Kids in the Cove Cafe

[smmast]

We love the Disney Cruise Line for so many reasons, but one in particular is that cruisers who, for whatever reason, do not travel with children are also made to feel special. My initial concern, years ago, was that we would be outsiders because we have no children. The other cruise lines to not appeal to us for various reasons and Disney really suits us well. The adult only areas are great, not because i don't want to be around children, quite the contrary, but because its our special place on the ship as well.

 

[PrinceandPrincess]

DCL if you are reading:

a walk up window or a 2nd area (even on another deck) to get coffees


Great idea!

I second this, I am a single mom, so there is no other adult to send outside with the kids, and as a PP suggested, I can't leave my son in the kids club due to a disabiltiy that would require one on one attention, and let me tell you I would have loved an ice latte by the pool!

Kim

 

[Buckeye Goofy]

The reasons I like the Cove Cafe are:
1. A special quiet time for dh & I talk with no kids around
2. slow pace
3. the peace & quiet

I don't think anyone would be put out to have their child wait outside while a drink is made. It's quite clear that Cove Cafe is for 18+ years old. I appreciate that Disney has an area just for adults to relax and have a quiet place to talk or read.

I agree that it should be for 18+ year olds, and I didn't mind having my DS12 stand outside. That said, had I been walking the ship with my very shy DD5 and wanted to bring my wife a latte, I think it is unreasonable that I have to either leave a 5 year old outside alone, or return her to our stateroom, just so that I can get a latte for my wife. People with children also enjoy something better than the Nescafe from the drink station.

My suggestion of a walk-up window was not at all to diminish the Cove Cafe experience, but a means of allowing those with children to purchase coffee and such without disrupting those that are relaxing in an adult only environment.

 

[ibouncetoo]

At least DCL has addressed this issue on the new ship...with a specialty coffee shop in the public area.

For the Magic & Wonder they should consider adding the coffee equipment to Promonade lounge at the very least.

.

 

[jilljill]

Just thought of this: Has anyone asked one of the bar servers that walk around deck 9 to get a speciality coffee from Cove Cafe? This would solve the problems that some of you have mentioned.

 

[orlandothebeagle]

Should have spoke to the cruise director
This bugs me

 

[Tigfanjeff]

I'd never EVER do this with my kid. However, I will say this. With the layout of the Cove Cafe, it would be very easy to allow parents with kids to order at the bar and then go elsewhere to enjoy their beverage. Make the seating area "Adults Only" but at least allow the bar to function as all ages. If you are so completely against kids even being around you (besides being on the wrong cruise line), you can go downstairs but still allowing families to grab and go on the upstairs area. The way the area is laid out, its very unlikely that the kids would be even noticed from the seating area.

 

[Page4]

I'd never EVER do this with my kid. However, I will say this. With the layout of the Cove Cafe, it would be very easy to allow parents with kids to order at the bar and then go elsewhere to enjoy their beverage. Make the seating area "Adults Only" but at least allow the bar to function as all ages. If you are so completely against kids even being around you (besides being on the wrong cruise line), you can go downstairs but still allowing families to grab and go on the upstairs area. The way the area is laid out, its very unlikely that the kids would be even noticed from the seating area.

I understand where you're coming from but, where do you draw the line? No matter what they do for an adult only spot, someone will say "I want the right to jump in and out with my children". I do agree that there shoud be good coffee available somewhere for the family adult. I was stuck to drinking the Nescafe swill on our cruise...I have a 4 and 6 year old.

 

[Tigfanjeff]

I understand where you're coming from but, where do you draw the line? No matter what they do for an adult only spot, someone will say "I want the right to jump in and out with my children". I do agree that there shoud be good coffee available somewhere for the family adult. I was stuck to drinking the Nescafe swill on our cruise...I have a 4 and 6 year old.

The solution is to throw the people overboard who don't understand the concept of "3 year old != adult". You'd be doing society a favor anyway. The fact of the matter is, adults only means just that. Adults only. It isn't that hard to understand. What baffles me is that Disney built a space on deck 10 that would have been perfectly designed to have an adults only seating area but still allowed myself and my 2 year old to stop in so I could grab a drink without bothering anyone. They just put the sign 5 feet farther forward then it should have been.

 

[JRose48]

As a parent with a child I would like to say I'm against them allowing kids in the Cove Cafe. My husband and I have enjoyed the adults only area, but our son was in the Oceaneer's Club at the time. If my son hadn't been in the club we wouldn't have gone. It's really that simple. As a parent I'm fully aware there are things I'm not going to be able to do.

I'm even against a take out window. That takes away from the atmosphere of the cafe.

I wouldn't be opposed to them having a place for adults to get gourmet coffee as long as it's far away from the adults only area.

 

[shelbell77]

If you are so completely against kids even being around you (besides being on the wrong cruise line), you can go downstairs but still allowing families to grab and go on the upstairs area.

First of all, I completely disagree that Disney is the wrong cruise line for people who don't like to be around kids. In my experience it's the BEST cruise line because even tho there are more kids on board than other lines, Disney does such a good job catering to kids that it feels like there are LESS kids. Plus they have lots of adult only options available that get used both by those traveling with and without children. This is a big part of why we like cruising DCL.

