Best restaurants to take a "busy" 2yr old

[IFlossU]

Normally at home we don't go out to eat very often simply because our 2yr old just won't sit still for very long. However, I would like to be brave and try to take him out for dinner a couple of times while we're at Disney. I don't want to take him anywhere "fancy", but seeing how it's Disney there must be some places where smaller children do well.

Thanks

 

[oc_tony]

You might consider a character meal, like Goofy's Kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel. It's a buffet, so I don't know if that is a "pro" or a "con" for you, but the character interactions might be a good way to keep your 2 year-old occupied.

 

[specialks]

We ate at Rainforest Cafe in DTD and were seated upstairs next to the fishtank. It was neat and might entertain him/her. However, it is quite loud and there is a LOT of action (gorilla family across the way and elephants in front/behind you) so sometimes that riles active ones up instead of entertaining them.

 

[Pollito916]

I think the character meals and RFC would probably be your best bet. We took DS to WDW when he was 22 months, and most restaurants were awful with him, and I would not do the dining plan with a kid his age again. He did like the character meal we did, and the buffet was good b/c kids under 3 are free, and there were a few things he would eat. He was scared of Eeyore, which was the first character, but liked the others after that.

We took him to DL when he was 28 months, but avoided most sit-down meals. We only did Cafe Orleans and we were outside on the patio, but he was hard to keep seated.

We took him to a RFC in Chicago when he was 30 months, and he loved it. He loved all the animals, fish tanks, and thunderstorms. He absolutely loved it when the lights went out and it started thundering and lightning, and asked for more when it was done. That said, his cousin that is 3 weeks older cried at the same storms and was scared of a nearby "leopard." My son wanted to pull it's tail. So with RFC, you really have to know your own kid and how he will react to it.

 

[IFlossU]

We are planning on doing Goofy's Kitchen for breakfast. I'm sure he'll do fine with that because of the characters. Rainforest Cafe sounds like a good idea too.

 

[bnbheartdisney]

I have the same issue with my 21 month old. She gets antsy and wants out of her high chair not long after being seated. My suggestion would be Rainforest Cafe. There is a lot for the little ones to look at and keep them entertained. If/when your little one starts getting restless, perhaps a souvenir cup may occupy him for a little longer. My niece has has gotten a couple of different cups. My memory is kind of fuzzy, but I remember one that lit up and another that had a frog in the bottom and it came with crayons and I can't recall what else. The cups may help in making the meal a little more enjoyable! Hope this helps!

 

[rentayenta]

Goofy's Kitchen!

 

[specialks]

One other thing about RFC is you "look" around the store to pass time and look at the downstairs "arbor style" fish tank and you can make a pressed penny while waiting for your food or what ever. The also have coloring book/crayons but those never really entertain my girls.

 

[IFlossU]

Can I get priority seating for Rainforest?

 

[Pollito916]

No PS through Disney for RFC, but you can call them direct and try.

 

[Kayla's Mom]

Can I get priority seating for Rainforest?

As the PP said, you can call them direct for a PS.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Can I get priority seating for Rainforest?

Here you go:

Priority Seating Arrangements
1-714/781-3463 (DINE)

*** Rainforest Cafe 1-714/772-0413

 

[Mommy Mermaid]

We've also had a lot of success when our girls werte very little at Rancho Del Zocalo and Pizza Port. Both places have back areas that are quiet and away from the hustle and bustle.

 

[IFlossU]

WOW! Thank you so much for the phone #'s. Most appreciated!

Hubby will love to hear about Rancho since he's a big fan of Mexican food!

 

[Anj]

Another vote for the RFC, but do call and make a reservation. We were there during a 'slow time' and each time we went by there was an hour wait to get a table. We ended up doing a bfast there and our just turned 2 yr old loved it. She hated Goofy's Kitchen though, as it turns out, she is scared of costumes (but loved bfast at Ariels Grotto (she's not scared of princesses or fairies).

 

[DisneyLovin]

Another vote for Rainforest Cafe. That place is pretty bustling and busy to begin with. Plus its its fun in there.