What are the kid's clubs like?

[Jessie&Buzz]

We're going in Oct. While there it will be our anniversary. We've talked about putting the kids in one of the kid's clubs so we can go to dinner. My dd (11) wants to go the the Neverland Club. Will she be bored because of her age? My ds could care less what we do. He's just along for the ride.

 

[Mrs.PhD]

Can I piggy back on this thread too? We are going to WDW again in March and staying at BCV. We have been many times but never used the kids clubs before since when one kid was old enough, the youngest wasn't. Our DD's will be 4 and 7 at the time thought we might look into it.

Where would I find the prices for it?

We would be using the one at BC since that is where we are staying.

 

[Jessie&Buzz]

I found this info on Deb's site.

http://allears.net/pl/childfaq.htm

 

[Mrs.PhD]

I found this info on Deb's site.

http://allears.net/pl/childfaq.htm

LOL, I was looking at that too and was going to post it.

It doesn't say if there is a discount for more then one kid. I don't want to pay $22 an hour so DH and can get on our own.

 

[Jessie&Buzz]

Yeah, we've been thinking the same thing. The only problem is it will be our anniversary. I was really looking forward to not having the kids at dinner. We know that in the long run just taking them to dinner with us will be cheaper. I think it's time for a long talk and a long look at our budget.

 

[Mrs.PhD]

I know, DH and I were just discussing that. Normally we don't really feel the need to "get away from them" on vacation. Of course right now they are driving us crazy and I could so use a night away from them. LOL They are always better behaved at WDW. Maybe that is why it is our happy place. :lol:

I think what we might do is plan a night for dinner for 4 at the brown derby, and if we really feel the need for a night out with out them we will take our chances and see if they can get in the day off.

 

[Jessie&Buzz]

The other thing that concerns me is our dd will be 11. I work at a childcare center and she has to go with me when there is no school. She's bored every time. It's not that my co workers aren't fun or have fun things planned, it's that she's one of the oldest. I'm afraid there won't be kids her own age there. She's good with younger kids but that gets old fast.

I was looking at in room babysitting but I think she'd be really bored with them. It seemed even more expensive.

 

[Mrs.PhD]

I was thinking that if your DD would be bored really depends on what she is like. If she enjoys playing with younger kids, helping out and amuses herself well she should be fine.

If she feels above it then my guess is she will be bored. It sounds like she might.

It looks like in room sitting can be cheaper for 2 kids. It is $16 an hour since there is a discount for more then one kid. It looks from deb's site that kids clubs are $22 an hour for 2 kids.

 

[Jessie&Buzz]

The in room requires a 4 hour min. Figuring it out it wouldn't be that much cheaper because we would have to feed them dinner first. It's included at the kids clubs. Goodness this is so frustrating! We do have time to make up our minds. We can't make adr's yet.

 

[Mrs.PhD]

Is there a minimum number of hours at Kids club?

I think your DD is going to be a tad bored compared to the rest of the trip no mater what. The kids clubs are not like the cruise ships ones where they really have a lot of activities planned and there are lots of kids of each age.

You aren't really doing it for their fun anyway, but for yours. Since they are coming on the trip with you, instead of taking a whole trip just DH and you one night for them to have less fun then the rest of the trip isn't too much to ask.

They do have computers so she can plan on them, art projects things like that. She might need some down time anyway.

If it turns out we do use them I will post about our experience since we will be back before you even have to make your ADR's. (our trip is Feb 28 to March 8th.)

 

[Jessie&Buzz]

Thank you. I agree that it won't be about them. We have threatened to leave them home. heeheehee Mean parents!

I think I keep second guessing myself because I want them to have fun too. Like I said in my op, my son will have fun no matter what. He's only 6. He loves video games so that won't be a problem. I'm sure that she would be fine too. She's old enough to understand that her dad and I need a night to ourselves.

 

[Mrs.PhD]

She will have fun, just most likely it won't be the highlight of her trip. One down night isn't a bad thing. She might even end up having a good time, especially if she keeps an open mind about it.

One night to yourselves on your anniversary is not too much to ask. :animwink: Besides when the kids are in the kids club you have the resort room to yourself too. :lookaroun

 

[Monkeymama]

I am using the Simba's Clubhouse in 2 weeks (today! Yeah!). We were not keen on in-room babysitting. Just remember, that the childcare does include meals and other kids being around. I can report back on this thread when we return if you'd like.

