Kids's Club/resort activities - your experiences?

[erinch]

The Neverland buffet (DD's report from a week ago):

It's an "alligator" buffet (from Peter Pan), with glass "over the food." There are pans of food, and kids pick what they want to eat, and the CMs put it on a plate. They keep the buffet going till about 8 or so, and they ask if anyone wants anything else before they put it away.

If a kid arrives after 6 and hasn't had dinner, they go pick their food like normal, and they eat at the same place as everyone did. There would still be other kids in the same area watching the movie.

On the buffet was pizza, french fries, macaroni, chicken fingers, spaghetti (once), hot dogs, hamburgers

no fruits or vegetables.

for "snack" was individual bowls of Lay's regular potato chips and a juice box or soda.

"Dessert" (at 9) was the dreaded pudding -- vanilla or chocolate.

She says the food was "very delicious." (Except the pudding )

 

[chilis]

That's funny, my dd loved the pudding!

Not quite sure about her taste though, the girl could live on french fries and yogurt!

 

[nasmith]

The Only problem we have had with the Kids clubs is convincing our Son that he CAN have a fun vacation with his parents without going to Neverland EVERY night !- Honestly - It's the first thing he asks about when we get to our resort!!! (No Son, Neverland is NOT open at noon!).

He's 5 1/2 now and has been going since right after he turned 4 (4 times?). He's also been to Simbas - but likes Neverland better (More video games )....

 

[erinch]

My DD wanted to go back to Neverland AGAIN (after 2 nights in a row) and was disappointed when we said no (as I said, her night was more expensive than mine at the Bistro de Paris

 

[amyhwang]

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.

December 2003 my DD (4 then) and DS (6 then) stayed in Simba's Cubhouse at AKL for 3 hours while DH and I had drinks in the concierge lounge then dinner at Jiko. It is $10 per child, but there is no 4 hour minimum - don't know where that came from. So for 3 hours, it was $60. That's high; however, this is VACATION so really it was worth it. My son loved the video games, and my daughter didn't want to leave - she was playing with puppets with another little girl. It was very safe and the ladies working there seemed both sweet and trustworthy.

 

[PatsGirl]

Is tipping customary? I normally tip my babysitter a small amount but at $20/hour for 2 kids I'm thinking maybe not. Of course, it should depend on how much of that $$ is going to the person supervising these kids. I presume they are paid an hourly wage but...

Of course, if one of the kids was giving a hard time or required special assistance this would be a no-brainer but we're talking about two self-sufficient 8 year olds.

Anyone?

 

[Cindy B]

Thanks for the information.

I'm thinking about my 7 and 10 year old. Will my 10 year old be the oldest there?

How soon do I have to book? My trip is very soon. (about 12 days away)

Is there a 2nd sibling discount?

 

[tazleiten12]

Is tipping customary? I normally tip my babysitter a small amount but at $20/hour for 2 kids I'm thinking maybe not. Of course, it should depend on how much of that $$ is going to the person supervising these kids. I presume they are paid an hourly wage but...

Of course, if one of the kids was giving a hard time or required special assistance this would be a no-brainer but we're talking about two self-sufficient 8 year olds.

Anyone?

Good question, i wasent sure. So we have tipped $10/per child. Last time that was an extra $30 a night. Does anyone else tip, and if so how much?

 

[thelionqueen]

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!

How was Simba's Clubhouse? We are doing 2 kids clubs for our trip in Oct. ($$ we're saving with Free Dining, we get to splurge a little). We are doing Neverland and Simba's clubhouse. What are the differences? Appreciate your opinions. thanks