Has anyone else had issues with the new Oceaneer's club/lab policies?

[Raspberry Beret]

Since anyone in the 3-10 age group always had the ability to go to either the club or the lab, I very much suspect that capacity (whatever actually number that might be) in either the club or the club is representative of the entire body of that age group (3-10).

So while all the kids in one secured section might make the club/lab look or feel full, they are guaranteed a spot.

In theory, there is more of a chance of being turned away at an 'open house'- since people outside of the registered group can use it.

Absolutely not true and I know this from experience not theory. We have been cruising DCL since 1999. The kids did not always have the ability to freely go to either club. Until December of 2009, the 3-10 age group was not able to choose to go to either the club and the lab. Until that change in 2009, the club and the lab spaces were restricted by their set age groups. The use of the club or lab by another age group would be for certain structured activities only and the club and lab groups were not mixed.

For example, if the 5-7's were making Flubber they would go to the lab. If the child was already in the club, the YAC would take the group over. If a 5-7 was coming just for Flubber making they would be checked into the Lab by their parents. The 3-4s would remain in the club and usually the 8-10's would have an activity on the sports deck, studio sea or some place else. The point is, before 12/2009 the 3-10s did not move freely between the club and lab and the separate age groups were rarely mixed. They worked hard to keep them separate.

We have sailed on the the 2 classic ships and the Dream multiple times and I can tell you those spaces (club and the lab), IMO, were not built to hold the entire 3-10 set. On the Dream, each evening, the club section is used more for late night babysitting, a movie is put on and mats are laid out for the kids ready to chill until closing. The lab side is used for the active kids, usually games, dance parties and such. It gets packed quickly over there.

 

[Wadekind]

On our cruise (spring break, Dream) there was no way you could have combined all the kids into one club. BOTH sides were packed. How DCL will handle this remains to be seen as I am sure the current sailings do not have near the kids that they do during the busy seasons
When we went to pick up our kid we were told which side he was on and were told we could go get him so I know from experience how crowded both sides were.
I questioned the CM about why they were allowing us to go into the club. They replied that they always check the wrist bands and the password before letting anyone leave with children even if that kid has check out privileges so it shouldn't be an issue. I did not debate that this did nothing for safety inside the club but we did find it odd and gently reminded ours about what to do when a stranger tries to interact with them.
The two clubs are geared towards two totally different age groups and most 10yo would not have a good time stuck in the younger club section for hours.

 

[jagwebb1]

I have read this entire thread with interest as we will be taking our first disney cruise this May. Our daugther will be a few months shy of 6 when we sail. Although I do not particularly like some aspects of the the new policy as I understand it - regarding sections (specifically the "club" as I believe my daughter will prefer this side) being closed for hours at a time or her being "forced" into the lab with possibly many kids older than her - other aspects may make it worth it for me.

From what I am reading - it seems that in the past, Disney has allowed parents of children in the club to remain in the club at all times. Is this right? This would be a huge problem for me as I do not like other adults that I do not know (parents or not) having access to my child. To me, this is most definitely a safety issue and I am surprised that Disney would allow this. On RCCL - you were not even allowed past a gate after initial sign up. So, with this new policy - - I want to make sure that this is no longer the case? That other parents/guardians will not be in the club with my child? It may just be that I don't understand how it works/worked or am misunderstanding - because I can't believe no one else would have an issue with this.

 

[dizzi]

i dont know about not being as Full coming up.

I sail in 44 days and our cruise is close to totally booked and i saw about 2 weeks ago that the sailing on Feb 3rd i think it is, was already 100% full.

So prob just as busy.

AND IS THIS POLICY FOR ALL THE SHIPS???

 

[kimmypie1]

I sent an email to shoreside concierge expressing my concern and asking questions about the new open houses. I got a call back and spoke to a rep for about 20 minutes. Here is what I was told:

1) The open houses are not for 4 hours at a time, they are for an hour here and there. I told her that is not what I saw on the Navigators that had been posted. She asked me to send them to her so she could check it out. I can't find them, I know I saw one on here (I know someone wrote the schedule too, but I am looking for the navs). If anyone has them, please let me know so I can forward to her. She said she was on the Dream in December and that was the case, but I think the navs in question were from the Wonder.

