Kids activities outside the kids clubs

[Andrea Bowman]

This will be my first cruise with a child. I've read a lot on these boards and elsewhere about how great the kids clubs (Oceaneers?) are, but what about when the kids are not in the club? My son's in day care most days, and I kind of hate the thought of dropping him off in "day care" on vacation too! Although after 3 days at WDW, I might change my mind! http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

What are your favorite family moments aboard the Disney ships (I'm speaking to those of you with pre-schoolers)? Of course on the commercials and brochures, everyone has a blast - what's it really like?

Andrea Bowman
Century 9/2000
Disney Wonder coming soon!

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[debcip]

This is not a problem at all. My children were 6 and 9 on their first cruise. The clubs are not an "all or nothing" thing. You sign them up in the beginning of the cruise. Then whenever they have an activity that your child is interested in you can drop him off. You get a beeper, and whenever he's had enough they page you.
My children were very selective about their activities and that gave us just about enough adult alone time and complete family time. No need to feel guilty.
Many people claim that they drop their kids off in the am and they are happy to stay there all day. At your son's age he'll probably want to see you more than that.
Don't worry--just do it!

Debbie

[appink]

Not a problem. My son was 9 when we when in 2002. He spent most of the daytime hours with us, wanting to play suffleboard and ping pong and after dinner he wanted to spend the evenings in the club. He wanted to stay until they closed. Sometimes he outlasted us. We then had the evenings for adult time. It worked wonderfully well.

7/31/04 DISNEY MAGIC
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[NCmom]

We did family line dancing and other family entertainment--things like dueling pianos, character meets, etc. We have always had a great time on DCL, whether or not DD went to the clubs.

Wonder 10/01; Magic 1/02; Wonder 10/02; Radiance 7/03; Wonder 10/03; Magic 9/04