Adult only restaurants...dare I suggest it?!

[robinb]

Why parents take their kids to unappropriate places is beyond me. Save it for another time. (And NO, taking a 3-week-old sleeping in a carrier to a casual meal does NOT fall under this catagory. That woman was 100% wrong.)

Since you brought it up ... I fail to see where she was wrong to bring her baby into a restaurant. She enjoyed the time out with grown-ups. Her baby slept. What was wrong? I vividly remember when my DD was 7 weeks old. I had been on bed rest for the previous 5 months, my DH chose to got to Saudi Arabia on business (pre 9/11) and I needed to get out with friends. We went to a restaurant that someone else said was good. It turned out to be very fancy. I was hesitant, but everyone coo'd over the baby. She slept through the most of the meal. I had a nice break, and one of the best creme brule ever (served in a mini pumpkin lined in dark chocolate). I fully support an adult only restaurant at WDW (and elsewhere). However, I also support the rights (yes, rights) of parents to take their children to restaurants that are not "adults only". At WDW or elsewhere.

 

[boosmom96]

I would absolutely love the separate restaurants as well as sections in existing ones. On our last trip, I could not believe how many people were sitting down to eat at 9:00 pm with very small (under 5) children!!! Our dinner at Alfredo's was a nightmare because of the table of 15!!! (6 adults and 9 kids under 5!!) seated next to us at our 8:45 ressie.

 

[wrldpossibility]

Since you brought it up ... I fail to see where she was wrong to bring her baby into a restaurant. She enjoyed the time out with grown-ups. Her baby slept. What was wrong? I vividly remember when my DD was 7 weeks old. I had been on bed rest for the previous 5 months, my DH chose to got to Saudi Arabia on business (pre 9/11) and I needed to get out with friends. We went to a restaurant that someone else said was good. It turned out to be very fancy. I was hesitant, but everyone coo'd over the baby. She slept through the most of the meal. I had a nice break, and one of the best creme brule ever (served in a mini pumpkin lined in dark chocolate). I fully support an adult only restaurant at WDW (and elsewhere). However, I also support the rights (yes, rights) of parents to take their children to restaurants that are not "adults only". At WDW or elsewhere.

I agree with you. I meant the older lady who approached her was wrong. I've definitely gone out with new babies!

 

[DMRick]

Why adults sans kids go to character meals is beyond me too. I just can't imagine why you'd want to.

Because I know I'm going to see and be able to take pictures of the characters with me and hubby in them, without wasting park time standing in the autograph lines (I mean I am at DisneyWorld, I assume most are there for the rides and Mickey, Minnie, etc, otherwise why not just go to six flags?).

I also love seeing the kids at Chef Mickey's interact with the characters (although even there, I think it's inappropriate for Susie to take a bite of a cookie on the dessert table with mom watching, and then put it back). We go with and without our grands, and love every minute. We go expecting to see some overtired and also some very happy kids...we know there might be a meltdown or two, since it is mostly kids...it's part of the package. Parents with kids don't own the fun the characters bring.

 

[robinb]

I agree with you. I meant the older lady who approached her was wrong. I've definitely gone out with new babies!

Opps! I'm sorry! Glad we're on the same page

 

[bigolive9]

My husband and I went in September. We have no kids. We did go to 3 or 4 character meals. Neither one of us had ever been to a character meal- my family could not afford them when we went as a family. Mostly, we went to the character meals for me- not to say Dh didn't have fun, but I really wanted to go to them. We fully expected children at these meals, and we enjoyed seeing little ones interacting with the characters.
I would not have a problem with 1 or 2 adult only restaurants. Especially one that is nice, but not as expensive as V & As. We do intend on having children, and would definitely want to spend most of the vacation doing what they want. But, it would be nice to have the option, if we wanted to use it, of having an adults only restuarant. There are restaurants that may not explicitly say "no children," but there are many that are not an environment condusive to children, because of expense or other reasons. Even as a high schooler, my parents would not take us to Ruth Chris, Mortons, or other expensive restaurants. Did we complain because we didn't get to go to these restuarants? No. We understood that these were restaurants that were not "family" restaurants.
I did really like the suggestion of having child care available at the Adults only restaurant. That would be nice to not have an additional expense.

