Kids Club Concerns

[PrincessShmoo]

I disagree that this it isn't possible to do anything about splitting up the age groups. DCL was able to do this for years. The only issue I see is the fact that the club and lab are connected on the Dream and Fantasy. This is easily solved by adding a room divider or using the backroom that connect the two for CM led activities for age appropriate activities. Very much like schools use a multi purpose rooms. Yes, this would mean that Disney would have to go back to certain CM's assigned to different ages. I have worked in two private schools, with preschool- 8th grade, that have an open concept designed. It takes organization and a commitment by the staff to follow a set routine, but it is very possible to divide children into age appropriate groups. It is possible it just takes more effort on Disney's part. Effort, in my opinion, is what appears to be lacking on Disney's part with this particular issue.

On our last cruise it appeared that the CM's leading an activity were engaged with the children, but I saw several CM's who were basically eyes and ears to make certain the children were safe. I understand that safety is a priority. Yet, I do feel the way things use to be where the children were divided by age with specific CM's assigned to each age group kept the children more involved in activities. As it stands now there is the potential for Disney to have younger children, and their parents, who are overwhelmed with the current set up. Older children are bored and feel the area is too babyish for the 10-12 year olds. This leads to the 10-12 wanting in the Edge. Then the older Middle School age kids wanting to go to the Vibe before they are High School Age. All this leads to parents not having as much opportunity to have their children use the kids/teen clubs. Honestly, in my household it was Disney's age appropriate kids clubs, with it's awesome CM's, longer hours then other cruise lines, that had us book with Disney in the first place and kept us coming back over the years. Bottom line is we pay a high premium to book Disney over other lines and while it might not be comfortable or something Disney wants to hear the truth is my family who has cruised on 8 DCL cruises and always re-books on board didn't on our last cruise. We are finding changes like these to mean less value to our family of five. We decided to look into booking other vacation options.

Yes, I agree the open houses have become far too frequent. I also see no reason at all for any adult time in what is a children's area. There are plenty of adults only areas on the ship.

While I enjoyed the adult-only time we had in Vibe on our last cruise, I agree, taking time during the regualr program hours for adult-only activities isn't really how the space should be used. What's wrong with having adult-only time after the regular club closing time? Since there are often complaints that "there's nothing for adults late night" this might be another option of things to do for adults late at night.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

We were on the Magic for 20 nights last summer on a B2B and my DS7 (now 8) was in the kids club every single day. The open houses and adult-only hours did not affect us in the least. There was always a club open for him and he always found something to do and someone to play with. There was an amazing variety of activities for him to enjoy from hands-on crafts to movement activities, science and cooking projects, computers, art, plus just general free play with the friends he made or a movie to watch. We had been on cruises before (when he was 3 and 6), but this was the first time he was comfortable going into the club alone, which was actually a shock to us as he has ASD and a language disorder and didn't think he would go in at all. On our first day he went in, I checked on him after an hour and he basically kicked me out and that was the end of that! Prior to the B2B's, the only time he would go into the club was when an adult from our party was with him. I hope those on here who are complaining about open houses will understand that there are many children of all ages who vacation on DCL who for, whatever reason - are shy, have a disability, etc. - cannot go into the clubs without some extra support from an adult in their vacationing party (as DCL does not offer individualized support in the kids clubs). DCL is not creating these open houses to be an inconvenience to you. DCL is offering them, IMHO, at least in part, to accommodate those children who could not enjoy these spaces otherwise.

My suggestion to DCL would be to have some CM's who are trained to work with children with developmental disabilities (1 in 7 children in the US have developmental disabilities - that's 15% of all kids in the US!) and offer smaller group options (1 CM to 4 kids and even 1-to-1 supervision) for children who need it. You could offer this at an additional cost, like you do with the nursery and parents could sign up for it prior to the cruise (like we do with other cruise activities). I know firsthand of SO many families with ASD and ADHD children who desperately want to go on vacations , but need extra support on the trips. These families would happily pay Disney for this service!

 

[katellynne]

I will follow up on this and see if we can offer a solution. Are there any other concerns or indeed good things that you feel need to be brought up?

