Artist Point and a 4 year old??

[Sam'sMom0126]

Would you do it??? We have never been and are thinking of taking our 4 year old on Mothers Day. Is this a bad idea? I know it's Disney World and kids are "welcome" but do alot of parents bring small children here? Looking for an honest opinion. Our DS is relatively well behaved in restaurants but he is a 4 year old and he is ALL boy! Thanks!!

 

[Pakey]

If he can't sit still and be quiet for 90-120 minutes, then no, I would not do it. Our grandson will be 6 this year and we are going to try our first signature with him. When we took him when he was 4, there was no way he could sit still for that long (he's quiet but he didn't like sitting that long).

Artist Point is one of the quieter signatures and it's harder to mask the noise. There are other signatures where it's easier.

We dine almost exclusively at signatures and there are many young diners and they are well behaved. So if he can sit that long, he will not be out of place in the restaurant.

 

[Ramsfan28]

Took my 2 1/2 year old to AP last September and it was fine. Going back in May..

 

[Dizny Dad]

Take DS but be accountable and responsible. Teach him how enjoyable the experience can be!

But if you think he might be bothering the couple next to you who is spending $200 for their meal that they can only afford once per year, he probably is.

Please don't flame me in the next few posts with "if they can't afford it, they should not be there" types of comments. Everyone there can afford it or they would be there; it is just that some can afford it more often than others.

I finally put my foot down (literally) once when I had had enough with the child from the other table sliding under my chair and chasing his sister around my table (not at AP).

Yes it is Disney, and they may allow and tolerate just about anything, but the rest of us don't.

 

[Sam'sMom0126]

No flames I was just wondering what other people would do or have done. We'll probably skip it since I don't feel like spending up to 2 hours trying to keep him quiet. I am not a fan of parents who let their kids run wild in any sort of restaurant...we fly in that day so it's better not to tempt fate.

Thanks everyone!

 

[DSLRuser]

Brought daughter #1 to Artist point at age 3,4,5, and 8. No problems. It is her favorite place to eat.

Brought daughter #2 to artist point at age 1, and 3. While she is not the angel her big sister is, she did fine.

We have made it a point with both our daughters from the time they are in a punkin seat seat to their ages now of 9 and 4 to take them to the places we like to go. They know what is expected from them because it is not new.

They know chuckie cheese has different rules from say an artist point. My point being, if your kids are not used to a place like this, then no, they will not do well.

And a other have said, if you child does not do well in this environment, please do not sit there and let them fuss and cry, or continue to threaten time outs. If they are disruptive, please remove them from the restaurant out of respect to those around you.

2 things I hate when I go out to eat. Loud talkers, and parents who wont control their kids.

 

[lady_bug_888]

We are going to AP in August and we will be bringing DS 7 and DD 17 months. We go to a variety of restaurants as a family where we live including some that are more of an adult atmosphere. Our children DO NOT run around or goof off non-stop, they are also not loud and obnoxious (although sometimes they may laugh or something...they ARE kids after all!).

I usually bring things to keep them occupied. DS LOVES to draw and write so as long as he has paper and a pen he is more than content for hours. DD is slightly more difficult but I usually have 5-6 little toys in my purse and I give her a few and let her play and switch them up every once and a while. She does really good at meals even in nice restaurants.

I really think it boils down to how you handle it. Don't be overly stressed, make sure the child is rested, and try not to give him an EXACT list on how to behave. Go and have fun!

 

[Sam'sMom0126]

Thanks Ladybug! We go out to eat quite a bit at home and he is very good but we usually take along some cars to keep him occupied and I think they might be too loud for there (with the crashing and such that goes on!). I'm thinking that since we are up early that day for our flight it probably isn't the best night to give a signature a try with him. Think we'll stick with Whispering Canyon Cafe for that night.

We NEVER let him run around in restaurants or act out of control. If he ever gets to that point we just pack up our food to go...but he knows better!

Thanks everyone for the advice!

 

[OhThePain]

As someone who doesn't have kids, but frequents signatures, it really depends. If we go for a signature meal earlier in the evening, say at about 5, we expect there to be younger kids and don't expect them to be on their best behavior (althought it's always nice to see when they are). If my girlfriend and I go for a later dinner, say at 8:30, we expect a bit more from fellow guests. We usually look at later ADR's as times for a nice, relaxing, quiet meal, much different then we expect earlier in the evening. I think early signature ADR's are fair game for anyone, while later ADR's should be reserved by parties with either children who can sit through a 2 hour meal after a day in the parks or at least have parents who know when to remove a kid from a restaurant when they have to or parties that don't have kids.

