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

[princessmom29]

Its taken quite a while, and I have finally read all of this thread. The people who have just recently cruised, thank you so much for your post-change trip reports!!
I understand people's concern regarding adults in the "secure" club with kids, but please allow me to convey just one of the many experiences that we had in the Kids' Club/Lab on our previous 2 DCL cruises on the Wonder...

The couple of times that we brought our son to the Lab for an activity was just that - he went for the activity and then wanted to leave. It just wasn't for him. Our son HATES the Lab almost as much as he LOVES the Club. He is 6 years old, and a gentle child. He is NOT a vidiot, dislikes video games and isn't much for sitting in front of screens for any period of time. Plus the rowdy, and oftentimes poorly-behaved bigger kids tend to run roughshod over the smaller ones. We watched it in action several times at the Lab.
He prefers to PLAY and immerse himself in the reality that DCL makes of the fantasy. The Club is the perfect place for this. The soothing lighting, layout of Captain Hook's Ship's play area, the back room with the crafts, books & dress-up stuff is just awesome for him. When we took him to the Club, he'd be happy to play and stay for quite a while. Often times, when his Dad or I were missing our little man, we'd go to get him from the Club & he'd say that he didn't want to leave because he was having fun, and wanted us to join him. So we asked if it was OK and then did!!
Most of the time, he just wanted us as his audience while he played on the climbing area & slide - and several times we read one of the many books that they have in the back library for him, since he wasn't yet an independent reader at that time.
The YAC team were always there, but oftentimes were too busy to be able to give the level of individual attention, such as sitting and actually reading a whole story aloud would take. So any time we were in there there were kids, obviously STARVING for some kind of adult attention and interaction, who would flock to us! (And as a former Elementary school teacher & sometime actress, I read an AWESOME story - voices and all!!!) We most certainly did not in any way wish to interact with anyone else's kids but our own son... but were not going to tell ANY kid that they were not welcome to sit & hear a story!!!

So my point of this is;
1.) I am sorry that DCL is making the choice for your child of what place he/she needs to go when parents want to have "grown-up" time. It is not always about the "someone to watch them" but often times more about the WHERE.

2.) Although we did spend a bit of time in the Club with our child & apparently this can absolutely be done during the "Open House" time there now, some of us LIKE to actually spend time WITH our kids doing the things that THEY like to do! Not all of us are looking to dump our kids off with the YAC team and go away!! (Even though that definitely has its appeal!!)

3.) Some kids feel more confident & comfortable when Mom &/or Dad can help them "settle in" or come join them for fun. The point of a DCL FAMILY vacation is for everyone to have a good time! Nobody should be excluded from that! And if a Mommy or Daddy spending some time with kiddo makes their trip more fun, so be it!!

4.) Some people REALLY need to spend more TIME listening & playing with their own children. I realize that life is busy & it is not an easy thing, but it is so sad to me how many children, ignored by their own parents (who usually are physically RIGHT THERE) latch on to being with our family because we, his parents, obviously LOVE playing WITH our son. Not just on DCL, but this happens almost everywhere we go.

So that's my $0.02!!

I dot know I f it was your intent, but this come off to me as more tha a littlepreachy. Like you think that all of those of uS that choose to give our kds a bit of independence and don't need to be tied to them every second are uninvolved parents, and everyone ho allows their child to play video games is raising an idiot. My DD will go to the cub/lab alone because she wants to. She simply doesn't need us with her every second and would like to have some time on her own to enjoy them. I don't expect to be allowed in to pay with her because it is a kids space. There are plenty of spaces on the ship for us o enjoy as a family, and spend time doing things we all enjoy. The kids club is designed for kids, not or families. It is being used by many families, but that was not the original intent. It was SUPPOSED to be for secure kids programming, like it s done everywhere else. No one expects to be able to use child care centers at the Disney hotels as a family playground. I dont get why the do on the ship.

 

[girl_barrie]

I dot know I f it was your intent, but this come off to me as more tha a littlepreachy. Like you think that all of those of uS that choose to give our kds a bit of independence and don't need to be tied to them every second are uninvolved parents, and everyone ho allows their child to play video games is raising an idiot. My DD will go to the cub/lab alone because she wants to. She simply doesn't need us with her every second and would like to have some time on her own to enjoy them. I don't expect to be allowed in to pay with her because it is a kids space. There are plenty of spaces on the ship for us o enjoy as a family, and spend time doing things we all enjoy. The kids club is designed for kids, not or families. It is being used by many families, but that was not the original intent. It was SUPPOSED to be for secure kids programming, like it s done everywhere else. No one expects to be able to use child care centers at the Disney hotels as a family playground. I dont get why the do on the ship.

Nope! Not at all intended to sound preachy. Our son is absolutely allowed to play video games - we have a Wii, Playstation 1 & 2 & my hubby has ALL (and I mean ALL) of his game systems & games going back to his 8 bit when he was a kid. He just isn't inclined to park himself in front of a screen as many kids enjoy doing. My kid loves and get to enjoy his independence too. He doesn't NEED us there, but we enjoy each other's company & like to play together. My point (that I think you missed) is that when we are with our son, we have no intention of interacting with anyone else's child(ren), but we will NEVER tell another child that they cannot join us. That would just be mean. And it doesn't only happen in the "Kids'" area of the ship - but everywhere! Oftentimes the kids' parents are RIGHT THERE - on their phone/computer, reading, talking, whatever - but NOT playing with (or even paying any attention to) their own kid(s) like we do with ours. We don't intend to be "Pied Pipers", but it is amazing how many attention-starved children latch onto us! THAT is the thing that parents need to be cautious and aware of, because predators quickly see & feed on that need in the child.
And yes, the Kid's spaces on the ship are designed for kids - but why should our son be made to leave the environment that HE is enjoying just because he wishes to play with his parents?? On the ship, there is NO OTHER place that has a dry slide, a dress-up area, or a library with kids' books - so there really aren't "plenty of other places" for him to enjoy those things.

 

[princessmom29]

Oftentimes the kids' parents are RIGHT THERE - on their phone/computer, reading, talking, whatever - but NOT playing with (or even paying any attention to) their own kid(s) like we do with ours. We don't intend to be "Pied Pipers", but it is amazing how many attention-starved children latch onto us! THAT is the thing that parents need to be cautious and aware of, because predators quickly see & feed on that need in the child.
.

