Kids Clubs for Preschoolers

[gotomu212]

I agree it can get chaotic when one space is in OH, but we do attempt to run more games and random activities to keep kids occupied during that time period. I think being scheduled to a particular area is a great thing as we are able to relax and enjoy working with the children in that area, instead of running around doing may different things. It is during this time that we are able to really get to know the kids and build those relationships that will hopefully entice them to come back.

I really do think you all do a great job, and I appreciate the Disney spin and background you bring, however I can speak to over 10 years over all 4 ships, starting when our youngest was 3, and honestly the set up just isn’t great for under 5s. We’ve had some great memories (usually the TAs and PCs were there’s the time and low numbers for the counselors to build a relationship), however there have been more times where no one has known their names and they’ve been left pretty much astray because they are too young to get the activity and the older kids are running around and there’s only so long a kid wants to color.

Again, I appreciate there’s only so much you can do and you dont force participation (which I do like), but the difference in a 3 year old and an 8 year olds ability to participate at the same level in the same space is impossible. Some kids love it, but our experience with different kids, different traveling groups, and different ships is that Disney is asking you all to do too much by combing preschoolers, elementary, and even middle school kids in one space.

 

[Philharmagicfamily]

Our just-turned-four-year-old absolutely LOVED the kids clubs on the Fantasy. He wanted to go so much that we almost had to limit his time in them because we wanted to spend time with him, and he talks about them fondly a month later.
One difficulty he had is understanding that - unlike at his preschool - he won’t be forced to do anything. He told us a few times that “no one came to get me” for the activities he wanted to do, which was confusing for him because at preschool his whole class transitions together from one activity to the next. We solved this by going to the kids clubs before the start of the activities he really wanted to do and physically taking him to the start location.

 

[tnd]

We will be sailing in late February 2020 with our 4 year old. I know the age range for the kids clubs is 3-12 which is a huge range. I have been reading that the clubs can be a bit chaotic. My daughter being an only child is not used to lots of loud, screaming older kids and I fear this might scare her. What have been people’s experiences with sending preschoolers to the kids clubs?

I think it is very kid dependent. My youngest was barely 3 when she started going to the kids club and she adores it, but she is an extremely outgoing kid who talks to everyone. Her older sister was also there but apparently they did not play together. I think the counselors are very good at gauging what the kids need and making sure they get it.