Kids Clubs-ease my fears please!

[ndavis]

We are going on our second DCL cruise this December on the dream, our DS will be 4, he's an only. When we went before, our big goal was family time, and he was almost 2-right at that wanting mom/dad all the time phase-so we didn't try the nursery. I'm super nervous about the kids clubs, but he so enjoys other children-I think he may really like it. My concerns are 1. 3-12 is a HUGE age gap-will they always have things for him? 2. He is speech delayed, but no cognitive issues, he is in therapy-so who knows where he will be by December or if this will be an issue-but will he be left out/picked on/or treated younger than he is by counselors? He's big for his age, so the combination has been difficult. And 3. Seems unsafe to leave my child with strangers on vacation-I know how crazy this sounds, but that's what it is-even if it is secured. He is has only been left with family and close friends at this point, besides preschool. Thank you!

 

[KristiMc]

Since he has been to preschool, I think he will be good. It is very secure, you need your password to get your child. I wouldn't worry about the 11-12 year olds. Yes there could be some, but most in this age group will go to the Edge Tween club instead. Take him on the first day during open house and see how he does. Then you could take him for an activity that looks good to him. Warm him, and you, up to it before leaving for an extended time.

 

[Dug720]

@bbel can chime in here, but I am fairly certain that Youth Counselors go through extensive background checks before they are hired.

 

[TestingH2O]

I can't answer all of your questions because you know your kid best, but I can tell you my experiences.

First, I think open house is a great way to get a kid used to/excited about the clubs. It's also a nice option if you decide not to use secured programming.

Second, there are several times (maybe even once a day) that the club is limited to kids ages 3-5. The lab is still open to ages 3-12. I think it's a good idea. That being said, when we first used the clubs, we would take DD for a certain activity and pick her up right when it was over so she never had a chance to get tired of them. We wanted the clubs to be a positive experience.

Third, I have never felt unsafe leaving her with the counselors. The security protocols are excellent. But you have to decide those things for yourself.

I'd really encourage you to go to the clubs on the first day and talk to the staff about your concerns. Go with your gut on how you feel about their responses. My understanding is that all the Youth staff has additional training including educational backgrounds.

We typically take DD to the clubs for a few hours a day and she loves it. But our vacations are primarily family time and we love all the stuff we get to do together.

 

[FigmentSpark]

Definitely secure. Someone forgot to check the "okay to leave by himself" box on the computer when I signed up my 12 year old. They wouldn't let him leave without me and he was so embarrassed that he never went back to Lab. He had to stand there and wait for me, as 8 year olds were allowed to leave on their own. So be assured, they take security seriously.

 

[ndavis]

Since he has been to preschool, I think he will be good. It is very secure, you need your password to get your child. I wouldn't worry about the 11-12 year olds. Yes there could be some, but most in this age group will go to the Edge Tween club instead. Take him on the first day during open house and see how he does. Then you could take him for an activity that looks good to him. Warm him, and you, up to it before leaving for an extended time.

Yeah, it's definitely more my issue than his-when we drop him off at class anymore he just waves and says "ok, bye" like get out of here you crazy, over protective mother I saw on some navigators a 3-5 year old time the first night-hoping ours has that so he could make some friends.

 

[ndavis]

I can't answer all of your questions because you know your kid best, but I can tell you my experiences.

First, I think open house is a great way to get a kid used to/excited about the clubs. It's also a nice option if you decide not to use secured programming.

Second, there are several times (maybe even once a day) that the club is limited to kids ages 3-5. The lab is still open to ages 3-12. I think it's a good idea. That being said, when we first used the clubs, we would take DD for a certain activity and pick her up right when it was over so she never had a chance to get tired of them. We wanted the clubs to be a positive experience.

Third, I have never felt unsafe leaving her with the counselors. The security protocols are excellent. But you have to decide those things for yourself.

I'd really encourage you to go to the clubs on the first day and talk to the staff about your concerns. Go with your gut on how you feel about their responses. My understanding is that all the Youth staff has additional training including educational backgrounds.

We typically take DD to the clubs for a few hours a day and she loves it. But our vacations are primarily family time and we love all the stuff we get to do together.

We are the same way, it'll be a short 4 night cruise, but part of a land/sea vacation, and I think trying Palo would be nice

 

[ndavis]

Definitely secure. Someone forgot to check the "okay to leave by himself" box on the computer when I signed up my 12 year old. They wouldn't let him leave without me and he was so embarrassed that he never went back to Lab. He had to stand there and wait for me, as 8 year olds were allowed to leave on their own. So be assured, they take security seriously.

That's good to hear, but sorry for your son!

 

[KashasMom]

Definitely go to the open house and then at another time pick a short activity that he might like to do. Then see how it goes and take it from there. Don't force him to go (doesn't sound like you would!) and be sure to pick him up when you say, especially after an activity so he knows you'll be back. Obvious advice. He may love it or he may not like it at all.

