Almost 4, do I dare?

Taratink

DIS Veteran
Joined
Aug 31, 2004
Messages
1,262
My daughter will almost be 4 by our next trip. She goes to preschool, dance and a supervised playroom at my gym. How strict are they at the kids clubs at the hotels? I know that she would not be problem as she is also potty trained. If I decided to send her she would be with her 5 year old brother. I have never even entertained the tought of having time away from them but we are staying at the WL and if I wanted to eat dinner at Artist Point I might coonsider it.
Tara
 
If she's potty trained you should be fine. As long as she's alright with other kids. If she's close to 4 like a few weeks to go, they shouldn't have a problem. Although I never used the kids clubs with my son. He always wanted to be with us.
 
I wouldn't do it. The rules say age 4 and up.

You can take your children to dinner at Artist's Point. We took our kids at age 5 and 7. They really liked it and behaved.

-HM
 
yes, you always have to be prepared to follow the rules. So if they say no, then it's no and there's no sense arguing about it. Just be prepared to take the kids in case it doesn't work out.
 

On DCL, they allow kids in the clubs who are within a month of their birthday. Maybe you can check with the manager of the club directly so you get correct information. Good Luck.
 
I say go for it. You deserve a night out and they will both love the kids clubs. She sounds like she'll do fine especially if her brother is with her. My DD (5) is more excited about going to the Neverland Club at the Poly that anything. They'll have a blast.
 
There have been reports before about parents being called back to pick up their children from the Kids Club when it was found out the child was < 4.......I can't personally attest to that happening as DS was 9, but I can see where it could. All it takes is a child proudly statinig their age as 3 (or 3 1/2 or something like that) for the truth to come out! Sounds like it is a risk, is it one you want to take.... ?
 
Ohhh..... we are so close to a little freedom. I can almost taste our delicious Artist Point dinner and then POOF! I can hear my daughter announce that she is 3. We will just have to wait till next year. I would never have one of my kids lie. It is just a bummer because I know that she is very independant and mature for her age. Oh well it is nice to dream. Thanks for the your input.
Tara:sad1: :sad:
 
I would ask at the kids club to see if they would take you "under 4, but mature for her age" child. If not, I'd still go to Artist Point, but take the kids with you. As much as we love the "adult only" evenings at WDW, there is no reason to deny yourself a great meal at AP. Your children will be more than welcome there.
 
I'm with you, Taratink. Maybe call to reserve and ask them. Then confirm after you get there. I'm too honest for my own good, also. ;)

We did bring our son with us to Artist Point when he was young and he was fine there.

T&B
 
The issue of the 4 and over age limit is due to insurance liabilities. We asked one time at one of the kids club since we have a 3 and 6 year old and yeah... we'd like a nice dinner w/o kids.

The reasons the CM told us was that the liabilities requirement is so much stricter for 3 and under, regardless if they're potty trained or not.

So I suggest you call and make a reservation, but also make provisions in case they say no.
 
Isn't Camp Dolphin for ages 3 and up?? If not, it used to be at one time b/c we put our 3 yr. old in it!

Gotta love that adult time::yes::
 
Most states have a different child to caregiver ratio depending on the age. For younger children, they need more adults. If the child care center was caught in a sting, they could be in trouble.
 
Originally posted by Taratink
Where do I get info on a fairy godmother or in room sitter?
Tara

From Allearsnet.com

What if my child is too young for one of the clubs? Or what if I'd prefer to have a babysitter come to our room?

There are several services if you'd rather have the babysitter come to your room. Reservations for these services are necessary. Rates and other special requirements vary by service.


Fairy Godmothers
(407) 969-9847 and toll free 877-611-4314

Guest Comments on Fairy Godmothers:

Karen Kelley (1/03) comments: We just returned from a trip to WDW last Friday. We were there for my husband to run the Marathon and planned our family vacation around that. We have a 5 year old and a 6 month old and we used the Fairy Godmothers one evening. I would HIGHLY recommend them to anyone, especially if you have children too young to attend the kids clubs. Marguerite was our Fairy Godmother and she took the kids to the playground, food court, and game room (we stayed at the Caribbean Beach). My husband and I were very comfortable with leaving the children with her and they seemed to enjoy the time with her as well.

