If you ever had the opportunity to visit Walt Disney World as a child, you know first-hand how exciting it can be. Chances are, you’re going to want to give your own children the same experience. Regardless of age, Disney World makes for a great family vacation. With its abundance of child-friendly activities, restaurants and hotels, Disney World is a logistical dream for parents.
In addition to all the family fun, Walt Disney World also offers a handful of activities geared towards a more adult audience such as fine dining restaurants, swanky bars and romantic horse-drawn carriage rides. So what happens if you and your partner want a night off from the kids so you can head along to one of these attractions?
“Every day parents put their personal interests on the back burner and when on vacation that too often happens also,” shares Liliane Opsomer, co-author of “The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World with Kids”. “That’s why we recommend you take time off and leave the kids for a few hours in the care of professionals and enjoy time alone.”
There are a number of convenient childcare options available at Walt Disney World. Here is a list of our top recommendations. Familiarize yourself with them in advance of your trip, to avoid missing out.
- Find a Children’s Activity Center
Walt Disney World is comprised of several on-site resorts and hotels, many of which have in-house Children’s Activity Centers. These centers provide supervised dining, games, movies and much more. Most are open daily from 4:30 p.m. until midnight and offer a standard rate of $11.50 per hour per child with a two-hour minimum — and you don’t have to be guest at any of the Walt Disney World hotels or resorts in order to access them.Simon Fielding, father of two, visited Disney World last year with his family. On two occasions he left his boys, aged 5 and 8, at the Children’s Activity Center located within the Disney Wilderness Lodge, fittingly called the Cub’s Den. “The boys loved it. Our youngest kept asking to go back, even on the nights we didn’t need childcare.”
When asked if he had any concerns about leaving his boys behind at a facility with which he had no relationship, Fielding responded, “No, not at all. The staff is very professional and you also get a pager to take with you so the center can contact you if there are any problems.”
Be sure to plan ahead. Reservations aren’t mandatory but places can fill up quickly — especially during peak seasons. They also only accept children who are potty trained and aged between 3 and 12 years, ruling out any families with young infants.
- Get an In-Room Babysitter
Two companies provide in-room sitting in Walt Disney World, for rates that vary from $18 to $26 per hour. Kid’s Night Out and Fairy Godmothers both provide sitters that are over 18, insured, bonded, screened, reference and policed checked and CPR certified. While both of these services can care for your kids in your room, they can also take your children to theme parks or other venues — one way to truly make the most of the vacation for everyone!
- Hire a Sitter
Many hotels offer babysitting services, but in case yours doesn’t, you can always hire a vacation sitter through an independent site (like Care.com!).All you need to do is post a job with the date, time and location that you’ll need a babysitter. Background checks can be run through the site and you can always schedule a Skype interview with any potential sitters a few days prior to the date.
- Bring Your Nanny Along
Maybe you already have a regular nanny — great. Ask if she will come with you to Disney World to watch the kids part-time. Offer her a bit more than her usual rate and explain what will be expected of her during that time: what her hours will be, where she will stay, what activities she should do with the kids, etc. Remember you will have to pay for her travel, lodging and food, but it can be worth it to have the nanny you (and your kids) already know and trust.If you’re on the fence about it, read Should You Bring Your Nanny on Vacation?
- Schedule a Kids’ Activity
If your kids are outgoing and adventurous, reserve one of the Magical Resort Kids’ Activities. These are structured activities, scheduled for one or two hours, open to children between the ages of 4 and 12. Your kids can enjoy a tea party with Alice and the Mad Hatter himself, or sail on a pirate ship in search of treasure. While they are having an exciting adventure, you can get an hour or two to yourself to enjoy some adult vacation fun. Remember to reserve ahead of time, before the activities fill up!
- Book a Balcony
When you book your hotel, request a room with a balcony or veranda. When the kids are asleep, you and your partner can sneak out to the balcony and enjoy a late-night drink together. It’s an inexpensive way to snag a few minutes of grown-up time.
- Get a Room — Of Your Own
If you’re looking for more than just a midnight balcony chat with your spouse, consider booking separate but adjoining rooms for your family: one for the kids, and one for you and your sweetie. Or look for a condo, suite or house swap. As long as your kids are old enough to be in their own room, this is a great way to get a little privacy. You can be in the same space as your kids and have your own bedroom.
- Outsource to Friends or Family
Invite your own parents along on your family trip. It’s not only a great opportunity for your children to spend quality time with Grandma and Grandpa, but it’s also handy if you and your partner want a night off.If your folks aren’t able to come along, why not consider planning your trip with some friends who have children around the same age as yours. It’s Walt Disney World — surely you won’t have any trouble finding another family that’s interested in coming along for the fun. This way you can share babysitting responsibilities. You and your partner can stay in and look after all the kids, while the other couple hit the town, and vice versa.
>Learn how to be a Fair Care Employer
>Take the Fair Care Pledge
Have other vacation plans? Check out these tips for Finding a Great Vacation Babysitter.
Claire Cooper is a freelance writer based in New York. She has a professional background in adult education, but nowadays spends most of her time researching and writing about lifestyle trends, relationships and real estate.
