Child Care FAQ

Resort Kids' Clubs | In Room Child Care

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I've heard that some Walt Disney World resort hotels have special clubs that provide child care. Which ones? And what are the services they offer there?

Some deluxe resorts offer child care services on-site for Disney resort guests. In some cases these services are also available to off-site guests. (Call to determine availability.)

GENERAL CONDITIONS: The following conditions apply to most Walt Disney World resort hotels' kids' clubs, but are subject to change at any time. Call first if you have any questions or to verify specifics.

Age: Childcare is provided for children over age 4 who are potty-trained, through age 12. Resorts will not make exceptions.

Hours: 4:30 p.m. to midnight, with some exceptions.

Beepers are provided to parents so they can be contacted in case of emergency. (Parents may also call the childcare club to check on their children if desired.)

Price: $11 per hour. Dinner is usually included and is usually typical children's fare, such as peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, hot dogs, hamburgers, macaroni and cheese, chicken nuggets and French fries, fruit and ice cream.

Activities offered at the clubs include board games, puzzles, arts and crafts, video games, Disney movies.

Reservations are required in most cases, although walk-ins may be available on a first-come, first-served basis. To make reservations, call 407-WDW-DINE. You may also call some of the resorts directly -- the phone numbers are listed with the resort details below.

Cancellations must be made at least 24 hours in advance, otherwise a fee of $20 per child is assessed. Reservations are held for 30 minutes before they are released to other guests.

The Disney resorts offering evening childcare are:

Animal Kingdom Lodge
Simba's Cubhouse
(407) 938-4785

Contemporary
Mouseketeer Clubhouse
Special Info: Closed indefinitely as of October 1, 2004. See Grand Floridian Mouseketeer Club below.

Grand Floridian
Mouseketeer Clubhouse
(407) 824-1666

Polynesian
Never Land Club
(407) WDW-DINE
(407) 824-2000, ext. 2184
Special Info: Noon to 4 p.m. open to Polynesian resort guests at no charge for activities.

Wilderness Lodge
Cub's Den
(407) 824-1083

Yacht and Beach Club
Sandcastle Club
(407) 934-7000, ext. 6191

Guest Comments on Kids' Clubs:

Kris (3/04): We took our 5 and 8 year olds to the Neverland Club and they LOVED it! It was one of the highpoints of their WDW vacation. They are now 7 and 10 and they ask all of the time when they get to go back there. I would highly recommend them.

Karen Kelley (1/03) writes: My 5 year old son attended the Simba's Cubhouse at the Animal Kingdom Lodge first and enjoyed it so much that we signed him up for the Neverland Club at the Polynesian. Personally, I found the CMs at Simba's Cubhouse to be friendlier than those at the Neverland Club, but he had a great time at both.

Juli Ryner (12/02): We've never had a "bad" experience at any Child Care facility within WDW. Our boys have been to the Wilderness Lodge's Cub's Den several times and this seems to be their favorite. They've also been to Simba's Cubhouse at Animal Kingdom Lodge, Neverland Club at the Polynesian, Harbor Club at the Boardwalk. I'd have to say my personal favorites, as a parent, have been the AKL Simba's Clubhouse and WL Cub's Den. Both have smaller spaces that feel cozy to the kids. The CMs there are very committed and the CM at WL always remembers our kids from previous visits. Simba's was fairly new when we were there and they had crafts for the kids as well as books thumbed to the resort. There is a large window looking out onto a savannah and our kids did see a few animals while they were there. I feel very comfortable leaving my children in these two locations. I did not feel comfortable leaving my kids at the Polynesian Neverland Club nor at the BW Harbor Club. I do not think there is anything wrong with these clubs, nor did my kids have a bad time there. They just had a better time with the staff and in the smaller spaces of WL and AKL. Also, I was not comfortable with the large number of nooks and crannies, and doors, leading to other parts of the hotel at the Neverland Club. Also, call me paranoid, but they had male staff members at the Neverland Club that made me uncomfortable. Our kids have never asked to go back there. In fact, both of them said, "It's ok, but I don't want to go back there again!" The Harbor Club is a great space, but the CM there was, for lack of a better word, a big "drip". She was basically a door guard. I don't think she spoke to my kids but once all night. Also, there were CMs coming in and out; no consistency here at all. AKL and WL just seemed to have their act together. The same CMs were present all night, they interacted with my kids, but didn't push themselves onto them, and just were better in tune to what my kids needed.

Also on Disney property, although not a Disney-operated resort:

Swan and Dolphin Resorts
Camp Dolphin
(407) 934-4000, ext. 4241
Age: Childcare is provided for children over age 4 who are potty-trained, through age 12.
Hours: 5:30 p.m. - midnight
Price: $10 per hour, per child
Activities: Dinner party, as well as arts and crafts, video games, a visit to the Dolphin game arcade and Disney movies.
Reservations: Accepted by calling 1-407-WDW-DINE, plus a limited number of walk-ins will be available on a first-come first-served basis.

