best signature dining with an active 2 yr old?

[julluvsdisney]

My lil guy is very active so Im am wondering what is the best signature dining for him? Its my mothers 50th so we want something really special. I have narcoossees booked but I just want to make sure he can handle it. I guess it doesnt have to be signature either just avery special place that a 2 yr old will put up with! TIA!!!!!!!!!

 

[OhThePain]

If your little guy is not the type who can sit quiet for 2 and a half hours or so, I wouldn't take him to a signature. The only one you could maybe get away with is CG since it tends to be on the louder side.

Any thoughts on maybe having an adults only dinner at a signature and sending the little ones off to any of the babysitting programs for a few hours?

Also, you could give Coral Reef a shot. I personally don't like it any more (it used to be a must do, but hasn't been the same the last few visits), but a lot of people love it. It is one of the nicer TS restaurants and the aquarium wall should keep your little one amused. It's nice and yet you wont feel out of place if he starts getting antsy.

 

[TDC Nala]

Even at CG, a small child running around a restaurant isn't expected behavior at a signature dinner. I'd expect you are looking for a place to bring a child who won't sit still. There really won't be a lot to keep him at the table at any signature restaurant. You may want to bring crayons and a coloring book, or something small that may help keep him busy.

If a parent is willing to accompany the child leaving the table, one could always take him out to the observation deck to see the view. If you go with Narcoosees there's a waterside patio there to take him out on, or you can take him outside for awhile to run off some steam.

 

[madalex]

Any of the signature restaurants (except V&A, of course) will be fine, so long as you are prepared to immediately remove your child from the restaurant if and when he begins to act up, make noise, cause trouble, etc. It's not about any one of the signatures being more engaging than the others for a 2 year old (because none of the signatures are really set up for that purpose); it's about parents being prepared to do something if it becomes clear that their child is not handling the experience well and is beginning to disrupt the meals of the other patrons.

 

[julluvsdisney]

we are prepared to take turns taking a walk if need be. I just had heard some of the signature resturants are a bit more relaxed. CG and Narcoossees being 2 of them. Just was wondering if anyone had personally dealt with a 2 yr old in a signature dining atmosphere. Maybe a 1TS resturant is the way to go. Any suggestions other than coral reef? Thanks for the quick responses!!!!

 

[LilyWDW]

Even at CG, a small child running around a restaurant isn't expected behavior at a signature dinner. I'd expect you are looking for a place to bring a child who won't sit still. There really won't be a lot to keep him at the table at any signature restaurant. You may want to bring crayons and a coloring book, or something small that may help keep him busy.

If a parent is willing to accompany the child leaving the table, one could always take him out to the observation deck to see the view. If you go with Narcoosees there's a waterside patio there to take him out on, or you can take him outside for awhile to run off some steam.

 

[Pakey]

we are prepared to take turns taking a walk if need be. I just had heard some of the signature resturants are a bit more relaxed. CG and Narcoossees being 2 of them. Just was wondering if anyone had personally dealt with a 2 yr old in a signature dining atmosphere. Maybe a 1TS resturant is the way to go. Any suggestions other than coral reef? Thanks for the quick responses!!!!

CA Grill and Narcoosees are a bit louder because of how the restaurants are built (CG has all that glass and Narcoosees has wood floors) but the signatures are all still places where young diners are well behaved during the meals. Of course, I would expect a parent to remove a disruptive child from any TS restaurant, not just the signatures.

One of the 1TS restaurants that I think is very nice is Sanaa. If you eat early enough, there are savannah views where your children could watch the animals. The place is gorgeous, the food is very good and the servers are very friendly.

Another highly popular one is Kouzzina on the Boardwalk.

 

[arjones31]

I have to agree with a previous poster that if you really want a signature experience, take advantage of the in-room babysitting services. Other diners use either 2 TS or pay extremely high prices for these restaurants. Even a well-behaved two year old is louder and more restless than an adult. It just doesn't seem very cordial to disrupt others' meals at the only "real" adult places in the World. I know I wouldn't attempt to take either of my children (2 and 5) just out of respect to others. There are tons of nice restaurants that are more kid-friendly. Best wishes for a great celebration with your mom!

 

[TDC Nala]

I know plenty of people take small children to signature restaurants. Most parents are considerate and don't let the kids scream for long periods, bang the silverware, throw food at each other, get out of their seats and run around or play on the floor where the servers might trip over them. If your child is well-behaved or even just controlled, it won't make a difference where you take them or how old they are. If they tend to do the above, and you don't want to spend the meal taking them out or reigning them in, consider a more child-centered place like a character meal. When I see someone saying they have an "active" child it means to me they are saying their kid would prefer to get up and run around to sitting for a long meal.

