DCL with a just under 3 year old.

[DisneyPhD]

I know this has been asked before, so if you have links feel free to post them. (I tried doing a search, but it wasn't working for me.) I remember glancing over some threads about it in the past, but we were only thinking about taking one in the future so I didn't read them too carefully.

We just booked our 1st DCL on the wonder (May 5 to 10th 2007.) The dates are not based on my kids ages, but when it worked for both my SIL and BIL and DH work. My kids will be 6 years old, and just shy of 3 years old (she turns 3 in Aug, so 3 months shy of it.)

We have done WDW MANY times with babies, I don't think you need to wait for the kids to be a certain age to enjoy it. However am having second thoughts about going at the age my youngest is. I had read some posts on this topic in the past, and it seemed like people had fun with babies. I was looking on line at info and pictures of Flounders, and while it seems ok for the age she is now and younger (just shy of 2 years old) I am thinking by next year at this time she is going to be very bored with it and want to be in the bigger kids club with her big sister. I don't really plan on putting her in "day care" all day, I do want to be together as a family, but isn't the kids club part of the fun. I don't mind paying the $6 an hour for Flonders, I think that is a pretty good rate. I am just not so sure she will be happy there.

Also what about the pools. Did anyone else feel their child missed out on not being able to swim, or did it not bug them. I know they can play in the splash area, (and I understand WHY they don't want swim dipars in the pool. )

Who knows, she might be potty trained by then (being the 2nd and much more cooperative and easy going then my 1st child.) but she might not be also. I don't want to rush potty training based on a vacation (I am a believer in letting the child take the lead on when they are ready.)

Any other thoughts and experience on it topic? I am concerned that we should waited a year until after she was 3 years old, but this is when the people we are traveling with want to go. I think if she was younger (like a year old or so) it wouldn't be as hard because she wouldn't be as aware of what she is missing out on. Now she is starting to want to do what her big sister does, and I think it will be more so by May.

Thank you so much. You guys were great help in deciding what dinner seating to take.

 

[DisneyPhD]

Shamlesly bumping my own thread.

Anyone?

Maybe links to trip reports that delt with this topic?

I know I can't be alone in this.

 

[lbgraves]

Here are some threads that came up when I did an advanced search in titles only for "3 year". Hope you can get some info from them.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1120765&highlight=year

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1094261&highlight=year

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1072306&highlight=year

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1061329&highlight=year

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1037134&highlight=year

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=975861&highlight=year

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=951055&highlight=year

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=972972&highlight=year

 

[pyramid2000]

Believe me. While you may have some "issues" turn up, you will have a great time! Of course each child is different and you will not know how much your DD will like/not like Flounders until you are there, but you are going on a shorter cruise. You can spend time with her in the club. She can swim in Nassau and CC. Just plan on having a vacation with mostly family time. You could wait a year and she could end up not even wanting to go in the club, thus still mostly family time. The plus here is that Flounders, IMO, will go out of their way to keep your child in there while you do Palo or the spa, etc while the club will beep you if she is really crying for you. KWIM? In short, you just have to go into it knowing that she will be with you most of the time and you will find plenty of things to occupy your time! You just never know how kids will react.

 

[DisneyPhD]

Thanks both lbgraves and pyramid2000. I read all the links and from those I am thinking that my DD won't care too much for Flonders, but that shouldn't be too big of a deal since I don't really plan on putting her in there much. I mean I don't normally put my child in day care on vacation, (or at home for that mater) so I guess not having it on vacaiton won't be that big of deal.

I am thinking she will enjoy OC, but who knows. Maybe she WILL be potty trained by then, or we can bring her in and stay with her to play. I think if she is potty trained, she will be ok there because her big sister will be with her and she really looks out for her. (plus being a 2nd child she holds her own well with bigger kids.)

I am still a little worried, but It hink you are right pyramid2000, we will have a good time no mater what. Being 2 and not 3 might be a bit hard, but it still will be a great time. I think the pool issue will bother her, but I guess we can swim when at WDW and Castaway Cay and let big sister swim while little one naps, because not being able to swim will really bother her. I guess it might be a motovating factor for her when considering potty training. (but I don't want to push her.)

I am thinking for our 1st cruise, and with such young kids we aren't going to need to worry about excusions. Is this right? Just do the normal boat stuff, and castaway cay. What do you guys think. (after all that is a lot to cram into 4 days.)

 

[kcashner]

When DD was little, we didn't do much at all by way of excursions. Now that she is a teen, we stay on board and enjoy the ship! It is very quiet on shore days, and we have a blast.

