Any Signature restaurants not appropriate for kids?

[mfulk]

We are going on the DxDP and will have our 6, 4 and 2 year olds. Are there any of the signature TS restaurants that you feel aren't the best for young children? The only TS restaurant we've eaten at in the past was Rainforest Cafe so I have no experience with any other TS.

 

[PoohsFan1]

The only signature restaurant that I can see as not being appropriate for kids would be V&As only because the minimum age requirement to eat there is 16. Other than that, your kids will be welcomed at any of the other restaurants (I mean it's Disney, so they all will have kids there). My kids are 9 and 7 and we have been taking them to Signature restaurants for a couple of years now and they do very well with all of them. All restaurants have activity guides for the kids to color in until their food arrives, so if there is a particular signature restaurant that you would like to try out, then by all means try it out. Good luck.

 

[OhThePain]

It really depends on who you ask. To the PP who brings their own kids, it doesn't bother them. To people like my girlfriend and I, who when we eat at nicer restaurants and are paying good money for a nice meal in a relaxing atmosphere, expect a certain level of maturity and respect from others dining at the same time. To go to a nice quiet restaurant, only to be sitting next to a couple of screaming kids, really puts a damper on a special time for us. There really aren't any rules against kids in signatures, it is really more of a common courtesy, IMO.

Now, I am not saying that your kids will yell and scream or that you would sit there and let them yell and scream without removing them from the restaurant to calm them down. We have encountered many families that do this and it is very much appreciated. We have also dealt with families that ignor the screaming child for 2 hours. We don't mind being seated with the families whos kids are well bahaved or the families that tend to the children who get cranky. We just really can't stand the rude families that ignor their kids.

There are some restaurants that are deffinately more family friendly. We find it to be louder at places like HBD, California Grill and Flying Fish, where if your child gets cranky after a long day in the park (and realistically, I think we all do to some degree) you wouldn't feel embarassed or out of place. Earlier ADR's, we find, are also a bit more family friendly. There is deffinately a difference in feel and atmosphere at 5:30 opposed to 8:30.

There are some places with a more romantic/adult vibe. Artist Point and Citricos are 2 that I would try to stay away from with the younger ones.

 

[plutolovr]

There are some places with a more romantic/adult vibe. Artist Point and Citricos are 2 that I would try to stay away from with the younger ones.

I would add Jiko to this list also. Quiet and romantic.

Although not on the Dining Plan, Bistro de Paris in Epcot does not have a children's menu, so take that as a clue there.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Kids are welcome everywhere except V&A (and maybe Shula's). The best places (as OhthePain suggests) are probably the "louder" ones-California Grill, Flying Fish, Narcoossee's.

 

[mfulk]

I'm trying to do a mix of signature's with places I think will be more fun for the kids and I really appreciate the feedback! We are definitely not the kind of parents that let their kids act crazy and drive everyone around them insane. I can't stand it when parents do that. Our 2yo is the only one that isn't great at sitting for long periods. We're actually hoping that by dinner she might just be asleep in the stroller or at least tired enough to sit for awhile. And if she isn't one of us would walk around with her until the food comes.

Good point on earlier being more kid friendly. Right now I have ADRs at 3 signatures. Le Cellier at 4:40pm, Jiko at 7:30 and Flying Fish at 7:25. I'll see if I can get those last two earlier. Or maybe change Jiko to something else but it did look like an interesting TS to try.

 

[Pakey]

Do they even allow strollers in the signatures? I have dined at all of them many times and I don't remember ever seeing one. Perhaps I'm just not into people watching, I don't know.

 

[mfulk]

Do they even allow strollers in the signatures? I have dined at all of them many times and I don't remember ever seeing one. Perhaps I'm just not into people watching, I don't know.

Hmm, hadn't thought of that and I haven't been to one so I have no idea. Hopefully someone will know. No big deal though, sometimes she stays asleep if we hold her. But I'm probably just being optimistic as it's unlikely she'll be sleeping during dinner.

 

[MSLRAC]

Do they even allow strollers in the signatures? I have dined at all of them many times and I don't remember ever seeing one. Perhaps I'm just not into people watching, I don't know.

Strollers are allowed in very, very few restaurants on property because they just don't fit well and once inside, they usually obstruct the walkway. So I would not count on being able to take a stroller into any meal.

 

[Lynne M]

I think it's more of a question of whether you'll enjoy the dinner if you're constantly having to get up and down with the little one. Most of the signatures are fairly quiet, and even happy-kid squeals are going to be getting the attention of everyone in the room. I probably wouldn't be comfortable taking a toddler to most signatures, unless they were mellow kids who could sit quietly for two hours.

I'd go for the signatures with a higher noise level....California Grill and Narcoosees come to mind. You'd still be taking her out for walks if she gets really fussy, but the normal toddler noises and squirming won't be as noticeable.

