I watch strangers' kids at Disney World - here's what it's REALLY like to be a theme park nanny

Two women who charge $40-an-hour to watch strangers' kids at Disney World have revealed what it's really like to be a theme park nanny.

Best friends Brittany, 37, and Tiffany, 36, who didn't share their last names for privacy reasons, from Winter Garden, Florida, spent years struggling to find 'trustworthy childcare' while visiting the theme park with their own kids.

That's why Tiffany, who was working as a full-time nanny at the time, and Brittany, who has a masters in special education, decided to combine their knowledge and expertise to launch Storybook Nannies in January 2023.

The company has now grown into a 'premier theme park nanny agency,' which has 42 nannies in total and services amusement parks in both Orlando and California.

So what does being a theme park nanny entail? Well, Tiffany told DailyMail.com that they usually met the families in the parks so they 'don't have to stop the fun,' and 'swoop in' to help parents in any way they need. 

'We're [not here] to take over their vacation,' she vowed. 'We help with pushing the strollers, finding the nearest baby care centers or restrooms, and changing diapers.'

'[We also] ride on rides that maybe parents don’t want to go on or hang back with little ones that don’t quite measure up so that mom and dad don’t have to miss out on their older kiddos ride experience.

'We can take the kiddos to [get food] while mom and dad enjoy a nice sit-down meal [alone]. We can hold spots for the parade. The options are endless.'

While she noted that leaving your child in a busy theme park with a stranger can certainly be nerve-wracking for parents, Tiffany insisted that all of their nannies have 'extensive backgrounds working with children' and are 'CPR certified and background checked.'

'Of course there are always fears - as parents ourselves no one gets this more than us,' she continued.

'We take our interview and hiring process very seriously. We make sure to hold all interviews face-to-face.

'And if we cannot imagine them watching our own children, we will not bring them on board to watch someone else's.'

To get kids used to their nanny, she said the company sends the family videos of whoever will be watching them a few days before. 

'This helps feel like a they are no longer a stranger - they get to put a face with the name and hear their voice,' she shared.

'[And if we do separate from the parents], we make sure to share our location as well as send videos and photos throughout the session.' 

Obviously, watching a child in a busy, hot, and crowded park can be difficult, but Tiffany said the nannies were well-prepared for tantrums or cranky kids.

She explained that she has parents fill out 'special forms' before-hand detailing what their children like so that the nannies can 'pack a special bag' filled with toys 'dedicated to that child.'

'If a tantrum ensues or a child is very shy, we can pop out a fun coloring book, a new toy they haven’t seen or play a game, even a fidget, something that we know will take their mind off mom and dad leaving,' she explained.

Tiffany said she loved getting a chance to 'experience the magic' with the families, and give parents a 'much-needed break' during what can be a fun, but sometimes exhausting and stressful, trip.

In response to judgment of parents who hire a nanny while on vacation, Tiffany stated, 'There should be no judgment, moms and dads deserve a few hours alone to have some time as an adult at Disney... without feeling like their children are missing out on any fun.

'And any and every parent deserves an extra hand if they need it. Some parents don’t have the luxury of bringing grandma and grandpa on their vacation. 

'We also deal a lot with single parents or disabled parents who wouldn’t be able to make these vacations possible without the help from a nanny.

'Don’t hate it till you try it. This is not only for the rich and famous. This is for every single family. 

'We promise after you have the additional help or the much needed break, your Disney vacation will be 100 times more magical.'

In addition to taking care of kids inside the theme parks, Storybook Nannies also offers 'resort watches,' which is when a nanny babysits children at a Disney World hotel so parents can head out on a date night or to the parks for a little alone time. 

'We make sure that they aren’t just sitting in a hotel room, we take them to do all of the fun things the resorts have to offer whether that’s swimming, s’mores, arcade, time, meals, playground time, crafts, movie on the lawn, etc.,' Tiffany insisted.

As for prices, they charge $40 per hour to watch one or two kids with a three-hour minimum for Disney World, and $50 an hour to watch one or two kids with a four-hour minimum for Disneyland. 

They also provide 'custom packages' for people who may need a babysitter at a wedding or for those who need someone to watch their 'furry friend.' 

'A lot of times when parents ask their kiddos what their favorite part about Disney was they say their Storybook Nannies,' Tiffany concluded.