Keep up the good work!! We have been cruising on DCL since 2009 when my youngest was almost 1. With 3 other kids now age 14, 17 and 18 for the last 7 years and 8 cruises we have experienced all the clubs onboard everything but the Magic. My youngest started in the Nursery on the Wonder and has since experienced the Club and Lab on the Fantasy 3 times and the Wonder 2 more times as well as the Dream once. My oldest never got into Edge or Vibe but that is just their personalities nothing lack in those areas. She loves the Clubs, and now that she is 8 she still prefers it but she likes playing on the computers and in the dress up areas or watching movies. The only activity she participates in is Pluto's Pajama Party and she attends it every time it is offered it is a real favorite!!!

In regards to the Open Houses and moving around between Club and Lab it has usually been handled well by the CM's. If we show up to her preferred Club and it is OH, they usually explain to her that if she goes and checks in to the Lab she can move to the Club as soon as it is open if she prefers.

Thank you and all the tireless CM in the kids areas, y'all truly work hard IMO.

 

[belac]

Then if they are to remain the same please let people know what times the OHs are at their 120/90/75 day scheduling of activities. They make it a nightmare to reschedule spa and adult dinner or brunch once on board, as the schedule is all over the place for each ship.
OR
Again don't care if the OH exist, but less and schedule it that every ship has them at the same times (something as we all know when main and late dining is).

There is so little time on shorter cruises (7 days and less) as is, to have to spend a few hours the second day rescheduling everything due to the OH simply sucks.

Three hours daily split into hour allotments should suffice for OH, as it used to be, and yes please keep the ADULT OH in the late evening. I will never understand the adult OH but whatever.

Also with that, I don't know if this is fleet wide but, the Characters should be at the morning and afternoon open houses. Albeit a longer time allotment now I don't think I recall seeing a character in there. On the Wonder I even asked a CM, counselor if characters would be there and she said no, It is their napping time, at OH times.
I recall that at OH on the Fantasy a few years back, characters were there often. Made the children that only went with parents there feel they weren't missing out.

If there are scheduled events all the time we don't know about them if they aren't listed on the navigator, all I see is a long line of blank sometimes. It would be nice to know what the schedule actually is for those times.

More programming in relation to the ports, on sailing, the ship, disney, might be nice in lieu of another dance party.
I get that everyone is on vacation but my son loved and remembers more from RCCL ship exploration in their kids club, than anything in a DCL club. He learned about how the ship works ect. Then we did the tour and he was over the moon.

For the wonderful things that would hate to see changed
We Love the friendship rocks, love story time, and super love Pluto's PJ party. Love that Counselors actually (afaik) are attentive and get to know the kids that do come back often. We love that some Counselors take the time to be with a shy child and engage them (yes know this personally). I think they do try their very best, and sometimes we parents can overlook that.

 

[belac]

My suggestion to DCL would be to have some CM's who are trained to work with children with developmental disabilities (1 in 7 children in the US have developmental disabilities - that's 15% of all kids in the US!) and offer smaller group options (1 CM to 4 kids and even 1-to-1 supervision) for children who need it. You could offer this at an additional cost, like you do with the nursery and parents could sign up for it prior to the cruise (like we do with other cruise activities). I know firsthand of SO many families with ASD and ADHD children who desperately want to go on vacations , but need extra support on the trips. These families would happily pay Disney for this service!

This is a great suggestion, I'm not too sure about the extra cost but, would be great to have either way.

 

[TestingH2O]

KT and bbel, please understand that what I'm about to say is NOT directed to you or the club CM's.

I find it increasingly frustrating that DCL asks how to make things better, but at the same time, when presented with suggestions (open house modifications, itenerary changes, menu changes, etc) consistently respond with a response that clearly indicates that, in fact, there are no intentions of acting on any feedback received.

In terms of this thread, the first request was less open house. Nope, not on the table. Ok, so here is how to make open house better. Nope, also not on the table. Well, then what suggestions would management like? "Please make sure you keep doing exactly what you're doing. Or don't. My request is that you do what you want with no input from anyone."

Again, not directed at any poster or actual employee but more to the management that apparently has no interest in feedback.

