Child-Care Clubs at Resorts

[Wee Annie]

Anyone used the Child-Care clubs at the resorts? I was thinking that it might be nice for my husband and I have to have dinner alone one night (and have the family get a break from all of the nice but intense family time). Any experiences/thoughts you'd like to share? I was specifically considering the ones at the AKL or WL, since those have restaurants we'd be interested in trying. But opinions on any of the clubs are welcomed.


FYI -- I have two daughters. 4 and 7, who are reasonably out-going.

Thanks!

 

[HM]

My kids stayed at the Neverland Club at the Polynesian a couple years ago. They loved thier time there. DD did lots of crafts and fell asleep watching a movie on a huge screen. DS played a lot of video games. They said it would definitely be worth doing again.

We have no personal experience with any of the other clubs.

-HM

 

[Tricialiv]

He was in the one at the YC/BC. He wanted to go back the next night. He was 6. I also used Kids Nite Out for my DD almost 3. I was nervous but had heard excellent comments and liked the answers to my many questions. Thank went great too. Have fun!

 

[Mady/Sophiemom]

My kids stayed at the Kid's club at AKL, last trip, while we ate at Jiko. They absolutely loved it, and beg to go back.

 

[gabbygrennell]

Do you have to be staying on property in order to use the kid clubs?
Gabby

 

[3Mousketeers]

Do you have to be staying on property in order to use the kid clubs?
Gabby

You don't have to be staying on site to use the Neverland Club at the Poly (probably because its so big) but I don't know about the other resort's clubs.

 

[PrincessaC]

You don't have to be staying on site to use the Neverland Club at the Poly (probably because its so big) but I don't know about the other resort's clubs.

Can you give me an estimate of how much something like this would cost... I have a 7 yr and 4 yr old ...

 

[Mac and Us]

We wanted to send our DD to one of the clubs because she's an only child and loves playing with other kids. However, the clubs are for age 4 and up and she only be 3.5 during our April trip. We will have to wait until our Dec trip before she can go.

She went to camp carnival a few weeks ago and she loved it. We had to drag her out of there every night and she wasn't happy that we did.

 

[Wee Annie]

I believe they are $10 an hour per child (so fairly expensive).

Thanks for the responses. I think I'm going to post on the Resorts board to see if anyone has had any experience with the Cub's Den at the WL.

 

[PrincessaC]

wow..thx..that sounds like a great price..i would surely pay that for a night out with just me and dh..

 

[carol1231]

My kids (4&6) have stayed at the Cubs Den a couple of times. They liked it. Wherever there are video games, they are happy. DS played mostly on the video games while there, DD played games and made crafts. They were happy to get away for a while.

We've also used the Sandcastle Club at BC. I think this one is my favorite. But depending on when you are going, it may be closed. It is going to close while the shop at the BC is refurbished and instead they will reopen the Harbor Club at BW.

And we have also used The Neverland Club at the Poly. And we have used the Mousketeer Club at GF, this one seemed very small, probably my least favorite.

My kids have liked them all and on each trip always want to know when they can go to one of the clubs.

 

[3Mousketeers]

I'm pretty sure that the $10/hr includes some type of dinner if you're there at a certain time. The way it worked at the Poly was there was a dinner buffet for the kids served between 6 and 8 pm and dessert served at 8:00. I'm not sure of how it works at the smaller clubs. We'll be using Simba's Clubhouse at AKL next week so I'll let you know how that goes.
If you factor dinner into it, I don't think the price is too bad.

 

[ReneeQ]

My 7 year old nephew went to the Cub's Den at Wilderness Lodge last month and loved it. He's an only child, and we were at Disney for a week, him with us five adults. He wanted some kid time. He went on a Thurs night from 6 to 9 PM and they charged the $30 to our room. My sister called and made the reservations that morning. It also included dinner. I forget all the choices, but he ordered Grilled Cheese and chocolate milk.

We stopped by there one night earlier in our trip with him to check it out and he really wanted to go. He mostly played the video games. There were about 8 kids total and 2 counselers. He wanted to go back another night, but we didn't have time. We would definitely use it again.

 

[Carrie772]

I just started a thread on this, but how do you know it's safe?

 

[Wee Annie]

Are you asking how am I sure that my kids won't be abused? I guess I trust my instincts -- if I walk in and don't like the looks of it and don't like the caretakers, I'll walk out and won't worry about the charges I may incur, as my childrens' safety is paramount. One of the reasons I posted is because, if many people have used them and been pleased, it leads me to believe that they are safe and pleasant experiences for the children. I do believe that Disney does background checks on these employees, and I also have a 7-year-old daughter who I know can speak up if something bad is happening (I'd be a little more concerned if it was just my 4 year old).

 

[PrincessaC]

another quick question.....

Does anyone have a link or a list of the resorts that offer the child care clubs? I'm sure we have to make reservations to use the club..but how far in advance does the reservations have to be made?

Also does anyone know the times that these clubs are open? I would really like to use one of these clubs... Thx..

 

[PrincessaC]

bump

 

[NotUrsula]

All of the deluxe resorts have kids clubs. You need to call at least 24 hours in advance, the CRO central number can handle the reservation. They will take a CC# to secure the reservation.

I can't remember exactly what time they start accepting kids, I'm thinking it's around 5:30-6:00 pm.

 

[Stiff]

my son (4 YO) stayed at the neverland club last summer. It was somewhat disappointing because they were doing a rehab on the room, and so they basically got stuck in another room and thus no theming. But there were video games, regular games, crafts and a huge flatscreen TV....he really enjoyed himself

he is asking to go back this year, but we are trying the cubs den this time as we will be staying at WL part of the trip

 

[PrincessaC]

thank you so much for the replies..