baby sitter vs kids club?

[scojos]

has anyone any experience of using either at wdw? cost wise, we d come out better with a baby sitter, but think kids might get bored stuck in room, and i know they wont take the kids to the pool for H&S reasons, any suggestions other things BS could do with kids (we will be at ssr)
if not its the kids club at GF, i would feel better as id be closer if there was an issue, but costs more... if its no good not sure i could justify the cost.
Dh and i have never eaten alone since the day before dd was born (mom had the kids and she is 8 in a few weeks, so want to relax and enjoy my expensive dinner, anyone tried the child care options at wdw??
thanks
tracy x

 

[wilma-bride]

Although it's the more expensive option, I would probably sugges the kids clubs as I know they do a lot of organised activites with the kids. Although in-room babysitters should come 'prepared' it's not the same as being with a group of other children doing activities geared specifically at the kids.

 

[scojos]

thanks Joh, i thougt no one loved me tonight

 

[wilma-bride]

thanks Joh, i thougt no one loved me tonight

I still love you hun

 

[purplejam]

Hi we used the kids club at Wilderness lodge last year. DD was 5 at the time. We wanted to have some 'grown up' time. We were staying at WL and were eating at Artistes Pointe.

To cut a long story short, DD loved every minute and didn't want to leave, the staff all seemed nice and attentive, she liked the food and didn't want to leave when we came to collect her.

We have booked her in for a couple of evenings this summer to. One evening she is going to kids club at Animal Kingdom lodge and another evening the kid's club at the Beach Club.

I felt more comfortable leaving her in a facility that was directly controlled by Disney than use a third party who I really knew nothing about, but that's only my personal opinion.

 

[crabbie1]

My daugher stayed at simbas cub house in AKL when we ate at Boma. They give you a pager in case of any problems. She loved it and there was us rushing our meal in case she didnt like it and she was upset we had come back so soon.

 

[LMDisneygirl]

We have used the in room babysitting twice. The first time our boys were 3 & 5. The second time they were 5 & 7. The reason we picked the in room babysitter was because we had kept hearing, "Can't we stay in the room and watch tv, play with our souvenirs, eat at the food court.....?". And we didn't want to stick around the room because we are at Disney and want to go do FUN things! So we left them for an evening and they had a GREAT time!

This year they are 8 & 10. We are trying to decide whether we will have a night out without them this time or not. And also trying to decide "In room" vs. Kids Club.

I'm sure they'll have a good time whatever you decide!

 

[Stitch's Greatest Fa]

I know many people have had good experiences with babysitters but personally i wouldn't feel comfortable with having a stranger in the room with my kids. My daughter has never been left with anyone she didn't know and I would be too worried that something was going to happen to her (kidnap or something bad I am such a worry wart like that).
I think a kids club where there is a bigger group is a better idea. Do you mind me asking how much the kids club costs?

 

[amystevekai&bump]

I know many people have had good experiences with babysitters but personally i wouldn't feel comfortable with having a stranger in the room with my kids. My daughter has never been left with anyone she didn't know and I would be too worried that something was going to happen to her (kidnap or something bad I am such a worry wart like that).
I think a kids club where there is a bigger group is a better idea. Do you mind me asking how much the kids club costs?

I hate to say it, but I actually feel the same as you - but I think it is because my youngest is still only 2, perhaps when he is a bit older I might feel differently, but I do feel safer at the idea of there being other people around in a club than leaving them with a stranger in a hotel room. But that probably says more about my overactive imagination than it does about what actually happens in the 'real world'.

Whatever choice you make, I hope you and the children both have a truly magical evening!!

 

[scojos]

this is an old thread but we finally decided on the kids club at the poly, much better feedback than the kids club at the GF.
cost is for 3 kids for 3 hours $180 ish...not cheap option!!
HTH tracy

 

[Kae]

this is an old thread but we finally decided on the kids club at the poly, much better feedback than the kids club at the GF.
cost is for 3 kids for 3 hours $180 ish...not cheap option!!
HTH tracy

Great choice they will love it. And you have a wonderful nite with your DH.

kae

 

[2Tiggies]

this is an old thread but we finally decided on the kids club at the poly, much better feedback than the kids club at the GF.
cost is for 3 kids for 3 hours $180 ish...not cheap option!!
HTH tracy

Well look at it this way:

It works out roughly to $60 per child for the evening

They have the opportunity to socialise and interact if they so wish
You know where they are

They know how to contact you (I think you usually get a pager - I had one for DD)

I will be surprised if the kids don't fight you when you try and make them leave

Don't be surprised if they beg to go back

All in all, it is a night out for them too

See it as a Disney experience (like Bibbidy Bobbidy Boutique or similar)
Tell them it's THEIR treat - they get a special night out too. You won't be able to convince them of the same if you leave them in the room with a sitter in front of the telly.

For what it's worth, that would be my decision too. Ultimately, peace of mind will always triumph. This is your special evening and worrying about your children, especially when you clearly don't leave them in someone else's care, would just ruin it.

 

[disneyholic family]

it's been years since my kids were that age, but we tried both, the kids club and a babysitter...
they MUCH preferred the disney resort kids clubs!! they actually didn't want to leave when we came to pick them up.

 

[Louisebshp]

We usually use both - in room babysitter for the night we have that special adults night out (and no need to clock watch). But for shorter or earlier jaunts we have used the Neverland Club at the Poly - son loves it and constantly asks when he can go back there...

He was 4 the first time he went, and the only upset was "they don't know my name - its not Buddy"...after a few Americaneze lessons he was fine.

Louise

 

[2Tiggies]

He was 4 the first time he went, and the only upset was "they don't know my name - its not Buddy"...after a few Americaneze lessons he was fine.

Kiddies are so cute!