Disney bans kids from restaurant!!!

[disneyjunkie]

That is not quite true. Most of the people are saying ONE more signature dining place. Not everyone can afford V&A. One other signature would enable the ones that can't afford V&A a nice alternative adult dining experience. There are 97 full service resturants in Disney. 2 would not be the end of the world. It makes me crazy that wanting an adult restaurant equates not wanting kids around at all when you go out to eat.

I'm a parent and I agree with you 100%

this is my suggestion. If people want other restaurants kid free, take the ones people suggest and put them in a weekly rotational. Every Tuesday Jiko is kid free, every Wednesday Citrico, etc

That sounds like a good idea.

They could also have a set time when the restaurants could be kid free.(not all of them just a few, maybe 4 ) Those dining with kids could have a booking window of 4:00-6:15

Then from 7:30 on it could be adults only.

For those say Disney is a family place, you're right. However, families come in many shapes and forms.

I don’t have a typical family, it’s just my 16 year old son and I.

A husband and wife aren't less of a family because they don't have children.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

I'm a parent and I love the idea of making V & A an adults only establishment...in essence, that's what is was anyways, what with it's strict dress code and high prices. However, I don't think it wise if Disney decided to do that with any other Signature restaurants, as tons of families enjoy the food/atmosphere of places like Jiko, CG or Narcoossee's. Besides, other than V&A, the rest of the Signature places, while nicer than counter service or buffet-style, could hardly be considered fine dining. I think that if you want an adults only experience at WDW, V&A is were it's going to begin and end. Besides, didn't Walt famously say something along the lines that his parks should be a place where kids and their parents could have shared experiences?

 

[Planogirl]

Could older teens be included in the later sit-down times? Teens don't necessarily enjoy hanging out with the preschool set either and they do tend to be more well-behaved.

 

[Pooh67_68]

Ah, but there are a lot of people who think that way.

A husband and wife aren't less of a family because they don't have children.

 

[CEDmom]

Wow! What the heck did those few kids do to get all kids banned!

Or more correctly, what didn't the parents do

Jean

They probably didn't do anything but honestly if I spent that kind of $$ I really wouldn't want to be seeing kids there and I have one . I wouldn't have a problem is WDW did this in several other restaurants. I don't know about other people but going out to a special meal is partly special because I don't have to cut anyone's food .

I don't believe children need to be seen and heard everywhere. Mine is the joy of my life (well, most of the time ) but I not under the delussion that she's the joy of anyone else's life particularly complete strangers.

 

[minnie56]

About time too!

Nice move. Few children have much interest in what's on the menu there anyways!

 

[CEDmom]

Wow! What the heck did those few kids do to get all kids banned!

Or more correctly, what didn't the parents do

Jean

They probably didn't do anything but honestly if I spent that kind of $$ I really wouldn't want to be seeing kids there and I have one . I wouldn't have a problem is WDW did this in several other restaurants. I don't know about other people but going out to a special meal is partly special because I don't have to cut anyone's food .

I don't believe children need to be seen and heard everywhere. Mine is the joy of my life (well, most of the time ) but I not under the delussion that she's the joy of anyone else's life particularly complete strangers.

 

[minnie56]

About time too!

Nice move. Few children have much interest in what's on the menu there anyways. let alone the attention span for such a lengthy meal.

 

[TDC Nala]

No what they where asking for is for ONE signature resteraunt to be child free. Any way as a solo travellor you are not really welcome at sandals

And that's an outrage! As a single I should be able to go anywhere that couples can go And maybe I ought to be banned from WDW because the vast majority can't figure out why a childless single adult would want to spend time there.

Victoria and Alberts had no children's menu, and its regular menu is a price fixe starting at $125 (more for Chef's Table). If a party included children, the children were charged the same as the adults and served the same menu (I suppose they could ask for special preparation but I would bet chicken fingers and pizza were not available).

I never saw any young children at V&A (been there 3x but 2 of those were chef's table) but I have seen a few postings by others over the years mentioning that little kids and infants were present. So some parents apparently thought it worth the cost and the time to bring the little ones. I'd like to know how many of the kids actually enjoyed the food or the atmosphere of the meal, I personally don't know any kids that age who would like it. So I don't have a problem with the V&A rule restricting the restaurant to age 10 and over. I think it's fine for preteens and teenagers who like gourmet food and understand the importance of behavior in a place like that.

I don't think it's necessary for the other signatures. It would be nice but it's not necessary. They've all got kids' menus and high chairs already.

 

[babieemelly]

I don’t have a typical family, it’s just my 16 year old son and I.

A husband and wife aren't less of a family because they don't have children.

Great point. But a single parent and children are still a family, and that's still what Disney's primarily about. What about the single parents who only have a younger (7-10) child and who still want to try the signature restaurants? I know a few single parents and when they go on vacation with their kids they don't like dining alone, so the kids always go along for a family dinner. I think it's only fair that a single parent should get to bring their child along to a fancy restaurant if they want to

People have the choice as to whether or not to bring their kids to the signature restaurants. If you don't want to bring your kids then don't, and voila - it's child-free! And if you don't have kids then you really don't have to worry about that decision! Families come in all shapes and sizes, and families of all shapes and sizes should be accepted. I think Disney needs to do a better job of enforcing guidelines for children to not run around and be crazy in restaurants rather than barring them all together. And as someone else said, a lot of the "signature" Disney restaurants really aren't fine dining, anyway. The prices are, but the food and atmosphere aren't and I think barring kids would only make that more apparent.