Guest Comments on Camp Dolphin:

Robyn W. says: In November 2000, we stayed at the Dolphin. We had read about the Dolphin club for kids, but to be honest, we really didn't even realize it was a daycare thing for the kids at first -- we just thought it was an activity for the kids to do. We made the reservations for our son and he thought it sounded great! He was 5 at the time (nearly 6). I was a bit hesitant at first because he stays with family usually, but the CM's made us feel VERY comfortable. The door was locked so kids can't go out by themselves (and no strangers can come in without the Cm's knowing). I liked this! They showed us around the area and welcomed our son and made him feel right at home. The CM asked us if we knew our plans for the evening so they could write it down and gave us a pager. Our son was already busy playing before we even left. When we went to pick him up later that night he didn't even want to leave! He said he had a awesome time! They went to the Dolphin Fountain for dinner and he had a hot dog (his favorite). They made crafts, played video games, went to the game room and more. Then the clincher for us is that he asked us if he could go back to Camp Dolphin before we left! We made reservations for Friday night again and he went back - this time there were several more children there, but he still had just as much time as the first visit. He is already planning on going back to Camp Dolphin on our trip this year as well.

What if my child is too young for one of the clubs? Or what if I'd prefer to have a babysitter come to our room?

There are several services if you'd rather have the babysitter come to your room. Reservations for these services are necessary. Rates and other special requirements vary by service.

Fairy Godmothers
(407) 275-7326

Guest Comments on Fairy Godmothers:

Karen Kelley (1/03) comments: We just returned from a trip to WDW last Friday. We were there for my husband to run the Marathon and planned our family vacation around that. We have a 5 year old and a 6 month old and we used the Fairy Godmothers one evening. I would HIGHLY recommend them to anyone, especially if you have children too young to attend the kids clubs. She took the kids to the playground, food court, and game room (we stayed at the Caribbean Beach). My husband and I were very comfortable with leaving the children with her and they seemed to enjoy the time with her as well.

Chris Frederick (2/02): I just wanted to tell you what a great experience we had with Fairy Godmothers babysitting service on our trip this month. We had a lovely woman watch our 4 year old and 20 month old daughters. She took them to the playground and then did a craft project with them. They were fast asleep by the time we got back.

Michele W writes: We have used the Fairy Godmothers and love them. Well, actually, we have only used one sitter and love her so much that we always ask for her. She is the only babysitter my kids have ever had that wasn't family.

Leanne H. says: I also agree Fairy Godmothers is excellent!! We've used the same sitter on many, many vacations. She's awesome and my son, who's going to be 4, remembers her every trip.

Rates: $16 per hour for 1 to 4 childre; 4 hour minimum. $12.00 Transportation Fee

Fairy Godmothers only accept cash or Travelers checks for payment (no credit cards). You may make your reservation in advance, but must call when you arrive at your resort to confirm and provide your room number.

Kid's Nite Out
1-800-696-8105 (press 0 for reservations)

Kid's Nite Out Caregivers are at least 18, are insured and bonded, have hands-on training and childcare experience, including child/infant CPR and basic first aid. They will provide one-on-one in-room childcare in a Walt Disney World Resort room, and will provide a variety of activities, including reading, coloring, or games. A sitter can also be hired to accompany children to area attractions or act as father's/mother's helper. Kid's Nite Out also plans and works children's parties, camps, and children's theme conventions.

Hours: Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at all Walt Disney World Resorts

Rates are based upon the number of children --

* 1 child $14 per hour
* 2 children $16.50 per hour
* 3 children $19 per hour
* 4 children $21.50 per hour
(For groups of more than four children, call Kid's Nite Out for rates.)

NOTE: After 9:30 p.m., there will be an additional $2 an hour charge. A one-time transportation fee of $10 will be applied to each bill.

*All rates are hourly based. Four (4) hour minimum charge. Caregiver transportation fee is $10. Reservations that begin after 8:59 p.m. require an additional $2 per hour premium. Cancellations require a 24-hour advance notice. Advance reservations are required. Holidays and special events require an additional premium. Rates are subject to change.

Guest Comments on Kid's Nite Out:

Mary Ellen (9/07): I would like to say that we used this service on 9/16 at OKW resort. Our sitter was Diane. She was great. I was very, very nervous and ready to back out, but when she arrived she completely set me and my husband at ease. She clicked right away with my 3 1/2-year-old daughter. My daughter could have cared less when we left. She brought plenty of activities to keep a busy child happy. She checked in with us before we had a chance to check in with her. She kept a diary of all that they did while we were gone so that we would know. My daughter didn't want her to leave, they had a blast. I would definitely use this service again and would request Diane again!

Kris (3/04): I just wanted to say that we used the "Kid's Nite Out" childcare service in our room at the Polynesian and our kids really enjoyed it. The caregiver was very nice and enthusiastic. She brought lots of activities for the kids to do and they had a lot of fun. I would highly recommend them.

All About Kids
(407) 812-9300