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help with child care not from WDW resort clubs*UPDATED*
My son turns 13 one month before our trip so we can't use the resort clubs. Has anyone used kids nite out, fairy godmothers or all about kids? I plan to call and talk to each club, but wondering what experiences people have had.
As far as in-room child care, I don't think my 13 and 9 year old would have much fun staying in the room while we're gone, so what are my options with any of these services? Do they charge extra for taking the kids to one of the parks (I realize I pay for the kids admission but what about the provider's admission?)?
UPDATE:
I called Kids Nite Out and Fariy Godmother's. Neither one will take the kids to the parks or Disney Quest. Kids Nite Out won't supervise swimming. Fairy Godmother's said no at first, then asked ages of kids and then said it probably would be possible if there was a lifeguard on duty and they could find someone who wanted to actually swim. (I wasn't expecting the provider to actually swim.) I don't think I'd count on it though, it seemed too iffy. Kids Nite out goes to parks but only as a helper to an adult, not on their own. I didn't ask at F.G. because I wasn't interested in that.
When I called Kids nite out, they seemed more like a business and Fairy Godmother's sounded like a grandma who scheduled people to kid sit. I got an answering machine when I called and she returned my message. While we were talking, she had to call out for someone, I think her grandson, to turn down the CD so she could hear me. I guess there could be pros and cons about this but I have the gut feeling to go with Kids Nite Out which seemed more business like. Hope that makes sense and I don't mean to insult any small businesses, but when it's child care for my kids, I just feel like I'd go this route.
Oh yeah, the rates for 2 kids:
*Kids Nite Out was 16.50, with a 4 hour minimum and 8.00 transportation fee (I didn't think to ask if it was round trip). No mention was made about form of payment.
*Fairy Godmothers was 14.00, with a 4 hour minimum and a 12.00 transportation fee (round trip). The woman stated cash or travelers checks only.
Re: help with child care not from WDW resort clubs
Could you hide away (or even buy or possibly rent while your down there) games (boards games and such) that they could play? You could have the person who watches them give them little prizes each time they win (you could get different little souvenirs). You could rent some movies or video games. You could also buy some extra treats (like ice cream) and hide them away for little snacks.
Would is be possible to instead of the parks, arrange a trip to Disney Quest? It would be half the price of a park, and I think they would have a lot of fun!
Re: help with child care not from WDW resort clubs
[ QUOTE ]
Could you hide away (or even buy or possibly rent while your down there) games (boards games and such) that they could play? You could have the person who watches them give them little prizes each time they win (you could get different little souvenirs). You could rent some movies or video games. You could also buy some extra treats (like ice cream) and hide them away for little snacks.
Would is be possible to instead of the parks, arrange a trip to Disney Quest? It would be half the price of a park, and I think they would have a lot of fun!
Hope I gave you some ideas!
[/ QUOTE ]
Do the resorts have VCR players? If so, that's a great idea I never thought of. The boys are glued to the TV when it's a movie they haven't seen. That would be a cheap option.
I never thought of the child care person taking them to Disney Quest. That's a great idea. We've never been there and we were planning to go as a family on one day, but it's my guess the boys wouldn't mind going twice, ha! (It'd probably be the highlight of their trip!!) Plus, they'd know which things they'd like and wouldn't have to wait in the long lines I hear there are in the evening, just to find out they don't like the game. Thanks so much for the suggestion.
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Re: help with child care not from WDW resort clubs
Also, most resorts have sorta decent video arcades that kids love. The in-room sitter could take them there and the pool as well. Much cheaper.
-HiddenMickey
Re: help with child care not from WDW resort clubs
The evening will fly by for the kids. Between movies, arcade, & the pool they will have a great time. Don't
forget the late snack of pizza & ice cream in the food
court...they will sleep like babies!
Re: help with child care not from WDW resort clubs
[ QUOTE ]
Also, most resorts have sorta decent video arcades that kids love. The in-room sitter could take them there and the pool as well. Much cheaper.
