Babysitting and Cribs

[CRSNDSNY]

Can anyone tell me more about the in-room babysitting offered at BCV? What are the hour/time of day restrictions? Are there age restrictions? Anyone have an idea as to the cost?

Also, are there cribs available to members? Fee for these?

 

[Baileymouse]

Every room comes with a Graco Pack N Play - it's in the coffee table in the LR, lol. I don't think they're comfortable enough for an overnight sleep, so I called A Baby's Best Friend - www.abbf.com - and they rent cribs. A week cost me $65.00 and it was well worth it. The crib was sturdy and they set it up before you get there, and they take it down the last day. I also rented a stroller from them since I didn't want to schlep mine through the airport. Many people on the families board raved about them, so I had to give them a try, and I was beyond satisfied. The bedding was new and clean, and everything was in top shape.

I didn't try any in-room babysitting - I don't like to leave Haley with non-relatives. When she's older and can participate in the kiddie activities, that'll be a different story, but for now I'm not comfortable, so I can't comment on the services.

Best of luck!

 

[Disney Enthusiast]

Thanks Baileymouse for the website on cribs and other baby rentals. I have 2 small children and I am sure I will be calling their number when we go home for the first time. My son could sleep anywhere, although I just didn't feel right putting him in the playpen to sleep.... would much have rathered a sturdy crib.

I did take my stroller thru the airport though when he was 8 mos. old and it was a wonderful asset. And easy to check at the door. I would not have wanted to carry him back to the hotel after we left the park so renting one at the park was a definite "no way". But renting a stroller from BBF would also be a good idea.

I have used Kindercare services when we took my nephews several years ago and was highly disappointed. It may have just been a fluke, but I will tell you what happened. I purhased the 4 hour min so their parents could go out to dinner w/o the kids (6 and 8 yr old boys) one evening. I am very patient and understanding and worked in the service industry most of my life. So it takes a lot to make me steam. The girl they sent to the room spoke very little and broken English. Then she fell asleep while the boys were watching TV. My SIL told me the next day that the older boy watched the younger one while she was catching a nap. I was so embarrassed and upset for my SIL and thought she'd never trust me again. All I could think of was the younger one going out and fooling around on the balcony, or going out into the hallway and getting lost or in trouble. I know Kindercare is not affiliated w/ Disney, Disney just gives their number out, but I think I expected more from them anyway. I called the next day and they were VERY apologetic and reimbursed every dime back to me. They handled it very well. But now that I have my own kids and may need a babysitter, I think about that incident. My babies are too precious to take a chance. Maybe if they were older and could speak and practically take care of themselves. But if that is the case, and your children are older, you can take them to one of the clubs at the other resorts and I hear they are wonderful and the kids LOVE them and ask to return. I think they must be 4 yrs old to attend though. If you really must get out w/o them, and they are too young for the resort clubs, I heard good things about the Fairy Godmothers. And mostly I hear good things about Kindercare as well. Just know they are NOT w/ Disney and you don't know what you are getting. Just like Baileymouse said, I am not comfortable either leaving my darlings/devils (ha ha) w/ nonrelatives.

Hope I didn't scare you. Good luck w/ your decision, and if you need any numbers for these services.... just PM me and I will be happy to send them your way.

 

[flexsmom]

We used Fairy Godmothers for our then 3yo DD and our friend's 2yo DS together. They had a great time with the sitter - she was an older woman (a grandmother) who had a very detailed checklist with questions for us about the kids and our rules, etc. She came with a bag of "activities" for the kids. They asked if she was coming back for the next 5 days we were at WDW! Anyhow, I can say that if an inexperienced non-English speaker who couldn't communicate with my children showed up at my door, I would change my plans and call the service to explain why I was sending her/him away! (Please note that the emphasis there is on not being able to communicate with the kids!) It's enough of a leap of faith to believe in the thoroughness of their background checks, CPR training, etc - if I don't feel absolutely comfortable after the initial meeting, then they're out of there!

 

[jodifla]

I've also used Fairy Godmothers -- twice -- and been very satisfied with them. My son is under 2, and both women were very patient with him and had toys to woo him with (he can be a tough customer with strangers). The cost is 12 an hour, 4 hour minimum, plus 12 transportation cost. We spend about a half-hour with each sitter and our son before we leave, so we're sure we feel good about how she's interacting with our son. And we have cell phones, so we can call to check up if we feel the need. It also just feels good to know the sitter can reach you if need be.

Disney uses Kids Nite Out now, not Kindercare. They have a website if you want to check them out.

Note that Kids Nite Out is corporately run, so the people come in uniforms with a bunch of official papers. Fairy Godmothers has been around about 25 plus years and is family run, so it's more informal.

A side note: The pack and plays worked fine for my son. He was so tired after a day at Disney he slept through the night easily.

 

[Disney Enthusiast]

I called the Fairy Godmothers when I was considering having them watch my 8 mo old and the lady who answered (the owner) said they were small and family run and seemed knowledgeable and friendly and I was pleased w/ how long she spoke w/ me via the phone to ease my mind after the incident w/ Kindercare (by the way, I didn't receive the Kindercare person at the door, or I would have sent her back and made the phone call as well, my SIL did and trusted that I called a good service..... that's why I felt so horrible). So if I was to use anyone, I have heard only good things about the Fairy Godmothers. The owner assured me she has known her sitters for years and years and they are all wonderful. And according to the previous posters, they are really good.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Do "Fairy Godmothers" have a website?

 

[jodifla]

No, no web site for Fairy Godmothers.

 

[Disney Enthusiast]

Quote from "The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World"

"Godmothers are on-call 24 hours a day (you never get an answering machine) and offer the most flexible and diversified service in town. They will come to any hotel at any hour. If you pay, they will take your children to the theme parks. NO child is too young or too old, and Godmothers also care for the elderly and pets. All sitters are female nonsmokers."

The base rate was $9 an hour for up to three children w/ a 4 hour minimum, but this may have increased a bit because my book is a couple years old. (407) 969-9847 and toll free 877-611-4314

 

[jodifla]

It's 12 an hour now, 4 hour minimum, plus a transportation fee.