 

[susieq76]

After thinking however, I realized, when I'm in WDW, you won't see me at the high end dining establishments late at night, because I have my kids with me this vacation. It just doesn't sound fun to them or DH and me to try to keep them happy through an adult experience. We'll stick with family themed activities. At the same time, if you want to stay clear of kids, please avoid Chef Mickeys. And we'll all be happy.

I think you just hit the nail on the head. The whole "reason" for an adults only restaurant would be that there are a lot of people who don't care that eating at a high end (boring for kiddies) restaurant at 9:30 (because the parents really want to eat there and its the only PS they could get*say in whiny voice*) just doesn't sound fun to the kids.

This year we will have my babysitter with us. This year DH & I wil finally get to try Le Cellier and California Grill. We've been to WDW three times since the kids have been born and have never been able to go. Why? I just didn't think it would be fun for the boys. Instead we have 6:00ish ADRs all the other nights- where? Chef Mickeys, Liberty Tree Tavern, Crystal Palace & the Hoop Dee Doo. Why? Because despite my desire to eat delicious food my kids prefer and enjoy character meals and since I'm a parent- its all about them when they're with me.

Sue

 

[Kirsten77]

I don't see what the big deal is with an adult only restaurant. If anyone has been on the Disney Cruise then you know they have an adult only restaurant, pool, and shows! Why not extend that to WDW?

 

[LoveWDW]

I wouldn't mind adult only sections of a restaurant, but I had no complaints about the behavior of the children in any of the WDW places we ate on our recent trip.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Why adults sans kids go to character meals is beyond me too. I just can't imagine why you'd want to.

Maybe because they enjoy the food?? I go to LTT for the food, not that characters. Come on now.

 

[wrldpossibility]

I was just wondering what motivated adults to go to the character meals...wasn't intending to be sarcastic. Sorry if it came off that way. That's the trouble with typing comments, I guess! Thanks for your answer. Planning my first trip, it just never occured to me that adults would enjoy that part...character interactions have never been on our radar until now, going with children. Thanks!

 

[hmp2z]

I was just wondering what motivated adults to go to the character meals...it just never occured to me that adults would enjoy that part...character interactions have never been on our radar until now, going with children.

You should go to the WDW Weddings & Honeymoon board to see how many adults LOVE the characters so much that they're paying beaucoup buck$$$ to have them at their receptions, bridal teas, etc.
My husband & I like going to a character meal about once every 2 or 3 years. We're not the type to stand in line with the kids to see characters, but it's fun every now and then to get our pictures with them at the meals. I never got to go to WDW as a child, so I'm making up for it now
My husband & 2 brothers, who were his groomsmen, spent the night before our wedding at the Contemporary and went to Chef Mickey's for a guy's breakfast on our wedding morning. They brought back some hilarious pictures of 3 very sleepy gentlemen with Chip & Dale.
I don't see a problem with adults attending character meals; they are paying full price, and they aren't disturbing anyone, the way a crying or yelling child can be heard throughout a room. If the adults were hanging onto the characters, refusing to allow them to see others, that's one thing, but I take issue with those who say the adults are hogging the characters from the children; if adults hadn't paid for that table, it would be another table full of kids, and the characters would probably have to stay there a lot longer. We greet the characters, snap a picture if it's one of our favorites, and then get back to the business of eating.
Cheers!
Heather W

 

[salmoneous]

Thought you guys might appreaciate this thread on V&A's (we would be taking our infant son who will be 4 days short of his 1st birthday. I was informed that I will still have to pay full price for him even if he doesn't eat!!!! They told me it would be $100. Is it worth it ya think?)

