Citricos or Kona - with kids?

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firkat

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Our very first night we are planning on seeing Spectro at 9 pm and wanted to have a nice dinner before. We will be going to Epcot earlier in the day, but resting after lunch until dinner. I have ressies for Citricos, but read that post that indicates that it really isn't a place for children. I will be taking DS9 and DS18months. Our ressie is at 6 pm and with the long rest break, I expect they will be fresh. (We would never allow them to disrupt other guests and would remove them from the dining room should such an incident occur.)

I would love to go to Citricos, as I have read such great things and the menu sounds delicious . . . However, I do not want to feel awkward. I would prefer to just get dinner at the hotel. We are staying at Poly, so we could get something at Kona (which has also had good reviews.)

My worry about Kona is that I also have ADRs for 'Ohana and Spirit of Aloha. Isn't it the same type of food?

Any thoughts would be appreciated!
 
I've never been to Citricos, but we LOVE Kona. It is definately a place where you could take children. That being said, if your children are well behaved, not whinning and fussing loudly, not crawling around under the table making noise, not running around the restaurant, they should be fine at most WDW restaurants. They certainly won't be the only kids in Citricos or Kona. If they are not being well behaved then have the common courtesy to take them out of the restaurant, whether it be Citricos or Kona. Most people don't expect their to be no children in a restaurant (except perhaps Victoria and Alberts and the Bistro de Paris as they have no children's menus) they simply expect that the children won't disrupt their meal.
 
Only you know your children. Dinner at Citrico's is generally a 1.5+ hour event. If you skip appetizers and coffee, you can maybe get in and out in an hour.

Are your kids used to eating out like that, using inside voices, not getting fussy, able to stay seated, etc.? A trip to WDW when they are already off schedule is not a good place to introduce nicer dining atmospheres. If they are used to doing this at home, then Citrico's might work. Otherwise the Kona is a much better choice.

Children making a little noise at the Kona will not be as noticed as they would be at Citrico's. Also, Citrico's has a dress code, something you might want to take into consideration. You can see it here.

The food at both places is very good, and IMHO Kona is nothing like Spirit of Aloha.

Also, keep in mind that you might not get into your room until after 3:00pm, so your kids might not be as rested as you'd like.

Anne
 
I have never been to Citrico's, but my family loves Kona. The food is delicious, and it is nothing like the food at 'Ohana or Spirit of Aloha.
 

firkat said:
Our very first night we are planning on seeing Spectro at 9 pm and wanted to have a nice dinner before. We will be going to Epcot earlier in the day, but resting after lunch until dinner. I have ressies for Citricos, but read that post that indicates that it really isn't a place for children. I will be taking DS9 and DS18months. Our ressie is at 6 pm and with the long rest break, I expect they will be fresh. (We would never allow them to disrupt other guests and would remove them from the dining room should such an incident occur.)

I would love to go to Citricos, as I have read such great things and the menu sounds delicious . . . However, I do not want to feel awkward. I would prefer to just get dinner at the hotel. We are staying at Poly, so we could get something at Kona (which has also had good reviews.)

My worry about Kona is that I also have ADRs for 'Ohana and Spirit of Aloha. Isn't it the same type of food?

Any thoughts would be appreciated!

I havent dined at any of these restaurants but in my opinion you should feel comfortable eating wherever you want to eat. Please don't make a few miserable people make you feel like you have to skip restaurants for fear of being stared at for taking your children.

Most reasonable people do not expect your children to sit rigid all night, only daring to speak when they are spoken to and correctly using their cutlery at a young age. Most people who decide to go to WDW expect children to be there and do not see them as just an annoyance. While i can understand you would not want your children to misbehave at a nice restaurant, these things happen and don't feel bad that they do. I have always found with my children if they are acting up that a little bit of distraction goes a long way. Get them interested in something, let them look out of the window or just take them for a little walk whilst you are waiting for your meal.

Most parents in the restaurant will know exactly how you are feeling if your child starts being naughty and you tend to find the worse people to stare and shake their heads are the ones who had children a long time ago and who have forgotten just how hard it can be sometimes to dine with kids.

