in room babysitting...has anyone done it?

[dfarner]

We will be going to Disney in July with DD who's 5 and DD who's 1. DH and I would like a night out for dinner and some quiet time. Since youngest DD is not old enough for the kids' club at Beach Club (where we're staying) we have thought about in-room babysitting. However, this makes me very nervous. Just because it will be w/ someone whom essentially I know nothing about. Has anyone ever done this, and if so, through what agency? Does Disney recommend any?

 

[CleveRocks]

We will be going to Disney in July with DD who's 5 and DD who's 1. DH and I would like a night out for dinner and some quiet time. Since youngest DD is not old enough for the kids' club at Beach Club (where we're staying) we have thought about in-room babysitting. However, this makes me very nervous. Just because it will be w/ someone whom essentially I know nothing about. Has anyone ever done this, and if so, through what agency? Does Disney recommend any?

I know a lot of people have done it, and I'm sure it's perfectly safe. How do I know? It would make the headlines of every paper in America if there were ANY problems EVER, and Geraldo and Montel would make cottage industries by having a special 27-part series on the "scandal."

All this being said, I could NEVER do it. I could NEVER leave my kids with strangers. My heart would take over my intellect.

We got VERY VERY lucky a few months ago. We've had a favorite babysitter the past 2 years -- we live next to Atlantic City, NJ. She was a high school student who lived across the street, so we knew her and her family and were supremely confident that everything was cool.

Well, in August she had the nerve to go away to college on a track and field scholarship! It just so happened that that college was the University of Central Flroida, which just so happens to be located in Orlando.

I talked to her Mom first, and then I e-mailed her. She needed the money and missed our kids, so we planned for her to drive all of 20 minutes to our room at POFQ, and she babysat our kids while my wife and I got about 3 hours off to walk around DTD and just relax for a bit. Our kids loved it -- we gave her money for the food court and arcade, and they had a blast.

But if it weren't for that weird twist of fate, we would not have had a babysitter while at WDW.

 

[mamacatnv]

We will be going to Disney in July with DD who's 5 and DD who's 1. DH and I would like a night out for dinner and some quiet time. Since youngest DD is not old enough for the kids' club at Beach Club (where we're staying) we have thought about in-room babysitting. However, this makes me very nervous. Just because it will be w/ someone whom essentially I know nothing about. Has anyone ever done this, and if so, through what agency? Does Disney recommend any?

I used Fairy Godmothers a few years back when DD was 16 months old, 8 hours daily for 5 days so we could take older DS into the parks and do big kid stuff together. - Do a search they have LOTS & LOTS of positive feedback - Go for it and enjoy your night out. They are on the "Approved to recommend" list and I have never read of someone having some kind of horrible experience.

 

[jodifla]

We will be going to Disney in July with DD who's 5 and DD who's 1. DH and I would like a night out for dinner and some quiet time. Since youngest DD is not old enough for the kids' club at Beach Club (where we're staying) we have thought about in-room babysitting. However, this makes me very nervous. Just because it will be w/ someone whom essentially I know nothing about. Has anyone ever done this, and if so, through what agency? Does Disney recommend any?

We use Fairy Godmothers all the time. Just used them twice last week, in fact. DS is 5 and could use the clubs now, but he'd much rather get a good nights sleep than run around a club all night when he's been running around the parks and pool all day.

It's always a leap of faith when you use a sitter. If you do searches on these boards, the most complaining things you'll find about FG is that a sitter failed to bring toys once, or there was a mixup and the sitter didn't show, or the sitter didn't play with the kids enough. Hardly damning stuff, considering we know how people like to complain on these boards.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

While it's not my cup of tea, many use the services and are happy. I just wanted to ask though- if you are nervous about it will you have a good time or be stressed the whole night? I think that is very important to think about. You might have a super sitter, but if you aren't comfortable with the idea of it - it won't be too much fun being out if it is all you can think about.
That being said- you can do a search and find plenty of feedback about it. Good luck in your decision and have a great trip!

 

[PghLybrt]

We are traveling this October with our best friends. They have a 1 year old. We all want to scoot over to Universal for thier halloween happenings. Can we leave the little one with somebody from Fairy Godmothers and then leave Disney property? And if so does anybody know how late they will stay?

