February 25th Magic Cruise Board

[threewilmingtonwalls]

I was just going to ask Scillycruisers the same question! (I love that screen name, BTW.) If you are going to Fantasmic on Wednesday, we should meet up!

The same goes for anyone in the group who cares to do a pre-cruise meet in Orlando. For our last cruise, a group of us met in Cocoa Beach for dinner the night before. It was great fun and a good way to break the ice!

We will be at Wilderness Lodge on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday!

 

[threewilmingtonwalls]

REALLY.....how strange

guess i have been spoiled by my kids being teens and getting themsleves lunch and dinner.


STILL TREADING IT!!!!

I lied. They do serve the kids lunch AND dinner. Sorry!

I wouldn't know this if I were obsessively scouring the current threads about the recent changes to kids club operations. Any other parents with little ones following this controversy? I'm not trying to stir the pot, but the reports of how crowded the clubs are during the "open house" sessions and the frequency and length of these sessions has me kind of irritated.

 

[dizzi]

by open house do you mean the times hen parents can take their kids in and stay with them?

DOes this happen frequently?

I guess i never realized this either.

 

[threewilmingtonwalls]

by open house do you mean the times hen parents can take their kids in and stay with them?

DOes this happen frequently?

I guess i never realized this either.

Yes! I guess over the years the policy regarding age restrictions for clubs has not been enforced. (i.e. - children under 3 allowed in club, older than 11 allowed to "age down" to be with younger siblings, etc) Now DCL has cracked down and said that the age restrictions are firm and will be enforced. Another change is that other than drop off and pick up, non-CM adults are not allowed in any of the kids areas except during "open house" times which are currently being held every day for long stretches. During the open house, all the kids who are in secure care are funneled to the other location. So if Lilia is in the Club and they announce open house, she either has to be moved to the Lab or we have to go stay with her. Um, no. I'm not interested in making Flubber, but I don't see why my 5 year-old should have to miss it because other adults are.

According to the most recent reports, during the open house times, the area with open house programming is virtually empty, while the secure area is a zoo. Some parents are saying that it is so crazy they weren't comfortable leaving their children behind. Also, some kids don't like to be forced into one or the other club (for us, for instance, Lilia didn't especially like the Lab because it was geared more toward older kids who "hogged the computers and even the bean bags during movie time").

I'm trying not to get too worked up about it. Apart from our Palo reservations and possibly a martini or wine tasting, I don't think we would HAVE to leave her anywhere. But for her the club is part of the fun and I know she will be overwhelmed if there is a huge crowd.

 

[dizzi]

well i certainly hope it doesnt hinder Lilia from having a great time!

Hopefully DCLwill get a handle on this situation SOON!!

 

[threewilmingtonwalls]

well i certainly hope it doesnt hinder Lilia from having a great time!

Hopefully DCLwill get a handle on this situation SOON!!

Well, OF COURSE she'll still have a great time. You're baby-sitting, right?

Must...go...to...sleep...
Can't...stop...trip...planning...

 

[dmouse33]

We have only done the Open House on the first day. I guess I did not even know they had them throughout the cruise. If they do my little ones have never said anything about them. We either have missed them or they just keep playing.

 

[dmouse33]

I cannot send a message to Emmysdidi as I do not have 10 posts yet. Still hoping to get on the FE list before deadline. So looking forward to warm weather again.

 

[dizzi]

you can just do some random posting here to get to 10 posts.

 

[dizzi]

I perfer to be called a REDNECK....

THANK YOU!!!

 

[dmouse33]

True. I am getting closer.

 

[dizzi]

yep just 2 more to go.

 

[dizzi]

Well i havebeen off for 3 days and now back to work....
I have soo much to do and seem to be stuckon 2 tshirts...

But they are done now 4 more to go hopefully easier ones and then i have some tweeking on my formal dress i want to do

AND THEN PACKING!!!!

 

[emmysdidi]

I cannot send a message to Emmysdidi as I do not have 10 posts yet. Still hoping to get on the FE list before deadline. So looking forward to warm weather again.

I have your info and will be sending out the list this evening. What is an email address that I can send it to, please?

Thanks!

 

[leahmichl]

This isn't a bad deal, if anyone hasn't booked a stay before the cruise -

http://www.groupon.com/ch/getaways/deals/ga-m-hilton-garden-inn-lake-buena-vista?c=all&p=0

I've never stayed here before, but it looks like it's right across from Downtown Disney - AND the package includes 2 adult tickets to Disney!

 

[dpequignot]

What day???
we fly in on THe 22nd

We fly in on Friday 24th so only have that night to head into DTD

 

[dpequignot]

Yes Sydney is my Avatar

 

[aventura28]

Thanks for all the quick and helpful responses to my newbie questions!

I've also been following the controversy over the new Oceaneer kids club rules and am concerned about the long hours of the open houses. I didn't know that there would be open houses for the majority of every single day, where other parents (i.e., strangers) would potentially have access to my kids, if I can't be there with them. I don't feel comfortable with that at all. I don't think my DD6 wants to go to the Lab, so not sure what to do with her if the only secured programming is there during the times we need to drop the kids off. The kids clubs were the reason we paid premium for a DCL cruise vs other cruise line. Very disappointed!

I understand that this is a fairly new policy (maybe a month old?), so has anyone had experience with this recently?

 

[threewilmingtonwalls]

Thanks for all the quick and helpful responses to my newbie questions!

I've also been following the controversy over the new Oceaneer kids club rules and am concerned about the long hours of the open houses. I didn't know that there would be open houses for the majority of every single day, where other parents (i.e., strangers) would potentially have access to my kids, if I can't be there with them. I don't feel comfortable with that at all. I don't think my DD6 wants to go to the Lab, so not sure what to do with her if the only secured programming is there during the times we need to drop the kids off. The kids clubs were the reason we paid premium for a DCL cruise vs other cruise line. Very disappointed!

I understand that this is a fairly new policy (maybe a month old?), so has anyone had experience with this recently?

You're right about the Lab part, I feel exactly the same way! As far as Open House times, though, no child may be left in that space without a parent. So strangers will not be allowed to interact with your child without your supervision.

 

[leahmichl]

dpequignot - A coworker of mine cruises with Disney regularly with his daughter who has Down syndrome. He said everyone onboard (cast members & other passengers) are great. He said there will be absolutely no shortage of things to keep her entertained! His daughter doesn't swim onboard (he says her swimming is not strong enough for the adult pool, and the kids pools are too crowded), and her favorite thing to do is play bingo (kids can play, and they play every day together). You'll have a great time!