If you have to question it, out of respect for other guests, try it with an early evening ADR. Just my opinion.

 

[TDC Nala]

Well behaved children are welcomed anywhere at WDW, at any time, except Victoria & Albert's. If your child is the type to yell constantly, bang silverware, roam around the restaurant, approach other diners' tables, play on the floor, or throw food/toys, that behavior would likely not be appreciated, at least not by the other diners. I don't know whether or not "my child is all boy" means that the parents intend to permit him to indulge in any of the listed behaviors while in the restaurant.

 

[Sam'sMom0126]

No, by me saying he is all boy I most certaintly do NOT mean that we let him run around the restaurant, approach other tables, sit on the floor or smash silverware. I simply meant that there in not alot of quiet in him, especially after a day in the most magical place on earth. That would imply that not only is he all boy but we are completly disrepectul people who don't give a hoot about other people in a restuarant. Before we had children we felt the same way about kids in a restuarant than after we had children. We don't want to hear anyone's kid, including ours, yelling, screaming, going up to other peoples table ?!?!? during a meal.

I have decided to not give it a go. Thanks again.

 

[TDC Nala]

If you wouldn't allow your child to bother other diners, there is no reason NOT to go. All of the listed behavior has been reported on the board (some of it I've witnessed) in Disney signature restaurants, by kids whose parents refused to even try to control them because "it's Disney World and other diners should expect children to behave like children, so don't give us any stinkeye." Responsible parents and well behaved children are always a welcome sight in signature restaurants.

The ones who say you ought not show any reaction when little Johnny throws broccoli onto your table "because it's Disney World" are not so welcome by other diners. But almost nobody is going to object to children laughing or talking normally.

Wilderness Lodge has a fabulous, cavernous lobby where a little kid can be taken if they need to blow off some steam, also.

 

[nemofans]

We ate at AP when DS was 19 mos old & he ate so well there. He ate watermelon for appetizer, noodles for dinner, & a white chocolate puzzle for dessert. I was quite impressed w/how much he ate. We definitely enjoyed our dinner.

 

[aubriee]

Take DS but be accountable and responsible. Teach him how enjoyable the experience can be!

But if you think he might be bothering the couple next to you who is spending $200 for their meal that they can only afford once per year, he probably is.

I finally put my foot down (literally) once when I had had enough with the child from the other table sliding under my chair and chasing his sister around my table (not at AP).

Yes it is Disney, and they may allow and tolerate just about anything, but the rest of us don't.

I agree! I go to WDW several times a year and nearly always eat at several of the Signature restaurants. I nearly always see quite a few well behaved children and think they are cute. I have seen very few that were acting up, that the parents didn't take out. The only time I can think of is once at Narcoosee. I was sitting next to a fairly large table that was just ignoring their kids. There were two little boys who started chasing each other around the table and kept bumping into my chair. I waited for the parents to do something and after it had happened several times with nothing being said to the boys, I gave the stink eye to the parents,who still did nothing to corral the boys. Finally I waved my waiter over and asked him to do something, but was told he knew they were disturbing other guests but there was nothing he could do. The little boys timing was perfect however, because just as the waiter said there was nothing he could do, one of the little boys ran into him really hard, causing him to stumble into my table, knocking my water glass over. At that point I had had enough and pointed at the little boy and firmly said, "Enough, go sit down and stay there". The oblivious parents gave me a look, like 'What's wrong', but didn't say a word about me getting onto their boys. The boys sat down though and stayed sitting down for the rest of the meal.

OP: as long as you don't let your little one disturb other guests, and it sounds like you wouldn't, he should be more than welcome at any WDW restaurant (other than Victoria and Albert's of course). I'd try him. If he can't handle it, you can always get your meal to go. I have two adult sons that went everywhere we did. They learned at an early age to use their 'good table manners and inside quiet voices'. I have a GD that I took to any restaurant I wanted to go to at an early age. She quickly learned that if she acted up she got a trip to the restroom to talk and didn't get to go with me for awhile. She still treasures our GM-GD trips and quickly learned to appreciate fine dining (or what she called 'grown up girly time').