As to an "almost 3"....you are right. There is no way to predict whether she will be potty trained when you sail or whether she will like the club at age 3 or 4. You will do best if you are flexible. Yes, one parent can take the older child swimming while the younger is napping. Yes, you can take the "almost 3" to the club and stay with her if she is not using the bathroom independently. If you figure that you will have some "family time" and some "adult time," I think you'll be happy. My only rule is that DD had to pick one activity each day that she would do in the club or lab--that would give me a little adult time. Use Flounder's if you plan to do Palo or the Spa. Beyond that, do whatever seems best at the moment.

It sounds like you have 2 families going, which gives you even more flexibility. One mom can stay with 2 napping 2 year olds while the other 3 adults can deal with older kids or have adult time, etc.

 

[DisneyPhD]

Yes it will be with my BIL and SIL and their 1 year old DD. Her 16 year old sister will be there too, so she can baby sit if needed. However I really don't see her sitting too much, since this is be her 1st major vacaiton and it doesn't seem fair to her to make her baby sit when there is so much for teens there. However she isn't the best student in school so her big sister said if she doesn't improve grades she can come, but has to baby sit the entire time and will have no "free time". I don't see that actually working though.

DH and I are pretty good at maging WDW vacations with kids (we have taken 8 since DD was born 5 years ago.) so we spilt up and magage time pretty well. Actually having the kids in the kids club will be really strange, but I think I can get used to it is I have to. One bonus if DH and I could actually have some alone time. (at least for an hour or so.)

Still as much as we love WDW and Vero Beach, it will be nice to have a Disney vacaiton that is totally new for us.

 

[Float My Boat]

She will be fine! If she still needs to be in Flounder's, they have plenty to keep a child her age occupied. They are not completely geared towards infants. There will likely be other kids her age, too.

Good luck with the potty training. We went through that fairly recently with our son, and our next cruise will be his first in the Oceaneer's Club.

 

[DisneyPhD]

She will be fine! If she still needs to be in Flounder's, they have plenty to keep a child her age occupied. They are not completely geared towards infants. There will likely be other kids her age, too.

Good luck with the potty training. We went through that fairly recently with our son, and our next cruise will be his first in the Oceaneer's Club.

You know that is kind of the thing. I can't predict where we will be at in a year, but I know enough to know it easier to take an vacaiton either completly %100 potty trained for many months, or not even working on it. That some where in between stage when you need to get to a bathroom with in min of the "feeling" hitting the child isn't good. I would rather just wait until after the trip to start all that. (but then again, if the girl is ready before hand I am not going to hold her back just because.)

 

[DisneyPhD]

So I get my paper work in the mail today for the cruise. I made the reservations. My CC. I made the call.

Why is the envelope in Dh's name and he is listed at the 1st passenger?????? Isn't in order of birthrates, I am a few months older then him. My name comes before his in the alphabet. Why would they assume it goes to him just because he is the husband. I may just be sensitive, but this buggs me!!!!!!!

Either way, got the papers today. It is official.

 

[Float My Boat]

That kind of thing bugs me too!!

 

[cruiserkaren]

We are pondering the same thing. Our dd would be turning 3 the day we would be getting off the ship.

I really don't think she'd be completely PT'd by then. As far as being able to fix her clothes and everything. Is there certain times that I'd be able to go into OC with her to play? Or would that not be allowed since she technically wouldn't be 3?

 

[6griswolds]

Good luck on that potty training! When my youngest dd turned 2 two years ago, we booked and thought FOR SURE she would be potty trained by now. (our cruise in less than 2 months) She is not totally trained yet. She has a few delays but I think the pt'ing is just because she is stubborn. She is going to be very upset when her 3 older siblings are in the big pool and she is not.

 

[DisneyPhD]

We are pondering the same thing. Our dd would be turning 3 the day we would be getting off the ship.

I really don't think she'd be completely PT'd by then. As far as being able to fix her clothes and everything. Is there certain times that I'd be able to go into OC with her to play? Or would that not be allowed since she technically wouldn't be 3?

I really don't think there is any way our DD will be 100% potty trained by then, even if she is early. I just don't see her wiping herself or fixing her cothes too well. (however her big sister will be there. )

I think I would rather just let her play there under our supervision. I guess we will have to take as it comes and see what happens. I know my oldest wasn't PT until she was around 3 1/2. She is pretty stuburn though. This one is much eaiser going and likes to do what Big sister does so it isn't as strange of a concept for her. I do think she will be old enough to understand she can't go in the pool and why. It might be a good motovater for her.