Disney to bar children under 10 from eating at Victoria & Albert's

[mitros]

First off, I'm one of the first to agree that there are a lot of idiots in the world. Some with serious entitlement disorders, some just not thinking. I can handle those in the latter category (so long as they're nice about it - hey, I've spent time in that group myself. Blond roots.) but those royalty types? Ick.

But a question - from what I'm reading it sounds like general opinion is that, in a world without the self-appointed royals, V&A's would be open to children of all ages. Still without a child's menu, still with the one-price-fits-all, but still open. Is that true? A truly well behaved child (by strangers' measures, not the parents!) would be allowed, even perhaps welcomed (with white gloves and strange food) to the restaurant. Is that it? Or is V&A's just such a totally adult place that even the angel-ist of angels really should eat elsewhere? Just thinking because it's not like V&A's is the only place with age limits. Ignoring the kid-only stuff (I want to stay in Simba's clubhouse - stupid age limits), all of the dancing clubs are 18/21 and over. Why? It's not like they're Disney-sponsored strip joints. They're just a place to get a drink and dance. On the face of it, they actually seem like fun places to take kids. Except that they're not. They've been specifically tailored to be adult retreats, a place where you can get drunk, use four letter words, hit on that hot person who caught your eye, and generally act in ways you do when you're hazily enjoying yourself but don't particularly want a 5-year-old to emulate. Am I right? In this case the kids are excluded not because a few screaming ones ruin the mood but because children, simply because they're children, don't fit with the atmosphere. Even at AC, where kids are technically allowed, the staff does their best to make it an adults-only place after 9. Again, screamers aren't the issue, it's the kids as a whole. So ... is it the same or different for V&A's? Are the kiddos excluded because a few idiot breeders with money think they own the place (which certainly happens) or because V&A's simply isn't a kid restaurant and they're making it official?

What's AC? I hate those abbr.

 

[Uncleromulus]

TXturtles: The "official" reason is that the restaurant is responding to guests comments. Having been to V&A MANY times, I can tell you that it is not in any way, shape, or form set up for children. No kids menu, a 2 and a half hour long meal ,harpist quietly playing, no paper tablecloths to color, etc etc. etc
From what I can gather, V&A probably always wanted to have some sort of restriction and guests comments gave them the ammo they needed. I read on a few threads were folks were at V&A and in spite of everything people had brought toddlers and tykes who started acting out.
I might add that even a "child" over 10 (say 11-12) would have a hard go at it eating at V&A. That age limit at 10 is actually pretty generous.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Another thing is it could have been a "hint" from AAA. V&A is one of only 46 restaurants in the entire country to hold the AAA Five Diamond Award. It was definitely a major event.

Until a few years ago, one thing that V&A had was all the server nametags were either Victoria or Albert, no matter the actual name of the server. After they changed to policy and starting having the servers wear tags with their reals names I asked why. The response I received was that AAA had mentioned it was kind of "hokey" for a restaurant of this quality. I think they took this as a hint that if they wanted to keep the fifth Diamond they had better change.

Similarly, they could have gotten a comment from an AAA Inspector who had been there when there was a (disruptive) child, and taken this comment as a strong hint.

And, BTW, the last time I looked at the poll in the Restaurant Forum, there were 335 people who agreed with the action and only 11 voted they thought it was not a good idea.

 

[Ron from Michigan]

I think it is a great move. I would never even think of taking a child to V&A.

 

[jlima]

What's AC? I hate those abbr.

Believe this is Adventurer's Club in Downtown Disney/Pleasure Island.

 

[Imagination]

Glad they have done it. Never had a problem with other people's children in my ten visits to V&A. But it really isn't the place for under 10s. Youngest niece I ever took was 11 or 12 and she behaved wonderfully. I have also taken 14 year old niece, 16 year old niece and a 22 year old niece, and a 22 year old nephew.(Sometimes together, sometimes seperately). All dressed appropriately, if not above and beyond.(They knew the dress code).

Did see a group of six bring in a teenager gal dressed in jeans and short top once, was kinda suprised.

The meals (with wine pairings for adults) is awesome and one of the best meals I have (Goodfellas in Minneapolis was better...but haven't been there for years, so I cannot evaluate if it still is better).

