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

[Goofy's_Gal]

Hmmmm...this is a very interesting thread. I just got of the Dream with my dd 3 who pretty much hated the club and I was only able to utilize about 3 hours. I booked an Oct 28th Wonder MR hoping that with maturity, she will would enjoy it more and give me a chance to do some adult activities I missed on the Dream. I now don't know what to think. On the Dream, the club and lab are connected and kids flow as they choose. My cruise appeared to be the training cruise and several times the club portion was closed (you could see all the CM's in there having fun...) and you would have to check in at the lab.

I have mixed feelings about all the open house hours. On one hand, my daughter is clingy and would probably enjoy it more with me in there doing the planned activities (but are any planned during open house???) but on the other hand, I want to do some adult things that I'm not sure I'll be able to plan until I get on the ship unless they start advertising the hours. I certainly don't want to be in a situation where I book a spa treatment and find out that only the lab is open and my dd refused to go . Oh well...I generally don't get all worked up about such things but it would be nice to know before hand what to expect and not the day before.

 

[Big Mo]

at a form letter that reads "I was truly disheartened to read about your concerns."

You weren't disheartened. You scanned for keywords and then pressed the appropriate button. Bad form, Disney.

 

[EnchantedTikiGal]

That's just it though - if you go all the time, then you can try it, not like it, complain and keep seeing how it goes. Our upcoming vacation is kind of once in a lifetime for us, and I think I should be given what was advertised and what I paid for. I think my 3 year old should have secured care in the kids club that disney pumped us up for during the times that I have booked adult only time. It's the change without communication that is so distressing. If we go and everything is messed up, I can't go back and fix that another time. So I don't think there's anything wrong with asking other people what's happened recently, then complaining loudly to DCL when we see the problems those unannounced changes will bring for us.

Agree 100%. When it's your 11th cruise, I guess you have the luxury of just waiting and seeing how it's going to be, then maybe it'll be ok or be diff by the next time. But for a lot of people this may be the only cruise we ever take. It took 15 years of dreaming for this to finally come true for us. I've saved for over a year, working 2 jobs, to afford this vacation for my family. I insisted on it being Disney, because of what they promise for my family and my children. And knowing that because it's Disney, they have standards in entertainment and customer service.

So, because we do have the ability to look at navigators and research in advance how this is going to work for our children, we can let Disney know this ahead of time in hopes that they might change some things around.

Tower building, wouldn't that be like blocks? That one would work. I know during all the "chillin' in the lab" things on our last cruise, they did crafts and coloring. Not the most exciting, but certainly a 3yo could do it.

ETA: Not ideal, I know that and I wanted to add that. My daughter would rather die than build with Legos, now or as a 3yo. She would have been all over Nemo. But I mentioned it cause your 3yo is a boy so he'll likely be okay.

That's the thing though. We don't pay extra to cruise with Disney so our kids spend 2-4 hours having to do something "not ideal". Disney advertising and promises kid's programming that IS ideal for their age group, and IS magical and amazing and memory making. That's what Disney advertises and I think everyone is within their right to expect such.

I am actually sick reading the Navigators from the 12/11 MR Wonder cruise.

(day 2)open house in the club is from 4:30-10:00pm-5 1/2 hours
(day 3)open house in the lab is from 2-6:30pm--4 1/2 hours
(day 4)open house in club-7:30-11:30am the lab from 1-4pm--total 6 hours
(day 5) open house in lab-8:30-10:30, club-4:30-6:30 and 8:30-10:30pm-total 6 hours
No navigator for day 6 yet

5-6 hours of open houses every day, really?? Even during peak after dinner times? I am sailing in a month, and I am afraid nothing will be changed by then. I really hope all the letters we are sending are actually getting to management.

We're on the same cruise, I just pray these hours are different by the time we board. Expressing our opinions to Disney is all we can do. Hopefully with enough feedback we'll see some change!

 

[princessmom29]

Tower building, wouldn't that be like blocks? That one would work. I know during all the "chillin' in the lab" things on our last cruise, they did crafts and coloring. Not the most exciting, but certainly a 3yo could do it. And they always had toys around. My son (who is 5yo) isn't really into the little kid planned stuff (like Nemo or whatever), he prefers the science stuff in the lab, but we'd often find him just building with blocks, legos, whatever. So I know they always have that available.


ETA: Not ideal, I know that and I wanted to add that. My daughter would rather die than build with Legos, now or as a 3yo. She would have been all over Nemo. But I mentioned it cause your 3yo is a boy so he'll likely be okay.

