Changes to Children's Activity Clubs

[Lsyves]

Just a heads up, I got a call from Disney yesterday which I missed so they left a voice mail...they said they are changing what goes on in the Children's Activity Clubs and because I had already made a reservation for April I get a reduced rate of $30 per child. Apparently the rate will soon become a flat rate of $55 per child. She said the "enhancements to the product line" are things like cooking classes or character interactions. But you have to pre-pay before your trip.

I'll get more details when I call them back and will post here!

 

[Minnesota!]

ooh, that sounds cool! My kids love it as is right now, but cooking and characters? Awesome! We typically pay about $85 for a night, anyway, so $110 isn't too much more!

 

[soniam]

Yes, please let us know. I am debating if DS, who will be 10, should do the kids club again or baby sitter at the hotel. I was worried he might be getting to old for the kids club, but these new activities sound like something he would like.

 

[AngiTN]

Sounds fun. We got to do a test at Poly's kid club last May. A free visit in exchange for completing a survey when it was done. That one did include Lilo and Stitch. Maybe the changes are things they implemented from that test

 

[sonocruiser]

I wonder when this is happening. We are going to send DS 5 for the first time in Jan at the Poly. We planned on time from 6-10pm. Anyone have more details on Lilo's playhouse?

 

[pangyal]

I was actually just coming here to post this so thank you OP !

It is now a flat rate of $55 and you can drop them off for as long as you like between 4:30-10:30. They still feed them. There are more group-oriented, CM-directed activities as opposed to them doing what they want off in thei little stations or whatnot. No more DVC discount.

I'm not sure if this is good or bad, as we planned on dropping off DS just to go to Trader Sam's for a bit, and now we will feel like we really have to get our money's worth for that amount, which is more than double what we were paying before.

FYI the person I talked to said that the changes were official for Sandcastle Club and Lilo's, but wasn't sure about Simba's Clubhouse. Though I can't imagine that would be different.

 

[Lsyves]

When I call the to confirm tomorrow, I'll ask when the changes are official. Our reservation is for Sandcastle Club fyi.

 

[AngiTN]

I was actually just coming here to post this so thank you OP !

It is now a flat rate of $55 and you can drop them off for as long as you like between 4:30-10:30. They still feed them. There are more group-oriented, CM-directed activities as opposed to them doing what they want off in thei little stations or whatnot. No more DVC discount.

I'm not sure if this is good or bad, as we planned on dropping off DS just to go to Trader Sam's for a bit, and now we will feel like we really have to get our money's worth for that amount, which is more than double what we were paying before.

FYI the person I talked to said that the changes were official for Sandcastle Club and Lilo's, but wasn't sure about Simba's Clubhouse. Though I can't imagine that would be different.

That is the format that was used for the test. We dropped DGD off and she could stay the entire 4:30-10:30
DH and I went to Trader Sams and then up to the bar at Ohana's. We had snacks and drinks at both. DGD had pizza at the club house and then they made cookies with lilo and space goop with stitch. It was all CM led

 

[nemofans]

Thanks for the info! DH & I were thinking about doing V&A on our next trip & wasn't sure if our 10 yr old would want to be at the kids club. Although he loves the kids clubs on disney cruise & at Aulani. So it sounds like its moving towards that type of kids club.

 

[skyeyes99]

Hello everyone! My kids just stayed at Lilo's Playhouse last week and we spoke to a manager and we got the full scoop from the horses mouth! Even I was confused when we checked-in based off of what I had read here.

Here is what she said:

• Tests were done this Spring early summer and they are now doing a 2nd test of new kids programs at Lilo's Playhouse (Polynesian Village Resort) and Sandcastle Club...I think she said that was at the Beach club...
• At these 2 locations they are doing new pricing. If you make a eservation in advance you have to pre-pay the $55/child flate rate or pay for it upon check-in if you are a walk-in (like my family).
• Of course, I asked about discounts! Discounts are available for DVC/AP and Cast Members = VERY inexpensive if you take that discount and divide it by the number of hours you are staying there!!!!
• The flat rate allows for your child to stay the ENTIRE time that they are open!!!! Lilo's is open from 4:30 PM - midnight. Luckily we arrived at 5 PM (we wanted to have some adult time at Disney Springs). It was great to not have to think about rushing to DS and rush through dinner only so we could rush back to pick up the kids!!!
• There is only 1 dinner service now. She said that dinner is served between 6 - 7 PM....so get there early to ensure that the kids can eat!!! They do serve a snack at 10 PM...which my kids ate because we were still at DS!!!!
• We called to check in and all we could hear was music and happy kids in the background! They ensured us that my kids were happy and very involved in the programs.
• The kids said that we came back too early to pick them up and that they want to go back!!!!
• The manager said that there are 5 programs that they rotate through (3 a day)....so, you could go twice and not have the same experience
• I think that the BEST thing is that one of the programs Chip & Dale came to visit!!!!

I would imagine that once the word gets out about this best kept Disney secret we may have to make reservations in advance to secure a spot! I was very happy that my kids enjoyed themselves. Like I said, they want to go back and were talking about their wacky chemist that talked about gas a lot! lol! The other great thing is that my kids still got to have free play. Apparently, the "structured" programs happen between 5-9 PM.

To recap, up to 7.5 hours of the best babysitters around, entertaining experiences for the kids, dinner + a character visit for $55 = happy parents! I hope that helps some of you! I highly recommend this and will be telling everyone!!!

