why are kids clubs different minimum ages????

[Suzanne74]

Does anyone know why the DCL has a min age of 3 for their kids club, WDW has a min age of 4yrs old and DL has a min age of 5 for thier kids club??

I think the reason I am so annoyed at the different ages is because we planned a cruise and then cancelled because dd was almost 3 (by a week) and would have hated the toddler/infant room. We plan to go again next year to the cruise. The past 2x a WDW she was 3 so wasn't able to go to kids clubs then. Now we are planning a DL trip in Nov and she will be 4 and then I just found out you have to be 5 at DL Kids Clubs. Ugh!! My dd loved Neverland Club (during daytime hours) and we were SO excited to finally let her go to the Grand Californian Kids Club and we could get dinner at DTD. It is SO frustrating.


Why wouldn't they have the same age groups for all 3 of their "vacations"

 

[disneysteve]

Why wouldn't they have the same age groups for all 3 of their "vacations"

I can't give a specific answer but I would think that the age difference is based on differences in the facilities themselves, what services they are equipped to provide, the staffing and the insurance issues. Since you are discussing programs in 2 different states and 1 foreign-registered ship, there are probably numerous state and local issues that play into this as well.

 

[NotUrsula]

State law. The age level is based on the state's regulations regarding caregiver ratios and facility requirements. I'm not sure what regulations apply for DCL but I'm sure that the regulations are what set the ages.

 

[crisi]

The cruise isn't as strict. The kids need to be potty trained, but trained older two year olds have been allowed to participate.

Florida daycare law has different requirements for kids under four that Disney's clubs don't meet. I'm sure California its similar. I'm not sure exactly which regulation they are concerned about, but I'd suspect its the adult/child ratio. They'd need more staff if they wanted younger children. I've also heard something about potty trained in Florida and different licensing if kids aren't potty trained.

 

[Secret agent Tink]

Hi. I think its Florida state law, and Some disney resorts are just choosing that age indepentenly. But they can make exceptions. When I went in Feb.2005 at the BoardWalk and POR and POP they let her in because she is two and potty trained and very mature.

I hope I helped!

 

[tjmw2727]

It has to do with individual state liscensing - child to caregiver ratios and other considerations. You will find these guidelines vary from state to state.

TJ

 

[tjmw2727]

Hi. I think its Florida state law, and Some disney resorts are just choosing that age indepentenly. But they can make exceptions. When I went in Feb.2005 at the BoardWalk and POR and POP they let her in because she is two and potty trained and very mature.

I hope I helped!

I am very surprised to hear this and I hope others don't expect the same "consideration" as it is very unliekly:

quote from the Neverland Club:

"Childcare is provided for children over age 4 who are potty-trained, through age 12. Resorts will not make exceptions."

In my experience the child care clubs at Disney are VERY strict about the minimum age. Should you manage to leave an underage child in the club and have them discover your child was not the proper age yet you would be paged to go and get your child from the club asap.

While there is a kids club at the Boardwalk they don't even have one at either POR or POP??

TJ

 

[Mary Anne]

All of the kids clubs are found in the Deluxe Reorts.

 

[crisi]

There is no childcare at the BW, POR, or POP.

You can however, hire a private sitter.

 

[tjmw2727]

There is no childcare at the BW, POR, or POP.

You can however, hire a private sitter.

Actually the Boardwalk does have a "kids club" my girls loved it here.

From allears:
""Which resorts offer childcare?
Reservations can be made for childcare up to 60 days in advance by calling 1-407-WDW-DINE.

Animal Kingdom Lodge (Simba's Clubhouse)
BoardWalk Inn and Villas (Little Toots)
Contemporary (Mouseketeer Clubhouse)
Grand Floridian (Mouseketeer Clubhouse)
Polynesian (Never Land Club)
Dolphin (Camp Dolphin)
Wilderness Lodge (Cub's Den)
Yacht and Beach Club (Sandcastle Club) ""

FWIW the Dolpin also offers a perk for dining here, if you dine at Schula's or Blue Zoo IIRC you get 2 hours free childare.

HTh

 

[crisi]

Did they reopen it? The had one back in 2000, but - although there have been rumors - I hadn't heard it had reopened.

 

[mom2cinderella]

According to Deb's site:

****************************************************
Is there a children's program at the Contemporary?

The Mouseketeer Clubhouse closed on October 1, 2004. There are other children's programs available around WDW.

****************************************************
The Boardwalk's Harbor Club --a supervised activity center for children 4-12 -- is closed indefinitely. Guests may use the Sandcastle Club at the Yacht and Beach Club on the other side of the lake.
****************************************************

Michele

 

[tjmw2727]

According to Deb's site:

****************************************************
Is there a children's program at the Contemporary?

The Mouseketeer Clubhouse closed on October 1, 2004. There are other children's programs available around WDW.

****************************************************
The Boardwalk's Harbor Club --a supervised activity center for children 4-12 -- is closed indefinitely. Guests may use the Sandcastle Club at the Yacht and Beach Club on the other side of the lake.
****************************************************

Michele

OOps my bad - I am sorry.

I didn't realize either club had closed!! FWIW my girls were not crazy about the Mouseketeer Club (CR), they found it boring, but they did like the Harbor Club. We used the one at the Dolphin in December as we were staying at the Dophin anyway and eating at Blue Zoo.

OT a bit, but my girls favorites so far are the Neverland Club and Simba's - a definate tie for them.

TJ