Several ??s, 3&4 yr old kids, rooms, more

[Masonpips]

We are considering a 4 night or 7 night (probably East) in late Oct/early Nov. Will my children *really* love the kid's clubs as much as everyone advertises? They are outgoing and I think they will, but am hesitant to jump on a 7 day trip if they're not going to have loads of fun (leaving it up to me to entertain them - I'd rather hit the beach). I see tons of posts from people with older kids - how about the pre-school set?

We are debating between a Category 9 (outside, level 2) and a Category 8 (outside, level 6 or 7). Does the deck level make that much of a difference (in terms of noise mainly).

If you've done the 7 and the 4 nights, would you repeat the 7 again? Or for those who have only done the 4, did you leave wanting a lot more (night-wise?)

Thanks! I've enjoyed reading all the threads while planning our trip!

One last question, our son will turn 5 on 10/19 and we may start the cruise that day - will DCL make him feel "special" if we tell them?
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First-time cruiser 10 or 11/02

 

[PiperG]

Masonpips,

DH, DS 5 and I did a land and sea last year, which included a 3-day Wonder cruise.

DS 5 is a somewhat hesitant child. He just doesn't jump into new things quickly and really wants to decide for himself. No pushing him at all. Clearly, we were concerned about the club.

I just couldn't believe what I saw on that ship. We went to the club to check him in at emarkment and he loved it from the moment he set eyes on it. The first night we took him over after dinner and the kids had an emarkment party with Minnie Mouse. We had to drag him out of there. The second night, as soon as he finished dinner (they feed the kids first and we took the early seating), he wanted to go. DH took him over between courses and then we enjoyed the remainder of our meal.

We had so much fun on that short Wonder cruise we booked a 7-day Eastern before we got off the boat.

 

[plutospup]

DD4 can be very shy at times. To our surprise she loved the Oceaneers Club. Fortunately, there was another 4 yr old at our table (early seating), and together they would go to the club. She loved meeting Snow White, dancing, and playing dress up. As for quiet rooms, we were in Cat 9, 6512 toward the front of the ship - very quiet, and little movement.

 

[daltonsdodisney]

My girls are a little older, 8 and 6, outgoing, and didn't love the clubs like I'd hoped. I think it's important to get them in there the first day of open club registration to get them familiar with it. We kind of bypassed that since there's so much to do on the first day and not really anything planned in the kids clubs. We did stop by to register them, but the lines were long and slow and we didn't want to miss the outdoor sailaway party (which my kids LOVED!)
Anyway, the next morning when we wanted to get off ship and check out Nassau without kids, we took them to clubs and picked them up after and both were not that keen on it. After that, they'd go reluctantly and by the end, didn't want to go at all. I finally had my 8 drop down to my 6's group so they could be together. It helped them go, but they still didn't love it like I thought they would. They much preferred being in the Mickey pool and outside with the music parties at night. For the little ones, after 10, when you want to hit the clubs, they sit the kids in front of a movie to fall asleep, so that didn't work well for us either. And the dress up clothes are only available at certain times, which we never seemed to hit.
But I noticed that during the registration open period, they made it look more fun, with face painting, dress-up, crafts, etc.. all going on before their eyes. That might make them eager to go and familiar with the club if you be sure to make it a priority.

 

[floridaminnie]

We are gong on the 7 day cruise 7/20 with my dd whose 3. SHe's outgoing and we have the pottytraining down to a science now. I'll let you know how it goes when we get back!

 

[peg2001]

sdoane,

Care to share your science of potty training? I'm hoping to have my DD (2.5 yrs) potty trained by the time she turns 3 as this is when we have scheduled our cruise, Jan 19!

 

[floridaminnie]

My dd actually will turn 3 on 7/12. It took my over year to. I had a love hate relationship with the pull-ups. They are easier to use than diapers, but they pull away the wetness just like a diaper. She would go and never really feel that she was wet. So what I ended up doing was putting big girl underwear on her and then the pull-ups over her. She felt it when she went. What actually put the icing on the cake was I taught the 3 year old Vacaction Bible School class at my church that she was in. She did not want those "diapers" over her big girl underwear, because all the other kids had big girl/boy underwear on without diapers. I also made it a big deal about going on mickey's boat you have to use the potty. I also talked to her about everything she get to do on Mickey's boat and I can't tell you how many times we've seen the ship's videa. I found out a lot about what they do in the clubs through this website. http://www.castawayclub.com/

She's been dry for 2 1/2 weeks day and night. Good Luck!

 

[queenvic]

We have a DS6 and a DD3. DS is very outgoing and never met a stranger. He made a friend wherever we went (in the line to get on the ship, at the Sail A Way party, etc.) DD is a little more reserved, but not much. I was suprised that neither wanted to go to the clubs because it meant separation from Mom & Dad. However, we made them go a few times when we had 'adults only' activities (Surial, Palos, etc.) and when we picked them up, that's all they could talk about. They had a great time. We also took them a few times when the activity was something I knew they would enjoy. DD would go willingly if there was going to be a character there.

So, did they enjoy the kids club as much as I thought they would? No. Did it cause for a less enjoyable cruise? Absolutely not. We took them to the beach with us and they had a blast. We took them to the pool, to play shuffleboard, etc. I don't really think you'll know what you're kids will do until you actually get them there.

Hope this helps and have a great cruise!

 

[dijid]

I think a determining factor on whether your kids will enjoy the OC is how much they like group activities. My DD was only 2 1/2 when we cruised (well, 2 3/4 actually and completely potty trained) and was allowed to do activities with the OC with a parent present. We got to observe the kids and the ones that were more into independent, free play did not seem to be enjoying themselves. Those that enjoyed a good screaming contest loved it. If your children are comfortable in large group settings (which I don't think many 3 year olds are) and like to do group activities, they will probably enjoy it.

