Kids's Club/resort activities - your experiences?

[Torontogal]

We are thinking of dropping my son off at a Kid's Club for one night. Not sure which one but looking into the one at Polynesian. What are your experiences with the Kid's Clubs? My son is 5 1/2 so I want something he will enjoy. Are there any detailed sites which have photos and details about the various Clubs? Also, if we drop him off for a couple hours - does he still get a meal? What if he does not want to eat (too excited!) - can we pack a "doggy bag" for him to eat in the room? We will be at OKW and that resort does not have a Kid's Club so we want something which is not too far from OKW but lots of fun. What other great activities did your kids enjoy? I heard about a Campfire thing where kid's sing songs and roast marshmallows?
Thanks!

 

[Yellow_Stitch]

We dropped DS5 off at The Mouseketeer Club at The Grand Floridian while we ate at Citricos. It was a fairly small room, but it was loaded with toys and movies and games. He was the first one there that night, but when we picked him up a couple of hours later there were 6 or 7 other kids. He had a great time and didn't really want to leave!

 

[vicb]

We used the Sandcastle Club at BC twice. Once when my kids were 6 and 9, and again when they were 8 and 11. There are tons of free arcade games (Pac Man, Frogger etc), computer games, movies, legos, toys, arts and crafts and games. One nice CM played cards with DD age 11 for quite some time as she was the oldest child there that night and felt a bit awkward. Both times my kids ate dinner there. I believe it was something like 2 servings of dinner, one at 6pm and one at 7pm. We arrived at 5:45 so their order was called in at 6pm. They had typical kid choices (chicken fingers, pb&j, hot dog...) also came with fries and fresh fruit salad (nice touch). Both times we picked our kids up for dessert at Beaches and Cream but I think if you stay past 9pm they get an ice cream bar for dessert. We thought (and so did the kids) that the ladies who worked there were really nice and we were comfortable with the whole set up. Only down side is it is a bit costly.

 

[coreysmom]

Torontogal,
It's been quite a while since I used the kids club at the Polynesian, but from what I can remember my DS and DD had a blast! They had alot of supervision, Disney movies, all kinds of activities and crafts, a nice "kids" buffet, etc.. I don't know if they still have the characters visit, but when my kids went Goofy paid a visit! I wish I knew how to post pictures because I have a couple of cute pics of the kids at the Neverland Club with Goofy. I think your son would love it! My DD was about six at the time (Wow, 13 years ago!!) and I was worried that she would be apprehensive, but she was fine! Both her and my DS loved it!
Tricia

 

[CaipiraBob]

Our children request that we book them in the local kids club for whatever hotel we stay at. They just love it. The staffs have been uniformly excellent and it's a rare night that the kids don't want to stay there longer.

 

[Traav]

I stayed at the kids club at the poly. when I was a about 10 (17 years ago I think it's called the Neverland Club? It had a "pirate ship" filled with arcade games a buffet and arts and crafts. They even showed us a Disney movie on a projector (way before DVD) I had a great time!!!

 

[Bobbysdog]

Our DD11 stayed at the Neverland Club when she was 6 and at the Cub's Den(Name?) at 8. Loved it both times and I must say I was impressed with the staff (I am a preschool teacher). Video games, movies and art activities mostly but everyone there seemed engrossed. She did the tea party at the Grand Floridian and loved that too. The campfire is on our agenda for our September trip!

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

The campfire is at Fort Wilderness...they show an outdoor movie, have a campfire and I think Chip and Dale make an appearance. I have yet to attend so I can't give you anymore info, but it is free and any resort guest can take part.

My DD is 6 1/2 now, and she LOVES the kid's clubs! She has stayed at the Cub's Den (WL) twice and Simba's Cubhouse (AKL) once and it is part of every vacation we take to WDW to have her stay a few hours in a kid's club for one night. She BEGS us to go there...heck, if it wasn't so expensive I would let her stay all night! We usually let her stay 3 hours. DH and I enjoy having cocktails, a nice dinner and some "grown ups only" time in the room! They will give you a pager to call you if there are any problems, or they will take down your cel phone number.

Just a note...DH and I are going to take advantage on our next trip of the FREE use of Camp Dolphin...while you dine at Blue Zoo or Shula's, you get to put the kiddies in Camp Dolphin for FREE for 2 hours! That is so worth it! Of course, you are gonna pay a pretty penny to dine at either of those places, but still, we really want to try Blue Zoo!

 

[beaker]

Just wanted everyone to know that it is $10/hr with a 4hr minimum. Dinner and snacks are included. We have used Sandcastles, Neverland, and Simba's my DS enjoyed them all. We have taken home the snacks but never the dinner I am not sure if they have a place to store it. The CMs have told me that the kids usually eat better with them then with their parents.

 

[johnsonet]

I think it's a 2-hour minimum...is it not?

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

I have never left my DD there for 4 hours. I WOULD...but it is too darn expensive! I believe it is a 2 hour minimum. I will check allearsnet.com...I don't know how to provide a link or I would do it! Sorry! We have left her there 3 times, and each time was either 2 or 3 hours. Best $30 I ever spent!

