Current Youth Activities CM -- Ask me anything!

[SurfBug79]

Wow, thank you so much for taking the time to answer this thread. You are a jewel to DCL, and I hope this transforms to bigger and greater things for you! We are sailing on the Fantasy this March 22, 2014. I hope you are onboard at that time… I will feel so happy knowing my children are in your knowing and caring hands!

I have two boys, Anthony (8), and Tristan (3). This is our second time on the Fantasy, but this will be the first time our DS3 will be able to enter the Oceaneer's Club. He has PDD-NOS (sensory & speech issues) and I was really stressing about how this would work for him. Having read through EVERY page, I am no longer worried! He loves Disney, and I have full faith in the CM's being sweet and sensitive to his needs. He goes to preschool twice a week, and also participated in the Kids World at our gym, so the experience won't be foreign to him. The only thing I am worried about it getting him to wear the wrist band. If there is anything you think I should know, I am open to and appreciate anything! I hope you are there so I can "share" my appreciation with you through some fun gifts. Have a great day!

 

[RRBB]

I am only on page 14 of reading this thread so I apologize if this has already been asked.

We are going on the Wonder in October, my kids will be 11 and 14. My son (11 yr old) wanted to know if he was ready to leave how would I know to come and get him (I don't think I will give him check out abilities but am unsure yet). I told him that he could tell the counselors that he was ready to leave and they would buzz me (meaning call or text the wave phone). Is this true?

We cruised last summer on the Wonder when DS was 8 1/2. We gave him check-out privilege with the understanding if he did leave the lab/club he was to go straight to our room. He loved that independence and did not abuse it so when we go on the Fantasy this summer I'm sure we'll do the same.

 

[sarabguerra]

I thought of some questions. I don't think these have been asked....

1. Are the kids allowed to bring items into the Club/Lab? Ex. My 10yo autistic daughter will do fine in the Lab, but she likes to bring her "friends" along aka. what ever little toy she's perseverating on at the moment. Can she bring them with her?

2. If a child has check out privileges on the boat, does that also correspond to check out privileges on CC?

3. I know that potentially Scuttles Cove will be open for CC5K runners to drop off kids. Does the race go by there and can the kids see out? I know for sure our daughters will want to see us.

4. Do kids bring wave phones into the Club/Lab? Can you voice call or is it just text? And, can you call a different wave phone or just the one from the same room? We have 2 connecting staterooms, so 4 phones. If DH and I have one from our room and the girls one from their room, how does that work? We might also have our best friends cruising in another stateroom so can the wave phone be used to reach them?

I think that's all for now!

 

[joycsk]

I thought of some questions. I don't think these have been asked....

1. Are the kids allowed to bring items into the Club/Lab? Ex. My 10yo autistic daughter will do fine in the Lab, but she likes to bring her "friends" along aka. what ever little toy she's perseverating on at the moment. Can she bring them with her?

Kids do bring items into the Club/Lab. My son had an autograph book in a bag. However, sometimes the CMs would take it from him and place it under the desk since it had pins on it, and if he, or someone else, would swing it, even in play, it could be harmful. I don't think there is a problem with toys, per se; however, if it is Especially important to your DD, there is some risk of another child picking it up if she should put it down.

2. If a child has check out privileges on the boat, does that also correspond to check out privileges on CC?

3. I know that potentially Scuttles Cove will be open for CC5K runners to drop off kids. Does the race go by there and can the kids see out? I know for sure our daughters will want to see us.

4. Do kids bring wave phones into the Club/Lab? Can you voice call or is it just text? And, can you call a different wave phone or just the one from the same room? We have 2 connecting staterooms, so 4 phones. If DH and I have one from our room and the girls one from their room, how does that work? We might also have our best friends cruising in another stateroom so can the wave phone be used to reach them?

Wave phones can reach any other phone on the ship. You can voice call wave phone to wave phone. Since the phones don't "ring," it is hard to call, and generally easier to text. But you can use your wave phone to call the clubs, restaurants, Guest services, etc. Those numbers are even pre-programmed.

I think that's all for now!

Oops. I answered interlinearly and disboards didn't like that. Sorry!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Hi CM!

I have a question about the bands the kids wear.

I've read that they are only used to check kids in & out of the club/lab.

I've also read that they will locate a child within the club space (Andy's room, Pixie Hollow, etc).

And I've read recently that they will also locate a child anywhere onboard the ship and at Castaway Cay.

How much of that is right?

 

[lbgraves]

She has posted here a few times that the bands don't work outside of the club/lab areas.

 

[redwings30]

My son will be 15 for our cruise. He has cerebral palsy, is nonverbal and cannot eat or use the restroom without assistance. We would never leave him in the club for longer than two hours at a time, but how equipped are they for kids with disabilities? We would obviously handle all feeding and tolieting prior to drop off. He is very social despite being nonverbal, mild mannered, and loves to hang out with his peers. Is it on a case by case basis? Will they do a "trial run" and let him join and let us know how it goes? I just want do badly for him to be able to spend a short time each day with new friends.

