Strict Age Limit at Disney Dream Oceaneer Club?

[melyseb]

It seems like the answer changes every few years, so I want to specifically ask people who have sailed in 2015 on the Disney Dream.

We have a daughter that will be about 85 days from turning 3 when we sail. We also have a 5 year old son that will obviously be allowed into the Oceaneer Club. If our daughter is potty trained and wants to stay with her brother, will they allow her to go into the Oceaneer Club or will she still have to go to the nursery?

Thanks so much for any insight you have!!

 

[lanejudy]

This past winter DCL became very strict on the 3-yr-old age limit at the Oceaneer Club/Lab. No matter how close to the birthday, the child will not be allowed at the Club/Lab until he/she actually turns 3 (even if the birthday is on the cruise, not until the birthday). Potty-trained is no longer the deciding factor, as they will allow children 3+ in pull-ups at the Club/Lab as long as parents agree to return regularly to check.

Sorry, your little one will need to attend the nursery for secured programming. You may bring both kids to the Club/Lab during Open House times, which should be at least one hour per day in each space; a parent/adult will need to stay with them during Open House.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[melyseb]

Thanks for your quick reply. Honestly, if she isn't allowed in there at other times, I don't think I'll take her to the open house (I don't want her to know what she's missing). I'm disappointed, but glad that I can at least get used to the idea that she'll have to go to the nursery before the cruise.

My next question is; Do they have the dine and play option for the nursery where they feed the kids first and take them to the clubs? Or is that only for the Oceaneer Club? (If they don't have it we'll just feed her before our dinner and drop her off, but I would like to know what to prepare for).

 

[Bree]

Dine & play is only for the club/lab. You will need to bring your child to the nursery.

 

[lanejudy]

As PP says, Dine & Play is only offered for the Club/Lab -- and only for the late dinner seating. However, guests are welcome to do their own version of Dine & Play for any of the kids and/or early seating. Just mention to your server that you'd like the kids' meals expedited so they can leave; their food will come out quicker and likely be done in time for you to walk them to the Nursery or Club before your entree is served.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[bumbershoot]

There isn't just one open house, so it could actually be used as a way for her to have fun. You just have to be there. She gets two places while your son only gets one. Neat!

 

[Maggie'sMom]

I'm not sure if you are doing a 3 night or a 4 night cruise on the Dream, but here is a link to Personal Navigators for a Dream 3 night cruise. You can look at the schedule towards the back of each Navigator to see the various open house times. For example, on the second day, the Club has open house from 9-10am and the Lab has open house from 3:30pm-6:00pm.

 

[melyseb]

Thanks everyone! I think we'll play it by ear, but will probably end up taking her (along with her brother) during the open house. We have the early dinner seating so we will see what the kids want. If they want to eat with us they can but if the want to go play (which is most likely) then we'll order theirs early and take them to the club and nursery.

 

[melyseb]

I'm not sure if you are doing a 3 night or a 4 night cruise on the Dream, but here is a link to Personal Navigators for a Dream 3 night cruise. You can look at the schedule towards the back of each Navigator to see the various open house times. For example, on the second day, the Club has open house from 9-10am and the Lab has open house from 3:30pm-6:00pm.

Thank you! The navigators were extremely helpful!

 

[my2princessgirls]

Thanks everyone! I think we'll play it by ear, but will probably end up taking her (along with her brother) during the open house. We have the early dinner seating so we will see what the kids want. If they want to eat with us they can but if the want to go play (which is most likely) then we'll order theirs early and take them to the club and nursery.

Keep in mind that, unlike the club/lab, you have to have a reservation for the nursery. It isn't set up the same way where you can just drop them off any time.
http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/s.../dream/youth-clubs/its-a-small-world-nursery/

 

[KBinCO]

my 3 year old niece wasnt allowed to be in the club/lab because she wasnt potty trained, but loved open houses and they occur for multiple hours every day. I wouldn't rule them out.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

my 3 year old niece wasnt allowed to be in the club/lab because she wasnt potty trained, but loved open houses and they occur for multiple hours every day. I wouldn't rule them out.