Chris Frederick (2/02): I just wanted to tell you what a great experience we had with Fairy Godmothers babysitting service on our trip this month. We had a lovely woman named Vera Kennedy watch our 4 year old and 20 month old daughters. She took them to the playground and then did a craft project with them. They were fast asleep by the time we got back.

Michele W writes: We have used the Fairy Godmothers and love them. Well, actually, we have only used one sitter and love her so much that we always ask for her. She is the only babysitter my kids have ever had that wasn't family.

Leanne H. says: I also agree Fairy Godmothers is excellent!! We've used the same sitter on many, many vacations. She's awesome and my son, who's going to be 4, remembers her every trip.

Kid's Nite Out
1-800-696-8105 (press 0 for reservations)


Kid's Nite Out Caregivers are at least 18, are insured and bonded, have hands-on training and childcare experience, including child/infant CPR and basic first aid. They will provide one-on-one in-room childcare in a Walt Disney World Resort room, and will provide a variety of activities, including reading, coloring, or games. A sitter can also be hired to accompany children to area attractions or act as father's/mother's helper. Kid's Nite Out also plans and works children's parties, camps, and children's theme conventions.

Hours: Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at all Walt Disney World Resorts

Rates are based upon the number of children --

* 1 child $14 per hour
* 2 children $16.50 per hour
* 3 children $19 per hour
* 4 children $21.50 per hour
(For groups of more than four children, call Kid's Nite Out for rates.)

NOTE: After 9:30 p.m., there will be an additional $2 an hour charge. A one-time transportation fee of $8 will be applied to each bill.


*All rates are hourly based. Four (4) hour minimum charge. Caregiver transportation fee is $8. Reservations that begin after 8:59 p.m. require an additional $2 per hour premium. Cancellations require a 24-hour advance notice. Advance reservations are required. Holidays and special events require an additional premium. Rates are subject to change.

Guest Comments on Kid's Nite Out:

Kris (3/04): I just wanted to say that we used the "Kid's Nite Out" childcare service in our room at the Polynesian and our kids really enjoyed it. The caregiver was very nice and enthusiastic. She brought lots of activities for the kids to do and they had a lot of fun.
I would highly recommend them.

All About Kids
(407) 812-9300


Hope this helps!

:wave:
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Several years ago, when my son was about 3 1/2, we were able to leave him at the Wilderness Lodge kids club. It was a slow time of year, and the babysitters there were fine with it. We left him only for 1 1/2 - 2 hours, just enough time for my husband and I to have dinner, and it worked out fine.

Last year, my husband inquired about leaving my almost 4 year old son at the Animal Kingdom Lodge kids club along with his 5 year old brother. The babysitter there absolutely refused. I then went ahead and brought him down there anyway and lied about his age. Big mistake! The babysitters were really nasty! It also just so happens that he had the only "accident" he has ever had in his life at that kids club, and they called me to come pick him up. I don't know if they ignored him when he said he had to use the bathroom or what, but it was an awful experience. I would never leave either of my kids there again if the same women are there. Both of my children had a terrible experience there and they were the only two in there at the time with two caretakers, so it's not like they were crowded.
 
SKennedy0421, I can't say that I was real impressed with the kids club at AKL, either. I left my 4yo there last Feb while my sister and I had dinner at Boma. My son had been excited about going, but got nervous at the last minute. He didn't eat much of his dinner, which seemed to really bother them (he's my fourth child, I knew he wasn't going to starve to death by missing one meal...). Other than that they seemed ok, not major complaints, just not memorable, either.

My son was upset it turns out, but the next morning I realized that he was sick (stomach virus :crazy2: ) so that probably explains his mood and not eating the night before.

Sorry about your experience!

T&B
 
Originally posted by Taratink
Ohhh..... we are so close to a little freedom. I can almost taste our delicious Artist Point dinner and then POOF! I can hear my daughter announce that she is 3. We will just have to wait till next year. I would never have one of my kids lie. It is just a bummer because I know that she is very independant and mature for her age. Oh well it is nice to dream. Thanks for the your input.
Tara:sad1: :sad:

Celebrate her birthday a little early, then she'll think she's four
 


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