DIS Dads The DIS Dad's Club VI - Man's Room

[DisneyFed]

Depends on the young’en, but I think I can confidently say yes. DCL takes all the space that is normally reserved for casinos and devotes it entirely to the kids. If you sail on board the Dream, the kid’s clubs are even larger and more elaborate and should be well staffed. There are also plenty of activities for the whole family along with character events, shows, movies, scavenger hunts, and on, and on, and on. The stop at Castaway Key is also a real joy and is honestly more fun then most of the more tourist oriented ports in the Caribbean.

We’re currently planning to sail on the Dream at the end on June (barring any farther financial interruptions). It will be our third time on a DCL vessel and I honestly can’t wait to get down there.

Ask your questions here or PM me directly and I’ll try to point you in the right direction.

Excellent--thanks!!! We've cruised before on Royal Caribbean, and we enjoyed it as adults, but I think Disney would be better since he loves Disney. He also loves the water (pool, beach, mud puddle), so the pools on board would be cool...

Curious about the pool areas and if they're cool.....

Also, didn't know about the "safety" onboard for a three year old--my wife has images of him swan diving off one of the decks---I'm hoping there's lots of kids activities to keep him entertained, he loves to dance and jump, and well....play

heh heh heh

 

[GoHerd1028]

Update this morning on the banking crisis in the Wiley Household...Accounts are now frozen. It was our checking account debit card number that was compromised not a credit card like you would think. They created actual cards to swipe somehow. Thank goodness the Bank is not going to hold us responsible for any of the frauduland charges! It is going to take a little bit of time to get things straight looks like but at least it will get taken care of. I wish there was a way to catch the thieves but I bet they are going to get away.

Mike, as far as DCL and a three year old. We went last March on the Magic Ethan was 5 and Lauren was 3 at the time. The both joined the kids club. They loved it in there and they gave them a writband to wear to scan them in and out. There was always something going on in there. Now, on to the pools...The Goofy pool is crowded because that is where everyone is because of the children. I found the pool area to be a draw back to Royal Carribean pools. However, there is a larger pool that older kids and families can enjoy and yet one more pool that is a kid free zone that you and your wife could enjoy if the little guy is in the club. Now, the safety issue. To me this is why I will cruise DCL while the kids are younger and possibly beyond. One day at the pool we were having a great time and in a split second Lauren was gone. I have no idea how it happened or when...but you think the worst right off hand. We got ahold of one of the crew members who then asked us if she was a kids club member. They called the kids club and told them her name. They then were able to track her by the wristband she had on. There is some sort of a GPS in them so they can track the kids. They found her moments later. She had wondered off with a group of little girls to the hot tub in the larger pool area! Miss Lauren the social butterfly nearly caused me a heart attack. She was missing for about 20 minutes total. With all this being said...I think you guys will enjoy DCL and feel safe and secure while on board! Let me know if I can give any more tips or tidbits!

 

[that's nice]

Miss Lauren the social butterfly nearly caused me a heart attack. She was missing for about 20 minutes total.

WOW... we 'lost' Juliana at the Honey I Shrunk The Kids playground for a minute and my wife was in tears and getting hysterical. I couldn't imagine what she would of done if it lasted 20 minutes. Glad you guys held it together.


Glad your bank isn't holding you to the charges... I could see a huge revolt if they didn't.

 

[DisneyFed]

There is some sort of a GPS in them so they can track the kids. They found her moments later. She had wondered off with a group of little girls to the hot tub in the larger pool area! Miss Lauren the social butterfly nearly caused me a heart attack. She was missing for about 20 minutes total. With all this being said...I think you guys will enjoy DCL and feel safe and secure while on board! Let me know if I can give any more tips or tidbits!

Great Googly Moogly...this will definitely be reported "up the chain"
That's a very cool feature...makes you wonder if they might bring that to the parks one day Although I bet it's expensive

Oh, and don't worry, I'll be asking as things come along

In regard to your bank issues....while my squad doesn't handle those type issues, it appears to be an organized-multiple subject "ring" so to speak---not sure if what we're seeing is related to yours, but it's awfully similar.

