Babysitting on Property... Anyone use this?

[zakatak]

Hi! (again)

We are considering using the babysitting services they offer where a babysitter comes to your room from Off-Site to watch my three kids (5, 3, and 1.5). There is a $14/hour charge and a 4 hour minimum.

My DH and I were going to use this time to go to Pleasure Island. We figure it would be boring for the kids to go anyways and kinda fun to go as a couple.

Has anyone used this service before? I am kinda nervous about leaving my kids with a COMPLETE STRANGER, even if they are recommended by Disney!! <IMG WIDTH="15" HEIGHT="15" SRC="/infopop/emoticons/icon_redface.gif" alt="red face">

Help me out here!! Where can I find some references for these people? Or do you just trust Disney?

Thanks in advance,

Karen

1995 - Off Site (Days Inn Suites)
Feb 2002 - PO - Riverside!!!

 

[snoopy]

Hi Karen!

I have used Kindercare several times on my trips to Disney. They are licensed, bonded, VERY qualified. They always arrived with toys/activities for the kids that were age appropriate. The sitters we had were mature, responsible women who did not appear to be frazzled by much. I was worried leaving ours alone for the first time (the first time we used them, my youngest was an infant, 8 months!), but after meeting the sitter, I felt completely at ease. The sitter mentioned to me that she was a Grandmother, and it showed in her demeanor. My oldest still talks about her! He remembers her name (June - request her if you can!), and that was 2 years ago!

snoopy
Co-Moderator - Inspiration Board
snoopy@wdwinfo.com

<img height="150" src="http://www.wdwinfo.com/sites/techca/paint.gif">

 

[MelodyD]

This is probably a very heated topic as ppl have their own opinions on it... But we used the in room babysitter when our boys were 2 and 3. I had her arrive after they were in bed (our younger one didn't take to strangers very well) but even though I had informed them of that when I made the reservation she came with two bags of stuff to entertain them with. We had a great night out and felt totally at ease with the babysitter. She seemed disappointed that the boys were in bed

It was the kindercare sitter that we had, I believe they are recommended by Disney. I have to admit there is not any other place that I would ever consider doing anything such as this. We also sent the kids to Cubs Den on our last trip for an evening! They loved it.

 

[mchames]

On our trip this past January, we used a sitter to watch my two DD's who were 1 and 3 at the time. She was an older woman (I want to say her name was Joyce)and came prepared with toys and books. Before we left, she asked us a ton of questions, pertaining to the kids' routines and any health concerns. My DD3 is asthmatic and uses an inhaler and DD1 was taking an antibotic for an ear infection, both had taken their medication already, but she recorded it on her forms anyway. We were staying at the WL and she took the girls down to Roaring Forks for dinner (with our permission) and shortly thereafter put them to bed. We went to see Cirque du Soleil and due to VERY SLOW bus transportation to and from Downtown Disney we were gone for almost 6 hours (6:15pm to about midnight).

On a side note, she seemed to know all of the CM's at the WL and they seemed to know her, she had been doing this for so long. We were very happy with the service and plan to use them again for our November trip.

Hope this helps.
Mary

 

[ilisa]

We used Fairy Godmothers and were very, very happy with them. I spoke with the owner, Gertrude, who was lovely. She asked all about our daughter (19 months at the time) and sent a wonderful woman named Vera. Vera came with a bag of toys and immediately engaged my daughter. I had been concerned because DD had been going through a very clingy phase with me. However, she didn't even notice I left (I peeked through the window to see). Vera took DD to the playground and around the resort. I was gone about 6 hours or so. It was expensive, but worth it. $12/hour plus and hour of travel. I would highly recommend them.