 

[dvcdisney]

As others have said, it really depends on your child and how you handle it. We usually have early ADRs for signature restaurants, but this past Feb, we had an 8pm at Jiko and we were prepared to take my 6 yr old to the room if she became too tired. They behave very well in restaurants and are used to the restaurant settings. We don't allow our children to speak loudly in ANY restaurant. I think it's just disrespectful to others (as well as ourselves) whether it's Mama Melrose or Jiko. We've been told by waitstaff and other diners many times how well behaved our children have been. When my children hear this, they are quite proud and always smiles and thanks them. I think this helps with their behaviour as well. The fact that others notice makes them more incline to behave well.

Our meal only took about an hour and a bit. We had appetizers, entree and dessert and our waitress even brought a sample of a creamy soup which was absolute wonderful . Near the end of dessert, my 6 yr old said she would like to go back to the room and rest. We paid and left.

Don't get me wrong, althought she was great at an 8pm dining, I will always try to make our ADRs for sig restaurants between 5-6pm...I think my husband and I had rushed to finish our meals so that we can get them to bed. Although I enjoyed every bite, I think it would be a better experience if we took more time (something that appears to be lost to my 11 yr old son since he can eat an 8oz filet in record time...).

So I just think that you know if you can take your child or not. If they are normally well behaved, I would go ahead and make early ADRs so he's not too tired to enjoy it and as long as you have a plan in case he gets too antsy, I'm sure you'll be fine.

 

[DisneyFamily123]

I've wanted to try Artist Point but will not take DS (now D5) for a few reasons...

#1 - DS knows that Whispering Canyon Cafe is there... and he will be super disappointed going there and having to sit at Artist Point instead. Last trip, I canceled AP and took a reservation at WCC instead (2nd time to WCC).

#2 - I tend to agree with DS... we can eat at fancy restaurants at home... at Disney World, I like to be entertained a bit... we like the character meals and themed restaurants much better. Plus we already will do several other signature restaurants (Flying Fish, Brown Derby at least).

#3 - The 3 main food attractions at Artist Point seem to be the mushroom soup, the salmon, and the buffalo steak. I could care less about buffalo steadk.

NOW.... I would pay premium prices if I could dine at Whispering Canyon Cafe with all the goofy jokes... but get to order the AP salmon and mushroom soup. Why can't I have it my way???

The signature restaurants (on the dining plan) that I think are the most fun are Flying Fish Cafe (boardwalk entertainers outside) and Narcoosees (if timed right to watch the fireworks and lighted boat parade from the restaurant). California Grill is nice too (great views) if you can sneak past Chef Mickey's without your children noticing......

 

[chrisw127]

I would do it. It's funny, but the last time I was there (without my children) I remember thinking that it was sort of ideal for kids: Not crowded, not extra quiet though either, a menu with enough variety. I don't think all Disney signature restaurants are great for kids, but this one works.

 

[Sam'sMom0126]

I've wanted to try Artist Point but will not take DS (now D5) for a few reasons...

#1 - DS knows that Whispering Canyon Cafe is there... and he will be super disappointed going there and having to sit at Artist Point instead. Last trip, I canceled AP and took a reservation at WCC instead (2nd time to WCC).

#2 - I tend to agree with DS... we can eat at fancy restaurants at home... at Disney World, I like to be entertained a bit... we like the character meals and themed restaurants much better. Plus we already will do several other signature restaurants (Flying Fish, Brown Derby at least).

#3 - The 3 main food attractions at Artist Point seem to be the mushroom soup, the salmon, and the buffalo steak. I could care less about buffalo steadk.

NOW.... I would pay premium prices if I could dine at Whispering Canyon Cafe with all the goofy jokes... but get to order the AP salmon and mushroom soup. Why can't I have it my way???

The signature restaurants (on the dining plan) that I think are the most fun are Flying Fish Cafe (boardwalk entertainers outside) and Narcoosees (if timed right to watch the fireworks and lighted boat parade from the restaurant). California Grill is nice too (great views) if you can sneak past Chef Mickey's without your children noticing......

I am tending to agree with you...I think if he walks past Whispering Canyon and sees the fun going we'd be in trouble. Especially if he saw the table of lincoln logs in the waiting area. My DH and I are having a night out at Narcossees so I'll get a nice dinner in, I think I'd rather spend my mother's day laughing out loud and watching my DS do the horse races and asking for ketchup!

I don't think I could ever sneak him successfully past Chef Mickey's!