Flounders questions

joshua4

DIS Veteran
Joined
Dec 12, 2000
Messages
592
We leave in just 2 days and here is my question. I wanted to drop my DD off at Flounders for a nap each day around 1:30. How does that work? I know I need to reserve time. Then I show up and they have cribs in a dark room??? Is it quiet? Do they have a monitor in there. Will they just page me when she wakes up? How late is Flounders open in the afternoon?


Same questions about the night time program -- will they let them play for a while and then put them to bed at the time you tell them to?

I read somewhere that you can drop off sippy cups with your child (so I am putting her name in paint market on the cups we are bringing). Can you bring anything else? Snacks?

Finally, do they change diapers there or do they just page you to come and do that?

Can you tell I am a bit nervous about leaving her there? Any words of advice or insights would be much appreciated.

Erica's mom
 
How old is your dd? We took our ds(2) mainly in the evenings. I thought/hoped he would fall asleep, but was too interested in what was happening. I don't think the cribs are in a separate, dark room ( I may be wrong) I seem to remember seeing them in the back half of the room. The only naps my ds took was back in the room w/dh or else he fell asleep (kinda) on a chair at the beach!

On days at sea, the FR is open 1pm-4pm. It is open every evening 6pm-midnight. They charge $6/hr, 2 hr min. You may cancel a time with 4 hours notice. No outside food is permitted (including snacks). They provide saltine crackers, juice and water. Take your sippy cup. Yes, they change diapers. We were never beeped.

My son enjoyed it the first 2 or 3 nights. After that, he didn't want to "play with the kids." Not sure why......I think that being in a strange place (not home) and not understanding why was too much for him. He enjoyed the cruise otherwise.
 
If your child is still on formula, you can take that in a bottle. We did, they fed her and put her to sleep.

If your cruise is full, you might not get to use the nursery every day! You prioritize 3 chioces, if you have a spa or Palo ressie, you are likely to get the nursery then.

I would call each day to see what the availability is, they confirm with you the night before each day.

Our DD was 8 months old, we took our own stroller/car seat combo (under 20 lbs) and we covered her up and she slept on the sun deck! We were not expecting this at all!!

To second what pal2pluto said, concentrate on the beginning of the week, by the end the kids had caught on and were very fussy! Our experience was much more + earlier on!

Also, they will have times the first day or two when you can take your child to the nursery and play (you stay) to get them used to the space.

Good luck!
Susan
 
Thanks for the insight -- my DD is almost 2 and I hear what you are saying about her catching on to what is going on. The first few times she might be distracted by different toys, etc. -- but after that she will likely be bored with it.

Thanks for your help. I guess we might just skip naps next week!
 

Thanks for the insight -- my DD is almost 2 and I hear what you are saying about her catching on to what is going on. The first few times she might be distracted by different toys, etc. -- but after that she will likely be bored with it.

Thanks for your help. I guess we might just skip naps next week!
 
They do change diapers at the nursery. Also they will put a sticker on your childs cup or bottle that will have their name on it each time you come. They lable everything with these stickers, diaper bag, bottle, even the child will have a sticker on them. I thought it was a good idea. We had the opposite problem with our child she actually liked the nursery more later in the cruise. The first night a lot of babies were screaming, she could not handle it. We are planning to use the nursery quite a bit this next trip, mainly at night. DD slept in her stroller also, just make sure you have a stroller that lays back & they can basically sleep anywhere.
 
At almost 2, you may want to keep in mind the shows she might like....On Monday at 12:30 and 2pm, there is an Island Magic Show in Buena Vista Theatre (right beside Flounders) that has lots of characters and is geared to little ones, and then on Thursday afternoon and evening is Disney Dreams in the Walt Disney Theatre. This is their crown jewel of shows.....lots of characters. Sit close and your dd will enjoy bubbles coming down on her.
 
I have photos on my website of Flounders showing the crib room and also the diaper changing area. You can find them at www.castawayclub.com
The crib area appeared to be separated from the play area, where there were toys, chairs, and a television with cartoons.
Barb
 
My DD was 2 & 4 mos when we cruised last.

The cribs are in a separate room, with a half door. Clearly accessible by all staff. There is also a back "dark" tv room. With rocking chairs and a tv for kids who are just vegging.

The workers will change diapers, and they use latex gloves to do so.

They will not allow you to provide snacks. They provide saltines. You can bring a juice cup.

As M.M.'s Magical Guide says, there are no areas where an adult can get a child alone unnoticed. And this is true. That said, there are areas where children can sleep in a "quiet room".

If your child falls asleep in the main room while watching tv or something, they will move them to the crib room. (Or continue to rock them in the chair, as we saw on more than one occasion.)

My DD did not like the Nursery later in the week. But we found it to be less crowded later in the week.

Another suggestion is to book everything right when you fill out the card, then call to cancel as the need arises. You will need to confirm the 4 hour cancellation rules, but that way, if your ship is not full, you will have more of a chance to get the times you want.

Another note, when we cruised, the only time FR was open before 1:30 were days that we were in port. So, that meant the only days we could do Palos brunch were the days we were in port somewhere.


have a great cruise!
 
Thanks all of you --- keeping my fingers crossed that my daughter likes this place!!!!!
 
Please let us know the scoop on flounders when you get back. I'll be in the same situation as you in september & would love to hear how everthing worked for your family!

Have a wonderful trip!!!
 
We used Flouder's on our 4 day last week. The 1st time our DS 23 months)was fine but the next tiem she had caught on and cried when we left. They told us they would beep if she didn;t calm down in a few minutes. On the last night she went and was fine. The people were very nice.
 

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