This is the part where it starts to get preachy for me. Attention starved?? Because mom isn't spending every second playing with them? I don't think so.

And of course you cannot do exactly what te kids clubs offer elsewhere, but there IS plenty to do on the ship as a family outside the clubs. There is not reason to need to takeover the lib to read a book to your kid.nyou can do that in a stateroom. A slide is not a required part of family time either. Bottom line is that adults hanging around the kids clubs are in fact a security risk.and that is why parents shouldnt be allowed in with other peoples kids. If that means they have to have family time elsewhere, then so be it, but I really don't care or them hanging around when the club is secure. so yes, I think if your child is checked into the club and ou want to spend time together as a family, you should be required to check them out. I am glad for that part of the policy change. I don't want random strangers having access to my child.

 

[girl_barrie]

This is the part where it starts to get preachy for me. Attention starved?? Because mom isn't spending every second playing with them? I don't think so.

And of course you cannot do exactly what te kids clubs offer elsewhere, but there IS plenty to do on the ship as a family outside the clubs. There is not reason to need to takeover the lib to read a book to your kid.nyou can do that in a stateroom. A slide is not a required part of family time either. Bottom line is that adults hanging around the kids clubs are in fact a security risk.and that is why parents shouldnt be allowed in with other peoples kids. If that means they have to have family time elsewhere, then so be it, but I really don't care or them hanging around when the club is secure. so yes, I think if your child is checked into the club and ou want to spend time together as a family, you should be required to check them out. I am glad for that part of the policy change. I don't want random strangers having access to my child.

Wholly COW!!! Talk about preachy!!!
We are WELL aware of all of the activities available onboard and do avail ourselves of them MUCH more than we do the kids' facilities. We do bring quite a large selection of books to read each night before bed "in the stateroom". Nobody said that anyone "took over" the library. I read a book to my child that he asked me to read to him and other kids listened along. This book was in the library for the kids and he couldn't read it yet, asked a YAC to read it who didn't have the time, but he still wanted to hear the story. Sure we could have borrowed that book, I am sure, but why have to rush right out instead of read it & leave the book there?? And it was WITH the YAC's permission & encouragement.
I never said that a slide was "a required part of family time", but our kid asked us to watch him play for a bit before we took him out. Again, this was WITH the YAC's permission & encouragement.
And as far as I have read about the post-changes situation, this would still be the case. We are ONLY there for our own child & don't care one bit to interact with yours.
And for your snarkiest bit...
"Attention starved?? Because mom isn't spending every second playing with them?"
NO - Attention-starved because they are!!! Because they are SOOO happy to have an ADULT actually pay attention to them and play with them that they will latch on to a complete stranger simply because they are nice to them and having fun with another child!!! THAT is what I am talking about. THAT neediness is what can get kids in trouble regardless of where they are. And I am NOT speaking about children who know how to interact socially, but those who slip away from their own parents practically unnoticed and spend inordinate amounts of time without their parents even checking on them. It happens much too often. Our child (or ANY child who is validated, listened to & accustomed to having FUN with his/her family) wouldn't ever do that.
And since it seems like all you wish to do is pick apart my post and try to start a fight, I don't wish to take the bait anymore. Have a lovely cruise.

 

[Wadekind]

Its taken quite a while, and I have finally read all of this thread. The people who have just recently cruised, thank you so much for your post-change trip reports!!
I understand people's concern regarding adults in the "secure" club with kids, but please allow me to convey just one of the many experiences that we had in the Kids' Club/Lab on our previous 2 DCL cruises on the Wonder...

The couple of times that we brought our son to the Lab for an activity was just that - he went for the activity and then wanted to leave. It just wasn't for him. Our son HATES the Lab almost as much as he LOVES the Club. He is 6 years old, and a gentle child. He is NOT a vidiot, dislikes video games and isn't much for sitting in front of screens for any period of time. Plus the rowdy, and oftentimes poorly-behaved bigger kids tend to run roughshod over the smaller ones. We watched it in action several times at the Lab.
He prefers to PLAY and immerse himself in the reality that DCL makes of the fantasy. The Club is the perfect place for this. The soothing lighting, layout of Captain Hook's Ship's play area, the back room with the crafts, books & dress-up stuff is just awesome for him. When we took him to the Club, he'd be happy to play and stay for quite a while. Often times, when his Dad or I were missing our little man, we'd go to get him from the Club & he'd say that he didn't want to leave because he was having fun, and wanted us to join him. So we asked if it was OK and then did!! He wanted you to join him because he did not want to leave. Im sure if you told him he could stay and you were leaving he would have been ok with that.He was having fun before you got there and would have had fun if you left him there by himself. It was you that was missing him not him missing you.
Most of the time, he just wanted us as his audience while he played on the climbing area & slide - and several times we read one of the many books that they have in the back library for him, since he wasn't yet an independent reader at that time.
The YAC team were always there, but oftentimes were too busy to be able to give the level of individual attention, such as sitting and actually reading a whole story aloud would take. So any time we were in there there were kids, obviously STARVING for some kind of adult attention and interaction, who would flock to us! (And as a former Elementary school teacher & sometime actress, I read an AWESOME story - voices and all!!!) We most certainly did not in any way wish to interact with anyone else's kids but our own son... but were not going to tell ANY kid that they were not welcome to sit & hear a story!!!

So my point of this is;
1.) I am sorry that DCL is making the choice for your child of what place he/she needs to go when parents want to have "grown-up" time. It is not always about the "someone to watch them" but often times more about the WHERE.

2.) Although we did spend a bit of time in the Club with our child & apparently this can absolutely be done during the "Open House" time there now, some of us LIKE to actually spend time WITH our kids doing the things that THEY like to do! Not all of us are looking to dump our kids off with the YAC team and go away!! (Even though that definitely has its appeal!!)We spend so much time with our kids throughout the year that when they get a chance to dump us and enjoy a space designed for and filled with other kids they do it in a heart beat and ask us to go.

3.) Some kids feel more confident & comfortable when Mom &/or Dad can help them "settle in" or come join them for fun. The point of a DCL FAMILY vacation is for everyone to have a good time! Nobody should be excluded from that! And if a Mommy or Daddy spending some time with kiddo makes their trip more fun, so be it!! The ship has many places outside of the designated kids clubs to spend time with mommy and daddy.