 

[rantnnravin]

Could it be that when DCL eliminated the smaller developmentally-appropriate age groups, the children became increasingly uncomfortable with the social environment in the Club/Lab, thus the demand for the Open Houses increased?

ETA: Then the OH's further the co-mingling of age-groups, and thus exacerbate the problem even more.

 

[Hundredacre]

My first non disney cruises this upcoming year cannot come soon enough!!!

 

[Dug720]

Could it be that when DCL eliminated the smaller developmentally-appropriate age groups, the children became increasingly uncomfortable with the social environment in the Club/Lab, thus the demand for the Open Houses increased?

ETA: Then the OH's further the co-mingling of age-groups, and thus exacerbate the problem even more.

Methinks you might be onto something here...

 

[Aerin75]

If my daughter has check in/out privileges, could she go to the open house without us, or do parents have to be present? Just wondering for when the characters are there. She'll actually be in that overlap space for Club/Lab and Edge.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

If my daughter has check in/out privileges, could she go to the open house without us, or do parents have to be present? Just wondering for when the characters are there. She'll actually be in that overlap space for Club/Lab and Edge.

I believe kids that have check in/out privileges can attend Open Houses by themselves.

 

[KT2038]

I really just wondered what everyone thought was good and bad about the youth spaces. I am not part of the management team so obviously I cannot promise any changes or anything. All I can do is pass on your concerns and hope that something comes of it.

 

[belac]

I really just wondered what everyone thought was good and bad about the youth spaces. I am not part of the management team so obviously I cannot promise any changes or anything. All I can do is pass on your concerns and hope that something comes of it.

Thank you

 

[Mirthful]

My son loves The Oceaneers Club and the counsellors so much. He was 5, 6, 7 on our cruises so far and 7 on our cruise in 2 weeks.
We found the Open Houses annoying, as he wanted to be in The Club & it was often on open house, and not just at dinner time. I was surprised that open houses were offered on the last day. I felt the first day or two should be enough.
I heard another mother who had 10 and 11 year old girls say they hated The Oceaneers Club/Lab as they felt they were too old. I actually thought when my son reaches that age, that perhaps we should do other vacations until he is at an appropriate age or go on another cruise line as the 3-12 age group will not be fun for him.
I wish the Oceaneers Club/Lab would let parents know if a kid vomited in the Club or had some other communicable disease. We were on the Fantasy in March & there was a Norovirus outbreak & it was very hush. My son said a kid vomited in the Club & we saw one vomit outside the Club as we picked him up & others were vomiting on the ship. We didn't get sick, but would have chosen to not put him in there & stayed in our room most of the time.

 

[5Texans]

KT, thanks so much for starting this thread. We are taking our first cruise as a family this fall. I have a few questions.

What are the requirements for hiring and screening the CMs in the clubs?
Is it allowed to tip or give gifts to CMs with whom your child bonds?

As a parent of a 1,3 and 5 yr old (w/o actual experience) it does make me nervous that 11-12 year olds will be sprinting around my (25#) 3 yr old. She can hold her own, but not if she gets run over. It seems to me that siblings that are school aged and preschool aged are used to being separated at school, church, scouts, gymnastics, dance because its appropriate for their age. And if sibs want to hang out together they can do it at the open house.

If open house needs to stay as often as it is (idk) then CMs should try to split the group into ages to protect the small and let the big ones have their "big kid time"

I also would like to see the option of dinner pick up at early dining

And something describing what happens at the various activities- like a catalog.

Thanks for doing what you do.

 

[michellekcm]

I would like something like a course catalog of activities. Not everything gets a blurb in the navigator and it would be nice to have more to go on when dropping my daughter off. Because she's at the young end of the age range, we have taken her for activities instead of just free play. Sometimes though I just don't know what to expect from the title listed..

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

I actually really like both these suggestions. I think we've been on enough cruises now that we pretty much know the description of the events in the Club and Lab, but it would have been helpful when we were newer cruisers.

We do our own version of Dine and Play at early dinner, my husband or I walk our daughter up to the club. But half the time it coincides with our meal being delivered . Dine and Play would be awesome at main seating.

