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Bringing Along Some Extra Help
Something else to consider while you’re still in the planning stages of your vacation is whether or not to bring along the nanny or someone to help out with caring for the children. If you have a nanny to help out at home, you may very well want to consider bringing her/him along. This decision depends on several factors.
First, are the services of a nanny necessary for you to enjoy or possibly even survive your vacation? If you are used to an extra set of helping hands at home, you may be suddenly overwhelmed without them on a vacation. But if your nanny provides child care only while you’re at work, that extra help is probably not necessary.
Second, are you ready for the financial commitment? You will be expected to take care of almost all of a nanny’s expenses on the trip, including miscellaneous travel expenses, room, and food, in addition to providing compensation for child care.
Third, do you want someone else joining you on your family vacation? If your nanny is almost another member of your family, this would likely not be an issue. But if your nanny is simply an employee or if she/he is relatively new to your family, then her/his presence on the family vacation may be more of a source of stress than relief.
And last, would having a nanny along really greatly enhance your vacation experience? If you’re sure that bringing the nanny along would make for a more enjoyable vacation, then by all means bring her/him. But if you don’t see clear advantages to bringing the nanny along, take the opportunity to give her/him the week off.
If you do decide to take your nanny along, you will need to come to an agreement beforehand as to what exactly will be expected of her/him. Make sure an agreement is reached concerning the amount of time off, which expenses will or won’t be paid for, the salary for the times that she/he is working, and her/his sleeping arrangements or accommodations. This should be put in writing and signed by all parties ahead of time so everything is understood and finalized before you go.
Additional Child-Care Options to Consider before You Go
If you choose not to bring along your nanny or don’t have one to bring but would like some time to yourself without the kids, there are several babysitting services available in the Orlando and central Florida area. The sitters will generally come right to your hotel room, and some will take the kids to the local attractions if you wish.
Additionally, several of the area resorts offer their own child-care options, whether in the form of supervised activities or an actual supervised child-care center right on the premises.
Child Care à la Disney
In-room babysitting services along with various supervised child-care programs are offered throughout Walt Disney World. While there are fees for both, you have the peace of mind of knowing the kids are being cared for by trustworthy professionals and that they’re having plenty of fun to boot. Child-care options are discussed in greater detail just ahead in this chapter.
*For all the details on Disney Child Care Options go the Benefits of Staying at Walt Disney World page.
Child Care, Babysitting, and Kids’ Programs
Nobody knows kids like WDW, so it shouldn’t surprise you that they provide such an array of wonderful choices when it comes to child care. There are basically 2 options available to parents who would like a bit of time to themselves.
In-Room Child Care at Disney
This service is provided by Kids Nite Out, an outside child-care company specializing in child care for travelers. A sitter will come right to your room to care for the kids. They will care for children between the ages of 6 weeks and 12 years old. They also care for sick or special-needs children.
Kids Nite Out sitters come prepared with toys, arts, crafts, and appropriate activities.
There is a 4-hour minimum for in-room sitting, and the rates are as follows:
{a}$14 per hour for 1 child
{b}$16.50 per hour for 2 children
{c}$19 per hour for 3 children
{d}$21.50 per hour for 4 children
If you have more than 4 kids (like I do), you will need to call for the appropriate rates. Holiday rates are available by calling directly. There is also an $8 transportation fee.
If child care begins after 9:00 p.m., there is an additional charge of $2 per hour.
If you intend to have a sitter for over 8 hours, a meal should be provided for them.
If you need to cancel your arrangements, it must be done at least 4 hours in advance to avoid any charges. If you need to cancel for sitting that is scheduled to start prior to 11:00 a.m., you must cancel by 9:00 p.m. the night before. For all cancellations or changes, you must speak directly to a representative.
Kids Nite Out accepts only credit cards for payment; sitters may accept cash for tips only.
Tips are strictly optional, but if you feel that your sitter has done an exceptionally good job caring for your kids, tipping is a great way to say thank you.
For additional information or to make arrangements, call 800-696-8105 ext, 0, or 407- 828-0920.
Walt Disney World’s Kids’ Clubs
If you’re headed out for the evening – without the kids along arrangements can be made for them to stay and play at one of the many kids’ clubs offered at select Disney resorts.
Just call 407-WDW-DINE or 407-939-3463 to reserve a space (or spaces). An added plus is that you’re welcome to take your kids to any of the kids’ clubs no matter which Disney resort you’re staying at.
Disney’s supervised child-care programs are offered at several locations throughout WDW. Each offers a fun-filled evening of activities including Disney movies, video games, and even arts and crafts. The entire program is geared to entertain your kids.
-Dinner is provided and is generally offered between the hours of 6:00 and 8:00 p.m.
-Kids must be between the ages of 4 and 10 years old, the younger ones must be pottytrained.
-The programs generally run from 4:30 p.m. to midnight and are available daily.
-The cost is currently $11 per hour per child.
Click here for addditional child-care activities at Disney
The supervised programs include the following:
-The Cub’s Den at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
-The Neverland Club at Disney’s Polynesian Resort
-The Sandcastle Club at Disney’s Beach Club Resort
-The Mouseketeer Clubhouse located at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa
-Simba’s Clubhouse at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
-The Dolphin Club at the Walt Disney World Dolphin
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