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

[teach819]

I'm so confused now

We don't cruise until mid-April so I'm hoping that those who travel on the Dream before then can provide more insight into how all of this will work for my 3-year-old.

 

[Mcky36]

Yes!! That's what I have been wanting to say. If you want to be with your kids, there are oodles of ways to enjoy the ship together, not in the clubs! I love the idea of an open house for an hour or two on each day for special circumstances- special needs child, not potty trained yet, not quite ready to leave mom and dad, time to take photos, but that should be ample. In my opinion, you could even set those two hours a day as a constant, say 1-3 (just an example) and parents could plan accordingly. The clubs were designed as a kids away from parents space, not an additional play space for families on the ship.

Exactly!! I just sent an email to DCL saying almost the exact same thing. I can recognize that there are reasons to have "open house" but it should be limited. From recent Navigators, it looks like one club or the other is in Open House mode for entire mornings or afternoons.

 

[kimmypie1]

I also sent an email to DCL. Maybe if enough of us voice our concerns they may change something.

The squeaky wheel and all...

 

[princessmom29]

If they are going by a schedule like the one posted her when we cruise on the Dream in Feb. I am gonig to be IRATE!!! We had planned to do a couple of things as a couple during the day as this cruise is our 10th anniv. Celebration. It looks like we will not be able to do that on most days as there are large blocks of time in the afternoon wher both the club and the labe are usecured!!! No doubt, this is as much about cutting costs as it is about increasing security. They will need fewer staff during the timesthere is no secure programming. I just sent an email to DCL expressing my disappointment in this policy.

 

[TheLanes]

If they are going by a schedule like the one posted her when we cruise on the Dream in Feb. I am gonig to be IRATE!!! We had planned to do a couple of things as a couple during the day as this cruise is our 10th anniv. Celebration. It looks like we will not be able to do that on most days as there are large blocks of time in the afternoon wher both the club and the labe are usecured!!! No doubt, this is as much about cutting costs as it is about increasing security. They will need fewer staff during the timesthere is no secure programming. I just sent an email to DCL expressing my disappointment in this policy.

I think Disney screwed up the schedule a bit. I think the idea is that there will always be secured programming in either the Club or the Lab during normal hours, and sometimes an Open House in one of the others. For the first couple days it looks like that, then it gets weird looking.

 

[jetskigrl]

One or the other will always be available for Secure check-in after the first day (the first day has always held open houses for both clubs before regular programming started).

My concern is more towards the number of kids in the secure area while the non-secure area is hosting open house. Especially on the original ships. The areas are not big enough (imo) to hold both age groups during prime usage times.

The only time my DS will have to be in the Lab is when we are at Palo Brunch, and if the schedule remains the same as the example that was posted in this thread, he will be fine since there are no open houses going on at that time.

But there are other times when I'm sure he would like to play in the Lab but with the increased number of kids in there due to the Club having an open house, he probably won't like it as much. I also don't think he will want to be in the Club area (he went in there for a few minutes on our last cruise on the Wonder and immediately asked to go back to the Lab).

So I guess I will be watching the boards closely to see how this all plays out. I agree that the times listed for the Open Houses are too much.

 

[joyceyw]

The simple answer is that no one here knows. There has been a lot of speculation about a prior incident in which a "special needs" adult who was for some reason allowed in the teen club began harassing a 15 year old in and out of the club.

There was clearly a decision made by legal that adults should not be allowed access to the unsupervised minor children of others. Whether it was related to this incident, another incident that no one here knows about, or just general principle, we don't know.

That makes sense that adults can't visit children they are not related/responsible for. Thank you for clarifying that.

I was reading it to mean NO ONE (including parents) could visit during secured sessions

 

[princessmom29]

That makes sense that adults can't visit children they are not related/responsible for. Thank you for clarifying that.

I was reading it to mean NO ONE (including parents) could visit during secured sessions

As far as I understand it,that is the policy. Outside of "checking in" for a second, you CANNOT stay for secured programming. Not all of the kids ther are the ones you are related to/ responsible for and THIER parents might have a problem with an unrelated adult being there.

 

[fatfish]

Maybe if they could set aside a little area with soft cushions and someone reading stories or a preschool friendly video with someone nearby to help them feel secure it would be easier for preschoolers to use the space when the Club is having open house.

They had bean bag chairs and videos playing in the Lab several times when the Club had Open House on our recent Dream cruise. They also had games with the counselors that seemed to work well with the mid-range kids. There is always coloring available.

We cruised Dec 18, shortly after the changes, and it seemed they were trying to work it out so all kids had something to do. Is a 3 year old going to be happy for long in the Lab, probably not. However, is a 3 year old really going to be happy in the Club without Mommy or Daddy for very long either? Not in my experience. Is a 5 year old going to be okay in the Lab? Probably for a couple of hours anyway.