2) During the times that all children are together in one club, the CMs will still have age appropriate activities and will still section the kids off by age.

3) I asked about over crowding when all kids are in one club. She said that the CMs will not turn any children away and if the clubs are too crowded for comfort, they will try to accomodate and perhaps end the open house.

4) She said that the CMs ultimate goal is to accomodate the guests as best as they can and will do what they need to ensure the clubs are running smoothly.

 

[jetskigrl]

I sent an email to shoreside concierge expressing my concern and asking questions about the new open houses. I got a call back and spoke to a rep for about 20 minutes. Here is what I was told:

1) The open houses are not for 4 hours at a time, they are for an hour here and there. I told her that is not what I saw on the Navigators that had been posted. She asked me to send them to her so she could check it out. I can't find them, I know I saw one on here (I know someone wrote the schedule too, but I am looking for the navs). If anyone has them, please let me know so I can forward to her. She said she was on the Dream in December and that was the case, but I think the navs in question were from the Wonder.

2) During the times that all children are together in one club, the CMs will still have age appropriate activities and will still section the kids off by age.

3) I asked about over crowding when all kids are in one club. She said that the CMs will not turn any children away and if the clubs are too crowded for comfort, they will try to accomodate and perhaps end the open house.

4) She said that the CMs ultimate goal is to accomodate the guests as best as they can and will do what they need to ensure the clubs are running smoothly.

Thanks so much for the update! I finally received a response back to my inquiry as well, but was still not given a schedule for the open houses (or confirmation that they wouldn't be held in the evenings). They said they would take my concerns under consideration and that I should check the navigators when we get on board.

They still fail to understand that people want to book Palo reservations, etc and not knowing when these open houses will be happening makes that difficult. I have no problem keeping my son away from the clubs during the Open House periods and I will even let him try it out if he wants to during that time. But I would like to plan a relaxed Palo dinner for me and DH at a time when I know that my DS can enjoy the Lab (and without there being twice as many kids in there because the Club is doing Open House). But I can't do that if I don't know when I make the Palo booking what the Open House schedule is.

 

[princessmom29]

Thanks so much for the update! I finally received a response back to my inquiry as well, but was still not given a schedule for the open houses (or confirmation that they wouldn't be held in the evenings). They said they would take my concerns under consideration and that I should check the navigators when we get on board.

They still fail to understand that people want to book Palo reservations, etc and not knowing when these open houses will be happening makes that difficult. I have no problem keeping my son away from the clubs during the Open House periods and I will even let him try it out if he wants to during that time. But I would like to plan a relaxed Palo dinner for me and DH at a time when I know that my DS can enjoy the Lab (and without there being twice as many kids in there because the Club is doing Open House). But I can't do that if I don't know when I make the Palo booking what the Open House schedule is.

Exactly. Our Palo reservation is already made, our cruise has been sold out for almost 2 weeks, and there are VERY few ressies left. I would really like to know if DD is going to be packed into an overcrowded club or lab that night or not. Our cruise os over Mardi Gras break and all of Louisana and much of Mississippi and Alabama have the entire week off this year, so there will be lots of kids.

 

[SoCaOC-Mom]

You are correct, by 'always' I meant that even under the last policy structure, 3-10 could and did share the same space.

Absolutely not true and I know this from experience not theory. We have been cruising DCL since 1999. The kids did not always have the ability to freely go to either club. Until December of 2009, the 3-10 age group was not able to choose to go to either the club and the lab. Until that change in 2009, the club and the lab spaces were restricted by their set age groups. The use of the club or lab by another age group would be for certain structured activities only and the club and lab groups were not mixed.

For example, if the 5-7's were making Flubber they would go to the lab. If the child was already in the club, the YAC would take the group over. If a 5-7 was coming just for Flubber making they would be checked into the Lab by their parents. The 3-4s would remain in the club and usually the 8-10's would have an activity on the sports deck, studio sea or some place else. The point is, before 12/2009 the 3-10s did not move freely between the club and lab and the separate age groups were rarely mixed. They worked hard to keep them separate.

