Too much gaming in new kidsclub on the dream

[Ofinn]

I *wish* my kids would snub their noses at video games, but they love video games and they love Star Wars!

This day and age that's what's kids like. I don't get, but I except it. I will admit though the technology is pretty amazing. I'm sure I would have loved it as a kid. I really don't have a problem with kids and computers. They are part of our world, and every one needs to know how to use one.

 

[vinotinto]

This day and age that's what's kids like. I don't get, but I except it. I will admit though the technology is pretty amazing. I'm sure I would have loved it as a kid.

And I have to admit, video games don't bother me too much. I prefer having my kids play a video game than having them watch TV or YouTube. The proprietary games are one of the reasons why we chose DCL over RCCL for our next cruise. Kids can go to Kids Club and I know they'll be happy hanging out there and I can relax. But, my kids are on the older side of the Oceaneer's Club/Lab. They're 8 and almost 11, so maybe I would feel differently if they were 3 or 4.

 

[bumbershoot]

No offense taken. I may be overprotective. But it is more that I am worried that they wont have fun. We do not stop them from playing video games but they are not huge fans. It does not help I guess that they do not like star wars at all and SW seems very dominant now. I can understand if your child is a huge star wars fan this is probably awesome. Last time we did not see our kids doing anything "electronic" once. They played on the life size set pieces and did crafts and science. We did not leave them a lot on our last cruise but they kept asking to go back. Just thinking the dream may not be a great ship for us now.

If they aren't into it, don't worry. They'll find the other stuff to do. We tend to drop off ds specifically for activities just before they get started. He knows that's why he's there. So he participates and then let's us know he's done or finds other stuff. (Which is sometimes gaming)

What's worse than games or YouTube? When they get into watching strangers play games on YouTube. Augggggh. DS and his friends love watching minecraft YouTube stuff like that (in the breaks between dance class, rock climbing, etc, at the YMCA)

 

[udflyer00]

Now it has been a few years since our last cruise on the dream, but this is just our experience. We had 3 kids that could enjoy the Club at that time, 2 boys and a girl. At that time ages ~9, 7(girl), 5ish. The boys loved all the interactive "games", but they still also had a great time in the Mad Scientist Labs, and PJ/Pirate parties. While during the time they weren't in the organized events my daughter had a blast simply dressing up and color pictures. Again it's been a few years, and maybe the kids clubs have changed a lot, but there is so much for the kids to do that they will be able to migrate to what peaks their interest at that time. They still have the organized events, but like Racer X said, unless you are just putting them in there morning to night and forgetting about them the few hours they will be in there "exposed" to some electronics won't hurt them. I mean one of the cool games they had I wish I could've tried was driving the cruise ship. I'm a game and was jealous of my 9 year old for getting to play on that... lol... The kids are allowed to be kids in the kids clubs and flow from thing to thing that interests them. I know though they should have a blast.

 

[Jennifer777]

I would just pay a little closer attention to the navigators and have your kids pick the activities they want to go to so you know they will be in the clubs when there's activities taking place they are interested in. The kids clubs do have a great deal of technology and screen time but there is always something else going on, whether it's cooking or science or games for the kids to participate in.

We're normally pretty restrictive about screen time at home too, but you should see us 180 on the ship, "Hey kids, why don't you go play some video games in the kids club! Daddy and I have a "meeting" to go to at Palo." ;-)

 

[vinotinto]

If they aren't into it, don't worry. They'll find the other stuff to do. We tend to drop off ds specifically for activities just before they get started. He knows that's why he's there. So he participates and then let's us know he's done or finds other stuff. (Which is sometimes gaming)

What's worse than games or YouTube? When they get into watching strangers play games on YouTube. Augggggh. DS and his friends love watching minecraft YouTube stuff like that (in the breaks between dance class, rock climbing, etc)

You are not alone. My DS also watches strangers play games on YouTube and it drives me batty! And his friends do too.

 

[cgolf]

I can only speak for my daughter who indicated that on the Fantasy there were a lot more screens to keep the teens entertained. It does seem that the classics have less from the times that I visited the stack (teens area) during open houses or to drag her out to do a family activity. Unfortunately screens are the way of the future. On land kids are now parked indoors more often behind a screen instead of hanging out in the neighborhood with friends or pursuing hobbies that get them outside. I guess we are calling this progress?

 

[elephant98]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the old Nemo's Sub and Monster's Inc areas on the Dream pretty much only offer gaming too? (If I recall correctly, that is all that was in the Nemo themed area, and the Monster's Inc room provided an area to run around in, but really no activities beyond sitting in front of a computer.) And these were old style computer games that require the kids to use a mouse and the arrow keys and space bar on a keyboard. Don't get me wrong, those games can be fun to play. But, by today's standards that is remarkably tame. Not to mention difficult to play for kids under the age of 5. So an upgrade of some sort was in order.

And for those that don't play computer games much, there are plenty of organized activities through the day. Something for everyone.

 

[southerngirl528]

Good points, Elephant98. My little princesses LOVED climbing all over the Toy Story room and running through all the fun stuff in Nemo and Monsters. They did do a little time on the games in Nemo but at 4 & 6 y.o. they loved all the fun activities that were more physical.

 

[KT2038]

Hi I am a youth activities CM. While there are a lot of video games available for children to choose to play, there is ALWAYS something else going on like dance parties, games like 4 corners, karaoke challenge and art, craft, dress ups, card and board games etc. and that's just the things run by Counselors! When a program is on, we try to limit the use of computer games in an effort to try to get kids to participate. It is however their choice.
And yes we do play a movie while the kids eat. This is because we close down most areas that we can and even the kids who aren't eating can sit down and watch the movie with everyone else.

