Childcare at resorts.

[lovethesun12]

We are staying in the Epcot resort area and planned on putting our kids in the sandcastle club but realized it closed ages ago. Camp Dolphin seems to be the alternative but my daughter doesn’t turn 4 until a week after our trip .

We would only want to be out for about 2 hours. Are there any other options within Walt Disney world for a 3 (and 6) year old?

 

[dansdad]

We are staying in the Epcot resort area and planned on putting our kids in the sandcastle club but realized it closed ages ago. Camp Dolphin seems to be the alternative but my daughter doesn’t turn 4 until a week after our trip .

We would only want to be out for about 2 hours. Are there any other options within Walt Disney world for a 3 (and 6) year old?

There's always the In Room Babysitting option.

Childcare Services
Convenient in-room babysitting is available for children 6 months to 12 years of age at select Resort hotels.
In-Room Babysitting


Independent childcare provider Kid’s Nite Out offers one-to-one babysitting in the comfort of your Walt Disney World Resort hotel room. Arts and crafts, reading and playing games are among the fun-filled activities for children 6 months to 12 years of age.

Rates

Number of Children Price (per hour)
1 $18
2 $21
3 $24
4 $26

After 9:00 PM, a $2 charge will be added per hour. Additionally, a one-time transportation fee of $10 is also required. Please note that rates are subject to change without notice.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

In-room sitting is the only option with a 3 year old.

 

[Megan138]

We used Kids Nite Out last year for our kids and I was very happy with the service. The sitter was great and brought activities for the kids so even though they were in our hotel room they weren't just watching TV the whole time. I plan on using them again during our trip next month.

 

[lovethesun12]

Thanks for the responses. I have a few more questions. I will call but want to get my facts in order first since I'm Canadian and it isn't toll free

We are staying at Beach club and our kids love playing in the sand, arts and crafts, etc (like most kids I guess, lol).

We basically wanted a sitter for a few hours in the day or evening so we could enjoy a few of the "scarier" rides at the parks.

I've looked through the information on kids nite out but haven't been able to find a few things. It says they can accompany you to the park - does anyone know if that means purchasing a park ticket for them? Not sure if any of them would specifically have AP's or something for that reason?

Also, would they be able to bring my kids to SAB?

TIA!

 

[sponica]

@lovethesun12 on the website it specifically states that water activities are prohibited with Kids nite out, if you wanted help in the park, you'd have to pay for their ticket.

 

[stephk1981]

Thanks for the responses. I have a few more questions. I will call but want to get my facts in order first since I'm Canadian and it isn't toll free

We are staying at Beach club and our kids love playing in the sand, arts and crafts, etc (like most kids I guess, lol).

We basically wanted a sitter for a few hours in the day or evening so we could enjoy a few of the "scarier" rides at the parks.

I've looked through the information on kids nite out but haven't been able to find a few things. It says they can accompany you to the park - does anyone know if that means purchasing a park ticket for them? Not sure if any of them would specifically have AP's or something for that reason?

Also, would they be able to bring my kids to SAB?

TIA!

Yes, you purchase their ticket into the park. We have used them in room sitting 4 trips, but also in park 2 days this last trip. ( All for DD1.) The sitter we had come into the parks actually told us that even if they have AP's they aren't supposed to use them ( I have zero idea why, because the sitter we had the very first trip talked about her using her AP to go into parks while working for KNO)..... So who knows, but KNO if you call will tell you that you are responsible for purchasing the sitters park ticket. If it is 6 plus hour window you also must provide them with a meal. Good luck, have a magical trip!

Previous poster is correct, they will not take kids to water activities. If you have older children, they can take them to the arcade if you leave money though.

 

[kaytieeldr]

The sitter we had come into the parks actually told us that even if they have AP's they aren't supposed to use them ( I have zero idea why,

Probably an income tax thing.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

OP, as others have said, the sitter will not be able to take your kids to any water activities, however, there are so many other things they could do with the kids in the EP area. If you happen to go out in the evening, she could get QS with them and then walk over to the Boardwalk to see the magicians and jugglers and perhaps get some ice cream. That alone could take up 2 hours of time. The KNO sitters also usually bring activities for the children to do.