The first time V&A greeted me as Victoria and Albert, yeah I understood it was meant to create a 'character' that went with the 'dining' story..but it seemed hoaky to me too for the decor, style, presentation and ambience. Glad they dropped it.

Prices sure keep going up(It was $75 when I first went about 7 or 8 years ago), which means they must be turning people away a lot and increasing price to fit demand/supply. Only three 5 diamond establishments in Florida(And Florida has more than their share), I am sure V&A team continue to try to perform and provide the culinary experience to keep that as they have for many years.

I have eaten at a lot of places and food and service at V&A is some of the best.

Since this is my First post:

Been to Disneyland too many times to count.(Grew up next to it)
Visited the Disneyworld Preview (Pre-WDW) as a kid.
Visited WDW too many times to count.
Stayed at almost every deluxe disney hotel.
Currently Premium Annual Pass, DVC Member, Disney Dining Experience member, etc. etc.
(And yes I also have annual passes to Universal and Busch Gardens/Sea World)
Always found the complexities of Land Based Entertainment systems interesting as an outsider.

 

[old lady]

The meals were very expensive for a family to eat there.Kids are very picky so it isn't a wise choice to bring them there.Even teens won't eat certain things so it won't wise to take them there either since it is expensive. Chilll.Take them to the Lunching pad in Tomorrow land. It is all formal dress which is not great for kids.It suppose to be a place where adults can spend time together without kids underfoot or parents to enjoy a romantic event alone.Of course, there are some adults that behave as adults so let's hope that it is not the case.

 

[ursijam]

I am probably one of the only people who will say that I don't agree with the decision.

Having an arbitrary age limit is kind of pointless. I can have an extremely well-behaved 9yo who cannot go and a mis-behaving 11yo who is allowed.

There are also plenty of mis-behaving adults who are out there. They may not be running around the restaurant, but I don't need to hear your conversation from 5 tables away and whatever it is that you heard cannot really be as funny as you think it is. I find that particularly more annoying than kids being kids.

Maybe we should just put a surcharge on everyone who comes in (like a security deposit) and have the restaurant vote as to whether or not the table should get it back at the end of their meal.

 

[Disney_Angel]

My husband and I love dining at Disney. We greatly enjoyed our last vist in Sept. 07'. We had two meals "ruined" by screaming out-of-control children .
I am not counting the quick service meal locations, because kids are EXPECTED there.
It would be nice if parents would recognze when their children are over tired and not expect them to last eight and nine hours on the go.
I expect my daughter to be well behaved at mealtime. But I also do not expect the impossible either. Victoria and Alberts is an experience better suited for adults. It would be cruel and unusual to expect our six year old to sit through a meal that takes so long. We would not enjoy ourselves and neither would she. I will go even further ans say that no child UNDER 16 should be allowed to dine there. I think 12 is STILL to young.

 

[Disney_Angel]

My husband and I love dining at Disney. We greatly enjoyed our last vist in Sept. 07'. We had two meals "ruined" by screaming out-of-control children .
I am not counting the quick service meal locations, because kids are EXPECTED there.
It would be nice if parents would recognze when their children are over tired and not expect them to last eight and nine hours on the go.
I expect my daughter to be well behaved at mealtime. But I also do not expect the impossible either. Victoria and Alberts is an experience better suited for adults. It would be cruel and unusual to expect our six year old to sit through a meal that takes so long. We would not enjoy ourselves and neither would she. I will go even further and say that no child UNDER 16 should be allowed to dine there. I think 12 is STILL to young.

 

[Disney_Angel]

Maybe we should just put a surcharge on everyone who comes in (like a security deposit) and have the restaurant vote as to whether or not the table should get it back at the end of their meal.

Classic!!!! I would like this policy initiated whenever and wherever I dine!

 

[MJMcBride]

http://www.mouseextra.com/2008/01/05/no-kids-allowed-at-victoria-and-alberts/#comments

Here's another tidbit about this issue

 

[fey_spirit]

If you have such a problem with limiting the age of children at V&A - do you also have a problem with limiting the age of those who can attend events such as the Pirate Cruises or Alice's Tea Party?

