Oceanears Club/Lab Question...

[nhmomx2]

Hello all...boy it's been a while since I last posted! I was wondering if anyone has had an issue with splitting up their kids into the two clubs. We'll have a 7 and 10 year old at cruise time. From the looks of it, we'll have to split them up for the Oceanears. Does anyone know if there is anyplace/activities for the two of them to go so they can stay together - without Mom & Dad! Are the age groups flexible? My DD (7) is freaking out that she won't be with her big brother. I honestly don't think we'll go if that's the case....just longer at WDW I guess

Thanks!!

 

[mark & sandra]

The only time they will be together is when they both are at the lab doing their activities. My DD11 and DS9 were concerned about that too. They had such a good time with all the other kids that they never missed each other at all. It was all I coiuld do to take my son out of the clubs for dinner. He was content in staying there the whole time, and lets not even talk about taking him out at the end of the night, he wanted to be the last kid picked up every night. I would recommend one thing, make sure you bring your kids to the clubs on the first day so they can meet all the other kids right away. We decided to bring my daughter on the 3rd day and she felt like the new kid in school. Once the kids start liking the clubs you'll get to enjoy all the nightime activities and you're only a beeper message away from your kids. The counselers text message you with any requests your kids have no matter how small. My daughter had them ask us what time she had to go to bed that night and if she could order room service when we got back to the room.

Sandra

 

[tross]

I am just back from the Wonder. Though I have read posts to the contrary I found them flexible with the ages. We have a mature, taller than average 71/2 DS and DS10 and DS12. Though the 8-9 yr activities are separate from the 10-12 there are activities that are together including free time for exploring the lab, movies etc. We requested the 71/2 yr old be allowed to participate with the 8s so he would be in the lab versus club which is 5-7yrs and it was no problem. They did meet him and advised it would be a trial basis but it worked out fine and he was able to spend some time with his brothers.

Technically you are supposed to be within 30 days of the age you participate with. There is a very cool slide in the 5-7 club area and your daughter may want to stay there when she sees it! The focal point of the lab is computers and video games.

If you are on the 4 day cruise you may find you want to keep the kids with you much of the time anyway. Other than the day at sea and late nights that was the case with us.

I wouldn't let concern about this issue stop me from trying the cruise. You appear to have done the "world" many times so I bet you will love the cruise. Even if your kids don't enjoy the clubs and most likely they will regardless of the age issue there is plenty of other things to do.

 

[nhmomx2]

Thank you for your replies. We are actually only looking at the 3 Day cruise as we've never been and this is meant to literally "test the waters"

I'm quite sure they will have a great time. My DD will be 7 1/2 and my DS will be 10 3/4 (lol!). With the exception of school they are always together. She does make friends much more easily than him. I just hope they don't decide not to try. I'll have to tell my son the "Lab" isn't what he was hoping it to be. He's very into science and believe he was thinking more along those lines than technology.

My goal is to get a little free time with DH. We'll be doing the cruise after 5 nights at WDW - with no sitter this time

Thanks again...have a great day.