From what I have read about it, tower building is definitely not suitable for a 3 year old. It is more of an engineering challenge with rules for construction ect. Most planned activities in the lab are structured like that and not suitable for a 3 year old, so basically they will be left on their own to find something to do when the club is closed. I don't think I would have been very happy about that idea hen DD was 3. If it was just the 3-6 every day we could ork around it, but the other schedules posted are excessive and have open houses at high traffic times. As of right now, it seems that the Dream is working on the 3-6 schedule. I am hoping it stays that way! DD will be with us from 3-6 except for the one hour we will be at high tea, and she will definitely be fine for an hour at 8 years old. If she were 3, I just don't know.

 

[klcason]

My main concern is that the "secured programming" is going to be packed. Do they have a max number they allow in? My son has enjoyed the Lab immensely on our last 3 cruises. He likes to go at specific times of the day though, lol!

We spent family time doing other things on the ship so we parents never had any reason to go into the lab other than for drop off and pick up. There are so many fantastic things to do...I can't imagine wanting to spend time in the kid's club!

I would not feel comfortable leaving my 10 year old in an "Open House" situation, too many unsecured adults with access to my child. But he won't set foot in the club.

I appreciate that they are trying to make things safer, really I do, but it just seems like it was thrown together without much thought! We don't sail again until May, 2012...hopefully things will be tweaked by then to maximize everyone's enjoyment. I suspect the complaints will outweigh the good comments and they will wind up changing things somewhat.

Kayla

 

[deanimal]

Having just returned from a cruise with a 3 year old, I can report first hand that the Lab activities were during open house in the Club were not suitable for my preschooler. She loves to climb and run, listen to stories, cuddle up with a movie, dress up and dance and participate in adult led games. Basically she loved everything the Club had to offer. Her activities in the Lab were basically comprised of stacking the checkers in piles and knocking them over and asking passing older children if they would play with her. Obviously after observing this for a bit we decided that we'd have to adjust our planning around the secure times in the Club.
It was our first cruise with Disney and in the end we just rolled with it, but it was a bit inconvenient. We usually go on cruises every 2 or 3 years and we'ver pretty much decided that we'll go with another cruise line next time (when our kids are about 3-5) since they're really not able to participate fully the way things are set up right now. We cruised Celebrity when our daughter was a baby, and even though the clubs were fairly small and limited in their activities, I'd rather leave my 3 year old in a small playroom doing simple crafts and games with a dozen other kids than leave her wandering alone in a space designed beautifully for much older kids. My husband and I felt that the way things are set up now, a child really had to be about 5 or 6 to really be able to move between the spaces the way they have to now with these new policies, so we likely won't be back with Disney until then.

 

[Korileigh]

Could someone explain what the "incident" was? I have tried to scan through the thread but can't find it. We are going on our first DCL trip in december and will have a 9 yr old and 11 yr old. ALso - will they let them stay together even though their ages put them in 2 different clubs?

Thanks!
Kori

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Could someone explain what the "incident" was? I have tried to scan through the thread but can't find it. We are going on our first DCL trip in december and will have a 9 yr old and 11 yr old. ALso - will they let them stay together even though their ages put them in 2 different clubs?

Thanks!
Kori

Currently, no, they would not be in the same club, except during Open House times. And then a parent needs to be present, also.

 

[Phil'sFrontier]

I think the level of fear among parents here has reached an epidemic. It reminds me of that new show 'bubble wrap kids'.
you can what if a scenario into any situation to rationalize that way of thinking but to me that is not a healthy way to live.
We are going on a Dream cruise leaving Feb 19, honestly I dont think the new policies will bother our family one bit. Our ten year old may or may not go into the club and lab.

Could someone explain what the "incident" was? I have tried to scan through the thread but can't find it. We are going on our first DCL trip in december and will have a 9 yr old and 11 yr old. ALso - will they let them stay together even though their ages put them in 2 different clubs?

Thanks!
Kori

Somebody can correct this if I have it wrong here, but I believe the incident involved a fourteen year old girl. She was harassed extensively though her cruise. I don't now details though.

 

[True Romance]

Tower building, wouldn't that be like blocks? That one would work. I know during all the "chillin' in the lab" things on our last cruise, they did crafts and coloring. Not the most exciting, but certainly a 3yo could do it. And they always had toys around. My son (who is 5yo) isn't really into the little kid planned stuff (like Nemo or whatever), he prefers the science stuff in the lab, but we'd often find him just building with blocks, legos, whatever. So I know they always have that available.

I guess I see it as we all don't pay big $$$ to have my kid color in the clubs, unless they want to. But when a fun Nemo inspired puppet show is going on across the hall, I would rather them do that.