Second, why should I (or anyone else) have to drink my coffee elsewhere to avoid kids when that area is DESIGNATED by Disney as adult only?

DCL takes feedback very seriously, so whether people are upset that kids are in Cove CAfe, or upset there is no place kid friendly to get a good cup of coffee, put that feedback in your cruise surveys.

I'm also curious about the question a previous poster asked. Has anyone asked a pool waiter to order from Cove Cafe?

 

[MkUSmile78]

I just got back from the 5-night cruise on the Wonder. My DS (almost 8) and I were standing outside the door to the cove (because I would not let DS go inside the cove since it is Adults only) so DH could go inside and take some pics and this woman and her 2 kids, who looked to be around 5 and 7, walked right on inside and sat down. My DS looked at me like I had just taken away his fav toy and said "mama, I thought you said kids couldn't go in there" so I had to explain to him that not everyone always follows the rules!!!

 

[DynamicDisneyDuo]

 

[TDC Nala]

I'd have written a comment card too if they let someone hang out in there with three little kids.

On the Baltic cruise I saw absolutely no children in the Magic's cove. Back in May there was a guy on the Tortola cruise that went in there a couple of times with a baby in a stroller. I didn't comment for that one.

If they're going to keep it as an adult area (and it is now announced as an adult area) they should enforce it.

If they're going to remove the adult areas then I wish they'd let us know so I could decide if I really want to do two Disney cruises next year - I like that they have adult areas. If they want to turn the entire ship over to the kids as some folks believe should happen just because it's Disney, fine, but I'd like to know about it. Announcing adult areas and then not enforcing them...I don't go for that.

 

[orlandothebeagle]

I'd never EVER do this with my kid. However, I will say this. With the layout of the Cove Cafe, it would be very easy to allow parents with kids to order at the bar and then go elsewhere to enjoy their beverage. Make the seating area "Adults Only" but at least allow the bar to function as all ages. If you are so completely against kids even being around you (besides being on the wrong cruise line), you can go downstairs but still allowing families to grab and go on the upstairs area. The way the area is laid out, its very unlikely that the kids would be even noticed from the seating area.

Until they started screaming,lol

I just got back from the 5-night cruise on the Wonder. My DS (almost 8) and I were standing outside the door to the cove (because I would not let DS go inside the cove since it is Adults only) so DH could go inside and take some pics and this woman and her 2 kids, who looked to be around 5 and 7, walked right on inside and sat down. My DS looked at me like I had just taken away his fav toy and said "mama, I thought you said kids couldn't go in there" so I had to explain to him that not everyone always follows the rules!!!

Now see, thas a shame for your kids, even more annoying for you imho trying to explain to your kids.

 

[KSDisneyDad]

First of all, I completely disagree that Disney is the wrong cruise line for people who don't like to be around kids. In my experience it's the BEST cruise line because even tho there are more kids on board than other lines, Disney does such a good job catering to kids that it feels like there are LESS kids. Plus they have lots of adult only options available that get used both by those traveling with and without children. This is a big part of why we like cruising DCL.

Second, why should I (or anyone else) have to drink my coffee elsewhere to avoid kids when that area is DESIGNATED by Disney as adult only?

DCL takes feedback very seriously, so whether people are upset that kids are in Cove CAfe, or upset there is no place kid friendly to get a good cup of coffee, put that feedback in your cruise surveys.

I agree with the bolded. We love being around kids - especially our kids! However, when we want to cruise sans kids, we want to know that there are adult-only areas without kids. Just like WDW has Victoria and Alberts, DCL has Palo and hopefully, Cove Cafe!

I have coworkers who think that Disney cruises are only for families with kids and that we're crazy for celebrating our anniversary on a Disney cruise. We're looking forward to the experience. For example, we've really enjoyed our days on the Family Beach at Castaway Cay with our kids, but we want to try out an adults-only day at Serenity Bay this time.

I'd have written a comment card too if they let someone hang out in there with three little kids.

On the Baltic cruise I saw absolutely no children in the Magic's cove. Back in May there was a guy on the Tortola cruise that went in there a couple of times with a baby in a stroller. I didn't comment for that one.

If they're going to keep it as an adult area (and it is now announced as an adult area) they should enforce it.

If they're going to remove the adult areas then I wish they'd let us know so I could decide if I really want to do two Disney cruises next year - I like that they have adult areas. If they want to turn the entire ship over to the kids as some folks believe should happen just because it's Disney, fine, but I'd like to know about it. Announcing adult areas and then not enforcing them...I don't go for that.

I agree. This is one of the reasons we chose Disney for our upcoming anniversary trip.

 

[Tigfanjeff]

First of all, I completely disagree that Disney is the wrong cruise line for people who don't like to be around kids. In my experience it's the BEST cruise line because even tho there are more kids on board than other lines, Disney does such a good job catering to kids that it feels like there are LESS kids. Plus they have lots of adult only options available that get used both by those traveling with and without children. This is a big part of why we like cruising DCL.

