Kids Club Questions.........

[LuvindisCruiser]

My children will be 5 1/2 for our May '05 cruise, and say they are excited to go to the clubs while on our cruise.

1. If they are there during lunchtime do they all go as a group to lunch, or do you have to make sure to take them yourself before they go?
2. Are any type of drinks or snacks provided?
3. At night, is it OK to take them in P.J.'s in case they fall asleep?
4. Are there kid programs at castaway cay for them?
5. Any other "tips" or "suggestions" I should know beforehand?

Thank you for your help....

 

[DisneyNutMary]

Hope I can help

1. If they are there during lunch (the time is on the Navigator) they go with the group to Topsiders. There is a sectioned off area where the kids go, sit and eat....no one but the kids club is allowed in.
2. No drinks, no snacks. I think there is a water fountain, but other than that, the only eating is at meal times.
3. If they are in Oceaneer's Club, I am sure it would be okay to wear jammies that are also comfortable to play in....after a certain time, they lay on nap mats and watch a movie/fall asleep
4. Castaway Cay has Scuttles Cove, where the kids program moves to for the day. Many activities all day are listed in the Navigator....nothing involving swimming or the ocean, so no need to worry about that.
5. My tip, relax, your kids are bound to love the kids programming

 

[kcashner]

First, there are lots of posts here about the club and lab...do a search and you'll find more info than you ever wanted!

You will be given a kid's navigator when you register your child at the club. It will list all the activities for each day, as well as the meal times. Any child who is in the club or lab area at meal times is taken to the meal. So...no, you do not have to pick them up.

Yes, you can take them in PJs. THey do have sleep mats for the young ones, and they if they fall asleep, they will literally slide the mat to an area where they won't get stepped on!

There are no drinks or snacks in the club or lab except at the scheduled meal times. Water is available at all times. You can pick up your child at any time and take them to deck 9 for fruit, ice cream, etc.

There is a full day program at Castaway...your child can attend any or all of it. You do need to be aware that the CMs are not allowed to put sunscreen on the children. They ask that you sunscreen them before drop off and return at least once during the day to re-apply the screen.

The kids in the program will NOT be taken swimming by the counsellors at any time. Pool, ocean time is with parents supervising.

I always ask DD (privately, in the cabin) if there was any counsellor in the lab who made her time special and give them a small gift. The standard gifts are gift cards to Target or Walmart as these are the stores that the crew bus goes to when they are in port. Counsellors are not a tipped position, and no gift or tip is required. If you give an "unspecified" tip or gift, they are either divided among the counsellors or used for a group party (I've been told both by CMS, so maybe it used to be one way and is now the other.) If you put it in an envelope with a counsellor's name on it, then it is a gift to that CM. There are about 12 counsellors in each kid's area, so I don't find it practical to give something to each.

You will have a beeper (alphanumeric) so your child can have you paged if needed or wanted. You'll get a message like "Tommy would like to see his mommy now" or "we need you right away"...obviously indicating how urgent something is.

 

[CM_Mom]

I'm glad your children are looking forward to their cruise and their time in the Clubs.

You will need to check your Kids Navigator for specific times but they do take them as a group for meals for both lunch and dinner.

They don't serve snacks in the Club but have a water fountain that the kids are encouraged to use.

I think the PJs are OK if they're going later in the evening..like for the quiet time movie. And one night they usually have a Pajama Party.

Yes there are activites for them on Castaway Cay but you have to check them in on the Island and pick them up to return to the ship. The Club/Lab on the ship is closed while they're on the Island.

Expect them to have a ball. The only tip I have is that if you have any questions or concerns..Talk to the Counselors. They really want your family to have a Magical or Wonderful time.

 

[clm3]

My son will turn 13 on the day we depart (March 20th). Will he be restricted to the teen programs only? How strict are they with the ages?

Thanks,
Cheryl

 

[ksjayhawks]

He may feel more comfortable with the 10-12 group. Talk to the counselors about this. Since he is just turning 13, I wouldn't think there would be a problem.

 

[crisi]

Generally, they don't let them move back and forth. He will need to pick one group and stick to it (they may let him move once, but it won't be "I want to be here for this, and there for that).

Most kids are pretty ready to leave the kids activities by the time they reach the top bracket for their club (except some 17 year olds - because there isn't much of anyplace coordinated for a young adult to go). If he is in the lab, he will be with seven to twelve year olds - and occationally they bring over the five and six year olds to the lab. A 13 year old might not mind being with 11 to 12 year olds, but may be quite put out when the five year olds show up to play. However, there are certainly 13 year olds that will simply be more comfortable with younger kids than being the youngest in the teen club.

 

[LuvindisCruiser]

Wow, what a great time our kids are going to have. I am almost
jealous of all the fun activities they will be doing !! Thanks guys for all your info. !

 

[CM_Mom]

When I checked the Navigators, it looks like the Club takes their groups to the Lab while the older kids are elsewhere on the ship doing other activities - like all in the Buena Vista Theater watching a movie.