 

[TDC Nala]

If he cannot use the restroom without assistance, you will not be able to leave him in the club. I also don't think a 15 year old can be left in the lab or club, special needs or not. If you are asking about the teen club, I don't think he can stay there by himself if he can't use the restroom on his own. DCL is not able to provide any specific one-on-one assistance for special needs.

You can go in with him during open house.

You may also be able to take him to some of the teen activities that take place outside the club.

 

[UK mum of 4]

I was lead to believe he could still attend as long as you returned to help him with his toile ting needs and didn't expect them to do it. I'd say just go to them on day 1 and discuss it. I'm pretty sure that disney will do their best to accommodate. X

 

[redwings30]

Yes, I was referring to the teen club. Thank you both for the input! Our plan is to visit the first day and get an idea of how it will go. I was just hoping the CM or other cast members she interacts with may have encountered a similar situation

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

Yes, I was referring to the teen club. Thank you both for the input! Our plan is to visit the first day and get an idea of how it will go. I was just hoping the CM or other cast members she interacts with may have encountered a similar situation

something you may want to take in to account the teens in the teen club may not feel comfortable around someone like your son. Unless he has a friend, brother, sister or cousin that will be with him I wouldn't recommend even bothering with the teen club.

 

[bryresangel]

something you may want to take in to account the teens in the teen club may not feel comfortable around someone like your son. Unless he has a friend, brother, sister or cousin that will be with him I wouldn't recommend even bothering with the teen club.

I think you give teens (and their parents!) too little credit. Most teens that I have interacted with are very understanding of special needs, and I'm sure the CMs will work hard to ensure he is included as much as he can be.

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

I think you give teens (and their parents!) too little credit. Most teens that I have interacted with are very understanding of special needs, and I'm sure the CMs will work hard to ensure he is included as much as he can be.

Like I said it may depend on the teen. Some may be comfortable around someone disabled some may not be and you will never know until you get there. My best suggestion would be if there is a meet group for teens on your cruise join the thread and find out in advance, as they may be more welcoming if they know about him in advance rather then find out on the first day.

 

[SevenWonkas]

Like I said it may depend on the teen. Some may be comfortable around someone disabled some may not be and you will never know until you get there. My best suggestion would be if there is a meet group for teens on your cruise join the thread and find out in advance, as they may be more welcoming if they know about him in advance rather then find out on the first day.

I feel your comments are entirely inappropriate here. Her son has just as much right to be there as everyone else. And to say she shouldn't even bother sending him because other teens may be uncomfortable saddens me.

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[KerriL]

something you may want to take in to account the teens in the teen club may not feel comfortable around someone like your son. Unless he has a friend, brother, sister or cousin that will be with him I wouldn't recommend even bothering with the teen club.

Wow...we wouldn't want anybody to feel uncomfortable now would we?? So glad my kids have had kids of all types of abilities in their classrooms, they learn tolerance and patience.
OP, I say go to the club the day you board and speak with the counselors. If you take care of his personal needs before going to the club(something I do anyway with my younger son)he would be fine.

 

[KerriL]

I feel your comments are entirely inappropriate here. Her son has just as much right to be there as everyone else. And to say she shouldn't even bother sending him because other teens may be uncomfortable saddens me.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[DisneYE]

Like I said it may depend on the teen. Some may be comfortable around someone disabled some may not be and you will never know until you get there. My best suggestion would be if there is a meet group for teens on your cruise join the thread and find out in advance, as they may be more welcoming if they know about him in advance rather then find out on the first day.

lemme guess... you don't have any kids (hence your glib comment) and/or travel alone all the time...only a person devoid of knowledge of social interaction will say something like this...

 

[momof2n2]

something you may want to take in to account the teens in the teen club may not feel comfortable around someone like your son. Unless he has a friend, brother, sister or cousin that will be with him I wouldn't recommend even bothering with the teen club.

<insert incredulous gape here>

 

[ohhhhhshiny]

I'm hoping the intent was to warn the mother that some teens may not be super friendly, and it may be because they are uncomfortable, a truth I'm sure the mother knows all too well. I certainly wouldn't forgo the teen club, though, as I do think the counselors will try to include him and I'm sure that while some of the kids may not be comfortable, I feel there will be plenty who are comfortable, welcoming, and friendly! Enjoy your cruise!

 

[NikiM20]

I asked my 14DD, who lives in the Vibe when we are on the ship ,if she would interact with another teen who had a disability. She looked at me like I had two heads and said "You know I would, why would you ask that?" My daughter will interact with anyone and has all types of friends, not just ones "like" her.

Redwings30, when is your cruise? We are cruising this summer as well.