Is it just me or...

[Eponine]

Sybah, I don't think you're wierd at all for going alone! What a fabulous time you'll have, doing EVERYTHING that you want to do when you want to do it, without worrying about anyone else. That would be lovely, for a change of pace.

I really tried to get comfortable with the idea of leaving my son with someone, but I just can't do it. My husband is disappointed...he really wanted an evening at the Adventurer's Club, as did I, but I just can't. Next trip, we'll probably have my parents with us, and each couple will get two nights out (we'll watch my little sisters while my mom and dad go out, and they'll watch our son while we do). I think that will work out nicely. Otherwise, I'll just wait until he's old enough to go to the kids' clubs...I'm not nearly as uncomfortable with that.

 

[vellamint]

Well next time we go we are definitely using FG so my hubby and I can enjoy ONE night together doing adult stuff. I have researched this subject extensively and do not feel I am taking a RISK with my childrens well being. They will be 12, 11, 9 and 9 and if anything I think the sitter we use will be taking a risk with HER sanity lol.

Seriously though - we will be staying at the HIFS so there will be room for everyone to hang out comfortably, whoever wants to watch tv or fall asleep can without disturbing the others and they are ALL old enough to watch out for each other or call us on our cell or tell us about anything that might have disturbed them.

We too NEVER get to go out together at home due to the size of our family, etc. like poster above and besides I am MORE comfortable leaving them with a licensed, bonded company that has been around for YEARS rather than a teenager that someone from school might recommend to me.

PS. Years ago in my previous life as a single parent I called the CHURCH for a sitter for my then 8 year old son to use after school because I worked and on the weekends. The teenager they sent me not only stole my favorite boots but my son informed me that she had her boyfriend over and they spent time in my bedroom while he was watching tv in the living room!!!!! So licensed, bonded, reputable and mature gets my vote!

Dont get me wrong I can understand the other points of view - we are all entitled....this is just my situation.

 

[susy]

We used Simba's Cubhouse at AKL. My son was 4 and had a blast! My DH and I were just a few steps away at Boma and we had a beeper, which they provided. I wouldn't hesitate to use the resort facilities again. There was more than one adult and several kids. I wouldn't leave my son alone in my room with anyone, though. Wait until your kids are 4 and use the kids' clubs. You will have more peace of mind. I would also only go to dinner in the hotel where my child is and then go straight to pick him up.

We will probably do the Cub's Den for our Artist Point dinner!

 

[raidermatt]

We are not comfortable with using the in-room babysitting. No reflection on the particular service Disney uses, we just aren't comfortable with it in general. However, we also don't really want to do the "adults only" day or evening at WDW, so its not a tough decision for us.

Just one family's opinion, of course...

 

[Julia M]

we've only made one trip to WDW, and it has only been since the Grand Californian opened that there is a babysitting club at DL (where we go once or twice a year), so I realize I do have limited experience. But, for me, a huge factor is the expense. Isn't about $9 per hour for a WDW kids club? I have 3 kids, so that's $27 per hour. I assume I'd need 3 hours (at least), so that $81! That doesn't include the costs of where my husband and I would be (presumably someplace non kid oriented, and probably expensive......)

I know an in room babysitting service is cheaper, but it's still not cheap!

Not trying to offend anyone......I'm just saying that it isn't in our budget!! (I wish it was!!!)

 

[The Sybah Shelstah]

Yes, I know what some of you mean about the kid's clubs being more on your "comfortable" level- me too! But with a 2yr old in diapers- not an option. I've thought about it for the future also- but honestly... like yet another poster said... it's quite costly for the kid's clubs. So even when she's 4 and obviously out of diapers- it will be around $30 an hour for us with 3 children. FG and the other companies I researched through disney's website avg about $12 p/hr for 3 children. That's a huge difference.... although I know they'd have a ton more fun in the kid's clubs. So we'll probably just budget for them to go to the clubs on our next trip that is after my daughter is 4! (which might be our next trip, might not- depends if we want to wait 2 full years for our next trip or not. LOL)

 

[Pammy jo]

Yes, everyone is entitled to going with their feelings. If you're not comfortable leaving your children, how much fun could you have going out at night? I'm in the same situation though where my DH and I never get to go out at home. This past year we used FG for the first time and I can say I never felt anxious about it after hearing all the good posts on these boards. (Yes, I realize there could always be that weirdo out there, but if you live your life worrying about everything, you may never get a chance to enjoy yourself.) WE had two great nights and next year I'm sure we'll use them again. We have 3 DS and even when they can go to the kid's club I think I'll use FG. That way they can get in bed at a reasonable hour and of course the money is an issue.

 

[InstImpres]

My daughter was in the kids club at Boardwalk for a short while. I took the DVC tour alone while my DH had breakfast with her. I thought "I'll look but I'll be quick, this isn;t for me and out of my price range" I took so long they finished breakfast and he left her there searching for me.

She had a great time and was reluctant to leave. There were 2 CM's there which is lways better than 1 person but I would never consider in room.

Good Luck,
Sandy

P.S. I bought that day and have done an add on since

 

[mareka]

We have used the Peter PAn Kids club at the Polynesian. Went and had dinner at O'hanas and popped over to the Magig Kingdom for some shopping. He ahd a great time with the other kids. It was a great experience for him. He was 5 then. He's 10 now and still remembers it.

