First Timer Dad on WDW (4 nights): Teenage Sons Activity Help Please

[SebastianCrabbit]

Next weekend, we're taking the 4-nighter on WDW and I'm worried about activities for two teen sons: ages 19 and 16. The activities are understandably geared to younger children, plus I'm gleaning that the age separators for activities will split the two boys. This is giving me a headache!

I want to give the guys a most favorable impression of their first cruise ( and this is only my second ever too!). Can posters help this Dad with suggestions on how to "direct" the guys? They're already wanting answers .....

I do have some specific questions:

1) Will my 16-yr old be able to use the adult pool (and the adult beach on Castaway Cay) without hassle?

2) Is there any problem for their small CD player being used both in and out of the cabin?

3) Other than beverage and souvenir costs, what else might they need discretionary cash on board for?

4) Are they both allowed to charge to my account on board?

5) Are the odds steep that our dinner mates will be "age-compatible"?

6) Are the dress code expectations as strict for teens as adults?

7) Hurricane/Trop Storm accommodations .... how are the what ifs handled if these become realities for next weekend?

Thank all for your help on my topic ----- I frankly don't expect many replies to this thread, due to the boys' ages ! But before I receive any messages about why I might have chosen this particular way to spend our vacation time together: I won it in radio contest ..... therefore all is cool and will be that much cooler next weekend!

 

[florida sun]

Hello there

I dont know if I can answer your questions as this will be my first cruise with a teenager myself, but I just wanted to welcome you to the boards and ask you if you are on the August 22nd Wonder cruise. If you are, there is a thread on the cruise meets forum, where you can see others including myself travelling on the same cruise as you.

1.I dont know if this is correct but I am sure your son needs to be 18 to use both the adult pool and the adult beach at Castaway.

2. Unsure

3. There is no cash used onboard at all except for tipping and the laundry. Everything else I believe is charged to your onboard account.

4. Yes they will both be allowed to charge to your onboard account.

5.Disney does try it's best to put age compatible guests together at dinner. Do you have early or late seating?

6. Yes the dress codes for teens are the same pretty much as the adults, but there is no Formal night as such, but no jeans or shorts are to be worn for dinner.

7. From what I have heard the Disney ships very rarely cancell a trip due to bad weather, they will always sail around a storm.

I am sure more experienced cruisers will reply and give you their advice where I have not been able to help.

Let me know if you are on the same cruise as me, as I know of quite a few other familes travelling with teenagers.

Congratulations on your win , what a wonderful prize.

Sue(uk)

 

[TammiMcMan]

I'll try to help you out. We travelled recently with our 18 year old daughter & 14 year old son, so that's pretty close.

You probably didn't mean to say "hassle", as the cm's would just be following the rules, but I understand what you're asking. Yes, your 16 year old would probably be asked to leave the adult pool area if he were in it. It does designate that it's for ages 18 and up. I believe the same would go for serenity bay as they have a minimum age requirement also. On Castaway Cay, they do have a teen beach with lots of stuff going on. If he makes some friends, then he may want to hang out there anyway. If you do want to all stick together, I'd suggest walking to the far end of the family beach. It was really quiet with plenty of hammocks, chairs and space still available all day.

If they enjoy sports, up on deck 10, they had basketball and street hockey set up. I'm sure there were other things, I just didn't spend much time up in that area. They have a pretty cool arcade with lots of games. You can purchase something that's like a pre-paid credit card for $10 and that's what you use to play the games. For your 16 year old, they have the common grounds area. My son really enjoyed it here. They had a jukebox (but he complained that they didn't have any music that he liked). They also had gameboy systems, board games and a bar where you could sit and have soda's or smoothies. There are also computers with internet access here and down by the Promenade Lounge. You can set up one account and either pay per minute or purchase an unlimited package. We did the 3 night and it was $39.99, but my son enjoyed im'ing his friends back home. The ESPN club won't be there much longer, but he enjoyed hanging out there also. They had a nacho machine and a hot dog stand set up. There is also the movie theatre that runs on a schedule. Your navigator will give you the times and what movies are showing.

They don't take cash on the ship and all KTTW cards have charging privileges unless you go to guest services and cancel them.

At 18, my DD enjoyed dressing up, but my son was in dockers and casual shirts. I did get him to dress up one night, but as you see in the picture below, the shirt is un-tucked and the sleeves all pushed up. We'll call it compromise. I've heard that DCL does try to seat "like" ages together at dinner, but I have no experience with that. If you don't want to do the assigned dinner, then you can have something casual at Topsiders, or one of the take out places on deck 9.

If you're asking if it's okay for the walkman cd's, then I'd definitely say yes. My two don't go anywhere without them. If you mean a small boombox cd player, that would be fine in the cabin, but I wouldn't carry it around on the decks unless they had headphones to use. Not everyone shares the same taste in music.

