Best Signature Restaurants with a Toddler

[jrtoastyman]

Am looking forward to trying out a number of the signature places on our next trip, at which time our DD will be almost 3. Of the sig places, are some more kid friendly than the others? We'll be staying at BLT, so I'm inclined to favor places that are on the monorail loop or at FW just because of ease of getting there, but I'm ultimately up for whatever.

Thanks for any input.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) Doesn't really matter.
2) All (except V&A) will take kids.
3) As witnessed by the noiser and noiser eateries.

 

[Colleen27]

California Grill is probably the most kid friendly. They bring goldfish crackers out with the bread and have very good kids' selections including a very cute rice crispy treat sushi dessert. The atmosphere is on the loud side for a signature and the view is beautiful, plus there's the observation deck if you need to take the little one for a walk between courses.

Flying Fish is a pretty close second, for the very colorful atmosphere, a fun scavenger hunt on the kids menu to keep them occupied checking out that decor, and the Boardwalk right there if you have to take a little stroll.

Not that any of the signatures are unwelcoming to children - we've taken our 2yo to all of them except Artist Point, Yachtsman, and Citricos so far (and have been to all but Citricos ourselves) and enjoyed them all.

Jiko is a little on the quieter side, which is actually nice with my youngest because she had a harder time with her own volume and behaviour in the louder restaurants and was more relaxed at quieter meals. But it also means more potential for a child to be disruptive, so you have to know your little one's limits.

Narcoosees was probably the least child-friendly of the ones we've taken her to, only because it was the longest of all our signature dinners and because the wood-and-glass dining room is loud & echo-y which made DD uneasy (at 16mo; I wouldn't hesitate to take her back now at almost-3).

 

[SusieBea]

Now see, I think Narcoossee's is extremely kid-friendly because there are things for kids to look at - boats on the lake, Wishes if you time it correctly, and the Electric Water Parade, if you time it correctly.

 

[TDC Nala]

Depends on what you mean by "kid friendly." Do they have a children's menu, yes. Do they cater to children by having entertainment for them, no. It's a bit more of an upscale atmosphere. Depending on the restaurant there can be some features that kids might like (the view at California Grill or Narcoossees) but they're not the kind of places where you can allow the kids to get out of their chairs and run around the table without getting the hairy eyeball from somewhere. At California Grill, for example, because the restaurant is the entire 15th floor, there really isn't anyplace to take a kid to run around and/or blow off some steam unless you leave the restaurant.

You will find plenty of families with young children in any of the signatures, particularly early in the evening.

 

[Pakey]

I think the noise level at certain restaurants make it easier to ignore children who may be a bit louder.

It's easier to name the signatures that are less child friendly. That would be

1. Citricos
2. Jiko
3. Artist Point
4. Yachtsman

Ca Grill, Narcoosees, Brown Derby and Flying Fish are always noisy when we dine there. I think Narcoosees is probably the most child friendly because of the views into the harbor.

Regardless of the choice, I expect unruly children to be removed from the restaurant. I expect unruly adults to leave too but my experience has been that I'll have more luck with children.

I think its also important to realize that the meals are going to be longer at signatures. Plan on 90 minutes. Ours are usually at 2+ hours because we slow it down a bit.

 

[jrtoastyman]

Thanks for the input. To be clear, I DON'T mean "where can I let my child run around and do whatever she wants," more a question of which places have an environment that a kid is likely to find interesting, and whether there are places that are so quiet that "normal" kid noise would be seriously frowned upon.

 

[Wendybird55]

Just from my experience...when we took our son for the first time (he was almost 2) the restaurants he we the most fussy and unhappy in were Coral Reel and Le Cellier..and those were the 2 "more adult" or upscale restaurants we went to. I don't know - it may have been the lower lighting...the closer feel of the places, but whatever the reason he didn't like either and that took away from our experience as at various times one of us needed to take him from the table and walk around in the lobby area to keep him in a better mood. Since then we stick with the more "open" and "kid friendly" places and he's been great. Last year we went to Chefs de France and he was fine though I wasn't impressed with the food - I tought it was much better the last time we went a few years back. He also liked Kouzinna (which we did as well - very much) I think because of the big windows and openness of the place.