 

[unclescrooge_0707]

Great Googly Moogly...this will definitely be reported "up the chain"
That's a very cool feature...makes you wonder if they might bring that to the parks one day Although I bet it's expensive

Oh, and don't worry, I'll be asking as things come along

In regard to your bank issues....while my squad doesn't handle those type issues, it appears to be an organized-multiple subject "ring" so to speak---not sure if what we're seeing is related to yours, but it's awfully similar.

I save myself these headaches by letter the DW handle everything related to finance. She stresses, but I'm fine! (and a jerk.)

This weekend is camping. "The crew" gets together every January to shoot guns & drink beer. (not always in that order . )I've got a bottle of Jameson, a bottle of Balveine Scotch, and supposedly 2 kegs are en route. There are 20 of us, so I hope we don't run out of beer!

I think someone's bringing food???

 

[Rental01]

WOW... we 'lost' Juliana at the Honey I Shrunk The Kids playground for a minute and my wife was in tears and getting hysterical. I couldn't imagine what she would of done if it lasted 20 minutes. Glad you guys held it together.

I lost my son in that same park for 5 minutes - I thought I was going to lose my mind. You need a GPS and x-ray vision there.

 

[porknbeans]

I'll be going on a Disney cruise at the end of March (our first) and I'd love to ask some questions as they come up too if I might. I guess my first would be what are your thoughts on Nassau? What excursions (if any) did you take there or at CC? Would you recommend any?

Thanks.

 

[dvczerfs]

glad they got a stop on your cards steve. i better check our acts.

 

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

Excellent--thanks!!! We've cruised before on Royal Caribbean, and we enjoyed it as adults, but I think Disney would be better since he loves Disney. He also loves the water (pool, beach, mud puddle), so the pools on board would be cool...

Curious about the pool areas and if they're cool.....

Also, didn't know about the "safety" onboard for a three year old--my wife has images of him swan diving off one of the decks---I'm hoping there's lots of kids activities to keep him entertained, he loves to dance and jump, and well....play

heh heh heh

Sounds like Y’all will be able to make excellent use of Disney’s Island. Plenty of sand, water and toys. The pools are geared toward age groups and can be a bit crowded at times. The best times are early in the day or fairly late in the evening. Another trick is to hit the pools when everyone else is heading into port. Nassau in particular is a port that really doesn’t hold all that much sway with the folks in my house. As such, once the crowd heads in to town to pick up a fake designer handbag, six tea-shirts, and half a dozen contraband cigars, We’ll be on the Lido deck soaking up the rays and riding the AquaDuck (the new water-coaster on the Dream) a good thirteen times or more.

The ships were designed with kids in mind and there is little chance of someone falling from one deck to another (with out “really” wanting to or being under the influence of entirely too much libation and then “really” wanting to). And, as Steve pointed out earlier, they are pretty good at helping track down wayward travelers, so I wouldn’t worry too much about that either (be vigilant, yes… but obsessed… Nah).

Which cruise are you considering? I’m sure I can come up with pictures, itineraries, schedules and other general info (and lessons learned) as you request them.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Annnd......for who is the Disney Cruise guru...considering a cruise late spring early summer and have some questions--particularly if it's worth it with a three year old

ETA:

And Mark's right above me and posted while I was talking to my Secretary which delayed my posting

Soooo.....it's supposed to rain today Mark---do I need to wear my helmet to protect me from the falling frogs??

Be careful...

As far as the cruise goes, I think it's definitely possible for a 3-year-old to enjoy it. We had one with us last year when we did a 4-night cruise and it worked out just fine. We actually stayed on the ship when it was docked in Nassau, because our kids were too young to enjoy the water park at Atlantis and we read not-so-nice things about the rest of the town. Castaway Cay is far and away the best part of the cruise. I'd spend a whole week there. I did a report for that trip if you want more details here:
Cruise Report

 

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

I'll be going on a Disney cruise at the end of March (our first) and I'd love to ask some questions as they come up too if I might. I guess my first would be what are your thoughts on Nassau? What excursions (if any) did you take there or at CC? Would you recommend any?

Thanks.

Ask away. As you can see for the plethora of responses to Fed’s original question, there are a number of us that feel somewhere in between qualified and compelled to answer questions and stick in our two cents about DCL.

