Hi,

First time to WDW with kids. It would be nice to have a dinner alone with my husband, so I was wondering if any one has used the babysitters that they mention the Disney hotels have? We will probably stay at POR and AKL.

Are the babysitters trustworthy? How expenive is it. I have a 4 year old and by then, a 20 month old.

I have never left the kids with a stranger, so I am concerned.

thanks much

i dunno the pricing, but i've only heard positive about both services. honestly, they'd probably not be in business very long if they weren't capable.

for what it's worth, i used to work with a nanny agency here in new york and we'd push babysitting services at the hotels. other than some administrative problems here and there (waldorf=astoria concierge aren't exactly as pleasant to deal with as disney folk sometimes), it was never a problem. these are people who love kids and have been through background checks and any problem they might cause would be their first because it's a job you definitely don't allow repeat offenders on if you can avoid it.

the long and short of it is, you shouldn't be guaranteeing them into anything. i don't know their policies, but if you aren't comfortable with the person they send (and i recommend having them come early enough to be able to see how they interact with the kids), you don't have to leave them alone. i know easier said than done, but it's still always an option

I've used Fairy Godmothers, and I only have good things to say about them. They are expensive but you do get what you pay for.

My kids are used to sitters, I'm not sure I'd leave them for the first time in a strange environment, maybe break them in at home first.

Even assuming that the babysitting services are reputable and the caregivers are responsible and enjoy kids, I would hesitate to use the services for the children's first babysitting experience. Your toddler, particularly, may be at a particularly clingy stage, and may not respond well to a babysitter. Both my kids were in full-time daycare from a pretty early age, but they were used to the same caregivers, and the only other sitters they have had were either teachers from the daycare center or family members. I think your four year old is old enough for the kids' clubs at the deluxe hotels, which gives the option of leaving him there while you have dinner at a restaurant at the hotel, but your younger child isn't old enough for that.

Thank you so much for your input. The 4 year old does get clingy when we have babysitters. Some crying as we leave. So maybe next year we can try it, or wait until both are over 4 for the kids club.

I would do a google search for nanny agencies in the area many offer temp services and have wonderful nannies...