Second, why should I (or anyone else) have to drink my coffee elsewhere to avoid kids when that area is DESIGNATED by Disney as adult only?

DCL takes feedback very seriously, so whether people are upset that kids are in Cove CAfe, or upset there is no place kid friendly to get a good cup of coffee, put that feedback in your cruise surveys.

I'm also curious about the question a previous poster asked. Has anyone asked a pool waiter to order from Cove Cafe?

I've never thought about it being a better option for avoiding kids, and even on the cruises before the little one showed up, I sailed because it was a better line, not because of the adult only areas, but I can definitely see your point.

And there is absolutely no reason that you should ever have to drink your coffee somewhere to avoid kids in an adults only area. I thoroughly agree that what occurred to the OP was ridiculous. If a parent can't respect the sign, then they need to be shown the door.

But I still think the sign on the outlook cafe could be 10 feet further back and diminish none of the experience.

 

[Tigfanjeff]

Until they started screaming,lol

Good thing there isn't anything super noisy right outside the door, like an entrance to the Teen club or something

 

[Buckeye Goofy]

At least DCL has addressed this issue on the new ship...with a specialty coffee shop in the public area.

This to me is admission by Disney that they goofed on this one. Great to hear they are addressing this on the new ships, but wish they would also address on current ships

Just thought of this: Has anyone asked one of the bar servers that walk around deck 9 to get a speciality coffee from Cove Cafe? This would solve the problems that some of you have mentioned.

Haven't tried it, but CMs are not always readily available, and if I'm getting a coffee to go, I shouldn't be penalized because I'm choosing to spend time with my kid.

As a parent with a child I would like to say I'm against them allowing kids in the Cove Cafe. My husband and I have enjoyed the adults only area, but our son was in the Oceaneer's Club at the time. If my son hadn't been in the club we wouldn't have gone. It's really that simple. As a parent I'm fully aware there are things I'm not going to be able to do.

I'm even against a take out window. That takes away from the atmosphere of the cafe.

I wouldn't be opposed to them having a place for adults to get gourmet coffee as long as it's far away from the adults only area.

I'm not sure how a takeout window takes away from the atmosphere any more than people traipsing in and out, particularly if they run in and out multiple times to check on the kid they stranded outside.

You wouldn't be opposed??? How gracious of you.

First of all, I completely disagree that Disney is the wrong cruise line for people who don't like to be around kids. In my experience it's the BEST cruise line because even tho there are more kids on board than other lines, Disney does such a good job catering to kids that it feels like there are LESS kids. Plus they have lots of adult only options available that get used both by those traveling with and without children. This is a big part of why we like cruising DCL.

Second, why should I (or anyone else) have to drink my coffee elsewhere to avoid kids when that area is DESIGNATED by Disney as adult only?

DCL takes feedback very seriously, so whether people are upset that kids are in Cove CAfe, or upset there is no place kid friendly to get a good cup of coffee, put that feedback in your cruise surveys.

I'm also curious about the question a previous poster asked. Has anyone asked a pool waiter to order from Cove Cafe?

I have never thought of Disney being the wrong cruise line for adults. In fact, on my first Disney cruise I was part of a large party including my parents, who were on their 2nd Disney cruise.

I certainly will place this on my next cruise survey. I can take my child and get myself a Scotch or a beer at countless places, but coffee, not happening - go figure.

I agree with the bolded. We love being around kids - especially our kids! However, when we want to cruise sans kids, we want to know that there are adult-only areas without kids. Just like WDW has Victoria and Alberts, DCL has Palo and hopefully, Cove Cafe!

I have coworkers who think that Disney cruises are only for families with kids and that we're crazy for celebrating our anniversary on a Disney cruise. We're looking forward to the experience. For example, we've really enjoyed our days on the Family Beach at Castaway Cay with our kids, but we want to try out an adults-only day at Serenity Bay this time.

I agree. This is one of the reasons we chose Disney for our upcoming anniversary trip.

I would personally hate to see Disney make any changes to the adults only areas, as I think that they are an important facet of the entire experience.

That said, one can dine at any number of quality establishments other than V&A or Palo. Just because one has kids doesn't mean you are banished to Pluto's Dog House for dinner. But because I want coffee when I am spending time with my kid, I am banished to the blackened dishwater served from the coffee trough on deck 9. I simply expect better from Disney.

While there is no excuse for what the OP had to endure, if Disney wants to have a truly adults only area, they need to have viable options for those with kids.

 

[SSRJen]

This would have really bothered me. The adult areas should be just that, for adults only. There are tons of kid-only and family areas on the ship.

I have had this experience at the adult only seminars on every trip that I have been on. I have also experienced one cruise with a table full of children (adults at the next table) during pub night. One of the cast members made a joke about them being there, but no one asked them to leave. I have written it on a comment card every time I have cruised.

The cove cafe is my sanctuary on the cruise, it would really bother me to see kids here (even if parents were just coming in to get a quick drink). While many parents are GREAT at controlling there kids, there are way too many that let their children run wild, and this could be a pretty constant interruption in a very quiet and relaxed atmosphere.