Another good place to get way too much info on Disney Cruising in over on the DCL board of The Dis: http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=9

As for you question about Nassau, it’s like I said, we aren’t all that enthralled with that particular port, but the Pirate Museum gets good reviews. There are several good restaurants (but then again the food is free on board the ship) and the public beaches are fine Caribbean destinations. There is Atlantis which draws a lot of cruising regulars and houses some of the better casino facilities (if you’re interested). I’ll do a little bit of looking around and see what others have recommended

Excursions at CC? There you almost can’t go wrong. First the whole island is an excursion. We have rented snorkeling gear (or you can bring you own) and had a truly fine time wandering around the dive area. Parasailing gets good reviews and there are also “spa” packages available over in the adults only side of the cay.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Excursions at CC? There you almost can’t go wrong. First the whole island is an excursion. We have rented snorkeling gear (or you can bring you own) and had a truly fine time wandering around the dive area. Parasailing gets good reviews and there are also “spa” packages available over in the adults only side of the cay.

'Tis true. We also rented bikes and took the bike path. My kids absolutely had a blast doing that.

 

[GoHerd1028]

I'll be going on a Disney cruise at the end of March (our first) and I'd love to ask some questions as they come up too if I might. I guess my first would be what are your thoughts on Nassau? What excursions (if any) did you take there or at CC? Would you recommend any?

Thanks.

You are going to get all kinds of good advice here from all the Dads...In our case we were on a March cruise also. However, it was on the Western route. The next time we are going to do the Eastern route. Our Castaway Cay stop was canceled due to rough seas. It was just a couple weeks after the Magic had been stranded at CC and unable to depart due to rough seas and I am sure that they were being extra careful so not to have that happen again. So, we are still looking forward to our first visit to CC.

 

[GoHerd1028]

glad they got a stop on your cards steve. i better check our acts.

new cards are on the way and should be here in a few days. In the meantime we have to do some paperwork. The funds are going to be put back into our acct thank goodness. I hope that the thieves bought good stuff. I have a reputation to uphold!

 

[tutter99]

new cards are on the way and should be here in a few days. In the meantime we have to do some paperwork. The funds are going to be put back into our acct thank goodness. I hope that the thieves bought good stuff. I have a reputation to uphold!

Was it a points card? I know at one time the banks had insurance against these things so basically it wasn't a case of taking the transactions off your card as much as it was just paying them off from their claim so you still kept the points from the purchases.

 

[MiJo]

She was missing for about 20 minutes total.

We were watching the stage show at the castle once and, when it ended, my DW noticed a young boy trying to leave with various families. They didn't notice him but thank goodnes my DW did! Our SAR training really paid off. We ended up taking him to a bake shop where they called security, who reunited him with his family. Apparently, he didn't go into Fantasyland with his family when they walked away. I think he managed to get a free treat at the shop!

Wait......I think I have ownage!

 

[dvczerfs]

new cards are on the way and should be here in a few days. In the meantime we have to do some paperwork. The funds are going to be put back into our acct thank goodness. I hope that the thieves bought good stuff. I have a reputation to uphold!

glad to hear your not respon. for any of it.

 

[dvczerfs]

We were watching the stage show at the castle once and, when it ended, my DW noticed a young boy trying to leave with various families. They didn't notice him but thank goodnes my DW did! Our SAR training really paid off. We ended up taking him to a bake shop where they called security, who reunited him with his family. Apparently, he didn't go into Fantasyland with his family when they walked away. I think he managed to get a free treat at the shop!

Wait......I think I have ownage!

wow. i was always the one getting lost not my dd when she was little. even now, i turn my back for a second and there off.(which isnt a bad thing all the time) we always had brianas hand when she was little or she had to be in the stroller. we also gave her a note with our cell number and hotel we were staying at in case she gets lost. i can see how a little one can get seperated in those crowds.

 

[Rental01]

When someone did that to me a while ago they got an ipod touch 16gb (the biggest at the time), those hd video glasses, and the whole 1st season of some show on DVD.

 

[GoHerd1028]

Was it a points card? I know at one time the banks had insurance against these things so basically it wasn't a case of taking the transactions off your card as much as it was just paying them off from their claim so you still kept the points from the purchases.

Nope it was just a plain ole every day debit card to our checking account that only gets used at the grocery store.