4.) Some people REALLY need to spend more TIME listening & playing with their own children. I realize that life is busy & it is not an easy thing, but it is so sad to me how many children, ignored by their own parents (who usually are physically RIGHT THERE) latch on to being with our family because we, his parents, obviously LOVE playing WITH our son. Not just on DCL, but this happens almost everywhere we go.

So that's my $0.02!!

Nope! Not at all intended to sound preachy. Our son is absolutely allowed to play video games - we have a Wii, Playstation 1 & 2 & my hubby has ALL (and I mean ALL) of his game systems & games going back to his 8 bit when he was a kid. He just isn't inclined to park himself in front of a screen as many kids enjoy doing. My kid loves and get to enjoy his independence too. He doesn't NEED us there, but we enjoy each other's company & like to play together. My point (that I think you missed) is that when we are with our son, we have no intention of interacting with anyone else's child(ren), but we will NEVER tell another child that they cannot join us. That would just be mean. And it doesn't only happen in the "Kids'" area of the ship - but everywhere! Oftentimes the kids' parents are RIGHT THERE - on their phone/computer, reading, talking, whatever - but NOT playing with (or even paying any attention to) their own kid(s) like we do with ours. We don't intend to be "Pied Pipers", but it is amazing how many attention-starved children latch onto us! THAT is the thing that parents need to be cautious and aware of, because predators quickly see & feed on that need in the child.Your aren't a pied piper. You are judgmental. ALL kids will latch on to an adult playing with other kids no matter how much attention they get at home. It's not that they are attention starved, it is that you are providing entertainment and they don't see you as a threat because you are playing with other kids and you are in an area that is supposed to be safe. YOU are taking the place of the video games you say your kid has no interest in. If you leave, your kid and the others will find something to do and have just as much fun without you.
And yes, the Kid's spaces on the ship are designed for kids - but why should our son be made to leave the environment that HE is enjoying just because he wishes to play with his parents?? On the ship, there is NO OTHER place that has a dry slide, a dress-up area, or a library with kids' books - so there really aren't "plenty of other places" for him to enjoy those things.Why does your kid have to leave? You say earlier that he is independent and doesn't need you there and even did not want to leave. Play with him in the family areas and leave the kid areas to the kids. Some kids resent seeing non CM adults in the what is supposed to be a kids only area.

You seem to make a lot of assumptions about how others are raising their children. I see similar parents hogging space meant for kids on the playground equipment at our local park too. Always trying to make fun and overemphasizing play time.
I don't care how much you play with your kid but don't play with mine without my permission. What it really comes down to is YOU want to play in the clubs too and cant seem to understand that there are places that are for kids only. I want to use the always empty teen pool on the Dream. We are adults so we can't and that is the way it should be.

 

[Conservative Hippie]

Its taken quite a while, and I have finally read all of this thread. The people who have just recently cruised, thank you so much for your post-change trip reports!!
I understand people's concern regarding adults in the "secure" club with kids, but please allow me to convey just one of the many experiences that we had in the Kids' Club/Lab on our previous 2 DCL cruises on the Wonder...

The couple of times that we brought our son to the Lab for an activity was just that - he went for the activity and then wanted to leave. It just wasn't for him. Our son HATES the Lab almost as much as he LOVES the Club. He is 6 years old, and a gentle child. He is NOT a vidiot, dislikes video games and isn't much for sitting in front of screens for any period of time. Plus the rowdy, and oftentimes poorly-behaved bigger kids tend to run roughshod over the smaller ones. We watched it in action several times at the Lab.
He prefers to PLAY and immerse himself in the reality that DCL makes of the fantasy. The Club is the perfect place for this. The soothing lighting, layout of Captain Hook's Ship's play area, the back room with the crafts, books & dress-up stuff is just awesome for him. When we took him to the Club, he'd be happy to play and stay for quite a while. Often times, when his Dad or I were missing our little man, we'd go to get him from the Club & he'd say that he didn't want to leave because he was having fun, and wanted us to join him. So we asked if it was OK and then did!!
Most of the time, he just wanted us as his audience while he played on the climbing area & slide - and several times we read one of the many books that they have in the back library for him, since he wasn't yet an independent reader at that time.
The YAC team were always there, but oftentimes were too busy to be able to give the level of individual attention, such as sitting and actually reading a whole story aloud would take. So any time we were in there there were kids, obviously STARVING for some kind of adult attention and interaction, who would flock to us! (And as a former Elementary school teacher & sometime actress, I read an AWESOME story - voices and all!!!) We most certainly did not in any way wish to interact with anyone else's kids but our own son... but were not going to tell ANY kid that they were not welcome to sit & hear a story!!!

So my point of this is;
1.) I am sorry that DCL is making the choice for your child of what place he/she needs to go when parents want to have "grown-up" time. It is not always about the "someone to watch them" but often times more about the WHERE.

2.) Although we did spend a bit of time in the Club with our child & apparently this can absolutely be done during the "Open House" time there now, some of us LIKE to actually spend time WITH our kids doing the things that THEY like to do! Not all of us are looking to dump our kids off with the YAC team and go away!! (Even though that definitely has its appeal!!)

3.) Some kids feel more confident & comfortable when Mom &/or Dad can help them "settle in" or come join them for fun. The point of a DCL FAMILY vacation is for everyone to have a good time! Nobody should be excluded from that! And if a Mommy or Daddy spending some time with kiddo makes their trip more fun, so be it!!

4.) Some people REALLY need to spend more TIME listening & playing with their own children. I realize that life is busy & it is not an easy thing, but it is so sad to me how many children, ignored by their own parents (who usually are physically RIGHT THERE) latch on to being with our family because we, his parents, obviously LOVE playing WITH our son. Not just on DCL, but this happens almost everywhere we go.

So that's my $0.02!!

You seem to make a lot of assumptions about how others are raising their children. I see similar parents hogging space meant for kids on the playground equipment at our local park too. Always trying to make fun and overemphasizing play time.
I don't care how much you play with your kid but don't play with mine without my permission. What it really comes down to is YOU want to play in the clubs too and cant seem to understand that there are places that are for kids only. I want to use the always empty teen pool on the Dream. We are adults so we can't and that is the way it should be.

