Artist Point with young kids?

[Mouskemom]

I currently have a 5:30 pm ADR for Artist Point on the night we arrive. I figured it'd be good to get in, get settled and have a nice dinner. Whispering Canyon has nothing available until much later, so the CM suggested Arist Point.

My major concern is that we will be with our two DSs ages 2 & 4 and while they're generally good in restaurants, I don't want to ruin the 'experience' for other adults-only parties who may be there for a romantic dinner. So, is Artist Point an appropriate choice for a family with 2 small children?

BTW - we're travelling the second week of December.

Thanks!

 

[Sandi]

We celebrated our anniversary there a few years ago -- with DD who was then about 9. There were several tables with just couples and several with children. Our server was a delightful lady who took special care of our DD and also held the baby at another table. At 5:30, you shouldn't be interrupting any romantic dinners. I wouldn't bring children after 8:00 just because they get tired, etc.

AP is definitely different than WC. AP is an elegant, signature restaurant. At WP, the kids are encouraged to run around. If WP is what you and your boys really need after a day of travel, I'd keep trying for a reservation there.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

Just a couple weeks ago, we took a 3 yo, a 2 yo and a 4 month old to AP without incident and saw many tables, probably 70% of them with kids of all ages. Even though AP is a Signature Dining restaurant, it's still Disney. That being said, only you know your kids, and if they have a history of bad behavior, I don't care if they're at Victoria & Albert's or McDonald. If they are excessively loud and act up, you're going to annoy for your fellow diners.

 

[jcc0621]

We took our DS to Artist point when he was 11 months old. We also did the first seating time at 5:30 and it was great. By the time we were leaving was when the restaurant was filling up. The wait staff was wonderful with him. We just made sure to bring some small toys to keep him occupied while we ate our dinner. I think you will enjoy it

 

[lacool]

I think, because you are eating so early, you'll be safe. You rarely find a couple having a romantic meal that early and the restaurant isn't wildly busy yet.

A few years ago we went with 2 couples and 4 kids around 8pm and dinner took 3 hours (I kid you not!). We had some bored, unhappy, restless kids by the time dinner was over. FWIW, it wasn't wildly busy that night either.

 

[DisneyDotty]

Just curious--will the kids have been cooped up in carseats all day prior to your dinner? That might make it more challenging for you to enjoy your (pricey but delicious!) meal.
That said, I never worry about kids at any Disney dining establishment (except maybe V&A's or Calif. Grill). Kids are what Disney does best.
Have a great trip!

 

[tiggersmom2]

It is WDW, you will be fine. The only restaurant I wouldn't take my children to is, Victoria and Alberts or the French restaurant above Chefs de France. As long as you are willing to remove your children from the restaurant if they get fussy or loud, you will be just fine!

 

[shellybaxter]

It is my opinion that it is more important for the kids to be "restaurant friendly" than it is for the restaurant to be "kid friendly". If your children are not loud, don't run around the restuarant, don't squeel, and don't bother others then you should be able to go to pretty much any restaurant. If, however, they are behaving in this way they should be remove even from Whispering Canyons.

For what it's worth Artist Point is the only restaurant we've ever had our meal just ruined by squeeling, screaming children. These kids were between 2 and 5 and were mad about something. They just screamed and screamed. Their parents just ignored them. Luckily we had just ordered dessert when they were seated and only had to endure them for about 20 minutes.

That being said, I would still say that Artist Point is perfectly fine for children who behave in restuarants

 

[bleeps]

Another reassuring voice to say that AP is a fine place for your family to enjoy a meal! You've told us your kids are good in restaurants, so you should be all set. They will have menus to color on (and I always still carry crayons and paper in my purse and DH is 9 -- hey, anyone can get bored sometimes!), things to look at (maybe you can request a window view if it's still light enough outside to see the waterfall area), and good food to eat. Even if worse came to worse and one of the adults needed to take the kids out for a little walk, there is plenty in the lobby of WL to entertain them until they are ready to sit down again.

