New to DCL - teen & family activities

[Candice30]

This will be our first time on a Disney cruise. I have been looking at activities for my teens to do on board and most seem to split right btwn their ages; at least for kid's clubs anyway (11-14) or (14-17). I am looking for things the kids can do together. They aren't very sociable and if not with me they will stick like glue to each other. They are age 13 & 17. I see there is bingo, movies, and shows. What other things can they do together or with me as a family? I don't yet have a confirmed ship so can't offer that specific info; most likely will be Wish. Just looking for a general idea of what has been offered in the past on other ships for their age.

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

You can sign a waiver that will allow the 13YO to participate in the older teen club (assuming space available). If they are both going to have more fun together, unless you 13YO is an immature 13YO (I'm not being judgy--my 12YO is more like a 10YO on the maturity scale), I would do that.

FWIW, My pretty introverted son who is 15 now LOVES being social on the ships. They have acitivities early on to get to know people, and from then on, he has had his group.

There are a lot of activities scheduled that this age can participate in--anything that is not specifically "adults only." Trivia, pools, the water slide, eating 100 ice cream cones a day. Check out some navigators on disneycruiselineblog to see the kinds of activities listed.

 

[Geomom]

In addition to what you said, there are family crafts (like 3D paper models) and character drawing classes. The Dream/Fantasy have mini golf and the midship detective game...no idea if those will be on the Wish. Sometimes there is an entertainer in the theater on a sea day (like a magician.).

My girls are 4 yrs apart as well. They were 12 /16 on our first cruise and 14/18 on our second. My youngest was more comfortable going to clubs on her own, my older just went to Vibe (and then the 1820 club) when there were activities she wanted to do. On our second cruise they went to the kids club together during an open house time to check it out. (DD21 loves Iron Man and they have one of his suits on the Magic.)

 

[Candice30]

In addition to what you said, there are family crafts (like 3D paper models) and character drawing classes. The Dream/Fantasy have mini golf and the midship detective game...no idea if those will be on the Wish. Sometimes there is an entertainer in the theater on a sea day (like a magician.).

My girls are 4 yrs apart as well. They were 12 /16 on our first cruise and 14/18 on our second. My youngest was more comfortable going to clubs on her own, my older just went to Vibe (and then the 1820 club) when there were activities she wanted to do. On our second cruise they went to the kids club together during an open house time to check it out. (DD21 loves Iron Man and they have one of his suits on the Magic.)

Cool. They would def like the magician and detective game so hope that's an option. Didn't know about mini golf and character drawing classes. We love doing those in Disney world so that'd be awesome to have on the ship.

 

[Candice30]

You can sign a waiver that will allow the 13YO to participate in the older teen club (assuming space available). If they are both going to have more fun together, unless you 13YO is an immature 13YO (I'm not being judgy--my 12YO is more like a 10YO on the maturity scale), I would do that.

FWIW, My pretty introverted son who is 15 now LOVES being social on the ships. They have acitivities early on to get to know people, and from then on, he has had his group.

There are a lot of activities scheduled that this age can participate in--anything that is not specifically "adults only." Trivia, pools, the water slide, eating 100 ice cream cones a day. Check out some navigators on disneycruiselineblog to see the kinds of activities listed.

Thanks I didn’t know that was an option. My 13 year old maturity is older and her brother at 17 is more like 15 so they have the same interests. My 13 year old is just a few months from her 14th bday when we go so I will look into that. I looked at the club for 11-13 and she would def be bored.

 

[Dug720]

I don't have kids, but I've read repeatedly that if they're going to do the club, the NEED to go to the first evening as that is when the get-to-know you games happen and cliques form. The reports I've seen where the kids hated it and were "bored" there were the times they skipped the first night and everyone was already grouped up when they did go.

 

[Candice30]

I don't have kids, but I've read repeatedly that if they're going to do the club, the NEED to go to the first evening as that is when the get-to-know you games happen and cliques form. The reports I've seen where the kids hated it and were "bored" there were the times they skipped the first night and everyone was already grouped up when they did go.

noted. Thanks for heads up.

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

I don't have kids, but I've read repeatedly that if they're going to do the club, the NEED to go to the first evening as that is when the get-to-know you games happen and cliques form. The reports I've seen where the kids hated it and were "bored" there were the times they skipped the first night and everyone was already grouped up when they did go.

This is true. Mine meet people the first night, and they hang out in the club and all over the ship the rest of the cruise. They link up the cruise messenger app on their phones so they can communicate and meet up.