Shula's and childcare?

[gopherit]

Does anyone recall any discount or such for childcare (at Camp Dolphin, I suppose?) if adults are dining t SHula's?

THANKS... search still disabled!

 

[mom of five]

What is camp dolphin?

 

[CamColt]

I just put this on the other thread. Im pretty sure they offer free child care if you are dining at Shulas.

 

[SueEllen]

Childcare is included for free if you dine at Shulas (subtle hint that they don't want children )
Sue Ellen

 

[gopherit]

Really? That could be the winning vote right there! For 3 kids, and 2 hrs, that equates to a $60 savings. Comparing meals (and roughly what we'd order, based on menus on allears) Shula's wins, even taking into account a 20% DVC discount at Palio and a 10% DVC discount a Yachtsman. Shula's may be pricier, but$60 in free childcare ain't nuthin to sneeze at. Anybody know if your kids get fed, too, for that, or is that an extra fee? (I know in most kid's clubs, they have usual kid-fare, like hot dogs, chicken nuggets, etc, that is included in the $10 head price).

 

[robinb]

My 4 year old loves Camp Dolphin. The caretakers are excellent and my DD didn't want to leave. Make sure you check the times. They'll even feed your kids if you get them there early enough . I have to admit that Camp Dolphin is not as big or fancy as the Disney kid's clubs, bit the warmth and caring of the staff is just as nice ... and it's free!

We picked our DD early enough to watch IllumiNations from the bridge between the Swan/Dolphin and Boardwalk.

 

[robinb]

One more thing ... the food at Shulas is really great, but expensive. You'll be spending that $60 saved on food and drink .

 

[mom of five]

I have 5 kids.

You mean I can get free child care for 2hrs? (God must be in heaven!)

Is this place in the Dolphin hotel?

How do I make ressies's for the 'camp'?

Is there an age limit...I have a 10 and 9 yr. old?

Do they really get food too?

Do you show your reciept from Shula's when you go to pick up the kids after your dinner? Or do you have to pay for the 'camp' up front and then get it refunded if you show a reciept?

This sounds like a great deal...why have I never heard of this?

Thanks-
Melissa

 

[robinb]

Melissa,

I would call the Dolphin Club and see if there is a limit on how many children on one bill and if there is an age limit. The Dolphin Club opens around 5pm (I think). Your 9 & 10 year old may be bored until they go to the arcade. Each child get a free stack of tokens to play with at the arcade after dinner (8:00 ish).

 

[GoofyDisney]

Shula's - There is no children's menu, and everything is ala carte. Everything. You order your meat, veggies, appetizers separately. There are no small portions of meals. And correct me if I am wrong, I don't even remember a pasta dish. So, my daughter had parts of my meal. Also, my DD (4) was traumatized by the live lobsters they cart around the restaurant.

We enjoyed our meal there, and even DD had a good time. We went into one of the shops and bought her crayons and a coloring book.

But, Shula's is not exactly conducive to children, and as one poster already said, the money you will save on buying adult portions and splitting them between the children will more than likely pay for the Camp Dolphin costs.

Have a great time no matter what. Shula's is beautiful! And don't forget to dress resort casual, as park wear will be out of place.

 

[robinb]

GoofyDisney,

You misunderstand. The childcare at the Dolphin is free for potty-trained children over 4 whose parents are dining at Shulas. So, your DD could have avoided the trama of the live lobster and played happily in Camp Dolphin and eaten mac n' cheese for free while you chowed down on steak . It's really a great deal, but my point was that Shulas is so much more expense than other restaurants that you may pay more there in food even with free childcare than somewhere else where you have to pay for the childcare.

 

[GoofyDisney]

You are right, Robin...I had no idea. Free? As in free? UGH Too funny. Not only did we pay for extra food to share, but the crayons and book were expensive, as all Disney souveniers are. Of course, they were worth the money as they provided a nice distraction for whenever there was a "dead lobster walking".

