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

[TDC Nala]

Regarding your first point, when parents are in the club, kids are not left alone in the clubs. So kids will only be in contact with other random adults if they are with their own parents.

It seems a lot of guests who are calling are being told that they can check their kids into the club having open house and leave them. Which makes no sense as it's unsecured programming.

Unless the idea is for the parents to assume the risk (whatever risk there might be) of leaving their children in the unsecured area, while providing a secured area for parents who prefer not to assume that risk.

 

[averysmom]

If there is a need for more family activities, then Disney should be adding those activities, not taking away from the kid's activities. If parents want to do the scheduled programming, why couldn't they run them somewhere else? Like in one of the clubs or in even in the atrium? I've read in the thread that parents want to do do-si-do, ratatouille (sp?), flubber, etc., with their kids, experience these things WITH their children. If there really is so much demand, then by all means, Disney should offer these activities as family time, but not at the expense of the kid's programming. Why do they have to be held in the kid's clubs? There are lots of other places that they could hold these new, "Family" events. I'll be writing to Disney with my concerns, and my suggestions.

 

[jetskigrl]

I do see your point. You'd like to know in advance that you can't go at all. But I guess since the end result wouldn't change, I figured you meant more for the purpose of planning Palo a different day. But if you're fine with not going at all, and just want to know that in advance, why not just not book a Palo at all, then when you get on the ship, if they have availability, book then? You risk not being able to get in at all, of course, but that seems like it wouldn't be a big deal for you if I'm understanding correctly.

For me, I would rather book Palo for the time I thought was "best" from what was available in advance, then if it doesn't work out on board, and I have to cancel it, well, okay. But the calamari and souffle are pretty important to me! I could care less about all other food on the ship, but those 2 rank pretty high!

That is pretty much what DH and I decided to do. We went ahead and booked a brunch since that is the one we really wanted to do the most. It is on the second day so hopefully it will give us some time to reschedule if we need to. I'm just disappointed that we have to jump through hoops now just to schedule a meal.

I almost wish that this was our first cruise because then we would never know how easy it was before to just drop DS off at the Lab whenever he felt like it.

 

[princessmom29]

I absolutely agree with you 100% that some things have to be planned ahead of time. Spa, Palo, Excursions specifically and I would strongly advise that you do so. We have on all of our DCL cruises.

I have never said to go on your cruise without any plan. I certainly have one when we cruise. I operate in the same way you are in that regard. I make spa plans, book Palo dinner, have arranged Palo brunch for 14 people, and all around our anniversary celebration. What I (and some others) are trying to help you see, but for some reason am not succeeding, is that you can (and in my opinion should) plan with whatever information is available to you ahead of time and adjust once onboard if/when you receive new information.

Remember, there will be others with kids that may need to adjust due to the open house schedule. You are not the only one. This will help with shuffling. DCL staff is there to help when they can and with Palo, they quite often can -- and in our experience, have.

In fact, I just remembered a perfect similar scenario! We wanted to do a martini tasting on our last cruise. However, we had no clue when they would be offered or if we could get to participate as they cannot be signed up for until boarding the ship. Well, sure enough, it conflicted with other plans! So... after booking our tasting (and paying for it), we went to the appropriate place to try to shift our dining plans that conflicted, nicely explained the situation and we were able to make the necessary adjustments. Was it a guarantee? No, but we booked what we could ahead of time, put it all on my pre-cruise planning spreadsheet, and worked with the staff upon arrival. And it all worked out. Again, it's not a sure thing, but much more likely than you may believe.

When I was prepping for our first DCL cruise (and subsequent ones for that matter!) fellow DIS members helped with tips and advice tremendously. I am just trying to pay it forward a bit and trying to help you on the same way.

I wish you all the best for what I hope is an incredible first of many DCL cruises for you.

- Dreams

I understand that you are trying to help, and I am just gonig to have to go with what i have and hope for the best, but I really just don't think it should be that way. There is no real reason Disney cannot release times for these things in advance to make it easier to plan. There would be no reason to need to move things around if we had a schedule of activites before booking things that need reservations. If something absolutely HAD to be changed due to weather ect then they could work with people on that, but there is no reason they cannot release a planned schedule of activites in advance. If they want us to book things in advance, they need to release a schedule of some kind in advance. They choose not to, and I really don't care for that. This thing with the kids clubs just makes it worse. I have expressed this to Disney and hope they will release more concrete schedules in the future. For now, I relaize I am going to just have to deal with it, but I still say if something doesn't work for us we should voice that. No, it won't ruin my vacation, but it would make planning a whole lot less stressful if I knew something about what to expect as far as scheduling.

