Kids Club Questions????

[memymomonica]

We are thinking about a cruise. I know my daughter would love the kid activities. My question is....Being it would be a family cruise, are parents allowed to hang out with their kids at the clubs? Is it kids only? I would feel guilty sending her there by herself all the time. She will be 7. We really like hanging out as a family and just wanted to get some ideas of how others do it.

 

[denise5374]

On our 4 day cruise, my kids loved the Kids Clubs....we met for dinner everynight and did excursions to the islands together but basically they spent time in the clubs. My DD made a friend and they hung out alot soemtimes in the clubs sometimes by the pools. I feel that it is the kids vacation too so they should be able to do what they want as well......

 

[TheWog]

You are not necessarily allowed to hang out or participate, but they will not kick you out if you stay for a little while, especially if you are uneasy or unsure or if you even come back and slip in and watch. They were really good about that. Our DS6 wanted to try and then paged us within 15-20 mins of the first two attempts. We did not force it on him as we, like you, were on a family vacation and wanted him with us if that's what he wanted. Once he understood we would be right there to get him if he paged he was more comfortable staying. He only went to do the special events, like Who wants to be a Pirate and Goofy's Giggle Gala. He even stayed while we went to St. Thomas to get something for my wife that she really wanted and after our excursion he was justed too pooped to go walk around and shop. He really enjoyed it, probably more than mom and dad as we were unsure of leaving the ship with him still there. Low and behold we all survived. You make what you want of it. There are navigators so you can see what is planned and when. We had made reservations for Palo's and thought he would go to the clubs. He really didn't want to that night, so we cancelled. No big deal. If we had wanted to be alone for adults only we wouldn't have brought him on the Disney Cruise and if he wanted to be with us, we more than wanted him there. She will certainly be able to tell you if she wants to be there or not.

 

[mickeyboat]

Our kids were in the 3-4 year old group and CM;s had no problem with us staying with the kids. We stayed in the background but I think they would have allowed us to participate if we had wanted to.

Denae

 

[cepmom]

I also have a question about the kid's clubs...I hope you don't mind me jumping in on your thread!

I know they have different scheduled activities throughout the day and night, but can the kids stay in the clubs even when they aren't having a scheduled activity or are they only allowed in when they have something specific scheduled? Thanks!!!

 

[BCVOwner in MA]

cepmom--

We just returned from the 4/17 Magic cruise. They club and lab have activities scheduled from 9 AM to 1 AM, including meal times. The kids can stay in there for that entire time if they want, and there will always be something going on-- sometimes that is just "free time" to play on the computers or Playstation-- but there is something scheduled all the time.

There are some limitations as to when you can sign in and out, specifically that they don't want you trying to sign in and out while they're trying to move from one place (i.e. the lab) to another place (i.e. a restaurant).

I stayed with my 5 year old for a little while one day, including during a move from the club to a restaurant. I was very impressed with how they move the kids, and that they are always being watched and are counted several times along the way to make sure no one goes missing.

 

[din]

If there are no scheduled activities the clubs have open play where they play games and computers etc.... If the activities are away from the club, for example they are watching a movie, playing basketball or having lunch/dinner etc... the club is closed.

Our DS this lat trip did not visit the club at all. We registered them, but want to go to movies on their own and even attended a few events on their own, but we did lots as a family....

 

[BuzzBoyMom]

Cepmom - yep, they pretty much have activities (planned or just plain old free time) all day long! They will do crafts, pictures, etc. during those non-planned activity times. They also watch movies in the evening or have Ice Cream parties or PJ parties. You can leave your kids in through lunch and dinner also! My one son would have stayed in all day long, but the other would rather be at the Mickey Pool. Your kids will absolutely love it.

But for memymomonica - while I agree with the other poster that they won't kick you out...I don't think you will be welcome to participate and therefore you will probably feel a little out of place. When we wanted family time, we just took the kids out of the club.

 

[memymomonica]

Thanks for the info.

Another question.... Are all the activities free? Is there a charge for the crafts, pillowcases, ice cream parties or is it part of the cruise?

 

[markey]

No hidden costs at the labs, everything that they get or make is covered. I hate to say free, because they did pay to sail.

 

[TheWog]

Free.... everything is Free.... or at least I like to look at it that way.

 

[hydster]

We will let our kids do whatever with the exception that they do have to go to the lab/club for us to do a Palo Brunch and Dinner. Other than that we could care less if they go or for how long.

As for the free thing...my kids are always saying how they can't wait to eat this because it's free or do this activity because it's free....I remind them that it's not free that we paid a pretty penny to be on there it just doesn't incur mom and dad any extra cash right then! LOL

Ok I should be cleaning my house and finishing my packing and yet here I sit..someone kick me out of here!

 

[CAMICKEY]

Hydster - Will you please go pack. There I said it. But it won't make any difference because you are an addict - ADMIT IT. You can not get enough of this forum and probably have withdrawals if you can not get online any particular day. I bet you are going to get the Internet package while on board. - LOL - Mike

ENJOY YOUR CRUISE AND COME BACK RESTED AND REFRESHED

 

[crisi]

I spent some time in the clubs with my daughter. Mainly because I'd come to pick her up and she isn't the type to leave until she is DONE! So I got to watch them play a few games (for about ten minutes). I was welcome to watch, didn't try to participate. However, I was the only parent in the room.

As a parent, I'm not sure how I'd feel about other parents participating - seems a little creepy to me - although I'm not sure why.

 

[CAMICKEY]

I also spent about 15 minutes watching my DS6 last year when Captain Hook was there. He never even saw me and just seeing him interact with everyone gave me a good feeling and confidence in the Kids' clubs. They will let you check as often as you like but hey - once should be enough - You do have a pager, don't you? Just joking - Mike

 

[deebs]

I really want to go to the clubs to see my DD interact w/ Snow White and the other characters when they are there. I think you guys just burst my bubble in thinking I won't be welcome.

I hate to think I would be missing out on my DD's excitment!

 

[CAMICKEY]

deebs - I was very welcome when I watched my DS5 at the time interact with Captain Hook. They just do not want you there all of the time but dropping in once in a while is acceptable (At least it was this way last year and I never interrupted the kids and tried to stay out of sight - but I did take a lot of pictures). - Mike

 

[Pet1021]

we went on our cruise last year and my then 5 year old son and 9 year old daughter loved the clubs.....my daughter even refused to leave to get off the ship in Grand Cayman....don't feel guilty...you will have a pager if they need you......but trust me you will never use it!!!!



Samantha