Best Epcot TS restaurants with toddlers?

[Fall1]

DH and I are taking our 16 month old twins for their first trip to the World in October!! Since we are staying at an Epcot resort we are wondering if there are any TS restaurants that would be ok for us and the kids?

Thanks!

 

[Kae]

Garden Grill has charaters so that might be good. My kids have always like Chef de France the youngest we took them was 4. My kids love all the different CS in World Showcase, even when they were younger.

Kae

 

[mla2177]

I would have to recommend Coral Reef with toddlers. My son is a very active three year old and this is the only Ts meal that he was completely occupied by the fish tank. We all really enjoyed our meals too!

 

[casper_jj11]

We went with DS3.5 and DD7mo and again with DS4 and DD1. In Epcot, we all enjoyed Coral Reef and Biergarten. We also liked the Tangerine Cafe for lunch... good food for us but things on the menu that weren't too different for the children. This time with DS5, DD2 and DS11mo, we'll be at an Epcot resort as well and we're going to LeCellier, San Angel Inn, Biergarten and Coral Reef.

Joanne

 

[danielle782001]

Garden Grill... great character interaction, they will bring french fries and chicken (even though it is not part of the menu), food served family-style, make-your-own cupcake for dessert. My kids loved this one and we liked it too.

 

[Disneydd2]

We took our DS when he was 4 to the Japanese restaurant where they cook in front of you. He loved it. He also liked the characters from the Garden Grill (Mickey, Pluto, Chip 'n Dale.)

 

[disnut8]

Restaurants at Epcot that are "OK" for kids? All of them. I'm serious. We are two adults with no kids anymore and I see so many times on this board of parents who are nervous about taking their kids to a table service restaurant at Disney World. Trust me, if your child "acts up" or "throws a fit", it's nothing we haven't seen before. It's not going to ruin our meal. We are not going to think you are terrible parents. What we are going to think is that your child is doing what they do best - being a child. I am thinking very hard about the last time our meal was so interrupted by a child that it affected us. I cannot think of a single time. And we've been to Disney World over 50 times. Relax.

 

[danielle782001]

Restaurants at Epcot that are "OK" for kids? All of them. I'm serious. We are two adults with no kids anymore and I see so many times on this board of parents who are nervous about taking their kids to a table service restaurant at Disney World. Trust me, if your child "acts up" or "throws a fit", it's nothing we haven't seen before. It's not going to ruin our meal. We are not going to think you are terrible parents. What we are going to think is that your child is doing what they do best - being a child. I am thinking very hard about the last time our meal was so interrupted by a child that it affected us. I cannot think of a single time. And we've been to Disney World over 50 times. Relax.

You are wonderful and possibly the exception to the rule....

When we were on the plane on the way down to Disney a few weeks ago, I was trying hard to keep my 3 year old quiet and happy.... I found a way to get him to laugh at a time when he was becoming anxious to get up... he started laughing loud (a good, old belly laugh) and the man in front of us turned to us and shot us a terrible look (like we were bothering him)... the kids was laughing and he got mad... it just goes to show many people have no patience for children and their outbursts (good or bad)... You just never know who is going to be around you and many us parents just don't want our children to be a "bother"....

But thank you for your kind and understanding words ....

I think this parent is just looking for a meal the child will enjoy? I could be wrong.

 

[praline3001]

Garden Grill hands down for toddlers!

Make sure to ask for a booth as they are high backed and give you a bit more privacy.

 

[daisy112878]

I agree with the other poster - all the epcot restaurants (excluding bistro de paris which has no children's menu) is perfectly fine for kids.

Marrakesh has good food and entertainment. They have music and a belly dancer that comes out. At one point the belly dancer will get kids from the surrounding tables on the dance floor to dance with her. It's really cute watching all the kids.

Another choice is Coral Reef which is fun with the fishes.

 

[disnut8]

he started laughing loud (a good, old belly laugh) and the man in front of us turned to us and shot us a terrible look (like we were bothering him)... the kids was laughing and he got mad...

The guy probably makes a habit of telling kids that Santa Claus isn't real. I think there are a LOT of people who prejudge a situation. I know when my son was little, we went to a restaurant for lunch and there was a group of businessmen sitting next to where our table was. They visibly groaned when we sat down. By the end of the meal, they were playing with my son. I guess some people don't realize that they were once a kid.