When was this? The change to 3 year olds being allowed in Oceaneer's, regardless of potty training level, is fairly recent (maybe about 6 months). They do allow untrained 3 year olds in there now. The parent just has to agree to return frequently to attend to any toileting needs.

 

[KBinCO]

When was this? The change to 3 year olds being allowed in Oceaneer's, regardless of potty training level, is fairly recent (maybe about 6 months). They do allow untrained 3 year olds in there now. The parent just has to agree to return frequently to attend to any toileting needs.

It was September. And she was allowed to stay but the parents had to come check on her every 30 mins, which just wasn't long enough to make it worth it for them.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

It was September. And she was allowed to stay but the parents had to come check on her every 30 mins, which just wasn't long enough to make it worth it for them.

So she actually was allowed to be in the club? She just wasn't because her parents didn't want to take the time?

 

[KBinCO]

So she actually was allowed to be in the club? She just wasn't because her parents didn't want to take the time?

At the beginning of the week they were told she was not allowed at all. They complained to guest services because the nursery was completely booked so she wasn't able to go in there as well, so they said she could go to the club if checked every 30 mins. She utilized the open houses when she was originally told she couldn't be there for secure play.

 

[NEGeekymama]

I have a similar question, but in the opposite direction.

Our older DD will be two weeks away from turning 10, and is more like a 12 year old than a 9 year old. Edge seems to be more up her alley....this kid plays Minecraft, watches YouTube videos, etc. Do they make case by case decisions on allowing the kids to go up an age level?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I have a similar question, but in the opposite direction.

Our older DD will be two weeks away from turning 10, and is more like a 12 year old than a 9 year old. Edge seems to be more up her alley....this kid plays Minecraft, watches YouTube videos, etc. Do they make case by case decisions on allowing the kids to go up an age level?

Yes, only the CMs onboard can make the decision.

 

[NEGeekymama]

Yes, only the CMs onboard can make the decision.

Perfect, thank you! I figured that would be the case and told DD that we would see what happened. I think if her sister were old enough for Oceaneer Club she'd want to stick in that area with her, but lil' sis is only 2.

 

[lanejudy]

I have a similar question, but in the opposite direction.

Our older DD will be two weeks away from turning 10, and is more like a 12 year old than a 9 year old. Edge seems to be more up her alley....this kid plays Minecraft, watches YouTube videos, etc. Do they make case by case decisions on allowing the kids to go up an age level?

Yes, only the CMs onboard can make the decision.

Correct, CMs onboard can decide whether to allow a child to "age-up" to the next club. Generally it is based on how many kids of each age group are booked on the cruise to begin with -- if the Edge is "full" with those already 11-14, they will not allow younger to move up; if there is space, they typically allow it for all 10 yr olds. However, I will say, I don't think I've heard of a 9-yr-old moving up to Edge no matter how close to her 10th birthday. I would prepare her for the Club/Lab, and plan to go to Edge during Open House times. That way she isn't disappointed if an exception isn't made. It may be possible, but I wouldn't count on it.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[NEGeekymama]

Correct, CMs onboard can decide whether to allow a child to "age-up" to the next club. Generally it is based on how many kids of each age group are booked on the cruise to begin with -- if the Edge is "full" with those already 11-14, they will not allow younger to move up; if there is space, they typically allow it for all 10 yr olds. However, I will say, I don't think I've heard of a 9-yr-old moving up to Edge no matter how close to her 10th birthday. I would prepare her for the Club/Lab, and plan to go to Edge during Open House times. That way she isn't disappointed if an exception isn't made. It may be possible, but I wouldn't count on it.

Enjoy your cruise!

Because of how the old age cut-offs for Kindergarten is here (when she started in 2010 it was 5 before October 15, her birthday is 9/13/05), she's been the youngest in her class by nearly a full year so she's used to being around kids slightly older than her.

But like you suggested, we have told her that we won't know for sure until we're there. There's enough in the Oceaneer's Lab that she'll enjoy as well, and may only wind up being there when mommy and daddy want some adult time. The rest of the time I imagine she'll be in the pool or riding the AquaDuck.