Do lounges allow kids?

[Fancychicken]

I am planning a September trip with my DH, DSs (12 & 11), and DD (9). We will not have the dining plan, and will be "flying by the seat of our pants" for meals. I planned out every meal on our last trip, and we want more freedom this time!

I was curious to know if we could enjoy some of the restaurant-adjacent lounges with our kids in tow, thereby enjoying a more casual atmosphere and reservation freedom, while still getting some yummy eats. Is this allowed, or is it adults-only? One specific place I had in mind is the lounge next to the 50s PT Café in DHS. I think the restaurant menu looks great, but my guys are shy and reserved, and would not care for the whole role-playing thing.

Any thoughts? Suggestions for lounge dining at other parks/resorts? We have simple, easy-to-please (not sophisticated) palates.

Thanks!

 

[JimmyV]

As long as there is an adult present, it shouldn't be a problem. I have eaten at the bar with my minor daughter at Flying Fish, bluezoo, California Grill and Jiko, to name a few.

 

[Fancychicken]

Thanks! I am looking forward to checking some of these places out.

 

[Jennasis]

I have always found the "lounge" attached to 50's Primetime to be not only ridiculously tiny (can't see how there would be room for your whole family) and crowded but LOUD too. It's in the lobby area of the restaurant and that area is insanely busy, crowded and loud. I can't see anyone enjoying a relaxed meal there.

 

[JimmyV]

I have always found the "lounge" attached to 50's Primetime to be not only ridiculously tiny (can't see how there would be room for your whole family) and crowded but LOUD too. It's in the lobby area of the restaurant and that area is insanely busy, crowded and loud. I can't see anyone enjoying a relaxed meal there.

Once you secure a seat at the bar and your back is turned to the madhouse behind you, it isn't bad. I've hung out there for drinks, but not eaten at that bar. Sort of takes away from the at-mouse-phere of the place not to have a server in character.

 

[TDC Nala]

I eat at the Tune Inn Lounge often and it is not any more hectic than the rest of the restaurant. Yes, you can hear the servers shouting for their parties, but if you are seated in the restaurant near the door you can hear the same thing. Kids who don't like loud crazy places are not going to like the lounge any better than they'd like the restaurant.

It is small, and when it is jumping you are going to have a lot of problems finding five stools together (or five stools at all).

 

[staceycanada]

Noise is an issue, also keep in mind without adr's (doing walk up) you are not guarenteed seating at all. If you don't want to be stuck eating counter service every night you might want a couple adr's.

 

[RachaelA]

My worry would be trying to find seating the lounge(s) for 5 people.

 

[TDC Nala]

You're not going to eat counter service every night, but you might have to eat at odd times and not when your kids are ready, or leave a park and go to a resort.

 

[Sweet Melissa]

I had in mind is the lounge next to the 50s PT Café in DHS.

My worry would be trying to find seating the lounge(s) for 5 people.

I don't think that it would be hard to get seating together in the resort lounges. The parks are a different story. The Tune-In Lounge in particular is a glaring exception. Every time we've entertained the notion of trying it, it's packed to the rafters. And we're just a party of two.

 

[tjmw2727]

I have had no issues with having my kids in the lounge areas and ordering appetizers to share. Animal Kingdom lodge and Beach Club lunch were two that we enjoyed as well as the piano bar lounge at POR.

However, with regard to 50's prime time I would not shy away from an ADR if you think you will enjoy the food and atmosphere but don't want to be part of the "show". IME the servers are excellent at reading the party and know when to fool around and when not. We have gone with family who were very much into the "show" and family who was obviously not and the servers have always been spot on with that. They want to entertain - not embarrass !

In September you will likely have more options without ADR's especially for off hours dining. We like to do a late lunch and often split meals so we can graze later esp when in the world showcase!

I am planning a September trip with my DH, DSs (12 & 11), and DD (9). We will not have the dining plan, and will be "flying by the seat of our pants" for meals. I planned out every meal on our last trip, and we want more freedom this time!

I was curious to know if we could enjoy some of the restaurant-adjacent lounges with our kids in tow, thereby enjoying a more casual atmosphere and reservation freedom, while still getting some yummy eats. Is this allowed, or is it adults-only? One specific place I had in mind is the lounge next to the 50s PT Café in DHS. I think the restaurant menu looks great, but my guys are shy and reserved, and would not care for the whole role-playing thing.