 

[llfowl]

DH and I don't have kids yet, but if we did we would NEVER do this!!! Way too creepy for us!

 

[The Sybah Shelstah]

Never say never.
Go 9 years with only one night out alone... away from your kids... and no other options until you go on vacation. You might just change your mind about that. 9yrs is a long time.

I found I said a lot of things about never this and never that- BEFORE I had children.

In any case... someone else brought up a good point that was one of the reasons we used them also (even though the kids clubs were not an option for us at this point with a child too young and still in diapers)- they are asleep most of the time! If you go out for an evening, and your children go to bed at an early hour (like most do- especially after a long day at the parks/etc wearing them out) -they end up going to sleep while being babysat and there is no disturbances when you return. Just another point about that.

Certainly NOT trying to talk anyone into doing this. You go with your own feelings and you wouldn't have fun if you were worried all night- that's for sure. I'm only saying these things to give others some insight on why others might have reasons for choosing alternative care besides the kids clubs -circumstances/reasons that some people have, some don't. Yanno?

I think those of us that have used inroom babysitting have been respectful of other's opinions on what they would or wouldn't do with their children and vice versa- so far. But when you start saying things like "never" and 'way too creepy for me'- you are bordering on disrespecting other's opinions or being hurtful. We all love our kids and have our own reasons/circumstances and decisions to make with them- and to be honest- if you don't have kids you probably shouldn't be posting on a thread about babysitting kids while at WDW!!! Speak about that which you know-when you know.. ie: when you have kids.

 

[Lucky4me]

I have never left my children with a stranger and I never will. I've been a Mother for 21 years and I won't change my mind. If other people want to do it, and my sister Polly said she did on this thread, more power to them, who am I to judge? But I would not do it. I just wouldn't.

 

[POLLY ANN]

Sue, you used to leave them with your ex when they were little. That was as close to being a stranger! lol Just kidding.

Hey, we were gone a whole whopping 4 hours! Like I said in my first post, our friend's 8yo son was there and could contact us at any time. (I didn't walk out of there without reservations, and even though I just met the woman, I felt comfortable with her.) Plus, our friend's dd(2 1/2) wouldn't go to sleep without her mom, so we couldn't be gone too long. We did get a nice dinner in with just the adults, and Yep, that was well worth it. It was $12 an hour, plus a $12 traveling fee, and we were so grateful to get out, we gave her a $30 tip, totaling $90! (This was split between 2 couples, mind you.) That's pretty good money for 4 hours work.

I believe you go with your gut feeling, and if you aren't comfortable with it, don't do it. But, don't condemn other people that do. That's like saying they are not good parents. Giving yourself a needed break is being a good parent, IMO, whether you are at home OR at Disney.

 

[aahmom1]

I wouldn't EVER leave my kids with a total stranger, nope uh uh, not gonna happen.

9 years without a baby-sitter and the first time you do is with a total stranger? I don't get it.

 

[The Sybah Shelstah]

9 years without a baby-sitter and the first time you do is with a total stranger? I don't get it.

Uh, 9yrs without a NIGHT OUT type babysitter- I didn't say they never went to daycare in their lives. But daycares around here close at either 6 or 6:30. You can't very well go out for dinner and a movie or even just DINNER by 6:30. Big difference there. It's not like my children had never been with anyone but us all day and night for 9yrs and then traumatized them by leaving them with a stranger.
*rolling my eyes*
It's really not THAT much different than using daycare -well, atleast when you use the "stranger" aspect. Usually all you do is research which ones, check them out, talk to the person in charge plus who will be watching your child, and then take them. To a STRANGER.. who you've just talked to- usually not known all your lives.
Wow... all those people taking their babies to STRANGERS when they go to work... atleast at first.

*sigh*
Come on now people. We aren't the only ones in the world that see this as an opportunity to have a few hours out alone with our spouses/SO's. If we were- they certainly wouldn't have such things as Fairy Godmother/etc!!!! I've only been there once. I'm not keeping these companies in business. So lots and lots of someones out there are using their company. I guess they are all horrible parents traumatizing their children huh?

Let's do this- you worry about your kids and I worry about mine. You do what you want and I won't give you grief about it... and let me do the same. Thanks.

 

[peachgirl]

"when you start saying things like "never" and 'way too creepy for me'- you are bordering on disrespecting other's opinions or being hurtful. if you don't have kids you probably shouldn't be posting on a thread about babysitting kids while at WDW!!! Speak about that which you know-when you know.. ie: when you have kids."

"Let's do this- you worry about your kids and I worry about mine. You do what you want and I won't give you grief about it... and let me do the same."

To each their own, but I would never leave my child with someone I've only had a few minutes interaction with, no matter where I was! I think it's very scary and I'd do nothing but worry the entire time.

Most people research their daycare provider before ever using them. You ask for references, you do research, you visit the place. It's not like you call them and the next day drop your kid off. And daycare is a neccesity, not a luxury.

Actually I thought everyone on this thread had been very respectful of others, except for your last 2 posts. I don't think anyone should tell others whether or not they have a right to post. The fact that they feel the way they do is no insult to you. Just because some don't agree with your point of view doesn't make them rude. The op asked if others were hesitant to use this service and everyone is entitled to give their opinion on it.