Child Care/Kids Clubs for 4 year old...perhaps?

[momloveson]

Hi all,
We're going to WDW on Nov 15 and will be there for 8 days. Its DH and DS (4) and me. I've been trying to look into a place where my DS could go and play for a couple of hours while DH and I have dinner or something on one of the evenings.

Suggestions? We're staying at Pop C for 3 nights, then POFQ for 4. Neither has programs. I've seen there are kids clubs at some of the other resorts on-site. Are they open to us since we're onsite as well, or just open to guests of the specific hotel? I DON'T want a one on one babysitter....just a place for my wonderful boy to have fun with other kids w/out us. Want it safe (of course) and fun for him. I'm already nervous about him being away from me at such a big place. He's VERY social, so anything with other kids would be a treat for him.

Help please. So excited about our first family vacation!

 

[Noelle]

All of the Disney Kids Clubs are available to on-site guests.

 

[daisylove]

I have also been nervously debating whether to send my 5 yr old DD to a kids club on our next trip too. Let us know what you decide.

 

[Mom to Jordan]

What about looking into eating at the same resort that you choose the child care at. That might make you feel better. I certainly can not help as we never used the child care, but we love the WL and have seen their kids club. Artis Point is a great choice for an adult meal. There are great resturants at any of the resorts that have kid clubs. Good luck deciding.



Jordan's mom

 

[Kimmielee]

I'm going in two weeks and have my DS (5) signed up for the Neverland Club for one of the evenings. I'll let you know his response. From other posts that I have read... it's so "magical", unlike normal daycare, per se... that the kids ASK to go again!!!

 

[daisylove]

Kimmielee, thanks! I am looking forward to hear all about it. Have a great trip!

 

[BevS97]

My 4 year old went to the Harbour club and Simba's Den while we went to MGM and ate at Jiko - I wouldn't say either were amazingly magical, but she had a nice time, there were other kids to play with (a bonus when you are an only child) and she was quite happy to go to the other club later in the week.

I was quite comfortable leaving her at the Y&B while we went to MGM - we were given a pager, and it's pretty close to get back if there was a problem.

AK and Jiko was even better - no worries about being out of the building and we got to have a really relaxed grown-up meal - I think we sometimes forget how!

 

[senecabeach]

Can anyone tell me what the pricing is @ these kids clubs??

Thanks.......

 

[tjmw2727]

My girls like Simba's at AKL - they were 5 and 7 at the time and both would return, we ate at Jiko so it was very convenient. We just stayed at the Polynesian and during one rainy day afternoon we visited Neverland Club and although its not drop-off (childcare) during the day they loved playing there.

They both said that if given a chance/choice again they would love to go to neverland. The theme is cool and it is very large, dress up area, lots of free play and other activities. Lots of arts and crafts and a huge area with a large screen movie area. I also saw a buffet area so it looks like the kids have dinner right in the club.

I think debs site has details and prices.

Given the choice I would definately visit a restaurant close to the kidsclub you choose.

TJ

 

[PlutoPony]

Originally posted by senecabeach
Can anyone tell me what the pricing is @ these kids clubs??

.....

It's $10/hour/child, and they round to the quarter hour for billing purposes. Children must be at least 4 years old and potty trained. Hours are 4:30 to midnight (check that).... Would recommend reservations (thru WDW dining) and there's a fee if you cancel < 24 hrs before or don't show....

Hope that covers the basics...

 

[CindyAnn]

Momloveson - Here's the link to the DIS information about child care clubs. My kids loved the Neverland Club at 4 & 7 and begged us to go out the next night, too. They've also enjoyed Simba's Clubhouse at AKL. Having a pager made me feel much better about leaving them. I definitely agree with those who have said you'll want to have dinner close by, and since the deluxe hotels have both children's programs and (generally) a really good restaurant or two, that shouldn't be a problem.

Have fun!

 

[Momof5cubs]

My 5 year old son loved Simba's at AKL when we went in June. He didn't want to leave when I picked him up and he asked to go back every day!
I am a Nervous Nelly about leaving him with strangers but I was extremely happy with the employees.

 

[alicenwonder99]

We're going to WDW in January 2005. I have my two youngest children (4 and 6) signed up for the Neverland Club at the Poly. I made the reservations through Dining. It is $10 per child, with a $20 minimum, per child. The Neverland Club opens at 4pm. We're dropping the kids off at 4:45pm and heading over to the Concourse Steakhouse at the Contemporary for dinner. You have to give Dining a cc number to reserve a spot for your child. If you don't cancel within 24 hours, your cc will automatically be charged $20 per child. That's something to think about if you're not sure if your child is going to want to be dropped off there by himself.

Mary

 

[robinb]

My 5 year old has been to Camp Dolphin and the Neverland Club. She prefers Camp Dolphin because they sometimes do face painting. I prefer Camp Dolphin because the first 2 hours is free if you eat at Shulas or Blue Zoo at the Dolphin. The child's meal is also included if you get there before a certain time. I just made plans for Camp Dolphin (Ble Zoo) and Simba's Club (Jiko's) for our next trip.

 

[missminniemouse]

This past January we had DD8 and DS4 use the kids club at the Beach Club. That way, we dropped them off and headed back to WS for a wonderful dinner at the Bistro in the France Pavillion. We stayed to watch Illuminations and took a stroll around the Boardwalk and around on our way back to pick them up. It was a very relaxing evening for us and both kids had a lot of fun.

Just a note that if the kids are there during the dinner hour, dinner is included in the price you pay. They had a choice of several different meals. Typical kid stuff, but that's what they would have had anyway.

 

[issa]

My DD has been to Neverland club and she LOVED it. begged to return another night during our 10 day trip. An each planning vacation since ..asks which night is her club nights and how many she can have.

I limit her to two....sheesh..its a family vacation..I want to spend time with her. But I think she enjoys the down time, the kid time and the unwind of it all....the buffet, games and movies dont hurt

 

[senecabeach]

Thanks sooo much for all your tips!!

It will help us next year for PS planning..


Does anyone know if there is an "age limit" for this childcare???

Just wondering..

 

[PlutoPony]

Originally posted by senecabeach
Does anyone know if there is an "age limit" for this childcare???

Just wondering..

Minimum age is 4 and potty trained.
Maximum is 12.

 

[Kimberle]

fyi, the Mouskateer club at CR has closed.

 

[momloveson]

Can anyone tell me if it is possible to get same day (or maybe next-day) reservations for child care? I will be unable to commit to it until I know how I'm holding up (iow: If I'm too exhausted for nice evening out w/hubby, not going to waste my night of babysitting). Any places that are easier or harder to get reservations? I've looked at the DIS child care page, but it is out of date.

Thanks again!