Walking through the Quiet Cove Area?

[shelleyr25]

Quiet Cove certainly does not mean "quiet"...on our last cruise there was a group of guys in their early 20's who were drunk and making just as much noise as the kids in the Mickey pool. No one said a thing.
As for walking through with kids...on the Dream it is impossible not to if you come up the forward elevators/stairs. They certainly did not make it easy to avoid!! LOL!!
If they really wanted a "No kids allowed" area they would need to put up signs in the elevators and stairways prohibiting kids from getting off at deck 11. Since they do not have those signs then there really is no way to avoid walking through that area once you are up there.

 

[bluenosemickey]

Let the flames begin... I have big shoulders, I can take it.

We have cabins (8 of them) in the forward area just next to the stairs on deck 8. We specifically chose this area for the access to the stairs. I believe the midship elevators are notoriously busy and we don't want to waste time on our vacation waiting any more than necessary. Not to mention how often their will be a number of us coming and going at once, we will take the stairs together.

For those ready to gripe about our brief presence on deck 11 in the quiet cove area as we pass through, you can thank us for not clogging up the elevators later.

This is a design flaw for sure, but I believe if we are respectful when we pass through, the sanctity of this area should remain intact. For those not wanting to even SEE children in some areas on the ship....you are on a DISNEY cruise! This was not a good choice for you if the mere sight of a child ruins your experience.

I can only hope that the rules about hanging around in the area are inforced, and others that must enter the area with their kids are respectful and control their offspring.

 

[kcashner]

Disney tends to use polite or suggestive phrases, not commands. For example, in the Magic Kingdom there is a Winnie the Pooh themed park-like area. We walked by and our teen guest wanted her picture taken with one of the "statue-like" things in the area. She walked over and stood by this thing while my DD stayed outside the area and prepared to take a photo. A CM came over and pointed to a sign that read something like "this area intended for the enjoyment of children under the age of (I don't remember the age)" and asked her to leave. Understand, she hadn't been there for 10 seconds and certainly wasn't bothering anyone (as she pointed out to her mother on return.) And the mother said that the girl knew EXACTLY what that sign meant.

I honestly don't see why there is a difference between a teen being "not allowed" in a little kid area--again, good behavior, not bothering anyone, and fully intending a photo and leave--and a child walking thru an "adult only" area. We all know what those signs are intended to convey, regardless of the more polite vs. stern wording.

 

[Kdog]

Let the flames begin... I have big shoulders, I can take it.

We have cabins (8 of them) in the forward area just next to the stairs on deck 8. We specifically chose this area for the access to the stairs. I believe the midship elevators are notoriously busy and we don't want to waste time on our vacation waiting any more than necessary. Not to mention how often their will be a number of us coming and going at once, we will take the stairs together.

For those ready to gripe about our brief presence on deck 11 in the quiet cove area as we pass through, you can thank us for not clogging up the elevators later.

This is a design flaw for sure, but I believe if we are respectful when we pass through, the sanctity of this area should remain intact. For those not wanting to even SEE children in some areas on the ship....you are on a DISNEY cruise! This was not a good choice for you if the mere sight of a child ruins your experience.

I can only hope that the rules about hanging around in the area are inforced, and others that must enter the area with their kids are respectful and control their offspring.

i wouldn't dream of flaming you; in fact, your post gave me a bit of a giggle, especially the line about if seeing a kid ruins your experience, you might be on the wrong cruise line. I have no kids and plan on hanging around Quiet Cove quite a bit. I picked DCL because I love all things Disney and my DH and I are really big kids at heart. You are absolutely right--if I didn't want to see kids (I love kids--I just don't have any myself) I would pick a different cruise line. Honestly,I would not want kids splashing and screaming in the Quiet Cove pool or running around the deck (anywhere else--I don't mind; it's Disney...) But, I have no problems with families passing through because of a design issue. I also think that the DCL probably doesn't have a problem with it or they would discourage families from passing through and have signage explicitly addressing the matter, especially since many people could argue there is some ambiguity in the wording (in terms of passing through versus using the facilities.)

 

[MisterOJ]

Disney tends to use polite or suggestive phrases, not commands. For example, in the Magic Kingdom there is a Winnie the Pooh themed park-like area. We walked by and our teen guest wanted her picture taken with one of the "statue-like" things in the area. She walked over and stood by this thing while my DD stayed outside the area and prepared to take a photo. A CM came over and pointed to a sign that read something like "this area intended for the enjoyment of children under the age of (I don't remember the age)" and asked her to leave. Understand, she hadn't been there for 10 seconds and certainly wasn't bothering anyone (as she pointed out to her mother on return.) And the mother said that the girl knew EXACTLY what that sign meant.