Wadekind, I completely agree with your entire response to girl_barrie. Particularly the part about being a "pied piper" - my daughter is one of those that enjoys attention from adults, even if her own parents are right there showering her with attention. On Castaway Cay, she was playing with another little girl and all four us parents were right there - not on the phone, not reading, talking with each other and the girls. My daughter enjoyed playing with the other girls' parents just as much as she enjoyed playing with the girl.

I was watching my daughter to down the Mickey slide, and this other little girl would look at me and smile real big every time she came down. I discovered her dad was standing a little bit away from me watching her too, but she decided to "latch on" to me and smile at me and I would smile back. I didn't think for one second that it meant she was starving for attention.

The clubs have always been open on the first day until 6:00pm in order to give children and parents plenty of time to look around and become comfortable.

Anyway, on to my actual experience with the new open house hours from 1/26-1/29 on the Dream:

Thursday
Club: 12:00pm - 6:00pm (same as always), 10:00pm - 11:00pm
Lab: 12:00pm - 6:00pm
Edge: 12:00pm - 6:00pm
Vibe: 12:00pm - 6:00pm

Friday (Nassau)
Club: 9:00am - 10:15am (Let's Build a Fort, Puzzle Playtime), 8:30pm - 9:30pm (Once Upon a Time)
Lab: 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Edge: 9:00am - 10:00am
Vibe: 10:00am - 11:00am

Saturday (Castaway Cay)
Scuttle's Cove: Family Whale Dig at Monstro's Point, secured program offered all day until 4:00pm
Club: No Open House (Club completely closed until 4:00pm)
Lab: 9:00am - 5:15pm, 11:00pm - Midnight
Edge: 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Vibe: No Open House

Overall, the Open House hours didn't affect us and we didn't use them at all. We found plenty of things to do as a family.

Friday we brought DD to the Club right before 10:30am (Open House was supposed to end at 10:15), and there were still families in the Club, still checking in secured programming only at the Lab.

I was surprised to see Open House hours for Edge and Vibe.

I was allowed (and not only allowed, but told) to enter the Club to retrieve my child, and given a "Pick-Up" card on a necklace. I expected to have her brought out to me, and I did not linger inside the Club when getting her, and I did not notice any other parents lingering inside either. One day at the Club I saw a parent talking to her child right by the gate (the child was inside), and she asked if she could enter the Club to finish the conversation, and the counselor said no, the child could check out and check in when they were finished, or she was welcome to stand there and talk over the gate. No parents were allowed past the gate in the nursery, but I believe it was the same last year. One mother really wanted to enter the nursery with her child and "get her settled" but she was told no.

I have no idea if the Family Whale Dig is new or has always been offered, as last time we just played on the beach, and this is the first time we have used Scuttle's Cove secure program. I did hear a family complaining loudly that they could not go in Scuttle's Cove together, so you definitely cannot please everyone. I'm not sure what makes the sand in Scuttle's different from the sand on the family beach.

 

[Niebz]

I can attest that the family whale dig was always available, or at least it was on our cruise in January 2010.

 

[Conservative Hippie]

I can attest that the family whale dig was always available, or at least it was on our cruise in January 2010.

I just got out my Navigators from May 2011 and there was Family Whale Dig then, too.

 

[justhat]

Just to be clear---IF Disney is going to continue having long, frequent open houses then there is absolutely no reason a non-Disney employee/adult should be in the child designated areas.

I agree.

HA! Are you kidding me?! The rest of the world is not Disney & kids absolutely eat peanut butter at the lunch table. My daughter can't sit there---she has to sit at the peanut-free table. An alternative, but not the same because she has unique needs that require it. She sometimes feels very embarrassed, sad, lonely about not being able to sit with her peers but she also accepts that safety is the priority and loves when friends can sit with her. Pardon my expression but this is NOT a pi**ing contest between disabilities, so I don't understand the comparison between a mandatory, law required public school & a luxury, chosen cruise.

Our school is entirely nut-free in K and under. Old school was entirely nut-free through 6th grade.

There are restaurants (Texas Roadhouse, 5 Guys Burger and Fries) and many bakeries my daughter cannot go in---when peanuts are roasting or baking, protein is released in the air. She reacts to airborne particles (as well as contact & ingestion). This is different than someone else eating a peanut butter sandwich in the same room---proteins are not released without the heating process.

The DCL representative did not discuss my daughter's medical history with me, so she said that without knowing the sensitivity of my daughter's allergy. It seemed like a fact sheet she was referring to when i called asking about peanut/nut allergies &DIsney cruises. Sometimes the call center reps don't have the most accurate information. My daughter doesn't care about baking cookies on the cruise, so it isn't a big deal. I will try to get more info when we are directly on the ship.

They don't bake the cookies in the lab. They mix the ingredients then take them away to bake them. The ovens aren't right there.

Its taken quite a while, and I have finally read all of this thread. The people who have just recently cruised, thank you so much for your post-change trip reports!!
I understand people's concern regarding adults in the "secure" club with kids, but please allow me to convey just one of the many experiences that we had in the Kids' Club/Lab on our previous 2 DCL cruises on the Wonder...

The couple of times that we brought our son to the Lab for an activity was just that - he went for the activity and then wanted to leave. It just wasn't for him. Our son HATES the Lab almost as much as he LOVES the Club. He is 6 years old, and a gentle child. He is NOT a vidiot, dislikes video games and isn't much for sitting in front of screens for any period of time. Plus the rowdy, and oftentimes poorly-behaved bigger kids tend to run roughshod over the smaller ones. We watched it in action several times at the Lab.

None of my kids play video games at all, ever. But they love the lab as much as the club. There is so much more to the lab than video games. My kids are 5 and 7 and neither has ever had trouble with bigger kids overrunning them in the lab. Not to say that it can't/doesn't happen, but it certainly isn't the norm,

He prefers to PLAY and immerse himself in the reality that DCL makes of the fantasy. The Club is the perfect place for this. The soothing lighting, layout of Captain Hook's Ship's play area, the back room with the crafts, books & dress-up stuff is just awesome for him. When we took him to the Club, he'd be happy to play and stay for quite a while. Often times, when his Dad or I were missing our little man, we'd go to get him from the Club & he'd say that he didn't want to leave because he was having fun, and wanted us to join him. So we asked if it was OK and then did!!
Most of the time, he just wanted us as his audience while he played on the climbing area & slide - and several times we read one of the many books that they have in the back library for him, since he wasn't yet an independent reader at that time.
The YAC team were always there, but oftentimes were too busy to be able to give the level of individual attention, such as sitting and actually reading a whole story aloud would take. So any time we were in there there were kids, obviously STARVING for some kind of adult attention and interaction, who would flock to us! (And as a former Elementary school teacher & sometime actress, I read an AWESOME story - voices and all!!!) We most certainly did not in any way wish to interact with anyone else's kids but our own son... but were not going to tell ANY kid that they were not welcome to sit & hear a story!!!

