Parents night out guilt... Help!

[WildReekies]

Hi there and thanx for reading!
All three of my bubs will be old enough to hang out in one of the kids camps... The hubs and I would much prefer to send the kiddos to the camp in the evening and get our big kid rides in than wrestle with child swap. We also would rather enjoy the ride together than apart. What I've read is the Poly is the best hands down kids camp. I'm feeling guilty that my kids will be bored out of their minds on these camps..and be too tired the next day to enjoy a park. What does your family do? Which is the second best kid camp? We will be staying at POR. My kids will be 3,5,7 and we are going Oct 2014. Thank you!!!

 

[mjtatman]

For the last three trips, we've discussed the very same thing! However, sadly, we've never actually done it! The first year, we were going to use the fairy godmothers and then the last two, we planned to send kids to the camps….but this has never come to fruition! Not that I think it's a bad idea, we just got caught up in the fun and guilt took over! We are going on the Disney Magic next month and I do have a couples massage planned…..this time I'm bound and determined to get a brief amount of alone time with the hubs while on our Disney vacation….wish me luck!!!

 

[WildReekies]

For the last three trips, we've discussed the very same thing! However, sadly, we've never actually done it! The first year, we were going to use the fairy godmothers and then the last two, we planned to send kids to the camps….but this has never come to fruition! Not that I think it's a bad idea, we just got caught up in the fun and guilt took over! We are going on the Disney Magic next month and I do have a couples massage planned…..this time I'm bound and determined to get a brief amount of alone time with the hubs while on our Disney vacation….wish me luck!!!

Good luck to you and have a wonderful cruise! Thanks for the kind response

 

[CuteAndFluffy]

My kid burst into tears when we came to get him from Simba's Cubhouse because he was having so much fun. Wanted to go back every night after that. He is already planning to go next time we are in the World.

It was some of the best money we spent. We got a date, he got some down time/play time. The. Best.

ETA: I think all the camps are likely great. Choose which one based on where you're planning to be that night. Next time we may try the Neverland Club

 

[Gracie09]

Is your three year old completely potty trains? As in doesn't need help to wipe etc? They have to be completely bathroom independent. The cm won't help at all. I don't even think they go in with them.
We used kids night out. They sent a lovely student nurse. She fed the girls. Played a game with them. Colored a bit. We told her to let them watch a movie and they were asleep right around their normal time. When we got home she was sitting reading a book with a night light on. It worked really well for us because the girls got their normal amount of sleep so the next morning was fine and cost wise it was a bit less than the camps

 

[MSSANDRA]

I think that they are all at a age where they would love the clubs. We have never used them but did check out the one at WL and gave DS the choice to go with us or stay there and he chose to go. As far as the late night, only you know your children. If they can nap in the afternoon and then stay up late and be up and happy the next am you are good to go! I cant remember what time they open but you could go as soon as they open and focus your time on doing the rides and still not be terribly late.
One thought however, is that by 5 ,DS could do all but a couple of rides. The 7 year old for sure may want to do many of the rides the three year may not be able to do. You still may have to do some baby swap or creative switching. Remember if you do need to do baby swap the kids can ride with each parent...double rides.The 7 year can sit in a ride car in front of the parent , but the 3 and 5 need to be in the same car as an adult.

 

[lucyem]

Hi there and thanx for reading!
All three of my bubs will be old enough to hang out in one of the kids camps... The hubs and I would much prefer to send the kiddos to the camp in the evening and get our big kid rides in than wrestle with child swap. We also would rather enjoy the ride together than apart. What I've read is the Poly is the best hands down kids camp. I'm feeling guilty that my kids will be bored out of their minds on these camps..and be too tired the next day to enjoy a park. What does your family do? Which is the second best kid camp? We will be staying at POR. My kids will be 3,5,7 and we are going Oct 2014. Thank you!!!

My kids love the kids clubs and beg to go back. We cannot go to WDW without my 8yr old asking to go to one. I think they really enjoy the down time to just play and do their own thing.

All the clubs are great. They have similar activities etc. You cannot go wrong with any of them. At that age I might try and stick with a club near where you will be. If you will be in MK then make a reservation at the Neverland Club. If at Epcot then use Sandcastle Club at BC.

 

[aladdinsgirl]

Another fan of the kids clubs and do not feel guilty for taking a date night!