Part of the problem is that, on the Dream at least, the Club has so many cool new features that older kids (10+) want to check it out too. Thus the many Open Houses so now the whole family can play in there together.

Disney is still working through this, and it will probably change several times before they finalize everything.

I realize many of you do not want to hear this, but if your 3 or 4 year old is going to be miserable in the Lab while you are at Palo, cancel Palo. Yes, it was lovely, but your cruise will still be great without it. As for the Spa, one parent can go to the spa while the other stays with the little ones. Just be flexible and don't stress over this stuff, and you will have a great time.

 

[princessmom29]

I realize many of you do not want to hear this, but if your 3 or 4 year old is going to be miserable in the Lab while you are at Palo, cancel Palo. Yes, it was lovely, but your cruise will still be great without it. As for the Spa, one parent can go to the spa while the other stays with the little ones. Just be flexible and don't stress over this stuff, and you will have a great time.

But it is a bait and switch. Most of us have been booked for a year, believing this to be a vacation where we can do things as a family, AND have some adult time while our kids have age appropiate activites. THAT is what we booked and paid for. Now, we are having to cancel things we had counted on doing, and really wont know until we set foot on the ship when that will be necessary. At the very least, Disney should be putting out the open house schedules at the time booking for dining and excursions starts so that parent have an idea of when they can leave thier kids where. It would have been different if we had known going in that there were times when the kids clubs would be unavailable or unsuitable for a particular age group. We are planning Palo as our 10th anniversary dinner, and yes I would be VERY upset if we were forced to cancel it. It IS a big deal to me.

 

[threewilmingtonwalls]

But that's kind of the point, isn't it? Why should anyone with a 3 or 4 year old have to cancel their plans because the Club has been commandeered for Open House? How would people who had to pay by the hour for care in the nursery like to be told that now 3 and 4 year olds are welcome during open house in the Club? Don't like it? Just cancel your reservations. Nice.

 

[threewilmingtonwalls]

But it is a bait and switch. Most of us have been booked for a year, believing this to be a vacation where we can do things as a family, AND have some adult time while our kids have age appropiate activites. THAT is what we booked and paid for. Now, we are having to cancel things we had counted on doing, and really wont know until we set foot on the ship when that will be necessary. At the very least, Disney should be putting out the open house schedules at the time booking for dining and excursions starts so that parent have an idea of when they can leave thier kids where. It would have been different if we had known going in that there were times when the kids clubs would be unavailable or unsuitable for a particular age group. We are planning Palo as our 10th anniversary dinner, and yes I would be VERY upset if we were forced to cancel it. It IS a big deal to me.

Exactly.

 

[bigAWL]

If they are going by a schedule like the one posted her when we cruise on the Dream in Feb. I am gonig to be IRATE!!! We had planned to do a couple of things as a couple during the day as this cruise is our 10th anniv. Celebration. It looks like we will not be able to do that on most days as there are large blocks of time in the afternoon wher both the club and the labe are usecured!!! No doubt, this is as much about cutting costs as it is about increasing security. They will need fewer staff during the timesthere is no secure programming. I just sent an email to DCL expressing my disappointment in this policy.

I was confused by the schedule as well. But I think... after staring at it for quite some time... that it finally made sense to me. The only time I see that the Lab and Club both have Open House time is on the first afternoon of the cruise. This is standard practise on every cruise, so no big deal there. I think if you look closely at each time frame that you will not find another hour of the day where both areas have open house.

 

[Yokelridesagain]

But it is a bait and switch. Most of us have been booked for a year, believing this to be a vacation where we can do things as a family, AND have some adult time while our kids have age appropiate activites. THAT is what we booked and paid for. Now, we are having to cancel things we had counted on doing, and really wont know until we set foot on the ship when that will be necessary. At the very least, Disney should be putting out the open house schedules at the time booking for dining and excursions starts so that parent have an idea of when they can leave thier kids where. It would have been different if we had known going in that there were times when the kids clubs would be unavailable or unsuitable for a particular age group. We are planning Palo as our 10th anniversary dinner, and yes I would be VERY upset if we were forced to cancel it. It IS a big deal to me.

Would it be a "bait and switch" if your kid had a meltdown and refused to stay in the lab/club and they called you to come get them? Unless you're travelling with someone else who agrees to provide personal care for your child, there's no guarantee that you can do things on your own when you want to. Never has been.

 

[TDC Nala]

But it is a bait and switch. Most of us have been booked for a year, believing this to be a vacation where we can do things as a family, AND have some adult time while our kids have age appropiate activites. THAT is what we booked and paid for.