 

[LilGMom]

Would it be possible for you to let your DH watch the kids while you and your mom go enjoy a nice signature dining experience. The reason I am suggesting that is the onsite child club only take kids that are four years or older and housebroken. I'm not sure what the age limit is for the off-site babysitter that come in and watch your child in your room. Or maybe instead of going to a signature dining restaurant how about ordering her a nice cake from somewhere that you have an ADR?

 

[justbishop]

Why not CRT?

 

[TinkBride]

Any of the signature restaurants (except V&A, of course) will be fine, so long as you are prepared to immediately remove your child from the restaurant if and when he begins to act up, make noise, cause trouble, etc. It's not about any one of the signatures being more engaging than the others for a 2 year old (because none of the signatures are really set up for that purpose); it's about parents being prepared to do something if it becomes clear that their child is not handling the experience well and is beginning to disrupt the meals of the other patrons.

I agree completely with this statement. DH and I had a HORRENDOUS experience at Yachtsmans last trip that ended with me getting hit in the face with a foam sword and a stranger child crawling on the floor - nearly under our table. Perfect example of the necessity to remove your child from a situation.

It is Disney World - so I think most will understand and be sympathetic to a cranky or somewhat active child. As long as others are not being disrupted and he is removed from the situation if he becomes disruptive you should not have any problems.

 

[nbs2]

of course, i would expect a parent to remove a disruptive child from any ts restaurant, not just a ts the signatures.

FTFY

Why no tags?

 

[Sleeping Becca]

I wouldn't do a signature, sounds like it will be too stressful for you and your child.

How about... Tutto, Kouzina, Nine Dragons, San Angel, Le Cellier, Coral Reef, Grand Floridian Cafe, or The Wave?

 

[princesspeach]

I think you will fine. As long as you don't let your child be disruptive. Flying Fish and Narcoosees wer pretty casual. I guarantee you won't be the only one in there with a 2 year old. The only one I would avoid is citricos.

 

[julluvsdisney]

He is normally pretty well behaved but he is two and at times can be excited. I would by no means let him disrupt other diners if he was being a terror. Im not that kind of parent, that kind of parent drives me crazy. I was just more or less looking for a signature that you could get away with being a little louder and people arent gonna give me the glare! I know some are a little more stuffy than others. But now Im wondering if a nice 1ts credit would be more up our ally after a long day in the parks. or looking into a babysitter for a few hrs ! Thanks for the input!!!!

 

[DisCopper]

My restaurant suggestions would be:

California Grill: It has always seemed loud to me. And you can take him on the observation deck if necessary.

Hollywood Brown Derby: It's inside a Park, so you might be able to get away with a little bit more "fuss."

Coral Reef: Same as above.

I'd avoid the others. They're really not set up for kids that age.

I firmly believe that you need to start teaching kids how to behave in restaurants early. My parents brought me to "signature" restaurants at that age, and I was very well behaved (except maybe for being a picky eater. I remember once I just ate a plate full of black olives). The key is to do what you've already said... take him out immediately if he starts to cause a fuss. Since kids are everywhere at Disney, this is a great time to start taking him to that type of restaurant.

Of course, you said this is a special occasion. You have to decide what is more important: having him at the occasion, and using the time to teach him good behavior, or making sure you all have a quiet, uninterupted dinner without him.

Finally, those restaurant recommendations aren't exactly my favorites. Jiko and Yachtsman would be my first preferences without kids.

 

[Pooh&OurHunny]

Narcoossee's was my son first signature meal and he did great. He just turned 2 yrs old. I had ADR for the first sitting and he was behaved. They gave him coloring book and crayons but I book sticker books and books. My son is used to sitting down for meals (we ate out alot since he was an infant) but he ates slow so it helps my husband and I to actually have a 3 course dinner.
During that trip, I had other signature planned but 2 nights I knew he was too tired to have a long sit down meals so those nights I cancelled and got room service. I would make an ADR and see how he is doing that day...if you think he would behave that night go for it but if you think he is too tired that day cancell and go somewhere else. This was our experience with our 2 yr old son.

 

[CandleontheWater]

I wouldn't take a 2 year old to narcoosees, but that might just be me. I think it is a romantic restaurant with a lot of honeymooners and anniversary celebrations, and I personally wouldn't want to have to worry about my child disrupting others. I agree with the previous poster who suggested Brown Derby, I think you get a little more leeway with regard to active children inside the parks.

 

[ML_LovesDisney]

I disagree with the poster talking about not taking a 2 yr old to a signature. We took our 2 yr old (who is VERY active and dislikes sitting still) to CG where she was pretty well behaved ( no screaming, just fidgeting) and when she wanted to run around we went down to the roof area where you can watch the fireworks and let her run it out. This trip in August we went to Narcoosee's and once again, she was fine. Started to get antsy toward the end so we walked outside by the lake and went to bathroom to wash hands etc (oh the things we do to be able to eat a nice meal with a 2 yr old Character dining though is the best with kids though IMO (even though I don't care for the food at most places) because they are constantly occupied with looking around but DH and I like to do at least one signature (and we take our children)!