Kids Club Concerns

[KT2038]

Let's maybe talk about some of the things that you like about the youth spaces. What were your Children's favourite programs?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

This times 1000. I would pay $100 or more for this service. I they don't want to do this then work with organizations to provide the service. We are going next month with a group that specializes in autism travel and Disney really limits what their people can do and the activities they can run compared to other cruise lines.

Probably because of past issues they've had with that group (or another group like them).

 

[DisneyWonder'09]

This times 1000. I would pay $100 or more for this service. I they don't want to do this then work with organizations to provide the service. We are going next month with a group that specializes in autism travel and Disney really limits what their people can do and the activities they can run compared to other cruise lines.

*IF* it is autism on the seas, it was because the owner allowed his over 18 autistic son to wear a staff shirt and participate, use the teen club with the staff shirt on, become infatuated with a teen girl, and stalk her around the ship over a few days! Dennis was infatuated with her and followed her around.
Her father ended up confronting Dennis when he was outside their cabin looking for her!
Then he and AOS deny any wrong doing. I am sure that organization does a lot of good, but they also try to cover us a lot of mistakes.

see the link!

http://www.disboards.com/threads/security-concern.2818404/

 

[rantnnravin]

Let's maybe talk about some of the things that you like about the youth spaces. What were your Children's favourite programs?

My DD16 hasn't been in the club/lab for 6 years, so in trying to remember, the Pajama Party stands out to me.

On our last cruise I couldn't get her out of VIBE, but she was mum on the details: "What happens in VIBE, stays in VIBE" - lol -
I do know she loved the private pool and the smoothie bar?

 

[DisneyWonder'09]

http://www.disboards.com/threads/security-concern.2818404/

 

[minorthr]

*IF* it is autism on the seas, it was because the owner allowed his over 18 autistic son to wear a staff shirt and participate, use the teen club with the staff shirt on, become infatuated with a teen girl, and stalk her around the ship over a few days! Dennis was infatuated with her and followed her around.
Her father ended up confronting Dennis when he was outside their cabin looking for her!
Then he and AOS deny any wrong doing. I am sure that organization does a lot of good, but they also try to cover us a lot of mistakes.

see the link!

http://www.disboards.com/threads/security-concern.2818404/

Even more reason to offer this as a paid service via Disney they control everything, they vet the people.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Even more reason to offer this as a paid service via Disney they control everything, they vet the people.

I doubt that Disney (as a company) wants to take responsibility for someone requiring special assistance.

 

[belac]

Why would you have to reschedule though? There's always one space for drop off from 9am (if not earlier) until midnight

Because after the first OH DS almost always refused to go to club or lab at a time there was an open house in either, which seemed to always be happening at a then available time for palo dinner, and don't even get me started with the brunch rescheduling. We spent hours with GS figuring out what would work. In the end we had to cancel brunch, then get a call from Palo the night before original booking (which we canceled at GS, and heard the CM speak to Palo and cancel the reservation) of stating our brunch was at x time and they would charge us if not canceled in the whatever time. I made sure we weren't charged but a big hassle to have to deal with once on board.

Having known the OH scheduling at the time we booked (90 day mark then) we could have avoided the rescheduling nightmare and maybe gotten to Palo brunch.
Same with the spa appointments, ultimately we had to cancel the couples massage and each do our own so someone could be with DS.

Not for anything but, we plan this stuff months out, are lucky to get some special things that weren't booked out, looking forward to it, and then the second day OH puts a total damper on the plans made 3 month prior. It is frustrating and kind of spoils part of the experience. I don't want to be re-planning my vacation while on vacation, waste of my time, family time, and frankly CM's at GS time.

For younger children it is secure program, so that means in the club which DS has no interest in anymore, hates it. When in the lab he was ok but not happy, however he understood it was the last reservation we could have at Palo dinner and begrudgingly went. We were also not as ease trying to get through dinner as quickly as possible, to get him out.

Now when he could do the Lab with programs that he liked or free play he never had an issue, unfortunately that was too few and far in between.

 

[belac]

I assume the two reasons that have been cited several times:

• A child only likes the lab/club and it's in open house.
• The atmosphere with all the kids crammed on one side is too chaotic for the child and/or parent to feel comfortable.

I should have kept reading, in short that hits the nail on the head, thanks TestingH2O

 

[michellekcm]

Let's maybe talk about some of the things that you like about the youth spaces. What were your Children's favourite programs?

