Strictness of age requirements for Oceaneer's Club and Lab

[mjsagain]

I'll preface this question with a "newbie" disclaimer. I'm new to this board, so I apologize if this question has been asked recently.

We'll be cruising for the first time on the Wonder from July 18-21, and I have a question about the children's activities. Looking at the age ranges for the children's programs, it appears that our daughter (who will have just turned 10 at that time) and son (who will be five months short of his 8th birthday at that time) will not be able to be in the same program. Despite their age and gender differences, they are virtually inseparable. On top of that, the Oceaneer's Club looks a little too "babyish" for our son. I know a lot of parents say this, but he really is mature for his age and is accustomed to being around and playing with older kids.

How strict are the age requirements for the programs? Is there any chance that we might be able to get him into the Oceaneer's Lab with his sister even though he'll still be 7?

Thanks,
Mike

 

[jeanie]

Hi,

We sat at dinner with a family who's kids were exactly the same ages as your kids and the little girl was 4 months short of her 8th birthday and they would not let her go into the 8-9 group. She was heart broken the first night and wouldn't go....But she did end up going the second night and she met kids that were her age and had fun.... My kids were in the 8-9 and 10-12 program and they were rarely together. The different age group travel to different places on the ship and usually end up together in the lab later at night. So they probably wouldn't be together anyway.

 

[mjsagain]

Thanks for the info Jeanie.

I guess we can live with them being separated during activities if we didn't have the additional concern about the age appropriateness of the Oceaneer's Club vs. the Oceaneer's Lab. My son can spend hours on the computer, and periodically helps his mother out with it when she can't figure out how to do something! His eyes lit up when he saw some pictures of the computers in the Oceaneer's Lab.

Admittedly, it's really hard to tell from the few pictures I've seen on websites, but the Oceaneer's Club looked more setup for the lower end of the 3-7 range.

Then again, they do appear to break the kids into 2-year interval groups for activities, so perhaps it will be OK.

 

[Michelle]

Don't despair, there are computers in the Oceaneer Club as well, in the whole Captain's Corner area (where the 5-7 year olds hang out OFTEN). The photos you have seen generally do not show that portion of the Club. I think your son will have a GREAT time there; my 8-year-old actually slightly prefers the Club to the Lab.

Have a great cruise!

 

[danjulia]

Hi - we were just on the 2/16 Magic sailing and I had posted a similar question to yours a while back. My son is 5 months shy of his 8th birthday and I thought the Club activities looked a little young for him (AND he's a relly big kid for his age). I took him over to the Lab with me on the 1st day and explained my reasoning for wanting to bump him up in age and they very nicely did on a "trial basis". If for any reason, they felt he wasn't fitting with the group we would move him back down to the 5-7's. That was not the case - he had the TIME OF HIS LIFE, loved the counselors and activities! We had to force him to spend time with us and he's already asking when we can go on another!!!

So, ask nicely and I'm sure Disney will do what will make everyone happy.

 

[Karel]

My daughter was a week short of her 8th birthday but we decided to keep her in the Club and she had a great time. Sometimes, I think it's nice for kids to be the 'big kid' of the group instead of the youngest. I was worried that she would be 'pushed around' and 'ignored' by the older kids. She loved all the activities and never said they were babyish and had fun playing on the computers.

 

[alwaysdisneydreams]

Most of the time the counselors will move a child up to the next age group if it is within a year...They will ask you to try his own age group the first night to see what he thinks before moving up. That is what I would reccomend as well. And if he feels it is to babyish then move him up.on a trial basis meaning if your child can not keep up, or does nto get along with others.

 

[EVee]

I'm still a little confused. My son will turn 8 on our 4/20 Magic Cruise. Are the 8 yr olds with the 9 yr olds in the program, and therefore in the Lab? My daughter is 10 and will be in the Lab. My son is also tall for his age. (taller than his sister!) I know that he would do fine. I do hope that they will make this exception. I will ask very nicely.

 

[Michelle]

EVee, yes, the 8-9 year olds are together in the Oceaneer Lab. Since your son is turning 8 during the cruise they will allow him to be in the Lab programming if that is your choice.

 

[EVee]

Thank you for your help. This will make him very happy!

 

[TnRobin]

Just a little side note about the 5-7 group. Matthew spent more time doing Oceaneer Club activities in the LAB than in the Club itself. The 5-7 group takes many side trips to the Lab for fun stuff.