-HiddenMickey
[/ QUOTE ]
I didn't know they could take them to the pool. I had thought about the arcade but knowing my boys, that could be expensive, too, HA! We have the plus options for Disney Quest which came out to be about 10.00 each, of course, I'd have to add in the sitters admission, so that would increase the price...Hmmm, I think I'm off to crunch some numbers and see which is my cheapest option!
Re: help with child care not from WDW resort clubs
[ QUOTE ]
The movie and the pool is great idea too.
As it was said, most (if not all) rooms have either a VCR or DVD player.
[/ QUOTE ]
I went on the website for Kids Nite Out and they do not do water activities (i.e. swimming). I'm going to call Fairy Godmothers this weekend when I have free phone minutes, just to get the scoop on their kid sitting service.
I'm also going to email Disney and suggest they consider opening a teen club, like on the Disney cruise ships. I know it won't happen but hey, what good is it to complain and not voice your opinion. There has to be other parents in the same boat that I'm in!
Re: help with child care not from WDW resort clubs
I would think I would not want them at the pools anyway--too dangerous to entrust a stranger to keep them safe in that kind of situation... I think I like the movie and hotel room option best... But keep me posted on what you come up with... I have three little ones (5, 2 and 1) and I'd love to go out to dinner on our anniversary with out the kids! But I'm not sure I'd feel about leaving them behind...they do go to sleep early at home... and they love to play board games... PLease share what you discover--it would be quite useful.
Re: help with child care not from WDW resort clubs
[ QUOTE ]
I would think I would not want them at the pools anyway--too dangerous to entrust a stranger to keep them safe in that kind of situation... I think I like the movie and hotel room option best... But keep me posted on what you come up with... I have three little ones (5, 2 and 1) and I'd love to go out to dinner on our anniversary with out the kids! But I'm not sure I'd feel about leaving them behind...they do go to sleep early at home... and they love to play board games... PLease share what you discover--it would be quite useful.
[/ QUOTE ]
My kids are 9 and 13, so they'd be fine at the pools with someone watching them (plus lifeguards are on duty) but I agree with you that I wouldn't have done it when they were your kids ages.
Re: help with child care not from WDW resort clubs
We used Kids Night Out and have nothing but good to say about them. They were prompt, friendly and my kids had a great time, even in our room. For all the services, I believe you have to purchase the admission for the parks for the sitter. The sitters at kids night out will not take kids swimming though. Maybe DisneyQuest would be an option for your kids, since admission is a little cheaper for the sitter than a park admission. ~Katie
Re: help with child care not from WDW resort clubs*UPDATED*
UPDATE:
I called Kids Nite Out and Fariy Godmother's. Neither one will take the kids to the parks or Disney Quest. Kids Nite Out won't supervise swimming. Fairy Godmother's said no at first, then asked ages of kids and then said it probably would be possible if there was a lifeguard on duty and they could find someone who wanted to actually swim. (I wasn't expecting the provider to actually swim.) I don't think I'd count on it though, it seemed too iffy. Kids Nite out goes to parks but only as a helper to an adult, not on their own. I didn't ask at F.G. because I wasn't interested in that.
When I called Kids nite out, they seemed more like a business and Fairy Godmother's sounded like a grandma who scheduled people to kid sit. I got an answering machine when I called and she returned my message. While we were talking, she had to call out for someone, I think her grandson, to turn down the CD so she could hear me. I guess there could be pros and cons about this but I have the gut feeling to go with Kids Nite Out which seemed more business like. Hope that makes sense and I don't mean to insult any small businesses, but when it's child care for my kids, I just feel like I'd go this route.
Oh yeah, the rates for 2 kids:
*Kids Nite Out was 16.50, with a 4 hour minimum and 8.00 transportation fee (I didn't think to ask if it was round trip). No mention was made about form of payment.
*Fairy Godmothers was 14.00, with a 4 hour minimum and a 12.00 transportation fee (round trip). The woman stated cash or travelers checks only.
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