Neverland Club and others $10/hr

[raelee]

Just to confirm this as it was posted a bit ago with a question mark.

Yes, it is true, the childcare rates have gone up at the "clubs" to $10/hour/child with a one hour minimum.

I don't know about anyone else but this seems outrageous to me- $20/hr for my two boys!!!!

We were thinking a nice dinner out but...

Steph

 

[princessmomma]

Oh, tell me about it. And it wouldn't be for just one hour. To have the nice dinner, you would probably need to book them in for 3 hours. $60 for care is way out there for us. The kids are coming with us to Le Cellier and their meals will be much cheaper.

Although I would love to have couple time with my husband, I can't see spending that much, especially if we may get beeped after 40 minutes. This happened on the Disney Cruise. My 4 year old just didn't want to stay. I was a little upset they didn't try to engage him more, but I didn't know how upset he was.

We are really excited about our upcoming trip and looking forward to the couple time on our balcony watching the fireworks!

 

[tampafan]

I agree, it makes the cost of the "date" a little unreasonable. We have not left our children before because our daughter is as yet too young, so we have taken them with us to restaurants like Le Cellier, San Angel Inn, Brown Derby, etc. Our meal may not have been as romantic as it could have been, but all Disney restaurants and crayons and kids cups.

 

[zakatak]

For less money (I think), you can look into the Fairy Godmothers... I looked at a quote for $60 for 4 hours with 3 kids. Check it out...

Karen

 

[raelee]

Thanks for the commiseration and for the advice about the Fairy Godmothers...

I am sure they provide a great service, but I know my 4 yr old, especially, would do better in a group setting with lots to keep his mind off mommy being gone.

Also, my personal paranoia, I just feel safer leaving the kids in a small group setting unless I know the bbsitter personally, so...

I think I will fire off a letter to WDW, though, and let them know that IMO $10/hr/child is pretty outrageous and that I feel lots of people, especially those with more than one child, will not be able to afford the programs at that price.

I am really kind of bummed 'cause we had always heard great things about the Neverland Club and my sister and I thought about eating at Ohana (tried it last year with kids and they basically liked none of the food, so..) But at $50 for the meal and $40 for two hours of bbsitting- NO WAY!

Steph

 

[colleen costello]

We were down this summer and decided against the big "night out" because of the cost of childcare -- and that was when it was still $8 per hour! We thought three hours for 2 children added up to too much money on top of the cost of dinner for Mom and Dad. It just added up to more than we had budgeted as this was an "extra" trip with leftover DVC points.

I guess they figure that everything else is so overpriced, why not the childcare? And despite references, I would not feel comfortable leaving my kids alone with a stranger -- somehow the center seems so much more acceptable to me. It seems like a "night out" for the children as well. Luckily we are visitng in March with Grandma and Grandpa, who will gladly babysit one evening for free!

 

[colleen costello]

Steph, PS: Ohana is a great place to take the children! There is fun entertainment and my kids enjoyed it. They hula-hooped and raced the coconuts and liked the Hawaiian music. I believe you can take the kids with you and come out cheaper than dropping them off at Never-affordable-land club!

 

[colleen costello]

Me again -- I see your mention now of the kids not liking the Ohana food. My kids picked through the offererings but they DID eat. Our dear server brought my daughter a big bowl of the pineapple sauce and she was thrilled. Perhaps Whispering Canyon over at the WL would work. Descriptions make it sound like the same kind of fun and entertainment as Ohana but with different food.

 

[Wilma Flintstone]

Childcare HAS gone up, and I'm surprised they did not have a "discount" for two children. But, as a teacher of preschoolers, the cost seems about right. I have visited the Neverland Club and was extremely impressed with its hands-on activities, fantasy theming and delicious food selections. Don't forget--I live in New York, just 30 minutes from Manhattan prices, so I guess that's where my head is at.
I agree about taking your children with you, if the cost is prohibitive at Neverland Club...and...some children get very upset at the thought of being dropped off there and Mommy and Daddy leaving. What fun is that!??
My friend's two children (3 years apart) absolutely LOVED the Neverland Club, as they had each other for support and felt it was a special treat for them.
My son, on the other hand, would NEVER stay alone in Neverland or anywhere else. Thank God for grandparents who traveled with us!
As I've stated in other posts (much to the chagrin of some others), dining with children can be a minefield, especially after a long day at the parks. You know your child--if they are bouncing off the walls at 7 PM, then feed them at 6:30 and walk around the resorts after dinner. Because there at the next table are the same two weary adults trying to have a nice dinner sans children, who are running around at the Neverland Club fighting off Pirates and posing with Goofy! You wouldn't want to mess with that--would you?
--Wilma

 

[colleen costello]

I agree with Wilma (although childcare is not so expensive here in Indiana as in NYC). We don't plan events that we know our kids will be stinkers for. When my kids are tired, they are awful. Not so loudly as to bug other folks but mostly regarding WHINING and bugging ME. We gave up a lot of nice meals this past June because it just isn't worth it to go when the kids will be bored and therefore acting jerky. That's why Ohana and Whispering Canyon are nice.

I still wish Neverland was more affordable. My children went (for free) while we signed DVC paperwork and loved it. But at $20 per hour for the pair, our trips there will be VERY limited. It would break me heart if I DID spring for childcare and then some OTHER kids were nearby whining!