Here's how we potty trained DD at just over 2 and in about 3 days - I never used pull ups. Took DD to Wal mart and let her pick her own underpants. I put her in them (with rubber pants) and basically she peed in them for an entire day (we did not leave the house the entire weekend we did this). I never said anything negative about it, we just pointed out she was wet and changed her clothes. Told her next time she would remember to tell us to go on the potty. She quickly realized being wet wasn't a good thing. We took a kitchen timer and set it to go off frequently. Told her it was the potty timer and when it went off, she had to go sit on the potty. She never argued with the timer like she would with Mom or Dad. Gave her one M&M out of a jar every time she went on the potty. By Day 2 she only had a few accidents. By day 3, only one. I used the timer for maybe a week before I trusted her to tell me. And yes, there were some accidents while she tried to figure out exactly how late she could wait to tell me. One other thing - Don't ask your child permission to do any of this. Just tell them, very matter-of-factly, that this is what you are going to do.

Also - if you can get your child to go for it, it will make your life soooo much easier if they'll do a lid on the big toilet (we bought one that flipped up for when the adult wanted to use the toilet) rather than a potty chair. No messes to clean up and the child gets used to big potties (which they must use in public and when they go to the kids club on the ship.) I highly recommend this.

 

[peg2001]

Ok, I admit it, you parents are like gods to me! We've done the switch to underwear (no diapers and no pull-ups) and had some success in using the potty but after about 3 accidents, I am OVER it and back into diapers we go. I know that she would pick it up quickly if I let her have as many accidents as she needs to have to make the connection of "Oh, that's what it feels like when I need to go to the potty" and "oh, that's what it feels like when I don't get to the potty in time." She is eager to wear underwear and be like her big sister too. She's not failing, *I* am!

My older DD would have rather died than wet herself. We had VERY few accidents with her so maybe I have unrealistic expectations.

I know this seems off-track for a cruise board but I'm hoping that she will be able to use the kids clubs on board.

 

[cumickey]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=191024
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=192994

Here is two older threads that may help you as well.

We don't go till September with our DS3, and I hope 7days with half sea and half islands will work out great for us. I think with the 3 day we would just be getting into a good routine and they would be chucking us off!. We have also gone with a verandah, so if he does get worn out and need naps then we still get to vacation out there with room service and get a break!

 

[liza]

Here are my two cents: We did the 7-night, with an 8-year-old and a three-year-old. The older one LOVED the club and clamored to go each morning. The 3-year-old spent some time in there nearly every day, and we were able to go to Palo (brunch, tea and dinner) and an excursion, but that child didn't love the clubs as much as the 8-year-old did. Also, we were traveling with two other families, with children ages: 3, 4, 6 and 6. The older children were more eager to be in the clubs. All of us felt we had incorrect expectations going in, that all of the children would love to be in the clubs. They did enjoy them sometimes, but mostly the younger ones wanted to be with the parents. I like what queenvic said: "So, did they enjoy the kids club as much as I thought they would? No. Did it cause for a less enjoyable cruise? Absolutely not. " I would agree with that statement. Just don't go into it thinking they will be in the clubs all day, every day.

We enjoyed it so much we probably will go back for next year's spring break. Frankly, I can't think of a better vacation to take a 4-year-old on. And this way we get to see some fun places.

One other thing: Be prepared to have the television in the room turned to Disney movies all of the time. (At least, once your kids find out that's what's on TV!) If you don't want them to know, don't turn it on!

I got a side rail for the bottom bunk, for my 3-year-old, in case of rough seas...but we never needed it. The ride is remarkably smooth.

 

[Masonpips]

I feel great about this and the past links were really helpful as well.

We'll book by Friday and are leaning *very* strongly towards 10/26 West - the Halloween cruise! Last year my kids went as Captain Hook and Tinkerbell, think I can convince them to reuse those costumes?

Getting VERY excited!

Thanks again

First time cruiser 10/26?

 

[njfamily]

Hi Masonpips! I hope you book 10/26, because you'll be with us! I have a DD who will be 5 in about 1 month and a DS who turns 3 in less than 2 weeks. I'm sure our kids would become friends! There is a whole thread on this board for 7-day Western Halloween cruisers. If you decide to book the 10/26 please hop on the thread. There are a number of family's with young kids on the thread. We are even planning a group trick or treat to each other’s cabins. I think there are about 12 posters currently participating, with about 24 kids. Absolutely reuse the customs; they will be perfect for a Disney cruise. Yes, we are also first time Disnety Cruisers.


Hi Peg2001: Also, just potty trained the DS three weeks ago. We only had the urination to deal with as we had the other bodily function under control for a few months. Like another poster we went to Target, picked out a few packages of underwear and put 'em on him. The first day was tough, quite a number of accidents. The second day we had one accident, in where else? The Disney Store! After the first week we have been accident free. We still use pull-ups at night, because I am just too tired to deal with wet bed sheets in the middle of the night. He has been dry every night for the past few weeks, but I’m going to keep using the pull-ups at night for a few more months. We also used the Disney Cruise video as motivation, explaining that he could go to the kid’s clubs if he was potty trained. Best of luck to you.

 

[Masonpips]

and thought about emailing you! So glad to hear there are others with little ones and it'd be great to "know" some people beforehand.

We're booking (come heck or high water) by Friday and 10/26 is our first choice - just checking a few more rates

Can't wait!