We all pay extra to cruise DCL because of their kids programming and kid friendly ship and activities. Now our kids have just lost about 40% of "their" own club time every day, with 6 hours of basically one club to drop them off at.

at a form letter that reads "I was truly disheartened to read about your concerns."

You weren't disheartened. You scanned for keywords and then pressed the appropriate button. Bad form, Disney.

Has anyone ever gotten through and spoke to DCL shoreside (guest services or youth activities)? I want to try and call, but do not want to talk to Reservations. I think with all these form letter responses, our letters are getting nowhere.

Having just returned from a cruise with a 3 year old, I can report first hand that the Lab activities were during open house in the Club were not suitable for my preschooler. She loves to climb and run, listen to stories, cuddle up with a movie, dress up and dance and participate in adult led games. Basically she loved everything the Club had to offer. Her activities in the Lab were basically comprised of stacking the checkers in piles and knocking them over and asking passing older children if they would play with her. Obviously after observing this for a bit we decided that we'd have to adjust our planning around the secure times in the Club.
It was our first cruise with Disney and in the end we just rolled with it, but it was a bit inconvenient. We usually go on cruises every 2 or 3 years and we'ver pretty much decided that we'll go with another cruise line next time (when our kids are about 3-5) since they're really not able to participate fully the way things are set up right now. We cruised Celebrity when our daughter was a baby, and even though the clubs were fairly small and limited in their activities, I'd rather leave my 3 year old in a small playroom doing simple crafts and games with a dozen other kids than leave her wandering alone in a space designed beautifully for much older kids. My husband and I felt that the way things are set up now, a child really had to be about 5 or 6 to really be able to move between the spaces the way they have to now with these new policies, so we likely won't be back with Disney until then.

Thank you very much for your firsthand report. This is exactly what I feared. The Club is MADE specifically for the young kids. It has the small tables/chairs, the fun pirate ship theme with slide, the dress up closet, everything about the Club is for 3-6 year olds. They cannot recreate that in the Lab. And the same goes for the Lab and the 7-10 year olds, it was made with them in mind. Older kids theme and design.

 

[Goofy's_Gal]

After the initial open house/registration day, why is there even a need to have open house? Can't the kids manage on their own, in their respective club areas without bringing in mommy and daddy? Adults have their places that don't offer open house for the kids to come to. Seems to me that 1) the open houses allow less staff and thus less cost to Disney so it could be a business decision; 2) there are plenty of other family places/activities to engage with your kids so why must all the other kids be inconvenienced so you can play with your kid in THEIR place?; 3) if Disney adhered to the ages allowed in each club, the incident (which I had read on another post weeks ago involved an over-age special needs adult and a teenage girl) wouldn't and couldn't happen again.

I'd like to see the open house be on the first day and then the clubs become secured for the remainder of the cruise. If my kid doesn't want to go in, she doesn't want to go. I don't need to use the club area to be engaged with my child. Just having gotten off the Dream, I only recall open house being the first day for a few hours and the last night for a few hours. Other than that, it was secured. I didn't think or felt that I needed to be in there with her (the few times I could get her to go). My dd is just shy of 4 and clingy - that's my problem not the club's. We are booked for the Wonder in October but if this open house stuff doesn't change, I'll be re-considering it.

 

[Korileigh]

Currently, no, they would not be in the same club, except during Open House times. And then a parent needs to be present, also.

[/QUOT

So they wouldn't let my just turned 11 yr old stay with my 9 yr old? I thought I had read others post somewhere that they are not super strict about that? Anyone else have experience with this?

 

[SoCaOC-Mom]

Could someone explain what the "incident" was? I have tried to scan through the thread but can't find it. We are going on our first DCL trip in december and will have a 9 yr old and 11 yr old. ALso - will they let them stay together even though their ages put them in 2 different clubs?

Thanks!
Kori

The kids club and lab is structured aged 3-10 but I saw a few posts where DCL have an over lap allowing a 12 year old to be registered there. If that is the case your a 11 year old could go to the club/lab outside the openhouses but then they couldn't also go to the Edge.

 

[SoCaOC-Mom]

Currently, no, they would not be in the same club, except during Open House times. And then a parent needs to be present, also.

[/QUOT

So they wouldn't let my just turned 11 yr old stay with my 9 yr old? I thought I had read others post somewhere that they are not super strict about that? Anyone else have experience with this?

Prior to some recent sailings, there used a be a lot more flexibility but for whatever reason they have tightened the reins. However, as mentioned my other post- although it isn't advertised on their website, DCL sent down a letter with the age structures of the club that showed an over lap in the 11-12 year old category that allowed them to be in cub/lab but they would forgo their privileges in the club for tweens.

