Brown Derby With 3 Kids??

[5champs]

THINKING OF BOOKING A 6 OR 7 PM MEAL WITH 3 CHILDREN AT THE BROWN DERBY.THE KIDS ARE DD9,DS4,DS2.WILL BE USING THE DDP.IS THIS A GOOD IDEA?DD WILL BE FINE BUT MY 2 SONS MIGHT BE A LITTLE CRAZY.DW AND I HAVE NEVER BEEN TO THE BD AND WOULD LOVE TO GO.THANKS.

 

[laughinplace199]

We ate at HBD (6:00 ADR) this past Dec. with DD6 and DS4. It was great. The food was excellent and our server was great. He paid a lot of attention to the kids. Before we went to the restaurant, I bought each of the kids a small stuffed Pluto toy (without them knowing about it). Toward the end of dinner, they were starting to get a little bored, so I pulled out the Pluto toys and they were thrilled. I wouldn't hesitate to bring the kids there. There were lots of kids there that night. Have fun!

 

[SqueakyMouse]

There always have been a fair number of young children at the BD when we've been there. However, the service can sometimes be rather slow. This is problematic with my youngest (2.5 yo). She's good as gold until she's finished with her meal; then she's ready to go, go, go! Over Christmas, this meant me taking her out of restaurants so the rest of the family could eat in peace. Fine for everyone involved...except me! In March, I'm not planning many TS meals. This will be a big change for our family; but, hopefully, a more enjoyable one. When dd is a little older, we'll be able to enjoy mealtimes again.

 

[helens042266]

Hi,

We took our 3 kids, then they were 12, 8, 5, and it was fine. It was a last minute choice for us because we got caught in an all-day downpour and just wanted to sit somewhere dry and have something to eat. I guess most people who had reservations didn't show so we were able to walk right in. As a matter of fact, we had the place to ourselves! It was quite an experience. There was more than enough food choices for the kids and the food for us was the best meal we had the entire time we were in Disney. If they are used to eating out at other restaurants, they will be fine at the BD. I just loved that restuarant. Good thing you have the dining plan, because I do remember that we dropped a bundle when we went. Have a great time!

Helen

 

[melomouse]

There always have been a fair number of young children at the BD when we've been there. However, the service can sometimes be rather slow. This is problematic with my youngest (2.5 yo). She's good as gold until she's finished with her meal; then she's ready to go, go, go! Over Christmas, this meant me taking her out of restaurants so the rest of the family could eat in peace. Fine for everyone involved...except me! In March, I'm not planning many TS meals. This will be a big change for our family; but, hopefully, a more enjoyable one. When dd is a little older, we'll be able to enjoy mealtimes again.

Excellent post, SqueakyMouse. You are a great mom and sound like you know the deal when it comes to adjusting what WE want as adults vs. what is needed for our kids so that you, DH and DD, as well as other BD guests - optimize the experience!! In a few short years, the family dining experience will change again.

My desire to take my kids to a TS restaurant is directly proportional to the menu price. Eating in peace from my kids and others is related to price also. In my HO, (donning flame retardant suit), kids younger than "X" don't belong at Brown Derby, whether they are welcomed or not because it's WDW. Used to be that menu prices, dining hours and decor would indicate the welcoming of small fry. Just because WDW says you CAN bring your little darling doesn't mean we all SHOULD!!!



This was a fascinating thread a ccouple of weeks ago.... check it out!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1007497&highlight=restaurants

 

[KimR]

I have 3 children ages 13, 8, and 4 and we've been going to the Brown Derby since the youngest was 2. My children are accustomed to dining out however, and are quiet and well-behaved in restaurants. As long as you are prepared to take your children outside if they start to get 'wild' and disrupt the other diners, you should be fine.

 

[RuthLS]

First off let me say that kids will be kids. Running and rodwy in a restaurant..obviously not ok. But chatting, laughing, maybe talking louder than an adult..even a little fussing....I really don't see the problem. Disney is for kids afterall and adults who I would hope are kids at heart.

We booked many TS dinners for our trip in May. We have a 3 yr old and a 1.5 yr old. If we find they can't handle it, then we will cancel the ressies while on trip. But the beauty of Disney is that we can get food that we might not normally be able to get out with the kids. We can teach the kids that there are restaurants other than your family chain style and we can show them how to behave properly. Does it mean that they will at all times? No, but it is a great learning experience. And they are kids afterall.

My rule of thumb for any restaurant is that if there is a kids menu and/or high chairs, then the restaurant is ok for kids....regardless of decor, price, etc. If a restaurant doesn't want children they won't have highchairs or a kids menu for under a certain age.

We make our ressies for 6pm. For those without children that want fine dining without children..they can perhaps make ressies at a later time when kids will most likely not be there. Or they could eat at Victorias and Alberts. Or perhaps they can eat outside of Disney since it is my guess that kids outnumber adults in Disney anyways. Or they could just deal with the fact that there are going to be kids everywhere.

I guess my point is, just b/c it's expensive, or fine dining, it doesn't nor it shouldn't mean kids are not allowed. I would say if you want a kidless experience and you go to a restaurant that has high chairs and a kids menu you might want to think twice about eating there. But the flip side of it is that parents shouldn't let their kids run wild either.

It sounds as though you are a smart and caring individual and mom. The last thing you need to stress out about is whether you'll get "looks" at a restaurant. They do have a kids menu there and they do have high chairs. I think you are all set. To be honest-I really am one of those that thinks it's "Disney" and all the CM's have told me that kids are obviously more than welcome anywhere.

I hope you enjoy your dinner and I hope your kids do too! We have ressies there for our trip as well and are looking forward to it.
Ruth

 

[missymagic]

It is absolutely fin to take the kids!!! My DDs gets a little rammy at the table and I asked if her mac and cheese could be brought out as soon as it was done. This works out great for us because she takes forever to eat so by the time our meals came she was right in line.

Not to mention the magic backpack always has some kind of game, coloring book , paper or stickers that magically appear when needed. I buy little things at dollar store at home. Enjoy the food is excellent.