 

[River Country]

Ya know its funny how time changes things. Me and now DW used to go when we were dating and did the signature dining thing. Now i have a DD (4) and i am leaning on staying away from it. V&A's is a definite no unless DGM, and DGF are babysitting that day. And there is no stroller parking at signatures that i recall, however, there may be at Le Cellier becasue it just became a signature rest.

 

[ccgirl]

As previous poster stated, the only restaurant with an age requirement is Victoria and Albert's. I will answer this as I always do. All restaurants are appropriate for children that behave (this include's McDonald's). We were at California Grill for a romantic dinner, just DH and myself, and the parents at the next table were letting their children run around their table and they kept bumping in to my chair. I finally said something to the mother and she said, "they are okay it is Disney." I have taken my children at various ages to just about all restaurants. One of us had had to leave before when the child started misbehaving. We tend to go to the character or interactive restaurants when our children are smaller as well as eat at the buffets. We find the children do better at these type of restaurants. Have fun.

 

[Wendy31]

I don't think any of the restaurants allow strollers. I could be wrong, though. I've just never noticed strollers in any of the restaurants.

The way the tables are positioned in many of the restaurants, it would be way too crowded w/ strollers. The servers would have an awful time trying to navigate!

I've been to Le Cellier, and there's no room for strollers!

Another thing to consider w/ the signature restaurants is that the meal typically takes longer - especially if you're having appetizers, entrees, & desserts.

They do have things to keep older children occupied - like the activity menus. However, I'm not sure that will keep very young children interested for long.

My 2 older children are absolutely fine in any restaurant & have been for years. We went to our 1st signature (California Grill) in 2008 when DS was 6 & DD was 8. Not a problem at all. Prior to that, we mainly stuck to character meals & the "family-type" restaurants like WCC & 'Ohana.

For our upcoming trip, we will also have a 2-year old. He's okay in restaurants, but I still worry about how he's going to do - especially, after being in the parks all day in a stroller & not being able to run around. He may be great in restaurants here at home where he's been playing & running around all day long, but I worry about how he's going to do in restaurants after sitting in a stroller, being held by DH or me, & sitting on rides all day. We were going to Hollywood Brown Derby for our Fantasmic Dinner Package, but, the more I read, the uneasier I got... the Brown Derby just seems like a more quiet meal w/ less of an appeal to children. So, now, I think we're switching to Narcoossee's - it seems more child-friendly & more casual. Plus, I love their Nemo cupcakes that have on the children's menus for desserts! And, if he gets ansty (I'm hoping he doesn't!), DH or I can take him out on the deck. However, I still haven't made up my mind. We may just do Kona Cafe instead.

I also always try to schedule our dinners for between 5:00 & 5:30 pm - more of a "family" meal time, imho. And save the later times for those dining w/o children & wanting a more quiet experience. Due to our schedule for the day, I think I'm going to have to make our Narcoossee's ADR for 6:00 pm, & that's really the latest I'll go.

Jiko does look a wonderful restaurant, & I can't wait to try it myself! But, from things I've read & seen, it just looks like 1 of the more quiet signatures, & so we'll wait until baby DS is a little older. That said though, I've also read reviews of Jiko where the kids were absolutely welcomed & had no problems at all!

So, I guess what I'm trying to say is you know your children best & to use your own good judgment when choosing restaurants. I would say that well behaved children are welcomed in all of Disney's restaurants except for Victoria & Albert's & Bistro de Paris. It's just important to take all the factors into consideration when choosing restaurants & to not forget about the other diners!

 

[River Country]

As previous poster stated, the only restaurant with an age requirement is Victoria and Albert's. I will answer this as I always do. All restaurants are appropriate for children that behave (this include's McDonald's). We were at California Grill for a romantic dinner, just DH and myself, and the parents at the next table were letting their children run around their table and they kept bumping in to my chair. I finally said something to the mother and she said, "they are okay it is Disney." I have taken my children at various ages to just about all restaurants. One of us had had to leave before when the child started misbehaving. We tend to go to the character or interactive restaurants when our children are smaller as well as eat at the buffets. We find the children do better at these type of restaurants. Have fun.

Well said

 

[Diegosmom]

Dining is the thing that worries me the most. We have a very active 3 year old (he will be 4 when we go) and while we do go out to dinner and he usually does well. This will be a full week of eating out (at least 2 meals maybe 3). We would love to do at least 1 TS a day (maybe 2) but we just don't think DS can handle that so we will probably go with mostly quick service and then book 2 or 3 TS with at least 1 a character.

Can you get takeout at any of the table service. Would love to be able to take food back to our room (guess we could use room service but that uses 2 credits) and we would love more of a TS meal then a sitdown meal. Just wanted to see if that was an option.