 

[barkley]

i have no problem with it. disney does it with palo's on their ships, and i think it's fine to do the same with vicky and al's. i don't think it's much of an issue with the average traveler to disney-i would find it hard to believe that many kids would be devistated to not be able to get dressed to the 9's and have to sit through a very long, very un-kid like dining experience. heck, on the disney cruises my kids have been on the one dining experience they ask to pass on is the formal night or even the repeat night at lumieres or tritons. dd LOVES good food, enjoys getting dressed up, and is a great guest at a restaurant but she can't see anything enjoyable about a long, leisurely meal in a formal setting.

 

[momto2girls]

I'm a parent and I love the idea of making V & A an adults only establishment...in essence, that's what is was anyways, what with it's strict dress code and high prices. However, I don't think it wise if Disney decided to do that with any other Signature restaurants, as tons of families enjoy the food/atmosphere of places like Jiko, CG or Narcoossee's. Besides, other than V&A, the rest of the Signature places, while nicer than counter service or buffet-style, could hardly be considered fine dining. I think that if you want an adults only experience at WDW, V&A is were it's going to begin and end. Besides, didn't Walt famously say something along the lines that his parks should be a place where kids and their parents could have shared experiences?

ITA! I have NO problem with V&A being an adult-only restaurant. It is a very unique dining experience and I can't imagine a child enjoying it there. However, I don't think that places like Jiko, California Grill, etc. should be kid-free. These places are "nicer" restaurants, but certainly something that I think the whole family can enjoy. My kids (4 and 7) consider CG to me among their favorite restaurants at WDW.

 

[Hixski]

For those say Disney is a family place, you're right. However, families come in many shapes and forms.

I don’t have a typical family, it’s just my 16 year old son and I.

A husband and wife aren't less of a family because they don't have children

Thank you!!! Although according to some people we are less of a family. DH and I like to vacation at all types of places. We own DVC. There are too many people that think a family is just Mom, Dad and the 2.5 kids. There are families of all ages and sizes. Some with kids, some not.

Disney is now being marketed as a destination for theme weddings, honeymooners, conventioneers, adults of ALL ages as well as a family destination. It makes alot of sense if you are going to market to adults too, that you should have a couple of restaurants or things that are adult only.

 

[TDC Nala]

The Palo age level is 18 (and I have witnessed them asking a 17 year old to leave).

V&As is 10.

 

[Gupsmom]

I don't have a problem with V&A being child-free. I do think it's crazy to make more of the nicer places to eat child-free. If there is a big push for more child-free dining (is there?) then maybe make a few places child-free after 8:30pm (7:30, as mentioned earlier in this thread, is too early). I could also see the rotational suggestion working....or a combination of the 2.

Someone mentioned Palo. I LOVE Palo. One thing though...on the shp there's a FREE childcare option for the vast majority of kids (all kids over 3 yrs old) and a nursery right there for those under 3 (with fee). I know the deluxe resorts have childcare...but only for kids over 4 (or is it 3) and it's expensive....plus, for some of those childcare places, I still need to pay even more to feed my kids (unlike the ship where food is included).

Jess

 

[rparmfamily]

I think it's a great move honestly. I wouldn't mind them making a few (like 1 or 2) other signature places kid free after certain hours (like after 7pm no reservations or seatings with children under the age of 10.)

 

[drag n' fly]

What a great idea! I have three kids. There has to be some adult only places at WDW to eat!

 

[Sandy321]

I think it's a great move honestly. I wouldn't mind them making a few (like 1 or 2) other signature places kid free after certain hours (like after 7pm no reservations or seatings with children under the age of 10.)

It would be great if they could make california grill have an adult only time!! (and yes I have kids, and I dont trust sitters... but after our last visit with so many cranky kids being forced to go to the TS ressies, because "it was the only time available!) I'm ready for a change!

 

[Daxx]

I have an 11 yo child who behaves and knows how to act in a restaurant. Even though he could get into V&A, I STILL wouldn't take him!!!!

If I wanted a romantic meal w/my spouse at V&A, I sure as heck don't want to hear any kids screaming or whining nor do I want to watch them running around b/c Mommy and Daddy can't control them.

What's so wrong witht having a few "adults only" places at WDW? Maybe parents would actually like to take a break from the children they've been with all day not to mention the hoards of other kids that are at WDW!

I think places like V&A and the clubs at Pleasure Island are the reason why Disney offers the kids clubs and Fairy Godmother sitters.

Just b/c the restaurant is at WDW doesn't mean it has to be kid friendly!

 

[StrollPatrolMom]

ITA! I have NO problem with V&A being an adult-only restaurant. It is a very unique dining experience and I can't imagine a child enjoying it there. However, I don't think that places like Jiko, California Grill, etc. should be kid-free. These places are "nicer" restaurants, but certainly something that I think the whole family can enjoy. My kids (4 and 7) consider CG to me among their favorite restaurants at WDW.

well, and my other issue is that these are in hotels, and many families select their hotels based on the variety and access to the dining.

I'd be very irked if we weren't able to eat at Jiko's when staying at AK next Fall..one of the reasons we chose this hotel is for the dining options. I'm sure people feel the same way at the other hotels...you are not just paying for your actual room, but your amenities as well including restaurants.