So my point of this is;
1.) I am sorry that DCL is making the choice for your child of what place he/she needs to go when parents want to have "grown-up" time. It is not always about the "someone to watch them" but often times more about the WHERE.

2.) Although we did spend a bit of time in the Club with our child & apparently this can absolutely be done during the "Open House" time there now, some of us LIKE to actually spend time WITH our kids doing the things that THEY like to do! Not all of us are looking to dump our kids off with the YAC team and go away!! (Even though that definitely has its appeal!!)

I think most people like spending time with their kids or they wouldn't take them on vacation at all. Though I will add, you have 1 kid. When I had 1 kid, I didn't mind spending 24/7 with her. Now I have 3 kids. 3 is a lot. Someone constantly needs something, not just wants, but needs. Plus they fight. Sure, they get along super well sometimes, but fight super well others. It is emotionally draining at times, never mind physically with driving 3 kids to 3 different activities 7 days a week. We don't have sitters at home cause my husband's a physician so schedule is very unpredictable, plus the expense for a sitter to watch 3 kids is cost-prohibitive. Simply paying a sitter to watch my girls while I coach my son's soccer team is $15/hour. So on a DCL trip, it isn't that I want to dump my kids off at the clubs and run away, but I would periodically like a break from caring for the tribe.

3.) Some kids feel more confident & comfortable when Mom &/or Dad can help them "settle in" or come join them for fun. The point of a DCL FAMILY vacation is for everyone to have a good time! Nobody should be excluded from that! And if a Mommy or Daddy spending some time with kiddo makes their trip more fun, so be it!!

Then use the first day when the club is open to all to do that, or utilize the open houses. But I certainly don't take the "so be it!" attitude when it involves adults I don't know being allowed free reign to my kids.

4.) Some people REALLY need to spend more TIME listening & playing with their own children. I realize that life is busy & it is not an easy thing, but it is so sad to me how many children, ignored by their own parents (who usually are physically RIGHT THERE) latch on to being with our family because we, his parents, obviously LOVE playing WITH our son. Not just on DCL, but this happens almost everywhere we go.

Yes, some kids are ignored by their parents, but the majority of parents who pay DCL's prices do so FOR their kids. They certainly aren't inattentive parents for the most part. My husband and I much prefer Celebrity cruise line, but choose DCL over and over because of the kids offerings. We choose excursions that the entire family can go on even though they may not be the ones we would most like to do. But to be "on" all the time is very difficult, particularly with more than one child.

So that's my $0.02!!

Nope! Not at all intended to sound preachy. Our son is absolutely allowed to play video games - we have a Wii, Playstation 1 & 2 & my hubby has ALL (and I mean ALL) of his game systems & games going back to his 8 bit when he was a kid. He just isn't inclined to park himself in front of a screen as many kids enjoy doing. My kid loves and get to enjoy his independence too. He doesn't NEED us there, but we enjoy each other's company & like to play together. My point (that I think you missed) is that when we are with our son, we have no intention of interacting with anyone else's child(ren), but we will NEVER tell another child that they cannot join us. That would just be mean. And it doesn't only happen in the "Kids'" area of the ship - but everywhere! Oftentimes the kids' parents are RIGHT THERE - on their phone/computer, reading, talking, whatever - but NOT playing with (or even paying any attention to) their own kid(s) like we do with ours. We don't intend to be "Pied Pipers", but it is amazing how many attention-starved children latch onto us! THAT is the thing that parents need to be cautious and aware of, because predators quickly see & feed on that need in the child.
And yes, the Kid's spaces on the ship are designed for kids - but why should our son be made to leave the environment that HE is enjoying just because he wishes to play with his parents?? On the ship, there is NO OTHER place that has a dry slide, a dress-up area, or a library with kids' books - so there really aren't "plenty of other places" for him to enjoy those things.

Then don't take him out? Leave him there longer if he is enjoying the club. Just don't hang out in there with him. The dynamic changes when parents are introduced. Say your son wants to play dress up with a Peter Pan costume and so does mine. Rather than work it out on their own, or a CM intervening with a fair plan, my kid will most likely end up seeing you and feeling scared that he won't be permitted to use the costume and just be sad and miss out. That wouldn't happen if you weren't there as the kids would either figure it out or a CM would intervene and help.

This is the part where it starts to get preachy for me. Attention starved?? Because mom isn't spending every second playing with them? I don't think so.

I agree. Attention-starved on a Disney cruise would be a stretch for most people.

Wholly COW!!! Talk about preachy!!!
We are WELL aware of all of the activities available onboard and do avail ourselves of them MUCH more than we do the kids' facilities. We do bring quite a large selection of books to read each night before bed "in the stateroom". Nobody said that anyone "took over" the library. I read a book to my child that he asked me to read to him and other kids listened along. This book was in the library for the kids and he couldn't read it yet, asked a YAC to read it who didn't have the time, but he still wanted to hear the story. Sure we could have borrowed that book, I am sure, but why have to rush right out instead of read it & leave the book there?? And it was WITH the YAC's permission & encouragement.
I never said that a slide was "a required part of family time", but our kid asked us to watch him play for a bit before we took him out. Again, this was WITH the YAC's permission & encouragement.
And as far as I have read about the post-changes situation, this would still be the case. We are ONLY there for our own child & don't care one bit to interact with yours.
And for your snarkiest bit...
"Attention starved?? Because mom isn't spending every second playing with them?"
NO - Attention-starved because they are!!! Because they are SOOO happy to have an ADULT actually pay attention to them and play with them that they will latch on to a complete stranger simply because they are nice to them and having fun with another child!!! THAT is what I am talking about. THAT neediness is what can get kids in trouble regardless of where they are. And I am NOT speaking about children who know how to interact socially, but those who slip away from their own parents practically unnoticed and spend inordinate amounts of time without their parents even checking on them. It happens much too often. Our child (or ANY child who is validated, listened to & accustomed to having FUN with his/her family) wouldn't ever do that.