 

[Pakey]

Dining is the thing that worries me the most. We have a very active 3 year old (he will be 4 when we go) and while we do go out to dinner and he usually does well. This will be a full week of eating out (at least 2 meals maybe 3). We would love to do at least 1 TS a day (maybe 2) but we just don't think DS can handle that so we will probably go with mostly quick service and then book 2 or 3 TS with at least 1 a character.

Can you get takeout at any of the table service. Would love to be able to take food back to our room (guess we could use room service but that uses 2 credits) and we would love more of a TS meal then a sitdown meal. Just wanted to see if that was an option.

No take out; the restaurants are not equipped for that.

We took our very active 3 year old grandson for his first trip and we stayed away from all signatures because he just can't sit for 90-120 minutes. He did fine at the character meals though (some of them do parades through the restaurant which helps the kids get their groove on). There are also some non character restaurants that have activities/boisterous atmosphere such as WCC, 50's Prime Time, Ohanas, Sci Fi. Biergarten is another good one because they have a dance floor when the oompa-loompa band plays.

There are a lot of TS places that will work for active toddlers.

 

[Wendy31]

Dining is the thing that worries me the most. We have a very active 3 year old (he will be 4 when we go) and while we do go out to dinner and he usually does well. This will be a full week of eating out (at least 2 meals maybe 3). We would love to do at least 1 TS a day (maybe 2) but we just don't think DS can handle that so we will probably go with mostly quick service and then book 2 or 3 TS with at least 1 a character.

Can you get takeout at any of the table service. Would love to be able to take food back to our room (guess we could use room service but that uses 2 credits) and we would love more of a TS meal then a sitdown meal. Just wanted to see if that was an option.

I think you'll be fine!! When we first went, our older DS was 3 (almost 4) too & our DD was 5. We did a lot of character meals & "family" type meals - CRT (breakfast), Chef Mickey's (breakfast), Crystal Palace (lunch), Akershus (dinner), Liberty Tree Tavern (dinner), Hollywood & Vine (dinner) & 'Ohana (dinner). We had the basic dining plan - so we did 1 table-service/day & 1 counter-service/day & paid OOP for Chef Mickey's. Our kids really liked Toy Story Pizza Planet at DHS.

 

[ccgirl]

Dining is the thing that worries me the most. We have a very active 3 year old (he will be 4 when we go) and while we do go out to dinner and he usually does well. This will be a full week of eating out (at least 2 meals maybe 3). We would love to do at least 1 TS a day (maybe 2) but we just don't think DS can handle that so we will probably go with mostly quick service and then book 2 or 3 TS with at least 1 a character.

Can you get takeout at any of the table service. Would love to be able to take food back to our room (guess we could use room service but that uses 2 credits) and we would love more of a TS meal then a sitdown meal. Just wanted to see if that was an option.

While it's not technically "take out" ...we have sat down and started to eat when my DD had a meltdown. We simply asked for the food to be boxed and went back to eat. They boxed it up very quickly so I think they are used to that. Now, I have really gotten the hang of it. I only book for times where they would have done well at home too. I'm amazed at parents that book 9pm because that is the only time they can get. If your child would not do well at home at that time, they are not going to do well at WDW at that time. As a poster pointed out, Biergarten was great for my kids. My kids like to sleep in and I found that if I wake them to go to the parks or an early breakfast ressie I am setting us up for disaster. As a result, I only book breakfast after 9:30am. For dinner, I only book buffets as I have found the service to be very slow. That is fine for my DH and myself but my DS3 will not wait 45 minutes for his meal.

 

[MrsLS]

It really depends but as far as decor/atmosphere and food (although I haven't seen the kids menu), I would say Citricos wouldn't be too much for kids. Signatures last longer than a regular TS, so I would keep that in mind too. We don't have kids and the ones I do see in the restaurant are usually well behaved (ie: not screaming, running around, etc), but in the signatures they aren't as many.

 

[girls]

One of my favorite things about Disney is that I can eat in "nicer" restaurants with my small kids and not feel out of place. We like good food, a lot. My kids also really like good food. We pay OOP and have decided we get more bang for our buck at the signatures. We've eaten with them at Narcoosee's & Citricos, we felt just as comfortable there as we did at LeCellier, Liberty Tree Tavern, etc.

Our kids are pretty good. Due to many severe allergies, they don't get to eat out too often (except at wonderful Disney!) but they've still done fine. We make sure that they are getting food for every course we are getting food. My husband once ordered a soup course that no one else did, and we had to sit through it which led to some behavior.

We take them for walks if they need to. We book as early as we can (5:30pm) because I can't imagine too many couples are looking for a romantic meal that early. We've seen plenty of other kids.

We have some "quiet" ones on our plan for the next trip - Jiko, Artist Point, plus Narcoosee's & Flying Fish.

Our kids are 2 & 4, and I wouldn't feel like you need to stay away from signatures. Especially because their food offerings for kids was much better than other restaurants (our kids don't eat "kid food" and they were offered great quality, well prepared food at the signatures.)