 

[Lewisc]

Probably an income tax thing.

If anything using their AP could make it partially tax deductible.

Could it be kids night doesn't want to allow parents to request a sitter with an AP?

 

[stephk1981]

If anything using their AP could make it partially tax deductible.

Could it be kids night doesn't want to allow parents to request a sitter with an AP?

I think this is most likely the reason.....I have put in requests for particular sitters and they try to accommodate, but can't always. If they throw in needing a sitter with an AP the reservations line has yet another specification to line up to match you with a sitter.
To OP....you can request an age group of sitter that you would prefer as well....as in college age, grandmother type etc. As far as buying tickets for the sitter to go into the park it can get pricey. If you are taking the sitter to the park for more than one day, you NEED to find out from KNO if it will be the same sitter every day so that you can get a multi-day park ticket. If it's a different sitter I was told I would need a different ticket each day( we ended up getting the same sitter for the 2 days we took her I to the park with us luckily.) I ordered a ticket for her on UT and it was a bit cheaper.

 

[lanejudy]

I suspect the AP issue is related to what is considered "personal, non-commercial use" versus "business use." Someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe WDW tickets are intended for personal/non-commercial use, which means if the individual is earning money specifically because s/he has the AP, it would be against WDW's ticket terms and conditions and potentially subject to revocation of the AP. I don't know if an employer purchasing the AP for the employee to use makes a difference, but it sounds like KNO does not do that. I don't have an AP so I can't check what the fine print reads...

That's not to say nobody uses their personal AP for gain; I'm sure there are those who do. Just that as a reputable businesses, partnering with WDW, KNO may at least instruct their employees to follow such rules. It may even be in the partnering agreement - or whatever agreement between the 2 businesses, which I'm assuming is in place because WDW specifically endorses KNO as opposed to other babysitting agencies.

 

[Lewisc]

I suspect the AP issue is related to what is considered "personal, non-commercial use" versus "business use." Someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe WDW tickets are intended for personal/non-commercial use, which means if the individual is earning money specifically because s/he has the AP, it would be against WDW's ticket terms and conditions and potentially subject to revocation of the AP. I don't know if an employer purchasing the AP for the employee to use makes a difference, but it sounds like KNO does not do that. I don't have an AP so I can't check what the fine print reads...

That's not to say nobody uses their personal AP for gain; I'm sure there are those who do. Just that as a reputable businesses, partnering with WDW, KNO may at least instruct their employees to follow such rules. It may even be in the partnering agreement - or whatever agreement between the 2 businesses, which I'm assuming is in place because WDW specifically endorses KNO as opposed to other babysitting agencies.

Possible but no doubt private tour guides use their own APs.

 

[Sandiz08]

I’ve always heard great things about kids nite out, but our experience wasn’t that great. Our kids nite out sitter was running late when we had to get somewhere, and our kids said she did not do much with them in the room, amongst a few other things our kids noticed. Everyone’s experience might be different. Wish Disney had some sort of service like the old kids clubs.

 

[lovethesun12]

I’ve always heard great things about kids nite out, but our experience wasn’t that great. Our kids nite out sitter was running late when we had to get somewhere, and our kids said she did not do much with them in the room, amongst a few other things our kids noticed. Everyone’s experience might be different. Wish Disney had some sort of service like the old kids clubs.

Yeah I'm really sad they can't do sandcastle club I asked questions considering it but in reality I doubt I'd leave my kids at the resort with them, mostly because my son is so so shy I wouldn't be able to do that to him. Taking them to the park with us would be the best option. I can understand paying for the ticket but it does get so pricey for just a few couple hours of extra help. But it is what it is

 

[The13thLetter]

I know this may be a silly question but is there any reason you wouldn't use rider swap and just go on the rides individually? I mean i understand if you want to ride together but just a thought.