Need advice on childcare Clubs Babysitting

[kitkatsmom]

<<I also put this question on the family board but no one has responded.
Since the kids clubs are in the resorts I thought I'd add it here to see if anyone can help.>>

I have 3 kids ages 5, 7 and 12.
One night while we are at disney (staying 8)
We wanted to take the kids to the kids club.
This way my husband and I could have a private dinner and visit pleasure island alone.

I know the clubs take kids up to the age of 12 but does anyone think that my 12 yr old will enjoy it? Is it to baby-ish?

We wouldn't leave them late and I know there are video games but I don't want the 12 yr old to be miserable. I wouldn't have a good time away if I was thinking about that all night.

I also see that there are several clubs at various resorts. Are they all the same or is one better then another?

Thanks for any helpful insight you can provide.

 

[Harambe]

Our kids have stayed at the Neverland Club (Poly) and at Simba's Cubhouse. DD was 11 at Simba's. The Neverland Club has much more to it. It has the arcade games, that are fun, and something you don't get at home in your living room!. The setting is a lot better also. Simba's reminded me of day care, alto the CM's were sweet.

I wish Disney would have a supervised place for teens - say 12 thru 15 - that is more geared to them.

 

[kitkatsmom]

Was it fun for your 11 yr old? Do you think it would be okay for a 12 yr old?

 

[njb1148]

The Neverland club is great. they do have arcade games and an actual small movie theater. My 6 y/o loved it and he went with a friend who was 12 at the time and the 6 y/o watched movies and did other kid activities (crafts etc.) while the 12 year old played games and watched the movies.
They also stayed at the Cubs Den in the WL a few nights later, that one was a little boring for the 12 year old, but fine for the 6 year old.
Neverland is really great.

 

[las3888]

I am just curious what the costs are? Any ideas? Do they have an age limit that you have to be AT LEAST a certain age to go?

 

[justhat]

You have to be at least 4 years old and potty trained to go.

 

[Tuffcookie]

Another vote for the Neverland Club at the Poly. My then 11 year old DS enjoyed it so much that he talked me into taking him back a couple of times that trip. Of course that was when we were staying at the Poly so it was very convenient.

TC

 

[kitkatsmom]

Thanks for the feedback about the 11 and 12 yr olds liking the Neverland club.
That is the one I will book the kids into.

(for the person who asked the cost.. It's 10.00 per hour or you can use a wish if your on the silver or gold plan etc)

I had felt guilty but a parent needs some down time even if it is only a few hours.

Another question.
Does anyone find taking disney's transportation a problem?

I was just thinking that if we are staying at one resort and have to take a bus to a main park then another to the poly.. Drop off the kids.. Then take another bus to a main park and another bus after that to get to the resort our dinner is at.. Then another bus back etc. etc..
Doesn't that get to be a pain?
Or is it easy to do in disney?

Maybe we could just use cabs that night?
Or maybe we will go with the rental car..
I am just not sure right now.

 

[Harambe]

I have no idea when you're going, but my suggestion would be to have a great dinner at the Kona Cafe at the Poly, then stop over at the Tambu Lounge for a few fancy tropical drinks. Go down to the Poly beach and stretch out on a lounge chair to watch the MK fireworks which you can see beautifully here!

No buses, no rush, perfect! Then stroll over to Neverland Club and pick up your child. Grab the monorail over to Epcot, then pick up your resort bus.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

If I were you I'd take Disney transportation to the Poly and then take a cab to dinner and to PI. Then after you're finished at PI just take the bus back to Poly.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Another suggestion... eat dinner near PI. Check out Fulton's, Portobello's, Wolfgang Puck's, etc. That way you won't have to travel far from dinner to PI.

 

[kitkatsmom]

Thanks for the tips.
I think we are leaning now to renting a car..

Just for a bit more freedom.

The mears shuttle will cost us 129.00 for 5 of us..

A rental (through work) will only cost us 168.00 for the week.
The extra 30.00 some dollars would be worth it not to have to freak out about getting places and also not have us waiting at the airport or making stops at other hotels etc..