10yo in Edge

[Ravenne]

@bbel no flames from me. I totally get where you're coming from, and agree with you. My issue is also with Disney.
It doesn't seem obviously apparent that there's much of a difference between 10 and 11, but there is a big difference between elementary school, and middle school kids, which is what Edge caters more to. My biggest gripe is that I feel the 8-11 age group is underserved on DCL. I know why they combined Oceaneer Lab & Club, but it's a disservice to that age group. It's been discussed here before. Many kids don't want to just sit around doing arts n crafts, or yet another dance party or standing around waiting for the computer games that may never free up. My kids fell in that crowd. I was SO excited about a Disney cruise because everyone raved about how much fun the kids clubs were, and how they couldn't get their kids to leave, but mine dreaded going because they were bored in Oceaneer. If there's a gap between 10 and 11/12, there is an even BIGGER age gap between 3 and 10. I don't think it's fair to expect CMs to be able to entertain kids with a 7 yr age difference.

 

[tlprice]

My daughter was very excited on our January 2018 Southern Caribbean cruise that she was allowed into Edge at 10 years 7 months. When we went to Edge for open house on the first day, they had a list of all the 10 year-olds on the ship to make sure of their age. One word of caution, which they were very specific about at the Edge is that the kids are NOT always supervised, may be wandering the ship for activities, and can come and go as they please so you have to make sure you are comfortable with all of that. My daughter did a lot of activities in both the Oceaneer Lab & Club and the Edge. She made friends on the ship that were in both age groups so it was great that she could do activities in both places. I don't think there were a huge amount of kids on our cruise though. I never saw more than 10 kids in Edge at a time

 

[arlopop]

When our son was 10 and a half we took our 3rd DCL cruise. He had enjoyed the clubs but had essentially “been there, done that.” Thinking that he might have outgrown the kids’ clubs we asked if it was possible for him to try Edge. Since the cruise had fewer tweens than they normally had they welcomed him. We told the CMs if he became a problem at all because of any maturity issues to let us know and we would send him back to the club in a flash.

He had a wonderful time, developed a sense of independence, made some new friends, and in the end two CMs made a point of telling us that, not only was he not a problem, but they wished the older kids were half as mature as he was.

Kids mature at different rates and I have faith that the people entrusted to oversee these kids can also make a good determination regarding the appropriateness of specific adjustments for specific kids. We as parents just need to give them the permission to make that call without backlash from us.

 

[n2mm]

My daughter was very excited on our January 2018 Southern Caribbean cruise that she was allowed into Edge at 10 years 7 months. When we went to Edge for open house on the first day, they had a list of all the 10 year-olds on the ship to make sure of their age. One word of caution, which they were very specific about at the Edge is that the kids are NOT always supervised, may be wandering the ship for activities, and can come and go as they please so you have to make sure you are comfortable with all of that. My daughter did a lot of activities in both the Oceaneer Lab & Club and the Edge. She made friends on the ship that were in both age groups so it was great that she could do activities in both places. I don't think there were a huge amount of kids on our cruise though. I never saw more than 10 kids in Edge at a time

I agree. I don’t think my 10 yo granddaughter was mature enough to be in the edge, but had no say. The 12 yo was born old and was perfect to be there. I didn’t like the 10 yo having the run of the ship and unsupervised. I see the tween groups running around the ship unsupervised. Last cruise they were mocking passengers and being rude. They hung out near the stairs by the WD theater late at night. We had an encounter with them at midnight one night leaving the tube heading back to our cabin. I’m hoping the younger granddaughter will be more mature on her next cruise the end of the year. She’ll be 11 1/2. While her sister will be 3 months from her 14th birthday, her mom has no intention of letting her go to the vibe.

 

[bbel]

I'm not going to flame you, but to say it was entitlement 90% of the time? I'm sure there were a lot of parents that asked nicely, signed the waiver and just went on their way. I never had to beg, bribe, demand or even mention my child's maturity or lack of it to get them in the Edge. Honestly it was never an issue.

Congratulations, you're in the 10%!

 

[cruiser21]

Congratulations, you're in the 10%!

You seem to have a real negative attitude about parents. Why do you want to work in child care if you feel this way?

 

[bbel]

You seem to have a real negative attitude about parents. Why do you want to work in child care if you feel this way?

wow...ok then...

 

[Chiasgirl]

To put a different spin on things....
I see the Edge as middle school and Vibe as high school. We have been on 8 cruises and utt my son in the corresponding programming. There is a huge difference between elementary kids, middle school kids, and high school kids. Age matters less than educational/social background in many ways.

 

[Yokelridesagain]

Since the cruise had fewer tweens than they normally had they welcomed him. We told the CMs if he became a problem at all because of any maturity issues to let us know and we would send him back to the club in a flash...

Kids mature at different rates and I have faith that the people entrusted to oversee these kids can also make a good determination regarding the appropriateness of specific adjustments for specific kids.

One of the concerns is that to a 13-14 year old girl, a very mature 10 year old boy--is still a 10 year old boy. And if she feels like she is stuck in a space for "littler kids" she goes and pressures her parents to let her age up to the teen club, who are then stuck with a mopey teen versus allowing their 13 year old daughter to hang out with 17 year old boys.

 

[cruiser21]

wow...ok then...

That's how it comes across to me. I hope things are better for you on another cruiseline.

