Mommy Frog's Note: The Children's Activity Centers are no longer available at the Walt Disney World Resort hotels.
Tad and I love when our parents have an "adults-only" night out so we can go hang out at one of the Walt Disney World Children's Activity Centers. We tadpoles can play all the video games we want, make fun arts and crafts, watch movies and even eat supper, and Mommy and Daddy know we are safe! Our favorite is Lilo's Playhouse at Disney's Polynesian Resort.
The Children's Activity Centers are located on a few resort properties and open to potty-trained children ages 3-12. Although Mommy and Daddy have been able to just drop us off sometimes, reservations are recommended for Disney World child care — and they are required at the Dolphin. Reservations can be made up to 180 days in advance by calling (407) WDW-DINE or (407) 939-3463. Some of the Disney World child care centers charge an hourly rate, while others are a flat fee. Dinner is included. Parking at the resorts is free.
What Daddy — that's Leap to all of you — liked on our last visit was that the Disney World child care employees checked in with him about whether it was OK for us to watch the day's G-rated movie. Sometimes even a kid movie can be scary, especially when our parents aren't there to watch it with us!
While Disney World's Children's Activity Centers are really convenient if you are staying at one of the resorts that offer them, you don't have to be staying at the same hotel to take advantage of this service. They are perfect if your parents have fancy-shmancy dinner reservations (Shula's Steak House at the Dolphin Hotel or Victoria and Albert's at the Grand Floridian, for example) or just want a little grown-up time. They're also great if you just need a little downtime from the parks.
While we prefer to stay on the Disney property, and here are the reasons why, many of the offsite hotels and resorts also offer their own child care centers or children's only-activities. I have so much fun without my parents (shhh, don't tell), and I know they enjoy a romantic night out. Did you know, we frogs are now offering discounts on Disney World hotel rooms?
Disney World Child Care (Children's Activity Centers)
- Lilo's Playhouse at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort. Open daily from 4:30 p.m. to midnight. Dinnertime is approximately 6 p.m. with snacks at 10 p.m. Accommodations for special dietary needs can be made with advance notice. $55
- Simba’s Cubhouse in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. Open daily from 4:30 p.m. to midnight.Dinnertime is approximately 6 p.m. with snacks at 10 p.m. Accommodations for special dietary needs can be made with advance notice. $15 per hour per child (two hour minimum required)
- Cub’s Den at Disney Wilderness Lodge and The Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.This location is currently closed while it undergoes refurbishment.
- Sandcastle Club at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, Disney’s Beach Club Resort and The Villas at Disney’s Beach Club Resort. Open daily from 4:30 p.m. to midnight. Little chefs can help a specially trained chef bake chocolate chip cookies, while wannabe pirates can learn the ways of the buccaneers. Dinnertime is approximately 6 p.m. with snacks at 10 p.m. Accommodations for special dietary needs can be made with advance notice.
- Camp Dolphin at Walt Disney World Dolphin and Walt Disney World Swan Hotel. Open daily from 5:30 p.m. to midnight. Dinner is included. $15 per hour per child (two hour minimum required)
Disney World Sitter Service
Kids Nite Out
It doesn't happen very often, but sometimes after Tad and I have already spent the day the park, we just want to come back to our room and relax—even if Mommy and Daddy already have a special night planned just for themselves. This is when they use the Disney-preferred, in-room babysitting services of Kids Nite Out. What I like especially is that each sitter brings along books, games and other activities that Tad and I both enjoy doing.
A sitter service may be the way to go if ...
- You who have children under age 3 or children who are not potty trained.
- You are not staying at a resort with a child activity center and you don’t have a car. (Depending on which resorts you are traveling to and from, it could take awhile.)
- You need child care during the day or when the activity centers aren’t open.
- You need child care at the parks. Yep, the sitters will act as another set of hands for mommies and daddies. This is especially helpful for parents traveling solo or with lots of kids.
Kids Nite Out is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Pricing and policies are listed online. Sitters are trained in CPR and first aid. Reservations are recommended two weeks to 30 days in advance, so it helps if parents plan ahead. Kids Nite Out can be reached at (407) 828-0920, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., 7 days a week.
Have your tadpoles stayed at one of Disney World's Children's Activity Centers or used a sitter service at Disney World? Which one is your favorite and why? Share your thoughts—or any questions about the centers—below! And hop over to our Where to Stay in Orlando page inside our Orlando Planning Timeline for more tips!
Love,
