Babysitting at DVC

[Namdnas]

We are going down in January with another couple. We'll have a total of 4 children ranging from 1 1/2 through 4 1/2 years old. We would all like to go out and have a blast together at Pleasure Island, which leads me into my question;

Has anyone had good/bad experiences with Disney's day care/babysitting services?

What are the costs? (or a link to information about that)

Were you, the parents, concerned about leaving your children with strangers, despite this being Disney? Is is possible (aside from the extra cost) to get two sitters, to keep them 'honest'? I don't want to sound paranoid, but there are so many crazy things happening these days....

This is something the DW and I have been stressing over, so any feedback would be great. We love them like crazy, but having some time at night to enjoy ourselves sans kiddies would be a big treat for us.

Thanks.

 

[floridafam]

I just couldn't use one of the outside sitting services. I know many people who have and some have had wonderful experieces but I just couldn't.

I would not want to leave my children alone in our villa with a stranger especially in another state. I've heard too many horror stories. There was one on the community board a few weeks ago about a situation in the Carribean on this issue.

If we had to get a sitter I, personally, would feel more comfortable with one of the "clubs" at the resorts where there is a group of children and CM's.

I know every person is different and has a different opinion on this subject. I am just giving you one person's opinion.

 

[Richyams]

A darling little 50+ year old woman came by. She had all kinds of cool things, all Disney realted, for them to do. She was fantastic. Kids from two to seven. They all liked her.

A 20 year old college girl, as perky as the day is long, again, all kinds of games, art and avtivities and was equally fantastic. Different kids, well except for mine, from four to nine.

We were home by one each time and would recomend that service in a second. I don't remember the costs, it may have even been by child...I remember Mike, my cheap bil, grimmacing. In later years we had my little sister one year, an older cousin another year and my daughter is forteen now and really hates when we get her a babysitter.

Some people won't leave their kids with anybody, anywhere, personally, we are not that type, we felt very comfortable with the Kindercare(I believe that is who they used)

 

[flexsmom]

We used Fairy Godmothers with another family, so it was one sitter (Janet, who was a grandmother), for our 3-year old and friend's 2-year old. With 4 kids, I'd get 2 sitters, mostly because 4 under the age of 4 are a lot for ANYONE to deal with! Fairy Godmothers was wonderful - good references, she showed us her credentials from the company - they do CPR training, background checks, etc. I would not hesitate to use them again. I know some people don't like to leave their kids with people they haven't met before - but after checking out the company and their procedures, we felt comfortable doing so......and the kids raved about her.

 

[amylovesdisney]

The kid clubs are probably not an option for you with the ages listed. I >>think<< the children have to be old enough to be potty-trained to use the Disney kid clubs.

 

[MJS]

We tried Kids Night Out/Kindercare (The "contractor" for Disney is now Kids Night Out) a few years ago. We were very nervous, but wanted a night out. We were at the Poly, and our little one was one. We stayed on the hotel grounds for dinner, and checked in on our little one several times. Now, after annual trips to WDW, our little one is 4. Our sitter, named Annie, has become an important part of our trips, and we try to arrange for her to be our sitter at least once on the trip because our little one adores her. We love having time to ourselves, and it is great to catch up with her each year.

If you make a reservation, spend some time with the sitter. If you are not comfy, you can pay her/him and send them on their way.

 

[Namdnas]

Thanks for all your help folks.

 

[spiceycat]

you can't use the Kids Club at the resorts for another reason - you say that you wanted to see the fireworks at PI - I think that the clubs close before then like at 11:00pm or midnight and PI goes until 2:00 am. Plus as amylovesdisney - the kids must be potty trained.

you could do like my sister-in-law (if you can stand them anyway) she brings her parents.....