Disney Cruise Line Plans Changes to Kids' Clubs
By Leah Zanolla
Jan 9, 2010
The Disney Cruise Line is known for its on-board entertainment for children. There are two different children's areas on the ships - one for kids aged 3-7 and one for kids aged 8-12. By February of 2010, that's all going to change. Kids will no longer be separated by age. The activities in the two areas won't change, but age restrictions won't apply and kids will have the option of choosing which activities they would like to participate in. The current 3-7 year old room is called The Oceaneer Club and has a jungle gym, reading area and computers. The Oceaneer Lab, geared for the older kids, boasts video games and more hands-on activities.
This change in age restrictions appears to be a controversial one. Some might argue that the younger children will be overwhelmed in the Oceaneer Lab, but according the Cruise Critic website, the staff is on the lookout for this. One family who experienced the changes in December said the staff really looks out for the younger ones and is careful to direct them to age-appropriate activities. One bonus they mentioned is that their children (ages 3 and 8) are no longer separated, which helped to alleviate some anxiety in the younger child.
The Disney Cruise Line is also introducing some new children's activities. One of the most popular is Cinderella's Royal Ball. Children get to meet Cinderella as she explains to them how to be a prince or princess. The new Animal Tracking Series was developed by a veterinarian and conservationist from Disney's Animal Kingdom. While on the ship, children create a tracking device to use in an animal hunt while docked at Castaway Cay. New wristbands have also been developed as a method of signing the kids in and out of the clubs. They are worn for the duration of the cruise and are equipped with RFID(radio frequency ID) to store the child's info and register them into the kids' clubs. They can even be worn in the pools.
By Leah Zanolla
Jan 9, 2010
The Disney Cruise Line is known for its on-board entertainment for children. There are two different children's areas on the ships - one for kids aged 3-7 and one for kids aged 8-12. By February of 2010, that's all going to change. Kids will no longer be separated by age. The activities in the two areas won't change, but age restrictions won't apply and kids will have the option of choosing which activities they would like to participate in. The current 3-7 year old room is called The Oceaneer Club and has a jungle gym, reading area and computers. The Oceaneer Lab, geared for the older kids, boasts video games and more hands-on activities.
This change in age restrictions appears to be a controversial one. Some might argue that the younger children will be overwhelmed in the Oceaneer Lab, but according the Cruise Critic website, the staff is on the lookout for this. One family who experienced the changes in December said the staff really looks out for the younger ones and is careful to direct them to age-appropriate activities. One bonus they mentioned is that their children (ages 3 and 8) are no longer separated, which helped to alleviate some anxiety in the younger child.
The Disney Cruise Line is also introducing some new children's activities. One of the most popular is Cinderella's Royal Ball. Children get to meet Cinderella as she explains to them how to be a prince or princess. The new Animal Tracking Series was developed by a veterinarian and conservationist from Disney's Animal Kingdom. While on the ship, children create a tracking device to use in an animal hunt while docked at Castaway Cay. New wristbands have also been developed as a method of signing the kids in and out of the clubs. They are worn for the duration of the cruise and are equipped with RFID(radio frequency ID) to store the child's info and register them into the kids' clubs. They can even be worn in the pools.