Why do you move Kids up?

[BuzznBelle'smom]

I'm not trying to start a fight here, just gain some understanding...

It seems like every week or so, someone asks the question of "Can I move my child into the older group at the club/lab?" The motivation given is frequently "S/he is very mature", "Their friend/cousin will be there", "S/he's used to keeping up", "S/he's the youngest in her class", etc. I understand the Disney guidelines of moving up a child within one month of their birthday, that's not what I'm questioning. Is this an issue of not knowing the specific age breakdowns in the club/lab at the time of booking? Or not researching this particular issue prior to making reservations? (I don't mean that to be critical--it would be pretty far down on my list!) I'm just very curious about this.

Moderators, if this belongs on the debate board instead, fell free to move it. I'm not afraid to go down in flames!

 

[cindy_k]

I am going to try and move my son up when we go in Oct. It will be 3 month before his 10th birthday.

My reasoning:
1. He is a year ahead in school. If his aged matched his grade he would be old enough for the next group 10-12, according to NY States rules.

2. According to the Navigators I have seen, the 8-9 group and the 10-12 group does different activities. My son will fit better with the 10-12 groups activities.

Will my son have a good time if he is with the 8-9 group?
Probably.

Do I think he will have a better time with the 10-12 group?
Yes.

Cindy in NY

 

[aseafish]

I've wondered the same thing, mostly because they activities sound a little less appealing as the kids get older. DGDs 8 and 10 would love the pajama party, for instance, but they're too old. They're very close and were a little surprised to find they'd be in separate groups onboard, but now they are looking forward to their adventures apart.

 

[Aly]

my dd is going to be 13 when we go on our cruise so i'm not worried about the whole moving up thing.....but i think the whole month rule is a little wierd. I think that because some kids are very mature for there age and if they are mature and 3 or 4 months away i think it would be ok to move them up because they might like it better. That is just one gals opinion.

 

[Mjasp]

My reasoning is: My DD was very bored with the evening programs in the 5-7 club. About 9 PM they lay down mats and the 3-4 yr olds are with them and they watch a movie OR are free to go in the "closet" which is a Play area. They have about 5-6 computers and dress up clothes in there to play with. She is way beyond playing dress up and wants activities, games etc. to do, not play on computers. (she can do that at home) As far as watching a movie and laying down (No Thanks) What is this pre-school, we are suppose to be on vacation. Her words not mine.

She was with us most evenings. When we went to Palo's one evening, we told her she couldn't beep us and to please just stay there till we pick her up. She was very abiding and did. Thank God.

Our friend went to pick up her son one night and said when she peeked in the "closet" she saw my daughter just sitting there while the little ones were playing dress up and the most of the other kids were sleeping on the mats.

Bottom line is I was OK with the club, but she wasn't. Since I am the one not going we have to listen to the ones it affects.

Ready for the debate here!!!!!!!

 

[jellymoon]

If my dd (4) was on the cusp of an age group, I would consider moving her up. She gets along well with older children. Also, she is more comfortable in new settings when she is with her brother. Likewise, her brother does better when she is around. They both crave being together!!

That said, if my ds (7) was on the cusp of a group, I would consider moving him down to be with his sister. Because of his delays, he does great with younger kids even though he towers over them.

On our upcoming cruise, I am disappointed that they won't be together. But, looking at the navigators published on the DCL Tribute page it seems like they both land right about where they should be.

 

[mcnuss]

Some good points here: I wonder if it would be better for the school-age children to group them according to their grade level? I recognize that it makes it harder for DCL to catch those who are not following their rules, but it makes perfect sense for a child who is a year ahead in school, for instance.