Kids in the Cove Cafe

[Familyman1024]

like pp have stated if we do not have the integrity to follow the rules what do we have..anarchy. I love my coffee, cant function without it. But I would settle for a bad cup of joe before I go and break the rules to get a good cup. These places are put there for a reason.

 

[shelbell77]

Which of those is open at 8am? Other than the restaurants?

The poster who copied the info from dcl listed that in her post. I only referred to the restaurants (where I have gotten lattes at both breakfast and dinner and kids are allowed). But in all cases that days navigator would have the hours.

Bottom line is, there are options besides cove cafe and the deck 9 coffee station for those who for whatever reason can't get a few minutes to go into cove cafe because of their kids. Whether people choose to find ways to make the available solutions work for them or continue to argue that Disney is wrong is up to them. My stance will continue to be that Disney says cove cafe is over 18 only, and that is what I expect.

 

[mouseclick1]

The last time we cruised, Cove Cafe was still the teen club, so obviously it's been a while! We are going to Alaska next year, and I am looking forward to trying it. According to DCL, even the Cove Cafe doesn't open until noon, so it looks like the restaurants are the only options for good coffee in the morning.

From the DCL website:
Open from approximately noon to midnight daily, Cove Café is a cozy spot providing both air-conditioned indoor seating and outdoor seating where adult Guests can unwind with a refreshing alcoholic beverage, gourmet coffee or snack.

 

[JenKatt]

You missed my point. I saw the hours. None of them are open in the morning. The lounges don't open until noon. So the Cove is it in the morning. So there aren't other options.

 

[floridaminnie]

The Promenade Bar opens up at 9 AM

 

[shelbell77]

You missed my point. I saw the hours. None of them are open in the morning. The lounges don't open until noon. So the Cove is it in the morning. So there aren't other options.

I didnt miss your point, you missed mine. Restaurants ARE open and kids are allowed there and they will make you a latte. so people with kids DO have an option. And a look at some recent navigators online shows that often the promenade lounge opens at 8am or 8:30 am, so that's a possibility too if you read your navigator.

 

[rtkane]

And then there is the reality of businesses everywhere... you cannot ever please everyone. There will always be hiccups, restrictions or rules that displease someone. Every business tries and every business will eventually fail in some way.
Unless/until being a parent becomes a protected class under federal law, Disney has the right to create/maintain "Adults Only" areas and parents will simply have to make alternate arrangements/sacrifices (no one ever died from missing a cup o' joe) to abide by Disney's decisions.

That being said, people can campaign all they like to try to get Disney to change their ways as that is their right. Just understand that those without kids (or who are able to work around them) also have the right to campaign against your campaign.

I completely agree. If the rules state adults only, it should be adults only. I've spent several hours in the Cove and it shocked me how many kids were running in and out. I don't want to sound harsh, but I don't want to see your kids on my vacation in an area that is clearly specified as an adults only area. It's not like it's a surprise when you get on the ship--everything says it's adults only and if you let one person bring in their kids, you have to let all of them do it and before you know it, you have 10 or 12 kids in the area at any given time, which, again IMO, spoils the atmosphere because not all of them are well-behaved or quiet.

The last time I was there there were close to a 7 or 8 kids in the pool area at one point and when I was having an adult beverage with my wife, sister and brother-in-law in the indoor bar area, someone decided to pop in to get a drink and their 4 year old kid came in with him. The adult had no consideration for anyone and the kid came over to us and stared at us the whole time the dad was waiting for his drink. I guess he thought it was cute since he saw it and didn't do a darn thing about it. It just annoyed me because there's an expectation that kids aren't going to be there (and they shouldn't be there). Another woman brought her two soaking wet pre-teens in and proceeded to virtually empty the pastry selection with them and left. The girls were loud, giggling and generally obnoxious. I was shocked and am continually stunned at the "the rules don't apply to me" attitudes of people wherever you go.

I would NEVER bring my kids (I have 2) into an adults only area because I know many of you don't want to see MY kids when YOU'RE in the adults only area on vacation. IMO, and in line with the established rules, kids should not be coming in to "check in" with parents or follow them in for coffee orders because they just can't make other arrangements. Specialty coffee drinks are not a standard part of everyone's cruise and are not included in the cruise price--figure out a way to stay within the rules if you want one--there are plenty of opportunities provided by Disney to do so with the on-board child care. Don't have the time or it's too much of a hassle to put the kid into the kids program for 20 minutes? Then you need to settle for something else.

I know the above may sound mean spirited or harsh, but I don't mean it to be. I just think that everyone should follow the rules as they're established, and if that means you have to give up something then you have to give up something. I recognize that this is a Disney Cruise and there are kids all around. But for heaven's sake, let us have an adults only area with an expectation that there aren't going to be kids trudging in and out. Many of you will probably disagree with me, but I stand by my opinion.

 

[shelbell77]

The last time we cruised, Cove Cafe was still the teen club, so obviously it's been a while! We are going to Alaska next year, and I am looking forward to trying it. According to DCL, even the Cove Cafe doesn't open until noon, so it looks like the restaurants are the only options for good coffee in the morning.

From the DCL website:
Open from approximately noon to midnight daily, Cove Café is a cozy spot providing both air-conditioned indoor seating and outdoor seating where adult Guests can unwind with a refreshing alcoholic beverage, gourmet coffee or snack.

That's funny! Definitely was 7am every day on my last wonder cruise because I was there at opening each day!

 

[mouseclick1]

That's funny! Definitely was 7am every day on my last wonder cruise because I was there at opening each day!

Ha ha! I guess they use the word "approximately" quite generously! So much for quoting DCL to get the facts straight!

 

[shelbell77]

Ha ha! I guess they use the word "approximately" quite generously! So much for quoting DCL to get the facts straight!

