Welcome aboard, Jennifer!
My family and I usually choose the
second seating option for dinner when we sail with Disney Cruise Line for many reasons. One of those reasons is that during the second seating's Dine n' Play option, we are able to have a family dinner, with the kids' meals brought first during our appetizer course, then about 45 minutes into the seating, counselors from the Oceaneer Club and Lab come around to take any kids that would like to go to the clubs. It's the best of both worlds for everyone: a family meal together, then lots of playtime for the kids, and the parents get to enjoy the rest of their meal on their own to catch up. Since tweens in
Edge and teens in
Vibe are not required to have parents check them in and out, counselors from those clubs do not come to the restaurants. However, your tween is welcome to head up to the club whenever he or she is ready.
On our last two sailings, my daughter was first able to join in at Edge. She was FINALLY old enough, she would say! I was hesitant at first to simply let her wander off to the club, but after taking her the first few times ourselves, and knowing she felt very confident about how to get there directly from the elevator, opening right to outside the club space, she began to check herself in. If you don't feel confident about that, just walk your child up yourself when you're ready and come back to dinner. Your dining servers won't mind at all! One thing is for sure, though: your tween is going to have the most magical experience in Edge! Have fun planning, Jennifer!
Marcy