In Room babysitting

[Pet1021]

I was just wondering if anyone has ever used this ....at BCV it say they have a in room called Kids nite out and a supervised evening childcare called sandcastle club..We were just wondering how this works, how pricey it is and if anyone has any feedback on it. We wanted an option to go out to dinner or to do something alone while there....

Thanks everyone!

 

[snowwhitemom]

We have used "kids nite out" for years....we have never been anything less than thrilled with them...very good policies and great caregivers. I wouldn't hesitate to use them again. And two things you shopuld never shop around on for price is child care or tattoos, lol.

 

[nuts]

I wonder if Tigger is available

Sorry, bad joke...couldn't resist.

 

[rocketriter]

Kids Nite Out is approved by Disney but not run by Disney. We've used them and found them a bit pricey ($15/hour) but very good quality care that can take your kids around the resort and tuck them into bed in your room.

While we have not used Sandcastle Club at BCV, we've used Cubs Den at WL, which is much the same. We found it a bit less expensive than personal babysitting and perfectly OK for younger kids—plenty of activities, and you can order a meal (for more $) if it crosses dinnertime. When our little ones were younger they actually used to ask for this, which gave my wife and I a date night! But by the time they were 10 or so, they lost interest in the games and movies available at the club.

 

[flexsmom]

We used Fairy Godmother's two years ago and the babysitter was great - an older woman who was a grandmother herself. She had a very lengthy questionnaire she ran through to get an idea of what we allowed and didn't allow, etc. We intend to use them again in December for watching the 5 under-8's in our party one night for an adult-night out. (Of course, it will probably take two babysitters!)

 

[brunoflipper]

Fairy Godmothers... Get Vivian... We used her on 6 separate occassions and she is fabulous... The kids love her... She has always done everything exactly as we asked and then some (we are embarassed to admit that she even did our dishes for us after the kids had gone to bed)... At BCV, she asked if it was "OK" to walk the 4 kids (2- 4 y.o.'s, a 5 yo, and a 7 y.o) to the bridge between BCV and Boardwalk to watch the fireworks @ Epcot... We thought that sounded great... We went to dinner and then wandered the Boardwalk and eventually crept up to observe the kids from a hundred feet away and were amazed as they hung on her every word, followed her directions completely and were thrilled by there outing... Most of the resort CMs know her by name... She is even mentioned by name in the Unofficial Guide to WDW, look her up in the in room sitting chapter... If you want, I can provide you with her home/cell phone... We swear that she is Mary Poppins...

 

[Lesley]

I love seeing specific recommendations for sitters...as I'm very hesitant to use an in room sitter because you just never know. I mean...this person is alone with your kids in your room. But with a specific person recommended by others I'd feel much more secure. Kind of funny, as I've done in-room babysitting for a family that I only met for 10 minutes before they left their twin babies with me.

We have yet to try the kids' clubs at the resorts either...since my baby was born 10 days after my middle child turned 4yo. And by the time the baby is old enough, our oldest will be old enough to babysit! But we might just let the kids try it sometime anyway.

Our solution has been to bring the grandparents!

 

[MagikMom]

Love the Sandcastle club at BCV! It's approx. $10.00 an hour per child, they give you a beeper so they can reach you at any time, and for an additional fee (Ican't remember what it was) you can order dinner for them. I was totally comfortable leaving my kids there. At the time my son was 7 and my daughter 10. My son loved it and REQUESTED to go there several nights. My daughter was a bit bored though. I think it's a great option for parents to use to get a night out for themselves. I personally would be VERY hesitant to use in room babysitting. I know alot of people use it and have not had any problems that I know of but I just couldn't do it. Especially with a baby that can't tell you what went on. Sad to think that way I know, but I can't help it and I would be unable to relax at all. Check out the Sandcastle club though, You'll love it and the kids will too!!!

 

[twocjsmom]

We used Kids Night Out when we were at Port Orleans this past January, and were completely thrilled with the service! Jo (female) was absolutely wonderful with our then 3 1/2 year old and 9 month old DSs. She took them to the food court for dinner, and then for a walk to watch the boats before returning to the room and reading them bedtime stories. Our now 4 year old still talks about her, and we will definately request her when we return again this coming January.

 

[Pet1021]

I really am grateful for all the responses!

 

[BensMom]

I, too, was thrilled to get lots of responses for recommendations on this subject. I am headed to Saratoga Springs next week and want to stay out a bit later at PI than the usual midnight "curfew." My friend and I used Simba's at DAKL in May and found it was fine, but a bit limiting. Our night was over before we could say pixie dust!

I guess this leads me to ask: what IS our time limit with the in-room sitters? Can we be really bad at PI and stay out till 2? Hee hee! Thanks in advance.

 

[brunoflipper]

I lost the email but someone asked me for Vivian's direct contact number if you want to contact me again I finally tracked it down...

 

[BensMom]

Thanks for the offer! I actually just got back from AKL and then Saratoga Springs. We used Vivian Saturday night till about 1 AM. She was great. We felt that the kids were in capable hands. She gave us her direct number for the next time.

 

[off to neverland]

Thanks for the great thread!

 

[adriannabannana]

brunoflipper; thanks for the direct contact, and thanks to all for the recommendation. We were so hesitant to use the services, but it sounds like it's actually a really great set-up. (we don't even use a baby sitter at home, just to give you an idea of how nuts we are)

For next year's trip, we're definately using these services, and maybe Vivian if we can get a ressie with her directly.

 

[brunoflipper]

BensMom: i am so glad you got her... sorry, i did not get her number to you before your trip... she is great...


Also, I forgot to add that the first year we used her we used her twice over ten days and we had gotten her the first night just by sheer luck...

Well we requested her a year later and when she arrived, she remembered the kids quite well and even remembered that my wife ahd been pregnant last year and was dissappointed we did not bring the new baby along... she always makes us very comfortable...

Now, if the next time we go you all have her booked up we'll be hacked but I can't blame you for using her... As long as this thread stays in DVC forum it may remain "under the radar"

 

[adriannabannana]

Originally posted by brunoflipper
BensMom: i am so glad you got her... sorry, i did not get her number to you before your trip... she is great...


Also, I forgot to add that the first year we used her we used her twice over ten days and we had gotten her the first night just by sheer luck...

Well we requested her a year later and when she arrived, she remembered the kids quite well and even remembered that my wife ahd been pregnant last year and was dissappointed we did not bring the new baby along... she always makes us very comfortable...

Now, if the next time we go you all have her booked up we'll be hacked but I can't blame you for using her... As long as this thread stays in DVC forum it may remain "under the radar"

Oh how awesome that she remembered you all!!
Well, I'll promise to use her only in October (our Anniversary month), and I'll work around other people's schedules, since we're the newbies. I'm just so grateful for the possibility of a grown-up night out that I'll crawl through broken glass to get it done.

 

[pms122765]

Any advice on a 3yr old & 5yr old - DS & DS?

 

[princess&tig]

I wonder if Tigger is available

Tigger was found innocent!!

 

[pms122765]

I had a summer job at the California State Fair - for 2 years - 17 days each year - I dressed up in a "PAPA BEAR" costume - mascot

Very hard to see out of the head - very hard to see where you hands are going when taking pictures - hugging - etc..

Nobody slapped me - but I could have had hands close to places where someone might get upset - but I would have voted NOT GUILTY