Disney Magic June 11, 2005 from LA

[stewieL]

Hello out there,

 

We are booked for Disney Magic out of Los angeles on June 11th with 2 grandkids...Quinn will be 6 and Simone 3 and a half. Just grandma and Grandpa...in mid-late 50's. Our daughter and son-in-law will be cruising in Med for 10th Anniv. so we decided to spoil the grandkids.

 

We are excited about being with the kids...anyone have any info on babysitting on DCL?

 

Looking forward to meeting some other "daring" grandparents who are still young at heart. We've taken the kids to Disney World for the past 2 years, and thought the cruise would be a great change.

 

Stewart and Marilyn

[Ella2]

DCL has extensive kid's programming, and as long as Simone is FULLY potty-trained (no pull-ups, able to re-dress after potty herself) she can participate as well. For kids 3 and under that are NOT potty-trained, or are infants, they offer babysitting services (for a fee) in Flounder's Reef.

 

The children's programming runs literally all day and night, with the option for the kids to eat lunch and/or dinner with other kids in the program. Depending up on the port, they close at either midnight or 1:00 am,

 

You will be given a pager so if either child has an issue or wants to be checked out of the programming you will be paged.

 

The activities are numerous, the kid's programming area is HUGE (almost all of Deck 5) and the counselors are great with kids.

 

One caveat, though: this is a ship that is VERY full of kids year-round. It can be a bit chaotic in the kid's clubs at times, and if the grandkids are shy or are not used to being in a high-energy atmosphere, it may be overwhelming to them. If that's the case, be prepared they may not want to spend much time there.

 

Enjoy your cruise! :)

[stewieL]

Thanks, Ella2

 

We are really looking forward to this. Simone is completely potty trained and so we anticipate that she will be in the regular program.

 

Anyone with any experience with having someone (stateroom attendent or counselor) watching the kids at night to allow parents ( or grandparents) time out for "adult only" activities?

 

Also, anyone with information regarding kids dressing in costume? Does the cruise line have costumes? SHould the kids bring their own pirate costume or other disney costumes? Can they wear if they want?

 

Stewart

[Ella2]

There is no private in-room babysitting, but the kid's clubs are open ALL night (till midnight or 1:00 am, depending on the day) so there is plenty of time for an adults-only evening if you'd like. :) Late at night they put on movies for the littlest ones and spread out mats, so they can fall asleep there if they want.

 

They do have a "dress-up" costume area in the Oceaneer Club (the club for kids ages 3-7) but the costumes stay there. Many little girls bring their princess costumes along (and boys bring pirate or other costumes) and wear them to dinner (or around the ship if they want), very cute!

[stewieL]

Ella2,

 

Thank you so very much. That's great news...all of it. Simone has a number of princess dresses and will be thrilled to wear them all...at the same time, if I know her!

 

Well, we are looking forward to hearing from others going on this cruise. Thought I would try an upgrade, but found out the ship is sold out for level 3 and above! I suppose this is not unusual for Disney, but I am surprised that it happened this early. I suppose it's because they are out of LA.

 

Stewart