New Kids Club Policy on Disney Cruise Line Sparks an Online Uproar from Parents

A few days ago, Disney Cruise Line announced a policy change for the kids clubs (Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab). Starting December 21, 2023, the new age range for the clubs are 3-10 (instead of 3-12). Since that announcement, parents have been voicing their complaints over social media. Why the big stink?

The Change

Previously, the Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab were available for secure check-in for kids ages 3-12. This means that parents could leave their kids in the clubs while they enjoyed a quiet dinner (or spa time, etc.), knowing that their kids were safe in a secure area. It’s one of the main draws of a Disney Cruise, and in fact, it’s why my family first booked one years ago.

However, the youth clubs had an age overlap. Kids ages 11-12 had the option to go to the Oceaneer Club/Lab AND/OR the Edge tween club (ages 11-14).

The main difference between the youth spaces is that the Edge tween club has no secure check-in/check-out. Kids are free to come and go as they please. The Edge is a smaller space, and many of the activities happen outside of the actual club (i.e. scavenger hunts, tween time at water slides, etc.)

Now, with this policy change, the Oceaneer Club/Lab is only open to kids ages 10 and under. The 11- to 12-year-old crowd may not enter during the secured time periods. However, the clubs have a few hours of “open house” time every day when any age can enjoy the clubs (but without secure check-in/checkout). But effectively, this change forces that age group to go to the Edge tween club or open house time with no one monitoring their whereabouts on the ship.

Why the uproar?

First, I will state that I don’t have a horse in this race. My kids are now ages 13+, and we don’t have any more cruises on DCL planned. But, having sales on 10 Disney cruises when my kids were various ages, I do understand some of the concerns.

First, this policy change was announced with little warning. It begins on cruises that depart this week. For parents who booked a year ago expecting a secure area for their 11- or 12-year old, this abrupt change is a major bummer. And, it’s too late to cancel a cruise happening in the next few months.

Other parents are disappointed that siblings traveling together will no longer be allowed in the same club (i.e. and 8-year-old and an 11-year-old). For some kids, having a sibling at the club makes them more comfortable.

And lastly, some parents just aren’t comfortable with their 11- and 12-year-olds potentially roaming around the ship by themselves. When they enter the Edge, there is nothing stopping them from leaving at any time.

Of course, some guests are applauding this change. The age range of 3-12 is a pretty big range, and DCL is the only cruise line that had this big of a range in the same club at the same time.

So, now what?

My kids handled going to and from the Edge just fine when they were 11. Once they hit that age, they didn’t want to hang out in the Oceaneer Club/Lab anymore. We told our kids the only place they could wander by themselves was to the Edge or back to our stateroom, and we made them aware of some ground rules (like NEVER go into anyone else’s stateroom, even if they are a friend from the club). They could always text us for free through the DCL app, so we knew when they were coming and going from the Edge.

But, if you’re not comfortable with that, I suggest raising your concerns through DCL directly. Venting on social media is fine, but it’s probably not as effective as contacting the company directly.

Are you impacted by this policy change? What are your thoughts?