The meals were very expensive for a family to eat there.Kids are very picky so it isn't a wise choice to bring them there.Even teens won't eat certain things so it won't wise to take them there either since it is expensive. Chilll.Take them to the Lunching pad in Tomorrow land. It is all formal dress which is not great for kids.It suppose to be a place where adults can spend time together without kids underfoot or parents to enjoy a romantic event alone.Of course, there are some adults that behave as adults so let's hope that it is not the case.

 

[Disney_Angel]

Perhaps I am not understanding your question but are they not events that have an age limit? And if I am not mistaken isn't one of the requirements that the children be potty trained?

While some children are very well behaved that fact of the matter is how could Disney weed out the ones who will not behave? I can not wait to go to a romantic dinner at V&As with my husband not Clark Griswold and the family

 

[EyesandEarsJami]

V&A's is a fantastic restaurant. After having visited there I would hate to have a great meal and intimate dining experience ruined by a family who might have a child that was either acting up or whose parents just didn't know how to take care of the situation.

___________________________

Memphis and North Mississippi Estate, Probate, Divorce and Family Lawyers

http://www.LawFerrell.com

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

I wonder what will happen when Kelly Ripa or Will Smith or Johnny Depp visit with their families and wish to dine at V & A's with their children? Hmmmm.

 

[BTown]

Maybe we should just put a surcharge on everyone who comes in (like a security deposit) and have the restaurant vote as to whether or not the table should get it back at the end of their meal.

I've been saying this for years now. When I was going through school, I would wait tables on and off depending on when I needed extra cash. I think it's something everyone should do at some point. You will never get a better understanding of how rude, uncivilized and inconsiderate people can be until you wait on them. Coming away from those experiences, I have always said that people should have to take a test, pay a fee and earn a license to be able to eat out. Like driving, it is a privilege, but it also has its own share of responsibility. Believe it or not, when you go eat at a restaurant, you are not the only person there. You have a responsibility to be cordial and polite. You should also be considerate to others. This includes using your inside voice, not answering your cell phone in the restaurant, and keeping your kids in line. These are universal truths that should be followed everywhere. And honestly, I would like to think that V&A would probably like to have some outright policies barring away unwanted guests. However, they can't do that, so they filter them out other ways (price, dress code, etc). However, when it comes to children, they can be more explicit. No matter how wealthy or "cultured" you just can't trust people to control their children in public. Not only that, everyone seems to have a pretty broad range of what they believe "behaved" really means. Two children laughing and joking politely at the table may warm the hearts of some guests, and ruin the meals for others. It's best to just make a standard rule and take any variable factors out of the equation.

And for those who may disagree with this policy on the basis that Disney World is a park built for children, I have this to say - Disney always has, and always will be a park for children of all ages. Last I checked, there were 4 parks, 2 water parks, and tons of activities geared with children in mind. However, I'm 25, I don't have kids, I don't plan to ever have kids, and I visit the parks on a regular basis. I don't think there is anything wrong with giving adults a small sanctuary where they can take a breather, relax and have a nice meal at a place they love without having to be bombarded by children.

Sorry, I realized I got on a bit of a rant there. Sorry...

 

[Uncleromulus]

Pirate-I'm pretty sure (IF that would ever happen) they wouldn't be allowed in. I read on a thread some long time ago where some male "star" showed up at V&A without a jacket. He refused to put one on that they provided. He ended up eating at Citrico's.
Of course the other option would be for them to "buy out" the entire restaurant for the entire evening!! Then it wouldn't really matter---.

 

[gmboy95]

Who exactly is the person or type of person that would want to put themselves through the hell of taking their kids to V&A ....I could think of nothing more miserable then having to hope your kids dont act....well....like kids.......Wispering Canyon all the way for me....Cant latch onto the "let the kids eat with the rich people" movement, sorry.

 

[wulfgeat]

A better solution than the license to eat out is an idea one of my friends has endorsed. A license to breed. You can't even have kids until it is determined you should still be allowed in the gene pool. This would solve the problem all together.

And unless I someone takes this too seriously, I did look for a sarcasm emoticon with no succes.