Best Babysitting Option with Older Children?

[LargoLori]

We will be traveling to WDW with another family. There will be 3 kids total. Two 9 yoa girls and a 6 yoa boy. The adult are thinking about an evening out without the kiddies. Do you think they would be too bored with the Fairy Godmother service. Is a kids club a better option. We are staying at the BC and I know that the have a kids club on site. Thanks for any info.

Lori

 

[momxx5]

For that age I would go with the kid's club on-site. I would just feel more comfortable and I think they would have more fun.

 

[LargoLori]

Why would you feel more comfortable? Did you have a bad experience with Fairy Godmothers?

Lori

 

[Tricialiv]

My son (6) loved the kids club at BC last July. They had computers, video games, crafts and a movie. I had Kids Nite Out for my DD (2). That went well too. I would do the clubs if available though. It did make me a little nervous having an agency person alone with my child. She was very professional and DD slept almost the entire time. This trip they will both be at the Neverland Club. I am glad they will be together. Have a wonderful trip. Tricia

 

[momxx5]

Like Trici posted - I am the worrying kind. I would not feel good about leaving my children with a stranger in our hotel room.

The kid's clubs are designed to have a bunch of kids play, eat, have fun, etc. I vote for the "safety in numbers". They are strictly ruled, just like a day care.

Although I'm sure the Fairy Godmothers are certified and excellent babysitters, it's just something we wouldn't do.

 

[LargoLori]

I appreciate your responses but I'm looking for what is best as far as activities for the kids. If we want to go to PI the Kids Clubs close at midnight. I don't however want the children to be bored. I guess wht I need to know is if the 9 year olds will be bored with an in room sitter or do they do age appropriate activities.

Lori

 

[tjmw2727]

I haven't used the in room sitters so I can't comment but my girls (now 10 and 8) have done a few of the kids clubs and LOVED them all.

FWIW they loved the neverland club at the poly and second choice was simba's at AKL. I don't think they would have had as much fun in room because they made friends, played games, did arts and crafts and watched a movie. They also enjoyed the club at the Dolphin but liked the other two better. They enjoyed the kids clubs so much they ask for a "kids night out" every trip!

Unfortunately, your right, they do close at midnight, so that may not be a good option for a night at PI. Hopefuly someone with older kids who has an in room sitter will post or maybe a call will give you more information.

Depending on your comfort level perhaps dinner at the food court and a trip to the game room would make it a fun night for the kids if the babysitters will do that.

Have fun,
TJ

 

[Rowlf]

The sitters do bring age-appropriate activities - we got a woman from Kid's Nite Out when we where there last year to babysit our 15 month old twice. She was great; my son has never been much for babysitters he doesn't know!

We had a great night out at V&A's - with no stress about getting home at a certain time. Joyce had a whole system down where she got DS to bed, pulled out the TV, and tilted the armoire door so that it didn't bother DS. She definitely knew what she was doing!

I know some people here feel uncomfortable with unknown sitters, but she was very professional. The kids might have a good time at the Sandcastle Club, but if you want to stay out later, I'd have no problem recommending KNO.

 

[atlnewf]

We used the Sandcastle Club at the Beach Club while we were there a little over a week ago. I had my kids (6 & 4) and my sister had her kids (11, 9, and 7). The oldest (my niece) was bored silly. The boys (9, 7, 6) had a blast playing video games all night. My daughter was in clingy mode. She had fun as long as we werent' there, but wouldn't admit it.

Ashley

 

[SleepingUgly]

I think it depends on what types of activities you think your kids would truly enjoy.

Kids Clubs seem to have lots of activities for kids, but they are not things that my kids would enjoy. For instance -- video games. My kids don't play those at all. They watch TV, yes, but not tons and not that many movies at all.

However, they do like to read and play games and draw, and that was what they did with their Fairy Godmother babysitter. She arrived about five minutes early and brought a gigantic bag filled with age-appropriate toys. When we left, they were setting out a board game. I later found out that they also worked on crossword puzzles, played more games, drew pictures/colored, and worked with Playdough. She also read them stories before they fell asleep. It was perfect, and the kids were rested enough to still hit the parks in full gear the next day.

This was our experience in May, and I would not hesitate to recommend Fairy Godmothers to anyone. They were much more than we expected.

Linda

 

[Jen D]

I would do an in-room sitter. The sitter will take them to do whatever activity you want-- she can take them to the food court, or the pool... and then get them to bed at whatever bedtime you want. You can't really count on them getting any rest at Kids Club, and you'll have to be back by midnight. And for 3 kids at Kid's Club, that's what, $30 per hour?

We've used Fairy Godmothers; we were very happy with the service.

 

[PatsGirl]

I'm also wrestling with the club vs. sitter dilemma -- I know the kids would prefer a kids' club for a loooong night, but the next day will be ruined for all and that just isn't worth it to me. If my DD is up until ten or eleven (or midnight,God forbid) she'll be junk the next day and this trip is all about her (with the exception of the one night I'd like to go out, lol ).

Will the fairy godmother quiet them down and do lights out at a certain time? I know she'll want to read or watch tv but can there be quiet time? Also, another poster mentioned taking the kids to the pool? Can they do this? I would definately take advantage of all the things I dont' care to do (just like the babysitters at home ) -- I'd love if someone else could take them to the arcade and play a board game with them and save the "good" stuff for me, but still have them in bed so they don't ruin the next day for everyone, including themselves.

 

[jodifla]

Kids Nite Out and Fairy Godmothers don't do water activities. But they will take your kids elsewhere at the hotel, or even to one of the parks!


We liked FG for exactly the reason a previous poster mentioned: Your kids can get to bed at a reasonable hour. Our sitter normally comes at 7:30, and by 8:30, he's in bed, his normal bedtime.

LargoLori, it's my experience that anyone asks about in-room sitters, someone immediately chimes in that they wouldn't be comfortable with leaving their kids with a stranger. So they aren't offering you any practical advice, just their two cents.

We've used FG a half-dozen times, and been quite pleased.

 

[Jen D]

Kids Nite Out and Fairy Godmothers don't do water activities. But they will take your kids elsewhere at the hotel, or even to one of the parks!

Sorry I didn't know this. I just assumed.

But yes, they can take the kids to the arcade or whatever. And get them to bed on time. That's what they do, it's their job, and then if they have to sit and read by dim light for four hours until you get home, they are quite used to that.