My 7yo daughter liked: Pluto's Pyjama Party, Cinderella's Royal Ball, Storytime with...., Who Wants To Be A Mouseketeer? My 3yo son liked Who Wants To Be A Mouseketeer?, I can't remember the name, but the one during Open House where the Mousketool comes on the screen, and he also liked the Wake Up With Disney Jr party.

My daughter also really liked some of the activities only on the longer cruises - such as the sleepover, girls chill night, etc.

 

[minorthr]

I doubt that Disney (as a company) wants to take responsibility for someone requiring special assistance.

possibly, but if done properly could also be a worthwhile service that makes, which can be very stressful vacations a little more stress free. I'd literally pay thousands extra for like 2 free hours a night.

 

[tee11]

It shouldn't be 50%... But there will definitely be some time in each space every day. Plus the Preschoolers time and the Adults only time on the longer cruises. Have you ever been during adult only time? Adults LOVE the spaces and participate wholeheartedly in the programs.

What?!? Adult only time in the kids club/lab, edge...? -WHY? I take it you are not kidding.

 

[KT2038]

What?!? Adult only time in the kids club/lab, edge...? -WHY? I take it you are not kidding.

Haha no not kidding! They do Adult Only Programming on longer cruises like Panama, usually on one or two nights. This is usually very late at night and even after closing. They have done pto grams like Royal Ball, Mousketee Training, Flubber and just chill out time. The adults love it!

 

[tee11]

Yes, same here! It was nice that we got 'personal invites' for our preschooler, and it was nice that there was programming just for them.
All the special programming (Pluto's Pajama Party, dancing with Cinderella, Finding Tinkerbell...) were big hits.

 

[bbel]

What?!? Adult only time in the kids club/lab, edge...? -WHY? I take it you are not kidding.

Ok. So this only happens on the really long and quiet cruises. The crossings. Hawaii.
At this time edge will be invading vibe or doing science in the lab. (The same with vibe). Which happens most cruises. Usually that space closes. So technically they're not taking anything away from the kids that attend there spaces because they wouldn't have the option of being there anyway....

 

[tee11]

Haha no not kidding! They do Adult Only Programming on longer cruises like Panama, usually on one or two nights. This is usually very late at night and even after closing. They have done pto grams like Royal Ball, Mousketee Training, Flubber and just chill out time. The adults love it!

If adults meet in the kids club at 1 am to make Flubber, something tells me, a ton of rum had to be consumed prior to this!
Ok, I can see now, probably fun times in the kids club!

 

[Stratus22]

My Kids love Story Time and when the characters make an appearance. I wouldn't mind seeing an area where there is a quiet space. My youngest won't go into the club because it's so loud and the older kids trample over her. And from what I've read on other sites and posts here, I'm not the only one who notices this.

 

[Sytrace]

It would be really great to have some educational experiences for the kids clubs as well as for adults in regards to having seminars/classes for areas like Oceanography, Astronomy, maybe some Disney history lessons that are age appropriate. Really anything I list below could be made available for all ages, these are just some examples.

For example, for teens have career seminars about different roles CM's play on the ships from kids programming to Officers responsibilities. From servers to boutique CM's. My 14 year old is convinced that she wants to work on a Disney ship and would love to find out more about how to do this and what the various jobs would entail.

For the tweens, offer something in the line of oceanography and astronomy (star gazing nights that woule educate AND entertain) I know that Disney is all for the environment, but maybe have some classes on how Disney does their part for minimizing the impact.

For the little ones, it is never too early to start to tell them about how "It all started with a mouse " Gear some programming to educating them thru coloring books and activities to promote the Disney legacy and where the vision of Disney and all its magic came from.

Both of my kids are of the age of going to Edge and Vibe. My daughter (14) loves Vibe but my son (13) doesn't care either way about going to any of the clubs at any time. He will if there is nothing else to do, but it is not his first pick.

Anyway, just some thoughts and ideas on what would be a nice addition to the activities on the ships. Thank you for all you do to ensure the kids are entertained and have a good time while sailing.

 

[CB Ace]

Oh, and it would be nice to have Dine and Play at both dinner settings.

Thank you for your regular help and appearance on these boards!

Yes! Would love dine and play at early seating, since we end up taking her ourselves every night at 7. Thanks!

 

[Weedy]

Yes! Would love dine and play at early seating, since we end up taking her ourselves every night at 7. Thanks!

When Our kids were young they liked to just skip dinner in the dining rooms. We would feed them from the pool deck ( milk and fruit are available) or from room service. We would see the show and then drop them off at the club.