Edited to add: There are really only a few spots where the age difference will seperate them: Common Grounds, adult pool, serenity bay, the adult lounges in the evening. Even the best of families need some time apart so I wouldn't worry about it too much. The pools are nothing special and really only there to cool you off. My older 2 spent almost zero time at the pool area. DH and myself only went to serenity bay for a quick look around, but we were very comfortable at the family beach. As I mentioned, just keep walking down the beach and you'll find yourself a little paradise.

Hope that helps,
Tammi

 

[SchultzFamily]

SebastianCrabbit, I just PM'd you.
Vickie

 

[disneyholic family]

Hi!
i'll try to answer your questions....but my first question to you would be, do the boys hang out with each other?...they're 3 years apart in age so i would assume that the answer to that is no...
the 16 year old could well have a blast on the ship...
you should make sure he goes to Common Grounds right after you have lunch on the day you board the ship...
he can check in at Common Grounds.......common grounds is the hang out for teens 13 to 17....but they separate them into two groups (i think 13/14 and 15/17)......
we were on the 4 day cruise in july and my 17 year old son was in teen activities almost 100% of the time...he had a blast...there were about 30 teens his age on the cruise.....

your problem is going to be the 19 year old....be prepared to hang out with him.....especially if the 16 year old goes to the teen activities...which he should, because he'll have a good time that way..

but i should back up...the 19 year old can go and check out the teen club....if he's a young 19 he might not mind it....my 19 year old daughter wouldn't have anything to do with it, so i was her buddy on the cruise...

and now to answer your questions:

) Will my 16-yr old be able to use the adult pool (and the adult beach on Castaway Cay) without hassle?

--- if your 16 year old is in the teen club, there will be no reason for him to go to the adult pool or the adult beach.....there is a separate teen beach on castaway cay that he will probably want to hang at with his new friends from the teen club....
as for his being able to "pass"....my son looks at least 25 and could have gone to the adult pool and adult beach...but he didn't want to....he was happy with the teen club....he had an amazing time in the teen club...it would be cruel to not let him check it out and see if he likes it...

2) Is there any problem for their small CD player being used both in and out of the cabin?

--- i can't imagine why there would be a problem...

3) Other than beverage and souvenir costs, what else might they need discretionary cash on board for?

----the videogame room (i think it's called the quartermasters something or other....)it's right next to common grounds, the teen club...

4) Are they both allowed to charge to my account on board?

yes....just like you, they will each get a "key card"....it looks like a credit card....it's the key to your stateroom and it also is a charge card (and you also need it to get on and off the ship)....

5) Are the odds steep that our dinner mates will be "age-compatible"?

i think they try to match, but i don't know as we have requested a table for 4 on both of our cruises...

6) Are the dress code expectations as strict for teens as adults?

the dress codes on the Wonder are not at all as strict as everyone on this board will have you believe....there is NO formal night on the wonder....your boys (and you) will be fine with nice khaki pant and a nice polo shirt at all the dinners....it's true that for the dinner in tritons, some men wear a jacket, but many don't....and the teens certainly don't....and since you won't be eating at palos (your 16 year old isn't allowed) then you definitely don't need a jacket......

7) Hurricane/Trop Storm accommodations .... how are the what ifs handled if these become realities for next weekend?

oh oh....i wonder if you posted this earlier in the week....which would mean this answer is way too late for you....
i hope you make it to your cruise...i'm sure you'll have a nice time....

 

[SebastianCrabbit]

Thanks for the knowledge, FloridaSun and TammiMcMan! This is very helpful to me, and at least I'll have a few answers for the guys, even if they don't like the answers!! Shhheeessshh, can't even get away from being the Father figure on a cruise!! Do you think I'll be able to get away with my younger son saying he's 18? I hate to limit his access, and he will feel self-conscious if he thinks that the reason we're not doing some things is due to him and his youth ...... (wish it were me again .... hehehe).

We have late seating for dinner, as it is my hope that many of the "younger set" will have eaten and perhaps retired by time of our meal and evening activities. What do you mean the ESPN club won't be there much longer: is it to be phased out before next weekend?

 

[SebastianCrabbit]

And thank you too, Disneyholic! You've addressed central part of my concern: my sons DO like to hang out together!! Sometimes if only to bicker and such, but still ...... Regarding my first question, I had understood that there is an age break, but I know already that we would prefer to be relaxing at the adult pool/beach, for several reasons (none bad, insensitive to others or illegal). I do hope that they meet others to hang with onboard, but I am also wanting to understand the strength of the lifeline with me for activities: I am not interested in being segregated from my guys!! So anyway, all of this info is very helpful and thanks all again!

 

[TammiMcMan]

It's not easy being the parent, but I think you might be worrying too much. I'd be very surprised if your 16 year old doesn't enjoy the Common Grounds. It's a great hangout for teens and the cm's there were terrific. He'll get his own navigator and they have things like a late night pizza party, mix & mingle bashes in one of the nightclubs, movie night, playstation challenge, etc. Trust me, you might end up being jealous of him. My son was at the club each night until 1:30am. The hours of the club are even worked around the average teen, they don't open til noon time and it closes at about 1am. Here's a link that shows the teen navigator http://www.dcltribute.com/navigators/bahama_4day_sea/kids.htm . Your son can check it out and maybe get a better idea of what his options are.

