just talked to some teens about CG

[pal2pluto]

A thread a couple days ago concerned me, so I went to some experts on the Teen board. So far, 3 teens have posted and were very helpful in giving answers.........

I asked 5 questions such as
.......do they keep the 13-15 yrs and 16-18 yrs separated?
.......what were your opinions of "The Dating Game" and do you think the questions were too personal? .
......did your parents give you a curfew, or how late did you stay out?
....What was the CM stance on smoking? did they tell you to just "not get caught"? .
........was there a "signal" that a parent was in the room, and what did you think of that?

The overall feeling was that CG was super. Counselors awesome, games cool, but just hanging out together was the best thing.

The kids were not really kept separate except perhaps for the "get to know you" games, of which Dating Game was one. Questions were fun, not offensive or personal.

None of the girls were given a curfew by their parents, but the latest any of them were out was 3am. They cited that CM's do roam and check on kids, and also that because CG didn't open until 11am for them, they all slept in.

Re: smoking.....it was made clear that if they were caught smoking, they would be kicked out of CG program. 2 of the girls stated that the CM's took a stand about legal smoking ages. They were also warned about buying drugs on the islands, and that extreme (drug using)offenders could be locked down in their room w/a guard posted.

Finally, there was only a "heads up" said whenever a parent came in the door for teens to see if it was their parents. It was their opinion that nothing was happening there that a parent would need to be concerned about. It was never as though they had to change what they were doing because a parent was coming in. A CM was by the door to ask who they needed or wanted to see. Parents aren't allowed to "hang out" in CG....it is teen territory. It was mentioned about how kids aren't allowed into the adult areas of the ship, but can come to those areas if they are searching for their parents, but they may not "hang out" there.

These teens were very helpful and informative. They put any concerns to rest for me. I'm not into starting a debate of any kind, but just thought some info from them might be helpful to someone else.

 

[kendall]

Thanks Kris for posting and summarizing the comments! Very helpful!

 

[SeaShelley]

Great post!!

 

[ppiew]

PalPluto2
You are a 'bigger' person in my book. You took the time and made the effort to seek other opinions and were willing to share those views with us. Thank You.

 

[wovenwonder]

Thanks for the info -- and taking the time to find out some first hand info from the teen board. I went to the teen board and read your thread. Click HERE if anyone else would like to read it too.

 

[dznymom1]

Thanks for bringing that up on the teen board, Pal2Pluto. That was a great idea!

After reading the posts the last few days, I had a long talk with my ds15, a veteran of 3 Disney cruises. I was afraid that maybe I had been oblivious or missed some signs on our cruises, but he told me almost exactly what the teens told Pal2Pluto. He did say that some of the kids on one of the cruises were a little wilder than the other 2, but he just chose other kids more like himself to hang out with. And a goofy bunch of kids they were!

 

[sandiegosusie]

I can't tell you how thankful I am for your post...I have been sick to my stomach since I read the hyper thread a few days ago. You have done your homework and you should be commended!

 

[eeyorekjs7]

Smart, very, very smart. Thanks for your post and I agree with the above- a great idea! Good information to know and very nice of the teens to share it with you!

 

[thebecka]

Thank you for your post. It was researched with expert opinions from those who know best. I read the thread and the kids were honest and sincere.
As much as the previous posts had worried me -I had very serious doubts based upon my previous cruises that the CM's would allow or participate as it was infered. I don't know if there was one bad crew in CG or it there were a couple of teens that really pulled the wool over their mothers eyes...either way if DCL has been notified then the debate should be laid to rest.
I wish all happy sailing!!

 

[MarkRG]

I would personally say that there are greater issues with the person that made the initial bad post about CG than the teen club, and these issues have nothing to do with Disney in any way. If you wish to find out for yourself, just browse the debate board. And please take any discussion of it there. I would say that Disney could never operate with such a blind eye in any way, and was doubtful then that such an atmosphere existed either. I am glad it has since proven otherwise.

 

[TeamMom011]

Pal2Pluto - ditto: thanks, great post.
Unfortunately, the same people that became so uncorked over the situations mentioned in the previous thread will most certainly question your responses. As in "the teens that responded to your questions were probably not on the Wonder so therefore didn't experience the situations as reported". To the extreme "kids from Common Grounds would never reply honestly in writing". It boils down to people are going to believe what they want to believe.
Do I appreciate reading a heads up on the boards that there might be a problem and I possibly might need to be more deligent than originally planned? Sure, that's what the boards are for. If some parents are a bit more protective of their children, than so be it. I have found that since babies don't come with an instruction book, we are all responsible for finding a path that makes us the most comfortable.
Thanks again for making the effort to research this for us and post your response. We appreciate it.