Bad Experiences with In-Room Baby-sitting???

[Eander3]

Hi all. DW and I were reading about the in-room baby sitting and children's clubs available at WDW. We are unsure of the services offered (ie safety, background checks, etc.) Has anyone had any bad experiences with any of these services?? We are having a hard time considering leaving our DD with a stranger while we go out and play. Anyone have any thoughts???

 

[BluOrchid2]

We are having a hard time considering leaving our DD with a stranger while we go out and play.

Well..........there's your answer right there. Don't fight your instincts; you'd never forgive yourself IF anything was to happen. This is just MO, and I'm a protective mother, so I'm sure my opinion will differ from a lot of folks - otherwise, there wouldn't even be such a thing as resort babysitters. I don't leave my daughter with anyone other than family while here at home......I sure as heck wouldn't leave her with a stranger, thousands of miles from home, in a strange place. But that's just me. I'm sure someone will come along and tell you its perfectly safe. Just not me.

 

[IAMaGR8DISMOM]

We have never had a problem with the in-room babysitting services at WDW.

I also would consider myself a very protective parent. Maybe we have just been lucky, but we look forward to our night out without the kids, and I have never been disappointed with the babysitter. She normally arrives with games to play, and our boys have never complained.

 

[plutosmyfav]

I would be hesitant, especially with just one child. The thought of a little "adult" time is tempting, but I have never been able to bring myself to use an unknown babysitter.

That's just my opinion!

 

[Magic2000]

While I've never used the in-room sitters, my daughter has gone to Simba's Clubhouse at Animal Kingdom Lodge (for an hour, while we ate at Boma's). She has also tried the Cub's Den at Wilderness Lodge, while DH & I ate at Artist Point.

She had read about the clubhouses and asked if she could go one day. Well, after checking it out, I felt comfortable leaving her for an hour (at WL, it was closer to an hour and a half). She got to choose what she wanted for dinner - and she played with some of the other kids. Her favorite activity - coloring with the markers!!!

I'm a little nervous about the in-room sitters, but I've read many great reports on them!!

 

[sillysully]

We hired FG to watch our 3 m.o. and 20 m.o. on a trip about 5 years ago. Stayed off-site, but next to DTD. We had connecting rooms w/family, so babysitter could put kids to bed in one room and sit in the other w/the door open. Well, she decided to put the phone under the pillow so children wouldn't wake up (we had called once to check in just as she was settling children). When we called to check again and again later there was no answer. We freaked! Called front desk and had security check room. They're banging on the door, she's not answering (she's in room next door). I'm now on the other cell phone calling Orlando police and we are running full tilt to exit park. Finally, half-deaf sitter answers door and all is okay, but we're about to have a break-down. It was partly our fault, I suppose, and could have been a lot worse, but I will not forget that feeling that my children were abducted and felt awful for taking that adult time. When we go back, our feeling is it's for family time, no sitters; we'll save that for time alone at home with a sitter we know. However, I would consider sending my older children to a kids' club b/c I think they would enjoy it immensely.

 

[MUFFYCAT]

Are your children old enough to go to resorts day care service? My girls went to the Netherland Club when they were 6 & 9 and loved it. We're going next week and my younger asked if she can go again(she's 10 now).

 

[Eander3]

I think we will go with our guts on this one. Upon talking with my DW, I don't think we can even consider leaving our DD, 2, with a total stranger... This vacation is for the entire family!

 

[Kae]

I agree with you. But when DD is 4 or older try one of the clubs. My DS had just turned 4 when he tried the neverland club at Poly we were staying there but went to WL for dinner & GF for drinks. He loved it, it was his 2nd favorite thing the pool being his first.

Kae

 

[The Duchess]

We were up in the air on this one, too.
We're planning on leaving DS (6) at Mouseketeer Club at GF while we do early seating at V&A.
Try the Disney for Families Forum. Lots of info on baby-sitting.