Question about how young is too young

[Steph H]

Hello, all!

My name is Stephanie (Steph), and I found this site through my sister-in-law, who is an AVID Disney fan (we call her a Disney-aholic ). I told her that DH and I are seriously considering going on a Disney Cruise with our son, who is now 22 months old.

We were thinking about going in January 2005 (last week of Jan/first week of Feb, to coincide with our anniversary). However, our son will only be 34 months old then, not quite three. In browsing the Disney site, it seems to me that there isn't much for a child under 3 to do. The slightly selfish part of me is hoping that a Disney Cruise will have some planned activities for my son so that DH and I can spend some quality time together (or so that I can lay out in the sun and read a book for a little while without chasing after my son!). I'm not saying I want to be away from him all day long, but a little alone time on vacation (while he's off having age-appropriate fun) would be nice. It seems that I would need to pay for a babysitter if my son is under 3, and that it wouldn't be much fun for him anyway.

So my question is--should I wait until he's three? I have looked on the Allseastravel.com website someone posted a link to and saw that the price is astronomically high in March, but lower in January and April. So a secondary question is--Is March a better month for a cruise, and therefore that's why it costs more? Just wondering if there's any MAJOR reason not to go in January or April.

Later I will ask more info about what agencies you all book your travel through, but for now, I would just like more info about the above two questions.

Thank you all so much for your help!

 

[lbgraves]

I think that March is higher because Spring breaks are during that month. IMO, if you can wait until April to cruise, do it. Your son would also have to be potty trained before they will let him stay in the club by himself.

 

[mickeyboat]

DCL has a nursery program for babies up to agr three called Flounders. It is a pay-by-the-hour service. Spaces must be reserved and go quickly.

The Oceaneer's Club is for children ages 3-7. Kids are broken up into groups of 3-4 year olds and 5-7 year olds. There are tons of activities planned throughout the day from 9:00AM to after midnight. This program is included in the cost of your cruise. There may be circumstances where a child under the age of three would be allowed in the club - if space permits. HOWEVER, the child must be fully potty-trained, including the paperwork. Counselors in the club are not allowed to assist in the bathroom.

We booked out cruise for early March, 2004 and we got a great rate.

Good luck!

Denae

 

[outahere]

Steph,

First of all.......welcome to the DIS!!! You will find a lot of very useful info on this board.

Another reason why rates may be so high for March, 2005 is that Easter is the 27th. A lot of schools are out around then.

 

[Steph H]

Ah ha! I didn't notice that about Easter being so Early next year. That was the week I was thinking of, since it coincides with my son's birthday, but hey, for that kind of money, I'll wait a couple of weeks!

And as for the potty training issue--I didn't even think about that. Very good point. I'll have to make that a priority!

Thanks for all the info. Any other comments, especially from parents of 3-year-olds who have made the trip, are very much appreciated.

 

[mickeyboat]

We are taking DD3 and DD4 in almost a month. I will let you know how they did.

Denae

 

[CACruiser]

My daughter turned three just a few short months before our last Disney Cruise. She was fully pottytrained (including paper work!)
but was not used to a daycare environment. It was a bit overwhelming for her and we eased her into short periods of time in the kids club.

The first day, she was only in there 1/2 hour! They we tried taking her in during sleepy times. They can lay down on a mat if they get really tired. We set up our Palo time for a later sitting, so she could be asleep when we took her!

By the third day, she got used to it and was asking to go and play dress up!

LisaCA

 

[Favorite Auntie]

I am going on my 4th cruise in November, and I am bringing my 3 year old niece. She is going to be 3. I would have loved to bring her before, but I knew there would be nothing for her and she would be stuck with me all the time. Not fun for anyone... I would wait for your child to be there, you will all have a much better time!!

 

[crisi]

As the mom of two late trainers (and the girlfriend of a number of women who also had late trainers) I'd recommend waiting until trained before booking. Nothing like having great plans that involve training, only to be stuck with the worlds most stubborn pre-schooler.

 

[Lunanh]

Hey there, I will be going in March with my daughter who will be 20 months old. I will let you know when I get back how it was for me. I am looking forward to bringing her, she will be so excited to see all these new things.

 

[QueenTrident]

We just got back from with our 3 year old. She had a blast. She's used to daycare, but it still took some cajoling to get her in the club on some days - she didn't want to miss out on the deck party fun. But, overall, she loved it, especially when th characters visited the club. She still talks about seeing Stitch, Snow White and Daisy.