I honestly don't see why there is a difference between a teen being "not allowed" in a little kid area--again, good behavior, not bothering anyone, and fully intending a photo and leave--and a child walking thru an "adult only" area. We all know what those signs are intended to convey, regardless of the more polite vs. stern wording.

What's not polite about saying "No one under 18 allowed?" That seems perfectly polite to me. I suspect DCL has no problem with kids walking through the area. If they did, it would be strictly enforced and monitored.

 

[KevieKev05]

What's not polite about saying "No one under 18 allowed?" That seems perfectly polite to me. I suspect DCL has no problem with kids walking through the area. If they did, it would be strictly enforced and monitored.

Just like the whole seat/lounge chair saving policy?

 

[bluenosemickey]

Werd Kdog

 

[Cerberus9]

Let the flames begin... I have big shoulders, I can take it.

We have cabins (8 of them) in the forward area just next to the stairs on deck 8. We specifically chose this area for the access to the stairs. I believe the midship elevators are notoriously busy and we don't want to waste time on our vacation waiting any more than necessary. Not to mention how often their will be a number of us coming and going at once, we will take the stairs together.

For those ready to gripe about our brief presence on deck 11 in the quiet cove area as we pass through, you can thank us for not clogging up the elevators later.

This is a design flaw for sure, but I believe if we are respectful when we pass through, the sanctity of this area should remain intact. For those not wanting to even SEE children in some areas on the ship....you are on a DISNEY cruise! This was not a good choice for you if the mere sight of a child ruins your experience.

I can only hope that the rules about hanging around in the area are inforced, and others that must enter the area with their kids are respectful and control their offspring.

No flames here, but I have an honest question: Another poster (post #18) mentioned that you could take the midshift or aft elevators to get to the family pools by walking over on the deck you are "living" on and then taking the stairs or elevator. Why would you not do this instead? Because using the midship elevators are inconvenient?

I completely agree that if people are offended by the mere sight of child, a Disney cruise probably wouldn't be a good choice. However Disney does market their cruises to adults by promising them "exclusive" adult-only areas. Why is your convenience more important than these people getting what they were promised?

 

[MisterOJ]

Just like the whole seat/lounge chair saving policy?

I don't think it's the same at all. The policy is clear for saving seats. You can read the rules and see it's the clearly not allowed. This appears to be more of a gray area.

It's obvious kids aren't supposed to use the adult pool area. There doesn't appear to be a black and white rule about kids moving through the area to get to another family area though.

 

[suzyqn]

We will be all the way forward on deck 9. I hope to be able to take the steps up to deck 11 whenever we need to go up to the pool, etc.

Is there a division between the walk way and the Adult area ? We will have 4kids in our group. Can they walk through the Cove area to get to the Cabanas end?

Thanks!

Original poster here....Wow, this is my first post that caused hostility. I won't get my feelings hurt however, because my question truly was..."Is there a division between the walkway and the Adult area?" Since that answer is no, I am sure our strategy will be to walk to midship and then go up the stairs. Never did I imply that I knew what the setup would be and planned to break the rules (written or implied). I would not have asked the question if I knew the answer to my question.

As many of you know, the stateroom hallways can get very crowded with cleaning carts, room service trays, and people. I was just trying to figure out the best way to move about. Thanks!

 

[flexsmom]

No flames here, but I have an honest question: Another poster (post #18) mentioned that you could take the midshift or aft elevators to get to the family pools by walking over on the deck you are "living" on and then taking the stairs or elevator. Why would you not do this instead? Because using the midship elevators are inconvenient?

I completely agree that if people are offended by the mere sight of child, a Disney cruise probably wouldn't be a good choice. However Disney does market their cruises to adults by promising them "exclusive" adult-only areas. Why is your convenience more important than these people getting what they were promised?

Not advocating one way or the other - but if you use the Aft elevators (on the Dream), you end up right in the thick of things at Cabanas. We found that to be a total zoo during the breakfast hours. If you use the Midship elevators, we found the wait to be ridiculously long. If you use the Forward elevators, you are in the middle of the Great Quiet Cove pass-through debate. The logistics are just kind of bad no matter what route taken!

We tried to use the stairs - but if you're on Deck 2, that might not be an attractive option every day!