 

[mousefan1972]

I am using the Simba's Clubhouse in 2 weeks (today! Yeah!). We were not keen on in-room babysitting. Just remember, that the childcare does include meals and other kids being around. I can report back on this thread when we return if you'd like.

Yes, please do! We are possibly going to have our kids spend an evening at Simba's Clubhouse when we go in April, so I would love to know how you like it. Thanks.

 

[Jessie&Buzz]

I am using the Simba's Clubhouse in 2 weeks (today! Yeah!). We were not keen on in-room babysitting. Just remember, that the childcare does include meals and other kids being around. I can report back on this thread when we return if you'd like.

That would be awesome! I think we are leaning towards either The Neverland Club at the Poly or The Cubs Den at WL. My husband keeps saying "we should just take them with us to eat". I'm wanting a night away. He doesn't understand since he's not with them as much due to his schedule.

 

[Monkeymama]

I totally understand about the one night away. We are celebrating too and just wanted one dinner to ourselves. We are using Simba's Clubhouse simply bc we are staying at the Lodge and eating at Jiko that night. I will def post details once we return on the 12th!

 

[Monkeymama]

We're Back...

Well, we arrived home at 2 am this morning and are already missing the magic! It was a fantastic trip though--I am already online ordering our Photo Pass pictures!

We dropped our 4 year old off at Simba's Clubhouse last Thursday at 6:30. She was nervous, as she is not in preschool yet and has never been left at a babysitter's. The staff was very friendly and offered us a small menu to choose her dinner from--she was already heading under the rope to get inisde! Without so much as a good bye!
The room was set up like a small preschool. A corner filled with books and toys, a large tv, an art table filled with supplies... There were about 3 other children there playing quietly together. The room looked very clean as well. They had us sign a few papers and took a contact number before handing us a pager (in case of emergencies).
We headed to dinner at Jiko and went back to pick her up about an hour and a half later. She said that she was not finished yet and headed back in! She had found a friend and had been playing happily, the staff reported. When they saw that she was upset about having to go, they filled a small bag with crayons, markers and coloring pagers for her to take with her.
All in all, it was a great experience. I would highly recommend this service to anyone thinking about using it. We were able to have one night of grown-up conversation and she was able to enjoy a night of playing with other kids. What else could we ask for?:wave:

 

[KingStefan]

The in room requires a 4 hour min. Figuring it out it wouldn't be that much cheaper because we would have to feed them dinner first. It's included at the kids clubs. Goodness this is so frustrating! We do have time to make up our minds. We can't make adr's yet.

I know that you're mainly talking about cost here, but be aware that the in-room sitters will take your kids to get food and feed them at no extra charge (you pay for the kids' food). My dds were 6 and 2, and the in-house sitter took them to the CBR food court. They chose the "Burger Bucket" (which they may not offer anymore). It's a sand bucket and shovel, and they put fries and a burger in it. Then she took them to the beach to play in the sand, then to the playground on the Cay. They will take your kids just about anywhere you will permit, except they will not take them to the pool to swim. They'll even take them to the parks (but you have to buy the sitter a ticket).

So you don't have to feed them first - have the sitter do it.

 

[KingStefan]

Whether or not older kids will be bored at one of the kids clubs depends on your kid, which club, and the luck of the draw. My older DD has always been comfortable with youger kids - she's a big sister, and loves playing big sister to other kids. But as luck would have it, when they were 11 and 8 they went to Neverland, and there was another 11 yo girl there with the same birthday! They hit if off and had a great time there together!

Neverland is really cool, btw. Mouseketeers at GF stinks (not literally), and I'd say it's not worth the money, especially for older kids. You get a little box meal, and it's small and not themed very much. They have supervised crafts, and plenty of video games, and they show Disney films, but even my 8 yo was bored.

Neverland is bigger and has a small buffet for the guests. The reception area is themed like the nursery, and to get into the play area, you "fly" through the nursery window, and the other side is themed like the sky over London!

I've never tried or even visited the other three, but I've heard that Neverland is the best one.

Good luck and have a magical trip whatever you decide.

 

[disneychic71]

when my 2 kids were younger, we left them at the Neverland club once per trip. They begged to go! The last time they stayed my son was 12 and my daughter 9; they both had a great time. They have a video game room, plus computers with games, movies, crafts and fun kid food. It was one of the highlights of their trips! I only wish they could still go...
At first we were nervous about leaving them and going very far (despite the pagers they give you). The first two times, we ate at Ohana and Narcoosees so we would be close by. Later, we ventured into Epcot for dinner. I HIGHLY recommend it using this service. We all have fond memories of those evenings.