 

[bbel]

@bbel can chime in here, but I am fairly certain that Youth Counselors go through extensive background checks before they are hired.

Hello, hello!
Yes! Background checks are crazy! I had to have 6 different relevant references, relevant degree (or equivalent) and police checks.

The band they wear tracks where they are and if they were to escape then an alarm goes off on all the YA computers (sometimes you might hear it if a kids stands too close to the gate).

I think now every ship does pre-school fun at some point, where the club is shut off just for 3-5 year olds for a little while for them to get used to the space without their grown up and it being crazy.

The clubs are separated into rooms with at least one counsellor in them who is not allowed to leave until someone else comes, so all areas are always covered.

Good activities to drop off for younger kids that they seem to really enjoy (depending on the kid) are things like: Puzzle playtime (mickey and friends usually appear), little einsteins, dress up fun, Royal Ball, Story time, Aloha Luau (sp?), Pluto's Pyjama Party...

As for any additional needs: as you can tell by the experience we need, the majority of counsellors have experience prior to DCL, and every cruise there are a number of kids onboard who might need extra attention or help. I can assure that counsellors won't even notice (in a negative way). When you register just give as much info that will help them while he is in care.

Im trying to think of anything else that might help...

 

[bbel]

Oh, if you do go to Palo (or spa, or just want an hour or so kid-free) let the counsellor at the desk know. They can put a note in the system, meaning they won't contact you (unless its an emergency or its really needed), but also so they can let your kid know "hey, mom and dad are just off doing some grown-up stuff but will be back. If you go to *insert activity here* they'll be back when it finishes..."
It helps you, your kid and the CMs.

 

[MunFam]

Our DD had just turned 4 when we sailed on the WOnder for the first time. She was still recovering from a speech delay (one year ABA and speech therapy) and did great. She LOVED all of the actual planned programs like Mousekateer Training. She has food allergies, so she wasnt allowed to participate in the food programs, but the counselors were so good about keeping her away and distracted that she never even knew she was missing out.

I will say that when the club went to open and all kids in secure programming got moved to the Lab, she was not happy there and would ask for them to call us right away.

 

[apathetic]

For the most part, the clubs are great and kids love them. But you can get bad kids in there, it is a fact in our world. They are bored or just naturally mean. My kids love the club, but one cruise 1 of them quit going. A couple of kids were just mean and he lost his love for something previously sacred. Not trying to scare you. Make sure you tell your kids to just walk away from kids like that. Find activities that they enjoy. Play around adults to make sure the behavior stops. 99% of the time the kid's club experience is awesome and what makes Disney. But they aren't immune to kids who just enjoy causing misery. Don't fear them, just be ready for them.

 

[FigmentSpark]

Our guy was bullied on our cruise... some 14 year olds who were bored of the Edge, started calling him a baby because he had a Lab band on. We talked to the counsellors and to GS and they were able to make sure these kids weren't in Edge anymore. The trouble was, they started sitting on the stairs outside the Edge, so we talked to GS again and their parents were notified. My son started taking the elevator up after that.

 

[bumbershoot]

I think now every ship does pre-school fun at some point, where the club is shut off just for 3-5 year olds for a little while for them to get used to the space without their grown up and it being crazy.

Interesting.

Definitely secure. Someone forgot to check the "okay to leave by himself" box on the computer when I signed up my 12 year old. They wouldn't let him leave without me and he was so embarrassed that he never went back to Lab. He had to stand there and wait for me, as 8 year olds were allowed to leave on their own. So be assured, they take security seriously.

Our guy was bullied on our cruise... some 14 year olds who were bored of the Edge, started calling him a baby because he had a Lab band on. We talked to the counsellors and to GS and they were able to make sure these kids weren't in Edge anymore. The trouble was, they started sitting on the stairs outside the Edge, so we talked to GS again and their parents were notified. My son started taking the elevator up after that.

Your poor kid!

While we won't get on another Disney ship before DS ages out of Lab, now I wish we could have so he could have gone to Lab as a 12 year old. I feel that the teen club on Royal starting at 12 is just too young. DS is tall and mature looking (and his voice is nearly done changing and he has a hint of a moustache), and at home he's friends with peers up to 17 years old, but he really did NOT like being in that club. He wished he could have gone to the younger club. I know he would have liked the Lab especially with the Star Wars stuff. And staying in the Lab would have meant he wouldn't be bullied by older kids like he felt was happening in the teen club on our last Royal cruise.

Sigh.

 

[ndavis]

Thanks all! We would definitely want to be called, no matter how minor his need. Bullies are definitely a concern, recently he encountered one at the library, and I think I was more aware of it than he was, but it still breaks your heart. He will be barely 4 at the time, I think we will give it a try, mainly because he enjoys other children so much. And he loves to cook, so the food elements will definitely be a draw for him. Thanks again!

