children at california grill?

[halekai64]

We are going to have 10 people for our Sept trip and 4 of the 10 will be 5 yrs old.. I was planning on making a 6:30pm reservation so we could see the 8pm fireworks (they are early 2 of our nights).. but .. when I look at some pictures the place looks pretty formal.. Do you think we'll feel out of place with four active 5 yr olds?

Be honest..

 

[bicker]

Only two of you? That would surely be a handful! But out of place is a matter of personal proclivity. The place does have a business casual dress code, but business casual at WDW is nothing like business casual in the real world. The place is one of the most upscale and trendy restaurants at WDW, but it is still quite kid-friendly.

 

[kcashner]

Well behaved children are welcomed at the California Grill. Disney is very child friendly. Poorly behaved children are not really welcomed anywhere, although they are tolerated at Disney.

 

[shellybaxter]

I love children and have spent almost 20 years teaching preschool. In my opinion, if by active five year olds you mean they will be loud, crawl and walk around the table, and perhaps cry or whine, I don't think it is right to take them to such a nice restuarant where people go for special dinners. However, if they can sit in the chairs and speak at normal tones, talking about kids stuff, for the 2 plus hours you will be there I say go for it. I don't mind kids in even the most fancy restuarants unless they are overly annoying. Once at Artist Point there was a family seated at 8:30 with two young children (under 6) and they squeeled at the top of their lungs for the next 30 mins until we left. The parents just ignored them. I don't think that is fair to the other diners.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

I love children and have spent almost 20 years teaching preschool. In my opinion, if by active five year olds you mean they will be loud, crawl and walk around the table, and perhaps cry or whine, I don't think it is right to take them to such a nice restuarant where people go for special dinners. However, if they can sit in the chairs and speak at normal tones, talking about kids stuff, for the 2 plus hours you will be there I say go for it. I don't mind kids in even the most fancy restuarants unless they are overly annoying. Once at Artist Point there was a family seated at 8:30 with two young children (under 6) and they squeeled at the top of their lungs for the next 30 mins until we left. The parents just ignored them. I don't think that is fair to the other diners.

Yeah, what she said!!!!

 

[SunFloridaDisney]

We went to Cali Grill for our anniversary dinner last year. We were glad we could enjoy an adult meal and did NOT have our kids with us - that's part of what made it special.

I'm not saying kids shouldn't be there, but that large a number of the little munchkins might get a bit rowdy.

 

[goldilocks_63]

Drop the kids off at the Poly's neverland kids club....

They will feed them there, and have a blast.

I've done it many times with my daughter to enjoy a night out.

ALso, sometimes I drop her off in PJs, so she's good to go....

Just a quick spin on the monorail to Poly, and it's fun.

Goldi

 

[D&R love Disney]

If the kids can be behaved for a dinner thats going to take 2 hours thats fine. If you are worried at all about their behavior, I'd leave them at a kids club.

 

[eeyore45]

4 out of 10 will be 5yrs old!! THey will entertain each other, and anyone at the restaurant! 2 hours for a meal at the Cali Grille is a reasonable time line - and its a wonderful experience - have you checked the menus at allearsnet.com? I really think either the Neverland club is a great suggestion -
We took our 9 yr old, 4 adults, and dd, first I stopped at the resorts gift shop and purchased a drawing book for her - how to draw Minne Mouse, it is a book, case, paper, pencils - high end set - she drew the entire night, but that's the kind of kid she is, she isnt "bored" easily, she enjoys reading, and drawing...

only you can decide what's best for you and your family!! Disney is a magical place!!

 

[jonimce]

We went with 2 boys just turning 5. Party of 14 at 2 tables and the boys were great. The thing we always worry about is the 4 teens. LOL. The boys were very well behaved. I don't know if they still do this, but one of our little ones was askek to help Tink start the fireworks. Our most magical moment.

 

[halekai64]

Thank you all for the honest opinions..

You've helped me visualize how this will go.. I'm pretty sure my two kids alone would be well-behaved but putting them with their cousins might tend to cause the sillies to erupt and my visualization of that is not a pretty site..

We have lots of other fun places we can choose from. so we don't have a shortage of possibilities..

My husband and I will also have the opportunity to experience Victoria & Alberts on this trip while the kids stay with their grandparents.. so my need for the upscale romantic fix will also get satisfied..

thanks again for responding!

 

[sleeping beauty 2]

We took our 2 & 4 year old to California Grill at 6:30 with the goal to see the fireworks. And although it is an okay place for the kids, it was a bit late for them to eat and my youngest melted down. I ended up in the lobby with one screamer. After she calmed down, we enjoyed a great dinner (the best food we had that trip) and the fire works were lovely. I took the kids out on the deck to watch.

Best advice was letting them enjoy the Poly Neverland club and the adults the nice dinner out. Good luck on your trip.

 

[shellybaxter]

Thank you all for the honest opinions..

You've helped me visualize how this will go.. I'm pretty sure my two kids alone would be well-behaved but putting them with their cousins might tend to cause the sillies to erupt and my visualization of that is not a pretty site..

We have lots of other fun places we can choose from. so we don't have a shortage of possibilities..

My husband and I will also have the opportunity to experience Victoria & Alberts on this trip while the kids stay with their grandparents.. so my need for the upscale romantic fix will also get satisfied..

thanks again for responding!

You'll love Victoria and Alberts. It is so amazing!! If you enjoy wine at all get the wine pairings, they really add to the meal. I'm not fond of red wine. All of my pairings would have been white except the main course. I mentioned that I wasn't fond of red wine and they substituted a full bodied white which was great.

Have Fun!!

Shelly