 

[Makayna]

Not advocating one way or the other - but if you use the Aft elevators (on the Dream), you end up right in the thick of things at Cabanas. We found that to be a total zoo during the breakfast hours. If you use the Midship elevators, we found the wait to be ridiculously long. If you use the Forward elevators, you are in the middle of the Great Quiet Cove pass-through debate. The logistics are just kind of bad no matter what route taken!

We tried to use the stairs - but if you're on Deck 2, that might not be an attractive option every day!

You have a very good point - on the Dream, there doesn't seem to be a good solution at all.

So, I surmise that:

#1 - If you are wanting total and complete peace and tranquility in adult ONLY areas, don't cruise Disney! LOL!
#2 - If you want a reasonable amount of peace and tranquility in adult only areas, don't cruise the Dream.
#3 - If you want to spend your entire vacation getting irritated, annoyed, pissed off and upset that there are children passing through the adult only areas, then I'm SOOOOOOOOO glad not to be you!

 

[oddman]

nonsense being talked here by people who just love to push.
Of course children can pass through adult only areas for access to other areas. it is simply foolish to suggest otherwise.

Those who say its absolute, are just trolling.

 

[flexsmom]

You have a very good point - on the Dream, there doesn't seem to be a good solution at all.

So, I surmise that:

#1 - If you are wanting total and complete peace and tranquility in adult ONLY areas, don't cruise Disney! LOL!
#2 - If you want a reasonable amount of peace and tranquility in adult only areas, don't cruise the Dream.
#3 - If you want to spend your entire vacation getting irritated, annoyed, pissed off and upset that there are children passing through the adult only areas, then I'm SOOOOOOOOO glad not to be you!

Good one!

Of course, I don't think very many cruise lines have total peace & tranquility in adult-only areas, unless the average demographic is >75 (and there are a few of those!) As to #2 - while there were families passing through QC area, I had zero problem curling up on one of the circular lounge chairs & taking what I considered to be a tranquil nap, so most of the time, it wasn't a zoo in there whether caused by interlopers or boisterous adults!

I have to admit, I thought about this more than I should while driving kids to school today. As others have said, there are several "no one under 18" areas on the ship - Palo, the spa (except for the Chill area), some of the lounges, etc. So what makes this different? I think part of the answer might be that those areas are generally what I would call "dead-end destinations" on the ship. You go into that room, and most of the time, there is a CM granting you access (Palo, spa), or waiting on you immediately (lounges after a certain hour). In the case of the QC area, it is not just a dead-end destination, but also is designed as a thoroughfare or passage to other areas on the ship. Unless someone plants themselves in the pool or lounge chair, occupants don't interact with a CM right away - there is no "admittance" step unlike Palo/spa.

Since DCL has never stopped anyone from walking through - or has never said a single word about it that I've read reported here, unlike their occasional attempts to enforce other requests/rules they have - I tend to agree with the school of thought that their signs about the area being reserved applies to people hanging out. But that's just me!

 

[TitanBrett]

Casinos almost universally allow children to walk through them with their parents. Often times because they are between hotel rooms and the pools. This is no different.

 

[lbgraves]

No flames here, but I have an honest question: Another poster (post #18) mentioned that you could take the midshift or aft elevators to get to the family pools by walking over on the deck you are "living" on and then taking the stairs or elevator. Why would you not do this instead? Because using the midship elevators are inconvenient?

I completely agree that if people are offended by the mere sight of child, a Disney cruise probably wouldn't be a good choice. However Disney does market their cruises to adults by promising them "exclusive" adult-only areas. Why is your convenience more important than these people getting what they were promised?

We have stayed forward on all but one cruise...love the area. We get up early and go up on deck to the buffet for breakfast and for the kids to enjoy the pools. We use the forward elevators to do this and do not walk the kids through the hallway of the deck we are on. In the morning I do not want to disturb those who may still be sleeping. When we used strollers for them...well, trying to navigate the hall with the carts and vacuums out there and keep up with another young kid who is extremely excited to go to the pool or go see Mickey. We are right by the forward elevators so we use those. I agree with the person who said that they are not as busy as the midship elevators, which was a big deal when we had the strollers with us.

 

[Cerberus9]

nonsense being talked here by people who just love to push.
Of course children can pass through adult only areas for access to other areas. it is simply foolish to suggest otherwise.

Those who say its absolute, are just trolling.

Thanks for your personal opinion.