It is not a bait and switch. They changed the policy based on an occurrence where they had problems with an adult harassing a teenager in the teen club space (possibly with other situations as well, but that one for sure woke them up as to the possible liability of allowing adults into spaces intended for minors who are unsupervised by their parents)

Bait and switch appears to allege fraud - they let you book knowing full well they were going to change the policy. If I were affected by this policy I would let DCL know via phone call or email that not knowing when or where you can drop your kids off at the clubs does not assist you in planning adult activities.

Disney does appear to be booking this so that there is always a space for parents to drop kids off (except for embarkation day when both clubs have open house), that will be secure with no outside adults permitted. The problems most posters seem to be having is 1) they are afraid there will be too many kids in this space and 2) they are afraid there will not be age-appropriate activities for the group that was meant to be in the space that is currently not secured.

Currently I think they're doing the best they can to split between the parents who want to go to the clubs with the kids and the parents who want to drop their kids off, but they could make it more clear to the parents how it's going to work. It was my impression that since the clubs were originally meant for parents to drop their kids off, that there would be few open houses, but apparently they are trying to accommodate parents who won't or can't allow their children to go to the clubs without them.

 

[Yokelridesagain]

As far as I understand it,that is the policy. Outside of "checking in" for a second, you CANNOT stay for secured programming. Not all of the kids ther are the ones you are related to/ responsible for and THIER parents might have a problem with an unrelated adult being there.

Yes, this is right. Adults cannot go in the club during secured programming.

This is not a situation where DCL can make everyone happy. I appreciate that they are trying to make some accomodation for those of us who want a place for children to play who aren't able to go to the secured programming for whatever reason (age, care needs, etc.)

For those who still have several months to go before cruising, I wouldn't worry too much about it. I'm sure they will adjust the programming based on supply and demand.

 

[Conservative Hippie]

A friend was just telling me how inconvenient it was on her recent Carnival cruise that there were very limited hours of childcare. I told her Disney was much better in that regard, but apparently not anymore. Some of you will think I'm an awful parent, but I am a SAHM, one of the biggest perks of a Disney cruise for me is being able to take a break and let someone else watch my children for a while - and know that my kids are having a fantastic time. There are plenty of activities to spend time with your children on the ship - play in the pool, play mini golf, go to a show, go to a movie, learn how to play shuffle board....why in the world should the kids' clubs have to be open so every Tom, Dick, and Mary can watch their kid play dress-up? What's next - open "unsecured" hours in the nursery so we can all sit on the floor and play peek-a-boo with our babies? Save your money and do it at home. Oh, and I would LOVE to know what Vibe is like, the advertising makes it seem so cool. Can we have open hours in there too? I'm sure my 4 year old would love it.

 

[princessmom29]

Would it be a "bait and switch" if your kid had a meltdown and refused to stay in the lab/club and they called you to come get them? Unless you're travelling with someone else who agrees to provide personal care for your child, there's no guarantee that you can do things on your own when you want to. Never has been.

that is hardly the same situation as Disney suddenly changing things a month before we sail so that there is no appropiate place to leave them. If your kid is prone to meltdowns you would certianly know that was the case when you booked. I have never once had to pick up my child from ANYWHERE do to a "meltdown" so no, I would not expect it on a cruise, but, as I am her parent I would deal with it. At 8 years old it shouldn't happen, but again if it did, it would be my responsibility. That is on ME, but Disney changing its offerings without notice is on THEM. It would be like showing up to drop your 3 year old off at daycare and being told that her room is closed, but she can join the 6-8 year old class for 4 hours. I don't see how that is OK???

 

[TheLanes]

A friend was just telling me how inconvenient it was on her recent Carnival cruise that there were very limited hours of childcare. I told her Disney was much better in that regard, but apparently not anymore. Some of you will think I'm an awful parent, but I am a SAHM, one of the biggest perks of a Disney cruise for me is being able to take a break and let someone else watch my children for a while - and know that my kids are having a fantastic time. There are plenty of activities to spend time with your children on the ship - play in the pool, play mini golf, go to a show, go to a movie, learn how to play shuffle board....why in the world should the kids' clubs have to be open so every Tom, Dick, and Mary can watch their kid play dress-up? What's next - open "unsecured" hours in the nursery so we can all sit on the floor and play peek-a-boo with our babies? Save your money and do it at home.

 

[kimmypie1]

that is hardly the same situation as Disney suddenly changing things a month before we sail so that there is no appropiate place to leave them. If your kid is prone to meltdowns you would certianly know that was the case when you booked. I have never once had to pick up my child from ANYWHERE do to a "meltdown" so no, I would not expect it on a cruise, but, as I am her parent I would deal with it. At 8 years old it shouldn't happen, but again if it did, it would be my responsibility. That is on ME, but Disney changing its offerings without notice is on THEM. It would be like showing up to drop your 3 year old off at daycare and being told that her room is closed, but she can join the 6-8 year old class for 4 hours. I don't see how that is OK???[/QUOTE]

Perfect example!!!