 

[gigi1313]

hmmm... this may change our plans a bit... we have ps at boma and kids at simba's but now... hmmmm... dh LOVES steak (so do i!) and shulas was on our "not this trip" list... but... if the childcare is free... that may change things a bit... hmmmm... what to do? what to do? what to do? LOL!

 

[mom of five]

talked to an operator at swan and dolphin, camp wasn't open yet.

She said that if you make reservations for the camp and have a reservation # for Shula's, then the 1st HOUR of camp is free.

I think this nixs Shula's for us...you can't possibly eat at a place like Shula's in an hour...I wouldn't enjoy it. That second hour will cost us $50 and that will just be too much along with the price of dinner. I wish they'd give two hours at the camp...then they'd get my money!

 

[robinb]

Originally posted by GoofyDisney
"dead lobster walking".

Oh man, you just made me spit water on my monitor! I love lobster and I have cooked some myself ... but even I felt sorry for those poor creatures. Reminded me of "Larry the Lobster" on the old Saturday Night Live bit .

Originally posted by mom of five
She said that if you make reservations for the camp and have a reservation # for Shula's, then the 1st HOUR of camp is free.

I think this nixs Shula's for us...you can't possibly eat at a place like Shula's in an hour...I wouldn't enjoy it. That second hour will cost us $50 and that will just be too much along with the price of dinner. I wish they'd give two hours at the camp...then they'd get my money!

Well ... I just went straight to the horse's mouth and called Camp Dolphin. I spoke to one of the regular caretakers there and asked the questions that came up here.

(1) Minium age is 4 years old, maximum is 12. All children must be potty-trained.

(2) 5 children is OK on a single check "as long as they are yours". No dropping off your friend's kids with yours while they eat somewhere else.

(3) You get 2 hours free and not just 1!

(4) Camp Dolphin has the same deal with Blue Zoo!!!

Decisions, decisions ...

 

[gopherit]

robinb--

did the Camp Dolphin folks confirm that it's one hour for free only?

That would be a deciding factor for me as well. With my DVC discount at Palio (and a lesser but still 10% off at Yachtsman), and the substantially higher prices at Shula's -- the extra 30 bucks I'd need to pay to get 2 hours (which is what I roughly gauge it would take?) may put Shula's out of contention.

I think when I tallied up closely-balanced meals at all three places, and included the DVC discounts, etc., Shula's was cheaper -- HOWEVER -- I realize too that all my numbers were "pretax" and tip... that higher priced meal at SHula's will surely get me in the tips department, too.

Oh well...guess I don't have to worry about Night of the living dead lobsters haunting my mind....

 

[robinb]

Originally posted by gopherit
robinb--

did the Camp Dolphin folks confirm that it's one hour for free only?

No, they comfirmed that it is 2 hours free! The CM said in her wonderful Miss Cleo Caribbean islands accent "Oh no, honey. You can't eat at Shula's in only an hour! It takes them 30 minutes to take your order, another 30 to cook your food and an hour to eat it!"

You can always go to Blue Zoo if you don't want to see the soon-to-be-dead huge 3 pound lobsters.

I edited my last to include the 2 hours .

 

[mom of five]

Some alone time on this 10day trip!!!

If they feed them during that first two hours then it is a huge deal for us!! Those five are all ours and to not have to buy them dinner on top of our dinner...

I'm sooooo excited! DH and I never get to go anywhere alone!

And Blue Zoo participates too!!
Now I have to decide on which one!!

DH will lean towards Shula's
Myself, Blue Zoo

 

[mom of five]

Thanks for checking on that for us!
-Melissa

 

[gopherit]

What's the phone # for Camp Dolphin? And do I call Shula's direct or do I make the ressie through WDW dine? Do I need my ressie # when I call for Camp Dolphin?

Oh this sounds goooood! We NEVER get to go out alone! Last anniversary we each thought the other had gotten a babysitter... at 5 pm when dh finally came home, we realized NEITHER of us had. Endup up reheating leftovers and installing a dishwasher -- oh the romance. I vowed this year should and would be better -- and this might just do it!

THANKS!