Any thoughts? Suggestions for lounge dining at other parks/resorts? We have simple, easy-to-please (not sophisticated) palates.

Thanks!

 

[goofyintoronto]

I have always found the "lounge" attached to 50's Primetime to be not only ridiculously tiny (can't see how there would be room for your whole family) and crowded but LOUD too. It's in the lobby area of the restaurant and that area is insanely busy, crowded and loud. I can't see anyone enjoying a relaxed meal there.

I agree with this. In all my years I have never been able to find TWO seats at the lounge. So id be very surprised if you found seats for your whole family. That place is always packed! Id make an ADR.

 

[Ro Z]

Like everyone has said Tune In lounge has about 8-10 seats. We are so happy if we get 1 and the other 2 of us stand. But resort lounges should be better. If you are in EPCOT try utto Gusto. We have never had a problem getting a table (3 times) you can order off their menu and Tutto Italias. At Studios the canteen over by the Backlot serves drinks and the CS next to it is pretty good. RFC, Paradiso and Trex are usually easy to get bar seating.

 

[aubriee]

I agree with this. In all my years I have never been able to find TWO seats at the lounge. So id be very surprised if you found seats for your whole family. That place is always packed! Id make an ADR.

Same here. This past Oct I ran in there just long enough to get a peanut butter/jelly shake to go. There wasn't a single empty seat at that bar. I had to stand while I waited for my shake. This was between 1:30pm and 2:00pm, so not prime lunch time either. We were on our way out of the park, but I wasn't leaving without my peanut butter/jelly shake, that I have to have every trip. I stood at the bar and waited, but my husband just went back outside to wait, because it was so crowded. Other people were standing at the bar too.

 

[Fancychicken]

I have always found the "lounge" attached to 50's Primetime to be not only ridiculously tiny (can't see how there would be room for your whole family) and crowded but LOUD too. It's in the lobby area of the restaurant and that area is insanely busy, crowded and loud. I can't see anyone enjoying a relaxed meal there.

Yep. Sounds like a party I can miss! Thanks for the heads-up!

 

[Fancychicken]

I have had no issues with having my kids in the lounge areas and ordering appetizers to share. Animal Kingdom lodge and Beach Club lunch were two that we enjoyed as well as the piano bar lounge at POR.

However, with regard to 50's prime time I would not shy away from an ADR if you think you will enjoy the food and atmosphere but don't want to be part of the "show". IME the servers are excellent at reading the party and know when to fool around and when not. We have gone with family who were very much into the "show" and family who was obviously not and the servers have always been spot on with that. They want to entertain - not embarrass !

In September you will likely have more options without ADR's especially for off hours dining. We like to do a late lunch and often split meals so we can graze later esp when in the world showcase!

Thanks for the info on 50s. It might be something we try in the future. This trip I am only doing 1 ADR - O'hana for our first day at MK. It is my must-do. For everything else, we are doing a lot of our own food (we are RV camping in the Fort!), or hitting counter service. If we decide we want to TS one da, we will simply check what is available for that day when we wake up. I'm guessing that 50s PT will not be on that list, based on it's popularity, but I guess you never know.

 

[Fancychicken]

Like everyone has said Tune In lounge has about 8-10 seats. We are so happy if we get 1 and the other 2 of us stand. But resort lounges should be better. If you are in EPCOT try utto Gusto. We have never had a problem getting a table (3 times) you can order off their menu and Tutto Italias. At Studios the canteen over by the Backlot serves drinks and the CS next to it is pretty good. RFC, Paradiso and Trex are usually easy to get bar seating.

Ooh-Italian. Yea! If I can lure DH away from the Chinese QS, that might just be a plan!

 

[Fancychicken]

Noise is an issue, also keep in mind without adr's (doing walk up) you are not guarenteed seating at all. If you don't want to be stuck eating counter service every night you might want a couple adr's.

We just went in Feb. on the dining plan. I made ADRs at 180 days. We had some lovely TS meals, we toured like commandos, and it really was a great trip! However, this time, I am being very intentional about taking the pace down...being more spontaneous and hoping to make some magical memories in unexpected places. Even if that means we will miss out on some of the better dining, I think it will be a nice departure. If we want TS, we will check what's available the morning of. It won't break my heart, though, if all we do is QS.