 

[Torontogal]

know if meals are included - even if I am only leaving my son for 2 hours?
Do all the resorts offer meals? What if he does not eat anything - can I pack a diggy bag for him to eat in room?

 

[johnsonet]

Torontogal
Here is some info from allearsnet.com
"GENERAL CONDITIONS: The following conditions apply to most Walt Disney World resort hotels' kids' clubs, but are subject to change at any time. Call first if you have any questions or to verify specifics.

Age: Childcare is provided for children over age 4 who are potty-trained, through age 12. Resorts will not make exceptions.

Hours: 4:30 p.m. to midnight, with some exceptions.

Beepers are provided to parents so they can be contacted in case of emergency. (Parents may also call the childcare club to check on their children if desired.)

Price: $10 per hour. Dinner is usually included and is usually typical children's fare, such as peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, hot dogs, hamburgers, macaroni and cheese, chicken nuggets and French fries, fruit and ice cream.

Activities offered at the clubs include board games, puzzles, arts and crafts, video games, Disney movies.

Reservations are required in most cases, although walk-ins may be available on a first-come, first-served basis. To make reservations, call 407-WDW-DINE. You may also call some of the resorts directly -- the phone numbers are listed with the resort details below.

Cancellations must be made at least 24 hours in advance, otherwise a fee of $15 per child is assessed. Reservations are held for 30 minutes before they are released to other guests.

I believe that supper is served at 6pm, so if they are there then they get dinner.

 

[JenLynn]

My children spent about 3 hours at Simba's Clubhouse on our recent trip to WDW. (DH and i went to dinner at Bluezoo and then to BW to walk around). My children loved it! They were able to choose their own dinner (DS did not eat his, it was not packed up to bring home with us) and had many activities to do. DD (5 1/2) spent most of her time doing arts and crafts. DS (7) spent most of his time playing video games. We got there just before cookie and milk time so the CM made sure that we took the cookies and milk with us. Both children loved it and DH and i were very pleased. (and if you are interested, we dropped them off at 5:45 and they had dinner soon after; we picked them up around 9pm).

 

[aksunshine]

DH and I were thinking of dinner at Jiko's, with DD (4) at Simba's. Any experiences with one child at this age. She is a pretty trusting child, I think she'll be comfortable for a few hours. Are there plenty of arts and crafts to do? Any examples of what your child has done? Also what are the required qualifications of the CMs there? Thanks!

 

[erinch]

My DD age 9 went to Neverland Club twice a week ago. She loved it (her night cost more than ours! ).

Dinner is at 6, but they will order later.

Snack is around 9 and is pudding, which DD hates. Both times they said they'd have grapes or something, but they didn't actually.

characters or cast members with live animals no longer visit, but they show 3 movies, there is dress up, free video and compute games (my DD got hooked on Simpson's bowling) and the CMs are interactive with the kids. You get a beeper which would cost you $150 if you lose it.

DD stayed at Simba's last visit. It's much more quiet, and at that time, the lady in charge was older and not very interactive, basically gave her crayons and a coloring book and turned on a movie. But for a younger child it's well-controlled and a pleasant way to pass the time.

 

[thelionqueen]

We are using these 2 for the 1st time in Oct. will post when we get back!!

 

[MECH8T7]

know if meals are included - even if I am only leaving my son for 2 hours?
Do all the resorts offer meals? What if he does not eat anything - can I pack a diggy bag for him to eat in room?

A meals is included. At the Poly, it is a buffet. So, I can't imagine that packing a doggy bag would be a problem unless they've cleaned everything up by the time you come to pick him up.

 

[PlutoPony]

As I recall, the kids get to eat a meal IF they're there when the meal is served. When I called to make reservations for DS, I asked when the meal was and made sure we had him there before that. So if the meal was at 6 and you didn't drop your child off until 8, I"m not sure they'd eat as the buffet would have long since been cleaned up. I doubt if they'll give you a doggie bag is your child doesn't eat again since it is a buffet and I don't think they check to see if or how much the kids eat (hey-they're on vacation ). Don't take this as gospel info tho - ask when you make reservations.

 

[chilis]

My daughter stayed at the Neverland Club last November and had a blast. She was almost 5 at the time and still asks when she can return. She made many friends, ate well, watched movies, did arts and crafts, computer games, and many other activities. Compared with what I pay my normal babysitter at home ($7-$8/hour) and what I just paid Thursday night in Las Vegas for an in-room sitter ($35/hour!), the 10 bucks they charge for supervision, food, entertainment and also being able to make friends with other children is an absolute bargain. She was just telling me the other day how much fun she had and how she wishes she could see the little girl she made friends with there again. I think it is definitely worth the cost for the piece of mind you get that someone responsible is taking care of your children.

Bottom line, my daughter loved it and it was worth every penny to my husband and I to be able to get out for a few hours of adult time. Next time we visit DW there is no doubt that she will be spending more than a few evenings at a Kid's Club.