 

[cruiser21]

@bbel no flames from me. I totally get where you're coming from, and agree with you. My issue is also with Disney.
It doesn't seem obviously apparent that there's much of a difference between 10 and 11, but there is a big difference between elementary school, and middle school kids, which is what Edge caters more to. My biggest gripe is that I feel the 8-11 age group is underserved on DCL. I know why they combined Oceaneer Lab & Club, but it's a disservice to that age group. It's been discussed here before. Many kids don't want to just sit around doing arts n crafts, or yet another dance party or standing around waiting for the computer games that may never free up. My kids fell in that crowd. I was SO excited about a Disney cruise because everyone raved about how much fun the kids clubs were, and how they couldn't get their kids to leave, but mine dreaded going because they were bored in Oceaneer. If there's a gap between 10 and 11/12, there is an even BIGGER age gap between 3 and 10. I don't think it's fair to expect CMs to be able to entertain kids with a 7 yr age difference.

I agree this is a problem with Disney. Yet some people want to blame the parents. It's not the parent's fault their kids are bored in the lab. I probably would have quit cruising if my kids hadn't gotten into the Edge at age 10. There would have been no point in spending thousands of dollars on a cruise when your kids are bored. If you're going to work in job where you're dealing with kids...well kids have parents, and their going to advocate for their kids.

 

[Ravenne]

I agree this is a problem with Disney. Yet some people want to blame the parents. It's not the parent's fault their kids are bored in the lab. I probably would have quit cruising if my kids hadn't gotten into the Edge at age 10. There would have been no point in spending thousands of dollars on a cruise when your kids are bored. If you're going to work in job where you're dealing with kids...well kids have parents, and their going to advocate for their kids.

I wonder...and I'm just thinking aloud, if parents have mentioned the kids club issue to DCL on the comment cards, or provided feedback some how. (I have mentioned it on the comment cards.) Or does the consensus think that a club for kids with an 9 years age gap, is really a good idea, and I'm just in the minority?

 

[Dug720]

I agree this is a problem with Disney. Yet some people want to blame the parents. It's not the parent's fault their kids are bored in the lab. I probably would have quit cruising if my kids hadn't gotten into the Edge at age 10. There would have been no point in spending thousands of dollars on a cruise when your kids are bored. If you're going to work in job where you're dealing with kids...well kids have parents, and their going to advocate for their kids.

I wonder...and I'm just thinking aloud, if parents have mentioned the kids club issue to DCL on the comment cards, or provided feedback some how. (I have mentioned it on the comment cards.) Or does the consensus think that a club for kids with an 9 years age gap, is really a good idea, and I'm just in the minority?

The problem is it got merged into one because they DID listen to parents complaining that their little darlings could not be together. It seems that now those same little darlings - who would have been in whichever was for the younger kids until parents whined and they got merged - are bored with the combined space. And so now that their little darlings are older the same parents want things separated again because their darlings are "bored". If they had just left well enough alone, this discussion would be moot.

 

[cruiser21]

The problem is it got merged into one because they DID listen to parents complaining that their little darlings could not be together. It seems that now those same little darlings - who would have been in whichever was for the younger kids until parents whined and they got merged - are bored with the combined space. And so now that their little darlings are older the same parents want things separated again because their darlings are "bored". If they had just left well enough alone, this discussion would be moot.

Why do you always use the term "little darlings". I find it rather offensive as a parent. I would not want a teacher or child care provider referring to my kids that way. Honestly mos parents do not think of their kids as "little darlings".

 

[Dug720]

Why do you always use the term "little darlings". I find it rather offensive as a parent. I would not want a teacher or child care provider referring to my kids that way. Honestly mos parents do not think of their kids as "little darlings".

Because of the way it comes off when parents insist that exceptions need to be made for their children. All parents? No. But I agree with @bbel that it is more than a few who do come off that way.

 

[cruiser21]

Because of the way it comes off when parents insist that exceptions need to be made for their children. All parents? No. But I agree with @bbel that it is more than a few who do come off that way.

Ok but it's a derogatory term.

 

[Ravenne]

Ok but it's a derogatory term.

I don't think so. I'm not offended in the least, but to each their own.

The problem is it got merged into one because they DID listen to parents complaining that their little darlings could not be together. It seems that now those same little darlings - who would have been in whichever was for the younger kids until parents whined and they got merged - are bored with the combined space. And so now that their little darlings are older the same parents want things separated again because their darlings are "bored". If they had just left well enough alone, this discussion would be moot.

I know that was the reason why, but it's never made much sense for me, but whatever. I know people like that too. I know my kids well enough to know they don't want to spend every moment together, even on vacation. I love them dearly, but even I don't want to spend every moment with them, and I'm sure they love time away from me. Is that why there are kid spaces and adult spaces on DCL? So we can have a break? Because being stuffed into 250 sq ft for a week isn't close enough lol.

 

[piglet1979]

This was great info. I am hoping that my 10 year old (will be 11 about 10 after we get back from the cruise) would be allowed to go to edge with her brother. She has anxiety and having her brother (he will be 12 at the time) with her sometimes helps her. We will make sure we go in with the expectation that it may not be possible and have talks with her before we go.

 

[PurplePencil]

I just tell my younger kids to advise the youth counselors that they identify as 11 year olds. That takes care of it.

The counselors have a sheet with ages...just because a 16 year old identifies as an adult doesn't mean they can sit in cove cafe or an adult that identifies as a CM can go backstage.

 

[Bearybear]

On our first cruise 3 years ago, my son was a month shy of 11, and he wasn't allowed to age up. He hated the Lab and wouldn't go, so we spent the entire cruise with him. This most recent cruise, a month shy of 14, he loved the Edge and we practically only saw him at meals and on port days. It allowed my husband and I to take advantage of some of the adult only options. I agree it is a problem with Disney because the lab is very "little kid"