Disney Kid Clubs/Babysitting

[goofy4wdw59]

I know that Disney has a minimum of 4-years-old to be signed into the kid clubs at the Disney resorts. I'm sure they have good reasons, etc. and I don't want to get into all of that...
I would like to know if anyone has been able to leave their potty-trained, 3-year-old at the clubs. Did the Cast Members check the birthdate of each child? Are they very strict about this? I think I have read somewhere that they don't want the children to be in pull-ups--I suppose this would include even if they are 4 years-old. If this is going to be a real "rule-breaker" issue, I DO NOT want to make any waves with it. If it doesn't work out, I have a reservation for a "Fairy God Mother".
My DD is 4, and my DS is 3...and...I would prefer to leave them both for one evening at the Wilderness Lodge Cub Den and not use a FairyGodMother.
Please reply if you have any experience with this issue. Thanks in advance for any info you can provide!

 

[vickyBaby]

Why not try calling CRO and see what they have to say? Or maybe call the Wilderness Lodge Cub Den directly and speak to a cast member?

Although I have never used them, I have heard nothing but Excellent reviews for Fairy Godmothers.

 

[LKS]

I do not think they require ID, but I have read that they will ask the children how old they are (sometimes after you leave), especially if they suspect that they are too young. They may also figure it out if you are staying in the resort, because they ask the ages of the kids in the room, or perhaps know that you bought UMPs for all but the 3 yo, etc... I am sure some people have done it. For me, it would ruin my evening to worry about it anyway.

 

[docswkids]

For those honest people on these boards who's sensibilities this will offend, do not read on.

There is nothing stopping you from booking your room for two 4 yr olds instead of a 3 and a 4 yr old, and telling the kids club that your 3 yr old is 4. They do ask you how old your child is at the clubs, but do not require proof.
BUT, your children must be 100% independant in the bathroom and I believe that pull ups would unlikely meet their requirements. When they say independant in the bathroom they mean that a childcare worker will absolutely not enter the bathroom even if the child calls for help. They would not help my son, who is 4 and completely potty trained, wipe himself even though he cried about it. When we talked to them about it they suggested that maybe my 6 yr old could help his brother in the bathroom! Aside from those outrageous rules and suggestions, we were glad we used the kids clubs, because it was a fun place for the kids to go and spend time when we went out to dinner. They weren't stuck in a room with a sitter.

 

[Karel]

Originally posted by docswkids
. They weren't stuck in a room with a sitter.

Actually, the 'sitter' will take them out of the room at your request. They can walk around the resort, go to the food court, play ground, swim. I've read some reports where the 'sitter' will take them to DD or to the parks, but I'm not sure if there's extra cost there. The one time we used Fairy Godmothers, we planned for her to come late so the kids would be asleep most of the time we were gone. She brought some toys and coloring for them. They were 2, 4 and 5 - and needed an early night away from the stimulation and people.

 

[docswkids]

We werent comfortable letting a sitter take our two boys out. They were a handful enough for us at the parks, and difficult to keep an eye on even for two adults. The only thing to do at the resort for them would be the pool, which I would never trust a stranger to do with them. We dropped them off twice at 4pm which is too early for bed. They enjoyed the activities at the club.

 

[vicb]

I think I have read before that the clubs follow strict licensing rules set by the state of FL. not set by WDW. I have to say I think it is wrong to knowingly lie about your childs age.

 

[goofy4wdw59]

Relax, vicb!! --Don't make snap judgments--I have no intention of lying about my DS's age...
I knew I shouldn't have posted this. It's just that...
I thought I had read posts in the past...where...on occasion, people had been able to leave their potty-trained / older 3-year-old at the clubs. I believe the CMs were made aware of age/the situation. I guess if this happens for you...you should keep it to yourselves! for good reasons--to avoid getting any CM's in trouble or any other problems!
Anyway, thanks for the replies! docswkids, I think the wiping thing could be an issue for DS...so...to play it safe, we will go with our FairyGodMother.
We've used the FairyGodMother's twice in the past and had good expereinces with them. I wanted to try the kid clubs for a change and I think they would be cheaper for our requirements.
Looks like we will catch the clubs in the near future!

 

[vicb]

goofy4wdw59, I see that in rereading your original post you do not say you plan to lie about age so sorry for that reference. But over the past 1 1/2 yrs I've been on these boards I have seen many people comment on how to "get around" age requirements and I just don't think it is right. I do hope your plans work out for you and you have a great trip because that is what it's all about....right?

 

[pwoodham]

I know Disney will make exceptions to the age rules in some cases, because they have allowed 11yo on the Pirate Cruise at least twice and there was no deception about their age either time. It may not be possible for them to bend the rules at the kid's clubs if it's Florida law, but I certainly would ask. And thanks to docswkids for the info on kids who aren't "totally independant" in the bathroom. I'll have to prepare one of my older boys to help the 4yo if he needs it!!

 

[Johnnie Fedora]

I think Disney should offer some exceptions for their kids clubs.

For example: We are staying at VWL, all we would like to do is go to AP for a dinner w/o the kids, and walk around the lodge for a bit. I wish they would make some exceptions for guests staying on the property where the club is located. Since we are not leaving the property, it would be nice to drop the kids off, eat and return in 1.5 hrs to pick them up. If their were a bathroom or "pull-up issue" we could be paged to come and assist (especially if we were given a pager). AP is only 100 yds from the cubs den. Disney doesn't have a problem watching your diapered kids on their cruiseline, why is this an issue at WDW???

 

[pajamommy]

I do think that this is a licensing issue, not just rules that WDW has set down. I'm not familiar with FL licensing for child care centers, but I know that there is different licensing "rules" for different age groups, so WDW must be bound to the "4 and over" stuff for some licensing issues or laws. (I used to work in child care here in CT.)