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=974075

 

[wrldpossibility]

You should go to the WDW Weddings & Honeymoon board to see how many adults LOVE the characters so much that they're paying beaucoup buck$$$ to have them at their receptions, bridal teas, etc.
My husband & I like going to a character meal about once every 2 or 3 years. We're not the type to stand in line with the kids to see characters, but it's fun every now and then to get our pictures with them at the meals. I never got to go to WDW as a child, so I'm making up for it now
My husband & 2 brothers, who were his groomsmen, spent the night before our wedding at the Contemporary and went to Chef Mickey's for a guy's breakfast on our wedding morning. They brought back some hilarious pictures of 3 very sleepy gentlemen with Chip & Dale.
I don't see a problem with adults attending character meals; they are paying full price, and they aren't disturbing anyone, the way a crying or yelling child can be heard throughout a room. If the adults were hanging onto the characters, refusing to allow them to see others, that's one thing, but I take issue with those who say the adults are hogging the characters from the children; if adults hadn't paid for that table, it would be another table full of kids, and the characters would probably have to stay there a lot longer. We greet the characters, snap a picture if it's one of our favorites, and then get back to the business of eating.
Cheers!
Heather W

I don't see any problem at all with adults attending character meals, either. Goodness, adults without kids in tow pay just like everybody else. I think it was introduced into this thread simply as an illustration of a kid-centered place to eat as opposed to an adult experience. I'm always glad to learn why others go to the various restaurants. I bet those pics with your DH and his groomsmen are priceless!

 

[NewYawker]

Thought you guys might appreaciate this thread on V&A's (we would be taking our infant son who will be 4 days short of his 1st birthday. I was informed that I will still have to pay full price for him even if he doesn't eat!!!! They told me it would be $100. Is it worth it ya think?)

Proof positive that no matter how inappropriate, there will always be the chance of children in a restaurant that is clearly an adult experience. This one takes the cake. Sure, bring your toddler, this is America, right? Afterall, that's the only premise that should guide us through life. It's my right so therefore I'll exercise it without any consideration to propriety. That's what you're saying, isn't it?

 

[hmp2z]

Hehehe, yeah, I saw that and thought it had to be a joke at first. Are you kidding me?!? I can't even imagine a 1 year old child having a lengthy V&A's meal inflicted upon him, and inflicting his own resultant misery upon his fellow diners there ON VALENTINE'S DAY! Absolutely incredible...
Cheers!
Heather W

 

[hmp2z]

I don't see any problem at all with adults attending character meals, either.

Sorry, I was actually responding with my comment to the "childless couples that take up all the time with the characters getting their pictures etc." Yikes... Some of the posts I've found here scare me, especially from those who feel that performing a biological function like reproducing makes them entitled, or somehow elevates them above the level of those who choose not to or can't perform the same biological function.
As we always say at school, teaching would be great fun if it weren't for some of the parents! Give me a snarky kid over a snarky parent anyday. Brrrr...
Cheers!
Heather W

 

[PaulaSB12]

If people were asking for children to be banned from all the resteraunts I would agree with the parents that this would be wrong, but in the many resteraunts that are on wdw property would it be so bad if there was just ONE that adults only could go to?

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

Thought you guys might appreaciate this thread on V&A's (we would be taking our infant son who will be 4 days short of his 1st birthday. I was informed that I will still have to pay full price for him even if he doesn't eat!!!! They told me it would be $100. Is it worth it ya think?)

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=974075

Wow!
For the one year old's sake (and all the couples who were lucky enough to get V and A's on V Day) I hope he will be spared the "experience".

 

[BriNJ]

I have 2 young children and you know what? I dont like the sound of unruly, fussy children (including my own). I love children, I do, but going out to a nice dinner can be ruined by a child who is miserable. I remove my children when they may ruin the meal for others, and I wish that everyone would do the same.

I personally have no problem what so ever with restaurants that are adults only. None at all. I dont see any reason why adults who would like a quiet romantic dinner shouldn't have a place to do so. I know that I would like to do this myself.

I do understand wanting to share everything with your children. We take our children nearly everywhere. And they understand that they must act appropriately or leave. But if there is a place that is adults only, Id have no problem leaving them with a sitter. For DH and I, we are happier healthier parents because we do things together sans kids.

No problem from us.

Bri