What do you think about "Kids Night Out" babysitting service?

[iluvlulu]

Hi. I am new to this board and our family is making its first ever trip to Disney next week. While there, we are thinking of getting a sitter for one night (my kids, two boys 3 & 5, go to sleep very early) so that dh and I can get a few hours alone. "Kids Night Out" was the service recommended by Disney. I've booked with them for an evening gig, 7:30- 11; the sitter would be watching them after the boys are washed up and asleep.

I am somewhat nervous about leaving my children in the hands of a perfect stranger...and I may still cancel. I've booked with them (7:30- 11, the sitter would come to look after them after the boys are washed up and asleep). Thoughts on this service or any other? Thanks

 

[madysmom]

We used the "Kid's Nite Out" two times on our last trip to Disney. We split the service with the other family we were travelling with, and they watched our 4 kids (6,4,3,2) while the four of us grown-ups went to downtown disney. And, on another afternoon we went shopping and enjoyed some kid-free relaxation time by the pool. Each time was about 4 hours. I was apprehensive as well, but read so many positive reviews and with Disney recommending this particular company I felt OK with it. The kids enjoyed the sitters very much. They brought activities and seemed very experienced. Because it went well for us, I would definitely use this service again at Disney.

 

[tinkandpan]

We had a very positive experience with them as well. We left our dd2 with them. I did not have them put her down because i was afraid she would wake when we allcame back into the room so we went for an early dinner and were back by 9ish. They came dressed in their shirts, id'd, and a bag full of toys. I might make one suggestion about your plans. You might want to have the sitter put the kids down in case they wake (hotels are full of noises) and then realize half asleep you aren't there and they don't know who the sitter is.

 

[2disneydads]

We have used Kids Nite Out numerous times in Orlando and have had uniformly great times. We have had sitters come to our rooms at WDW resorts and the HGVC resorts, and we have had sitters spend the day with us at Disney and Universal parks. Our daughters have had a great time with all of the sitters, and my elder daughter developed an adorable little crush on the one male sitter that we had. So, I would recommend the service without reservation. When we have a sitter at night, we always have the sitter arrive before we put the girls to sleep so that the girls know who would be there should they wake up (which they almost never do).

 

[CastleCreations]

We LOVE Them!!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE them....Try not to worry. We left 4 kids under the age of 4 with a sitter. A wonderful man named CY. He was fantastic. I would use them again for sure!

 

[DannysMom]

I am somewhat nervous about leaving my children in the hands of a perfect stranger...and I may still cancel. I've booked with them (7:30- 11, the sitter would come to look after them after the boys are washed up and asleep). Thoughts on this service or any other? Thanks

Hi & Welcome to the boards! I used KNO on our last trip one night DH & I had a parents night out at Bistro de Paris, DS was not quite 4 & it was a great experience. Course we prepped our son beforehand told him that someone else would be coming to play with him while we went out.

I agree w/ the other poster that said you may want to have the sitter put the kids to bed so they know him/her & that *you* are not there. Knowing our son like we do, we figured he prb wouldn't go to sleep easily for a stranger, so left her instruction to let him watch his Thomas the Tank Engine DVD's until he passed out. Yeah he stayed up a little late, but we figured if we all got to sleep in a little the next day, that was OK. So it all worked out for us.

Have a good night out & have a great trip.

 

[xJersey_Guy]

My family is planning a trip in May. The second night of our trip falls on our wedding anniversary. We were at Disney the same time last year and had a wonderful dinner at California Grill. We would like to repeat it this trip. I do not think that our two DSs, age 4 and 2 1/2 would appreciate the experience. We are planning to stay at a cabin at FW. Will Kids Night Out come to FW and what is the hourly cost?

 

[tinkandpan]

They will come to the FW- i believe they will come everywhere. YOu can check their website for the most current rates- but i know when we used them last year it was i think 15 per hour with a 4 hr minimum plus travel charge which was something like 10 or so. Then we tip on top of that- so it is a pricey night. Also- something we learned the last time they will bang you for full price sitter services if you have to cancel due to sickness.

 

[xJersey_Guy]

They will come to the FW- i believe they will come everywhere. YOu can check their website for the most current rates- but i know when we used them last year it was i think 15 per hour with a 4 hr minimum plus travel charge which was something like 10 or so. Then we tip on top of that- so it is a pricey night. Also- something we learned the last time they will bang you for full price sitter services if you have to cancel due to sickness.

Thank you for the information. At the risk of sounding trite, I'm thinking: Baby Sitter (5 hrs @ $15 + 10) = $85, Dinner = $200, A magical evening with my DW at WDW on our anniversary Priceless

 

[zstyles]

Thanks for all the posters..I found this somewhere else so I thought I would just repost this:

"Yes, they can come to the park with you but you must pay for their ticket and plus an hourly wage (What a job....getting paid to go to WDW!!) You also must pay an $8.00 travel fee (not sure if that's what it is called) and if you go past 9:30 PM it is $2.00 more an hour. So if they come along to the park they basically act as a second parent. It would be expensive but it appeals to me because they are with you and in a crowded place....not behind closed doors.