Have fun planning!

 

[strawberryblonde]

I'd vote for April. Lower rates in April usually aren't there because of Easter. Should be just a bit warmer in April. No reason why you can't celebrate his 3rd bday on the ship one night with a cake. As you near the 60 day out mark, you will know if he will be potty trained by then or not. If it isn't looking good, you could always change your dates for later (even though you would be quite disapointed to do so) Best wishes.

 

[suzanny]

Hey all. I posted this question in the wrong place earlier today. I'm hoping you might have some insight. My daughter just turned 4 last week, and though she's pretty much potty trained, she does occassionally have accidents. I'm worried that they may kick her out of the kid's club if she wets. She's really shy, and doesn't always tell people she has to go until it's too late. I could put her in a pull-up, but wasn't sure what they'd say.
I can always ask when I get to the magic on Saturday, but I'm getting worried about this. Poor kid has a nervous wreck for a mom, no wonder she's not completely trained yet!

Thanks!

 

[beattyfamily]

We took both of our DD's when they were 2 for the first time. They both had a BLAST. No, they couldn't use the Club but that didn't matter to us.

They loved the pool, the beach, the movie theater, the shows, the dancing they did with characters, and the meals. Both were very sad when it was time to go home.

Even when our older DD was 5, she didn't want to do the club. She wanted to hang with us instead.

We may try and coax them into the club this time since they'll be 5 and 8 and will have friends coming who will be 4 and 6 when we go!

Have fun!

 

[Favorite Auntie]

suzanny,
I believe that it is the 3 strikes and you are out rule. To avoid people from saying that they are potty trained when they really aren't. And they beep you to do the changing, they don't do it.

 

[crisi]

suzzany,

I'd encourage you to make regular stops by the club to take her potty. Apparently, sometimes the counselors remind them, but if your daughter is shy, its probably best if you do it. Although my stubborn girl doesn't like to potty on command, so it probably wouldn't do us any good.

 

[minniemouse1]

Suzzany,
We cruised with our 2 1/2 y/o girl who was potty trained in Oct. They allowed her into the OC and I made sure everytime I dropped her off that I told the counselor at the bathroom door that they needed to remind her to go because if she gets really involved in playing she wouldn't initiate it herself. They assured me they would remind her and also stated that every 1/2 hour they make all the 3-4 y/o go to the potty. She also was not tall enough to reach the potty seat hanging on the wall and they said they would get it for her and sit her on it. She ended up having 2 accidents on our 7 day cruise. They paged us and we immediately went to the club to get her. Once I changed her at the club and left her there because we were at Palos and the other I took her out. we never left her there for more than 2 hours and only brought her there about 4 or 5 times. After her second accident I started to go and toilet her when she was there. The counselors had no problem with her accidents and had her out of her wet clothes and in a disney magic shirt by the time I got there.
I did see some kids with pull ups on in the OC. I think that if you have any issues that you should put her in a pull up and just be sure she can pull it up and down herself and also that she can wash and dry her hands independently because they are expected to do this after they use the toilet.
I was never told by the counselors that there was a 3 strikes and your out rule even though we were on our second accident. I think maybe it is because I made a point to tell them everytime that she needed reminding. Some of the counselors in my opnion seemed very disinterested in the children and some were wonderful. I hope on our next cruise in April 2005 that they are all wonderful.

 

[lbgraves]

When I checked on DD her one time alone with DS in the club, they had stopped & were having everyone go to the bathroom. Now remember, the toilets on the ship are EXTREMELY loud & DS wouldn't flush them because they scared him at 5. When she didn't come out, I went in looking for her & she was squating in the corner of the room with her hands over her ears & her eyes closed. She was 3 & 3 months at the time. She went to the bathroom with me there & after it was empty so it was quiet.

I talked to the counselor when I signed the kids up & explained that she had been PTd for a couple months but we still used PUs to make sure, especially with this trip & new surroundings. I told them that we would not be leaving the ship when we put her in the club & would be checking on her to make sure that she was ok. They noted it on her info sheet & on the computer. She only went two times though. I am hoping that she will enjoy it more this next cruise since the experience of the cruise really helped her open up in PS. I think that she had so many people doting on her that her self confidence just increased beyond belief. Her PS teachers were shocked when she started talking in class the first day back. They hadn't heard her voice in school before.