thru a meal would not be the highlight of the trip for them. Though, the staff at meals really do go out of their way to be nice to kids.

 

[antkim]

Thanks!! I think we might just stick to our original plan and go to WDW for a few nights and in a few years we will try the cruise. I'd like some alone time as well!

Kim

 

[Zandy595]

Flounder's Reef Nursery is for children 12 weeks to 3 years old. There is a fee of $6 per hour, 2 hour minimum stay. According to the PassPorter, they are only open from 1pm to 4pm and again from 6pm to 12am. Reservations are required and you should make them as soon as you get on the ship. I've heard you can only sign up for 2 times during the initial reservation period.

 

[shanakona26]

ps. My youngest was also completely potty trained when we went. I know that if he had been a young three andy maybe still having accidents, I would of been more concerned about 1) whether he would qualify for the program and 2) I'd have been worrying that he would have an accident and been to shy to tell anyone.

 

[CarolJean]

When we cruised Disney last year, my youngest actually turned 3 on the cruise. We signed her up for flounders when we boarded (we were able to reserve 4-5 times at that first sign-up). I would have been happy with safe, comfortable "babysitting". What I (my DD, actually) got was small groups with enough CMs for holding, rocking or playing with all the kids! My DD came back from every session with a craft or painting she had done and tails of bubble blowing, songs and games! It could be that we had a smaller than usual # of 0-3s onboard but from our experience, I would not hesitate for a minute to recommend the service. At 6$/hr, it's not much more than I used to pay a babysitter for 1 kid. If you feel the need to cruise now, DO IT!!

 

[grlzmom]

We just did the Magic 7 day Western on June 5th. We had dd who was 2 and 3/4 and potty trained and 17 month old twin dd/ds.

DD2 was allowed in the Oceaneers Club and LOVED it. She spent 2-3 hours a day there and had no problems. There were other not quite three year olds in the club with no problems.

I cant say enough good things about Flounders Nursery. Initially we did not sign up for any time slots because on our previous cruise dd2 didnt like it there. However, we took the twins for a look see around the nursery and they loved it. We just checked every day to see if there was time available and we ended up using flounders five times. They were open afternoons and evenings and also mornings on port days. We used them in evenings for dinner and the kiddos had a great time. They did arts and crafts and even took polaroid pictures of the kids for us doing different activities. We left them for two hours each time. You are provided with a pager for the duration of the cruise and they will page you if needed. We had no problems with availability.

The kids enjoyed themselves and dh and I had a little quiet time. We get more relaxing time on the cruise then we do schleping around Disney World because we do make use of the clubs on the cruise and that does give us a little quiet time. Every child is different and our dd2 didnt like Flounders when she was little so we didnt leave her. My kids are home with me all the time so I am quite surprised they took so easily to the Club and Flounders.

Whichever you choose you will enjoy it!

 

[antkim]

O.K. now I'm back to looking into it again!! LOL I didn't know about Flounder's because I just started investigating!! Thanks! Now I will look into it ,more seriously!!

KIm

 

[Zandy595]

Here are some pictures of Flounder's Reef.

http://www.disney cruiser.info/flounders.htm

after you copy and paste the URL, close the space between disney and cruiser.

 

[minniemouse1]

We used flounders on our last 2 cruises and thought it was worth it. 3 days isn't very long but it is a great "trial" vacation to see if cruising is for you and your family. We are booked on our 3rd cruise for 2005 and can't wait. We will have 3 children for our next cruise and plan to use flounders more than we had before.

 

[justcruisin]

We used Flounders when DS was 2. I would take him Oceaneer's (and stay with him) for a bit each day, and he went to Flounders a couple of evenings during dinner. I found the staff to be wonderful! I suggest a balcony cabin, you can enjoy dinner or breakfast while enjoying the view and fresh air. I loved reading on it during naptime.

IMHO, cruising with little ones it more enjoyable than the parks!

 

[antkim]

O.K. forgive me for being so nieve but I've never cruised before-are the balconies closed in? I was just wondering how safe they are with little ones? Now I'm really interested in cruising!

Kim

 

[crisi]

Most balconies are rails covered by Plexiglass, see through, no climb. Some are solid metal (less attractive from my point of view, as they encourage kids to stand on chairs to see).

If they weren't safe for kids, with several hundred on them on every sailing, Disney would have a bigger problem by now than they do.

 

[antkim]

That's what I thought-being Disney and all but I figured it didn't hurt to ask! Thanks for your help-like I said I have never cruised before!

Kim

 

[Zandy595]

I'm sure everyone knows this, but just like in a pool, you should NEVER leave your young children unsupervised on your verandah. I don't want to scare anyone but, a little one who likes to climb could probably find a way to stand on a chair and climb over the rail.

 

[Hunter'sMama]

Originally posted by justcruisin
I suggest a balcony cabin, you can enjoy dinner or breakfast while enjoying the view and fresh air. I loved reading on it during naptime.

IMHO, cruising with little ones it more enjoyable than the parks!

AHHHH! Reading on the verandah during naptime-can't wait!!! No paying bills, dusting, cleaning and tip-toeing around to be sure I don't wake Hunter! Heavenly!

I'm also planning on using Flounder's. Hunter will have just turned 2 when we cruise and I'd love some adult time with my husband. The only thing is whether he'll stay-I'm home with him and he's not had the experience of a sitter yet (besides his Nana or Aunts.) We'll play it by ear and hope for the best!

We took Hunter to WDW at 14 months and he had a blast, although he was exhausted at the end of the day. He loves Mickey Mouse and can't wait to go on "Mickey Mouse's Boat!"

Sarah