 

[LSchrow]

he started laughing loud (a good, old belly laugh) and the man in front of us turned to us and shot us a terrible look (like we were bothering him)... the kids was laughing and he got mad...

how could someone get mad at one of the sweetest sounds in the world?
most ppl can't help but start laughing once a kid starts the "belly laughs" ~ it's just so contagious (i'm smiling just thinking about it, & btw, my "kids" are all grown up).
sorry you encountered such a grouch, sounds like he could have used some laughter in his life

 

[Lintasare]

Biergarten is a great place for kids because they have music and an area for dancing. Garden Grill is another good place because it rotates slowly so the scenery changes and there are characters. Plus the food is pretty good too.

And like a PP said, I am not that bothered by kids acting up in restaurants at WDW. I used to be a CM at a restaurant so I have probably seen it all before. Just make sure your kids get their naps and try not to overstimulate them because there is lots for them to see and you will have a great time.

 

[irene_dsc]

Restaurants at Epcot that are "OK" for kids? All of them. I'm serious. We are two adults with no kids anymore and I see so many times on this board of parents who are nervous about taking their kids to a table service restaurant at Disney World. Trust me, if your child "acts up" or "throws a fit", it's nothing we haven't seen before. It's not going to ruin our meal. We are not going to think you are terrible parents. What we are going to think is that your child is doing what they do best - being a child. I am thinking very hard about the last time our meal was so interrupted by a child that it affected us. I cannot think of a single time. And we've been to Disney World over 50 times. Relax.

Well, there is a difference between judging on whether or not you are bothering other people, vs whether or not the kids will actually enjoy the restaurant experience, iykwim. My kids tend to get restless if they have to sit and wait too long for their food, for instance. So, we prefer restaurants with quick service - which is another vote for buffet/all-you-can-eat, since you tend not to have to wait as long. But, one nice thing about WDW is that everyone assumes there will be kids.

To the OP: We ate at Garden Grill and Marrakesh, and enjoyed both meals very much. Toddlers vary on their reactions to characters - so that may have an impact on their enjoyment of Garden Grill. (If you seat them at a seat farther from the aisle, they may feel less nervous, if that becomes an issue.) My 3 y/o dd enjoyed the belly dancer at Marrakesh immensely - standing on her seat so she could see better. Otoh, ds6 was not impressed - but entertained himself on his Nintendo.

 

[Deb & Bill]

You could probably eat anywhere as long as you keep the other diners in mind if your children get loud or disruptive. Le Cellier is a nice place for an adult dinner that can be ruined by families who don't control their children and allow them to disrupt the atmosphere of the dining room.

 

[TJA]

Hi, we liked Coral Reef when the kids were under 2. They got a kick out of looking at the huge turtle and all the colorful fish. We also liked to eat in Italy, especially getting a table outside and leaving the babies in the stroller right at our table with some fresh air and general noise from being outside.

 

[trex220]

This is DISNEY WORLD!!!!! If someone has a problem with children making noise in a restaurant, or anywhere else in the parks, for that matter, then they just shouldn't be there. Our trip this January was the first time that we've been there with a child since 1986. On all of our other trips , I've been with DH or with DH, DS and DDIL--- all adults. On this last trip, we had our 9 month old granddaughter with us. We've been to many of the table service restaurants including Narcoossee's, Yachtman Steakhouse, Concourse Steakhouse, Le Cellier, Flying Fish and can't recall ever being annoyed by any of the children around us and there are always lots of children. As a matter of fact, we had more of a problem with a woman at Yachtman Steakhouse who was soooooo loud, you could hear every word of her conversation. So, don't worry about going to any of the TS restaurants with your toddlers -- just go and enjoy!!!

 

[splashmtnman]

I say all are fine also. We have been to Le Cellier twice and had no problems with our or anyones kiddos.

 

[iheartdisney]

Restaurants at Epcot that are "OK" for kids? All of them. I'm serious. We are two adults with no kids anymore and I see so many times on this board of parents who are nervous about taking their kids to a table service restaurant at Disney World. Trust me, if your child "acts up" or "throws a fit", it's nothing we haven't seen before. It's not going to ruin our meal. We are not going to think you are terrible parents. What we are going to think is that your child is doing what they do best - being a child. I am thinking very hard about the last time our meal was so interrupted by a child that it affected us. I cannot think of a single time. And we've been to Disney World over 50 times. Relax.

As a mother of 3... can i give you a hug?!?