Kid's club questions

[oo138oo]

My 3 1/2 yr old goes to daycare. She usually gets alittle shy in a new environment, but will open up if she likes what she sees. I'm just curious on how patient the CMs are in the club, and if they will give specific child extra attention if needed. What is the typical CM/Children ratio?

 

[kcashner]

There are about 12 CMs scheduled in the Club, but obviously they don't all work at the same time. The kids are divided into smaller groups (within the 3-4 age group...like Simba group, etc.) and each group will have a counsellor. The real answer to your question depends on how many kids are signed in at any given time, but the max in the 3-4 group is something like 10 kids to a CM. Then, there is an extra CM or 2 at the desk who can help in a spot.

Generally, the CMs have lots of time for the kids, and are great with them.

 

[CM_Mom]

The official ratios are a maximum of 1 counselor to 15 kids for the 3-4 year olds. There usually aren't anywhere near that many kids in the club at one time. They know when the busy times are and staff for them.

Be sure to tell the CMs privately that your child is a little shy. They do work hard to get all the children involved and pay a little more attention to the shy ones. You're also welcome to hang around in the back of the room to see how she does. Be aware that the first night is busier and there's lots more people than there will be the following morning so it might be more intimidating for a shy child. I've seen a couple of posters who spend the first night in family time and take their kids to the clubs the next morning.

I should talk to DD (Club CM) tomorrow morning so feel free to PM me if you want me to ask her a specific question.

 

[CAMICKEY]

My DS6 was very shy when he went on his first Disney cruise (Ds just turned 5 at the time). My DW and I felt we would get a call about 3 or 4 minutes after we dropped him off. 2 hours later I went to the kids club to check on him and he was having a blast. Hope your experience turns out as magical as ours did. - Mike

 

[oo138oo]

Thanks everyone for the fast reply. I feel much better about this cruise. Wow... I was thinking 1 CM to 20-30 kids, now I'm really impressed with DCL. The ratio is actually same or close to DS's school.

Does anybody know if they offer them drinks or snacks during the day? If so, will the kids have to ask them for it or it's served at particular time of the day.

One more question I forgot to ask... if DS wants to participate in the kid's club on CC, do we need to drop DS off at the club prior leaving the ship, or can we drop her off anytime on CC?

Thanks again.

 

[CAMICKEY]

I'm not sure about any snacks at the clubs but fot CC you will need to depart the ship and then sign your DS into the club on the island. - Mike

 

[crisi]

No snacks or drinks in the club. Water fountain.

 

[Masonpips]

but they do take them to lunch and dinner (check the kid's navigators for times)

And, I believe on the PJ Party night there are snacks. And possibly for special events. We sailed over Halloween and there was a party and I think some treats

 

[brooke1]

I am a first timer on the DCL board, did disney this summer now thinking about my FIRST cruise next summer.

I am not sure how this kids club works, my son is 11 yrs and mostly he likes the playstation so the arcacde games is right up his alley, so can you just drop off your child for a couple of hrs and let me play games or do you have to be put into a group and do group things.

also do you have to pay to play the aracde games??

any advice would be great.

 

[crisi]

They have an arcade on board that you pay for. It isn't inside the kids clubs.


There are several computers inside the kids clubs, but not enough for every child to spend their cruise paying video games. He will need to take turns and compared to a kid who has a Playstation at home that they can play with for hours, may find sharing frustrating. They can do the group activities or hang on the computer. You can just drop them off.

 

[CM_Mom]

Brooke1, check out the Navigators for Kids and Teens at www.dcltribute.com/navigators . Click on the cruise you're interested in and then click on Kids and Teens Navigators. Then choose the age you're interested in and read about the activities.

OR you can be like the rest of us and read them ALL:jumping4:

Checking out the Navigators is a good way to get an idea of the structure of the cruise and what's offered.

Reine

 

[dreaminboutdisney]

Hoping to have my recently potty trained 3 yr old participate in some of the club activities. Are there bathrooms in the club? Are they " toddler friendly"? How would the counselors handle a potty accident?

 

[CM_Mom]

Since my DD is a CM in the Club, I got an EXTENSIVE guided tour on our cruise. The bathrooms in the club are fantastic, cheerful and child sized. Extremely kid friendly. Also they have the "Magic" faucets that the kids love. You put your hands under them and the water turns on. And they encourage handwashing, in fact the first thing that happens when a child comes into the club is a squirt of soap and off to the sink to wash hands.

Also, be sure to dress them in shorts or pants that are easy to manage on their own. Potty trained means completely independent including wiping and dressing.

The CMs try to prevent potty accidents by having regular potty breaks where they take their whole group. But they do know that potty accidents occasionally happen. They handle it by paging you to come get your child so you can get them clean clothes. Not kicked out of the Club, just cleaned up. I think if it happens repeatedly they will discuss with you whether your child is potty trained or not.

Lots of parents have suggested coming by the club every hour or 90 minutes to take your child to the bathroom, especially if you have a very young three or your child tends to get excited and forget. Seems to work well and parents are always welcome in the club.

 

[DVC Mary]

The OC is awesome in every way imaginable. My DS had 2 accidents while on the 7 day cruise. I was a nervous wreck. I thought they'd kick him out of the OC & he'd be crying his eyes out. The CMs were wonderful & very understanding. The 1st accident happened while he was napping & we were on an excursion. They gave him fresh clothes (we didn't think to leave any b/c he almost never has accidents anymore--he's 4). Neither the counselors or my DS were upset when we got back. He was in such a deep sleep napping that he peed--poor baby was wiped out from all the fun onboard. The 2nd accident was when he got a little bit of an upset stomach from eating too much at Topsider's--he took the ALL you can eat concept to its extreme when they took him to lunch.

We usually ordered a room service snack mid afternoon for the family to hold everyone over until dinner. We also would grab pizza & bring it back to the room for the kids for a snack too.

You will love the OC. The CMs are fantastic. It's so unfair that they don't get tipped too by the people who use the clubs.

Happy sailing!

 

[dreaminboutdisney]

Thanks so much for all the information and your child's experiences. I'm sure my daughter will love the club activities.