We are going in september and whilst we will not be dining at more upscale restaurants (not because of money and no we are not on the DDP), we simply don't like the more upscale restaurants as it seems you are treated like a second class citizen if you dare to take children in. We prefer to dine where our kids can be kids and are celebrated for being themselves. My children are well behaved but certainly not all the time and i certainly would not want them to be. They wouldnt be children if they didnt act up now and again. I enjoy my children having fun and to expect them to sit at a restaurant and not move as it may upset other diners is just not fun in my book.

I refrained from posting on the thread you are referring to yesterday but to see you questioning your plans because of one ignorant, selfish person has made me feel sad for you.

It is your vacation, you do what is best for you and your kids. :goodvibes

Just edited to add that i have just taken a look at the menu for Citricos and it does indeed have a childrens menu. I presume if it wasnt a restaurant designed to have children they wouldnt have a kids menu. I also must say that they do serve mini hot dogs for the kids so it can't be that posh!! :teeth:
I also can't believe how reasonably priced it is. With all the references in the other thread to it being upscale etc i was expecting big bucks. We pay those sort of prices to eat at Pizza Hut here in the UK!! :sad2:
 
I have been to both restaurants and like them both for different reasons.. I do Kona is more casual and a lot of activity for children especially being in the lobby area of the Poly. Citrico's is a little more upscale and dressy...so the choice is yours for your family.
 
Leanne1977 said:
It is your vacation, you do what is best for you and your kids. :goodvibes

This is good advice within reason. If the OP's kids are not used to eating out and have trouble sitting still and using inside voices then choosing a restaurant where a meal will take over an hour to complete is not what's best for anyone, the kids or other diners, or the parents who will have to deal with the fallout.

When one is in a place of public accomodation, they must act in a manner that will not be disruptive to others, and parents must make sure that their children do not bother others by keeping them quiet and seated--generally not easy with younger kids.

While I'm not saying that would be the case with the OP's kids, the average 18 month old is not going to be able to sit through dinner at any restaurant where dinner take on average 1.5 hours or longer without getting disruptive. The nine year old will most likely be fine as long as the OP has something to keep him occupied and they keep things moving. But the nature of the average 18 month old is not to sit quietly and not be disruptive after about half an hour, which is not enought time to dine at Citrico's.

Like I said, only the OP knows her children, and if they are the unusual type of kids who are quiet and content being occupied with crayons for an hour, go for it!

It seems to me that Citrico's will be there for years to come, and rather than feeling stressed about it, it might be better to just wait until the kids are older with more predictable behavior or old enough to leave in the kids club to really enjoy a special dinner with her DH. I mean who wants to have a nice dinner worried about their kids acting up the entire time?

Anne
 
My post has been deleted as obviously some people don't like some of their own medicine so i therefore will refrain from posting anything aimed at this "person".

To the OP, please don't feel like you have to miss out on this restaurant if your children won't be able to sit still for the duration of your meal. NOBOBY with any sense expects them to. :thumbsup2
 
It is terribly dangerous to allow children to get up from their seats in a restaurant. If a child can't remain seated during the meal, then for safety's sake they MUST IMMEDIATELY be removed. IMHO any parent who allows a kid to run around a restaurant where servers are carrying hot food is guilty of neglect.

Anne

Anne
 
y'all need to play nice. this is beginning to sound a lot like the one locked last night. :wave:
 
Leanne1977 said:
I have basically been told not to make personal comments but it seems you are allowed to make as many personal comments as you like.

I feel sorry for you, i really do pity you. To be so bitter and down right rude to others. It is very very sad.

And having just read your last comment i must tell you, neglect is also forcing your children to conform to your own high standards. At least my children will grow up smiling.

My son is quite happy, thank you for being concerned about his welfare.

No need to pity me, after all I'm the one enjoying the best restaurants while you cut off your nose to spite your face.

To the OP--I hope that what ever you choose you have a great meal.

Anne
 
This thread has gotten entirely out of hand and is being closed for personal attacks.
 
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