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Mom and Dad’s Night Out – 6 Child Care Options at Walt Disney World

Child Activity Centers
Child Activity Centers

Disney is a popular vacation destination of families with children, offering a nearly limitless number of family-friendly activities. But every so often, grown-ups may want to spend some “alone” time without their children, and Disney has that covered, too! There are several child-care options available throughout the Walt Disney World Resort.

Children’s Activity Centers

These centers can be found in five locations at Resort hotels (locations are listed below). They are run by Disney and staffed by Disney Cast Members. Each location has a theme in accordance with its host hotel. All centers accept children between the ages of 3 and 12 (4 to 12 for Camp Dolphin), and require that children be fully potty trained.

The cost is $15 per hour per child, with a two-hour minimum. Dinner is included in the cost. The menu varies slightly by location, though all include traditional “kid-friendly” fare, and special dietary needs can be accommodated with advanced notice. Reservations are highly recommended at all of the centers, with the exception of Camp Dolphin, which requires reservations.

The activity centers offer both structured and unstructured activities throughout the evening. There are options to participate in crafts, watch movies, play video games, and play with toys. If you would like to tour any of the centers, feel free to stop by. We have toured several of the centers with no prior arrangements. We observed lots of friendly staff members interacting with happy children engaged in fun, age-appropriate activities.

As a special offer at Camp Dolphin, adults dining at Shula’s Steak House, Todd English’s bluezoo or Il Mulino New York Trattoria can have up to two hours of childcare at camp Dolphin provided free of charge. One hour is credited for each adult meal purchased. There is also an hour free for each 75 minute spa treatment at Mandarin Spa. Guest need only bring a receipt when they pick up their children and the credit will be given. Just keep in mind that Camp Dolphin REQUIRES reservations.

1. Simba’s Cubhouse

Location: Animal Kingdom Lodge – Jambo House

Hours: 4:30pm to 11:55pm

2. Club Disney

Location: Polynesian Village Resort

Hours: 4:30pm to 11:55pm

3.Sandcastle Club

Location: Disney’s Beach Club

Hours: 4:30 to 11:55pm

4. Cub’s Den

Location: Wilderness Lodge

Hours: 4:30 to 11:55pm

5. Camp Dolphin

Location: Dolphin

Hours: 5:30pm to 12:00am

6. In-Room Childcare

Although Disney does not employ their own staff for in-room childcare, they do have a preferred provider called “Kid’s Night Out”. According to the company’s website, they will care for children as young as six weeks old and as old as 12 years. Reservations are required and can be booked as far as three months out from the date of service. Sitter services can begin as early as 6:30am (or as early as 3:00am during runDisney race events), and there is no limit to the number of hours. There is a four hour minimum on services, which start at $16 per hour along with a mandatory $10 “transportation fee”. While the base price is more expensive than the Disney childcare centers, the company offers fairly deep discounts for multiple children. For example, the price per hour for two children is $18.50, and three for $21.

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Caregivers for Kid’s Nite Out are background checked, CPR and First Aid Certified, and all 18 years of age or older. They will arrive to your hotel equipped with books, games, crafts, or other age-appropriate forms of entertainment. Caregivers are permitted to take children on walks around the resort (with parental permission), but are not permitted to take children swimming or boating.

Have you ever used Disney’s Activity Centers or in-room child care services while vacationing at Disney? Leave us your feedback below!

Photo from Disney.com

About Jessica Brosnan

Jessica is a mother of one and an elementary school teacher in New Jersey. She enjoys musical theater and loves to cook. Jessica is a Disney Vacation Club member and is perpetually planning her next Disney vacation.

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