No worries! have a great trip

 

[Cee]

Are you expecting them to just behave or are you wondering if AP has anything
for them to eat? I would say "no" to the latter. The menu is elegant, wonderful, expensive and not necessarily "kid friendly". If you're going to feed
them prior to going and just expect them to behave while you and your spouse
eat, then I would agree with the poster who said to "know your kids". Have a
wonderful vacation!

 

[jcc0621]

Are you expecting them to just behave or are you wondering if AP has anything
for them to eat? I would say "no" to the latter. The menu is elegant, wonderful, expensive and not necessarily "kid friendly". If you're going to feed
them prior to going and just expect them to behave while you and your spouse
eat, then I would agree with the poster who said to "know your kids". Have a
wonderful vacation!

They do have a kids menu with the standard kids stuff on it. Mac & cheese, etc.....You have to ask for it seperately..it is not on the regular menu

 

[wdwfanatic76]

Go and have fun with your kids. They will love the magic of eating in Disney and you will love seeing them. My youngest son works at the Artist Point and tells us stories almost daily of the wonderful families he meets there. One of my favorites is a family who did not have a reservation and who came in to celebrate their sons 4th birthday. Of course they were welcomed and even treated to a little Disney magic. Come to find out, the father of this little boy was home from Irac for his son's birthday and was going back within days. My son was the one who felt the Disney magic being able to help this family. It is Disney, and children are welcomed everywhere, even the one you carry inside your heart. Enjoy your vacation.

 

[tiggersmom2]

Go and have fun with your kids. They will love the magic of eating in Disney and you will love seeing them. My youngest son works at the Artist Point and tells us stories almost daily of the wonderful families he meets there. One of my favorites is a family who did not have a reservation and who came in to celebrate their sons 4th birthday. Of course they were welcomed and even treated to a little Disney magic. Come to find out, the father of this little boy was home from Irac for his son's birthday and was going back within days. My son was the one who felt the Disney magic being able to help this family. It is Disney, and children are welcomed everywhere, even the one you carry inside your heart. Enjoy your vacation.

Oh goodness, what a sweet post, it brought tears to my eyes....

 

[Mouskemom]

Thanks for everyone's responses. It's good to hear that there are a good amount of children of all ages at Artist Point.

I think I'll keep trying for Whispering Canyon just in case. After a day of travelling, it would be nice to just sit down and relax in a place where the boys can just have fun and not necessarily whisper and be super polite.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Thanks for everyone's responses. It's good to hear that there are a good amount of children of all ages at Artist Point.

I think I'll keep trying for Whispering Canyon just in case. After a day of travelling, it would be nice to just sit down and relax in a place where the boys can just have fun and not necessarily whisper and be super polite.

I know you're hoping for WCC, but I thought I'd offer up another option. Have you considered going to Fort Wilderness that evening? You could eat the buffet at Trail's End or order take-out pizza & have a picnic on their porch or on the beach at the Fort. There's a great playground you can see from the porch where they can run off some energy. If you're up late, you can also watch Wishes & the EWP from the beach. FW is a quick boat ride from WL. Just a thought.

FWIW, we love AP! You just don't seem too enthused about that idea, & I'm sure your boys would enjoy the playground more than dining for 2 hrs. I once had a toddler boy myself.

 

[Belle5]

As a mom to six sons, (five of whom have dined with us at Artist Point) I would highly recommend not sitting through a formal sit-down experience for dinner at the end of a long travel day. Opening night with young children is a great time to be in a place where they don't have to have church manners and voices. I would go someplace where they could "let their hair down"! I love the idea of Trail's End. There is no schedule...you just show up and enjoy. We even love just getting a plate of appy's and some birch beer over at Crockett's Tavern with the boys. You might be able to time it to hit the campfire after dinner. Have fun!

 

[EastonCat]

Please, you're at Disney. Your children are welcome if you think you and they will enjoy the meal. If they're going to run around screaming, disrupting the other guests, then I expect you'll also have a rotten time.

Our daugher has been to several fine Dis dining destinations, and we were never made uncomfortable by staff or guests. Granted, if she was about to lose it, melt down, or go for a sprint around the venue, it would be time for an exit. Otherwise, respectful kid-like behavior is expected at virtually all of the dining venues, except perhaps V and A at the GF. Have at it!