We have sailed on the the 2 classic ships and the Dream multiple times and I can tell you those spaces (club and the lab), IMO, were not built to hold the entire 3-10 set. On the Dream, each evening, the club section is used more for late night babysitting, a movie is put on and mats are laid out for the kids ready to chill until closing. The lab side is used for the active kids, usually games, dance parties and such. It gets packed quickly over there.

 

[papaof5boys]

May be if enough of us cancel there Palo res. and boycot the spas as will they will listen, and least let us know before we do make a res. what the lab/ club times are.

 

[peachygreen]

May be if enough of us cancel there Palo res. and boycot the spas as will they will listen, and least let us know before we do make a res. what the lab/ club times are.

I'm sure there would be plenty people (especially those without kids) who would gladly take the resrvations that I don't know that it would make a difference. I know there were waiting lists on my cruise for Palo.

 

[threewilmingtonwalls]

I sent an email to shoreside concierge expressing my concern and asking questions about the new open houses. I got a call back and spoke to a rep for about 20 minutes. Here is what I was told:

1) The open houses are not for 4 hours at a time, they are for an hour here and there. I told her that is not what I saw on the Navigators that had been posted. She asked me to send them to her so she could check it out. I can't find them, I know I saw one on here (I know someone wrote the schedule too, but I am looking for the navs). If anyone has them, please let me know so I can forward to her. She said she was on the Dream in December and that was the case, but I think the navs in question were from the Wonder.

2) During the times that all children are together in one club, the CMs will still have age appropriate activities and will still section the kids off by age.

3) I asked about over crowding when all kids are in one club. She said that the CMs will not turn any children away and if the clubs are too crowded for comfort, they will try to accomodate and perhaps end the open house.

4) She said that the CMs ultimate goal is to accomodate the guests as best as they can and will do what they need to ensure the clubs are running smoothly.

Excellent information that makes it seem as though our concerns are being heard. Thank you for sharing!

I saw four hour blocks in Navigators from recent MR Wonder cruises. A few trip reports have them. If I get a chance later I will dig around, but if you want to look there was one in particular that has a title something like, "MR Cruise With A Wonder-ful Souvenir in The Works." The writer of that TP posts "chapter" links on the first page.

 

[Conservative Hippie]

If, as the previous poster found out from shoreside concierge, the "secure" club/lab is overcrowded, they will end the open house early rather than turn children away. So a better way to "boycott" would be for everyone to keep out of the open house and take their kids to the secure side during an open house.

 

[Stinkerbe11]

This was the response given to me:

Thank you for choosing another Disney Cruise Line vacation!

I would be happy to assist you.

For each sailing, there are specific limits on the amount of children
that can be accommodated in the various youth activities programs on the
ship. These limits were established for the safety and comfort of the
children participating and to ensure that each child has a magical and
memorable experience.

I hope this information has been helpful.

We look forward to sailing with you!

Have a Magical Day!

Kaylee
Reservations Department
Disney Cruise Line


I think she totally missed my point...My concern was about overcrowding/being turned away and it sounds like she is confirming it by explaining why they have limits I am hopeful that if they were at capacity, the open house would be closed.

 

[mom2brooke76]

My dd loves spending most of her day at the Oceaneer's Club with the exception of some pool time, eating breakfast and dinner and going to the show. One of the things that we usually do is go to dinner and then drop her off at the kid's club afterwards so that we can have some adult fun. I won't be happy if I go to take her and the "secured" side has reached capacity due to open house going on. In my 4 cruises I've never had this issue, but now am worried about what should be a relaxing, enjoyable vacation for all involved. I look forward to some "me" time and should be able to still get that. As much as I love all things Disney, if there are issues with this on my cruise in May we may be looking at other lines.

 

[jetskigrl]

I sent an email to shoreside concierge expressing my concern and asking questions about the new open houses. I got a call back and spoke to a rep for about 20 minutes. Here is what I was told:

1) The open houses are not for 4 hours at a time, they are for an hour here and there. I told her that is not what I saw on the Navigators that had been posted. She asked me to send them to her so she could check it out. I can't find them, I know I saw one on here (I know someone wrote the schedule too, but I am looking for the navs). If anyone has them, please let me know so I can forward to her. She said she was on the Dream in December and that was the case, but I think the navs in question were from the Wonder.

