One Quick Piece of Advice!

[tchrmom]

If your child is unsure about the clubs, I suggest you get them to go the first night and the first day. This is when everyone is a "stranger". They are all eager to meet a friend. My son hooked up with someone Saturday night, and they became fast friends. For the rest of the trip, they were ALWAYS together. On our cruise (6/8) I heard 1 lady complain NUMEROUS times about how BORED her 10 year old son was. He didn't want to go to the clubs, but because of the weather, he could not swim either. She complained, loudly, to guest services.....and anyone else who would listen, that her son spent the 7 days in the cabin, watching TV. Both of my kids made several new friends, but each had a "special buddy"! (Thanks Zach and Carelia!) Get them to go, and meet kids before the "cliques" develop.

 

[Michelle]

That is GREAT advice, and I definitely agree. I always recommend that kids GO to the club the first night as that as when many friendships are born.

 

[ennazus]

That's great advice! Thanks for pointing it out!!

 

[4crusinransiers]

***
I heard 1 lady complain NUMEROUS times about how BORED her 10 year old son was. He didn't want to go to the clubs, but because of the weather, he could not swim either. She complained, loudly, to guest services.....and anyone else who would listen, that her son spent the 7 days in the cabin, watching TV.***

Funny how she would complain to guest services about her child sitting in the cabin for 7 days watching TV! Quite possibly thats what he does at home too! My kids do not get to watch TV on weeknights. And unless they are watching TV before bed on the Magic to unwind..they will not be watching TV on the magic!
Good tip about getting them in the Clubs the first night and day!
Thats my plan.

 

[snowwhitemom]

Thanks so much for the great tip, we are going 1/05/03 ans its a first so I thank you for the good advice.

 

[PartiesNBalloons]

I have a 12yr and a 14yr and both are planning on spending the 1st night in their clubs meeting people. Like mentioned before, most 'friend groups' are formed the 1st day or so and it's hard to 'join in' later.

As far as the child watching tv for 7 days straight, I'm not getting that. If my child was not having a good time at the clubs, I would make sure we were having a good time with the numerous Family activites that DCL has. There's no way one should get bored on the ship.

35 days and counting down!!

 

[RellingTwin]

I had heard this tip but did not do it (not sure why ) and as a result my kids (DD9 DS8) did not wish to go to the clubs.
However, they had plenty to do, both with us and without us. We did let them order room service for lunch and "chill" watching TV while DH and I did Palos brunch. But they did LOTS of other things! Mickey 200, Arcade, pin trading, movies,swimming and eating! They both made friends with other kids at the pool and in the arcade.
One thing is for sure, you will NEVER meet anyone if you do not come out of the cabin!
They WILL go to the clubs on the 1st night next time, even if it is just for a hour or so. Then if they chose not to go, fine with me.

 

[tchrmom]

I don't know this for a fact.....but I suspect that this lady was bucking to get something free from Disney. I agree that as a mom, she should have helped her son get involved with the many family activities!

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

You're probably right about her looking for something from Disney. In our house, if I think the kids are watching too much TV, I try a radical aproach--TURNING IT OFF!!! I can't even imagine this being an issue on a vacation, of any sort, but esp. with all the things to do on the ship, at the ports, etc. I like your point about going the first night--particularly important, I think with a kid (like my Buzz!) who isn't the type to "jump in".

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

Originally posted by tchrmom

I suspect that this lady was bucking to get something free from Disney.

Maybe some arcade cards. Now THAT would have been an improvement! LOL!

 

[magic]

This is the best advice if you have a child. Our almost 12 year old was very shy about going to the clubs. That first night he did not go but the next morning my husband and I had him there bright and early. He was so mad because he was scared and I told him he had to stay until lunch. My husband and I went outside and waited to make sure our only child was O.K. after about 10 minutes my husband gave in and said lets go get him, this is a family vacation and I am not going to see him suffer, so here we go into the club.

He looked up after us having to work to get his attention and said what are you doing here I am having a great time. After that, we had to make appointments with him. He made several really great friends and was almost in tears when the vacation was over (begged to stay for another week, I wish).

Afterwards he told his grandparents the best thing we did was make him go to the club and try it out.