What is the reason that Friendship Rocks is only on the Classic ships? We've only sailed the Classics, and our kids absolutely love Friendship Rocks...as do we . I'm just thinking that those on the Fantasy 7-night cruises would also love it.

From a "what is good?" perspective...Friendship Rocks (obviously), the range of different activities that they can do, the characters attending various activities, and the counsellors themselves. They really take an interest in the children. We took a surprise cruise on the Magic in April, and the number of counsellors who remembered my daughter from May/June last year was amazing - they let her know they were so excited to see her, hugged her, asked her questions, remembered what she liked....and that started right from when we were announced in the foyer when the Youth Club Counsellor who was welcoming guests ran up to give her (and me!) a huge hug. Those counsellors really made us feel like we had arrived "home".

 

[bbel]

I believe kids that have check in/out privileges can attend Open Houses by themselves.

Any child can attend open house by themselves, as long as the parents are happy with no supervision, the option of them leaving when they want and the fact that it is open to everyone of all ages on the ship.

 

[bbel]

KT and bbel, please understand that what I'm about to say is NOT directed to you or the club CM's.

I find it increasingly frustrating that DCL asks how to make things better, but at the same time, when presented with suggestions (open house modifications, itenerary changes, menu changes, etc) consistently respond with a response that clearly indicates that, in fact, there are no intentions of acting on any feedback received.

In terms of this thread, the first request was less open house. Nope, not on the table. Ok, so here is how to make open house better. Nope, also not on the table. Well, then what suggestions would management like? "Please make sure you keep doing exactly what you're doing. Or don't. My request is that you do what you want with no input from anyone."

Again, not directed at any poster or actual employee but more to the management that apparently has no interest in feedback.

Honestly, at the end of the day, out manager don't get a lot of say what happens within our space. Everything is done through the people on land. Every down to the music we play and the games on the iPads/ wii have to be shoreside approved. And that can sometimes take months, even for something like the latest Disney soundtrack...

It sounds like a stupid process but it's to keep continuity between the ships so everything thing is done pretty much the same. It's frustrating for us onboard as were the ones that deal with the backlash.

Which is why when I say that things won't change in the near future doesn't mean they never will and it doesn't mean I don't agree.

Remember, I'm that person that's in that room trying to keep so many children entertained, happy and safe while the other side is in open house....

 

[TrySomethingNew]

Any child can attend open house by themselves, as long as the parents are happy with no supervision, the option of them leaving when they want and the fact that it is open to everyone of all ages on the ship.

Which is exactly what we were frustrated with on our last Magic cruise. Our 8 yo was not given check in/out privileges and we wanted secure programming for her, so she would be sent to the more crowded secure area. We understand having OH times and did ask her if she wanted to see the other spaces during their OH time (she declined since she LOVED the kids club). OH times, and late night adult times, make sense but OH seemed to be a greater percentage of the day than I was expecting (having cruised DCL before). Whereas there was only 1 or 2 adult sessions I recall seeing in the Navigator and we missed them both -too late at night!

From a parents perspective, however, all I saw was a lot of kids crammed together in the non-OH portion. Since OH times were more frequent and longer than expected, it broke through my vacation mindset to become an obvious situation. If OH were a little less frequent or lengthy I probably wouldn't have noticed due to vacation mindset. Also, I saw CM's generally watching rather than interacting, and I saw older kids (often boys) being rather "energetic" to the detriment of the younger, much smaller kids. Again, my child loved her time in the kids club, and loved one CM, in particular. That CM even made her a handmade birthday card and dropped it off at our room-it was a long cruise, and daughter was in the club as much as possible and so they bonded.

In the end DCL is a business. It is understood, generally, they excel at customer service and the experience they provide, in addition to hiring high quality CM's. Personally, we look upon DCL, DL, WDW, and ABD favorably in this manner as we have had very positive experiences with all of these. But, the cost is higher than other vacation options, and so details around what matters to me (in this case, kids club) will affect how I spend my future vacation dollars.

 

[Aerin75]

I believe kids that have check in/out privileges can attend Open Houses by themselves.

Any child can attend open house by themselves, as long as the parents are happy with no supervision, the option of them leaving when they want and the fact that it is open to everyone of all ages on the ship.

Thanks! This is helpful for planning