My DS5 loves the kids clubs and begs to go to them. The first time we used the Neverland Club was May 2012 and he was 3, I was worried about him going, but he loved it. That following winter we were planning our May 2013 trip, he made it known that he was going back to the Neverland Club and that was that. That was a long vacation for us--12 nights, we planned our date night on the 2nd night of the vacation. After that night, he asked to go back to the Neverland Club again that week--uh, twist my arm!! Many of the CM's that work the clubs also do the pool games during the day. We were staying at the Poly in May and when some of the CM's saw us at the pool, they recognized us and said hi. Carter thought that was AWESOME!! In August, we went back to WDW, but this time it was my Mom, sister, DS, and myself--DH stayed home, I wasn't planning on booking him in the Neverland Club because it was short vacation (6 nights), but he asked several times, so I put him in there 1 night and we used that night to ride the mountains in Magic Kingdom. We're going back to WDW in 2 weeks and again DS is going to the kids clubs, we're doing Simba's Clubhouse since the Neverland Club is closed for refurbishment. He's a little disappointed NC is closed, but is excited for Simba's and has asked to go more than once.

They have a great time there, there's lots of toys and the CM's are fantastic. DS is always like "why are you already back??" when in reality he's been there for hours and hasn't even realized it.

 

[Minnesota!]

The Kids Clubs are the best thing that WDW has going. My kids beg to go each night. It's a nice un-wind from the crazy days in the parks. We have used all of them except the one at the GF. Their fave is Simba's at AKL. We will be using it again this upcoming trip.

No guilt for us, ever. Mom and dad need time to play, too!

 

[mjtatman]

For all of you using the kids clubs…how old are your kids? I'm thinking mine might be a little old for them if they are mostly coloring and playing games?

 

[Lisa71]

We had a private sitter in our room and it was worth it..interviewed her for an hour..we used kids night out so she was disney and Florida safe. Our DS has CP so kids club was out. They loved her and were in our room. We texted and talked to the kids. It was a long adult dinner and so nice.

 

[WildReekies]

Thank you you soooo much for all the wonderful replies!! I think we will do WL or AKL clubs.

 

[aladdinsgirl]

For all of you using the kids clubs…how old are your kids? I'm thinking mine might be a little old for them if they are mostly coloring and playing games?

My son is 5. I know at least in the Neverland Club that there is some type of gaming device. DS talks about the video games being inside the pirate ship. I'm not sure if it's Wii or X-Box or what it is. I also know at some point the CM's will turn on a Disney movie for the kids who want to watch it, they can still play with the games, etc if they want to.

 

[DCbride]

DD has been going since 3- she is 6. We stay a week and she goes 2x. She likes the Neverland the best with Sandcastle second. They also feed the kids dinner, which is great. We do not plan a trip without some adult time. Even if it is just to have dinner alone.

 

[WildReekies]

I'm sold! A bit worried about 3 year old wiping Everytime... Can my oldest help him if he needs it?

 

[mjtatman]

Mine are older - 8, 9, & 11...so I'm guessing we might have missed our kids club window.

 

[lucyem]

Mine are older - 8, 9, & 11...so I'm guessing we might have missed our kids club window.

No, it is through age 12. At 13 they are out.

 

[ddpaints]

For the last three trips, we've discussed the very same thing! However, sadly, we've never actually done it! The first year, we were going to use the fairy godmothers and then the last two, we planned to send kids to the camps….but this has never come to fruition! Not that I think it's a bad idea, we just got caught up in the fun and guilt took over! We are going on the Disney Magic next month and I do have a couples massage planned…..this time I'm bound and determined to get a brief amount of alone time with the hubs while on our Disney vacation….wish me luck!!!

Good luck even seeing your kids on the cruise. We did it when DS was 4 and only saw him when we drug him out (most of the time with an "Awe mom/dad ")and made him spend time with us.

 

[Minnesota!]

For all of you using the kids clubs…how old are your kids? I'm thinking mine might be a little old for them if they are mostly coloring and playing games?

Mine are older - 8, 9, & 11...so I'm guessing we might have missed our kids club window.

my kids are 6 and 9 and they love it! There are video games, arts/crafts, toys, movies, etc. I think your kids will still get enjoyment out of it!

 

[mjtatman]

No, it is through age 12. At 13 they are out.

Thanks! I know they still fit in the age range, but I might have anarchy on my hands if I left them in one of hte kids club! They are into video games, but I don't think there is much else they would enjoy. I've heard AMAZING things about the clubs though, so I am kicking myself for never taking the opportunity before!!!