Disney babysitting services

[RadioNate]

Has anyone used one of the baby sitting services at WDW. Fairy Godmothers, KidsNiteOut, etc.

We are traveling with another family and would like to do a dinner out at California Grill without the kids.

No flames please. Just looking for people's experience with the services. I'm also not looking for a debate about whether or not having an adult night out on a 'family' vacation is appropriate or not. Last time I posted on this board about possibly bringing our sitter along I was royally flamed and I don't really want a repeat of that. I'm a little gum shy about posting another questions.

Thanks for any insight into the services anyone can provide. The boys are 3-6 years old and would likely be asleep or going to bed shortly after the sitter arrived.

 

[3boyzmom]

Hi!

No flames here ... as the parents of 3 boys, my husband and I definately like to enjoy a little adult time on our vacation. We usually will go out to dinner once during our vacation without the kids. They generally sleep most of the time we are gone We have used Kids Night Out on our last two trips to WDW and were very pleased. Our kids had a fun time and were able to have a good night's rest. We were even able to request the "type" of sitter we wanted and she was great!

Good Luck,

Stephanie

 

[pixiewytch]

Can someone tell me more about this and how much the services cost? Thanks.

 

[3boyzmom]

Here is the website for Kids Nite out kidsniteout.com

 

[TallyHo]

We had a big problem with a "Fairy Godmother," and I wouldn't advise anyone using them. We will use the kid's clubs the next trip.

 

[bctripp]

Is it true that you have to be staying at a Disney Resort to use the kids clubs there?

 

[suffolkprincess]

Last time I posted on this board about possibly bringing our sitter along I was royally flamed and I don't really want a repeat of that. I'm a little gum shy about posting another questions.
.

I was a professional nanny for several years and traveled with families OFTEN. It made for a REALLY great vacation every time, and I encourage people to go for it if you can afford it. From the perspective of the nanny: you should give them set time off to enjoy themselves, you should cover all their expenses, and you should pay them for hours worked. One family also gave me little "extras" (like rodeo and concert tickets) as gifts during the trip to add to my fun since they rightly assumed that on my budget as a student/ nanny I couldn't really afford the activities at the places where we were.

Ignore the flamers. Good nannies can be a fantastic asset to a family.

 

[RadioNate]

We had a big problem with a "Fairy Godmother," and I wouldn't advise anyone using them. We will use the kid's clubs the next trip.

Unfortunately the 3rd child isn't old enough or we would use the kids club. He's a potty trained 3 year old but I think they have to be 4.

I'll start with Kids Nite Out.

 

[UtahMama]

Im not sure what a flamer is so I hope I'm not one
Oh My Gosh! Go have a nice time with your man! How nice does that sound? I think the sitters that come to your hotel room are a little expensive (ok, ALOT expensive for us...but you may be rich for all I know...if you're not then it'll be a worth while expense for peace of mind) I have thought of taking a 16 yr old neice of mine to nanny for a night and help with the kids but have never done it.
Mamas should never feel guilty and I tell you why! A nice date with your sweetie, even a short while, will be good for you both. You'll probably miss your kids and return all happy to see them...and a HAPPY mama is a good mama.

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

The last time DH and I visited the world, it was our honeymoon, so we went out to Pleasure Island and played the whole time with no kids. FF 11 years and we now have 2 DD's. We want to go and get a little alone time with each other too!! We are staying at the WL so we will be using the Kids Club during our stay. Have a great time, we are certainly looking forward to ours.

 

[robinb]

I used the Fairy Godmothers three times when my DD was under 4 and eligible for the kids clubs. The first time was when she was 3 months old and still nursing. I had to make sure she drank from a bottle and expressed enough milk before I left her. It was a PITA, but our dinner at Victoria and Alberts was great . We had the same sitter the next year and a different sitter the year after that. Both were great, but I was happy when my DD was old enough for the kids clubs since they are a lot cheaper!

 

[mamacatnv]

I used Fairy Godmothers for 6 days in 99/00 for my DD who was 14 mo at the time, the same Nanny came everyday from 10-6.

I had no issues and the poster above is one of the few bad experiences I have read about, however I can say that the lady that owns/runs FG is a little on the cranky side and seems scatterbrained, that is one thing I have read several times and did experience myself.

Good luck and have a great night(s) out - do what works for you who cares what others think, they are not part of your family dynamic!

 

[jodifla]

Our Fairy Godmothers' experiences have been GREAT! Don't know what that other poster is referring to, but we use FG every time we go to Disney.


Our sitters have been pleasant, on time, and come with a neat bag of toys. My DS has just loved them.


The owner of FG is a bit gruff, but the sitters are wonderful.

 

[LOLA2]

Will the fairy godmothers go to a house you are renting? How much are they?

 

[maxtomsmom]

We used Fairy Godmothers ourselves last Sept. They were wonderful. We made a change of date and they were very accommodating. No problems. They sitter brought many toys. One tip- we never let our ds play in the game room. We saved that for the sitter. We gave her a bunch of quarters and told her to take our two ds 4 and 16 months (at the time) to the game room and the playground. She also took them to the snack bar for a treat. They loved her! Enjoy your time. One night doesn't make a difference in the grand scheme of things. I believe we make better and happier parents when we can reconnect.

 

[kvogel11202]

People gave you a hard time for planning an adult only evening? Wow, I love my kids, but please, and adults only break is MUCH needed! We always take one night. Before my mom would babysit,but two trips ago we used the Sandcastle Club at the BC, hubby and I went to Jellyrolls, right across the way, and we had a WONDERFUL evening. Now we are going to be at WDW for our anniversary, and are planning another adults only evening at the YC at Yachtsman Steakhouse(staying at the YC). We give each child 3 things they really want to do ( along with 2 must do rides at each park) and for the boys #1 was go back to kids club...so they shall! Boys at the Sandcastle Club, and DD (11) and DGD (14) will stay in room (locked conceirge floor). Again, furthest away we go is the boardwalk , but it's still a nice break. Don't let anyone get you down. I love my kids, but they aren't my whole world...most of it yes, but not all. If all but 6 hours of a 10 day vacation are about them, don't we deserve some us time? We earn it! ENJOY!

 

[Angel16]

Does anyone have a link for Fairygodmothers? We will have a four year old and a 1 1/2 year old. We are thinking of a kids club for the four yo, but the in room sitting would be the way to go for our little guy.

 

[jodifla]

Does anyone have a link for Fairygodmothers? We will have a four year old and a 1 1/2 year old. We are thinking of a kids club for the four yo, but the in room sitting would be the way to go for our little guy.

They are a small, family run company. They have no link, just the phone number. Kidsniteout.com has a link. The info is similar, but I think FG is a bit cheaper.

I think it was $64 for 4 hours the last time we used FG. There's a four hour minimum plus the transportation fee.

 

[Disney Daddy et al]

Hi,
Used Kid's Night Out last year at MGM. Had a great experience and my kid's still talk about Ms. Noel who joined us all day at the park. I don't remember what the hourly rate is but I do remember she came to our room at Saratoga Springs. Seem to recall being told by the phone operator that they have a minimum on the dollar amount. All in all I would highly recommend, and am looking into using again this year if Noel is still there.
Good luck and have a great trip.
Best "Wishes"

 

[molly2004]

Ok, a really naive question here.

How does in-room babysitting work if you're kids are sleeping? I'd imagine that the babysitter wouldn't want to sit in the room in the dark while the kids slept. This wouldn't be an issue if you're in a 1+ bedroom, but if you're in a regular hotel room, how does that work?