anyone have a sitter in their room? HELP!

[disneyvirgins05]

I have posted earlier but I just want to find out about peoples experiences with sitters in their rooms provided through disney. we were not planning on "needing" to see the super bowl (we are from boston) but the patriots are there and we need to be there so I booked a sitter for Sunday afternoon. I need to hear peoples opinions on the sitters and details. IE: do you get a beeper etc. Please help! I am scared I should not do it!

 

[Harambe]

NOt sure how old your children are. If they are old enough (potty trained) they can go to one of the clubs at the resorts for children. OUr kids loved the Poly club and the AKL club. They do give you a beeper, and we remained at the resort so we could get them if there was a problem. It worked out great. DS still talks about the boys he met there - one from Georgia and one from England!

 

[dijojosh]

I had a sitter at the Grand Floridian 2 yrs ago. She was nice. I asked for someone young and I didn't get that. It was very expensive. I think it was 16 .00 an hour at the time. I needed the sitter because we went with my husbands company and we were not allowed to bring the children one night. I agree witht the post about the clubs. My son loved going somewhere without us for a few hours. That was so much more worth it! I don;t remember getting a beeper with the babysitter. She took our cell phone numbers. Maybe if you don't have one they will provide a beeper?

 

[Divamomto3]

Not sure how old your kids are, but couldn't you watch the Super Bowl with them? The ESPN Zone has TV's everywhere...maybe you could get a table there. Or a popcorn party right in your hotel room? Or the lounge at your resort? In Disney World, kids are everywhere.
If not, I'd opt for one of the kids' clubs at the resorts.

 

[robinb]

I used FairyGodmothers many times when my DD was under 4 and old enough for the kids clubs. I was very happy with them. How old is your child? I brought my DD into the ESPN club at 16 months when we watched the 2000 Rose Bowl. She was fine. IIRC there was no smoking in the bar.

 

[sgfundis]

We also used Fairy Godmothers about 4 years ago, and had a great experience. We had two families with connecting rooms and 3 children under the age of 3. They asked lots of questions regarding the kids had them coloring and engaged before we walked out the door. Our youngest is finally 4 so can now try the kids clubs, but would have no problem calling Fairy Godmothers agin.

 

[SouthernPrincess]

We've used the FairyGodmothers twice and my girls loved them both times. One time we had an older lady and one time a really young one. Both were excellent with our girls.

 

[mom2my4dwarfs]

We used Fairy Godmothers on our trip in 2003 for our 4 kids. With 4 kids we couldn't afford the kids clubs. Our Fairy Godmother was very nice and brought a bag of toys with her. We spent about $150 for 9 hours of care. DH and I did all four parks in the 9 hours and hit the rides we wanted to ride together that we couldn't do with the kids.

 

[Doctor P]

Maybe I am missing something--Why do you need a sitter? The game is on television and the rooms have televisions. If you need to go to Jacksonville for the game, I would really think twice about being that far away from my kids with a strange sitter. If you don't need to go to Jacksonville, then I would consider either staying in my room and getting some nice snacks and things and having a family Super Bowl party or just skipping the game. Just offering an opinion (and I am a big football fan and do like the Pats), not trying to be nasty or difficult.

 

[robinb]

Maybe I am missing something--Why do you need a sitter? The game is on television and the rooms have televisions. If you need to go to Jacksonville for the game, I would really think twice about being that far away from my kids with a strange sitter.

I hadn't considered that the OP might go to the game itself. Even so, I the Fairy Godmothers are very responsible. They are not in their teens or twenties. They are mostly older women who are mothers and young grandmothers themselves.

On a personal front, I don't know what I would do if 2 Super Bowl tickets fell into my lap and I had a very young child. Plenty of kids go to daycare every day for 8 hours or more so that wouldn't be a big deal. However, it's at least a 2 hours drive to JAX and I would be a long way away in case of an emergency.

FWIW, I think the OP wants to see the game from a bar which is way more fun than watching it in your hotel room.

 

[webray]

We used Kids night out (disney's recommended babysitting service..not a disney service) this past October. They were excellent, expensive, but excellent. It was for our grandaughter...18months. The company was very professional, the lady they sent was wonderful. The sitter come prepared with toys, stroller the works. We had also com prepared with stroller, toys, the works. You are to provide one meal for the sitter, your choice, room service, money for a restaurant, whatever. We had the sitter for a long day..so we provided both lunch and dinner, we gave her the cash to take our grandaughter wherever. They went on lots of walks and played, napped etc.

Hubby and I, and the baby's parents were totally impressed. We would definately use the service again. You need to make a reservation in advance.
The sitter comes to your room. They will not bath or do any water activities with the children.

Oh, and by the way..if two superbowl tickets fell into my lap, Jacksonville is an easy drive from Orlando, we would get the sitter and be there in a heartbeat. You would have no worries at all with a disney recommended sitter.

 

[goodferry]

We have used Kid's Night Out and the Fairy Godmother's service and had no problems with either one. As a matter of fact, on our last trip, the sitter came to watch our youngest only, and the older three liked her so much they wanted to stay with her! Get a sitter and enjoy some one on one with your dh!

 

[highland3]

I'm happy to read the last couple of posts about Kids Night Out. DW and I are going out for a night on the town (which we never do at home) and DW is verrrrry worried about leaving the kids witha stranger. I know they do background checks etc, (I'm with the Ontario Provincial Police so I know this is a good thing), but you still wonder some times. A night out is almost as exciting as Mission Space!!!!