You are totally, completely, 100% kidding yourself here. ANY child is susceptible to a stranger, any child. The type of child your are describing who is "more susceptible" than others is not the child on the Disney cruise by the child with absent/addict parents who literally have no role or interest in their lives. Not a child who is momentarily not being entertained by his/her parents. Any parent who has more than one child will tell you it simply isn't possible to be entertaining all of them at once. I have 3, so at dinner on DCL we have 2 kids asking us to play the games on the menu with them and a 2yo who is throwing crayons, yelling for bread, spilling her drink, etc. So either my husband or I has to deal with the 2yo's needs, so one of the other 2 can't play tic tac toe with that parent. Does it mean we're ignoring one? No, but we can't be everywhere at all times.

 

[justhat]

Wadekind, I completely agree with your entire response to girl_barrie. Particularly the part about being a "pied piper" - my daughter is one of those that enjoys attention from adults, even if her own parents are right there showering her with attention. On Castaway Cay, she was playing with another little girl and all four us parents were right there - not on the phone, not reading, talking with each other and the girls. My daughter enjoyed playing with the other girls' parents just as much as she enjoyed playing with the girl.

All people, kids and adults alike, enjoy entertainment. My mom always draws a crowd of kids around her when she is playing with mine cause she's colorful and entertaining. She does silly things that get all kids interested and laughing and makes a big spectacle. Doesn't matter what the kid was doing, they usually stop to come interact with her. Even my own kids, if she's talking with 1 or 2 of them, and another is doing an activity with me, they typically leave me to join in with her.

I was watching my daughter to down the Mickey slide, and this other little girl would look at me and smile real big every time she came down. I discovered her dad was standing a little bit away from me watching her too, but she decided to "latch on" to me and smile at me and I would smile back. I didn't think for one second that it meant she was starving for attention.

The clubs have always been open on the first day until 6:00pm in order to give children and parents plenty of time to look around and become comfortable.

Anyway, on to my actual experience with the new open house hours from 1/26-1/29 on the Dream:

Thursday
Club: 12:00pm - 6:00pm (same as always), 10:00pm - 11:00pm
Lab: 12:00pm - 6:00pm
Edge: 12:00pm - 6:00pm
Vibe: 12:00pm - 6:00pm

Friday (Nassau)
Club: 9:00am - 10:15am (Let's Build a Fort, Puzzle Playtime), 8:30pm - 9:30pm (Once Upon a Time)
Lab: 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Edge: 9:00am - 10:00am
Vibe: 10:00am - 11:00am

Saturday (Castaway Cay)
Scuttle's Cove: Family Whale Dig at Monstro's Point, secured program offered all day until 4:00pm
Club: No Open House (Club completely closed until 4:00pm)
Lab: 9:00am - 5:15pm, 11:00pm - Midnight
Edge: 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Vibe: No Open House

Overall, the Open House hours didn't affect us and we didn't use them at all. We found plenty of things to do as a family.

Friday we brought DD to the Club right before 10:30am (Open House was supposed to end at 10:15), and there were still families in the Club, still checking in secured programming only at the Lab.

I was surprised to see Open House hours for Edge and Vibe.

I was allowed (and not only allowed, but told) to enter the Club to retrieve my child, and given a "Pick-Up" card on a necklace. I expected to have her brought out to me, and I did not linger inside the Club when getting her, and I did not notice any other parents lingering inside either. One day at the Club I saw a parent talking to her child right by the gate (the child was inside), and she asked if she could enter the Club to finish the conversation, and the counselor said no, the child could check out and check in when they were finished, or she was welcome to stand there and talk over the gate. No parents were allowed past the gate in the nursery, but I believe it was the same last year. One mother really wanted to enter the nursery with her child and "get her settled" but she was told no.

I have no idea if the Family Whale Dig is new or has always been offered, as last time we just played on the beach, and this is the first time we have used Scuttle's Cove secure program. I did hear a family complaining loudly that they could not go in Scuttle's Cove together, so you definitely cannot please everyone. I'm not sure what makes the sand in Scuttle's different from the sand on the family beach.

Regarding Scuttle's Cove, I think the reason parents want to get in there is cause there are other activities that people don't otherwise have access too. Like I've been in there with my kids for the family whale dig, then it "officially" ended, but we just stayed and they kept digging, then my son started playing with bubble wands, etc. I didn't have any bubble wands with me so it was either there or not at all. And I could have checked him in, but didn't plan on him staying very long so it didn't seem worth it at the time. I would check them in without hesitation though, and have several times when there was an activity they wanted to do.

 

[Conservative Hippie]

I agree. Attention-starved on a Disney cruise would be a stretch for most people.

Plus, as I've said before, I'm a SAHM of two. I actually spend time with my children 24/7. It's as much of a treat for DD to play independently and be around other adults as it is for me to get some quiet time. Not to mention one child having the full attention of both parents while the other is in secure programming.

 

[justhat]

Plus, as I've said before, I'm a SAHM of two. I actually spend time with my children 24/7. It's as much of a treat for DD to play independently and be around other adults as it is for me to get some quiet time. Not to mention one child having the full attention of both parents while the other is in secure programming.

Very true. My older ones love to see a movie while the little one is in the nursery. And likewise with her, she gets a lot of attention when her siblings are in the club.

And honestly, even if we went into the club with all 3 of them, there is no way we could cater to all needs at once. My oldest might want to bake cookies in the lab, while my son wants to build with Legos, and my youngest wants to color. So even if we spend time with them, playing with them in the club, we can't be in 3 places at once.