You know your child best...if she's usually comfortable in restaurants and different environments you should be fine any where. I made sure I always had food with me that I knew DS liked just in case he didn't want to share from the menu. I also had little toys and activities to keep him busy. Not only are other guests happier when younger children behave, but you will enjoy your meal much better if your child is happy.

Though there are many wonderful restaurants to try, I tend to stick with family and buffet style meals with my toddler. There's more choice of food for him ( not every kid wants what's on the kids menu) and there's more going on to keep him occupied during the meal. Some of the wonderful restaurants we all enjoy are Biergarten, Akerhaus, Marrakesh, 'Ohana, Kona and Whispering Canyon.

 

[Buckeye Princess]

We have dined at all the signatures with little ones. DD is currently 2.5 and has been going frequently since she was 1. DS is 7 mos and has been going since 6 weeks.

I like California Grill because DD loves the sushi and if kids get antsy you can always go for a little walk on the viewing platform between courses.

Jiko is another favorite for our family. We really enjoy seeing the animals after dinner. It is such a romantic resort in my opinion but also kid friendly.

 

[nytimez]

I think the noise level at certain restaurants make it easier to ignore children who may be a bit louder.

It's easier to name the signatures that are less child friendly. That would be

1. Citricos
2. Jiko
3. Artist Point
4. Yachtsman

Ca Grill, Narcoosees, Brown Derby and Flying Fish are always noisy when we dine there. I think Narcoosees is probably the most child friendly because of the views into the harbor.

Regardless of the choice, I expect unruly children to be removed from the restaurant. I expect unruly adults to leave too but my experience has been that I'll have more luck with children.

I think its also important to realize that the meals are going to be longer at signatures. Plan on 90 minutes. Ours are usually at 2+ hours because we slow it down a bit.

My daughter has eaten at Artist Point and Jiko, I didn't find either to be child-unfriendly. Jiko, in fact, is great for a kid because the open kitchen is fun for anyone of any age to watch.

It's not the restaurant -- it's the kid. If you have a child who can sit nicely and use the "inside voice" you'll be fine.

Thanks for the input. To be clear, I DON'T mean "where can I let my child run around and do whatever she wants," more a question of which places have an environment that a kid is likely to find interesting, and whether there are places that are so quiet that "normal" kid noise would be seriously frowned upon.

Some people frown on any presence of a child -- and any child who can be heard is too loud, even if they're speaking at normal volumes similar to adults.

Don't get me wrong -- I agree that overall there's a serious problem with kids running rampant and unchecked in some of the better restaurants at WDW. But I think there are plenty of kids who can behave and handle -- and enjoy -- the finer dining experiences.

 

[Johnny_B]

I don't think anyone else has brought this up, but Cindy's is technically signature. Perfect for a toddler.

I've seen young kids in all signatures, so I don't think you'll have a problem anywhere. The only place I would say DON'T bring them is Bistro de Paris. There is no kids menu, so take the hint.

 

[jrtoastyman]

Some people frown on any presence of a child -- and any child who can be heard is too loud, even if they're speaking at normal volumes similar to adults.

I'm actually one of those people at home, at least if I'm out for dinner at any of the nicer restaurants in town. At Disney, though, I kinda figure that kids are part of the deal just about everywhere. I think someone taking that view at Disneyworld ought to reconsider their travel destination.

I don't think anyone else has brought this up, but Cindy's is technically signature. Perfect for a toddler.

Probably should have clarified. Didn't mean signature for the sake of signature, more just meant places that people go because the food is actually good. From what I gather, the food at Cindy's is just OK, and you're more going for the experience of eating in the castle and meeting the princesses. Is that right?

We're actually already taking our daughter to Askershus for the Princess Storybook dining on one of our meals. That's based upon my understanding from some on this board that the food at Askershus is actually better, but we'll do them both eventually, so wanted to save Cindy's for later when she can better appreciate the surroundings and the whole experience. Could be persuaded, though.