 

[Disney Dreams]

I understand that you are trying to help, and I am just gonig to have to go with what i have and hope for the best, but I really just don't think it should be that way. There is no real reason Disney cannot release times for these things in advance to make it easier to plan. There would be no reason to need to move things around if we had a schedule of activites before booking things that need reservations. If something absolutely HAD to be changed due to weather ect then they could work with people on that, but there is no reason they cannot release a planned schedule of activites in advance. If they want us to book things in advance, they need to release a schedule of some kind in advance. They choose not to, and I really don't care for that. This thing with the kids clubs just makes it worse. I have expressed this to Disney and hope they will release more concrete schedules in the future. For now, I relaize I am going to just have to deal with it, but I still say if something doesn't work for us we should voice that. No, it won't ruin my vacation, but it would make planning a whole lot less stressful if I knew something about what to expect as far as scheduling.

I hope you have a wonderful cruise.

- Dreams

 

[conandrob240]

I totally agree with the family schedule idea. Have a full schedule,of activities families can do together and have them during the day in one of the clubs. Perfect solution. Then two Open Houses- evening of departure day and morning after to see what it is all about/ get kid's acclimated. And then have early morning toddler time (7-9am) for the baby set so they can play on the stuff in the Kid's Club. Problem is - that would increase staffing not reduce it.

 

[princessmom29]

I totally agree with the family schedule idea. Have a full schedule,of activities families can do together and have them during the day in one of the clubs. Perfect solution. Then two Open Houses- evening of departure day and morning after to see what it is all about/ get kid's acclimated. And then have early morning toddler time (7-9am) for the baby set so they can play on the stuff in the Kid's Club. Problem is - that would increase staffing not reduce it.

So you think one of the clubs should be unsecured all day every day??? I just don't see how that WOULDN'T produce overcrowding.

 

[conandrob240]

Oh, no, sorry. I am firmly in the camp of NOT using Kid's clubs for open houses except for initial day and possibly for baby access in the early morning. What I meant was they should implement a full program of family activities ( using many of the beloved ones from the kid's clubs) and use one of the nightclubs for this durng the day. Leave both kid's clubs for the kid's with nom parent access.

 

[Wadekind]

Oh, no, sorry. I am firmly in the camp of NOT using Kid's clubs for open houses except for initial day and possibly for baby access in the early morning. What I meant was they should implement a full program of family activities ( using many of the beloved ones from the kid's clubs) and use one of the nightclubs for this durng the day. Leave both kid's clubs for the kid's with nom parent access.

Excellent suggestion

 

[scrapbookmomma74]

Maybe I'm missing something, but isn't ALL of the time of the Club/Lab "secured time". If the kids have to be scanned in and out, its secure. I don't see why parents aren't allowed in whenever, since they couldn't leave with another child without that child being scanned and an adult providing the password.
I think "Open House" in the Lab is completely unnecessary, its much more appropriate for the Club. My dds have always had a blast in the kids areas, its sad to hear that they will now be limited as to when they can go there. I hope this issue is addressed by DCL SOON!

 

[Disney Dreams]

... and use one of the nightclubs for this durng the day. Leave both kid's clubs for the kid's with nom parent access.

So they should have the Kids' Clubs activities (that those who do not have children are not allowed to participate in) take over one of the areas of the ship that currently host activities for children, adults, and families? Ummm.... I sure hope not!

On any given day, there are a variety of activities for families and / or adults already taking place in the nightclubs. Below is the list of activities that took place in the nightclubs on the first day of our October Mexican Riviera cruise between the hours of 8:30am until 7:00pm. With the exception of the obviously 21+ activities, these were open to kids, adults, families, whomever.

• Gameshow: The Feud
• DVC celebration
• Gameshow: The Wheel
• Pictionary
• Disney Movie Trivia
• Disney's Art of Entertaining
• Napkin Folding
• Wine Tasting
• Catch Phrase
• Disney Time Tune Trivia
• Origami Animals
• Vista Spa Bingo
• Golden Mickey's Dance Class
• Misic, Mix, and Mingle
• TV Tune Trivia
• Tequila & Margaurita Tasting
• Charlie at the Keys

Adults without children are already not allowed to participate in anything in many areas of the ship that they pay to sail on: The Edge, Flounder's Reef, Oceaneer Club, Oceaneer Lab, The Vibe (Did I get them ALL?) are all off limits. Why take more space away from those cruisers?

Sorry, I just don't see how that is an answer,
Dreams

 

[squirrel]

So they should have the Kids' Clubs activities (that those who do not have children are not allowed to participate in) take over one of the areas of the ship that currently host activities for children, adults, and families? Ummm.... I sure hope not!

Is it true that adults without children are not allowed to participate in the activities now that it's not in a secured area? Has anyone tried to attend one of the activities?

