Kids Club age cut-off

[CincyMom]

How strict is Disney on the age cut-off for Kids Club? We were planning on sailing this June with 5 kids ages 7-12. However, now we are looking to rebook for next June. Depending on which dates we choose, the oldest kid could have just turned 13 years old. Will Disney not let them into Kids Club for drop-offs? This could potentially influence which dates we choose.

I realize there is a tween club available, but it's not as cool as Kids Club. And then the 13 year old couldn't be with all her cousins.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

The 13-year old will not be allowed in Oceaneer's Club or Lab unless it's an open house.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

How strict is Disney on the age cut-off for Kids Club? We were planning on sailing this June with 5 kids ages 7-12. However, now we are looking to rebook for next June. Depending on which dates we choose, the oldest kid could have just turned 13 years old. Will Disney not let them into Kids Club for drop-offs? This could potentially influence which dates we choose.

I realize there is a tween club available, but it's not as cool as Kids Club. And then the 13 year old couldn't be with all her cousins.

As the PP mentioned, the upper age limits are hard limits with no exceptions. The 13 year old could go to the Oceaneers spaces during open house only.

I don't know the maturity level of the 13 year old in your party, but it's quite possible they will feel they are too old for the Oceaneer's Club/Lab. There are many, many posts from parents whose 10 year olds are complaining the Oceaneers Club/Lab are too babyish and they want to go to the Edge. 11 and 12 year olds have the option of going to both Oceaneer's and the Edge.

 

[TRTRguy]

100% strict on ages

 

[lanejudy]

Will any of the other kids be in the 11-12 age range? They can also go to Edge with your 13-yr-old. All can enjoy the Club/Lab during Open House times each day.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[CincyMom]

Thank you for your responses. I suspected the age limits were hard limits, but I wanted to check.

I don't know the maturity level of the 13 year old in your party, but it's quite possible they will feel they are too old for the Oceaneer's Club/Lab. There are many, many posts from parents whose 10 year olds are complaining the Oceaneers Club/Lab are too babyish and they want to go to the Edge. 11 and 12 year olds have the option of going to both Oceaneer's and the Edge.

I agree. It's hard to say whether she will want to be there or not. So many things to consider.

 

[CincyMom]

Will any of the other kids be in the 11-12 age range? They can also go to Edge with your 13-yr-old. All can enjoy the Club/Lab during Open House times each day.

Enjoy your cruise!

Yes, there will! So that does help. However, one thing I liked about the Oceaneers Club is the check-in/-out. All the adults in the group were going to do a dinner together one night without the kids. It's nice to know they would all be safe in the club.

 

[Spiffy MacSpiff]

Aging up is sometimes possible. Aging down, never, except for open house.

 

[Melissa S]

Yes, there will! So that does help. However, one thing I liked about the Oceaneers Club is the check-in/-out. All the adults in the group were going to do a dinner together one night without the kids. It's nice to know they would all be safe in the club.

Just to clarify- you don’t need self check in/check out if you want your children to go to the club during dinner. On our recent cruises the counselors came around during dinner to gather kids to go to the club. They “checked” them in with a device. This used to be only for late (we never do late seating so we used to run them up in the past) but they’ve extended it to main seating now which has been really convenient. Just wanted to clarify incase a new cruiser read your statement out of context.

 

[lanejudy]

one thing I liked about the Oceaneers Club is the check-in/-out.

I guess that somewhat depends on the kids. Any child can check themselves IN to the Club, but the parents must sign permission for them to have check-OUT privileges. Edge is open, self-check-out. Many parents with older Club/Lab or Edge-age kids set rules with them. For example: no roaming the ship, text mom/dad when leaving Edge, no friends in your stateroom and do not go into anybody else's stateroom, if you leave Edge go straight back to the stateroom, no swimming, etc. Whatever you feel is important. Then it all comes down to whether your child/ren will follow the rules and can be trusted with the responsibility of some independence. Some kids are fine with that at 10, others still struggle with those concepts at 15, so it really depends on the child.

I suggest checking out some Navigators posted on the DCL Blog to see what types of activities are offered at Edge, particularly in the evening.

Enjoy your cruise!