I'm not sure if you saw it yet, but this is the TR that includes navigators from the Wonder in December (she is up to Day 5 so far).

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2786575

As a recap though, the CM telling you that they are not for 4 hours is mistaken. In a condensed version, here are the Open House hours on those Navigators:

Day 2:
Club 4:30 - 10:00 pm (5 1/2 hours)

Day 3:
Lab 2:00 - 6:30 pm (3 1/2 hours)

Day 4:
Club 7:30 - 11:30 am (4 hours)
Lab 1:00 - 4:00 pm (3 hours)

Day 5:
Club 4:30 - 6:30 pm (2 hours)
Club 8:30 - 11:00 pm (2 1/2 hours)
Lab 8:00 - 10:30 am (2 1/2 hours)

So just for days 2 thru 5, that is 14 hours for the Club and 9 hours for the Lab (a far cry from an hour here or there).

 

[kimmypie1]

Thanks everyone. I got the navigator and forwarded it to the rep I spoke to. I also told her that during those 4 hour blocks, there are activities planned in the club where the open house is. I also said that it is not fair that if my child wants to do one of those activities, they need a parent with them. What if we have a spa appointment or something. Now the kids can't do something in the KIDS club because their parents aren't with them?

that makes zero sense.

I will let you know her response.

 

[peachygreen]

I think there is a slight typo on that Navigator for day 2 too. If you look closely the non secured open house programming has a different color to it. At 7pm the Club goes back to the same color for secured programming and not open house programming.

Port days such as day 4 & 5 typically did not have both clubs open in the morning to begin with. Most of the time they had combined programming, especially in the morning so that those that choose to leave their children on board had secured child watch but the activities were normally limited and combined to either the club or the lab.

 

[True Romance]

I sent an email to shoreside concierge expressing my concern and asking questions about the new open houses. I got a call back and spoke to a rep for about 20 minutes. Here is what I was told:

1) The open houses are not for 4 hours at a time, they are for an hour here and there. I told her that is not what I saw on the Navigators that had been posted. She asked me to send them to her so she could check it out. I can't find them, I know I saw one on here (I know someone wrote the schedule too, but I am looking for the navs). If anyone has them, please let me know so I can forward to her. She said she was on the Dream in December and that was the case, but I think the navs in question were from the Wonder.

2) During the times that all children are together in one club, the CMs will still have age appropriate activities and will still section the kids off by age.

3) I asked about over crowding when all kids are in one club. She said that the CMs will not turn any children away and if the clubs are too crowded for comfort, they will try to accomodate and perhaps end the open house.

4) She said that the CMs ultimate goal is to accomodate the guests as best as they can and will do what they need to ensure the clubs are running smoothly.

Here is a link to the Navigators that show the open houses from 3-6pm every day. http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/cruise-new/cr-stateroom-navigator.htm

This is for the 12/10 western

 

[DVCMomofThree]

Thanks everyone. I got the navigator and forwarded it to the rep I spoke to. I also told her that during those 4 hour blocks, there are activities planned in the club where the open house is. I also said that it is not fair that if my child wants to do one of those activities, they need a parent with them. What if we have a spa appointment or something. Now the kids can't do something in the KIDS club because their parents aren't with them?

that makes zero sense.

I will let you know her response.

Looking forward to their response...what a big waste of time booking my baby in Flounder's when my older kids might not be able to utilize the lab/club since our sailing is apparently full/close to full...

 

[peachygreen]

I think there is a slight typo on that Navigator for day 2 too. If you look closely the non secured open house programming has a different color to it. At 7pm the Club goes back to the same color for secured programming and not open house programming.

Port days such as day 4 & 5 typically did not have both clubs open in the morning to begin with. Most of the time they had combined programming, especially in the morning so that those that choose to leave their children on board had secured child watch but the activities were normally limited and combined to either the club or the lab.

Or maybe not on the typo as they state it twice - once in the description of Youth Activities open house.

I liked the times on the Magic much better. I also talked with a friend of mine who just got off the 5 night on the dream and their hours were more in line with the ones I'd seen on the Magic 2-3 hours in the late afternoon.