To me Open House means anyone can attend. If they mean just families with children, then they need a different name for it.


If it's open for everyone, then they should be doing the activities in another area so it doesn't impact the children's club areas. Like I mentioned pages and pages ago there are other areas of the ship that aren't being used in the early morning and afternoon. I doubt that the conference room is used the whole time on the ship.

 

[kidclassic]

Is it true that adults without children are not allowed to participate in the activities now that it's not in a secured area? Has anyone tried to attend one of the activities?

To me Open House means anyone can attend. If they mean just families with children, then they need a different name for it.

When my wife called about it they called it "Family Time"

 

[stitchlovestink]

Is it true that adults without children are not allowed to participate in the activities now that it's not in a secured area? Has anyone tried to attend one of the activities?

To me Open House means anyone can attend. If they mean just families with children, then they need a different name for it.


If it's open for everyone, then they should be doing the activities in another area so it doesn't impact the children's club areas. Like I mentioned pages and pages ago there are other areas of the ship that aren't being used in the early morning and afternoon. I doubt that the conference room is used the whole time on the ship.

IIRC, the Wonder is the only ship to have a Conference room, but someone correct me if I am wrong on this

 

[PrincessShmoo]

IIRC, the Wonder is the only ship to have a Conference room, but someone correct me if I am wrong on this

That's my understanding, also.

 

[Disney Dreams]

Is it true that adults without children are not allowed to participate in the activities now that it's not in a secured area? Has anyone tried to attend one of the activities?

To me Open House means anyone can attend. If they mean just families with children, then they need a different name for it....

I have searched for any official information on Kids' Clubs Open House and cannot find it. If anyone has a link to where this was first read from an official Disney source, please provide a link.

If it IS open to EVERYONE (with or without children), I can tell you right now that DH and I will rearrange anything and everything that we previously booked so that we can make Flubber! We will be there in an INSTANT!

There are a LOT of cool activities that we have not been able to enjoy due to not having kids. If we can make Flubber now, WOOOHOOO!

- Dreams

 

[Bytor01]

Just off the Dream today and I have some information for those that have children who fall into the range of one being in the Edge and the other being in the Club/Lab....

I asked at both locations and were told the same answers...I had a 12 year old nephew and my two 10 year old twins who we would obviously want to stay together while we imbibed in some adult time at night. Here are the answers...

Club/Lab- 10 year olds are welcome to attend and I was stated that the area would allow the 12 year old but that he would not be allowed to hang with other over age kids (as they may get too crazy). Once the 12 year old picked he would be locked in and could not change.

Edge- the 12 year old was welcome, of course, and the 10 year olds could attend BUT I would have to sign a waiver acknowledging that they would be in the area with older kids. Again, once they chose they could not change.

Now, I think they were allowing the 10 year olds because they were 10 and not 9 but in all honesty I did not ask if they were allowing younger than 10 in the area.

Hope this sheds some light on the crazy...

 

[5forDis]

If it IS open to EVERYONE (with or without children), I can tell you right now that DH and I will rearrange anything and everything that we previously booked so that we can make Flubber! We will be there in an INSTANT!

There are a LOT of cool activities that we have not been able to enjoy due to not having kids. If we can make Flubber now, WOOOHOOO!

- Dreams

REALLY?! I can't tell if you are joking or not. If you and DH love Flubber making so much I can give you the recipe. It is very easy to make at home.

Reading this thread is making me stress out about our upcoming cruise. Why can't the children's area stay children's areas? I don't understand the need for parents to hang out, take pictures in the lab/oceaneer club when there are plenty of areas on the ship for family time.

I have skimmed this thread---it is really long---I did see people saying that some children with special needs need their parents in there to access the clubs. I am sure the kids' clubs can meet most needs, but not all.

I know my child with food allergies will need to be picked up during cookie making. Is it fair? It is ADA compliant? Didn't I pay for her cruise like every other child? I, personally, think it is reasonable to NOT have her participate in this event. Could Disney make nut-free/peanut-free cookies & make this accessible to her? They could, but at this point, we were told the activity would not be safe for her. She will go do one of the many other activities on the ship with us.

I wish Disney would make an absolute rule of ages/no adults and stick to it. I look forward to reading families' actual experiences with policies & see how it works out.

 

[squirrel]

When my wife called about it they called it "Family Time"

I'm going with my mom, she's family! So what if I'm in my 30's. What exactly do they think families are? Are we now saying you have to have a child to be a family?

 

[LKFan]

IIRC, the Wonder is the only ship to have a Conference room, but someone correct me if I am wrong on this

They converted the conference room on the Wonder to the Edge just over a year ago.