Using the childcare services at the Walt Disney World Resort may seem very appealing to many parents. Or perhaps leaves some parents feeling unsure about leaving their children to play for a few hours while they enjoy a meal out without their little ones. Regardless of which side of the fence you are on, Walt Disney World offers several options for parents who may want to enjoy an evening out to celebrate something special while at Walt Disney World, and give their children some time to enjoy themselves in a safe and magically fun-filled environment.
Where can I find the childcare services at Walt Disney World? Five Walt Disney World Resorts have childcare services. You can find Simba’s Cubhouse at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort, Lilo’s Playhouse at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, the Cub’s Den at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort, Sandcastle Club at Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resort, and Camp Dolphin at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin. If you notice, those are in great locations to much of the dining you may enjoy sans kids.
Do I need to make reservations for my children to attend one of these locations? Yes. You should make reservations as soon as 180 days before your arrival date if possible. You can certainly make them when you arrive on site, but that is always subject to availability. To make reservations before you arrive, call 1.407.WDW.DINE.
Do I need to be staying at that particular Disney resort to take advantage of this program? Absolutely not. If you are staying at Art of Animation but you have a dining reservation at California Grille for a late dinner, and want to take your children to Lilo’s Playhouse at the Polynesian, that is perfectly fine. When you call to make the reservation for your child, the Castmember will be very helpful in guiding you with the right location for your child in relation to where you are dining.
How much does it cost to send my child, and what does that cost include? For the childcare centers at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin, the price is $10 per hour per child. The hours of this are 5:30PM-12AM. The rest of the locations listed above are from 4:30PM-midnight and are $15 per hour per child. Most require a minimum of 2 hours stay, and are for children ages 3-12. Your cost includes games, movies, crafts, coloring, well-supervised childcare, and a meal {if your child is there for the dinner hour} Dinner is served between 6-8PM.
What is the check in and out procedure? When you arrive, they will ask you to fill out some basic information about your child. They will also ask you to note any allergies at this time. You will give them your contact information, and a general idea of where you will be for the evening. It is also a good idea to pack a change of clothes, just in case. The same parent who drops the child off also needs to pick him/her up.
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