 

[ndavis]

Interesting.






Your poor kid!

While we won't get on another Disney ship before DS ages out of Lab, now I wish we could have so he could have gone to Lab as a 12 year old. I feel that the teen club on Royal starting at 12 is just too young. DS is tall and mature looking (and his voice is nearly done changing and he has a hint of a moustache), and at home he's friends with peers up to 17 years old, but he really did NOT like being in that club. He wished he could have gone to the younger club. I know he would have liked the Lab especially with the Star Wars stuff. And staying in the Lab would have meant he wouldn't be bullied by older kids like he felt was happening in the teen club on our last Royal cruise.

Sigh.

Seems like they could definitely do a group like 8-12 or something similar to help

 

[lothik2]

Thanks all! We would definitely want to be called, no matter how minor his need. Bullies are definitely a concern, recently he encountered one at the library, and I think I was more aware of it than he was, but it still breaks your heart. He will be barely 4 at the time, I think we will give it a try, mainly because he enjoys other children so much. And he loves to cook, so the food elements will definitely be a draw for him. Thanks again!

My DD was almost 4 on our 1st cruise. She is very social but I got the call to pick her up the first time we drop off. I was shocked. The counselors were amazing helping her adjust. We drop her off for specific things and pick her up right after. Soon she was asking to go more.
We are going again and my youngest turns 3 just before we go. She is mommy's girl and her sister will just ditch her so I know I'll have to ease her into it. I too am worried and I have gone through once before. That is what mom's do best. I even put her in a weekly "kids club" to help her be ready.

 

[bbel]

This is just for everyone and not aimed at the OP:

You have to remember as well that for first timers, chances are they have never been in an environment like it so you can't predict how they're going to react (not that you really can with kids anyway).

A kids might have been to a million different kids clubs in different places, but they just don't like them on DCL.

I would regularly have parents drop off upset kids who don't want to go and say they'll be back in 5 minutes if they get a message, and they don't get one and after half an hour they come back because they think something must be wrong and the kids loving it and never wants to leave.
I've also seen the opposite, parents are sure their kids are going to love it and practically live there and they barely last 30 minutes the whole cruise.

With younger kids, I always encourage parents to drop off at least once (even if it's just for palo). If your kids upset, drop and go (I know it's hard especially if they've never been left anywhere), disappear so they can't see you, even if it's just around the corner. 99% of the time CM can get them settled, distracted and happy (it's what they do all day every day) within 5 or 10 minutes and if they're really upset and it's not going to happen, they'll call you, as long as you have the WP with you. You make a big deal and hang around it's just harder for everyone (but that goes for any drop off any where).

I think some kids get 'bored' in the clubs because there's actually so much to do, there's lots of lights and music and noises and screens and children and movement that they actually find it hard to focus and concentrate on one activity for any amount of time.

 

[Dug720]

This is just for everyone and not aimed at the OP:

You have to remember as well that for first timers, chances are they have never been in an environment like it so you can't predict how they're going to react (not that you really can with kids anyway).

A kids might have been to a million different kids clubs in different places, but they just don't like them on DCL.

I would regularly have parents drop off upset kids who don't want to go and say they'll be back in 5 minutes if they get a message, and they don't get one and after half an hour they come back because they think something must be wrong and the kids loving it and never wants to leave.
I've also seen the opposite, parents are sure their kids are going to love it and practically live there and they barely last 30 minutes the whole cruise.

With younger kids, I always encourage parents to drop off at least once (even if it's just for palo). If your kids upset, drop and go (I know it's hard especially if they've never been left anywhere), disappear so they can't see you, even if it's just around the corner. 99% of the time CM can get them settled, distracted and happy (it's what they do all day every day) within 5 or 10 minutes and if they're really upset and it's not going to happen, they'll call you, as long as you have the WP with you. You make a big deal and hang around it's just harder for everyone (but that goes for any drop off any where).

I think some kids get 'bored' in the clubs because there's actually so much to do, there's lots of lights and music and noises and screens and children and movement that they actually find it hard to focus and concentrate on one activity for any amount of time.

Well said. I used to work in pre-schools and daycare centers (and now teaching elementary special education with students on the severe end of the autism spectrum where we get pre-K and K and even higher who have never been in any program), and "drop and go" is truly the best advice. Don't linger because the longer the child can see you, the longer it's going to take for them to go explore. And likewise, if you're nervous/upset about it and can't hide your feelings, perhaps see if your spouse could do the drop off solo with you out of the child's line of sight. Because your child WILL pick up on your reaction - s/he might in reality be perfectly fine with it (hence the quick adjustment after mom/dad leaves) but seeing you upset makes her/him think that s/he is supposed to be upset. Kid logic does not work nearly the same as adult logic.