When the Wonder goes into drydock, they will be changing the ESPN club into the Stack (teen club) just like on the Magic. I believe that's not until October though.

Tammi

 

[florida sun]

SebastianCrabbit

Just sent you a PM.

Sue

 

[DL_DCA_fans]

Your 16 year old DS should definitely try Common Grounds. Our DS's spent as much time there as they could.
At Castaway Cay, you could spend your time at the Sports Beach. It's beyond the family beach, past the "Heads Up" bar and next to the teen beach. Then, if your 16 year old wants to participate in the teen activities, he'd be right there. Also, this beach is located in front of "The Grouper" which is a covered area with pool tables, ping pong table, foosball, basketball and other fun stuff.

 

[SebastianCrabbit]

Should we bring our own snorkels and fins too? I'm sure there are some for rent, but in my Hawaii experience, it was easier just to tote them. Your thoughts?

And what about beach towels?

 

[kcashner]

The KTTW cards do indicate the ages of young adults--as in too young to be served alcohol. That way, the CMs know that an 18 year old can be in the adult areas, but not served.

A 16 year old would not be welcome in the adults only areas. My teen is a concert pianist. WE popped into Sessions one evening as a family to enjoy the music, and were politely told that the young lady would have to leave. Mind you, there was no ill behavior or anythingand she was with her family, but it is an "adults only" area.

There are family areas of Castaway, family pools, etc. where you can all be together. For what it's worth, my daughter loved the teen programming, and especially the Wild Side excursion on Castaway.

I think your other questions have been fully answered. Any music with headphones attached would be fine, otherwise not.

Dress is rather casual...they would only ask for long pants at dinner on your young men. They can get as dressed up as they (or mom) chooses, but it is certainly not required.

 

[DL_DCA_fans]

If you have snorkel gear, bring your own and save on the rental fee. You will have to wear their yellow vests, though, so that you're visible to the lifeguards.
Regular towels are handed out as you leave the ship. They're not beach-towel sized, but easier than dealing with wet towels back in the stateroom.

 

[disneyholic family]

there are some other nice things to do on castaway cay if you're willing to spend......
my kids enjoyed the banana boats (i think it was $30 a person or something like that)...and my son and husband enjoyed the parasailing (which was pretty expensive, but i don't remember how much it was)....
and my daughter, husband and i enjoyed the bicycling (though the bicycle seats were designed as an implement of torture for female riders)...
and there are other boats and things to rent there as well...

by the way, we really really enjoyed the lunch at the adult beach on CC....it was so very quiet and relaxed...
our 17 year old didn't eat with us.....he went on his own, with his friends and ate at the family beach..
my husband, daughter and i went to the adult beach to eat...
we loved the quiet.....it was wonderfully peaceful...
and by the way, my daughter looks about 15, though she's very close to 20......my son on ther other hand, doesn't look a day under 25....

only one person ever questioned my daughter's age.....and it wasn't on the cruise........it was at epcot for the SEGWAY tour, where i think the age limit is 16.....i had to pull out her passport to prove she was old enough for the tour....boy...was she ever annoyed about that (she's a commander in the army)....meanwhile, my 17 year old just chuckled....

 

[SebastianCrabbit]

Well, now I'm gettig excited ----- thanks to all of you for your help! Time to start the OneWeekAway countdown: find the GoneTroppo clothes, snorkel gear, burn some reggae CDs, and review the activities in Nassau and CC! But mainly, I feel better about what we'll be able to do as the "Male Family Unit" (no pun intended -- really!), cuz of all your input! Hmmmmm, now I'm wondering if either of these guys have a polo shirt ....... haha

 

[SebastianCrabbit]

bump ....... i just wanna remind self that we're on way this weekend .. hehehe .........

 

[jrabbit]

I just wanted to jump in on the "boom box" issue. There really isn't anyplace on the ship to get away from background/foreground music. So unless you were planning on drowning out DCL's music - I'd leave the boom box at home or at least in your room. Personal CD/MP3 players are fine, but DCL really wants you to listen to their music!

 

[SebastianCrabbit]

Uh ohh.... does that mean we're be hearing Hakuna Matata 75 times? Yo Ho Yo Ho (A Pirate's Life For Me) is at least topical, but please tell me that It's A Small World isn't part of the playlist! I like Disney songs (have four of the Classic Disney CDs) but I dunno about "Be Our Guest, be our guest, put our service to the test ...." at 6:30 a.m. ....... lol

 

[SeaSpray]

I hope you and your sons have a great time!

And I just want say that I LOVE your user name....VERY clever!!

 

[SebastianCrabbit]

bump ...... fianlly got around to installing correct avatar ..... btw, did I mention that we're cruising this weekend?