 

[emerymt]

I know this answer is not for everyone, but if you can take a teenager whom you know and trust (and their family trusts you) they will go to Disney just for room & board.

We always took our full-time babysitter with us, but when she couldn't come, this is what we did and it was great. You could take a nap by the pool, go shopping, do any of a number of little things that are just harder with kids around. If you're already spending a fortune, a little more might be worth it.

 

[jodifla]

We are traveling this October with our best friends. They have a 1 year old. We all want to scoot over to Universal for thier halloween happenings. Can we leave the little one with somebody from Fairy Godmothers and then leave Disney property? And if so does anybody know how late they will stay?

They'll pretty much stay as late as you want. Just let them know. Also, you can leave Disney property.

 

[abrownfamily]

I read your post and felt compelled to respond. A couple of years back we were visiting Disney and discussed the possibility of in room childcare. Like you, I was nervous and hesitant. As an educator, I am very picky about the care of my two children. We could not use Disney's activity centers as one of our children was not three. From Disney's website, I got information for Kid's Nite Out. We called them up and expressed our hesitation and concern. I should also mention that our older child suffered from an active and complex seizure disorder. The person that we talked to recommended Ken. We have come to learn that he is one of their most requested personnel members. At first I was disagreeable. I wasn't sure that I liked the idea of a male care provider. We tried it, and were VERY pleasantly surprised. Our daughter is a very active chatter bug and our son was going through his "I can't leave Daddy" phase. After our evening, our daughter couldn't stop raving about him. "Ken brought great toys...He tells the best stories...When can Ken come back?" We were shocked, to say the least. He even gave us a play-by-play of the night, and our kids were asleep earlier than usual. At that trip, we joined the Disney Vacation Club and have returned several times. Everytime we go, we call Kid's Night Out and request Ken. Our children love him. We even found out that he works at the Magic Kingdom touring educational groups and was once a teacher. As a bonus, he even gave us some useful information about the parks. I'n not sure how their prices compare to the other services mentioned. Holiday weekends you will pay more. Also, if you choose to go with Ken, call early as he is one of the most requested. Our only regret is that we couldn't take him home with us. Like the user who posted above, my husband and I felt that, as a Disney recommended service, these employees must have been thoroughly screened. Otherwise, Disney would not want to deal with the enormous lawsuits. Hope this helps. Good Luck!

 

[lpandorf]

Would love to hear more experiences. I'm contemplating getting a sitter for my two children this summer at WDW. I may have the opportunity to go to a conference at Coronado Springs in June. It runs from 7:30 am to 1pm each day. And then I'd have the rest of the day off. My company is paying for the classes, room and airfare. I know the sitter is not cheap but I can't imagine not taking them to WDW with me and with company paying for a big chunk of the trip think I'd still come out ahead moneywise then if I tookt hem on my own. DH can't come so unless I can talk MIL in coming along I'd need childcare in the morning while I'm at the conference. My kids are 7 and 3 and never left with a sitter but do fine all day withe school and going to friends without us.

 

[emerymt]

Conference travel has been a major bonus for my family, because I can't leave them behind, either! (Last spring we went to the original Coronado, in CA on conference travel. It was cold ).

Ask any likely teenage or college age candidates if they would like to go. Advertising in your church bulletin might be a good way to find a potential babysitter if you don't know any- but I've never had trouble finding one. Spell out their duties, and your expectation for behavior, in writing so there won't be any hard feelings or misunderstandings. If they're under 18, obviously you are acting as her parent, so I'd be pretty clear on what she could and couldn't do even in the off hours. A curfew is fair at any age, because she will be waking you up if she comes in at 2am from Pleasure Island!

If they really are going to be watching the kids all the time, a small stipend might be fair- but if they have most nights off I doubt that would be needed. Be sure you buy their Disney pass, though. Also check their health insurance to see if it covers them while traveling.

I always tried to give the babysitter her own room, even if we ended up sleeping on the fold-out couch. I don't know what the rooms are like at Coronado Springs, maybe this isn't possible. This is the biggest headache, IMHO. We always rented condos or villas for this reason. However, it's a pain being offsite from the conference, you won't be able to drop by the pool and see the kids between lectures .

Anyway, we have had such great times taking someone along when the kids were little- and if you want to ride Rockin' Rollercoaster, you can take turns with her instead of passing it up!