Seriously! I just emailed them about it.

 

[shelbell77]

No disagreement from me RTKANE! I'm 100% with you!!

 

[JenKatt]

I didnt miss your point, you missed mine. Restaurants ARE open and kids are allowed there and they will make you a latte. so people with kids DO have an option. And a look at some recent navigators online shows that often the promenade lounge opens at 8am or 8:30 am, so that's a possibility too if you read your navigator.

Sorry I did read the Navigators and have been on board and not seen the PL open that early. There really is no need for people to be jumping on others like this. I have a son myself and would not bring him into an adult area. However I understand what others are saying about having viable options. You can't get a latte from a restaurant to go. The lounges may or may not be an option, however the CC is open. While kids needs to stay out of there, an alternative should be made. Following the logic that a specialty coffee is not standard cruise fare, nothing in the adult area is standard. It's for everyone over 18. However, parts of it should be replicated for all, hence having a FULL COFFEE BAR FOR ALL on the Dream.
And again, wouldn't bring my kid in, nor do I like to see them in the adult areas, but a little acknowledgement for others would be nice. OH wait, that's not possible is it?

 

[floridaminnie]

Sorry I did read the Navigators and have been on board and not seen the PL open that early. There really is no need for people to be jumping on others like this. I have a son myself and would not bring him into an adult area. However I understand what others are saying about having viable options. You can't get a latte from a restaurant to go. The lounges may or may not be an option, however the CC is open. While kids needs to stay out of there, an alternative should be made. Following the logic that a specialty coffee is not standard cruise fare, nothing in the adult area is standard. It's for everyone over 18. However, parts of it should be replicated for all, hence having a FULL COFFEE BAR FOR ALL on the Dream.
And again, wouldn't bring my kid in, nor do I like to see them in the adult areas, but a little acknowledgement for others would be nice. OH wait, that's not possible is it?

I just look at the navigators from earlier this year and PL opened up at 9 am

 

[rtkane]

Sorry I did read the Navigators and have been on board and not seen the PL open that early. There really is no need for people to be jumping on others like this. I have a son myself and would not bring him into an adult area. However I understand what others are saying about having viable options. You can't get a latte from a restaurant to go. The lounges may or may not be an option, however the CC is open. While kids needs to stay out of there, an alternative should be made. Following the logic that a specialty coffee is not standard cruise fare, nothing in the adult area is standard. It's for everyone over 18. However, parts of it should be replicated for all, hence having a FULL COFFEE BAR FOR ALL on the Dream.
And again, wouldn't bring my kid in, nor do I like to see them in the adult areas, but a little acknowledgement for others would be nice. OH wait, that's not possible is it?

I totally agree that Disney should listen to what people want and replicate a full coffee bar across all of the ships that's accessible to those who, for whatever reason, are unable to take advantage of the coffee available in the Cove because of their kids. It would alleviate all of the problems folks are bringing up and probably be a sizeable money maker for Disney if it were more publicly accessible.

Everyone would be happy, which is what we all want in the end right?

 

[jjgarv]

FYI, I have two kids....and I accept that at times it impinges on my complete freedom to do what I want, when I want and how I want.....

Truer words were never spoken.

 

[Tigfanjeff]

I totally agree that Disney should listen to what people want and replicate a full coffee bar across all of the ships that's accessible to those who, for whatever reason, are unable to take advantage of the coffee available in the Cove because of their kids. It would alleviate all of the problems folks are bringing up and probably be a sizeable money maker for Disney if it were more publicly accessible.

Everyone would be happy, which is what we all want in the end right?

I think my personal issue with Disney isn't that Cove it adults only. It's that they built a second full service coffee bar on the Wonder and made that one adults only too.

 

[shelbell77]

I think my personal issue with Disney isn't that Cove it adults only. It's that they built a second full service coffee bar on the Wonder and made that one adults only too.

 

[debg]

We are "rule followers" and don't take dd12 in any "adults only" area, BUT I do not understand the complete uproar that a child may appear every now and then in an adult only area. It doesn't sound like it was a problem in any of the 4 pages so far. Is it really such a BIG DEAL??? You are CHOOSING to cruise with Disney and there WILL always be children......................just sayin'

Yes, but you see, once it starts it rarely continues to be a" child appearing every now and then. During the course of an afternoon sitting outside Cove Cafe, between kids checking in with their parents and parents stopping in with "a" child now and then, there can easily end up being kids in the Adult Only area around/in Cove and the pool almost non-stop. Believe me, it totally snowballs. Not only will a parent be more likely to bend the rules when the see another doing so, but once a parent bends the rules the more likely they'll be to do it again. And again. And if the kids are allowed where they don't belong once or twice, they start thinking it's ok. I've seen kids checking in with their parents every 15-20 minutes. Went on the entire afternoon.

Seven of our ten cruises were before DD turned 18. It was sometimes a hassle, for sure. Sometimes it was inconvenient. That's life. We followed the rules, we didn't make excuses, and now we hope others will do the same. The adult area can't remain an adult area if every parent stops in with a child every now and then.

Adult only means adult only.... just sayin'.

debg

 

[tinkerone]

i havn't read this whole thread but i thought i would just say that i didn't know that the cove cafe was adults only. i know there is an adults only area, i use it, but didn't know cove cafe was off limits. now i have no little ones so i didn't ever have to check this out but i thought i would just say that maybe some people just don't know. i'm sure theres signage but if i didn't notice it maybe some parents don't either....who knows??

 

[calmpets]

If you are coming from midship, it's hard to not to notice. There is a big sign before the doorway to Quiet Cove saying "18 and over only". It's like a stop sign - you have to blatantly ignore it to miss it. Coming from the forward elevators, however, it's not as clearly marked.