 

[Korileigh]

Prior to some recent sailings, there used a be a lot more flexibility but for whatever reason they have tightened the reins. However, as mentioned my other post- although it isn't advertised on their website, DCL sent down a letter with the age structures of the club that showed an over lap in the 11-12 year old category that allowed them to be in cub/lab but they would forgo their privileges in the club for tweens.

Has anyone heard of a younger kid getting into the tween area? Just thinking my girls will want to be together and wondered if that was also a possible option? I read a review from a dad and an 11 year old who said the 3-10 area looked a lot more fun that the Edge - anyone have opinion on this?

 

[joyceyw]

Having just returned from a cruise with a 3 year old, I can report first hand that the Lab activities were during open house in the Club were not suitable for my preschooler. She loves to climb and run, listen to stories, cuddle up with a movie, dress up and dance and participate in adult led games. Basically she loved everything the Club had to offer. Her activities in the Lab were basically comprised of stacking the checkers in piles and knocking them over and asking passing older children if they would play with her. Obviously after observing this for a bit we decided that we'd have to adjust our planning around the secure times in the Club.
It was our first cruise with Disney and in the end we just rolled with it, but it was a bit inconvenient. We usually go on cruises every 2 or 3 years and we'ver pretty much decided that we'll go with another cruise line next time (when our kids are about 3-5) since they're really not able to participate fully the way things are set up right now. We cruised Celebrity when our daughter was a baby, and even though the clubs were fairly small and limited in their activities, I'd rather leave my 3 year old in a small playroom doing simple crafts and games with a dozen other kids than leave her wandering alone in a space designed beautifully for much older kids. My husband and I felt that the way things are set up now, a child really had to be about 5 or 6 to really be able to move between the spaces the way they have to now with these new policies, so we likely won't be back with Disney until then.

Thank you for you honest AND first hand experience with the Club/Lab. I have a 3 year old and this is what my concern is, that there won't be age appropriate activities for him if he goes into the Lab.

Still excited about our cruise but definitely going in with the mindset that we will need to be very flexible this cruise if we want or need to use the Club

 

[princessmom29]

Has anyone heard of a younger kid getting into the tween area? Just thinking my girls will want to be together and wondered if that was also a possible option? I read a review from a dad and an 11 year old who said the 3-10 area looked a lot more fun that the Edge - anyone have opinion on this?

As far as I know, they have only ever let kids within one month of 11 into the edge, and even that seems to not be happening now.

 

[deanimal]

Just found the Navigators from our 6 day MR cruise that ended on Sunday. I don't have access to a scanner, but here's the open house hours:

Day 2 (at sea) Club 3:30-10pm

Day 3 (at sea) Lab 2:00-6:30pm

Day 4(Puerto Vallarta) Club 7:30-11:30 am
Lab 12:00-3:00pm
Club 8:30-11pm

Day 5 (Cabo) Lab 7:30-11:30am

Day 6 (at sea) Club 9:00-12 noon
Lab 6:30-9:30 pm

And no, I'm not making this up! I had thought it seemed a bit illogical and scattered, but I hadn't realized how crazy these hours were until I typed them up! I'm not really sure what I would have done with this info if I had known ahead of time. Perhaps they were just throwing out different hours on this cruise as part of a test to see what sort of demand there was?
As I said before, we just sort of worked around it and still had a fabulous time, but I wonder if this is going to become the norm?

 

[Korileigh]

As far as I know, they have only ever let kids within one month of 11 into the edge, and even that seems to not be happening now.

That makes sense - and I think I'd rather have them in the younger area anyway - if they want to go at all. Thanks!

 

[DVCMomofThree]

Just found the Navigators from our 6 day MR cruise that ended on Sunday. I don't have access to a scanner, but here's the open house hours:

Day 2 (at sea) Club 3:30-10pm

Day 3 (at sea) Lab 2:00-6:30pm

Day 4(Puerto Vallarta) Club 7:30-11:30 am
Lab 12:00-3:00pm
Club 8:30-11pm

Day 5 (Cabo) Lab 7:30-11:30am

Day 6 (at sea) Club 9:00-12 noon
Lab 6:30-9:30 pm

And no, I'm not making this up! I had thought it seemed a bit illogical and scattered, but I hadn't realized how crazy these hours were until I typed them up! I'm not really sure what I would have done with this info if I had known ahead of time. Perhaps they were just throwing out different hours on this cruise as part of a test to see what sort of demand there was?
As I said before, we just sort of worked around it and still had a fabulous time, but I wonder if this is going to become the norm?

Yeah, so other than ONE evening either the lab or club is restricted EVERY.SINGLE.NIGHT...during their peak hours...that's just lovely.