Oceaneers Lab

[lzj21428]

I was reading that the lab is for kids 8 thru 12. Are they seperated in anyway w/ in the lab? Or are they kept together as a group?

When we cruise in Aug. (made my deposit this morning) will dd 9 be with ds 12? I'm kind of hoping so, because if they are together dd will probably be more comfortable and tend to stay longer, giving dh and I some alone time.

 

[Bmwdsny]

There are 2 groups in the Lab..8-9's and 10-12's.
They do some thing together and other times apart..Depending on activites.
Most of time, apart. One group could be in Lab while another group could be in other area of the ship. but both groups check in and out at the Lab.

 

[myboysmom]

I too have a question. At the time of our sailing we will have a 7 and a 12. The one who will be 7 is a social butterfly and gets along well with all ages. He is also currently reading and doing math above grade level (he is a kindergartener now). Would Disney even consider bumping him up to be with the 8-9 group, at least he will then be in the same area as his older bro (who will be 12). I too am worried that if my boys are split, they won't have as good of a time as if they were nearer each other. Even if he wouldn't be doing the same activities he would have a better idea where his best buddy is.

 

[Lynderella]

DCL will let a child move up an age group if the child is within a month of his/her birthday.

 

[lzj21428]

I was thinking of cking to see if they will let dd 9 move up. Our cruise is 8/7 and she will be 10 on 9/28, just a bit over a month. All they can do is say no, right?

 

[Bmwdsny]

to myboysmom and lzj,

it all depends on the situation and how much space there is..Yes, DCL has a policy of if you are within one month of your birthday, you can bump em up.
thre are different circumstances of each child requesting to be in other group, as long it not a BIG wide age span. My DS 7 was bumped up to 8 and 9 because he has cruised 2 times before and got bored with the 5-7 group and i asked to bump him up even though he won't be 8 til another 5 months. DCL put him on observation period to see how he did in that group and of course, did well ended up staying there...Again, it all comes down the circumstances and space availablity...if the group is very full, they may not even move you even if you are within one month of your birthday.

All you can do is Ask and the worse they can say is NO....

 

[yazee1]

Hi, there. I also have a situation like this with my boys. Their age difference a little less than yours though. It's almost 3 years. My younger son is almost 8 and in second grade. My older son is 10 and in fifth grade. Even though they are the closest of playmates at home, I'm certain they will enjoy the separation, especially my older son. It's a little like the first day of Sunday School or Kids' Club at church. They warm up fast. I don't know your children, but I bet even if they were in the same room, at some point they would want to make new friends, especially the older one. Would your younger daughter be okay with it if her older brother made a new friend and left her alone?

The other issue is the fact that your younger daughter, if she was bumped up, would then be the littlest fish in a big pond. Even if she is physically and socially mature, there's a big difference between her and most of the kids in the Lab. Probably, she'd cope fine but it's more likely he'd be happier being the big fish in the littler pond.

I wish we were cruising at the same time.

 

[lzj21428]

I'll just play it by ear. I asked dd 9 this morning if she would go to the club and at first she said, "probably not" then she said, "well, maybe, yes" On our first cruise she was six and went to the clubs a couple of times, one time when we went to pick her up she was laying on a mat crying, sobbing and the counselors didn't notice. She never went back. The second cruise she was about 7 and she never stepped foot in the club. I'm thinking with her being older she may be a bit more daring and try it out a couple of times. She has gotten more bold in her WDW choice of rides.

 

[myboysmom]

Yes, I believe that you are all right.

I know that they would both love to make new friends and I am sure that they both could do with some "alone time" from each other. I guess in the back of my mind I worry too much. I sort of talked my husband into taking the kids on our 20th anniversary trip because I told him they would have soooo much to do we would never see them. After seeing some of the posts from some families who thought the same, and whose children didn't cooperate (its like they know when you need some time with your mate )

 

[yazee1]

(its like they know when you need some time with your mate )

Ain't it the truth!


Since this is our first cruise, I've been showing the kids the promotional dvd from DCL and pictures of other people's trips. I want them to be familiar with the boat, the children doing activities with the CM's and especially the Lab and Club. I think it will help when it comes time to visit the Club and Lab. I think it's working. Older ds can't wait to go to the Lab.

 

[CM_Mom]

Let me share an idea I first read from a fellow poster kcashner. Their family has a rule that the kids must do ONE activity a day at the same time in the Club/Lab. I imagine they're talking about an hour or two. The kids get to look at the Navigators and decide when they want to go but they don't have any choice about going once a day for a little while. The kids have the option of spending more time in club/lab activities but not less.

This sounds VERY reasonable to me. It gives the parents and hour or two alone together every day and even if the kids don't LOVE the club/lab, their trip won't be ruined. It's the parents' vacation also and in the past I've found that even an hour alone to do whatever we wish rejuvenated us when our kids were small.

 

[yazee1]

That does sound like a good idea. Thanks for sharing that.

 

[diz_cruise_rocks]

the kids 8-12 are seperated from the4?-7 kids

 

[jjnv]

My younger son was 6.5 when we were on the cruise. His brother was 9. We also traveled with our neighbor's kids age 9, 9 and 10. He was not happy about going to the club by himself. I talked to the lab director. They let him stay in the 8-9 age group as long as he always go with the other kids. He did just fine. I think his brother probably wish he was not with him all the time though.