I also asked if these people are checked out & she said that they are throughly screened for any criminal history, child abuse, etc and that they all have degrees. Also Kids Nite Out is the only baby sitting service that is contracted through Disney & they are insured and bonded.

Other things she mentioned was if you choose to do in room sitting they can take your child around the resort & to the food courts but they cannot take your child to the pool (they can take your child around the resort only with your permission). You can also give your children spending to go to the resort shop or give the sitter money and she can get their dinner etc. She said that if they are with you for more than 4 hours that a meal should be purchased for the sitter.

They will bring age appropriate games and activities for your child. She said that they can even put your child to bed for you but they will not bathe them. I asked what the sitter will do while my child is asleep & she said they usually bring books for themselves or cards for something to do.

I believe that they provide you with a beeper or phones so you can communicate but I am not 100% on this. She also told me that you can ask for a male or female....which ever your children will be more comfortable with.

They were extremely friendly and very understanding with my concerns. She said they are used to it & that I am not the only parent who has them. And she assured me that all employees are checked and aren't nutsos or anything."

 

[ChelleinNC]

Thanks for all the posters..I found this somewhere else so I thought I would just repost this:

"Yes, they can come to the park with you but you must pay for their ticket and plus an hourly wage (What a job....getting paid to go to WDW!!) You also must pay an $8.00 travel fee (not sure if that's what it is called) and if you go past 9:30 PM it is $2.00 more an hour. So if they come along to the park they basically act as a second parent. It would be expensive but it appeals to me because they are with you and in a crowded place....not behind closed doors.

I also asked if these people are checked out & she said that they are throughly screened for any criminal history, child abuse, etc and that they all have degrees. Also Kids Nite Out is the only baby sitting service that is contracted through Disney & they are insured and bonded.

Other things she mentioned was if you choose to do in room sitting they can take your child around the resort & to the food courts but they cannot take your child to the pool (they can take your child around the resort only with your permission). You can also give your children spending to go to the resort shop or give the sitter money and she can get their dinner etc. She said that if they are with you for more than 4 hours that a meal should be purchased for the sitter.

They will bring age appropriate games and activities for your child. She said that they can even put your child to bed for you but they will not bathe them. I asked what the sitter will do while my child is asleep & she said they usually bring books for themselves or cards for something to do.

I believe that they provide you with a beeper or phones so you can communicate but I am not 100% on this. She also told me that you can ask for a male or female....which ever your children will be more comfortable with.

They were extremely friendly and very understanding with my concerns. She said they are used to it & that I am not the only parent who has them. And she assured me that all employees are checked and aren't nutsos or anything."

I saw your other thread and just wanted to mention that with a 6 year old, you may want to put her in one of the Kids Clubs at the deluxe resorts. Over the years, my kids have gone to the Sandcastle Club at the BC, Neverland Club at Poly, and Cubs Den at WL. The kids clubs are only open until midnight, but you may feel better about not having your child alone in the room with a stranger. There will also most likely be other kids for your child to play with. Dinner will be served, there will be games, toys, videos & crafts. My kids were always disappointed when we showed up to pick them up. They had so much fun they didn't want to leave & asked to go back the next night

Here's a link to more info

 

[hels5625]

I saw your other thread and just wanted to mention that with a 6 year old, you may want to put her in one of the Kids Clubs at the deluxe resorts. Over the years, my kids have gone to the Sandcastle Club at the BC, Neverland Club at Poly, and Cubs Den at WL. The kids clubs are only open until midnight, but you may feel better about not having your child alone in the room with a stranger. There will also most likely be other kids for your child to play with. Dinner will be served, there will be games, toys, videos & crafts. My kids were always disappointed when we showed up to pick them up. They had so much fun they didn't want to leave & asked to go back the next night

Here's a link to more info

I was wondering if anyone can comment on how strict the Kids Clubs are with the age requirements. Member services said the minimum age is 4 and my daughter will be 11 days shy of her 4th Birthday when I need a sitter at Disney. I would really prefer to leave my kids there (DS is 8) instead of having a stranger watch them in the room. Thanks in advance for any replys.

 

[ChelleinNC]

I was wondering if anyone can comment on how strict the Kids Clubs are with the age requirements. Member services said the minimum age is 4 and my daughter will be 11 days shy of her 4th Birthday when I need a sitter at Disney. I would really prefer to leave my kids there (DS is 8) instead of having a stranger watch them in the room. Thanks in advance for any replys.

I think they're pretty strict because of State licensing laws, but I don't know if they ask for proof of age I'm a rules follower (drives my DH nuts ) so I wouldn't recommend pushing the limits, but you could ask when you call.

 

[hels5625]

How far in advance would you recommend calling to reserve a KNO Babysitter?
Thanks.