Babysitting services at Swan & Dolphin

[Mickey76]

Hey, everyone!

My family and I will be at the Swan & Dolphin in two weeks for a conference for my wife's job. Our first night there is an adult's only dinner. We have two choices, utilize the babysitting service that is provided or I don't attend the dinner with my wife so that I can watch our son.

Have any of you used their babysitting service? What did you think of it? We are nervous about leaving our son with a complete stranger. While I'm sure they do a thorough background check, I just can't be too sure. Also, does the service provide some activities for a child to do or do we have to provide entertainment (toys, coloring books, dvd's, etc.)?

Any information that you can provide is greatly appreciated, as we are undecided. We both want to attend the dinner and I especially want to be there in case my wife receives an award.

Thanks for all of your help in advance.

Many thanks!

 

[Carrie in AZ]

I totally understand your concerns, it is not easy. When DH and I had a private dining planned at the GF, I needed an in-room babysitter as we were staying at POR. I had read many reviews here of Kids Night Out and called them. I talked to them at length. My gut told me it was going to be fine and it was. I requested a grandmotherly type of nanny. KNO called me the day prior to discuss my requests and confirmed they did indeed have an older woman coming. They asked me what my girls liked to do and I specifically said that my little one wanted her nails painted.

The nanny showed up at our door with two rolling suitcases full of toys and books! After we introduced her to our girls, we left. She took our girls to the POR food court and got them dinner (she used our cards for the dining plan). I think they took their time going back to the room. They played with dolls, read, painted nails and so on.

When we returned to the room she had the girls ready for bed and they were each in a bed with her sitting in a chair between the beds that she pulled over from the table. She had the curtain pulled near the sinks as an extra barrier "to the water" and told me she picked up some of my toiletries and put them up higher on a shelf because she felt it was safer!

After Miss G. left, my older DD, 6.5yo at the time said:

"Mom, ask me if I liked Miss. G." So I asked "Did you like Miss G?" And she replied: "No, I LOOOOOOVED Miss G!!!".

I'm guessing that in this day and age of texting, your nanny would text you updates and even text you pictures if you asked them to. Maybe they are not allowed to, but I'm guessing they might be able to. If you could see your child with a big smile on their face, that would go a long way toward easing your minds.

Good luck! I know it is not easy. I'm not sure what the policy is on using the Disney clubs when you are not staying at that particular resort, but our girls have also stayed at the BC's kids club while we were guests of the BC and they loved that also.

 

[Mickey76]

Thank you, Carrie!