 

[princessmom29]

Wholly COW!!! Talk about preachy!!!
We are WELL aware of all of the activities available onboard and do avail ourselves of them MUCH more than we do the kids' facilities. We do bring quite a large selection of books to read each night before bed "in the stateroom". Nobody said that anyone "took over" the library. I read a book to my child that he asked me to read to him and other kids listened along. This book was in the library for the kids and he couldn't read it yet, asked a YAC to read it who didn't have the time, but he still wanted to hear the story. Sure we could have borrowed that book, I am sure, but why have to rush right out instead of read it & leave the book there?? And it was WITH the YAC's permission & encouragement.Because the kids club is not designed as a family reading nook
I never said that a slide was "a required part of family time", but our kid asked us to watch him play for a bit before we took him out. Again, this was WITH the YAC's permission & encouragement.I don't see hey in the would you would need to do this, but to each his own I guess. It is situations like this where parents insist on lingering in what is supposed to be a secure area that led to the need for open house in the first place.
And as far as I have read about the post-changes situation, this would still be the case. We are ONLY there for our own child & don't care one bit to interact with yours.
And for your snarkiest bit...
"Attention starved?? Because mom isn't spending every second playing with them?"
NO - Attention-starved because they are!!! Because they are SOOO happy to have an ADULT actually pay attention to them and play with them that they will latch on to a complete stranger simply because they are nice to them and having fun with another child!!! THAT is what I am talking about. THAT neediness is what can get kids in trouble regardless of where they are. And I am NOT speaking about children who know how to interact socially, but those who slip away from their own parents practically unnoticed and spend inordinate amounts of time without their parents even checking on them. It happens much too often. Our child (or ANY child who is validated, listened to & accustomed to having FUN with his/her family) wouldn't ever do that.
And since it seems like all you wish to do is pick apart my post and try to start a fight, I don't wish to take the bait anymore. Have a lovely cruise.

As others have said, you are completely fooling yourself. You are not the sole savior of all the poor attention starved kids out there. Kids like attention from adults other than thier parents, wether their parents give them adequate attention or not. I am not trying to start a fight, but trying to point out that yourerception of the situation is likely more than a little off.

 

[eacdabney]

Whew! I finally made it through to the end of this thread!

Can anyone tell me if the "Open House/Family Time" affects the nursery? I'm assuming it's the Club/Lab but wasn't sure if they had it in the nursery too? I hope not!

 

[Conservative Hippie]

Whew! I finally made it through to the end of this thread!

Can anyone tell me if the "Open House/Family Time" affects the nursery? I'm assuming it's the Club/Lab but wasn't sure if they had it in the nursery too? I hope not!

No, there was no Open House in the nursery other than the usual noon - 6:00 pm on the first day. I saw one mother told she could not go past the gate at all to drop off her child.

 

[justhat]

No, there was no Open House in the nursery other than the usual noon - 6:00 pm on the first day. I saw one mother told she could not go past the gate at all to drop off her child.

We haven't been allowed past the gate in a long time (in the nursery that is). in July 2010, our 5 month old was sleeping when we carried her down and they let us carry her to a crib and set up her sound machine, but not the case in 2011 at all. Both in June and October our daughter was sleeping when we came to get her and they wouldn't let us get her out of the crib. They took her out, then handed her over, and she woke up both times. Mildly annoying as she likely would have stayed asleep otherwise, but what can you do.

 

[eacdabney]

No, there was no Open House in the nursery other than the usual noon - 6:00 pm on the first day. I saw one mother told she could not go past the gate at all to drop off her child.

We haven't been allowed past the gate in a long time (in the nursery that is). in July 2010, our 5 month old was sleeping when we carried her down and they let us carry her to a crib and set up her sound machine, but not the case in 2011 at all. Both in June and October our daughter was sleeping when we came to get her and they wouldn't let us get her out of the crib. They took her out, then handed her over, and she woke up both times. Mildly annoying as she likely would have stayed asleep otherwise, but what can you do.

Thank goodness! My DS will be two at the time and I was worried that might have open house too. Which kind of defeats the purpose of the paid service.

I will be interested to see how the Open House/Family Time pans out. We sail on the Fantasy in December and my DD will be 7 at the time. We've never been on a Disney cruise (much less any cruise) so we don't really know what to expect. But it sounds like my daughter is in a perfect age range to either like the Club or the Lab no matter which is in Open House....hopefully!

 

[girl_barrie]

As others have said, you are completely fooling yourself. You are not the sole savior of all the poor attention starved kids out there. Kids like attention from adults other than thier parents, wether their parents give them adequate attention or not. I am not trying to start a fight, but trying to point out that yourerception of the situation is likely more than a little off.

Again you completely missed my point!!!
We have NO DESIRE to be ANYONE'S savior!! We want to enjoy our ONLY own kid and playing with him - regardless of location!!! We have NO DESIRE to have the responsibility of ANY OTHER kids but OUR OWN!!!
YES!! Kids like attention. And as I stated clearly for all of the defensive, "MY kid is social and likes to play with others even if they are adults. Does that make ME a "negligent parent"???"people, NO!!!! I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT YOUR KIDS!!!!!! As I CLEARLY stated, I AM NOT talking about kids who normally know how to interact socially!!!
A specific example of what I AM speaking about (that actually happened on one of our DCL cruises) was when we went to a pool shore excursion... We were playing and having fun with our kid in the vast pools & a girl about our son's age joined in the fun. At first THAT was no biggie. She was a sweet little girl. But as the day wore on (and we were there for the entire day), she NEVER ONCE had an adult come check on her NOR see if we WANTED her company!! SHE WAS 5 YEARS OLD!!!! We ordered smoothies & lunch for our family and she asked US if she could have some too. Not wanting to potentially give the kid something she may be allergic to, and frankly, a bit tired of her company after several HOURS, I asked her WHO & where her adult(s) were?? She pointed to two ladies at the uppermost pool, her Mom & Auntie lounging, sucking down margaritas & reading magazines. I went up & introduced myself to them and told them that we had been taking care of their child, who was now thirsty & hungry. The laughing, slurred response was(and I quote)"As long as she doesn't bug US, she can do whatever she wants!" Hubby & I were appalled, didn't want to continue having this kid hang with us, but felt so badly about how she was just dying for ANY attention that we weren't going to tell her to go away & had her join us for lunch & pretty much the rest of the day until we got back to the ship.
THAT is what I mean as attention-starved!! And unfortunately, this was NOT a completely unique experience to us.
If you as a parent, & YOUR KID is NOT like THAT, I AM NOT talking about YOU!! Get it???

Also for the poster who said, "Well YOU only have ONE kid." Yup, we only have one by choice!
I taught school for seven years and had 20-40 all day long! I KNOW how difficult it can be to have more than one kid - honestly I do. And if you are NOT the kind of parent that foists your kids off on strangers, I am NOT talking about YOU!!!!

