Is there in-room child care available at all the resorts, even Pop Century? Our next trip is in July 2007, and my husband and I were discussing the possibility of leaving the kids (they'll be 3 and a half and 10) with a sitter, but how trustworthy/reliable are the people employed as sitters? Does anyone know what type of hiring process/background/criminal checks are done? I just wonder what type of person I'd be leaving my kids with (IF we decide to actually go through with it, we rarely go anywhere alone, so this would be a huge step for us)

Any input is hugely appreciated!:)

not directly through disney, however disney recommends either kid's nite out or fairy godmothers, both of which are babysitters for hire. i think one is primarily college aged kids while the other is more older sitters. both come highly recommended from previous clients.

I think as long as you are staying at a WDW resort you can also use one of the childcare centers at the deluxe resorts...there is one at the Beach Club we highly recommend and you can walk the Boardwalk(romantic)or have dinner or even walk to Epcot from there.Its worth it,we have used them many times and are very happy with them....Kathy

the minimum age for the on site care is 4 (and potty trained). under rare and exceptional cases, they may take a 3 year old (potty trained!) or children from guests not staying on site, it depends on how busy they are.

We have used Fairy Godmothers several times and have always been happy with them. They will take your kids around the resort (if you OK it) to the playground or food court or arcade. They usually show up with a bag of "tricks" that really keep the kids entertained.

We put the kids into Club Simba for the first time in August and they did love it. If $$$ isn't an issue, you may want to put your older one in a kids club and hire an in room sitter for the little one.

HTH.

but how trustworthy/reliable are the people employed as sitters? Does anyone know what type of hiring process/background/criminal checks are done? I just wonder what type of person I'd be leaving my kids with
I know that both KNO and FG have been around for years.

I know that before I was employed by Disney I had to be fingerprinted and authorize them to check with both Federal and State authorities to make sure I did not have a crinimal background of any sort. I would expect that companies like them would do the same.

Also, from what I have heard people have been able to get the same sitter year after year, so they have very little turnover.