 

[soniam]

I tried to reserve Lilo's or the one at Wilderness Lodge last week for mid-March. They said the only one showing availability was Simba's. I called twice. One CM said that seemed strange and thought maybe they hadn't released their schedules yet, so I should try back later. I even asked for different times, like 4, 4:30, & 5 in case it makes a difference now with the new program. Anyone able to make a reservation for March? So, are they even taking reservations, or is it first-come, first-served? Have they just not released the schedule yet? I might try back today. I still have time. Worst comes to worst, we can do a babysitter.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I tried to reserve Lilo's or the one at Wilderness Lodge last week for mid-March. They said the only one showing availability was Simba's. I called twice. One CM said that seemed strange and thought maybe they hadn't released their schedules yet, so I should try back later. I even asked for different times, like 4, 4:30, & 5 in case it makes a difference now with the new program. Anyone able to make a reservation for March? So, are they even taking reservations, or is it first-come, first-served? Have they just not released the schedule yet? I might try back today. I still have time. Worst comes to worst, we can do a babysitter.

I would try calling back. If not today, maybe in a week or so. I called in early November to reserve Sandcastle Club for the week between Christmas and New Year's and the same thing happened to me - only thing available was Simba's Clubhouse. Granted, this was when they were finalizing plans for the new experiences at Lilo's Playhouse and Sandcastle Club, but I called back about a week later and was able to secure the reservations.

 

[soniam]

I would try calling back. If not today, maybe in a week or so. I called in early November to reserve Sandcastle Club for the week between Christmas and New Year's and the same thing happened to me - only thing available was Simba's Clubhouse. Granted, this was when they were finalizing plans for the new experiences at Lilo's Playhouse and Sandcastle Club, but I called back about a week later and was able to secure the reservations.

Thanks. That's good to know. Maybe they are really just getting everything finalized. Previously, I have usually booked the kids' club right after booking ADRs at 180 days, since I knew when and what night we needed. I was surprised that it wasn't available and thought that maybe it fills up quicker than I had anticipated.

 

[skyeyes99]

Thanks. That's good to know. Maybe they are really just getting everything finalized. Previously, I have usually booked the kids' club right after booking ADRs at 180 days, since I knew when and what night we needed. I was surprised that it wasn't available and thought that maybe it fills up quicker than I had anticipated.

I genuinely think you have encountered a person that didn't know how to book it properly. As it was mentioned earlier, sometimes when things are new or changing, you have to call back a few times to get the right person who knows what is going on. Boo!

 

[soniam]

I genuinely think you have encountered a person that didn't know how to book it properly. As it was mentioned earlier, sometimes when things are new or changing, you have to call back a few times to get the right person who knows what is going on. Boo!

I actually played Wheel of CM Fortune and called twice. Both times they were surprised it wasn't available. It was the same day, so maybe the system was messed up. I did finally get it booked today. I guess there was availability at multiple places, because he asked which one. Whereas previously, before I could tell them, they said only Simba's was available. It looks like Lilo's is going permanent with the new changes, because it's $55 for 4:30-~midnight. You used to specify a drop-off time and pay by the hour.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I actually played Wheel of CM Fortune and called twice. Both times they were surprised it wasn't available. It was the same day, so maybe the system was messed up. I did finally get it booked today. I guess there was availability at multiple places, because he asked which one. Whereas previously, before I could tell them, they said only Simba's was available. It looks like Lilo's is going permanent with the new changes, because it's $55 for 4:30-~midnight. You used to specify a drop-off time and pay by the hour.

Glad you got it booked! Sandcastle Club is permanent, too. My DS8 will be there in about a week and Disney has already happily charged me the $55, LOL!

I'm glad you called back and checked. When I first called, I specifically asked for Sandcastle Club and it wasn't until the CM was reading off the reservation confirmation that I realized he actually booked my DS in Simba's Clubhouse (for three nights of our trip! and we are staying at BWI!). When he went back to look, he realized everything was defaulting to Simba's because, at the time, Sandcastle and Lilo's wasn't available. Glad I caught it while I was on the phone.

 

[jon18uk]

I tried to reserve Lilo's or the one at Wilderness Lodge last week for mid-March. They said the only one showing availability was Simba's. I called twice. One CM said that seemed strange and thought maybe they hadn't released their schedules yet, so I should try back later. I even asked for different times, like 4, 4:30, & 5 in case it makes a difference now with the new program. Anyone able to make a reservation for March? So, are they even taking reservations, or is it first-come, first-served? Have they just not released the schedule yet? I might try back today. I still have time. Worst comes to worst, we can do a babysitter.

Cub's Den at Wilderness Lodge is closed from 3rd Jan, that may be why it is unavailable http://www.orlandoparksnews.com/2015/12/disneys-wilderness-lodge-cubs-den.html

 

[nemofans]

Will they change Simba's clubhouse to the new program as well? That would actually help us to have the flat fee. I already have a ressie with the hourly rate & because we have dining at V&A, the kids will be there most of the night already.

 

[soniam]

Will they change Simba's clubhouse to the new program as well? That would actually help us to have the flat fee. I already have a ressie with the hourly rate & because we have dining at V&A, the kids will be there most of the night already.

I haven't heard/read anything about Simba's changing. Have you thought about putting them at Lilo's? That's what we have done when we ate at V&A, even though we weren't staying at Poly.