Kids Club and a 3yo

[Tink&SquirtsMom]

Can anyone tell me how their 3yo did with the kids club? I am a bit worried about ds liking it. Our cruise is a 4 day in late July/ early Aug. He turns 3 the first part of July. So he won't be starting preschool till that fall, after our cruise. I am a SAHM so he has not attended daycare, and due to his age is still only in parent participation classes for his activities. He does great with Sunday School at church but it did take him a long time to get used to it, and with a 4 night cruise we don't have alot of that. Hes never had a problem with babysitters, but for some reason with the large groups he seems more hesitant. Not sure why as he is a very outgoing kid and is well socialized. But he does. So anyways, can anyone share how their 3yo did? My dd will be 4 but turning 5 midway through the cruise and is more then happy to leave mom and dad for something new and fun. Will she be able to attend the same group as ds? That would help a ton as they are best friends. I was under the impression that they would be in the same group for ages 3 and 4, but not sure what happened when she turned 5. How strict are they on the age stuff and how does all of that work? Also what type of activites do they do, so I can prepare him? He's been to Disneyland 4 times and he loves it more then anything, and we'll be at WDW before the cruise, so I'm hoping just the Disney surroundings will do the trick. But I'd love to hear personal experiences.

 

[CM_Mom]

I can answer at least part of your question. The club should have no problem letting your DD stay with the 3-4s and your DS. Just talk to the counselors, they'll be glad to work with you. They work with reluctant 3 yos every cruise so they have LOTS of experience turning tears in the laughter.

One MAJOR difference on the ship is that you will have a pager so if he gets unhappy and the counselors can't distract him easily they can page you and you can be there quickly. If he's used to Sunday School and has DD in the same group, I bet he'll be fine.

Check out the activities on www.dcltribute.com/navigators and look at the 4 day cruise and click on the Kids and Teens Navigators.

Have a WONDERful time.

 

[mickeyboat]

My DD3 has been at a home day care since infancy - so not much experience being left with strangers and large groups of children. The first night, DD4 wanted to stay and play in the Club, DD3 did not. We didn't force them to stay alone, but we did want them to participate in some of the activities, so we stayed in the back of the club and watched them play. DD3 kept turning around to make sure we were still there. But they both had a good time.

We were able to get Palo reservations towards the end of the cruise and told the kids they would have to stay in the Club while we went on a date. They stayed and had a blast. After that we had a hard time getting them out of the Club. I wish they had discovered that earlier.

Good luck to you.

Denae

 

[CamColt]

We sailed on a 3 day cruise when DS was 3 1/2. The only day care he had ever gone to was with his aunt (his 2 cousins were the only other kids there) and that ended before he was 2. He had just started preschool a month before the cruise. He refused to go to the club no matter how much we tried to sell it to him. Of course we didnt force him, so he never ended up going.
Good luck!