 

[Conservative Hippie]

Again you completely missed my point!!!
We have NO DESIRE to be ANYONE'S savior!! We want to enjoy our ONLY own kid and playing with him - regardless of location!!! We have NO DESIRE to have the responsibility of ANY OTHER kids but OUR OWN!!!
YES!! Kids like attention. And as I stated clearly for all of the defensive, "MY kid is social and likes to play with others even if they are adults. Does that make ME a "negligent parent"???"people, NO!!!! I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT YOUR KIDS!!!!!! As I CLEARLY stated, I AM NOT talking about kids who know how to interact socially!!! SHEESH!!!
A specific example of what I AM speaking about (that actually happened on one of our DCL cruises) was when we went to a pool shore excursion... We were playing and having fun with our kid in the vast pools & a girl about our son's age joined in the fun. At first THAT was no biggie. She was a sweet little girl. But as the day wore on (and we were there for the entire day), she NEVER ONCE had an adult come check on her NOR see if we WANTED her company!! SHE WAS 5 YEARS OLD!!!! We ordered smoothies & lunch for our family and she asked US if she could have some too. Not wanting to potentially give the kid something she may be allergic to, and frankly, a bit tired of her company after several HOURS, I asked her WHO & where her adult(s) were?? She pointed to two ladies at the uppermost pool, her Mom & Auntie lounging, sucking down margaritas & reading magazines. I went up & introduced myself to them and told them that we had been taking care of their child, who was now thirsty & hungry. The laughing, slurred response was(and I quote)"As long as she doesn't bug US, she can do whatever she wants!" Hubby & I were appalled, didn't want to continue having this kid hang with us, but felt so badly about how she was just dying for ANY attention that we weren't going to tell her to go away & had her join us for lunch & pretty much the rest of the day until we got back to the ship.
THAT is what I mean as attention-starved!!
If YOUR KID is NOT like THAT, I AM NOT talking about YOU!!
Get it???

Then perhaps you should have stated that on one occasion you ended up caring for another child because the girl's mother was neglecting her, instead of stating,

My point (that I think you missed) is that when we are with our son, we have no intention of interacting with anyone else's child(ren), but we will NEVER tell another child that they cannot join us. That would just be mean. And it doesn't only happen in the "Kids'" area of the ship - but everywhere! Oftentimes the kids' parents are RIGHT THERE - on their phone/computer, reading, talking, whatever - but NOT playing with (or even paying any attention to) their own kid(s) like we do with ours. We don't intend to be "Pied Pipers", but it is amazing how many attention-starved children latch onto us!

Which does, in fact, make it sound like you see yourself as the savior of attention-starved children.

Edited to add a reply to your last added statement: Ok, so you only have one child by choice. Some of us have more than one child by choice. Not sure why you think your choice to have one child makes you any different from anyone else. Being a teacher is not the same as having your own children.

 

[princessmom29]

Again you completely missed my point!!!
We have NO DESIRE to be ANYONE'S savior!! We want to enjoy our ONLY own kid and playing with him - regardless of location!!! We have NO DESIRE to have the responsibility of ANY OTHER kids but OUR OWN!!!
YES!! Kids like attention. And as I stated clearly for all of the defensive, "MY kid is social and likes to play with others even if they are adults. Does that make ME a "negligent parent"???"people, NO!!!! I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT YOUR KIDS!!!!!! As I CLEARLY stated, I AM NOT talking about kids who know how to interact socially!!! SHEESH!!!
A specific example of what I AM speaking about (that actually happened on one of our DCL cruises) was when we went to a pool shore excursion... We were playing and having fun with our kid in the vast pools & a girl about our son's age joined in the fun. At first THAT was no biggie. She was a sweet little girl. But as the day wore on (and we were there for the entire day), she NEVER ONCE had an adult come check on her NOR see if we WANTED her company!! SHE WAS 5 YEARS OLD!!!! We ordered smoothies & lunch for our family and she asked US if she could have some too. Not wanting to potentially give the kid something she may be allergic to, and frankly, a bit tired of her company after several HOURS, I asked her WHO & where her adult(s) were?? She pointed to two ladies at the uppermost pool, her Mom & Auntie lounging, sucking down margaritas & reading magazines. I went up & introduced myself to them and told them that we had been taking care of their child, who was now thirsty & hungry. The laughing, slurred response was(and I quote)"As long as she doesn't bug US, she can do whatever she wants!" Hubby & I were appalled, didn't want to continue having this kid hang with us, but felt so badly about how she was just dying for ANY attention that we weren't going to tell her to go away & had her join us for lunch & pretty much the rest of the day until we got back to the ship.
THAT is what I mean as attention-starved!!
If YOUR KID is NOT like THAT, I AM NOT talking about YOU!!
Get it???

This is ONE extreme example. YOu cannot use it as a basis for generalizations about other people's children, and you did upthread. It certianly read likle you meant far more children than one extreme example. when you said:
" So any time we were in there there were kids, obviously STARVING for some kind of adult attention and interaction, who would flock to us!"

and:
"Some people REALLY need to spend more TIME listening & playing with their own children. I realize that life is busy & it is not an easy thing, but it is so sad to me how many children, ignored by their own parents (who usually are physically RIGHT THERE) latch on to being with our family because we, his parents, obviously LOVE playing WITH our son. Not just on DCL, but this happens almost everywhere we go."

and:
"And it doesn't only happen in the "Kids'" area of the ship - but everywhere! Oftentimes the kids' parents are RIGHT THERE - on their phone/computer, reading, talking, whatever - but NOT playing with (or even paying any attention to) their own kid(s) like we do with ours. We don't intend to be "Pied Pipers", but it is amazing how many attention-starved children latch onto us! THAT is the thing that parents need to be cautious and aware of, because predators quickly see & feed on that need in the child."

It seems to me like you are talking about something much more common than your extreme example, and not toalking about parents who just don'ttake care of thier kids at all. SO which one is it? Is it a large number of parents everywhere you go, or one extreme example?? Your above qutoes read like you encounter people often who don't parent like you choose to and feel they are disinterested uninvolved parents who are not adequately parenting thier children. I would say those same parents are giving their kids an appropiate level of independence by not needing to be right there entertainig them every second.