This particular situation on the Dream does seem to be quite a grey area. I think some of us fools are "pushing" this issue, not to prevent quiet and well behaved children from passing through, but are doing it in order to emphasize that, in general, adult areas are for those 18 and over. While this particular issue is grey, there have been similar posts that were more black and white (e.g. 17 year olds hanging out in 18 and over pools, etc.), and the general attitude of some was that "I don't think it's a big deal so neither should anyone else". So folks are a bit sensitive about these matters.

How about this: I'll respect your opinion, you respect mine? I'll promise to stop nit-picking about grey areas like this if you promise to respect the issues that are black and white.

Now if you'll excuse me, the king is calling and demands to be entertained.

 

[mmouse37]

A friendly reminder to keep things nice here.....no snarkiness allowed or the thread will be closed. This is directed to everyone! Nobody will ever agree 100% on this subject so no sense in trying to change anyone's mind that is already made up.

MJ

 

[Makayna]

Casinos almost universally allow children to walk through them with their parents. Often times because they are between hotel rooms and the pools. This is no different.

It must depend on the casino. In Kansas City (the only experience I have with casinos), there was an area outside of where the actual casino was (but still inside the building, of course) where you could eat, shop and walk around. There, kids were allowed. But inside where actual gambling was going on, no. You HAD to be 21 to even step a toenail in that place! So, I don't think that your comparison is actually always true (might be in some casinos though). Also, it's different because casinos are LOUD!!!!! The idea of "Quiet Cove" is, well, to be a relaxing escape for parents and adults traveling without children.

My thing is, one family's idea of "quiet" and another family's idea of "quiet" can vary greatly. If a family walks through an adult area "quietly," they may actually be talking to one another. Some kids' "quiet voice" is a loud roar compared to other kids' voices! So, they may THINK that they're being quiet, while the person trying to take a nap in a lounge chair nearby does not. Get my point?

Having said that, I personally am not against an occasional child walking silently and respectfully through an adult area. However, it sounds like it's almost a constant stream of people! I've never been on the Dream (or any other Disney ship for that matter), so I don't know the layout, but from reading here, it sounds like Disney did a poor job of laying out deck 11, and that the teen area should have been the adult area because it's very secluded (I don't know how easily a change this would be during dry dock, but it makes me wonder if something like this will happen in the future! ). So, I'm not going to blame families for walking through, and since I KNOW that the design of the ship was poor in this regard, I will be understanding of other families. However, whenever possible, I DO think that families should TRY to find other methods of getting around the ship without having to walk through the adult areas... ESPECIALLY on the Wonder and the Magic!

There's my 2 cents!

 

[TitanBrett]

It must depend on the casino. In Kansas City (the only experience I have with casinos), there was an area outside of where the actual casino was (but still inside the building, of course) where you could eat, shop and walk around. There, kids were allowed. But inside where actual gambling was going on, no. You HAD to be 21 to even step a toenail in that place! So, I don't think that your comparison is actually always true (might be in some casinos though). Also, it's different because casinos are LOUD!!!!! The idea of "Quiet Cove" is, well, to be a relaxing escape for parents and adults traveling without children.

My thing is, one family's idea of "quiet" and another family's idea of "quiet" can vary greatly. If a family walks through an adult area "quietly," they may actually be talking to one another. Some kids' "quiet voice" is a loud roar compared to other kids' voices! So, they may THINK that they're being quiet, while the person trying to take a nap in a lounge chair nearby does not. Get my point?

Having said that, I personally am not against an occasional child walking silently and respectfully through an adult area. However, it sounds like it's almost a constant stream of people! I've never been on the Dream (or any other Disney ship for that matter), so I don't know the layout, but from reading here, it sounds like Disney did a poor job of laying out deck 11, and that the teen area should have been the adult area because it's very secluded (I don't know how easily a change this would be during dry dock, but it makes me wonder if something like this will happen in the future! ). So, I'm not going to blame families for walking through, and since I KNOW that the design of the ship was poor in this regard, I will be understanding of other families. However, whenever possible, I DO think that families should TRY to find other methods of getting around the ship without having to walk through the adult areas... ESPECIALLY on the Wonder and the Magic!

There's my 2 cents!

I was speaking to larger Las Vegas Strip style casinos(atlantis would be another good example). The properties are designed so that you have to walk through the casino to get almost anywhere, the obvious idea being people will stop and gamble money. In those types of places you will see kids walking through them all the time.

The bottom line is Disney is not stopping families from walking through and it is after all their ship, their rules.

Im also not sure Quiet Cove was necessarily designed to be quiet per se. It was designed as an 18 and over pool area but there are no rules regarding keeping quiet and adults can get rowdy too.