Kids Club check-in

[Tera]

I have two daughters that will be in the kids club (10-12) from time to time. Do I need to sign them up right when I get onboard, or can we wait until we set sail? I'm sure they'd rather check out the pool and cabin before checking the kids club out. Any advice or suggestions???

 

[lotsofboys]

If they plan on going to the Lab anytime your first day, I would suggest registering them early in the day. On our 02/07/04 Magic trip we registered all three of our DSs 10, 10 & 7 in the Lab around 2:30 and it took all of 10 minutes. The later you wait in the day or into the evening it gets a lot more crowded. Registration involves filling out a form for each of them and checking out your pager. Since they are in the 10-12 group they are automatically given sign-in and out priveleges. The CMs will try to tell you you don't need a pager, but, you didn't say how old your girls are, we insisted on a pager and our DSs had to have us paged whenever they left the Lab.

Have a great trip

 

[Tera]

Thanks for the info. My girls will be 10 years and 12 years when we go and it'll be nice to have both in the same age group. I doubt they would want to go to the club until much later in the evening after they get a couple of hours of swimming and checking out the boat. Would waiting until after dinner be too bad? They might want to even wait until the next day.

 

[lotsofboys]

Are you doing a 7, 4 or 3 day? Going the first evening is a nightmare because everyone waits until after dinner to register. We did this on our first cruise, which is why we went midafternoon this last time around. I only know what we experienced on the 7 day. Maybe someone else has suggestions for the shorter cruises.

 

[Tera]

We're doing the 7 day also. I just have a feeling that we'll end up waiting till the next day, but of course that could change when we get onboard. We'll play it by ear and if the girls sound like they want to do it that day, we'll sign them up after we take care of Palo's and the spa (priorities!!)

Thanks again for you suggestions

 

[tkd lisa]

Not to scare anyone, but our first cruise, we didn't make the sign up before the lifeboat drill, and our daughter got separated from us. Since she hadn't signed in, we didn't have a pager, and they didn't "KNOW" who she was. It worked out and they got her back to us, but it was 30 minutes and a lot of fears. 2nd cruise, as soon as the clubs opened for registration, WE DID IT! If she had gotten separated again (Yeah, like I was letting her out of my sight!) they could have paged us to say where she was.

IMO it's worth the 15 minutes of time to register your kids early, just for peace of mind. It's also considerably less crowded early. Most people register before dinner on the 1st night which means that it can take 30-45 minutes then, vs. 10-15 minutes earlier.

 

[disneysailor]

originally posted by Tera

They might want to even wait until the next day.

You might want to check them in the first day. I think it's easier for them to bond with the other kids when everyone is new to the club. Of course, then you may never get them to leave!

 

[outahere]

I agree with everyone who says register them early, it is a lot less crowded. We went around 2:00 and there was no line at all. The line around dinner time was out the door.

Also.......... there is a Welcome Aboard party the first night where they get a chance to meet the other kids on board and check out the Lab.

 

[NYGiantsRule!]

You can only go to the clubs for registration until later in the evening after sailaway and early dinner. There are no scheduled activities until after that time. DS tried to stay in the lab after we registered him and they paged us to come and get him because they were not open for play.

 

[Tera]

Thanks tkd lisa and yes, you freaked me out *LOL* We'll go ahead and take the kids there as soon as we're done eating and have them hang out for a little while to check out things, that way, I won't be hearing "You didn't give us enough time to play with our new friends"

disneysailor - We can only hope

 

[Tera]

NYGiants - That's good to know. Then I can tell the kids that we're checking it out, but they can't stay. It'll make them more excited to come back later.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

Are the older kids (mine is 11) allowed to call on our cell phone as they leave? That would save us carrying a pager. Dh always has his phone. Also would my 11 year old be able to pick up his sister 4 and bring her to us say like to get ready for dinner? I have never used a club before and don't know what to expect!

 

[outahere]

Disneycrazymom wrote..........

Are the older kids (mine is 11) allowed to call on our cell phone as they leave?

Depending on how close you are to land, your cell phone will probably not work most of the time. I'd get the pager.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

Thanks, I wondered about that after I posted. We do have an international plan on the phone and it works well from out of the country but being at sea will be different! We'll get the pager! I do want some way to know when he leaves and where he is going but I want him to think he has some freedom too. I DO not like it that he is getting so old! And wanting some freedom, I guess you have to let them go a little bit eventually!

 

[disneysailor]

Disneycrazymom-Let's hope those cell phones won't work on the ship. One of the reasons I scheduled another cruise in April is so that we can get some vacation pictures without my DH's cellphone hanging off his ear!

 

[Tera]

I'm with you disneysailor... My DH usually has a beeper and cell phone attached to him. Now maybe his pants will stay up *LOL* I guess he'll be the designator pager holder since he's use to it

 

[tkd lisa]

Tera, sorry to freak you out. Honestly, she was never in any real danger. Everyone was out at the drill, etc. Of course at the time I was totally freaked out. It was just so much better to register them as soon as possible. Then I was more relaxed.

 

[Tera]

Lisa - I'll definitely be following your advice

 

[lotsofboys]

Disneycrazymom......your 11 yo will not be allowed to pick up your 4 yo. We wanted our DSs to be able to pick up 7 yo and the answer was no.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

Thanks Lotsofboys. That is no problem. We will just go up and get her. We'll most likely have to DRAG her out kicking and screeming anyway! Yes, she's my social one!

disneysailor and Tera I am sooo with you both! Although my DH may go crazy not being in touch with the office for 7 entire days!