 

[Coreena]

Thank you for posting this!!! There is so much good information here! Good luck choosing! And I hope you and your Hubby have a great time on your night out! We thought we were always covered going with family - but we have been 4 times in the last two years with our children and extended family (grandparents) and my husband and I still have not gotten a night out!!! It will be my birthday when we go at the end of this month so... now I have the tools to make it work Thanks again, and have a GREAT trip!

 

[emerymt]

It is expensive to take another person along, but that incremental amount of money will make or break your vacation in peace of mind and in just plain convenience. So even if it costs more to do it, it's worth it, IMHO. For us, going anywhere is a major expedition (three kids, two parents, always two to four flights each way). Just having someone else carry the kid's stuff in the airport was wonderful!

I can't even tell you the number of times someone at work would tell me, "Can I be your nanny this week?" It's a win-win for everyone. I've also taken relatives, and honestly, I'd rather hire someone. You can tell them what to do- my inlaws, God love 'em, have ideas of their own! One time we went to WDW with two families and my nanny. What a blast that was- for everybody, because my nanny got extra perks from my sister.

 

[sdoll]

We have also used kids nite out and were very comfortable with them. My son was 9 months old the first time we used them. My niece and nephews were 18 mos. 4 years and 5 years old. They loved our sitter.

 

[DisneyMama27]

How does this work? We have considered using this service, but never have. We've been fortunate enough to have my parents along on several vacations, but that won't be possible this year. While our kids are old enough for kids' clubs, we would have to stay close to the resort they are at or it would be a real hassle. Plus, they would be exhausted. I like the idea of someone in the room with them - they love being in the DVC resort rooms.

Are Fairy Godmothers and Kids Nite Out part of the in-room babysitting or outside agencies? Any recommendations? I have written down Ken as a possible, since a previous poster praised him so highly!!

 

[bless7ings]

I would like to know peoples opinions to what is fair "pay" to bring a teenage babysitter with you.

 

[kjasmin]

We will be going to Disney in July with DD who's 5 and DD who's 1. DH and I would like a night out for dinner and some quiet time. Since youngest DD is not old enough for the kids' club at Beach Club (where we're staying) we have thought about in-room babysitting. However, this makes me very nervous. Just because it will be w/ someone whom essentially I know nothing about. Has anyone ever done this, and if so, through what agency? Does Disney recommend any?

Yes we have, in Animal Kingdom Lodge when DD was 10 and DS was 4. Came recommended by the Concierge at the lodge.

 

[jodifla]

How does this work? We have considered using this service, but never have. We've been fortunate enough to have my parents along on several vacations, but that won't be possible this year. While our kids are old enough for kids' clubs, we would have to stay close to the resort they are at or it would be a real hassle. Plus, they would be exhausted. I like the idea of someone in the room with them - they love being in the DVC resort rooms.

Are Fairy Godmothers and Kids Nite Out part of the in-room babysitting or outside agencies? Any recommendations? I have written down Ken as a possible, since a previous poster praised him so highly!!

WDW doesn't really have a baby sitting service per se. They recommend Kids Nite Out, and it's been reported that the Kids Nite Out folks get some Disney training. You can check out their Web site at kidsniteout.com

For Fairy Godmothers, you just call the number and speak with the owner. It's a small, family run company.

I normally call two to four weeks in advance. There's a four hour minimum, a travel fee, and we normally tip a small amount. Not a small price, but worth the service and the chance to get out a couple of nights.

 

[dfarner]

I would like to know peoples opinions to what is fair "pay" to bring a teenage babysitter with you.

IMO it would be up to you to provide transportation (if you're flying), and of course lodging. I would talk to her parents to come to an agreement on whether you should buy all of her park tickets. I think it should be their responsibility to provide spending money for her souvenirs, but I think you should provide her meals.
Also, don't forget to get her health insurance card and I would also get a notorized statement from her parents giving you permission to have her treated at a doctor/hospital in case of emergency.

 

[waltskids]

We are bringing our babysitter and her family down to WDW for our 10th Wedding Anniversary in June. In regards to fair pay, we are providing her family a studio at BWV for the entire stay (we are DVC members), the babysitter's airfare, and spending money for the babysitter. I hope that helps.