Young Oceaneers

[MISCdisney21]

We’re a little concerned about young kids in Oceaneers with the large age range. I’ve read they kind or separate on their own but there’s still no restrictions on 11 year olds in same area as 4 year olds.

I wish it were divided more like 3-7 and 8-12 or something like that but guess there were complaints on that system.

What experiences have you had with young kids in the club?

 

[scrappinginontario]

My DD was 4 our first cruise and she loved it. She made friends on both of our first 2 cruises. There are many staff around and I did not feel it was unsafe leaving her there.

I will say she spent the majority/all of her time on the club side.

 

[BarlowFamily]

Our first cruise was when DS was 3.5 years old. We had your same reservations about the wide age range in the clubs. He did great. We talked to the YA cast members when we were registering him first thing on the ship. They said he'd be fine and suggested we make sure he went to the designated "preschool hour" drop off times. He loved those times and we loved that that side of the club was just the younger cruisers. We also found some of the scheduled activities attracted the younger crowd and had lots of cast member involvement, like mickey's roadster racer activity. He cruised again at 4.5, 5 and 8 years old (this summer!) and every time we check on him (yes, we are those parents, just a quick look though!) he is doing great. They do kind of separate on their own and there are plenty of youth activities cast members in there to keep them all engaged. Spending some during during the first day with your little one in the clubs during the open house on the first day might also help make them more comfortable on their own during the rest of the cruise.

 

[Dug720]

Once upon a time it was separated into 2 age groups.

Then too many parents with kids split between the “older” and “younger” group complained that they didn’t want their kids separated so DCL merged them into one giant club.

 

[ofcabbagesandkings]

I think it is perfectly safe. But kids’ comfort levels will vary. My eldest was perfectly happy going into Oceaneers on his own when he was 7. My youngest at 7 would not have wanted to go in without his big brother. It’s honestly one reason I’m considering trying to squeeze in one last cruise before big bro ages out and has to go to Edge.

 

[Mags2002]

I used to be a Youth Activities Counselor.
Yes it is a big age range, most 11-12 year olds probably spend more time in Edge.
What I found was that the older kids usually didn’t want anything to do with the younger ones and left them alone. I never really had too many problems with something happening between an older and younger child

 

[o&smom]

DD has been loving going to the clubs ever since she was old enough! Never heard any complaints about any of the older kids.

 

[Anna131517]

The younger and older kids naturally gravitate to different areas and activities. It doesn’t seem
To be a problem. There also seem to be a lot of cast members watching them.

 

[Calantha]

Just to play the other end. My son hated the club when he was 4 and wouldn’t go without his cousins. Even though he was in preschool and fully used to being away from us and with larger groups of kids. During Covid when everything was structured, he did like to go. And now, (age 8) he’ll go to the club depending on what ship we’re on.