Hello Letha!
We’ve been visiting the Walt Disney World Resort since my kiddos were tiny, and now the oldest is heading off to college. I've been feeling a bit like Andy's mom from Toy Story 3 recently! It’s a big change from the days we couldn’t get away, to now the teenagers wanting to go to the parks without us. But I do remember those days where getting a few hours away was a real treat!
In the past, there were Children’s Activity Centers at several locations that offered drop-off childcare for a fee. To the best of my knowledge though, there was not a location at
Disney's Pop Century Resort. Sadly, the Activity Centers have since closed. But not to worry, I have a few ideas for you!
Depending on the ages of your kids, you will still find
Camp Dolphin available at the
Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel. This is available for kids ages 4 to 12 and is open from 5 PM to midnight. This might be the perfect idea if you’d like to slip into Epcot for a nice dinner. Even better, if you dine at the Walt Disney World Dolphin at
Shula’s Steak House, Todd English’s Bluezoo, or
Il Mulino New York Trattoria, you’ll receive up to 2 hours at Camp Dolphin for free! You could take the
Disney Skyliner from Disney's Pop Century Resort to Epcot, and then walk to the Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel for a few hours of alone time.
There are also outside companies in the Orlando area that offer in-room babysitting, but they are not officially sponsored by Disney, and so you would need to make your own choices on companies and what you feel comfortable with if you go this route.
Making travel fun and easy with kids is something Disney does better than anyone! You may want to review
Disney’s guide for parents of preschoolers and little ones, where you can find all kinds of kid-friendly attractions and entertainment! If you’ll be traveling with tiny ones, be sure to check out the
Baby Care Centers where you can purchase baby essentials, utilize their full-size changing tables, find quiet places to nurse or pump, and even high chairs for mealtime! And if mom and dad both want to ride the big attractions, Disney has a plan for that too! Use the
Rider Switch Service so each parent can take on Expedition Everest or Space Mountain.
Wishing you a truly magical visit to the Walt Disney World Resort, Letha! Please let us know what other questions you have before your visit. We love talking Disney and are here to help!
Have a Magical Day!
- Kate