 

[Ofinn]

If they aren't into it, don't worry. They'll find the other stuff to do. We tend to drop off ds specifically for activities just before they get started. He knows that's why he's there. So he participates and then let's us know he's done or finds other stuff. (Which is sometimes gaming)

What's worse than games or YouTube? When they get into watching strangers play games on YouTube. Augggggh. DS and his friends love watching minecraft YouTube stuff like that (in the breaks between dance class, rock climbing, etc)

My kids have you tube channels. They post videos of their minecraft games and smash bros. They also go to gaming tournaments. They've been working on devolping their own videogame. They have watched the movie "Jobs" three times. I can totally see them doing something in the computer field when they get to college. They play sports too, but I can guarantee you they dont have a future in that.

 

[Tink1010]

I wouldn't cancel as it is such a fantastic vacation with wonderfuL family memories! My son loved the steer the cruise ship game which he loved! For the hour or two that we sent him it didn't bother me as he still made friends and tried different things. He had a blast which to me is the bottom line. Unless you plan on sending your kids to the kids program for hours several hours a day then don't worry. Enjoy the vacation! Enforce the rules at home. Our kids grow up fast! I wouldn't let this ruin an amazing family memory!

 

[bumbershoot]

You are not alone. My DS also watches strangers play games on YouTube and it drives me batty! And his friends do too.

Glad others feel my pain, LOL.

I have no problem looking at a "cheat" site if we get stuck in a Lego videogame, to help us get unstuck (not at videos, but at what someone has written out). But to watch people play a game for an hour, with no chance of saying "hey, can I have a turn"? Oh gosh NO. I cannot think of something more boring, LOL. And he always views it on someone else's tablet (since his devices are all blocked from streaming etc), when I'm not there, and I just never know what else they might click to, etc etc.

 

[Fsudisney]

We go on the dream next week and I am just worried about my younger kids who are 4 and 7. Just wish there was like one more area for them to run around in or geared towards younger ones. But they won't be there too much I don't think.

 

[yankeesgirl63]

FsuDisney, we ' ll be on the Dream next week too!
So, after reading this, I'm confused as to what Star Wars replaced. Is Andy's Room still there or Monsters Inc?

 

[jahber]

Fsudisney, there really is plenty of space for the littles. I know all the press has been going to the new features, but there are still several little "nooks" where kids can do crafts of all sorts. My kids brought back glittery, pipe-cleanery, markery crafts every time they left the club. And there are often games going on where the kids are running around, story-telling time, quiet time with mats and bean bags and a movie, and just generally all sorts of directed and free play. Some busy cruises the CMs may not be able to engage the lone kids as well, but just show your kiddos how to ask for what they want and they will be fine. For example, maybe introduce them to a few CMs at open house and tell your kids to look for them if they need help or want someone to play with. The CMs are generally very very warm and helpful

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Honestly, I wouldn't worry about it. We spent 20 nights on the Magic this summer and my DS8 was in the kids club for at least a few hours almost every day (he LOVED it!). Did he play video games? Yes, absolutely. We don't have them at home, so when we go on trips and he goes to kids clubs, this is a treat for him. BUT, he also did EVERYTHING else! He played in Andy's Room, did Become Iron Man probably 8 times, took part in the special events, did arts and crafts and even played hide and seek and tag with a bunch of friends he had made. Yes, there is a lot of gaming in the clubs, but SO much more to do. If your kids aren't into the video games or even Star Wars, there will definitely be other things on offer and we found the CM's were extremely good at engaging any children who seemed to not have anything to do.

 

[emilyann415]

I am a little worried about our three year old grandson. I know he will love Andy's room because he loves Toy Story. He also loved Monster, Inc., but at his age doesn't know lots about Star Wars or play computer games on his own. We think the only time we will check him into the clubs are for the special events that may include a character like during So You Want to be a Pirate and Pluto's Pajama Party, and the short times we may visit the District. He goes to daycare, so as long as he can find someone to play with during times there is no special activity scheduled he will be okay, so just hoping some other younger kids will be in the clubs as well who aren't totally about the video games.

My son was 3 on our last two cruises and he LOVED Oceaneers Club and Lab. He couldn't have played a video game to save his life because he never has and really wouldn't know what to do with one. There was TONS of other stuff to do and he literally BEGGED us to take him there any chance he could get. I was shocked because he is pretty reserved and has a harder time making friends....but he did not have a difficult transition at all.

 

[cruisingtwins]

Wasn't the nemo area a bunch of video games as well? I think star wars would have been a better fit for the lab.

 

[Fsudisney]

Fsudisney, there really is plenty of space for the littles. I know all the press has been going to the new features, but there are still several little "nooks" where kids can do crafts of all sorts. My kids brought back glittery, pipe-cleanery, markery crafts every time they left the club. And there are often games going on where the kids are running around, story-telling time, quiet time with mats and bean bags and a movie, and just generally all sorts of directed and free play. Some busy cruises the CMs may not be able to engage the lone kids as well, but just show your kiddos how to ask for what they want and they will be fine. For example, maybe introduce them to a few CMs at open house and tell your kids to look for them if they need help or want someone to play with. The CMs are generally very very warm and helpful

Okay! That makes me feel better!