Question about ages in the clubs!

[npall]

Hi, I am asking this question for my sister who is scheduled to go on the 7/7 Wonder. Her 2 boys are best friends and they are 10 and 8 with the eight year old turning 9 in Oct. (3 months after their cruise.)
They do everything together and I am not sure how happy they will be if they are split up.

Are the ages for the Oceaneer's lab 9-12 still ?

Does anyone have any advice as to what to do or have done in this type of situation ?

Thanks

Naomi

 

[wovenwonder]

Ages 8-12 are in the Oceaneers Lab for their 'kids club' but the individual activities are grouped by 8-9 and 10-12 year olds. Both boys will be in the same 'club' but would be seperated for organized activities by their respected age groups. However, the 10 year old would likely be permitted to move down to the 8-9 group during activities --- permitted there is room in that age group.


You can view the navigators for the kids club activities at either -
www.dcltribute.com
www.castawayclub.com

 

[luv2kids]

We had a similar situation when we cruised last week. We were traveling in a small group and my son (10) and his classmate ( who will turn 10 Sept 1.) were not allowed in the same group.
They said it was not possible. My son went to programming for the 10-12 when it was something of interest, other than that, they went to the pool, played ping pong and went to movies.
They were a little disappointed but everything worked out fine, and they both had a great time!

 

[tkd lisa]

We bumped our 10 year old DD down to the 8-9s. When we signed up for the lab, we just said we wanted her in the younger group, and felt it would be more appropriate for her. They had no problem with that. She was two months over 10.

They have more problems moving kids up in age group. They have to be within one month of their birthday to move up.

 

[TootyJane]

Originally posted by tkd lisa
They have more problems moving kids up in age group. They have to be within one month of their birthday to move up.

Interesting. My ds is 7 (he turns 8 in Sept). We were on the 5/18 7-day cruise. When I asked counselors if it was possible to move him up to be with his brother. Her reply was, "Let's see how he does. We like to see how it goes in his age group. If he's unhappy we can move him up." Actually, he went once. He stayed about an hour and then he had me paged. When I went to retrieve him he told me the group was "too baby-ish." When I told him we could move him up, he said he didn't want to and that was the end of the clubs for him. I didn't push it. He and his brother did as Luv2kids posted, went swimming, movies, etc. They found plenty to do and were very happy.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

We had almost the same experience as TootyJane in April on the four day cruise. Our 7 year old DD turns 8 at the end of June and they allowed her to move up to be with her 9 year old brother. They also said lets see how she does but moved her up first. She did fine and had no problems. We didn't want her to move up to be with her brother but because the activities were more in line with her interests. Maybe that's why they said yes.

 

[npall]

Thanks everyone for their replies. This seems to be a common issue with Disney. To be honest with you, I think 3-7 and 9-12 is a bad way to split the ages up. From my experience with my nephews. There is not a whole lot of difference between the 8 &10 year BUT there is a huge difference between the 10 year old and my other 12 year old nephew.

Maybe splitting it up 8-10 and 11-13 would be a little more appropriate. I am not sure, but IMO something needs to change because it doesn't seem to be working.

I would think they are having the same problem with the 3-5 year olds. That is a BIG difference in development in those 2 years.

Anyone else agree ?

 

[Michelle]

Actually they DON'T have the 3-5 year olds together anymore, it is now 3-4s together. That was changed a while back. It is much better to have the 3-4s only in one group.

The other groupings are:

5-7
8-9
10-12

Anyone 13 and older goes to Common Grounds for teens.

It's not a perfect system but it really does work well for the most part. My daughter has been in several age groupings on her 4 cruises, from 5-8 so far, and we have always had to drag her out of the club.

 

[mmouse37]

You would have many unhappy 13 year olds if they changed the age group to include them in the other clubs. My daughter could not wait until she turned 13 to be able to go to the "cool" club with her older brother and sister.

It seem to be a "right of passage" to finally make it into Common Grounds!!! Our first cruise was the Maiden Voyage of the Magic back in July of '98 so my kids have all moved up through different groups. On our last cruise my DD18 finally moved out of CG and into the adult clubs (she loved it)!!! Can't wait to cruise again 8/3/02.

MJ

 

[disney6]

My DS who is 10 would have a fit if he was with 8 yr olds. He is now in the "double digits" and no longer "a little kid" as he says!!! He did enjoy the lab when he was 8 and I know the things they did then would not interest him now. I like the 8-9 and 10-12 split. Also glad the 3-4's are alone (I have a 3 yr old and 4 yr old also) and the 5-7's IMHO do well together (I have a 6 year old -almost- too). Just my opinion.

 

[kizzmequik]

I have boys 11, 13, 14 and 14 the 2 14"s want to be together but so do the 11 and 13, they are best friends (even if they are brothers) I was wondering If the 13 year old can go with the 11 year old to his club if they choose. Ben would rather be with his younger brother then with the older 2. Just wondering if anyone has had any trouble with that.

Thank you
Lea Ann

 

[wovenwonder]

Moving the 13 year old down with the 10-12's should not be a problem. But you will not know for sure until onboard and registered in the clubs -- provided there is availability. But, I'd say it is an almost 100% certainty that they would allow this. They would rather have your 13 year old in the younger group than to have him not feeling comfortable with the 'teens'.

 

[chines]

LeAnn- How do you manage 4 boys that close in age? You deserve a Disney vacation! The counselors are really good in accomodating families. They do make reasonable efforts to keep siblings together when possible.

 

[kizzmequik]

Thank you for your info. And 4 boys is nothing those are just the ones that are not married or in college!

I have managed 3 disney vacations in 2 years. Only one with the kids though We took a bump on the airlines and ended up with $4000 in free airfare ao that has really helped. And I have been blessed with a wonderful husband that sees the value in Mom getting time away!

Lea Ann