DVC members - Ever Use the Kids Clubs?

[MJS]

Does anyone have any experiences to share about the clubs at the WDW resorts? We have always used in-room care, but now our little one is old enough for the clubs. We are DVC members (I do not know if there is DVC discount) and would likely use the Sandcastle club at our home resort, BCV. Here are a few questions:

What are the checkin/out procedures? How do they ensure that a child is returned to the person who is "authorized" to take them out of the club?

The age range is 4 to 12. That is a wide range. Are there age appropriate activities? Will my 4 year old get lost is the shuffle of older kids?

Who staffs the clubs? What is the staff to child ratio?

Do they require reservations? If yes, when can I make those? Does Member Services do this?

What are the activities?

Thanks!

 

[Melrosgirl]

Each resort has different activities. I would make a reservation first although walk ins may be accepted.

We used the kids' club at Vero Beach and it was great. They were strict on the 4-12 age group, but I know a 3 year old who told me she was really 3 but her mommy told her to tell people she was 4, lol. Out of the mouths of babes!

At VB, they had board games, hide and seek, songs, etc. DD loved it. (3 hours = $30)

 

[sgtdilbert]

Haven't used the services, but from the Passporter, here's a couple answers to your question:

Reservations can be made with the club itself or at 407-WDW-DINE. The Sandcastle Club is at 407-934-3750.

They recommend that you give them a call well in advance and ask plenty of questions!

s.

 

[kfields1]

We were there at Easter time and used the Neverland Club at the Poly. Our sons (4 and 6) LOVED it!! They sign them in, give you a beeper and receipt and I'm pretty sure they check photo id. There were games, arts and crafts, arcade games, Playstation games, a movie playing on a big screen and general toys of all sorts. They ate dinner there (the usual fare of chicken nuggets, hot dogs, ff, etc.) and chocolate pudding for desert. I liked that they sat all of the kids down to eat around 6 pm and they ate as a group. I called to check in on my guys and they put them on the phone! They're response was, "What do you want Mom? I have to go, I'm PLAYING!!!!" We picked them up around 10 pm. They were there for a total of 4 hours. The staff was great. A mixture of older and younger that really seemed involved with the kids. I would definitely do it again. We had a GREAT adult dinner while they were there too!

Also, I highly recommend the Pirate Cruise out of the Grand Floridian. Its 10:00 am - 12:00 pm and staffed by 40's something ladies who were fantastic. The kids hunt for treasure around the different hotel marinas and have a nice lunch. They come back loaded with "loot". We went to the GF spa and had a massage!

This was the first year we were able to do this stuff as well. I was a little nervous at first but wouldn't hesitate to do it again!

Have fun!

 

[HookdonWDW]

DD and DS have both been in the Kid Clubs at varying ages (dd is now 18, ds is 8).

We've used the Neverland Club, Cub's Den, and the Sandcastle Club. DD used to love the Neverland Club, and ds's favorite is the Sandcastle.

You fill out a form with information on your child when you check in... you can inform them of allergies or medical problems at this time. You also choose your child's meal, and let them know your plans for the evening. You are given a pager so that they can contact you if the need arises... this is a touch that I really like. Only the person/persons listed on the sign-in sheet are supposed to be allowed to check the child out. I've never tried to have another person pick my child up, but I'm assuming that the system works. Of course, my ds would be screaming bloody murder if someone other than dh or myself tried to pick him up without knowing our code word.

There is a large age range, but I think that the kids tend to gravitate towards their own areas of interest. The last time we used the Sandcastle Club, ds was with his 5 y/o cousin, and according to them, they didn't really hang out together except to eat, and to watch the movie. He hung out with the video gang, and she played dolls with some other little girls. I think the staff tries to make sure that all of the children have age-appropriate activities.

The club is staffed with child care workers who have been hired to work in the clubs. When I checked in the past, I was told that all staff members must pass a background check. I assume this is still true. I'm not sure of the exact child:staff ratio... I think it depends on the ages of the children there that evening. I would guess that it is around 7:1.

As far as reservations, it's just like making PS reservations. Sometimes you can get in without them, sometimes you can't. If you have your heart set on using the Kid's Clubs, I would call the numbers that sgtdilbert provided.

As far as activities, they are varied, and depend on the children. There are arts and crafts, games, puzzles, cars, housekeeping, video games, computers, sing alongs, etc... ds even participated in a scavenger hunt one evening. One constant is that around 10:00, the children "vote" on a movie, and lay down to watch it until they are picked up.

As I said, my kids have really enjoyed their experiences, and usually beg to go back. My oldest didn't realize that it was childcare until she was around 13 or so... she just talked about the cool clubs they had at WDW!

HTH

 

[MJS]

Thanks so much for all of the help!